FLYING HIGH...

I felt a little skittish, reading about the airplane that had a hole in the fuselage; the pilot discovered it...whew! I would pray that other pilots and crew members are so observant...prior to taking off into the 'friendly skies'. Takes much to keep those big birds aloft.

Patrick Overton wrote, "When you have come to the edge of all light that you know and are about to drop off into the darkness of the unknown...Faith is knowing one of two things will happen: There will be something solid to stand on or you will be taught to fly." Then Michael remarked, "I think quite a bit about being in an airplane; flying through the skies and God is the pilot; I am the co-pilot and He's in charge...He's the expert".

Frankly, I want my pilot to have my best interest at heart...and I'm confident every passenger feels the same. I need to co-operate and here's some of His advice in Luke 6: "Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we're at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind. Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults -- unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don't condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you'll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back -- given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity."

(The Message)

We live in a world full of antagonism, a world full of destruction, a world full of hurt...so much pain. We've wounded each other in terrible ways...it's difficult to forgive, right? I don't want to be crushed when I am low...I pray someone, somewhere will help me ~ pick me up. All of us make mistakes, some calculated...some innocently. Some are destructive beyond our wildest imaginations but...we can help each other w/forgiveness in our hearts...as difficult as that is for so many. But, it's necessary.

So, I still have my bucket...and I'm doing my best to fill it w/loving kindness, forgiveness, assets...all to be given away. You know, even though my bucket's old...it doesn't have a single hole in it. Living water keeps things in top-notch shape.

Trust me...better still, trust Him. After all, He is the pilot.

Balanced and Unafraid...

TICK-TOCK...

"Life is like a taxi. The meter just keeps a-ticking whether you are getting somewhere or just standing still"...Lou Erickson. Life is rapidly changing...look at the world. Like a domino line-up...falling, falling, falling; yes, much seems to change with time.

Adrienne Clarkson wrote, "Sometimes we read or hear too much that makes us fearful or suspicious of others. We can forget that most of the people that we know, or at least encounter regularly are decent and friendly".

At times, I don't want to hear another word about all the bad stuff that's going on all over the world...from our front door to the most distant land. It's stressful and it's frightening...but I need to think about that Clarkson quote...and remember most of the people I meet really are decent people...honest and good.

I must think about...I must take personally what I read in Matthew 5:14ff: "You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city set on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bushel, do you? I'm putting yu on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand ~~ shine! Keep open-house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven"...the Message.

Okay, I'm doing my best to be a light-bearer...I'm open to others (like living in a glass-house)...wide open. No hiding, no secrets. I'm finished with secrets; you might think I'm too open but that's me...that's the way I am, what you see is what you get, 24/7.

A light-bearer and by the way...since I'm not hiding under a bucket? I use the bucket to carry His living water. Way to go, yes? And if you agree...nod twice.

Balanced and Unafraid...

WONDERFUL WORLD...

A week before Spring Break and the world is not co-operative; it's still upside down and we've no idea where it's headed. Our perfect world seems to be trembling a tad.

Annette Funicello said "Life doesn't have to be perfect to be wonderful"; she was an original Walt Disney Mouseketeer, then a movie star, singer; beautiful and so talented. What most would consider 'a perfect world' crashed. when at the age of 50, she announced she had MS...she suffers but wrote those words...she would know.

All of us are aware of how fortunate, or perhaps I should say how blest we are...we have everything many times over. Our 'stuff' is important...it can consume us, right?

Much of our stuff is trash; we have a recycle program here...the truck comes by every week to pick up our paper, plastic, etc. Here's how they do it in China. Cardboard boxes, paper bags, bottles, etc. are valuable commodities...the residents haggle w/the poor who come by and 'buy' it. Then they sell it to some other enterprising agent...commerce, yes?

M and I live in a modest house...almost 1000 sq. ft. This is the size of a typical Chinese apartment; of course many are smaller. Our place would be coveted by many.

That's good...but...the poor family who just sold their trash they bought from the resident? Those who lived near us slept under a nearby bridge; their bed was a piece of the cardboard they bought. They may have a bed covering...they cook over a small heater. What to cook? Anything they can rustle up.

Aah, you're thinking this is an exaggeration? Not...not.

China has a new cultural group, the 'Ant Tribe' or the 'Ant People'. These are the thousands of college graduates who cannot find employment. They cluster together in the cities; live 4-6 in small, cheap apartments. Discouraged, unhappy, depressed...at a loss as to what they will do...in reality, what can they do?

Can you imagine belonging to an Ant Tribe? Or being dubbed an Ant Person? People are people...like Dr. Seuss said, "A person's a person, no matter how small." Wow, ants are very small...Hello, Ant Person??? God created us in His image...we are equal in His sight, are we not? And...we are not 'ants'.

America seems destined for a big 'belt-tightening'...meaning we need to help each other; aah, come to think of it...that's what God's Son was into and I believe He gave His all...for all.

I ask Father to forgive my selfishness, my love for my 'stuff' and I am keeping my eyes open for everyone around me...no matter how big...no matter how small.

Balanced and Unafraid...

OH...IF ONLY...

Are your days fulll of hurrying? Wow, mine are...seems like I just get up and zap...the day's over...so soon? Sunday, March 13th, we march forward; setting out clocks up an hour! Didn't we just fall back an hour in November...time goes backward and forward...hmmm. What did I do w/it...or what didn't I do w/it.

If I were to ask you what troubles you most in your life...right now, this particular time...what would your answer be? My answer is that I regret how I wasted time; I've been thinking about, "Oh, if only I had...".

H. G. Bohn wrote, "One of these days is none of these days". One of my 'major regrets' is shortchanging our four sons of precious quality time. Steven was 17 mos. old when Jeffrey was born...Jeffrey was 11 mos. old when Patrick was born...Patrick was 24 mos. old when Scott came along. Doing the math adds up to four boys in less than five years and yes...I had my hands full and was busy.

Being busy is no excuse because I still had hours/days for other things (I'm a multi-tasker)...I was selfish too much of the time. The boys matured and are wonderful, spiritual men...so I didn't fail as a mom. Still...if only.

Fast forward to an empty nest...those thirteen years of addiction...wasted years never to be reclaimed. I regret the stupors, the lies, the cheating...the shortchanging Michael...oh, if only.

Then, there were too many times I couldn't/wouldn't talk to those who cared about me...the times I refused to talk to God; the times I refused to help my wonderful friends...oh, if only.

Oh...if only. Oh...but wait; this is today, the here and now! Regrets can have a purpose...they serve as a reminder that I'm given opportunities to use those experiences/regrets to help someone else.

A popular past sit-com, Cheers said, "Time goes by so fast, people go in and out of our life; You must never miss the opportunity to tell these people how much they mean to you."

Guess I'm curious (so was Einstein) but I like to find out about people...people I run into on a regular basis, etc. But sometimes I neglect people I see on a regular basis...and that isn't good because you can unconsciously hurt some feelings. I'm doing my best and going out of my way to reach out and touch those as we go in and out w/each other.,,reaching out & touching is good.


Father, I allow myself to be insensitive to people; I'm sorry for that. I pray that I will be alert to every opportunity to let people know they are special to me. I know I am special to you and I thank you for your love. In Your Son's Name, Amen.

For me, no more 'Oh...if only'. How about you?

Balanced and Unafraid...

KNOT THE END...

Things in the world are still in an uproar...even in our world. Money, oil, leaders, policies, hijackings...no end is there? Do you sometimes feel you might be at the end of your rope? I love what Franklin D. Roosevelt said, "When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot in it." Good advice, yes?


Shopping for anything brings an awareness that prices are rising...before our very eyes. Even cat food? Aah, yes. Even cat food. The other day I asked Michael, "Honey, if we were stuck on an island or anywhere with nothing to eat but canned cat food, could we eat it?" He laughed.


Someone said, "Let's do more with what we have"...we have a lot. M and I could survive quite awhile on what we have in the house...food, that is...okay, clothing and lots of other things. I met a couple of friends in the grocery store one day and we all laughed about how much we had stored at home...and why then were we shopping every week and storing up even more? Oh, people...we have much.


So, gasoline/fuel costs are slated to go through the ceiling...perhaps they will, maybe they won't. Who knows? Will we drive less? Will people be able to afford to drive to work? I carpooled for some time while living in Odessa and working in Midland...good way to cut expenses. People do what they have to ~ to survive.


Herbert Hoover is quoted as saying, About the time we think we can make ends meet, somebody moves the ends."


Okay, I'm cutting down on my cable channels...that will help us make it. WHAT? _______ HAS GONE UP? Oh, my word...the ends have been moved....again!


"Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life." Philippians 3:6-7 (Msg)


At the end of your rope? Remember...tie a knot and hang on to God...HE has some kind of unfailing grip.


Balanced and Unafraid...