Writing career comes full-circle
I remember those days when I was just beginning my career as an author. While still in school, I did well in a writing contest. My family read my writing and encouraged me. In a way, I took after my mom who on occasion wrote special poems for us.
Dad was a pastor. Of course, he wrote sermons. As a teen, I wrote poems Dad published in the Sunday bulletin. Sometimes those focused on the loss of a loved one and my writing seemed to bring some comfort. I felt called to write, something I could do even when I ended up in a wheelchair when I was thirteen..
I wanted to bring light and hope to lift up and encourage. I also wanted my writing to share my faith. Mentors helped me hone my writing and taught me how to format and submit to markets. I joined a pen pal writers’ group where we each submitted a piece and sent it on by regular mail. We critiqued each other’s work which helped each of us become better writers.
At a time when I wrote and regularly sold children’s stories, articles and program material, a friend gave me a fiction book and challenged me with, “You can do better than this author.” I liked challenges. The ideas began to flow. I continued writing non-fiction, but now I started working on fiction.
Eventually, I wrote novel-length works. When the Internet was new, I was invited to join an exclusive writer’s loop. There weren’t many loops of any sort out there and this was by invitation only. I felt a bit overwhelmed to become part of a loop with mostly well-known and very successful authors.
To say the least, I grew under the tutelage of such kind and generous authors. It took ten years, but I received my first book contract and more followed. The Heartsong Presence line of Barbour Publishing became my home for my next six books. They started an author’s loop for Heartsong Presents authors. We encouraged one another. Many of us were new in the business and hungry for contracts and publication.
Meanwhile, I sold articles to any number of publications some with a small number of readers and others with large, even, worldwide distribution.
My journey took me to other publishers, and other ventures like running a well-received review column for fifteen years or more. I did book reviews for NTV. I did interviews and became a speaker. For several years, I substitute taught in the media department of UNK. I taught where I’d graduated though when I graduated UNK was still KSC, Kearney State College.
My author friends have had their journeys as well. Eventually, we had pages on Facebook. There is a difference now. We are no longer young. Our writing and outlooks have matured along with our focus and faith.
We help new generations of authors. We’re not fresh and our lives are different now. Our Facebook news is filled not only with book promotions, but also requests for prayer for illnesses personally, spouse or family. Too many now grieve the loss of a spouse.
Our writing now may be more real. We have lived through ups and downs personally, professionally, and politically. I look back and am thankful for my journey (which didn’t always go the way I planned) and my desire to write hope. I may have slowed down, but as long as the ideas come, I will write and pray God uses what I write to encourage and lift up.
How can I not be excited that my daughter recently released her first book Ellie’s Absolution. It is doing very well on Amazon. From my folks to me to my daughter, writing has come full circle. The baton is being passed on. How can I not be excited about that!
© 2024 Carolyn R Scheidies
Published Kearney Hub 12/5/2024
https://kearneyhub.com/writing-career-comes-full-circle/article_9554e24e-fbaf-5b06-905b-bc05d22cb387.html
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Energy—not what it used to be
As a child, I never liked to be still. I walked. I explored the hills and valleys behind our Wyoming parsonage. For my age—elementary--I was allowed a great deal of freedom. Back then we had no cell phones. While in Minnesota and Wisconsin where my pastor father had churches we had a telephone, we had no telephone service at all where we lived in Lance Creek. We didn’t have phone service until a year or so before dad took a church in northwest Kansas.
When I was out away from the house, I was out of contact with my family. Dad taught me some basic survival skills, including what to do should I be bitten by the prevalent rattlesnake. I always carried a pocketknife. I felt the whole world was mine as I walked and explored. I had so much energy.
I had no problem when we needed to contact my dad at his church office, to walk the mile and a half—mostly up a fairly steep hill. It was steep enough that it was easier and safer to walk up beside rather than on the bike. But what a rush when zooming back down.
Only time I was still was when involved in a book. Then I heard nothing but the book.
In Kansas, I was able to temporarily care for a 4-H Saddle Horse, mine to ride, and breed. The resulting foal was mine to keep. How I enjoyed moving with the mare. My mind as well as my body needed to be active. I read, I learned history, I began writing poems, songs, and stories.
I learned about my horse and traced his ancestry. In Kansas also I got sick and was soon confined to a wheelchair, but I never gave up hope of walking again. I worked at it. But during those years, I was in pain, grew tired easily and needed to rest often.
But because I could no longer be as active physically, I used my mind. I did get better, so I was no longer so tired. I recovered enough to attend the last two years of high school. That was in Essex Iowa where we moved when dad took a church there. I graduated having been active in high school. By then I was selling my writing. I went on to college when it was KSC not UNK as it is now, and graduated with a degree in journalism.
After graduation, I had massive reconstructive surgery to walk again. I married, raised kids, and kept dealing with surgeries to keep me walking. My writing gained traction and besides articles and books, I wrote for the local paper. I was involved in church activities, kids’ activities, writing organizations, Friends of the Library and politics.
Many times, I was tired because I was very busy and involved. The kids grew up, left home, attended college, married and had kids that Keith and I enjoyed spoiling. Time marched on. I fell more with falls becoming more serious. Keith began having health problems along with me.
I’d been aggressive in my writing career—writing, researching, marketing, even speaking and more. It wasn’t until my bad fall in 2014, I realized things had changed. Even though I healed, I realized that, now, falls could be fatal. My body wasn’t as flexible, my energy sagged.
I had to accept that no matter what I did I only had so much energy in a day. That energy was a far cry from the young girl who couldn’t stay still and was always on the go. I am thankful to still be here for my kids and grandkids. They do make life worthwhile. But now my naps are longer and many things I did in the past are in the past.
I get fewer things done now and I plan more carefully in order to wisely use what time and energy I have each day. My family and my faith are priorities over my career. Reluctantly, I let go activities including a weekly church prayer bulletin and a monthly newsletter for KCWC.
My energy wanes with each year, but I can live with that because I know who holds tomorrow and know, come what may, my life today, tomorrow and forever is safely in God’s hands.
© 2024 Carolyn R Scheidies
Column published Kearney Hub 11/21/2024
For more of my story: The Day Secretariat Won the Triple Crown
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Thanksgiving, family and gratitude
Hub title: Thankful for family, friends
I don’t begin to recall every Thanksgiving of my childhood, though a few stand out. Since my father was a pastor and we moved every few years, we seldom lived close to family. My folks grew up in Minneapolis, MN. Mom had her stepmother and sister who still lived there. My dad’s youngest brother lived in a Minneapolis suburb. The rest of his siblings moved to the West Coast.
When we lived in Minnesota and Wisconsin, we’d head to Minneapolis over the Thanksgiving weekend to stay with Gramma and Aunt Esther. (During the weekend, we usually also visited dad’s brother and family.) I remember coloring to keep busy. I remember watching Gramma stuffing and tying up the turkey. I remember sitting around the table set with the best of China and silverware, dressed up, which I disliked doing, and having to use my best manners. I also remember the delicious food was worth the hassle. So was shopping with Mom for Christmas downtown Minneapolis the next day.
Moving to Wyoming changed all that. Usually, it was too far to travel back to Minnesota, though I think we may have done so once. What I recall about Thanksgiving in Wyoming is that we weren’t the only pastor’s family without family close by. A couple of years the pastor and family who served the Evangelical Covenant church in Laramie invited other pastors and families to join them for Thanksgiving.
While our parents knew one another due to conferences, we kids were strangers to one another. It didn’t take long before we kids paired off by age. There were games and talking and the adults pretty much left us alone, figuring we couldn’t get into too much trouble. All the wives contributed to the huge Thanksgiving meal that included about everything one could imagine. We ate until we could eat no more and came back for snacks later.
I don’t know how all the families fit into that house, especially for the night. I do know we elementary kids had a prime location. We set down our blankets in the living room in front of the TV. I remember watching the Wonderful World of Disney—in color! We only had a black and white at home. I remember snacking while we watched until we slept. The next day, Mom took us Christmas shopping in downtown Laramie.
The memory of that Thanksgiving without family sticks with me. These pastors’ families could have spent the day alone, until one family reached out. I know of a couple from Kearney who in years past did that as well. They opened their home on Thanksgiving to those who would otherwise be alone.
It is wonderful to be with family on Thanksgiving. We need to be thankful when we have family with whom to celebrate. But we also don’t have to be alone. We can reach out and share the day with family, friends or others who would otherwise also be alone. Together we can give thanks checking off our blessings instead of our complaints as we celebrate in gratitude together.
Happy Thanksgiving!
© 2024 Carolyn R Scheidies
Published column Kearney Hub 11/9/2024
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Does Life Have Meaning?
Isaiah 42:5-6a (KJV) The LORD God created the heavens and stretched them out. He shaped the earth and all that comes from it.
He gave life to the people who are on it and breath to those who walk on it. This is what the LORD God says: I, the LORD, have called you to do what is right....
Evolution, leaves out the truth. Life isn't some big bang or cosmic happenstance.
Life, you and I, are unique creations of a loving, purposeful God. When we leave God out, life has no meaning and life becomes cheap.
Only as we put God where He belongs at the center of creation and our lives can we have truth and know love and hope.
Jeremiah 29:11 (GW) I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord. They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope.
Thank you, Lord, that my life is not meaningless because You created me, You love me, and You have a plan and purpose for my life.
(C) 2016 Carolyn R Scheidies
From : Listen! Who Me?
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50 years, special weekend
Our kids, Cassie and Chris planned the celebration for months. September 2, 2024 was the anniversary of 50 years of marriage for Keith and me. That was even hard to conceive. Yes we had kids and even grown grandkids, but still—where did the time go? We’ve lived through very good times and through some real tough times. That we were even around to celebrate was a miracle in itself.
Our wedding so long ago came after I’d had major replacement surgery. I had surgery to walk again after ten years in a wheelchair. I had the, then, brand-new surgery of artificial knees. I had surgery to lengthen heel cords and something in my hips. I went from wheelchair to braces up to my waist and to crutches and then walking without aids. It was scary and wonderful that I was able to walk down the aisle to say our vows under my own power.
I’ve had lots of replacement surgeries, dealt with a major fall with head and other trauma, car accident injuries, and A-Fib. Keith has dealt with back problems, type 4 cancer and a few other things. Yet, we’re still here.
Marriage, career, two kids and five grandchildren later and we were celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary. Because our actual anniversary is September 2nd and was not on a weekend, we celebrated Saturday August 31st at our church.
Our daughter Cassie, her spouse, and our two youngest, 5 & 7, grandchildren stayed with us. My sister and her daughter, our niece, came up from Kansas Friday. Our sister-in-law, my brother’s widow, lives just a few blocks from us. Instead of all going to a restaurant in the evening, we set up chairs and a table in our front lawn, ordered KFC and had a picnic. Much better for the kids who could run and play and for their adorable puppy Wren whom Cassie, Kurt and kids had recently adopted. They brought Wren with them to our home. It was a special evening.
The next morning Keith and I stayed home while the rest of them, including our son and our oldest grandson who arrived Saturday morning, headed to the church to help set up. (Our second oldest grandson had moved to California, and we didn’t expect him. Our oldest granddaughter had so looked forward to coming, but she caught Covid and had to stay home.)
Cassie had a large sheet cake with 50th Anniversary on it. But she also ordered a small gluten free cake for me (and anyone else who needed to be gluten free) and a small vegan cake (for Chris and anyone else). Cassie even put together a quiz for our guests. Chris had put together a video using music from our wedding. He got it set up on the church’s equipment.
When we arrived, I added our wedding and photo albums of our wedding on a table.
It was wonderful to greet and speak with our many and varied guests—family and friends. Some friends were newer while others we’d known since college days. We had our maid of honor and bridesmaid there as well as Keith’s groomsman. (His brother Mark was best man, but he’d lost his life in 2020 but not from Covid.) Our flower girl showed up, as did Carolyn, whose husband got me up and walking. She and Ken had been one of our hosts and hostesses at our reception. Their son had been our ring-bearer.
We ate cake and talked to so many wonderful individuals who took the time to celebrate with us. Hard to say goodbye again to those we don’t see often. Cassie and family, Karin and Kelly stayed over so we had a little more time with them. We all said goodbye early Sunday morning as Karin and Kelly headed south to their homes in Kansas, Cassie and Kurt headed east to Omaha while Keith and I headed to church.
As I put together an album of cards and pictures, I smile. We have been so blessed. Who knew God would give us this time and surround us with caring family and friends. How can I not be thankful? My advice: treasure each day. Look for God blessings along the way even during the tough times. Remember and give thanks.
© 2024 Carolyn R Scheidies
Column published Kearney Hub 10/31/2024
https://kearneyhub.com/50-years-special-weekend/article_cd69bf98-adc0-5053-b61b-cd93871522da.html
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Only Hope
II Timothy 3:12 (KJV) Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
Sometimes we have the idea, if we live for Christ, if we're in His will, nothing bad will happen to us. When it does, we question ourselves, God, His promises and wonder where He is.
But believing being a Christian makes us immune to the realities of life is a lie. In fact, as the above verse states, the closer we are to God, the more problems we may have. Satan and his minions are real. We fight a spiritual battle. The more we follow Jesus, the harder evil forces will work to destroy us. (ie Job, family, etc.)
We should be honored, not surprised when the forces of hell fight us. We need to blame the right source for our problems--our bad choices and/or Satan and not dump blame on the One who loves us above life itself--Jesus What we must not do is fail to trust God, for in the darkness He is our only hope.
(c) 2016, 2024 Carolyn R Scheidies
From: First I Bow
___________________________
The Lodge, Skeeter Barnes and Connections
Update Skeeter Barnes becomes The Lodge
Hub title: The Lodge and I on same level
I was saddened when I heard the Skeeter Barnes restaurant had closed. I have fond memories of eating there with Keith, friends, and family. Our kids and families even planned a surprise 60th birthday party there for Keith. In the early days, they offered gluten-free foods. As they changed their menu their gluten-free choices went to almost nonexistent, and we stopped eating there. In the last year or so, they had food once again I could eat. We were once again eating there every so often. In fact, we ate there just days before they closed.
The Lodge Restaurant was also one of my favorites even though we didn’t go there that often. My brother Paul knew the owners and ate there often. I also went there with my sister-in-law, Paul’s wife. Once when my sister visited from Kansas, we all went to The Lodge. Our son and daughter were with us. They were early teens at that time. Chris had detasseled for a couple of years and was looking for a year-round job.
Paul called to one of the owners and introduced Chris to them. “Here’s your next hire.” He said. Sure enough, they hired Chris. The Lodge was close enough for Chris to walk back and forth from home. He worked himself up until he was assisting in the kitchen. To this day, Chris sees cooking as a restful hobby.
While I liked the menu, my problem was the stairs. Yup. The Lodge had several stairs down into the eating area. While we still ate there now and again, those stairs kept us from making it a regular “go-to.” Still, we were not happy to find out The Lodge was losing their location. Would they close? We awaited word.
One day we heard that Skeeter Barnes had closed. We were sad about that. A day or two later we heard some good news. While Skeeter Barnes was gone, the restaurant was not going to be empty long. It was becoming the home of The Lodge restaurant. Now that was good news. Now we’ll be able to go to The Lodge again. This time the stairs won’t stop us. Soon I’ll be able to enjoy the atmosphere and food at an accessible location we like,
Sometimes even bad news can become good news.
© 2024 Carolyn R Scheidies
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Published Kearney Hub 11/12/2024
https://kearneyhub.com/the-lodge-and-i-on-same-level/article_1814cdfd-4f66-5da6-98f1-5ad04d002b12.html
Celebrating that counts
Family and friends help celebrate 50th Anniversary
My two oldest grandsons are adults now. But when they were growing up, they celebrated birthdays very differently. One preferred people and parties and cake and gifts. The whole thing, The other preferred a couple of friends to hang with. Of course, who doesn’t want cake and ice cream?
As my in-laws got older, the family wanted to throw Keith’s Mom a party for her birthday. She preferred a quiet family gathering. When Dad turned 90, he was all for the big party and that’s just what we gave him. Food and cake and fun. Sons, his daughter, in-laws, grandkids, and great-grandkids were all invited along with aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
The church hall was filled with well-wishers, many of who were part of putting it on with food, decorations, invitations, and more. Our daughter and then new son-in-law flew back from Florida, where he was stationed, for the celebration. Oh, what memories were made that day, and pictures taken to heighten those memories!
This year, September 2, 2024, Keith and I celebrated our 50th anniversary. Our kids, Cassie and Chris who are hardly kids anymore planned a celebration of family and friends at our church the Saturday before our actual anniversary. Cassie, Kurt and kids brought their new tiny puppy for us to meet, adding something extra special to the weekend. We got to spend time with our grandkids as well as other family and friends.
Celebrations don’t have to be large or noisy. Two of our close friends, Al & Dee, married two weeks before we did. In July their kids held a celebration for their folk’s 50th anniversary with their Mom’s wishes in mind. In college a group usually hung out together. Six of us became three couples and friends for life. The third couple, Jeff & Gloria, got engaged the year we and the other couple married.
Al & Dee’s celebration was held in their son’s home in Kearney. Three of their four children attended. Two live in Kearney and the third was home from the mission field for surgery. The fourth stationed in Hawaii with her military husband called during the afternoon. Besides the family, Keith and I and Jeff and Gloria attended. We had a quiet afternoon of food, fellowship, conversation and looking at the wedding and other pictures. We made special memories.
Everyone is different regarding celebrations. Don’t force large celebrations on those who prefer something smaller. But do celebrate those special times in our lives. Children learn the fun of celebrating and making memories. For the older set, when memories grow dim, these special times may be what we hold onto the longest.
Celebrations don’t need expensive food or settings. No budget? Make it potluck. Decorations? Check out the dollar store. Cost shouldn’t keep us from celebrating. Celebrations only need people who care to reach out and help someone make precious memories.
What’s next for you?
© 2024 Carolyn R Scheidies
Column Published Kearney Hub 10/03/2024
https://kearneyhub.com/celebrating-that-counts/article_9c060353-f9dc-5534-a87d-b0ee1cf75e03.html
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Poverty and success aren’t exclusive
Too often these days, I hear the outright rhetoric or the assumption that those from poor backgrounds are pretty much out of luck to ever achieve success. Kids born in less-than-ideal circumstances will probably never get out of poverty and never have a chance to succeed. The assumption seems to be that kids born in these circumstances will end up as drug users, as drug pushers or worse.
The government doesn’t help when they do away with programs to lift up instead of simply hand out money. I’ve seen the result, kids growing with little direction, no foundation and many believing the government owes them a living.
Nevertheless, I totally disagree with the simplistic solution—abortion. Why abort perfectly healthy babies? After all, what chance do they have in life? Why not do the compassionate thing and kill these precious children. Do those with these so-called solutions think those who struggle to put food on the table care less about their children than the more affluent? That idea really is despicable.
But is there something else they don’t want to acknowledge? Truth.
She was black the result of rape. Her mother was thirteen and lived in poverty. She raised this child as best she knew how. At thirteen this child of rape married for the first time. The future looked hopeless. Would this child have been better off not born?
How about the mother of several children? She had very little. There was no father in the picture. She had to depend on sometimes three low paying jobs just to provide food and a place to live in an unsafe neighborhood that didn’t encourage legitimate enterprise, education, safety, or even long life. Would these children have been better off sliced into pieces by the sharp knife of an abortionist?
What about the young woman born into slavery. She had several older siblings. At seven, she was sent away to be the caretaker of a baby. Can you imagine? She fought the dog for scraps of food. When she ran away she was beaten so badly, when returned to her mother, there was little hope of survival. Her mother nursed her back to health, but it happened several more times. She was put to work outside with the men when it became evident she wasn’t fit to be household slave.
As a teen, she tried to block slavers from getting to a runaway slave. Someone threw a heavy weight at her, hitting her in the head. After her recovery, she suffered periods when she’d totally blackout. Her future looked bleak. Maybe she would have been better off dying before birth. Some would claim that’s exactly what should have happened to all three of these pathetic cases.
However, would we, our culture, and our nation be better off without them? You tell me.
How about the black woman born of rape? Some would claim she should not have been allowed to live. She would only end up a burden to her mother and the state. Yet this woman began singing and became a sensation. She broke down barriers for her race. First one with her own television show. First to have a starring role in a Broadway musical.
Her career spans singing, Broadway, movies and television—including singing on the radio during WW II for USO camp shows. She advocated for actor’s rights. She was second of her race to be nominated for an Academy Award and the first of her race and gender to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy. In her later years, she toured with Billy Graham. She was known for the song “Stormy Weather” and “His Eye is on the Sparrow.” Would you have wanted Ethel Waters to be aborted?
His mother, raised in a series of foster homes, had a third-grade education. She was raised surrounded by poverty, abuse and despair. At thirteen she married a man fifteen years older who treated her like a little China doll—until they had kids. Eventually this woman left her husband, taking with her their two sons 10 and 8.
She had little education and few resources but worked hard often at up to three low-paying jobs at a time. Her faith sustained her as she sought to raise her sons with integrity and honor. She pushed them to fulfill their potential. Her motto was: Learn to do your best and God will do the rest.
Both sons did well. However, the youngest son not only graduated from high school but also from Yale University. He became a doctor and an internationally known surgeon who created new techniques for separating conjoined twins and other techniques now used around the world. He has written several books.
From 2017 to 2021 he served as the 17th United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. His awards included The Ford Theatre Lincoln Medal, Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the Springam Medal. How many lives would have been lost had his mother had been aborted or had aborted this highly acclaimed surgeon--Ben Carson?
How about the slave? She also was a woman of faith and yearned for freedom, but not only for herself. This woman grew up and began leading other slaves out of the South through the Underground Railroad. In those days, it wasn’t enough to lead her “passengers’ to the free North. A terrible law had been passed that allowed slavers to come North to reclaim runaway slaves. No. She had to lead them all the way to Canada.
She could have stayed safe and free, but she had a burden to save others, She carried a gun and, once part of her latest group, no one was allowed to turn back. To do so endangered everyone. She was so successful a ridiculous price was put on her head. She kept going South and bringing slaves to freedom. During the Civil War she became a nurse and spy.
Later she helped many of those who came to her door for assistance. She advocated for women’s rights. She also founded a home for the elderly. She was called “Moses” because she led her “passengers” out of slavery to freedom. Who was this amazing woman? Harriet Tubman. What if she’d been aborted? How many would have remained slaves? How much poorer in so many ways our country would be without her courage, confidence and faith.
Those who advocate for death instead of life, who advocate for not only the right to abort, but the right to pressure others to do the same, sometimes claim aborting a child is compassionate. Such belief leaves out the truth that preborn children are human children. They feel pain at a very young age inside the womb. They recognize music and the voice of their mother.
This philosophy also leaves out the most important factors—reality and the human factor. It leaves out family, faith, friends and opportunities. How many kids from wealthy families are totally useless in the real world because they think they are all that? Maybe they should have been aborted?
Truth is, neither poverty nor wealth begins to codify the human spirit. Trying to define it is like wind through the fingers. It doesn’t take much research to discover a great many of those who’ve achieved great things and who reached out to lift up others came from less than stellar backgrounds.
Potential cannot be grasped or defined. God created each human as unique and special. The Judeo-Christian God is one of love and purpose. Abortion is the destruction of that special creation. We don’t have that right to desire or cause the death of His little ones—whatever their race or circumstance. I refuse to march to the drumbeat of death when I can dance toward hope and light and life. It makes all the difference.
© 2024 Carolyn R Scheidies
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Sonya Carson: HistorysWomen.com
Intrinsic Value & Center of Love
Human value is not based
On what great things we’ve said or done
Nothing to do with what we’ve accomplished
We all have an intrinsic value
Because we’re creations of a loving Lord
Who died a sacrifice for you and me
And rose to offer life forever
As we accept His gift of love
And follow Him.
The Center of Love
I want His love
To shine through me
A beacon
Drawing those in need
To the safety, security and
Salvation in God’s Son—Christ Jesus!
(c) 1964, 2024 Carolyn R Scheidies
Lawnmowers and life
Wheelchair, my new reality
During the summer months, I often hear the sound of a mower or two. Since we live across the street from Collins Park, if I look out the window, I will see a mower or two keeping the grass mowed. I check because the young man who has tended our lawn during the summer doesn’t always call ahead. Sometimes, the sound of the mower comes from his equipment as he mows and trims.
We’re thankful that a few years ago, our neighbor Rachel, knowing Keith was no longer able to take care of our yard, talked to a father and son who was mowing one of her neighbor’s yards. Turns out, Dad was getting his 13-year-old son started mowing lawns. Gavin began mowing our lawn. He was shy then. Now Gavin is an experienced presence during the summer months and we’re so glad he is still mowing lawns. It has been a delight to watch him grow into a confident young man.
My dad did all our mowing when I was young. When my older sister was able to handle the push lawn mower, which was all we had when I grew up, Dad taught her how to mow. I knew that job would be hers until I was old enough. I didn’t really want to take over on one hand. On the other hand, mowing would mean I’d grown to where Dad would trust me with the job.
In Wyoming, we didn’t have much of a lawn, and much of what passed as lawn dad converted into a garden. The soil was hard as a rock until moisture hit it—and that was seldom. Once rain descended, the soil became muck that sucked like quicksand.
By the time we moved to northern Kansas, I was strong for my age. The parsonage was a working farm maintained by the farmers in the congregation. Much to my delight, it meant we could have animals. One farmer lent us a milk cow. I was able to see the fruition of my dream to have a horse. My younger brother had a pony. We kids raised calves, selling them when they were ready. With the money earned, we opened our own bank accounts. It was a way our folks began to teach us about money.
While Paul and I attended a country school, Karin attended high school in Oberlin. With her involvement in drama and other after-school activities, she often stayed in town with a friend. In Kansas, we had a large yard and unfenced areas that also needed mowing. I knew it wouldn’t be long until Dad would show me how to mow.
By the time it was my turn, I no longer felt very well. Fearing something awful, I tried to hide my aches and pains that made it agony to jump off my horse. Dad did ask me to mow and watched as I tried to force that hand mower through the grass. He saw more than I wanted him too. Mom was noticing things and even my teacher shared concerns with my folks.
Dad took me to a doctor in town. It was then I learned I had juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and began a long journey of pain and limitations and dealing with a new reality in my life. Dad also bought a power mower to handle the grass and weeds on the parsonage farm.
Dad actually loved gardening and turning the places we lived, as he was called from one pastorate to another, into welcoming places of nicely mowed grass, gardens, and well-trimmed trees.
I never mowed and it was ten years before I was able to walk again. Mom and Dad never gave up on me. They encouraged me to do all I could do and be all I could be. Most of all they shared their faith and assured me that no matter what, Jesus loved me and had a plan and purpose for my life.
There is nothing wrong with any work. Mowing gets one outside and provides exercise, and for some—income. Today, hearing mowers from the park, from neighbors or from Gavin on our lawn, takes me back, helps me remember, and helps me be thankful that even in the tough times, God doesn’t let go. In my case, it meant it never became my turn to mow.
© 2024 Carolyn R Scheidies
Published Kearney Hub column 8/22/23
https://kearneyhub.com/eedition/page-a4/page_7d3b6c96-c5bb-50e2-abc3-54f1e3ab6dd5.html
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Knowing God's Word?
Numbers 34:12-13 (KJV) the border shall go down to Jordan, and the goings out of it shall be at the salt sea: this shall be your land with the coasts thereof round about.
And Moses commanded the children of Israel, saying, This is the land which ye shall inherit by lot, which the LORD commanded to give unto the nine tribes, and to the half tribe:
We often think of the Bible as having only general guidelines. The rest we figure out ourselves. But as this chapter shows, at times, God's Word gets very specific.
But we cannot know those specifics or know truth from error if we don't regularly spend time reading, studying and memorizing His Word.
With that as a foundation, we don't have to figure things out on our own for the Holy Spirit within, along with God's Word, will guide--if we ask and if we're willing to follow God's Way.
Have a need? Go to the source: God's Word and prayer.
Proverbs 21:21 He that follows after righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness, and honour.
(C) 2016 Carolyn R Scheidies
First I Bow
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My Walk
I walked in Sonshine,
And knew God’s joy inside,
I walked the path of darkness,
Clutched His hand to lead and guide.
I walked a path of sorrow,
And found my Savior ever near.
When I walked through pain and sorrow,
I found Him even here.
During good times and the bad,
Whatever life may bring,
I’ve learned I can depend upon,
My loving Savior, Lord and Friend.
………………..Jesus!
(c) 1994, 2024 Carolyn R Scheidies
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The Quest
In His loving care,
I have come to rest,
Find in sweet communion,
Renewed strength to do my best.
For in my darkest hour,
When I am sore distressed,
I come wounded and discouraged,
To lie on Jesus’ breast.
Only there do I find hope,
Healing peace He manifests,
Find within Christ’s loving embrace,
The ending of my quest.
(C) 1994, 2024 Carolyn R Scheidies
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Fireworks, freedom’s fight
July 4th, more than fireworks
After a week of hearing fireworks in the evening, the big night came July 4th when families gathered to watch fireworks shows put on by others or showcasing their own fireworks show for family and friends. Sometime after midnight, Kearney grew quiet. The lights and booms had been lit and used up. Time for everyone to go home.
My question--how many who enjoyed the fireworks shows took any time to consider what the celebration was all about? How many of the younger generations even realized the title for the day is not July 4th but Independence Day? How many understand what America even stands for? Do they realize America stands for personal freedom, freedom to worship, and tolerance of different perspectives?
All of these values are disappearing because we are not sharing with our children and grandchildren the true history of what our founders accomplished in even starting a nation of faith and freedom. Think about it. Those of Jewish heritage are now in danger in their own country--students, professors, employees.
Many on college campuses and other places no longer tolerate anyone with a different opinion or religion. Often the target of such intolerance are Jews, those who value the lives of the unborn, and even parents who seek to speak at School Board meetings because they disagreed with decisions made. How many individuals now remain silent rather than expressing an opinion, fearing reprisal?
Makes me wonder what we even celebrate the 4th of July. If we no longer have the freedom to share our values, opinions, or beliefs in public, if we can be arrested or assaulted for doing so, what makes America different from a dictatorship with overwhelming government control?
I am thankful these problems are not as evident in some parts of the country where citizens do believe in what made America great—a firm commitment to life, to the right to speak, and the right to exercise our faith publicly and in every venue.
For the sake of passing on freedom to our children and grandchildren, let’s understand the truth about America’s history—good and not-so-good, and not try to twist it or discredit it. Once we know, refuse to be silenced and share so our kids and grandkids also will understand the why and how of America’s greatness.
Next year let’s make sure our kids and grandkids learn why we celebrate Independence Day. Let’s explain about those who gave everything, including their lives, so that they could live without constant threats of assault or arrest. Let’s share that we, our kids and grandchildren can truly experience free speech as well as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
© 2024 Carolyn R Scheidies
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Kearney Hub Column published 8/8/2024 https://kearneyhub.com/eedition/page-a4/page_da3755cb-5b94-5e0a-a65a-78385cac6968.html
https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/29/business/antisemitism-college-harvard-upenn/index.html
https://edworkforce.house.gov/uploadedfiles/keating_testimony_redacted_redacted.pdf
https://www.nationalreview.com/news/pro-life-activist-arrested-by-fbi-acquitted-on-federal-charges/
https://judiciary.house.gov/media/in-the-news/republicans-hold-hearing-doj-targeting-pro-lifers
Some parents have been arrested for even bringing their concerns before school boards. Peaceful pro-lifers have also been arrested. Yet both those who are pro-life and parents have every right to free speech. Yet in today’s America, more and more individuals are being silenced fearing reprisal of one kind or another, even job loss.
The Healthy Heart
Proverbs 14:30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
Quite simply, what we believe, how we live out our faith, affects our health.
If I allow God to forgive my past, He fills me with His love, peace, and hope. As I walk with Him, I learn to trust Him with today and tomorrow. Living my faith lowers stress, gives me hope, and motivates me to live life to the fullest.
Jesus is the key to health--mind, soul, and body-- because He created us. He has a vested interest in keeping us healthy.
All He asks is for us to follow His plan of wholeness in Him.
(C) 2016 Carolyn R Scheidies
First I Bow
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Light the sky
Photo by Joshua Kettle on Unsplash
Light the sky
Rejoice, shout for joy, dance
The Lord is risen! He is real!
He cares for me and you
No time for long faces
Tears He’ll wipe away
As we give our lives into His keeping
Living in the joy of His presence
Each and every day
(c) 2016, 2024 Carolyn R Scheidies
Living for Jesus
When I live for Jesus
He becomes my Sonshine,
He fills my heart with joy.
Making my life bright.
When I live for Jesus
Through the darkest night,
He guides me along life’s path,
Wrapping me in heaven’s light.
So I will live for Jesus,
Knowing He’s the only way.
He’s the answer for all my problems
For Jesus lives in me today.
(c) 1994. 2024 Carolyn R Scheidies
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