I’m Squeezing the Orange

Embracing this day and this moment is the most delightful way to squeeze every ounce out of the orange. I thought a comparison to a succulent orange would best explain my life. Maybe a few sour lemons along the way – but nothing to compare to fresh, sweet orange juice! Only four days and “Austin, here I come!” I’ve single-handedly packed myself up (by my own choice), kept only what I needed or wanted, gave away or sold the rest. This “elephant” has almost ALL been eaten. Now I’m to the clean-up of the remains of this “beast”! Praise the Lord!

Monday night, Staci and many of her precious EMwomen came over for a little going-away celebration. As you can see in this photo, we were in a circle of love. I gave them my latest grand adventure story and they gave me encouragement, prayer, and love. I’ve witnessed this group of women (and many more not in this photo) have radical life transformations and their personal stories are having such a tremendous impact on the life of others – including mine. I’m so proud of them all. Another motive for this little get-together was for me to bless them with anything they wanted that remained. I was delighted to pay my little treasures forward to them. You can see those items in the background. They took what they wanted, but still I had a load left to deal with.

I sold a lot on “FB Marketplace”, but this time “selling” wasn’t my goal. I took a photo of what remained (lots of Fall and room décor) and posted: “FREE! Home Décor!” Lots of takers who could come later that day or tomorrow, but the first one who said: “I can come right now” was my man-of-the-hour! He loaded his car with everything left. He and his young family just moved here. He was pumped for the good start they'll have in decorating their home. He kept asking me: “Is there anything I can do to help you? I want to do something for you.” I couldn’t think of anything, but he could. He saw the holes on the walls from where pictures hung. “I’m a handyman on my off days. I have speckling with me. Can I fill the holes for you?" Oh, yes, he could AND he helped me take down the heavier framed paintings and fill those holes, too! Thank you, Lord AND thank you, Harry! I’ve cherished the sweet moments during this moving process. The first potential buyers bought it. Then, having many “divine appointments’ along the way with those who stopped by to get their “treasure” from my social media ads. Such is this gal pictured here. She was intentional. She wanted just one red square tablecloth. She had a plan. She is hosting her boyfriend for Valentine’s Day. The tablecloth will be on her table and she will prepare a meal fit-for-a-king. When she says: “I’m getting red balloons”, I ran to my garage to get the heart-shaped balloon holder to give her. She gave me the memory of my love and I and all the Valentine’s celebrations we enjoyed. I made her day and she made mine. I wouldn’t let her pay me because she gave me joy! I am turning another page in my life-book and starting a new chapter. I have no idea what the future holds. But God does. I sense that if I keep being in the moment each day, then I’ll find many more opportunities “to squeeze the sweet oranges that await me”. I’m ready to run this new leg of my race with determination and great expectation! God is with me, for me, in me and already setting up divine appointments for sharing His love and light everywhere I go on this brand new EPIC adventure!