Life Journey – Page 9 – I and Thou Reflections

Hail No! – Lessons Learned from The Story of the Plagues

Lightening Flashed. Hail Fell.

When Moses stretched out his staff toward the sky, the Lord sent thunder and hail, and lightning flashed to the ground. So the Lord rained hail on the land of Egypt; hail fell, and lightning flashed back and forth. It was the worst storm in all the land of Egypt since it had become a nation.
Exodus 9:23,24

The Story of the Plagues comes from the Book of Exodus in the Old Testament. It begins 400 years prior when the Israelites had become enslaved in Egypt. They prayed. And prayed for a very long time.

Moses & Aaron.

God inflicted ten plagues to convince Pharoah to free the Israelites. God chose Moses for this task and for leading the Israelites to the Promised Land. But Moses thought he wasn’t a good choice. So, God selected his brother, Aaron, to help him.

Moses was a fascinating choice for several reasons. First, he floated down the Nile River as a baby and was retrieved and adopted by the Pharoah’s daughter. This meant that Moses grew up in royalty. When he later learned of his true biological heritage, he killed an Egyptian, fled Egypt, went to Midian, and became a shepherd. He was there for 40 years.

Equally compelling was God choosing Aaron. Even though Aaron was Moses’ brother, Aaron had grown up a Levite. Not an Egyptian. It was intriguing that God chose two brothers raised entirely differently. And they both heeded the call of God to protect and free the Israelites.

Tough Nut.

Interestingly, each of the ten plagues is related to an Egyptian god. Pharoah was tough to crack because the first six plagues didn’t scare him. (1) The Nile River turned into blood, (2) frogs covered the land, (3) dust became gnats, (4) swarms of flies, (5) disease inflicted on livestock, and (6) soot became boils on the skin of the Egyptians including their animals.

Image source: Public Domain
(need pix dot com)

Thunder. Hail.

Then, God sent a hailstorm.

Not just any hailstorm.

One that would kill anyone that was outside.

For each plague, Pharoah believed that the Egyptian gods would outsmart the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

But he was wrong.

Moses and Aaron, both appointed by God, were faithful in their servitude. Then came (8) the locusts the day after the east wind blew. Next, (9) total darkness fell upon the land for three days. The last plague was the death of the first-born son, which will lead us into the next blog post on The Passover.

Finally, the Pharoh liberated the Israelites so they could resume their quest to arrive at the Promised Land. The Story of the Plagues teaches us about God’s power and choice of helpers. Kindness, loyalty, and faithfulness are what God seeks.

Lessons Learned

As we move into Fall, let us learn lessons from The Story of the Plagues and how it applies to our lives.

#1. Actions have Consequences.
#2. Have Faith.
#3. Be Patient. (And Generous)

The plagues were a direct result of Pharaoh’s unwillingness to obey God. Likewise, our actions have consequences, and we must carefully weigh our choices. The Israelites had faith and worshiped God even when complaining they were slaves. Having faith means that things will work out how they need to, even when it seems they won’t.

God was patient with Pharoah even when he was stubborn. God gave him lots of chances to be obedient. If God can be patient, so can we. We must be generous with our time to allow others time to process for themselves.

Remember the Story of the Plagues of Egypt the next time you see and hear hail. They are a powerful reminder of God’s sovereignty and ability to use weather to accomplish His purposes.

Be faithful.
Answer God’s call to action.
Praise God for his patience.
Ask God for an abundance of patience.

Take a Deep Breath.

Breathe in patience and exhale stubbornness.

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In the Heat of the Day – Lessons Learned from: The Story of Sarah

Drought. Dry. Hot.

The Story of Sarah begins in Canaan at the time of a famine. If a famine is a food shortage, we can infer that the deficit stemmed from a weather condition. Whether it be a drought, a surplus of rain, or a crop failure due to extreme weather. Since there are references in the story about heat, we will infer a drought.

A Great Nation.

God had promised Abraham a great nation. Yet, Abraham had no descendants. Sarah, his wife, was barren.

Hot Temper.

Not waiting in God’s time, Sarah took matters into her own hands and insisted her maidservant Hagar sleep with her husband, Abraham. Hagar conceived a son, Ismael. Sarah’s plan backfired, creating more problems for herself and her family. Instead of trusting God’s timing and wisdom, she acted out of a hot temper. She did not wait for God’s promise to be fulfilled in his way but tried to force it in her way. After Ismael was born, Sarah became more disillusioned and began to despise Hagar. Eventually, Abraham sent Hagar and Ismael away.

Dry. Desert. Miraculous Water.

Abraham gave Hagar some food and water and sent them on their way. They wandered in the desert of Beersheba until they ran out of water. Hagar left Ishmael under a bush and sat down nearby, expecting him to die. But God heard their cries! Hagar’s eyes opened to a well of water nearby. God saved them!

Heat. Laughter. A Baby!

The Lord appeared to Abraham in the heat of the day at the great trees of Mamre. God told Abraham that Sarah would conceive a son. Even though God had promised Abraham a great nation many years prior, Sarah was skeptical. And now, she was long past her child-bearing years. In fact, she laughed.

One year later.

Sure enough, Isaac was born at the exact time that God had said. Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.”

Lessons Learned

As we endure the Dog Days of Summer, let us learn lessons from Sarah’s story and apply it to our own lives.

#1. Embrace Faith and Timing.
#2. Exercise Patience and Let Go.
#3. Find Laughter in Unlikely Moments.

Maybe the next time you doubt God. Think again! And let us laugh with God and with each other.

Be faithful. Be patient.

Take a Deep Breath.

Let’s breathe in patience and surrender and exhale impatience and control.

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I and Thou: The Freedom to Return Home

*Image Credit: Author Alfred Gatty (1809-1873), published by Bell and Daldy, London*
*(PD-US-expired)*

The Freedom to Return Home

A baby bird in a cage, like an infant in a crib.

Tweets, hops, and flutters, but cannot fly away.

Sits on a perch, swings, back and forth.

Days turn to weeks, weeks flow into months.

Months become years, contemplating direction.

Quick. Smart. Wise.

The cage door opens and opportunity knocks,

Whispering softly, “Come out, come out.”

Independence calls, leaping out in joy,

“Go, find your destiny, not by happenstance.”

Genetics. Nature. Nurture. Self.

There is a hesitation.

Contemplating what lies ahead.

The cage door opens and out flies an eagle.

Tall. Slender. Piercing eyes. Determined.

Solo flight amid internal turmoil.

Triumphantly soaring above the trees.

Heart. Stops. Instantly. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

Circumstances warrant rebirth.

Chirping. Singing. Flapping. Swinging. Transforming. Courage.

Homecoming.

Lessons Learned from Princess Diana – Lesson #10

Lesson #10: Carpe Diem

The final Lesson Learned from Princess Diana will focus on her zest for life. And how she seized the day with gusto!

Zest for life is a feeling of enjoyment and enthusiasm for living.
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/zest-for-life

Princess Diana was warm-hearted, zesty, and full of spunk. She had the gift of knowing what to say and when. She didn’t overstep her bounds, yet she was able to get her point across through action and facial gestures. Diana knew that her every move was being microscopically scrutinized. And she learned how to use this to her advantage. Her early childhood dance lessons taught her to focus on movement with grace. And that she did throughout her life.

Even during the dark days of her marriage, she could hold her head up high and get through the day. Yes, she experienced the trauma of an adulterer. Which led to various ways of healthy and unhealthy coping. Yet, she pulled through and continued to push herself to greatness.

The greatness of humanitarian work.

The greatness of being a good mother.

The greatness of advocating for good mental health care.

“I want to do, not just to be.” – Diana, Princess of Wales.
26 Princess Diana Quotes—Inspiring Quotes from the People’s Princess | Reader’s Digest (rd.com)

Princess Diana warmed the heart of nations. She left an indelible mark on society, and that mark was to SIEZE THE DAY!

Do what you love.

Tell people you love them.

Hug them.

ACT.

Reflecting on my mothering skills, I showed my children zest for life. By loving them. Hugging them. Supporting them. Encouraging them.

To try.

To do their best.

To pursue their passions.

My kids were cub scouts and played t-ball, baseball, soccer, tennis, football, and lacrosse. They learned to swim and pursued the discipline of tai kwon do. They sang in the children’s choir for years and went to Sunday school. They were tutored and were tutors. They played keyboard, trombone, clarinet, and saxophone. They spoke French and Spanish. They were golf caddies. They graduated from respectable universities.

And they were two sons with divorced parents – unlike me.

Like Diana, my marriage failed miserably, and my zest was zapped. It led me on a dark path. Yet, after I spent time wallowing in my sorrow, I picked myself up. Thanks to God who whooped me in the pants to stop feeling sorry for myself.

I felt transformed. Full of zest. Full of life. And love to give. And receive. Freely. It was and still is a wonderful feeling.

Carpe Diem!

It isn’t easy the seize the day, every day. There are hindrances, like migraines or feeling tired. Or plain ole–old age. Yet, I have a bubble inside of me waiting to burst. To love and to be loved. When I love, I love hard.

What is the key to life? For me, it is creating a more peaceful and compassionate world. One where we seek to understand and respect our differences.

To live humbly.

To live with a purpose.

To inspire others.

To hope.

To love.

To as the University of Ozarks’ motto is, “Live life more fully.”

Love one another. Inspire one another. Laugh with one another and cry with one another. With vim, vigor, and a dose of zest!

Lessons Learned from Princess Diana – Lesson #9

Lesson #9: Embrace Who You Are

Princess Diana was a cross between Oprah Winfrey, JK Rowling, Audrey Hepburn, and Mother Theresa. Her charismatic yet shy and soft-spoken demeanor displayed an introverted personality that magically transformed when in the limelight. Her humble, compassionate, and deep caring for the disadvantaged undoubtedly earned her a sainthood-like status. Her global presence captured her individuality, leading her to become the People’s Princess.

Diana entered the royal family as a timid and sensitive young woman and left with a strong sense of selfhood. Along the way, she expressed her individuality by sharing topics of conversation that were once taboo and then became commonplace, such as mental health, HIV/Aids, and banning landmines. Her authenticity made her all the more loveable.

Reflecting on my youth, I remember struggling with living up to high religious expectations. I couldn’t reach the bar. It was too high. Instead, I marched to a different drum. The turning point for me was my first work performance review. I finally felt seen and heard. It was a great feeling! For the first time, I felt valued and appreciated for who I was and what I could do. It gave me the confidence to be myself and pursue my passions.

However, life was not easy. After getting married and starting a family, I faced challenges and disappointments. Slowly the unrealistic expectations of a “happily ever after” and not hitting the bar eroded my self-esteem. Like waves pounding rocks into pebbles and pebbles into the sand, I, like Diana, felt insecure as my self-confidence withered away.

I turned to God and surrendered. White flag and all. My life needed to be nurtured and nourished like a garden of herbs and spices to combat the erosion it was facing. After my failed marriage, I met my life partner, and we learned to tend the garden in tandem. Together is better when two people are in sync and not in a tug-of-war.

Like Princess Diana, I learned that embracing who you are is the key to happiness. It’s important to be true to yourself and not try to live up to unrealistic expectations. By being authentic and genuine, we can inspire others to so too. Diana’s legacy continues to inspire people around the world. We can leave our own legacy by being a blessing to others by being kind, compassionate, and empathetic. By sharing our experiences and being vulnerable, we can encourage and support others who may be going through similar struggles. Doing so can create a ripple effect of positivity that can change the world, one person at a time.

Lessons Learned from Princess Diana – Lesson #8

Lesson #8: Be Kind

*Image Credit: David Gray / Reuters found in the Public Domain of Images*

Princess Diana was known for her kind heart and generous spirit. What small acts of kindness did Princess Diana perform? She may have been the first royal person to touch someone without gloves publicly and was the first to touch someone with HIV/AIDS. Her willingness to see eye-to-eye with her public was a gesture of warmth and kindness as the Princess frequently stooped down on her walkabouts, especially to her young fans.

To instill kindness in her sons, Princess Diana often took them to homeless shelters, hospitals, and orphanages to expose them to all sides of humanity. She did this to inspire them to help others as they matured into adulthood. Diana was indeed a “People’s Princess.”

Reflecting on kindness and my childhood, I saw random acts of kindness from my dad. Whenever he saw a friend or a neighbor walking, he would offer them a ride. My mom showed kindness when she picked up the phone from a friend in need. She would listen and provide encouragement. I often heard her do this as she would say, “A ha and hmm.”

In my first marriage, I tried to exhibit kindness, and I did so for many years. Until I broke. I could no longer be kind-hearted when I felt so downtrodden and disrespected. Children mimicking adult behavior. Poor choice of words. Poor choice of actions. I woke up and realized I had contributed to a situation where I no longer wanted to be a part. I had reached my limit of kindness. Kindness was no longer found in my home, and I could not be the glue anymore.

A kind person apologizes. A kind person tries to discover new ways to approach old wounds. A kind person is supportive. Encouraging. Loving. Life must be filled with kindness, or it no longer supplies the needed oxygen to survive.

Kindness was important for Princess Diana because it gave her a sense of purpose, happiness, and connection with others. It also makes a positive change in so many lives. In Parades, Princess Diana’s Legacy of Kindness, by Roisin Kelly, Ms. Kelly writes this about Princess Diana, “She believed that kindness was the best way to show love and compassion in a world that often suffers from the disease of feeling unloved.” And I believe it too! My life now is ruled by kindness. Kindness is the cornerstone of my marriage. My home. My relationships.

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*Written with the assistance of New Bing AI for research purposes

Lessons Learned from Princess Diana – Lesson #6

Lesson #6: Embrace Vulnerability

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Princess Diana used her public image and royal status to bring humility and honesty to the field of mental health. The life and legacy of Princess Diana embraced the vulnerability of others and, more poignantly herself. In her openness to her personal challenges, she may have unwittingly encouraged us all to confront our demons and seek professional help.

Princess Diana openly spoke about her battles with depression, self-doubt, and postpartum depression. By sharing her experiences, she humanized mental health issues and sparked conversations that were often considered taboo. This applied to her marriage woes as well. Diana had a knack for deeply relating to the public in many ways. After her troubled marriage became public knowledge, she openly discussed her challenges, allowing others struggling to feel seen and heard. She was a trailblazer.

As a teenager and young woman, I dreamed of creating a nurturing and safe space for my children. I imagined a warm and fuzzy place where heart-to-heart talks would be encouraged. I pictured two parents on the same page of the “Parenting Book.” But it didn’t end up that way as my children were growing up. The parents who I grew up with, that made me feel safe and loved and taught me how to be expressive by holding hands and kissing, were not the parents my children had. And yes, this still haunts me every now and again.

Reflecting on my journey of vulnerability as a parent, “I need to put on the oxygen mask first,” thinking comes to mind. I saw the benefit of counseling and sought it several times during and after my first marriage and a few times before my second marriage. I realized that two-way communication was the secret sauce in healthy relationships.

Good mental health requires people to be open and honest with themselves, their partners, and their children. Counseling requires hard introspective work, and many are just not ready to make that commitment. Often more time is needed to be ready for counseling. Or a fixed mindset prevents them from seeing the benefits of therapy or any help or assistance in general. It takes courage to acknowledge and express our true selves. Princess Diana showed the world that vulnerability is not a sign of weakness but of strength that fosters connection, empathy, and understanding. All of which necessitate some form of communication.

A smile.
A warm touch.
A glance.
A laugh.
A text.
An email.
A phone call.

I acknowledge moments of self-doubt, uncertainty, and the poor navigating of the often-hard road that parenting requires. Yet, I did something right because my children turned out to be okay. Both graduated from top-notch universities. Both are independent. Both are genuinely kind people if you dig deep enough. I’m sure we could agree that healthy relationships are vital in today’s ever-changing world. Even tricky words, we occasionally need to hear, are worth the effort.

Career or Calling?

Daily writing prompt

What is your career plan?

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I spent most of my professional career as a Career Counselor. I managed a career center for a private engineering school in the Northeast, and then a decade and a half later built a career center for a small liberal arts college in the middle of the United States. In between, I raised two boys and provided consulting services to several small to medium-sized businesses in the healthcare, tourism, communications, and manufacturing industries.

Sure, I can go on and on about career assessment tools, finding and leaning into your strengths, and preparing for a job search. Yet, many of us lose sight of our calling. We have to ask ourselves, what has God called us to do? Praying will help. Taking career assessments will help. Identifying your top five strengths will help. Pray again. Ask God to show you a path. Don’t worry if you don’t hear anything. It will be revealed in God’s timing.

While consulting, I had the opportunity to serve on the Advisory Board of a Marketing Center of an academic institution. The experience pulled strings in my heart to want to return to academia. So, I started applying for jobs in the nearby area. I wasn’t getting any bites. I prayed. I said to God – “I surrender my career to you. I will go where you lead.” I then expanded the job search to the entire country and received a job offer in Arkansas. There, I had the opportunity to teach at the college level, a dream I had that only God knew.

I hope you will allow God to fulfill your dreams!

Lessons Learned from Princess Diana – Lesson #3

Lesson #3: Lead by Example

*Image Credit: Public Domain / Source Unknown*

Princess Diana believed that actions speak louder than words and led by example in her interactions with her children. She taught them kindness, compassion, and empathy through her own actions. How did the Princess do that? By bringing them along with her as she performed her royal duties. So, in 1993, Prince William, then 9 months, accompanied his parents on their trip to Australia and New Zealand. This action set a precedent; since then, Prince William and Prince Harry have had their own children on business trips. Quite a bit different from the mothering of Queen Elizabeth.

In the recent Forbes article, by Maura Thomas, What Does Work-Life Balance Even Mean? “To some, work-life balance means the convenience of managing a personal life during the workday without the hassle of getting permission or explaining our activities to others. Another common definition of work-life balance is equal time or priority to personal and professional activities.'” Whichever way you look at the work-life balance issue, Princess Diana was a true trailblazer in this regard. Years later, the monarchy was finally endorsing the concept of work-life balance.

Reflecting on my mothering skills and leading by example, I think of the early days of my professional career and as a young mother. I worked in academia, and my job required me to be there for extra hours to entertain recruiters searching for new hires. Early on, I brought my son to work occasionally. I also worked at home one or two days per week. My direct report understood the importance of work-life balance. And I was grateful for his flexibility at a time when remote working was rare. In life, we have to balance work and our family, especially in jobs where time is demanded.

My other lead-by-example was in spirituality, thanks to my dad. Growing up, my dad was a big proponent of “going to church.” Sundays were the week’s highlight for us as a family, although my dad would sing in the choir, and I would sit in church with my mother. I think for my dad, it was the fact that his family went to church together. We arrived together, and we left together. I also think he was trying to be obedient to God. Train your child up in the Lord.

I saw it much more as a spiritual thing for me and my kids. Not so much as an obedience to God thing. It was vital for me to expose my children to faith. A religion where God created the universe. God is love. And God can bring comfort to you when you need it. My lead by example was my unwavering faith. Faith in God. Faith in marriage. Faith in myself. Faith in my children.

Lessons Learned from Princess Diana – Lesson #2

Lesson #2: Prioritize Spending Time with Your Children

Image Credit: Cassidy and Leigh/Shutterstock
Public Domain

Princess Diana understood the importance of spending quality time with her children and was there for them whenever they needed her. She often took them on trips and vacations to create lasting memories. Princess Diana wanted to provide experiences to her children that reflected “normal” childhood activities. She took her children to McDonald’s and ordered Happy Meals. She rode on amusement rides at Disney with them. Princess Di placed her children’s well-being above hers. Most mothers would understand and share this desire.

Like Princess Di, I felt strongly about spending quality time with my children. I took my children to Disney. I also had my share of ordering Happy Meals. One of the most memorable adventures was a trip to Colorado. Why? Because the trip was geared to my specific family. We flew into Denver, picked up an RV, and experienced Colorado. We got lost for a few hours in the middle of nowhere and finally met the paleontologist in Delta for a private tour and excavation. We took a gondola up a mountain in Ouray and visited Mese Verde to explore the cliff dwellings. These were tangible memories. Memories that we experienced as a family. Together. It wasn’t the latest video game or device. It was spending time around a campfire and toasting marshmallows. Yup. That was me.