I Can Control ME!

I thought I’d mix it up. Instead of my usual chair that faces the TV, I decided to sit in the chair that faced out to my screened-in patio. Amazing how changing things up can change our perspective. My eyes were drawn to this wall hanging that the previous owners left behind. It was a bonus to see words that I needed, and maybe you do, too!

I read with intention: “Think deeply. Speak gently. Love much. Laugh a lot. Work hard. Give freely and BE KIND." That's a great mission statement for anyone! Was God nudging me to read those this day? I did, with a little haughtiness. If God was wanting me to read them, I figured I passed His test. Actually, I think He was wanting me to up my game! Each one of those phrases is a sermon in itself.

“Think deeply” – that one gave me pause because lately I haven’t been thinking deep thoughts – pondering, like Jesus’ Mother, Mary, did. Treasuring these times instead of resenting them. I embraced these words today – to think deeply about God's promises and how He loves me so much and He is surely working on good for me. I needed to reel myself back in from the things that have distracted me from Him and ponder and treasure Him.

"Speak gently" -- it's easy to get caught up in all the angry folks out there, who speak anything but gentle words. I really want to be gentle with an encouraging voice, but there are times when I know I need more gentleness! But, Lord, it’s so hard to stay quiet when I or my friends are being attacked by unkind words! Oh, I get it, you are wanting ME to control ME!

"Love much" -- This is the crux of what God wants from us. Remember how Jesus narrowed down the 10 Commandments to just two? "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. AND, love your neighbor as yourself." If we loved that much, we would always keep "the ten"! Lord, You loved much when You were attacked, rejected and spoken lies about. Please help us love as you love. WWJD!

"Laugh a lot" -- I have a friend in Tulsa who helps me with this one. Witty, herself, she sends me jokes and hilarious stories. I love hanging with my grands. They make me laugh, especially when they remind me of ME and some of my ways! Laughing is good medicine. I love the laughter that families are embracing during these times. I've seen many funny memes that have come out of it.

"Work hard" I can give myself a high-five for this one. I’ve always been a hard worker – even when I wasn’t working. I’m a doer. I loved watching The Chosen Series. It portrayed Jesus as a hard worker – cooking meals, carving wood, making furniture – after all, He was born into a hard-working family. He set the example for us.

"Give freely" My husband had the gift of giving. He would give away anything we had to someone who needed it more than we did. He gave away our bed when I was having severe back problems. We resorted to our son’s water bed and within two weeks of sleeping on that warm, watery bed, my back was completely healed. I think God wants us to freely give, so He can bless us even more with abundance.

"Be kind" -- What a wonderful world this would be if kindness was our mode of operation! My mind is flooded with examples as I am sure you can reflect on encounters where kindness made a difference in your life. Kind words and actions from others have caused me to realize that every day I have the opportunity to let kindness pour out from me. I want to be sensitive to God’s prompting when He nudges me to be kind and to speak kindness into the life of another.

We can’t always control the things that life brings our way -- especially during times like these -- but we can control how we respond. I’m taking in the words of this sign today. I will accept Jesus’ invitation to walk more closely to Him and to “Think deeply. Speak gently. Love much. Laugh a lot. Work hard. Give freely and be kind." Thanks, Lord, for loving me so much that you want me to be the best version of ME that I can be! And, thanks to the sellers of this home who left that message for me!

The First Day of the Rest of My Life....My New Adventure Begins!!!

My first full day as a Texan -- well, I've always been a Texan -- born here in Dallas, a few decades ago ;-), but after 3+ decades in Oklahoma, adapting to "Ohhh-Kla-ho-ma, where the wind comes sweeping down the plains", and the wonderful people and places of that great state, I get a fresh start in Texas. How awesome is that?

With my sweet children's love, guidance and encouragement, I'll not be looking for a place of my own until after the first of the year, so my first stop-over is here in Frisco where my kids made such a sweet space for me -- new carpet and decor in my bedroom, and my Austin kids have the same thing awaiting me. No doubt, I am loved.

An awesome "sign" that I was home, was sleeping for 8 solid hours my first night -- the first 8-hours of sleep in months and months. Four to six hours is typically my rest for the night. I woke so refreshed and purposed to get my running routine back in gear, so, first thing, as I was heading out, I stopped off in Staci's office and there before me were these precious items (pictured here) that took my thoughts to my Sweetheart -- it was another "sign" -- he's still with me -- his hammer that he used in his carpentry work, his chalice and paten for communion, his baseball glove and an airplane that reminded me of his love of flying. Though this is the first day of the rest of my life.....it is also a day that I get to treasure the best parts of my past.

After my slight pause to send kisses to heaven, I headed out for my 3-mile run. Taking my phone with me -- just in case I lost my way (lots of new streets and trails here in my daughter's community), I was able to capture the welcome of some Christmas friends...the snowmen, Rudolph, reindeer and penquin, and the reminder of what this season is really all about....the 3 Wise Men. Then quick reminders of where I'm at.....Texas and Cowboy Country! LOL!

Sweet first day, first sights, first run, first FALL! What??? Yes, while I was relishing the sights and sounds of this FIRST DAY....I failed to keep my eyes on the sidewalk with uneven pavement. My foot caught the next section, and BAM, I went down in an amazing array of SPLAT......along with my phone crashing with me on it's face. Cracked phone screen, bloody and scraped knee, elbow and hands. WHAT? How could that happen on a morning filled with such sweet awe and wonder? My serendipitous day suddenly went sour! Right? NOT...on your life! I brushed myself off, finished my run (a little slower than I started), came home and cleaned myself up, and headed to church......where He Who made this "First Day of the Rest of My Life", welcomed me. I recognized Him in the faces of those who attended with me and in the music and in the Word that was spoken. What better place to go to turn a sour day back into a great day!

Yes, we all make plans for the perfect life.....or maybe not even perfect, but good. Then, along comes a bump in the road or a flat tire, or a disagreement with someone dear and life takes a turn SOUTH! We have a choice during those times. We can look for all the things that are WRONG.....or be thankful for all the things in our lives that are RIGHT. Gratitude makes the difference. I was grateful that I was not more seriously injured. I needed a new phone anyway, so that cracked screen guaranteed I'd be getting a new one. I had a home to go home to where I was encouraged. Bottom line....this First Day of the Rest of My Life.....was amazing.....and I'm still here to tell it! I'm excited to see what the Second Day of the Rest of My Life will look like! I'm expecting it to be incredible because God told me so....Jeremiah 29:11 "“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."