Yappy Cotton Balls and Great Big Sucking Machines

Hey everybody!  Guess where I am!!

How many of you shook your head and said "Starbucks"?  Be honest!  Well, as usual, you would be right.  Once again I have come to the mountain of the caffeine gods to spill the inane ramblings I am forced to endure inside my own brain.  I figure, if I have to put up with them, then so do you.

Actually, this is the first time in a couple of days since I have found myself nestled into my familiar chair at my usual table in, what everyone should recognize, is my office.  I simply allow all these other people access.  Now, it is true that I was here yesterday, but there was no where to sit so I took my coffee and retreated to the sanctity of my home office. While just as familiar, I find I am not near as productive.

I did managed to accomplish something at home that I couldn't do here in my mobile office; I cleaned the living room and vacuumed it.  My long time readers know of the small, furry child I share my home with.  She has a tendency to make a bit of a mess.  So I cleaned up all the rawhide bones, all the small squeaky toys and other canine paraphernalia and found a rug underneath.  Who knew?! What I also found most entertaining was Bella's reaction to the vacuum cleaner.  It seems in dog world anything that makes that much noise and sucks stuff up can only be terribly dangerous and as such, must be viciously attacked at every opportunity.  Really, when you think of it from her point of view, it is much, much larger than her, it does make an awful lot of noise, and it does make a lot of stuff she considers her to disappear.  I tried to make her understand there was no reason to keep the scraps of paper, pine cones and bits of pop tart wrapper that she had collected, but she failed to see the validity of my arguments.     It was pretty disturbing to her, as you can see by the video that I have, hopefully, successfully attached to the top of this post.

Once again, dear reader, my brain went sideways with this whole incident.  I had to think, how many times have I been just like my four-footed cotton ball?  How many times have I taken one look at something the Lord has brought into my life to clean it up and set it right, and attacked?  I know there have been times when he has brought his spiritual vacuum into my heart and life to suck up all the random, unnecessary things I have picked up on my way through life and I have fought him tooth and nail.  I just can't seem to make him understand how much I need that little bit of judgement, or the entertainment that moment of gossip brings me or just how good it feels to indulge in just a tiny amount of bitterness, or, my favorite, attend that pity party that I spent all that money on having catered and everything!

The whole time, he is only doing what is best for me.  I couldn't leave that mess on the floor.  It, actually, was dangerous for Bella to be chewing on the random bits of refuse dropped by my kids as they scampered around the house. (ok, I admit, the little one is really the only one who scampers, the teenagers really slump more, or even stomp, occasionally there is breezing in and out involved, but really, no scampering)  I vacuumed up things that were choking hazards and some that could have made her sick.  I tried to explain it to her, but since I don't speak dog, all she heard was "blah, blah, toy, blah, blah, outside, blah, blah, bad dog, blah, blah".  You get the picture.  I'm sure she wishes I would study harder to learn her language!  Meanwhile, I'm just wishing she would learn to hit the pee pad!

The Lord is guilty of doing no less.  How many times have we prayed to be closer to him, to be more aware of his presence, to walk/live in communion with him?  I cannot number the prayers I have prayed for him to make me the person he already sees me to be.  Then, when he comes and, with him, his light, things are exposed that once happily hid in the darkness.  I have to tell you, my living room floor looked pretty darn good with the lights out.  It was only when the morning came and the light streamed, in that I could see what needed to be cleaned out.  So it is with the Holy Spirit.  He comes, he brings his light, and, BINGO!  It's time to vacuum!

My challenge to you this week, faithful readers, is to not emulate my favorite wet-nosed girlfriend. (no, I'm not talking about you, M, I'm referring to the dog!)  When the Lord comes to help us clear away the safety hazards in our life, let's not attack the tool he uses.  It wasn't the vacuum's fault, it was the operator!  It's not the fault of the tool the Lord uses, be it a situation, or a person.  The Lord is using it to help us see ourselves as he already sees us; pure, holy, without spot, blemish, or pop tart wrapper. 

So relax, chill, hop up on the couch and let him work, or you may find yourself shut up in your kennel just like Bella did, without so much as a squeaky toy to keep you company!

Meanwhile, I'll be here, working on my second language and cleaning up after a very ungrateful puppy.  It's a good thing she's cuter than most of my kids or she would have been made into a purse by now, well, that I can lock her up in her kennel.  People get a little ticky if you do that with one of your kids.  Don't ask how I know that, just trust me!  Till next time, I'll continue to be....

Soaked in His blessings,

Spokenfor

Carb Loading Canines and the People Who Love Them

It's a rainy Monday as I sit here in my office (my local Starbucks, don't judge! lol). I find I need the caffeine to jump start my day today.  Of course, the accompanying piece of cinnamon coffee cake only turbo charges the affect of the latte'.  I'm sure it's been scientifically proven, somewhere.

Anyway, It's been a busy week and I find I am still trying to get everything back to normal after my week away in the mountains.  There are still clothes to be put away and floors to be cleaned.  It seems time just slips away so quickly these days.  I'm sure you Moms out there know what I'm talking about.  I have had some time to reflect on what I learned and what I went through during my timely escape.  I have some fond memories.  One such memory surrounds a small dog that became a fast friend.

A little rescue dog of questionable lineage, I found a soul sister in this small black and white four footed scoundrel.  Interestingly enough, her name was Bella, which some of you know, is the name of my little doggie cotton ball.  It seems that mountain Bella has a remarkable addiction to all things bread.

I had a lovely room, a suite really.  My bedroom had a glass door the led out onto a private deck that over looked the valley below.  It was a beautiful place where I spent every lunch time, even in the rain.  I was on the main floor so it was possible to go from my little deck around to the front porch. That was the route the little thief took.

  After packing up my things on that last day, I left them in my room, stacked by the back door, and went for a final get together in the commons area, where we had prayer and communion.   As I left the room, I realized that I had left the screen door open going out onto the deck.  I didn't want my room to fill up with bugs, even if I was about to leave, so I went back and shut it.  I had no idea it would not be any protection to a much larger "bug".  

Imagine my surprise, when I returned to my room a hour or so later to find the screen door open.  What?! I know I closed that door!  It seems that my favorite little four legged friend had smelled the loaf of bread I had left laying on the top of my bag of groceries to go home with me and had been unable to resist.  I saw the empty plastic bag laying forlornly in the rain on the sidewalk below my deck.  You must remember the suspect in question is only about 18 inches tall and, while now somewhat heavier due to carb loading, is not really a very big canine.  Despite that fact, Bella had consumed an entire loaf of bread all by herself.  So great had been her drive to procure the luscious starchy goodness she had managed to nose the screen door open to gain access to her prize.  I am just thankful that she ran with her loot outside and did not make a mess on the floor in my room!  Of course, not a crumb escaped her adorable little snout so I doubt there would have been much of a mess anyway!  I had to tip my proverbial hat to my favorite little sneaky Houdini of the dog world. She would let nothing stand in her way.

Those of you who are frequent visitors to the insanity of my mind know that I cannot leave it at that.  There is a parallel, of course, that jumps out to my.......uhhh... different sort of brain.     Be patient with me, I'm going somewhere.  I find that I immediately think of one verse,

John 6:35Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

See? Did you see that?  Jesus calls himself the bread of life.  We are told in the book of John, many times, that he is the bread of life and whomever eats of him shall never be hungry, in fact, shall never die.  The question I have for you today, my dear readers, is how desperate are you for this bread of life?  What obstacles are you willing to overcome in your search for your daily bread?  My little friend, Bella, fought her way through whatever stood in her way in her desire to munch.  Of course, we're not talking about a loaf of yummy, sticky, carb-laden, nutrient lacking, white bread.  We are talking about the bread that brings, not pounds to our hips, but life to our souls.  What steps are you willing to take?  What doors are you willing to go through? 

So this week, I would urge you to not sit back and be content with last week's moldy crusts. No! Go get some fresh bread, go looking for a fresh word from the Lord.  He tells us he would never give his children a stone when they ask for bread.  He is waiting for us to simply ask, no need to fight your way through any screen doors, just ask. 

Meanwhile, I'll be here, watching the rain, in my office, dreaming of the mountains and of a certain four-legged, bread loving, sweet-eyed terrier.  Oh, and I'm also in the market for a sturdy, portable bread box for my planned return trip to the mountains.  I'm just saying, she's cute and all but........

Soaked in His blessings,
Spokenfor

Winding Roads and Mirrors in Strange Places

I am continually amazed at the goodness of the Lord to me.  As of a week ago, I was merrily going about my normal life, not even realizing that Boone, North Carolina existed.  Okay, that’s only marginally true.  I was well aware that there was a city, in the western mountains of North Carolina called Boone that was reported to be beautiful.  I had never been there and didn’t have any expectations of going any time soon.  It was not, you might say, on my radar.  The Lord saw fit to change that quickly and in a rather original way. 

It all started innocently enough.  A friend mentioned there was a great retreat center up in the mountains and I should look into going up there for a much needed break.  Before I knew what had happened I was on my way westward.  There were phone calls and paperwork and all kinds of preparations, as well as a scholarship thrown in there.  There were plans for kids and pets and work stuff, and it all fell right into place as only the Lord can do it. 

This place that I find myself is breathtaking in more than one way.  Let me explain……

After a tedious drive over from Raleigh, I realized I was finally within 10 miles of His High Places. I thought the worst was behind me.  I had no idea what lay ahead of me.  As I reached the gates that led into the community, I was stunned by the beauty of this place.  Large iron gates swung open smoothly with the entry of the code I was given.  I drove slowly through, onto a road that, I can only describe as, winding.  Actually, winding doesn’t begin to describe it.  This road looked like the strange doodlings of a sugar crazed preschooler!  There were more twists and turns than the drama at a middle school dance.  There were tiny bridges, little tunnels, brooks that were babbling, and drivers gawking, and that was just in the first couple of miles.  After that, things turned serious. 

As I started to ascend the mountain of the Lord to the retreat house, the road quickly became more narrow and, if possible, more winding.  I decided very quickly that it had been designed by a tiny little man, in a tiny little car, a car with wings, so when it fell off the side of this mountain, it could just circle back and try it again.  Suddenly, my mini-van seemed like a big rig of mighty proportions.   I crept along at about 10 mph, seemingly only inches from a five thousand foot drop off. Now, my dear readers, you all know that I never, ever, ever exaggerate so you can be assured that every word of this narrative is correct and accurate!  Every time I was sure I was up just as high as I could possibly go, the road turned and I rose even higher.  At one point, I came around a sharp curve only to find another sharp curve the opposite direction lay in front of me.  Then I saw them.  There were mirror on metal poles all along the curve.  Mirrors!  You know the kind I’m talking about, don’t you?  Stores put them in blind corners so the staff can watch for shop lifters.  Those kind of mirrors!  Now that is just what I needed!  A curve so sharp, on a road so tiny, dug out of the side of a mountain so high up, that to drive it safely, I needed to check the mirrors to make sure I didn’t hit an old man winding his way down on the back of a small burro.  I was sure that I had accidently stumbled onto a long forgotten game trail and not actually a real road, or maybe it was one of the old mountain passes that I read about in the Little House on the Prairie books. You know, the ones the settlers used to get over the mountains in the covered wagons?  Yeah, it was that kind of road.   

After what seemed like hours of heart pounding, nerve wracking, sweat producing, teeth clenching travel, I rounded a little curve and my mouth fell open.  In front of me was a house unlike any I had ever seen before.  A beautiful two-story home stood before me like a graceful southern debutante.  Double balconies bedecked her like strings of elegant pearls draping the ball gown of a woman from a time long passed.  If this was a young lady in her dancing finery, however, her ball room floor would be decidedly too small for dancing.  Almost as if balanced on the head of a pin this magnificent structure rested on a piece of ground that was, in some places, barely 10 feel wider than the boundaries of the porches that surrounded it.  It was as if the lot had been carved from the side of the mountain.  The results were that, when viewed from some windows, it seemed as if you were suspended above the valley below.  The effect was breathtaking. 

What followed was a week of intense joy and intensely hard work as I wadded through all the Lord had for me.  I made friends that I can’t imagine ever losing touch with and learned things about myself and my God that I will never forget.  You can’t go wrong with a place that assigns movies like “Seabiscuit”  and “The Kid” and can then draw important spiritual parallels from them the next day. 

One thing I learned is the importance of taking time out of everyday life to reconnect with the Lord.  It’s an easy thing to do, to become so caught up in the dishes that need to be washed and the laundry calling out your name and the dinner that has to be cooked and the kids that need to be beaten picked up.  Most days are full of house work and child rearing, homework and cooking, walking the dog, running errands, slopping the hogs and plucking the chickens.  Okay, I’ll give you that one slight exaggeration, my hogs slop themselves.  That’s how I raised them. 

The point I’m trying to make is, I have often times felt guilty taking time out for myself and I don’t think I am alone.  As moms and wives, we women have a tendency to put everyone else in front of us.  It’s easy to ignore our own needs until, like a bad tooth finally gone too far, we can no longer ignore them.  I would love for all of my friends to have the chance to experience a week like I did, but I know that not everyone will be as fortunate.  I think the important thing is, that we learn to recognize when we are reaching the point of no return, you know, that point when we are one sibling battle, one spilled drink at dinner, one cranky teenager, one sour load of laundry away from a meltdown of epic proportions, and we do something about it.  It may be something as simple as dinner out with some girlfriends, a movie all alone on a Saturday afternoon, or a couple of hours with a good book and a cup from Starbucks, is all that we need to help us to refocus and regroup. 

The word tells us Christ came to give us life and life more abundantly.  This is not just eternal life, but life here as well.  Why would he want his children to go around sour faced and whiny? Yeah, not really the best advertisement for becoming one of his; “Come to God and become ill tempered, cranky, unreasonable, full of self-pity, hanging on to your sanity by your fingertips, and otherwise, all around a joy to be with!”   So let’s do ourselves a favor and remember, when we are caring for everyone else around us, don’t forget ourselves.  We need a little love too, and if your life is anything like mine, there’s not a lot coming from the offspring of teenage years. 

So I challenge you this week to take a little time for yourself, even if it’s something as simple as a bubble bath and your favorite soda.  It’s not a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of intelligence.  So go be smart!  I’ll be here trying to catch up on all the laundry that I missed doing in the week I was gone.  By the time I get things back to normal I may need to head up that mountain again!

Pill pushers and forgotten 8 yr olds

It was a busy holiday season this year.  I have had some health issues and, I must admit, have used that as an excuse for not getting all my holiday decorations put away.  At least J took the outside lights down so I escaped the neighbors realizing just what rednecks we really are. 
I recently spent about 4 days in the hospital again.  It seems when your iron level drops to 6 you feel like crud and bad things start to happen.  The thing is, I knew that's what it was because that's what my hematologist told me! (hereafter said hematologist will be referred to as the hemo doc, it's just easier that way! )  When I got to the ER I tried to tell the docs this, but, as usual, they knew so much more than me that they promptly ignored every thing I said and tried to make it about a number of other things.  After days of tests and heart monitors and brain scans (hey! no jokes here!) I actually had a doctor call for a psych evaluation.  Those of you who know me irl know just how hilarious that is all by itself.  Let me set the stage.........

It's Friday afternoon and I am laying in a hospital bed bored out of my skull because they won't let me get up by myself, there's nothing good on tv and they won't give me drugs because I actually don't need any.  J has returned to work for an important meeting and I am trusting in my ever reliable 16 yr old son to pick up his 8 yr old brother from school.  Imagine my horror when, 30 minutes after school gets out I get a call from the elementary school.  They are wondering if anyone is going to pick up Scamp today.  After several deep breaths and a quickly mumbled prayer for sanity I start making phone calls.  The first one is the 16 yr old, then the 17 yr old, then the 15 yr old, then the girlfriends, then all the friends I can think of and no one, and I mean no one is answering their phones.  Even J is in the wind.  So now I'm starting to panic.  I am imagining the DCFS people hauling little scamp away as tears stream down his face and his little blonde curls tremble in time to his sobs.  Finally, the 15 yr old answers the phone!  He's obviously been asleep.  Right as he sleepily says "hello", my hospital room door opens and in walks the psych lady.  She is coming to assess whether or not I need anti-anxiety or mood enhancing drugs.  As she enters, she is met with a near hysterical mother trying to get my 15 yr old to wake up enough to realize the gravity of the situation.  Everyone has forgotten the 8 yr old and abandoned him at school!  I'm trying to break through his sleep induced fog to make him understand what is going on.  Meanwhile, she is standing by my bed literally tapping her foot and giving me the heavy sigh as she listens to the conversation.  After about 20 seconds, she says "Ma'am! I need to speak with you"  I thought, really?! Really?!  You're gonna go there?! 

After raising my voice ( I was NOT yelling!) at my son to find someone to pick up his little brother because his other brother had forgotten him while their mother was in the hospital, I calmly looked at her and explained why I did not need her meds.  I explained that I am not stressed, I am not having anxiety attacks, I always look like this and sound like this and my eyes are always this crazy looking and yes, actually, I do usually foam at the mouth.  I'm not so sure she bought it.

Eventually, things calmed down, Scamp was retrieved and taken home.  Later, as I listened to the comforting sounds of the blood pressure machine, the IV pump and the clank of empty jello bowls, I reflected back on my day.  If there is a lesson to be taken away from all of this, it's this; things are not always as they seem in the lives of others.  I'm sure that psych lady walked out of my room shaking her head at the sad, old woman in room 127 who was living in denial about her current mental health.

In fact, I know that I have something better than her meds for dealing with the stress of raising so many boys.  The word tells me the joy of the Lord is my strength, strength for dealing with health issues, sleeping and forgetful teenagers, abandoned 8 yr olds and well meaning, pill pushing psychiatrists!  That's the key, find the joy.  The Lord has given us a remarkable ability to laugh and it's so important to utilize that ability when dealing with the struggles and trials that come with every day life.  I can't say I was laughing when that doc walked in the room and I was fussing and fuming at my kids and worrying about their safety and trying to figure out where to hide the bodies, but, later I had to laugh, later, when it was all over. 

My challenge to you today is to laugh.  Find something that brings you joy and take time to enjoy it.  Read a funny story, watch a funny show, spend time with a funny friend. Whatever it takes, laugh!  I think the Lord enjoys setting me up in wacky situations to make me laugh!  Meanwhile, we'll be here watching Scamp's new favorite movie.  Maybe you've heard of it;  The Forgotten.  

Soaked in His blessings,
Spokenfor

This is not a dinner theater

I am currently reading a wonderful book. It’s called The Sacred Romance by John Eldredge.  It’s not great surprise to anyone who knows me that I am reading a book. I love a good book and, since I was a kid, I have had a tendency to get lost in what I’m reading.  When I start a book the kids all know what’s coming; sandwiches for dinner, no laundry done, don’t ask me to drive you anywhere and don’t talk so loud when you’re in the same room with me! I try not to read books that are too long as I don’t want to miss important childhood milestones like graduation and such.  I’m doing pretty good with this one, limiting myself to about one chapter a week so I can really absorb what is being said.  Recently, the book sparked a revelation for me and I’ve attempted to share it below.  I hope you enjoy it and I hope it makes sense!!  lol

We are all enmeshed in a cosmic drama, a divine romance.  Life is not simply a series of actions and reactions, situations and experiences that we muddle through the best that we can till it is all over and we enter into our eternal reward.  We have all heard the phrase “all the world is a stage” and, in a way, that is true.  We are characters in a play written by the Lord of hosts.  So many times we are guilty of seeing only our small part in this galactic production.  Our focus becomes only our time on stage, our plot line, our lines to learn, when, in reality, we would do so much better to change our view. 

This life of ours, is not, in fact, ours.  God does not come down and invade our life and take part in it, He welcomes us into His life, to take part of it with Him. He did not simply author the play in which we act, then sit out in the audience to see play out.  This is His story and we all have supporting roles in His production.  Because of this fact, we would do well to remember just how intricately involved he is in every aspect of our existence.  I have learned something over the last year or so.  I don’t have to “be spiritual” to be spiritual.  Was Christ less “Christly” when sitting around the fire eating and laughing with his disciples?  The word tells us Jesus did only what His father did and said only what His father said.  That tells me the father enjoys us, just as Christ enjoyed his disciples. 

The challenge, the goal, is to find this relationship with Him in the every day, when there’s laundry to be done and dinner to be made, when the kids are fighting and you’re tired from working all day, or when you’re hanging out with friends being silly, watching cartoons with your kids, when you’re going to the fair or dinner out with a loved one.  Those are all times when we are in relationship with him.  He is there when we are “being spiritual” and when we are not and He loves us the same either way. 

I guess my point would be that while there are times when we are lost in his presence, when words fail us and we are swept away by his love, he is just as close, just as real, working just as much when we’re in the grocery store looking for a can of stewed tomatoes, as in the times we count as spiritual.  He brought this home to me recently in a very unexpected but welcomed way.  I am His, He is mine and nothing can change or lessen that.  I don’t have to conjure up something that appears spiritual, I am spiritual, inside and out, in whatever I do, at all times, good and bad. He is with me, in me.  I only have to relax and let Him be who he is, to do otherwise is to bring in law and judgment and I really don’t want to go back there again! 

So till next time, I'll be here, reading and not cooking or cleaning and trying to remind myself I am responsible for the care of all these younger people whose voices I can vaguely hear in the background saying something about food.  

Soaked in His blessings,

Spokenfor 

What happened??!!? I only dozed for a minute!!!!

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of activity.  School is finally back in and summer vacation has, once again, passed.  I am thankful to say everyone survived intact. There were no broken bones, no major lacerations (if you don't count Mumble's trip to the ER with the 4 inch thorn embedded in his forearm. he was in Wyoming, not in my care at the time so I don't count it! It's my blog, I get to make the rules!) There were no fires set, no cars wrecked, no hearts broken and we didn't even get tossed out of the pool this year.  All in all, I say it was a pretty good summer.  So now, for the first time in about 12 years I don't have a kid in middle school.  I have 3 in high school and a second grader which still makes for some insanity.  Lately, it's been the kind of  "why is my house so crowded and why is everyone calling me Mom" kind of insanity.  There's marching band and youth band, chili cook-offs (I won 2nd place, thank you very much!), women's events, youth events, sewing class, prayer group and all around teenage drama!  I have no idea how these creatures inhabiting my home morphed into these big, hairy beasts from my beautiful little baby boys!

I have good memories of those times when my boys were all small.  When I brought Monkey Boy home from the hospital I had a newborn, a 1yr old, a 2yr old and a 5yr old all to myself.  There were days when I thought if I have to make one more pbj or fix one more sippy cup, or change one more diaper or.........  Okay, that's enough, you get the picture!  I do have some fond memories of those times though.  It can't be verified that what I remember actually happened and is not just side effects of the medication, but I think of them fondly nonetheless.  We had trips to the park and story time, snuggles on the couch with cartoons and laughs at the appearance of the tickle monster.  One of their favorite games we would play was the standard hide and seek. I have admit to occasionally encouraging them to hide under a blanket on the couch and then I would be unable to "find" them till the fell asleep while hiding.  Hey! don't judge I was outnumbered!

I will never forget how cute they were with their pudgy little hands over their eyes while they informed me that I could no longer see them.  In their toddler brains they figured if they couldn't see me, then I couldn't see them.  As I was spending some time wandering down the paths of yesteryear's sleepless nights of frustration  joys, I couldn't help but see a parallel between those cute little toddlers and our walk with the Lord.  How many times have we placed both our hands over our spiritual eyes and announced to the Lord "you can't see me!"?   I've got news for you, guys, we can't actually hide from God.

 How many times has the Lord been patient with us as we played spiritual peek-a-boo?  Lets get real with the Lord, ladies.  We can't hide things from Him, he already knows what's there and has decided to love us anyway!  We don't have to try to cover over our wounds, our scars, those less than perfect things in our life, like a child covering her eyes.  Many times the Lord, like a patient parent, will allow us to believe we are successful in our attempts to keep things from Him.  He knows when we will be ready to let him deal with what's underneath.  He never asks a question he doesn't already know the answer to, so if we would be unable to give him the right answer he waits and works with us until we are ready to surrender these areas when he asks for them. 

This week my focus will be on putting my hands down and uncovering my eyes before the Lord. I will continue to come to him just as I am, warts and all, because he knows all about me anyway.  It's in honesty and authenticity that we come boldly before his throne of grace.  If we are busy pretending we have it all together, then why would we need the faith that he would accept us with open arms?  We would simply rest on our "all together-ness" to get us there. 

So raise your hands, women of God, but not to cover your eyes, but to lift, open handed to Him to give Him praise and receive from Him grace, peace, mercy and love. 

Until next time, I'll be here looking at baby pictures and remembering the days of diapers, potty training, no sleep, no privacy and no way I would have traded a single minute!

Soaked in His blessings,
Spokenfor

Sugar crazed preschoolers and 9th grade algebra

It's been awhile since I sat and put fingers to keyboard and shared some of the strange musings from my brain.  My life has been so crazy busy this summer!  That doesn't mean there haven't been many strange musings, it just means I haven't had time to sit down and share them.  At this point, it's getting crowded in my brain so I thought I should let some of them out.

One of the things that has kept me so busy this summer is my new found love of sewing, quilting to be exact.  That's right, you read that correctly; quilting.  Would somebody please tell my grandmothers in heaven that I finally know how to work a sewing machine.  One of the coolest ladies I know at church is a avid and very talented quilter.  The Lord lead her to start a beginners class at church, and since she is so awesome, I took her class simply to hang out with several of my friends who wanted to actually learn how to quilt.  Imagine my shock and surprise when it turned out I had a blast!

My first few quilt blocks were a little less than perfect........ ok, a lot less than perfect.  There is this little thing called a quarter inch seam that, evidently, is pretty important.   A couple of my blocks looked more like the drawings of a crazed pre-schooler  on a three day sugar high than something created by an adult.  The real problem came in when all the blocks were completed and it was time to put it all together.  Who knew it would suddenly become so important that all the blocks be square and the same size?!  I mean, really!  I know have great respect for cuts that are actually straight and seams that are actually the same size.

The biggest problem I had was the fact that my seams were never straight.  They looked more like the doodles I made as I sat in 9th grade algebra.  It took a couple of weeks to figure out what I was doing wrong.  It seems I was having a focus problem.  I was watching the needle. I couldn't help it, I have always been fascinated by little dancing flashy things!  What I wasn't doing was watching the fabric as it moved under the presser foot.  (those of you who have ever worked a sewing machine know what that is, those of you who haven't just work with me here and pretend that you do!)  As long as I was more careful about how my fabric moved towards the needle and less focused on the needle itself, my seams came out nice and straight, for the most part. (Hey! don't judge! only the Lord is perfect!)

Those of you who are familiar with me know there's more to the story.  Once again, as I was musing, I realized the parallel to our walk with the Lord.  I have said it before, you all know it's one of my favorite subjects, we become like what we focus on.  Our hearts and our lives are changed as we spend time in His presence and focus on Him.  You could say that our path becomes straight when we place our focus where it belongs, on Him and not on the dancing flashy things in our lives!  If the enemy can cause us to lose our focus we will become adrift and without purpose.  That's no way to live!

My prayer this week is that the Lord will remind me every time I sit down at my sewing machine to check my focus.  Too many times in my life my path has resembled that preschooler doodle because of my tendency to be distracted by little shiny things!  Where is your focus today? Where are you placing your eyes?  Are you looking at the sparkly distractions in your life or is your focus firmly centered on Him?  Don't be distracted by what the world tells you is right, look to Him and he will keep you on that straight path.

Meanwhile, I'll be here, happily sewing away and trying not to become hypnotized by the pretty, flashy needle!  Till next time, I'll be,

Soaked in His blessings,
Spokenfor