drinking sweet oranges

I just drank a sweet Florida orange like I was taught by Barbra, one of my very first Florida friends. For a few moments I was 14 again and it was great!

You may want to try drinking an orange and if you don't know how, here are the steps.

How to Drink a Florida Juice Orange

1. Wash the orange well. Florida oranges are not showroom perfect. They may be dirty and even when they are washed look rusty, but they are some of the sweetest fruit ever!

2. Roll the fruit around on the counter with medium pressure on all sides until soft. Do not break the skin.

3. Take a paring knife and core the stem end of the orange as you would a tomato. Then pare away a small amount of peel around the hole.

4. Holding the orange in your hand, squeeze from the bottom and then sides until juice fills the hole. Suck the sweet juice out of the orange. Repeat and enjoy until orange is dry.

5. Tear apart dry orange and enjoy the pulp, too.

That's the way to drink a Florida orange!

The summer of '67 was a huge year of changes for me. Moving from the north to the south, from densely populated to rural, and leaving my best friends to making new ones, was difficult but often exciting. My friend, Barb, and I drank a lot of oranges and grapefruit from local groves in the summer I was 14. We wandered Clarcona and talked a lot about differences in my former suburban life and her country Florida life. She introduced me to the local postmistress, Mrs Stone and the truant officer, Mrs Damon. We hiked over the local county landfill and visited the local horse farm. I saw baby chicks up close for the very first time and met her faithful Beagle friend, Useless.

I rode a school bus for the first time and changed classes outside! Our school cafeteria had salads and sweet tea and in the back by the Ag classrooms was a smoking area for the seniors. The school day began with a Bible verse and encouragement from our principal, Roger Williams. It was new. It was different. I don't think it was better or worse than where I had been in Michigan...it was just different. I learned a lot of nature-y things and a lot about self-preservation and doing things for myself. There weren't many gators then but there were Florida panthers in the area and spectacular sunsets every evening. It was a good time in my life and I think it helped round out who I am even now.

Wandering around a small country community in the heat of summer wearing flip flops in black sand, stealing oranges for lunch, grabbing a cool drink of water from the hose, meeting the neighbors and discovering another girl's way of life may not sound like a big adventure to most, but for me, it was a good thing and I'm grateful for it.

I had a good time that summer, Lord. Thank you!

Suz

melting

Have you ever just looked at someone and felt overwhelming love and care for them? I remember when our girls were small and I'd see them playing or eating or sleeping and a wave of love as deep as the ocean would wash over my heart. My knees grew weak and their simple, youthful beauty brought tears to my eyes. I felt inadequate to be everything they needed and yet I also realized that I was the one they had...I had to step up and be their mother, their parent, their protector, their champion, whether I felt strong or not.

I feel similarly with each of my grandchildren, but with a twist. The overwhelming wave of love washes over me and my knees grow weak at their complete beauty, both inside and out, and I melt when they are near...but the ultimate responsibility for parenting and protecting does not lie with me--rather, with their very capable parents. In this, is the best of both worlds. I still have the warm and fuzzy feelings, but the work is done by their mother and father. I believe this is the beauty of grandparenting. There is still the responsibility as a grandparent to be a stable, loving, supportive influence in their lives but it is like the cherry on top of the dessert--not the meat and potatoes of the meal.

I've noticed lately that when I look at my husband, even after all the years we've been together, dating over a year and married over forty-one years, when I look at him, my heart melts. It's funny, but I often don't see a 62 year old man, but my 18 yr old boyfriend with the big brown eyes and the long eyelashes and no, I don't need glasses because the heart doesn't need them to remember when.

Mostly, though, there are the other times, when I see the older husband, the one who has worked hard his whole life to support his family. The one who sacrificed day in and day out to provide a home, food, clothing and so many good things for us, his family. This is the guy who went to work whether he felt like it or not. He is the man who braved the summer sun and bitter winter cold to work for us out of love. He is my partner, my husband, my best friend. He's the best one of all, who still has the soft brown eyes and long lashes, and he's the one who melts my heart, still.

Father, thank you for the ones you've placed in my life who touch me deeply. Thank you for those who know me better than anyone on earth and still love me. You're good to me. I love you.

Suz

never beaten, stoned or shipwrecked

Have you ever felt beaten up by what's going on in your life? I have. It's a most miserable place. The very things I try to avoid somehow happen and there I stand--bruised, shaken up and hurting. Despite all good efforts, it gets more intense. By faith, I know the Lord hears my prayers and yet the battle rages. Then, just when I think the situation will calm down, out of nowhere, another one appears. It's absolutely amazing--mind boggling--and if I let myself dwell on these circumstances, then sadness, sorrow and tears become my constant companions. Issues pound in my brain until I can think of little else...UNTIL...specific scripture comes to mind and the realization of what Paul went through hits home for me and I notice the differences.

2 Corinthians 11:23-31 "I have been in prison more often. I have been hurt more in beatings. I have been near death many times.²⁴ Five times the Jews have given me their punishment of thirty-nine lashes with a whip.²⁵ Three different times I was beaten with rods. One time I was almost stoned to death. Three times I was in ships that wrecked, and one of those times I spent a night and a day in the sea.²⁶ I have gone on many travels and have been in danger from rivers, thieves, my own people, the Jews, and those who are not Jews. I have been in danger in cities, in places where no one lives, and on the sea. And I have been in danger with false Christians.²⁷ I have done hard and tiring work, and many times I did not sleep. I have been hungry and thirsty, and many times I have been without food. I have been cold and without clothes.²⁸ Besides all this, there is on me every day the load of my concern for all the churches.²⁹ I feel weak every time someone is weak, and I feel upset every time someone is led into sin."

No matter how miserable or sad I have been, I have to be truthful and say that in comparison to our brother Paul, I have been through NOTHING significant! Never once have I been in prison, beaten with rods for my faith, or almost stoned to death. I've never been whipped or shipwrecked, in danger from thieves, or even gone hungry or naked.

30 If I must brag, I will brag about the things that show I am weak.³¹ God knows I am not lying. He is the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, and he is to be praised forever."

It is then I realize that in my greatest time of personal weakness that I am strongest in Jesus. My own strength may be completely depleted. I may not know what to do or how to do it but through Christ, I am a victor! It is only in my utter lack of resources and strength that I depend upon His power, His wisdom, and His limitless help. In my own power, I have nothing with which to battle. If anything at all goes well, if I receive any relief, if any battle is won, I will brag on what Jesus has done. He is my rescuer!

Lord, your word encourages me on my lowest days! Thank you for recording Paul's life and hardships and his praise for you! I love you!

Suz