CAREFUL WHAT YOU PRAY FOR

I prayed for a new house---God gave me a home and all the problems that come with a 95 year old house.

I prayed because I was lonesome--God sent me a dog that requires walking three times a day---rain, shine, sleet or snow.

I prayed for safe travels--God effectively grounded me trying to get home--I was safe in the gate area--going no where.

I prayed for my friend's healing--God took her to Heaven and now she is whole, free from pain, and perfect.

I prayed to be more like Jesus--God opened my eyes to those suffering all around me.

God desires our prayers---for us to tell him what is on our hearts.  This does not mean He will answer in the manner we deem best.  Somehow we have changed God to fit our image--instead of striving to become more like who He is.  I was reminded yesterday while reading THIS---Jesus did not heal everyone--and those He did heal--raise from the dead---they all eventually died.  How did we begin to see God as the great benefactor of health and wealth--if we would only ask Him?  When did we decide our ideas, wants, desires were better than God's plan?  Who have we tried to turn God in to?  Why would we think God wants us to be rich and living free from pain--when His own Son walked a life in poverty and died a painful death?  Are we willing---to see God for Who He is---not a great Santa God in the Sky--but the Almighty--Sovereign--Eternal--Powerful God of the Universe.  Am I willing to submit to His plan for me---when that plan is NOT what I had envisioned?  Careful--careful what you pray!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

    and lean not on your own understanding;

 

in all your ways submit to him,

    and he will make your paths straight.[a]

Do not be wise in your own eyes;

    fear the Lord and shun evil.

Proverbs 3:5-7

HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW?

Recently Hero-The Wonder Dog and I were taking one of our three a day strolls when we found a neighbor bent over his flower bed pulling weeds.  My often repeated comment when I spy neighbors weeding their beds is

THAT'S A NEVER ENDING JOB 

Amazingly, not everyone appreciates my humor.  Life is filled with never ending jobs as evidenced by these monkeys.  Dusting the furniture is an excellent example, meal preparation, grocery shopping, laundry, making the bed are also jobs surrounding our homes that have to be done over and over.

As I thought of other examples, personal hygiene such as teeth brushing is way up there on the list, bathing, brushing one's hair, and never forget the one dreaded by men and women both--shaving!

Our jobs have tasks which must be repeated over and over--for accountants most tasks are repeats.  Balancing the check register, preparing payroll forms, tax return preparations---we are record keepers and records have to be systematically updated.  Teachers have to grade papers, prepare lesson plans, line students up, prepare report cards---day in - day out.  There may be a few jobs which never require repeated processes--but something tells me they are few and far in between.

A great deal of our lives are repeated processes or steps.  Personally I think that is not all bad---within limits.  I certainly do not want to be a robot on automatic pilot day after day.  That's the stuff sci-fi thrillers are made from.  Those out of the ordinary experiences and days keep life interesting.  The unexpected often leads to the biggest adventures.  

Back to pulling those weeds.  My experience in the weed department is about the time I make the complete loop of weed pulling--even in my tiny yard---it is time to begin again.  Those weeds are prolific and the weed pulling is a perpetual task.  Some have deep roots--some refuse to be pulled and come out in bits and pieces and all of them never seem to go away permanently.  The weeds show up first, go away last, and grow the easiest.   It is a necessary nuisance to keep pulling the weeds to keep your garden beautiful.  If you neglect weed control, the weeds will take over and that beautiful garden you were so proud of will become a weed infested eye sore.

As I walked by the neighbor that day and made my often repeated remark, he surprised me with a response that I have been mulling over for three weeks.

IT IS MUCH LIKE TRYING TO RID YOUR LIFE OF SIN-

This is a neighbor I do not know--but God used him to remind me of an important truth--we are all sinful.  It is a continuous process to keep sin at bay in our lives.  If we begin to neglect examining our lives and plucking out the sin-we will begin to look like the ugly weed infested garden.  When others glance upon us--they will miss the beauty of God's creation, because of the ugliness of the sin.  It is truly amazing how God teaches me---even using strangers in The Hood.

If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away,

 and let not injustice dwell in your tents.

Job 11:14

MEANWHILE HERE IN THE HOOD

THE MESSAGE ON THE

NEIGHBORHOOD EMAIL SAID

SOMEONE'S CHICKEN

IS ON MY

PORCH

ONE NEIGHBOR

HAS RESCUED

YET ANOTHER POSSUM

(I WILL REFRAIN FROM COMMENT)

AND A RESCUE OF MY OWN

THE NEIGHBOR

AND THE

TERRIFYING MAN-EATING LIZARD

IN  HER DAUGHTER'S DOLL HOUSE

(I MIGHT HAVE BEEN GUILTY OF STICKING IT IN HER FACE)

CITY GIRLS!

AND FRIDAY

WE ALL WORE

STRIPED SOCKS

IN HONOR

OF THIS AMAZING NEIGHBOR

STILL LIVING LIFE LARGE

HERE IN THE HOOD

MIDDLE CHILD WOES

Though I am not in the middle of this picture, I spent my life in the middle of the birth order of this crew.  It has had a large influence in who I am today.  I am the intermission between two great acts!   A great analogy is the cartoon sandwiched in the middle of the two main features of a Saturday afternoon matinee--in my long ago childhood.  

The leading act is brilliant--the consummate Eagle Scout--President of the Class--Valedictorian--Rhodes Scholar Finalist--Law Review--Federal Judge.  Well thought of by all who know him--I have spent my life trying to live up to the challenge of being Robbie's sister.  

  

And then there is Momma's baby.  Born with beautiful blond ringlets and a handsome smile, Noel looks a great deal like my mother's side of the family and was blessed with all the baby good looks in the family.  He could do no wrong in Momma's eyes and was not only her baby, but her favorite.  An Eagle Scout as well--he also is a computer genius and speaks the foreign tongue of techno speak.  I feel like the main character in "Dumber Than Dumb" when asking him any innocent computer question.

One might think being the only girl I would hold the trump card--NO-that would not be the case.  Being the middle child creates a whole new set of craziness to the pre-programmed set of crazy I was genetically pre-disposed to have. My crazy comes with a side of nuts!

I am NEEDY!  In fact I am beyond needy--I am addicted to affirmation.  Approval and confirmation are my crack and the stamp of approval is my upper.   I care what you think about me--I hope I please you--I want you to like me.  Come to me with your problems and I will try to fix it for you.  Tell me your needs and I will do my best to supply them.  I am the original fixer upper!

NOW--I have come to realize there is nothing wrong with me---as long as I keep my priorities straight.  Being sandwiched between two amazing brothers is a great blessing!  Being programmed to try to help others is a wonderful thing--there is much joy to be gained by being a servant.  And perhaps my desire to be loved comes from my deep love for others.  God uniquely creates us to serve His good purpose.  My personality is no surprise to Him and He will use my uniqueness to bless me while furthering His Kingdom.  The challenge becomes not worrying about what others think, but instead being concerned with His pleasure.  My personality was created by factors and traits He placed in my life.  My hurdle becomes to not compare myself to anyone else--but instead to be the best Me possible.  That Me--will only come when I am living His plan and in His will.  As long as He loves me---the rest will be taken care of itself.

When a man's ways please the Lord,

 he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Proverbs 16:7

WHY CHEAT?

I love to watch professional women's tennis--though I must admit the past few years my watching dwindled to almost none.  Imagine my shock when I ran across a headline recently concerning the American trained Russian Maria Sharapova returning to the court after being exiled to the sidelines for cheating.  I admit I am prejudice--she has never been my favorite--by a long shot, but I also admit she has great talent.  A superb athlete and tennis technician, she was a force to be reckoned with.  She has beaten the best of the best and stood at the top of the heap for a long time.  Then she was caught cheating---WHY?  

This is the fourth year I have mentored/tutored my student through Kids Hope.  After the first two years, I began to realize the most important things I could teach her were not necessarily academic subjects.  We have spent a great deal of time the past two years talking over life lessons while playing games, reading books, and working on projects.  I realized one day in the middle of a game--she was cheating.  She would do anything to win---including cheating.  We talked a great deal about wanting good things for our friends---there was no harm in not winning as long as you did your best---and still she was not a good loser.  In fact she would throw the cards down--grab my dominoes--turn over the game board, just about anything to prevent a loss. 

What is the difference in a world class professional athlete and a fifth grade student cheating and getting caught?  There is no difference in the act of cheating itself.  The urge to win--the need to be on top--the desire to claim the prize is so great--that we lose sight of the diminished glory which comes with cheating.  A win by cheating is really a shallow victory at best.

The huge difference in the two cheating is my student was always remorseful--apologetic.  She knows---her heart tells her--and at times when she realizes what she is doing she stops and corrects herself.  NOW---we are not scoring 100% on the never cheating, but it is getting better.  Mario Sharapova conversely has shown no remorse--no apology--no regret.  It is business as usual with a point to prove.  She seems to be thumping her nose at the world and her professional peers.  NOW---I do not know her motive--perhaps in her heart she is embarrassed.  All we have to go on is her overt actions and those lead us to believe she is only sorry she got caught.  

When we sin, we are to confess our sin,  repent of that sin, and turn from it.  Most of us have no problem confessing it, and even repenting is doable, but the turning from it when in the eyes of the world we will lose status---that is heavy.  We forget God's laws are for our good--not a random set of rules to make life difficult.  We knowingly and defiantly ignore or out right break those laws for a good life.  And then we wonder why life is hard--why things don't go our way--why we seem to have made enemies?  Why cheat--when the cost is so high?  The glory of the gold medal glares in our eyes and blocks the view of what is truly important the eternal prize.  Why cheat--because we think we are losing and lose sight that there is no greater prize than the mantle of integrity. A prize for all eternity.

3 The integrity of the upright guides them,

 but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.

Proverbs 11:3

STRUGGLING TO GET HOME

This is SUCH a First World Problem--BUT makes a good lesson.  The grind and shuffle of airline travel today would deter the most enthusiastic traveler.  No matter what the length of the flight, you need to set aside an entire day to fly anywhere.  I am not complaining--I am stating the facts.  I consider myself blessed to have the means, good health, and traveling partners that make it possible to travel and appreciate the additional safety precautions in place.

Getting to The Bahamas went off without a hitch.  WELL --there was one hitch--I had to drive to Ruston and fly with my friends since the price of flying out of a major hub--DFW was much higher than flying from Monroe, LA.  I KNOW---many of you have never heard of this small southern city.  That was certainly doable and as an added bonus I got to see a brother and a niece and a few friends.  

I opted to fly home a day earlier than the others since I had volunteering duties scheduled.  Have you ever heard the old phrase, "No good turn goes unpunished"?  I began to feel like living proof before I got home!

The sweet friends dropped me at the airport the two hours before take off required for international flights and headed to lunch and a movie.  We had a day of rain forecast--seemed like an ideal time to be going home and to view a movie. 

Going through security I was informed I had "WON The LOTTERY" and the prize is a more thorough screening.  Whoopee!!  She took everything out of my carry on bag--tested it all for explosive residue---tested my hands--tested the bottom of my feet and patted me in places I have not been patted in quite some time!!!  I must fit the profile of little old lady terrorist (in fairness I can be a terror at times).

Once I get through the golden doors---it is not raining--why it seems to be foggy!   WHO KNEW they can get fogged in--in The Bahamas???  The airport activity was closed.  We sat and listened to announcements as our plane arrived and circled waiting for a clearing and finally flew back to Fort Lauderdale.  The airplane is once again cleared to  come back to only have to make the same circles waiting for a break.  By now I am realizing there is no way to meet my connection and I change my flight to the last available connection to Monroe.  As time moves on, I began to become concerned about making that connection.  Knowing I have a place to stay, it begins to become apparent it would be best to try again tomorrow.  WAIT--the plane finally lands and they put all of us on hold.  After more than an hour--they announce the crew needs a time out---I am needing medication at this point!  A very kind Delta Gate person has gotten my bag for me--so I am good to go.  NO--we must all wait for the "HIGHER UP'S" in Delta to formally cancel the flight.  Let's see now--we have no crew--but they might not cancel the flight.  Finally we are all told to walk around to the front of the terminal where we checked in for them to arrange tomorrow's flight.  I MIGHT have been guilty of sprinting around old men, women with children, and all those needing additional assistance to be at the front of the line.  You see, The Good Buddies, (Bless Their Hearts) are outside waiting on me.

The good thing is I had another delicious fresh seafood dinner and enjoyed the good company of the traveling buddies!

The next day--we head to the airport for Try #2.  SURELY, I am due No Problems!  It is a beautiful day--sun is shining---what could possibly go wrong.  I hold Murphy and his silly law responsible for the computers all being down.  DELTA AIRLINES---and the computer is down for over an hour.  Finally they begin writing boarding passes and tagging luggage by hand.  That inspires  confidence in you getting your bag in this lifetime.  We all --thankfully get a pass in security and no pat downs.  It is a LONG time before everyone gets their hand written passes and OH--the plane is late---NATURALLY!  We finally get a plane at the gate--AND OH YES--the computer is back up and they are going to print all the boarding passes.  EVERYONE at this point is in agreement--just get us to Atlanta and we will take our chances with the boarding passes and luggage.  NO DEAL!  SO we finally take off a few hours late---and for certain we are missing our connection.  We get to Atlanta and find out there is only one seat on the last plane to Monroe WHERE OUR LUGGAGE IS HEADED.  The other three fly to Shreveport--an hour west of Ruston and I fly to Monroe--30 minutes east of Ruston.  This entails two of their husbands coming to pick us up.  BLESS THEM!  All the luggage is on the plane--a miracle--and four bags, my carry on, and Don head to Ruston.  I get to my friend's house after 10 PM---after a VERY LONG DAY and what felt like a two day struggle to get home.  Early the next day, I am headed to Fort Worth and volunteering.  

Moral of the story--it can be a struggle getting home--but there is still no place like home--and it did not stop me from wanting to go again.  Life can be a struggle at times---but as I told my daughter, "It is difficult to complain when I just spent a week on the beach."  When life is a struggle--keep those glorious moments of great blessings in mind.  The struggle will pass and the blessing last!

 “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”

Romans 8:18

FICKLE LOVER

Normally I title posts which concern Hero The Wonder Dog, "Lessons from Hero".  Today I KNEW I would grab your attention with FICKLE LOVER!  

Hero has the life--a dog's life--everything one could desire.  I anticipate his every need and want--

   Three walks a day with ample time to sniff each and every blade of grass along the way

   A bowl full of the best dog food--laced with joint supplement

   A trip to the Doggy Spa once a month to have a bath, his nails done, his ears cleaned and a good rub down

   He sleeps in my bed--on my chair--by my side--whenever I am home

   Protection from things which might harm him--even when he is not so smart and goes after a MUCH larger dog--I snatch him up

   Dog treats galore

   A daily brushing

You get the drift--I have made Hero's life good----VERY GOOD

AND THEN---the FICKLE LITTLE SPOILED DOG---shows his appreciation by being enticed away by the first beautiful blond who paid attention to him-he dropped me like a hot potato.

ACTUALLY---I had a great friend and her mother come see me.  We put Mom in my bed and we slept on the daybed/trundle.  I went to brush my teeth and the little weasel jumped in the bed with my beautiful friend and proceeded to spend the night by her side.  I NEVER!!!  If you can't trust your dog---who can you trust???

HMMM--reminds me of our relationship with God.  We love Him---and He showers blessings upon us---but let The World send a little enticement our way and we are off on a dog chase.  Forgetting our First Love---rejecting Real Love--all in a quest for what we think will be better.  All to find out--after our foray to the Dark Side---HE is The Real Thing--The Faithful One.  Though we turn from Him--He never deserts us--never rejects us--is constantly and persistently by our side.  WE are the fickle ones!

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; 

 his mercies never come to an end;

 they are new  every morning;

great is your faithfulness

Lamentations 3:23-24