Turning our Cocoons into Divine Preparation

In my interactions with friends and family lately, I’ve been referring to this time of isolation as “being in a cocoon”. I sense that we are growing in our gratitude and being made over mentally in ways that are so good for us. I saw this on a friend’s FB page yesterday. It confirmed what I had been thinking:

“TRAFFIC is gone, GAS is affordable, BILLS extended.
KIDS are at home with their FAMILIES.
PARENTS are home taking care of their CHILDREN.
FAST FOOD replaced by HOME COOKED MEALS.
Hectic SCHEDULES replaced by NAPS, REST, and RELAXATION.
The AIR seems CLEANER. The WORLD quieter.
PEOPLE are conscious about HYGIENE and HEALTH.
MONEY doesn't seem to make the world go round any more.
We have TIME, finally, to STOP and SMELL the ROSES.
And lastly, We've become closer to THE MOST HIGH and more praising HIM every day of our LIVES. Yes, I want this to be over but there is some positive in this.”

Eye opening for sure. I’ve been through some painful seasons when it felt like I was in an uncomfortable cocoon. It seemed God had a deaf ear to my heart cries. The seasons of financial concerns, illnesses, disappointments, broken relationships, family deaths – including, my own precious husband’s passing. I was in the cocoon during those times – going through what seemed to be personal death, but, God was using those seasons to instill in me hope, trust and belief that He was in control, and that He was creating a butterfly that could soar further and higher than I could have imagined.

It was in those dark seasons that my faith grew stronger. No question -- the cocoon WAS painful. But were it not for that dark season and the changes made in me, I would have never known the joy, freedom and beauty of flying to such heights today.

Hold on, my beloved children and friends. Soon, we will be breaking out of these cocoons. Count on it -- when we are free again, we will not be ashamed to dance in the rain, to celebrate each new day with the wonderment of a child, to laugh at ourselves, to value each other more than ever before, to look in the mirror and see LIFE being lived to its fullest again.

Soon, this dark cocoon will be in our past. We’ll realize that it was worth the stillness and death and preparation for the wings we were given to fly higher than we’ve ever flown before. We’ll soon break free from this isolation and we’ll never take so much for granted ever again. Before long, we'll be spreading our wings to fly and we'll start flying AND dancing again.

"You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy." Psalm 30:11

Making the Most of this Day

I burst out of my cocoon to fly a little today. It feels so good. I am on a mission. Get toilet paper. I have inside info. Walmart’s truck will be here at 10 am. I am in line for my one-only big package of TP and paper towels. Mission accomplished! Woohoo! Next, I go to my church’s smaller chapel to pray. Oh, the sweet peace that welcomes me. I am all by myself with Jesus. How sweet it is. Soon others join me from a distance. Notice the “social distancing” we are provided – numbered locations on the pews. I listen for God’s voice. I write in my journal what I hear. It’s His still small voice. I am in the temple like Hannah in the Bible was -- crying out to God for a son and a son was born to her. I am in the temple crying out for healing for our world. The same God who answered Hannah’s prayers, is He Who will answer our prayers too.

After prayer time, I head over to the beautiful cemetery behind my church. No problem with social distancing there. Lots of folks “in” there (literally) and no pandemic worries there! A friend told me she goes there often for a walk. And as she said, it makes for some eye-opening and heart-stirring moments for me. Many subtle reminders that this life is just temporary, so we best be making the most of every day. What takes me by surprise are the beautiful engraved stoned edifices of the mausoleums. PEACE is the theme on the four sides of one: “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you. Let not your hearts be troubled. Neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27 “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.” “Peace is seeing a sunset and knowing whom to thank” and “May the love of friends give you comfort. May the love of God give you peace.” How’s that for hearing from God? PEACE – that is what we need most during these times. I breathed in that peace.

Lastly, I make my way to another Walmart to buy groceries for my cousins who are a few years older than me and are staying homebound. What a delight that I can serve them. And, bonus, while I am there, I hear “Our truck has arrived. Get in line at Aisle 31. We will hand-out one toilet paper package and one paper towel package!” SCORE!

It’s been a great day because I determined it to be one. Who would have thought I would recommend a cemetery for a nice walk and inspiration? The part of that cemetery that touches me the most are the tombstones of lives once lived: Older Pop-Pop and MiMaw gravesites, young soldiers and oh, the heart tugs I see, the one-year, six-year, and 19-year old sites. God gets my attention today. I’m living with as much gusto as I can – until my body joins them there and my spirit is with God eternally.

Today holds as much mystery as it did yesterday. We don’t know what tomorrow holds no more than we know what this hour will hold. And that’s true whether the C-virus is here or not. But we do know the One Who does know. And He promises that He is right here with us. That He will not leave us or forsake us. And right here, right now, is where we are supposed to be – secure in His everlasting, unfailing love.

As I text my kids this morning and say this to them, I say it to you today: "It’s a perfect time for embracing each other. Maybe God called for this for all of us. To focus on what is most important in our lives.” I love you all so much. You are so important to me. I lift you, your loved ones and all that is important to you today to our loving Father. He sees. He knows. He cares. He has great plans for your lives. Hold on tightly to His unchanging hands. And, maybe go for a stroll in your nearby cemetery. You might find peace and inspiration waiting for you there like I did.

The Butterflies are Dancing -- Are You?

A couple of weeks ago, a group of us did the Walk for Life and when we were gathering our belongings to get to registration and the start line, someone said, “Donna, look at the butterfly on your car!” I quickly took this photo because I knew there would be an upcoming post from this little inspiration. Butterflies are powerful representations of life. They are seen as a symbol of resurrection and people view them as representing endurance, change, and hope.

I've been amazed at how many butterflies I've seen over the last few weeks. I'm not a butterfly enthusiast that plants foliage just to attract butterflies, but now they are attracting ME. I would think it was springtime instead of fall. They are so light and free and FAST! It seems like they're dancing on air!

We know the stages of a butterfly and transformation analogies as they change from a caterpillar to a cocoon to a butterfly and how we, in our lives transform from death to life and then emerge to be all God destined us to be. Going through physical, spiritual or mental changes is a form of metamorphosis like the butterfly. I love the "ARRIVED" stage the most when our wings have developed and we can take flight and DANCE -- just like the butterflies.

I'll never forget when my husband had to have emergency surgery to remove a tumor that was impinging on his spinal cord. His neurosurgeon said it was one of the three most life-threatening surgeries ever. But, even with the seriousness of it all, I remember God's peace that surrounded us. We knew He was in control so we were lighthearted and free of worry. In the pre-op room, we looked up at the ceiling and we saw butterflies and we became even more assured of God with us when a nurse, wearing a butterfly jacket, assisted us. The message was loud and clear: "Dance as if you don't have a care in the world."

Our spirits were "dancing" in that hospital room. We knew, like those butterflies, that transformation and resurrection was taking place in us. They reminded us to let go of worry and concern to be free to dance -- right in the middle of our circumstances.

Butterflies continue to remind us to get up and move, for if we don't move, we cannot dance. In one way or another, we are all going through transition and transformation. Maybe it's from one age to another, from one season to another, or from one stage of life to another. Some exertion is required to emerge. We can't sit still and expect to break free from doubt, fear, and worry. We know it's time for a change and with courage and determination, we'll break free from our "cocoons".

What freedom we felt during some of the toughest and most challenging times of our lives. I promise you -- it's worth it to DANCE -- to break free from worry and doubt, and simply trust that our Creator has the best possible outcome in mind. So, then, why should we worry or fret? Let's just DANCE!

Being Stuck in the Middle

Here I am – going on 7 months since my home in Tulsa sold and in a few days (I hope), will be moving to my home here in Texas. By all appearances it would seem I am “stuck in the middle” though I haven’t really been stuck – it’s been such a precious 7 months of blazing a trail to my family in Austin, Tulsa and back here to Frisco. Being stuck in the middle is something like being in a hallway. It’s that transition hallway that we’ve all been in from time to time. What a wonderful reassurance we have from Isaiah 22:22 where we find that when God closes a door, he opens another….even though between the closing and opening of those doors, there is a hallway.

So how do we handle life in the hallway? Longing to move on, yet stuck in the middle. Life seems to moving everywhere, except where we are, and we are standing still. Hallways are often long and empty spaces, but they are more valuable than they seem. Being stuck in the middle, or in a hall, indicates transition, and transitions are a natural part of life. Our babies are typically in the womb hallway for nine months. Teenagers receive a learner's permit “hallway” before they get their driver’s permit. Couples experience an engagement “hallway” before they marry. That transition time is more than optional – it is necessary.

Most often, hallways aren't pleasant lead-me-beside-still-water experiences. So what do we do when we’re stuck in the hallway?

1. Embrace the Hallway
We need hallways. Jumping from one stage of life headlong into another isn’t wise. It’s a recipe for burnout. Hallways are a time of rest. Embrace the hallway. Praise in the hallway. We won't be there forever. We are so loved by Almighty God, our Creator, because we are His. Rather than being a constant “human doing”, He wants us to let go of the doing and focus on “being” -- being His child. Being alive. Being whole. The hallway is the birthing place.

2. What Happens in the Hallway Changes Us Forever
Hallway moments take a whole lot of patience and trust. We can certainly ask questions, but we shouldn’t always expect answers. We can even kick, scream and cry in the hallway – that’s our choice. It’s a process, of which I’m well acquainted. Here’s my process. I allow myself to be teary and wimpy for about 5 minutes, then I pull myself together, because I know a red, blotchy face and puffy eyes is certainly NOT my best version of myself. I get a grip and then I learn to trust more, complain less, and truly believe God’s plan is underway – and the plan happens to be hanging out in the hallway for a while. My next door isn’t completely open, but thanks be to God, it’s ajar and I can see a light at the end of the hallway. Hall time is almost over. I wish I could tell you I always practiced what I preach, but I often question the process, but always in the hall, I grow stronger and my faith goes to new heights.

Here’s the best news about hallways…..transition will birth momentum, passion and renewed vigor and vitality for the next phase. So, hold on, my FB friends. We won’t be in the hallway forever. My time will come. Your time will come. God is about to open a door no man can shut. Let’s savor our time in the hallway, because the hallway sets us up for spreading our wings to fly! Hmmm. Sounds like the hallway is close to the cocoon where our wings grow strong enough to give us everything we need to soar!
#PraisingInTheHallway #SpreadYourWings #EmbraceTheHallway

The Butterflies are Dancing....Are You?

Day 284 of Photo Inspirations -- The Butterflies are Dancing!!
I've been amazed at the number of butterflies I've seen over the last couple of weeks.  I'll admit I'm not a butterfly enthusiast that plants foliage just to attract butterflies, but now they are attracting ME. I would think it were Springtime instead of Fall.  They are so light and free and FAST!  It seems like they're dancing on air!

We've all read butterfly transformation anaologies where they go from a caterpillar to a cocoon to a butterfly and how we, in our lives transform from  death to life -- our emerging to be all God destined us to be.  We've all been through metamorphosis -- where we had to go through lots of physical, spiritual, and mental changes.  But I love the "ARRIVED" stage the most -- when our wings have developed and we can take flight and DANCE  -- just like the butterflies.  Then, like them, our dance reflects joy and freedom from worry or concern, from the questions:  "Why? When? Where?"

I'll never forget when my husband was going in for an emergency surgery to remove a tumor that had taken over his vertabrae and was impinging on his spinal cord.  It was a really big deal -- his nuero surgeon said it was one of the three most serious and life-threatening surgeries EVER.  But, even with the seriousness of it all, what I remember most was the peace that passed understanding that God had given us, that we were experiencing that morning.  We just knew God was in control so we could be lighthearted and free of worry.  We went into the pre-op room to get him ready for the surgery and we looked up at the ceiling and there were butterflies, and if that didn't cause even more care-free and care-less attitudes......in walks the nurse with a butterfly jacket on.  The message was loud and clear...."DANCE as if you don't have a care in the world."

Like the butterflies that are on wing and dancing around right now at this time of year, that is what our hearts were doing back then in that hospital room.  We knew, like those butterflies, that transformation and resurrection was taking place in us.  They reminded us to let go of worry or concern, and be free to dance with lightness and joy....right in the middle of our circumstances.

Butterflies continue to remind us to get up and move, for if we don't move, we cannot dance. We're all going through transition and transformation -- in one way or another -- from one age to another, from one season to another, from one stage of life to another.  It is only through exertion that we emerge into who we will be next.   We know it's time for a change and the need for courage to break free from our "cocoons".
 
I can only prove the freedom we felt during some of the toughest and most challenging times of our lives by telling you -- it's worth it to DANCE -- to break free from worry and doubt, and just trust that our Creator has the best possible outcome in mind -- so why should we worry or fret?  Let's just DANCE!

Burying Your Head?

Day 223 of Photo Inspirations -- Burying Your Head?
This photo crossed my path so many times that I finally had to check it out. It looks to me like it's a clear signal that someone doesn't want to be disturbed.  But the inventor says "Sometimes all you need is a power nap -- after a stressful day, to counter jet lag, or for a chance to relax. The Ostrich Pillow is a dream come true. Burrow your head and arms into its cozy “cocoon” and you’ll be in dreamland before you know it." Recognizing that people spend so much time at work or in transit, the pillow was created to help disconnect and dream. They say power napping increases productivity by 34%.  

You've got to hand it to those who find a need and do something about it.  Perhaps the inventor was one of those travelers that needed to grab some shut-eye when he could, and he found a solution.  It certainly makes sense but I find it hard to believe that women with their well coiffed hairdos would stick their heads in there for any amount of time -- not to mention that it sure looks like it would be hot in there.

It's obvious that the inventor called it "The Ostrich Pillow" after the ostrich because that's what ostriches do -- they bury their heads in the sand.  And isn't that what some people do, too.  They don't want to deal with situations that represent conflict or they hide from helping their neighbor or they rationalize "ignorance is bliss" -- it's just best to not know or not to get involved.  A lot of folks "bury their head" in the sand when they don't want to take the time to learn a new way of doing something, even though they'd save lots of time, energy and money in doing so.  I was talking to a gentleman in my community whose son just bought him a new cell phone.  He was so frustrated because it had some new bells and whistles on it and he'd have to take the time to learn how to use it.  I was quite willing to show him because I have the same phone, but he refused and said he was taking the phone back to the dealer and going to ask for his old phone back.

This man rejected the information.  Like him, some people would rather ignore a problem than trying to solve it.  They'd rather hide within their walls than recognizing the needs of a neighbor who they just might be the load lifter for them.  They'd rather complain and remain in the same situation that keeps them waaay behind in time and productivity.

Wouldn't this world be a better and kinder place if, instead of burying our heads in the sand, to stand tall -- raise our hearts and our hands  and say "Pick me!   I'll step up and make a difference."   By the way, if you want to bury your head in the Ostrich Pillow -- it's just $99 -- you'll find it online!

Break Free of That Cocoon

I’ve been through some painful seasons when it felt like God had a deaf ear to my heart cries. The seasons of financial concerns, children’s illnesses, broken relationships, disappointments, family deaths – including, my own precious husband’s passing. I was in the cocoon during those times – going through what seemed to be, personal death, but, God was using those seasons to instill in me, hope, trust and belief that He was in control, and that He was creating a butterfly that could soar further and higher than I could have imagined. It was in those dark seasons that my faith grew stronger and stronger. And, I assure you, I have broken free from the cocoon and I am flying today. No question -- the cocoon WAS painful. But were it not for the transition and change, I would have never known the joy, freedom and beauty of flying to such heights today. To be able to dance in the rain, to celebrate each new day with the wonderment of a child, to laugh at myself, to look in the mirror and see LIFE being lived to its fullest is wonderful. Winter and living in the cocoon was yesterday, but Springtime has come -- and my new life as a butterfly was worth the stillness and death and preparation. Isn't it time for you to break free of your cocoon, too? The vantage point from up here to down there as a caterpillar, sure does make a difference!! "You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy." Psalms 30:11