Queenies Little Kingdom

Every once in a while I take Miss Lizzy out back of our house beyond the privacy fence.  It’s a nice wooded area full of awesome doggy snif spots and a thawed out pond.

She runs free as if she were kept prisoner normally.  All lies of course.

See…

Yesterday she wandered on over the hill towards the pond.  Next, I heard the most ferocious barking.  She would bark and run back.  Then, get up her courage… turn and run back towards her enemy.  I knew she was asking for trouble as soon as I heard THE HISSING.  I tried everything to call her back to me.  It was as if my voice only spurred her on.  She got even crazier.

So, I ran to save her because by this time…old mother goose was chasing her back up the hill.  Do you know how mean geese can be?  Well, I’ll tell you.  They are wicked mean.  They will run you down, honking and hissing and I’m almost positive…they can keel keel keel!

I thought I had Miss Lizzy convinced to retreat but she gave it one more shot and ran at the giant killer goose who let her have it!!!!  The screaming cries from little miss brave heart told me she understood the danger now.  Until she turned around for one more try at putting the goose on its way….which is where I tell you how fast I had to turn and run for my own life. 

With a big fast goose hot on my heels!!!

Good news.  Lizzy survived, I made it back to my yard and the mean old goose is floating happily in the pond.

Goose wins!!

You know how Monday’s have a nasty reputation?  Well…

Yesterday will go down in history (my history anyway) as one of the most challenging days ever.  Don’t worry, I have no intentions of reliving it here.  Once was more than enough, really… and you don’t deserve to suffer through ALL of my life struggles.  A few here & there, maybe. 

Besides…

Right?

Today has already shown me JOY does come in the morning.  Yesterday is long gone and today is treating me awesome! 

I just finished reading Elizabeth Smart’s book.  If you ever fall into the pit of feeling sorry for yourself…knowing what she survived might inspire you to do otherwise.  I was riveted by her sheer will to live and someday be found.  Her very sad story comes with an amazing end or shall I say,  beginning!?

She reminds me that while horrible things can happen…God can turn evil and hurt into forgiveness and victory.   My troubles yesterday do not compare to the horrors of kidnapping, rape and abuse.  So, enjoying today seems like the right thing to do.

I hope you’re having a good Tuesday!

I've been in my new neighborhood for 3 1/2 months now.  I'm still waiting to meet most of the families all around me.  It's hard to do when most of them work odd hours and come & go so quickly that I miss them pulling in and out.  I've become a little bit like Gladys Kravitz y'all…

However, I am determined to be friends.  Before the cows come home!

On my way out the door for church yesterday, I read the meanest post on Facebook.  It was by someone who is my Facebook "friend".  Seriously, I try to be careful what I say on there because I know how easy it is to feel offended.  At the same time, as a Christian….I can't help but stand up for truth when I see it being beaten down.  It seems like this person is constantly sticking garbage on to get a reaction out of the readers.  Most of it, false and inappropriate.  I, being of solid flesh wanted to respond.  However, I was….you know, heading to CHURCH!

Lord, You love me so….

Here is where I tell you that while I know about 6000 other people attend my new church, the message was fairly customized for one. 

Me.

The topic was compassion and the scripture taken from the Good Samaritan parable in Luke 10.  The focus of the sermon was how each of us should reflect Jesus Christ and His love/compasion.  No matter who we are, what color our skin might be or if we even like one another.  We are to LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR as ourself.

I had long forgotten the Facebook post as I scribbled down notes and listened with perked up ears.  I mean, hello….I am a studious follower!  I want to learn!  I want to grow!  And then he said, "YOUR neighbor is most likely going to be that person you don't like!  The one who rubs you the wrong way or insults & offends you.  That one, that's the one God wants you to show compassion to!".  What?  Nooooo, come on Lord.  I want to avoid that person.  I want to spout sassy comments back on their Facebook feed when I feel the need to set them straight.  All in the name of righteousness, ya know?!

Oh the sting!  Oh the conviction!  Oh the gentle reminder that I don't have to "like" everything someone else might say or even agree.  But I do have to be LIKE CHRIST when dealing with them.  Why?  Because that's who God wants me to be.  I can't impact anyone for HIS GLORY if I'm acting like a jerk and neither can you.

People are going to annoy us.  People are going to offend us.  People are people!  They can be flawed, mean, say foolish things….even behave horribly.  But God wants us to love them anyway.  They are our neighbors.  They are placed strategically in our lives and it is our privilege to love them, right where they are.

It didn't take me long to figure out who MY NEIGHBOR was thanks to the sermon. 

Who's YOUR neighbor?  Are you loving them….like you love God & yourself?