Nature - Take Time to Notice

When is the last time you took time to truly enjoy nature?  A sunset? The stars? The singing of birds?

We are so much in a society of hustle and bustle that we forget to stop and take time.  God has placed so many items around us that we now take for granted.  Have you stopped lately in your prayers to thank Him for the beauty that surrounds us? 

Start to notice things around you.  As we keep getting more and more concrete around us, we tend to limit the nature around us.  So many houses have recently come up in my area that deer are now seeking food and solice.  They are now being found in the middle of roads because that used to be their grounds.  We are continually pushing out nature in lieu of concrete and houses.  Truly I can't even believe that so many houses are still being built when so many are up on the market in foreclosure.  When is enough enough?

Take time along your busy day to stop and look at the sunset or sunrise, watch some birds in flight.  Set out a bird feeder or bird bath and enjoy the sites.  Then be grateful that you may have the eyes to see it all or the ears to hear it all.  At a moment's notice, anything can be taken away.  This goes for people in your lives too.   Stop the hustle and bustle for a bit and take time to enjoy family.  Families used to gather at the grandparents house every Sunday.  Now, we are lucky if we get a phone call in to them.  Children used to love to play outside and were creative. Now many sit in front of a computer screen.  Take a moment to step back in time.  Take them outside and fly a kite, show them the stars, enjoy life together.  It goes so fast - don't let it pass you by.  Be part of of it and not just in it.  Has someone inspired you or made an impact on your life?  Tell them.  Compliment someone, help someone.

We always rush through life thinking we'll do this or that tomorrow.  What if there is no tomorrow?  Live today.  Make moments count.   Even if it is taking 10 minutes to just sit quietly outside and enjoy the movement of the trees, the twinkling of stars or the singing of a mockingbird. 

Let me know if you have done something that inspired you from this blog. I'd love to hear from you!  Until next time...

Traditions - What's Yours?

I can't believe it is already March!  Where does the time fly? Do you ever find yourself asking that same thing?  Easter is right around the corner. 

My family has a family tradition at Easter time in that all the young children build Easter "nests".  The purpose of the nest is that is where your "special" items are placed from the Easter bunny and then random eggs and candy are still all around the yard.  But the nest would hold stuffed animals, or maybe an Easter outfit or a special basket.  When I was really young, one year, my nest held a real white rabbit in a cage!  I remember saying to my mom that the note with the bunny looked very much like my brother's handwriting!  Who would have guessed they wrote so much alike?! ; )

To build the nests, the young children are taken with family for a walk down the road to pick flowers.  We used to have all sorts of wild flowers in the ditches out here ranging from Buttercups or Evening Primrose, to Indian Paint Brushes or Indian Blankets just to name a few.  We'd pick flowers and then bring them back home.  Then we would arrange them in a shape on the ground that usually my mom would pick out the spot for.  The shapes ranged from circles to hearts or diamond shapes.  This would usually be done the day before or the morning before.  As luck would have it, the flowers would wilt and not look as pretty the next day.  So off for a walk we would go again to pick some more flowers to "spruce it up".  But, to our surprise every year, as we went for that second walk - the Easter Bunny had come and we'd run to our nests to get our special gifts and then the hunt was on!  It is a tradition that seems to be continuing now as my nieces have children and I hope one that continues.  It is part of our heritage and traditions my family brought over with them. When my dad was still livng, he would have fun with the grandkids and build a nest of his own, but the Easter Bunny would usually leave him a rock or stick which would make them all giggle as he discovered what he had in his.
Of course Easter has a much greater meaning than the Easter Bunny so another tradition is attending church.  When able, the sunrise services were held at the local football field and it was always a favorite of mine to watch the sun rise as service was held.  But now that I have great nieces and nephews, I'd like to start some sort of tradition to teach them the true meaning of Easter so it becomes more to them than just a candy day.  A church I attended made a cross and covered it with a wire and the children would come up and put live flowers through the holes in the wire. Once done, you couldn't see the wire but a cross of flowers.  I think it would be a neat idea for my family to build a smaller version and on that second pass of picking flowers, the new flowers could be placed on the cross. This could be a small cross that could be placed or stood up in the yard during Easter. Another thought I had was placing a wooden cross in the yard and having them put a scarf of purple around it and read the story of the Resurrection from the Bible.  It's a thought - but we'll see if I get it executed!  Time flies - remember?! 

So don't let time fly by too much.  Take time to smell the flowers and reflect on the true meaning of Easter.  Start a tradition with your family too - the memories will last with them just as mine have.

Do you have any traditions or ideas that you want to share?  If so, send them my way and if you know the background on how it got started include that too - I'd love to read them as I'm sure the rest of the readers would too.  

Until next time....

Hurry Up...And Wait

The waiting game..don't you just love it?  I always said when going to an appointment, I rush to get there and then they have you wait.  Hurry up...and wait.   Sometimes the wait is worth it - I got a job!  Yeah!  It pays less, but it is closer to home and less stress.  It was worth the wait.  But sometimes, you are in a hurry and everything seems to stop you and you get frustrated and feel like the character in the cartoon image above.  Here's a waiting scenario I know you will appreciate below....

Yesterday, I finally clocked out on time for a change and was excited to be on my way home.  I got to my car and reached into my purse for my cell phone.  I reached again, and again.  Where's my phone? I pulled things out, looked in my lunch kit, in my bag - where's my phone?  Oh no, I must have left it at my office.  I leave everything locked up in the car, go inside and up the elevator, around to the side that is still open (as my side locks and I don't have a key) and back around to my office.  My heart became heavy as I saw no phone on my desk.  I looked inside the drawers, on the floor;  where is my phone?  All I could think of is that I left it some place and someone could be having a wonderful time calling Alaska, China, Brazil - who knows?  I rush back out to my car.  I look again - no phone.   Okay, I thought ... I'm taking everything back upstairs with me and dumping it all out and looking again. So back up I go to my office.  I reach inside my purse - feel around everything - nothing. I look in my bag, my lunch kit, my desk drawers again - nothing.  I stop and ask God for help finding my phone as at this time, I'm in a panic.  I calmly go through the routine again and this time, my phone is right there in my purse.  Why did I not see it or feel it there before?  Why did it not vibrate when I called it before?  How would I have missed that?  I load everything back up and go back outside again and now I have wasted about 20-25 minutes.  Getting in the car I thought to myself how crazy I was not to have seen it before.  Now I'm getting frustrated because it only takes me about 25 minutes to get home and all I could think is gosh, I could have been home already if it weren't for that stupid cell phone missing!  I kept replaying that thought in my head.  I finally reach the long road I have to turn down that has the most miles on it and get just a piece down it when a sheriff has the road blocked and is detouring us down a long about country road.  Great, I thought.  Now I'll be home even later!  Ugh!!  But as I drove down this long road in the country, something came to me...my light bulb went off in my head so to speak.  Perhaps I was delayed with my phone dilemna to avoid the accident that was on the road I would be going down.  Maybe there was a reason I was delayed.  Maybe God had his hand upon me and delayed me.  That could be me right now in that accident if I left on time like I had planned.  I thanked God if that were the case and the feelings of being late home dissappeared and now I was happy I was delayed.
So if you are going through life and something keeps delaying you - take it as perhaps there is a reason.  Sometimes it pays to hurry up...but wait!  Perhaps we don't always know the reasons we are delayed, but take it that there is a reason and thank God for it.  Enjoy the view along the way!

Thank you all who have commented in and wrote me for prayers on the job, my lupus and such.  May blessings be upon you all who read this and to those you pass it on to.  I lost track of the blog while searching for my job but now I am back and ready to inspire you so stay tuned.  Let me know if you've had any hurry and wait scenarios that you were glad happened!

Until next time...

We all need a little prayer...

Okay I hate to admit it but I'm human. As much as I try to shoulder a lot, sometimes I break down.  I'm looking for all prayer warriors out there.  Lately I'm under attack.  Things just aren't going the way they should and for those of you that don't know, I have tumid lupus.  It seems to be getting worse.  I have flare-ups on my face of all things and my body aches pushing me into fatigue.  I try to cover it all up and smile and have to go through the day working and pretending that everything is alright when it is not. 

I try to keep others inspired which inspires me..but sometimes we just need to lean on each other.  Now is one of those times.  Are you going through the day smiling a fake smile as I am lately?  Is someone you know not as cheery?  Think about what someone else may be going through and say a prayer for them today.  Sometimes we all just need some uplifting.    You know I don't smile a lot right now - I'm hurting.  For those that truly know me - will see through my fake smile, but it is suprising how much people just don't take the time to really look at one another. Even family gets busy and doesn't realize.  We have lost touch.   We are so rushed. So busy.  Take time and look at those around you.  I bet there is someone out there that can use a hug, a card, a prayer.  Do you?

My prayer and wish for you all reading this is that you will all be kept safe, healthy and protected.  That you will feel blessed by today and be a blessing to others.  Slow down and really see those around you.  They won't be in your life forever.  We all plan to retire and live a long life, yet so many times, I'm reminded that always doesn't happen.  A past coworker of mine recently died.  He was 65.  I bet he planned his whole life waiting for retirement.  Don't wait - live today, enjoy today and be a blessing to someone today.  Don't live with regrets.    What will you do?  Drop me a line and let me know.
Until next time...

9/11/11 - A Day of Reflection and Awakening

9/11...In some ways it seems like yesterday and in others it seems like a very long time.  Remember how everyone came together?  Why does it take tragedy for us all to come together?   Not just as a whole, but even in our own personal lives. 

As I watched TV today of all the tributes,  I am reminded myself of where I was on that day.  I was at home watching the news that morning and I remember calling my spouse and telling him what happened.  I actually saw the second plane hit on live TV.  It is something I'll never forget and I'm saddened by what all the people there saw and will never forget. 

One of the news anchors made a comment that struck me and it was something like in regards to those that worked in the buildings, there were many that lost their lives, but the servicemen like firemen and police, etc. - they "gave" their lives.  It is so true that they gave up their lives in order to save many others.

I'm reminded that this is what God did for us. He gave up His only son for us.  It puts that into perspective when you think of sacrifices people do for each other - especially the service men and women in fire and police departments, our military and such.  We have our freedoms because of their sacrifices.  God gave you and me a freedom as well, from our sins, by having Jesus die on the cross for our sins. 

Today, I went through my jewelry and found a flag pin and wore that.  It is not one of the small little lapel pins, but a nice pin with stones on the flag and a gold post.  I remember buying this pin when I was very young with my mother.  You see back then, there were a lot of American flag items and jewelry.  I remember the honor I felt when my mom bought herself one and me one.  I remember parades where when the honor guard walked with the American flag, everyone, not some, but everyone stopped talking, and stood up from their chairs and ground and put their hands over their hearts as the flag went by.  I've gone to a parade in a small town in Texas where some still did that and as I stood, I look around and so many were just ignoring it, talking, not honoring the guard carrying our beloved flag.  We seem to take things for granted and we seem to have lost our honor in many cases being an American.  We take our great nation for granted.  Yet, the military and service people are on the line every day protecting it for us.  We tend to ignore or take that for granted as we do God until He is needed by us.   It should not take a 9/11 to have us all be proud Americans or to remember God.

Today, I'm going to start remembering the honor it is to be an American and the values and morals that were placed upon me as a young child and pull that flag pin out more often or at least put it up front so I see it every day. 

As you reflect on today, truly think of all those sacrificing for you every day and how special you are for someone to do that for you.   In particular, how special you are for God to sacrifice His son for you.

If this inspired you, send me a comment - I'd love to hear from you. 

Until next time....

Wildfires - They Are Among Us!

When fire is cried and danger is neigh,
"God and the firemen" is the people's cry;
But when 'tis out and all things righted,
God is forgotten and the firemen slighted.
~Author unknown, from The Fireman's Journal, 18 Oct 1879

Wildfires - they can come in many forms in our lives.  But, right now, true wildfires are all over Texas and the rest of the country.    I know about Texas as it is where I'm from and the state looks like one massive fire pit.  Can you imagine - no rain, over 100 degree temps and firefighters having to work on these night and day?  My heart goes out to them and also to all those losing their homes and businesses.  I pray that the end comes soon for these fires and they stop spreading.  We are already seeing smoke from distant fires and it is getting scarey.  I've been told that some people are just given a moments notice to GET OUT NOW!  Can you imagine?  What would you grab on the way out?  Wedding photos? Important papers? Your Bible?  You only have a second to get out..what do you take?   I've come to realize not by choice but by circumstance that the things we have are just things and whether I had a lot or now a little, I can still be happy.  We all want that American dream, but many folks don't have it at all.  So if you find yourself in a circumstance that you have to sell, or you lost things, you too will eventually see that things are things and they are not what is truly important in life. 

Yes wildfires come in all ways, but it is how we handle the loss or tormoil that really counts. 

Why not take a step today to go to someone providing a service like firemen, police, military, etc. and see what you can do for them?  Stop by their station and ask - what they could use, a meal? Blankets? Toys to give children they run across?  Or perhaps you may even see if it is a neighbor that may have trouble - an elderly couple or widow - what wildfires could be going through their lives as they age?  I bet they could use a helping hand, grocery pick up, lawn mowed, etc.  We get so caught up in our own lives and the hustle and bustle of this world, we forget our fellow mankind.

Think about what is important in your life.  As many right now can attest to - you can lose it all in flames in a matter of seconds.  Pray for the firefighters and all those people losing everything. Think about your blessings. 

Tell me, what would you grab in a matter of seconds?  What are those items most important to you?  Send me a comment!

Until next time....

Update Today - - Yet another fire broke out, this time nearer my home.  When will this stop? Pray for rain!

My Will Be Done?? NOT!!

This post goes out to those believers out there that truly need to see God's work in action. 

No matter how many trials I go through, I still try to make everything "my" will.  As you all know, I've been seeking a job and I've done everything in my power to get that job where I wanted to be.  My will, my power, my might.

I gave up the other day. Discouraged. Broken. Depressed. Everything seemed to be going wrong.  Then I realized that I really and truly have not given this all up to God.  I prayed about it, but gosh how hard did I fight to do things the way I wanted?    So broken down, I just gave it up.  I prayed to God and told Him I was crumpled at His feet.  I had nothing left to give or do to help my situation.  I turned it to Him - all of it.  Whatever His will be for me - whatever door He opens for me.  I would accept it.  I apologized for trying to take control again of my life. 

The very next morning, I received a call....with a job offer.  I kid you not!!  Now it is not in the town I was pushing so hard for and I have to drive further to get there,  but did I not say - I'd go and do wherever He led me?  I did.   So perhaps this is something that will turn out fantastic and a place I would not have looked at otherwise.  
I am amazed how once again, once I turn it all over, God steps in.  If I were Him, I'd be scratching my head about me.  I'd think - what is wrong with this person?  Why does it take her all this time to just give up control and turn it over?  How many trials must I put her through until she learns?  Why does she not just leave it up to me?   DUH?!?!

Well, how's your life going?  Are you trying to live it as "my will be done"?  Or are you releasing all your problems, cares, concerns etc to Him.  And if so, are you doing it fully to all its extent?   I could just kick myself. Haven't I learned this yet? 

If you are going through something.  Talk to God. Tell Him you are done trying it on your own.  Imagine yourself just laying down at His feet and asking Him to lift you up and for His will to be done in this situation.  Let go and let God.   So much of our happiness can get taken by stress, life, etc.  Don't let anyone or anything steal your joy any longer.  Stand up, take it back and know that God is on your side like He is on mine.  Lets make today the day that we stand together and praise Him for His works, and ask Him to show us His will for us and the plan He has for us.  We are important to Him and if we can just turn it over to Him, then maybe we can watch His will for our lives.  Do something for Him today to - go out and bless someone going through a hard time and help them turn it over as well. 

Has God been working in your life?  Send me a post - I'd love to hear it and post it for all the readers!  God Bless!

Until next time...