The past few weeks I’ve been seeing certain things more clearly.
It started when I heard a dear lady (and friend) was in the process of leaving this earth for her heavenly home. She was a much beloved lady and at the mention of her name, people would smile and tell how she had touched their lives in some way. I had told her once that when I grew up, I wanted to be just like her, for I had never heard a critical word about anybody or anything come out of her mouth. When my sister lay dying, this dear saint told me to write my sister a letter telling her everything I’d always wanted to say to her and then read the letter to her even though she was in a coma. So, when this dear lady herself lay dying, I told her everything I should have already told her — like how much I loved her and how great a friend she was despite our age difference and how much her encouragement had meant to my husband and me. My vision became sharper when I saw that encouragement and love are meant to be shared, not hoarded, and kind words are meant to be spoken at all times.
I also saw things more clearly when a fly landed on the microphone I was singing into at a community event. What should I do? Draw a deep breath and hope I didn’t suck up the fly? While still staring at the fly and singing as best I could under the circumstances, the picture of the battle of me versus the fly came into much clearer focus. For whom, exactly, was I singing? God, that’s who. Not to impress God with the sound of my voice, either. After all, God gave my this voice, and the actual sound of my singing doesn’t impress God in the least. What does impress God is the “vision” in my heart when I sing. My songs should always be a way to bring praise and honor and glory to God, fly or no fly.
Then came a huge vision check came when my husband and I took our friend from Abijan, Ivory Coast, Africa to eat a local cafeteria. Our friend had never seen so much food all in one place. He marveled at the choices he could have — fish, chicken or beef? Green beans or carrots? Three kinds of bread, six choices of beverages — and the worst dilemma he faced — cherries or chocolate? He had first tasted cherries the day before and loved them, but in Abijan, he could rarely afford chocolate. Now, here they both were and he was having a difficult time deciding.
That’s when the blinders fell off my eyes. I saw that I am truly blessed. Indiana and the USA are great places to live. I have the freedom to attend church every Sunday and write this little column every Saturday and will not be condemned for either. And if my blood sugar level allows, I can even have cherries and chocolate on the same day.
You are blessed as well, and I pray your vision is clear enough so you can see your blessings.
Verna Davis, speaker and writer, maybe reached at VrdSpeaks@yahoo.com.
Religion
VERNA DAVIS: I pray your vision is clear enough to see your blessings
- Religion
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Cross Lane Church accepting shoe donations
Terre Haute residents are invited to donate their shoes to help millions of peopleworldwide with a shoe drive at Cross Lane Community Church on June 2.
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The Joy Lady: A good morning: everything that rises must converge
Last Monday, I had a good morning.
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Unity Presbyterian plans retirement open house
The congregation of Unity Presbyterian Church will stage a retirement celebration open house to honor the church’s pastor, Linda Jo Peters, from 2 to 4 p.m. on May 19 at 1207 E. Springhill Drive.
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Organist will be the featured guest at church
Organist Benjamin Kolodziej will be the featured guest at an organ recital at 4 p.m. on May 19 at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, 645 Poplar St.
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THE JOY LADY: Call your mom; tell her you love her, that you miss her
In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a resolution proclaiming “the second Sunday in May to be hereafter known as ‘Mother’s Day.’”
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Celebrate the women in your life with The Living Rosary
On Friday, May 10, join the Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods for The Living Rosary and experience the grace and power many people have discovered by “praying by hand.”
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Good Friday service today at St. George Orthodox
St. George Orthodox Church at 1900 S. Fourth St., Terre Haute, will celebrate its Good Friday service at 7 p.m. today (May 3) and its Easter service at 9 p.m. Saturday. The Agape (Love) service will be conducted at noon on Sunday.
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Organist’s concert May 5
Organist Jonathan Rudy will be in concert performing works from the 1600’s to the present day at 4 p.m. on Sunday at Central Presbyterian Church, 125 N. Seventh St.
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An older couple had a grandfather clock that announced each hour with the ringing of chimes.
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THE JOY LADY: Let us pray that our hearts be blessed by God
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THE JOY LADY: You can learn a lot from a box of crayons
Denis Omar is a handsome third-grader in Ocotillo, Honduras. The last time I was in his home, his colored chalk drawings decorated the concrete block walls. His mother said when she got tired of one drawing, she’d wash the wall and have Denis draw another.
- RELIGION BRIEFS: April 13, 2013
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BBQ fundraiser April 13 at Allen Chapel
Historic Allen Chapel’s annual barbecue dinner fundraiser is Saturday, April 13, in the Chapel at Third and Crawford streets. Serving will be from noon to 6 p.m. with a full-line of dinner, sandwiches, sides and desserts available. Chef Stephen Miller, formerly owner of the Black Skillet and now a caterer in Cincinnati, will again prepare the barbecue.
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THE JOY LADY: Most complaints tend to be pretty selfish
Complainers never think they are in the wrong. How could they be when they know everyone else is so wrong?
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Church briefs: April 6, 2013
What's going on this week at area churches.
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THE JOY LADY: Our attendance in worship services encourages other worshippers
There are all kinds of church attendees. Some attend church services once or twice a month, some once or twice a year. Some attend only Sunday morning worship.
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African children’s choir to perform at Mount Pleasant
The Watoto Children’s Choir, traveling from Africa, began its five-month eastern U.S. tour in Oak Bluffs, Mass., on Oct. 6 and are continuing the tour through Terre Haute, Lebanon, Indianapolis, Peru, Bloomington, Columbus, Evansville and Vevay, from April 16 to May 1. All performances are free and open to the public.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: March 30, 2013
- Religion briefs: March 30, 2013
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THE JOY LADY: Is it time to change your habits, attitudes?
I’m usually introduced to people as “the preacher’s wife.” No name, just “the preacher’s wife.” But I’d prefer being known by what I call my “I am” statements. For instance, I am a wife. I am a speaker, I am a writer. I am a mother, I am a mother-in-law, I am a grandmother.
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Public invited to explore Guerin’s connection to nature
The Sisters of Providence invite the public to St. Mary-of-the-Woods on April 6 to explore Saint Mother Theodore Guerin and her connection to nature.
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Cross Lane Church accepting shoe donations
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