A FRESH COAT OF PAINT

I am painting all of the interior of my little cottage.  Painting has to be done right---or you will have a mess when you finish.  This requires cleaning off the dirt--filling in the cracks---smoothing out the roughness before ever dipping the brush into the can.  You do not start rolling on the paint without cutting in the edges and corners first.  Then it is time to roll on that coat in the middle.  There are times you have to put a coat of primer on first--thankfully paint is now made with primer included which helps cut out a step.  Depending upon the surface you are painting, you may need to put on two coats sometimes three, but at a minimum you have to go back and touch up where you may have missed.  It all has to be done using the correct procedures or it will look worse than before you began the process.

I have known certain unnamed early teenagers who would roll deodorant over a sweaty and dirty body.  All for the sake of not incurring their mother's wrath -- which they incurred anyway since she was NOT a dummy! Sweaty - dirty body coated with scented deodorant does NOT mask the dirt underneath.  There is no substitute for cleanliness.  To give the impression you are clean--you must bath--WITH soap and water--then perhaps roll on the deodorant.

We women love to put on our makeup.  I have an entire bag of goodies used to convince others that I look better than I do - sans makeup.  Makeup is fine and good, but unless you drink enough water, eat a balanced diet, exercise, and generally take care of yourself---what is under that make up is NOT so pretty.  You need to start with a good base before applying the war paint.

This reminds me of our walks as Believers.  Pharisees are known for standing on the street corner and proclaiming their beliefs.  The truth is---our actions--are the image that others observe--ALL of our actions.  For me to sit here  and proclaim my love and reverence for The Father--gives little indication of who I truly am.  My life is the base layer that all are observing---and it is the truth about my love for The Father.  There is no way to mask the truth of whom I am by applying a fresh coat of ink on the page. I need to follow the steps ---looking to Him---living as He has instructed   The first step is preparing my mind, heart, and soul for layer upon layer of His love to be applied--then and only then His reflection will shine through as others gaze my way.

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Romans 12:2

WEEP NOT

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I first heard this quite a few years ago while watching "The Gaithers".  It speaks to my heart in such a profound way.  I have a copy of it tucked away and occasionally pull it out and read it to be reminded of how wonderful that day will be when He comes to take me Home.

ANOTHER WEEK IN THE HOOD

Another week of home ownership and another week of painting and #1 son Scott coming for some carpentry projects.  Making progress---BUT NOT there yet!

Meanwhile--a VERY short walk from the cottage is this playground.  Grands LOVE coming to see Lulu---fun and games--and plenty to do.  The big building in the background is a hospital.  I am a couple of blocks from the "Hospital District"  HUGE hospitals very close--may need a ward for the crazies before I finish this painting job.

I seem to struggle with color choices--have an entire library of those little sample containers.  I finally settled on a "Summer Picnic" theme.  Colors are "Summer Tan", "Sunbaked", "Vanilla Bean", and "Molasses".  There seems to be a pattern in my preferences.  With all these earth tones--somehow I got it in my head I was going to paint  ONE room blue---got over that!  With a small cottage---not brave enough to paint every room varying colors.

And here we have the "vanilla bean" kitchen.  It took FOUR--count them four coats to cover the DARK blue walls.  If you need ANY help with a painting project--NOW is not the time to ask!  WHERE is my painting crew?

Stamped in the front walk is the contractors name and date--1922.  I need to look at my title opinion again and see if the house was already built when the sidewalks were put in.  I BELIEVE this qualifies the cottage as antique--ALONG with its owner!

I thought I was moving away from all the questionable behavior--but a little tidbit was shared by a neighbor this week.  It seems the man who lives across the street enjoys adult beverages---do not have a problem with that--BUT he also tends to walk out on the front porch to answer nature's call when he has over-indulged.  After thinking this over---I believe I will buy an air horn and give it a blast when I spot this questionable activity.  Perhaps like "Pablo's Dog" he can be retrained!

PERFECT MOMENTS

Our lives are filled with "perfect moments"---

Beautiful Sunrises-

Peaceful Sunsets-

Walks Through Fall Leaves

Strolls Down A Forest Path

Fields of Summer Wildflowers

The Glory of the Mountain Top

The Serenity of a Beautiful Lake

All Creations Of The King




Then There Are Those Moments


Making Memories With Sweet Friends

Holidays With Family

Sweet Baby Smiles

The Laughter of Friends

Miles and Miles Run For The Joy Of It

Sweet---Sweet Hugs

When life is difficult and surely it will be---grab on and remember 

ALL those Perfect Moments He richly blesses us with-
ALL because of His GREAT love for each of us.

"He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake."

Psalm 23:3-4

FOUR BOXES AT A TIME

My career as a mover began in 2001 when #1 Daughter moved to Waco to attend Baylor.  Fortunately I was able to begin relatively small with two cars jam packed to move into a dorm.  Everything had to be moved home that summer.  The next year she began living in houses with other coeds---moving each year with a growing accumulation with each new year.  The year after graduation found her living in a small home with a friend away from the campus while teaching.  The next year--she was married and while she and new hubby honeymooned, we unpacked all the wedding gifts and made their little nest in the same house--now filled with his and her stuff.


View Driving Directions in a larger map
 
NOT the way I drove, but you get the general idea.

  The next year began my REAL initiation into moving--everything was packed and put in a U Haul.  I drove the packed car and she and hubby drove the U Haul pulling their other car ALL THE WAY to Erie, PA.  At this point I got a four year break--with only trips north to decorate nurseries and subsequent playrooms.  After four years, packing AGAIN--this time FIL & hubby drove the U Haul and vehicle and MIL & I flew with daughter and TWO babies to new home back in TX.  Unpacking and moving them into a small home near TCU--six months later---they buy a house.  Daughter takes a trip to visit friends and I pack and unpack them ONCE AGAIN while she is gone.  Happy to say they have stayed put for now.


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I sorted through, discarded, divided, and packed 30 years of accumulation in MY OWN first move over three years ago now----I moved every box myself to the cute little home in the French Quarter and a group of men from my church moved all the furniture.  This time since I only had a short distance to drive--I moved four boxes at a time.  Packed them--moved them--unloaded them--REPEAT--until everything was cleaned out. 

Wire Road House

  Sold that house and I then packed AGAIN and moved 300 miles to Fort Worth to an apartment.  This requires EVERYTHING to be packed and moved across country--U Haul, truck, and my vehicle were packed to the bursting point.  I will forever be grateful to my fireman and his dad for their help.  Moving again now---HOPEFULLY my last move!  I am once again moving four boxes at a time since I am only moving a short distance.  As I go each day to paint, I load four boxes and take them with me---unload them--put it away and REPEAT the next day.  My preferred method of moving a little bit at a time.

Esplanade House

Newest Destination

Perhaps we could handle the obstacles we incur in life in a similar manner.  Instead of being over-whelmed by the enormity of a struggle--sin habit--illness--grief--any HUGE seemingly insurmountable roadblock, we break it down into small pieces.  Don't try to conquer all the sin in your life that keeps you from enjoying Him---take one at a time---with His help win the battle and then move on to the next.  Illness has you struggling and overwhelmed--break it down to the specifics of each ailment or pain---begin the healing process--with that which can be overcome easiest and then move on.  Concentrate on today's compliant/pain/problem and focus on what can be done about it.  Pain and struggle which comes from grief-heartbreak-disappointment---take it one day at a time---or better yet---one moment at a time.  Get through the moment before you in the best manner possible and then move on to the next.  My book title says it so well---Do the next right thing--and then move forward.

I leave you with this---when possible---in life's struggles--take four boxes at time.  You eventually will look up and realize--I made the move---I survived the struggle---by taking small bits and moving forward--I climbed the mountain--four boxes at a time.

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? 

Tell the Israelites to move on.

Exodus 14:15

THE DAY TO DAY

I had a sweet young friend make a comment recently that she wants to do something really big---life changing--world altering.  She wants there to be more than getting through each day--she wants more.  A noble--profound desire which perhaps most of us have shared at some point in our life.  I am thankful that she started the wheels turning and gave me pause for introspection.

How many of us will be a Billy Graham, Mother Theresa, Chris Tomlin, Beth Moore, Brennan Manning, A.W. Tozer, and the long list of those great icons of the faith?  How many of us will have notable--timeless impact on this world that we live in?  What will our legacy be---what will be said about us at the end---what will we leave behind?

Each of those named above--did not begin with the notion of doing great things--they began with a dream, a talent, saw a need---something was in front of them and they worked to address that need--on that particular day.  Their greatness started in the normality of a day of their life.  Writing begins with penning one sentence.  Sermons begin with statements of faith.  Songs are written while playing a few notes on an instrument.  Souls are saved--one at a time.   The sick and poor are helped one at a time.  It all starts by acting on the one thing, the one need, the one soul---on a particular day---with no thought of greatness or life and world changing.  The greatness--the life and world changing--that is the by-product of playing one note, giving one sermon, writing one paragraph, nursing one poor sick person--it all starts with one.  Your greatness--is in living well--each and every day.  What more beautiful legacy than to have those that are your nearest and dearest and know you well remember your living life to the fullest -- one step at a time.

Our challenge in our day to day world is to treat each and every thing God places in our path as if it will indeed have a profound effect on that person and the world.  With each need we see before us, we give ourselves in service without thought---then we are changing the world--making a difference--leaving a legacy----One Step At A Time!

"Whatever you do, do it with all your heart, as for the Lord, and not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward."

Colossians 3:23-24

IT IS SO COMPLICATED!

Today is my final word on "Singleness".  Who knew I could spend half a month
expounding upon my current social status.  It only seems right and fitting that I talk about my thoughts on future relationships to end this series.  How many times have I been told there will be someone else--God  is going to provide--you will love again.  With good intentions, my sweet friends seem to think this will be the answer to what has occurred.  It is NOT as simple as that!

Following the loss of my father when I was 14, my mother was alone for ten years---a lifetime of raising me and my brothers.  She then married Bill---sweet Bill--who was not always so sweet.  A man who was highly opinionated and sometimes difficult, I always kept my eyes upon the fact that he dearly loved my mother and took wonderful care of her.  Our blended family was not so well blended.  His children resented the fact their father remarried within a year of the sudden loss of their mother.  The step brother and sister were quite different from us---almost spoke a different language.  We had family dinners and the effort was made for a smooth transition into family--but it never happened in the ten + years before Bill left us.  If Bill had a thought-positive or negative-he blurted it out.  This caused hurt feelings and a word spoken aloud is a done deal---tough for some to forgive.  When my brothers would complain about Bill and his hard corners, I would remind them "Remember he is taking care of Momma and we are going to miss him someday when we take that job over again."  I proved correct in that statement.  Momma had been very happy with Bill and I know she never achieved that level of happiness again--further evidence of being created to be in relationship.

It is extremely complex to think of another relationship at this point in my life.  My children and grands have to be thought of--the complexity of drawing another into the circle of family.  The need to put your covenant partner in front of this precious legacy as God has ordained.  Further complication of blending this new partner's family into your circle of loved ones would give a run for the most complex organization chart ever created.  You cannot automatically expect everyone to "Like" everyone--as evidenced by my own experience.  Forcing the point could lead to estrangement due to bruised feelings.  This is NOT to say that it does not happen---I have seen examples that are marvels of love and acceptance.  Wonderful blended families who feel the same love for their steps as they do for the biological siblings.  There are  NO guarantees.  Did Momma's happiness outweigh the awkwardness created by his and her families?  ABSOLUTELY!  I only wish Bill would have lived longer so she could have continued her happiness for a few more years.  Complicated is such an inadequate word for the thought of all this.

Emotional baggage drug along into a new relationship makes my toes curl just to consider.  My trust issues---created by life's circumstances-would rear their ugly head with any innocent cue that reminded me of the past.  Is it fair to ask another to work with you as you strive to live beyond your past?  How would I feel faced with the similar task of helping to work through another's past life?  Am I a big enough person to put myself aside for the sake of another and what they have suffered?  Important questions--that I am not sure I have an answer for.  

One of my stock answers when someone tells me that I will love again is that "I don't have enough years left."  After the experience of knowing someone for a lifetime, you become keenly aware of how long it takes for a relationship to grow and mature. The superficiality of those first years--the honeymoon--pass quickly enough and then you get to the nitty gritty of maturing your relationship.  You begin to see the warts, quirks, wrinkles, idiosyncrasies that we all possess.  This is the point in time you really begin to learn how to love--selflessly--without the need to change the other--but with the acceptance by grace.  It takes a LONG time to grow a relationship into the full bloom of maturity.  It makes my heart sing to see a long term good relationship--which has endured the ravages of life and time.  Do I have enough years left to achieve that level of intimacy again? 

With all this said---among all the negatives---it is a blessing to have a life partner.  Someone to love and love me back seems to only be a dream.  Life can be lonely--surrounded as we are with others.  There is no substitute for a covenant partner who loves the Lord with all his heart.  If God has this in His plans for me, I will be bowled over, but I am seeking His will and the path He has laid out for me.  One thing I have definitely learned after eating the word every time I ever uttered it---NEVER SAY NEVER.  Who but God knows what the future holds---and with Him all complications are a gentle wave in the tide of life.  All things are possible---even the complicated! 

"37 For nothing is impossible with God."

Luke 1:37