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!

A Good Sense of Humor and a Merry Heart -- Good Like Medicine

Sense of Humor: funny side, amusement, hilarity, good humor, merry, funniness, lighthearted, spirited. A good sense of humor just happens in everyday conversations. It doesn't mean memorizing jokes and jamming them into conversations. A good sense of humor can turn messes and unfortunate circumstances into a great relief from the stress of it all. A good sense of humor can shine a light on the darkness of a moment.

My sis, Karen, and I have always had a good sense of humor. We could make the simplest mistake turn into tear-dropping, floor stomping, run-to-the-restroom-quick laughter! And that came in handy when we went into the Estate Sales business years ago just after my husband and I purchased land with its old home, barn, chicken coop, and farm equipment, along with most of the contents in the house. This experience amped up our sense of humor. Our merry hearts led the way for getting into the yucky crooks and crannies of that old house when we were cleaning it. Dead AND alive rats. spiders and their webs, cockroaches, etc., BUT, we also found many vintage treasures. There were relics and vintage finds that we didn't even know what they were or used for. Our set-up of that sale was so professional and our merry-hearts' attitudes with the folks that came to the sale, caused them to want us to do an estate sale for them. That spurred us on and, whoa la -- A-1 Estate Sales began. Merry hearts and a good sense of humor opened the door for us to have a thriving, successful business of which people would tell us “You’re the BEST!” The estate sale business is a work-out, but if you have a merry heart, a good sense of humor, love people and want to help them in times of transition and need, it's a great business AND mission field.

We witnessed the “junk” of many become the “treasures” for others. We’re now working on ONE LAST SALE (we think). Precious Mom, at age 95, was moved to Karen and George’s a couple of months ago. Mom has been a trooper – giving away so many of her things to friends and families, but, oh my goodness, there is still so much to be sold. We have laughed at HUMOROUS memories from some of those items, and cried bucketfuls of precious family times in this home.

Karen and I are “eating this elephant one bite at a time”. That’s what we said at each “sale” we took on. Initially, it would be overwhelming – but we’d LAUGH our way through it and before long, another successful sale and satisfied clients.

My post today was inspired by last week’s HUMOR that kept us going. Karen came into Mom's house while I was working in a back room and surprised me with a loud GOOD MORNING! I nearly jumped out of my skin. She jumped and started blinking and said, “Oh, NO! I’ve lost my contact!” We got on our hands and knees, looking AND praying for about 20 minutes, when she started belly-laughing out loud, and said, “Oh my goodness! I never put my contacts in this morning!" Then there was the Montgomery Ward "vintage" heat massager we found (shown here). We laughed hysterically as we thought we needed to put a sign on it -- "Use at your own risk"!

One morning, Karen came into the house, with something tucked under her arm. She said, “I dreamed that Sheila (my BFF) was here at the house shopping and you went to her and said, ‘Sheila, I know you want to buy me something from this sale, don’t you?’ To which Sheila said, “Uh, sure I do. What would you like?” And I said, “This frog!” That’s the frog pictured here that Karen had remembered in the garage and brought it to me. Of course that brought on our belly-laughter that ensued for several minutes. Oh, yes, that frog will stay with me -- for a memory -- and MAYBE it represents a prince coming my way!

Karen went with us to almost every doctor appointment for my husband. She would provide that shoulder to cry AND laugh on during some of our darkest times. We still laugh about so many hilarious experiences we had at the treatment center and hospitals. Those are the GOOD things we love to think about. Why was “sense of humor” my word for today? Because I want to give you a treasure – like the treasures we found in many of our estate sales. What treasures could be found in your junk and funk? Maybe you're so loaded down with care and concern that your "presence" dims the lights in the room and your soul is downcast. King David said, “Why be downcast oh my soul? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 43:5

It's time to amp up the "SENSE OF HUMOR" light that's been hidden far too long. God is ready to shine through us and turn us into a beautiful lights that He can use as a precious vessel of encouragement, peace and joy to bless others. Your SENSE of HUMOR, your joy-filled face and spirit -- just might be the what they need today. .Go ahead and let the laughter roll After all, it's very good medicine for the soul! "A merry heart does good like a medicine."Proverbs 17:22."

Growing Older -- Growing Merrier

TBT -- This photo was taken two years ago during Mom's 90th Birth-Month Celebrations. Each day of that October month, we made a big deal of celebrating her. On this day (October 9th, 2012), I gave her "The Last of the Good Clean Jokes" Book. It was to honor her, and her great sense of humor. I think that’s one of her most precious characteristics.

She has always enjoyed laughing with others…..and even at herself. I love how she doesn't take herself so seriously that from time to time, she makes fun of herself. She's looked at the bright side of life, when she could have been in despair. I really believe the scripture, “A merry heart does good like a medicine”, and that has been one of the main prescriptions she's taken over the years, and that’s why she looks and acts so young…..and why so many can’t believe that on October 31st, she'll turn “92”!!

I'm so thankful to her for showing us all that there’s a better way to live life than being gloomy, sad and in despair! I love her so much and I thank her for laughter and joy!! This is one of her light-hearted times with her daughter, Karen Wuerch Rose. They were playing "train" here!

You Need a Class Clown in Your Life

The Class Clown -- oh, how I wanted to be her. She could make any situation funny -- without even trying. She was my roommate, Lois, at Canyonville Bible Academy in Oregon. She always had me, and others, in stitches. I have a daughter that's like that, too! To this day, she can still make me laugh at the same jokes and stories that I've heard countless times before. And then there's my granddaughter, Lexi, who is a chip off the ole' block. She, too, is a "Class Clown". Her Lexisms have made many FB posts by her mother and me.

I'm better today at creating humor than I was growing up. If there's something going on that seems way too serious, I'll probably make a silly comment that gives some comic relief. And, my attempts at humor have also faltered, as I'd forget the punch line of a joke, or spoken something that I thought was humorous and, as it turned out, my timing was waaay off! Comedic timing is essential!

My nature leans to being more serious, but when a comedian enters the room, I will gravitate to be near him/her. There is so much healing that can be derived from laughter. Yes, we need the serious ones around us -- the ones who make us think and help us to be better. But, we need those merry, jolly, and lighthearted comedians, too -- the ones who can pull out the humor, joy,and lightness, even in dark moments. I'll never forget Father Jack Gleason, who came to our home as soon as my sweet husband passed away. He didn't enter dismally -- he came in and shared with my daughter and I a hilarious situation he had gotten himself into during the day. At that time, we didn't need another sad face -- we needed "joy and light" medicine. Proverbs 17:22 "A merry heart does good like a medicine"!

St. Paul said in I Corinthians 12:27 -- "You are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." And, quite frankly, some folks are called to be the FUNNY BONE! If you are the funny bone -- go ahead and be funny. Celebrate your wit and humor and know you are a vital part of the family of God. And, if that isn’t you, and humor isn’t your natural "bent", celebrate the funny ones in your life. They need you and you need them.

And if you need some healing today? Laugh. Make someone else laugh. Bring laughter into your home, your life, your friendships. You need a Class Clown in your life because sometimes those are the exact people God uses to bring about the healing you’ve waited for.

So, did you hear the one about what the duck said to the comedian? A: "You quack me up!"