You come across a variety of people when working with the public.  Some you encounter are extremely pleasant, while others leave a lot to be desired.  You never know what to expect!

I recall a gentleman who called the law firm back in December on behalf of his mother.  We set up an appointment with the attorney and had the paperwork prepared prior to their arrival.  At the scheduled time, a tall gentleman entered the office to make sure he was in the right place.  Once he was certain he had the right office, he stepped out into the hallway.  Shortly thereafter, a petite elderly lady, full of elegance and grace, appeared in our doorway.  Instantly, I was struck by her well groomed appearance and red suit she wore.  We offered her a seat while giving her son the paperwork. As I waited for the paperwork be completed, I attempted to make small talk while inquiring on her age.  I was quite surprised to learn she was 97 years old and making arrangements should she require the assistance of a nursing home later in life.

Now, this lady certainly did not look her age at all.  I watched in awe as she moved around the office as she left the lobby and entered the attorney’s office.  One would expect someone of that age to require assistance getting around.  She carried a cane but rarely used it.  Even her son had to remind her later to get the cane prior to exiting our office after their appointment was complete.  She was definitely independent and still lived alone.  I was dumbfounded!

Once their appointment was coming to an end, the attorney asked her the secret to her longevity.  She replied, with a laugh, “Aggravation.”  We laughed with her but never fully understood what she meant by that comment.  Did she mean aggravation from others, or did she mean she was the one causing the aggravation?  Later, we laughed at the thought of this perfectly poised lady causing trouble.

May we ALL be blessed to enjoy 97 or maybe even 100 years of life.

Walking through the quiet house with laundry in tow I shout over my shoulder, “Alexa, play some music.”  It’s like she knows me  and announces, “Here’s a station you might like: love songs on Amazon Music.”  While it might not be the perfect music to do chores around the house, a song intrigued me as I folded the laundry.  I was convinced Adele was the vocalist. However, when I asked Alexa who the artist was singing this particular song, it was NOT Adele after all!  Instead, it was Lauren Daigle singing “You Say.”

This song lifted me up today as I was lost earlier this morning in my thoughts; consumed with worry and anxiety.  A family member is having major surgery in the morning, and I do not handle things well when a family member’s health is threatened.  Faith as small as a mustard seed is all that is required, and I have more than that.  God already knows the outcome, and no matter how much I would like to control this situation, I cannot.  God is in control, and we must trust Him.

We pray, we give it to God, and in our human nature, we take it back again and worry over it as if our anguish will change the situation.  It’s the fear of the unknown.  And yet, God has not given us a spirit of fear.  Others remind us that our worry, fear and anxiety are a sin.  But … I’m only human, and this is my beloved family member.  I want many more years on this earth with them!  I pray it will be so.

We bargain with God, state our case, and then just outright beg and plead.  God knows our heart, and He knows it’s the love we have for our family member that is the driving force.   Our love is so strong.  Now our faith needs to be just as strong.

The best way to shift my mindset from worry and fear is to begin praising God through song.  Today, I sang this song for the very first time.  It wasn’t perfect by any means, as parts are too low for me, but I sang from my heart to my God. He is worthy to be praised!

Click here for my version and sacrificial praise to God in YOU SAY.

The words of the song spoke to my heart.  This world likes to tell us we’re not good enough.  God is right there reminding us of our worth and value.  When we feel weak, as I did this morning, God reminds us of our strength, which is through Him.  When we feel like we’re falling short, God holds us close and reminds us of who we are.  We are His.

As much as I love this family member, God loves him even more.  I must lay all my worry, fear, and anxiety at His feet and trust in Him.  He has the final say.

There have been times in everyone’s life where they have gone astray.  For one reason or another, they seem to lose their faith or no longer wish to walk with God along the straight and narrow any longer.   It could be due to losing a loved one they prayed for God to protect and take care of, and they become bitter when the loved one passed away.  Or, they feel as if evil was winning time and time again no matter how good they were or how closely they followed God.

This makes God’s heart sad … and He weeps.

He gave us all free will, however, and will not force us to follow Him.  It is His hope and desire that we will all chose to do so, but He gives us the freedom to choose.

If you wonder if you even matter in the grand scheme of things, rest assured that you DO.  If 99 sheep were following the Great Shepherd, He would still notice that one was not.  He would leave the 99 in the field on the countryside and seek out the one, rejoicing when He finds the lost sheep.  Imagine the rejoicing God does when a sinner returns to Him!

You matter to Him!  If you have lost your way, God is there to lead you.  All you have to do is repent and turn from your sins.  Ask Jesus to come into your heart, and you will be assured eternal life through Him.

While you may be just one … He will rejoice when you return to Him even more so than the 99 sheep that followed Him and the 99 righteous people who did not need to repent.

Just one … that’s all it takes.

Will you be the one that chooses to return to Him today?

Luke 15:3-7

After a long Winter, we are anxious to get our patio, pool, and pond area in shape again.  That is my favorite area on our       property.  When people come to visit and ask if they can see our home, my husband will take them inside to show them all around.  I am just the opposite, as I prefer the outdoor living space, instead.

There, we have arches on the left side of the steps, which takes you around to the large patio area with a white pergola draped with green chiffon and dangling warm white solar lights that sparkle in the night.

(Taken at my daughter’s wedding during the Father/Daughter dance)

On the right side of the pergola is a large flowerbed with a fountain with beautiful Crape Myrtles that burst forth with beautiful Crimson Red blooms in the Spring.

On the left side of the pergola is a flower garden with fragrant Lavender, Knockout Roses in shades of pink and red, as well as white Shasta Daisies.   All flowers provide joy from Spring to Fall, until Winter arrives.

Winter.  Thankfully, the South Carolina temperatures aren’t as frigid as Illinois, for example.  Even still, we find our outdoor time limited when the winter wind is ripping and temperatures fall.  Trees are bare, as the leaves have all fallen on the ground. Everything is dormant now, except for my beautiful Camellias. In the middle of Winter, the variety of white, pink, and peppermint Camellias greet me as I bundle up and walk outside to greet the day.

(These were taken on a rare “snow” day in South Carolina recently.   We may get snow once every five years or so.)

My job each day is to check to be certain the bird feeders are well stocked in the winter to help the Cardinals, Blue Jays, Sparrows, and our other feathered friends.  Occasionally, we will see actual Blue Birds and Woodpeckers. I squeal like a schoolgirl with delight when I spot them in the trees!   We have Blue Bird boxes along our fence for nesting when the time arrives.

Ah, Spring!

We await your arrival, for just like Jesus, you make all things new!  Jesus washes us with His blood and saves us from our sinful ways.  He renews us and awakens a longing inside of us to follow Him all the rest of our days.  Oh, thank you, Lord!

His mercies are new every morning.

As temperatures begin to rise in a few weeks, the green leaves will return, and pretty soon buds will form!  Spring will bring forth such beauty and fragrant flowers from bare branches we see outside our window today.  Ah, but beauty awaits from the ashes in our lives.  Jesus restores what has been taken from us and those ashes will have beauty in its place as Jesus fills us with His love.

The weather today will be in the 70s, and my heart yearns for the days of Summer when we would take our boat to the lake.  My youngest daughter and her friend would pile in our 2500 Suburban with the boat trailer secured behind it holding our Edge Water boat.  With excitement in our eyes and smiles on our faces, we would make our way to the landing, take the boat off the trailer, pull up to the dock and let everyone get comfortable in their seats as we packed the boat full of coolers and our Phantom raft.  This two seater raft always yielded squeals of delight as we pulled the ever so adventurous and trusting children behind the boat.  Ripping and roaring through the waterways, we would purposely circle around to ensure they jumped the waves our boat made.  Video footage to enjoy later is always a must!

We have made so many memories in our boat, and I’m so thankful our girls have expressed an interest in boating activities with us.  As they grew up, we feared they would lose interest.  Boating is fun with my husband and I, but it’s more fun when the entire family is there!

My oldest daughter doesn’t care for boating as much as we do, but we have gotten her and her husband onboard a few times. Sunset cruises on the lake are my favorite as well, especially when we let them have a turn at the helm.  I’m proud to say they have all demonstrated great skill with maneuvering the boat.

I feel the need … the need for speed!

That line became famous in the movie Top Gun, but it applies here as well.  No one can resist pushing the throttle forward, the front of the boat leaping forward, then getting on plain.  Now you’re living the good life!

Ahhh, sweet memories!  We look forward to Summer and all of the memories that await us!

Yesterday, a friend posted questions she asked her four year old daughter.  One particular answer struck me.  The question was, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”  The little girl’s answer was, “I want to be an ordinary girl who runs errands.”  When her mother asked who the little girl knew that was an ordinary girl who runs errands, she answered, “You and me, Mommy!”

My friend has been afforded the wonderful opportunity to stay at home and raise her daughter.  There is nothing “ordinary” about that.  It’s exciting to think of the opportunity this young mother has had to spend all of this quality time with her daughter.   She has been able to teach and mold her.  Stay at home mom’s often don’t get the respect they deserve, though.  Often times, people look down on stay at home mothers because they aren’t “working” to provide income for the family.  Yet, there are critics on the other side for working mothers as well, which is another issue altogether.  We will save that for another blog post.

But “ordinary” is not a word to describe the absolute most rewarding and fulfilling “job” ever!

This young mother struggles sometimes with her value and worth.  Day in and day out, she has fed, diapered, and nurtured her baby girl.  She has been overwhelmed by colic cries and laundry piling up.  Most days, the only interaction with another adult is when she receives a random call on her cell phone wanting to extend her car warranty.  It’s hard in those early days, but soon the baby learns to smile, laugh, and the mother’s heart is filled with such joy.  As the baby grows into a toddler, they learn to walk and are forming new words.  Oh, but wait until the toddler hugs you or climbs into your lap.  Those are the days you live for!  It makes up for ALL of the hard days when your baby is able to say, “I love you, Mommy!”  And you know without a doubt what unconditional love truly is all about at that point.

This is no ordinary task.  Raising our babies to be good, God honoring people, with morals and values, and teaching them about Jesus is a great privilege and honor.  These babies have been sent straight from God in Heaven to our awaiting arms, and we have been blessed to be their mothers.

Ordinary?

If anything, it’s extraordinary, and I have rocked this role as a mother of two beautiful blond hair, blue eyed baby girls.  They have turned into gorgeous young women, and my heart is so proud.

We all have a longing to fit in.  We want people to like us, and when they don’t, it can get into our head.  What you need to remember in times like these is that God is for us.  He loves us so much, He gave His only son for us!

People pleasing gets us no where either.  We are the ones that end up suffering because we try so hard to please everyone around us.  It just is not possible!  No matter how hard we try, there will be someone knit picking us.

Criticism hurts. No one likes to be critiqued on every little thing or have someone find fault with how you do things, say things, etc.  It makes one feel as if they will never be “good enough” because no matter how hard you try, there is someone picking you apart.  It affects our self esteem and self confidence.

I can’t help but think about a card I sent my grandmother many years ago.  I may have been 10 years old at the time.  My family mentioned how my grandmother was lonely during the day,  Upon hearing that, I made a special point to write out a card to her.  I sealed the white envelope, placed a stamp on it, and took a stroll to the mailbox.  I just knew my card would cheer her up.   It was my desire for her to feel so much love when she read the words written straight from my heart.  Sadly, that is not what happened.  Instead, upon receiving my card in the mail, she called to say, “Next time use a better pen.  The ink smeared on the envelope.  You could hardly read what it said.”  There I sat with my good intentions squashed all because of the type of pen I chose to use.  Honestly, I never even thought about the pen.  I had no idea the envelope would get wet, either, as it made its way to her house!  Instead of her being appreciative of her young grandchild sending her a card with words of love inside, she found fault.  She focused on the smeared ink on the front of the envelope.  Needless to say, I was crushed.  If she felt the need to mention the pen, it would have been better taken had she shown any type of appreciation of the love that was poured into the card.

It is so easy to find fault, to knit pick, and to be negative.  Real effort has to be made to focus on the positive for the vast majority of us.  Why is this?  Is this who you are truly longing to be?  If not, you CAN change that.  Take a good look at the person looking back at you in the mirror. That is the only person in this world that YOU can change.  That’s it.  That’s all.  You can’t change a single person other than yourself.

Today is February 1, 2022.  We are one month into the new year.  Take some time to examine yourself and think of how you can shift into a more positive frame of mind before you ever open your mouth the next time you’re tempted to do so.  A person grows weary and just plain tired of someone harping on them about this or that.  Take time to appreciate the person and what they have to offer the world.

If someone is working on a project with you, appreciate what they bring to the table.  Maybe their way of doing things doesn’t line up with yours, but as long as you both get the same end result, what does it matter?  Is it really that important to belittle their way just because it’s not YOUR way?  Or maybe you have experience that says this is the only way it will work, then along comes Little Miss Muffet who sat down beside you to offer her way; a short cut!  If it works in the end to give you the final product you desired, you both win!  It should not be a power struggle, but often times, it is.

What about offering positive feedback when your human nature is to express how negatively you feel at any given moment.  Compliments go a long way.  An “atta boy/girl” or “way to go” has the power to perk someone right up, while words of criticism will ring in that person’s ear long after they were spoken.

There are so many people ready to tear others down, and some that do this on a daily basis.  Be different!  Focus on the positive.  Be that person’s biggest fan or their ultimate cheerleader in life.  You never know what someone is going through at any given moment.  Your words can bring life or death for others around you.  Choose to breathe life into someone and offer praise where possible and words of affirmation.