Good Morning!
Governor Kemp’s Shelter-in-Place order hit
home this morning as I awoke with this old Statler Brother’s song resounding in
the vacant space between my ears …
"Flowers
On The Wall"
I keep
hearing you're concerned about my happiness
But all that thought you're giving me is conscience, I guess
If I were walking in your shoes I wouldn't worry none
While you and your friends are worrying about me, I'm having lots of fun
Counting flowers on the wall, that don't bother me at all
Playing solitaire 'til dawn with a deck of fifty one
Smoking cigarettes and watching Captain Kangaroo
Now don't tell me I've nothing to do
Last night I dressed in tails, pretended I was on the town
As long as I can dream it's hard to slow this swinger down
So please don't give a thought to me, I'm really doing fine
You can always find me here and having quite a time
Counting flowers on the wall, that don't bother me at all
Playing solitaire 'til dawn with a deck of fifty one
Smoking cigarettes and watching Captain Kangaroo
Now don't tell me I've nothing to do
It's good to see you, I must go, I know I look a fright
Anyway, my eyes are not accustomed to this light
And my shoes are not accustomed to this hard concrete
So I must go back to my room and make my day complete
Counting flowers on the wall, that don't bother me at all
Playing solitaire 'til dawn with a deck of fifty one
Smoking cigarettes and watching Captain Kangaroo
Now don't tell me I've nothing to do
Don't tell me I've nothing to do
But all that thought you're giving me is conscience, I guess
If I were walking in your shoes I wouldn't worry none
While you and your friends are worrying about me, I'm having lots of fun
Counting flowers on the wall, that don't bother me at all
Playing solitaire 'til dawn with a deck of fifty one
Smoking cigarettes and watching Captain Kangaroo
Now don't tell me I've nothing to do
Last night I dressed in tails, pretended I was on the town
As long as I can dream it's hard to slow this swinger down
So please don't give a thought to me, I'm really doing fine
You can always find me here and having quite a time
Counting flowers on the wall, that don't bother me at all
Playing solitaire 'til dawn with a deck of fifty one
Smoking cigarettes and watching Captain Kangaroo
Now don't tell me I've nothing to do
It's good to see you, I must go, I know I look a fright
Anyway, my eyes are not accustomed to this light
And my shoes are not accustomed to this hard concrete
So I must go back to my room and make my day complete
Counting flowers on the wall, that don't bother me at all
Playing solitaire 'til dawn with a deck of fifty one
Smoking cigarettes and watching Captain Kangaroo
Now don't tell me I've nothing to do
Don't tell me I've nothing to do
Apologies to all who now have the tune running
through their brain. The song was written by the group’s original tenor, Lewis
DeWitt and was a number one hit in 1966.
Loneliness is the scourge of senior adults …
especially those who have lost their spouse. For me, the remedy has been to immerse myself
into daily activities that now are restricted by the shelter-in-place edicts. Oh, well, I guess I will have to face the
reality of missing my loved one more frequently. Perhaps it is time to do so. Perhaps I have been avoiding having to think
about where I really am. I am confident God will walk with me through the
difficult process of transitioning to being alone. Where is Captain Kangaroo when I need him???
Well, enough blubbering and whining. God has blessed me with a good … if not
strange … mind; loving and caring children; good friends; and several life
purposes to turn to during this time of separation.
If you are using the Proverbs as one of your
daily readings, today is one of the more quoted of the Proverbs … Proverbs 3:
Proverbs 3 English
Standard Version (ESV)
Trust
in the Lord with All Your Heart
3 My son, do not forget my
teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,
2 for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.
2 for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.
3 Let
not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around
your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favor and good success[a] in the sight of God and man.
4 So you will find favor and good success[a] in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust
in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your flesh[b] and refreshment[c] to your bones.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your flesh[b] and refreshment[c] to your bones.
9 Honor
the Lord with your wealth and
with the firstfruits of all your produce;
10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.
10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.
11 My
son, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof,
12 for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.
12 for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.
Blessed
Is the One Who Finds Wisdom
13 Blessed
is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding,
14 for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold.
15 She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.
14 for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold.
15 She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.
19 The Lord by wisdom founded
the earth; by understanding he established the heavens;
20 by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew.
20 by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew.
21 My
son, do not lose sight of these— keep sound wisdom and discretion,
22 and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck.
23 Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble.
24 If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin[d] of the wicked, when it comes,
26 for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,[e] when it is in your power to do it.
22 and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck.
23 Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble.
24 If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin[d] of the wicked, when it comes,
26 for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,[e] when it is in your power to do it.
28 Do
not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it”—when
you have it with you.
29 Do not plan evil against your neighbor, who dwells trustingly beside you.
30 Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm.
31 Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways,
32 for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence.
33 The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.
34 Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.[f]
35 The wise will inherit honor, but fools get[g] disgrace.
29 Do not plan evil against your neighbor, who dwells trustingly beside you.
30 Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm.
31 Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways,
32 for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence.
33 The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.
34 Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.[f]
35 The wise will inherit honor, but fools get[g] disgrace.
Footnotes:
a. Proverbs 3:4 Or repute
b.
Proverbs 3:8 Hebrew navel
c. Proverbs 3:8 Or medicine
d. Proverbs 3:25 Hebrew storm
e.
Proverbs 3:27 Hebrew Do not withhold good from its owners
f.
Proverbs 3:34 Or grace
g. Proverbs 3:35 The
meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain
Two passages in this Proverb reading catch my attention this
morning … verses 9-12 and verses 21-27.
The first passage reminds me to be faithful in my giving to the Lord and
to His work on earth. Okay, I’ll say it aloud
– TITHING. God has blessed my life. As a
retiree, I am fortunate to have a consistent income that is not affected by the
ups and downs of markets or dependence upon a job. I do have some of my family who are affected …
and I am happy to help them during the crisis.
The second passage reminds me that God is always faithful … and to
keep on going in times of trouble.
We are a blessed people … loved by God, loved by one another. Who needs Captain Kangaroo? Now, where is my deck of 51?
Agape’
Mr. Jim
Prayer: Father, thank You for all the blessings You
bestow on us daily. In Jesus’ Holy Name … Amen
Scripture for today:
Proverbs 3
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