Mercy Me! Bring on the Light!

It's my annual rant time! That expletive isn’t about the Christian vocal group, Mercy Me! It’s about the ghosts, goblins, zombies, witches, and other Halloween paraphernalia that “haunts” us at retail stores and homes this time of year.

Wait! Before you Halloween enthusiasts stop reading this blog, please know I'm not judging anyone who celebrates Halloween! I know what Jesus said "Do not judge, or you too will be judged!" (Matthew 7:1) If I judge people who celebrate Halloween then those people can judge me for celebrating my birthday. Yikes! A whole day to celebrate ME? To bring me gifts and light a candle on a sugary idol with my name on it?

Honestly, my awareness of seeking THE LIGHT and being a light has come from years of growth in my walk with Jesus.
I was a trick or treater and, as you can see in these cute photos, we celebrated Halloween along with everyone else. (That first one is my son and the others are grandchildren). And, October 31st is a day we love because it's Mom's (my mom-in-law's) birthday. And, I know there are hundreds of things worse than cute kids dressed like Elsa or Buzz Lightyear.

Heaven forbid that I sound like a kill-joy! It's a heart matter for me. I don't want to rain on anyone’s Halloween Parade, but this chick prefers the "light" side. I have long removed myself from horror flicks that I watched as a kid. I wondered why I couldn’t sleep at night. Well, duh? I don’t read books that cause me to entertain thoughts of darkness, and neither do I put myself into situations that draw me into darkness or create darkness – anger, envy, strife, jealousy, sadness, grief, etc. If I find myself getting close to those places -- I look for the closest “escape hatch” that I can find. My motto scripture is “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8.

This Bible thumper just can't help but use this season to share the good news of the One who was raised from the dead. I want to preach Jesus. I want to find people to encourage, call that family member who needs hope, pray for professed witches and satanists who need Jesus and use my tongue and social media to communicate life, joy and peace. And, I want to see evil become good: "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:21)

I live in the light -- on purpose. I lean toward the LIGHT – God and His Word. That’s why the scriptures are so vital to me – they’re my absolute statements of faith, peace, comfort and joy. ”You will keep him (her) in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he (she) trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3)

If you find yourself depressed, sad, afraid, doubting -- living in those places of darkness -- I lovingly encourage you to move toward THE LIGHT. Put light in your heart and home. I promise you…..you’ll find the SWEET SPOT…..where I live! There’s nothing like it!

The Art and Blessings of Compartmentalizing

I learned the art of compartmentalizing from my husband. I remember when were lying in bed at night, I would bring up something unpleasant or negative and my wise AND romantic husband would say: "Not in this room. Not now. Save it for tomorrow and we'll talk about it then."

My son is a very busy husband, father and business owner. Long ago, I learned how he strategically departmentalized his life. While having his "father" hat on, he is all-in at his boys' games or events. His phone is not his priority. At work, unless its an emergency, he won't be distracted from his business. And, I watch him take his wife out on their date night and he only has eyes for her. He puts aside all other distractions.

I've become skilled in the art of compartmentalizing my life too. When I'm at church, my focus is on worship, praise and serving. When I'm playing a community game with friends, they have my undivided attention. When I'm care-giving my grands, they have my full attention -- well, them and their animals. Last week, I was the speaker at an event. During the day, my thoughts, my actions and attention was on being in-sync with what I would share. No other distractions were allowed.

I've found that compartmentalizing helps me isolate that particular area of my life from all the other issues and/or challenges I might have on my "to do" list or what I happen to be dealing with at the time. My blogging is an essential that I give full attention to. I protect that time with diligence.

Even as a busy, overloaded multi-tasking mom or dad, we can still determine to focus on the one thing at hand, like the drive to school – conversing and making every moment count together in that car ride. At mealtime – giving each other full undivided attention. That’s compartmentalizing.

The point is, there will be an end to a responsibility or project and we can close the chapter on it and proclaim "success". There are always seasons in all of this. Times when family needs more attention, work, ministry, and play need more attention. And, yes, even when we need to get away and be alone for a period of time. But getting things done, over with, is best done with attention to compartments. Right now, I’m in my Facebook and blogging compartment – one of my main compartments in each day. I’ve learned to close one compartment and open another. I’ve learned to say “no” to things that don’t deserve a compartment. I’m getting good at that.

Compartmentalizing is also helpful with stress and worries. That’s one that tries to open up to me in the middle of the night. I don’t welcome that compartment and I do my best to keep it closed and locked up. But when it does open up, I’ve learned the best way to shut it down is to open up my “Think on these good things" compartment from Philippians 4:8 "And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."

It’s amazing the volume and quality of work, play and family and friends' quality time we’re able to have by staying focused on one compartment at a time. We think the notion of multi-tasking is a good thing, but honestly, only “little attention” to the tasks produces little results. Compartmentalizing and giving each relationship and each task our best opens the way for the next success story in the next compartment.

What Once Was Lost, Now Is Found

It was my son, Larry’s birthday on Sunday and it was a packed-full day. That’s just the way we roll around here on birthdays! After church, it was to his favorite Mexican food restaurant for birthday lunch, opening gifts. Mine were the things I heard him say he needed during our fishing trip, including walkie-talkies (we were in a no-cell-coverage area). His next request -- an afternoon nap. Whoohoo for all of us! I headed to my home and all of us enjoyed sweet rest and relaxation. Before long, their call came for me to come back for the celebrations to continue. It started with more of Larry’s favorites: nachos (obviously this family can’t get enough of Mexican food), watermelon, and my famous chocolate cake – followed by Larry’s favorite family games. Mind you – everything in this day was Larry’s choices and desires, except for the "must wear" sombrero by Staci. He is always such a good sport. It was all on course for the best birthday ever, but, THEN...

I received the call at about 10 pm from Staci: “Mom, pray! We can’t find Emma (their 4-pound Yorkie). We’ve looked all over, called her name, shouted “Treat! Car ride!”, but she’s not here. We’ve driven around, calling her name, but we haven't found her. We prayed for her protection and that someone would find her.” Larry’s birthday didn’t end as planned, for sure. Staci recalled how she and Larry laid in bed staring at the ceiling – feeling helpless, yet hopeful and prayerful.

From my end, I couldn’t sleep thinking about sweet, literally God-given Emma who had brought such joy to this family for so many years. Staci and I text messaged throughout the night because she was on our heart and in our prayers, with words like: "Believing someone will turn her in tomorrow safe and sound, in Jesus' name." "God knows where she is and I pray for her protection." No doubt. No words of unbelief. Only the assurance that God is all-knowing and she'll be home soon!

We refused unbelief and thought God's thoughts: "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." (Philippians 4:8) As strange as it sounds -- we were all at peace, yet hoping we would hear good news. No mourning or anxiety at all. Emma is actually Alexia's dog, Staci asked her: "Are you okay?" Alexia responded "Yes, Mom! She's coming back!" I loved her faith and certainty.

We kept those positive thoughts throughout the day. THEN, around 6 pm, Monday night, almost 24-hours later, Larry received a phone call from a lady whose daughter had been over at her friend’s house and saw the cutest little, dressed-in-pink Yorkie. The girl went home, told her mother and because she had seen the Nextdoor app message and photo, she gave Larry the phone number of the people. He called and they went to pick Emma up – who had been loved and cared for and protected for those 24-hours, just as we had prayed. Whether they planned on keeping her or eventually look for her owners, we don’t know, but God knew all along and it all worked out for good. Emma is safely home where she belongs.

I couldn’t help but sing: “Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God. Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine. I couldn't earn it, and I don't deserve it, still, You give Yourself away. Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God." That is the same God Who loves Emma and you and me.

And, I sang “Amazing Grace. How sweet the sound. That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now I’m found. Was blind but now I see.” Again, the same love of God.

I shared this long, exhaustive story with you today because I know there is a clear message here for you and me. The same God Who cares so much about a little 4-pound Yorkie cares about your 110 to 350-pound self today. He doesn’t give up until you are in the fold with His other sheep. His love, so far beyond any love we could have for our pets or our children or loved ones, is reaching out to you today – to feed you, give you nourishment, speak peace and rest to your weary body and soul, answer even your smallest to largest prayers and concerns. Won’t you come home where you belong?

What Can We Do When This World Steals Our Peace?

My dentist sent me to an Endodontics Specialist for a consultation. BTW -- endodontics means dealing with the dental pulp AKA, in my case, a potential root canal. This was a new experience for me because my wonderful dentist in Tulsa was more than a general dentist -- he performed all the "specialist" procedures also and he had done a couple of "pain-free" root canals on me before. This post isn't to discuss the merits of general dentistry versus endodontics dentistry, but it's to convey my naiveness in this crazy world we live in.

My general dentist here in Frisco is great. The bonus is when I go see her, she has the "Fixer Upper" show playing on the TV in the procedure room. My Tulsa dentist always had Christian music playing in the background, and to top it off, he was a beautiful witness for Christ in his conversation and demeanor.

Now, back to my "specialist" visit. Nice office. Kind staff. Easy check-in. Comfortable dental chair. Then, settled in, I heard a loud headbanger, hard-rock singer and music playing on their music system. Initially, I thought, "Are you kidding me? Do I have to listen to this?" Maybe I'm old school when music was selected by businesses that would have wide-audience appeal but maybe this place appeals to the hard-rock-music-loving-dentist and his equally passionate hard-rock-loving-patients. I'll just suck it up go with the flow."

Then, I looked at the magazine rack that faced me with a May 14th issue of New York magazine. The bold headlines said "My Date With a Sex Robot" with a ghastly photo. I'll admit I am selective in where I go, what I do and who I am with. I've said it before, I say it again, there is nothing more important to me in my life than maintaining a state of peace. I live by St. Paul's words in Philippians 4:8-11 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is fair, whatever is pure, whatever is acceptable, whatever is commendable, if there is anything of excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—keep thinking about these things. Likewise, keep practicing these things: what you have learned, received, heard, and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you." Did you hear that? "THEN, the God of peace will be with you."

So, what do I do when THAT peace is interrupted. I stand firm in my convictions and do something about it. I couldn't ignore it. The negativity was resounding in my ears AND in my eyes. I would have walked away or changed the channel if I could. But, I couldn't. The dental assistant came into the room and I told her "I've never been to a dentist where I felt so uncomfortable. In fact, my dentist in Tulsa plays Christian music. I'm listening to hard rock music and I'm seeing a magazine cover that faces me that says "My Date With a Sex Robot!" She was quick to apologize and removed the magazine saying "I don't know where that came from, and as for as the music goes, I put on Aerosmith this morning and didn't realize the playlist would be like this. We usually have Christian music playing. I'll change it!" Within seconds, I was taken back to my peace when I heard playing, "This is amazing grace. This is unfailing love. That You would take my place. That You would bear my cross. You lay down Your life. That I would be set free. Oh, Jesus, I sing for all that You've done for me."

It's about daily making choices. We can live with the chaos and negativity and obvious assaults on our peace OR we can treat our peace as the absolute priceless treasure that it is. We can be the peacemaker in the midst of family disagreements. We can walk away from a group that is telling inappropriate jokes and stories. Choices of movies and tv shows we watch, the music we listen to, and the conversations we have with others all determine which side of the camp we'll be on. Peace or anxiety. Peace or fear. Peace or distress. Peace or anger. Back to that scripture...."Keep practicing those things that are true, honorable, fair, pure, acceptable, commendable, excellent, praiseworthy. THEN, the God of peace will be with you."

Staying Positive in a Negative World

After grocery shopping, I was stopped by a televsion reporter to ask me what I thought about the added traffic in our area -- just immediately North of our subdivision. Initially, I was reluctant to comment, but I could see I needed to speak a positive word in what could be a negative news report. She signaled her camera man and the interview began. (I sure wish I had freshened my lipstick before the camera started -- LOL!)

My subdivision is in West Tulsa, where it's been a relatively quiet area of town, but then, just North of us, two new shopping areas have been built. Now there's a vast array of restaurants, retail stores, large anchor stores, many services, financial and medical facilities, plus a 12-screen theater, so, this little "sleepy hollow" is now hopping.....and so is the traffic. It continues to increase with the popularity of all the many retail establishments that are available here.

This reporter was looking for negativity by the questions she asked, but she chose the wrong gal -- I'm from Dallas and this small amount of traffic pales in comparison. I told her that indeed the traffic had increased, but no problem to us. It's worth having all these amazing amenities so close by. And, for us, it means the property value of our homes has increased and we're close to where our shopping needs are met in a few minutes.

I responded to the reporter's questions for about 5 minutes with only optimism and so when my grandkids and I watched the 10 pm news to see what was aired, they were jumping up and down and laughing so hard to see their Nana on TV (they had seen the whole interview come down as they watched it from our car). And, we weren't surprised to only see a small snippet of what I said. I get that a lot of folks watch the news for controversial stories -- but I sure wish they'd report the positive stuff rather than so much negative.

Negativity breeds negativity. What should we do when we live in that world but want to stay positive? I'm so thankful that I purpose to look for the good in just about everything and here's what I do:

1) I protect myself from negative news. And in this political head bed, we DO need protection. While I want to stay up on current events, sometimes a headline is sufficient to grasp new developments.

2. I control the number of negative people in my life. I often spend time counseling and hearing people's problems. Some days are filled with more uplifting reports than others. However, I can carefully select how much time I spend with those who are intent on being negative. My frame of mind and my attitude is dependent on what I allow into my mind -- good or bad.

3. I love to listen to uplifting Christian music in my car and home. With just a click on an app on my phone, I can be transported to a place of joy, peace, and thanksgiving.

4. I practice gratitude. Appreciating life and its many blessings puts me in a cheery mood that really helps when I'm in traffic or standing in a long line at a store. That gratitude makes me want to encourage others -- calling or emailing them with an encouraging word. Random acts of kindess goes a long way in turning a negative world into a positive one.

5. I pray randomly all day: "Thank you, God, for that green light. Thank you, God for that parking space." And whether it's in traffic or a line at the store -- I use that time as a reminder to have a little conversation with THE ONE who isn't surprised by the delays. No doubt, it's a part of His Master Plan.

There's blessings and beauty everywhere -- it's possible to stay positive in a negative world when we look for it.

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." Philippians 4:8

Little Things Become Big When We Look Closer

Day 108 of Photo Inspirations --  Little Things Become Big When We Look Closer
I took this photo this morning from the top deck of our ship.  That looks like a miniature ship sailing along side us -- be in reality, it's huge.  Often the little things can become BIG things.  I'm in that season of life where I've lived and learned.  That's why at this mature age, I do my best to pass along some insights that I've learned from mistakes, but even only I had taken to heart what I had learned, I would never have made the mistakes in the first place.

This scripture from Philippians 4:8 spoke to me this morning.  "Whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of a good report, if there is any virtue and if there be any praise, THINK on THESE THINGS!!!"

I know that I must sound like I live on the "Good Ship Lollipop", and so it may be true.  It's because I've found the sweetest, purest thoughts and attitudes are what bring me most peace.  I avoid confrontation and situations that would like to take me to another place.  I remember when our kids were just "PG-13" ages and we took them to see "Jaws".  Ugh!  We love the ocean, so why in the world would we take our family to see a movie about sharks that would create fear and concern when we went to the ocean?  We lived and learned.

There are people in my world that have the tendency to speak negatively and even use profanity in their conversations.  I don't want to be rude, so I tolerate it when I can.  But, when I have a choice, I choose to walk out.  For example, yesterday, I went to see a movie that was an award winner and thought I'd check out the artistic creativity of the producer and find out why it received so much applause.  At the onset of the movie -- in the first two sentences, there was such profanity, that I excused myself and walked out.  And when I did.....I went back to my happy place in my mind and spirit.

I don't EVER want my heart to become so hardened that what once was inappropriate and intolerable to become acceptable.  My measuring stick is God's Word.....so this "Whatever things are lovely" scripture.....pretty well states my case.....and my position on "The Good Ship Lollipop"!  It's a sweet place of peace that passes understanding!