Keeping My Eyes Wide Open

That’s a new resolution – to keep my eyes wide open, and for that matter, to keep my ears and my heart wide open, too. Since my granddaughter’s parents were out of town on her birthday, I wanted to be sure she was celebrated at the get-go of the day. I asked for her order for Chick-Fil-A. I was in line early and placed the order. I paid, took the bag, and was on my way. Alexia was bubbling with giddiness as I played Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely” and as I set out her meal. But, oh me! They gave us a BAGEL chicken, egg and cheese sandwich instead of the BISCUIT, chicken, egg and cheese sandwich. And, I wanted her day to start so on-point. But she didn’t mind. She said it was her second favorite sandwich. But, I minded – I should have checked the bag to be sure of its contents. I should have kept my eyes wide-open.

Same day. Went to Walmart for a few groceries. Checked out and was on my way. Got home and unloaded the groceries, THEN checked the receipt and saw that the cashier charged me for 22 avocados – not the two I purchased. Oh me, again! I should have kept my eyes wide-open.

I play on a Bocce ball league in my community. Good news is we won our first two games. Since I’m the captain of our team, I’m especially proud of us. Bad news is I got a call the next day from the director of the league who had been advised that some of us didn’t have our face masks on. We were well social distanced, but that’s not what our HOA designated. “Face masks are required.” I received my correction well. But, I knew better and as the captain, I should have been a better leader. I should have kept my eyes wide-open.

The point of this blog today – “keeping our eyes wide open” aka being more intentional – more in the moment – more consciously aware of the enemy’s ploys to steal from us. It might sound a little over-the-top to say the enemy wants to steal from us when I speak about a chicken biscuit or too many avocados or carelessly not doing what’s right – but, oh, I know him well by now. The least little time stealer or joy stealer or doing what’s right stealer – is the subtle way he comes to “steal, kill and destroy” our peace and joy AND our credibility. 1 Peter 5:8 says "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion (and for this post – a biscuit, avocados and a face mask), walks about, seeking whom he may devour". It's just who our enemy is -- he wants to slip us up and create loss of time, confusion in our minds, chaos in our family, deception in relationships, and it's up to us to be "on guard, vigilant, and aware of him sneaking into our lives." EYES WIDE OPEN to the enemy's tactics and EYES WIDE OPEN to God's love, protection, tender mercies, and promises. Yes, my eyes are wide open. How about yours?

Here Comes the Bride Taking Baby Steps

Last week I introduced Ricky, an orthopedic technologist (puts casts on children’s arms, hands or legs) at Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Ricky inspired me once again this week.

After putting a cast on a teenager's leg, here came Ricky coaching him how to walk with his new crutches: “Easy. Slow down. Take little steps. One of these days you’re going to get married. You’ll be standing at the front waiting for your bride to come to you. You’re wanting her to hurry but she’s taking baby steps. That’s what I want you to do. Take baby steps.”

Hello, Inspiration! As I watched and listened, I wished that teenager really captured Ricky's training moment -- beyond the careful attention of how to use and walk with crutches.

My expanded version saw this: The beautifully adorned bride is radiant in her magnificent wedding gown she dreamed of and searched long for. Today she makes her debut to her waiting groom and those in attendance. The groom is anxiously waiting to welcome her at the altar, BUT, she’s taking what seems FOREVER to come down that aisle. He’s thinking “Hurry! Let’s get this show on the road!” But, oh no! Of all things, she’s taking baby steps and thinking: “This is my moment!" She's taking it all in. She’s wanting all eyes on her. She’s admiring her family and friends who have come to celebrate this joyous occasion. She’s gazing with pride at her lovely bridesmaids, striking groomsmen, the darling flower girl, and spunky ringbearer. She’s not missing a thing. She is in the moment because THIS MOMENT will never be here again. Eventually, she arrives at her destination, to her handsome, beaming, soon-to-be husband who makes the momentous journey down the aisle so worth it.

And, because I was in the moment – taking in the lesson Ricky was giving to his patient, I can share with you how important it is for us to take baby steps, too! We are usually in such a hurry to get to our destination that we go turbo-mode, never taking in the beauty of the journey. Ralph Waldo Emerson said “Life is a journey. Not a destination.”

Far too many of us put off what really matters – enjoying family and friends, listening to conversations that can inspire us, nurturing relationships, forgiving enemies, experiencing peace, praying, and enjoying life. The key to real peace in our lives is focusing on enjoying the journey, focusing on what's really important, and taking the time to “smell the roses". Discovering a mindset that allows us to pursue big things without sacrificing the “little things” that make life worth living.

Ricky said, “Slow down! Take baby steps!” Donna says “Slow down. Smell the roses. Kiss a baby. Hug a friend. Listen to laughter. Watch your child's sports game (phone-free). Write a love letter. Take time to smile and say “Have a great day!” to a co-worker or neighbor. Make a difference in someone on your way to where you’re going! Take baby steps!

Jeremiah 2:25 "Slow down. Take a deep breath. What's the hurry? Why wear yourself out? Just what are you after anyway?”

What Does Your List Look Like?

No doubt, my list is very different from yours.
For my Frisco grandson and granddaughter, their list probably includes:
~ Pack for Guatemala missions trip (they leave Monday for 7 days with 55 other students);
~ Buy items needed for the trip;
~ Get household chores completed;
~ Get some extra zzz’s before leaving, because they'll need it!

For young moms, your list may look like this:
~ Buy kids’ clothes for the new school year;
~ Buy school supplies;
~ Get kids’ medical and dental appointments made;
~ Do the laundry, make dinner, take kids to swimming lessons, and on and on.

For married couples, your list may look like this:
~ Plan date night for this weekend;
~ Buy anniversary gift;
~ Help each other with household chores;
~ Set aside time to discuss goals for our future.

For business people, your list may look like this:
~ Finish the business plan
~ Set up a staff meeting
~ Pack for business trip

For seniors and retirees, your list may be a "bucket" list. I just completed one of my bucket list items -- go to Holy Lands. Check. We all have lists of some kind – from grocery lists to goals and objectives lists.

While away last week on a family vacation, I had no lists at all – except to show up for family fun, meals and activities. But now that I’m back home and settled into my routine again, I’ve started some daily lists. In reality, I still need to make lists because if I don’t – then I’m wondering “What was that that I needed at the store? Or “When was that appointment?” I keep a little note pad with me most all the time to ensure I make a note of things I need to get or do. Lord knows that I’ve made the mistake of NOT writing it down and wished I had. LOL!

Maybe it’s this season where I don’t have the usual daily activities that I once had with raising my children and being a wife to a very busy man and working at an outside-the-home job, but I sure do remember the need for lists. Now I have new lists – beyond the tangible things I need to do and accomplish, and some things that will outlast me.

While flying back home from Mexico, a lovely lady and I conversed about our children and grandchildren, as well as other “loves” we have in our lives. She inspired me so much with one of her daily “to-do’s”, that I’ve added it to my daily to-do list. Every morning, she calls her three children just to visit with them for a few moments. She said she never misses a day. In fact, if she doesn’t call by 10 am, she gets a call from them to see if she’s okay. Usually it’s because she’s gotten so busy with something. I took that little inspiration personally. While I know my children lead very busy lives and have so many responsibilities, I know they will always welcome a call from Mom just to say “Good Morning. I love you so much!” Yes, I should have started this long before now, but I don’t want any “would-a, should-a, could-a” actions to be a part of my vocabulary, so I’ve started my daily calls. And, since my kids are out of pocket or out of town (like Ryan and Shawntel still being in Mexico), I’m then leaving a text message for them.

Oftentimes, lists can overwhelm us with so much to do and with so little time to do it all. But here’s what I’ve come to know and do. Nothing is more important than right now, and right now with those we love and hold dearest to us. Nothing is more important than picking up the phone to call a friend to give a quick word of encouragement, or even to send a quick text message of encouragement. Nothing is more important than reaching out and hugging a little one when they pass by. Nothing is more important than saying “I love you” to those in our sphere of influence. Lists are extremely important, but “in the moment” moments, are what makes for an end-of-the-day deep sigh of “I finished this day strong and finished those things that money can’t buy. I was a lover and a lover doesn’t need a list to love. I loved.” Check.

Team Work Makes the Dream Work

What a week, month, even several months it’s been working with an amazing team for a Senior Living Expo yesterday. And the team wasn’t a marketing company we hired to orchestrate, plan, prepare, organize, create, assemble and pull off a successful show, booth, complete with visual effects, movie, banner, photos and placed intricately on press board, order equipment – a display board, drawing box, lights, table and decor', electrical components, flyers, certificates, prizes, create a seminar and slide show presentation, complete with scripts, jump drives, etc. Whew! This team was a 55+ group of diehard people who did it. Seniors doing all this for seniors. I was amused at us. We were not in a "senior mentality mode", in the sense of retirement, taking it easy, and in slow motion, etc. We were in power mode and we pulled it off. We entertained as much as we "sold" who we were. I loved it when Marcia Stowell was "signing" to a hearing impaired lady. People gravitated to our booth because of the vivaciousness of our crew. Our bright yellow shirts added to the buzz. I can’t begin to say how proud I was of this team. I'm so pleased to say "SUCCESS" by this seasoned and mature team! We've still got it! LOL!

There were hundreds, even thousands of baby boomers who attended a day of seminars and visited over 80 booths complete with health screenings and every business you can imagine that would be of interest to seniors. Folks in wheelchairs, walkers, and using canes, but also folks who are strong, healthy and full-of-life – there to take in the latest and greatest in those things that interest seniors.

While preparing for this event, I found myself compartmentalizing everything else in my life. I was laser focused on getting this event ready to go and organized with ultimate success results. We expect to see lots of folks coming out to check out our community, buy a home here and join us here as a result of our efforts. I've found one of the best ways to achieve success is to strive to be in the moment, giving that moment all we’ve got to be the best we can be at it. Give it our 100% best effort.

Compartmentalizing helps us isolate that particular area of our life from all the other issues and/or challenges we are dealing with. The point is, there will be an end to a project and we can close the chapter on it and proclaim SUCCESS. We did that yesterday. We even kicked up our heels when the band starting playing at the end of the day. We loaded up all our equipment, put it in the car……and went our separate ways. Then I opened up another one of my compartments…..my grandson’s wedding compartment. That’s one I’m so excited about – so much so that I MUST find a just right pair of shoes to go with my formal. I spent a couple of hours enjoying myself in this compartment….er….shoe departments.

There are always seasons in all of this. Times when family needs more attention, work, ministry, play need more attention. And, yes, even when we need to get away and be alone for a period of time. But getting things done, over with, is best done with attention to compartments. Right now, I’m in my Facebook and blogging compartment – one of my main compartments in each day. I’ve learned to close one compartment and open another. I’ve learned to say “no” to things that don’t deserve a compartment. I’m getting good at that.

Compartmentalizing also has to do with stress and worries. That’s one that tries to open up to me in the middle of the night. I don’t welcome that compartment and I do my best to keep it locked up and closed. But when it does open up, I’ve learned the best way to shut it down is to open up my “Think on these good things" compartment from Philippians 4:8 "And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."

It’s amazing the volume and quality of work we’re able to finish by staying focused on one compartment at a time. We think the notion of multi-tasking is a good thing, but honestly, only “little attention” to the tasks produces little results. Compartmentalizing and get that compartment all finished and done with…..opens the way for the next success story in the next compartment.

This week, a new compartment will open to me. HINT: packing up my home. What? More to follow.....

Open my Eyes and Ears and Heart. Help me NOTICE.

A couple of Sundays ago, I was so caught up in conversation with a friend, that I barely NOTICED when a sweet young friend, handed me a page of artwork. I told her "Thank you so much" and hugged her, but not until I got in my car did I take the time to look at what she had given me. I NOTICED the amazing details and obvious quite time-consuming work of art, the colors, and.the words, "Donna, I <3 U". I was ashamed of myself and went back to find her to show my appreciation, but she wasn't there. I connected with her later, but it just wasn't the same as NOTICING right then and there when she gave it to me. I heard Andy Stanley talking about his latest book, “The Noticer.” In it he tells the true story of an old drifter who had a special gift for seeing what others miss. He says, “It only takes a little ‘perspective’ to recognize the miracles in our moments...." Oftentimes we are so consumed with our own needs, wants, pains, struggles, and desires, that we fail to be NOTICERS of others. Did you enjoy the chocolate left on your pillow at the hotel, but did you NOTICE the one who put it there? Did you enjoy your meal, but did you really NOTICE the waitress who brought it to you? Maybe it's time for us to NOTICE the UNNOTICED people around us. What’s the big deal about NOTICING? Noticing is being actively present “in the moment”. Our busy schedules AND minds often keep us distracted from the situations and moments at hand. When we take control of our minds and our thinking instead of our minds having a free-for-all, then we’ll recognize the gentle nudges of God to share, to care, to be a breath of fresh air to someone that needs it today. When we purposefully begin to NOTICE the pain and suffering of someone else, then God can work through us to bring fresh rain to their parched souls.

Jesus NOTICED that wee little man and tax collector, Zaccheaus, up in the tree, He told him to come down and he would go to his home for a meal. He did and He brought salvation to Zaccheaus and his family that day. I wonder when the last time was that someone said, “Zacchaeus, how’s your wife? I heard she was very ill”. Okay, the Bible doesn’t talk about his personal life, but there had to be more to him than just collecting taxes. Suffice it to say, he was probably despised because of his job, but Jesus saw the man behind the position. Jesus NOTICED. Jesus NOTICED the Samaritan woman at the well. His conversation with her led her to become one of His followers. He NOTICED.

NOTICING is paying attention, being present in the moment, looking at people and realizing that they need our care and love. Just maybe if we got in the habit of NOTICING those around us and rather than expecting them to NOTICE us, we could start the ripple effect in others. We NOTICE them, they NOTICE others, and others NOTICE many others. Maybe being a NOTICER is what God had in mind when He said, "Love your neighbor as you love yourself". We are ALWAYS on our mind -- maybe it's time to reverse that to NOTICING others and having THEM on our minds.

You Are Always On My Mind

Day 350 of Photo Inspirations -- You Are Always On My Mind
At the end of 2014 when I was seeking God about my assignment for 2015, I clearly knew that my 2015 blogs would be inspired by photos.  So that has been my mission.  Just 15 days to go.....and then I'll start my new assignment for 2016.

What a wonderful journey this year has been for me. As I look back on this year, I've met some wonderful people who inspired me, heard some incredible stories, witnessed lots of "God encounters" from being aware of His presence, noticed Him in many "everyday" occurrences -- all of which helped me capture photos that will be a part of my memories and archives from here on out.

I've found in this year that the principle thing is the simplest thing.....noticing, being aware of God everywhere, recognizing the beauty in His kids, appreciating their talents and abilities, savoring the everyday realities of His grace that are so abundant.  Elvis Presley and Willie Nelson recorded the love song, "You Are Always On My Mind", and that has been my love song to God this year.  In being watchful and in being "tuned in" to His voice by listening intently to conversations of friends and strangers, He has been on my mind.

I sincerely want to continue that awareness of Him -- maybe not so much as to take photos, but having Him on my mind.  "Him I will keep in perfect peace whose mind is stayed upon Me." Isaiah 26:3.  But, I also know the struggle it is to stay "in the moment".  It's just so easy to be distracted from the very thing He wants to show me.

Here we are, designed to be here on this earth at this precise time for purposes set for us long ago. And in reality, we need One Thing most of all. We know we need Him first and foremost, but we get distracted by everything else.  We want Him to be Numero Uno, but distractions and interruptions keep us from Him.  Truth is, we really do want God with all of our hearts.

And that’s what Christmas is all about — finding Him once again in the midst of the chaos, in the midst of the interruptions and distractions.   No question, He is everywhere, but the simplest, purest, most humble and less grandiose place we'll find Him, is at the manger where He came as a baby.   Wouldn't it make sense that we, too, will find him in some of the least expected places?

This is His Christmas.  Remember the chaotic, stinky, messiness of His birthplace?  That's where we'll find Him in our world too.  Yes, we'd love to have those no-distractions, sweet, mellow encounters with Him....but, it just doesn't matter.  He meets us where we are -- in our busyness AND in our stillness.  He is there.  God is always there waiting for us.  The point is.....we must continue to "practice His presence" because in His presence, we'll find not just photo inspirations, but we'll find Him embracing us, giving us aha moments, seeing Him everywhere and in everything.

And if going to the stable and the manger in our minds is too much of a stretch.....after all it really is quite stinky and messy there.....then we can go to the foot of the cross where He paid the ultimate price for you and me.  We were on His mind from the manger to the cross.  We are ALWAYS on His mind.  Shouldn't He ALWAYS be on our mind?

Debt Paid In Full

Day 93 of Photo Inspirations -- Debt PAID in FULL
Two friends and I meet daily (M-F) at 6:30 am to walk the perimeter of our subdivision three times (3.3 miles).  We walk, talk and pray.  We're on purpose.  We pray for divine intervention for our families, our community, city, state and world.  "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."  II Chronicles 7:14  

Because, we're "in the moment", we notice the "God" things all around us.  As the sun rises, we recognize the LIGHT of God's creation and His "Good Morning" to us.  We see the birds flying, and we hear "Don't concern yourselves with things that keep you earth-bound.  Rise up to My view where I see the BIG PICTURE -- the BIG PLANS for your lives and those plans are in progress for your good."

Yesterday morning, we were walking in wind gusts of up to 40 mph. Whew!  Acts 2:2 resonated in us ("....the rushing, mighty wind of God came in and filled the house where they were sitting").  We said, "Aw -- God's rushing, mighty wind is upon us and that wind pushes out anything contrary to God's Word in our community, our families' lives, our country and our world.  We prayed for Israel.

But, it was "Good Friday", and we talked about what Christ did for us on Calvary.  He paid a debt He didn't owe.  He paid our debt.  My friend mentioned a health issue, and right away we talked about the blood of Jesus that was shed for our sins AND for our healing.  "He himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed." 1 Peter 2:24.

As we talked about the power of His blood, we looked down and saw this red paint mark on the concrete -- and we were impressed by the visual that God caused us to see...simply because we were "in the moment" seizing the moment. There is nothing to compare with the nudges, visuals, and sweet embraces we feel from God when we make Him the invited guest, the center of attention and the VIP of our day.  Go ahead -- try it!  I promise you many, many divine encounters when you do.  Why wouldn't the ONE Who paid our debt, gave His life for us so that we would live, check in with us on a daily basis?  That's Who He is.  He is Emmanuel -- GOD WITH US!