Thursday of last week was a busy day. I had a long business meeting that stretched into the middle of the afternoon and then spent the rest of the day in my car, heading northward towards home. I was aware of the date as I am each year on November 13th. It was my mother’s birthday and another one I couldn’t send a card and couldn’t bake a cake. She would have been 81 years old.

I got home after dark and found a package leaning against the front door. Curious, I opened it up and immediately was drenched in nostalgia.

Inside were two tea towels and a lovely apron - all in an olive green, vintage looking fabric. Memories of mom flooded over me.

She was a fabric fiend. She dressed our home, she filled our closets with pretty things made from pretty fabrics. Our windows and tables were always decked out in ever-growing biggish vines and flowers.  Now we know to call it “french country” as a flavor of her favorites. Back then it was just Mom’s design. And growing up in the 60’s and 70’s, the color of olive was a favorite of hers.

Even today, I lean towards french country fabrics. Big florals but with a delicate curve. Vibrant colors with an exotic twist. It must be they are familiar to me. Hidden in these fabric memories is a sweet reminder of my childhood home who’s address changed every few years but the occupants nor the decor ever changed.

I pulled the apron and tea towels from the box with a bursting heart. My precious sister had sent them to me and they just happened to arrive on Mom’s birthday. And they just happened to remind me of her.

The world seems particularly unsafe to me these days. Financial panic in the news. Impending elections that do not seem to support Life. Folks of low character proclaiming a voice to the masses without Truth. It’s a scary time.

Because He loves me, He will rescue me. When I call His name, He will answer.

…There’s no doubt I am safe under His wings.

He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Ps 91

Barack Obama told a tax-burdened plumber over the weekend that his economic philosophy is to “spread the wealth around” — a comment that may only draw fire from riled-up John McCain supporters who have taken to calling Obama a “socialist” at the Republican’s rallies.Obama made the remark after fielding some tough questions from the plumber Sunday in Ohio, where the Democratic candidate canvassed neighborhoods and encouraged residents to vote early.”Your new tax plan is going to tax me more, isn’t it?” the plumber asked.”It’s not that I want to punish your success. I just want to make sure that everybody who is behind you, that they’ve got a chance for success too,” Obama responded. “My attitude is that if the economy’s good for folks from the bottom up, it’s gonna be good for everybody … I think when you spread the wealth around, it’s good for everybody.” From this source.

And Obama thinks this redistribution of wealth is going to encourage jobs? Is he kidding? He thinks folks want to work longer hours, investing education and ingenuity in order so that Obama can spread the rewards to those behind, punishing those who succeed at the American Dream?

Nopers. Not going to happen.

It takes all the incentive away.

Earlier in his campaign he called it “Economic redistribution”.

Sounds like socialism to me.

And he does intend to punish the success of that plumber. And my success.

I think I’ve shared this story before but I can’t find it to link to it easily. Sorry about that if you’ve read this before: I had a student one year who didn’t think it was fair that I bought a new car. His dad didn’t have a new car. A discussion revealed the dad didn’t hold a full-time job. This student was making an “A” in my class and in most of his other classes. I noted that to him. He came to class. He worked hard. Turned in his projects on time and with great thought. He deserved that grade on his report card. I pointed to another student in class who was sleeping. He didn’t come to class very often. He never turned in his work. He was earning an “F” on his report card. I then asked the student: “How about you share some of your points/grades with him? That way he will get a “C” and you will too. It makes it all equal and fair, don’t you think?”

Then I explained: “I work 7-4 as a teacher. I then head home and run my business for another 8 hours a day. I’ve earned the money to buy a car when I need to and to have money to put in the savings account. Call it my reward for my hard work. It would not be fair to take my hard work and long hours and give my rewards to someone who didn’t put in the preparation, the education, the long hours and the ingenuity, would it?”

It sounds like Obama wants to give the “A” I’ve earned to those who make an “F” or a “D” or a “C”.

I enjoy giving generously to ministries that I choose to participate. In fact, I love it. But the choice to share my excess should be mine.

Yup, it might be confusing. It might be hard to follow the facts. Here is one film on youtube that helps clarify the issue.

Take a look.

Mr Fabulous Fifty and I headed to the local theater for a movie. Or two. There were two playing we were interested in seeing, but we were unsure if we could time it for both. The ticket seller said no, the first movie would be longer and would keep us from seeing the second. We bought tickets for the first: Fireproof.

We loved Facing the Giants and this one is equally great. We smiled seeing the actors from the first and cried at the tender moments in the story. Well done Sony for keeping your name on this production.

On our way out of the theater, we looked at the clock. We stopped at the ticket booth and asked if we were too late for the next movie. We could make it. We did. Laughed and felt triumphant at American Carol and came out feeling good. I came out committed to pray for Michael Moore. Bless his heart.

I came out feeling good to be a Christian. Feeling good to know that God is in power, in authority over all (even though at times it seems the goof-balls of the world appear to be winning.)

Feeling good to be an American. Feeling good to know that our liberties and freedoms were being protected by our men in uniform. Our military. Salute.

We would head to the theater more often if the Hollywood producers would get the hint that the moral right of this nation likes to hear their message from the big screen.