Why Can’t We Just Be Lovers and Sharers?

So I was a little ticked when I saw this sign. After all, this is the Red River – a public waterway, yet a landowner put up barbed wire and this sign to keep what is public to himself. It didn’t bother my kids but it did me when I saw my girl fishing in a narrow place between the bridge and the barbed wire AND on the other side of the barbed wire – fish jumping everywhere. I researched what the New Mexico laws are about public waterways. And, sure enough it has been an ongoing statewide dilemma for years. The main problem is the public getting to the waterways through private property. I can understand that is an issue. But, what about just riding in your kayak or walking up or fishing the river and you come to that barbed wire fencing and the sign that says $1,000 fine and 364 days in jail?

I was in a setting where I could put time into research. It seems that in 2015, it was ruled that the public can wade and fish in streams running through private property, as long as they remain in the stream which is in line with common doctrine in most states. BUT, landowners and outfitters protested and in 2018, the state began a process to allow landowners to certify streambeds as private property. But, public access advocates are still fighting back by working to strike down the law as unconstitutional, but the effort won’t be cheap. “The tragedy is that the public is going to have to spend millions to win back something that was ours in the first place,” says a public representative, “by suing the entity that’s supposed to act in the public’s best interest and be the steward of a public resource.”

I told my kids about this blog and they told me they saw a man and woman with two children ask the old man who owns the property if they can come over and let their children fish there. He was obliged to let them. Staci said the kids were adorable when they caught a nice-sized fish and when all done, they thanked the landowner and so did the kids. I love that ending to my saga. Well, it may not be an ending, but at least knowing the landowner might have a generous heart after all.

I amuse myself that this controversary intrigued me because it reminds me of our little ones when they were over-protective of their toys. Something innate in them caused them to be selfish with their blessings of toys that had been given to them. That’s what I saw in this old man’s property and so many other times we’ve witnessed the selfishness of people wanting it their way – which is, most of the time, the selfish way – instead of allowing others to share in the bounty.

Someone once said that Jesus began the most revolutionary movement in human history. A movement grounded in the unconditional love of God for the world - and a movement mandating people to live that love, and in so doing to change not only their lives but the very life of the world itself.

That's what love is. Love is not selfish and self-centered. And, that unselfish, sacrificial love changes lives, and it can change this world. Think and imagine a world where love is the way. Imagine our homes and families where love is the way. Imagine neighborhoods and communities where love is the way. Imagine governments and nations where love is the way. When unselfish, sacrificial love is the way, then no child will go to bed hungry in this world ever again. When love is the way, poverty will become history. Because when love is the way, we actually treat each other, like we are actually family. When love is the way, we know that God is the source of us all, and we are brothers and sisters, children of God."

John said in 1 John 4:7 “Let us love one another”. I LOVE that love. John included himself in that exhortation. He is telling us that everyone is called to love. And actions speak so much louder than words. It’s not enough to just say “I love you”. We really need to actually LOVE.

I don’t know which side you live on, “It’s MINE – get out of here!” Or, “It’s OURS – let’s share the blessing.” As for me, I plan to do my best to err on the side of love. I know it will serve me well as I purpose to sow seeds of love everywhere I go. How about you?

So Long, Farewell, Adios, Goodbye Red River

In the “Sound of Music”, when the Von Trapp family sang that song (with Auf Wiedersehen instead of Adios) as their final number at the German festival, they escaped to freedom in Switzerland. This morning, I, too, am singing that song, but it's not because I'm escaping a negative situation to find freedom. It's because I am saying “So long, farewell, adios, goodbye to Red River, NM.” Also, saying “see ya’ later” because I’ve vowed to come back here where it has been a sweet haven of refreshing from the Texas heat, as well as reconnecting with my cousins after many years -- finding joys in simple walks, talks, excursions, eating, and simply celebrating God’s blessings of life.

I’m so ever grateful to Larry and Staci for giving me this trip that will last a lifetime in my thoughts and memories. I’m posting here some of my favorite memories to take with me! I love this “until next time” sign that we’ll see as we depart for home. And, oh yes, I’m hoping there will be a next time.

Now, here’s the thing. While this was a great week of outdoor fun and family reconnections -- going home is up ahead (just in time for the cooler temperatures there) and I’m as excited to get home to my sweet spot in Frisco as I was to get here. C.S. Lewis once said, “One who has journeyed in a strange land cannot return unchanged.” And, he was right. I do feel changed – refreshed, rejuvenated, filled with the awe and wonder of this last week’s encounters – beautiful people, captivating stories, and encountering Christ everywhere I roamed.

The world tells us to cling to what we find here, to try to find life in the “temporary”. But to quote C.S. Lewis again, “If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.” His quote is, of course, speaking of heaven – and yes, we were made with eternity in our hearts.

In our personal lives, we have all transitioned from one place to another, but I have found that the safest, most blessed place to be on this earth is the constancy of our relationship with God and the solid place that He provides for us on a daily basis. When I’m tempted to whine a little bit because I’m an orphan and a widow going home to my “alone” place again, I always come back to the truth that I am God’s beloved adopted child, and my forever home is with Him. He is my rock no matter where I am or who I’m with.

When my heart might yearn to be back in Red River – a truly sweet spot on this earth, or in Austin with my family there (especially like yesterday which was my son’s birthday) or in Tulsa with my dear friends and family there – I always remind myself to seek my heart’s true home in God. We are called to be strangers and aliens here (1 Peter 2:11), but always loving and blessing the places and people God gives us, because we know we are just passing through. Our aching for home is really our aching to be home with our Savior. That, my friends will be our reality and will forever be our “home sweet home”.

My Red River Trip Turns Out to be a Reboot

It’s a blessing when blog content shows up when I least expect it. I’ve cherished this time with family as we fish, eat together, travel the countryside, and carry on conversations about our lives (after so many years apart). But, this day, I wanted to go solo. I wanted to take in the sights, sounds, smells, visit the little shops, have lunch on my own -- eating what I wanted. It turned out to be chocolate ice cream in a waffle cone. Yum!

On their way to their fishing spot, I asked Larry and Staci to drop me off where the town area started. I would walk the distance to the end – going back and forth across the street, and if I tired out, then I would call on the free trolley to take me back to our RV park. Easy peasy!

The first shop was “The Bobcat” – Fine Handcrafted, Southwest & Indian Jewelry & Pottery Store. I started to walk past it. I wasn’t interested in “fine” which denoted pricey to me. But, one of “those” nudges sent me in. I’m glad I obeyed. I was met by a lovely older woman: “Welcome! Take your time. Feel free to touch, pick up, and look at anything you want. Let me know if I can help you!” I was enamored by the beautiful art and “fine” jewelry that was displayed, and told “Shirley” so. I asked how long she’s owned the store – 30 years. She closes the shop down in the winter. That’s when she works at Baylor Hospital in Dallas. I asked “Baylor on Gaston Ave?” Yes. That struck a chord with me because my mom was the manager of a uniform shop directly across from Baylor Hospital for many years. Baylor is also where my dad had brain surgery. She remembered the uniform shop. We were on some common ground.

Then even more common ground when I spied a Bible on her counter with a basket of crosses in it. A local woodcarver makes them for her to give away. “Take one or more!” I took one. I commented that I loved her boldness to display the Bible. She said “That’s my Bible.” I knew I wanted to buy a little something to express my appreciation for her generosity and beautiful spirit. I saw a basket of pierced earrings and my eyes fell on the sterling silver dimes -- $16. I can do that! I asked who the lady was – Shirley didn’t know but I googled it and found it is Lady Liberty. She said, “Just put those in your purse. They’re yours!” I resisted her offer but to no avail. Now I knew I wanted to find something that represented Red River and New Mexico here. My eyes fell immediately on this beautiful Holy Family (both front and back finished). Perfect! I asked about the artist. Shirley said: “Her name is Susie Reed. She’s from Fort Sumner, New Mexico. She’s a potter. She is a delightful lady. She took care of her brother until he died of cancer. She didn’t pot for a whole year. I have the most wonderful potters. There’s good people here.” This beautiful pottery piece (front and back) would be the Red River “something” I wanted to take home to remind me of this wonderful town, its people, its Christian values and my blessing to have experienced this sweet heaven-to-earth week here.

That was just the beginning of this God-orchestrated day as I met lovely innkeepers when I looked for accommodations for a friend coming here next week. That, of itself, gave me more insight and appreciation for this little town – such courtesy and kindness displayed everywhere. I went into several stores that were playing Christian music. I saw “The Way” Coffee Shop, with “Pray for America and 2 Chronicles 7:14” in the window. I thought: “Is this place for real? Or am I on a much-needed brain-cleanse from the gnarly, bitter, and hateful stuff that penetrates into our mind on a daily basis?” I think that’s what God had in mind for me on this trip and on this day. I needed a reboot.

I was walking on air from the sweet moments of this day -- so the walk back from town to our RV park was a cinch. Seriously, we don’t have to go to New Mexico or any other distant location to find peace of mind and to recognize God in the everyday of living. As long as "The Lord is our Shepherd", He will lead us to the green pastures and the still waters for our souls to be restored -- no matter where we are! (Psalm 23)

I had rebooted and my mind was renewed. Of all the treasures I'll take home with me from here, is God is everywhere -- it is just us recognizing Him in everything -- everywhere.

Staying Alive…..While I’m Alive!

Staying alive….ah ha ha ha….staying alive! Thanks for the song, Bee Gees! I’m living and loving this quest for seeing God in His majesty and brilliance – from my little Frisco, TX world to this spacious and magnificent slice of heaven here in New Mexico. I’m paying close attention to God’s way of opening my eyes to more and more beauty in this land that I love. I refuse to stop living and I refuse to stop learning.

You can see we’re still here in Red River, NM, and yesterday my cousins became my tour guides. I’m encouraging them to set up a business here because they sure do know what’s here to see and do – even though they’ve only been visitors just like me. Their jeep was the perfect vehicle to traverse from here to Questa to Taos and then, an out-of-the-way, but their determination for me to see, was the Rio Grande’s Gorge Bridge. I just had to get my picture taken there. Then we followed the path of the Rio Grande River along the winding gorge and road to where it meets the Red River and they become ONE.

That place is called La Junta Point which means “meeting or joining” in Spanish, two rivers converge. You can see here to the left is the Red River, that begins in the Sangre de Cristo (Blood of Christ) mountains at the highest point in New Mexico, Wheeler Peak, 13,161 feet. Then, to the right is the Rio Grande River that begins in the San Juan (St. John) Mountains of southern Colorado and running for 1,885 miles to the Gulf of Mexico. La Junta marks the widest and deepest part of the Rio Grande Gorge – pictured below at three-quarters of a mile wide and a steep 800-feet deep.

Not only did I get an enlightening geography lesson, but I, once again, became captivated with the creativity of our Creator. I threw the question out to my cousins “Do you think God was responsible for this?” We all agreed – it had to be the meticulous and astounding creativity that exceeds anything that man could do.

So, Donna, get to your God-inspired reason for today’s blog! I’m glad you asked! Here’s my take for me AND you: if life has become monotonous, dull, boring, and you find yourself satisfied with social media, the evening news, and your recliner chair, then I urge you to consider getting into God’s creation. Capture the beauty of a sunrise, the glistening of a lake or two rivers converging into one. Sit beside a stream and watch the little critters that scamper around you. Breathe in the fresh air. And, breathe out the negativity, the boredom, and anxious thoughts.

So, Donna, get to your God-inspired reason for today’s blog! I’m glad you asked! Here’s my take for me AND you: if life has become monotonous, dull, boring, and you find yourself satisfied with social media, the evening news, and your recliner chair, then I urge you to consider getting into God’s creation. Capture the beauty of a sunrise, the glistening of a lake or two rivers converging into one. Sit beside a stream and watch the little critters that scamper around you. Breathe in the fresh air. And, breathe out the negativity, the boredom, and the anxious thoughts.

A Highway to Connection

This photo is of the highway that leads in or out of Red River, NM where we’re enjoying a week of glorious weather, fishing, sight-seeing, and quality family time. Reconnecting with my childhood buddy, my cousin and her husband, has meant so much to me. And, Staci and Larry have reconnected with them after many years and distances apart. We've been sharing many family stories that included God's blessings in our lives.

Connection is sure no problem in an RV park. Everyone is super friendly as they walk their dogs, drive by in their ATV or stop to get advice for best fishing holes, places to eat, and places to see. We’re connected by the mere fact – we’re in this place together.

We’ve all heard the phrase “Misery loves company”. And, I think it’s true. It’s easy to find “miserable” company these days because so many are, well, miserable, and those who are, seem to thrive on it. And, polar opposite are those who believe “Joy/Happiness/Peace/Gratitude loves company”. I prefer "connecting" with that latter group.

Here we are in unimaginable times. But, we have connected to others like never before because we have things or situations in common: isolation, loss of connection, social-distancing, keeping the family entertained or having to wear a mask in public or having to wear it all day. As unthinkable as it has been, many of us have found solace in the fact that we’re not alone in this. It’s not just my family or yours or theirs that is facing all these challenges. It is all of us – in some way. We’re connected. Many of us are more connected than ever.

And, you know what? Deep inside me, I sense that our sovereign God has been in control. Once upon a time we put up fences to keep us separated from our neighbors. We drove into our garages and shut the garage door behind us. We didn’t even want connection. We were self-sufficient and really didn’t need or even want a connection with others. And that separated us from grieving with those who grieve, from feeling pain with those in deep pain or from the connection of someone who lost a child or a job or a parent. Maybe it's you that has needed connection.

It seems we are becoming more transparent. We are sharing what hurts us, what misery we’re enduring, the good ideas for connecting with those who can encourage us and giving joy and comfort to others. Sharing, caring, and connecting with others is the answer to depression, suicide, despondency and fear.

I titled this blog “A Highway to Connection” for a reason. And, connection we can have by reaching out to someone via text message or email or Facetime or “old school” telephone is a great way to start. Romans 12:5 puts it this way: “so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.” I’d say that’s the highway to connection that we ALL need!