Simple Celebrations

Today is my Mom's 80th birthday. I called her this morning and started singing "Happy Birthday" to her when she answered. She started laughing hysterically! I couldn't figure out why she was laughing...until she said, "I forgot it was even my birthday!" Folks, I haven't gotten to the point in my life where I forget my birthday yet. In fact, I still want everyone in my path know when it's my birthday. It's the only day I want to be the center of attention.

However, my sweet parents forget when it's their birthday. (My dad will be 80 next week. I already told him to soak up every minute of pointing out he's in his 70s and she's 80). Knowing I couldn't do much for her birthday, I told them to meet me at the grocery store near us which has a Starbucks in it. I figured the least I could do was buy them some good coffee to celebrate.

While we were there, they told me that their outside light (a gas light that's been there for at least my whole life) had been blown out by the strong winds overnight. Dad turned the gas off until the mantles could be replaced. Of course, he is missing a thumb on one hand and can't begin to tie the mantles onto the brackets. But I can :) Oh, and I failed to mention that the heat source in their family room is a gas stove that was now off due to the gas needing to be turned off. Anyway, after coffee, I stopped by, tied the mantles onto the brackets, put them on the light, had him turn the gas back on, I lit the mantles and replaced the gas. Then I went in and got their stove going so they could be warm tonight.

Buying a couple cups of coffee. Tying on some mantles, Getting an outside light back on. Getting a heating stove going. Simple things, right? To me they were. To my Mom (and Dad) they were a huge way to celebrate her birthday!

So, to my Grandma and Grandpa who raised her and my Uncle who graciously didn't kill his big sister (even though I'm sure there were plenty of times he wanted to), I say. "Thank you!!" To my Mom (who won't see this because she's lucky she knows how to check her e-mail), I say, "Happy birthday!!" To each of you reading this I say, "Do things for others even if they seem simple to you. To someone else it might mean the world!"

Random Thoughts

I haven't blogged in a few weeks. God asked me to write weekly. But I keep using the excuse that He's not giving me anything to write so I just skip it. How dare I? Shame on me for thinking I had nothing to write. God never told me it had to be profound. He told me to write. I have thoughts in my head daily. Today, I decided to share something I've been pondering.

I've noticed something about people. Some people do everything in their power to be noticed. Others do everything to stay hidden. Still others stay in the middle. They just want to do what they need to do and move on. I tend to be more in the middle but lean toward the anonymity side. Flamboyant people annoy me. But they also make me feel inferior. Sometimes I wish I were more outgoing. But I'm the way God made me and I can't change that. Flamboyant people are the way God made them and they can't change it either.

So, how can we find some sort of middle ground? I wish I had a magic answer. It would make life easier. What I do know is that, whether you're flamboyant and outgoing or quiet and prefer to stay unnoticed, show respect for the "other side." Quite often, outgoing people come across as thinking they have all the answers and know everything. In reality, God is the only one that has all the answers.

Outgoing people, be sure you're letting the quiet ones know you value and appreciate them. Quiet ones, remember what Eleanor Roosevelt said: "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

Be kind to everyone. You don't have to be friends with everyone in your life. But you do need to show respect and kindness. I don't believe God will ask us why we weren't friends with everyone. But He will ask why we weren't kind. You don't have to let your life be an open book and no one should expect you to be. But be kind. Show respect. Give a smile.

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Ok, sorry if that seemed disjointed. In my defense, I told you it was random thoughts. Now, go be nice!

Well Done

I've heard people say they long to hear Jesus say, "Well done, good and faithful servant" when their time on earth comes. When I think of some people, I can't imagine their warm welcome. Not that I'm being judgmental. I'm just realizing that it's easier to imagine the welcome that awaits in heaven that some will receive. This afternoon, one such person entered into heaven's gates. I have no doubt in my mind that Jesus met him there with a resounding, "WELL DONE, GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT! ENTER YOUR REST."

In fact, I'm picturing lots of things about this particular Home-going. Jim Bennett was a dear friend and classmate of my father's. They attended Bethel College together. He later became the President of Bethel. After retiring from Bethel, he was our pastor at Bethany Missionary Church. I have so many memories of "Papa Jim" as my kids grew up calling him.

I remember he and his wife hosting "afterglow" around the campfire after evening services at Prairie Camp. I remember seeing his smiling face as he walked around the campgrounds when I was a teenage camper. I remember seeing him at Bethel sporting events. He watched my brother play Bethel baseball...A LOT! I'd see him at basketball games when I was working as the shot clock operator when I was in high school.

As an adult, I remember hearing many sermons that spoke to my heart. I remember his sermons about the end times. I will always remember him saying that when it comes to the Tribulation, we should "Pray for pre but prepare for post." I remember him saying, "I know I'm stepping on some toes today and I'm glad!" I remember in December 1990 when my parents and I were in a serious car accident. My dad was air-lifted from Indiana to Michigan because that was the best trauma center at the time. Jim was our pastor then. He drove more than an hour EVERY DAY to visit my dad, his college classmate, in the hospital. When my dad improved enough he could be transferred to our local hospital, Jim was there EVERY DAY! When my dad was sent home from the hospital but had to go to South Bend for therapy several times a week, it was Jim who drove him to his appointments, waited during therapy, then drove him back home, helped him get settled in and then assure Dad he would "be back tomorrow whether you like it or not."

I remember when my daughter was born. It was a Sunday. Our church was having a potluck dinner that day. My parents were at that potluck. It was before cell phones were around (they were bag phones that stayed in the car). I called the church to tell my parents. When the person answering the phone called out for my parents, I heard Jim yell across the fellowship hall, "They can talk to her after I do! I get to find out first!" He was indeed the first one to hear about our new little one. He dedicated her a few weeks later. I remember his holding her in his arms and praying over her.

Before the accident, my dad sang. He had the voice of an angel. Beautiful, resonant, perfect tenor voice. He sang in church often. When he was in college, he sang in the choir and on multiple Gospel teams that traveled all over. After every time my Dad sang in church, Jim would get up there and say, "Al, I still hope that when I die and go to heaven, Jesus lets me sing just like you." Guess what, Papa Jim...that time is now. Sing away, my friend! Sing away.

It was very hard news to share with my father. This was a man he dearly loved. They've known each other since they were teenagers. My heart is sad for my Dad at losing a friend. But my heart breaks for his 4 kids (2 he raised and 2 that were blessed to marry in to the family), grandkids and wife. They are a very special family. But I rejoice in knowing that he heard those words, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Simple Memories

Today a student walked in wearing what appeared to be striped jeans and a hoodie. He pulled up the hoodie and proudly said, "Look, Mrs. Wohlford! I'm wearing overalls today!" Yes, they were striped Key overalls! I remember a pair of those hanging on the hook on the back of my grandparents' bathroom door. I remember my grandpa proudly wearing them...A LOT!  Key overalls have always made me smile. They've always served as a reminder of my grandpa. To that student I say, "Thank you!" Yes, I told him how happy it made my heart to see him wearing them. I needed that that!

When It's Too Late

14 years ago on September 11, 2001, 2,731 innocent people went to work or about their day in the bustling city. 246 innocent people boarded airplanes to go back to families or to their jobs. 2,977 innocent people didn't know that it would be the last day they would walk this earth.

I'm sure you remember where you were that day when you first heard the news. I was getting ready for work. I had just started working at Elm Road Elementary School the week before that. We were watching the Today Show as we prepared for our work day. The news came on about this horrific plane crash at the World Trade Center in New York City. Thousands of miles away, I crumbled to my knees with this devastating news. America was facing something unimaginable. No, not facing. It had hit us square between the eyes. I remember going through that work day just feeling like we were all going through the motions. We murmured to one another in the hallways, "Have you heard any more news?" At lunch, we silently sat in the lounge just watching the news as it flashed on the screen. The two Towers had collapsed. An empty field in Pennsylvania had been obliterated. The Pentagon had been hit. 19 cowards (don't tell me this wasn't an act of cowardice just as much as it was an act of terrorism) saw nothing wrong with taking the lives of 2,977 innocent people.

Tonight, as I sit here thinking about the anniversary tomorrow, it strikes me that we are never guaranteed one more breath. We never know when we may go to work, to the grocery store, to the park, etc and never come back. We never know when God is going to call us home. While I always hope I have many more years, we have no promises. I've known people close to 100 years old who have come to the end of their life. I've known people who have lost tiny babies. I've known people who have watched their teenagers draw their last breath. I've known people whose lives have come to an end at many ages in between. I will tell you that the ones who knew their days were fleeting due to illness lived their lives with a lot more zest than the ones who didn't.

So I encourage you to live each day as if it may be your last. While I hope God will allow us many more days, weeks, months and years, we can never be too sure. So, tell your family members you love them. Give your kids one more squeeze in the morning. Smile at the person next to you in the waiting room. Wish your cashier a good day. The next moment just might be too late.

Stones

To my Grandfather, stones were things that had to be removed from his farm fields. They were his nemesis. He painstakingly removed each one he found.

To my grandson, rocks symbolize his favorite Sesame Street episode. He's watched it enough times that he can shout "Rocco" with the best of them.

To many people (the Wohlford family included), rocks and stones may mean ground cover in an area where grass won't grow or even what their driveway is lined with.

In the Bible, stones were used to punish and kill people, to build altars, and Jesus even told Peter that "on this rock" [Peter] He would build His Kingdom.

Stones (and rocks) have different meanings to different people. This past week, stones became an important symbol to me. Former pro football player Frank Gifford passed away recently. That in itself had no impact whatsoever on my life. However, the tribute his wife, Kathie Lee Gifford, made on national television sure did. She openly shared about their belief in Christ. She told how Frank accepted Jesus as a boy.

Then she talked about stones. She talked about David and how he chose 5 stones to use in his battle with Goliath. But then she pointed out that it only took one stone because David threw it right where God wanted him to.

She went on to issue a challenge to each viewer. She asked where God would have us throw our stone. It got me to thinking. I've been pondering this question for more than a week not. I even have a stone on my desk at home, my desk at work and on the dashboard of my car as reminders.

God has given each of us a stone. He wants that stone thrown somewhere particular. If we throw our stone in the right place, we'll have the outcome God intended.

So, I ask you, as Kathie Lee asked millions of viewers last week:

Where does God want you to throw your stone??

It's In the Bag

For some reason, this morning started out rough. I woke up fine. But then I seemed to drop everything I picked up, the fish tank needed filled, I was running late. I made it to work with a few minutes to spare. Along the way, I prayed that God would erase the frustrations of the morning and make it a good day despite the rough beginning. I started my work day just like any other day. I checked my email, poured a cup of coffee and went to do my breakfast duty. When I came back to my room, there it was in the middle of my desk - a bright orange gift bag with polka dot tissue paper sticking out of the top. I couldn't fathom what might be in that bag or where it came from. 

Ladies and gentlemen, I'm here to tell you that this gift bag was God's way of turning this day around! You see, last Sunday I "visited" our old church. With my family all working, I went to my comfort zone to see "old" friends. There's a family that now goes there. They have two girls who go to my school. I saw them there. They were surprised to see me. At school during the week, the older girl asked me how I liked it. I explained to her that I had gone to that church for a long time. My husband and I had our wedding reception there, our daughter was dedicated there, I was baptized there. I told her it was great to be back and see everyone. 

On Friday, she asked me if I had gotten a visitor bag. They give little bags of "goodies" to people when they visit. Kind of a way to let people know they care. I've never been given a visitor bag at a church before. I know there are other churches that do it. Even when I've visited, I've never been given one. I explained to her that I hadn't picked one up because I didn't really feel like I was a visitor. 

Yesterday when she was at church, she picked up a visitor bag and brought it to me at school today. This bright orange bag contained a candle, bookmark, hand cream, bag of microwave popcorn and a nice letter from the church. But it contained more than that...something invisible to the naked eye. It contained love. This sweet 5th grader cared more than many adults do. Or at least she knew how to show she cared. I got lots of hugs from many friends last Sunday. But this little gift bag may have been the best result from "visiting" that day. 

Thanks for thinking of me and showing me you care, Katelyn! I needed this today! And God, thanks for using Katelyn to turn my day around!

Simple Things Can Be Big Things

My phone has been reminding me I'm supposed to blog today since it's Thursday. After several reminders, I told my phone (yes, I know it can't hear me!) that I can't blog unless God gives me something to blog about. Then I brushed my hand against what God wanted me to blog about.

Today, I was in the cafeteria during breakfast time. One of the fifth grade girls came up to me and said, "Mrs. Wohlford, do you have pierced ears?" I told her I did and she proceeded to present me with a pair of earrings she made for me. She said she was hoping that would be my answer since she had picked this color for me. (I have no idea what made her choose this particular color). 

Then, I looked down at the shirt I pulled out of the closet last night to wear to school today. I couldn't believe my eyes! These earrings were a perfect match to the pinstripes in my shirt! Did she know that those earrings would match anything I had to wear? Of course not! Did I know that she was going to give me earrings in that precise color? Not a chance! But God knew! He prompted me to choose that shirt so that I could take a step that would make this child's day. 

I thanked her profusely for the earrings, gave her a big hug, told her how beautiful they were...and proudly put them in my ears to wear for the day. I couldn't have asked for a better start to the school year!

Not Like the Other

I remember watching Sesame Street as a child and then again when my own children were little. They often had a little thing where they would show four different things, three that were similar in some way and one that was completely different. While showing them, they sang a song that went like this: "One of these things is not like the others. One of these things just doesn't belong. Can you tell which thing is not like the others by the time I finish my song?"

I was struck with that song as I walked through a garden at Bonneyville Mill County Park in Bristol, IN yesterday. As I walked through the garden, God showed me another way I could apply what I was seeing. Here goes...

Just four of the dahlias in the garden

The park has a dahlia garden. It's filled with beautiful flowers of varying shapes, colors and sizes. I started thinking about the fact that you can see roses and they all look relatively the same even though they may be different colors. But there is a pretty distinctive look to roses. It's the same with daisies, carnations, sunflowers, etc. Not so with dahlias. I counted at least 10 different types of flowers...but they weren't different types actually. They were all dahlias. But they were very different shapes, colors and sizes. Drastically different. The thing they all had in common was their beauty.

I then started thinking about another one of God's creation that is the same as dahlias...people. Yep, humans. Look around you. Is everyone the same shape? Size? Color? Even in families people aren't the same shape, size or even color. So does that mean they aren't all beautiful in their own way? NO! It means that God created variety. He created a diverse world. How boring would it be if everyone looked exactly the same? How very "Stepford Wives" that would be. I for one would not be interested to live in a world like that.

So I challenge you. When you see the people around you at work, church, in your neighborhood, the grocery store, etc...don't treat them differently because they aren't exactly like you. No matter what they look like, dahlias all need sun and water to survive. Similarly, no matter what they look like, people all need love and respect.

Spare Change

As I reach my last week of my summer job, I've started thinking about what I've accomplished. I start wondering if I've made any kind of difference. I start asking myself if I've served the purpose I was supposed to serve. Here's what I've come up with:

I've worked hard and persevered through pain every day to do things my doctor says I can't do. I went in every day and showed my boss I wasn't afraid to work. She know about my torn rotator cuff and kept telling me not to do any more than I could do easily. I told her I could do what needed to be done. I didn't give up!

I've been a welcoming smile to every customer that walked through the door. No matter how I was feeling, I greeted them warmly, helped them when needed and asked them to come back. They always started their shopping experience with a smile and ended it just the same. Who knows how many friendly greetings they received the rest of their day. I'm proud to say I made sure they at least got one.

I've built relationships with lots of regular customers. The one I'll miss the most is Miss Carol. She comes in every day for the newspaper. Once in awhile she buys a few other things. Mostly just the newspaper. She's a precious lady. She's a smoker. She's been battling a nasty cough. Today I told her that it didn't sound too good. She said, "I know. It's the cigarettes." I said, "Well, you know what to do about that." She said she knows she needs to quit. I can talk plainly to her. She's shared with me about family issues. She knows I pray. She wants me to pray for her. So I do. And she knows it. She gives me a hug most days and tells me she loves me. I love you too, Miss Carol!

Perhaps the biggest way I feel like I've made a difference there is with spare change. I've gotten into the habit of keeping loose change in my pocket. Usually just pennies and nickels, sometimes I'll have dimes and quarters, too. When customers are just a bit short or they would end up getting a handful of change back, I'll pull some change out and tell them it's all good. Some have just thanked me. Some have asked how they can pay me back. I always tell them, "Don't pay me back. Pay it forward." Many have been shocked that I would do that. I know many cashiers would probably expect them to put something back so they had enough money. If I can minister to people a few cents at a times, I'll do that. The best one was a man who came in yesterday. He was digging change out of his pocket to find enough to pay for his items. He seemed embarrassed. He said, "I'm so sorry. It's the day before payday." He was 11 cents short of what he needed. I pulled the change out of my pocket, took the money he had and gave him his receipt. He asked how he could pay me back. I said, "You can't. But you can pay it forward." I explained that he could help someone ahead of him in line when they were a bit short of the amount needed. He assured me he would do that and be sure to tell them it was because of the cashier at Dollar General. I said, "Just tell them it's what God wants you to do." He smiled and said, "I always want to do what makes God happy!" Today I helped a young mom buy a few jars of baby food and a bottle for her baby. She was a dime short. Guess what was in my pocket? Yep, a dime.

There have been many days I wished I didn't have to go to work. I had so many other things I wanted to do this summer. I had so many parts of our house I wanted to reorganize. But, I've accomplished a lot at home plus made a difference in my community. Besides, I have time next week and the following week to work hard at home. Injured shoulder? That's no excuse to not work hard! If God tells you to do it, you do!

It Started with Green Beans

Her name is Jane. She shops at Dollar General. Our paths crossed  for the first time last week. She was looking for the store brand cut green beans. There were only French-style on the shelf. I helped her search for them. The assistant manager checked the inventory and saw there were 12 cans in the store but we couldn't find them anywhere. We searched all over. Nothing.

It was rainy that day. Torrential downpour kind of rain. We chatted about the rain and the standing water in the parking lot. That parking lot always has standing water when it rains. It always has. I told her that I remembered riding my bike there to the grocery store when I was a little girl and I knew I had to go in the back way if it had been raining. She told me she lived on a street a bit north of the store and had for 35 years. She described the house. I know it well. She always decorates for each season. I admire it every time I drive by. She went out into the rain to go home.

I kept my eye out for those green beans. 12 cans were somewhere in that store. I simply had to find them! I told the manager to let me know if she found them. Several days went by without green beans. Today, I went over the the store to get some boxes for my cleaning project. While I was there, the manager said she had found the green beans! My daughter and I picked up three cans of them. I told her we needed to make a delivery.

Away we went towards the well-decorated house. It sits right along the Saint Joe River. It's not a fancy house. It's not a huge house. But it's very welcoming. We pulled into the driveway and walked up to the door. I heard her through the window when she saw me. She said, "Why, hello there!" She met us at the back door. I told her we had a little present for her. I gave her the bag of green beans. She was elated! She was shocked that I would even think about those green beans. She invited us in and even offered to make us lunch. We met her husband, Wade. She showed us around her house. She has two daughters and no grandchildren. I have a feeling they don't get much company.

As we were leaving, she said, "I forget what your first name is." I told her it was Brenda. She said, "I'll remember that for sure! I have a daughter named Brenda. She lives in Florida." You know what? I don't think Jane was supposed to find those green beans in the store last week. I think I was supposed to find them today and take them to her. I am pretty sure Sarah and I were the ones who were blessed today. But I do hope that Jane and Wade were a bit blessed, too.

Exasperated Children

I didn't blog yesterday (like I should have) for a couple reasons. 1) Time got away from me. 2) I truly didn't feel a sense of what God wanted me to blog about. Today that has changed.

Today was a busy day at Dollar General. I had a wide variety of customers come in - lots of the regulars, kids from the neighborhood, people from our neighborhood, people traveling through, etc. Two families that came in brought me to the point where I audibly heard God say, "I want you to write about how to treat children."

Ok, I've always had an intense love for children. I've helped with children's Sunday School since I was 10. I've been an aunt for almost 33 years. I've been a mom for more than 22. I've been a Grandma for almost 21 months. I've be a summer camp director, Sunday School teacher, Bible quizzing coach, teacher, tutor, and babysitter. I've done all these things because of my love for children.

Today I heard words spoken to children that broke my heart. One set of parents had their son who  was around 4 or 5 years old. He was a cute little boy. Clothes were clean, he had sweet little chubby cheeks that seemed to glow when he smiled at me. However, as they walked through the store, I could hear lots of, "Get your butt over here!" and "Why can't you control your son?" I felt so sorry for that poor little boy because everyone in the store could hear it. It just broke my heart.

There was also a Grandma with her 5 and 3 year old granddaughters. During the 15-20 minutes they were in the store, Grandma was constantly yelling at them. She kept threatening to "beat your butt" and telling them to behave or they'd "be sorry." But the straw that broke the camel's back was when they were coming up to the cash register. At this point, Grandma said, "You're going to drive me to drinking! Quit it!!" My heart sank. I wanted to snatch those precious girls up and give them love. I was so close to risking the last 3 weeks of my summer job by telling this woman off. But God kept me quiet and reminded me how I was going to respond.

So, here is my challenge to you...whether you're a mom, grandma, aunt, cousin, big sister, teacher, bus driver, neighbor...anything else, PLEASE show respect and love to the children in your care or who cross your path. Children were never meant to enter into a parent's life just to be a tax deduction. If that's why you had children, you had them for the wrong reason. If you can't show love to your grandkids, then don't offer to watch them. Treasure each moment you have with your children. Those days fly by fast. Before you know it, they're getting married, having kids, joining the Army, etc. Then it will be too late. Be there for them. Support them. Let them know they matter. Take time to teach them manners. Help them learn right from wrong. Give them your time. Give them your attention.

But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Luke 18:26

Parents, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

When God Says, "Sing"

Last week I blogged about feeling like my light was being snuffed out. Like I had lost my joy. I felt like God had me in a dark place and my light for Him couldn't shine through. Now, I'm not about to tell you that those feelings are completely gone. I still feel like the darkness around me is great. I have times that I feel I've lost my joy. But God is doing great things in me if I'll only open up my eyes to see them.

This week He's been telling me to sing. I don't think He literally means I'm to sing some sort of melodious tune. I see something a bit different here. Now, before you think I've gone crazy and think I've decided to change the definition of the word "sing," hang in with me.

Go back with me to Tuesday. I was headed to pick my daughter up from work and had my Carpenters station playing on Pandora. I heard the mellow voice of Karen Carpenter (one of my favorite singers!) begin singing a song first heard on Sesame Street. *side note Karen made it a hit in 1973. In the song, I heard the words (and sang loudly along):

Richard and Karen Carpenter

    Sing, sing a song
    Make it simple to last your whole life long
    Don't worry that it's not good enough for anyone else to hear
    Just sing, sing a song.

Again, I get more than literal singing out of this. As I listened to this song I've heard hundreds of times before, I felt something I hadn't before. We all have a song to sing, a story to be told. We're all worth being heard. Sometimes we feel like we're not quite as good as everyone else. We think we're less than ideal. However, it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. It matters that we tell our story.

This morning, I woke up with a song we've sang a couple times in church. It's called "Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble" by Matt Redman. The chorus has been in my head and on my lips all day long. I've whistled it, hummed it and even spent some time singing it. The words to the chorus are:
   Open up the doors and let the music play
   Let the streets resound with singing.
   Songs that bring Your hope
   Songs that bring Your joy
   Dancers who dance upon injustice.

Here I feel like God was telling me not to be silent. Don't sing quietly. Don't be ashamed to let people know I'm a Christ-follower. I've been trying to let my light shine just by being kind. By smiling at those people with whom I cross paths. To ask them how they are. Try to relate to them by their purchases (if they're buying diapers, ask how old their little one is, if they're buying dog food ask them about their four-legged companion, etc) But God wants more from me.

I'm going to sing. I'm going to tell my story. As long as God keeps writing the pages of my book, I'll keep reading it aloud to those I meet. People will know I love Jesus. They will know I follow Christ. They will know He is the reason I live and move and breathe. I won't be silent! I'll shout it from the rooftops.

Oh, and if I offend you by singing my song and sharing my Christ, well...I won't apologize. Love me or leave me.

            

Don't Blow It

One thing has struck me over the past few weeks - I tend to let the people I'm surrounded with either enhance my joy or kill it. Lately I've felt like my joy is slowly being strangled. The people I work with are unhappy. They use language that I can't stand listening to. They constantly focus on what's bad in their lives rather than be thankful for what's good.

Consequently, I feel like my candle is being extinguished. I feel like I'm starting to be negative like they are. I haven't allowed my sponge-self to soak up their language thankfully. I certainly would like to think that my filter can keep that out. I think using that kind of language makes you sound horribly unintelligent. Why would I be interested in that?

But I do know that I wake up every morning that I work thinking, "Oh, I HAVE to go to work today." I would much rather think, "Oh, I GET to go to work today." I'm not saying every job is perfect. However, if you're doing something you love or enjoy it's not much like work. It's like getting paid to do what you love. I wish I had that. But I don't this summer.

I try hard to make the most of every situation. I'm trying so hard to be optimistic. I'm trying to find joy in every day. After all, God woke me up, he gave me the ability to get out of bed and he gave me a job to do for the summer. I just don't want it to rob me of my joy. I don't want to be this grouchy, depressed person I see myself becoming. It's not me. It's not who God wants me to be. It's not who I was made to be.

But I also want to be careful that I don't build the wall around me so thick that I can't be a shining light to those around me. Many of the people I come face to face with each day need to see Jesus. What if I'm the only Jesus they'll see? If my wall is so thick they can't see Jesus through me, then what good am I doing?

So, I'm remembering the words of St. Francis of Assisi: "Preach the gospel at all times. If necessary, use words." Please pray for me that I could shine the light of Jesus without my candle being blown out by the darkness around me.

Special Occasions

I had a very sweet woman come in to the store today. She was very friendly from the moment she walked in. When she came to the cash register, I could smell the beautiful fragrance of lotion or perfume.

I told her I didn't know what she was wearing but it smelled lovely. She said it was called Youth Dew by Estee Lauder. I knew it wasn't anything I would be able to purchase for myself. She went on to tell me it was her late mother's favorite and she had the rest of her mother's last bottle. She wears it on special occasions to feel like her mother is with her. She was heading to a wedding today so that was a special enough occasion for this special perfume. I wished her a blessed day and she went on her way... or so I thought.

Moments later, she walked in to the store once again. She handed me a small glass bottle and said this was the last of her mother's perfume. I thought she just wanted me to see the bottle or maybe spray a bit on myself. No. She wanted to give me an incredible gift. My dear customer, I don't even know your name. But I will think of you on my special occasions when I wear your mother's perfume.

Life in a Bubble

I never thought about it before. If I did, I guess I didn't give much attention to it. I've lived much of my life in a bubble. I grew up in a Christian home. I went to church camp. I ran around with friends who were also Christians. I went to a Bible college. I worked at church day cares. I directed a summer church camp. I went back to college at a Christian college. I've never tried cigarettes, I tried alcohol for the first time as an adult. I work at a school with mostly fellow Christians where it's common to hear the local Christian radio station playing and people share prayer requests.
Then I look at my recent summer job experiences. Last year I worked with some great people. I became friends with several. However, there and where I'm working this summer, I hear language like I've never heard before. Now, I've heard those words. I've even spoken some out of anger before. However, they're not a part of my vocabulary. To hear so many of them that an entire prime-time television show would be bleeped out because they're so frequent, is just shocking to my system. It's a rough environment for me. I'm trying to let my light shine. I just pray that the darkness I feel around me doesn't blow my light out. Please pray for me. I feel safe in my bubble. But I know God has once again placed me where He wants me "for such a time as this."

Thankfulness

Negativity. It's everywhere around us. On the news. In the paper. On Facebook and Twitter. People being negative. People being greedy. People being unkind to others. In light of all this negativity, I've decided to make a list of things I'm thankful for.

Let me preface this by saying I've decided to focus on making a big change in my life: I'm not going to be negative anymore. I'm going to be positive and optimistic. Does that mean my life is perfect? NO! Does that mean I have it all together? NO! It only means I've decided to be thankful for what I DO have rather that be upset about the things I DON'T have. Here goes...

1. A God who loves me more than I could ever ask or imagine.

2. A husband who works almost as many hours as 2 people yet is willing to spend time with me when he gets home from work.

3. My kids who have become better people than I could have ever imagined.

4. My grandsons who are the light of my life

5. Movies

6. Springtime

7. Flowers

8. My front porch

9. The Bible 

10. The freedom to read my Bible

11. An amazing group of teachers that I get to spend 180 days working alongside.

12. A job that is more like a mission than work

13. A summer job that's being flexible enough to give us some income yet give me the time I need to go to workshops for my licensing and have weekends with my grandsons.

14. Fire pits

15. Cool shade on a hot day

16. The ability to laugh with students

17. Hearing a student say, "Thank you for encouraging me" after I spent the day cheering on kids as they ran field day relays.

18. Visits with my neighbor

19. Quiet evenings at home with my husband

20. Grace

21. Cool lotion to put on sunburned skin

22. The ability to spend the day outside and enjoy every minute of it

23. Yard work

24. God's creation

25. Forgiveness

26. Mercy

27. God's unconditional love

28. My education

29. My friends - I'm blessed with many that I don't see regularly but we can pick right up where we left off like there was no time in between

30. The ability to make a list of things I'm thankful for

This is certainly a working document. There are many other things for which I'm thankful. How often do you take time to sit and think about all the things you have for which to be thankful? Or do you get like me and wish you had more or better this or that? I resolve to stop wishing I had more or better this or that. I resolve to be truly thankful for what God allows me to have at any given moment. If He chooses to give more or better, great! If not, I will trust Him for what's best.

Garden Variety

A couple weeks ago, I was checking out our gardens to see how everything was looking. In the wildflower garden, I noticed these green stems with spiky balls on them. Certain they were a weed, I decided I would pull them that weekend.

When I went back during the weekend, they were no longer just spiky green balls. Sprinkled throughout them were pink and white spots. I thought they might be flower buds. I decided to wait and see what happened.

This week I went out to look at the gardens again. Those white and pink spots were beginning to open up into flowers! What looked like ugly weeds have opened up to be some of the most beautiful flowers in our garden.

So this got me to thinking. How often do we look at the outside of a person and assume they must not be anything worth keeping around because of how they look? Perhaps if we gave it time, we would begin to see the beauty within as it emerges. Can God use people we think look less than ideal? Can God use "ugly" things to bring us joy? I have always believed He could. Now I know for sure!

Tomorrow Might Be Too Late

It's late. God hasn't given me anything more profound than a brief thought. I've been waiting for something better. But apparently, this is what God wants someone to hear.

On Monday when I was driving my husband to work, there was a fatal car crash on the highway. We weren't rerouted because we weren't going that far down the road. But someone lost their life because someone else was in a hurry and put others at risk.

That evening, I had to turn around and go another way because there was a fatal motorcycle crash down the street from the pawn shop as I was heading to pick my husband up. Again, someone lost their life because of poor choices.

The next morning, our family was reeling with the news that a young man we've all grown to care for and love was fighting for his life. Unfortunately, he passed away Wednesday. His wasn't a matter of poor choices. He was extremely ill and trying to get home from work. His girlfriend thought she would be coming home to him. That moment never came.

So I ask you...are the lives of you or any of your loved ones worth hurrying for? Are you willing to risk someone's life because you're running late and trying to make up time? Think about how drastically your life could change if it was your loved one. There have been too many accidents lately. The roads haven't changed. People have. We're all in such a hurry. No one has time for anyone these days. It's sad, really.

Make the most of every moment you have. Tell your friends and family you love them. Don't tell me you'll do it tomorrow. What if tomorrow is too late?

If you're reading this, you matter to me. Don't let time slip by.

Trusting the Unknown

Trust. Such a small word. Such a big problem for many. A co-worker and I had this discussion today. Why is it that people, myself included, have such a hard time trusting God's plan for our lives? We try to do all the right things. We go to church, we read the Bible, we pray, we help others. But things seem to be crashing around us. Then we watch the news and wonder if God is really still there. How in the world could people be killing other people, countries starting wars with other countries, earthquakes, famines, destructive tornadoes that rip towns to shreds, etc. Is God there?

We work hard at our jobs every day, we work to take care of our families, yet we never feel like we're getting anywhere. We see other people not work because one spouse makes enough that the other stays home. We see people be able to get a new car every year or two. We see people buy all new furniture every year. And the list of things that we see that frustrate us goes on and on. We envy vacations, clothes, cars, houses, etc. And then we wonder why God seems to be giving so much to everyone else and ignoring our pleas even thought we're bending over backwards to do all the right things yet are struggling just to meet the most basic needs of our family.

We hear people say that God will provide over and above what we need right when He wants to. We hear people say it must not be in His plan. Then we wonder if God even truly has a plan for our lives.

Let me tell you right now...He does and He cares! James MacDonald says, "Nothing can be done outside of God's almighty plan. No event in human history is outside His influence even in the slightest. No world ruler can change God's program. Do not fear! God Almighty is working out His awesome plan."*

Job 38:35-38 says, {God speaking to Job} "Do you send the lightning blots on their way? Do they report to you, 'Here we are'? Who gives the ibis wisdom or gives the rooster understanding? Who has the wisdom to count the clouds? Who can tip over the water jars of the heavens when the dust becomes hard and the clods of earth stick together?" Now, I don't know about you but I can't do any of that. But I know the One who can and does!

Psalm 8:3-4 says, "When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the starts, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?" If God cared enough to spread the stars in the sky, don't you think He cares enough to take care of what you NEED? Don't worry about all those frivolous
things other people have...fancy clothes, new cars, expensive purses, jewels, etc. I have what I NEED...the love of a heavenly Father Who is going to make sure I have a roof over my head, clothes to cover myself with, a family to love and care for and food to eat.

*James MacDonald Gripped by the Greatness of God. Page 62

Appreciating Teachers

It's Teacher Appreciation Week in America. That means it's time to thank teachers who have had an influence on your life. As I sit here thinking about the teachers I've been blessed with over the years, I realize there are many who influenced my life. However, I would like to specifically thank those who showed me how to be more than just a teacher. These amazing educators showed me how to love the children placed in my care, how to show them that they matter and how to be the support they may need.

* Mrs. Dorothy Smith was my first grade teacher. No matter how bad of a day she may have been having, she had a smile on her face. She always had a kind smile and a friendly welcome for everyone who came into her classroom. I will always remember her reading, "Stand Back," Said the Elephant. "I'm Going to Sneeze" to our class. Since her retirement party (which I had the pleasure of being the waitress for), she presented me with her own copy of that book...the one she held and read many times during that year. She even signed it to me. I will be forever grateful to Mrs. Smith for showing me how to make each child feel special.

* Mrs. Eleanor Keller was my elementary music teacher. I remember her patiently singing silly little songs with us. I remember her giving me a Mrs. Beasley doll (hey, it was the 70's and I LOVED Family Affair! Don't judge!) I still have that doll. She lives on a shelf in my living room...except when my grandson asks to play with her. I will be forever grateful to Mrs. Smith for teaching me how to be patient with children and for learning what matters to each one.

*Mrs. Ruth Hunsberger was my 3rd and 4th grade teacher. I remember being in a portable classroom. We had individual desks that she would have us move into different configurations for holidays. They were in the shape of a pumpkin for October and November, a Christmas tree for December, a heart for Februar
y, a shamrock for March, an oval Easter egg for April...I remember her teaching us to write "My Heart Pants for You" in pictures for our Valentine's cards. I remember her reading Old Yeller. I never liked that book. I still don't. But I remember listening to her read it. Her husband was on the pastoral staff at my childhood church. I remember being so proud to tell kids that we went to church together and then telling people at church she was my pastor. I'll always be grateful to Mrs. Hunsberger for teaching me how to make things fun for children.

*Mrs. Margie Juroff was my 6th grade teacher. I can almost smell her lotion (or perfume or whatever she wore that smelled amazing!) I remember her long fingernails as she would brush them across my shoulder to encourage me to keep working on my math facts. I remember her patience as she came to my house during the summer to help me learn to do better in math. I remember the impatiens she had on the windowsill in the classroom. I remember her reading Caddie Woodlawn to us. She eventually became my kids' teacher also. I couldn't have asked for anything better. But something better came...she became my coworker. I am proud to say I was standing on the sidewalk as I watched her climb into a limousine on the last day of school the year she retired. I remember tears streaming down my face as I watched her be driven away from the school. I'll always be grateful to Mrs. Juroff for teaching me to encourage children to be persistent and never give up just because something is hard.

*Mr. William Smith was my middle school science teacher. I will honestly tell you that I don't remember a lot from his class. But I do remember him turning off the lights, lighting candles all over the room (back when that was ok) and reading The Telltale Heart by Edgar Allen Poe on Halloween. I remember him having a huge stuff tiger on top of the cabinet in his classroom. I remember telling him how much I liked that tiger. I remember being in Mr. Yenna's English class when he was pulled out of the classroom. When he came back in, the words that came out of his mouth devastated me. "Mr. Stewart collapsed and died this morning while getting ready to come to school." I cried buckets of tears that day. On the last day of school, the sub that had been hired to finish out the school year in his place was packing up the things in his classroom. When she pulled the tiger off the cabinet, she found a not attached to the bottom of it that said, "Give to Brenda Hatfield [my maiden name] on the last day of school." I am still the proud owner of that Tiger. I will always be grateful to Mr. Stewart for teaching me a love of Edgar Allen Poe and for teaching me how to pay attention to things that make children happy.

*Mrs. Marcia McBride was my middle school choir teacher. She taught me that there is more to music than just listening to the radio. She taught me a genuine love for singing. She taught me that so many different styles of music can be loved and appreciated by the same person. She was also my kids' choir director. I was proudly there for her final concert. I will always be grateful to Mrs. McBride for teaching me that you can encourage children to explore the world around them and appreciate the beauty contained within.

*Mr LaMar Holaway was my high school choir teacher. He continued teaching the love of music that Mrs. McBride started. I remember traveling to Indianapolis for State Choir Competition the year before I was even in high school. I got to turn the music pages for the accompanist. I became known as the "State Champion Page-Turner" for several years after that. I remember traveling to Florida with the band and choir my senior year and how he and my parents got their first ever senior citizen discount on that trip. He was my kids' choir director as well. I will never forget him walking in the door for my son's graduation open house. I will always be grateful to Mr. Holaway for sharing his love of music and giving me the desire to go to Fort Wayne Bible College to major in Music Education.

*I've had many incredible college professors, staff and faculty through the years as well. Dr. Jay Platte, Mr. Dana Collins, Dr. Roger Ringenberg, Dr. Doug Barcalow, Dr. John Schutt, Dr. Alice Joy Weddle, Carolyn Arthur, Joyce Laurent, Dr. Susan Karrer, Dr. Rebecca Wilson, and many others.

Thank you to each and every one of these amazing people! Thank you for teaching me to love children, let them know they matter and showing them I'm always there to be a listening ear. May I be half as great as you taught me to be. I truly love you all.

Listening to His Voice

I heard God speak today. I'm not saying I felt a prompting from God. I'm not saying He moved my hand to do something. I'm saying I looked in the rear view mirror to see who was talking to me. I only saw my Dad sitting there. But I know it wasn't his voice. I know beyond a shadow of doubt it was God's voice.

His sign was much like this

We were on our next to the last stop of the day. We had been shopping at many different stores. I was tired. I was ready to get home. I was done shopping. As we pulled out of the Walmart parking lot, I saw him. A scraggly man with white hair and a beard. He was wearing faded camouflage pants and a dingy white sweatshirt. His face was long and drawn. His eyes seemed tired and empty. In his hands he held a beat-up cardboard sign with the words "Homeless and hungry. Please help."

I did the "normal" human thing. I let all the reasons why I couldn't help swim through my mind. I didn't have cash and wouldn't give him cash anyway. Someone else will help him. All the food I have in the trunk of the car is earmarked for meals. My family needs that food. Then I heard the most beautiful voice say, "There's a McDonald's right there on your left." I thought to myself, "No, I've already gone past the drive to get in there. Someone else will help him."

Then I heard the voice again. "You can turn at the next light and go in the back way." The words sounded like a suggestion. But the tone of the voice was most definitely a command. The words said, "You can." The tone said, "You WILL!" So, I turned at the next light and went into McDonald's the back way. I got in the drive thru line. I ordered a meal complete with fries and a drink. I headed back to Walmart.

There he was, sitting on the ground where he had been standing. He looked tired. He looked forgotten by society. He looked sad. I parked in a close-by parking spot and walked over to him. The joy in his eyes when I reached the bag of food and the cup of soda out to him will be forever etched in my memory. He said, "God bless you! God bless you! God bless you!"

Then the words, "Can I pray with you before I go?" came pouring out of my mouth. Those who know me well know how out of character that was for me. I don't pray out loud with people I know (besides my family) let alone complete strangers. But I know God spoke those words through me. It wasn't me. It wasn't my thoughts. But it's what God wanted. He gratefully agreed to allow me to pray with him.

I asked if he minded telling me his name. He introduced himself as Danny. Then, right there in the grassy area by the traffic light outside Walmart, I knelt beside Danny and prayed for him. I prayed that God would bless him in ways neither of us could ever imagine. I prayed that he would feel God's love in profound ways. I prayed that he would be protected and guarded. I prayed that he would feel blessed. And then we wished each other well.

As I got back in the car and headed down the road, the last words I heard from the backseat (besides my dad), were, "Thank you for doing as I asked." May I never be hesitant to follow God's leading.

"The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'" Matthew 25:40

**Author's note: I usually blog on Thursdays. I didn't have anything to blog about. Nothing came to mind. God kept telling me He'd have something for me when He was ready. As I got down the road today, God said, "There's what you're supposed to blog about this week."

Random Thoughts

Sometimes we just have random thoughts that pop into our heads. I like to make lists of my random thoughts. Ok, to be honest, I like making lists of lots of things. Lists make me happy. Lists keep me organized. Lists make my OCD brain feel like there's some order in this crazy world. So today, I simply share a list of random thoughts from this past week.

1. I'm much happier on a sunny day than I am on a rainy day.
2. Just seeing the chairs on the porch makes me feel good.
3. I know I'd feel even better if it was warm enough to sit on said chairs.
4. I have lots of books on my Kindle and need to get reading.
5. Hearing the laughter of my grandchild brings joy to my heart at a level I never thought possible.
6. I can't fix problems for even those closest to me. But I'm realizing that praying for them is working toward a fix.
7. We use the word "awesome" far too often. I'm working to learn to only use it when talking about God and what He does.
8. We test kids way too much! And the most important tests we give them are made by people completely out of touch with what we see in the classroom every day. 
9. Laying in bed with my husband and watching TV at 8:47 can be so relaxing.
10. God gave me 2 of the most amazing blessings when he gave me my 2 kids. They're pretty swell human beings.
11. My brain is pretty random. I could keep going and going with this list of randomness.

Enjoy the rest of your week!

In the Palm of His Hand

You get a bonus blog post today! I'm sure you're excited. haha Yes, I realize I'm probably the only one who actually reads this blog...besides my husband. But he's sort of obligated to. But I had a thought to share and it was too long for a status. I hope the right people read this.

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I'm reading Gripped by the Greatness of God written by James MacDonald. I usually don't enjoy non-fiction unless it's about Titanic history, the Royal Family or education. However, I love digging into this book. I'm learning so much about my God and Savior through the eyes of Isaiah. What I read today really got me to thinking.

Isaiah 40:12 says, "Who has measure the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?" Mr. MacDonald writes, "Cup your hand. Look at that little place down there in the middle. Think about all of the water in all the world - God measured the oceans from the hollow of His hand. To be a little more exact, that's 912,500 cubic miles of water. That's a mile by a mile by a mile, 912,500 times. And God's like, 'Got it right here in My palm.'"*

Whoa!! That's a pretty incredible thought. I mean, I've tried to use the palm of my hand to get enough water to rinse my mouth out when brushing my teeth and didn't have a cup handy. I can only fit a tablespoon or so in there. Yet God can hold 912,500 cubic miles worth of water in the palm of His hand. And I have a feeling there's room to hold a sandwich in there with it. (Sorry, just had to throw that in there! I know there isn't Biblical evidence that God even eats sandwiches)

So, if He can hold all that water in that little cup formed when He holds His hand out, what makes me think He can't hold me? How often do we cry out, "God, help me!"? How about we change those pleas to, "God, hold me!" Do you believe He is able to hold you? I believe it. I trust it. And I'm going to count on it. God, You can hold every drop of water in every ocean, lake, river, pond and stream. I know You can - and do - hold me. Thank you!

Friend, if you're struggling and feeling like God dropped you out of His hand, believe me...you're still sitting right there! He won't let go. Rest in His hand. Feel the warmth of His palm. Trust in Him to hold you through. No matter what you're going through, it didn't take Him by surprise. And He never let go of you! Don't let go of Him!

*MacDonald, James (2005). Gripped by the Greatness of God. Pg. 46 Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers

Tales from the Porch

My favorite part of our house very well might not be inside the house. It has a floor, it has a ceiling with a roof over it. It has a light. However, it's missing walls. My favorite part of our house just very well may be our front porch. Yesterday was the day I "opened" our front porch for the season. Opening our porch involves taking the tarp off the furniture, putting the glider and chairs where they belong, putting the little end tables out, putting the cushions on the glider and hanging up the wind chimes.

So, what could possibly make a front porch be my favorite part of my house? It's where I can bond with my family. There's no TV to distract attention. There's no computer to occupy your time. You sit and listen to the wind chimes, watch neighbors walk or ride bikes by, see traffic pass by (which doesn't usually involve many cars in our little neck of the woods) and chat with whoever you have the pleasure of sitting with. My husband and I spend a lot of time on our front porch together. We take pictures of things we see from the porch, we talk about things we'd like to plant in the garden, we talk about how our day was, what we'd like to do with the yard, and many other topics. Sometimes we just sit and watch the neighborhood activity. A young boy walks by on his way to the park, bouncing a basketball; a couple girls riding their bikes; young couples walking their dog; older couples walking hand-in-hand. It's a great place to be.

Then I think about how the importance of a front porch has changed. There once was a time when people almost expected to have a front porch. Neighbors would walk from one house to the next, sit on the porch with a glass of tea or lemonade (provided by the owner of the porch) and just visit. Porch to porch. Sipping tea. Connecting with neighbors. When we drive places, my husband notices barns and landscaping. I notice front porches. I comment about ones that are too small. If you can't fit three or more chairs on the porch, how much connecting can happen? I drool over large wrap-around porches. I see how other people set their porches up, how they have them decorated. I get ideas for what I can do with ours.

Author Philip Gulley talks about front porches in his fiction books. He talks about people connecting with their neighbors on front porches. Connecting is important. Loving your neighbors is important. Listening to what's important in the lives of your friends and loved ones is important. These things are so important that God created front porches. OK, I know that God didn't "create" front porches. But I like to think that his Upper Room was more like a front porch. A place for connection. A place for loving His followers. Who will you invite to your "front porch" this spring/summer? If you don't have a front porch, stick a couple chairs outside your front door. Sit and watch your neighborhood activity. I'll bet someone will stop by to chat. You won't regret it. Love. Connect. Chat. Visit. Listen.

Embracing Differences

Today I watched the movie "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas." I've been wanting to see it for quite some time. It's about a young boy whose father is a soldier in Poland when their family is transferred to Berlin. From his bedroom window, young Bruno can see a "farm" in the distance. He sees children playing outside and wants to go play with them. His father tells his mother that the "farm" is a Nazi concentration camp and Bruno is told he can not go near there. However, he sneaks his way through the woods and fields to go near the "farm" to make friends. He meets a child his age named Shmuel. They quickly become friends through the electric barbed wire fence. Bruno visits his friend every day. He wonders why Shmuel wears "striped pajamas" but doesn't see Shmuel as being any different than he is. They hatch a plan whereby Shmuel will get a pair of "striped pajamas" for Bruno and he will dig a hole under the fence to come in and help Shmuel find his father. The boys are in the hut (men's barracks) when soldiers come in and herd them all to a small building where they are all told to undress. One of the men thinks they're being given a shower. In all actuality, they're all being put into a gas chamber. By the time Bruno's parents realize he is gone and trace where he has run off to, he has been killed along with many Jewish men and boys.

So, this movie got me to thinking of something that has become a huge problem in our society today. Too many people think that people who are a different race, religion, gender, nationality or sexual preference than they are must be wrong or even evil. What I'm about to tell you may make you think less of me. It may even make you decide you can't be friends with me. That's certainly your decision to make. But I hope none of my friends are that shallow. Here's what I have to say:
I don't care what race, religion, gender, nationality or sexual preference you are. You were created by the same God I was. That doesn't mean I have to agree with you. Good heavens! I don't agree with every Caucasian, Christian, straight woman born in America either. You still deserve my respect. I have friends who are Catholic, Christian, Muslim, Jewish, white, black, Mexican, straight, gay, and everything in between. Why in the world can't we all be like Bruno? Why can't we want to be friends with someone just because they're human and need someone to care? Why must they be exactly the same as us?

Matthew 22:29 says "And the second is like it" 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" By the way, these words are in red in my Bible. That means Jesus Himself commanded us to love our neighbors.

You say, "Well, the people who live by me are all just like me." Let me clear up who your neighbors really are. Luke 10:30-37 says this: In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled,  came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' 36 "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" 37 The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

So I ask you...will you "Go and do likewise"? Don't concern yourself with their race, religion or sexual preference. Worry about whether you showed the love of Jesus to them!

God Sits

In less than 2 months time, we needed 3 new tires. And God sat.

While driving our daughter to work last week, the alternator on my husband's 1995 Chevy Astro Van went out. And God sat. 

Our son-in-law-to-be has been searching for a full-time job. And God sat.

My husband and son have battled depression recently. And God sat.

Lots of snow days over the winter have meant smaller paychecks for me. And God sat.

Extended family members have dealt with various health issues. And God sat.

So many other things in our lives and in our world have gone and are going on. And God sits.

This week, I started reading the book "Gripped by the Greatness of God" by James MacDonald. It's by far the deepest book I've ever read. It's so deep I can only get through a few pages a day before my brain feels like it's going to explode. I'm not even halfway through the first chapter and I've learned so many profound things. Perhaps the most profound is this: God sits!

When I think of leaders, I typically think of people pacing the floor, demanding action, walking, traveling, shouting, showing frustration, delegating, etc. I don't think of a leader as someone who just sits in their chair. However, Isaiah 6:1 says that Isaiah saw the Lord SITTING in His throne. This got me to thinking (as it did the author of the book) about why and how God could just sit there. If being in charge of a city, county, country, or business means you can't just sit, how could the One in charge of the entire universe not be up out of His seat? 

The answer is simple: He doesn't have to get up! He knows He is in control. He knows all He has to do is move a finger, whisper a word, nod His head...and whatever He wants to be done will happen. So, are our problems and struggles insignificant to Him? Absolutely not! He just doesn't get out of His chair because He doesn't need to. With a flick of His mighty finger, He can take care of everything. Remember, there's more power in God's little finger than in all the strong men of the world put together. 

So, rest in Him. Know He is in complete control and will take care of everything. Will it fit into our time frame? Not necessarily. But it will be taken care of right when it needs to be. 

Just for the record, our three tires happened. We're waiting on the alternator. We've seen miracles happen in family members. God saw us through the winter and now paychecks are improving - plus our insurance premium actually went down. Our son-in-law-to-be got a full-time job today. Hubby and son still battle depression but I know God has them in the palm of His hand. 

So every morning when I wake up, I can now thank God that He is still sitting on His throne. As long as He is, what have I to fear?

#SilverLinings

You've heard the saying "Every cloud has a silver lining." But how often do we take time to look for those silver linings? I'm obviously not talking about literal silver linings on clouds. I've looked at plenty of clouds and not seen a hint of silver on them. I'm talking about the bright spots in seemingly bleak circumstances or just ordinary events. Let me share a few personal examples.

The middle of February, as my husband was driving home from work (and almost home), he heard the telltale thump, thump, thump coming from his front driver's side tire...yep, it was flat. He made it safely into the driveway. #SilverLining

We had no way to get the flat tire off and couldn't afford to get it replaced anyway. So it sat in the driveway. Almost a week later, a friend from church who has helped with some car repairs in the past "happened" to stop in the pawn shop. Drew told him about the tire and he said he would come take the flat one off. #SilverLining Then, Drew received a Facebook message from a friend saying that if we could get the flat tire off, they would pick it up and take it to be replaced. #SilverLining So, thanks to friends, we got the tire taken care of and Myrtle was back on the road.

About 2 weeks ago, Drew had to go to a meeting on the other side of South Bend. With his car not having a muffler anymore, he needed to take my car. He stopped by home to switch cars to make the trip. I had been having issues with one of my tires through the winter. He looked at the tire just to be sure he was good to go. Nope! The steel tread was showing through on it. I needed to carefully drive it to Walmart to get a new tire. He ended up taking his car to South Bend. I took my car to get the tire. I made it there, got the tire and was safely back on the road. #SilverLining

Later that night, I was settling in to bed since I knew he would be home late from his meeting. I had turned off the lights, pulled up the covers and was ending my day with prayer when my cell phone rang. It was my husband. He had another flat tire and was stuck in a church parking lot a couple miles from home. I went and picked him up since we had no way to get the car home. Again, we were left with no way to remove the tire or get a new one. A couple days later, a friend helped us get a used tire for it and one of Drew's customers willingly drove over to take the flat one off and put the new one on. #SilverLiningPart1 The real blessing here was partially the fact that it happened so close to home but that it happened then when I was able to pick him up. Had he not had to drive his car to South Bend, it would have happened the next day on his way to work when I wasn't able to pick him up and he would have truly been stranded. #SilverLiningPart2

Both cars are now back on the road and things are going well...right? That's what we thought. But we were what I like to call WRONG! On Wednesday, Drew was taking our daughter to work. As he was driving, the alternator went out. He was able to get the van safely back home. But we're now back to one car again. As I was driving him to work this morning, we were going down a fairly busy road with no space to pull off on the side. He said, "It's a good thing that happened yesterday on my day off. If it had been today, I would have been right about here when I broke down." #SilverLining

So, God prompted me with something. As dark as things may seem right now, there's always a #SilverLining in there somewhere. So, I'm going to start focusing on those. You might see this hashtag show up on lots of things from me. It's time we stop focusing on the negative and start focusing on the positive.

#SilverLining

Introvert or Extrovert?

People who don't know me well think I'm an extrovert. People who know me very well, know that I am an introvert with an invisible 10 foot tall wall built around me. (If you know this about me, then you're one of the ones who has been given a ticket into the gate.) I don't talk to people just because they're there. I'm horrible at small talk. I only talk to people I know extremely well, am very comfortable with or to whom I actually have something to talk about. Today would have been shocking to those few that know me well. I talked to two complete strangers. I even exchanged names with them. Here's how it went:

The Leprechaun follows the rainbow
 to find his pot of gold

While my mom got her hair done at Smart Style, my grandson and I went grocery shopping. Having our cart filled and our purchases paid for by the time her hair was done, my little buddy and I sat on a bench and waited while my mom did her grocery shopping. As we were sitting there, a sweet little lady came up and asked if she could share my bench. I welcomed her to and moved over to give her room. After talking to the precious little one in my cart for a moment, she noticed my fingernails. We talked about why they were painted this way and she just thought it was so pretty. I said that I work with kids so I could get away with having my nails tell a story. She wondered where I worked. I told her I work at Jimtown Intermediate School. She became very excited. She went on to tell me that she spent nearly 30 years working at Jimtown Junior High School in the study hall room. Her name is Annie Ferrell (I'm not sure if I'm spelling her last name right or not). She retired from Jimtown in 1993 when her husband was diagnosed with lung cancer. She has 5 great grandchildren, with the youngest being a 3 month old in Florida. She even showed me the Easter card she's sending the newest addition to the family. She lives in a nearby retirement home. When my parents finished shopping, it was time for me to go. As I got up from the bench, she asked me to greet my principal (who she knows well) and reached out to give me a hug. It was an amazing 20 minutes of getting to know Annie. I know she won't read this, but thank you, Annie, for being such a precious lady.

They go with everything!

We then went to Meijer in Dunlap. I think this might have been the first time in a year or more since I had been in that store. But I'll forever remember my visit today. At least, I sure hope I do! While waiting for my mom to come into the store, I was standing just inside the door. That's where I met Jackie R. She's a greeter there and noticed my shoes. I told her about Toms and how they send a pair to someone in a third world country for every pair that's purchased. She then saw my Bethel College shirt and asked if I had graduated from there. She said that a gentleman from her church went to Bethel also. She told me his name but I didn't know him. But we talked about the world's need for Jesus and how it's our job as followers of Christ to share His love and to show Him through the way we live our lives. Oh, by the way...I told Jackie my name also. Before I went to begin my shopping, we hugged each other and pledged to pray for one another.

While I realize my chances of ever seeing either of these women again are slim to none, I was truly blessed for the brief moments I spent with them today. Does this make me an extrovert all of a sudden? No. But perhaps the 10 foot wall has broken down a bit.