Words

We just started our fall Bible study at church. We are studying Me, Myself and Lies by Jennifer Rothschild - excellent! Words are so important, aren't they? We think words and we speak words and we can write words. We can't be too careful with our words. The old adage, "Sticks and stones may hurt my bones, but words can never hurt me" is a lie. Words hurt. Words wound. Many carry words in their heads that they heard years and years ago. Conversely, words can also heal - bring life and joy and encourage! My heart's desire is to speak wise words and kind words. Sometimes though, I speak without thinking, or I speak when I should be silent. Sometimes, I speak with kind intentions and my words still cause hurt. For this, I am very sorry. "Lord, let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to You, my strength and my Redeemer."

Expectations...Part Dos

A few weeks ago, I shared my vision and dreams of teaching English as a Second Language to the Hispanic ladies at our Hispanic ministry. 4 women committed to attend. Last Thursday night was the first class. You can't imagine my surprise when Bro. Max Gusman, our associational Hispanic minister, arrived with his workbook, ready for class! Instead of 4, I had 8 students and by the end of class,2 more had come in. My expectations were exceeded! What a fun time we had! What a desire they have to be able to communicate with us. This is definitely expectations, part "dos" (two). Lord, you are so good!!!!

Random Thoughts

Jay and I have been made aware this past year how much MORE we pray for our children now - than ever before. Seems there is always so much to trust God for - to turn over to Him. More people involved: spouses and grandchildren. Our grandson, Jackson, is one funny kid. Fearless when it comes to riding his turtle off a small trampoline, or jumping in a pool, or stepping off a step. But terrified of child-sized carolers. (long story) Some days, I feel like I'm still 18 - others, I doubt I'll make it to 65... Mothering is the most wonderful thing I've ever done - I am blessed every single day! Rick Warren says something about life runnning along 2 tracks: there is always something good going on and there is always something bad. I'm beginning to agree with him! While I have regrets and things I'd like to "do over" - I am continually amazed at this journey I've been on for almost 58 years. It's been quite a ride. I ask Jay all the time, "why us?" "Why did God allow us to do this or that, or allow us to hear this preacher or that, or be exposed to the things we've had the privilege to learn?" I will so enjoy asking the Lord all these questions. Randy Alcorn in his book, Deadline (read if you haven't!), proposes the idea that our first experience in heaven will be going back over our life and seeing all the things we can't see right now (in the physical realm) and understanding what God was doing, or what He wanted us to do, etc. I am looking so forward to that. Random thoughts...

The New Me

Well, this is the new me. Due to health issues earlier this year, I had to change - yuck! I now have a new diet with new portion sizes. But, it has worked - praise the Lord! Good health now. Jill just sent me this new photo and I thought, "Well! I really don't look so bad!" Then I discovered she has new editing software and that she had touched me up - removed wrinkles (just a couple) - gave me a little blush and powder. Laughing out loud! See what happens when we are vain? In thinking about the new me - I realized I became the "new" me 37 years ago - when I realized I was lost and trusted Jesus Christ to come into my life. As I study His Word,die to self, and yield to His Spirit - I gradually become even more "new" - day by day. Double chin aside...I like the new me. Oh, I fail - every day - almost every hour. But I'm not who I used to be...and I'm not who I will be when I see Him face to face. Thank You, Jesus.

Tears

I'm a bawlbag. I cry easily - I cry at any thing that is touching. My grandsons recently watched the Hannah Montana Movie, and their comments were all about whether Granny would be crying at this point or that. And of course - they were right! I cry over commercials, Hallmark cards, touching stories - and I have trained my daughters well. We can't share much of anything without tears! They are not sad tears - they are just how we express ourselves. We can be laughing - and shedding tears at the same time! Tears release some sort of healing power - but can also be exhausting! There's another amazing thing about tears - we never run out of them - we never seem to run dry. I am glad God gave us the gift of tears.

Expectations

Lately, I've been thinking about expectations. Have you ever considered how our expectations color our thinking, our happiness and our lives, to some degree? Sometimes our expectations are totally unrealistic, I mean, through the roof! What happens when these expectations are not realized? We may end up disheartened, disillusioned, even depressed. When our high expectations are not met, we can begin to see everything in a negative light - nothing's good or right. Is that true? More than likely - NOT. Conversely, when my expectations are too low, I am unmotivated and end up not even realizing what could have been. Expectations. How in the world do we keep them exactly where they need to be? Just as with everything else in our life - we can only keep them right with God's help. The Word of God speaks to our expectations. Proverbs 10:28 says: "The hope (expectation) of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish." God knows our thoughts, our motives, our secret desires. If our expectations are centered in Him, and given by Him - they will result in gladness, whatever the outcome. If they are centered in self, in pride, or whatever motive there might be - they will perish. Recently, I got to take ESL training. I have prayed that God would open the door to use me in some way to impact those in our town who do not speak English. My expectations were positive, I think not too high, but also not low. As of today, I have 4 prospective students - Praise the Lord! I am thrilled and I am terrified. I am dependent on Him to fill me and use me. I will let you know how my expectations turn out from here. But right now - my expectations re: this endeavor have resulted in gladness. Expectations. Consider yours...

You never stop...

being a momma. You young mothers - get ready. This is a job for life. I'm sure you've already figured that out, (smile). Those little ones that come forth from your body have a tight grip on your heart. My children are grown...married...most are parents or about to be parents. Yet, I find myself praying for them now more than ever. I find myself ready to do whatever they need as much as I am able. My heart is still engaged as strongly as ever! The relationship changes...they are now my best friends as well as my children. But they still call when they have questions, hurts, needs - or joys to share. What a joy! What an awesome responsibility. You never stop...being a momma.