Sandy Snavely's Blog, page 4

What’s Brewing – A Point to Ponder

There she is again, that woman who oozes perfection; well dressed, well bred, and well pickled. You know who I’m talking about. She’s the one who makes you feel like you got dressed in the dark and put your make-up on with mittens. She’s the one who waltzes through the door of your insecurities without knocking.

Then there’s Mary. Aside from all the misconceptions, the mother of Jesus was simply that; the mother of Jesus. Just a simple girl, with simple faith, and a heart that was known and loved by God. And that was enough to make her – spectacular.

Mary was a ponderer. No one knows what  she pondered in her heart that night in the stable but, it must have been big. Really big. She was holding Immanuel, the “with us God,” in her arms. The One who was sent to right all wrongs, heal all hearts, crush the head of the enemy of all mankind, and bring salvation to all who would believe on His Name. I’m telling you, this is the stuff that spotlights are made for. And yet, there’s nothing to suggest that she wasted a moment’s worth of time imagining a book being written about her life, or starting a ministry, or walking the red carpet with Oscar on her mind. She was simply overcome by praise as she treasured the baby in her arms.

What is it about being a woman that makes us size each other up the way we do? Why do we spend so much time measuring ourselves by others? Perhaps it’s because we waste our thoughts on too many useless things. I have a feeling Mary had more to ponder than the gossip she heard at the market, or how so and so lost all her baby weight, or who snubbed her at the synagogue. No, Mary had bigger things to occupy her thoughts as she kissed the World’s Hope on the forehead. Jesus. He wasn’t just her son. He was her Savior.

So, here’s my point to ponder as this Christmas season comes blasting in; Jesus has come. The Savior has come and my whole life has been turned around because of Him. I could spend a whole day, and a thousand tomorrows, gathering up the treasures of what this means for me, for you, and the for the whole world. Because He isn’t just the son of Mary; He’s the Son of God – our Savior.

Forgive me if I seem quiet and introspective today, I’m not ignoring you; I just have a lot on my mind.

Love and joy, Sandy

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19-20

What’s Brewing – A Point to Ponder was first posted on December 6, 2014 at 10:23 am.
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What’s Brewing – Bring Us …

Strange. On this Thanksgiving Day I feel as if I can hear the crowds shouting, “Bring us Barabbas! Crucify Jesus. But free Barabbas!” But, perhaps it isn’t strange at all. Because my head is filled with living pictures of cars being turned over by gangs of angry people, buildings burning to the ground, protestors marching in the streets wearing the faces of anarchy. And this is freedom. 

I think I can safely say, the events of this past week will trickle into the conversations around the nation, as America feasts on turkey, and dressing, and cranberry sauce. Opinions will run the gamut of right vs. wrong, justice vs. injustice, rich vs. poor, black vs. white, all yammering to be heard until loudest voice wins.

Perhaps, its all because we know that a life is worth more than a few stolen cigars. A young man should be able to live long enough to admit that what he did was stupid and those who are hired to protect us have the right to call us into account when our hands are holding someone else’s property. A mother, whose son is lying dead in the street, has reason to grieve over her loss. A city that has been run through with crime, fatherlessness, and injustice, can only absorb so much pain without becoming bitter, and angry, and hopeless. Perhaps, we’ve all joined into this story because we can’t bear the truth of how far our nation has fallen. And perhaps it because we’ve forgotten the One who was left behind while the crowds shouted, “Barabbas.”

They were angry too. Their little nation, under God, had been overthrown by brutality (Rome), overcome by poverty (outrageous taxes), and overruled by hypocrisy (elitism among their own people). Oppression and injustice had beaten them down to the point that, when given the choice, they sided with the man who looked more like them than the innocent man who had come to set them free. Barabbas must have felt like a hero as he walked away from the chains that bound him to death. I can just see him now, strutting through the crowds with that smug smile on his face, while Jesus’s body was nailed to the tree that should have been his. Nevertheless, while the spit of those who mocked Him was still warm on his body, Jesus whispered, “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they’re doing.” 

Sin still cries for Barabbas. Sin still sides with sin. Sin still makes wrong choices and fights against righting its own wrongs. Sin still tries to win its freedom so it can live to sin again. And still the voice is pleading, “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they’re doing.” 

We came to this country in search of freedom. And we have it. And the cost of it is overwhelming, full of mercy, compassion, justice, and forgiveness. Oh God, on this Thanksgiving Day, bring us…Jesus. 

Love and joy, Sandy.

“Again, this is God’s command: to believe in his personally named Son, Jesus Christ. He told us to love each other, in line with the original command.”

1 John 3:23-24 The Message

 

What’s Brewing – Bring Us … was first posted on November 27, 2014 at 8:14 am.
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What’s Brewing – This Little Light

Sometimes it feels like a flicker; a candle at the end of its wick. But, when the world feels dark and gloomy, it’s enough to light the path that leads to hope.

People who love dark places scare me. I love light. I love open windows, open doors, open books, and open minds. I love knowing where I’m going, and what I’m seeing, and who I’m talking to. I rediscovered this morning that I, sandy snavely, with two small s’s, am a light; a beacon of hope to a lost and dying world. Really? Because sometimes I don’t feel like I’m a anything more than a passing shadow.

Nevertheless, from Jesus’ words to my ears – I am a light. And so are you. Every good thing about us, every lovely thing we do, every hand extended in friendship, every word of encouragement given away without cost, and every tear caught in our hands and held in our hearts as sacred treasures, are like lights shimmering against the darkness. Light is living proof that darkness has met its match.

So, here I am this morning, watching the light win over the night as it ushers in another new day, and I find myself full of worship. Not of me. Not because I’m a light. But, because I know the Source from where the light originates. As the day declares the brilliance of the sun, this light proclaims the greater Son. The One who said, “I am the world’s Light. No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness.” (John 8:12 The Message)

This little light, in a world wearing shades, is fueled by a greater Light. An Eternal flame. A bonfire of Glory!

Shine On, little light, Shine On!

What’s Brewing – This Little Light was first posted on November 17, 2014 at 6:32 am.
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What’s Brewing – Funny, Isn’t It?

There’s something kind of creepy about those masks. They laugh when they should cry and cry when they should laugh. Truth is like that. Funny isn’t it? How our emotions just don’t know quite what to do when life takes us by surprise.

On October 21st., I was heading to Le Charm Salon for a desperately needed haircut; something I kept putting off because my calendar was filled to the brim with more important things to do than snipping and clipping. As my car idled at the light, I gazed in awe at the blue sky peeking through the clouds, while singing along with Bonnie Knopf on my MP3, “I see the Lord, seated on the Throne. Exalted.” I think I was just moving into the chorus, “Holy, Holy, Holy. Holy is the Lord …” when the light turned green. As I proceeded through the intersection, I heard what sounded like a loud gunshot. My car began to spin, as if in slow motion, while pieces of my beautiful, kale green, Kia Soul, flew through the air like paper in the wind. When the world stopped spinning, I felt the heat of searing pain sizzling through my neck, across my shoulders, and down my arms. Dazed and disoriented, I laid my head against the steering wheel, trying to make sense of it all.

I pried the door open and did my best to walk without looking like I’d spent the morning slurping down brewskies in a bar. A cluster of women were gathering near the curb, while a young woman holding her two-year-old daughter, was crying hysterically; “Oh God, my baby, my baby.” With the exception of a minor cut near child’s eye, the baby was more terrified by her mother’s screaming, than hurt by the accident her mother caused  while turning backward to hand her a French fry, never noticing the bright red light shining in front of her.

Funny – isn’t it? How life can turn on a dime? I was headed to the hair salon one minute – then off to the hospital in an ambulance the next. My schedule, filled to the brim with writing projects, speaking engagements, meetings, and coffee dates with friends, is now filled with physical therapy appointments, sandwiched between long hours of learning how to sit still and do nothing while waiting for my body to heal itself.

The comedy of tragedy is that it all happens while we’re in the process of doing life. It snickers back at us as it rearranges our priorities. It tests our endurance. And it tests our faith. But, it doesn’t have to have the last hallelujah. And in this case – it won’t.

Don’t, enemy, crow over me. I’m down, but I’m not out. (So there!)

Micah 7:8 The Message (parenthesis mine)

And just in case you’ve been thinking a dash cam might be a worthwhile purchase, feel free to watch the video. Sometimes having a husband who’s a goofball for gadgets, is a very good thing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hcL0k5FMpA

What’s Brewing – Funny, Isn’t It? was first posted on November 2, 2014 at 5:46 am.
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What’s Brewing – Roots

I’ve been thinking a lot about roots lately. It’s the whole family tree thing. And in looking back, over the spreading roots of my ancestry, I’ve realized that there’s barely a healthy one in the bunch. Among them you will be hard-pressed to find any true honor seekers, or wisdom hunters, or world changers, and few, if any, Jesus lovers. Among the trailing tendrils weaves stories of alcoholism, insecurity, jealousy, rage, adultery, bi-polar disorder, money wasters, with a splash of Mafioso tossed in for added color. My heritage is shady at best.

But, that isn’t the whole story. Within those very same roots, beat the hearts of dreamers, singers, artists, musicians, lovers of food, lovers of laughter, lovers of words, and lovers of life. And me. The potential for good runs through our family tree like blood runs through veins, ever striving to supply the body with the ability to heal, renew, and live to face another day.

So, here’s what I’m thinking about our heritage; yours and mine – roots go deep, and as long as there’s a drop of life running through them, there’s hope. If … you’re willing to be watered, fertilized, trimmed, cut back, cultivated, and surrendered to the One who planted you in the soil of His enduring purpose; that you live, and grow, and multiply, and produce lasting, luscious, satisfying, fruit.

The roots of my family tree may appear to be tangled mess of wounded beauty, but there’s hope in them their limbs.

 

They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water.

Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought.

Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit. Jeremiah 17:8

What’s Brewing – Roots was first posted on October 19, 2014 at 8:10 am.
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What’s Brewing – Spain Part Three

As Bud and I have just returned from our trip to Rota, Spain, the next few weeks of blogs will reflect the beauty of being there. Because, sometimes what we remember most is not the picture perfect postcards, but the imprint of story.

Above all the things I loved about Spain, the warmth of the sun on my shoulders, the smell of rich coffee, the beautiful food, and the brilliant colors of bougainvillea dancing through green leaves and climbing up fences, and the facades of buildings; I loved the lifestyle that is Rota. Being in Rota was like travelling back to a time when life was simple, when children were respectful, and where rap was what you did when you knocked on someone’s door.

One afternoon, while Bud and I were sitting on a bench in a popular plaza, we began to notice small groups of children, accompanied by parents and grandparents. The kids were clean – I mean spit polished clean, with hair combed, ribbons tied perfectly around bouncing pony tails, neatly pressed black and white uniforms; all smiling as if they had a great day at school. Not one tantrum. Happy parents walking with happy children. No earplugs drowning out the world around them. No cell phones separating them from direct, human to human, conversations. No pants hanging below their rear ends. No bulging bosoms pushing their way out of skin tight tops. Seriously, life was … normal. Moral. The Brady Bunch in Spanish. So very un-boring. Beautiful. Appropriate. Peaceful. And closer to Heaven than I’ve felt in quite some time.

While ISIS was spreading their terror, Rota just cuddled into life, seemingly unaware of what was going on in the world around them. I was happy to cuddle in with them. Rota was a breath of sweetness sandwiched in-between Eden and Eternity. A reminder of better things to come.

I could live there forever, in this place that lives the prayer, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.”

Love and joy, Sandy

What’s Brewing – Spain Part Three was first posted on October 5, 2014 at 7:07 am.
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What’s Brewing – Reflections from Spain #2

As Bud and I have just returned from our trip to Rota, Spain, the next few weeks of blogs will reflect the beauty of being there. Because, sometimes what we remember most is not the picture perfect postcards, but the imprint of story.

So, at last we stepped off the plane and felt the ground of Spain beneath our feet. Our plan was to spend two to three days in Rota then catch a hop to Naples, Italy, or Sigonella, Sicily. Either one. Didn’t matter. However, as plans go – no planes were heading anywhere but in the direction of Bahrain, thanks to the crisis of ISIS, and the growing tension as we approached another year of remembering 9/11. We were stuck in Spain and we weren’t at all happy about it. Funny how attitudes reveal the tangles of the heart.

Once we realized we were wasting our vacation searching flight schedules, and trying in vain to get out of Spain, a light bulb moment went off in both our brains. We love Rota! We love Spain. Why not just enjoy the ride?!? And we did.

Every morning for nine glorious days we enveloped the simplicity of life in the small village township of Rota, beginning with cappuccino and toast at the bar just a block outside the gate of the Base Naval de Rota (Naval Station, Rota). Every block in Rota has its own neighborhood bar where people gather for coffee, toast, and conversation. No matter how hard we tried to blend in with the culture there was no hiding our Americanism’s from the locals. We soon became welcomed visitors at our little bar down the street, where the owner greeted us with a warm smile, while holding up two fingers, rattling off something in Spanish that translated into two coffees and two toasts, one with tomatoes, and meat and one with butter and jam. Then we’d head outside to find a table and wait for the sound of his voice, singing loud and free, as he delivered our breakfast.

On our last day we stopped at the bar to say goodbye to our dear friend with the sweet voice and beautiful face. I think I saw a hint of a tear as he shook Bud’s and kissed mine. This picture of him and his son will always remind me to embrace the moment, accept the simple, and let life untangle your heart with songs of joy.

Love and joy, Sandy

What’s Brewing – Reflections from Spain #2 was first posted on September 27, 2014 at 8:37 am.
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What’s Brewing – Reflections from Spain #1

As Bud and I have just returned from our trip to Rota, Spain, the next few weeks of blogs will reflect the beauty of being there. Because, sometimes what we remember most is not the picture perfect postcards, but the imprint of story.

The flight was short, and the tickets were cheap, so Bud and I headed for our seats one row apart from each other. It didn’t matter. We were leaving Germany and on our way to Spain. As I strapped myself in I said a quick hello to the plump little man next to me. Then I did what I always do before a plane takes off; I scanned the empty seats around me picking out the one I’d rather be in should no one care to claim it. Just before the doors closed a very old man carefully lowered his skeletal frame into the seat I hoped would be mine. And there I was; a woman stuck between two men.

I don’t know why I feel indignant about such things. Pettiness doesn’t become me. Then the moment of reckoning. The plump little man next to me held both ends of his seatbelt in his shaking hands struggling unsuccessfully to connect them. Frustration burned through his shame. I patted his arm and motioned to him with a gesture that crossed all language barriers. He surrendered the buckle to me and allowed me strap him in. With my hands closer to his hips than I wanted to be, we ceased to be strangers on a plane.

Twenty minutes later the flight attendants pushed their clunky carts down the aisle and handed us our lunches. I looked over the tray of mini-sized foods, all sealed in cellophane, and pulled open the little pouch that held my tiny sandwich. Before I could take a bite I noticed the old man across the isle from me. His nimble fingers were barely able to hold his sandwich let alone open it. The helpless expression on his face told a story too painful to read. I patted his arm and motioned to him with a gesture that crossed all language barriers. He flashed a grateful smile as I handed him his sandwich. I was surely sitting in a very good place.

There is a language that speaks louder than words. It’s the language that springs up from the heart of God and flows through us like clear running water on a hot day, giving cups of compassion to needy souls in unexpected places. As our bodies shrivel and die, when we feel alone with nothing but memories of who we used to be, His language reminds us that the person in the body is greater than its frame. Created for His pleasure. Built to last beyond the dust of death.

And every once in a while He hands a cup of Living Water to us and says, “I have a friend I want you to meet and message I want you to deliver. Just say yes and I’ll take care of the rest.”

Yes. And so began our trip to Spain. More later.

Love and joy, Sandy.

 

What’s Brewing – Reflections from Spain #1 was first posted on September 20, 2014 at 8:11 am.
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What’s Brewing – Just a Story … Maybe

 

A sense of the sweet familiar bubbled inside me as we followed Bay Road to the end of the pavement and turned left to find the house that Charles built. Of course it wasn’t really the house because the story is fiction. But it was the house Bud and I chose on our first trip to Dover. The double-story beach house stood above the sand near the end of the tire-worn road along the bay. Seeing that house again was like visiting an old friend. It was all I could do to not walk up to the door and say, “Hi, my name is Sandy Snavely. I wrote a book called Ellie’s Window, and guess what? Your house is where Ellie Mae St.Clare-Mondary lived! So, could we come in and walk around, maybe make a cup of coffee, and sit on the porch and stare at the water for a while? You do have a couple of Adirondack chairs out there, don’t you?” But of course that would have been just silly. Because the book is fiction. It’s not real. It’s just a story. Maybe.

Two days later I was hosting my  Ellie’s Window  table at the Farmer’s Market in downtown Dover. While chatting with two women about the storyline I said, “You’ll find The Country Eaterie, The Governor’s Café, Meddings Seafood, and Bowers Beach, sprinkled throughout my book.” At the mention of Bowers Beach her eyes lit up. “Bowers Beach? I live on Bowers Beach.”

Really? She lived on the very beach where Charles built a home for Audrey? Where Ellie Mae grew up? And where Charlie dreaded having to go back to? Yes. Yes. And yes. So I pressed further. “Just where is your house?”

“Well, you go down Bay Road, turn to your left, and my home is second from the end. I’ve just put it up for sale.”

It was a heart stopping moment. “Oh my,” I said, while picking up my jaw and trying to form words that could be understood in human language. “That’s the house! You’re living in Ellie’s house. Bernie’s house is right next door; the last home on the bumpy road along the bay.”

Ellie’s House

How can you wrap your head around things like this? You can’t. You just stand there and babble like a goofball until all you can say is, “Wow.” Then you tuck the memory into your Book of Forever and let it steep until you get to Heaven.

Ellie’s Window  is fiction. It’s not real. It’s just a story. Maybe.

Love and joy, Sandy

www.sandysnavely.com

 

 

 

What’s Brewing – Just a Story … Maybe was first posted on August 28, 2014 at 10:50 am.
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What’s Brewing – Come and Play

Where does it all come from; this need to create something beautiful?

The unfolding of a flower sends the artist to a canvas, the photographer to a camera, the sculptor to a lump of clay, the cook to a recipe, the gardener to the soil, the musician to an instrument, and the writer to a pen . These simple ongoing acts of creation birth such great emotion within the human heart that it feels as if it will die if it cannot release the wonder of what it has seen. Beauty begets beauty. And so like a mother handing her daughter a mound of cookie dough, or a father giving his son a hammer and a fistful of nails, God invites His children to Come and Play with what He has made.

Human beings are the only living creatures who are compelled to find ways to express their love for all things lovely. It’s living proof that we’re made in the image of God. Born to create. It’s part of our DNA. The stuff that intimacy with our Creator is made from. It’s the inspiration of praise. And the Holy work of prayer.

My loving God, the harp in my heart will praise You.

Your faithful heart toward us will be the theme of my song.

Melodies and music will rise to You, the Holy One of Israel.

(Psalm 71:16 – 21; Psalms – Poetry on Fire)

So, my heart, feel free to let those deep things, those things that overwhelm your soul with inexpressible joy, those things that draw your heart and mind Heavenward, rise in praise to the God who is calling you to Come and Play.

Love and joy, Sandy

What’s Brewing – Come and Play was first posted on August 18, 2014 at 6:47 am.
©2013 "Life Over Latte". Use of this feed is for personal non-commercial use only. If you are not reading this article in your feed reader, then the site is guilty of copyright infringement. Please contact me at sandy.snavely@frontier.com