Lost
It is quite often that I have to tell people that I am "Directionally Challenged". That is the politically correct way of saying "I can't find my way out of a paper bag".
Just the other day, I was making a delivery to an office building. I knew I had seen this office building literally hundreds of times as I was driving down the freeway. This gave me a little bit of confidence, but I still left way earlier than I should have needed to because I know myself. I did my due diligence, I printed out a Map Quest, I felt fairly certain I knew where I was headed. So with a song in my heart and a light step I hopped in the car off to meet a new client. As I was driving and reading the Map Quest it was easy to follow, however, something seemed just a little bit "off". But I pressed on.
Following the Map Quest led me to downtown Oxnard. I drove up and down the main drag looking for the address of the building. I couldn't find it nor could I see the freeway. Something was terribly wrong. I pulled over and reread the Map Quest. Sigh!!!!! I printed one Map Quest with the address I was looking for and had accidentally also printed one to downtown Oxnard. You guessed it - I grabbed the wrong Map Quest. Well, what went through my head at that moment was - they say men will not pull over to get directions, I am not a man, so I am pulling over. I pulled into what looked like a fairly nice gas station and asked the attendant which way to Solar Drive. He pointed and gave verbal instructions. I repeated what he said and pointed. He nodded in the affirmative. I thanked him kindly, smiled and got back in the car. He had told me it would be about 2 lights down. So I counted, 1 light, 2 lights, 3 lights (Maybe he was a little off, surely he couldn't be wrong.) 4 lights, 5 lights. "Turn around go back, you must have missed it," I say to myself. So I do. Nope, not there. "Turn around and go back again, maybe he forgot to say it's off one of the side streets," I think to myself. So I do. Still no Solar Drive. Sigh! again!!!
I pull into a little strip mall and decide to go into Walgreens. There is a nice looking man in front of Walgreens so I ask him if he knows where Solar Drive is. He looks at me not so nicely and with a wave of his hands says, "I haven't a clue where anything is." YIKES! He must be lost too. I thank him and go in the store. When I ask the clerk if she knows where Solar Drive is, she doesn't but is at least compassionate and says, "Oh, I am sorry you are lost." Yeah, me too!! Luckily there is a customer that overhears my inquiry and she interjects, "Oh I know where Solar Drive is - you are on the right road but should be heading the other direction." This lovely angel sounded confident and sure and I wanted to hug her. But I didn't and instead just touched her shoulder and said, "Thank you very much, I am so grateful." In my head I was thinking rather cynically 'And thank you very much Mr. Gas attendant.'
So I hop back in the car. Did I mention this was the day it was like 102 degrees. By this time I am sweating, my hair has lost it's spring and I am praying that I do not see my new customer but rather can just leave her product and get the heck out of there.
I follow the directions my Walgreens angel gave me and think perhaps I may have misunderstood (again) it seemed like it was taking longer than it should have, but I press on (again). FINALLY - pay dirt - Solar Drive. I locate the building and see it a little late so turn quickly into the parking lot cutting off a little white Toyota - sorry lady I wave! and smile! The smile makes all the difference, you know. I think I was afraid if I kept going I might not be able to find the building again.
Once in the building, I locate Suite 200. At long last, I am where I am supposed to be. I am now an hour and 45 minutes late, but I am here. And my prayer is answered my client was out to lunch so I leave her product pick up my envelope and head back downstairs.
Thinking it may be a long ride home, I decide to make a pit stop first. I have two choices - to the right or to the left to look for the bathrooms. I choose left. Ah - there's the mens. Keep walking, keep walking, the womens has to be close - keep walking - no women's. So I turn around and go back - (I am very good at this turning around and going back stuff.) I reach my starting point (always a good sign) and go right - keep walking, keep walking - Ah, finally - the womens. When I come out I really have to think hard about which way to get back to my starting point, but as luck would have it the man who was sitting in the starting point is still there and he coughs, so I follow the sound.
As I am leaving the building I ask coughing man how to get to the freeway. He points and gives verbal directions. I point and repeat the directions. He nods affirmation. (Oh no, not again?!?!)
God is so good!!! I decide not to follow coughing man's directions and just go back the way I came and guess what - low and behold the sign saying which way to the freeway was right there. A couple turns and a couple blocks and I am home free.
What should have been about a 20 minute drive each way turned into a 4 hour adventure. A friend told me once there is a verse in the Bible that says something like "God takes care of the children and the idiots." I haven't found it yet either. But one thing I know whether the verse is there or not, God does take care of me. When I am on my "adventures" - He is right there with me. He may be smiling and shaking His head at His directionally challenged child, but He is there. And so I really don't get frightened or worried. For once I was lost, but now I am found.
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Saturday, May 24, 2014
Running Away
Running Away
Running away is one way to get out of something. People do it all the time. They run away from their problems by leaving town and going on vacation. They run away from a relationship that is not going well. They run away from a job or a church. They run away just to be alone and regroup, think, sort things out. Sometimes running away is the best thing to do, but not always.
When one of my boys was about 6 years old. He had strep throat. Actually his throat was a weak spot health wise for him so he got strep throat a lot. He got it so often, I got to the point where I could tell by the look in his eyes that it was coming and sure enough in a day or two he'd be sick. I would call the doctor and say we needed medicine and by this time the doctor trusted my knowledge of my child and he'd prescribe.
Well, the medicine was not all that yummy tasting. And so, I had to try to disguise it. We tried all sorts of things to make it taste better. Where is Mary Poppins when you need her, right?? And it got harder and harder to get this child to take the medicine. One morning it was medicine time and when I went to wake up this little guy, he was already awake and he was packing his little suitcase. He announced to me that he was running away to go live across the street with his aunt. She certainly wouldn't make him take that awful medicine. So I let him. Suitcase in hand, he walked out the door and I watched my little blonde, blue eyed boy walk 3 doors down and then across the street.
When he was safely in his aunts house, I called her and explained. He had not told her why he was running away so being the good/devious mom's we were, we decided to tell him he could stay with her for a little while but she would make sure to get his medicine from his mom so she could take care of him properly. Oh man!!!!!!
My husband tells a story about a time he ran away from home. He got up around 6 a.m. took off on his bike and rode for miles and miles. He eventually got bored and turned around and rode back home getting home around noon. He says no one even knew he was gone. What was the point of that?!?
I only remember running away once and it was a biggeee!! I ran away to get married but that is a whole separate blog topic which I will share some day.
The point is, running away from an unsafe situation is always a good thing. But sometimes running away doesn't accomplish anything, the thing you are running away from either just follows you or is still there when you get back. Because, that's life!!
Running away is one way to get out of something. People do it all the time. They run away from their problems by leaving town and going on vacation. They run away from a relationship that is not going well. They run away from a job or a church. They run away just to be alone and regroup, think, sort things out. Sometimes running away is the best thing to do, but not always.
When one of my boys was about 6 years old. He had strep throat. Actually his throat was a weak spot health wise for him so he got strep throat a lot. He got it so often, I got to the point where I could tell by the look in his eyes that it was coming and sure enough in a day or two he'd be sick. I would call the doctor and say we needed medicine and by this time the doctor trusted my knowledge of my child and he'd prescribe.
Well, the medicine was not all that yummy tasting. And so, I had to try to disguise it. We tried all sorts of things to make it taste better. Where is Mary Poppins when you need her, right?? And it got harder and harder to get this child to take the medicine. One morning it was medicine time and when I went to wake up this little guy, he was already awake and he was packing his little suitcase. He announced to me that he was running away to go live across the street with his aunt. She certainly wouldn't make him take that awful medicine. So I let him. Suitcase in hand, he walked out the door and I watched my little blonde, blue eyed boy walk 3 doors down and then across the street.
When he was safely in his aunts house, I called her and explained. He had not told her why he was running away so being the good/devious mom's we were, we decided to tell him he could stay with her for a little while but she would make sure to get his medicine from his mom so she could take care of him properly. Oh man!!!!!!
My husband tells a story about a time he ran away from home. He got up around 6 a.m. took off on his bike and rode for miles and miles. He eventually got bored and turned around and rode back home getting home around noon. He says no one even knew he was gone. What was the point of that?!?
I only remember running away once and it was a biggeee!! I ran away to get married but that is a whole separate blog topic which I will share some day.
The point is, running away from an unsafe situation is always a good thing. But sometimes running away doesn't accomplish anything, the thing you are running away from either just follows you or is still there when you get back. Because, that's life!!
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Grace, Amazing Grace
Grace, Amazing Grace
Grace is when one person forgives another. Grace is when you give someone a second chance. Grace is when you overlook a failure or a mistake. Grace is having mercy on an offender. Grace is something granted to someone that is undeserving of it. Grace is granted unconditionally.
Grace, amazing grace.
I can remember a time when once a month I became a crazy woman. Look out for the hurricane- - she's coming through!!!! I slammed cabinet doors, I yelled at my kids, I spoke sarcastically to my husband, I had very little, if any, patience for messes, was more demanding than usual at work, I did a lot of complaining and pretty much in general was absolutely horrendous to be around. And yet - there was grace - from my husband, from my children and from my co-workers.
A child comes home with a D on his report card so you talk about it, try to figure out the reason and if tutoring is needed, make those arrangements. That's grace.
You miss a deadline for a report that's due because your child was sick and your boss says, "I understand, can I have the report in 2 days?" That's grace.
When you get home from work you ask what's for dinner like you do every night and your wife practically takes your head off. She's had a tough day and is taking it out on you. So you offer to take the family out to dinner so she doesn't have to cook. That's grace.
Grace doesn't condemn. Grace doesn't rant and rave. Grace doesn't sulk or pout. Grace recognizes a problem and gives what the person needs as opposed to what the person deserves.
God in His grace recognized that mankind had a problem and the problem is sin.
God in His grace gave mankind, though undeserving, what they needed - a Savior - and His name is Jesus.
Grace, amazing grace.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
Click to hear a Celtic version of Amazing Grace with bagpipes. Beautiful.
Grace is when one person forgives another. Grace is when you give someone a second chance. Grace is when you overlook a failure or a mistake. Grace is having mercy on an offender. Grace is something granted to someone that is undeserving of it. Grace is granted unconditionally.
Grace, amazing grace.
I can remember a time when once a month I became a crazy woman. Look out for the hurricane- - she's coming through!!!! I slammed cabinet doors, I yelled at my kids, I spoke sarcastically to my husband, I had very little, if any, patience for messes, was more demanding than usual at work, I did a lot of complaining and pretty much in general was absolutely horrendous to be around. And yet - there was grace - from my husband, from my children and from my co-workers.
A child comes home with a D on his report card so you talk about it, try to figure out the reason and if tutoring is needed, make those arrangements. That's grace.
You miss a deadline for a report that's due because your child was sick and your boss says, "I understand, can I have the report in 2 days?" That's grace.
When you get home from work you ask what's for dinner like you do every night and your wife practically takes your head off. She's had a tough day and is taking it out on you. So you offer to take the family out to dinner so she doesn't have to cook. That's grace.
Grace doesn't condemn. Grace doesn't rant and rave. Grace doesn't sulk or pout. Grace recognizes a problem and gives what the person needs as opposed to what the person deserves.
God in His grace recognized that mankind had a problem and the problem is sin.
God in His grace gave mankind, though undeserving, what they needed - a Savior - and His name is Jesus.
Grace, amazing grace.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
Click to hear a Celtic version of Amazing Grace with bagpipes. Beautiful.
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Wonder Woman
Thank You, Wonder Woman
In the mid, to late '70s an amazing female superheroine came to television. She had been in comic books since the '40s but when she made it to television she became truly famous.
Her name: Diana: Amazon warrior princess born of the gods and sent to America as Wonder Woman to fight for peace, justice, and truth.
As famous and dearly loved as Wonder Woman was on television, she was even more famous and dearly loved in our household. My children loved Wonder Woman and they never missed an episode. Even my husband was pretty much enamored with Diana the Amazon Princess. One day as the children and my husband sat glued to the TV watching Lynda Carter spin her sleek body around to turn herself into Wonder Woman, I very casually said, "I was supposed to be Wonder Woman you know." Instantly, 3 heads spun around on their necks like owls and 3 pairs of eyes turned their focus to me.
"What?" they said in unison. With all the seriousness I could muster, I repeated my announcement, "I was supposed to be Wonder Woman." The look of astonishment on their faces was priceless. Seriously it could have been on a Master Card commercial.
The children wanted clarification. They fired questions like shots out of a shotgun - "What do you mean? How? Really? Are you kidding us?" So I explained that I had auditioned for the part of Wonder Woman and it was offered to me. Meanwhile, my husband is doing all he can to keep a straight face and look as if he is supporting and confirming everything I am saying.
"Yes", I told them, "I was offered the part of Wonder Woman but I turned it down because I wanted to be your mom more." Once again the shotgun goes off --- "Wow, you could of been famous." "You could of been on TV." "We could of been rich." "I could of got the Luke Skywalker Landspeeder." Of course, this news could not be kept a secret, they told all their friends and all the kids in the neighborhood believed I could have been Wonder Woman on TV but turned it down to be the boy's mom.
Sidenote - Yes, it was a little white lie - a story, if you will, but how special do you think my boys felt thinking I turned down fame and fortune to be their mom? And that was the method to my madness. People wondered what I was thinking telling the boys that. I was thinking I wanted them to know how much I loved them and how special they were in a tangible way they could relate to.
This farce went on for years. After they got older they figured out I was just letting them know how much I loved them. Even after that though, when I was settling a sibling argument, or issuing a punishment I would still remind them that I was supposed to be Wonder Woman and that fighting for peace, justice, and truth was her/my job. Or I might strike the Wonder Woman pose and say - "Don't make me get my lasso" when trying to determine who did or said what and the truth was not easily forthcoming. We had loads of fun with it. 35+ years later we still laugh about it all.
As I think about that little lie I told I can't help but think that all moms are Wonder Woman. They do so much and it is hard to keep up with it all sometimes. Moms get tired of saying the same thing over and over. They get tired from doing all they do. They get tired from everything that is so much a part of being a mom. It is a hard job.
Here's my message: It's worth it! Hang in there!!
Count on your kids having disagreeable years. Count on them rebelling once in a while. Count on them doing things you may not necessarily agree with or approve of. But also count on them coming of age and appreciating all you have done for them and realizing how much you love them.
Following is a text I got yesterday from one of my Wonder Woman story boys: He said, "I love you guys so much. I or anyone for that matter couldn't ask for any better parents than the ones I have!! I appreciate everything you guys have done for me. I don't think I could love you guys more, both of you. I'm proud to be your child, and I thank you both for who I am!"
I share this with you to give you hope if you are going through a rough time with your child(ren). They come around & they grow out of things.
And I also share it to encourage you to find a way to make sure your kids know they are loved by you and made to feel special.
Thank You, Lynda Carter, for taking over the Wonder Woman job. I hate to think of all I would have missed had I taken it. (smile)
In the mid, to late '70s an amazing female superheroine came to television. She had been in comic books since the '40s but when she made it to television she became truly famous.
Her name: Diana: Amazon warrior princess born of the gods and sent to America as Wonder Woman to fight for peace, justice, and truth.
As famous and dearly loved as Wonder Woman was on television, she was even more famous and dearly loved in our household. My children loved Wonder Woman and they never missed an episode. Even my husband was pretty much enamored with Diana the Amazon Princess. One day as the children and my husband sat glued to the TV watching Lynda Carter spin her sleek body around to turn herself into Wonder Woman, I very casually said, "I was supposed to be Wonder Woman you know." Instantly, 3 heads spun around on their necks like owls and 3 pairs of eyes turned their focus to me.
"What?" they said in unison. With all the seriousness I could muster, I repeated my announcement, "I was supposed to be Wonder Woman." The look of astonishment on their faces was priceless. Seriously it could have been on a Master Card commercial.
The children wanted clarification. They fired questions like shots out of a shotgun - "What do you mean? How? Really? Are you kidding us?" So I explained that I had auditioned for the part of Wonder Woman and it was offered to me. Meanwhile, my husband is doing all he can to keep a straight face and look as if he is supporting and confirming everything I am saying.
"Yes", I told them, "I was offered the part of Wonder Woman but I turned it down because I wanted to be your mom more." Once again the shotgun goes off --- "Wow, you could of been famous." "You could of been on TV." "We could of been rich." "I could of got the Luke Skywalker Landspeeder." Of course, this news could not be kept a secret, they told all their friends and all the kids in the neighborhood believed I could have been Wonder Woman on TV but turned it down to be the boy's mom.
Sidenote - Yes, it was a little white lie - a story, if you will, but how special do you think my boys felt thinking I turned down fame and fortune to be their mom? And that was the method to my madness. People wondered what I was thinking telling the boys that. I was thinking I wanted them to know how much I loved them and how special they were in a tangible way they could relate to.
This farce went on for years. After they got older they figured out I was just letting them know how much I loved them. Even after that though, when I was settling a sibling argument, or issuing a punishment I would still remind them that I was supposed to be Wonder Woman and that fighting for peace, justice, and truth was her/my job. Or I might strike the Wonder Woman pose and say - "Don't make me get my lasso" when trying to determine who did or said what and the truth was not easily forthcoming. We had loads of fun with it. 35+ years later we still laugh about it all.
As I think about that little lie I told I can't help but think that all moms are Wonder Woman. They do so much and it is hard to keep up with it all sometimes. Moms get tired of saying the same thing over and over. They get tired from doing all they do. They get tired from everything that is so much a part of being a mom. It is a hard job.
Here's my message: It's worth it! Hang in there!!
Count on your kids having disagreeable years. Count on them rebelling once in a while. Count on them doing things you may not necessarily agree with or approve of. But also count on them coming of age and appreciating all you have done for them and realizing how much you love them.
Following is a text I got yesterday from one of my Wonder Woman story boys: He said, "I love you guys so much. I or anyone for that matter couldn't ask for any better parents than the ones I have!! I appreciate everything you guys have done for me. I don't think I could love you guys more, both of you. I'm proud to be your child, and I thank you both for who I am!"
I share this with you to give you hope if you are going through a rough time with your child(ren). They come around & they grow out of things.
And I also share it to encourage you to find a way to make sure your kids know they are loved by you and made to feel special.
Thank You, Lynda Carter, for taking over the Wonder Woman job. I hate to think of all I would have missed had I taken it. (smile)
Monday, May 19, 2014
Get Smart
Get Smart
When kids are growing up, they have to learn things. For example, we are not born knowing how to use scissors. We are not born knowing how to ride a bike or roller skate. We are not born knowing how to share or talk nicely to people. Little people have to learn these things.
I can remember as a kid being reminded over and over to say please and thank you. My mom used to call these words, "the magic words". If I used "the magic words" I was more likely to get what I was asking for without a lot of discussion or fuss. If I spoke nicely to my parents and my siblings life just seemed to be a lot more peaceful.
My husband and I watched a movie tonight called "August: Osage County". The family members in this movie were horrible to each other. Holy Cow!! They were just plain mean!! The oldest daughter learned this behavior from her mother, who had learned it from her mother. It would be easy to assume that the females in this family had been behaving this way for generations. (BTW - even though the acting in this movie was up for some awards, I wouldn't recommend it due to the language. Another big - HOLY COW!!) The point here being - the behavior was learned.
Skills/behaviors - whether practical or social - must be taught and learned in order to be put into practice successfully. It's not a one time deal either. It takes consistent reminding, consistent demanding that manners be used in all circumstances for it to finally stick. It takes consistency in talking about the right way to act for it to become second nature.
There are lots of things children and some adults need to learn - like how to deal with anger, jealousy, friendship, gossip, money, criticism and so much more. These are all important lessons people need to get smart about. I call the book of Proverbs in the Bible, the Get Smart book. In Proverbs you can find all the answers to how God wants us to deal with these everyday life issues. You can find out how God wants us to be.
On speaking nicely to others: Proverbs 16:24 "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones."
On anger: Proverbs 15:18 "A hot tempered man stirs up dissention, but a patient man calms a quarrel."
On lying: Proverbs 12:22 "The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in men who are truthful."
On criticism: Proverbs: 12:1 "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid."
The Book of Proverbs is chock full of verses that help us Get Smart. As parents this would be a good place to look to find out what we should be teaching our children on how to behave. As adults this is a good place to look to find out what is pleasing to the Lord.
Be honest. Be generous. Be a wife of noble character. Be humble. Work hard. Be wise. Be truthful. Speak gently. Be patient. Fear the Lord. Be cheerful. Be a loving friend. Be slow to anger. Listen to advise. Accept instruction. Be good. Be kindhearted. Be faithful. Be loving. Heed discipline. Seek good. And so on and so on.
God gave us this book - Proverbs - to find the answers on how to live life well. Use the Get Smart book to Get Smart!! and...pass it on to your children who will pass it on to their children who will pass it on to their children....
This is very smart!!
When kids are growing up, they have to learn things. For example, we are not born knowing how to use scissors. We are not born knowing how to ride a bike or roller skate. We are not born knowing how to share or talk nicely to people. Little people have to learn these things.
I can remember as a kid being reminded over and over to say please and thank you. My mom used to call these words, "the magic words". If I used "the magic words" I was more likely to get what I was asking for without a lot of discussion or fuss. If I spoke nicely to my parents and my siblings life just seemed to be a lot more peaceful.
My husband and I watched a movie tonight called "August: Osage County". The family members in this movie were horrible to each other. Holy Cow!! They were just plain mean!! The oldest daughter learned this behavior from her mother, who had learned it from her mother. It would be easy to assume that the females in this family had been behaving this way for generations. (BTW - even though the acting in this movie was up for some awards, I wouldn't recommend it due to the language. Another big - HOLY COW!!) The point here being - the behavior was learned.
Skills/behaviors - whether practical or social - must be taught and learned in order to be put into practice successfully. It's not a one time deal either. It takes consistent reminding, consistent demanding that manners be used in all circumstances for it to finally stick. It takes consistency in talking about the right way to act for it to become second nature.
There are lots of things children and some adults need to learn - like how to deal with anger, jealousy, friendship, gossip, money, criticism and so much more. These are all important lessons people need to get smart about. I call the book of Proverbs in the Bible, the Get Smart book. In Proverbs you can find all the answers to how God wants us to deal with these everyday life issues. You can find out how God wants us to be.
On speaking nicely to others: Proverbs 16:24 "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones."
On anger: Proverbs 15:18 "A hot tempered man stirs up dissention, but a patient man calms a quarrel."
On lying: Proverbs 12:22 "The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in men who are truthful."
On criticism: Proverbs: 12:1 "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid."
The Book of Proverbs is chock full of verses that help us Get Smart. As parents this would be a good place to look to find out what we should be teaching our children on how to behave. As adults this is a good place to look to find out what is pleasing to the Lord.
Be honest. Be generous. Be a wife of noble character. Be humble. Work hard. Be wise. Be truthful. Speak gently. Be patient. Fear the Lord. Be cheerful. Be a loving friend. Be slow to anger. Listen to advise. Accept instruction. Be good. Be kindhearted. Be faithful. Be loving. Heed discipline. Seek good. And so on and so on.
God gave us this book - Proverbs - to find the answers on how to live life well. Use the Get Smart book to Get Smart!! and...pass it on to your children who will pass it on to their children who will pass it on to their children....
This is very smart!!
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Change Happens
Change Happens
It just does! Some people embraces changes and others fight them to the death. I guess it depends on several factors - how it is going to affect you personally, how it is going to affect someone else, and whether you agree with it or not.
I personally find some changes very hard to embrace and others I am able to just go with the flow. I have found that the above mentioned factors dictate whether the change is embraceable for me or not.
One factor I didn't mention - and it's a big one...it is much easier to embrace a change that you have been directly involved in making. It is so very important to get the folks that are involved on board first - before changes are made.
I'll give you an example - let's say there need to be some changes in procedures in an office setting. "Someone" creates the new procedures without getting input from the folks that are actually doing the work. The new procedures are then implemented and mandated. The people in the trenches now feel like they have no value, in essence they feel their experience in doing the work counts for nothing. And you know what happens when that change is made, the worker bees follow the new procedures but diligently look for fault in them and there is usually much grumbling and lower morale in the office. You see, the problem isn't necessarily that a change had to be made but more in how the change was made and what words were said when the change was made. I caution managers to be careful in how changes are made.
Changes happen all the time. Some changes are universal - like decorating, fashion or make up trends. They are just accepted and no big deal. ( I never heard any grumbling when orange shag carpeting went out of style.) Other changes though, hit very close to home and they cause very personal, very real heartache. These changes are hard to accept and understand. Be careful not to allow them to cause bitterness though.
Yes, change happens all the time and sometimes I don't like it. There's one thing I know will never change and that's God's love for me. This gives me great comfort in an ever changing world.
It just does! Some people embraces changes and others fight them to the death. I guess it depends on several factors - how it is going to affect you personally, how it is going to affect someone else, and whether you agree with it or not.
I personally find some changes very hard to embrace and others I am able to just go with the flow. I have found that the above mentioned factors dictate whether the change is embraceable for me or not.
One factor I didn't mention - and it's a big one...it is much easier to embrace a change that you have been directly involved in making. It is so very important to get the folks that are involved on board first - before changes are made.
I'll give you an example - let's say there need to be some changes in procedures in an office setting. "Someone" creates the new procedures without getting input from the folks that are actually doing the work. The new procedures are then implemented and mandated. The people in the trenches now feel like they have no value, in essence they feel their experience in doing the work counts for nothing. And you know what happens when that change is made, the worker bees follow the new procedures but diligently look for fault in them and there is usually much grumbling and lower morale in the office. You see, the problem isn't necessarily that a change had to be made but more in how the change was made and what words were said when the change was made. I caution managers to be careful in how changes are made.
Changes happen all the time. Some changes are universal - like decorating, fashion or make up trends. They are just accepted and no big deal. ( I never heard any grumbling when orange shag carpeting went out of style.) Other changes though, hit very close to home and they cause very personal, very real heartache. These changes are hard to accept and understand. Be careful not to allow them to cause bitterness though.
Yes, change happens all the time and sometimes I don't like it. There's one thing I know will never change and that's God's love for me. This gives me great comfort in an ever changing world.
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." Romans 13:8
Friday, May 16, 2014
God's Intentions
God's Intentions
Most everyone has heard the Bible story of Joseph and the amazing colorful coat he received from his father as a gift. All of Joseph's brothers knew that daddy loved Joseph best. This made for a pretty unhappy bunch of brothers. On top of this Joseph has and relays a couple dreams that indicate Joseph's family is going to bow down and worship him. This adds fuel to the already blazing inferno of jealousy. So, the brothers plot to kill Joseph. Long story short - Joseph gets thrown in a pit, gets sold into slavery, is purchased by a wealthy Egyptian Pharaoh who gives Joseph charge over his household, he was wrongly accused by the Egyptians wife, thrown in jail, then put in charge of all the prisoners, released from jail to interpret the Egyptian's dreams, then put in charge of the Egyptian's palace and all the people were to submit to Josephs orders, he was second in power only to the Egyptian Pharaoh and was now in charge of the whole land.
All the while this was happening to Joseph, the good, the bad and the ugly, the Bible says "the Lord was with Joseph." At the end of the story, Joseph clearly acknowledges that even though all this bad stuff happened to him it was God's intent for it to work out for the good of the people of the land, for Joseph and for Joseph's family. And Joseph was totally okay with it all even as it was happening. What faith!! What trust!!
From this story, we can have reassurance of several things:
1. God is in charge
2. God has a plan
3. God's intentions are for good
When things happen in our lives that just don't seem to make sense, it causes us to wonder whose plan is really being worked - God's or man's. If it seems like it is a man made plan - then you can still look at these three reassurances and know that God is still in charge, that His plans will prevail and override any that a man has made, and that God will work it out and turn it into good - one way or another.
Even after all Joseph went through from the plans of men ( i.e. his brothers, the slave traders, the Egyptian's wife, even the Egyptian Pharaoh) God was in it all, He had a plan and His intentions were for good. I think we have to have faith, trust and believe that if God did this for Joseph, He will do it for us - one way or another.
"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Genesis 50:20
"You can make many plans, but the Lord's purposes will prevail." Proverbs 19:21
"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them." Romans 8:28
Most everyone has heard the Bible story of Joseph and the amazing colorful coat he received from his father as a gift. All of Joseph's brothers knew that daddy loved Joseph best. This made for a pretty unhappy bunch of brothers. On top of this Joseph has and relays a couple dreams that indicate Joseph's family is going to bow down and worship him. This adds fuel to the already blazing inferno of jealousy. So, the brothers plot to kill Joseph. Long story short - Joseph gets thrown in a pit, gets sold into slavery, is purchased by a wealthy Egyptian Pharaoh who gives Joseph charge over his household, he was wrongly accused by the Egyptians wife, thrown in jail, then put in charge of all the prisoners, released from jail to interpret the Egyptian's dreams, then put in charge of the Egyptian's palace and all the people were to submit to Josephs orders, he was second in power only to the Egyptian Pharaoh and was now in charge of the whole land.
All the while this was happening to Joseph, the good, the bad and the ugly, the Bible says "the Lord was with Joseph." At the end of the story, Joseph clearly acknowledges that even though all this bad stuff happened to him it was God's intent for it to work out for the good of the people of the land, for Joseph and for Joseph's family. And Joseph was totally okay with it all even as it was happening. What faith!! What trust!!
From this story, we can have reassurance of several things:
1. God is in charge
2. God has a plan
3. God's intentions are for good
When things happen in our lives that just don't seem to make sense, it causes us to wonder whose plan is really being worked - God's or man's. If it seems like it is a man made plan - then you can still look at these three reassurances and know that God is still in charge, that His plans will prevail and override any that a man has made, and that God will work it out and turn it into good - one way or another.
Even after all Joseph went through from the plans of men ( i.e. his brothers, the slave traders, the Egyptian's wife, even the Egyptian Pharaoh) God was in it all, He had a plan and His intentions were for good. I think we have to have faith, trust and believe that if God did this for Joseph, He will do it for us - one way or another.
"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Genesis 50:20
"You can make many plans, but the Lord's purposes will prevail." Proverbs 19:21
"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them." Romans 8:28
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Everything is Beautiful
Everything is Beautiful
In 1970, the year I got married, Ray Stevens wrote and sang a song called Everything is Beautiful. This is a song about finding beauty in all things, in all people and in all situations. It's about keeping an open mind and not judging and it's about peace. He proclaims that everything is beautiful in it's own way. Click here to listen to: Everything is Beautiful by Ray Stevens
I talked with some young people at a college campus today and shared some of my history with them going back to the 70's. I told of a day when things were simpler. Of a day when you knew all your neighbors and you had block parties and everyone came out and everyone shared what food they brought. I told them of a day when there were no fences between the houses. I shared about a day when people were kinder and more considerate of one another. I shared about a day when we actually talked to each other and formed lasting friendships. And about a day when the kids could walk to and from school without a parent. About a day when a penny would get you a piece of candy and a day when wages were $1.50 an hour and we were happy. A day we could play outside all day long and not get called home till dark when my dad whistled for us and our parents weren't worried. A day when we rode the bus and not everyone had a car. It seems everything was so much more beautiful then.
These young people actually got dreamy eyed as I was describing those simpler days. And they asked, "What happened?" I have to wonder that myself sometimes. I suppose they call it progress - new inventions, new ideas, new this, new that...is there beauty in a cell phone - yes, when it is used to make a 911 call to save a life. But there is so much more now, it seems, that is not beautiful - or maybe we just hear about the ugliness more. Or maybe our definition of beauty has changed over the years.
They always say things get much worse before they get better. I dream of the day it gets better and everything once more is beautiful. Maybe that will not be until the day I reach heaven, but I keep hoping for it sooner. Or maybe I just need to look harder.
I think it is up to each person to try to make their own little world beautiful. Not just for themselves, but for all those around them as well. It's up to each person to find the beauty in everything and acknowledge it. Everything can be beautiful again if we work together to make it so!!!
"He has made everything beautiful in its time." Ecclesiastes 3: 11
In 1970, the year I got married, Ray Stevens wrote and sang a song called Everything is Beautiful. This is a song about finding beauty in all things, in all people and in all situations. It's about keeping an open mind and not judging and it's about peace. He proclaims that everything is beautiful in it's own way. Click here to listen to: Everything is Beautiful by Ray Stevens
I talked with some young people at a college campus today and shared some of my history with them going back to the 70's. I told of a day when things were simpler. Of a day when you knew all your neighbors and you had block parties and everyone came out and everyone shared what food they brought. I told them of a day when there were no fences between the houses. I shared about a day when people were kinder and more considerate of one another. I shared about a day when we actually talked to each other and formed lasting friendships. And about a day when the kids could walk to and from school without a parent. About a day when a penny would get you a piece of candy and a day when wages were $1.50 an hour and we were happy. A day we could play outside all day long and not get called home till dark when my dad whistled for us and our parents weren't worried. A day when we rode the bus and not everyone had a car. It seems everything was so much more beautiful then.
These young people actually got dreamy eyed as I was describing those simpler days. And they asked, "What happened?" I have to wonder that myself sometimes. I suppose they call it progress - new inventions, new ideas, new this, new that...is there beauty in a cell phone - yes, when it is used to make a 911 call to save a life. But there is so much more now, it seems, that is not beautiful - or maybe we just hear about the ugliness more. Or maybe our definition of beauty has changed over the years.
They always say things get much worse before they get better. I dream of the day it gets better and everything once more is beautiful. Maybe that will not be until the day I reach heaven, but I keep hoping for it sooner. Or maybe I just need to look harder.
I think it is up to each person to try to make their own little world beautiful. Not just for themselves, but for all those around them as well. It's up to each person to find the beauty in everything and acknowledge it. Everything can be beautiful again if we work together to make it so!!!
"He has made everything beautiful in its time." Ecclesiastes 3: 11
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Imagine That!
Imagine That!
I heard a little saying once that went something like this - "God loves you so much if He had a refrigerator, your art work would be on it." Imagine that!!
This past weekend, I saw something that made me so sad and it reminded me of that saying. Each week, the kids do an art project in Sunday School. Some of them are kind of lame, but the kids have fun with them and they add something to the lesson they have learned that day. The teacher uses the craft to reinforce the message.
But this past weekend was special. It was Mother's Day so every child except the infants, also made a card for their mom. They colored it, chose their mom's favorite color for the background, glued it together and then the child's hand was traced on the back and the date was added. Each child's teacher talked about how much this will mean to their mom and encouraged the kids to do their best.
After services I saw one mom deposit her child's Mother's Day card and his craft in the trash can. Imagine that!! This about broke my heart for the child as well as the mom. That child put time, effort and thought into the card for his mom. I can't imagine he felt very good having mom trash it, no matter that the coloring wasn't perfect or the gluing not straight. Actually that makes it even more special - she knows he did the work. And mom - how could you have so little regard for something your child gave you - on Mother's Day no less? I guess that mom doesn't know that she should value and appreciate these little gifts as there will be a day that she might want to look back and remember when that little guy was young and his hand was so very small.
Now the truth of the matter is that mom's can't possibly keep every little thing their child makes, but, at least keep it and/or display it for a little while to show the child their ideas and their thoughtfulness mean something to you. Please don't devalue your child's work and their efforts by tossing it right in front of their eyes. Think about what that says to the child... "What I make is worthless - it's garbage!"
I had a little guy in my preschool class that never wanted to take his papers or his art work home. When I asked why, he sadly said, "Well, my mom just throws it away." It hurt too much to see mom throw it away, he'd rather just leave it behind. Imagine that!!
Imagine what it feels like to have something you have worked hard on tossed aside as if it is nothing - a piece of trash. Imagine that your manuscript is tossed in the trash by your spouse. Imagine that your project designs are trashed by your boss. How would you feel? You would be crushed. And each time you show a complete disregard for your child's efforts, so is he.
Next time your child excitedly shares his work with you, imagine that!
"Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged." Colossians 3:20
Below are some great ideas on how to display your child's work even if for a short time.
I heard a little saying once that went something like this - "God loves you so much if He had a refrigerator, your art work would be on it." Imagine that!!
This past weekend, I saw something that made me so sad and it reminded me of that saying. Each week, the kids do an art project in Sunday School. Some of them are kind of lame, but the kids have fun with them and they add something to the lesson they have learned that day. The teacher uses the craft to reinforce the message.
But this past weekend was special. It was Mother's Day so every child except the infants, also made a card for their mom. They colored it, chose their mom's favorite color for the background, glued it together and then the child's hand was traced on the back and the date was added. Each child's teacher talked about how much this will mean to their mom and encouraged the kids to do their best.
After services I saw one mom deposit her child's Mother's Day card and his craft in the trash can. Imagine that!! This about broke my heart for the child as well as the mom. That child put time, effort and thought into the card for his mom. I can't imagine he felt very good having mom trash it, no matter that the coloring wasn't perfect or the gluing not straight. Actually that makes it even more special - she knows he did the work. And mom - how could you have so little regard for something your child gave you - on Mother's Day no less? I guess that mom doesn't know that she should value and appreciate these little gifts as there will be a day that she might want to look back and remember when that little guy was young and his hand was so very small.
Now the truth of the matter is that mom's can't possibly keep every little thing their child makes, but, at least keep it and/or display it for a little while to show the child their ideas and their thoughtfulness mean something to you. Please don't devalue your child's work and their efforts by tossing it right in front of their eyes. Think about what that says to the child... "What I make is worthless - it's garbage!"
I had a little guy in my preschool class that never wanted to take his papers or his art work home. When I asked why, he sadly said, "Well, my mom just throws it away." It hurt too much to see mom throw it away, he'd rather just leave it behind. Imagine that!!
Imagine what it feels like to have something you have worked hard on tossed aside as if it is nothing - a piece of trash. Imagine that your manuscript is tossed in the trash by your spouse. Imagine that your project designs are trashed by your boss. How would you feel? You would be crushed. And each time you show a complete disregard for your child's efforts, so is he.
Next time your child excitedly shares his work with you, imagine that!
"Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged." Colossians 3:20
Below are some great ideas on how to display your child's work even if for a short time.
Monday, May 12, 2014
Work Ethic
Work
Ethic
I have been working regularly since I was in 8th grade. When I was just 12 years old, I babysat for 8 children every day after school, I made them dinner and prepared their lunches for the next day and then I cleaned up the dishes so when their mom got home she could bath them and send them to bed. I went to work at a woman's clothing store when I was 15 - I rode the bus to and from work and my salary was $1.00 hour, plus a 20% discount on all my purchases. For a teenage girl that was a dream come true. I got married when I was just 17 and I am married to the same man - it's been 43 1/2 years now. We have 4 grown children and 6 grandchildren.
Over the years I've had lots of jobs - I've been an elementary school teacher, had an in home day care center, sold Fuller Brush and Shakley Vitamins door to door, I had a home sewing business, I am a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant, I was a preschool teacher, I worked in the insurance business for nearly 20 years and I have worked in Children's Ministry both as a volunteer and as a paid staff member in church for almost 40 years.
I know many people that always do their best and have a good work ethic. No matter how big or how small the task, no matter how easy or difficult, they do it with great gusto, they do it well and they finish it, right down to cleaning up after it's done. I have a great deal of respect for these types of people. The reason is - they have a great deal of respect for themselves. You see, what they and I have learned is that any job done is a reflection of the person that's done the job. If you have a good work ethic, you will do a good job and that reflects well on you! The opposite is also true.
It's a choice you make each time you do a job, or your homework, or a project, or anything, anywhere, anytime. Will I give it my all or not? The way in which you do anything is a reflection on you. How do you want what you do to reflect on you? It's really your choice.
"Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right."
Proverbs 20:11
"Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."
Colossians 3:22,23
Everyone
has heard the grandpa story - 'when I was a youngun', I used to walk 5 miles to
school - barefoot and in the snow'…we all laugh about this and have a hard time
believing it, but guess what - some of those stories were actually true. I'd like to share my story and then tell you
why I do what I do.
I have been working regularly since I was in 8th grade. When I was just 12 years old, I babysat for 8 children every day after school, I made them dinner and prepared their lunches for the next day and then I cleaned up the dishes so when their mom got home she could bath them and send them to bed. I went to work at a woman's clothing store when I was 15 - I rode the bus to and from work and my salary was $1.00 hour, plus a 20% discount on all my purchases. For a teenage girl that was a dream come true. I got married when I was just 17 and I am married to the same man - it's been 43 1/2 years now. We have 4 grown children and 6 grandchildren.
Over the years I've had lots of jobs - I've been an elementary school teacher, had an in home day care center, sold Fuller Brush and Shakley Vitamins door to door, I had a home sewing business, I am a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant, I was a preschool teacher, I worked in the insurance business for nearly 20 years and I have worked in Children's Ministry both as a volunteer and as a paid staff member in church for almost 40 years.
My
husband was transferred from Chicago to California in 1985 and I got my first
insurance job in a mailroom of a medium sized agency in early 1986. I worked my way up to a Personal Lines
Customer Service Representative by working hard, doing my best and being loyal
to my employers. I changed insurance
jobs in 1988 and went to work at a much smaller insurance agency where I also
worked hard, did my best and gave 110%.
I worked closely with the owner and we grew the agency from 3 employees
to 12 - my areas of responsibility grew also.
Instead of just being responsible for customer service, I was
responsible for the Office Management and soon the Human Resources. As you prove yourself loyal and trust worthy
in small things, you find yourself being asked to handle bigger things. In 1995 I went to work for a much larger insurance agency as the Office Administrator.
Over the years I did many things for that agency, proving myself as
a good employee and always giving my best - coming in early, staying late,
going above and beyond, doing whatever was asked of me, even doing some things
that I wasn't asked to do. You might be
laughing to yourself - saying this woman is a fool - why would she work longer
and harder than she had to? Why? It's simple - Because the Bible tells me that whatever I do, I need
to work at it with all my heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. The Bible also tells me that I need to obey
my employers and not just when he or she is looking but all the time. That's called integrity. That's what people call a good work ethic.
A
good work ethic is what earns you respect in the work place or anywhere, even as a volunteer worker. A good work ethic is what gets you raises and
promotions in your job. A good work ethic gives you
personal satisfaction. A person with a
good work ethic is very valuable to an employer. It's important.
I know many people that always do their best and have a good work ethic. No matter how big or how small the task, no matter how easy or difficult, they do it with great gusto, they do it well and they finish it, right down to cleaning up after it's done. I have a great deal of respect for these types of people. The reason is - they have a great deal of respect for themselves. You see, what they and I have learned is that any job done is a reflection of the person that's done the job. If you have a good work ethic, you will do a good job and that reflects well on you! The opposite is also true.
It's a choice you make each time you do a job, or your homework, or a project, or anything, anywhere, anytime. Will I give it my all or not? The way in which you do anything is a reflection on you. How do you want what you do to reflect on you? It's really your choice.
"Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right."
Proverbs 20:11
"Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."
Colossians 3:22,23
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