One Word

We are approaching many special seasons -- a season of gratitude followed by the observation of the birth of the Christ Child and then we usher in a new year. Almost every year I receive calls or texts asking me what my "word" will be for the year.

Some years it is easier to answer than others. I take it very seriously to name and claim "my" word for the year. There was the year of HOPE -- I clung to that word as I went through some devastating things. As I worked through my sadness and pain that year one thing that remained steadfast was the word I was reminded to focus on: HOPE. Hope got me through as I looked to God for my peace, my strength, my hope.

For some reason that has been on my mind today. I know how powerful it is for me as I focus on my "word for the year".

That got me to thinking:what if I had a word a day?
Would it change the way I respond to things or think about what is going on around me?
Would my demeanor be different?
Would I grow closer in my faith journey?

As I'm processing all this I did a little exercise. I typed my name out before me and then I started inserting words. I decided I wanted to write out descriptive words but they all had to begin with my first letter: D.

I did that and then I sat back and stared at it for
some time.I realized I had several descriptive words that I'm not so sure are me. So why did I type them? Perhaps so that I could come to
believe those words about me.

Do I think I am desirable?
Am I a discoverer?
Am I dazzling?

Honestly I have to say I don't believe those things about myself. What I realize is that I am just one in a number of people who feel the same way about themselves..

I'm going to accept the challenge. I'm going to cling to these words. I think they will be helpful.

So while I have several words before me, I'm going to focus on one each day. ONE WORD. That's all it takes. It isn't a complicated thing.

I invite you to join me in this adventure.

Write your name in the middle of  the page and then start filling in descriptive words all around your name. It's your choice how to do it. Go with only descriptive words that the first letter of the word is the first letter of your name. Or you might want to go with any descriptive words.

Whatever you choose, join me in picking one word a day and letting your focus be on that word that day. ONE WORD. That's all it takes.

As we enter this journey I remind us all of five words that never leave my thoughts or my heart. Take these words and always hold them close to your heart. And BELIEVE them.

Beautiful, Beloved, Child of God

I would LOVE to hear from you. Please, please -- share with me your words!

Enjoying the Journey,
Debra

bebprov356.blogspot.com

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.

-- Proverbs 3:5-6 --

© -- 2016, All Rights Reserved

He Stole My Heart

His name is Bryce.

He has a smile that will win the heart of anyone who crosses his path.

His laugh is just as infectious.

I admit it. I swooned. He made me swoon.

Bryce is five months old and is the best possible reminder of what is good and right in this world.

I met Bryce in the checkout line yesterday. We were both hanging out waiting for the flurry to settle all around us. He in his stroller, me riding the electric cart the store provides. We were on the same level so it was inevitable our eyes would meet.

It was all over after that. My heart was taken. I talked to that little guy and we laughed. I was having so much fun that it was some time before I realized something: all the big people (those towering over Bryce and me in our buggies) were standing about smiling and chuckling at the antics going on. After a few minutes a lady beside us got in on the fun. She had a snowman that was all sparkly and Bryce really loved him. So then we are all giggling like little school girls and loving every minute of it.

It might have been a blip in history but it sure did make my day and the day of the other people in line. Bryce's mama even enjoyed it, thanking me for distracting him for the ten minutes it took to handle her transaction. I thanked her -- it brought great joy to my day.

Five minutes with Bryce will wipe off the sour look on most anyone's face!

I needed that innocent reminder that love abounds.
I needed that reminder of how freeing laughter can be.
I needed to be reminded of the power found in a smile.
All the people around me seemed to need those reminders as well.

Perhaps the cashier summed it up best for all of us when she said, "With all the bad things and bad news going on, I sure am grateful God reminded us of the power of love through Bryce this morning."

Yep. Don't need to add anything to that.

Enjoying the Journey,
Debra

bebprov356.blogspot.com

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.

-- Proverbs 3:5-6 --

© -- 2016, All Rights Reserved

Celebrating the Saints

Halloween was fun. I enjoyed having my next-door neighbors visit so I could see their costumes and give them treats.

But I love today and what it represents.

Today we celebrate ALL SAINTS DAY -- the day we honor those Saints who have gone on before us and joined the Church Triumphant (as we say in The United Methodist Church). Many traditions recognize this day;. It is called various things but it points to the same conclusion: God in our midst, taking His faithful home to glory for all eternity. 

As Christians we have nothing to fear. As humans it is OK for us to mourn, to weep over their absence from our lives. Ultimately though, we spend this day offering prayers of thanksgiving for the saints we remember ...

I remember my parents, LEE ROY & LOUISE GADDY, who raised me in love and taught me through their living, the importance of living a life of integrity and caring for others. My mom died six years ago; my Dad died only two months ago but both their deaths leave a hole in my heart as I miss them so yet I rejoice they are in Heaven

I remember aunts who were my "2nd mom" -- AUNT ARLEE BANKS and AUNT RUTH BECK. I smile every time I think of them and how wonderful they were. They were so different and yet so close. Aunt Ruth was always the one in charge while Aunt Arlee was the quieter one who worked steadfastly. Both loved passionately. I loved spending time with At. Ruth and learning from her. I loved our talks and things she shared with me that I keep close to my heart to this day. I loved traveling with At. Arlee. She was a breath of joy every moment.

.

I remember my dear friend, my goofy friend, my partner in crime, PATRICIA GREGORY. I miss our bantering, fighting like sisters and caring for each other just as passionately. I miss her boldness and the example she was for me. I miss our beach trips. I miss her.

I hope today you will take time throughout the day to think of those dear ones in your life who were so very special and who have since died. I pray we can all rejoice in the gift of their presence and each one meant to us. 

I can say this: God is good and I remain so very blessed by these dear ones in my life. I look forward to the day we are reunited!

Enjoying the Journey,
Debra

bebprov356.blogspot.com

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.

-- Proverbs 3:5-6 --

© -- 2016, All Rights Reserved

"That Angle, Though!!!"

I was SO HAPPY I got to go to church today! It is the first day I have been since June and how I loved, loved, loved it! I was so sick last night I didn't think I would go this morning but chalk it up to #determination #notgoingtoslowmedown

My sweet friends Jenny and Amy helped me in and out of the church. Keri (behind me) was in charge of the keys and making me laugh as I made my way back outside.

The sermon drew us in to Zacchaeus' life and invited us to remember he was the very "type" of person Jesus was most drawn to. Through God's grace his life was restored and redeemed and he was able from that day forward to see people through "grace-healed eyes".

Grace-healed eyes ...

I can't help but think of that as I look at this picture and crack up over Keri saying "That angle, though!!!" as I tried to get a good shot of us all.

Grace-healed eyes ...

It's impossible to look at others in the way Jesus wants if we are not aligned with God's grace, if we're off-center, out of focus.  To be out of angle impairs our ability to see things in a particular way -- or to look at another in a new light.

To have grace-healed eyes is to realize we, too, are Zacchaeus. For each of us needs the saving grace and redeeming work of God in us. NO ONE is above another. NO ONE. We are all beloved Children of God -- ALL OF US.

Do you recognize them? The other children of God?

I left worship with a freer spirit and perhaps even better eye-sight. It must have been for on the way home I recognized them, Children of God. The man walking down the road with a bag of groceries, the family entering the restaurant, the kids out running around in a neighbor's yard, the couple trying to reign in their two big dogs and get them in their car. All of them were so beautiful.

I have no doubt it was through grace-healed eyes I saw them and recognized each of them -- relatives of mine ... Children of God.

I'm liking this eye-sight. But by the grace of God ...

Enjoying the Journey,
Debra

bebprov356.blogspot.com

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.

-- Proverbs 3:5-6 --

© -- 2016, All Rights Reserved

BREATHE

Breathe. Just breathe.


Stop and be still..


I've always had a tough time with that.

It is far easier for me to GO, to do something, to be busy. I've had this life-long struggle of allowing myself to fall in to the trap of doing for God rather than being with God.

Are you like me? Do you pound through life never, or rarely, allowing yourself opportunities for pause?

I have various favorite devotions that I have pasted onto the empty pages in the front and back of my Bible. Words of wisdom from some of my favorite authors who guide me in my faith journey: Henry Nouwen, John Wesley, Ann Weems, Max Lucado, Barbara Brown Taylor, Cynthia Heald.

This morning Max Lucado reminded me of the importance to "pause" rather than "pound" through life. He says it this way:

"... there was one instruction in music I could never obey to my teacher's satisfaction. The REST. The zigzagged command to do NOTHING. What sense does that make? Why sit at the piano and pause when you can pound? 'Because,' my music teacher patiently explained, 'music is always sweeter after a rest." 

Max Lucado, The Applause of Heaven

Do you stop to pause in life or are you stuck like a proverbial hamster on the wheel in constant motion?

It's ok, you know. It's ok to pause and be still and be quiet. You'd be amazed at how refreshed you will be in spirit, body and soul. You will be especially blessed as you breathe in the breath of God and let Him renew you and give you what you need.

I admit it. I'm a slow learner. I want to say I am a beacon of glorious example... When others look at me they will always see a wonderful, loving, joy-filled child of God. I want to say that but I can't for it isn't true.

Accepting this truth about myself is a step ...
      .... a step closer to God and away from my stubborn independence
      ... a step closer to God's presence in my life and deeper communion with Him.

I pray you know that truth is available for you as well.

Let's not pound through this day. Shall we try a pause or two?

Enjoying the Journey,
Debra

bebprov356.blogspot.com

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.

-- Proverbs 3:5-6 --

© -- 2016, All Rights Reserved

Unsung Heroes

 I enjoyed watching @Harry Connick Jr.  with his new show on ABC yesterday as he featured NURSES in his "Unsung Heroes" show.

It's amazing the things nurses do. They see you at your worse and help you move to your best. They cheer you on. They laugh with you and give you a hug when tears escape from your eyes.

Nurses are there with you when no one else is. They take the time to be with you and get to know you even though they have so much to do. They are the ones who come in the door when you have pushed the "help" button.

So here's to the UNSUNG HEROES, NURSES!

I'm sure you have encountered a nurse or two. You might even have been cared by a nurse. Perhaps today is a good day to put a note of thanks in the mail, or go by for a visit. It isn't often, after all, that they see their patients looking healthy and feeling good!

Go on, get out there -- and say, THANK YOU

That's it. It's a short and sweet post but sometimes all it takes is two short, heart-felt words: THANK YOU

Enjoying the Journey,
Debra

bebprov356.blogspot.com

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.

-- Proverbs 3:5-6 --

© -- 2016, All Rights Reserved

Sometimes "the way it used to be" isn't so bad ...

I wonder what ever happened to "the customer is always right?" When I was a teen and in my early twenties working retail, we were always taught the importance of kindness and helping others. I learned both at home and at work the importance of reaching out to help when I saw a need.

That doesn't seem to be much of an emphasis anymore.

I realize to some I am considered older than dirt. I, however, consider 52 a spring chicken with living to do. Not convinced it is an age thing anyway -- don't we teach our children the importance of kindness to others, being respectful, opening the door for someone in need?

Silly me! I am expecting too much, I get it -- but I don't.

Get it, that is.

Had a post-surgical follow-up with my surgeon yesterday. My health requires me to be in a wheelchair to get out and about. So off we go -- my sister-in-law and me. We arrive at the surgeons office and are surprised to discover no "Handicap" entrance at the door. You know -- it's the funky little button you push that opens the door for you. No matter -- I figure one of the women sitting at the "Welcome Desk" will jump up and come hold the door so Susan can wheel me in. Nope. So here we go, looking like a Laurel and Hardy routine trying to get the door open, hold it open and wheel me through the door while people looked on... not just the women at the desk, but people sitting in the waiting rooms.

After getting in the car we both looked at each other in astonishment.

Most of the trip home was spent discussing what happened -- or did not happen -- and how it made us feel.

So I go in to this day prayerfully seeking to be alert and have an open heart because I never know when I might see someone in need. And when I do -- let me not wait to be asked or sit about engrossed in my own little world. Let me immediately respond with kindness.

That is my prayer.

I hope it will be yours as well.

Enjoying the Journey,
Debra

bebprov356.blogspot.com

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.

-- Proverbs 3:5-6 --

© -- 2016, All Rights Reserved