I Stand Corrected and Humbled!

My friend commented on my “Mountain Top” blog yesterday: “I grew up around and raised our children in the mountains of Washington and Oregon. Winter, Spring or Summer, we would enjoy the beauty and majesty of God’s creations. It was not necessarily the scaling the mountain, as we did much of that, or skiing down, it was the incredible untouched beauty that God surrounded our lives. It never hesitated to overwhelm us and remind us of our blessings.” I recall her words AFTER my annual mammogram appointment.

I’m heading to my appointment and I’m NOT looking for the beauty and blessings around me. I am overindulged in the drama – the squeeze, twist, and press that awaits me. I’m not recognizing “the incredible untouched beauty that surrounds my life” as my friend put it so well. Besides that, I am remembering the nearly one hour wait three months ago because this clinic had a new system. I could wait no longer so I rescheduled. That negativity is also in my mind. Are you kidding me? This is Ms. Positivity and Optimism talking and I’m in a pathetic mindset!

I walk into the clinic and, blow me away, a kind woman welcomes me immediately to her desk. She updates my info online and within five minutes she is taking me back to the dressing room to put on the lovely, open-in-the-front gown. This photo is of the lockers for our carry-on paraphernalia. I don't choose the Mother Teresa or Helen Keller one, as you might think. I choose the Dolly Parton locker (how perfect for the mountain top, and in my case, this molehill, experience).

Right away, I notice a gal reading a People magazine, waiting for her name to be called. Two women, one in a gown and another in her street clothes, are in non-stop conversation. That chatting is annoying me because I can’t concentrate as I'm trying to read my daily Bible plan on my phone. (Oh me!) A technician calls the magazine-reading gal’s name, and subsequently, the gal with her buddy. She looks back at her friend and says: “Come, go with me” and the technician says “She can’t go with you to the mammography room.” Now, I’m sitting in a state of shame that I, the “Peace Zone” girl, have allowed myself to be lowered to the level of a cynical, selfish and ungrateful, Bible-toting Christian. I am mortified. I get past my angst, my little worries and concerns and get into who I am and Whose I am. It's not about me. It's about being an ambassador for Him.

I speak to the “buddy” sitting across from me: “I’m so glad that you are here for your friend.” She tells me that her friend and her doctor “found something of concern and today is going to be at least a two-hour appointment”. Not a "routine" appointment and immediately, I do what I do best when I am outside of me and become Him in “voice, hands and feet” mode. I speak in my more fluent language of compassion and God’s love and explain that in scripture we hear why “two are better than one”. Before long, her friend opens the door and signals her back and I see the “buddy system” in full “go” mode. I recalled editing a book last month by a now cancer-free young woman, and this scenario was the start of her two-year cancer journey. I say a little quiet prayer for the journey of this gal – that she will partner up with God as her travel companion as this young author did.

My name is called by a lovely technician. My nervous chatter starts: “Sooo, is it new technology and just a little picture taken today?” The tech, smiling and knowing what my skittish remark meant, responds: “A little more than a picture but less painful than since you had your last mammogram a year ago! There is a curve added….see!” She points to the mammogram x-ray machine. Within 5 minutes, the whole procedure is over and I hear birds singing and thunderous applause ensued. She was right! It was so much better than before. A sigh of great relief! I could breathe! Before I leave, I turn and see this quote printed on the wall behind me. “Enjoy the little things for one day you may look back and realize they were the BIG things!”

Indeed, it is the little things we must appreciate – in sunshine and rain – in calm and in storm. The little things of opting for gratitude instead of worry and concern. The little things God uses to give us another illustrated sermon that opens our eyes to others and when we can seize the opportunity to make a difference in their day. Each person I met this morning woke me up to God’s goodness and mercy that is there to follow us in every way. Yes, I need a do-over on the start of my day. Every day I realize that God is still working on me! How loving and patient He must be!

By the way, that new system that they were working on that “inconvenienced” me three months prior…..already sent me the results of my mammogram:
“Dear Donna, Thank you for your recent visit to our center on 4/3/2019. We are happy to report that the results of your screening mammogram are as follows: No evidence of breast cancer or other significant abnormality.”

Thank you, God, for your loving kindness. Thank you, for loving me enough to correct me and to help me be Your correctable servant. “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10)

Commitment or Contribution?

I’m back in Frisco from my Austin “green acres” experiences while my children were out of town. Did I mention my grandson has 32 animals, of which 16 are chickens: 2 roosters, 8 mother hens and 6 “teenage” chickens who will mature to the “hen” status in a few months. Scanning through my cell phone photos, I ran across these photos of what it looks like in the coop when I would bring in the “mother lode” of eggs each day. Each time I gathered them up; I shouted out to the hens and said “Thanks, Girls, for the contribution!” I brought home a couple of cartons of those best-ever (something about fresh eggs); took one carton to my daughter and another to my cousin. Those hens “contributed” and I paid it forward by contributing their contribution!

We've all heard the analogy about the chicken and the pig. The chicken is involved and contributes eggs to the breakfast table and then goes about her day, but the pig is committed. He's tossed in the frying pan, and that’s “Good-bye, Mr. Pig!” He went out in a blaze of glory….but was it really "glory"?

As much as I enjoy its sentiment, one thing has always bothered me about that story. The one telling the story is always conjuring up the idea that only when we commit, not just contribute, will we succeed in our efforts. But that level of commitment leads to a side of bacon. The pig didn’t even volunteer for his sacrifice of commitment. His life was taken, involuntarily. He’ll never again get to enjoy a roll in the mud. All the while, those chickens love pecking, strutting and flying around and are enjoying life.

There’s a lesson to be learned by those chickens. While the pig was enjoyed as a great meal compliment, those chickens continued to survive adversity and they just kept right on giving and living....and, oh, BTW -- their brothers and sisters knew commitment -- probably even more than the pigs -- just look at all those KFC's, Chick-Fil-A's, Cane's, Popeye's and Chicken Express' out there!

There's something to be said for merging commitment and contribution. Most certainly our Lord exemplified both. He lived a life of commitment to His calling to change the world with His message of love, hope, and faith. And we, too, have the opportunity to fulfill our commitment to Him, Who freely, sacrificially, and fully gave His life for us. Our Lord paid it forward so that we forever can live and serve and make a difference in this world. He contributed Himself to us, so count me in as a contributor, too! I want to follow His lead to share, give, provide sustenance around me -- long term.

Here's how we can merge the two: contributing peace, joy and God's love everywhere we go, and, then in the end.....let's bank on going out in a blaze of glory because we've been committed, wholly and completely, to our Lord as we have served Him and others with all our hearts. In that case, WHAT A WAY TO GO OUT.....blazing the trail for others to follow!!

Starting the Day on the Right Track

"Think and Grow Rich" was one my husband's favorites. Actually, my husband was an unrelenting reader and proponent of motivational and inspiring books, sources and individuals. We raised our kids on the likes of this book, as well as Zig Ziglar's books, the Bible and many other noteworthy sources of positivity. I'm quite sure that, even of itself, is one of the reasons our two children turned out to be great sources of positivity and inspiration. Their never-give-up attitudes and being strong individuals of faith and tenacity has taken them far in the business world and in their personal lives.

So, I think you can see why this Nana loves visiting my kids in Texas -- now both sets living there -- in Frisco and Austin. On Thursday, just before I left Frisco for home, I was able to be a part of that morning's devotion and prayer time with them. Maybe it's a perk of being home-schooled that they are afforded the opportunity to start their day with an hour of solid training in those things that matter most. They have interactive readings and discussions. On that morning, we heard -- of all the success stories achieved by Napoleon Hill, none was more challenging nor more gratifying than teaching his son Blair, born without ears, to have 100% hearing. He had a never-quit attitude and trust in God. What a testimony of faith! Perhaps you need this example of faith to stir you today. You can read about it here: https://www.facebook.com/notes/jasjit-singh/no-ears-how-napoleon-hill-helped-his-son-blair-to-hear/322081944661711/

This Wallace Family is hit-the-ground-running, always on-the-go, turbo-charged, on mission and on target to be the best they can be in work, play and determined world changers. Their days are jammed full and once they leave that table....they are like other families -- full of busy schedules and lives. But their priorities are what matter most. They're making ginormous investments of time into their personal lives each day, at the start of that day.

I think God put it this way....."Seek FIRST the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and ALL these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:33. What if we all had a plan of seeking our CEO, Father God, each morning about this day? What if we all had a determined purpose to DOWNLOAD His wisdom, His character and His attributes into our day, at the beginning of each day? Imagine how our day just might run smoother, our relationships, kinder, our energies, higher, and our attitudes, sweeter, once we've had a little one-on-one with THE ONE who we desire to be like the most. I'm thinking that on-purpose "abiding in the vine" just might cause OUR FRUIT to be tasty, salty, and light -- all those qualities that will even draw others to the VINE.

Who Are You Hanging Out With?

Day 349 of Photo Inspirations -- Who Are You Hanging Out With?
On Saturday, I went for my monthly weigh-in at Weight Watchers.  For 30+ years, Weight Watchers has been my accountability and sustainability partner to keep this girl in line when it comes to maintaining a healthy weight.  I reached my goal weight many years ago, but I still go in to be sure I'm still at goal.....and, it's a great way to be sure I'll stay on point for the Christmas holidays.

I've been wanting to highlight one of Weight Watchers leaders, Renny Berry​, for quite some time, and on Saturday, after visiting with him just a few minutes, I knew now was the time.  Often, when I go in for my monthly weigh-in, I see Renny there -- Mister Cheerleader extraordinaire -- ever cheery, energetic, effervescent, upbeat, and enthusiastic.   On Saturday, when I went in -- he was his usual self -- going to each member as they came through the door with hugs and doling out life-giving words that made each one feel like they were sincerely loved and appreciated.

Yes, we were "drinking the Renny koolade".  His computer was down so he couldn't help most of the ladies, but because I'm a lifetime member, he could weigh me and note my progress.  That's when I was able to tell him how much he blessed me each time I came in and how I would sure like to interview him for my blog.  He told me he could sum up who he is in one word.... "GRATITUDE".  He said, "Before I get out of bed every day, I think of 12 things I'm grateful for.  Living with an attitude of gratitude makes all the difference."  Immediately, I knew we were on the same "gratitude" page.

I, typically, just go in for my monthly weigh in, but, this day, he urged me to stay for the meeting, and I was so glad I did.  Not only was I inspired by his training about living a healthy lifestyle, hearing his own weight loss and well- being journey, but his overall optimism caused us to feel like we can accomplish anything with the right tools, goals, and undaunted persistence and determination.

As he spoke, I looked around the room and saw these posters that put everything Renny said into perspective.  I thought...."what a place to be -- this was a safe place -- it was an encouraging place -- it was a postive place".  And I thought about those of us who often hang out with negative folks, on purpose.  I thought about those who watch negative tv shows and listen to negative commentary on the radio, read it online and they just settle there.  And, have you noticed, negativity attracts negativity?  

I don't know about you, but I'm determined to go to places and hang out with folks that build me up, make me strive to be a better me, and make me look at the brighter side of life (one caveat is -- "unless God has me mentoring someone who needs my encouragement").  I think I'll just keep hanging out at church, at motivational meetings, at Weight Watchers, and with optimistic friends and family.  I like the way Jim Rohn puts it...."You can't soar with eagles if you're hanging out with turkeys."

I think I'll go soaring with my eagle friends today!