Bertie Mae had a few favorite things that everyone in the family knew about. Depending on what time of year she would be itching to enjoy some of God’s sweetest little creations. My grandmother was not a woman who enjoyed canned or processed foods. She grew up in a simpler time where people still lived off the earth and respected the natural blessings. As I examine myself and how I can improve, I wonder if the “advancements” we have made are not somewhat detrimental. It’s nice every now and then to take a stroll down memory lane and enjoy the simple life. Come take a walk with me.
I loved a nice breezy Saturday afternoon when Granny would ask Mom to take a drive over to New Liberty and go up the mountain and look for sweet shrubs. Not only would it mean a stop at Tillison’s for ice cream, but it would mean a heavenly smell in the house for several days. If you don’t know, sweet shrubs have one of the best scents on earth. Granny would love to cut them, put them in a mason jar filled with water and sit them in her trailer. Within an hour, the smell would envelop the entire home. She would open the windows and let the wind blow through and just sit back and enjoy. Sweet shrubs truly are the air freshener from nature.
My cousins and I used to love honeysuckles. I don’t think you can call them a flower they are probably classified as a weed. We would pick them, pluck a small weed from the bloom and taste the sweet moisture on the tip. I remember asking Granny one time why honeysuckles had that sweet tip on them and she told me it was a reminder from God that at the end of everything bitter could be something sweet. Today I went for a walk to get fresh air and enjoy the wind and sounds of nature. The birds are chirping more, the Bradford Pear trees are in full bloom. I was thinking about my grandmother and the many heartfelt chats we had. When I think about the ups and downs of depression and life in general, I think about the sweetness at the end of the bitter weed of the honeysuckle. Regardless of what we go through in life, we have to rest in the knowledge there will be a sweet ending. When I am in the middle of a manic episode or stuck in some tribulation, it’s hard to see the positive side of things. This is why it is important for us to plant as many seeds as possible to help each other find ways to pull out of the bad cycles. As I grow in my spirituality and mature as a man, I am finding it easier to see God’s big picture and trust in the unseen. My sweet memories of Granny certainly prepared me for what I would have to deal with in life.
Another life lesson my grandmother taught me was how to shuck corn. As a young boy, I absolutely loathed corn. I wanted to spend my summer vacation swimming, watching TV and just having a good time, but every day, my grandmother made us work in the garden. We would all gather on her front porch and shell peas, break beans, and of course the dreaded corn shucking. You had to take each ear of corn and peel back the outer shuck, which was not hard, but then it was covered in silk. Strings of silk covered each ear. It would take me way to long as I procrastinated having to pick up another cob by peeling away one or two strings at a time. Granny had a fly swatter lying beside her and she was not afraid to use it. She told me that if I worked slowly and “put off” doing that job that I would do that with everything in life. There are still chores today that I hate to do and I put them off. Every time I do, I think about shucking corn and how my Granny would finish an ear in about thirty seconds. Our obstacles in life are just like those ears of corn. You peel away one layer and there may be a lot of work left to do before you reach the finish line. If you face your fears, conflicts, and challenges, conquering them quickly and earnestly, you will have a wonderful finished product.
If you look inside your heart, you can find inspiration to help you get through the tough times. Just like with any physical illness, depression and other emotional problems can cause a lot of pain and discomfort. I am sharing these memories and thoughts with you because it has helped me to make progress against an obstacle that I never thought I could beat. You can do the same. Plant some memories of sweet shrubs, honeysuckles and corn on the cob in your mind and you can replay them when things get you down. God is the greatest doctor and the best medicine we could ever have. Be thankful that He blesses us with all we need to get through this life. There is a happy ending, because Jesus said, “In my Father’s house, there are many mansions.”
If you are suffering or know someone who is, please don’t ignore it. Reach out and seek the help from God. Sometimes he helps us through medical doctors and sometimes it’s through the help of a friend or fellow Christian. If you need guidance or counseling, I am always here. I share these thoughts for self healing and to reach those who may feel they have no hope. Won’t you help me? Love to all.
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