”When I was 25 years old, I decided to travel to Ireland for a little adventure. I met some other young adults in a hostel, and one night three of us were walking down a street in Dublin when a disheveled-looking man and woman approached us asking for money to buy food. Despite the objections of one of our party, we gave them the equivalent of $5.00. As the couple walked away, the person who had objected told us that he suspected they would use the money for drugs or alcohol. He then announced that he was going to follow them to prove it!
Somewhat unwillingly, my other companion and I went along. We followed the couple across the River Liffey down a street where raucous laughter filled the air as people drifted in and out of the many pubs. Just as my friend began to say, “I told you so,” the couple appeared coming out of a convenience store with two sandwiches. In silence, we all looked at one another and realized that the sandwiches weren’t the most important gifts given that day. The gift we had received was a reminder that we are not called to judge human hearts. We are simply called to emulate Jesus by responding with compassion to the human needs we encounter.”
The message above is from the “UPPER ROOM” for 4/14/2015. This is the reason I give money to the beggars on the street corners. I am not qualified to judge.
It has been 38 years since she died yet moments in my life bring her vividly back to existence. For dinner tonight I had a stuffed bell pepper and a stuffed poblano pepper I prepared March 23, 2015 (which happens to be my true birthday) and they were wonderful. The tomato sauce did kill the heat of the poblano pepper. Those peppers had been in my refrigerator over 3 weeks and I cooked and ate them with no hesitation. My mother was almost certain someone was gonna die after eating leftovers from her refrigerator. I can see her sniffing at the contents of some bowl or container she had put in the fridge after the previous day’s dinner. I do not remember her ever reheating something after two days in the fridge. She would question at the table about whether we thought something tasted right. The only thing her or dad would keep more than one night was that stinking gut wrenching disgusting “Buttered Pecan Ice Cream”. My stomach heaves just thinking of the words.
Despite the heavy rains of the last 2 days I transplanted three bell pepper plants: green, orange, and purple in my allocated space. I also transplanted one giant chard and 2 sweet lavender plants. Tomorrow after my morning errands I am going to move my in-room tomato plant to my garden space. My space is 3 feet by 4.d feet. I am also going plant Dwarf Okra, Broccoli Raab, and Kohlrabi seed amongst the plants. By the time the seed produce mature plants the others will be in decline. If I find time I am going to drive hwy 90 toward Hallettsville tomorrow unless it rains.
I finally met the journalist turned author today while Jean and I were working on a jigsaw puzzle in the elevator lobby. Turns out I have read two of her books. The best one IMHO was the one about the beginnings of the antiques festival in Round Top Texas.
Off to watch Building Wild and Cabin Fever then to bed.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
No comments:
Post a Comment