Life is Gooder

Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice. Proverbs 16:8 NIV

"This is gooder, I love this." One of the kids in the day care said while eating his macaroni and cheese. Instead of elbow macaroni I had Penne noodles.

Funny how a little change could make his day gooder.

Sometimes I forget to look for the gooder things. I can get so easily entangled in what I don't have or what I'm not able to do instead of looking at the big picture.

I can get hung up on the new furniture that someone was able to purchase or the lunch dates that people get to have. I especially can get stuck on when someone is able to do something that I so desperately wanted to do. Life at these times certainly doesn't feel gooder. In fact, it feels unfair.

Then somehow I get reminded that my life is gooder. I have a home with furniture or occasionally, I go on lunch dates sure it's to McDonald's and with day care kids but I'm eating out. Soon I realize that one day I will be able to accomplish what I would like to do as long as it's in God's plans.

Or I get reminded that life is gooder because the store was out of elbow macaroni and we can have special mac and cheese with Penne noodles.

Life is indeed gooder because Jesus is my Lord and Savior and with him I can accomplish so much more even if I only have a little.

Tough Decisions

Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Daniel 6:10 NIV

The email I had waited for finally arrived; attached was the new dance schedule.

A year ago I decided to take a clogging class and at first I just wanted to take it; no recital just a chance to clog again. I clogged in my teens and my daughter had taken clogging for several years, and I wanted to try it again. Finally, it was my turn! The class was on a night I could attend. Eventually, I decided to take the plunge and be in the recital. I enjoyed myself.

I had hoped that this year the dance class would be at a time when I could go. I opened the attachment and quickly found Adult Clog. My heart broke...

The class had now been moved to Wednesday nights. A choice had to be made-do I give up on the Kids Mid-Week Barefoot Club or do I give up on dance? It felt like I had to choose between God and the world (not that the dance class is worldly). The decision was clear to me. I would no longer be attending dance class.

This choice between God and the world is not a new one. Daniel had to face this choice many years ago. A decree had been issued to worship and pray to the king. Daniel knew this was wrong. He knew his God was bigger and better. He knew the consequence of his choice-to be thrown into the lions den. He chose to serve His God no matter what. Daniel was thrown into the lions den, but he was not torn to pieces. God, the one and only God, sent an angel to shut the mouths of the lions. He was saved and because he was saved a new decree was issued to worship God.

One man had the courage to stand up. My choice to serve God won't get me thrown into the lions den. In fact, I won't be punished at all. I just know for me I have to serve God where He wants me to serve. I also know that God gives us the desires of our hearts. If my desire is to clog somehow He will work it out, whether its by YouTube or some other way.

This last week I served as an Adult Volunteer at Warren Willis Camp. The theme for this year is Chosen to Love and Serve. God has chosen each of us. He loves you and He has chosen you. He loves me and He has chosen me. It was good to be reminded. I will love Him and I will serve Him wherever He calls me to go after all I am Chosen.

I'm Proud

But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15b

"The beach, let's go to the beach for Fourth of July," I suggested to my family.

The look of shock on their faces let me know that indeed I did surprised them.

"You don't like the beach," came the reply.

It's true this Florida girl does not like the beach. There's all that sand to deal with, not to mention all that salty-water that ends up in your mouth every time a wave comes by.

Years ago my aunt suggested that I not go in the water just sit on the beach. That has helped at least the sand doesn't stick to me. But it gets awful hot sitting on the beach.

The decision to go was not easy for me, but I thought it would be a nice way to spend the day together as a family. I'm very grateful for extra days off to spend together. I know the cost was great.

As we celebrated the Fourth, I hummed my favorite patriotic song "I'm Proud to be An American". It has such a great message and sums up how I feel. I'm very grateful to be living here where I'm free to serve God.

I'm even more proud though of something else. Something that's even greater than be an American.

I'm Proud to be a Christian!

I was inspired a few years ago with words to go along with Lee Greenwood's music to "I'm Proud to be An American". I have still yet to hear it song, maybe one day. Anyway here it is:

"I'm Proud to be a Christian"

If tomorrow all my sins were known

That I've hidden all my life

And I have to face the Lord without

The blood of Christ

I'd be ashamed to face him

And would turn to run away

But there's a chance to have them cleansed

And taken far away

I'm proud to be a Christian

Where at least I know I'm saved

And I won't forget the man who died

Who shed his blood for me

And I'll gladly stand up next to you

And proclaim Him still today

'Cause there ain't no doubt I love the Lord

God saves our lives today

From the star in Bethlehem

To the hills of Calvary

To a cross He died on 

For you and even me

From the little tiny baby

To one who lost his way

Well there's a chance for every heart

To accept Him here today

And I'm proud to be a Christian

Where at least I know I'm saved

And I won't forget the man who died

Who shed his blood for me

And I'll gladly stand up next to you

And proclaim Him still today

'Cause there ain't no doubt 

I love the Lord

God saves our lives today

And I'm proud to be a Christian 

Where at least I know I'm saved

And I won't forget the man who died

Who shed his blood for me

And I'll gladly stand up next to you

And proclaim Him still today

'Cause there ain't no doubt 

I love the Lord

God saved me life today

Crazy Clock

Whoever obeys his command will come to no harm, and the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure. Ecclesiastes 8:5 NIV

It never ceases to amaze me how many times I look at something and not realize how much I rely on it, until it stops working.

Last week was another crazy week in our home. The A/C unit decided to freeze up and trust me when I say this is not the time of year for the air conditioner to be on the fritz. Around the same time our toilet decides not to flush right. Then dry wall decided to fall from the ceiling where my husbands foot went through six months ago.  

My wonderful clock also decided now would be the time to stop working. Honestly I do not understand what is going on with this clock. A few weeks ago it decided to stop working. 

"Not to big a deal," so I thought. "Just need to change the battery." This of course took a few days. I am unable to do it since it's high on a wall, so have to wait for the tall people in my family to fix it. After a week of looking at it a hundred times and it telling me the same time; I took the fixing of the clock into my own hands. 

Stretching, barely reaching, almost falling...I manage to take the clock down. As I pull it down the nail and hook that holds it on the wall comes with it and plummets to the pile below. "Great!"

I set the clock on the table, hoping now that I've changed the battery someone else would put it back. It worked, of course the person who did it had to find the nail and hook. Yippee, my clock worked again until later that day.

We decided the only way to fix it was to get new batteries, the rechargeable's just weren't working.  After a trip to the store we had success, the clock worked again. Until this week.

Saturday the clock stopped again. Then the crazy thing got reset and is working once again, ten minutes fast mind you. The ten minutes fast have sure thrown me off too.

This has made me wonder, when do I know the proper time to do anything? I know, I know simply look at another clock.

But it goes deeper than that, when is the proper time to publish my book? When is the proper time to move ahead with the plan? When is the proper time stand up for what's right?

The only way to know for sure is to trust in God to lead us. When we obey Him and trust Him as our guide, the proper time will arrive whether clock works or not.

You Can Do It

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:13 NIV

Eleven months ago, I did something daring, a little crazy even. When I went to register my daughter for dance class, I found out that adult clog was right after so I signed up. I didn't plan on being in the recital. If I messed up in the recital I figured I would never hear the end of it.

The first night wasn't to bad, I remembered quite a few of the steps. I was rusty, but it came back. I actually enjoyed going and trying.

A few months into it my "extra" daughter encouraged me. She told me I needed to be in the recital and not worry about messing up. The deal was if I did it she would be there. So because of her I took the plunge and agreed to be in it.

Friday was our dress rehearsal, and I admit for me it was a mess up rehearsal. I couldn't believed I messed up as much as I did, I mean I've been practicing this dance three times a day since we starting learning it. Trust me when I say, I needed to. Some of those steps were hard, but I was determined and eventually got them (sort of). At one point during the dance I completely went blank.

"It's OK, that's what today is about. Tomorrow you'll do fine," my dance teacher encouraged me.

I realized something though, I completely forgot to do something-PRAY. God is such an important part of my life and for some reason I didn't pray before I started. I might have mentioned it to him earlier in the day, but not the way I normally would have.

How could I forget to include Him in one of the most important events of my weekend?

That night I covered my entire dance in prayer. I didn't ask to be perfect just to not let me forget any steps and to do my best.

I was a bit more nervous, my family was now in the audience and my "extra" daughter. But I also had a peace.

Standing on stage left watching the dance before me, I relaxed a little. "God be with me." The lights went out and we "quietly" walked out and took our places. The lights came up and the music started. I danced my way through, talking to myself the entire time.Apparently my face looked serious as I danced; I had to say the steps and how many or I wouldn't have made it.

Triple, shuffle, shuffle, almost done, shuffle...I made it through! A couple little mess ups, but nothing major. "Thank you God."

Lights went down and we were off, the next dance was right behind us.

I'm so glad my extra daughter encouraged me. It was a lot of fun and great exercise. Who knows I may be back!

Learning, It Takes Time

I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. 1 Corinthians 3:2

The tiny little grey creature looked so helpless, so we brought him in and somehow he etched his way into our hearts. Unfortunately, he was very sick and died. His little life made us realize something though, that we could love a cat.

A month later we had the chance to be a cat family again. A orange bundle of fur who also cuddle his way into our hearts, and this time he was healthy.

I've got news for you a cat is not like a dog. They jump every where unlike a dog who will jump up on you, but usually gets down when told. Claws,another big difference, those claws that seemed to pop out of no where. Dogs don't hold on for dear life or scratch up chairs, sofas, tablecloths...

Another big difference-petting, when petting a cat I need to be ready because as soon as he's done he attacks. The dog will sit there for hours letting me pet her never once attacking me. Their tongues are quite different as well. A dog's tongue is smooth and wet, a cat's tongue feels like sand paper was applied.

Lastly, the way I'm greeted upon arriving home. The dog is there waiting and wagging her tail like crazy, ready to lick and jump up on me as if to say, "So glad you're home, I've missed you." The cat may or may not be waiting there. He sits there just looking at me, or not as if to say, "Oh, you're home. Feed me."

Learning to live with a cat has been a slow process. Just when I think I got it, he does something completely different. We are new at learning how to care for him, when to pet, and not to keep anything out. There is no safe place to hide anything.

Learning to live as a Christian is a slow process. Change takes place, but learning to live a life devoted to God is slow process. We are given what we need when were ready for it. We learn and grow closer to God and soon we completely trust Him. One day we look back and realize how much better life is with Him as our guide.

At Times I Wonder

Show the wonder of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. Psalm 17:7

Complaining is not my thing, not usually. The past six weeks though have not exactly been fun.

Back in 2010 I fell, I didn't think much of it at the time after all I had fallen before. A month later I began to fell pain in my hip and sometimes I would get a tingly feeling down my leg. Worry filled me as I wondered what was going on, would I lose the ability to walk? Finally, the pain got intense enough for me to visit the doctor.

Turns out it was sciatica and after a month of physical therapy I was as good as new. Well most of the time. When the pain got bad again I began to do some of the moves the therapist had me do and the pain would subside.

2012 comes and I fell again, this time a trip to ER was needed since I saw stars. I thought when they drew stars in cartoons it was just to show they were in pain, I didn't realize that when you hit your head hard enough the stars appeared, so pretty.

This time I slipped three disk in my neck and three in my lower back. I went to physical therapy again, and once again I was as good as new. The pain would appear again from time to time, but usually a day or two of doing what they taught the pain would go away.

Now I have pain without having fallen and I can't seem to get it to go away. Sure it's not constant, but there is a dull ache. Daily I am following the exercise routines, applying heat and ice several times a day. The heat/ice patch has become my friend.

Saturday when seeing some friends whose children just graduated, I found out the mom is a lot worse off than me. She is in a wheelchair because her back pain is so severe she can't stand or walk for long. Also found out she's having surgery on Friday.

So I know there are people worse off than me. Some are constantly fighting illness or chronic pain. One thing I know though is that God is always there loving me. No matter how my body feels or any craziness going on. His love is constant.

His love will help me get through this no matter how long it lasts.