Basics, Decisions

Learning New Limitations

December 22nd, 2022
Mollie T. Cox

My scheduled Sunday post did not appear this week. You may not have noticed, and at times, I didn’t either. What happened?

Although this week’s blog was written months ago, I was too tired to edit it last week. And I am still too tired to edit it, so those words have been rescheduled for December 2023. Stay tuned.

When money used to be our family’s major limitation, my husband and I saved and budgeted so that we not only covered all our needs but also any emergency. As we age, time and energy are our new limitations. I can be more careful of how I spend both, but unlike money, neither can be put in a bank for future withdrawals. And I am constantly learning the extent of these new limitations. They seem to be increasing faster than I can adjust.

So today, I acknowledged that I cannot rebound quickly from overscheduling and a recent emergency. Not only will the blog be postponed but also certain decorations will remain in their boxes and Christmas cards sent after the holidays. And it will be fine.

Did you acknowledge something recently?

God's Faithfulness, Stories I Share, Winter

The Stories I Share: Our Goldilocks Trucker

December 11th, 2022
Mollie T. Cox

Years ago, after a Christmassy North Carolina weekend, we started home in the rain. Within miles, the rain turned to snow, and as the snow thickened, I urged my husband to turn back. He refused. A work crisis demanded he be present Monday morning.

My anxiety increased each time we passed sideways cars in the median. Truckers either slung blinding snow across our windshield or struggled up hills causing surrounding cars to respond haphazardly.

However, one trucker forged a reliable path. After observing his steadiness, my husband decided to follow his tracks. We passed when the trucker passed. We didn’t when he didn’t. When I asked if we were going to take an exit, my husband said, “It depends on what the trucker does.”   

Our Goldilocks trucker. Not too slow. Not too fast.

We lost view of the truck due to merging traffic near Richmond, Virginia. “Maybe the driver noticed a green Subaru following him and will hang back,” I suggested. My husband didn’t think so. I won.

Eventually, we exited and left our guide of over 100 miles. The next morning, I called Armellini and expressed our gratitude for the driver of truck 5716.

Have you received unexpected guidance?

Christmas, Memories

Ornament Memories

December 4th, 2022
Mollie T. Cox

Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall.

Larry Wilde, Comedian

One effect of aging I didn’t expect was becoming more selective about Christmas decorations.

Decades ago, when our tree was placed under a cathedral ceiling and could be decorated by reaching over the banister, I was easily seduced by the Christmas aisle. Off season, I scoured the Christmas sections of tourist shops and clearance aisles. Ornaments abounded.

Such purchases slowed when our tree height was reduced by a couple of feet. Today they are rare.

My beach ornament

Now, a tree half the size of former trees stands beside our front window. I never thought I would surrender, but my husband and I can’t handle transporting or decorating or undecorating a large tree.

Beginnings and endings are most memorable. (See here.) With tree decorating, that means placing ornaments and removing them. During that time, I always reflect on the friends and events my ornaments represent.

Memories bestow value. (See here.) And it’s those memories of friends and events which now make the time-consuming placement and removal and storage of my ornaments worthwhile.

Collecting or remembering?

God's Faithfulness, Holidays

Holiday Stories: The Endings

November 27th, 2022
Mollie T. Cox

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God for it is written ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’

Romans 12:19 (ESV)

My holidays with extended family were filled with stories of past events. (See here.) However, they were also filled with the beginnings and middles of future stories. How would those stories end?

One advantage of being old—I need at least one—is that I have lived to see many endings. I have seen and continue to see the faithfulness of God as he writes the rest of the story.

A sample of endings: Those who were slandered were vindicated. Those who were greedy became impoverished. Those who seemed shallow shared wisdom. Those who were outcasts were given innumerable friends. Those who served the Lord left this earth with honor. Alleged victims were revealed as liars. Enemies were reconciled. Reformed thieves gained trust.

Along the way, I learned that vengeance truly does belong to the Lord. Only he can deal fairly with the hearts of men.

Have you ever wished for a little—or perhaps a lot—of vengeance after a holiday gathering?

God's Faithfulness, Stories I Share

The Stories I Share: Last Photo

November 20th, 2022
Mollie T. Cox

One evening, I received a call from a special cousin. “The cancer is in my spinal fluid,” she said. “I’ve been given four to eight weeks.”

“Would you like me to come?”

“I would love to see your face one more time.”

There were blessings each day of my journey. However, I especially wanted one—a last photo with Cheryl. When and how should I ask? I didn’t want tears or forced, false cheerfulness.

My last evening, we stopped at Buc-ees for beef jerky. The Texas icon is not quickly described. All that is important is that the mascot is Buc-ee the Beaver, and Cheryl and I thoroughly enjoyed romping through the massive convenience store examining—and sometimes playing with—the merchandise.

Before we left, I asked Cheryl’s husband to snap a photo of me with Buc-ee’s statue. (Such photos are a family tradition.) Cheryl quickly and unexpectedly hopped out of the car and joined me.

November 19, 2014

I had my photo. A moment of silliness, not sadness. A fitting memory of a woman who loved playing jokes and making people laugh.

Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. Psalm 116:15