Monogram

I love monograms...do you?  Monograms are hugely popular right now.  Just go to a baby shower.  You'll see that baby's name or initials or something embroidered on everything from burp rags, to diaper bags, to bloomers.

I have a couple of items with a "W" on them...and one crocheted "Weaver" on the wall.  Recently, I ordered this monogram and applied to the big plain mirror in the living room...

Why do we love monograms?  I think because they make something personal...they show ownership...family spirit or whatever.  It made me think of my Heavenly Father.  I have a personal relationship with Him through Jesus Christ.  He tells me that he has me engraved on the palms of His hands (Isaiah 49:16); that I am always in His memory!  He loves me...I belong to Him and He wants me to know it! 

Do you know Him?  Are you engraved on His hands?  All it takes is "A"...admit you are a sinner; "B"...believe that Jesus died on the cross to pay for your sins; and "C"...confess Him as your Lord and Savior...and you can have this relationship.  Then you will be engraved on His palms too!  How special that God made a way for everyone to know Him and He left us His Word to tell us that way.  He wants us to know exactly how much He loves His children!

Blessings!

YOU Drive...I'll Ride

I love a good mental picture...words or phrases that you can immediately see in your mind.  Ultimately, we only fully comprehend when we can process with a mental picture.  When someone talks about something I can't even begin to see in my mind...I'm lost...unfocused...clueless.  I don't know what they're talking about.

Years ago a group called FFH (I believe stands for Far From Home) had a song entitled, You Drive...I'll Ride.  This song has a catchy tune and good lyrics...and this is the mental image it brings to my mind:

I never saw this movie, Thelma and Louise, but I've seen bits, clips, and photos.  It's not a movie I recommend, it's the visual...a long, sleek convertible - one driving...the other simply riding.
One is in control...the other trusting.  The driver chooses to drive out over the Grand Canyon...the passenger controls the radio and simply rides.

In You Drive...I'll Ride the singer is relinquishing the steering wheel to God...it's about repentance, submission and yielding to God's will.  That's where I've been for a couple of weeks now...letting God break my heart again so I can yield...so I can hear the still small voice guiding me to His will...

"YOU take the wheel, I will work the radio
YOU take the wheel, we'll go where YOU want to go
YOU take the wheel, take it fast or take it slow
Wherever YOU choose I'm fine...
YOU drive...I'll ride"

Yielding...trusting...following...obeying...
Difficult?  You betcha!  But there is freedom and peace in giving up the steering wheel.
Do I know where I'm going?  Ultimately..."YOU'RE driving me home" -
I'm on a journey...when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior...my destination was settled - forever.

The roadmap however, is another story.  I have no idea where He is leading me...I have to follow...or
"ride along" day by day, hour by hour, moment by moment. I've taken back the wheel so many times, and ended up on a side trip...losing my way...but oh, HE is faithful to draw me back...break my heart again...and I yield up the wheel one more time. And I'll confess, lately I feel like I'm soaring off into the Grand Canyon, scared and trembling. I know He is in control and He is Good and His purposes are BEST.

The truth is this...my destination was settled in 1972.  What God is interested in most now...is my journey. He is faithfully transforming me into the image of Christ, bit by bit...experience by experience...relationship by relationship...trauma by trauma...trouble by trouble...grace by grace...when I yield and trust and most of all, cooperate with Him, by handing the steering wheel back to His most capable hands.

So, my prayer today once again is...Lord, YOU drive...I'll ride.

Blessings!

Random Thoughts on Wisdom

This week was the scheduled time to have my wisdom teeth removed.  I opted for the sedation method - I am a chicken when it comes to any type of dentistry.  It went quite well I think.  This is Friday and I feel very much back to my old self.  My sweet Jill has taken very good care of me, allowing her Dad (my Jay) to go back home and take care of business there.

I find the name "wisdom" teeth very thought provoking.  These teeth do not make one wise.  Many people never have any.  There is the old adage, that when one cuts these teeth - one's life is half over.  And although they are named "wise", they are usually not very good teeth and do not last.  At the same time...when you mention wisdom teeth, everyone knows exactly which teeth you are talking about and their removal is felt with commiseration.

I am thankful wisdom is not dependent on a few teeth, aren't you?  Wisdom comes from our Heavenly Father and we must seek her (wisdom is feminine in scripture - Yay!) according to Proverbs and ask for her according to James.  Wisdom can come from experience...a very costly and painful school.  I feel I have gained a lot of wisdom in my 58 years.  On the other hand, sometimes I feel clueless.  It is what my husband would call an "oxymoron" I think.

Almost everyone has wondered why I am having these teeth removed now...am I not a little old?  It's just the way of my life.  Rarely have I done anything the way anyone else does...I always wanted to be different. LOL!  These wise teeth were causing harm to my dental health...and after being told and told for about 5 years that I needed them removed...I did it.  I am either stubborn, hard of hearing, or maybe not so wise after all??? 

It has allowed me some time with Jill and Amelia and Joy and her boys, even Kerri and Kandace came for a visit...time to be lazy and rest and think...hopefully I have even gained a little wisdom.

These are my random thoughts for a week of some pain, some discomfort, and a lot of love and care.  I am truly blessed, and hopefully a little wiser.

The Rest of the Story

This morning I woke at 4:30 and decided I would go ahead and get started on my day. I had my usual breakfast of Greek yogurt and blueberries and my major vice, Diet Dr. Pepper...my Bible study and prayer...and then running through the shower and getting ready for work.

I got my fruit print tablecloth (one of my favorites)...my metal vase and purple flowers...and my gold bird (that all sounds crazy!) and took off for Blytheville.  I went straight to Kroger and got some cokes...fruit napkins...green plates...cups and silverware.  All the time I was praying my co-workers would be late, so I could get everything ready before they got there.  I hurried to make a birthday poster in Publisher.

I managed to get everything ready...and here it is!

They were pleasantly surprised...and said the cake was delicious.  I got ice cream and whipped cream to go with it since the ganache was made with semi-sweet chocolate.  I ate a tiny piece as is and it was really good. 

Here are my co-workers...

Louise...who is a July 4th baby!

and

Romona, whose birthday was the last part of June.

For many years, we always traveled to the churches we ministered in...and we were always the recipients of the hospitality of others.  I desired this particular gift and I began to ask for it.  That is scriptural, Paul said to desire the best gifts.  I think God has finally given it to me.  I absolutely love trying to make others feel loved and special.  The only bummer to me was that the ganache lost its glossy appearance after it set, detracting from the "presentation" but not the taste.  A piddly detail, but there it is.

Blessings!