The Other Fellow's Shoes

This week as the boys have been on Spring Break I have immensely enjoyed a Staycation! I have sorted through things--though not nearly enough. Today when working in the Utility Room pile, I came across this poem. I have made copies for our boys, but thought it went along with a recent blog on Perspective.

The Other Fellow's Shoes

Pray, find no fault with the man who limps
Or stumbles along the road,
Unless you have worn the shoes he wears,
Or struggled beneath his load.
There may be tacks in his shoes that hurt,
Though hidden away from view.
Or the burden he bears, placed on your back,
Might cause you to sumble, too.
Don't sneer at the man who is down today,
Unless you have felt the blow
That caused his fall, or felt the shame
That only the fallen know.
You may be strong, but still the blows
That were his, if dealt to you
In the selfsame way at the selfsame time,
Might cause you to stagger, too.
Don't be too harsh with the man who sins,
Or pelt him with words or stones,
Unless you are sure, yes, doubly sure
That you have not sins of your own.
For you know, perhaps, if the tempter's voice
Should whisper as soft to you
As it did to him when he went astry,
"Twould cause you to falter, too.
--Selected

OUR YOUNGEST TURNS 17!!

Seventeen years ago today we were blessed with our 3rd son--Thomas Christopher Wiesner. His older brothers Tim 3 1/2 and Tad age 2 welcomed him into our family! They visited him the night of his birth and almost tipped the bassinette over trying to get a look at him. Tom is a wonderful son. He is almost always happy, so willing to help around the house, and keeps his room and his truck so very neat. He wants to live for the Lord and his very honoring to his parents. He loves basketball and KU is his favorite team. Maybe they will win this week-end just for him. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOM! We love you so very much.

PERSPECTIVE!

This time of year I love all the basketball games! Yes, I have filled out my brackets, and yes, there are many "red marks" of correction in my incorrect guesses of who would win. (But, I am also following the Wall Street Journals sophisticated approach to bracketology and their "guesses" almost have as many red marks as mine do.) But there is something more important that I would like to blog about and that is the perspective on the refs' calls in a game. The same game event occurs and yet half the crowd is cheering the ref and the other side is angry and yes, booing. What's the difference? It is the perspective or the "frame of reference" that each side has. The same game event has elicited "polar opposite" reactions.
Possibly, there is something further that could be gained from this sport's observation. This is played out frequently in "real life" situations that happen in the work force, at churches, schools, competitions, politics, and families. The same situation can elicit "polar opposite" responses--some are happy and some are "otherwise". Possibly, if we (I) could learn to reasonably try to understand the perspective of the other side/person there could be communication and reasonable exchange that has potential to accomplish more than we see demonstrated at some athletic events.
Hopefully, I can learn to model this for our 3 sons and possibly convey this to them. For now, GO WSU in the NIT and KU in the SWEET 16!

A Song That Lifted My Heart!

Yesterday morning as I was driving to the hospital my heart was heavy. I had the Christian radio station (BBN) on and was "partially" listening to the music. All at once I thought these are just the words that I need to hear. I was able to pull the car over to the curb and quickly wrote down what I could remember of it. Last evening I was telling Tim how much this song meant to me. He quickly did an internet search and found the words. I also found someone singing this on You Tube. I thought since it had been a long time since I blogged this might be appropriate--with the thought that it might bless someone else as it did me.

New Grace
by Tom Hayes

All of grace is my story
All the way from Earth to Glory
Since by grace He lifted me from sin and woe
Living grace He has extended
As on Him my heart depended
He'll give me new grace when it's my time to go.

Grace not yet discovered
Grace not yet uncovered
Grace from His bountiful store
Grace to cross the river
And grace to face forever
But there'll be new grace I've not needed before.

There's been grace for every mile
There's been grace for every trial
There's been grace sufficient from His vast supply
Grace to make my heart more tender
Grace to love and pray for sinners
But there'll be new grace when it's my time to die.

Grace not yet discovered
Grace not yet uncovered
Grace from His bountiful store
Grace to cross the river
And grace to face forever
But there'll be new grace I've not needed before.

Another Year--2010

Today as I had some extra time I was sorting through some of the piles that get laid aside during the holidays. On my desk I came across this poem by Frances R. Havergal that I had cut out of a magazine. It was such a good and needed reminder for me. Even though the new year is always so exciting and I have such "good intentions", too often I resort to old, suboptimal habits and mindsets.

Another year is dawning,
Dear Father let it be,
In working or in waiting,
Another year with thee.

Another year of progress,
Another year of praise,
Another year of proving
Thy presence all the days.

Another year of mercies,
Of faithfulness and grace,
Another year of gladness,
The glory of thy face.

Another year of leaning
Upon thy loving breast,
Another year of trusting,
Of quiet, happy rest.

Another year of service,
Of witness for thy love,
Another year of training
For holier work above.

Another year is dawning,
Dear Father, let it be,
On earth, or else in heaven,
Another year for thee.

By Frances R. Havergal

Good-Bye Summer--A Bittersweet Day

I have always loved summer vacation time for our boys. Today seemed bittersweet as school begins tomorrow. Tom, our youngest, starts his freshman year in high school. Tad, our junior in high school, starts the following day. (Tad parted with his beard tonight after football practice.) Tim begins college at WSU on Thurs. but has been on campus a lot for activities already.
The boys have had productive summers working and doing sports and conditioning. We've had great family times together. A few weeks ago we took a family trip to Estes Park/Rocky Mtn. National Park. I was thankful that we could all still go together. The photos are taken during our trip. So "thank you, Lord for such a wonderful summer". Good-bye summer but the memories are for keeps!

CONGRATULATINS GRADUATES!

I am always so slow with my blogs so this one is 2 months late! May was a special month for our family with graduations. Niece, Marci, graduated from seminary and a week later son, Tim, graduated from high school. Two weeks later son, Tom, graduated from the 8th grade. This photo shows Tim and Marci. Will follow in another blog with Tom. Since graduation Tim celebrated birthday #19 so (sometime) will get these pictures posted as well. The years go so fast!