Old Stuff

A while ago I wrote under a pen name. I will not give it to you, it was a way to anonymously get some stuff off my chest. I just found all my old writings saved on our computer. I think a couple of them are ready to have my name attached to them. So you will see some of my 'free-writing' pop up from time to time. Some of them are truths, some are fiction, some are fiction based on truth. I'll give you a short one for the time being.

Breakfast at my house
Every morning I wake up to the sounds of spoiled children dying of starvation. It does not matter how many times they went back for seconds, or thirds, or fourths, or fifths of dinner last night, in the 12 hours between dinner and breakfast, their bodies have digested all the food in their stomachs, and apparently all their body fat as well.
We have tried discussing the "There are starving children in China" thing, and they don't get it.
So, day after day, I roll my sleep deprived self out of bed, throw on a robe, (where the heck are my glasses?) and go pour a bowl of sugar laden dino puffs for my malnourished children. Half a bowl later, the remnants of some poor dino that's been puffed are in the trash, and my lovely daughter and son are bouncing off the walls. Luckily, I get to pass them off to their teachers during the week. Weekends are worse. There is no one to take them off my hands, and since we don't have the time-to-get-on-the-bus rush, they want me to cook. The house specialty is chocolate chip pancakes--I have the recipe memorized. Which wouldn't be all that bad, except for the maple flavored high fructose corn syrup and powdered sugar they insist on adding to the mess on their plates.
Anyone want a couple of kids for the weekend?

So there you have it. A small taste of my imagination. Except this one isn't very far from the truth.

One Person

There are a lot of things that one person can do. Lives are changed every day by the actions of just one person.

Good things can happen. But bad things can happen as well. One person can bring about good things, and one person can ruin things for others. Stereotypes are based on the initial actions of one person, and grow because of another person's judgments on those events.

Who was the first person to say that all lawyers are slime? Who was the first person to say all Hippies are dirty, nasty people? Closer to my heart, who was the first person to say that only old ladies knit and crochet?  :-)

I realize the impact that one person can have on a community. Not just a general, 'might affect you' kind of thing, but a real, 'lives are being changed' because of this one person's actions. And in some situations, it saddens me. Thank God they are not all bad situations.

Now, I'm not entirely naive. I know there are bad things and bad people out in the world. But God has blessed me, and I lived/live a very sheltered, protected life. But just because your life sucks does not give you the right to ruin other peoples lives.

What kind of impression do you make? Do your actions ruin people, or do they build people up? Are you more likely to hurt someone's feelings, or are you a person who saves people? I hope I can be the type of person who helps build people up.

One step forward, Two steps back.

This adage can apply to a lot of things. We got a new puppy, Daisy, who likes to chew things. Well, she likes to chew everything but her toys. Just when I think she's broken the habit, I end up chasing her around the back yard, trying to get my slipper back.

Grief is like that too. One minute, I'm doing ok, living my life, the next minute I hear a song, and I lose it. I know Mom's in a better place. I know she's up there playing cards, praising God, and sharing stories, but I am selfish. I want her to do those things with me. I just watched a movie called Dim Sum Funeral. It's about a Chinese family coming together when their mother dies. The grief that they struggled with I know all to well. And here comes a spoiler. The mom was playing a trick on the kids, she was still alive, she just wanted to bring them closer together. Not surprisingly, the children are upset, but eventually they come to realize why their mom did it. When their mom walked into the room, my first thought was how jealous I was. Why couldn't my Mom come back?

Christmas in September

I decided to go in a different direction when I chose my last book from booksneeze. I picked a children's book. I will admit, I picked it because the main character's name is Emma.

This picture book is about Emma, and her dog Shu-Shu, who get invited to a birthday party for the King. They bring gifts for the King, but on the way to the castle, they meet people who need the gifts. A cold and hungry child gets a cape and a cake and a small girl gets a teddy bear. When they get to the party, Emma notices that no one is giving a gift to the King. She asks Him why, and He tells her that she knows the true meaning of Christmas.

I read this book to my own Emma, and when I asked her what she liked about the book, she said everything. And that about says it all. The story is one that every child should learn and the artwork is beautiful. This is one of those books that, if I could ever make myself ruin a book, I would cut out the pages and frame them. I will definitely recommend this book to any parent looking to share the true meaning of Christmas to their children.

At the end of the book, it encourages you to go to www.TheKingsAdventure.com to learn different ways to help people in need. As of right now, the website is not ready, but I will keep checking back.

Outlive your Life

Yet again, it seems like God is trying to tell me something. It seems like every time I am struggling with an issue, resources are put in front of me to help me dig out of the hole I have put myself in. This time, it's a new book by Max Lucado, Outlive Your Life. 

This time, Mr. Lucado looks at the book of Acts and the actions of the disciples. He gives modern day insight to the works of these men, called by God to serve and share the word of God. Mr. Lucado also shows us that it is easy for the 'common' man to do uncommon things in the name of God. It's amazing what one person can do to change the lives of many.
As with many of his books, Outlive Your Life is a compilation of different stories, points, and anecdotes, divided into chapters. Max has a way of making the reader look into him-or herself to see the goodness within, and the potential each person has to make a difference. There is a connection that Max makes with each of his readers, that I have yet to see any other author create.
Keep your Bible handy, because there are plenty of references made. The Discussion and Action guide at the back of the book, prepared by David Drury gives even more insight and perspective into Mr. Lucado's stories.
If you are looking to make a change, give more of yourself, or share the Word of God with others, Outlive Your Life is a good place to start.

Be Not Afraid

There are a lot of things I am afraid of. Not the afraid-of-bees-kind of afraid, although they terrify me. More of the afraid-of-failure-kind. Today, I gave voice to my fears. That's really hard, when you do that. It's hard to look at yourself and say, "This is what I fear the most." But once you do, it's really liberating. Because once you know for sure what your afraid of, once you give voice to those fears, it's really easy to figure out a way to overcome them. You can't overcome something if you don't know what it is you need to overcome.

This is one of my Mom's favorite hymns. We sang it at her funeral. I sing it to the kids at night. It brings me comfort when I'm worried, peace when I'm fitful, and memories when I want to remember. It also reminds me that I am safe, no matter what my fears are. 

You shall cross the barren desert, but you shall not die of thirst.
You shall wander far in safety though you do not know the way.
You shall speak your words in foreign lands and all will understand.
You shall see the face of God and live.
Be not afraid.
I go before you always.
Come follow me, and
I will give you rest.
If you pass through raging waters in the sea, you shall not drown.
If you walk amid the burning flames, you shall not be harmed.
If you stand before the pow'r of hell and death is at your side, know that
I am with you through it all.
Be not afraid.
I go before you always.
Come follow me, and
I will give you rest.
Blessed are your poor, for the kingdom shall be theirs.
Blest are you that weep and mourn, for one day you shall laugh.
And if wicked men insult and hate you all because of me, blessed, blessed are you!
Be not afraid.
I go before you always.
Come follow me, and
I will give you rest.