"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

Invasion

I didn't hear them come in but she did.

It didn't matter there were three of them. She was going to take them down no matter what. I awoke to her running through the house and shrieking in such a way that I knew immediately something was wrong.


It was when Sarah stopped barking as suddenly as she started that threw me. I called out to her -- concerned something had happened but she came trotting in to the living room with her tail wagging away.

To say I was confused is an understatement.

She needed some petting and then curled up in her bed and before I could say "What is going on ..." she was already out -- snoring loudly.

So I'm in the midst of a dilemma. I'm sitting here in my recliner thinking someone has broken in yet Sarah is peaceably sleeping and I hear no noise in the house. After a few minutes I decide she must have been dreaming or something. I don't know.

I settled back to watching the early morning news and I heard it. A deep growl coming from her -- something I have NEVER heard before. To hear her would have been to think she looked like a guard dog ready to attack. The hair on the back of my neck was standing straight up and I was thinking, "Great. Here I am with stitches and unable to move much at all. What am I supposed to do?"

By this point Sarah is sitting up straight and looking at the door. I'm reaching for my phone to at least text my brother so someone will know I'm in the process of being murdered. I mean -- it made sense to me at the time. Besides -- Sarah may have been sounding like a huge guard dog but her temperament is that of some cute little fluffy thing.

Confusion entered the room further as she continued growling but stayed rooted in her bed. She continued to growl but this time she was looking up at the ceiling.

"Someone's in the attic!"

But then she was growling and looking at the window.

The way she was acting we were about to be invaded via the back door, the attic and the front porch. I knew I had nothing that would merit such a well-orchestrated attack.

I started getting suspicious. "Sarah -- fess up. WHAT is going on?" She had no time for me. The attack was on and suddenly she ran around the living room like her behind was on fire. I felt like I was at a tennis match as I watched her run one way and then another and down the hall and back in the room again. It was nuts!

It was the last time she came running back in the room that I caught on. She was bravely protecting me from the three attack flies that had gotten in the house. I feel so safe. I'm in good hands. I can only shake my head.

A little chuckle to go in to the day ...

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

Messy Spirituality

I recently re-read Messy Spirituality by Mike Yaconelli. It's a great read and I can so relate! In one chapter he wrote: "I just want to be remembered as a person who loved God, who served others more than her served himself, who was trying to grow in maturity and stability. I want to have more victories than defeats, yet here I am, almost 60, and I fail on a regular basis." That book was originally published in 2001. 

Mike was the co-founder of Youth Specialities. I tried to attend the National Youth Worker's Convention every year as I always returned refreshed and renewed for ministry. At the convention in October, 2003, Mike was his usual high-energy, goofy self. It was always wonderful to be in his presence and be inspired by the faith he lived. 

That was his last convention here on earth as he died on his return trip home. The official cause of his death was a car accident, though word spread he had suffered a massive heart attack that caused the accident. He was dead immediately. There was no hope of resuscitation.

As I re-read Messy Spirituality recently, I was reminded of this from Mike: "I just want to be remembered as a person who loved God, who served others more than he served himself, who was trying to grow in maturity and stability. I want to have more victories than defeats, yet here I am, almost 60, and I fail on a regular basis." 

We tend to think more of our final days as we grow older. We also think of such things as we face major life events: marriage, birth of children, major surgery. There is a need to "be prepared ---- just in case".

So I was drawn to his thoughts as I faced my surgery last week. That is only natural. You are told to "be prepared." While no one expects anything to go wrong, there is always that possibility. The nature of the surgery was so severe I was required to complete six pages of documentation that included many initials besides statements as well re-writing some of the paragraphs to demonstrate my clear understanding of what would be happening. As I told a friend, it seemed that every other paragraph I wrote "And I might die." ... or "I could die" ... yet again "AND I might die ..." Goodness!

I did what I was supposed to do -- made sure I had a complete will as well as any other things in order. I was ready. It was probably the only time in my life I have been so ready for an event such as death. 

Don't mean to sound morbid -- just ... prepared.

I must admit I'm glad my "riches" aren't being distributed among loved ones. I'm glad I am around a bit longer. I'm excited for the days ahead. Who knows what's around the next corner? I have no clue but that doesn't matter.

It doesn't matter because I'm ready.

I'm ready for a new day of living life and loving.

I'm ready for new beginnings, whatever that means.

That's what is called of us -- to be ready. We are all called to be prepared because, in being preparing, we don't allow life's blows to throw us. Being prepared most especially means where we are in our faith life so that when we are in the worst of times others see the best in us. That is certainly my prayer though I begrudgingly admit I think people see me at my worse far more than I care for ... my prayer as I go in to a new day is that others may look at me and see God in me. 

Less of me, O Lord, and more of 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

Hospital Living' Ain't So Bad!

There's something to be said for being the patient.

Of course there's the getting cut and having stitches and bandages thing: not so much fun. I don't give high marks to the coughing either. Coughing hurts. Coughing is bad.

But then there's being treated like a queen. I don't know if I said it out loud or not -- better living through chemistry will do that to your brain -- but I think I should have packed my tiara. I felt like a queen. I think I already said that.

Did I mention they sent me home on meds for pain and nausea? They're GREAT! Don't call and expect to have a reasonable conversation with me. It has taken me hours to get these sentences written out. For all I know I might tell you it's fifteen shopping days to Christmas, have a Happy Fourth of July and don't forget to take out the trash.

At the hospital they serve you.
They bring you everything you need.

Home is different.
Home expects you to get off your butt and do for yourself.

Well that's no fun.

I tell you where the power is: it's in the nurse call button. Oh yeah! Push that baby and here they come -- ready to take care of me, the queen in residence. Carmen and Jason and Alyson and Juan and Nellie and Nichole -- they rule! And not only that -- they talk to you. That's great! I'm a sociable person by nature. I want to know about you. I enjoy you telling me that you are taking your child to look at colleges in a few days or that you recently moved here from Florida or that you visited the area so much you decided to move here.

And not only the nursing staff. I was surprised to see Lisa out with the huge cart she had to haul around as she cleaned each room late on Tuesday night. I was surprised because she had been there since very early that morning. She was all smiles as I greeted her again and thanked her for her hard work. She truly had one of the most beautiful and radiant smiles I've ever seen.

Here I am back home. I need more water and I keep trying to find the "call button" but one doesn't exist. I told Sarah I needed water and asked her to get me some but she just thumped her tail and licked my leg.

Thank you for your prayers. Keep 'em coming!

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