Soaking Up the Sun = Soaking Up the Son

I have always enjoyed laying out in the sun.  Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know it increases my chances of skin cancer, wrinkles and other skin issues.  But the mental benefits have thus far triumphed over the potential health risks.  Tanning season starts as soon as the temperature reaches the high 50s due to the back patio at Honeysuckle Hill soaking in the heat of the sun to make it feel more like the high 60s.   It is not uncommon for me to schedule events around peak sun hours on sunny days with perfect temperature.  I have also been known to not answer the phone and even offended my sister when I cut our phone conversation short when I was laying out.

You see, when I lay out in the sun, it is not just for vanity sake.  (Believe me, with a body like mine, no one can accuse me of being vain!)  It's for the feeling of the warm sun and soft, gentle breeze on my skin, hearing birds chirping and hearing the rustling of the leaves with said gentle breeze.  It is a reminder to me that life is so much more than the demands that usually clutter my mind.  It is my own personal communion, revival, and refreshment time with God, our Creator.

Several years ago, I heard a teaching by Joyce Meyers entitled, "Mount Up With Wings As Eagles" using the Isaiah 40:31 verse.  In the teaching, Joyce talked about the ways of eagles- how they live their lives.  One of the things she shared was when eagles' wings get dirty, tattered, and heavy with just the use and abuse of living in the world, eagles will fly up to a high place, find a rock, pluck out their feathers, and just lie basking in the sun until their feathers grow back.

Of course, it's easy to see the correlation of the Christian life and the life of the eagle in that scenario.  However, it wasn't until last month that I have to say I received revelation on why laying out in the sun is so refreshing for me.

Our friends, Dave and Soni, had moved to Florida last year.  We had talked about going to visit them at Christmas time, but ended up not making it.  Throughout January and into the first week of February, I felt like I was just dealing with one thing right after another.  Nothing earth shattering, just those things that tend to weigh down one's wings and bring feelings of agitation.  Plus, I was struggling with the decision on whether it was time for me to take a new job position or stay at my current job position.  I just wanted to be in God's will, but didn't have perfect peace with either choice.

On Thursday night that first week of February, I talked with my husband, Andy, about just going down to visit Dave and Soni.  A change of pace and scenery might just give me the clarity of thought I needed.  Plus, getting out of the cold Indiana winter for a few days was a very welcoming thought.  I called Soni to see if we could make an impromptu visit, and as usual, Soni, Dave, and son, Patrick, were very welcoming. 

Less than 48 hours later, we were on the road to Florida.  I suppose on the trip down you could say I was plucking my feathers out.  Because, I kid you not, within the first two hours of basking in the sun on that white sandy beach, I had clarity of mind, peace in my spirit, and was free of confusion and agitation.  That was when God reminded me of the Joyce Meyers' teaching on eagles and how I am really no different than an eagle.  I need my time basking in the sun so I can be refreshed by The Son. 

Jodi and Soni enjoying time on the beach

With warm temperatures on the horizon, you can count on me carving out a few hours to soak up the sun/ Son this spring.  If you the need to be refreshed, you might just want to throw on your tanning gear and join me.  You'll have to be quiet, though, as we listen to the breeze and the birds.  Who knows, we may even see an eagle flying overhead.

Little Old Gray Haired Praying Ladies

Rt.  Alice Skaggs, Vera Weaver, Maud Bratt,

Opal Mace, Ferrie Pell, and Lucy Swim.

 

I think human nature tends to think you have to be a mover and shaker or a person of high profile or means to be a person of influence.  However, that's not the case in my life.  The greatest influences in my life have been people with whom the world in general will never know.  People who could be described as salt-of-the-earth, hardworking, kind hearted rural folks including some little-old-gray-haired-praying ladies.

The small band of little-old-gray-haired-praying ladies in the picture above were part of the Ladies Aid at Ebenezer Church.  The Ladies Aid was formed during the Civil War to make bandages and other necessities for the soldiers.  At some point, the ladies switched over to making handmade quilts.  As I was growing up, my grandma, Ferrie Pell, was a faithful member. 

Every Sunday, Grandma (in the above picture, 2nd from the right in the red shoes) would pull herself up out of her seat using the back of the pew in front of her to stand and announce, "The Ladies Aid will meet at 10:00 on Thursday.  Bring a covered dish for a pitch-in meal."  It seemed the sermon couldn't begin until that announcement was made.  It was as much a part of the service as passing the offering plate.  The little-old-gray-haired-praying ladies taught faithfulness to one another by consistently and faithfully meeting together for fellowship and work.

Every summer, the church held a Vacation Bible School (VBS) for the kids in the church and the community.  The little-old-gray-haired-praying ladies of the Ladies Aid were in charge of snacks.  The snacks consisted of watered down Kool-Aid, stale cheese puffs, and homemade cookies.  Just the fact that these stereotypical grandmas were in the building serving food brought comfort and security to those kids who were thrown into a strange place with strange people.  The little-old-gray-haired-praying ladies taught how to serve others with what you have and how kindness brings comfort.

Lucy Swim, in purple, in the photo below, was the church's song leader.  Lucy was not known for her beautiful voice.  As a kid, I often laughed when her voice squeaked and cracked when the notes were too high.  As an adult, I have come to appreciate Lucy's willingness to praise God with her heart, soul, and mind even if she didn't have talent by the world's standard to accompany the offering. 

As a little-old-gray-haired-praying lady, my Grandma Pell was often asked to give one of the congregational prayers during the church service.  Grandma would once again grab the back of the pew in front of her, pull herself up, bow her head, and talk with her Maker.  Every time Grandma prayed, she would cry.  I asked my mom one time about this.  Mom said it was because Grandma was awed to be speaking to the Holy God.  I am glad my little-old-gray-haired-praying lady grandma taught me that although God is holy and worthy of awe we are also able to come to him in humble submission and be used even if the world thinks we are insignificant.

Praise God for little-old-gray-haired-praying ladies.  May everyone be blessed by knowing at least one.