Relying on a Master

I’ve told you about Munchkin – that she was one of 4 feral kittens dropped off here about a year or so ago. I wasn’t impressed with any of them. But, I do not have the heart to kill them or not feed them.

Three died from one cause or another. The runt, which got named Munchkin, has survived. She doesn’t want to be picked up. She doesn’t let you hold her. She is obstinate to a huge degree. She has the markings of a Siamese cat. All in all – she is still beautiful.

Last night we decided to camp out in the back yard again. We had cots put into our screened in gazebo. Munchkin wanted in too. So I brought a blanket that I’d given her and put it on the floor. She was content.

I rolled over and to my back I felt something. “Jess, is that the cat behind me on my bed?” He looked, “Wow, it sure is.”

With her paw, she slapped at my back – she wanted me to roll over. I didn’t make a move away from her last night. When I moved to give her room – she only moved closer. At one point, I awoke to find her paws – one on each side of my face and her face within inches of mine – purring and in complete ecstasy of sleep.

In reflection, I see a wild unruly kitten, turning into a loving wanting attention and petting and massaging cat. I think of those unsaved and how God takes the worse of the worse, and turns them into something special. I think the patience I’ve shown her has taught her not to be afraid. I think the patience God shows us, gives us more and more opportunities to turn to Him and do his good works.

So, maybe like a feral cat, we can all learn to trust our Master – He feeds us, He clothes us, He watches over us – and what better Master to have than Jesus!

The Clutter

The Clutter

I keep telling myself “you have all this stuff for this garage sale because you closed down two stores”. Hmmm – yes that is all true. But, I must admit, I’m totally surprised at the “clutter”, even if it is for a garage sale. I’m totally blown away at how much we’ve cleared out and yet – what all remains.

As I sat taking a break this afternoon (pedometer says I’ve walked 12.8 miles this morning) I looked at the clutter in my driveway and studied the clutter. I’m praying it will bring in money – at least a little – perhaps enough to replace the carpet upstairs from the damages of Hurricane Ike. I don’t think I am asking for much.

I thought about how cluttered our lives can get. I thought about all the activities that most of us have going on – especially parents and grandparents with children to run after.

I think sometimes it is necessary to “de-clutter” our lives. I think we have to let go of the hurts, the damages done to us; we have to redress ourselves. We have to put on the whole armor of Christ – to survive – and to do that – we have to let go of the clutter – the clutter that keeps us from reading God’s word or the clutter that keeps us from diligently praying or the clutter that keeps us from singing God’s praises.

I’m really working at de-cluttering my home. I want a simplistic life at home. I want a more organized life. I want to have a place for everything and everything in its place. And, in my personal life, I want to rid myself of the hurts of the past, the anger I may still be carrying for one cause or another, and anything that keeps me from being better. I want to shout and sing without worrying about the clutter or who helped put it there.

I think we all carry our own clutter. And, when the clutter manifests into pure garbage, then we lose sight of who we are, what God’s purpose for us is and how to accomplish the task.

Anthony Graves

Anthony Graves was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death eighteen years ago. Yesterday, after appeal and appeal and appeal, Bill Parham, the District Attorney for Washington and Brazos Counties of Texas, after many hours of investigating by his staff and the ex-Assistant Harris County District attorney, Kelly Seigler, declared Anthony an “innocent man”.

Anthony walked out of the jail at 5:30pm. A free man. The first thing he wanted to do was go to his mama. He had not had a hug from her in over eighteen years. He just wanted to see his mama. He has grandchildren he’s never touched.

Calvin Garvie and Lydia Clay-Jackson were his trial attorneys. Calvin is a hard working attorney. He is smart. He is diligent. Anthony’s case and one other, Rodney Reed’s case, has haunted Calvin and in fact, as great a capital trial lawyer as Calvin is, he stopped doing death penalty cases.

I thought of Paul being placed in prison – simply for preaching and teaching God’s word. Paul was stoned and placed into prison at least three times.

I am not comparing Anthony to Paul – but am using Paul’s false imprisonment as an analogy of what Anthony and others can learn. We can all ask, when put into bad situations, “how does this apply to me?” Paul, though persecuted, continued to preach and emphasize to study and practice God’s word. Paul believed in the power of prayer. And, in the end, Paul grew from the imprisonment. He grew in strength, knowledge, and wisdom and had a much stronger faith.

When we, like Anthony and Paul, are faced with tough times, we can grow from them. I believe that is when we have to read our Bible’s more, pray more and become listeners of God.

I’m proud to work for attorneys like Calvin Garvie. I’m proud to know that District Attorneys like Bill Parham have the courage to face the rebuttal of a decision to free and state the “man is innocent” a man who has spent eighteen years of his life in prison.

I hope we can all learn something from Paul and Anthony’s travesty of justice. And, in the end, when we all have our own injustices, we can become stronger than we ever were.

Listening to God Whispers

Since I began writing, I’ve received several emails telling me “”where is my post for today – it’s late!” or “I loved the story about…” or “this really hit home today.” These emails are my encouragement – they motivate me – they are my kick in the rump to get ‘er done when I haven’t written that day. I try to do at least one week’s worth of blogs ahead of time. Sometimes I don’t do it – I know I should – I’ve “gotten too busy”. Those are excuses.

I have to be real honest with everyone, when I started writing this blog I had pneumonia. The first 4 days were so bad that I was as limp as a noodle, hurt so badly, couldn’t breathe and didn’t and couldn’t muster the energy to even go to the doctor. I prayed fervently during intermittent sleeps. One prayer that stuck out in my head was “God if I’m not going to get any better, please take me home now.”

Yes I prayed to die. I was that desperate. What in reality was just a short time later, I was over the hump or the hurdle to getting well.

I remember waking in the middle of the night with God whispering – “you are going to write”. I said, “Why me? What have I got to say that someone else would want to hear? And, how?”

I slept so soundly after that – literally I slept for 2 days straight without getting up or even going to the bathroom. Had anyone been there with me, I’m sure they would have thought I was comatose.

The morning I woke, I went straight for the computer. I said, “Okay God – Your will – not mine – show me what to do.”

I wrote 9 blogs within 3 hours. I can only say it was strictly God’s doing.

I think that we all lose the concept that we are here for a purpose, a rhyme and a reason. God has a master plan for all of us. It isn’t up to us what it is, or for us to decide when or where but it is up to us to listen to those God whispers and follow His will.

I’m grateful everyday for life. I love life. I want to live life to it’s fullest. And, I’m awesomely blessed to be able to share a few thoughts each day with those that read this, and perhaps along life’s way, put a smile on someone else’s face, a song in their heart, a dance in their feet or even a memory in their mind. That’s what life is all about – J(Jesus) O(others) Y(you)!

Listen to your God whispers – He works through all of us – even this one who can be such a cutup. Pass a good one

Humility

Humility

I have learned a lesson in humility today from a young friend. I was asked to make a Rodeo Queen Contestant dress for a friend named Hayley. Hayley is a senior this year, her last year to be able to ride in the arena, to try out for rodeo queen. Her grades are above any parent’s dream. She has a great disposition.

I learned today that after all the mistakes, a protest and recalculation of points, Hayley should have been awarded 2^nd runner up in the rodeo queen contest. The officials would not do anything to change the status since the rodeo was already over with

I was upset. I was angry. I was disheartened knowing how hard Hayley had worked on her speech; the hours spent getting gussied up, working with her horse to be deprived of her rightful title.

Her mom asked me not to take any action. Hayley chose to not hurt the other girls who have the titles – even though they truly didn’t earn them. She didn’t want anyone else’s feelings hurt.

I think that takes a lot of guts to say, “it’s okay; it’s over and done with, and let’s move on.” Not a lot of seventeen year olds can do that.

Hayley showed me that having a title isn’t near as important as making the initiative to go out for the Rodeo Queen position. She showed me that she knew she had done her best and that was all she required of herself. Prior to the competition I told Hayley, that in my eyes, she was already a winner for what all she had accomplished, worked for, earned and had done.

Her attitude about the miscalculations and not wanting to hurt anyone shows me that she is more of a winner than I originally thought. She is a Queen among friends and peers. I tip my hat, to you Ms. Hayley; you have shown grace under fire, humility and compassion throughout all this. I still believe you are the best winner of all.

Lost

Have you ever tried anything new? Gone to a foreign country and didn’t really know the laws or the rules? Have you ever been lost in a city or just lost in a shopping mall?

Those times can be trying; they can give us an uneasy feeling and even fits of anxieties at times.

We look for remedies. We search for maps. Perhaps, we even ask, “Do you speak English?” We get on our iPhones or iPads and search for information or directions. In trying a new recipe, we may even ask someone if they have tried it before.

No matter what the “new” was or the adventure may have been, it was an experience. Sometimes the experience isn’t something that we would have chosen to do, but, nonetheless, we have to do it.

I have a friend about to experience a period of time that I’m encouraging her to hold her head up like a woman and not with the grief of a child. I’ve shared 1 Corinthians 13:11 “when I was a child I spoke as a child, I acted as a child, but when I became an adult I put away childish things.”

No matter our circumstance – we have to act as adults. We have to see our way through the issue – the lostness – the darkness – the unknown. Many people thrive on the adventure of the unknown, many would rather shiver as a child – instead of like I say, “put your big girl panties on and just do it”.

“Do not be afraid, for I am with you always.” It’s times of the difficulty, the times of the fear, that we have the privilege of relying on God even more. Don’t be afraid to take that faith and rely on God – He will carry you through the tough times – and He will hold you even when you are alone.

Homecoming

Homecoming

Some folks say that you can’t go back home, that there’s never a returning point. John Grisham wrote Bleachers about a football player who returned home when his football coach died.

I went home yesterday – to a Football Homecoming. It was the first homecoming I’ve been too since I graduated high school in 1972. A group of us had planned to meet.

I was hesitant at first about even going. But, then I was depended upon to purchase tickets for eight folks. I didn’t want to let anyone down. And, I had to repay my brother who picked the tickets up for me.

As one friend at a time showed up, there were hugs and more hugs, laughter, a few tears, and pure joy.

I was not disappointed in going to the Homecoming.

Some folks say things aren’t the same as it was when we were kids. That’s okay, things aren’t supposed to be. We are supposed to be adult enough to go with the flow of things and discard the rubbish.

There’s a saying that you know who your friends are when there is a distance of time between the visits – but when you are together it’s as if there was no time lapse at all – and you can pick up right where you left off.

I was glad to see Milton, Ellen (who reminded me of a prank I played on one of the counselors at GA camp one year), Janice, Debbie, Lynda, David, Camille, Rhonda, Tommy, Scott, Kathy and others who were there.

I’m grateful for friends. I hope that you have the opportunity to reach out and find an old friend today. Friends know how to lift our hearts and make our wings flap when we forget how to fly. They are strength when we need it; laughter that can fill our souls; they are the salt of the earth; they are part of the threads that bind us. I’m so glad I went to that homecoming!

Friends on Facebook

Friends on Facebook

Me and another friend were recently chatting in private about facebook. He says, “I think we are all seeking attention in some manner by posting parts of our lives on Facebook.”

I differed in opinion to him. “Then what do you think it is?” he asked.

I said, “I think it is sharing the fun things and good parts of our lives with friends, without putting real personal stuff on there and then when we have woes our friends pick our spirits up and know when to pray for us.”

“Wow, I never looked at it like that before.” He said.

I read so many posts and wonder, “do these people really have a life?” Then I read the prayer requests. Then I read someone is a new grandparent or someone who has been looking for a job just found one or someone who is my age is going back to school. I read the good things that make me happy to read.

There are a few who are unhappy with life. No one can please them and if you dare state an opinion opposite to what their opinion is then you are blasted or cursed. I’ve decided, like in my normal life, to delete those persons who create drama or grief.

I deleted people I knew and even family members several years ago from my life – the ones who gave me grief or were not supportive of who I was and what I was making of myself. My life hasn’t been totally stress free, but I hear from others these people are the same way.

What a waste to go through life trying to please others and not be who we are suppose to be.

I love to read Psalms 139 when I feel this way. God knew me when I was still in my mother’s womb. He created me. He knew my most intricate parts. Why should I allow, even for a few moments, someone to steal my joy by reading their negative or being around negativity?

I’m not. There are delete buttons on a computer and in life! Enjoy your day – every day – all day – and just pass a good one!

Our Flappers

Our Flappers

I thought I was going to have to call a plumber because the toilet out in my old office was broke. I had been told that the toilet needed a new ring. Okay, I’m thinking that wax ring thing that goes between the commode and the flooring. Whatever is broke, just fix it, was all I was concerned about.

A friend came out and said, “it’s just the flapper that needs replacing.” Just a “flapper”.

While the repairs took place, I thought of our lives. I thought of how at times we get “broken” into pieces that we think are major. We hurt. We cry. We feel down. We feel we are broken beyond repair.

Funny thing, God doesn’t see us that way. Sometimes through prayer, fasting, and meditation, we realize the problem is only something minor or something in our minds; our “flapper” may need replacing or adjusting.

“Well, what is our flapper?” someone may ask. Our “flapper” may be something so slight as an attitude or mood adjustment. Our “flapper” may mean a type of surgery. I’ll just say our “flapper” is anything that can be repaired through seeking God.

“I am the truth and the way, no man shall come unto the Father, except by me.” Let God handle the “flappers” in your life and whatever is broke, just let Him fix it.

Who Cares?

Who Cares?

That is one of the little things I say all the time about trivial things. “Who cares?” I’m talking about things that we really can’t do anything about. Things that just don’t go as we planned. Things that people do to us that make us angry.

“Who Cares?” With the important things of life – God cares. God is always there for us. He cares if we are happy/sad, fed/hungry, alone/safe – God cares.

He cares if we are grieving: Psalms 73:26 “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

He cares if we are in fear: Proverbs 91:11 “For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.”

He cares about our health: Job 12:10 “In His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.”

He cares if we are lonely: Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

In life, we may think the things we are going through doesn’t matter and we say, “who cares?” But God cares … never forget .. We have one who is mightier than the universe that cares, who sees, who knows – and He cares.

Recipes

I’ve started collecting recipes. I plan to use them one day. One in particular is a watermelon rind pickle recipe. We recently purchased 4 melons (I gave one away). With the three remaining melons, I plan to juice them, and then attempt my first batch of watermelon rind pickles.

My grandmother used to make them all the time. I wish I would have be more aware back then and written down a lot of her recipes. I regret not having taken the time to do so.

Recently a cousin sent me a great-Aunt’s teacake recipe. They are to die for! I remember Aunt Ellie making these, after they cooled wrapping them in a clean tea towel (now there’s a difference in a tea towel and a drying towel) and putting them inside a tin coffee container with a lid on it that would seal them up tightly to keep them fresh as long as the teacake lasted.

I don’t want to just be a collector. I do collect other things like antiques, baseball stuff, dolls, and quilts. I want to make and share. I want to make and sell.

I’m thinking, “How will this younger generation ever know anything about “real” cooking except what they get out of the frozen food section of the stores?”

Perhaps it is time that we spend more time teaching our children than preparing for them. Maybe it’s time to get a group of children together and let them bake their own cookies. When was the last time you spent time with a child, teaching them something? Let's teach them the recipes of life.

Let’s not be collectors, let’s be doers….. and if you have an old recipe you want to share – send it to me!

1Corinthians 13:11

1 Corinthians 13:11

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I acted as a child, but when I became an adult I put away childish ways.

I shared that scripture with a friend last night. She is about to have a huge challenge in life. She’s gone through “crying” her way through things – tragedies – disappointments – abuses – rather than working her way through them. She never examined the past to let go of it nor to learn so that the future was brighter.

I gave her that scripture because I want her to be strong and brave. I also gave her a scripture on “be not afraid, as I am with you always”.

I want her to learn for herself that childish ways do not make you a strong, good self-esteemed, and woman. It makes us weak. And, the weak are eaten up in this world.

I want her to teach that to her daughter. I want them both to be strong individuals so that no one can abuse them in any manner.

I think that we all have childish ways to a degree. I think that the “fun” kid inside of us keeps us young like the kid who loves to ride the merry-go-round, go to the parks and the zoos, one which experiments with explorations and adventures.

However, it’s when we let the childish negative ways overtake our lives that we become weak. The crying all the time over things that cannot be solved with tears is one example. The pouting is another. The getting angry when things don’t go our way is another.

There’s a song where a line goes, “I am weak but thou are strong, Jesus keep me from all wrong….” When I was a child …. I am now an adult… ready for the great adventure.

My Client

A client of mine goes to court today. She has been charged with murder. She is a victim of domestic violence. The silent killer in a marriage. She came to this country 19 years ago. Young, vulnerable, naive, abused as a child by her father and the communist government. She once again became a victim, choosing mate(s) (2) who were both either extremely controlling, or as in the later, a controlling, alcoholic, jealous, drug addict.

She saw no way out. No hope. No future. Her prayers seemed unanswered.

Don’t we all experience those feelings at times? Don’t sometimes we think that our prayers aren’t being answered? Don’t sometimes we all feel a since of loneliness?

I believe we do. I know I have – and probably will in the future as well.

I would so much want her to know that God has been there all along. He never left her; He never forgot her. I would hope that she would grow and learn from this horrible experience. I would hope that her daughter would learn from it as well.

I hope that she will take the scriptures and guidance’s I’ve shared with her and endure the punishment she is about to receive. Ten years is a long time inside of a prison. And, sad part, her grandfather died in a concentration camp. I hope that she can survive and even thrive to come out a new woman – a woman with balls and strength to stand up and say, “You will not hurt me again.” “ I am strong – I am woman”

My prayers this morning are for all women who are suffering – either from domestic violence, hurts, financial – or whatever the need may be. Just remember one thing – God is right there in the midst of it all – listen quietly for His voice – and if you need a shoulder to lean on – find a friend.

Taking the Time

Taking the time

Seems that we all rush through the world with busy schedules, taking kids to school, dance rehearsals, football or baseball practices and the like. We think of what we are going to cook for supper while on the way to work, or whatever it is that needs to get done.

We slide by the seat of our pants sometimes on deadlines….but do we really take the time?

Do we take the time to share our thoughts with our families?

Do we take the time to let a friend know how much we care for them or appreciate them?

Do we take the time to accept the compliments that are given us?

Do we take the time to see the world and it’s people or do we worry about our own existence?

Do we take the time to play with a child or read to them?

Do we take the time to teach a child how to cook or fish?

There are so many questions that could be asked of the “Do we take the time….”

Our time on earth is for a purpose – for a reason. We aren’t here to just exist or to run the gamut of life. We all have purpose driven lives. Some of us “bloomed” late. I know several people who cannot do enough for others, who cannot love enough, who cannot share enough – because they are trying to make up for the years that they were takers.

Life is for sharing – it’s for loving – it’s for taking the time to smell the roses – it’s for looking around you and being aware of those who care for you – and for those you need to care for.

Find the time – to stop – let the world go on around you – but stop – find the time for looking around and making time for the important things in life. Are you taking the time or are you using the time?

World War II Veterans

World war II Veterans.

Read an article yesterday that was disturbing to me. Not the article, itself, but what occurred. It seems that six 90+ year old World War II veterans were not allowed into a fancy restaurant in Dallas because of what they had on – which were tee-shirts declaring they were POWs, their caps which declared what troop they were with, walking shorts and sneakers.

The young hostess told them they couldn’t come into this establishment, owned by Wolfgang Puck, because they didn’t meet certain dress codes.

I was disheartened that a youngster would do this to an elderly person, not to mention a World War II veteran.

I thought of how we judge people by what they have on. I see the youngster with 2 or 3 boxer shorts hanging from the baggy britches that show his rump and think, who is he trying to impress? Or I see the girl with a skirt up so short and tight that when she bends over it’s “see more hiney” time and wonder if she is a prostitute or something.

There was a comment on an article where a photo of a bereaved wife showed her cleavage and one person says, “she should’ve worn something less revealing than that if she is really in mourning.”

I do not wear expensive clothes. Most are mine are homemade. I’m sure that I’ve been judged by what I had on or didn’t have on.

Later that afternoon, I thought again about the article. I thought of the photos of the battles that these men may have fought in. I thought of my son and others I know who are in Afghanistan and I wondered if when their old ages come, will some young girl forget history and disrespect them as well.

I just hope and pray that these 90+ year old heroes know they are loved and appreciated!

I am ever so grateful that God is the only one who counts in the judging department. I am also very grateful that God loves us as we are and not what others want us to be.

Jimmy

Jimmy

Recently I reunited with an old classmate on facebook, who I went to school with. A young man who was short in stature, big in the heart, and strong as an ox. He went on to be a World Class Power lifter. He never thought about the tomorrows or anyone other than himself for a long time. One day, he realized his life was not going anywhere.

He had no home. He had no wife. He had no children. What he did have was inner strength and fortitude that he got from the upbringing of his mother.

Jimmy’s posts on face book were touching, kind, tender, giving and I asked one day, how he came about being the person that he is today.

Jimmy went to work for a quadriplegic man as a caregiver. A job, he’d never had before. “I think mostly when I started caring for George. Until that time I had never had the responsibility of taking care of someone who can’t take care of themselves, like you as a mother and your child. You always cared but took a different meaning when the child couldn’t take care of themselves – you had to take care of them when they were sick.”

I responded, “Interesting, but surely it wasn‘t an overnight awareness, but how did this all come about – prayer? Patience? Understanding? Compassion?” Jimmy, being the most absolute honest person I’ve ever met simple said, “Absolutely not. It has been a slow, steady growth. I have been taking care of George for nine years now. I have never shared this before, but I’ve had two DUI’s in my life. I’m not hardly a drunk, but the second DUI came when I was first taking care of George. He was left all by himself with no one to care for him. I felt so bad that I cried that I had let someone down that depended on me. That’s when I knew I was changing.”

“What we do to ourselves in one thing, what we do to others is another. Funny, when I goofed up before I thought it was just me that I was hurting, but if you think about it, the people that love and care for you suffers as well.”

We all have to go through our valleys to climb the mountains. And, sometimes growth for each of us is different. Jimmy concluded our conversation saying, “life is a starting point, we all have to start somewhere, it’s where we finish that counts.”

Isn’t it wonderful to know how God can change our hearts and minds, if we only open up to Him and let Him work His magic in our lives?

The Old Ice Cream Maker

The Old Ice Cream Maker

Summers are hot in Texas. My family wasn’t middle class folks, so we didn’t have a lot of the luxuries of some. We didn’t have air conditioning until I was almost out of school.

The lack of anything modern, didn’t amount to much for us. There are memories of doing “family” things that I recall. I remember sitting atop the old crank ice cream maker.

When the fresh fruit was in season, the fruit would be added to the mixture. The stainless steel cylinder full of the liquid substance would be placed into the wooden container. A paddle was placed inside the cylinder. Then the lid was put over the cylinder. Between the cylinder and the wooden frame, lots of block ice that had been chipped was crammed around it – after about 1/3 full – rock salt was thrown around the ice to keep it cold and from melting so quickly, the ice process would continue until the wooden container was full, then the crank shaft was locked into place.

Normally a towel and a blanket (usually my dad’s old green army blanket) was put on top and as the kid of the house, it was my job to sit on top of the ice cream maker until the cracking stopped.

The taste of the ice cream was ever so good – it was fresh – it was clear of any preservatives like what we get now.

As a follower of Christ, when we follow His will, study His word, we too can be fresh and renewed each day. The Bible can serve as our “crank” to get us going every day – the ice cream can represent our wholesomeness, and the sweetness of the cream can be our dispositions – and God is the one making us who we are.

Let’s find the time to renew ourselves everyday. Read our Bibles. Study God’s word. Be renewed!

Encouragement

Helping Others

Recently I reunited with an old classmate, who I went to school with, a young man who was short in stature, big in the heart, and strong as an ox. He went on to be a World Champion weight lifter. He never thought about the tomorrows or anyone other than himself for a long time. One day, he realized his life was not going anywhere.

He had no home. He had no wife. He had no children. What he did have was inner strength and fortitude that he got from the upbringing of his mother.

Jimmy’s posts on face book were touching, kind, tender, giving and I asked one day, how he came about being the person that he is today.

Jimmy went to work for a quadriplegic man as a caregiver. A job, he’d never had before. “I think mostly when I started caring for George. Until that time I had never had the responsibility of taking care of someone who can’t take care of themselves, like you as a mother and your child. You always cared but took a different meaning when the child couldn’t take care of themselves – you had to take care of them when they were sick.”

I responded, “Interesting, but surely it wasn‘t an overnight awareness, but how did this all come about – prayer? Patience? Understanding? Compassion?” Jimmy, being the most absolute honest person I’ve ever met simple said, “Absolutely not. He has been a slow, steady growth. I have been taking care of George for nine years now. I have never shared this before, but I’ve had two DUI’s in my life. I’m not hardly a drunk, but the second DUI came when I was first taking care of George. He was left all by himself with no one to care for him. I felt so bad that I cried that I had let someone down that depended on me. That’s when I knew I was changing.”

“What we do to ourselves in one thing, what we do to others is another. Funny, when I goofed up before I thought it was just me that I was hurting, but if you think about it, the people that love and care for you suffers as well.”

We all have to go through our valleys to climb the mountains. And, sometimes growth for each of us is different. Jimmy concluded our conversation saying, “life is a starting point, we all have to start somewhere, it’s where we finish that counts.”

Encouragement

Encouragement

I never know who is reading the blog and who isn’t. I never know if it is something that I should continue doing or not. I really believe when I started writing it that it was a “God thing” and that this is what I was suppose to do. Then, there comes a couple of messages “Where’s my morning inspiration?”

I would hate to know that I didn’t encourage someone – at least one person – everyday.

What can we do to encourage others? A quick email? Sending a card? Perhaps something as simple as a smile? Opening the door for someone else when at the market?

I remember when I was growing up, my grandfather wanted the boys to be gentleman – and he was strict about them opening even the car door for my grandmother. Heaven forbid that they didn’t open a door into a place for any other woman as far as that went too.

I think that we are so busy in life that we lose sight of the feelings of others and even perhaps what their needs are. Perhaps today, just at least once, be encouraging to yourself, (“Yes, I can do anything I put my mind to!”) encouraging to our children (you are smart you can master this task) and encouraging to a stranger – we never know how great a small act of encouragement or kindness may help someone along the way.

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31

Common Sense

Common Sense

I have a friend who believes anything and everything that someone tells him. I’m amazed at how gullible he is and yet, is so very smart with books. He can talk about building a chemical processing plant, geography, sciences, and things I’ve never heard of.

Recently someone told him a real big whopper. The person telling it liked to brag was very believable and compelling.

My friend took the information – and now has problems.

Nothing that the liar had to say can be validated, or substantiated, or nothing tangible can be found.

“Only a simpleton believes everything he is told! A prudent man understands the need of proof. A wise man is cautious and avoids danger, a fool plunges ahead with great confidence.” Proverbs 14:15-16

Book learning is a wonderful thing, but without common sense to go along with it, I think a person is flawed. My grandfather used to say they were “educated fools”. I don’t know of a way to teach someone common sense. I think that they have to figure that one out on their own.

I just hope there is a life’s lesson learned in the midst of all of this and that somehow he will gain a valuable but costly education. I hope that in the end there will be peace in his valley – and – in the interim, we’ll just have to pray some special for him.

Be wise in your choices, especially in the company you keep. We never really know people, and, many are out to get whatever they can from others.

Pharmacy Mistakes

Pharmacy Mistakes

Yesterday I had gone to the doctor in the States for the first time in many years. I’m having a slight problem with my shoulder so the good Doctor gave me an Rx for a pain relief and anti-inflammatory. I went to the drug store, they asked me my date of birth, etc and I answered all their questions, realizing that information was probably important.

The Rx was filled quickly, I grabbed the bag and home I went.

Some 4 hours later, I needed a little relief, so I opened the bag to find that I’d been given the wrong medicine. I’m allergic to hydrocodone and any other codeine medicines. That particular brand is a life-threatening factor for me. When I went back to the pharmacy, I was told “we substituted this for you”.

“Without asking?”

“We looked on your chart and didn’t see the allergen on your chart.”

“The chart is over 7 years old and you didn’t ask.”

“You should have told us you had allergies.”

I was furious – and I am not quite sure as to whom – the Dr for prescribing something that he clearly knows I’m allergic to and for him herding me out of there like cattle so he could collect his money – both from me and my insurance; or if I was upset with myself for having not looked more specifically at what he prescribed and what I got; or the pharmacy because of their lack of care in making sure I got what I was suppose to get.

After taking Aleve, lying in bed, I thought of the situation. And, I thought, “how many times have we made mistakes and yet God has forgiven? And, how many times does He keep forgiving?”

I was grateful that I didn’t take it, I was grateful I was cautious first in reading the label. I was grateful for my guardian angel that was surely watching over me.

But, I also was scared – fearful for our elderly – who may not have enough snap to look at those bottles and be able to check the labels.

Dear God, please help those folks who need a little extra attention regarding their medicines.

Asking

Asking

God says ask and it shall be given, knock and you will find, seek and the door will be open unto you…

So many times when I pray, I’m constantly asking for something. Does that mean I deserve what I ask for? Not really – Does it mean that I’m going to get what I ask for? If it is God’s will. And, if I look and follow God’s lead, the doors are opened – maybe not the ones I thought would be – but the right doors.

I’ve come to realize the older I get that sometimes the most blessed prayers are those that go unanswered.

God asks so little from us, follow His commandments and honor Him. Yet, we, as people are constantly asking Him for blessings – looking for our blessings. And, yet, many times they are right before us, small things put before us so that we can find them.

I think I am going to start thanking God more and more for those blessings and asking for things that are really important. I suppose, in all honesty, that’s the way we should be doing things.

Team Work

Team Work

There is no “I” in team work. Teamwork is basically described as an event or happening when a group works together toward the same goal. One person does not make a team. A team of oxen is two or more. A family “team” begins with two – a husband and a wife.

If one person of the “team” starts going off on his or her own, the team is broken. It is, as if, the two are pulling against each other, no one gains any ground, and no one understands the other.

A neighbor child walked up yesterday and said, “Meme, why are my mama and daddy getting a divorce?”

That was a hard one for me. I like this child. She is a precious thing who really seems torn up over the impeding divorce of her parents.

I explained to her as simple as possible all of the possibilities, that the team broke down, that they are failing to work together, that they’ve grown apart, but the largest thing that I explained to her – was that no matter where her parents went with their lives, that her life was still very important to them. I explained that she did nothing to cause this divorce. I also suggested that she learn from the mistakes of the adults in her life and try not to repeat them.

A good talk, lots of hugs, a few cookies and Delia were a happy camper again.

I think that like Delia’s parents, we lose sight of our team, our fellow Christians. We start doing our own thing, enjoying our own prosperities, we gain ground, and we leave the weak behind.

God never leaves us behind. He is the Head of the Team, and when we play and work together “for the good of those who love the Lord” then and only then will things work out for us, our Church and those around us. We cannot lose sight of who our Team leader is.

Animals

Animals

Have you ever watched animals at the change of a season? Like, right now, my cat’s fur is getting thicker, the mice are roaming and attempting to gather things to make them a nice warm home for winter, a horse I saw recently was carrying extra hair, birds are gathering their sticks and twigs. The deer are roaming more than normal looking for feed. The geese are heading south; the butterflies and hummingbirds migrated a few weeks ago.

My grandfather used to say that you could tell how cold a winter we were going to have by watching the animals. “The thicker the fur, the colder the winter.”

For years I thought that to be an old wives tale. Then I ran into an old timer saying the same thing.

Animals also teach us to prey – to watch our surroundings, to be patient. A dog will love his master no matter what the master does. A cat always yearns to be cuddled or petted. They know when they are going to be fed. Most of our pets will follow us to the bin where their food is. Animals have keen sixth senses – they know who is a friend and who is a foe – who is good and who is evil. I made it a saying a long time ago, “if my dog don’t like you, then something is wrong.”

Animals are a comfort in times of disparity or when we are alone.

Animals are like children and need to be cared for as well.

I think we can all learn something from our pets. The most important thing to learn, I think, is to love and trust unconditionally.

God loves us all unconditionally. He loves us so much that he gave his only begotten son to die on the cross to save us from our sins. Perhaps there’s room in all of our lives to love a little more unconditionally people who are different from us, our children, friends, and even our pets.

Words

Words

Standing in line at the grocery store, the other day, I heard a young girl ask her mother to purchase her a book. Without even looking at what the child had chosen, the mother snapped, “You ain’t smart enough to read them words, so why you think you need a book!”

I started to fork over the money and purchase the book for the child, who looked so disheartened. Instead, when she passed me while putting the book up, I whispered to her, “Honey, you are smart, read everything and anything you can get your hands on!”

Parents, employers, people I think forget how words can hurt. Growing up there was a child saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me!”

I don’t believe that. I think the negative words plant seeds into a child. A seed that can either die or nurture. The words could be as simple as racist, or as disheartening to tear down the hope of a future for a child, or, even, as heartbreaking to tear the self-esteem of a child down.

We have to learn to control our tongues. We have to watch what we say to a child. We have to follow the scripture in James 3. We have to tame our tongue.

Encourage a child today, even in a small way, for many that will be all the encouragement that they will receive.

Pray for our children, they are our hope of tomorrow.

Tithing

Tithing

When I was younger – I never really thought about retirement. I thought about growing up – getting out from under the rule of a stepmother – and being my own person.

In my youth I thought daddies would always be around, time would magically stand still, I’d never have to worry about growing old, that magic was what would keep us all together; and I thought, the world would always be a wonderful place.

The world has changed. There is more violence, more deceit, and more hatred. Places that even five years ago I would frequent, I don’t even dare darken the doors.

The older I’ve become, I’ve begun to evaluate where I’ve been in life, what I’m doing right now and where I plan on going.

As far as my earthly home – I hope to be debt free by 2012, I hope to have the addition on to my house and the barn built – for a few examples of my goals.

As for my Heavenly home – I believe that I am preparing for it more and more everyday! I want lots of jewels in my crown; I want my heavenly home to be filled with laughter and joy.

I’ve thought of the tithing that we owe to God and the Church. I figure whatever I owe, that’s my rent. It’s the rent I am paying so that when I get to Heaven my room is paid for and all will be well.

It is said, “I go to prepare a place for you, if it were not so, I would not have said.” I believe that God has prepared a place for me – and I just hope when I get there that my debts are paid both on earth and in Heaven and that my rent is paid up.

Don’t forget that 10% of what you earn belongs to God. It’s His. And, even though you think you cannot afford it, it isn’t yours to keep. If you don’t belong to a church, donate to one anyway. And, watch God bless you more abundantly for your giving!

Listen

Listening

Recently Jess asked me to get on the internet. I thought he said to look for a dozen condoms. I knew he was reworking the chicken coop and could not imagine what role condoms were going to play in the chicken coop and chickens. I thought we were going to raise some biddies maybe.

I had to go ask him why he needs a dozen condoms. He said, “I didn’t say condoms, I said anacondas the breed of chicken that lays the pretty Easter eggs.”

“Oooooh”, I said.

I think sometimes we all get a little selective hearing. We hear the words that we want to hear and miss the real context of the conversations.

I’m wondering if, at times, we don’t really hear what God has to say to us, as well. Are we really listening? Or are we hurrying through those prayers real fast in hopes that God will understand that there are places to go, people to see and things to do.

Perhaps we all need to slow down, find the quiet of the morning or sometime during the day, listen – Jesus is whispering – He is talking to us - ask Him to repeat what he really wants us to hear, Are we walking and talking and following His way?

"I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses...."

Caught Him

Caught Him

Today I caught a guy stealing and hiding stolen property on my property. I confronted him. He got away. He is the same person terrorizing the neighborhood with thefts. The cops say they can’t catch him. Amazing. One guy – and they can’t catch him.

After the officer took my information, he didn’t ask for a statement, I went back home. I was later phoned by Beaumont Police Department to meet the officer back at the location.

I went. The officer asked if I would “hold the stolen property, in case the probable owners come back and I can return it to them so he didn’t have to itemize it in his report and it would be more convenient for the owners.”

I raised my glasses, and said, “Officer, you want me to hold stolen goods on my property in hopes that I find where it came from because you don’t want to do the paperwork? Do your job!”

After all the dust had settled, I was sitting enjoying the fresh cooler air that seems to be blowing in. I thought, of the scripture that says “Servants be obedient to them that are your masters (employers) according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart as unto Christ; Not with eye-service, as men pleasers but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. With good will doing service as to the Lord and not to men.” Ephesians 6: 5-7 To me, that means we work for someone as if we were working for God. We just don’t work when they are around.

Are you giving your employer “eye service”? Do you work as if you were working for the Lord? I think we all have days when we are slack but I also think we should be more aware of the responsibilities and costs that an employer has and be more stewards towards those we work for.

the Proverbs Woman

I have begun reading a Chapter in Proverbs each day. There are 31 chapters in the book of Proverbs. If I take a Proverb a day - I can read the same numbered chapter on the same date of the month. For instance, today is, let’s say September 14; therefore, I will read Proverbs 14.

I also like to read Psalms 91 each day. It builds my armor against the devil!

In Proverbs 31, it gives a layout of what the woman of the house is to be. I want to be more like that woman, taking care of my home, my "things", my family, and those who work or around me. I want to store up for the winter - we've started canning and putting things in the freezer. I make quilts to keep us warm.

" She will do him good and not evil all the days of he life, She will seek wool, flax and work willingly with her hands, She is like the merchants' ships - she brings her food from afar; She rises while it is still night and gives meat to her household and a portion to her maidens; She considers a field and buys it, with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard; She girded her loins with strength and strengthens her arms; She perceives that her merchandise is good, her candle goeth not out by night; She layeth her hands to the spindle and her hands hold the distaff; She stretched out her hand to the poor; yea she reaches forth her hands to the needy; She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet; She makes herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple; She makes fine linen and sells and; Strength and honor are her clothing and she shall rejoice in time to come; she opens her mouth with wisdom and in her tongue is the law of kindness; She looks well to the ways of her household and eats not the bread of idleness.; Her children shall rise up and call her blessed ... Favor is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Giver her of the fruit of her hands and let her own works praise her in the gates" Proverbs 31: 10-31

I think we've all have room for improvement in our lives. And, I want to make sure that I am like this woman in Proverbs 31.