On Climbing Trees and Hiding in Tall Grass
On Climbing Trees and Hiding in Tall Grass
by Marilyn Mackenzie


Yesterday, I wrote a story about my Grandma's simple faith. I remembered how she had been content in knowing that because her education only lasted for a short time, she still was able to think like a child. She would smile, and remind me that Jesus said we should become like children - full of wonder, open to the leading of God, loving, non-judgmental.

Today, I remembered some of the things I enjoyed doing as a child. I loved climbing the cherry tree in our backyard. None of the other kids in my neighborhood could climb that tree without a boost. I could shimmy up the tree trunk just enough to get close to a large branch and then using all of the moves I'd learned on the monkey bars, I could climb that tree without any assistance. Once there, I could chase away the birds and eat the sweet, juicy dark cherries. But, that tree was also a wonderful hiding place for me when I wanted to write or draw. I'd take a tablet with me and a sketchpad and write poems and stories and then sketch pictures to go with my writings. How I wish I had kept those poems and stories and pictures. What fun it would be to look back at the world as seen from the eyes of my childhood days.

Another place where I loved retreating was off in a field of tall grass. My friends and I were a bit scared that we might encounter snakes in the tall grass. But, our enjoyment of hiding there, in a field close enough to the road that we could see the comings and goings of all of our neighbors, yet hidden from view by the tall grass, was enough to make us take the chance of seeing snakes. Sitting there alone, I'd balance my sketchpad on one knee and my writing tablet on the other. I was never allowed to walk barefoot, but as soon as I settled down into my hidden writing place, I'd take off my shoes and socks. How I loved the feel of the cold grass on my bare feet! The ants and bugs crawling around my feet didn't even bother me. They were God's creatures.

I don't have any of the stories or pictures I wrote as a ten and eleven-year-old child. But I know that most of what I wrote had to do with nature and God. Even back then, I was impressed with the miracles all around me and knew that only God could have created them.

Today, I don't have a tree to climb or a field of tall grass to hide in when I want to study God's word or write about his wondrous creations. Somehow, writing at a table or desk just doesn't inspire me as much as sitting amongst the tiniest creatures. So, I've learned to sit on the porch of my apartment. There, in the midst of concrete and other creations of man are some trees and flowers and plants. The neighbor's cat scurries to see me and jumps into my lap as I gaze at the squirrels and birds. Only then, can I feel close enough to God to really talk with Him and to hear His voice.

1 Chronicles 16:8
Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done.

Cheers
Cheers
By Marilyn Mackenzie

The smile or kind word you give to a stranger may not save a life, but it could save someone's day.

Perhaps you've seen the story about the young man who befriended a kid who was, for some reason, carrying all of his schoolbooks home, and dropped them. Later, when the kid was giving a graduation speech, he mentioned the day their friendship began. He had been planning to commit suicide. He brought the books all home because he had cleaned out his locker. That new friend's kindness gave him a reason to carry on.

We each have the ability to make a difference in the lives of others every day. Dr. Phil, one of Oprah's regulars, says there are pivotal people and defining moments in our lives. Often times, a kind word from us will be a pivotal moment in anther's life. It may be but an instant in time, and one that neither party fully recalls. Yet it can be influential.

I once met a man who answered the standard question, "How are you?" with just one word -"unbelievable!" He said it with enthusiasm. Yet, he explained to me, that word could mean he was unbelievably good or unbelievably bad. Rather than burdening every stranger around him about how he really felt, he brightened their days with that one word. Most responded with a smile or a giggle at his response. I've tried his response, and it does work. But my signature response when someone asks me, "How are you?" is "peachy keen." That makes people smile and laugh as well, and my close friends can tell by the tone of my voice whether or not I truly am "peachy keen" and they can inquire further if they wish.

This Ms. Merry Sunshine wakes up with a sunny disposition. After reading God's instruction manual and visiting for a time with birds and squirrels outside, I'm ready to face a new day. When my son was young, I'd then go to his room and pull back the curtains to let the sun in. He'd join me in singing "let the merry sunshine in" and reciting a poem that was posted on his door. Part of it said, "have in your heart a word of cheer for all who come your way, and they will greet you too, in turn, and wish you a happy day." Yes, as my son grew up, he thought his mother was a fruitcake. But he indulged me, and sang and recited that poem with me.

Now that my son is 18, he's suddenly discovered that smiling at another in the grocery store really does result in receiving a smile back. He was thrilled with this revelation recently. I reminded him that I'd been telling him that for years. His response? "It doesn't work on your peers, mom. You have to give the smile to someone older or younger than yourself." As I pondered that, I realized he just might be right. Especially at his age. Smiling at a young lady might make her think he's interested in her. Smiling at a guy might make him think there's something wrong with my son. But, a smile from him to the younger kids in our apartment complex makes them venture up to him and want to share what's happening in their lives. And the smiles he gives older adults makes them think he's "a fine young man" and they can't wait to tell me so.

For me, sharing cheer comes naturally. Even when my own world is not perfect, when things just seem to be crashing in around me, it's my nature to share smiles and kind words with those around me. The joy of the Lord is my strength.

Nehemiah 8:10b...Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.