Tag: #love

First Time

I wanted this to happen when I was a kid- much younger than I am now.

I thought I would get some attention, some sympathy and maybe a pass on some chores.

It never happened. That is, not until last Saturday.

I broke my arm in spectacular fashion.

Xena, the wonder dog, and I were walking along the greenway. It was a beautiful day. A bit windy but, full of sun.

Under a bridge, there is a concrete pad that disappears into the creek. Sometimes Xena likes to get a drink so I got her to the water. She was not thirsty.

As I took my next step, my legs were suddenly airborne and in front of me. I instinctively put my arms out behind me and landed on my rear end. And my left arm.

I sat there for a few minutes and assessed myself. I dropped the leash but Xena didn’t wander. I also didn’t throw up from the pain. Thankful.

I called my friend who was on the same greenway. She immediately prayed and walked quickly to her car.

I’m still on the ground. Thankfully, not in the water. But it’s mossy and muddy. I was a bit timid to try to stand by myself. Finally, someone was coming closer.

I called out and asked if she could help me. She said sorry and pointed to her cell phone near her ear. Mmmm. I’m going to choose to believe she was intimidated by my German Shepherd mix who was off leash and standing alert by my side.

I got myself turned over and on my feet with a lot of prayer.

I slowly walked to the nearby school where Jill was going to pick me up. Tim was working 30 miles away but I managed to call him too. Jill and I headed for my house to grab my purse, leave Xena, update mom and then to her place to drop her dogs.

She continued to pray for favor. We were in the ER for just over an hour. It was amazing. I got in to see the doctor at SportsMed on Monday. Thankful!

I didn’t get the hard cast that I had wanted when I was a kid. No, I was told surgery was needed because the radius was broken in two places. I was in shock!

But, while I was waiting for them to replace the ER cast, I was able to wash my arm. That felt really good. It still had mud on it.

I am very grateful to usually have two good working arms and it is amazing how quickly you adapt when necessary. I never cracked an egg with one hand before. But now I have. It only took two days for my eggs not to have shells.

I have not yet mastered the art of putting my hair in a ponytail. It’s just going to stay down.

Asking for help is not a strong skill of mine but, I’m learning. Mom cuts up food like I am a child again. But, I am grateful to have bite sized chicken and apples.

I guess I am getting attention, sympathy and a pass on chores that require two hands. I definitely try to make it happen though. Lots of laughter ensues.

Friends are driving me to surgery and bringing us food. Tim has been cooking. Mom has been cleaning.

Thankful for the body of Christ to be His hands (and mine!)

Mom’s Day

During church last night, our pastor reminded everyone that it is Mother’s Day this next Sunday. Then he asked for a show of hands of people who are the product of a praying mother. A lot of hands went up. Mine did.

But what captured my thoughts, were seeing the number of people who did not raise their hands.

I was again reminded of what a gift a praying mom is. And so, I’m reading Proverbs 31:10-31 with my mom in mind.

My dad became an overseas missionary much later in life and his health continued to decline. Mom would travel with him to help out where she could. I remember asking one time why she didn’t ask him to stop traveling. It was difficult maneuvering the airports (dad needed assistance and a wheelchair.) They were both hurting physically every time they traveled.

Mom said, “I would feel as though I were taking away his dessert.” She knew dad’s time was short and didn’t want him to miss out on possibly the best time. Verse 12, “She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.”

Money seemed to always be tight but there was always enough. Sometimes, that meant that mom had to work outside the home. Verse 17, “She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.”

I was asked to go to a dance. She made my dress. She made several items of clothing for me – first day of school, bridesmaid, prom. Verse 19, “In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.”

She may not be as active as she once was but, she still manages to make a difference to people. She gives rides to those who need it. Gives little gifts to the grands. Cleans the kitchen. Cares for Xena, the wonder dog. Verse 20, “She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.”

Tim and I both know that she prays for us. She continues to support and pray for her children, their families, and others. I know that I am the product of a praying mom. I know that is a blessing and a legacy that I continue.

Verses 30-31, “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”

Thanks, mom. For everything.

Because I love you…

We all know that we use the word love with a variety of meanings.

I love finding the perfect parking spot. I love clean sheets. I love Xena, the wonder dog. I love my kids/grands and Tim.

I also love God.

Why is it so easy for me to do things for Tim/kids/grands – even Xena because of my love for them but, not so easy for me to do things for God. *OUCH*

Obedience is one way to show God that I love Him. Not because I think he will punish me if I don’t. But because I love Him, I will do what He asks. I know that in my head. Please, Lord, let it penetrate my heart and my will.

Scripture is loaded with reminders of obedience and love.

John 15:10 – When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love….

John 14:23 – Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say.”

Obedience can be defined as compliance with an order, request, or law or submission to another’s authority. I want to be fully submitted to the authority of God. He has created me (and you) on purpose and for a purpose. He has good plans and can be trusted. Why do I continue to disobey – or in other words, why do I rebel?

Let’s go back to scripture.

Luke 6:46 – “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?

1 Samuel 15:23 – Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols.

Egad!

Lord, once again, I’m convicted of my rebellion and stubbornness. Thank you, Lord, that there is NO CONDEMNATION! Thank you for your forgiveness. Change my heart, Lord. Remind me again and again that YOU alone are worthy. YOU can be trusted. I don’t have to understand. I just need to trust.

Poop is Poop

This morning when I took Xena for a walk, it was a lovely 64 degrees. During June in Alabama, that is rare. It was wonderful!

We went to the local school and I let her off leash to sniff around and do her business. I saw where she was and made a mental note of the area. When she finished, I walked directly to the spot. Or so I thought.

I looked and looked for 20 minutes or so. I could smell it so I knew I was close but still couldn’t find it. I retraced my steps and kept looking. Xena was no help.

I prayed that the Lord would show me the poop. He does have a sense of humor.

I still looked for another five minutes. I prayed again, “Please, Lord, show me the poop!”

And there it was.

I bagged it and Xena and I made the trip home.

Now, I could have left it there by rationalizing. The kids are out of school. It wasn’t necessarily in a well-traveled part of the school grounds. It would rain…eventually.

But the truth is, poop is poop and I wouldn’t want to walk through it. I wouldn’t want anyone else to roll in it. So, I searched for it until it was found.

The Holy Spirit wants to reveal the poop in our hearts too. Search me, know me, reveal to me anything hidden in me that is not of You.

Ouch! I am full of pride. I am full of criticism. I am full of poop. These are things in my heart that if left unattended will overflow from my mouth and affect those around me.

But God! He loves me so. He reveals the depth of my sin, reminds me that He covered it with His blood. He convicts but doesn’t condemn. I am forgiven and restored. I am whole, in Jesus’ name.

Do you have poop in your heart? Are there things in your life that need to be exposed and then rooted out? Ask your Creator to reveal those things to you. Repent and change directions. He loves you too!