Chaos. Order. More Chaos. More Order.

08/18/2017 By: CCPearson6 Comments

After MUCH sweat, agonizing and gnashing of teeth, we made it through several weeks of packing, 2 days of loading our worldly goods onto a truck (no, we don’t have that much stuff, and don’t ask me to name the moving company), a day of closings in attorneys’ offices and then 2 more days of unloading (again, don’t ask). We are making a nest in our new, but yet very familiar, surroundings. We moved away from Hartselle almost exactly 15 years ago. Since we lived in this town for 30 years, reared our children here, owned a business on the main highway and taught in the public schools, we know the shortcuts and basically where everything is. Some things have changed, but happily many things are still the same. Whew. At this stage of our lives, “FAMILIAR” is a welcome word.

It is a relief to be in a place we understand when we get in our car and drive out of the driveway, but it’s the chaos INSIDE that has been a challenge to my senses this past week. Poorly-labeled boxes and boxes of need-it-now items that are buried somewhere in the garage have frustrated me. My body and my psyche crave order. Yes, I CAN live amidst turmoil and messiness, but not for long.

Multiply this pile of boxes by 100, and you get a more accurate picture.

At least, I was able to find some sheets for these beds, right?

All of this, as you might suspect, has sent my mind on another spiritual journey. I needed to be reminded that God is a God of order and not chaos. He created order from complete chaos back in Genesis chapter 1.

Genesis 1:2 “The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep.” And then God started speaking and order was set in place — light, heavens and earth, day and night, seas and dry lands, plants, animals, etc. etc. Just by saying the words, the earth started to take shape and make perfect sense.

In another place in Scripture, a storm was raging, and the disciples were terrified.

Matthew 8:23-27 “Now when He (Jesus) got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. ²⁴And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. ²⁵Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”

²⁶But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. ²⁷So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” Again, just by speaking Jesus brought order out of chaos.

1 Corinthians 14:33a-40 — “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace . . . .but everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.”

With hard work and determination, we can eventually bring order to our living spaces and our physical environment.

Who knows where my Tupperware is buried, but at least this Pearson grandmomma has a kitchen back up and running.

Ahhhh. As long as there’s a place for grandchildren to come and visit, life seems much better.

But only God can bring order to the emotional and spiritual chaos of our lives. I love these verses. They are speaking to me this morning.

Matthew 11:28-30 — “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Do you need “rest for your soul” this morning?

Are you looking for spiritual order in the middle of your inner chaos?

Do Unto Others

08/11/2017 By: CCPearsoncomment

Matthew 7:12 (Words of Jesus) “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”

“Do unto others. . . .” “Do unto others. . . .” Over and over these words have been playing in a loop in my head in recent days and months. And I have been realizing that following this command of Jesus’ is often costly, financially and in terms of hard work.

A week ago, while the packers were busy in other parts of the house, I was wiping out cabinets and drawers, cleaning the microwave, polishing countertops, sweeping and mopping because I want to leave the house for the new owners like I hope someone is leaving the house that Steve and I will be moving into. If they don’t, I’ll just clean it, too. After all, I’m not accountable for THEIR actions, but as a Christ follower, I am accountable to Him for my actions. Somehow it mattered to me to have the house better than just move-in-ready. When the neighbors come around and mention “the Pearsons who used to live here,” I want so much for the new owners to already have a positive impression of us based on the condition of the house and yard. It’s well worth the sweat and energy expended.

The new owners submitted a list of repairs that they wanted us to make. We have checked everything off of that list, but we knew of a few others things that deserved attention. Most of these items have cost money. Let me just say it — moving isn’t cheap. But again, wouldn’t we want the owners where we’re moving to have the appliances, plumbing, electrical wiring and air conditioning in good working order? Well then, that’s what we want for the people moving into our present house.

Jesus told us to treat people the way we want to be treated. His words go WAY beyond the condition of our homes. I believe He was also talking about respect, honesty, courtesy and kindness. When I listen to the nightly news, I’m afraid I don’t see much evidence of people living by Jesus’ words. But wouldn’t we ALL be better off if we did?

Anyway, that’s just something I was convicted about recently. I’d love to hear how God has been pricking your heart.

Last Thoughts, Last Words, Last Actions

08/04/2017 By: CCPearson10 Comments

Several days ago, I was driving east on Highway 72 near Athens, AL and stopped for a red light at Lucas Ferry Road. Three weeks earlier, another woman stopped at that same red light, and a few seconds later her life ended suddenly and without warning.

The lady was in her mid-40’s and on her way to work in Huntsville. She had two children and two grandchildren. She had no idea that a tractor-trailer truck would be going at full speed and hit her from behind causing her car to burst into flames. She was innocent. She was merely sitting still, going about her normal daily routine. But, I have thought again and again about what she might have thought, said or done in the moments before that fatal crash.

What was she thinking as she sat at that light? Was she looking forward to her workday or dreading it? Was she anticipating what would happen after she got off work? Did she have supper going in the crockpot? Did she have a list of errands beside her on the seat? Was she listening to the radio and humming along to some tunes or chuckling with Rick and Bubba or lamenting the latest news? Was she worried about anything? Was she happy about the relationships in her life?

What were her last words? What were the last conversations she had with her husband, children, grandchildren and close friends? Had she spoken to anyone on the phone that morning?

Besides getting up and getting dressed for work, what else had she done? Did she straighten the house, go out and pick a few vegetables from her garden, watch TV, feed the dog, read her Bible? Did she look in her rearview mirror a split second before the truck hit? Did she even have time to scream? Did she feel any pain? Oh, how I hope not.

I have no idea about the spiritual condition of that woman or what her relationship with Christ was, but I do know that woman could have been me. The same kind of accident could happen to any of us. But, rather than dwell on the actual moment of our deaths — and for those of us who are in Christ that moment will be glorious — the lesson for me has been to be more intentional with my thoughts, words and actions. To live in such a way that the last remembrances anyone might have of me would be positive, uplifting, encouraging, happy, edifying and Christ-honoring. This accident has caused me to reexamine the relationships in my life, to try to make improvements, to say the things to friends that I’ve been thinking and know they would enjoy hearing. To say “I love you” more often. I pray for that woman’s family and for the driver of the truck who hit her. Those few seconds have forever changed a lot of lives.

Acts 20:22-24 “And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there,except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me.But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”

2 Timothy 4:7-8 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

The Dilemma of “Stuff”

07/28/2017 By: CCPearson5 Comments

I wrestled with choosing the best title for today’s post. At times, “The Burden of Stuff” seemed appropriate. At other times, “The Pleasure of Stuff” worked. But, for the most part, “stuff” and what to do with it has proven to be quite a dilemma as we face our upcoming move.

We did all of this to a drastic extent a mere 15 years ago. During 2002, we went through every room, closet, drawer and box. 100% of our worldly goods were either thrown away, given away, sold, stored for an indefinite amount of time or crated (using our VERY meager crate allowance) to be shipped to Ecuador. That was a gut-wrenching ordeal. The 3 Pearson children were the benefactors of quite a bit, and it’s fun to visit their homes now and see items they were given during that year. Some friends got great bargains of furniture, because we didn’t even get “the good stuff” until the year of our 25th anniversary, only 6 years earlier. The Salvation Army and Goodwill-type places received a lot, and we carefully boxed up some treasures, such as my mother’s wedding china, because we knew we’d want them again at some point. But, basically, we pared down to absolute minimum essentials.

Truthfully, once it was done, the feeling was very liberating.

When we got to Ecuador, we bought a few of the necessities of life, and the funny stories of doing so with limited Spanish and curious shopkeepers still make us smile. For those 4 years, we lived simply, and the accumulation of “stuff” was at the bottom of our list of priorities. Before we moved back, I even gave all but about 3 changes of clothes to the nuns who lived next door to be used in their ministry to the poor.

Then, we moved back to the States, to Alabama, and to the intoxicating lure of TV ads, beautiful stores and online bombardment.

I smiled a few days ago as I packed this dish that was a precious gift from my cousin and very dear friend Ginger. She had heard me say that I didn’t have any “stuff” (such as decor items and knickknacks, etc.), and she wanted me to get started accumulating once again. Thank you, Ginger. This represents your thoughtfulness every time I look at it and use it.

Gift from my cousin/friend Ginger when I moved home from Ecuador.

Now, we’re moving again, and in the meantime, our oldest child has even written a book on decluttering (Making Room for Jesus by Laura Baggett). She’s cheering us on while we pack our boxes. “Have you used that in the last year?” “Do you have a place to put it in your new house?” “Does it “spark joy” or does it bring back unpleasant memories?” “Does it even fit anymore?”

Would you believe that a stack of old Southern Living Magazines was a big hurdle I needed to face before I could get my mind in a good place for this cleaning out/sorting/packing challenge? Yes. I LOVE Southern Living Magazines. My MOMMA had loved Southern Living Magazines. I remember one I received in the mail while we were in Ecuador from my friend Martine Bates Fairbanks. I read every word, including the advertisements, at least a dozen times. It was written in my “heart language,” and it sounded Southern. So, of course, within days of moving back to Alabama, I was a subscriber once again. And, they are still very hard for me to toss, but I (and my determination to declutter) prevailed.

Southern Living Magazines about to be recycled.

Certain things do indeed spark joy. I watched my momma set a pretty table and entertain many guests using the china she and daddy received when they married. She even washed each piece by hand afterwards, being so careful to avoid breaking one. I hated to lose her suddenly at the age of 55, but it gave me a lot of comfort to inherit her china.

Family pictures reminding me of “the way we were” always bring a smile to my face. They will always be keepers if I have anything to say about it. There are other worldly treasures — my grand piano and my Dickens Village, for example — that I hope to have in my world, at least until I’m no longer able to enjoy them. And, yes, we’re to the age when we have to entertain such thoughts. And, after burying both my stepmother and my dad last year, the dilemma of stuff has been in the forefront of my mind.

We ARE making progress, though. There are things that I most certainly want to see, use and enjoy again, so those are being carefully boxed up for the next 5 or 6 months while our house is under construction.

The dining room is boxed up and ready for moving day.

And, this morning I even had the JOY of bagging up a bunch of clothes that no longer fit me. Woohoo!! Hopefully, someone will be glad to have them.

We’re building a smaller house with limited storage space. I think I’ll need to re-read Laura’s book several more times before it’s time to unpack again. I’m already convicted by this passage of Scripture.

Luke 12:13-21 New King James Version (NKJV)

The Parable of the Rich Fool

¹³Then one from the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

¹⁴But He said to him, “Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?” ¹⁵And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”

¹⁶Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. ¹⁷And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ ¹⁸So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. ¹⁹And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.”’ ²⁰But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’

²¹“So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

Leaving Behind A Yard Full of Beauty

07/21/2017 By: CCPearson2 Comments

Ecclesiastes 3:11 “He has made everything beautiful in its time.”

1 Timothy 6:17 Don’t put your trust in uncertain riches, but put your trust in God “who gives us richly all things to enjoy.”

Our heads tell us that the move we’re in the middle of is a wise decision, but often our hearts question our judgment and cause us to want to stay right where we are. This is especially true of my dearly loved Silver Fox. He has poured so much blood, sweat and tears into our yard, and the results are enjoying a peak performance right now.

He also loves the Tennessee River and only has to look out the front door to see it.

God has truly given us much to cherish about the past seven years we’ve spent at Brigadoon and in Athens. We will miss our neighbors. The new owners will love the community feeling of our area. We will miss our friends, especially those at church. But, I remind myself that Hartselle is only 45 minutes away with plenty of lunch rendezvous places in between. We’ve moved 3000 miles away before, and this is NOT the same.

It’s hard work to move, and many emotions get in the way. “Shall I keep it? Shall I toss it? Have I used it since I last moved? Does it bring back good memories? Does it “spark joy,” or will I be glad I won’t have to find a place for it in the next house?” More about that in my next blog.

In the meantime, will you please pray for us? Cousins Camp begins in two days. It’s the highlight of our year. We’ll have 11 kiddoes with us for the week, ages 4 to 16. They richly deserve our undivided attention. As long as we put in another pool and have places for all of them to sleep, they really don’t care where we go next.

They have just learned to enjoy and love each other and eagerly look forward to Cousins Camp. We always need your prayers that we will all stay safe and healthy, that we will laugh a lot and that our bonds will continue to deepen. The week is coming at a good time for us to be reminded of our REAL priorities.

P.S. I must mention the birds. Just this morning while I was exercising in the pool, I watched 5 hummingbirds dive-bombing our feeder, several goldfinches with their bright yellow plumage eating their preferred seeds in an upside-down position, and a red-headed woodpecker using his jackhammer beak to try to coax a bug out of our gutters. Sorry, Mr. Woodpecker. Sure hope that effort didn’t bend your beak. 🙂

“Every Man Dies. Not Every Man Really Lives”

07/14/2017 By: CCPearson5 Comments

“Every man dies. Not every man really lives.” This quote is attributed to William Wallace who was a freedom fighter for Scotland and Ireland against England at the end of the 13th century. The line was famously delivered by Mel Gibson in the movie Braveheart, and it was repeated by two different speakers at my cousin Jackie Greenhaw’s funeral last week leaving me with a lot to ponder.

Jackie was a great example of a man who really lived. At the visitation with the family and at his memorial service were people who had been touched by Jackie in the many phases of his life. As a high school quarterback, coach and teacher and then later as a consummate volunteer and organizer for causes bettering the lives of Athens and Limestone County citizens, his circle of influence was wide. He and his wife Helen made stunning dance partners. He was a deacon at First Baptist Church, where he was a LIFELONG member, and the entire Athens Rotary Club sat as a group in his honor for the service. The music minister made us all chuckle before leading a congregational hymn saying, “Rarely do you hear the words ‘deacon’ and ‘dancer’ used side by side.” Yet, with Jackie both were true titles. He was also a faithful husband for 52 years, a father to three bright, articulate and accomplished daughters and grandfather to three beautiful children.

Jackie was seven years older than I am. His mother and my grandmother were sisters. We shared hundreds of family occasions. For some reason, he called me “Conga.” I realize that the name sounds a little bit like Connie, but I think he teased me with that name because it was a dance he loved to do. It made both of us smile whenever he said it.

It will take a host of people to fill the shoes/titles he has left behind. What a model of living fully, meaningfully and unselfishly he demonstrated for us.

Not all of us can be dancers and influential civic leaders, but I believe the Bible is clear that we are ALL put on earth to live fully, to “really live.” In what areas could I be really living to a greater extent? Where can I be more generous with my time, personality and abilities? What causes could be promoted with my help? And, what about you? Are we taking too much back to the locker room rather than leaving it all on the playing field of our lives?

John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy. I (Jesus) came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

Psalm 16:11 “You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. . .”

Divine Appointment with Mr. Jed

07/07/2017 By: CCPearson4 Comments

We thought we were going into the dining room for another wonderful dinner with our new cruise friends. Instead, we learned once again that the Holy Spirit is never on vacation but is, in fact, always at work.

On the first full day at sea we went to our assigned place for the evening meal where tuxedoed servers waited to treat us like royalty. We were introduced to our tablemates for the week, a lovely couple from North Carolina (we knew they were from the south the minute they said hello), an elderly gentleman in a motorized wheelchair, and his traveling companion, Kay. We learned pretty quickly that Mr. Jed, the one in the wheelchair, was 82-years-old, had survived two strokes but was left with very little use of his legs and his left arm. We watched appreciatively as our thoughtful server helped Mr. Jed cut his meat when the entrees were brought to the table. “Religious affiliation” was lightly mentioned in our initial conversation, but most of the talk was light-hearted and superficial.

The following three nights the six of us got to know each other even better as we shared stories pertaining to our families and past professions. We especially enjoyed Mr. Jed’s descriptions of the months he spent on a submarine while he was in the navy. But, on the fifth night, the North Carolina couple dined in another shipboard restaurant in order to celebrate their 55th anniversary, and Kay chose to stay behind in her cabin to recuperate from a rigorous shipboard excursion. Steve and I were alone with Mr. Jed.

A layer of liking, appreciation and trust was already in place from the previous hours we’d been together. This time I asked Mr. Jed if he was still active in the church he’d mentioned during our first dinner together. He said no and went on to describe an incident that had completely turned him off of that church years ago. But, he also described his very godly grandmother and how many times he’d seen her studying the Bible.

Steve: “Well, Mr. Jed, who is Jesus to you?”

Mr. Jed: “He’s my Savior.”

Steve: “So, if you died tonight, do you think you’d go to heaven?”

Mr. Jed: “I have no idea.”

Steve began to explain how Mr. Jed could have assurance of salvation while I silently prayed. Mr. Jed leaned in close and listened intently. Others in the dining room began to trickle out. Our servers remained nearby but seemed to sense that no interruption was necessary. I have no doubt that the Holy Spirit gave Mr Jed that opportunity to hear the truth and used Steve as his mouthpiece. Steve urged Mr. Jed to spend time with the Lord before he went to bed that night and to accept the reality of Jesus as his Savior.

Mr. Jed and Faye were not at dinner the last night, but we saw them briefly at the airport the next morning. Mr. Jed was cordial to Steve. We don’t know what transpired between Mr. Jed and God, but we do know that he heard the gospel again and had the opportunity to accept it. We’re still praying for him.

1 John 5:13 (New American Standard Bible NASB) — “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, SO THAT YOU MAY KNOW that you have eternal life.”

John 20:31 (NASB) — “but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.”

1 Peter 3:15 (NASB) — “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence . . . “

Hidden by the Clouds

06/30/2017 By: CCPearson4 Comments

The thick gray clouds matched my mood last Tuesday morning. I confess that I was weary. We had been traveling for the past two weeks and still had a rental car return, baggage check-in, security screening, airport food and two flights ahead of us before we’d finally be back home. Our suitcases bulged with dirty laundry.

I was feeling anxious for two reasons. Our youngest daughter (the one who is pregnant with her 8th child) had texted that she was at the doctor on a monitor because of contractions that wouldn’t stop, and she still has three more months to go in this pregnancy. I was uneasy about being so far away and having to put my phone on airplane mode. And, I knew that the day after we got back, we would still be involved in intense house searching because the closing date for selling our present house continues to loom nearer and nearer.

And, my heart has been heavy because of the death of a dear family member last weekend.

Have you ever had days like that? “The stuff of life” tugged, ready to topple me at the first opportunity.

But, then, we finally boarded our plane, settled in our seats, took out some reading material and got comfortable (always a relative term for those of us who don’t get to fly First Class). The plane took off and began it’s ascent through those same thick gray clouds that had been so prominent on our drive to the airport.

After a few minutes, I looked out the window and took in an involuntary gasp of air. There it was for one last look. The top of Mount Rainier towered above the clouds in its snow-covered splendor. I was in awe.

Mount Rainier looming above the clouds.

With an elevation of 14,411 feet, Rainier is the tallest mountain in the state of Washington but only ranks 21st in the list of “25 Highest Mountains in the World.” A week earlier, we saw Denali (formerly known as Mount McKinley) which is the 3rd tallest and has an elevation of 20,320, but this stunning sight was above the clouds and appeared from my seat on the plane. It was as if God chose that moment to remind me ONCE AGAIN that He is in charge of the universe and can certainly handle the details of my life. God can see through the clouds. He knows where the top is at all times. Whether I am in the depths (emotionally) or the heights (literally from an airplane), He is there, and He knows. I’ll never be able to figure out HOW He does it. Neither could Job. The Book of Job addresses this very dilemma in chapter 37.

Job 37:14-22 (New American Standard Version)

¹⁴“Listen to this, O Job,

Stand and consider the wonders of God.
¹⁵“Do you know how God establishes them,
And makes the lightning of His cloud to shine?
¹⁶“Do you know about the layers of the thick clouds,
The wonders of one perfect in knowledge,
¹⁷You whose garments are hot,
When the land is still because of the south wind?
¹⁸“Can you, with Him, spread out the skies,
Strong as a molten mirror?
¹⁹“Teach us what we shall say to Him;
We cannot arrange our case because of darkness.
²⁰“Shall it be told Him that I would speak?
Or should a man say that he would be swallowed up?

²¹“Now men do not see the light which is bright in the skies;
But the wind has passed and cleared them.
²²“Out of the north comes golden splendor;
Around God is awesome majesty.

And, of course, the passage I’m more familiar with in Romans 8:38-39 (King James Version)

³⁸For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

³⁹Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Now for a short P.S.: 1) Daughter Julie was sent home by late afternoon with a prescription, and it appears that this pregnancy crisis has been averted. 2) The washing machine stopped just a little while ago with the last load. 3) My cousin’s memorial service will be held on July 7th, so I’ll be able to participate with my family. 4) We still haven’t made the final decision about our next home, but we have ruled out a lot of places. That’s good, right?

I needed the visual reminder of God’s power and His love. Maybe the photo will help to remind you, too.

Old Friends

06/23/2017 By: CCPearson4 Comments

I met Talitha Putnam Culver when she was Talitha Etheridge. We were both in the same youth choir at First Baptist Church of Huntsville in the early 1960’s and were both selected for an ensemble group called “The Voices.” We didn’t attend the same middle school. Back then, our social life happened at church, and we were both there whenever the doors were open. We both later went to Samford University, and even though we had different majors, etc., we were still connected. Then, we lost touch, married, both had three children, lived in different towns and reconnected thanks to Facebook. In the last couple of years, we’ve shared a girls’ lunch, a couples’ dinner, and Steve and I even had the privilege of staying in her home after an Auburn game last fall. It was so much fun to sit beside her in church and sing together once again.

Right after church in Auburn, AL with Talitha Culver.

I met Sandra Minor Smith (probably in 1969) when we were both students at Samford. Some day when we have more time, I’ll share some of our college conversations and antics. But, the bigger bond was that we both ended up in Hartselle, AL with our husbands who owned businesses, and we reared our children within close sight of each other — close in age and members of the same church. Sandra and I owned a business together for a couple of years, and then both taught at Hartselle Junior High School. Even though we might go six months between lunch dates, we can always pick up where we left off without missing a beat.

Lunch with Sandra Smith.

Steve and I met Donna Bennich Rushen when we moved to Hartselle, and she was a junior in high school. I had the privilege of being her Sunday School teacher for her junior and senior years. Not long after Donna married Jim, he was ordained a deacon at First Baptist Church of Hartselle, and Jim and Steve served together in that ministry. We’ve known Donna’s family since 1973 — her parents and brothers. About six years ago, they moved to Summerville, S.C., right outside of Charleston. We arranged a lunch rendezvous during a recent visit. We enjoyed a couple of delightful hours together and could have easily stayed for many more. We love each other’s children (she even taught our daughter at Hartselle High School) and have hundreds of mutual friends.

Jim and Donna Rushen with Steve and me in Summerville, S.C.

I met Cindy Honea Sparkman when she joined First Baptist Hartselle as a single mom with a beautiful young daughter. Those were busy, challenging days for both of us, but we always loved interacting and visiting with each other whenever our paths crossed. And we shared a love for music. She now lives in Albertville, AL, was on a committee for the Spring Women’s Brunch and recommended me to be the speaker. I loved getting that invitation, and it was wonderful to watch as she introduced me to all of her new friends and told me special things about everyone of them. She has a great job. She’s in a great church. And, she is obviously greatly loved in her new environment.

Cindy Sparkman with me at a recent brunch at First Baptist Church of Albertville, AL.

There are dozens of other old friends that I touch base with often (thanks, in large part, to Facebook), but unfortunately, I don’t have any recent pictures of any of them posing with me. Ha!

The point of today’s post is that just in the last 6-7 months I have had the happy privilege of spending time with each of these dear friends, and they are STILL important in my life. Each of them enriches my life immeasurably. I gain wisdom and perspective when they share their life with me. They sharpen me and challenge me. I am inspired by each of them. As always, the Bible shares Truth about the value of friends. Thank you, Talitha, Sandra, Donna, Jim and Cindy.

Proverbs 17:17 “A friend loves at all times. . . .”

Proverbs 27:17 “Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another.”

Proverbs 13:20 “He who walks with wise men will be wise. . . .”

1 Corinthians 15:33 “Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” I can assure you the people pictured about are the opposite of “bad company.” They are positive company in every sense of the word. Rather than corrupting me, they keep me pointed in the right direction.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.”

Charleston – “America’s Most Friendly City”

06/16/2017 By: CCPearsoncomment

The city of Charleston has received numerous accolades in recent years. Both Travel and Leisure Magazine in 2011 and 2013 and Conde Nast Traveler in 2014 ranked Charleston as “America’s Most Friendly City.” Southern Living Magazine described it as “the most polite and hospitable city in America,” and Travel and Leisure even proclaimed Charleston to be the World’s Best City in 2016.

I will have to vouch for Charleston’s friendliness. It seemed that in every store we entered, the staff in restaurants, in various attractions and in the inn where we stayed were very outwardly focused. By that, I mean that when we crossed paths they genuinely appeared to want to know where we were from, what had brought us to Charleston, how they could help us, and how we were enjoying our visit. Now, I’ve been indoctrinated in Southern hospitality for all of my 60+ years, but I do believe that Charleston folks take it to an even higher level. It was refreshing and invigorating to be wanted and welcomed at every turn.

One place in particular exuded the polite and hospitable way of life in Charleston. We were strolling and browsing along King Street and wandered into the Rick Reinert Studio. The vibrant colors of his paintings drew us in, but we also spotted the outdoor courtyard in the back of the studio and paused to be refreshed and enjoy the beauty. As it happened, Mr. Reinert was busy on a painting, so we stopped to chat and watch as he worked. I learned that he has close ties with the Montgomery Museum of Art right here in Alabama!! He could have been a temperamental, grumpy artist, but he was the very opposite of that. And, I believe his warm personality comes out in his art.

Courtyard behind Rick Reinert Studio on King Street.

Courtyard behind the Rick Reinert Studio on King Street.

Painter Rick Reinert adding careful touches to another piece of beautiful art.

What are the lessons for me, for us, this week?

Friendliness is attractive to others.

Friendliness allows conversations to take place, and that, of course, leads to opportunities to build a relationship that could result in a true friendship.

Proverbs 27:9 “Just as lotions and fragrance give sensual delight,
a sweet friendship refreshes the soul.”

Proverbs 17:17 “Friends love through all kinds of weather,
and families stick together in all kinds of trouble.”

I am drawn to smiles and people who are genuinely interested in what is going on in my life as much as flies are drawn to honey. I also love it when a person feels free to share what is going on in their own life. Don’t I want to be “the honey” to others?

Luke 12:13-21 New King James Version (NKJV)

The Parable of the Rich Fool

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