“Psalm 30”
Lessons from Psalm 30
It’s easy to be happy and positive when things are going well. When we feel healthy and settled and the proverbial sun is shining. It’s easy to worship God when our prayers are answered or even, on those very rare occasions when there doesn’t seem so much to pray about because all is well in life.
But when the clouds gather, when life hurts, when people we love are struggling, well it’s not so easy. It’s harder to praise God from a place of loneliness or loss, fear or failure. When our prayers appear to be unanswered or we feel like we’re talking to a brick wall rather than the King of Kings. Then it’s harder to feel the joy and certainty of faith. The NIV (UK) version of Psalm 30 puts it this way:
6When I felt secure, I said, ‘I shall never be shaken.’
7 Lord, when you favoured me, you made my royal mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed.
Psalm 30
A psalm. A song. For the dedication of the temple. Of David.
1 I will exalt you, Lord,
for you lifted me out of the depths
and did not let my enemies gloat over me.
2 Lord my God, I called to you for help,
and you healed me.
3 You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead;
you spared me from going down to the pit.
4 Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people;
praise his holy name.
5 For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.
6 When I felt secure, I said,
“I will never be shaken.”
7 Lord, when you favored me,
you made my royal mountain stand firm;
but when you hid your face,
I was dismayed.
8 To you, Lord, I called;
to the Lord I cried for mercy:
9 “What is gained if I am silenced,
if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it proclaim your faithfulness?
10 Hear, Lord, and be merciful to me;
Lord, be my help.”
11 You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
12 that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.
Lord my God, I will praise you forever.
But look again, the psalm starts with words of faith and praise, (Psalm 30:1-3) ‘I will exalt you’… ‘I called out to you and healed me’. This is a song of faith, a choice to praise God because God has proved faithful. The psalmist is remembering the times when God’s love and presence was tangible
‘ You brought me from the depths…from the grave…and the pit’…’
‘You brought me up…’ rather like a bucket being drawn up from the deepest well; a dark well that is as deep as death itself. This imagery reminds us that God reaches down into the deepest, darkest places to bring us up and out. And until we are standing on the mountaintop again – well, he’s with us every step of the way.
This psalm starts with the cry of faith and a reminder of God’s constant faithfulness before having a wobble! But the wobble in the middle challenges us to remember how it’s the faithfulness of God that is our security not what circumstances we are in. When we are in trouble, in mourning, in distress – in the middle of a wobble, it is God’s faithfulness that will bring us somehow, someday, to the place where we can dance again.
I wanted to share these thoughts with you; I certainly needed to remind myself this week of the truth in God’s word. Perhaps you too are finding this 3rd lockdown especially challenging… My prayer is that the truth of God’s word can encourage you as it does me, especially if you’re having a mid-covid, mid-winter, mid-lockdown, wobble… we are not left alone and God is just as real and present! Amen to that! Amen and Amen!
Posted in Family, Grandma, Today and tagged "AL R. ALDRICH", "Mickey McLaren" -" herself"with no comments yet.
“We did so MUCH to enjoy Christmas”
Christmas Remembered pg.3
Sometimes in LIFE… I do believe, that we all need to think back to our very early years … as a very young child… and start remembering just exactly… all of the most wonderful things that we did with our parents.
When you start to think back… you will start to remember …we as a family did get together more often, and did really enjoy doing wonderful and learning to do more things as a family… than we do today!
I will put my answer at the end of this article… and you can let me know… if you agree, and or if you have some better ideas… regarding the celebrating of CHRSTMAS together as a family?
In the early 40’s, my Dad took me to the Poultry Store where they had, (live birds) and we would pick out that live Turkey… to be prepared, “quickly” for us to pickup on our return – as we needed to head for McConnell’s fruit and vegetable store, for some of the other ingredients needed by my Dad… to prepare our Christmas dinner.
All of these stores that we went to – to do our CHRISTMAS DINNER shopping were, within a block or two.
Today: all of these little stores are combined together under one roof, and under some big “Name” Super Store!
After picking up the “Turkey” and everything that was needed – we headed home.
All of this extra special shopping… was done in our neighborhood… and no vehicle was used… we walk and carry those items that were needed… NOW!
Immediately – arriving home… my Dad turned into an Irish elf – no cook book needed – he had pots and pans going – the smells and aroma were the indication something “special” is taking place – and this is going to be a most delicious meal and time for all!
Also, can not forget that “Christmas” tree – we all dressed warm and headed out – there were several “tree lots” to check out and we all had to give our “ooh o ‘s and ah’s” and with the “Right Tree” – we headed back for home and in a big hurry!
My Dad knew where all the “Christmas Stuff” would be found – and brought the outside lights – outside and all the inside ornaments and lights in to the living room.
The lights for outside were the size of a 25 watt or 40 watt round bulb – and in no time at all, he had that “Christmas tree” and the snowball bush out side all decorated, and with that size bulb the decorating was beautiful!
Now, ready to do the inside decorating!
The best memory of all this “Christmas” prep was that the “Turkey” was so big, it was the only thing, you could put in the “oven” – so when that “Turkey was stuffed” – into the “oven ” it went… and after midnight… it would be cooking slowly, and as we slept – you would think you were in “Heaven” – the aroma was so heavenly!
Around – 5 a.m. to 6 a.m. – you just had to get out of bed and see if “Santa” came to our house?
We all got up – and in our time – back then – we went to the Perpetual Help Church, which was just a couple of blocks away.
All the way to and from Church – wishing friends and relatives a “Merry Christmas! ”
– Back home – we celebrated!
“Christmas… way back and when I was little… we did so much more together at home… and in our walking all around the neighborhood… including the Parks… for miles around… because we did not have “TV” to keep us sitting in one spot for too many long hours… not able to do and or to go for long walks with the family… and in our walks… we would visit our relatives… as so many did live in and around the same area as we did.”
Posted in Childhood, Family, Grandma, Today and tagged "AL R. ALDRICH", "Mickey McLaren" -" herself"with no comments yet.
“This Holiday Season is of Real Memories”
Bing Crosby – I’ll Be Home For Christmas
We’ll Meet Again – Hayley Westenra & Vera Lynn
Just Someone I Used to Know
Beautiful Christmas Music, The Most Popular Christmas Carols, ,”Christmas Home” By Tim Janis
Elvis Presley – I’ll Be Home for Christmas (Official Lyric Video)
“Enjoy this Holiday Season… this year… with my LOVE and all of our wonderful memories … of the last 60 years”
Posted in Family, Grand-Children, Grandma, Today and tagged "AL R. ALDRICH", "Mickey McLaren" -" herself"with no comments yet.
“Christmas Time Yesterday and Christmas Time Today”
Wait! ….. Christmas is coming… and this… is that most and extra special important part of the year … you just have to be good… and if you are not real good, and I do mean exactly as … I am saying… “If you are not good” –
“YOU will end up getting a lump of “coal” in your stocking!”
That’s no idle threat!… That is what will happen!
If you are old enough like most of the people today…
Did you not hear about… what you have to do to prepare for Christmas and what happens, when you are not a very good little girl and or a real good boy… can you remember back and hearing … anything like that… when you were a very small child?
In the early 40’s, to heat the house, some people had furnaces that required someone to shovel coal into that furnace – and getting a couple of lumps coal in your “Christmas” stocking would tell all of your friends – that you were a very bad little kid all year!
And, as I remember… I never ever heard of any of my friends… ever receiving some lumps of coal in their stockings… that they hung by the fireplace with care … in hopes that… good ole Saint Nick would fill… with only good things for each of them?
Way back and then…
Those were the days when the “Mailman” delivered mail, two (2) times a day, and then sometimes, someone riding a bike from “Western Union” – would show up with a Telegram.
And, these were not always good news!
Some windows along our street had a small oblong “Flag” hanging with a gold star or two – Gold – black – blue colors.
I’m thinking we had one in our window, when my Dad was working aboard the ships in California.
I used to like to watch… out of our front window for the “Mailman” for we were always receiving mail!
One day an extra special letter was sent to me, it had some sand from the beaches – pasted along the bottom – just so I would know … what the sand looked like in California.
My Dad, sent the mail… just special for me and said… that they had so much sand – that they would not care … if I … also had some of their extra special sand?
It’s amazing how much mail, we were receiving … way back then… just thinking, it may have been, that it was so much cheaper than calling people on the telephone… as everyone knows… that is if you are old enough today …
I know that… you can remember, back to those good ole “TIMES” that there were so many extra charges – depending on the time of the day, you were making your telephone call…
and then the day of the week, and most importantly … a local call … and then a call to the nearby CITY and then the STATE and Over SEAS… as the rates had extra charges and almost all of those calls needed a “Telephone Operator” to complete for you…
The making of a telephone call was not that easy … as the charges were based on day and and hour and if “Party” called was available at that time … each and every time – morning and afternoon and evening.
So… back then, with the high cost of a telephone call… we did the very best we could by sending a letter and or lots of cards … so very much cheaper!
Everybody was sending “Christmas Cards” with newsy letters inside – and… would “YOU” believe… they only cost…….
“three cents!”
“All together different today… and so much cheaper!”
Posted in Childhood, Family, Grandma, Today and tagged "AL R. ALDRICH", "Mickey McLaren" -" herself"with 2 comments.
“A Good Christmas is to Be Remembered”
Christmas Remembered pg. 2
One thing I remember from those days, when I was just a small fry… I can still remember those times… that we were getting ready and really … as we were just kids that did like to help and in helping … Christmas Time – really was a wonderful time of the year!
Way back then… in the 1940’s… my Dad would take the time to make Fudge candy and Divinity candy – for the men and women in the Services!
When I was little, I thought you could only make candy… when you had little kids, like us, to test it – so that you would know just exactly from us – that it was ready!
This was a job that each of us sat around the kitchen table , waiting for our turn – to taste and give our okay!
We were very important – to the process of… “Candy Making” – without us – how would you do it?
Kids know so much – when they are little?
So many samples have to be done – just to get from the “soft ball stage to the hard ball stage” and then at that right moment you will finish making up the candy – to perfection!
We were the best behaved kids – just to be a part of this most important job .
Every flat surface in the house – had sheets of “Wax Paper” – waiting for dollops of “Divinity Candy.”
Boxes were filled very carefully with Fudge candy, wrapped in wax paper, and Divinity Candy wrapped in wax paper, so that no matter how that box is thrown around at the Post Office, each and every piece of candy will make it safe and sound to some military service person to enjoy!
Lucky for us (the tasters) my Dad would receive more addresses to send more requested boxes of candy, and for several nights after Dad’s regular work, our kitchen was a “Candy Making Factory” for the Service People!
We used to hear, that when my Dad was in the “Army” – he did three (3) two (2) stints and this is when he did his learning to be a “Chef!”
His Mother thought he was not getting enough food to eat and every so often she would bake a three (3) layer cake and send it to him.
Her intentions were good – but her packing a cake to go from “Ohio to the Philippines” – the Post Office just does not “hand carry”… a boxed cake!
Just think of the trip the cakes would take?
You know that no matter what she wrote on that box – no one would read it – and I know – having worked at the Post Office, small light boxes get thrown from one area to another!
Every time – he would receive a box of “Crumbs!”
“The “Crumbs” were very good in the “Philippines”
Having been in the Service as a very young man… my Dad, did a lot of remembering of what those fellow men in the service would like at this “Christmas Time” and also being away from all of the good and joyfull Holiday things… that were taking place at home…
So it was just a wonderful treat to now, be receiving some really good treats, made extra special… just for those that were now serving America… and to also help them, remember their loved ones from home and their good ole family times!
Posted in Family, Grandma, Today and tagged "AL R. ALDRICH"with no comments yet.
“A Wonderful DAY to Celebrate a Birthday”
“Happy Birthday Lee Jr. and Many More Birthdays”
In Florida… little Lee would wear his “swim trunks” all most all the time or he would have a pair hidden somewhere outside so that he and his friend, Arthur who lived down the street… would meet to go swimming across the street in “LAKE MELBA” only a seventy foot deep LAKE.
This memory is of Lee Sr.’s MOTHER and of my MOTHER as they were both staying at our home and may have been for a month or so and then… on this particular day, maybe “NOON TIME” … Lee Sr., comes HOME… from one of the restaurants we operated and with some special treats to eat… for all of us, and while he is opening up the “goodies” for us, Lee Sr., ask us… “WHERE IS LEE?”
We were all sitting around the dining room table and would you believe, “WE did not know where little LEE… was?”
So… I went outside and started calling LEE’s name and not seeing him anywhere around, my husband, Lee Sr. was awfully upset!
Lee said loud enough for everyone in the neighborhood to hear … as the windows were all open and you know how voices can travel especially, when you do not want the neighbors to hear, “THREE grown women sitting here and “NO ONE KNOWS” … where “ONE” LITTLE KID is???”
Well with super speed, Lee Sr., took the vehicle and started driving down the road along the LAKE and is calling out and looking around the water areas hoping to see the boys and bring them home.
Finally, one neighbor that lives on the LAKE side heard all the commotion and called us, to say, that the boys had taken one of their boats out, and they are on it.
Also… someone should come and take another boat out and pull that one in… as the one that they are on, is just bobbing around, but the boys do look to be okay???
Lee took care of getting the boys in that boat… and then… towed in to shore, and I do believe… that everyone in all of the entire neighborhood … got the message, that if ever… these two kids are caught ever again in and around those… boats call the POLICE, as Lee Sr., was retired POLICE and everyone in and around Fort Lauderdale knew that “LEE JR.” as young as he was… just loved to be in the water and would swim just like the fish, and never had any training but, because of this happening, with Lee Jr. …….
Lee Sr., just as soon as he could … took care of this situation… as he wanted Little Lee to know what he was doing… and did get Little Lee enrolled into the local “Y MAC” and he received plenty of training in all phases of swimming and that of being a “High Dive” swimmer, too.
And so – on this day must remember that the most important NAVY MAN… my son, Lee Aldrich,Jr., and how wonderful he looked as when he was serving in the NAVY.
And just one more of “Lee, Jr. on leave from the NAVY – for the HOLIDAYS – only wish that this Photo would also have been in full color.
But, when it comes to the HOLIDAYS – that smile is in the best of colors you can get – just being NAVY – smiling all the way HOME!!
Thank YOU, Almighty Yahweh for your wonderful protection for all of our young people, that will serve this… their Country, AMERICA … for the “FREEDOM” that we all share, with all of our neighbors… forever! D.V.
Posted in Childhood, Family, Grandma, Today and tagged "AL R. ALDRICH", "Mickey McLaren" -" herself"with no comments yet.