I had a pretty good weekend! My daughter did well in her livestock showing, she played a piece by Bach in a piano recital. My greatest accomplishment was backing up the trailer at the barn. For some of you that is no big deal.
But my fear is so great that I don't think clearly. Last week, I parked it poorly, and it started to roll. I was angry trying to figure out what I did wrong.
When I pointed out to my husband how frustrated I was, he calmly showed me something so basic, I was embarrassed. But in my fear, hurt, and rage, I couldn't see anything logically. Has anyone else ever been there?
I read a great quote saying, "Always leave people better than you found them. Hug the hurt, kiss the broke, befriend the lost, love the lonely."
Doesn’t that sound wonderful? Easy? Someone is hurting, go hug them. It isn’t that easy is it?
The message at church was about loving the broken people. What a vision, isn’t it? Someone is desperate in need, you come along give them some love and understanding and magically they fall in love with God, and you were the go between. You leave filled up - Ah glory to God!
In truth it doesn’t work that way does it?
Broken people are like picking up broken glass from the floor. Pieces can stab you, make you bleed - all while you were trying to be of service. It is hard! It requires a level of patience, tolerance, less of me, that I quite frankly don't always have. Do any of us? I think that is why Jesus says apart from me you can do nothing.
My initial reaction to being cut or hurt for trying to do good is a few choice cuss words and then a wall forms around me. Then thoughts that go something like the next time…and they better watch it…etc.
Broken people are hardened by life. Broken people put up walls. Broken people hurt others.
Look around you. So much of this world is an eye for an eye. So much is hate meets hate. Standing in love? That is hard.
1 Peter 5:7 says Cast your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Let it go? Give it to him? Don’t fight back? Can you do that? I admit I am bad at it.
It does remind me that every single time I have tried to fight a battle on my own I have lost. The solutions I have, the answers I believe are not always the right ones. I don’t see someone’s heart. I don’t see the pain or the ache. I do feel the effects of their brokenness though. And maybe that is why relationships are so hard.
How do you treat people when you are hungry, angry, lonely, or tired? When your world is falling apart?
The pastor asked who is your greatest encourager? I am so grateful to say, it is my husband and my daughter. They are far better people than me.
1 Corinthians 13:4–7 says, Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful... endures all things.
The pastor discussed some of the hardest people to forgive are family. Don't quote me, maybe he didn't say this at all but it is what I remember.
Maybe I expect certain things from extended family. Maybe I expect that they are in my corner and believe in me. Maybe they expect the same from me but see those expectations differently. I don't have the answers. But I did realize sitting in church, I have more grievances then I would like to admit.
Life is messy and complicated. People will hurt you daily. How do you respond? Walls up?
Maybe that's why we pray for each other because I am exasperated with certain people in my family. And maybe that's why you need someone to pray for your loved ones. Admit it, we all get fed up.
Who hasn't prayed, "God, not sure what the point is, they will never change." Or is that just me?
I read a quote, "Relationships are like broken glass. Sometimes it's better to leave them broken than hurt yourself trying to put the pieces back together.— Alex Haditaghi
But I think we are called to more. I think we are called to love the unlovable, to help those that don't want help, to pray for those we can't stomach. I know I cannot do that on my own.
From Casting Crowns Love Them Like Jesus - Just love her like Jesus
His yoke is easy
His burden is light
You don't need the
answers
To all of life's questions
Just know that He loves her
Stay by her side
And love her like Jesus
Love her like Jesus
Today I am off to my daughter’s first volleyball game. Game? Match? I am learning. Please be patient. Yesterday was the anniversary of 9/11, a grim reminder of how ugly the world can be and how hate destroys so much of humanity. When I read the front... [More]
It’s time for the State Fair! This year looks incredibly different from last year. I am actually shocked we even get to go. As our daughter transitions to junior high, more hands are necessary to keep going. Her practices run early and late. Sometimes homework, studying,... [More]
Here we are at the end of August 2024. Fall is so close I can almost touch it and then bam a 100 degree day. For some that is energizing. I am more of a cooler weather fan. We are supposed to leave for the state fair next Thursday. I say supposed to because you never know... [More]
I read a quote the other day that hardship draws you closer to God. While it may be true, I don’t feel a bright shiny light warming my heart, thanking God, singing Hallelujah. In fact, in the middle of the storms, I feel lost, discombobulated, uncomfortable, and question... [More]
Have you heard of Walter’s Wiggles? It’s a long switchback trail in Zion National Park that leads you to Angel’s Landing. The view is breathtaking. The steep uphill zigzag climb can give you a few moments wondering if it is worth it to go on. I think... [More]
It’s hard for me to fathom that school begins Monday. We just finished fair, fair clean up, after fair exhaustion week trying to catch up on everything put on the back burner because of fair. This weekend I spent most of my days and nights putting together... [More]
It’s August!!!! It’s hot!!! That is a direct quote from me. Lol! Triple digit temperatures make everything uncomfortable. While the county fair is over, I have not recovered yet. A lot of hard work by a lot of people, too many to name went into putting on a... [More]
On Friday, July 28, 1944, one of the Syracuse Journal headlines read , “TOO MUCH NEWS”. The article said, “We’re sorry, but last minute political advertisements and legal notices that had to be run this issue crowded us for space this week and we had to... [More]
The Syracuse Bulldogs Ladies Varsity Golf Team took first at their season opener in Stanton County on Tuesday afternoon. They shot a team score of 207 at the Prairie Pines Golf Course in Johnson. The varsity team is Lanee Owens, Bronwyn Lewis, Sammy Schwieterman, Maddy... [More]
Qualifying members of the high school track team traveled to Hill City Thursday, May 16 to compete in the 2-A regional meet against 15 teams, Ellinwood, Ellis, Hill City, Hoxie, Lincoln, Meade, Medicine Lodge, Oakley, Plainville, Smith Center, Stanton County, Sublette, Thomas... [More]
The Syracuse High School boys golf team battled breezy conditions on Monday May 13 competing in the 2-A Regional meet on their own Tamarisk Golf Course. Adjusting to windy conditions and competing at home paid off for the Bulldogs Monday, placing second, qualifying... [More]
State golf on Monday had the Varsity Bulldogs miss playing in the finals as a team by one stroke. They finished seventh out of twelve teams. On Day 1, Brody Keller shot a 92 missing day two by two strokes. Ian Brummett shot a 95, Mason Scott and Johnny TeVelde shot... [More]
Junior High Boys Basketball A, B, and C teams travelled to Elkhart on Monday, November 21. The A team won 41-34, B team won 26-21, and C team lost to Elkhart 13-20. Head Coach Vance Keller said, “Elkhart was a tough win for both the A and B teams but both grinded... [More]
The Lady Bulldogs were undefeated during the Border Wars, defeating Eads on Friday, 42-7 and Walsh on Saturday 62-5, bringing their record to 3-1. But the winner wasn’t announced until Tuesday evening. Syracuse Athletic Director Josh Johnson explained, “It came down... [More]
Monday night at home at the Herndon Gym, the Junior High boys swept Lakin! Head coach Vance Keller said, “We’re a young team with only six eighth graders and 12 seventh graders. We’ve had six total that started the season with injuries so we haven’t had... [More]
Three Syracuse High School volleyball seniors were honored on Tuesday, October 5, during the volleyball tournament at Syracuse. Kaetlin Thomeczek, daughter of Joe and Dami Thomeczek has played volleyball since the third grade, playing with Syracuse Youth Activities Association... [More]
Trying to heal from the loss of his wife, 1961 SHS graduate, Garry Warner, at the advice of his family physician and friend, suggested journaling to overcome his grief. The result, many years in the making, is a published book entitled Musings of a Walmart Greeter. The... [More]
2015 Syracuse High School graduate Taelor (Oller) Leyva has always dreamed of being a novelist. But as her life and family grew, her priorities became God and her family. Leyva is the daughter of Crystal Loder and Dustin Oller. She married 2016 SHS grad Diego Leyva and... [More]
While many youth in our community have been able to take part in the free junior golf lessons during the summer for many years, Paige Barnes recalls it as what pushed her on this journey. Barnes said, “When we moved to Syracuse, my first experience with golf was... [More]
The year was 1989 when there were three law firms in Syracuse, Kansas - Jim Terrill, John Stanley, and Gale & Gale. By the end of 1990, there were two - Terrill and Gale & Gale. Thirty-five years ago, Janice Simon began working part time at Gale &... [More]
The long wait is over. The Hamilton County Library has reopened on Main Street. A grand reopening was held on Tuesday afternoon with tours all day. Library Director Amy Brucker choked up as she addressed the large crowd of library board members, county commissioners, patrons,... [More]
The Hamilton County Fair is in full swing with many fun activities for everyone. It began Thursday, July 18, when Ann Palmer was crowned Silver Queen at the VIP Center. Her princesses were Lola Fox, Marcia Ashmore and Ellie Seba. Following the coronation was the 4-H... [More]
Fair Entries - How Does It Work It’s Easy and Fun to Enter! Want to participate in the Hamilton County Fair? Showcase your talents and turn your hobbies and special interests into a winner. Who Can Enter? ALL Hamilton County residents are eligible to enter and... [More]
Scarlett Hines, daughter of Travis and Corinna Hines, has been riding a horse since she could walk. She got her first pony, Ladybug, when she was two or three years old. She has participated in play days, local and regional rodeos, and now can add winning at the National... [More]
Harvey Ellsworth Crist, 97, passed away Saturday, August 31, 2024, at his home in Syracuse, Kansas. He was born August 4, 1927 in Holly, Colorado, the son of Paul F. Crist and Margaret (Herbig) Crist. Harvey began his life in Holly, Colorado and was raised in Bear Creek Township... [More]
Maxine J. Ralstin Maxine Jeanette Ralstin passed away Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024 peacefully at her home in Syracuse, Kansas. Maxine was born February, 21, 1942 as the third of four children to Freeman H. and Mary O. (Husky) Ralstin. Maxine was a lifelong resident... [More]
Larry's life began with Millard and Elsie (Billy) Finlay on May 25, 1941, in Lakin, KS. He lived 83 years and passed away at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita, on August 10, 2024. He was the oldest of four. His siblings are Llyndee Lacey of Independence, KS; Ron Finlay of Kendall,... [More]
Bill Maxey, of Amarillo, TX passed away on August 4, 2024. Graveside Services will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 9, 2024 at Syracuse Cemetery in Syracuse, KS. Bill was born in Syracuse, Kansas to James and Betty Maxey. He was the youngest of four brothers,... [More]
Maurine (Boltz) Urton, 94, passed away Friday, June 28, 2024, at the Hamilton County Hospital in Syracuse, Kansas. She was born November 28, 1929 in Syracuse, Kansas, the daughter of Henry Charles Boltz and Mildred Hannah (Logan) Boltz. Maurine was born in Syracuse &... [More]
William (Bill) George McManess, age 64, passed away on Monday, June 24, 2024 in Wichita, Kansas at Wesley Medical Center surrounded by his daughters, son-in-law, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He was born on December 14, 1959 in Wichita, Kansas to Charles (Chuck)... [More]
Born on August 13, 1932, Patricia Ann Daugherty (Pat or affectionately known as ‘Gram’, died on November 22, 2023, at the Kearny County Hospital at the age of 91. She was born in Kansas City, Missouri to Raymond M and Maude Hessling. Pat married Bill Daugherty on... [More]
Loren William Youngers, age 68, of La Veta, CO, passed away on May 29th, 2024. Loren was born September 11th, 1955, in Kingman, KS, the son of George and Evelyn Youngers. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Doreen Amon, and niece Anne Marie Youngers. He is... [More]
©2024 The Syracuse Journal. Powered by Pluto Sites.