Overwhelmed?

Ever feel overwhelmed? Got too much to do and no time to do it? Want to accomplish so much and make your surroundings look perfect? That's me, but I'm learning.

You know, people who love you don't really care if your house, your yard and your person looks perfect. In reality, they would rather have you be there for them than to make everything look perfect.

Wish I had come to that much earlier in my life. I probably would have more energy now than I do. My children wouldn't have had to deal with such a perfectionist for a mother, one who had to keep up appearances and have the children look and be perfect.

So yes, it's spring, and I'd love to do a bunch of Spring Cleaning, but with this degenerating back, I am going to have to pick and choose. Actually, simplifying would be a great task to accomplish, and I have already begun. Two chairs leaving tomorrow, and a bunch of clutter being collected for a church yard sale - YEA! Tools will be sifted through soon and son-in-laws get first dibs, then Eric and then the church's yard sale.

Simplifying makes life so much easier, and one's disposition so much sweeter. And it's so much easier to relax when you aren't looking at so many things. So.o.o. have fun this spring, and then chill!

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Reflecting

Hi Friends!

My life began with one arm tied behind my back, so to speak. It was World War II and my father was in the Army, and missing from home. My first few years were without him, with Mother parenting alone. Just before Dad was sent to Europe, Mom conceived my brother who was born and died before my Dad came back home and the war was over. Sad and difficult years

Life took a rather dramatic turn then, and the rest of my "at home years" were difficult. After college graduation, I met the man of my dreams, but our marriage turned into a nightmare for the first 12 years. Finally we determined to "pull out all the stops" to make marriage work, and did so.

As I look back, I am grateful for all of the experiences we've either endured or enjoyed. They have made us who we are and given us courage and faith for the future. Currently we are in the famous Golden Years, and finding body parts we didn't know we had - aches and pains have alerted us. And guess what? We are happier than we've ever been. We laugh at the aches and pains and the restricted abilities that have become a part of our lives.

Rather than sit and suffer, we choose to move along, keep working at our ministry and even dreaming of other projects to enhance ministry. No rocking chairs here!

Thank you God for nearly 47 years together and in love, and a purpose for our lives!

How has your history shaped you?

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Easter Contemplation

Today it is quiet. No bunnies hopping around depositing chocolate Easter eggs. Few families gathered around a table laden with luscious goodies and fancy confections. Today is the day for rest, because yesterday was a day filled with trauma, and anyway, God in His infinite wisdom had set it up that way.

No one really believed He would die and then live again. No one ever had without His touch and he would be unavailable, gone. Hasn't it always been that death is final? Friday's old wooden cross, a crown of thorns, scourging, humiliation and a spear in his side. Weeping, repenting, sadness and gloom. And upon the old rugged cross, he forgave us all, and died.

Carried to the tomb, anointed with chosen oils and wrapped in the cloths of those who would decay, the stone was rolled across the tomb, and slowly the mourners left for home.

Now, today was the day to hold each other, to mourn their loss, to go nowhere and do nothing, except perhaps to the temple, because after all, it was the Sabbath day.

Amazing isn't it? Come Sunday morning, Mary goes to the tomb to weep, and maybe to hope, and the risen Savior appears to her, not in a dream but in solid flesh and bone. She sees the holes in his hands. the burial cloths are strewn about, and she hears His comforting voice call her by name; Mary, the forgiven Prostitute. And he bids her to go tell Peter - the hasty, fearful one who betrayed him. Jesus, who holds no grudge and loves without question, seeks to remove shame as His first act of redemption.

Good Friday is a day for worship of the crucified Christ. It certainly was good for me, because this trauma saves my soul. Sunday is a day for Hosannas and praise, because Christ no longer sleeps in death, but is awake to my every pain, to my need.

Centuries later too, today is a day for rest and perhaps for a bit of preparation of heart - for tomorrow we sing and dance for joy. He is risen! My only Hope has paid the price for me, and I am free!

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Spring Green

I'm dragging! As if the accident wasn't enough, I've not been able to get rid of a nasty cough. I think it started when we were caught in a dust storm in AZ, but had it quite a while, antibiotics and all. God sent us a really wise doctor who heard my cough, said he felt I have pneumonia, and ordered a very powerful antibiotic. And then the green showed up!

Well, I thought that spring was for pretty green sprouts on trees, lawns and flowers, not for coughing up green, but thanks to the doc, the green is gone now and even though I'm dragging, my lungs are feeling clearer! I'm juicing green veggies and carrots and apples, drinking warm lemon-water, and counting the days 'til I have the energy to plant some of those beautiful Geraniums I saw, some Petunias and Asparagus Fern too. And I'll probably paint my black pots green too - it'll remind me of the blessing God sent when He knew I needed to get rid of some gunky green.

But wait a minute! It's April 2nd, and it's snowing! Oh well, a few more days to rest before painting and planting. On to a nap . . .

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Sun Spots or What?

This past week it has been a "zoo" at our place! Recovering still from the accident, working on a newsletter, having the needed medical treatments since the accident, trying to have meals somewhat on time, doing lotsa' work for Fixable Life, and trying to find five minutes for R and R. And the amusing thing is, that whomever we talk to on the phone OR in person, is in the same boat!!! Everyone is rushing around and seems out of breath and out of energy. WOW! Craziness!

Do you suppose that this is Biblical prophecy coming to pass - "people running to and fro" - or is it some sorta' sun spots causing mayhem and confusion everywhere or is it both? Maybe it's the enemy's agenda to play divide and conquer between us and others as well as us and God - too busy for anything outside of our "stuff."

We sit back, put on relaxing music, and pray that the whole world or even just our community is not under the same "attack" of the crazies. Blessings to you if you are!!

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Cherishing Family and Friends

Not sure how ya'll feel about this, but I want to put it out there for your contemplation and hopefully your response . . .
To me, the most important things in the world are relationships!
Of course our relationship with God is of primary importance.  How much time do we spend with Him, how often do we thank Him for the gifts He gives-continually, how much are we convinced of the freedom we have in Him to blossom and become what He originally designed us to be?
Family is important also. Last evening we had our daughter and her family for supper and the evening.  No TV, just wonderful chatter, laughter, planning and fun. These are relationships to nurture, especially in this time of upset in the world, banding together has many benefits.
To me, friendships are of great importance also. We have "old" and "newer" friends, and we enjoy every one of them. Since we have moved to the mountains, we have a number of "newer" friends and we enjoy them too.  But the "old" friends, the ones with whom you have history and many memories, are the very special ones.  Sure you have your disagreements, but so what!  You solve the issue and move on.  Thing is, you chose them and they chose you in the first place, and you did so because you had so much in common. You laughed and cried together, you worked and played and maybe even vacationed, and these memories are priceless treasures.
What do you think?  Do you have precious friends and/or family members that you keep in touch with, that you cherish?  Do you let minor disagreements wipe out what you once had?  Does that serve you well?  Let's talk about it!


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In a Hurry?

We had just been in a horrible accident with our car totaled. We were in a rental car, on our way to a hotel for the night.  Shaky and traumatized from the near-death experience, we were stopped at a traffic light and in the left lane, waiting to make a left hand turn into the hotel's parking lot.

Suddenly, a vehicle from the cross street raced through the intersection.   A man on a motorcycle came from the right and the two collided right in front of us. Car parts, shoes, motorcycle parts and who know what else went flying by along with the motorcyclist, who landed on the pavement.  He laid there in a lifeless pose, while several folks in other lanes alongside us, ran to his assistance. We sat, dazed, in our rental car.

We watched as the man on the ground was helped by other motorists and quickly heard sirens screech as an ambulance approached.  Stunned and feeling paralyzed, we prayed as we watched.

And then came a knock on our window, so Ron rolled down his window as the woman on the other side demanded. "Can't you see you're blocking traffic?  Move this #@&* car!" she barked.
"Well, Ma'am, there's a body in the road right here.  A terrible accident."
"What's that got to do with you?" she retorted.  "Everyone behind you is angry.  We're in a hurry, so get your car outta' here."

Have we totally lost caring in this society?  Was the rush, the craziness because we were in a big city?  Are people really this cruel and insensitive?  Does the severe injury of a man sprawled in the road in front of you not matter?

Does this remind you of the Good Samaritan story in the Bible? Are we really in such a hurry that we cannot show compassion and caring?  We were simply trying to block traffic, preventing another accident.  Do you suppose a movie this raging woman was going to attend was starting, or was she trying to get to a store or a restaurant before it closed?  Are we as humans really this thoughtless?

What do you think?      





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