In Search of ...

... something else!

I'm in search of peace, hope, joy, love

I didn't realize it as I was typing out those four words but now that I sit here and look at them I know what I'm looking for, Those words: peace, hope, joy and love are the main emphases during the Advent Season leading up to Christmas. I LOVE Advent! It is the time of preparation and anticipation. Excitement builds each week in each worship service leading us up to Christmas Eve where the Church is proverbially bursting at her seams with excitement for the news we get to share:

Jesus Christ is born!


I'm sure I'm not alone in this. It seems we are so unsettled. 

Hurricane Matthew slammed in to the east coast a few days ago and it continues to make its mark in southern coastal communities today and in days following. Flooding abounds and winds are so strong weather forecasters can hardly stand as they provide live newscasts. 

As I watched The Weather Channel I realized the howling winds and pouring rains gave me a visual picture of how I feel things are in our communities, our country, our world. We are in a storm of racial unrest, the political season has become a comedy-horror debacle, winds of anger abound.

Peace -- Hope -- Joy -- Love

I think it is time to look to a little baby born in a manger.

He was born in to a time of extreme political unrest, horrible oppression, brutal killings of babies due to the insecurity of an oppressive ruler. That human ruler knew of the prophecies -- he knew a divine ruler was prophesied to come. And he was threatened.

We are threatened. We're threatened when we don't agree.
We are afraid. We're afraid of racial unrest, of the horror of our neighbors being treated differently due to different skin color.
We are confused. We're so confused because we live in an age of great intellect and technology yet we act like immature children who don't get our way so we throw sand and stomp off the playground to sulk.

Enter the One who caused animals and Shepherds alike to gather and kneel before him because they knew something was different and they knew it was good.

Enter the One who caused grown men to travels miles to offer gifts fit for a king.

Enter the One who grew to teach about those very things for which we yearn.

Enter the One  who offers us those same things today.

It is a far better path to take. It won't be an easy journey. We always think things should be easier -- there is the child-like mentality again. But if we exude a spirit of peace and hope, if our daily living is one of joy and unconditional love to everyone -- we will make a difference in a hurting world. We will make a difference one person at a time.

That is my prayer for me and for you today -- that we may be abundant in kindness and love -- no matter what -- to everyone we encounter today.

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

Super Heroes Arise!

I absolutely loved the show of support as friends and community gathered around family to be with them at the funeral of six-year-old  JACOB HALL. Jacob's family were dressed as super heroes -- though I must say I already view them as super heroes as they plod through these days of raw emotion ... as they do now what has never been asked of them: live out their days without Jacob in their midst.

Not a head was turned, nothing seemed unusual as a super hero nation flew in and surrounded the Hall family. There was nothing unusual if you saw Batman driving down the interstate in his Toyota or Wonder Woman driving not far ahead in her Honda Accord. News coverage from the funeral and pictures in our local Asheville-Citizen Times features lines of people in their super hero attire. Age did not matter. Grown men arrived decked out in complete Super Man costumes, Bat Man costumes and so on and so on and so on -- it was glorious.

In the midst of tragedy, a little boy's love of super heroes united a hurting community in ways we cannot begin to comprehend. And not only that, it offered a nation the opportunity to stop and think.

STOP ... and THINK:
I have to wonder how can I be a super hero to those I encounter?
It isn't about always wearing the costume -- it is about taking on the persona.
Jacob's family has invited me -- whether they know it or not -- to stop and wonder how I can be super hero-like. How can I be ever vigilant and aware of what is going on around me? How can I stay alert and take action when action is required? How can I offer kindness and compassion?

I have to go run an errand this morning.

It's time to head out -- I think I shall wear my cape.

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

Do You Know What's In That?

Leonard Sweet tweeted this a few hours ago: "The soul is organic. It needs fertilizer to grow. What/Who will fertilize your faith today?"

That caught my eye ... made me think. I found my nose and lip kind of snarling up at the corners as I thought about growing up on the farm and just exactly what "fertilizer" can smell like at times. Ugh.

Thank you, Leonard Sweet, I have fertilizer on my mind this morning.

There were different kinds of fertilizer. Dad taught me that different soil needed different fertilizer to feed it and repair it. We had natural fertilizer -- otherwise referred to by me as "cow poo." We had a lot of cow poo because we had lots of cattle. You never ever wore nice clothes or shoes in to the barn where the cows were. It was inevitable you might have a close encounter with cow poo. It can be quite pungent.

But Dad also bought fertilizer because he sometimes used a mixture of our cow poo with it in the flower beds. Oh my goodness, I've gone and claimed ownership on cow poo. I really need caffeine. But I digress. He let me smell that other fertilizer one time. I did not like it. It burned my nose. Believe it or not, I will take cow poo any day over whatever that stingy stuff was.

The combination did its job because the flower beds were spectacular. We used to say that the farm was a "mini Biltmore Estate". The expanse of grass that had to be mowed was mowed regularly and meticulously. The flowers beds were weed free.

The beauty came out of great care and that care included cow poo.

I do not think that is quite the idea Leonard Sweet had when he wrote that. I think perhaps he is honing in on the positive aspects of fertilizer and how much it is needed to help something grow and mature. That sounds far more dignified than my rambling on about cow poo. But he is the expert in communication -- not me.

Then again, is he asking me to consider the negative aspects of fertilizer?
Is it possible I can look to the wrong thing or wrong person to influence (fertilize) me and then have to live with the consequences?
Yep. This could be.

I certainly have let myself be influenced in negative ways. I prefer not to re-live those days.

So Who will fertilize me -- nourish me, nurture me, stimulate growth in me today?

Oh God, let me look to You as my source of love and grace this day. When others look at me please, Oh God, please let them see You in me. When words come from my mouth may they be seasoned in your spirit of compassion. Grow a new thing in me, that my soul might continue to grow and hunger and thirst for nothing, for no one -- but You. And may I know a heart overflowing with gratitude when I realize Your great generosity in answering that prayer. Amen.

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 Frog Named HOPE

I make a practice of looking for good news every morning as I watch the news and read the ticker tape that runs along the bottom of the TV screen. Some mornings I am hard-pressed to see much good news. It seems we are inundated with the horrible and the ridiculous.

Although I did have to look a little harder this morning here are a few things I discovered: 

Pope Francis makes a surprise visit to a town in Italy reeling from a horrific earthquake. How wonderful to see peace enter in the midst of the storm.

Police officers escort three daughters of one of their fallen comrades to the school homecoming dance. The officers drove the three girls and their dates to dinner and to the dance. They waited for the girls throughout the evening and drove them home. When asked about their choice to do this, one of the officers said: "The important thing for everyone in that family, the girls' family, to remember, is that they’ll never be by themselves, we will always be with them. We will never replace their dad, that’s for sure, but we will share in their moments with them."

A 102-year-old Missouri woman who has made over 400 items that she gives to those in need was given a special gift herself. She has always wanted to ride in a police car so the local police responded to her wish. When they escorted her to the patrol car she asked if she could be handcuffed and ride in the back. They granted her request and then escorted her to several homes so she could deliver her most recent homemade goodies. At the end of her adventure she was asked if it was fun and she replied: "Oh yes! Handcuffs and all!"

A once thought endangered frog has resurfaced in Yosemite National Park. One representative stated it brought them great hope in the resilience of the little guy that they would survive and increase.

I decided to name the frog HOPE. I'm not sure what it says that one of the good news features today is about a frog. But I figure, why not? Good news offers hope in any size, color, shape or form. So a frog it is. 

And perhaps there is some of the great mystery of God's handiwork at play in the news of this frog and the future of its species. I think it may be significant this little bit of news is stirred in to the pot of all that is going on in the world today. 

I am just as guilty as the next person to look for God's presence and miracles to be BIG. A little frog is not so big. 

Yet I am reminded daily if I will set aside my tendency to look and discover and sometimes judge (ouch), I will enter the realm of new discoveries all around me.

This picture I found is not the frog from Yosemite National Park but I suspect it and that frog have something in common. It's stretching out and relaxing -- it feels pretty good. After all, it is not headed to extinction after all. It has others like him and they are going to see to it they flourish.

THAT is something pretty miraculous and yes, it offers us hope.

Jesus told the disciples: "I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!”

I am casting my eyes on Christ and in that I find peace and renewed hope. In the midst of this messed-up world, God is in our midst. 

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

Farewell My Matrix

It happened the other day. I looked out the window and my car was gone.

I don't tend to freak out so I stood there and thought, "Well I'll be darned. Who would want my car?" It's a great car. It has been a great car. It's twelve-years-old.

My car has seen some wear and tear so I wonder if it has aged in dog years? If that's the case it should just roll over and die.

There was the winter during the snow storm when I went out looking for one of "my" kids. In my concern to leave, I didn't see the rather large rock in their driveway that I backed in to and over. It was snowing hard. 

THIS COULD BE MY CAR

There was the entire Christmas and New Year's Season where I'm pretty sure I had a sign on the passenger side of my car. "Hit me, please. And don't bother to tell me who did it." 

Now the front right bumper is my fault. It became one with the bank as I turned in to the driveway.

Well and there is the front left bumper. It's my fault as well. The bank got it as I turned left out of my driveway the other day.

Have you noticed it has gotten colder? Yep. I didn't really pay attention to that until I realized the kitchen windows were "foggy". After I opened the door I saw my car. I had run an errand the day before and parked it at the furthest end of my parking lot. 

It's a big parking lot.

HUGE!

Ginormous! 

I put my phone away. 

I figured it best not to file a false police report. 

So I will not say good-bye to my loyal car as yet. I'm glad it was not stolen. We have far too many roads yet to drive and there are still car parts available to donate along the way. 

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

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