My Red River Trip Turns Out to be a Reboot

It’s a blessing when blog content shows up when I least expect it. I’ve cherished this time with family as we fish, eat together, travel the countryside, and carry on conversations about our lives (after so many years apart). But, this day, I wanted to go solo. I wanted to take in the sights, sounds, smells, visit the little shops, have lunch on my own -- eating what I wanted. It turned out to be chocolate ice cream in a waffle cone. Yum!

On their way to their fishing spot, I asked Larry and Staci to drop me off where the town area started. I would walk the distance to the end – going back and forth across the street, and if I tired out, then I would call on the free trolley to take me back to our RV park. Easy peasy!

The first shop was “The Bobcat” – Fine Handcrafted, Southwest & Indian Jewelry & Pottery Store. I started to walk past it. I wasn’t interested in “fine” which denoted pricey to me. But, one of “those” nudges sent me in. I’m glad I obeyed. I was met by a lovely older woman: “Welcome! Take your time. Feel free to touch, pick up, and look at anything you want. Let me know if I can help you!” I was enamored by the beautiful art and “fine” jewelry that was displayed, and told “Shirley” so. I asked how long she’s owned the store – 30 years. She closes the shop down in the winter. That’s when she works at Baylor Hospital in Dallas. I asked “Baylor on Gaston Ave?” Yes. That struck a chord with me because my mom was the manager of a uniform shop directly across from Baylor Hospital for many years. Baylor is also where my dad had brain surgery. She remembered the uniform shop. We were on some common ground.

Then even more common ground when I spied a Bible on her counter with a basket of crosses in it. A local woodcarver makes them for her to give away. “Take one or more!” I took one. I commented that I loved her boldness to display the Bible. She said “That’s my Bible.” I knew I wanted to buy a little something to express my appreciation for her generosity and beautiful spirit. I saw a basket of pierced earrings and my eyes fell on the sterling silver dimes -- $16. I can do that! I asked who the lady was – Shirley didn’t know but I googled it and found it is Lady Liberty. She said, “Just put those in your purse. They’re yours!” I resisted her offer but to no avail. Now I knew I wanted to find something that represented Red River and New Mexico here. My eyes fell immediately on this beautiful Holy Family (both front and back finished). Perfect! I asked about the artist. Shirley said: “Her name is Susie Reed. She’s from Fort Sumner, New Mexico. She’s a potter. She is a delightful lady. She took care of her brother until he died of cancer. She didn’t pot for a whole year. I have the most wonderful potters. There’s good people here.” This beautiful pottery piece (front and back) would be the Red River “something” I wanted to take home to remind me of this wonderful town, its people, its Christian values and my blessing to have experienced this sweet heaven-to-earth week here.

That was just the beginning of this God-orchestrated day as I met lovely innkeepers when I looked for accommodations for a friend coming here next week. That, of itself, gave me more insight and appreciation for this little town – such courtesy and kindness displayed everywhere. I went into several stores that were playing Christian music. I saw “The Way” Coffee Shop, with “Pray for America and 2 Chronicles 7:14” in the window. I thought: “Is this place for real? Or am I on a much-needed brain-cleanse from the gnarly, bitter, and hateful stuff that penetrates into our mind on a daily basis?” I think that’s what God had in mind for me on this trip and on this day. I needed a reboot.

I was walking on air from the sweet moments of this day -- so the walk back from town to our RV park was a cinch. Seriously, we don’t have to go to New Mexico or any other distant location to find peace of mind and to recognize God in the everyday of living. As long as "The Lord is our Shepherd", He will lead us to the green pastures and the still waters for our souls to be restored -- no matter where we are! (Psalm 23)

I had rebooted and my mind was renewed. Of all the treasures I'll take home with me from here, is God is everywhere -- it is just us recognizing Him in everything -- everywhere.

I'm Declaring My Freedom and Liberty

July 4th is always a day to celebrate America’s birthday in some way even if it’s only wearing some red, white and blue. For my family, it always meant shooting off some “black cats”, “rockets”, sparklers and a few “chasers” that made us high-tail it! There was always hamburgers and hot dogs with the all-American apple pie. But what’s a girl to do when her families are miles away and all she’s got to keep her company are goats, donkeys, a longhorn, and a dog? Well, she’s supposed to get all-dolled-up in her red, white and blue and find a place to celebrate. Fortunately, it was just a few miles away at the Hill Country Galleria Mall where there was everything to choose from: a sidewalk sale by retailers, artisans and crafts tents, blow-up rides for kids, a music festival and the big finale – fireworks!

On July 2, 1776, Congress voted to approve a complete separation from England. Two days later, the early draft of the Declaration of Independence was signed. Four days later, members of Congress took the document and read it out loud from the steps of Independence Hall, proclaiming it to the city of Philadelphia, and afterwards they rang the Liberty Bell. The inscription on the top of the bell is Leviticus 25:10, which reads, "Proclaim liberty throughout the land....."

I caught that “proclaim liberty” scripture and decided to be liberated yesterday. I had no preconceived idea about what that was going to look like – but if I didn’t venture out of my comfort zone, how would I know? First, I meandered through the tents and right away I won that cute scarf and water sprayer -- thanks, God, You know I need that when I'm feeding the animals on a hot day!) Then I went to the artisans’ tents and saw their beautiful artistry. I was in awe of their talents. One artisan stopped me in my tracks. She was a lovely woman with an incredible gift of making jewelry. She explained her "discovery" of jewelry making and the joy it brought her. Our conversation didn’t stop there. She opened up about how much she missed her grandparents who had passed on. She shared that when her grandparents saw the potential off-the-course way their daughter may take their granddaughter, they asked to purchase her. The daughter asked “How much?” The offer pleased her and the daughter was sold to them. It sounds like a sad story but in reality, that little girl turned out to be this lovely woman. We talked about God’s sweet ways of comforting us. When I told her about the passing of my husband, she became worried and said, “Oh no! I can’t imagine losing my husband. I don’t think I could make it!” I said, “Oh, yes you would!” I reassured her that if the time came, God would be there and she would be able to make it. I knew, this was a divine set-up for her and me. I gave her my blog web address because we're going to stay in touch. What if I had chosen to stay home?

Along the way, I met other talented artisans and basked in their talents. I was inspired to write this blog today to help my dear, reclusive, preferring-to-live-behind-closed-shades-and-doors friends – those of you who have lost a loved one or who have been hurt by some of life’s painful situations and circumstances and you just don’t think you can go on. You just don’t want to face people – never mind – facing what the future may hold for you. Yesterday was America's Independence Day. May I be bold, my beloved friends, widows, widowers, single or hurting from the pain of the past – to tell you it’s time to declare YOUR “Independence” Day. It’s time to stop living in the bondage and strongholds of the enemy who wishes to steal and rob you of joy, peace and happiness. You’ll never be free if you stay there. “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” John 8:36.

We have freedom in Christ through His death on the cross – free from sin, death and all the devices of the enemy to steal from us. That includes freedom from so many things that we experience here and now in our day-to-day life. We have freedom from being harassed by Satan and we don’t have to listen to his lies and accusations about all kinds of things. We are free to resist him and when he tries to get to us, we just resist him, get on a nice outfit, put on a perky face, and step out into the sunlight of Jesus love and light. We will have none of those lies and we will have freedom to be free. God is incredibly good to give us so much freedom in Christ. If we use it right we will come to peace, joy, and righteousness in all that we do.

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1.