ATTENTION...."I'm starvin'"

I will never forget the words of Sis. Hightower. She was speaking at a ladies meeting in Parkersburg years (over 24!) ago. I loved the way she brought "real life" into the day-to-day life of the evangelist's family. Even though she was TOTALLY behind her husband's ministry, in ALL ways, she spoke of times when she felt "left out" of his world. This is the words that she said that I will NEVER forget...

"Sometimes I look at Bro. Hightower and say, "OVER HERE! LOOK, OVER HERE....YES, ME....YOUR WIFE! I'M STARVIN'"

Yes, she did say starvin' and not starving! And she went on to explain that what she meant was, "I am starvin' for ATTENTION!"

MANY times, we, especially us ladies (and I'm not picking on you men, just speaking to the female crowd right now!), feel left out of the "fun stuff" in life. With so many "natural/home-life" responsibilities on our minds, we don't get to ENJOY much at times. ESPECIALLY when our children are small. It is our job to see to house, home, family, and all that those subjects entail.

If we do not watch, we can loose ourselves. Let me reiterate....If we are not careful, our "identity" will get lost in the doing of "stuff".

I realize that we have to let go of ourselves to a 'degree' in our service to others. BUT, we will definitely not help or benefit anyone if we become a zombie while performing our "duties". Our heart and soul needs to be imparted when we are doing ANY deed. Example: I can be "tuned out" when the kids come home from school, not hear their "chatter about the day", put supper on the table, not be aware of their feelings, run on "auto-pilot" and not "care-mode". Don't get me wrong, we all "space out" sometimes, but the real chore is to get back on track as soon as we realize that we are not "feeling" to the right extent. This is the fine line between functionaing normally and "Overload".

How do you tell when "responsibility ends and overload starts".... herein in the question of life...

Balance.

What do you do when you feel the 'balance tipping'?

The ONLY help I know is one of a 'non-natural' nature.... it is spiritual. Only those seeking "non-tangible" answers will find it... it is found at HIS feet. The true answer is spiritual and part of HIS nature, that we take on by spending time with HIM.

For the fruit of the spirit is: love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, meekness, faith and temperance.

I can find all the attributes that are missing when I am "overwhelmed", "past caring" and "beyond compassion". It is truly heavenly help that comes from above.

So, to not feel that you are the only one "Starvin'" in this life. We all are swallowed up at times (more often than not!) and need some divine intervention.

A dear friend of our family always amazed me... you would never know she had a problem or a care.... she was the first one to laugh and be happy! All the while, she had NOTHING! Smiling and singing while sweeping her DIRT FLOOR! Oh, to find such peace and contentment...

Just be careful not to look for the answers in the wrong place.... UP is where they reside.

Is there an elephant in the room?

Have you ever heard the expression, "the elephant in the room"? I have pondered it's real meaning...

(Found this definition to the phrase online)

An important and obvious topic, which everyone present is aware of, but which isn't discussed, as such discussion is considered to be uncomfortable.

Ignoring an obvious detail, problem or issue is like ignoring the "elephant in the room"... the uncomfortable "unspoken" words or feelings that are hidden due to the lack of possible confrontation. Many times, we just want to "skirt the issue". It is EASIER to not speak of the problem... it is easier to not be honest.

Why? Maybe we cannot bear to open the door for sadness, hurt and misunderstandings to enter!

Our thoughts go into crazy circles trying to know the right way to turn...

~ If I tell them how I "REALLY FEEL", they will think less of me... and I really want them to think good of me.

~ If I tell them the truth, they will be hurt or devastated... I couldn't bear to do that.

~ They have been living in a "dream world"... why bust their perfect bubble?

I DO NOT WANT TO BE THE ONE TO CAUSE ANY PAIN!

But what do the unspoken/untruthful actions portray? LIES

Can we live with lies? Can we experience happiness "knowing" that things or events are not correct or honest?

You may fool yourself for a while. You may tell yourself you are saving others while you "suffer in silence".... knowing that things are NOT right. After a while, it will eat at you.... the "elephant in the room" begins to grow... It gets larger and larger.... UNTIL...

SNAP! You have to admit the truth or your insides will EXPLODE!

WOW! Where did all that truth and honesty come from all at once? You had planned on hiding it forever... you wouldn't DARE speak it out for all to hear.

Now, where do you go from here?

Scripture says:
Hebrews 13:18
Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.

Peace of mind comes from being honest... living with a good conscience.

The first step to repentance is to realize the importance of honesty...facing the "elephant in the room"... making room for more of God by removing the big ole thing!

Gentle Hands

I have gentle hands that lift me
Guiding me so carefully
Even when I may not know
And it is not for me to see
All the wonderful plans HE has for me
I will allow him
Let him take me
Place me into the unknown
For there I will find peace
How do I know?
Because he only wants good for me
HE holds all the pieces and creates a masterpiece
With me, in my place
I trust the Gentle Hands
(By Yours Truly)
____________________________________________
There's not a vict'ry without a fight
There's not a sunrise without a night
There's not a purchase without a cost
There's not a crown without a cross
(Bob Farrell & Geron Davis)
____________________________________________
You raise me up
So I can stand on mountains
You raise me up
To walk on stormy seas
I am strong when I am on Your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be

Verse 1

When I am down and oh my soul's so weary
When troubles come and my heart burdened be
Then I am still and wait here in the silence
Until You come and sit a while with me

Verse 2

There is no life no life without its hunger
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly
But when You come and I am filled with wonder
Sometimes I think I glimpse eternity
(Brendan Graham & Rolf Lovland)
____________________________________________

Resting.

Trusting.

Praying.

Believing.

Knowing.

Hoping.

Taking all the "positive" attributes and channeling them into all the needs that are taken to God today:

~ Peace of mind, heart and soul
~ Healing for MULTIPLE illnesses/sicknesses
~ Jobs for financial strength
~ Deliverance from addictions that hinder our body and soul

Financial, Physical and Mental health for us all Lord, this I pray.... and most of all! Salvation true and strong for our Spiritual health. That is our most honest need and prayer....

What can I say?

What can I say?

~ When words won't come because you are in so much pain that no "conscience thought" can be uttered?

~ When you hurt for someone and their situation and have no words of "how-to" fix it, because they are in uncharted waters that you have never proved or experienced?

~ When you know that you could so easily say the wrong thing and "push them over the edge" to a scary place.

What can you say?

As I ponder, I realize that just "being there" is the most powerful message. Your presence, your support and unconditional love, is the ONLY way you can communicate. Of course, during this time of "strong, supportive silence", you can bombard heaven for direction, answers and guidance. HE knows. HE cares. HE is working for our good...

I love the old song, "I give you Jesus".... I actually found a new version by Dennis Ross III on you tube... here is the link to both of these precious songs so you can listen, pray and worship with me...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmBObGKWmGY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJsphRtaW84

So, when you don't know what to say, and you've done all you can do.... Give it to Jesus! That truth and simplicity will NEVER change.

Not Knowing

Knowing. If we only knew... really knew...

How many times have you heard the expression, "If I knew then what I know now...". Experience is a great teacher...one of the best.

Yes, we wonder, ponder and 'down-right' worry about too much! If I put all my "useless" worrying together, I'd have a big pot of wasted time! You too, right?

As I have visited with some (more) friends from the past, I look back in wonder.... how different my life has gone than what I had planned! I never dreamed I would be in Calhoun County, the assistant at a Senior Center! Why, all my dreams contained working for the Lord as a missionary in a foreign land or big city! My how faint those dreams are now, when faced with reality... but how wonderful my "real life" has been! Full of wonderful family and friends.



This past weekend (Thursday thru Tuesday), I was fortunate to be able to visit with some family (my brother, Allen) and friends in Dallas. Some of the older friends; Suzie (came up from Houston), Bonnie and her husband Tony, Savita (Lori's friend), Lori Sabin (my new and precious friend and traveling buddy!), Lori and Mark Carouthers.

I let my mind wonder back to those "days gone by". Boy, that sure makes me sound old and reflective, doesn't it? Here I am visiting with old friends and making new ones at the same time (Lori did we only just "meet"? I felt I have known you forever!).




This song just keeps going over and over in my mind... Diana Ross, "Do you know where you're going to?"

Do you know where you're going to?
Do you like the things that life is showing you?
Where are you going to?
Do you know?

Do you get what you're hoping for?
When you look behind you, there's no open doors
What are you hoping for?
Do you know?

Once, we were standing still in time
Chasin' the fantasies that filled our minds
You knew how I loved you but my spirit was free
Laughin' at the questions that you once asked of me

Do you know where you're going to?
Do you like the things that life is showing you?
Where are you going to?
Do you know?

Now, looking back at all we've planned,
We let so many dreams just slip through our hands
Why must we wait so long before we'll see?
How sad the answers to those questions can be

Time keeps marching, life keeps changing... so much to do, so little time.

I hope you enjoy today. I hope you like where life has put you. Most of all, I hope you are surrounded by love from God, family and friends. Remember, as long as there is life... there are good times to share! What are YOU hoping for?

A-B-C's

Right now I am in the air on my way to Dallas. My flight leaves at 7:20 AM from Columbus, layover in Memphis (where I pick up little sissy Lori) and off to Dallas by 11:00 AM.

I wrote this blog 'in advance' since I knew I would be in the air or waiting at an airport somewhere today. Yes, I will take lots of pictures and "chronicle" this journey for you! You can meet who I meet and see who I see... how cool is that?

So, when trying to figure out what to write, my dear friend and sister-in-law Karen, sent me this.

It is the A-B-C's of Friendship:

A Friend...
by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown

(A)ccepts you as you are
(B)elieves in "you"
(C)alls you just to say "HI"
(D)oesn't give up on you
(E)nvisions the whole of you (even the unfinished parts)
(F)orgives your mistakes
(G)ives unconditionally
(H)elps you
(I)nvites you over
(J)ust "be" with you
(K)eeps you close at heart
(L)oves you for who you are
(M)akes a difference in your life
(N)ever Judges
(O)ffer support
(P)icks you up
(Q)uiets your fears
(R)aises your spirits
(S)ays nice things about you
(T)ells you the truth when you need to hear it
(U)nderstands you
(V)alues you
(W)alks beside you
(X)-plains thing you don't understand
(Y)ells when you won't listen and
(Z)aps you back to reality

I LOVE this. It is so true and Biblical. If we have true love... the love of Christ, we will have the attributes to allow us to be this type of friend. I sure do desire this... want to be the best friend I can be! To not be "shallow" or "self-absorbed" I must have HIS love.

So, as you go about your day, try to be the best friend today you have ever been! I will too... let me know how it goes...:)

Overstuffed...

Just THINKING about packing makes me tired!

When planning a trip, I don't want to start packing too early, or everything I need will be in a suitcase somewhere! Where is my hairbrush?... packed. I'm looking for my deodorant... packed. I need my pajamas... sorry, already packed!

See? Packing too early can get you in BIG trouble.... as well as packing too late!

Here I am, with 24 hours left to pack before I leave for my vacation in Dallas. I have to sleep, go to work and take a nap tomorrow before the big MIDNIGHT get-away! Knowing all this, I ATTEMPTED to pack tonight.

For days I have been doing laundry, ironing (why do I iron when you have to roll the clothes in a ball in a case anyways? hmmm... maybe some lost time there!), mending... you know the drill! I have a pet-peeve about seeing the bottom of the hamper before I can leave for vacation. Knowing well that when I return, mountains of dirty clothes will come with me.

With all the new airline restrictions, it took some "finagling" to get everything in the right bags (liquids in check bag, night clothes in carry on...). Even with the correct 'packing procedures', I knew I was in trouble. My suitcase was overstuffed.

I had mentioned on Facebook today that packing is almost impossible for a gal. We girly girls really like our "girly" stuff! Shoes! I think that is the major wardrobe piece... or purses! I hate it that I only have room for one this trip... will opt for a muti-colored bag with white trim... very 'summery' and will match all... Oh wait! I will definitely have to take one of my black purses since I am wearing SO much black...No, maybe all the black needs some COLOR. How about the RED shoes with the black and white outfits... or my HOT PINK! I also have a purse to match that! See what I mean? How do you stop this vicious cycle! Oh for the days when you had one purse and one pair of church shoes! Didn't matter if they matched what you had...they were ALL you had!

So, do I go and find a bigger bag? Or try to use the one I have and get an "elephant to shut it for me"! Yeah right..Some of my friends on Facebook offered some suggestions:

~ Sonya said she would love to go on a trip and take NO suitcases! Just buy all new 'duds' when you get there!

~ D pays the extra hundred bucks to take all the shoes she wants!

~ Jackie says to be prepared, "Even if it takes ten suitcases"!

~ Sue says to bring on the "plastic" (credit cards) for emergency shopping!

~ Lori (my traveling buddy!) cannot decide on her shoes, so lots of them are going. Shoes must be a girl's best friend!

So, here I am, trying to figure what "not to take" instead of what TO take.

Sometimes life is full of "overstuffed" stuff. Sometimes it's easy to "weed out" the unnecessary... sometime hard.

All I know is, I am excited about the trip... this journey of visitation. AND... I am also looking for the day when heaven is my destination. "Watch and Pray"... every time I get excited or anxious about a journey, I remember that the journey heavenward should be my main expectation... not one here on earth.

So, as I board the plane to head and do some visiting....I will go high, high up in the sky... but some day (to borrow a phrase from dear Bro. Mackey), "Some day I'm going on a 'plain air ride'".

Talk soon... after I get this suitcase shut... :)

See ya later...

Instead of "Good-Bye", sometimes I like to say "See ya later"! I don't know, it somehow seems to sound more 'light-hearted' and promising. Good-Bye seems so final. Visits between our "Good-Byes" can sometimes be VERY long... even into the next life...

With the passing of family, friends, co-workers... we realize that saying "Good-Bye" can be hard... devastating or tragic.

Just this week, with the passing of two well-known men of our fellowship: Rev. Billy Cole and Rev. Cory McCool, many "Good-Byes" were said. But the great things is... we will meet again! We will not sleep forever! Some day, on the golden streets of heaven, we will be able to say "Hello" again!

I was considering how long it had been since I had seen some of my friends. It has been MANY years for some. I told you this summer that I got to meet up with my friend, Kim. She and I were room-mates at JCM (Jackson College of Ministries) in 1981. I had not seen Kim for 29 years, since her wedding. (See our 'reunion' picture below!)



The same weekend, I caught up with Sue. She has visited me during my father's services and we just had to have a "girls day out"...and we did! After almost 28 years, since MY wedding, she and I had a fun day or food, talk, fellowship... repeat! (Sorry! We BOTH had our cameras with us and forgot to take pictures...too busy talking!)

Sue and I met up with Teresa, another 'long-lost friend' for breakfast the next day. Why had we let the years go by and not re-connected before? Life just kind of steers you in different paths at times... so nice when they "intersect" again!

So, this week, I am off for another visit. I am almost 'guilty' in saying that I am FINALLY going to visit my brother Al and his children in Texas! He has been living there for about 27 years and this is my FIRST visit! Shame on me! I know....LIFE just kind of "filled-up" my time. Now, my hubby and I are alone... the kids (both girls) are married and living in Indianapolis (too far, fo sho!). Their husbands and the grand-baby are just too far away! I'm not good with the "separation" issue!

When I get on the plane in Columbus on Thursday, it will be such a treat! Sorry that my hubby cannot go (work, work, work...). I will miss him...:(

I WILL get to meet some new friends and meet up with some more older ones! Lori, my new sis from Minnesota gets to go with me as my traveling buddy! I am so excited to meet her and travel with her... she has a wonderful heart and I know that all will be fun and encouraging when we are together! Some of my dear girl-friends from yester-year: Bonnie, Susie and Lori, will be there for me to "catch up" with. I know I will meet others and that is exciting too!

So, when we start to say our good-byes at the close of another visit, I'm going to say, "See ya later"! That is what I truly want to happen... I want to see ALL my friends later... if not in this life, then in the one to come!

Happyness...the art of being HAPPY! :)

Happyness (I know how to spell happiness, just really love it this way...) is a choice! You wake up and DECIDE whether to be happy today!

The picture above cracks me up! Do you think she realizes how many smiles she is sharing?

Here are some more thoughts and pictures that portray happyness...




Happyness is ALL about what path you choose.

Happyness is all about where you are headed...



Forgiveness and Thanksgiving DO bring happyness..



Happyness resides in your heart, but is portrayed through your actions...




Is happyness ahead for YOU? Make decisions today that will bring happyness tomorrow!

Your call!



Happy faces. Happy smiles. I like those...can I join in? Certainly!!!




Happyness can creep up on you! Hit you when you are not expecting it! Takes you by surprise! I love that!!!!




Where do you see happyness? Where can you find it?

It's everywhere... start looking... NOW!!!

May you experience one of your happiest days yet? Don't know where to start?

Psalm 144:15 ~ ...Happy is that people, whose God is the LORD!

Through it all

I dearly LOVE the song by Andrea Crouch, "Through it all". Every since it first came out in 1971, I have been singing it.... solo, duet, trio, with choirs, with MORE choirs.... it is timeless! Love those type of songs!

Well, today as I arise early and meditate on HIS goodness, those words begin to come again...

I've had many tears and sorrows
I've had questions for tomorrow
There've been times
I didn't know right from wrong
But in ev'ry situation
God gave blessed consolation
That my trials come
To only make me strong

Through it all through it all
Oh I've learned to trust in Jesus
I've learned to trust in God
Through it all through it all
I've learned to depend upon His word

I've been to lots of places
And I've seen a lot of faces
There've been times I felt so all alone
But in my lonely hours yes
Those precious lonely hours
Jesus let me know that I was His own

I thank God for the mountains

And I thank Him for the valleys
I thank Him for the storms He brought me through
For if I'd never had a problem
I wouldn't know that He could solve them
I'd never know what faith in God could do

(Here is a clip of Andrea singing this song at a Billy Graham crusade in 1975- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvIxwc90BEI)


It encourages me. Let's me know of HIS consistency... his faithfulness! Without either I could not exist or survive. Survival is the key at this point. NO MATTER WHAT, HE is there! And HE doesn't just 'show up'... HE shows up in POWER! With a plan and a purpose. You won't see him sit on the sidelines...NO! He is right in the middle, fighting the battle, preparing the way, making all the right moves... for ME... for YOU!



I hope you rest in his capable arms today.

Some days are not made for fighting, they are made for resting... rest on...