Power Restored -- It's Tiara Day

I have developed a great appreciation for my DVR. Upon recording shows I want to see I have discovered great power in the remote. I watch my show -- I fast-forward through every single commercial. I never knew I had such power! I feel downright royal -- I think I might wear my tiara today. 

No longer do I have to partake in mindless commercials that tell me what to buy, how to think, who to vote for and what toilet paper to buy. I have to power to cut them all off. It is exhilarating. It is freeing. Yep, it's definitely tiara day.

I feel especially empowered as I have decided we, the mindless public (at least that is how we are acting) have entered the political season where people either have lost or are in the process of losing - their minds. I am in no danger: my tiara protects me. 

I received a phone call last night and I admit it -- my mischief nature made its appearance. I can't control that thing for nothing.. It just washed over me. 

So I get this call from a friend I have not heard from in a long time. (I'm to blame as well. I have learned our phones work BOTH ways! Go figure!) 

But I digress. She is volunteering for a certain campaign. She is  VERY enthusiastic about the candidate she supports and she wants the assurance of my vote. Hm ... I tell her to want the assurance of my vote is a strong statement -- not sure I'm willing to offer that, I said. She states how long we have been friends. I agree -- I celebrate that with her. But that doesn't mean I'm going to give you the assurance of my vote, I tell her.

My attempt at humor washes over her like oil on a duck. She sees no humor in a very serious matter. She is convinced those who do not vote for "her" candidate are not Christian, nor are they saved.

WOW.

She carries on ...
She has a lot to say ...
As she is speaking my mind wonders. I look at my phone. I look at my remote. (Insert lightbulb over head!) I realize it is a VERY royal day for me -- where is that tiara? But I digress ... when she takes a breath I jump in to tell her I love her, I wish her well, and to give me a call sometime after November 8. And I end the call.

I'm on quite the power-rush this morning.

And here I sit in my gown, sipping my coffee, wearing my tiara with joy.

So Sarah has yawned and looked up from her morning nap a few times. She does not look impressed.

I have work to do on my royal court.

In the meantime, I'm loving my power. I'm loving it so much I picked up the remote and turned the TV OFF -- this is just getting ridiculous.

I think I'm having a power surge. Never mind - it was a hot flash.

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

A Break From My Normal Happy Self

There is something about computer "chat sessions" that make me want to reach out and strangle my computer. For three days I have tried to get in touch with someone at Verizon Wireless about -- well, many things -- and I'm about to throw my laptop out the window!

Due to a bad cough I continue to battle I'm choosing to stay off the phone. I sound like Kermit the Frog and when I cough I sound like I've been a pack a day smoker for about forty years -- which is not the case. So there you have it. So the option that makes sense is to "talk" with someone via a "chat session".

Yep. That was a great idea.

And my poor laptop.
It isn't my laptops fault -- but it is something tangible before me that I can take out my frustrations.
Poor laptop.


I know what this morning is.
This morning is one of those detours on the way to ...
I don't like this detour because it isn't bringing out the best in me.

Of course I realize I have a choice. I have a choice how I respond ... looks like this morning I'm going with grouchy, would like to shove my fist through my screen and choke whoever is on the other side telling me that "all customer service representatives are busy assisting other clients at this time ..." I can hear them chuckling ...

WE'VE ALL BEEN THERE
The red light turns on us and we're convinced it is staying red longer because we're late to our destination. So we blame the red light.
We burn dinner because we get distracted arguing with our spouse. Great. Burnt dinner. So we blame our spouse.
Our eyes are about to pop out of our head because the person in front of us is telling her life story to the cashier. The party started ten minutes ago. We finally get the card and pull in the driveway -- late -- and realize we left the birthday cake at the store. So we blame the lady in front of us in the line.
And on
And on
And on

And yet if we stop to think about it -- how much simpler would it be if we
      take a breath
          calm down
              realize the only one responsible for me is -- ME

Is it really necessary for me to go nuts over waiting a little longer in line? Whose fault is it I'm running late? MINE
And on
And on
And on

It is much easier to blame someone or something else rather than hold ourselves accountable for our own actions. But it is the best decision? NO

So I'm choosing to take a deep breath in and exhale my short-temper this morning. I'm choosing to take the better way -- I realize I am not the only person in the world. Go figure! Other people need help as well with Verizon Wireless on the computer "chat session" so I will patiently wait my turn.

I am reminding myself the question I always ask: is this of eternal value? My answer determines just how upset I choose to be ... Yep. Grateful for the attitude adjustment this morning.

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

Who Won?

I'm exhausted.
I couldn't sleep last night.
It tore me up.
Did you watch?

In the big picture of things when I answer the "who won" question -- wow. I honestly can't say. I think it was really close. I do!

If I had to be backed in a corner and really name names I have to go with James and Sharna. They nailed it.

They had the energy, the poise, the temperament -- they brought their "A game".

Others on stage tried but ultimately they won last night.

And what I love about last night is this is T.V. that is clean, fun, good-spirited and good entertainment. But that is not to say the competition isn't fierce. Each person is in it to win it.

I can't wait to see what happens next!

Oh and then there was a Presidential Debate after. It was good too.

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

Forget the "Like" Button

The "LIKE" button

I seem to like it very much

I like it way too much

I like to see who has "liked" me

If someone has not "liked" me -- WHY???

Seems way too much importance is placed on a little button

Not only that, but why has the "love" button not been pushed today?

GOOD GRIEF!

I'm going back to the days of actually reading articles for the enjoyment of reading the article -- rather than wasting time clicking "like" and "love" and "laughing" etc. buttons, as well as looking to see who else has "liked" it. What a waste of time!

I'm going back to the days of enjoying viewing photos and then moving on. Who cares whether I like it or don't like it or love it or ... it's ridiculous.

I'm going to enjoy posting my own pictures or articles for the simple reason of enjoying sharing them with others. Forget spending time seeing who all "likes" it.

Wow.

If those buttons are something that give others great joy then I say go for it.
If, like me, others have concluded it's a silly waste of time, then we will respectfully silently enjoy things without having to post how we feel about them.

Social Media can be great ... and then again it can fill hours of time doing absolutely nothing

I have no desire to be some internet sensation, a reality star or a Kardashian wanna-be
I shall be content with keeping it simpler
Ah ... I'm already enjoying it.

It kind of cracks me up as I'm reading my Bible this morning. I can't help but think of our ancestors in the faith -- they were no different than we: human beings who needed to love and be loved, people who needed the acceptance of others

I have to wonder what a system of "liking" and "loving" and "laughing" and "crying" over people's pictures and posts might have done to our Biblical ancestors. I think they would have been just as nuts over it all as we are today. We are, after all, a shallow people -- I am right in the midst of that grouping -- but we are. It's far better if we admit it.

I'm going to sign off for now.
I wonder if anyone will "like" what I said today?
There I go again ... !!!

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

Migraine Kind of Morning

I throw in the flag of defeat

The headache wins

I'm signing out for the day

That's My Girl!

It was a very exciting time for Sarah yesterday!

She was off on an adventure. Not only did she get to go for a ride in the car -- she also had a special chauffeur. (My sister-in-law took her for me as I continue to deal with a bum leg)

From the sounds of things the level of Sarah's excitement deflated quickly when they arrived at their destination: the vet's office.

Being the happy girl that she is, Sarah still walked in with her little tail just a wagging.

Sarah in her "frozen" position. 

HOWEVER, she knew something was up when the vet's assistant came to get her. This person had the leash and turned to go with Sarah to an exam room.

Sarah had other ideas.
She laid flat out on the floor -- on her back with all her paws up in the air in different directions.
And she just looked around as if to say, "You think I'm going with you? MAKE ME."

I'm told everyone in the waiting room burst out laughing.
I have no doubt of that as she is quite the ham AND a little bit of a DIVA mixed in to her vibrant personality.

She didn't want to go in to unfamiliar territory AND alone at that!
Were these people crazy?

She seemed content when the people got THEIR act together and understood HER needs. (Never denied she's a bit melodramatic) So off she trotted down with hall WITH my sister-in-law with her and the rest of the appointment went great.

 I know Sarah's reaction was a funny one. I laugh as I think of her sprawling out on her back with legs and paws going in every direction.

But I have to be honest here: I have felt the same way in my journey.

OH how I wish I could just sprawl out on the floor to raise my defiant voice that I do NOT want to go in that direction. Go ahead -- try and pick me up and move me -- not gonna happen.

I may not have done this -- although there are times I would have loved to act that way. I have enough drama queen in me to readily confess I would love to set my defiant self down and say "NOPE, not going that way ... not going to do that ... "

That defiant self tries to get in my way. I cannot let it take over because it is a voice that represents fear and stubbornness, anger and despair. And I will NOT let those negative word-bombs prevail.

New days are here and that means I need to follow along.
Who am I following? What strength am I given?

I call it FAITH
I look forward to deeper moments spent in communion with the One who loves me enough as I am, but loves me too much to allow me to stay in one stagnant spin cycle.

Move me, O Lord
Move me

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

Resurfacing

You would think I would learn -- but no. I did as I do every time. This is not a sign of intelligence on my part.

I know when it happens. It begins with a sudden onset of congestion.
Once my head is good and filled to capacity a cough doesn't want to be left out so bring that on.
Then we graduate from a cough to a bark -- one so deep and out of control that I feel as if I've cracked a few ribs along the way.

That's when the "do I call the doctor" debate begins

My stubborn streak rises first and declares -- independence! I can do this on my own! I can beat some silly sinus infection on my own! Everything else get out of the way! Independence is here!

My common sense sits back and watches the chaos my body is in before suggesting that perhaps I will feel much better if I go ahead and call my doctor so I can get started on an antibiotic.

After almost two weeks of misery common sense finally wins out. Thank goodness!
Regret rises and expresses sorrow for not listening to common sense sooner.
Independence scoffs at it all, declaring it can win if the rest of me would just be willing to wait it out. Apparently it has something more to say but another cough attack hits, thus silencing further useless dialogue.

And so I've done it yet again
... I've allowed stubbornness and independence to rule when common sense is the far better choice.

This is not something I am proud of. I far prefer to present a me that has it all together. That being said, I'm not aware of any time I truly have it all together. So there you have it.

So I've been on the antibiotic a couple days and it is starting to work its magic. The cough is determined to wait  a little longer. It does not appreciate the help being offered. The rest of me wants to choke it out and say ENOUGH!

It feels like I'm resurfacing to walk among the living again. Ok so my head is still rather full with infection. That will go away soon.

I notice the morning fog hanging low over my neighborhood this morning. I can relate to that. I'm trying to get moving this morning and, while I am feeling much better, there is still a large part of me that wants to allow the fog to drape over me for a bit longer.

As I fade off in to another nap I hear myself saying: "NEXT time I will not wait this long. It is ridiculous to allow myself to get so sick."

Yep, next time ...

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

Cough Syrup and Christ

COUGH SYRUP -- I'm just saying -- this stuff is GREAT!

The past several days have been fairly rotten. I've felt rotten. I sounded rotten. Rotten -- all of it.

And then my sweet neighbor brings me some cough syrup. It is some nasty-tasting stuff - just have to be honest bout that ... BUT it is SO worth it for a few seconds of melodrama on my part as I choke it down for the WONDERFUL RELIEF it offers! Now that's what I'm talking about! Whew!

I was reading in Mark's Gospel this morning and couldn't help but think of the friends who carried a paralyzed friend to Jesus. When they arrived there was no way to get close so Jesus could touch their friend but they didn't let that stop them. They broke through the ceiling of the house and lifted him down so he might be able to receive Christ's healing touch. (Mark 2)

Cough syrup ... healing touch of Christ
Yeah, so I know that may seem a stretch but think about it.
The healing touch of Christ is in our midst each and every day. It is up to us to choose whether or not we see it, feel it, experience it, embrace it.

When we say we love Christ then our every action should be a reflection of that love ... even if it seems so minor as getting cough syrup to someone. Because, trust me, it's a big deal to that person.

Opportunities for Outreach ... yep, that's what I call them.

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

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER!

Oh my gosh! How I wish this show I discovered would last longer than a four-week event. Last night was the final episode. I'm so glad I recorded them and can go back and enjoy.

Warning: do NOT watch if you need to pee or if you are sick -- both of which I qualify. Oops. I've been sick with some kind of upper respiratory infection and if I try to talk or if I laugh I am thrown in to fits of coughing that I cannot control.

I made the mistake of trying to watch the show last night.

I was laughing so hard I had to quit watching -- I'm pretty sure I coughed up a lung.

If you haven't watched it you should. It is pure silliness, laughter and fun. These are things I think we could use an extra helping of these days.

These guys have the right idea in taking advantage of every situation they find themselves ... otherwise known as "When is Rome ..." They plunged in wholeheartedly and immersed themselves in what was going on around them. I found myself to be a bit jealous. I wanted to be right there in the heart of all the ridiculousness.

We could sit back and point fingers in disgust. I'm not sure why. These guys know how to embrace fun.

So here I sit, feeling fairly rotten and whining over my ailments.

I'm so grateful God puts people in our paths at just the right time. Even if it is a bunch of "seasoned" actors. I'm grateful for them too!

Ok, time for another round of cough syrup followed by a time of REST. (That just means it's time for my mid-morning nap.)

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

You Don't Say?

I don't know who the original author is but I know these words of wisdom remain true today. Perhaps they will serve as a good reminder for you going in to a new week:

* Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight and bull-strong.

*Keep skunks and bankers at a Distance.

 * Words that soak into your ears are  whispered...not yelled.

* Forgive your enemies. It messes up their heads.

* It  don't take a very big person to carry a Grudge.

* You cannot unsay a cruel word.

* Every path has a few puddles.

* When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.

* The best sermons are lived,  not preached.

* Don't judge folks by their relatives.

* Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

 * If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop  diggin'.

 * Good judgment comes from  experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.

 *  Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin' it back  in.

* If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence,  try orderin' somebody else's dog around.

 * Live simply. Love  generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to 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

Early Morning Patrol

Sarah the Wonder Dog is at it again!

I never have to worry of silly things like forgetting to lock the back door. She is up and patrolling her domain.

I'm pretty sure she and the next door neighbor have a set time they meet at the gate every morning to compare how security is doing. They had quite a meeting this morning. There was howling going on for at least ten minutes.

It exhausted Sarah. She is back in her bed taking a well-deserved nap. I choose to carry on my new morning reading a favorite passage from Psalm 8:

O Lord, our Sovereign,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory above the heavens.

  Out of the mouths of babes and infants
you have founded a bulwark because of your foes,
    to silence the enemy and the avenger.

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,

    the moon and the stars that you have established;

what are human beings that you are mindful of them,
    mortals[a] that you care for them?

    you have put all things under their feet,

all sheep and oxen,
    and also the beasts of the field, 
the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,
    whatever passes along the paths of the seas

O Lord, our Sovereign,

 how majestic is your name in all the earth!

How can I be anything but grateful as I think on my God this morning? The very One who is extravagantly generous and incredibly compassionate; the One whose love knows no bounds and whose grace is abundant to all who will receive.

I will let Sarah go on thinking she is Queen of this territory when I know all I need is the One True God -- to God be the glory!

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

The Stranger In the Mirror

I have a large mirror that hangs off the back of my bedroom door. It has been moved and is leaning up against several boxes. It has been that way for a few weeks now.

Sarah, however, seems to have forgotten about this. Every time she goes in the bedroom now it is on! She is ready to attack that other dog she sees staring at her. She doesn't know who it is or where it came from. All she knows is this one room must be really important as it is the only room the stranger seems to inhabit.

She stealthily inches forward, small paw prints betraying where she has been and where she is going. That is of no concern to her. The invader in the bedroom is where her focus is and nothing will get in the way of this confrontation.

I watch her move steadily down the hall.

I see her go in to "attack" mode, her body physically responding as she crouches at the entrance to the bedroom.

And there she goes! She takes one huge leap and there before her is the intruder.

Odd thing is that the intruder doesn't frighten away. Quite the opposite, the intruder copies everything Sarah does.

I'm not sure which came first:
    -- did she determine the intruder is of no harm
    -- she she figure out the intruder in the mirror is actually herself staring back at her?

I don't have the answers because what is especially amazing is this has become a ritual for Sarah.
Does she realize the one staring back at her is herself?
Surely she does!

And yet I am reminded of numerous times in my life where the answer should have been so evident and yet I stared back, unable or unwilling to see the obvious answer before me.

I'm praying for clarity of vision ... for myself, for all who want to really know the person they see staring back at them in the mirror.

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

I Assume I Should Stop Assuming

I don't know about you but I tend to assume way too much. With that said, I won't begin to assume that you assume as well. That would be an inaccurate assumption on my part.

Well that's enough caffeine for me ...

So I have challenged myself to positive assuming -- yep, I'm serious. I mean it. 

Here's my plan:

Assume only good in others

Question all bad things I hear; don't automatically believe everything I hear.

That is what I'm going to do. If I'm going to assume anything about someone - I challenge myself to assume GOOD.

If I hear something bad about someone I must question it first -- because I've been assuming good, you see.

I have been disappointed

I have disappointed others

I learned a hard lesson years ago in the need to stop assuming.  I remember taking a group of people to a worship conference and telling them all I wanted us all to attend one workshop together. It was an incredible workshop I had attended the year before. The leader was an inspiration to me as he spoke of servant leadership. I thought it important we all share hearing him together. I assumed everyone would be inspired by his message when in fact I was told afterwards all they heard was that he said you should listen to your leader and obey. They assumed that's what I wanted them to hear so they would do all I asked of them and do it without question. I didn't even remember him saying that.

That was a painful lesson. It hurt deeply they didn't know me better than that. Yet that was an assumption on my part, wasn't it? If anything, I let them down by not stating very clearly upfront what inspired me so from that speaker. Had I done that, they might have enjoyed it more as they knew why I wanted us all there. 

Jesus was a master communicator. 

Even so, we have questioned things he said.

We have argued over his meaning in things he did.

Yet Scripture tells us it is in FAITH that we believe

I assume every one of us assumes something about something or some person every day. It seems, though, that Jesus asks that we have living and loving faith. He tells us to go in faith and trust his will to be done. Remove ourselves from the temptation of assuming and stay in the positive instead. 

Dang.

I'm such a Miss Fix-it. 

Perhaps everything is not supposed to be "fixed". 

I'm assuming that, of course ...

Do you assume or do you communicate and try to get the facts straight?

I've got my work cut out for me ...

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

Didn't See That Coming

Last night I watched a movie I've wanted to see for a long time. It is a fairy tale from the villain's point of view. At least that is what I assumed the movie to be about. My goodness, was I surprised!

It is a great movie! I like that it didn't follow traditional expectations for the plot and outcome. My preconceived notions about it were shattered early on -- and I like that. Maleficent is not evil. She is not innocent. She is a complex being who is filled with a mixture of emotions -- some of which she is conflicted about.

Maleficent is me.
Maleficent is all of us -- if we are truly honest with ourselves.

I was surprised to read the number of negative reviews when the movie first came out in 2015. The critics did not like this particular version of the fairy-tale.

I have to wonder if it is because too many lines were crossed for their comfort? Apparently they need to have a clear villain and a distinctly separate sweet maiden. Aurora is, without a doubt, the obvious fair maiden.

I cannot relate to Aurora.
I don't go about smiling and trusting everyone whose path I cross.
When the sting of life pains me I want to go out and sting someone else.
That is an ugly truth but it is my truth nonetheless.
I am not proud of it but I claim it as I try to learn and grow from it.
I am Maleficent. I realize the complexities of life, of life experience, of people in my life all continue to build on the foundation that is me.
And out of that grows a beautiful being, empowered to make my own choices.

The same is true for Maleficent. She allows past experiences and people to take her to the darkest places of her soul. Her ugliness comes out and that is how others view her. And she is just fine with that.

Time for another plot twist.
Aurora does not see the ugly in Maleficent.
She calls her "Fairy Godmother" -- she sees this person as the one who watches over her all her life. She loves her and her great joy is in being with her.

Maleficent surprises herself when she has to admit that Aurora has stolen her heart but it doesn't stop at that. She realizes the horrible spell she placed on Aurora as a baby must be lifted. She wishes nothing but love and all the best life has to offer the child.

I love that plot twist! I just knew the horrible curse would be lifted and they would all live "happily ever after".

Nope. Didn't turn out that way. It goes deeper than that. It suggests the idea of redemption.
Yep, I said it. A beautiful theological concept sneaks in to a fairy-tale.

Maleficent realizes even she cannot release the child from the horrible curse placed on her as a baby. The curse hangs ominously over her head while a helpless Maleficent is forced to watch.

I think we can all relate to that agony. We've all made bad decisions. We've felt bad about it -- but we still have had to live through them.

Maleficent realizes she has to suffer through the agony of watching Aurora live out her days in the cursed sleep. It is almost too much to bear. In a single action that reveals her deep love for the child, Maleficent kisses Aurora on the forehead.

Another plot twist -- and perhaps my favorite! It is THAT kiss that awakens Aurora.

And we are reminded that "true love's kiss" reveals itself in ways we cannot all comprehend.
While Aurora wakes and immediately knows it was her Fairy Godmother who brought her back, Maleficent is very aware of the many emotions that have awakened in her -- and she likes it.

I don't know how this version of the fairy-tale ends. We are invited, perhaps, to insert our own endings. But I like that the door remains open -- come what may.

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

Me And My Big Mouth

So I went in to the day yesterday thinking about my post from the morning. I felt quite confident that I would be the picture of Christian love to every person with whom I came in contact. I was most impressed with myself.

And then my day happened.

I went in to Verizon to do just one thing -- one simple thing. It turned out to be quite complicated. An hour and a half later there I sat with absolutely nothing different about my phone or my account. So I tried to make things easier on the person assisting me. I told him to forget what we were trying to do and I would go the route, instead, of buying a case for the huge phone in my possession. As I went to write out my check he stopped me by saying, "Oh I'm sorry. We only take cash or credit."

Wait. What? Seriously?

Yes, he was serious.

I put my checkbook away -- thanked him and wished him well -- and left.

After leaving Verizon I headed out for a run to Michaels. On the way I received a phone call from my doctor's assistant. She felt so bad and continued to apologize over and over for a big mistake. It meant I was going to have to return to the doctor's office to have a painful test done -- again.

I felt bad for her so with every apology I told her to quit apologizing. It wasn't the end of the world. It wasn't a mistake that had anything to do with eternal value. After I reassured her several times, we ended our phone call.

So here I go preparing to go in to another day.

I don't think I'm going to ask God for opportunities to bear witness to my faith.

Of course that's a cop out though. Isn't it? Yes, it is.

OK, so bring on the opportunities today.
And how I pray I don't disappoint.

You going to ask?
Ask God for opportunities to bear witness to your faith?
Go ahead.
You will have many wonderful opportunities before 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

I'm Awake! This Is Me Awake

Two days in a row now extreme fatigue has flattened me. Sleep is my friend. Being alert and aware of my surroundings is not.

This got me to thinking: I wonder how often I drag around oblivious to what is - or is supposed to be --going on. Oops.

Jesus tried to prepare his disciples by teaching them the importance of an intimate relationship with him. Repeatedly he tried to get them to understand the importance in looking around and seeing the needs of others. He emphasized the need to get away and spend quiet time in meditation with their Heavenly Father. He urged them to keep their eyes open and be alert.

It makes me think of the blind man who cried out to Jesus to heal him.

Sometimes I think he could see more clearly than the disciples.
Certainly he saw more clearly than I do at times.
While I may not be literally blind I do confess to battling spiritual blindness in my journey.

I shake off my spirit of complacency. I open my eyes to see the needs of a hurting world. So here I go in to my day. I'm awake. This is me awake. Going to need the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. Thank God that presence is here in my midst!

You keeping your eyes closed to how you really need to live? to the needs of others around you? My prayer for you this day is that you may open not only your eyes but your heart and then hang on -- for what a glorious day it will be!

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