Ollie, Ollie, All's Forgiven!

How big is God?

Have you ever been through a time when you thought God had forsaken you? When you felt as though the entire world was collapsing around you, and you were completely, utterly alone?

Ollie always thought of himself as a fairly decent man. He went to church because that's what you were supposed to do….well, he took his wife to church, anyway. And he took her out for Sunday dinner at the cafeteria after he picked her up…that ought to count for something. He'd never murdered anyone, he didn't steal, and he didn't kick his dog. If you were to ask him what he thought about God, he'd say he believed in Him all right. After all, there was that thing with the church and all. He took his WIFE for goodness sakes…wasn't that enough? And he figured he'd done his share to get into heaven. He figured God owed him at least that much. After all, he took his wife to church every WEEK, and then out to dinner. That oughta count for something!

Ollie's best friend was Leon. Leon had moved into the neighborhood in the house behind Ollie when Ollie was about 45 years old. Leon was younger, but they hit it off right away. Both of them loved to hunt and fish, and they enjoyed each other's company so much they went on fishing trips every summer. Come deer season you'd find both of them out trying to get the first buck. And then there was turkey season.

Turkeys bred on a farm are some of the stupidest birds alive. Farm-bred turkeys have been known to look up when it starts raining to see what hit them on the head, and eventually drown while they're standing there. Wild turkeys are a different story. It takes a lot of patience, the ability to stand still, and a good turkey call to bag one of these birds. Maybe that's why Ollie and Leon liked turkey hunting so much.

The years went by, and Leon's first grandchild, a boy, came along. When Leon's grandson got old enough Ollie bought him his first fishing rod, and shortly after that Grandpa Leon bought him his first .22 rifle. The boy had to practice on a truckload of tin cans, go through hunting safety classes, and be grilled by Leon and Ollie, but he was finally ready. It was turkey season, and the boy was allowed to go. He was 13 years old.

On the first day of the season, all decked out in camouflage, the three males of the species left Leon's pickup in the wee hours of the morning to get the best spots. They carried coffee, bottled water, and enough lunch for the three of them. When they got to the hunting ground, all three of them put safety vests and hats on, loaded up, and started off to find THE SPOT. Leon was in charge, and he set the boy up next to a tree and told him to stay put. He told Ollie to go east, and he'd go west. Then they'd both circle around and head back to the tree.

The boy was thirsty. It had been two hours, and no turkeys were in sight. He decided it couldn't hurt to double back to the truck, get some water, and come back to the tree. He'd be really careful so as not to scare any turkeys away, and besides, it was hot and his throat was parched. Even though he'd been told to stay put, he got up from where he was sitting and started to walk to the truck.

Ollie had been waiting for a turkey all day with no luck. He was almost asleep, leaning against the trunk of the tree he'd settled under, when he caught some movement out of the corner of his eye. He took a quick aim and shot.

The boy, landing on the ground, never knew what hit him.

____________________________________________________________

How big would your God be at that moment if you were Ollie? Would you be able to lean on Him, to trust Him, to know that He had a plan for your life and that this was part of it?

Ollie never has figured that part of it out.

Even though my father Leon has forgiven him, even though I've forgiven him, and even though the boy, who is my now 31-year-old son, has forgiven him, he's never been able to accept it. Not from us, and not from God. Ollie is 84 years old, and still tears up at the mention of it.

My prayer is that one day he'll be able to know just who and what God is, and how great His love and forgiveness is for every one of us. God is bigger than anything that could ever happen to us. God is so big that he willingly gave up His Son to die for the sins of all those he loves…every one of us….so that we could spend eternity with Him. He's big enough to forgive us for any sin we've ever committed…if we'll only ask.

If you've never been able to accept His forgiveness before for something in your past, why not let today be the day?

2 Chronicles 7:14
if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

1 John 1:9
But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

Two Ships That Passed In The Night, More or Less, OR Some More Semaphore

So here I am, brand-spankin'-newly-hired woman that I am, achin' to party hearty and ROCK THE HOUSE, if you know what I mean. So my bud and all-around pal HeyJules says we need to meet up and get down to some serious brew (Starbucks) to celebrate the occasion...AND she offers to buy! Given the opportunity, and being the Wild Woman we all know I am, I accept.

"Get ready, Town," I say. "Prepare to be PAINTED RED!!!"

Seriously, folks. I was doing the Arsenio Hall pumping fist action punctuated with the "OOO, OOO, OOO!!!" thing and ALL. I was READY. I was SET. The WORLD would know HeyJules and I were THERE!

We agreed to meet around 7-ish. I was dressed to the nines in my best Mom-jeans and a sweatshirt. I was EXCITED. I was using way too many CAPITAL LETTERS.

I got there a little before 7 and ordered my drink from the hunk (read "bookish, bespectacled student") behind the bar, then found a seat in the crowd, fighting off the hordes (a woman's Bible study group of twelve) long enough to save a chair for HeyJules. I sat down and waited for her to come in.

And I waited.

And I waited.

And I waited.

And then for fun, I waited some more.

And when I got tired of waiting, I hung out.

And for kicks, I threw a yawn in here and there. (Gimme a break, I'm OLD.)

About forty minutes into ALL THE WAITING I got a brilliant idea.

"Self," says I, "Mayhap HeyJules has run into a severe case of the trots and cannot make it more than ten feet from the bathroom at any given time. OR, she may have been trampled by that herd of canines she has. She may even be lying on her deck in an unconscious state after trying to hoist a 50-lb. bag of bird seed in order to feed the aviary population of the midwestern world. Perhaps I should take out my trusty cell phone and (gasp!) GIVE HER A CALL!"

And so I did.

But she wasn't home. Or she was out like a light (see above). Or taking a bath, or doing a myriad of other more important things. I left a pathetic little message bemoaning my lonely state to make her feel guilty for standing me up, and hung up the phone.

Of course, being the pessimist I tend to be, I automatically pictured her in one of the less optimistic poses above. I decided to drive over to her house to check things out.

On the way over there my cell phone rang. It was HeyJules, alive and well, if a bit confused. Well, more than NORMALLY confused, that is.

"How on earth did we do THAT??" she asks.

"Do WHAT??" I counter, feeling a bit confused myself.

"Arrange to meet at Starbucks and then MISS EACH OTHER WHEN WE'VE BOTH BEEN WAITING THERE FOR THE BETTER PART OF AN HOUR!"

It happened like this: I got there, looked around for her, ordered my drink, sat in one of the comfy chairs along the short wall that runs the length of the center of the store. She arrived shortly afterward, but entered from a different door. She looked around, but couldn't see me ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WALL.

She sat.

I sat.

All God's chillun' sat. And waited. For the person who was already there. For over FORTY MINUTES.

We are nothing if not patient. And there might actually be the better part of a brain between the two of us, if you look hard enough.

Or not.

Anyway, we've determined from this little escapade that HeyJules needs to enter the twentieth century (give or take a century) and get a cell phone. It could come in useful in times such as these.

And if she doesn't, I'm buying her a set of semaphore flags. Really.

So maybe these two ships won't have to pass in the night again.

It's A God Thing. I Know You Understand.

Wow.

The peace I felt yesterday was amazing. Absolutely AMAZING.

It was as if the prayers of all of you covered me like rain. I got wrapped in this warm blanket of peace, and it felt FANTASTIC.

When the HR guy called, he told me my interview was supposed to happen at 9:30 a.m. Bless his heart, he also suggested I dress up for the interview, even though it was "Casual Friday." I had to tease him about that. I mean, the thought that I'd come to AN INTERVIEW in JEANS just had me rolling on the floor.

I'm just sayin'...

Instead of happening at 9:30 as planned, the interview was postponed until 10:15. When I went downstairs I discovered I was to be interviewed by three people instead of just one. Normally that would psyche me out. Not today! They sat me in the middle, facing the person I'd work for if I got the job, and the questions began.

And it lasted almost an hour.

They asked me about my management style, my history, statements I wrote on the cover letter, what my future plans were....almost everything you could imagine. Answers came out of my mouth with no effort. We talked, we laughed, we almost had a party in there.

It was so very easy. I knew it was a God thing.

At the end of the interview they told me there were eight other outside applicants to be seen, and one other internal candidate. They let me know their decision would be made within two weeks. I was a little concerned because the woman who is leaving notified them her last day would be March 2nd. Whoever took the position would need training, and that would not be possible if they waited two weeks. When I voiced my concern, they assured me her last day was flexible as she didn't have a job yet.

I went back upstairs, still full of peace.

After lunch, knowing I had to go to my second job after work, I changed into casual clothes. Going through my mind was the thought that I would probably run into the guy that interviewed me, and he'd think I was some kind of slacker for changing. But I'm not a dress-up kinda gal, so I took the chance.

I went to the elevator to go downstairs and get some tea around 3 p.m. The doors opened, and the HR guy was there. He asked if we could go back to my office to talk for a minute. I thought he had a question about my resume or something, so I led him back there.

He closed the door.

"OK," I thought. "He's going to let you down gently. Tell you because of something or another you don't have the job."

And I was OK with that. Really. Because I knew that if he did, it was another God thing.

But he didn't.

He handed me a piece of paper instead. Let me paraphrase what it said:

Dear Singer:

If you still want the job, it's yours. Just let me know.

The Big Boss

I was shocked. Flabbergasted. ABSOLUTELY AMAZED.

When I asked why they had decided so soon, the HR guy told me that after my interview they'd had a discussion and decided not to proceed with any of the other interviews. They decided I was the one for the position, and because of that there was no need to look further.

While I sat there with my jaw grazing the top of my knees, I managed to ask about all the other applicants. He told me they would be offered a chance at the position I left.

To make a long story short, I begin training a couple of hours a day starting Tuesday. I take over the reins on March 2nd. There's a substantial increase in pay, an extra week of vacation, and a whole lot to learn in the next two weeks.

Thank you all so very much for your prayers on my behalf. It's good to know you cared. It's also good to know this whole thing was His will, because that's the most important thing.

It's a God thing. I know you understand.

Matthew 7:11
If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!

God's Gotta Build It, Or I Won't Come

I took the day off today.

I've been fighting a sinus infection, and woke up again this morning with one of those I-wish-my-right-eyeball-would-just-fall-out-and-save-everyone-the-trouble headaches. So being the dedicated employee I am, I called in sick.

I slept until noon. NOON, folks. Almost unheard of for me. Certainly NEVER when the kids are home. And I didn't get up to fix them breakfast. And I didn't take a shower. And I haven't gotten dressed yet. And it's 2:30 p.m.

My body, other than the pesky eyeball, is in the midst of one big sigh of contentment at this moment.

And while I was at home today, I got the call I've been waiting for. I have an appointment set up for 9:30 a.m. tomorrow, February 16, for my interview with the person who is trying to fill the job I'd like to have. Since it's at the same place I work now, the person setting up the appointments suggested I might not want to wear jeans tomorrow, even though it IS "Casual Friday."

um.....DUH!!!

So tomorrow, come headache or high water, I will be going to work. I may even wear (gasp!) a SKIRT.

Because, you know, my legs are enough to get me the job all on their own and all.

Ahem.

That is, they could SCARE him into giving me the job on the spot. On the promise that I would never, EVER wear anything that showed them again.

I will actually apply makeup tomorrow as well. I think I have misplaced the little red ball to wear on my nose, but the rest will be in order. And the big, floppy shoes will have to be shined. After all, this guy is a true Type A personality. We wouldn't want anything to be amiss.

Because, as we all know, the well-done makeup is the key to getting the job. Not actual SKILLS or anything silly like that.

So, having bared my employment soul to y'all, I'd like to ask a favor. Would you please pray for God's will in this? Not that I actually do or don't get the job, but that God would be glorified in whatever happens.

Because unless He has it in the plan, I don't want it. And I truly mean that.

Thanks y'all. I'll keep you updated.

Psalm 127:1
[ A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. A psalm of Solomon. ] Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.

Flushing Out the Culprit

Mom sent this to me, and it's just too funny not to pass on!

Jennifer and Jim kept getting huge water bills. They knew beyond a doubt that the bills weren't representative of their actual usage, and no matter how they tried to conserve, the high bills continued. Although they could see nothing wrong, they had everything checked for leaks or problems: first the water meter, then outdoor pipes, indoor pipes, underground pipes, faucets, toilets, washer, ice maker, etc. -- all to no avail.
One day Jim was sick and stayed home in bed, but kept hearing water running downstairs. He finally tore himself from his sick bed to investigate, and stumbled onto the cause of such high water bills. Apparently this had been happening all day long when they were not at home. Knowing that few would believe him, he taped a segment of the 'problem' for posterity -- see attached video .

Here's the video...

Another Inhabitant of the Dungeon

I keep making the same mistakes over and over again. Have I ever mentioned that before? Like, oh, almost every time I write? You’d think I’d eventually learn. But no, this stubborn spirit of mine just keeps on running in the same track. By now the ruts are so deep I can’t see over the sides.

And still I continue.

The latest-go-round concerns what we all experience at one time or another and what’s been pretty much preached to death. However, as long as it’s alive in my own personal life in the ugliest way it can be, I’ll have to deal with it.

Yes, it’s time for the latest installment of:

The Martha Complex.

And I ain’t talkin’ Stewart here, folks.

Yup, Martha of the Mary and Martha team. Martha, who can’t seem to realize that THE LORD JESUS CHRIST is in her home, and who spends all her time cleaning and sweeping and cooking and changing sheets and dusting and polishing. Even though the human incarnation of GOD HIMSELF is in her living room, she can’t see past the fact that Mary isn’t pulling her fair share of the load. Instead of helping Martha with the mundane chores of everyday life, Mary is doing something of lasting import; listening to teaching from the Son of God himself. The Real McCoy. In the flesh, so to speak.

And our friend Martha has a pity party because Mary isn’t helping her, and whines to JESUS about it.

Let me say that one more time just to be sure you heard me…

She TATTLED to JESUS CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD, about having to do chores by herself.

Allow me to pause here for emphasis.

Ahem.

When she could have been sitting at the feet of her Lord and Savior, she didn’t. She chose instead to take care of things that had no lasting earthly value whatsoever. The meals she prepared are back to dust. The home she cleaned so carefully is back to dust. Even Martha’s earthly body is…say it with me now…back to dust.

She was giving up the chance to learn and grow spiritually from the Teacher of all teachers because, you know, there were more important things to do.

I am the first to admit I suffer from this complex in a mighty way, and it’s something I deal with daily. When the coffeepot goes dry at work and no one refills the sugar, I become Martha. When someone leaves a mess in the bathroom, it calls Martha forth from the inner recesses of my being as I clean up after them.

“Poor me!” I wail. “Poor, poor pitiful me! I have to do it ALL!”

Yup, I do. Oh yes, indeed.

When I come home late and no one has started dinner, but they’re all sitting there watching television telling me how hungry they are, the Martha Monster rises from the mist. She’s big, she’s ugly, and she’s mean.

“IF SOMEONE WOULD EVER HELP ME OUT AROUND HERE, YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO EAT ON TIME!!!”

I don’t think I EVEN need to go into the laundry situation, do I?

How can I tame this beast within? How can I concentrate on the more important tasks of loving and caring for others? How can I set the Martha in me aside to do these things?

Although I conquer my "inner Martha" for long periods of time, there always comes a time when she resurfaces. Much like the two-year-old I keep in the dungeon, Martha has a way of appearing when I'm tired, lacking sleep, and generally not taking care of the body I've been given. But a sure way to get rid of her is to realize she's there.

A couple of weeks ago I had such a realization. I had just made three pots of coffee, refilled the sweetener receptacles, and cleaned up the kitchen where I work. AGAIN. Martha had come out, and I was complaining/whining/tattling to a friend of mine about how no one else ever did those things. After I finished, I walked out to the elevator and pressed the button.

While I was waiting for the elevator, I happened to notice a daily devotional someone had placed on the bulletin board just outside the elevator doors.

The whole devotional had to do with Martha and the story of her misplaced attentions. The whole thing.

Can you say "OUCH" with me?

I went back to the kitchen and apologized to my friend. From then on, I've made coffee when needed, refilled sweetener receptacles when needed, and cleaned when needed, without a murmur.

Tonight, as I deal with my bill-paying angst, my dirty house, my tired body and mind, I thank God for each thing. I have a way to pay bills. I have a house to clean, and a family to love. I have a healthy body, and even a somewhat healthy mind. Tonight, instead of being whiney, I have chosen to be thankful.

I have a new perspective now. Martha is locked in the dungeon along with the rebellious two-year-old me. And I hope they both stay there for a very long time.

A VERY long time.

Luke 10:38-42 (Contemporary English Version)

Martha and Mary

The Lord and his disciples were traveling along and came to a village. When they got there, a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat down in front of the Lord and was listening to what he said. Martha was worried about all that had to be done. Finally, she went to Jesus and said, "Lord, doesn't it bother you that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to come and help me!" The Lord answered, "Martha, Martha! You are worried and upset about so many things, but only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen what is best, and it will not be taken away from her."

Planks A Lot

I have a part-time job.

My other job affords me the ability to work for the princely sum I earn at the not-for-profit. It comes in handy when we're trying to make the money stretch to pay the bills, and it affords me some time alone.

I'm a contracter for several different firms. That means I can accept whatever work I want or turn down whatever work I want. I can work when or if I want. I also get no benefits, and I have to pay self-employment taxes and all the expenses that come from what I do. Sometimes the work is easy, and sometimes the work is hard. Sometimes I'm gone for an hour, and other times I'm gone most of the evening.

Last night I was gone for a very, very long time.

I left work yesterday at 4:30 p.m. in order to get to the first part of the job on time. The first part of the job took two hours, then there was a two-hour wait for the second part, which also took two hours. After the job was finished I had to stop by Wal-Mart to pick up a new air filter for the car. All told I didn't get home until well after midnight. And then I had to enter the jobs on the website of the company.

I got to bed around 1:30 a.m. and slept until 11:00 a.m. Needless to say, I'm beat. Tired. And I ain't just whistlin' Dixie here, folks.

Today I had several other jobs to do. The first would take three hours, the second about an hour, and the rest of them totaled up to around three hours. I wasted so much time dreading the fact that I had to do the first one that I had to flake.

Flaking is a term used in my business to say someone has either just not shown up for a job, or they called at the last minute to cancel. Obviously, not showing up is the worst of the two, but neither is good. I cancelled at the last minute because I couldn't meet the deadline. Because I put off leaving until it was too late. Because I didn't want to go.

I think that's called procrastination.

Procrastination is something that tells me I've taken on too much. You see, I have a tendency to want to do it all. I want to grab all the jobs I can that pay the highest amount, even though I may be whacked-out-of-my-gourd tired, and scheduled to the hilt. I want to pay off all of the debt we have NOW. I want to save money. I want to be able to retire before I'm eighty.

I want it all, and I want it now.

And that's when I have to realize that I can't do it. I'm just one person. I can't wipe out a lifetime of debt in a few months, especially on what I make doing a part-time job. I can't keep up this silly pace, neglect my family, and run down my already limited energy.

I have to trust God even more, rather than trying to do it all on my own.

Hmmm.....seems as though I've heard that somewhere before.

So God had to use the Holy Two-By-Four on my hard head once again. Thankfully, He only had to hit me once this time. After fifty years or so, He's managed to teach me that much. And hey, I actually learned!

Well, for the present moment, anyway.

Will that stop me from doing it again? Probably not. But at least I know I have a loving Father who wants the best for me. I know he looks out for me and will do whatever it takes to save me from myself.

Even if it takes a plank up beside the head.

Psalm 9:10
Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Psalm 20:7
Some trust in chariots and some in horses (or themselves!)***, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

***MY words, not God's!

Of Fruit and Fairness and Fighting

Some things in this life are just hard.

Not hard like tying a knot in a maraschino cherry stem using only your mouth. Not hard like trying to do "Aging Asthmatic Dog Rising Toward Sun" as a yoga pose when you clearly ARE an aging asthmatic dog in real life. Not hard like coming to the last spoonful of hot fudge in the sundae and having your child with the puppy-dog-eyes ask if he can have it, even though you've been saving that particular bite of delicious goo for yourself.

Nope. Not like that at all.

So what IS hard? Two hyphenated words.

SELF-CONTROL.

There. I said it. It's out in the open for anyone to see.

I have a hard time controlling myself.

It's a hard thing to admit, especially for a woman who likes to be in control of things. I know it's a fruit of the Spirit. That's just a fact, and one I cannot deny. It says so right in the Word.
What I have a hard time accepting is that this particular fruit pretty much rots right on the tree where I'm concerned. I don't even pick it so that I can put it in the refrigerator to use later when all the chocolate is gone. If I did, it would grow fur and have to be thrown out anyway, so why start that whole mess?

The areas I lack self-control are numerous. They include: eating, exercise, feeling sorry for myself, daily devotions, housework...I could go on and on. Fortunately, this is one area in which I have some self-control.

Just for kicks, let's concentrate on one area, and please, if you're in the same club, shout out!

EATING.

Not just anything, but everything.

Almondsbreadbagelsbrowniescandycakecashewschocolatecookiescheezits
nachosoreospastapeanutspiepotatoespudding.

I think you catch my drift here.

There really are days when it doesn't bother me at all. Then there are weeks of benders, stuffing everything that isn't nailed down into my mouth. I know exactly what I'm doing as I'm doing it, I know I shouldn't be doing it, I know I'll pay for it later, I know it isn't what God wants me to do, I know I'm not even hungry...and still it happens. It's as if something has taken control of my hands and mouth. I can't seem to stop them from doing what I KNOW is wrong. I even tell myself it's wrong AS I CONTINUE TO DO IT. Because once I get started, ain't nuthin' gonna stop THIS train!

So how do I overcome it?

It's a question I've dealt with for my entire life.

I also wonder why it is God made me this way. Why is it that some people have the ability to eat until they are full, then stop? Why is it that they can leave food on their plates, candy in the box, and cookies in the jar? Why is it that they can remain slim and not have to fight the constant battle I have to fight?

Where is the FAIRNESS in that, God?

And then I realize that God put me on earth for a reason. He didn't put me here to simply live my life with no struggle. If I had everything come to me easily, I'd never learn a thing. It's the things I have to work hardest for that I appreciate the most. That's where the sense of accomplishment comes in. There's joy to be had in overcoming sin. Real, true joy.

Unfortunately, failure is a part of the learning process. At this rate I should be a genius in the weight control department. I should have the Nobel Prize sitting right there on the mantel.

Oh yes ma'am, I surely should.

And so the struggle continues. Daily. Hourly. Minute by minute, second by second.

I hope there will be one day when I can look back on this and realize what it was I needed to learn about life, myself, and God through all of this. And I hope it will happen before I'm too old to appreciate it.

Until then, I'll continue trying to tie that stem of self-control into a knot that will stay.

Colossians 1:29
That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.

Got Any Change?

Yup, been gone a while, I have. Lots o' Stuff has been happening, and it just kinda pushed the blogging out of the way. I heartily apologize to the three of you who regularly read.

My friend the two-year-old has been rearing her ugly head lately. She doesn't WANNA stop eating so much, and she sure doesn't WANNA exercise. She doesn't WANNA be organized or healthy, or disciplined. She doesn't WANNA work at ANYTHING. (insert stamping foot here) She has only perused the blogs on a cursory basis while she's been away, and she didn't WANNA leave comments that might uplift someone, so she didn't.

She's been a real pain in the butt.

And I've really just about HAD IT with her.

On the positive side, I believe I have now corraled her and thrown her back into her cage in the dungeon. At least for the time being. I hope.

Part of her coming out has to do with The Changes taking place. The Changes disrupt things in her perfect world, irritate her, and give her the strength to break out of her prison. And even though they can be good, The Changes mean everything in her world gets tilted, shifted, bounced, spun, and turned upside down for a time.

It's enough to make anyone a little cranky.

Some of the things to happen in the past month include:

1. A Severe Tightening of the Belts in Our Family. We are bound and determined to eliminate the debt we have, and as of January 1, 2007 our plan was put into place. We are now living within our means, and while that may be a good thing, it ain't no picnic. No more manicures and pedicures. No eating out, except on the rare occasion. No charging anything unless there's some kind of emergency. No new major purchases. No this and no that. Until the bills are paid down and we're on a more solid financial footing, there will be a whole lotta nuthin' at my house.


2. The Mother of All Changes: THE CHANGE. In the past month it's become evident that I, the One Who Stays Forever Young In My Head, have a body that is not. It's not only hanging on to weight for dear life, but it's begun to retaliate for lost youth. Personal Summers now visit me at least 4-5 times a day. I have almost no need for a space heater in my office due to this, but I keep one on hand just for my ankles' sake. They seem to be the only part of me that is not engulfed in inner flame at times.


3. The Possibility of A New Job. I found out last week there is a possibility I could change jobs. It's a managerial position here at the not-for-profit where I've been for the past 3.5 years. It seems to be right up my alley, and it pays more (see #1). Rumor has it I'm a strong contender. All I know is I wish it was all over with so I wouldn't have to keep playing the "what if" song that keeps sounding off in my head over and over and over and over...ad nauseum. You get the picture. Not that I'm worried about it, but I'm stewing anyway. You see, I KNOW God put me in the position I'm in. I know that without a doubt. And I'm wondering if He's about ready to put me into a new position, whether I'll actually LIKE it, what obstacles there will be, and OH SWEET LORD, PLEASE DON'T TEACH ME SOMETHING BY IT!!! You know, like PATIENCE. Or anything. Because we all know what we have to go through when God teaches us something.


4. The New Boss. It's as if he rode into town on a black horse, dressed in black, with a black cowboy hat. There's no sweet-talkin' anyone here, folks. He's here to do a job, and to do it well. That's his entire focus. Not whether or not your mother just died, or if you have a sick child. The Job takes precedence over all. I just need to get out of the way.

So yes, there's a lot on my plate right now. Forgive me if the posts are few and far between, but please know I will ALWAYS be back.

That's one thing that will never change.

James 1:17

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.