Strongest Friend I Know

July 8th, 2013

What does true willpower look like?  I've always prided myself on how strong I could be when "sacrificing" for something either not good for me or that I just didn't need to have.  I've been known to pat myself on the back a time or two just because I could deny me-me-me a little pleasure when what I really wanted to do was dive right into whatever it was pulling at my heart.

Oh….I'm a martyr.  Ahem, not really.  I suck.  I fall right into the trap of doing whatever makes me happy more often than I'd like to admit.  But I have a friend…that really inspires me to tow the line.  He lives by some pretty tight rules and yet he knows how to love and serve without breaking the bank.  Or the spirit.

I've known him a long time.  Not one single day of our friendship have I wondered if he was standing on solid ground.  He is driven to succeed.  His goals have always propelled him forward (I'm sure he's faced struggles) and he's lived his life with THE BIG PICTURE on his brain GPS.  Therefore, he's extra good at biding his time and only making very strategic moves.  He's one of the best friends my hubby's ever had too.  

He may not know how he influences those around him.  His charm is genuine and his heart is truly made of gold.  I, personally am so grateful that he's married to one of my best friends who in her own right is probably the sweetest person I've ever known.  Together they are a dynamo!  If you're lucky enough (blessed is more like it) to be in their family or friend group then you know just how gracious our God is with sharing His love.  

Just this weekend, my friend stepped into a big purchase decision.  He's savvy with his money and certainly not one to just blow money even though I know he isn't struggling to get by.  As soon as I got the text picture of his purchase I smiled.  He deserves to get great things.  He's worked hard and isn't a flashy or prideful dude.  I felt excited for him to slather on a little extravagance.  But with the text came a "just trying it out" warning.  I prayed for him because I knew above all things he would want to do what was right for his family and honoring to God.

This morning I woke up to a sweet text telling me that the purchase was returned.  I immediately remembered how much willpower it takes to be a man like him (the same words my hubby spoke to me when he heard the news).  Getting stuff isn't all that important if it has to infringe on your peace.  It takes a strong person to deny SELF of guilty pleasures and still remain joyful and satisfied.  That's my friend, Dale.

"Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out."  Proverbs 10:9

Dale,

You inspire me.  You stick up for what is right and make good choices and the best part is that those of us around you get to watch.  Thank you for being such a wise example of self-control.  God has blessed our whole family with a friend like you and we couldn't be more thankful.

P.S. Thank you for picking the perfect girl to be your wife.  She inspires me to be a better…everything! (I love you Tabbi)

Love

Wanda 

 

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Can HE Hear My Voice?

July 5th, 2013

Today I watched some of the testimony by the mother of Trayvon Martin and his brother.  The questioning focused on whom the person was yelling in the background call to 911.  Both believe the yells for help were coming from Trayvon Martin.  As a mother, I've wracked my brain wondering whether or not I could decipher such a thing under the same circumstances.  Would I recognize my child's voice?  I think I would.  

This got me thinking about how God always knows the voice of His children.  I never have to worry whether He confuses my cries for help with someone else.  He personally connects with His beloved.  What a privilege to be loved that much and what an honor to be known that personally.

Armed with that knowledge….  I feel pulled to know Him more.  I don't want to wonder if that's my Lord calling to me.   I want to be sure and I can by spending time with Him.  Every day.

Psalm 116:1  "I love the Lord because He hears my voice and my prayer for mercy."

Lord,

Your love for me is deeper than the ocean and higher than any mountain.  I know this because your word tells me so.  Help me to know you more and to hear you when you call.

Amen

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10 Things I Learned in June

July 3rd, 2013

I'm almost sick to say it's July 3rd and that my summer is halfway over.  But it's true!  The month of June slipped in and screamed out in what felt like just a couple of days.  I've caught myself asking over and over where has the time gone?  Then I remember….I spent most of the month bedside with my very sick mother in Florida.  Time goes much faster when you're occupied with serious issues.  I know the saying is, "Time flies when you're having fun!" but I beg to differ after the month I've just had.

Here's what I've learned during the month of June 2013:

1.  Babies of the family grow up too.  My oldest turned 23 on the same day as my youngest graduated high school.  Talk about a double-whammy!  I know, I know….this is what I've been preparing for but geez, it's hard stuff!

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2.  Traveling with my hubby to new places is a true adventure.  Our whole married life has revolved around road trips.  We've loved every chance to go somewhere new and have always had an open mind about God sending us to new and exciting places as a family.  Now that my kids are grown….it's looking more & more like JUST THE TWO OF US!  I like it, too!

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3.  Shish-ke-bobs are easy & delicious.  I've somehow missed out on this quick little scrumptious meal.  My family loved them and so did I.  You can bet, I'll be making shish-ke-bobs more often.

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4.  A phone call can change your life.  I was busy going about my summer when the call came that my mother may not make it long enough for me to get there (Indiana to Florida).  My hubby drove all night and all day to make sure I was there for my mother.

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5.  Husband's have a special ability to be LOGICAL thinkers.  I don't have a clue when it comes to thinking rationally in crazy situations but thankfully for me….God gave me a husband who does.  His willingness to have hard conversations with my mom when she was finally able to talk and think straight will forever be written on my heart.

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6.  Good hospitals are hard to find.  After a rotten year of cancer, surgeries, hospital stays and then near death my mother finally fell into the hands of a hospital that took good care of her.  It wasn't a big fancy hospital either!

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7.  Riding in the car for 16 hours with your hubby can turn downright evil when a large bag of PORK RINDS enter into the small space.  I can still smell them and I can still hear their crunchy chomp!  G R O S S !!

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8.  A broken tooth can lead to two teeth being crowned, $700 and many weeks of pain that just won't stop.  I am claiming the summer of 2013 as the summer of the broken tooth debacle.

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9.  Cleaning out a shoe closet can leave you stuck with two different flip-flops.  Yes, I threw the mates away without knowing they weren't a match.  Dangit!  Oh well, back to Old Navy!

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10.  You can't control your kids.  No matter how many times you tell them they can NEVER buy a motorcycle (ok, so he's 23 what's your point?) they will still do whatever they want.  Therefore, I'm referring to him as the son I USED TO HAVE!  Real mature, huh?

June was harsh.  It didn't just blanket me with all the summer love I had planned on allowing it to do.  It smashed me into a mold that if I had the choice I would've skipped.  But God.   His ways are not my ways.  I feel it's only right for me to embrace the lessons and move forward.  Complaining or dwelling on all that didn't go as planned won't change a thing.  I'm happy to say that July just might beat June all to heck.  Good things are to come!

I just know it…

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Ain’t Nobody Got Time For That

July 2nd, 2013

Sweet Brown is Youtube sensation.  In only 2 days, over 2 million people viewed her news interview about a fire in her building.  Now, over 30 million have watched it.  Sweet Brown didn't do anything special but (be herself) when the news crew asked her to share about what happened.  She was just a lady up at 3am getting herself a pop to drink when she smelled fire.  Her funny response has opened the door for her to be sensationalized everywhere.

Since that video went viral Sweet Brown has been called on to keep her fun-spirited thinking going.  She's done countless commercials and her slogan is used by just about everyone.  "Ain't nobody got time for that!" is popular with every age group.  So, now you know where it came from (in case you didn't).

The Sweet Brown clip holds great lessons for you and me.  Not just regarding fire safety (ahem, if you smell fire….grab your shoes and run!) but about being WHO YOU ARE!  You don't have to pretend to be something or someone you're not.  Ever.  Even if the real you is full of an over-the-top personality.  Be yourself!

God made you unique.  Besides, ain't nobody got time for that!

Watch Sweet Brown video —> HERE

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Can Mom’s Quit?

July 1st, 2013

I bet I'm not the only mom to consider running away.  Some parts of being a mother are hard to handle.  Even at the stage of parenting that I'm currently in….I struggle.  I face situations that set me back and cause me to pound on heaven's doors for help.  I'm sure they're normal but sometimes I'd just rather skip any testy situations and live happily ever after.  Wouldn't you?

This past weekend was a zinger for me as a mom.  I managed to feel just about every emotion known to the human body.  At one point, I wondered if I'd ever be truly joyful again.  Sounds really serious, huh?  For me, it was.  Why is it so hard to let your kids make their own way?  I think it's partly because we know more about life and since we do…..we cling to fear.

I admit it, I worry.  I rake "what if's" over & over in my head and when I do, I feel crippling fear.  I'm not proud of that part of myself.  It makes me look like a person of tiny faith and that's not even close to who I am as a mom or child of God.  I'm confident in Christ and I know HE HOLDS THE POWER over life and death.  I can't (in my scrawny power) in any way provide another day or moment for the people I love on this earth.

Oh, but how I try!

At what point do mother's stop worrying about their kids?  I can't say.  Here I am with young adults and I think NOW is probably the time I've worried the most.  They're fully engaged with life and nothing can stop them (or so they think) not even meddling parents.  So, what is my job as a mom these days?

Here's what I THINK it is –>

Be a positive example — I see parents of kids my age posting some pretty sketchy stuff online.  Some of the behaviors are embarrassing.  Kids, even grown up ones really don't want to see their parents acting like they're in their 20's.  Grow up Mom & Dad and behave!

Lead with courage — When your kids make a decision that you know is wrong or out of character, be honest and speak up.  Sometimes kids are looking for someone to tell them NO!  Don't be afraid to be honest.  I think families end up stuck in a bad position just because parents didn't want to interfere or tell their kid NO!  Sad!  Don't put yourself in a position of  -> I should've…

Give room for mistakes — Look who's talking here.  Kids are going to goof up.  Forgive them and move forward.  Don't miss the chance to help them learn from their mistakes.  Notice:  I didn't say beat them over the head with their mistakes.  Love them through them!

Pray & pray often — I thought I prayed a lot for my kids when they were small.  I did.  But the time has come and the consequences of  life are so much riskier now that I really pray hard for each of them.  Constantly.  Who else is going to do it?

I'm living proof that mom's can be either an asset or a hinderance to their kids.  I've managed to be both over the years at some point or another.  I'm grateful that when I'm in over my head God has gently (and not so gently) pulled me up and set me back on my feet.  I used to think WHEN I get my kids raised…then I can relax.  I'm learning that being a mother is forever.

So to answer my own question… You can't just quit!

 

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Cuttin’ Ties

June 27th, 2013

I grew up in the south.  I know what racism looks like.  I've seen it up close & personal.  It's evil and it hurts!  I don't like it and I never have.  What's happening to Paula Deen right now is downright ridiculous!  The more companies that speak up about dropping her from their businesses the madder I seem to get.

Why?

If you're a tax dollar paying adult who shops and spends money on the things that you like and want then you should be able to decide if you're going to blow your money on stuff that has a certain name on it.  I'm big enough and smart enough to know how and where I want to spend my money.  Aren't you?  Do you need Walmart, Target or the Food Network to help you decide?  Or Barbara Walters?

It's this sort of ridiculous behavior that reminds me how important it is to stick close to the side of right.  The world is full of hate and the saddest thing about that is it wants you and me to believe that what they spread is truth.  When in fact, it's bull hockey that is either blown out of proportion (like the Paula Deen garb) or it's just another ploy to keep the hate mongering going in our world.

I happened to catch a piece of the George Zimmerman trial this morning and heard the testimony of Trayvon Martin's friend, Rachel Jeantel.  In her explanation of their cell phone conversation she told the court that (he said) when she asked who was following him , "a creepy A _ _ cracker!".  The lawyer asked her about that statement being a racist comment and she denied it as being offensive.  Every time the comment is repeated Ms. Jeantel clearly has a hard time keeping herself from cracking up outloud (yea, it's real funny). The smirky smile still shines through and I wonder….how does this double standard make sense?

I don't know about you….but I'm not playing along.  I'm not fooled by the junk being forced down my throat.  The racist card is being twisted and misused by so many and they are getting away with it.  I can't say whether George Zimmerman killed Trayvon Martin in cold blood.  What I can say is that he was beat up pretty badly.  The media has made the case about race.  The ones who are hurt by what has happened to their child have spoken out about it as an issue of race.  So, what are we to believe?

If you're a creepy A _ _ cracker….I'll let you decide.  Just like I'll let you decide where you'll spend your money.  For me, I won't be handing mine over quite so easily to companies who yank people like Paula Deen (WHO HAS APOLOGIZED more than once) and then leave filthy rappers like Lil Wayne who spew hate and stomp on American flags on their shelves.

I have the freedom to cut my ties too!

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