Oops! I Did It Again!

The older I am getting, the more I have to watch what I say. Words will literally pop out of my mouth like a Jack-in-the-Box when I least expect it. I wonder “Where did that come from?” That whole “think before you speak” quote seems to often be null and void in my life. It’s too late to retract them. I said them. They are out there now and perhaps causing someone to think less of themselves AND me. Lord, please put a gate with a lock over my mouth and only open it when You know my words will be sweet and uplifting. Psalm 141:3 “Set a guard over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.”

I wonder. Is it because I pay too much attention to social media where the swords have come out and we wonder if they’ll ever be put back in their sheath. By this I mean the cutting statements in Facebook rants, the attack-dog tweets, the opinions launched like grenades at the other side. It’s tempting to run from it all and hide. Or to enter the battle with even bigger bombs. Go nuclear!

But I want neither. I want my “Good Ship Lollipop” days back again. My peers will remember the adorable Shirley Temple singing those lyrics: "On the Good Ship Lollipop. It's a sweet trip to a candy shop. Where bon-bons play. On the sunny beach of Peppermint Bay." Oh I know that’s “Fantasy Island” (oh me, I’m being held captive in my memories library!)

But, the reality is we tend to soak up the world’s way-of-thinking like a sponge, and, little-by-little, if we let it, we start taking on the characteristics of those we really do abhor (not the people, for goodness sake, we are people-lovers or so we say when we declare: “We love the Lord with all our hearts and we love our neighbors as we love ourselves).

We see the problems — the issues and the differing opinions, the my-way and their-way, the divides between us. And we think what will make it all better is to fix it all and fix them all. So we focus on the politics, the rancor, the public opinions, Hollywood, the other side of the aisle speakers, and then we slam the door on our way out. We type in all caps and put exclamation points at the end. But, then I hear Jesus still saying: “Love one another” (John 13:34). What if we “fixed” all the problems and looked behind us and saw a war zone scattered with the wounded and the dying? What if I fight so hard and I win, but I am the only one to survive? Is that really a victory?

When we unsheathe our swords, may we use them to fight the real enemy (which is not each other or any human). We really are on the same side. We are part of the same family. Yes, we will and sometimes must disagree. But may we be the ones who stand out. May we “be completely humble and gentle; patient, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2)

The enemy of our souls is after mass casualties in the Kingdom of God. He wants us to turn on each other and do his work for him. For goodness sake -- let’s not allow this to happen.

I started this blog by admitting my own desire to watch my words. The truth of the matter is our words are not dull butter knives or plastic light sabers swung in the backyard. They are real weapons. We can use them to wound. Or we can fight the darkness together. I choose the latter. I want my words to be so powerful that the enemy and his helpers run in terror when my mouth gate is unlocked and I speak words of life. You, too?

Love Conquers All

Yesterday, I started out with a spring in my step and joy in my heart, celebrating my great big, wonderful God who confounds me with His unfathomable love for me. I spoke into my day blessings and peace as I continued with thanksgiving to my Lord for His goodness to me.

That's the way my day started. Free. Thankful. Faith-filled. Joyful. Then entered "Cruella Deville" (the mean gal from 101 Dalmatians), and my Wonderland kind-of-day, could have easily become a cloudy, doom-filled day -- if I let her negativity, gloom and despair become my reality, too. Yes, I had to suck it up and rather than return her unhappiness with equal dismay and unhappiness, I put on my happy face and oozed with love that could only come from God's love within me.

Just before encountering this gal, we had had our family devotions and I had the opportunity to tell the family how life's stuff, and my reaction to it, has taught me so many lessons. At 68, I've had plenty of time to learn to get it right....and I'm still learning. What I know are the consequences, and the blessings, that can come from how I conduct myself on a daily basis. Don't get me wrong -- I haven't arrived, but thanks be to God, I'm way further down the road in learning my lessons well, than before. I've learned that our mind, mouth, moods and attitudes are all intricately connected. First we think, and then our thoughts turn into words that we speak, and the two of them together turn into good or bad moods and attitudes.

For years, I paid no attention to what I was thinking, and I didn’t make the connection between my thoughts and the rest of my life. But God has taught me many things from His Word about the “mind connection” since those early days. Let's look at how we can deal with the tough circumstances and tough "Cruellas" in our lives.

~ We Can Choose How We Think and React -- although we don’t always have the power to change every unpleasant circumstance or "Cruella" that enters our lives, we do have the power to change our outlook. I've found if we look at it in a hopeful, faith-filled way, we can watch God work all things out for our good. (Romans 8:28).

~ We Can Think Positive Things On Purpose -- Good thing I started my day, yesterday, with happy, positive, and grateful thoughts, because that's how I was able to confront negativity with positivity. I chose to think "She must have circumstances going on in her life that are causing her to act this way. Maybe she is hurting. Maybe she needs a friend."

~ With God's help, we can approach situations and people with a consistent good attitude no matter what those circumstances are.

The end of my "Cruella DeVille" story is a good one. For one thing, I stopped thinking of her as "Cruella" (that was stinking thinking to even see her that way -- Lord, please forgive me). Because I brought sunshine to her cloudy day and because I responded with gentleness, kindness, tenderness and "I'm sorry you feel this way. I want to help you in every way I can. Please let me", she became a kinder version of her former self. I'm telling you...."God's love expressed in human form through you and me....has the potential to change someone, some group of people and even our world!" Love conquers all.

Looking Through My Father's Eyes

Day 278 of Photo Inspirations -- Looking Through My Father's Eyes
I took this photo from my airplane seat as I flew back from Seattle a couple of weeks ago.  Those puffy white clouds that looked like cotton, hid what was down below. There could have been fires raging, back-to-back traffic jams, floods taking over lands and lives, and chaos of wars and conflict.....but I didn't see it.  I was oblivious to what was going on down below.  All I saw were those puffy, billowy, white clouds.  I was in a state of peace and contentment -- flying high above it all. That sounds quite heavenly, doesn't it.  And, oftentimes, that's the way we live.  And, when it comes to living in God's peace that passes understanding.....it's a great way TO live. Eagle stories about flying above storms is a great analogy for us.

But, as sweet as the "Good Ship Lollipop" is (er...rather, "Good Airplane Lollipop"), God brought us to this place on this earth, at this time, to be right smack dab in the middle of LIFE.....and all that it holds.  People are hurting.  They are in need.  Their world is falling apart.  They need someone who SEES them and wants to do something to help them.  You've heard the saying "They're so heavenly minded that they're no earthly good!"   It's time for us to LOOK and SEE -- SEE and BE the answer to someone's prayers, someone's needs, someone's heart-cries.

Amy Grant's notoriety really took off years ago with her song, "My Father's Eyes" and I share those lyrics with you to make my point:

"I may not be every mother's dream for her little girl.
And my face may not grace the mind of everyone in the world.
But that's all right as long as I can have one wish I pray.
When people look inside my life, I want to hear them say....

She's got her Father's eyes, her Father's eyes --
Eyes that find the good in things, when good is not around.
Eyes that find the source of help, when help just can't be found.
Eyes full of compassion, seeing every pain.
Knowin' what you're going through, and feeling it the same.
Just like my Father's eyes.  My Father's eyes.. My Father's eyes
Just like my Father's eyes

And on that day when we will pay for all the deeds we have done,
Good and bad they'll all be had to see by everyone.
And when you're called to stand and tell just what you saw in me,
More than anything I know, I want your words to be......
She's got her Father's eyes.

And, not just our Father's eyes to see those around us, but His hands that held hands with those who were hurting, that touched the untouchable and reached out to the unloveable.  His feet -- that traveled to the captives and the outcast and freed them.  His heart that had compassion for those who followed Him -- even when He just needed to get away from them all so He could rest.....but He didn't.  His compassion failed not.  Matthew 9:36 "But when He SAW the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them......"

When people look inside our lives.....don't we want to hear them say "They've got their Father's eyes, His hands, His feet.....AND His heart?"

Little Things Become Big When We Look Closer

Day 108 of Photo Inspirations --  Little Things Become Big When We Look Closer
I took this photo this morning from the top deck of our ship.  That looks like a miniature ship sailing along side us -- be in reality, it's huge.  Often the little things can become BIG things.  I'm in that season of life where I've lived and learned.  That's why at this mature age, I do my best to pass along some insights that I've learned from mistakes, but even only I had taken to heart what I had learned, I would never have made the mistakes in the first place.

This scripture from Philippians 4:8 spoke to me this morning.  "Whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of a good report, if there is any virtue and if there be any praise, THINK on THESE THINGS!!!"

I know that I must sound like I live on the "Good Ship Lollipop", and so it may be true.  It's because I've found the sweetest, purest thoughts and attitudes are what bring me most peace.  I avoid confrontation and situations that would like to take me to another place.  I remember when our kids were just "PG-13" ages and we took them to see "Jaws".  Ugh!  We love the ocean, so why in the world would we take our family to see a movie about sharks that would create fear and concern when we went to the ocean?  We lived and learned.

There are people in my world that have the tendency to speak negatively and even use profanity in their conversations.  I don't want to be rude, so I tolerate it when I can.  But, when I have a choice, I choose to walk out.  For example, yesterday, I went to see a movie that was an award winner and thought I'd check out the artistic creativity of the producer and find out why it received so much applause.  At the onset of the movie -- in the first two sentences, there was such profanity, that I excused myself and walked out.  And when I did.....I went back to my happy place in my mind and spirit.

I don't EVER want my heart to become so hardened that what once was inappropriate and intolerable to become acceptable.  My measuring stick is God's Word.....so this "Whatever things are lovely" scripture.....pretty well states my case.....and my position on "The Good Ship Lollipop"!  It's a sweet place of peace that passes understanding!

Are You Aboard the Titanic or the Good Ship Lollipop?

Ever run into folks who you’d think they were onboard the Titanic – they are always expecting an iceberg – dismal in their outlook on life and they refuse to be full of good cheer and great expectation?

Then, there are others, like my friend, Debbie, who continue to inspire me, and my Life Group that meets in my home each Thursday. She’s one of those who, you would think, are onboard Shirley Temple’s “Good Ship Lollipop”. Just a year ago, Debbie and John, her husband, moved from the only state, California, they’ve ever lived in. They started life over again here in Tulsa, in their business and church, and they continue to celebrate God's blessings in their life. Debbie loves babies so much (she oozes with love for them, and they know it) that she volunteers every weekend as a baby caregiver in Life Kids, and she volunteers her time during the week in the church offices. But her love for Oklahoma has taught me so much about appreciating even the everyday, simple blessings of God, that oftentimes, we take so lightly, and so for granted. Here is her Facebook post from yesterday:

"Reason #213 why I love Oklahoma: Dinner at a "trendy" Italian restaurant (yes, there are trendy restaurants in Tulsa). It was fabulous and the waitress attends the same church we do. A drive through some beautiful countryside with spectacular estates (yes, people in Oklahoma have money). Fed two friendly horses some carrots and apples just a mile from our apartment, said hello to a flock of sheep (without their wool) and saw two baby deer right across the road from our complex. Oh, almost forgot, we saved a turtle crossing the road and relocated him to the edge of a quiet little lake. Great night altogether."

Don't you just love her wit, but above all, her appreciation for things that money can't buy -- just the overall attitude of gratitude? I responded to her post: "Oh how I love how much you love Oklahoma.....and life! You are always on the "Good Ship Lollipop" and that makes me smile so much!" It sure makes me want to amp up my gratitude for the many simple blessings of life that are all around me. No Titanic for me! I'm boarding the Good Ship Lollipop, too! — with Debbie Krzych.