About Time

Day 210 of Photo Inspirations -- About Time
We saw movie clips from "About Time" where the main characters -- father and son -- are able to travel back in time.  They are able to go back and change for better some things they personally did in their past that they regretted.  By doing so, they learned to live more on purpose in the present.  They realized the importance of living on the positive/optimistic side of life, enjoying the present moments, and doing what they could to make life better for someone else.  I was certainly inspired about the way I want to live daily.

That being said, yesterday, was that for me.  My girl, Staci Wallace​ and granddaughter, Alexia Wallace​, came into town late Friday night.  That meant that yesterday was a day of making memories, cherishing the moments, embracing each other in the routine and special times.

Staci and I woke early to "catch up".  Sweet morning time together.  Then we headed to my community's First Saturday Breakfast. It was such a joy to introduce my girls to everyone. Then it was to the theater to see a cute movie (I love AMC Southroads where the chairs recline and are so cozy -- I admit....so cozy I dozed a little -- LOL!).  From there, we did what we love to do -- resale shopping where we browsed and found Lexi a couple of cute items at really great bargain prices).

After lunch at Schlotsky's, we headed to ORU's campus.  We casted vision and dreams about the potential of Lexi perhaps attending there for her undergraduate studies toward her Veterinarian degree someday.  Going there was her idea.  Great photo opts -- with the praying hands AND the geese.  

We left ORU -- and headed to Great Granny's house.  It's always a talent show whenever the great grandkids go to see her.  Today was no exception.  Lexi seranaded her with several songs.  We were able to cherish sweet moments and memories with her.

Then, we headed to LifeChurch.tv - Jenks campus for the 5 pm service where Lexi & Staci had their photos taken with the Star Wars characters and we were so touched by the movie clips during "At the Movies" -- this week's was McFarland USA .  Lots of life lessons as we watched and heard the inspiring message that went along with it.  We came home and walked over to a neighbor's house where we ended the evening with sweet fellowship, talking about God's goodness and faithfulness, and then the big finale was having a precious time of prayer together.

At the end of this day....we know we made the most of every minute.  We made every minute count.  Why?  We will never have this day again -- so we squeezed everything we could out of it.  Even if it were possible, we would never want to go back in time travel to change a thing about this day -- because we lived it to its fullest.  We lived it with no regrets.  How would our lives be improved if we lived each day as though it could be our last?  Wouldn't we squeeze all we could out of it?  We did.  And how sweet it was.

Don't Be Ashamed of Your Story

CHAZOWN is a Hebrew word for vision, purpose, destiny -- and it's what God had in mind for us when He created us. Each one of us was placed on earth for a unique purpose that's solely ours to fulfill. I was once a participant, but this weekend I was a veteran volunteer at the Chazown experience at LifeChurch.tv Jenks Campus. What a tremendous opportunity it is to discover what God had in mind when He made us. As a volunteer, we casually walk about the room to answer questions and give practical explanations to attendees, because "we've been there".

Yesterday, a man signaled for my help. He couldn't figure out what his core values are. I asked to see his timeline (those are the people, experiences and events -- good and bad -- that played an important role in our life). Immediately, my eyes fell on "Mom & Dad divorced". My immediate response was "Mom & Dad divorced -- what about the core value 'compassion'? Could you possibly be more compassionate to a young person when you hear that their parents divorced, too?" He had an "Aha" moment. The lights came on for him. He got it. The pains of our past and present may seem isolated at the time.....but God has a way of making those things turn out for good....not only for us....but for those we are called to inspire and help.

St. Paul so aptly put it...."That I might comfort others with the same comfort that I have been comforted with." II Corinthians 1:4. What does your past look like? Full of hurt, disappointment, rejection, defeat? But you survived it....by the grace of God? Could it be that those hurts and tests and messes are the very things that God desires to use to catapult you into a teaching/consoling/caregiving ministry -- or, at the very least to be more compassionate to those in your world? And then, for sure, we'll be able to say "Indeed, ALL things really do work for my good....." Romans 8:28