Blog Posts - Leoma's books

The new normal

5/1/2020

In Tennessee, things are starting to reopen after weeks and weeks of Safer at Home orders. I still feel much safer at home, but I have ventured out a bit with my mask. It is also pollen season, so the mask helps with that too as I’m allergic to trees, grass and some weeds.

One thing I noticed immediately is that I have become a stranger to my iPhone as the facial recognition doesn’t work with my mask on. I’m using some dust masks that were given to me 40 years ago to help keep out the pollen. I doubt they will be very effective against COVID-19, but at least it is something. I’m tempted to see if I can have two identifying photos on my phone, but then if I change my mask, it won’t recognize me again. In the meantime, it keeps me aware of my passcode.

Another thing I miss is smiling. When I wear a mask, no one can see me smile. In fact, I get very few cues about the other person’s state of mind except for their eyes and voice. At the doctor’s office this morning, the staff sounded very friendly and welcoming. When asked how I was, I cheerily said, “I’m doing well!”

Now I can smile with my eyes, provided they aren’t covered up by sunglasses or tinted goggles. I’ve thought about drawing a smile on my mask. In fact, I really need to get busy and make some this weekend. I believe the new fashion statement will be having masks to match one’s outfit. I’m creating a coming out dress, and am making a matching mask.

Who knows, in the future we may have sequined masks, feathered masks and who knows what kind of famous people masks. As we move into a whole new area of creativity, let’s make sure that we have efficient masks and that we wear them to keep everyone safer.

Pandemic Poem

4/23/2020

In times of trouble and of woe,
This is when our feelings flow
To express our doubts and fears
And overflow our eyes with tears.
Helpless in the current mess
Each day I’m having less and less.
How to eat or pay the rent?
Nothing I can do but vent!
What’s the purpose? Where’s the plan?
I’ll do anything I can.
Trust in God? How can it be
That I’ve forgotten to bow my knee?
Sovereign LORD, I humbly ask
That in your favor I may bask.
Forgive my foolishness and pride
To think my good would ever ride
On gifts my own instead of Yours?
I need you now to bring the cures.
Without you all I have is lost.
Return my heart, whate’er the cost.

we are all in this together - covid-19

4/21/2020

As many Americans are avoiding COVID-19 by staying at home, so it is with folks around the world. I happen to be in touch with a number of people in various countries, so thought I would share what they are going through.

England: One of my elderly friends is staying home, but moving her car each day so the tires don’t rot from being in one place too long. She is also clearing out her pantry and discovering food she had long forgotten she had. Not a bad thing, really.

Another friend is working on her gardening, and it shows. She walks to a nearby hospital in the mornings to pray for the patients and staff. She normally travels frequently, so now she is just traveling on Zoom. All three of us hope to meet on Zoom for afternoon tea, though it will likely still be morning my time.

Honduras: My cousin, Dr. Nathan Gilley, and his family recently moved to Honduras. After language study, he will be working at a hospital on the north coast for under-served communities. They took a break from language school at the beginning of March and went to that hospital for the birth of their 4th daughter. Then COVID-19 struck. They are still there and will be for some time. Grandparents were unable to visit to help with the care of the children. Local people are unable to work because of the shutdown, and are running out of money for food. The hospital is practicing to receive cases, but haven’t seen any in their area yet.

Nigeria: I recently spoke to a classmate from SOAS, University of London, who is now the Vice-Chancellor of a university in Nigeria. The universities have been closed for a month and he has been home with his family for the first time in a long time. He says the people in rural areas think of the virus as a disease of the Elite. If the “elite” don’t spread it, all will be well, but if it gets into these rural areas it will be disastrous. Many of these people are non-literate, so depend on information from radio and television.

Sudan: A former student of mine from the University of Khartoum messaged me to find out how I was. The news they hear of New York makes them think we are all dying like flies. I assured her I was fine. She says people there are very afraid. There are 70 cases in Khartoum, and their healthcare lacks a lot.

South Sudan: Two cases were reported on the UN compound and then two more from community spread. No testing has been done on a large scale, so the South Sudanese are staying home. The office and indeed the compound has closed down so no one is allowed in or out. The more extroverts of my acquaintance began to run down after three days of no human contact. Not sure if she will survive weeks and weeks of this!

Kenya: Ben’s mom was here about a month ago, but her visit was cut short in order for her to get back to her other children before the Kenyan borders closed. She flew via Dubai, and on the way from Dubai to Nairobi, one person on board tested positive for COVID-19. She self-isolated for two weeks, but she still can’t leave her apartment because the neighbors know she has traveled, and they are so afraid. If she leaves the house, someone may report her to the police who would then come and put her in quarantine outside her home. After that two weeks, she would be arraigned in court! The youngest daughter won’t even let her hang out the washing on the community clothesline. The city, at least, is under curfew from 7:00 pm – 6:00 am.

Uganda: An American colleague got stuck in Entebbe when the borders suddenly closed and there were no flights in or out. After 2-3 weeks he was able to get back home to his family.

A Ugandan friend in Entebbe confirmed what I had heard was happening there. Everyone is under strict orders to stay home for two weeks. If the police find you outside your house, you can be arrested for murder.

Bear in mind, that many of the poor people in these countries live from day to day by manual labor. They don’t have the resources to live for two weeks without working. The choices may be to die from the virus or die from starvation, or worse yet, to watch their children die. These are difficult times, and in so many ways, I feel we are blessed to have the support systems and healthcare options that we do. Let us thank God for his grace and many mercies to us.

Reflection on what God may be doing through the Corona Virus pandemic

4/9/2020

The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! God’s voice thunders and the earth melts! Come, see the glorious works of the LORD: see how he brings destruction upon the world. He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire. Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world. (Psalm 46:6, 8-10)

As I read these verses today, the parallels to the present day once again jumped out at me. In only a matter of weeks, God has brought the personal, financial, business worlds to a screeching halt. Unemployment in the US is higher than ever before in history. The death toll is staggering. Commerce has nearly stopped as people are out of work, and thus afraid to spend money except for essentials. The grocery stores are doing well.

All the structures that we take for granted, food supplies, health care, government, business, industry, transportation, leisure industries have either been overwhelmed (health care) or nearly stopped. If we didn’t have the Internet, it would have stopped completely.

We think that somehow we are responsible for the blessings in our lives. We like to think we are self-made! However, in such a time as this, it becomes apparent that we are poor and needy creatures, and we need God.

I believe that in these days, God is asking us to “be still”. Since most of us are staying in our homes and unable to go to work or school or many of the activities we normally would pursue, we have time to Be Still. These words can also be translated as “Let Go”. We should let go of our expectations, ambitions, confidences and look to our loving God. In the verses above he says, “I will be honored by every nations. I will be honored throughout the world.” The world has stopped its normal activity, not because it wanted to but because it had no choice. Now is the time to honor God and recognize our need for him.

Psalm 104:10-34 provides a picture of what has happened with COVID-19.

(God) makes springs pour water into the ravines, so streams gush down from the mountains. They provide water for all the animals, and the wild donkeys quench their thirst. The birds nest beside the streams and sing among the branches of the trees. You send rain on the mountains from your heavenly home, and you fill the earth with the fruit of your labor.

You cause grass to grow for the livestock and plants for people to use. You allow them to produce food from the earth—wine to make them glad, olive oil to soothe their skin, and bread to give them strength. The trees of the LORD are well cared for—the cedars of Lebanon that he planted. There the birds make their nests, and the storks make their homes in the cypresses. High in the mountains live the wild goats, and the rocks form a refuge for the hyraxes.

You made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to set. You send the darkness, and it becomes night, when all the forest animals prowl about. Then the young lions roar for their prey, stalking the food provided by God. At dawn they slink back into their dens to rest. Then people go off to their work, where they labor until evening.

O LORD, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures. Here is the ocean, vast and wide, teeming with life of every kind, both large and small. See the ships sailing along, and Leviathan, which you made to play in the sea. They all depend on you to give them food as they need it. When you supply it, they gather it. You open your hand to feed them, and they are richly satisfied. But if you turn away from them, they panic. When you take away their breath, they die and turn again to dust. When you give them your breath, life is created and you renew the face of the earth.

May the glory of the LORD continue forever! The LORD takes pleasure in all he has made! The earth trembles at his glance; the mountains smoke at his touch. I will sing to the LORD as long as I live. I will praise my God to my last breath! May all my thoughts be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the LORD.

Reflections on Email during COVID-19

3/21/2020

As a confirmed Introvert, I’m quite happy with social distancing. However, I do feel for those who are Extroverts and are feeling really restricted during this time of “stay at home”. So, I thought I would try to lighten your mood just a bit.

My email Inbox has filled up with concerned messages from people I never expected to hear from. I assume you also have email, and may have heard from some of the same people. I’ll list just a few.

Chewy.com to tell me how to take care of my pet and they will send me anything I need
Investment brokers who are concerned about my well-being and assuring me they are on the job
My Senator (I do actually hear from her fairly regularly)
Knox News telling the latest closures of bars and restaurants
A Bible app I use offering free Bible studies
UPS telling me they are concerned for their employees, but are still making deliveries and I have some control over when and where things can be delivered.
Red Lobster explaining that they will deliver meals for free if I will order one
American and Delta Airlines CEO, oh yes, and Ethiopian Air telling me how well they are cleaning their planes.
Hotels.com assuring me they are available to help me (as long as it is over the phone)
My doctor
GoDaddy (website) will still chat over the phone and gives free resources to help you stay in business
Sam’s Club explaining how they are hiring more staff to collect things for you so you don’t have to go in the store.
Medicare telling me what to watch out for, as if I hadn’t heard enough of that information!
Prayercast with a Coronavirus prayer video (worth doing)
YouTube telling me about the movies I can stream
The Interim Vice-Chancellor of the University of Tennessee explaining that students need to be off campus if possible and studies will be on-line.
AARP tells me how to boost my immune system in the face of the virus
KARM, the local thrift store explaining it will close for the next week or so.
Trivago telling me how to book flights and hotels
STEP notifications telling me not to travel!

Basically, everyone wants to make sure their employees are safe and they will help you if they can do it from a phone at their house. You should also be in your house. When all of this is over, we will be so glad to see other people that maybe we will be able to love everyone a whole lot more!

Reflections on COVID-19

3/16/2020

As I’ve talked with people who are about my age, we tend to agree that we don’t think of ourselves as being as old as we are. Take off at least 20 years! So, when we are warned that people d’un certain age (people of a certain age) should stay at home, possibly for the next eight weeks, it’s hard to realize that means ME!

I was in the grocery store four days ago, and I noticed that people were much more interactive than usual. It was almost common for people to smile and say something, as if the barriers to speaking with a stranger were coming down. We were all in this COVID0-19 thing together, and so we should be supportive of each other as we battle to find the supplies we need. The empty shelves in the paper products aisle and the bottled water aisle made one wonder if the local population had gone crazy, and maybe it has. But in spite of that, it seemed to be making us friendlier.

As I reflected on my personal calling to try to create community in the place where I live, I wondered how to do that given my age. Yes, I had to own up to the real age. Tomorrow, a friend is coming to stay for the rest of the week. She has just been in a conference with a lot of people and then on two flights to get here. No one will want to spend time with her at this point. Still, she will be welcome here, whatever comes our way.

But how do I reach out to the neighbors without compromising their health or mine? I could phone the elderly among us and just check on how they are doing. We can’t catch anything over the phone. The fact that I HATE to make phone calls means this exercise is stretching me. The two people I phoned this morning were appreciative, so hopefully that will encourage me to continue to do this. Since I have a healthy 19-year-old living here, if they need errands run, he can do that. (I think I can, but that’s my 20-year-younger self talking.)

Being of an introverted nature, I feel I can probably weather this storm quite happily. I should be able to get a lot done, provided I don’t decide I’m on holiday. The temptation to sleep late, binge watch movies that I’ve been meaning to see and play with my kitties is strong. But here I am, writing. On Saturday I got some Spring Fever and started sorting out my pantry. I’ve got a long list of things for Ben to do. If I can stay on track, I should have plenty to do, including finishing the outside chair covers I started on months ago.

All in all, this VIRUS event may give many of us more time to do those things we have been thinking about doing for months or even years. We may also have more time for prayer and reflection, and that would do ALL of us a world of good.

A christmas poem for 2019

1/1/2020

The Beloved:
O Shepherd, Savior, LORD and King,
Spirit Holy who makes me sing
Words I barely understand,
But are surely by your hand.

Reign in me and rule my heart
In each new day your love impart
To change, reform and make me new
Til all my hopes become like You.

The Lover:
“Be at peace, my little child,
Though the storms be rough and wild
I am with you, peace be still
All in order, and in My Will.”

The Beloved:
You understand my anxious mind
The way to peace, O help me find.
Though tears will often blur my way
You have promised you’d always stay.

Hold me close when I feel lost
So much pressure, life so tossed
I’m often weak and tired with sin
How can you bear to love me again?

The Lover:
“That’s why I came, for ones like you
Taking your burden and making you new
Rest in my cleansing, my blood covers you
No condemnation, my love ever new.”

if only i were a cat

10/18/2019

Naima, my newer kitty, loves to have her neck, cheeks and chin scratched. She rubs on everything: doors, shoes, books, chairs. Spiral is fond of the same thing, but not quite as intensely. So, when I saw an advertisement for a cat self-groomer, I ordered 3. It took quite a while for them to arrive, but they finally came. I put one together and stuck it on the side of my desk. The instructions suggested that if they didn’t get close enough to it, to put some catnip inside to attract them. So much for instructions.

My cats, being rescue cats, are very sensitive about anyone trying to put them anywhere they don’t already want to be. They also have NO interest in catnip. They view this new grey contraption with great suspicion. I’ve placed their favorite toys nearby, including their scratching post. That has not worked yet.

I started to brush Spiral with one of the combs so she would have her scent on it. She loves it when I do that, but as for letting me put it down so she can rub herself on it, nothing doing. She has bitten it a couple of times, but not a single rub. I find myself wishing I were a cat, at least for a few minutes, so I could show them what to do. They will enjoy it so much!

In reflection, I realize this must be how God felt about the human race. He sent so many messages and prophets to try to explain how much he loved us, but we just didn’t get it. So, finally, he sent Jesus, a human like us, to show us what a great gift we were being offered. Many see the blessing and receive it with joy, but many others run away from the blessing as if it were a curse.

I wonder if my cats will ever understand? I wonder that I so often forget the great love that Jesus has offered me.

What was he thinking?

7/25/2018

This is a reflection on Luke 5:1-11, considering what Peter may have been thinking when Jesus asked to use his boat.

Peter may have felt like a prop in the larger play when Jesus asked to use his boat. He’s been up all night, but had to wash out his nets before going home to bed. He heard what Jesus said at least with half an ear. It had been a disappointing night’s work – caught absolutely NOTHING. No sales. No money today. His wife would NOT be pleased. He knew these hard times all too well. As Jesus was wrapping up his talk, Peter looked forward to going home, whatever the consequences.

“You want me to WHAT?!” Peter must have thought this itinerant carpenter was crazy to think he knew ANYTHING about fishing. I can hear him saying, “Go out again to fish? We’ve been there and done that!” There are NO fish in the lake and daytime is NOT when you fish. I’m tired and I do NOT want to do this, but whatever…He will soon find out this is a useless exercise.”

Nets put out. “What’s happening? Fish! My nets are full, so full I can’t haul them into the boat! Better get some help. I’ll call James and John.” “I’ve never seen so many fish! Where have they been all night? Wow, we have a boat full, and there are still more. In fact, I think this boat is starting to sink! OOPS! How is this happening?”

“Why is Jesus smiling?” Could he have caused this? He must have! Who is he anyway? How did he bring all these fish here at this time of day? That’s a God thing! He must be a holy man to have that kind of power. And he’s done this for me! Why? I’m just a poor fisherman who let him use my boat. I don’t deserve this, and he must not realize how unholy I am! I must ask him to leave because I’m not worthy to be in his presence. It’s all just too much!”

Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid. I have a job for you and instead of my leaving, I want you to come with me. I want your company, your presence, your friendship. Leave the work you are comfortable with and join us in telling the world the Good News of the Gospel. I am life, light, all you will ever need. Come with me.”

So, Peter, James and John all got out of the boat, left the boats, the nets, the fish and followed Jesus. Life would never be the same. When they lost their way after Jesus’ crucifixion, they went back to fishing. Once more, Jesus called them to let down their nets for a catch, and when they realized who he was, they left all, never to return.

Feeling fearful – being helpless

11/25/2016

In recent days, many things have happened that caused people to be afraid – wars, elections, earthquakes. As I was reading Luke 8, I was struck by four situations in which people became very fearful for different reasons. Each of these situations occurred in the presence of Jesus Christ. The results were very interesting, and I found insightful.

In Luke 8:22-25, the Jesus’ disciples found themselves in the midst of a fierce storm on the lake, with Jesus asleep in the back of the boat. This was a serious weather event in which the boat was filling with water, they were too far from a coast to swim to safety, and drowning had become a real possibility. They woke Jesus up, perhaps expecting that he either worry with them about their fate or at least help them bail the water out of the boat. They did not expect him to address the storm and tell it to be still. Amazingly, the storm obeyed and all became calm.

In Luke 8:26-39, the disciples and Jesus all arrive safely to shore, only to be met by a crazy man. He was totally out of control, breaking chains, living among the graves and running around with no clothes on. The community had tried to subdue him without success. This crazy man had caused fear among the population for some time because of his unpredictable and bizarre behavior. Jesus got straight to the root of the man’s problem, and within a short while, had him sitting calmly and fully clothed. When the local citizens came to see, the change in this man caused more fear than his previous behavior had. Jesus had done the impossible, and it shook them to the core. They begged him to leave them, and he prepared to go. However, the formerly crazy man was left behind as a witness to the power of God.

The next incident is found in Luke 8:40-48. Jesus is walking along with a large crowd pressing on him. A woman, who had been bleeding for years, slipped up and touched his robe. She was unclean, and thus it was a serious offense to touch a man and thus make him unclean. To touch a noted rabbi was especially offensive. So, when Jesus insisted on exposing her, she was really afraid of what would happen to her. She had performed an illegal act, and technically could lose her life as a result. Jesus affirmed her healing publically and even commended her faith. He accepted her and made her whole.

The final incident in this chapter is found in Luke 8:49-56. Jairus had a daughter that was very ill and about to die. He was urging Jesus to come to his house and heal her before it was too late. In the midst of the incident with the woman above, messengers arrived to tell Jairus that it was already too late; his daughter was dead. Perhaps he had delayed too long to go to Jesus, or these “other people” got in the way and now all was lost. But Jesus only told him to have faith, and went and raised his daughter from the dead.

We fear so many things: the elements, loss of property, events contrary to our expectations, condemnation from others, or the loss of loved ones in death. We are usually in a position of powerlessness and that causes us to fear and often to be overwhelmed. The difference in the stories discussed above is the presence of Jesus. He is the ONLY one who is not helpless, but commands those fear-producing forces. The words he spoke to the people, and to us are: “Where is your faith?” and “Don’t be afraid!”

These words are important for us today, whatever situation we fear. We have access to a power beyond us, beyond the forces that seem to control us. So, when we find ourselves feeling terrified, remember Jesus’ words: “Where is your faith?” and “Don’t be afraid!”