FReeper Canteen ~ Sunday Chapel ~ TRANSITIONS ~ 26 August 2012

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[Kathy in Alaska]

 

 

 

 

TRANSITIONS

It's a "red letter" day at our household today...(and maybe a time for some "red eyes" as well). It is a time of real adjustment...so much so that my daughter asked to stay home from school. And my wife has been dreading the inevitable battle with emotions...one which she will probably lose. There were phone calls from family and friends, and parties over the weekend. Old scrapbooks were dusted off and passed around. Memories of other times and events were recalled and relived. There was some good-natured "ribbing" and some nervous laughter, all leaning inexorably toward the change that today would most certainly bring. And no matter how the scenario plays itself out, things will never be the same for our family again. It's a time for closing one chapter of life and beginning another. Today, you see, is the day my son leaves for "boot camp"! It's one of those times we call a "transition".

Transitions come in all shapes and sizes, but they all require us to change. And that's usually painful. Sooner or later, however, everything changes. We move from one place to another…or from one job to another...or even from one relationship to another. Sometimes we think that staying in one place will give us the stability we crave. And sometimes it does, but only for a while, because that's the way life is. Time moves on. And even if our geography stays the same, each of us will still face life's inevitable "passages"...from one age to another, from one responsibility to another, from one stage of life to another...each requiring a new way of relating, a new set of skills, and a new perspective.

There is a spiritual issue in dealing with such change, according to author and professor Bill Ratliff. It's hearing and responding to the will of God. "The scriptures and the lives of religious persons throughout history, have given witness to God's calling persons into new places", he says. "As God called Abraham, God calls us, 'Leave your country, your kindred, and your father's house for a country which I will show you' (Genesis 12:1)". It's a familiar quest, but the pilgrimage must be individually discerned and is always unique for each of us.

Ratliff also reminds us that to refuse this pilgrimage, to refuse to "enter the wilderness", to "play it safe" rather than following God out into the unknown, is (to some extent) to choose death, to abandon our "growing edge", to give up the destiny of who we are called to become. Better then we should go THROUGH the valley of the shadow, even when it is uncharted and scary. Because more often than not, the loneliness of the wilderness is where God has chosen to speak most clearly, where things are out of our control, where we have no choice but to depend on God's grace.

In one sense this transition is an easy one for my family. It's part of the process of growing up. Something every family expects to face. And we have every reason to expect positive results as this "fledgling" learns to fly (quite literally since he has committed to the Army Airborne). Still, it is comforting to know that whether we "take the wings of the morning" ... or "dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there (God's) hand shall lead" us and His "right hand shall hold" us. That He comprehends our path, and our lying down; and is acquainted with all our ways. The Psalmist was right: "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it." His responses are equally valid. First, to praise God and second to pray: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxieties; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in thy way everlasting".

Can any of us afford to do any less?

CAPT J. David Atwater, CHC, USN

 

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Mac...*HUGS*

Hope you’ve had a fair to middling day. Rest for sure.

Any forward movement on the basement renovation?

A nice grilled evening repast from your new grill chef?

A Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours.

When we tried to leave for me to take my Mom to get her hair cut, the suburban was dead, and this was after I couldn’t get in. Someone, not me, had moved it back just a few inches...meaning the driver’s door wouldn’t open because the pony wall stopped it. You know you have pulled in far enough when you see that the door will clear the wall. So I got in via the passenger door, crawled over “things” and found that it was in neutral. Put it in Park and transfered to my car.

When we got back my Mom and I pushed it forward just the couple inches needed to clear the wall. Now it is on a charger (a first for me). No clue why it was dead, but the lights are working now and I’ll drive it tomorrow.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Welcome to the Canteen, Savage Beast...a Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours.

Tagline noted....Heaven awaits.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, ML...((HUGS))

Are you wet? Prepared for lots more wet?

Good lessons today?

A Blessed Lord’s Day and Shavua Tov to you and yours.

[Kathy in Alaska]

To our Military -

Thank you for protecting us. Sleep well and safe.
May you be protected. May your families' hearts be at ease.

Thank you to our Allies.

**********************************

To those of our Military and Allies who gave their all,
- May your souls rest in peace. May your families be comforted.
May your/our country always remember.

[BIGLOOK]

[Kathy in Alaska]

Rest in Peace, Neil Armstrong...Rest in Peace.

[Kathy in Alaska]

The Lord's Prayer

[Kathy in Alaska]

A Blessed Lord's Day to you and your family.

The 23rd Psalm

[ConorMacNessa]

Not a bad day, thanks! Basement is still behind the power curve. I cooked a nice chicken stir-fry this evening, with the help of my younger daughter.

Tonight's thread - transitions - resonates strongly with me. My late father, a three-war veteran of the U.S. Navy, swore me into active duty in the Navy. When I left for the Vietnam War, he went to the airport with me and before I boarded, he and my mother both kissed me farewell. Five short months later, on 25Aug1969, he pinned my Purple Heart on my uniform, the day he retired from the Navy.



Almost thirty years later came another transition, the day that I had known would finally come finally arrived - my father's passing, and I became the senior member of my family. That is a transition that is difficult to traverse. All the men and women I looked up to in my youth are gone to their reward.

I miss them dearly - all I can do at this time is to model myself on their exemplary behavior and pass to my juniors the lessons I learned from them. They rest in the Peace of the Lord - I look forward to seeing them again when I have passed.



Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[AZamericonnie]

LeAnn Rimes~Amazing Grace

[Kathy in Alaska]

Beautiful tribute, Hawaii....

“one small step for man....”

[AZamericonnie]

My late father, a three-war veteran of the U.S. Navy, swore me into active duty in the Navy. When I left for the Vietnam War, he went to the airport with me and before I boarded, he and my mother both kissed me farewell. Five short months later, on 25Aug1969, he pinned my Purple Heart on my uniform, the day he retired from the Navy.

This is such an amazing legacy Conor. *Hugs*

[ConorMacNessa]

Thanks very much, Connie!

*HUGS*

A Blessed Lord's Day to you and yours!

A legacy from my Father, my Uncles, and a legion of other family members - it sustains me through manifold troubles!



Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Just look at that handsome young sailor....

It must have been really special to have your Dad present you your Purple Heart.

We thank your Dad, and you, for your service to our country.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, AZ...*HUGS*...did you get all your cleaning and shopping done?

Any “me” time?

A Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours.

[AZamericonnie]

Sonboy was off work today so he & I went to see "2016: Obama's America" this afternoon.

Really a must see movie. For most of us it doesn't reveal a tremendous amount of information we don't already know but he puts it together in a context that is very logical.

The theater was packed, not a single seat was available except a few seats in the first & second rows which are neckbreakers. It was a matinee & the age group was primarily 40's & up.

There was a standing ovation at the end of the movie.

Kathy...look *Here* for listings that I hope are in your area. *Hugs*

[AZamericonnie]

I did all my big shopping over a week ago. Saved beaucoup bucks & got lots of bounty!:)

I didn’t even cook today! lol

We went out to my fav Mexican food place after the movie. Yummmers.

A very bleesed Lord’s Day to you & yours as well Kathy.

[ConorMacNessa]

Thanks for the info, Connie! I don't usually go out to the movies anymore, but I may make an exception for this one!



Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[ConorMacNessa]

A blessed Lord's Day to you and yours, Brother!



Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[Kathy in Alaska]

How terrific was the movie?

Informative?