Where To Go To Get Things Done

I can hardly believe that this month is practically over! It just flew by and holds so many great memories and times. Also, as with life, it holds some difficult times, yet, I'm learning that if you know where to go when an issue arises, these difficult times seem to be taken care of. I've had some family issues this month that were getting harder and harder to deal with. As with most families, there seems to be that "one" member of it that can drain your energy and patience. While I thank God that I am blessed with Godly Christian women friends/family, it is so awesome to go to God and hear His resolution. It was even better that the resolution lined up what my friends said. While we should love everyone, there are those that we need to build boundaries with. I have never been good with that and if there was a time that I was, my consistency did not stay. God is still helping me with those flaws. Then there are other issues that don't involve my family and I must say, knowing who to go to with most of these questions, makes me realize that our friends, especially those walking with the Lord, seem to get things resolved easily and almost instantly! With the friends I've been blessed with, it's a great feeling to learn what their gifts are. Just recently, an issue came up and I knew exactly who to go to. She not only sensed the necessity for confronting this concern, but she knew who to go to and has a plan of action! Am I grateful....yes! Am I surprised by her taking the lion by the tail and getting this issue lifted from my heart...no. There is no way to know what tomorrow or next month holds; however, I know who holds it and I thank God for being so good and loving. His loving kindness is everlasting! God isn't pushy, but if you draw near to Him...He will draw near to you. Delight yourselves in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Knowing He'll never leave you or forsake you, even when it seems you can't feel Him. Just hold on.

Glazed Stuff?

What a great weekend. I have to say between friends, family and church..life lately has been great. I also should note that try as I may, I still am having problems understanding what my friends say....and this time it's not my fault!! First mishap occurred Saturday while I was driving to some stores with a friend. So as not to embarrass anyone, I'll simply use the initials Debra Nicholas. We are talking about produce when she starts bragging about Sprouts having this and having that. Now, Debra has a French Canadian accent, and to be honest, I've had to strive to listen very well to what she says and felt like I've arrived! Well...no. She continues this conversation with saying "they even have 'glazed stuff'; however, she can't think of the name of the section. I'm trying to help so I throw out the word 'deli'? To which I got this look of utter disbelief. She, then says "No, the exact opposite"....so now, I'm scrambling to figure out what she said when it occurs to me that she might be saying CLAY'S STUFF, so I,say Vegan section? And she yells with excitement YES!! Next issue, my friend, who's initials are Mel Todd, is going to help me order some photos online and all I will have to do is simply go pick them up. How much easier can it get? So, she sends me a text and states the photos are ready at Walmart. I text back I'm on my way. I go in and wait at the photo place, cause no one seems to be assigned there...and long story short, they can't find them. Now, I text Mel, she's mad and reorders them. I leave store empty handed and select another day to go. Yesterday, I hiked White Tanks mountain after church, and decide now would be a good time to go back to Walmart, as I'm driving anyway. So, into Walmart I go to get my (twice ordered) photos. There again at the photo place they cannot find the photos. I am calm, I call Mel, she's like "give the phone to the clerk and let me talk to him because they have to be there!". After a minute, the clerk hands the phone back to me and Mel's laughing that the photos are at Walgreens, not Walmart! I'm not laughing at this and assure her that I'm 'gonna cut her white gut'! Finally, I'm leaving Walgreens with several sets of the same photo, I go home to put one in a frame. However, Mel continues to believe she told me Walgreens...to which I have the text saying Walmart. Friends...can't live with me, can't cut em....LOL

Secrets Kept Because of Fear

I had a great day yesterday with a sweet friend of mine. As we were chatting away, I shared with her a habit I have and afterwards, I felt better, we had a good laugh and wondered why I try to keep certain things in my life from certain people. I realized its from fear. Fear of being chastised, looked at like I've lost my mind, questioned on why I did something after the fact as if I could "unspill the milk". Yet, I will be the first one to tell someone to "play to the audience of one...God". FaceBook is a neat tool to try to stay caught up...but it cannot possibly serve as a fill in for all things that happen in our lives and conversations we've had and prayers we do. The neatest thing that happened to me this year that I did not share with everyone but my closest friends and family is that Bob and I remarried. I don't need to say anything else except that we are taking steps to ensure we have a wonderful marriage. Let's be real...we all mess up and all play a part in certain outcomes. Also, I do understand too well how friends worry about decisions being the right ones. All I can say is I am blessed, happier, closer to the Lord, and have a great husband. I'm going to do my part in being a good wife. Love hopes all things, believes all things and endures all things. Love never fails. Until tomorrow...blessings.

Conversations With Loved Ones

As I lay here reflecting over my day yesterday, and excited about what my day may bring today, I couldn't help but share this comment written by "Augustine" as it relates to Godly friendships: "To make conversation, to share a joke, to perform mutual acts of kindness, to read together well-written books, to share in trifling and in serious matters, to disagree though without animosity—just as a person debates with himself—and in the very rarity of disagreement to find the salt of normal harmony, to teach each other something or to learn from one another, to long with impatience for those absent, to welcome them with gladness on their arrival." This really made me think about our conversations with loved ones. A friend of mine and I went over to see my Aunt and Uncle, who had lost their only son, three years ago. Try as we may to get on lighter subjects...it seemed difficult this day. We would try to start over but the gravity of grief that each of us had to share, apparently needed to get out. We started off talking about halfway houses...next thing you know, we are back to an event that changed our life. These "serious matters", while dusted with some humor here and there, had to be released. I stop questioning why some conversations occur and others I think should...don't. That's why I believe that it's always a good idea for me to "Be Still" during these times and try to hear, really hear what their heart is trying to communicate. I'm learning, slow as it may be, that not every void has to be filled. Maybe the void is there for God to fill it...in His time...with what He wants. So, may my goal be one I've asked for several times...to be quick to hear; slow to speak; and slow to anger. As my prayers go out to all who have lost a loved one (the most recent being my son's favorite Uncle), may I always be ready to listen to them and their heart. Romans 8:28. For God causes all things to work together for good.....

The Eyes Have It

I had a great day yesterday. Don't you love it when you really have no idea how your day is going to go and then...without warning...something special happens? As you may know, I had a root canal on Tuesday and on Wednesdays I usually go to Yoga with my son (the highlight of my week---even if we have words). I never have had a root canal and not knowing what to expect..I didn't know if I was going to be able to go to Yoga or not. Then...a carrot was dangled in front of me and I knew I had to go. I was going to meet someone I've only heard of (for at least three months). My closest friends will know what I'm talking about. I forced myself up...head and jaws killing me...drove across town. Sort of wondering if I should turn around, yet I persevered. It was worth the drive. I met a new friend with the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen. Untarnished by the world eyes with an inner soul to match. It felt like I had met this person before. Has that ever happened to you? Didn't get to talk long but I had an everlasting impression that may last an eternity. Life never ceases to amaze me. Everyday is so precious and people are so fragile. Maybe this event will help me remember that.

Love is a Verb

Recently, I had a small procedure. I had intentions of driving there alone...coming home alone...and just sleeping the remainder of the day. However, a friend was adamant about taking me, picking me up and getting me home with some medication. I thought it was sort of silly to be honest...but nonetheless, have learned when people want to do something for you, to allow them. It's like a blessing. So, I was taken there, picked up (then found out she had parked my car half way around the moon), went on a nice l..o..n..g walk to the car and finally got home to my bed. She did my dishes and as I went to sleep, I smiled and thanked God for using her to take care of me. I realize I'm 51, but I felt like a little girl with my mom taking care of me. The only difference this time, was it was my Father in heaven using a friend here on earth, to do a job. I had intentions yesterday of being a blessing to someone...however, someone was a blessing to me. I'm grateful and today is a new day to make a choice of what attitude I want to have. Let's tune in to see what choice I made tomorrow!

Fear Not

I purposely don't watch the news. I mean..maybe once in a while for travel conditions or weather, but other than that I see no real need to. It scares me. All I can do is pray for the world but knowing that God is in control and that His will is going to be done, gives me peace when I pray. There are other things I fear and it's coming up tomorrow. A root canal. I've never had one and maybe it will be no big deal, but I've heard some stories and to be honest....like the news....I'd rather not hear about it. Futuristic thinking scares me too so I try to live in the day and diligently looking for the good in life. What can I do today? Who should I help? Who should I not? How can I make someone smile...or better yet...laugh. I don't have a lot of talents or gifts but what I do have, I'd like to use. A friend was telling me she feels trapped and I, feeling a little philosophical wrote...the trapping you speak of is in your mind...not inside walls. Release your fears and take small steps to open your world. She replied "okey dokey". Haven't heard from her since. However, it did motivate me to finish the laundry. God is good and I am blessed. Whom shall I fear? No one because He is with me. Make it a great week.

Sunday Morning

Another beautiful day. Yesterday was a test but thank the Lord I didn't do anything foolish when I found out about my mother in law, whom I loved, passing away. Divorce is a sting that can hurt for quite a while. Only God can ease the pain of it. Today though is a new day and I woke up feeling good and called a friend to see if she was coming to church with me for the second time In a row. I praise God that she is. It's always great to see people grow in the Lord. I continue to grow each year through a lot of tests and trials. When I think of all He's done for me and others ... I am amazed. His loving kindness is never ending. Yet He chastises those whom He loves. I ask you today Lord to help me be the woman you want me to be...to stop before reacting to a hurt and to help me speak the truth...in love. When I was five, living in poverty, I found a red pencil and scribbled real tiny on the wall, the word "help". At the time, I didn't know who or what I was writing to, but I do now. And He saw that and has lead me to Him. What a great God!

My First Blog

At times there is a feeling that I am extremely content. Perhaps it is because I was raise up extremely poor. In the past, that use to bother me, however, now that I'm aging, I see where it is serving me well. I want to live my life to be an encourager to those I come in contact with. It's quite easy to do since God has placed so many wonderful friends in my life. Strong Christian women. On the flip side though, He has also place some challenging people in my life and I believe He is trying to teach me boundaries...something I have never been good at. So, with this being my first blog...motivated to me by ny girlfriend Kate, here I begin. May people enjoy, learn and above all God be glorified.

Barb