The Golden Rule

Tonight me and my husband went out to eat. We sat by a party of five that was having a good time. They were a little loud, but I imagine if five of my best girlfriends went out, we might would get a little loud too, so I really didn't pay them much attention. When they left our waitress came to us and apologized for the rudeness. I honestly did not pick up on any of that, although my husband did. She said they were rude from the time they sat down to the time they left.

Most of us can recite the golden rule - do unto others as you would have them do unto you. This seems to be a rule that has been pushed by the wayside. Society now tells us to do unto others before they do unto you. Basically to get them before they can get you. Has this rule become so outdated that it belongs to the prior generation? It surely seems so. It seems now, if someone does something to tick you off, it seems "okay" to put them in their place. But deep down, we know that is not the case. Their is no clause in this rule that allows rude behavior based on the situation we find ourselves in. I know when I am in the mall and one of the sales people that are pushing lotions tend to get on my last nerve. I always give them a look that basically says no thanks, but sometimes that is not enough to deter them from asking me to show me something. I always say no thank you and sometimes they will ask me why. I want to scream BECAUSE I don't want any!! Of course I don't, because well, they are just trying to do their job and make a living. I could only imagine in their job how much rejection and rudeness they encounter just to make a living.

What about the people that are really rude to us? Maybe a random stranger was rude to you. Or maybe the check out lady was short. While their behavior is not right, you never really know what is going on in their lives. Maybe it is a single mom who has been up all night caring for a sick child and had no choice but to come in to work on no sleep. Or maybe someone just buried a husband, mother, wife, or child and life is just a little tough right now. Maybe they are going through financial or marital problems and the stress in just below the surface. Or maybe it is just their personality - but we should always strive to still apply the golden rule to them as well. My motto to people with that kind of personality is to "kill them with kindness." Can you imagine the impact you might have one someone when they are rude to you and you just smile and showed them kindess?

Maybe our enemies. Maybe someone that has talked about you? Back stabbed you? Lied about you? Bullied you? God tells us to love our enemies. Wow - that is a tough one for anybody. It is hard to have a heart to love someone that has genuinely hurt you and then apply the golden rule to them. I think the only way we can truly show love is by praying for them. A lot of times when we pray for the ones that hurt us, God doesn't always change their heart, he changes yours. He allows you to see that person in a different light. This change allows you to love them and not be rude or retaliate in response to their rudeness. You start seeing that person as someone deserving of the love and kindness you bestow upon them, just as we are undeserving of what Jesus bestows up on us. In the end, you will give an account of YOUR actions, not theirs.

I have always made a point to overly thank my cashiers and waitresses or anybody that is "serving" me. One night I was in a store and it was just about closing time. I paid for my purchase and thanked her. She responded that I was the nicest customer she had all day. Seriously???? She told me that I thanked her several times over helping me and again several times when checking out. My point is not to pat myself on the back, but to point out that she noticed. Noticed that someone was thanking her for helping them. Yes, it is her job, but she is still serving me. How sad is it that a couple of "thank you's" set me apart from ALL the customers she waited on that day. I must admit I don't always live by the golden rule. I let my tiredness or emotions step in and take over.

Nobody like to be on the receiving end of rudeness, backstabbing, gossiping, lying, bullying, or any other type of bad behavior. Yet, we justify it when we are on the giving out side of it (and we all do.) We feel like our response was somehow provoked, but we ultimately decide for ourselves how we are going to respond to any kind of rude behavior. Believing anything else is nothing short of lying to yourself.

Society may see the golden rule as out of date, but I say kindness never goes out of style.

Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matthew 25:40

Just be....

Kind

Loving

Loyal

Honest

Committed

Compassionate

Content

Determined

Helpful

Happy

Friendly
Fair

Forgiving

Devoted

Humble
Flexible

Encouraging

Gentle

Hopeful

Respectful

Self Controlled

Trustworthy

Hard working

Soft spoken

Satisfied

Patient

Long Sufferening

Humble

Responsible

Obedient

Pure

Reasonable

Repentful

Tender hearted
Considerate
Loving

Thoughtful

Family oriented

Godly

On time

Appreciative

Prayerful
Hospitable

Strong

Faithful

Joyful

Authentic

Righeous

Thankful

Service minded

Submissive

Giving

Wonder how much pleasant we would be if we practiced most of these on a daily basis.

Mother vs Mama

I have a good friend that just returned to work after having her first baby. As it goes with new mothers, she told of all the things her sweet baby girl is doing. From her first smile, to the colic, to the sleepless nights. Trying to get her on a schedule so hopefully, work won't be as hard. Talking about how hard it was to leave her that first day to come back to work.

While I didn't tell her this, I was thinking - yep, you are earning your "mama" stripes. See, most anybody can become a mother in 9 months. That's the easy part. The minute you give birth, the term mother applies to you. The title of mama though is earned. Earned through the years as you give of yourself to your children. You earn it when you get up for those midnight feedings. When you get up all night long with a sick child and change the bedsheets yet again from either sickness or wetting the bed. When you get up and check to make sure there are no monsters under the bed or hiding in the closets. When you take the time to read the book again, even when you want to say enough already. When you stop what you are doing because they want to show you their latest new dance routine. And yet again when they have "improved up on it." When you put your book down because they want you to "watch them" just one more time in whatever new they have just learned. When you have to punish your children for wrongdoing because you know they need to learn right from wrong. When you have to say no, because it is in their best interest. When you say yes to going somewhere because their excitement over-rides your tiredness. The list goes on and on and on.

The title of mom does take many years to earn - it is not always easy, but it is always satisfying. Our children are bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh. As moms, we fail, we falter, and we disappoint - but I think the one thing we do right is love unconditionally. I have alot of titles - wife, sister, friend...but one of my favorites is mama.

Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain tht build it.

Psalms 127:1a

For crying out loud

I am a cryer. Always have been and always will be - but I must say, I cry for so many different reasons now than I did say 20 years ago. I can remember when I was a newlywed, the first real argument I had with my husband. I don't remember what it was about, but I do remember how hard I cried afterwards. And if he ever hurt my feelings, well, the make up was ruined for the day. Fast forward 20 years, and I would not even get misty eyed over Rex hurting my feelings. Mad maybe, but no tears. While I don't have full fledge crying spells very often now, I am more prone to get misty eyed. It doesn't take much - I can read a feel good story, hear a sad story, reminisce over things, listen to a song, or just be watching TV. It doesn't take very much to stir my tear glands into production. Even my kids will be like, "mom, are you crying?" For some reason, crying makes a lot of people uncomfortable. I have a friend tell me not too long ago that she had not cried in over five years and she worried about what that said about her. I did the research and it says that women cry an average of 47 times per year. I don't know if that was a full fledge crying spell or just getting teary eyed. I do know that after I have a good ole crying spell, I always feel 100% better. It helps you release some of whatever is bothering you. Sometimes when things get to be too much, I just can't help it. The emotions I feel turn my tear glands into a water faucet. Not too long ago, as I was having one of these episodes, I was talking to my besty about it. She told me something that I don't think I will ever forget. She reminded me that tears are prayers too.

God sees every tear that we shed. He knows the reason behind those tears. Just as a parent is moved to comfort a crying child, our Father wants to comfort us in our tears. The bible says He bottles some of our tears and records them. I have no idea why He records them, but it is comforting to know that He notices and takes the time to record the tears. See, most of the time when I have my good cry, I do it in private. Just another reminder that no matter who we think we are hiding stuff from, we can never hide anything from Him.

Put thou my tears into a bottle: are they not in thy book?

Psalms 56:8b

Oh patience, where art thou?

This has been a rough week at work. Scratch that - it has been a rough couple of weeks due to an ongoing tax audit. I am thinking (and hoping) that soon, I will see the light at the end of the tunnel. On top of that, I did not sleep good last night. Tonight, I am unusually tired and my house is extremely messy. As I was moving along making myself do a little light housework, I saw it. A pile of my husband's work clothes just piled up by his side of the bed. I have been super busy this week, so I did not take the time to pick them up every day. You see, I gave up that battle years ago. So most days, I just swing by and pick them up and put them in the hamper, which by the way is just a few feet away. No biggy. Tonight though, as I stooped to pick them up (and murmur under my breath), I Corinthians 13:4 popped into my head.

Charity (love) suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaulted not itself, is not puffed up.

Basically, this verse is saying love is patient and kind - it does not envy, it does not boast, and it is not proud.

Okay, patience is not what I am feeling when I am this exhausted. Kindness is not what I feel like showing as I take the time to pick up HIS dirty clothes. Here's the thing though, this was not a suggestion that God inspired Paul to write. It was not given based on your circumstances you may find yourself in. As I picked them up, instead of losing my patience, I remembered just how early my husband gets up to support his family. I think about the long hours and injustices that he has recently met on his job. I thought of how he has knee problems because of the constant getting up and down on a bread truck for over 25 years. So instead of losing my patience, I found myself thankful for my hard working husband. Just by changing my way of thinking, my nice quiet Friday night remained just that.

It only happens once in a lifetime...

I have a co-worker that just became a first time dad. After taking the week off with his baby mama, he came in to work today, noticeably tired. He was a proud papa though...he talked about how sweet his new little girl was and how much he couldn't stand it when she had to go back to the hospital and be put under a light for her jaundice. He said watching her cry tore him up and he was ready to go grab her and comfort her. Yep, he now gets it.

You only become a first time parent once. Most couples go into parenthood having read all the "how to" books and feel like they are prepared for the job that is about to be put on them for the next, well, for the rest of their lives. Parenthood is a job that you never retire from, take a vacation from, or quit. They have no idea how their world is about to be turned upside down. I remember when I had my first child - she was wanted, she was planned, and she was loved....but I had NO idea how much work was involved into tending to a baby. I was clueless! The first 30 days are probably the hardest as you ride the roller coaster of emotions mixed with fear, anxiety, and doubts about your abilities. Then add lack of sleep and the feelings of being overwhelmed.....but can I also add that you soon learn the true meaning of unconditional love. You are amazed at how much more you love your husband and you are in awe of how much you can love this little person in such a short time. You hear other moms say this, but you just don't "get it" until you have your first one. All of a sudden, you have this new found respect for your own mom and realize all the sacrifices she made for you.

As he was talking about wanting to protect his little girl from having to lie under the lights, I wanted to tell him that it will get much worse than this. Wait until she comes home the first time and she didn't get picked for a team. Or maybe she didn't make the cheerleader squad. Maybe she was snubbed from a birthday party. Or somebody hurts her feelings. Or gets her heart broke the first time. It even gets worse than that. What about when they are grown and you see them making a mistake and you just have to let them. Or watching your child go through a divorce. All that comes with the title and their is no pain medicine to take to take away this kind of pain.

Motherhood is the most wonderful, terrifying, fullfilling, excruciating thing life has to offer and everybody should experience it at least once. Lucky for me, I got to experience it twice.

Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord.
Psalms 127:3a

Motivation

I have a very good male friend at work who I view as my little brother. We love to talk family, politics, religion, and the latest world events. He is seriously one of the most well read man I have ever met. We have the same views on most things and he has the keenest sense of humor. He always come up with a way to see something in a new light that I often overlook. The only thing we don't agree on is music. He also has the best memory ever - he can recall any theme song to any sitcom from the 70's until present time. He is a good person to have around when you are stumped with a question and the answer is on the tip of your tongue....99% of the time he can tell you the answer. We were talking the other day about different people's personalities and the conversation turned to one certain co-worker. One who misses the mark most of the time at work - basically a low performance employee who seems oblivious to the fact that he is causing problems with other people getting their job done. He asked the question "I wonder what motivates this guy?" Wow, I never thought of it like that. Most people are motivated to do a good job for self satisfaction (me), bosses approval (me),to support a family ( he has none), or maybe to move up the corporate ladder. (Ain't gonna happen.) He is not motivated by money or success or even a good review by his boss. I seriously don't think anything motivates him, but he will probably outlive us all with his "could care less" attitude. Well, unless somebody at work goes postal on him.

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord.

Colossians 3:23

The Trial - Part Deux

So Casey Anthony walked on Sunday. For the first time in over three years, she became a free woman. Over 1,000 people showed up to protest her release at 12:00 midnight. She was ushered into a black SUV heading to who knows where? Where does she have to go? Her defense team is probably going to put her up for awhile, but how long does anyone expect that to last? The best of company gets old after awhile, and a non working liar would get to stinking quicker than dead fish in the refrigerator. Then where? I am sure she will get one offer to tell her story and that will be it. Nobody wants to touch her with a ten foot pole due to the public out lash. Even the classy porn company, Vibe Entertainment, reneged their offer to make a movie. I guess porn watchers have standards too. She will be broke, no friends, no family, and no job. Seriously, what kind of job could she get?

My point to this blog though is the public out lash against the jurors. Having watched every aspect of this trial, I have no doubt she is guilty of something. Even the female defense attorney that never left her side during the trial and was often seen hugging her, stammered and evaded the question when asked would she trust Casey Anthony with her children. She talked about the Casey she knew from prison or the Casey she became close to, but not one time did she say yes, I would trust Casey with my children. Nobody would.....but, a jury of her peers found her not guilty. Sure, I was mad and thought justice was not served. Maybe it wasn't, but the jury spoke. I heard on the news that one of the jurors had to quit their job and go into hiding due to death threats. Some of them are being rejected from eating in certain restaurants. All they did was answer a call of duty and came to a decision. Sure, it sounded like they didn't listen to the same testimony that I did. Sure it seemed like a common sense no brainer slam dunk case for the prosecution - but at the end of the day, they voted on what their gut told them, or at least I hope they did. Most of them said they knew she was not innocent and it made them sick to give the verdict that they rendered. They felt like they needed more evidence. Our forefathers designed a judicial system for everybody to have their day in court. Innocent until proven guilty no matter how guilty one appears. Sometimes it will fail us, but more often than not, it works. Yes, I hate that Casey probably got away with murder, but I can't help but think if I were on trial ( totally innocent of course ), I would hope I could have 12 people that demanded to have enough evidence to convict me.

Vengeance is mine: I will repay sayeth the Lord.

Romans 12:19b

Happy birthday Daddy!!

Today is my daddy's birthday - he would have been 76. We lost him 4 years ago - just 11 days after his 72nd birthday. Our tradition after my mom died was to have my dad a birthday celebration. Most of the time we all went out to eat, but in the past couple of years, we usually had a cookout. I remember the last cookout very vividly. I took several good shots that day of my dad and of my dad and my girls. If only I had known that would have been our last celebration, I would have spent more time sitting by him or taking more pictures.. I remember sending the pics to a friend by e-mail and she remarked how great and healthy my dad looked. I guess looks can be deceiving. We never really know what the cause of death was. He went to bed one night and just never woke up. Even in death, God is good. My dad never wanted to go in some traumatic way, he always wanted to go peacefully and he did. The sad way about that kind of death, is that it is sudden and no time to prepare like when my mom died....although, I never really prepared for hers even though I knew it was coming. My dad had become our focal point after my mom died. He liked for the entire family to get together to go out and eat a couple of times a year. Even with our busy schedules, most of us always carved out the time to go. So while he is gone, I can look back with no regrets in spending time with him....although I wish I had called and checked in on him more often.

I remember when my dad died, I had the feeling of being an orphan. I know how that must sound because I was 45 at the time with a husband and two grown children. The thing is nobody ever loves you like your parents. No matter what happens in your life, you can always count on them. And when it is gone, it is gone forever.

Happy birthday daddy - you are gone, but never forgotten.

Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.

Proverbs 23:22

Strongholds

The dictionary defines the word stronghold as a place of security or refuge. In ancient times, a stronghold was built to protect from invasion of the enemy. They were usually thick walls built up around them for protection. They were highly guarded and hard to break through.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.

II Corinthians 10:4

Spiritual strongholds in our life often are built for the very same purpose. They start out as a lie from the devil as he softly whispers it into your ear. It is probably one of Satan's most used tactics. Once the seed has been planted, it gets lodged into our imaginations, our arguments, and our intellect. They begin to gain influence over a person and sets itself up against the knowledge of God. They are lies that within our intellect that we claim as truths. Sadly, they don't leave us once we get saved. They are usually formed over years from our parents, our teachers, society, fears, and life's experiences. Some of the strongholds we probably aren't even aware of. They can be born out of lack of understanding or knowledge of the scriptures.

One kind of stronghold is the way we view God. It is probably one of the most popular strongholds within our society. You can view God as this large tyrant ready to stike at a moments notice at the minute of wrongdoing. If this is your view, it would be hard to run to him or trust him. Our most natural reaction would be to see him as a cold, distant, and uncaring God - none which is true. How many times have you heard - "if God was a loving God, why does he send people to hell?" Or "if God loves everybody, why does he allow children to be hurt or killed?" The truth is that all that is because of the fall of man. We brought it on ourselves. So this stronghold once viewed against God's word doesn't hold up. It is a stronghold you have allowed in your mind. Another stronghold is thinking you are too bad of a person to be saved. God's Word clearly states he isn't willing that any should perish. Or how about the child that was brought up in a household where he was unloved who now has the "I'm useless" stronghold in his imaginations - but for God so loved the word debunks that. Maybe it's the couple that thinks they can not afford to tithe? The truth is you can't afford not to tithe. The Bible clearly states that you are robbing God. Or maybe the young couple that is madly in love geting involved in premarital relations? They build up a stronghold that God understands because we will one day be husband and wife. Maybe you have been wronged and you have the stronghold of unforgiveness. You can justify it, you can rationalize it, but you can't find God's blessings of it in His Word. I could go on and on but you get my point.

Spiritual strongholds are just as strong and hard to break through as the ancient strongholds. The problem with strongholds is that they cause you to compromise your sin and they keep you from repenting from them. Strongholds breeds hopelessness and paralyzes our faith. They cause us to go through situations in our lives without guidance from God. This leaves us on our own to draw our own conclusions without consulting the Word of God. We devise ways to handle life's problems that contradicts the Word of God. Strongholds also hinder our prayers and cause us to double minded. We pray for God's will all the while holding on to our Plan B in our mind not realizing or trusting God that His Plan A will be enough.

The truth is we all struggle with strongholds in our minds. It is part of our flesh and the only way to pull them down is to bring the stronghold and measure it against the truth. No vain imagination or stronghold can stand up to that.

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.

John 8:32

The trial

It's been awhile since I have posted anything. The reason is because of the Casey Anthony trial. I have taped the 6 hour court session faithfully every day since it began. On top of that, I have watched Nancy Grace and Dr. Drew listening to their opinions as well as the opinions of the professionals. I have followed this story since it broke back in June 2008. I was at the point that I was ready for it to be over, so I could get my evenings back. The state of my house has been has taken a toll since the trial has started. Maybe it's because I am a mom to two daughters, but this case captivated me like no other case with the exception of the Natalie Halloway case. It came in at a close second. Both involved missing daughters.


I listened to each expert present the facts for both the defense and the prosecution. While they didn't agree on a lot of things, they both had to agree to some of the facts, like the presence of human decomposition and chloroform in the car. The defense brought up things in their opening statements that they did not / could not prove, even though they promised they would. They changed their story about some things. I almost felt sorry for Jose Baez ( not really ), because honestly, he didn't have much to work with. He even called his own defendant a lying slut. Really???



The prosecution did an outstanding job with their closing arguments and their rebuttal. They nailed it. They presented Casey's web of lies leading up to the disappearance up until her being thrown in jail. I really thought it was going to be a slam dunk for the prosecution. They did not have to prove motive or cause of death. Seriously, the child was found triple bagged with duct tape over their skull....I really didn't need to know HOW she died, but knew enough facts to know it was a homicide. Nobody would make an accidental drowning look like a murder. That doesn't even make sense. They only had to believe it with reasonable doubt, not NO doubt. I think the state did prove that. After all the facts were presented, it really came down to me as a common sense trial. If you used your common sense, all the pieces of the puzzle fit perfectly. Sadly, common sense is not so common.


Twelve people saw it differently. It makes me livid. Mad as heck really! I suspect they will see things differently once they get out and hear all the facts they did not hear in court. They may soon realize they let someone get away with murder literally. But did she? Nah....she may have gotten away with it in this lifetime, but nobody gets away with wrong doing. One day, she ( and all of us ) will stand before the only Judge that really matters. Her lies won't hold up there. She won't have a defense team to defend her there. She won't get away with murder at that time. The punishment that will be given out then is far worse than what the state of Florida can do.

One thing that really bothers me is the celebration the defense put on afterwards. I understand, that they "won" their case and after three years of hard work, they deserve a time to relax - but to do it openly where all can see, is just down right disrespectful. They should have taken it privately where the world could not see. They may have won a case, but a precious little girl is gone forever and nobody is paying for her death. I see no reason to celebrate.

What's next for Casey Anthony? After falsely accusing her dad of sexually molesting her and hiding the body, it will he hard for her to go back home again. It will be hard for her to get a job - I doubt she even wants one. I have a feeling, that Miss Anthony is going to get her a nice little book deal and get paid to give interviews. Yeah, life may be good for a short while, but she will go through the money as quick as she comes into it and we will be hearing about her again in the news real soon. Probably sooner than later.

Again??

I almost feel sorry for Obama. Almost. This past week, he and Michelle attended some function in England with the Queen. He encouraged everybody to lift up their glass for a toast in honor of the Queen. Nobody, I mean nobody lifted up their glass. Not even the Queen. She kept looking at him and suddenly, it hit him. Nobody picks up their glass before the Queen lifts her. He proceeded to set his glass back down. Come on, we have all done something like that where our timing is just a wee bit off. I have stood up in church to sing and realize that I am the only one standing. Or how about when you start clapping and realize that they are not yet finished and yes, you are the ONLY one clapping. You know that feeling where you just want to crawl up under a rock and hide. Luckily, all my social blunders are not documented on tape and put on the nightly news. Okay, so that is where my feeling sorry for him ends.

It was just last year when Michelle put her arm around the queen...another no-no. Come on President Obama and First Lady, even Fergie knew better than that!! Don't get me wrong, I don't get all the royal protocol surrounding the Queen. You don't eat or drink until she does and when she is finished eating, then so are you whether you are still hungry or not. I just hope she is a slow eater. It doesn't matter if you agree with them, but you do have to respect them. To do otherwise, is well, just dis-respectful and looks bad on the USA. The President has a full time person on his staff whose sole job is to brief him on different cultures. So what is the problem? Are they really just social blunder's or are they both so egotistical and just do what they want to do? Of course, the media played it all down by blaming everybody other than Obama. Can you imagine if Bush had made this same blunder. He would have been ripped apart. I do have to admit though, the look on Obama's face at the exact moment when he realized his blunder is PRICELESS!!

Here's a tip to the President and First Lady - Please, please, please study up on royal protocol before you decide to drop back in for a visit to Buckingham Palace. It is simply just too embarrassing to watch.

It couldn't have been easy....

My mom has been on my mind a lot here lately. Truthfully, she is never really far from my thoughts. My dad either for that matter. I lost my mom when I was 32 - too young to lose your mother. Of course, if I was 62, I would probably feel the same way. I have always thought that I had the perfect mother. I know most people feel that way especially after they lose their mother or as they age, but I was one of those that thought she was perfect even when I was younger. My mom never had it easy. She lost her dad to a railroad accident when she was around 5 years old and was placed in an orphanage along with her sisters. I guess times were hard back then and her mother couldn't / wouldn't do the things needed to keep her babies with her. I don't mean to judge, because I really don't know the circumstances. Orphanage life was all my mom knew until she was 18 years old and I guess considered an adult by the orphanage to make it on her own. She met my dad while he was stationed in Charleston and the rest is history. It still couldn't have been easy on her though. She had to leave what little family she knew to move to wherever the Air Force decided they should be stationed. It couldn't have been easy to bring four "doorstep" children in this world with no family around to help you out. It couldn't have been easy to be a "single" mother while her husband was away defending his country. It couldn't have been easy to have little or no contact with your husband while he was away. It couldn't have been easy not knowing how to drive and still making sure we were all in church. For all that though, my mom was one that was easy to please. One thing my dad was most proud of my mom was that she never complained. Never complained when they had to pack up and move once again. Never complained when she was left at home to care for four children while he had to leave. Never complained about the condition of the house he could afford to rent for his family. It just didn't take much for my mom to be happy. What an example she set for her children! Her happiness was not based on her circumstances, it was based on her faith in God. My mom's early childhood would have given her every reason to take the broad path in life, but her faith in God kept her on the straight and narrow. I would not be where I am today without that seeing that in my mama! She was truly a virtuous woman in my eyes!

Her children arise up, and call her blessed.

Proverbs 31:28a

Say it isn't so....

There are certain milestones that you come across in life that are a stark reminder of just how fast time is flying by. They are also a reminder as to how old you are getting. I just experienced one this past week. It was a class reunion and it wasn't even mine. It was Kelly's 10th year class reunion. Seriously, when did that happen??? I remember all too well that it was only yesterday when I was writing check after check for all those senior expenses. Planning the senior cruise. Stressing over her moving out for college. I know it is very cliche, but time really did fly by.

To top it off, the very same day I received a high school graduation from a boy that used to be in my Sunday school class. Seriously, in my head he is only like 12 - surely not old enough to graduate!

I took a few pictures with my youngest daughter this weekend because of Mother's day...and the pictures told the same story. I am indeed getting older and looking my age. Since I am trying to find something to be thankful for in every situation, I guess I am thankful to be on this side of the dirt.

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

Justice has been served

May 1, 2011 will go down in the history books. Almost 10 years after 9/11, justice was served on Osama Bin Laden, one of the worst terrorists of all times. I will sleep a little better because of it. I am pretty sure that he was highly disappointed when he woke up in hell instead of paradise with 72 virgins. I am extremely proud of our troops and even prouder to be an American.

A lot of the headlines and comments were of people happy that he was "rotting in hell." I have to admit, that while I am happy that he is no longer a threat, I struggled with my feelings on that. I can't be happy that someone went to hell. God sure isn't. He states in Ezekiel 18:23 "Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die: saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?" Bottom line, God wanted Osama to repent. Right up until his death, he had the opportunity to repent. That is the amazing thing about grace, it is sufficient even for the most hardened of criminals like Bin Laden.

So while I am rejoicing over our victory, it is just that justice was finally served and not because he is in hell. Bottom line, we ALL deserve hell.

When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.

Proverbs 11:10

Royal Wedding

I couldn't sleep last night and no, it wasn't because of my husband's snoring. It was the anticipation of the royal wedding. I woke up at 12:00 a.m. and again at 2:00. Finally at 3:15, I decided to go ahead and get up. Why didn't I just set my DVR to record it?? I did...in fact, I set both of my DVR's to tape two different channels with coverage leading up to the wedding. I have always been a celebrity follower, so this was right up my alley. I remember doing the same thing almost 30 years ago with Charles and Diana's wedding. Sure, I could have watched the tape when I got home from work, but there is something about watching something live as history is being made. Plus, I was really excited about seeing Kate's dress.

I caught myself smiling at today's wedding because with all the pomp and circumstance surrounding this royal couple, you could see past that and see a couple that are genuinely in love and excited to be getting married. You could see it in Prince William's face when he saw his bride for the first time. You could see it in her eyes as she looked at her prince charming.

There is a fairytale element when watching a royal wedding. No expense is spared and it is very elaborate. Over the top really. What bride wouldn't love to leave her wedding in a horse drawn carriage to her new home which happens to be a palace? That is the stuff that fairy tales are made of. With that being said, that is about all I would want of this lifestyle. Just today, I heard the media report that she wore too much mascara today. Really?? I thought she looked flawless. I could not stand living in a fishbowl with every mistake I made being broadcast by the media. There will always be the paparazzi hounding her every move and hoping to catch her on a bad day. Unlike Diana, Kate seems to have found a doting and supporting husband that will help her with every step of the way. And that is what makes it a real fairytale.

Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave until his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Genesis 2:24

Holidays

I heard last week that some school up north was trying to ban the term "Easter Eggs" and was trying to come up with an alternative name. I mean, really? It seems like with every Christian holiday that we celebrate, we have to come up with an additional secular celebration to go along with it. Like Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny. I am not opposed to participating as long as it does not over shadow the true meaning of these holidays. Santa Claus and the Easter bunny have stopped by my house on numerous occasions as you can tell by the picture above. But, you don't see anybody trying to overshadow the true meaning of Thanksgiving or Memorial Day. What is it about Christian holidays that offends so many people? Why do we so easily change from saying Merry Christmas to Happy Holidays?? I can tell you in one word. Jesus.

If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
John 15:18

30 days to live....

What if you heard those four words today? How differently would you spend the next 30 days? I am sure I would get rid of the things in my life that do nothing but just waste my time. I doubt I would spend as much time working so much OT, and even less time on Facebook. I doubt I would spend one second of my 720 hours to worry over things that do not matter. Things like my weight, how clean my house is, or the latest style. I wouldn't waste one second of my time listening to gossip or backbiting. I would not keep score or waste time on past hurts. I wouldn't waste any time on petty arguments. I would spend more time with my husband and say "yes" the next time he asked me to tag along fishing or to chop wood. I would spend time with my girls and my loved ones. I doubt I would miss the opportunity to let people know what they mean to me. How much I appreciate having them in my life. I would imagine I would spend more time in God's word and in prayer. I would probably speak to the ones closest to me to make sure that they "know that they know" where they are going to be spending eternity. How much more fervently would I pray for my girls or for other's? I would probably have no problem staying away from the sins that so easily beset me. I would attempt to keep my life cleaner knowing the day is drawing near for me to meet my Creator. The thing is we never know when God will take us out of this world. None of us are promised tomorrow, much less 30 days.

Boast not thyself of tomorrow: for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

Proverbs 27:1

Being a kid....

A co-worker was telling me how his young son had just learned to ride a bike. The only problem he said was that he wanted to ride it all the time and to do that, a parent needs to be outside to keep an eye on him. I can't even imagine how much fun riding a bike would be if you had to stay in sight of someone. Learning to ride a bike in my day granted you freedom to roam the neighborhood. Wheels at 6 was a close second to wheels at 16. My husband tells me of how he used to get up on Saturdays and get on his bike with a packed lunch and ride all over town. I am sure his mother worried about his safety, but probably more in the way of getting bit by a snake while in the woods rather than getting snatched by someone looking to cause harm. My how things have changed....I can remember when my parents would go grocery shopping, they would ( and could ) leave all four of us kids in the car. We would roll down the window and just wait for their return. Nobody every came close to snatching us. I can't even imagine being able to do that now. When Halloween rolled around, my parents would drop us off across the river and we would walk all over the neighborhood and meet up at a designated time. The only reason a parent would want to go through your candy would be to get a piece of the good stuff. The thought of somebody tampering with the candy was just unheard of. My girls went house to house by way of a car and usually to only houses of people we knew. It saddens me to see the things that my generation had the priviledge to enjoy is becoming so foreign to the younger generation. Things that a kid should be able to enjoy. I remember that my parents did warn us of "bad" people, but not like parents have to instill in kids today. A kid only gets to be a kid once and riding a bike outside of their parents vision should be an option!

But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse.

II Timothy 3:13a

II Timothy 3:13a

If I could turn back time

Notice anything funny about this pic? I can just see my mother in law rolling her eyes and telling Rex "just get in the picture - shirt or no shirt."

We look like the typical nerd family - around 1970 -1971.

Our first family portrait

Around 1993 - and yes, perms were all the rage.....

Our most current

I love pictures. One of my biggest regrets is that we didn't take more family portraits.

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