Peace like a river - part three

David and I woke up early the next morning and began thinking about our day ahead. We packed up and headed to the hotel’s reception area to have breakfast and check out. As I was packing, I noticed a guest comment card, asking for feedback on our experience with the hotel. As I read over it, I was delightfully surprised that they were members’ of a group of Christian run hotels. I knew in my spirit that there was something remarkably different about this hotel, now I knew why.

The reception area was beautifully appointed with Christmas decorations, warm furnishings and a blazing fire roaring in the fireplace. We sat in the dining room and ate a quick bite of breakfast with some enjoyable guests then headed off for another day of adventure.

The day was beautiful and sunny as we headed down through Tennessee and then on to the very corner of Georgia, through Alabama and Mississippi and eventually to our final destination of Louisiana. As we drove through Alabama, there were indications everywhere that the state was being besieged in a sea of red. Flags, signs and football paraphernalia colored the landscape of the state. College football was in its peak season and the “Roll Tide” state was one of the contenders for the big prize of winning the national championship. There was definitely no lack of support or enthusiasm for the state’s favored college team. Since David and I are from Texas, we felt a little odd driving through the “competition’s” territory. You see, Texas was the opposing contender for the national championship. I felt somewhat relieved that I didn’t have any Texas burnt orange or UT stickers on our truck. There’s nothing like finding oneself knee deep in the middle of the adversary’s territory, without having some form of protection. We continued driving stealthily through the state, fortunately, unnoticed.

© Brenda L. Marlin 2010

Peace like a river - part two

Hours went by as we made the long journey southward. We became a little road weary, so we decided to stop right outside Chattanooga, TN and stay at a little hotel just a hop, skip and jump away from the highway. It was convenient to stay there and would allow us the ability to get up bright and early the next morning, get something to eat at their "hot" breakfast bar and then be on the road again.

We had never stayed at this little hotel before, nor was it recommended to us. It was part of a large chain of "highway" hotels, which gave them some credibility in our minds. For David and I, it is always a leap of faith in deciding where we will stay in a town we know nothing about. We tend to like it that way, because we always discover something new on our adventures. After checking in, we were quite surprised by the coziness of the surroundings of the hotel and the interior of our room. In all the road hotels we have stayed in before, none conveyed the same level of charming personality as this one.

After being on the road all day and night, I am surprised I noticed much of anything, but once in the room something out of the ordinary caught my tired eyes. To my delight, I saw a Bible sitting on top of the nightstand conveniently placed near the reading chair. "Refreshing", I thought to myself. I usually have to open the drawer to see whether or not the hotel agrees with my opinion on having a Gideon Bible in the room. It used to be a given, but now-a-days, that is not always the case. I knew this hotel property must be different and made a mental note to check it out in the morning. Sleep was top of mind now and David and I were ready for it.

© Brenda L. Marlin 2010

Peace like a river - part one

I was headed down to New Orleans with my husband, David. We were going to visit Steven and his girlfriend for the Thanksgiving Day holiday. Driving down to New Orleans was a wonderful way for David and I to hang out together for a good amount of road time, especially since I had just finished traveling all over the world attending PWOC regional conferences. Yes, it was road trip time once again, but this time it would be with David and I was very glad about that.

It had only been four years since hurricane Katrina barreled through this popular gulf coast town and brought its seemingly unrelenting devastation. We didn't know what to expect to see on this trip. Reports seemed to have faded away into a distant memory on what was once one of the most reported on catastrophic events of our time; but every so often, a brave reporter would peek in to see if things were progressing. At least that was my impression.

When I thought about this tragic event, images of all the damage and human suffering flashed through my mind. I recalled images such as the Super Dome filled with people in and around it seeking shelter from the harsh elements; and images of people walking on bridges, which allowed them to remain on higher ground than the rising "sea level"of water, and then all the helpless images of people standing on roof tops desperately hoping for someone to come to their aid. Overall, I recalled numerous images of people needing to being rescued from the water that ravaged their town and then some who wouldn't be rescued at all. For most, it was the end of the life they once knew.

We wondered what would our trip entail. We were very excited about seeing our son in his new hometown, yet curious about what we would see and experience once we arrived.

© Brenda L. Marlin 2010

Walking on

It's the New Year, so of course it is a time of new beginnings, fresh starts and taking notes on what did and didn't work the year prior. This year, I decided to start walking with a friend from PWOC. She has been at this for several years, so I thought joining her would provide a great accountability partner for me.

The first day I walked with her, we lapped the mall a few times. Since we were talking so much, I didn't keep count of how many times we completed a mall "lap". My feet began hurting some and felt they were telling me to stop. I walked on. Finally, I came to the point of needing to stop for the day. I asked my friend, "So, do you know how much we walked?" Thinking to myself that I had probably only walked a mile, surprisingly she said, "three miles." I was elated! I actually walked farther than I thought.

I concluded that you can endure much longer and through some painful moments whenever you have a friend nearby.

© Brenda L. Marlin 2010

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another -- and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:23-25 (NIV)

Smile, it can brighten someone's day

Lately, I have been noticing when I pass people by and smile, they look surprised. Smiling has been a common practice for me all my life. I love seeing people smile, but lately, that seems to be an oddity of sorts.

Guess folks are having a hard time finding peace and joy in times such as these. Could it be that we believe too much of what we hear in the news headlines? Perhaps there are struggles with family relationships, joblessness and the like. Which ever way you cut it, there are tough times going on all around us. Many think things will eventually get better, then perhaps they can smile.

I think I will keep on smiling today because it might brighten someone's day.

© Brenda L. Marlin 2010

"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life..." Philippians 2:14-16a (NIV)