Bananas & a Bright Idea

A few days ago, my cousin, who lives just a few blocks from me, came over for technology help. I’d like to think that I was the tech-guru that she thought I was, but after an hour of trying to figure out the problem on her phone, I admitted I was at wits’ end. I was baffled and disappointed for both of us.

Earlier in the day, I was at Sam’s and purchased their 3-pounds-for-$1.28 bananas. After Mary Ellen left, I saw the bananas on my counter. I knew I wouldn't eat them all, so I decided to take some over to her and her husband. All of a sudden, I had a bright idea about that phone issue. With bananas in hand, I went to their home and put the idea to task. In just a few minutes, problem solved and all their electronic devices were in-sync. We shouted “Hallelujah” and "happy" danced!

The dance wasn’t for me. It was for He, Who gave me the insight. I knew I had tapped into my power source -- my divine Know-it-All. My ability couldn't get the job done, but the answer came from He Whose ability is unlimited. I believe the Holy Spirit, the One Who Jesus said would come to take His place because He had to go away (John 16:7) was where the answer for this dilemma came from. Holy Spirit has the answer to everything. Here's how I explain it. When the power company comes and hooks up electricity to our home, they don't come in and turn the lights on for us. That's our job. The power is there -- ready for us to flip the switches.

And in a similar way, we were hooked up to the Holy Spirit when we believed and received Christ. He imparted power to us to not only be able to tap into God's wisdom and understanding, but when we "turn on the switch", He gives us power to overcome the enemy’s tactics. He lives in us. But, we have to "turn on the lights" -- rather we acknowledge that He is our helper, our counselor, our comforter, and our peace. AND, He knows everything about everything, so we tap into His wisdom that is way beyond our grade level and experience.

May we power-up and be filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit and allow Him to radically transform us from weak, fearful, anxious and timid believers to empowered people of love, hope, boldness, and courage, with the bonus of getting wisdom from our divine Know-it-All. We just have to flip the switch of faith in His "bright ideas"!

Love and Death are Delicately Intertwined

Along with me, my son, and three of my grandsons are in the kitchen and dining area, having great conversation and, of course, silliness abounds with the two younger ones. I speak: “Alexa, play Michael Buble”, and “I’m Going Home” starts to play. My son says “I love that song!” The next song is “You Don’t Know Me” and I grab the youngest grandson and we start to dance, then the 15-year-old cuts in and wants to show me his box step, but then, big 27-year-old brother (my first-born grandson) cuts in and draws me in close – really close. His cologne smells so good, and with his arms wrapped around me, my brain suddenly connects to my sweetheart’s cologne and feeling his arms around me ever so tight and us in a romantic couple’s dance. I start to cry – I mean really, really ugly cry and my grandson pulls me tighter to him and he brings his head in closer to mine. It was if I had time traveled and was again with my Sweetheart cheek-to-cheek, so in love, and showing it on the dance floor. I remember.

Though death pierces our hearts, I am consoled that we will dance again in heaven one day. What is abundantly clear to me is that, more than anything, I am deeply satisfied to have had the opportunity to know and love my husband for so many years. And, his absence makes my love for him even more real. I sent my grandson a text message thanking him for giving me that moment of remembrance which made me think: “I wish we had danced more”. I urged my grandson to dance more with his sweet wife. I think I took too much for granted when my sweetheart was alive. I urge my married friends: “Don’t do that! Don’t take your love for each other – for granted.”

And now, I segue to this day, Ash Wednesday, and the beginning of Lent – the 40 days (46-days period with Sundays) that precede Resurrection Sunday. Remembering. As real as it felt for me to be dancing with my husband again and cherishing the memories we had is what it feels like during these 40 days. Yes, it’s about fasting and drawing closer to God, but, one of my personal favorites is “dancing” with my Savior. I mean placing myself in the moments of my Savior’s life – hearing scriptures that come alive, seeing Jesus as God and Man, reliving His touch to the many who were healed and restored, taking in the moments of awe and wonder as He was interrupted over and over again, but never said “No. I’m too busy” or “I’m too tired”.

I take in His great sacrifice as my Lord in heaven Who came to earth to show us what sacrifice and love is all about. I will spend the next 40 days dancing with Him daily – in my thoughts and actions. The effort and soul-searching is worth it. I will do my best to comprehend how beautiful and precious life truly is. Love is the picture of the whole. In life, we love. In death, we love. Whether we live or die, we forever belong to each other. My Lord and me. My husband and me. And, forever is a long, long time! Oh the delicately intertwined love of lovers.

Learning to Dance -- Whatever the Weather

Within 12 hours our temperature dropped 30 degrees. I was still surprised yesterday when I left my warm garage wearing a light jacket and when I exited my car a few minutes later, I shouted “Holy Tundra!” It felt like I walked into a freezer blowing icy winds. Burrrr! I received a text message from an Oklahoma friend who told me they were in a polar vortex! I was impressed with those words – after all, my friend is highly intelligent, but I, not having heard those words and neither am I highly intelligent, decided to look it up.

I found out that when the winter temperature abruptly plunges to a brutally cold low and you're shivering despite wearing thermal underwear and a down parka, it probably doesn't help much to hear the TV meteorologist cheerfully explain that the cause of your misery is a distortion of something called the polar vortex. The term got another workout when some of the coldest temps in a generation hit the U.S. recently. Some 90 million Americans experienced temps of below zero F (-18 C). The polar vortex is an atmospheric phenomenon of strong winds surrounding an extremely cold pocket of Arctic air that can travel far south, causing the temperature to plunge in places accustomed to having mild winters. That’s us, here in the South, right now! It’s being called Winter Storm Lucian and is responsible for ice-covered highways, sleet and snow, many vehicle accidents, thousands without electricity and several deaths.

We lived in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada for seven years, so we know what it is to plug your car into a heater at night, wearing boots and a fur coat as a necessity (not a fashion statement) and enjoying piles of snow until April. Winnipeg is one of the five coldest cities (below -21 C to -50C) in the world, according to AccuWeather. Despite the cold, people around the city embrace the chilly conditions by getting outside. Winnipeggers own winter. Perhaps Winnipeg received the nickname “Winterpeg” for the ability to winterize summer activities. The city hosts canoe and bike races in the snow. When their rivers freeze over, they make the longest skating trail in the country and gussy it up with art and warming huts along the way. And making the most of the situation, the Festival Du Voyageur turns the snow into impressive sculptures. The two-week festival makes some of the coldest weeks of the year, some of the most fun ones.

The weather – wherever we live and play – is subject to change daily. There will be extreme peaks of cold and heat and we can choose to sit out those times or we can celebrate and find the fun in those extremes. And in the same manner, when the winter and summer storms of life come, we can hunker down and just wait for them to pass. After all, who wants to go outside when it’s lightning and thundering and the winds are blowing 90 miles an hour? Or below freezing and risk getting frostbite? In the winter – we groan about the cold, and in the summer we whine about the heat. Don’t you love it when you see kids, completely CARE-FREE, bundling up for winter fun, building snowmen, sledding, ice skating, or running out, dancing and splashing in the rain? And, don’t you love it when little kids play in the summer – not paying any attention to the heat – so much so, that we have to remind them to put on sunscreen?

I’ve figured it out. Life isn’t about being concerned and worried about the storms, waiting for the storms to pass, or the winter or summer to pass – or STUFF that comes our way to pass. It’s about embracing the journey and learning how to dance whatever season, or whatever the weather might be, and even while going through the storms of life. I’ve been through some real snowstorms and downpours in my life, and I’m here to tell you I survived and, in fact, this gal has become quite the accomplished “weather dancer”. I know how to bend, and not break; I know how to do the “quick step” and I know how to “slow dance”, and, best of all, I’ve learned to depend on my Dance Partner, and following His “lead”. And in case you’re wondering who my Dance Partner is ----- He’s the ONE Who calms the storms and He’s the one Who created the dance!!

Matthew 7:25 “And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on THE ROCK.”

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!

If You Stumble -- Make It Part of the Dance

I was quite the awkward child and teenager. Oh, how much I wanted to dance, or be on the drill team or be a good athlete -- in any sport. But I never pursued or worked at any of those desires. My husband and I took a few ballroom dance lessons to be prepared for the ballroom dancing on the 15 cruises we took. And those steps came in handy when we attended wedding receptions where nice, easy slow dances played. Indeed, those were sweet and romantic opportunities to look into each other’s eyes, hug and tightly hold onto each other. I’ve always enjoyed watching others perform and excel at their dancing and athletic abilities.

Now that I’m in this 55+ active adult community, I’ve been doing my usual running and walking around the neighborhood or using the treadmill at the fitness center. But I saw all these dance exercise classes and decided to add another fun and active way to stay fit to my daily fitness routines. I thought I’d add to my repertoire of “dance moves” – LOL – so I took some dance exercise classes that included the Charleston, Lindy, Rumba, Samba dances and some line dancing. I’d like to think that now I’m this limber, coordinated, and flexible dancer. I definitely have a ways to go! In fact, I find myself lagging way behind the group. There are folks in these classes that have lived in this community since its beginning 10 years ago, and have got the “moves” down. I’m impressed with them. Everyone tells me “Give yourself at least a couple of months to catch on. Don’t expect to have it all down in two or three classes.”

I have a sweet young 14-year old friend who is relentless in her pursuit to be a professional ballet dancer. She knows that dancers don’t achieve seamless performances without careful and consistent practice -- over and over again. She knows it will take her years before she develops the expertise to perform professionally. Dancers must have the characteristic of persistence or perseverance to keep rehearsing their moves and routines until they are perfect -- with the ability to learn quickly and retain information. A "can do" attitude is the only one that ensures dancers succeeding at their craft. They can't give up until they achieve the goals of their choreographer or producer, and then must persist in learning the next step or routine for their next audition.

It’s crazy in this post of me to compare myself to accomplished dancers, but in the few weeks I’ve been with this group, I’m starting to keep up a little better. I didn’t give up after one or two times, like I was told others did. Initially, I found myself frustrated when I watched all those other folks moving and grooving and could have said “This is too difficult. I just don’t have the ability or the coordination to do this.” But I didn’t say that. I know about "self talk" enough to not sabotage my abilities. Dreaming and wishing and hoping is not the stuff that makes things happen. It's the ACTION we put into our dreaming and believing. James 2:17 says: "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."

Dancing or a sports activity or computers and many other various technologies require persistence and a willingness to learn. A simple set of directions isn’t what makes someone successful. It’s the never quitting and the never giving up and the willingness to be our own cheerleader.

I do a lot of “self talk" – to help me daily grow wiser, more knowledgeable and stronger in many ways. I don’t beat myself up when I make a mistake or falter at something. I “self talk” myself into believing I’ll do better, get better and succeed at whatever I’m attempting.

Here's my self talk for today: "I can do this (whatever “this” is)! I am a winner (at whatever I’m attempting)! I will not quit! There is no limit to what I can accomplish! I am prosperous and successful! I am bee-u-ti-ful! I make a positive difference in many people's lives. I am a conqueror. I am strong and courageous. I am faith-filled and my ACTIONS speak louder than my words, so TODAY, I will ACT like I'm already there!"

Going With the Flow When It's Slow

Yesterday, Alexia and I left Austin early to beat the morning traffic. As we took to the highway, I said "At least it isn't raining.....". Famous last words, because no sooner than I said those words, it started to mist but we were still on time to make it to Waco by 8:20 am and home by 10-ish. But as we were approaching Temple, TX.....torrential rain came with snail-paced, to dead-stopped traffic. Road construction plus flooding was the culprit. There was absolutely no complaining from Alexia who was cuddled in the seat, sound asleep. Oh, how I remember, as a kid, sleeping while my dad drove through rain and storms and feeling so safe and protected and enjoying the rhythm of the windshield wipers and the rain hitting the windows.

I never became anxious about the delay, because I've learned that it's times like this that we have an option: to get all tangled up in complaining and fuming or just "go with the flow when it's slow" or when our best laid plans are interrupted or delayed or are even cancelled. There's something to be said about the rhythms of our lives. There will be slow times, upbeat times, times that are merry and other times when we experience sadness or weariness, and a mellow song best describes how we feel.

King Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 3 "For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace." Timing really is everything, but most importantly, God wants us to get into His timing and rhythms -- those strong, regular, repeated patterns of patience, calmness, tolerance, self-restraint, composure, perseverance, persistence, endurance, tenacity, determination, gratitude, resolve and peacefulness. In all seriousness, there are just way too many people who are OUT OF GOD'S RHYTHM and out of control. They are demanding, impatient, antagonistic, edgy, ungrateful and intolerant. They think it's okay to be nasty and hateful. That's certainly not His rhythm. I want to live on His side of the sweet music that He makes -- because when we are in tune with Him, we'll recognize all those folks, situations and circumstances that want to take us out of rhythm with Him and we'll resist that music with everything that's in us.

So, let's go with the flow when it's slow; let's go with the beat when it's sweet; let's sing a victory song when the day is long. Since God, Himself, is the source of music, He wants us to get into His rhythm that dances, sings, lives and breathes His character and His ways. .

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!

Learning to Dance in the Rain

When the storms of life come, it’s quite easy to nestle down all snug as a bug in a rug, and just wait for them to pass. After all, who wants to go outside when it’s lightning and thundering and the winds are blowing 90 miles an hour? It’s also quite easy to complain about the weather. In the winter – we complain about the cold, and in the summer we complain about the heat. Don’t you love it when you see little kids, completely CARE-FREE, bundling all up for winter fun, or running out, dancing and splashing in the rain? And, don’t you love it when little kids play in the summer – not paying any attention to the heat – so much so, that we have to remind them to put on sunscreen?

I’ve figured it out. Life isn’t about waiting for the storms to pass, or the winter or summer to pass – or STUFF that comes our way to pass. It’s about learning to enjoy the journey, whatever season it is, or whatever the weather might be -- and even while going through the storms of life. Then what is it about? It's about learning how to dance in the rain, in the storms of life and in the seasons of life.

I’ve been through some real downpours in the last few years, and this gal has become quite the accomplished “dancer”. I know how to bend, and not break; I know how to do the “quick step” and I know how to “slow dance”, and, best of all, I’ve learned to depend on my Dance Partner, and how to follow His “lead”. And in case you’re wondering who my Dance Partner is ----- He’s the ONE Who created the dance!!