IT’S ALL ABOUT ME

You do know IT IS ALL ABOUT ME, don’t you?  When I say ALL, I mean ALL.  I am talking about the Bible.  The scriptures are all about me!  God wants me to know how to live and receive eternal life.  So you will know that IT’S ALL ABOUT ME!!, here are a few examples:

Whether I turn to the right or to the left, my ears will hear a voice behind me, saying, "This is the way; walk in it.   Isaiah 30:21

See, God is directing my path.  My path!

So then, just as I received Christ Jesus as Lord, I will continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as I was taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 

 

See to it that no one takes me captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.   Colossians 2:6-7

I cannot help it is about me.  I received Jesus as my Lord and he strengthens my faith.  Now, I must admit that you are in this one.  The “See to it that no one takes me captive” part is where you come in.  You are responsible for me – a sister in Christ – and are to make sure I do not fall for false, misleading philosophy.  But it is still about me staying on the path.

No, in all these things I am more than a conqueror through him who loves me.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate me from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.   Romans 8:37-39

How amazing!  I will never be separated from the love of God.  Jesus made sure of that!

Satisfy me in the morning with your unfailing love, that I may sing for joy and be glad all my days.  Psalm 90:14

My morning will be satisfied by unfailing love (gee and I thought coffee was to be my morning go to)!  I kinda questioned the sing part, but if I have unfailing love of God, why wouldn’t little ole me, who cannot make a sound that could even come close to being described as singing, sing for joy and be glad all my days?  God wants me to have joy and be glad.  My goodness, He is so wonderful to me.

Have you figured out that this, so far, has been written tongue-in-cheek?  Yes, each verse is meant for me and each is to guide and strengthen my journey to eternal life.  The really, really, really amazing thing is that – Are you ready? – they were also written for you.

But, do you find yourself in the scriptures?  Do you know you have POWER?

For God did not give me a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.  ….. by the power of God, who has saved me and called me to a holy life -- not because of anything I have done but because of his own purpose and grace.  This grace was given me in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.    2 Timothy 1:7-9

Timothy was called.  The disciples were called.  Moses and Noah and Abraham were called.  They each were called to fulfill the plan God had for them.  God has also called you.  YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED BY GOD!!  YOU HAVE BEEN CALLED TO A HOLY LIFE.  This is all about you.

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name.  I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen me with power through his Spirit in my inner being.  So that Christ may dwell in my heart through faith.  And I pray that I, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that I may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.   Ephesians 3:14-19

You might have the wrong impression that you are in your life and especially your trials all by yourself.  Au contraire (Don’t ya love to use phrases like that?) you are a Child of God.  Look again at the above scripture.  You have power through HIS Spirit.  You know…the one living inside you.  The Spirit that kicks in when you are headed down the wrong path and when you are praising God and when you make the right decision.  But that is not all!  You have HIS whole family in heaven and on earth.  It is a very large family and you are part of that family.  Besides that, you are together with all the saints.  Wow!  Saints.  Now if that doesn’t make you feel special you need to call me so we can talk.  You know how full you fill after those holiday meals?  That is nothing compared to being filled with the fullness of God. 

Yes, God so loved the world that He sent His Son.  He sent His Son for each of us.  For you.  For me.  This verse must be personalized.  Personalized so you know you shall not parish.  God created you.  It is personal. 

For God so loved me

that he gave his one and only Son,

that, because I believe in him,

I shall not perish

but I will have eternal life

John 3:16

 

 

 SO EXCITED TO MEET ---

How does it feel to meet someone really famous?  Or a very important person?  This question is how I was going to start a Sunday School lesson.  The lesson was based on how people fell at Jesus’ feet or instantly knelt, but the discussion starter was to show the difference of meeting today’s important or famous people and meeting Jesus.  The only famous person I have personally met is Matthew West and that was for a quick handshake and picture with him.  I needed some input from someone who had met an important person.

I was thinking about this as I waited for my Mary Kay representative, Marie Quick.  My mind was going one place and then another, trying to imagine being in the presence of an important person.  Besides, what makes a person important?  As my mind was meandering here and there, Marie dove in.  As she walked toward the porch, it hit me … I wonder how she felt when she was around Mary Kay, the founder of the company?  Did she meet her up close and personal?  And poor Marie, not knowing I was going to bombard her with questions, sat down, smiled, and said, “Good morning Mary.  It is so good to see you.”

I replied, “It is good to see you too.  Marie, will you answer some questions to help me prepare for a Sunday School class?”  Marie, having been in a previous class I taught, thought for a minute, scrunched her brow, and finally said a slow drown out, “Y…e…s.”  Bless her heart!

When was the first time you met Mary Kay?  How did you prepare?  How did it feel?

Marie:  I never met Mary Kay one on one.  Some representatives would make their way up to her and she always spoke to each person that approached her.  The first time I was in the same room with her was when I earned the right to attend the meeting because of sales and “moving up the Mary Kay ladder.”  I spent extra time getting ready.  Of course, I wanted my make-up to be perfect and my red jacket immaculate.

I was nervous and excited and overwhelmed and blessed.  She founded the company on the same principles I have:  God first, Family second and Country third.  I can still see it in my mind.  Although I had travelled with friends, they had not worked at sales long enough or hard enough to be invited to this special meeting.  Some did not want to take the path up the company ladder. 

It did not take long for those at the table to start sharing their stories, struggles, and hints.  What an evening and I will never forget looking across the room and seeing representatives from across the country wearing their red jackets and being very professional.

What has been the hardest part? What have you received from being a Mary Kay?

Marie:  The hardest part is reaching out to people I do not know.  I have moved numerous times and know how to talk to people, but it is still hard to try to sell something to a woman or man, now that we carry products for men.  Make-up and skin care is very personal and it can take a few visits for anyone to feel comfortable with me.

What have I received?  That is easy!  I help women feel better about themselves by learning skin care and proper make-up application. 

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People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.  Luke 13:29

Are you prepared to attend the “feast in the kingdom of God”?

Have you helped others find their way to the feast?

How will you feel as you glance back at family and friends who chose a different path?

As you arrive, will you be nervous, excited, overwhelmed, … blessed?

 EVEN THE CRICKETS ARE QUIET

It is 4:21 ..  AM..  and I am awake.  I was asleep but my Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) kicked in.  Bless its heart!  I was asleep.  Now I am awake.  And even the crickets are quiet.  That is okay because I have news.

CALL ME JOB UPDATE — June 24, 2022 blog

June

• The specialist implanted a screw in my jaw

July

• Surgery to remove the tumor
• Tests on the tumor showed clean edges
• Surgery to test the lymph nodes was scheduled

August

• Surgery to remove lymph node
• Tests on lymph node negative

September

• New air conditioner
• Garage door spring broke
• Cancer team decision was that I would not need chemo or radiation
• I started on an anti-estrogen pill and can announce:

MATILDA HAS LEFT MY BODY

When I was diagnosed with cancer, I named that little tumor Matilda.  Why Matilda? I don’t know.  The name just popped into my head.  It is great to know Matilda is gone, but the word cancer changes your life.  Matilda has left but while she was here, she created months of worry and unending waiting.  Matilda is gone, but we are changed.

We realize, once again, that life is fragile and valuable.  We know that stress is exhausting and even one day of waiting feels like an eternity.  We researched to help understand words we did not want to hear and to be an advocate for our decisions.  At each visit, surgery, and receiving test results, we hoped for the best, but were prepared for the worst.  We are thankful for doctors and nurses who are compassionate and skilled.  The most important thing we did was asking for and accepting the prayers of family, friends, and strangers.  We felt those prayers as we worked to evict Matilda.

So many hear words that change lives: Diabetes, Stroke, Diseases of the Heart, Respiratory, Kidney, Spine, and Liver, Alzheimer’s, Cancer, and way too many others to list.  Each of our journeys is different.  Some seem fairly easy and some have been long and hard.  But for each, a life was changed.  But sometimes, yes, sometimes we hear those wonderful words: Matilda has left your body.

It is now 5:36 AM and the crickets are awake.  My leg has settled down.  The alarm will go off shortly.  I should have told Matilda to take the RLS with her.  Hindsight is always perfect.

 DO YOU SEE ME?  I AM HERE!

Sometimes I think I am invisible.  I thought this was my time with my dad.  I am sitting right here, but your eyes are not looking at me.  I am here, but no words are being exchanged.  I want to shout, “DO YOU SEE ME?”

Sometimes I think I am invisible.  I wash your jeans, your shirts – your underwear for goodness sakes.  I fixed a really good meal – your favorite.  I made sure everything was ready for all of you before I left for work.  I want to shout, “DO YOU SEE ME?”

Sometimes I think I am invisible.  Do you see how hard I work?  Do you see that I fixed the swing and was there for your game?  I want to shout, “DO YOU SEE ME?”

Sometimes I think I am invisible.  Yes you came, but you did not see me _____. (Fill in the blank with get a touchdown, do my solo, or any activity your child is in.)  You asked about my day and I tried to tell you, but your phone rang.  I want to shout, “DO YOU SEE ME?

Sometimes I think I am invisible.  This was to be a date – a time of questions and answers.  Quiet conversations and a chance for love to grow.  Instead, I want to shout, “DO YOU SEE ME?”

Sometimes we think we are invisible.  We came into the restaurant together – the six of us.  Our two grandchildren immediately took out their phones.  Their parents were talking on their phones all the way here.  They are still talking or checking messages or on Snapchat.  And we quietly sit here.  We want to shout, “DO YOU SEE US?”

How sad that the people we are with are invisible.  They are present, but not important enough:

• to have an actual conversation with them.
• to share a laugh.
• to give flirty glances.
• to hold hands.
• to listen as they tell about their day.
• to hear “when I was young” stories.

I love to people watch and have watched as these stories played out over and over and over.  And I want to shout, “PUT DOWN YOUR PHONE!”

How my heart hurt for the little girl who waited for her father to see her.  She silently ate her meal and he never got off the phone.

Parents – mothers and fathers – can feel invisible.  They work at a job and at home, but it is just expected and goes unnoticed when video games and phones and social media consume the kids. 

The kids also feel invisible.  They want to be heard and feel loved, but too often fears and emotions remain private as business calls or calls about a shopping trip or an alert take priority over them.  Families ignore each other as they come and go but they never get off the phone.  There are constant notifications to check, work calls, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and the winning homerun was missed because someone somewhere posted a cute dog video.

Couples -- those getting to know each other and those that are getting out of the house for a date night – make time to be together and then constantly check their phone.

Grandparents – sadly sit quietly while everyone talks to a friend they have never met or watch a video of the latest prank.  They wonder if there would be a response if they texted their kids and grandkids.

This phone addiction (Yes, addiction.) has gotten out of hand.  All ages are more concerned about what might be going on in cyberspace instead of what is going on right in front of them.  Our children hear “hold on just a minute” when they try to talk to their parents.  Parents hear “the video game is almost over” when they try to get everyone to the table.  Spouses no longer listen to how the day went and grandparents learn how to text.

People watching is fun.  Look around.  Really look.  What do you see?  Do you see people who want to shout, “DO YOU SEE ME?”

 

 ROAD TRIP

Last week I went on a road trip!!!  I met up with my sister and we spent a couple of days catching up.  Venting.  Laughing.  Eating.  Drinking wine.  Putting our feet up.  Eating.  Driving around.  Shopping.  Cemeteries.

Most things on this list worked out pretty good.  A couple of things did not.

EATING – We tried (get the tried) to eat lunch at an Olive Garden in Richmond, Indiana.  As we waited to be seated, a number of employees walked by us.  They never spoke.  Then another employee, in a very grouch tone, said, “I’ll be with you in a minute.”  My sister and I looked at each other, nodded our heads, and walked out the door.  We went to Applebee’s.

I hope you remember that I hate snakes!  We were seated, the waitress came to our table, and she asked what we would like to drink.  It was then that I saw her tattoo --- a snake.  The tattoo went from her wrist to her elbow.  I could see it as she stood there.  I could see it when she took our order and when she brought our food.  I could see it .. Yes, I am a single mom.  How old is your daughter?  I have a picture.  Ahhh.. how cute.  I am getting married soon and we are buying a big old house.  We want lots of rooms.  It sounds like you want more children.  We do, but we want to foster children.  I was a foster kid and I want to help other kids. 

And then it happened.  I no longer saw the snake.  I saw a young lady who has a dream.  A dream to raise her daughter, marry a man who shares her values and goals, and help children through difficult times.  Right in front of me stood hope for the future.

As we were leaving, I complimented a woman on her bright yellow hat.  She thanked me and then told me where she bought it and how it made her fee.  I love to hear people’s stories. 

SHOPPING – I am not a big shopper, but we had seen a couple of stores we wanted to find.  One was a book store and one was named Two Sisters.  We could not find either of them.  I had the address.  I had my iPad map that said they were right where we were parked.  But they were not!  No books!  No Two Sisters!  Richmond needs to make their stores easier to find.  We did find an antique store…in a neighboring town. 

CEMETERIES – Although not as excited as I am, Margaret does accommodate my desire to go to cemeteries.  We explored two.  One had a unique tombstone (let’s just say they were dressed exactly as they were when they came into this world) and one was so peaceful the deer were wondering around.  One stone said “Howdy folks this is your old friend Singin Sam” and one reminded us that “death is only a shadow across the path to heaven.” 

THE TRIP HOME – Sadly, our visit was over and she headed south and I headed north.  Or at least I tried to.  We are in the fifth season in Indiana:  CONSTRUCTION!  I was either trying to go around the construction area or through it.  I turned on roads that sorta headed in the right direction and quickly found out I had managed to find … drum roll … more construction.  I went through small towns and really small towns.  I enjoyed every back road I took and hubby was thrilled that not one of those back roads was gravel.

WHAT I LEARNED ON THIS ROAD TRIP –

• Family is important!  So many families are separated by a disagreement that happened 10, 20, or 30 years ago.  How sad. 
• Community is important!  I drove through Hagerstown and they were preparing to celebrate their Little League Team.  Signs, balloons, and posters were everywhere.  And their team only won one game.  It didn’t matter.  Those boys were part of their town.  They were part of the community.  They were going to be a part of a parade that afternoon.
• Time is important!  Time to enjoy family.  Time to travel backroads.  Time – a gift not to be wasted.

I love to travel!  It doesn’t matter if it is to the Rocky Mountains or a small town in my home state.  I love to travel!  I see homes and farms and towns.  I see life.  And when I go home, I have new memories.  And I get the opportunity to meet a young lady, with a snake tattoo, who shared her story with me.