God's Remarkable Color Palette

Take a look at these beautiful “Spring” flowers. Breath-taking – literally! Not just the beauty, but the fragrance is exquisite. Well, these flowers should be – they’re growing in this exotic climate of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico where my Austin family and I are here celebrating Spring break and family love. I was delighted when they invited me to be a part of the fun. There is something about being entertained by God’s beauty in another area of God’s beautiful earth.

As beautiful as this week is for me, it only holds a candle to a little over eight years ago, when I went to Cabo with this family after a whirlwind previous couple of weeks of major decisions to be made, funeral preparations, and all the responsibilities that went with my sweetheart's graduation to heaven. Cabo was just what I needed – to get away – find that place of consolation, peace, and comfort. Everything about the previous few weeks – in fact, the last eight months had seemed quite surreal. But, I had walked through the valley of the shadow of death, and, because of this profound place of peace, I literally feared no evil. God was there to comfort me – that was His promise in Psalm 23 – He had kept His promise. I was comforted.

Of course, I'm nostalgic being back here in Cabo this “Spring Break” week and, I’ll admit, I’m savoring the memories – especially those that were so healing to me. Embraced by family. Embraced by God and His creation. Embraced by the sounds of laughter of my grandchildren. Embraced by the knowledge of knowing that God has given me so much tender loving care during this life-after-death. It was a choice I made early on and it seems the more life I live on purpose, the more life gives back to me in monumental ways.

I assure you, it is possible to feel the loss for a while in those times of life, but NEVER to stay there. To grow and celebrate this season of life, we must pick ourselves up and be willing to go to a NEW SEASON. As Spring is surfacing and the trees and flowers are blooming, we can see God’s reminder to let go of the old things and expect the new things He’s wanting to do in our lives. Expect that there are good and beautiful things to come. As the flowers are being resurrected to new life, the trees are sprouting from what seemed to be a lifeless state, the green grass is peeking through the brown remains of winter, may we SPRING FORTH in fresh, new strength and vitality that comes from taking off those grave clothes, and putting on garments of praise and joy! It's a new day, it's a new season, it's a time for great expectation that this will be the BEST day and times of our lives!

Isaiah 43:19 "Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert."

About Time

Day 210 of Photo Inspirations -- About Time
We saw movie clips from "About Time" where the main characters -- father and son -- are able to travel back in time.  They are able to go back and change for better some things they personally did in their past that they regretted.  By doing so, they learned to live more on purpose in the present.  They realized the importance of living on the positive/optimistic side of life, enjoying the present moments, and doing what they could to make life better for someone else.  I was certainly inspired about the way I want to live daily.

That being said, yesterday, was that for me.  My girl, Staci Wallace​ and granddaughter, Alexia Wallace​, came into town late Friday night.  That meant that yesterday was a day of making memories, cherishing the moments, embracing each other in the routine and special times.

Staci and I woke early to "catch up".  Sweet morning time together.  Then we headed to my community's First Saturday Breakfast. It was such a joy to introduce my girls to everyone. Then it was to the theater to see a cute movie (I love AMC Southroads where the chairs recline and are so cozy -- I admit....so cozy I dozed a little -- LOL!).  From there, we did what we love to do -- resale shopping where we browsed and found Lexi a couple of cute items at really great bargain prices).

After lunch at Schlotsky's, we headed to ORU's campus.  We casted vision and dreams about the potential of Lexi perhaps attending there for her undergraduate studies toward her Veterinarian degree someday.  Going there was her idea.  Great photo opts -- with the praying hands AND the geese.  

We left ORU -- and headed to Great Granny's house.  It's always a talent show whenever the great grandkids go to see her.  Today was no exception.  Lexi seranaded her with several songs.  We were able to cherish sweet moments and memories with her.

Then, we headed to LifeChurch.tv - Jenks campus for the 5 pm service where Lexi & Staci had their photos taken with the Star Wars characters and we were so touched by the movie clips during "At the Movies" -- this week's was McFarland USA .  Lots of life lessons as we watched and heard the inspiring message that went along with it.  We came home and walked over to a neighbor's house where we ended the evening with sweet fellowship, talking about God's goodness and faithfulness, and then the big finale was having a precious time of prayer together.

At the end of this day....we know we made the most of every minute.  We made every minute count.  Why?  We will never have this day again -- so we squeezed everything we could out of it.  Even if it were possible, we would never want to go back in time travel to change a thing about this day -- because we lived it to its fullest.  We lived it with no regrets.  How would our lives be improved if we lived each day as though it could be our last?  Wouldn't we squeeze all we could out of it?  We did.  And how sweet it was.

Retirement -- Not a Word in my Vocabulary!

We all have treasures inside of us -- there's skills, talents and potential that God put there, and it's up to us to grow and develop them. If we don't, we'll find that "rocking chair" or "couch" -- "just switching channels on the remote control" -- becomes "that's all there is" to us. We will have stopped growing and when we do, we'll start dying to ambition, risk-taking, living life large, and refusing adventure and excitement. Did you know the wealthiest places on this earth are in cemeteries -- where there are businesses that were never founded, songs that were never sung, books that were never written, potential never realiized?

As for me (and, Judi Dench).... I'm going to keep learning new skills, reading books, taking internet courses, going to seminars, gleaning from mentors. I refuse to coast through life. I don't use the word "retirement" in my vocabulary. Retirement isn't a word found in the Bible (my source of inspiration and how to live life). However, we can read about re-firement many times over. And, that's me. I'm purposing to make the moments count -- I'm going to keep on KEEPING ON....I am going to LIVE and GROW ON PURPOSE....and help a lot of other folks GROW ON PURPOSE with me!!!