Crash!

by   May 16, 2020 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

Crash!

            I teach Chinese students very early in the morning. I really enjoy my job because I can do it online from the comfort of my home. The students can steal your heart. I have several “favorite” students. I really like connecting with the students and learning about their lives. It’s actually “fun” to go to work, except for the early hour.

            The other morning I was teaching a student when I heard a huge crash outside of my window. It was so loud that I stopped teaching and tried to look outside and see what happened. I couldn’t see anything, but knew that something was up.

            When I finished teaching, my wife asked me if I heard the loud noise. Then she told me that I better go look in the woods, a big tree had fallen and she wondered if anything might have hit the house. Thankfully the house was fine, but there was a huge mess to clean up.

            Last fall we had a big wind storm that snapped an old, dead pine tree. The tree got caught up in other trees and did not fall. It was actually very scary. I figured I would have to hire a tree guy to come in and take the tree down at quite a big price. Without the slightest breeze, the big tree came crashing down, taking several other trees with it on the way to the ground.

            I spent the biggest part of a day working on the mess. I am not even halfway through the cleanup. I will probably have to cut a couple more trees down that are being bent over by the large pine tree. I haven’t worked that hard in a long time and my body complained about the work for several days. I haven’t even begun to think about how I will take care of the large tree trunks. I guess nature will have to take care of that.

            I have been thinking about what we are going through and imagining it must feel like that big tree falling. There has been a crash in our lives, now what do we do? I have a dear friend whose home was hit by a hurricane. It took 18 months to get back home. I know that some of my readers have been hit financially. Your dreams of a rosy future have come crashing down.

            Other readers have lost their jobs or been put on furlough. You have a double hit. You are struggling to figure out if your job is still there or where will you work in the future. Then you also have all the financial worries of how are you going to make ends meet. What started in January as a year filled with dreams has turned into a nightmare, with your world crashing down.

            Still other readers have faced the impossible, the loss of loved ones. In spite of how healthy and careful you thought you were, you or some loved ones came down with Covid-19. All the prayers you prayed and promises you made God have come crashing down. Your world has changed forever.

            Where is God? Why didn’t He come and rescue you? God is with you, even when you can’t feel His presence. His heart is broken over what you are going through. His people are here to comfort you. His angels have been dispatched to surround you. He is walking with you through your circumstances. You are NOT alone.

            The Bible is full of people who had to go through trials, wars, famines, and even unknown diseases like Covid-19. Just like today, some went home to be with the Lord, while others fought through to the other side. God hears our prayers, just as He did in biblical days. God will send answers and comfort and strength just as He did in biblical days. We don’t understand our suffering, but we can trust that He will see us through just as He did in the Bible.

            I know things are not easy right now, but let me encourage you that God is with you. Don’t run from God, run to Him. He is the source of your peace, comfort, and strength. He may not give you the answers you seek, but the wisdom you need to make it through. I believe we have more to go through, but we know the One who can get us through. He has not given up on you. He has heard your prayers. He will help you. Never give up. His love for you is greater than you can ever imagine.

Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com

How Does She Do It?

by   May 12, 2020 with No Comments

By Ann Farabee

Another trip to the grocery store. I should be awarded a prize as Food Lion’s best customer.

As always, I was dressed appropriately for swift and effective shopping — stretchy pants, comfy shirt, sneakers.

While loading my groceries into the car, I saw her. The perfectly dressed young mom — perfect makeup, perfect hair, and wearing heels.

There she was — the inspiration for my column.

As she stopped to look both ways prior to crossing the street to the parking lot, her four neatly dressed young children, stopped obediently. Two were on one side of her. Two were on the other side. Each was carrying two grocery bags — one in each hand. They looked both ways and then toward mom before crossing. Once reaching the car, they lined up to put their grocery bags in the trunk.

As I was loading my groceries in my car, I said aloud to myself, “She is perfect. How does she do it?”

I shook my head, thinking about my years as a mom of young children, my years as a mom of older children, my years as a mom of grown children. My years of juggling a work schedule and motherhood. As I watched Perfect Mom, that ugly voice in my head — the one I need to ignore — said to me, “Failure.”

It stung.

As I was pushing my shopping cart a little more forcefully than usual to its proper location, I heard a real voice — not the one in my head — call out my name, “Mrs. Farabee!”

It was her — Perfect Mom — calling out my name. She told me who she was, and then turned to her children and said, “This was my favorite teacher!”

It was one of the nicest introductions I could ever have received.

I confessed to her that I had seen her crossing the street with her children, had not recognized her, and wondered aloud, “How does she do it?”

Perfect Mom smiled and responded perfectly, “Your children were young when you were my teacher. How did you do it?”

I started to remember: School. Church. Baseball. Basketball. Football. Gymnastics. Dance. Homework. Grocery store trips. Taxi service. Well, not officially a taxi service, but it often felt like it.

Some days if everyone got dressed, had food, and brushed their teeth — that was enough.

Some days if our efforts to parent allowed us to see God breaking through to their hearts — it was way better than enough.

Hmm… now that I think about it, I guess I did do it.
Mother of the Year material — I think not.
My weaknesses made strong through Christ? Definitely so.
I did my best — and trusted God to do the rest.
There is no way to be a perfect mom — but a million ways to be a good one.

As I headed back to my car, Perfect Mom called out, “Thank you for everything. You’re the best!” I smiled and thought, “Not failure. Just the opposite. Success.”

Disclaimer: I still have no explanation for the night I took one of my children home after a basketball game and left the other behind. Hey — I said I wasn’t perfect.

But…this has been comforting to know: According to Luke 2:43, Mary and Joseph returned home from the festival, and did not even notice they had left Jesus behind.

Races MIGHT Happen…

by   May 11, 2020 with No Comments

By David Freeze

By the end of May, we are usually winding down a successful series of spring races and other events. Spring 2020 may end up with no races, but we are doing our best to still have at least one of them. The 19th Annual Bare Bones 5K is one of Salisbury’s oldest races and we’re working with Salisbury city officials to find a way to meet the upcoming requirements amid Phase 2, now projected hopefully to begin on May 23.

The city can’t OK the permit until North Carolina is actually in Phase 2. The original race date of May 23 won’t work due to the current uncertainly of when Phase 2 will begin, but we hope that one of the next few Saturdays will work. Salisbury was designated a national Runner Friendly Community due to a lot of criteria involving cooperation with city government. We are certainly getting that cooperation again and we will keep everyone posted as the situation develops.

Bare Bones is an interesting race that started 19 years ago when the title sponsor dropped out just two days before the race while suggesting that the event be canceled. With less ways to spread the word of a cancellation than are available now, the Salisbury Rowan Runners decided to take it on, treat the whole event as a thank you to the running community and keep the registration prices very reasonable. Over the years, we’ve recycled trophies and even unused T-shirts, but the 2020 event will have great awards and a slightly different logo on a brand new commemorative T-shirt. Proceeds go to Relay for Life and Rowan Helping Ministries.

Two other races scheduled for June have new updates. The very popular Main Street Challenge 5K, originally planned for Friday evening, June 5, in China Grove, has been postponed until Friday evening, Aug. 21. The Shiloh Missions 5K, held as part of the Faith Fourth of July is still scheduled for June 27. I spoke with race director Luann Fesperman on Thursday and she assured me that they have every intention to have the race on that date.

Over the last two weeks, I have exchanged various communications with the Road Runners Club of America about a return to racing amid the coronavirus. RRCA is the parent organization of more than 1,200 running clubs nationwide. They have suggested certain parts of the process that could be changed or altered to make social distancing work over 3.1 miles. While road racing is not a contact sport, the first races back will likely be required to follow at least certain guidelines for the safety of the volunteers and participants. During my competitive racing period of more than 800 running events over various distances, only once did I have more than a light brush of physical contact with a runner. A tight turn and a couple of bumps amid the start and then it was over. No other part of a race is as congested as the start.

Some of the suggestions for more social distancing that are likely to be used in the early return to racing include a larger starting area and the possibility of multiple starts. We can do these to meet the approved number for a gathering.

The second biggest gathering is usually the awards ceremony following the race. If the number likely to attend is above the gathering limit, we’ll hand each finisher a bag with refreshments and give them directions on how they can pick up any earned awards. Likely in that case, winners will need to visit Ralph Baker Shoes beginning on the following Monday.

Finally, Bare Bones has a virtual 5K choice. Virtual means that the runner doesn’t run the actual race but can complete the 3.1-mile distance at any time of their choosing within a week of the official race day. Those participants get a reduced price and a shirt but aren’t eligible for awards.

You’ve read the latest and you can find more as it develops at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org . Or you can call 704-310-6741. It seems that runners are ready to compete again, and interest is high so far in the three upcoming races. Hope to see you there.

Gardening

by   May 9, 2020 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

Gardening

            My wife and I have been doing a good job about social distancing and staying at home since the arrival of Covid-19. The only trips out involve getting food or going to the drug store. It’s been very hard not to visit with family and friends, especially for me, since I am such a social person. We know this will not last forever, even though it feels like it at times.

            I know the hardware stores are open, but I have avoided them because they seem so busy. It’s spring and the garden centers at the hardware stores are full of beautiful plants. Most Friday nights in spring after we eat out, we normally end up walking around the garden center at Lowes. Well, we used to do that.

            This is our favorite time of the year. We love spending time roaming around garden centers and enjoying all the beautiful plants. They are an essential business, so we decided to go to our local garden centers and get some flowers and vegetables.

            I thought it would be better to go during the week when it would be quiet and less crowded. We were so excited for our adventure out into the world. It was a beautiful day and apparently other people also decided it would be a great day to visit the garden centers. The two we visited were busy. The good thing we both noticed is that people were practicing good social distancing. We were all looking for plants but being mindful of each other.

            It was a good day. We came home with some treasures and are working at getting everything planted. It feels so good to get my hands in the soil. I enjoy working in both the vegetable and flower gardens because it brings us great joy. Seeds are popping through the soil, flowers are blooming, plants are growing and flourishing and we are filled with joy. Another thing that brings great joy to our lives is growing spiritually. Like flower and vegetable gardens, our spirits need to be tended and nourished.          

            Over the years I have written numerous times about the need to spend time in God’s word and prayer. The spirit feeds on God’s word. It’s the source of wisdom, guidance, and knowledge about God. When we pray, we are in the presence of God. A person cannot be in the presence of God without being changed. These two are the basis of spiritual growth in our lives.

            One thing I have neglected to point out through the years is how vital fellowship is to our spiritual growth. Here we are in a time of social distancing and we find ourselves missing a critical component to spiritual growth. How can we connect when we aren’t allowed to gather? How can we encourage and challenge each other to deeper spiritual growth? We have to be creative because it is critical.

            I have been fortunate in my life. I have several very good friends. A real friend is someone who knows you, really knows you, maybe even better than you know yourself, AND they still love you. They know your sin, shame, bad attitudes, wrong motives, failures, and your weaknesses, and yet they stand with you and never make you feel bad about yourself. In fact, they help you to see God in you. They help you to focus on the good in your life. They believe the best about you. They see you as an overcomer, a victorious warrior. The relationship is mutual. You are a faithful friend because you do the same thing for them. You see, hope, and believe the best for them, too.

            A friend will pick you up and love you when you are at your worst. They will also give you a swift kick in the rear if that is what you need. A friend laughs and cries with you. A friend will fight through the darkness to find you and help you see the light. A friend is there to lift you up, encourage and challenge you, and to see you through.

            I want to encourage you to evaluate your friendships. Discover and treasure your true friends. Invest in those relationships because those are the ones that will benefit you in your walk with Christ. We have all been burned, but we can’t allow that to keep us from reaching out again because we need trusted friends to make it through life. Friends help us see through the fog and keep us on the right path. I believe friendship is God’s plan for strong spiritual growth.

Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com

A Good Sign

by   May 6, 2020 with No Comments

By Lynna Clark

We might be nearing the end of the current pandemic. David’s been saying all along we’d be able to tell that it’s almost over when we not only FIND toilet paper, but are able to purchase the SOFT rolls of choice. Well, yesterday he hit the jackpot! He commented to our friend Natalie at the grocery store how pleased he was with his good luck. She advised him to go buy a lottery ticket.

Poor man. Since I’m a delicate flower and currently going through another season of pain, he’s running all the errands plus doing the grocery shopping. He found a few paper face masks in our paint supplies but was afraid to wear one lest he be chastised for mask hoarding. But he promised not to kiss any cashiers or lick anything whilst he was out among the teaming masses.

Our Illinois daughter Stephanie, hoping to lighten the mood wore a mask left from Halloween while she shopped for groceries. Instead of laughs she received more than a few suspicious looks. But it sure helped with social distancing. Everyone seemed to be afraid to make eye contact. If they had, they could tell by the girl’s sparkly eyes that she really is smiling behind her mask.

Our granddaughter Kianna will graduate high school this May. Celebrations have all been cancelled. We wanted to encourage her with a card. But apparently graduation cards are not on the essential list. However, David found two random cards so we could at least mail her a check. As he showed me the one with the pig in a saddle [which advised the recipient to live high on the hog] he advised, “Just mark out Happy Birthday. Or if you like this one with the dog better, mark out the ‘I’ and make it ‘we.’”

I chose the dog card because obviously it was much classier, and corrected it to say “WE’ll always be there for you.” It still didn’t make sense so I marked out the ‘t’ in ‘there’ because technically we can’t be THERE, but we can be HERE. Looking at the edited mess, I included the sentiment, “We love you way more than this card would indicate.” Hopefully the gift will reflect our heartfelt sentiments better than the jacked up card. I’m just glad David remembered stamps at the grocery store. Bless his heart. It only took three weeks.

Two of our local grandchildren came by one day and hung out of the windows of their truck to throw me “air hugs.” They see me in pain often and their mother always warns them not to hug too hard. Jesse nearly made me cry when he commented with his air hug, “This way I can hug you as hard as I want!”

Yep, surely we’re nearing the end of the crisis. I am really looking forward to being hugged as hard as I want.

The Whisper

by   May 5, 2020 with No Comments

By Ann Farabee

May I just step back for a minute from my writer’s pen and share my heart? I have tried for the last three weeks to write a column about the impact of COVID-19 on our lives. I wanted to reach your hearts with my words during this unique time in history.

I had just spent another afternoon working on it. Working on it. Working on it.

Frustrated, I pushed my chair back from the table, and as I did, I saw a plaque that had been given to me a couple of years ago. But this time — I really saw it. The message spoke clearly to my heart.

The words:

Let us be silent that we may hear the whisper of God.

God was telling me to be silent — and listen. I closed my eyes and bowed my head, allowing my mind and thoughts to go silent. I heard a God whisper from Isaiah 55:8, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts.” That was followed by, “I can do more for you in a second than you can do for yourself in a lifetime.”

I looked up. I knew. I set aside the column I had been working on — and began to write this one — about the whisper of God.

I knew I could never formulate the words needed to express my appreciation for those of you on the frontlines during the virus. I see you stepping up. I see you accepting your mission with grace and mercy. I see that God is whispering encouragement to your hearts. You are heroes.

Nor can I formulate the words to express how my heart hurts for those of you who are suffering during these uncertain times. God will whisper sweet peace to you. And one day, as the clouds begin to lift, the sun — and the Son — will shine again.

Each week, as I write and video my column, I am not only thinking of my story, but I am also thinking of your story. May I never write a column without first hearing the whisper of God — because I write not just for me — but also for you.

In 1 Kings 19, Elijah looked for God in the wind, the earthquake, and the fire — but he heard God in the whisper.

How do we hear God whisper? Be silent. Listen.

The whisper is personal — not for all of us at once — but for each one of us.

The same God who created the universe can also whisper to each of our hearts.

It really is amazing.

God is at work.

Yesterday. Today. Forever.

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