Jesus, Bring The Rain

Today the weather has been a bit wonky. 


Started out as a beautiful sunny morning with a nice slight breeze, just enough to blow the humidity around.


Then it quickly darkened up. The clouds rolled in and hid the sun. Then the sound of raindrops. And more raindrops.


A downpour of water. 

I went back to my chore, and when I looked out again, the sun was shining brightly. 


I listened and heard no raindrops, but rather the singing of the birds. 


I chuckled as to how quickly things change. 


A few moments passed, and the rains returned. Everything was drenched with water. 


Moments later, the sun peaked through again. 


I got a text from my youngest son. I needed to pick him up from work. He couldn't do his outside job in this rain. I told him it was sunny here, but he assured me it was non-stop rain where he was working.




Before we are finished texting, the rains returned here. I went out into the rain to get to my vehicle. 


I only got a few miles and the sun started to shine again. The edges of the ol' country roads showed pools of water collecting, creating big fresh cool bathing puddles for the birds. 


As I continued to drive, I thought of how the sudden change in weather is comparable to our experience in life. 


One minute we're enjoying the sun, soaking up it's warmth, basking in good times. 


All is well. 


And in an instant the trials, the "rains", come. We're not prepared. We don't expect it. We run for cover and just want to hide. We can do nothing about it but sit and watch and wonder "how long is this going to last!?". 


We all experience it at one time or another. Some more than others. 


But what happens when the sun comes out again..... you realize the little downpour of water was a good thing..... it gave the earth a drink. The flowers and plants appreciated it. The animals appreciated it. The rains didn't last forever; they were just here for a time. 


Same with our trials. They don't last forever. They may seem like they last forever. They may last a few minutes or a few months or years; they may last your whole earthly lifetime. 


I used to really dislike when I would hear people talk about how they thank God for their trials; how the trials made them stronger. I didn't want to hear about that. I wanted to hear how God could teach us to be faithful during the good and easy times!


Now, I'm realizing that's not really possible. Just like when you exercise.... it's not effective without some pain and effort. You don't build those muscles while lying on the couch eating potato chips.


And our lives are the same. We don't always learn much when everything is going along with great ease. 


I cannot tell you how much I have disliked the trials that we've experienced, in the last number of years most especially. And I cannot tell you how I really don't want to keep enduring them or go through them again.


But I can tell you that when I look back, I do thank God for them..... [did I really just say that?]... for they have taught me more about who I am, who I want to be. They've taught me who and what is important in my life. I've learned to appreciate the little things more.... the most simplest little things. 


Would I have learned all of that in the sunshine?  Not likely. I had to be out in the rain. In the downpour. Getting wet. Getting soaked. 


But the sun comes out again. And it's a richer sun. A brighter sun. A warmer sun. 

More rains will come. And the sun will not be far behind. In fact the sun is there, behind the clouds.


More trials will come. And the Son is there for me. Not behind a cloud, but He is there for me..... and in me... and all around me.... and through me.


And I'm slowly learning to understand the concept of "Jesus, bring the rain".

Never Let Go

There are moments in this life when time seems to stop,

when your breath catches you,

when you get that knot in the pit of your gut,

and then it turns to a sick churning in the deep of your stomach,

when your heart physically feels like each chamber is breaking, being ripped apart.

Every parent feels it when they hear the news.

It doesn't have to be your own kid because you instinctively put yourself in the parents' position.... knowing in your head, knowing in your heart, that one day it could be you getting the phone call, the policeman at the door, the doctor walking the long hall.... to tell you your life is about to change in the blink of an eye.

To tell you your loved one is gone.

Gone from this earth.

All that's left is the body. In this case, a body that couldn't survive an automobile accident. A now broken body. Another boy tries his best to revive the motionless broken frame that lies limp on a roadside.

As humans, we do what we can. Sometimes we can wrap our mouth around their's and blow life-giving air back into their lungs; sometimes we can manipulate their chest and make the heart believe that it's still capable of more years of beating.

And sometimes we can't.

Sometimes no matter what we do in our mortal flesh or in our spirit's outcry to God above, the decision has been made by our Maker that one's time on earth is finished.

That we will no more walk this earth.

That we now come face to face with God our Creator, Who had our lives planned from beginning to end before we were even created in our mother's womb. Our frame was not hidden from Him, for He knit us together; we were woven together in the depths of the earth. All the days ordained for us were written in His book before one of them came to be.

And October 1st, 2010 was the last earthly day that a young eighteen-year-old boy would live here on earth.

Left behind is a mother and father and sister. Ohhhh, as a mother my heart feels the mother's writhing pain. As I watched them hug their son in his casket, the tears filled my eyes and literally gushed down my cheeks along with others in the sanctuary, hundreds and hundreds of students and friends and adults and family watching.... feeling the pain..... shedding their own tears... feeling their own hearts break.... knowing that this mother's heart could never ever hurt more than at this moment.

Stories are told of a kind boy who wasn't afraid to every day verbally share his love to everyone he knew with three simple words.... "I love you". How those words will be missed from the curly red-haired, freckled-faced kid.

I can imagine his mother telling him those very words as she leaned onto his lifeless body and gave him her last goodbyes.... not wanting to let go.... not wanting to let go of his body, to let go of her baby....

As his casket is closed and driven to a cemetery and laid in the ground, she must feel her arms are empty because she's had to let go of him in the physical sense, never to feel his freckled skin again.

Sometimes we have to let go. We may not want to, but we have no choice. In this instance, we cannot hold onto the body. We must let go.

However....

the memories,

the pictures,

the stories,

the conversations,

his favourite toy,

his favourite shirt,

a video of him laughing and talking......

these things we have in our possession, in our minds, so that we never have to let go. These things stay etched in our thoughts and in our hands and in front of our eyes and in our hearts so that we never have to let go.

We have a Saviour Who never lets go of us. He carries us, He walks beside us and before us and around us. He never lets go of us when we're hurting or sad or in pain. Even when we're happy and content, He still doesn't let go.

He surrounds us and lives in us and lives through us. He is there to lift us from the pits and help us through the valleys. He protects us in the dark shadows. He knows what we're feeling, He understands our pain and even our anger that we sometimes direct to Him in times like this. And He still never lets go.

Friend, I would encourage you to call on Him. Be honest with Him about how you're feeling, about your pain, about your confusion, about your anger, about your hurt. Ask Him to help you. Ask Him to comfort you. Ask Him what you can learn from this tragedy and how you can make a difference to help someone else.

He promises that He will never let go. Ever.

Below is a video with a song called Never Let Go. Before listening to it, please scroll to the very bottom of the page and hit the PAUSE button on the blog's music. Then return to this spot and hit PLAY.




Never Let Go - David Crowder Band






Our very deepest condolences to Kathy (and Barry & Ian), Bill (and Rebecca), & Kaitlyn on the loss of your son and brother. Never let go.

God bless.

Tyler McConnell

May 13, 1992 - October 1, 2010

*Photo from Ethan Todd's Facebook Photo Album (Thanks, Ethan.)


He Listened
by Joseph Bayly
Written after he laid three of his sons in the grave

I was sitting, torn by grief. Someone came and talked to me of God's dealings, of why it happened, of hope beyond the grave. He talked constantly, he said things I knew were true. I was unmoved except to wish he'd go away. He finally did.

Another came and sat beside me. He just sat beside me for an hour and more, listened when I said something, answered briefly, prayed simply, left. I was moved. I was comforted. I hated to see him go.

Stamp of Approval - Blake Health Update 2010/09/03

It is with great pleasure.....









for me to officially announce......










that Mr. Blake Found......









after approximately 11 months of numerous phone calls, paperwork, prayer, and even the odd time of some hair-pulling........









has received.......









word from his Specialist's secretary......









at 8:55am......










on September 3, 2010......










that funding for his miracle-drug Remicade......







is........








finally.........







[hold onto your seat....]
'
'
'
'
'
'
'

We have been notified that, not only will Blake's cost of Remicade be covered but, he is also able to receive his medications when he is out-of-province while attending college in New Brunswick. This means we do not have to cart him back to Ontario every eight weeks for his infusions.

Today, I am one extremely happy Momma.

Just yesterday morning I had a conversation with the Specialist's secretary. She explained to me that I had been misinformed by a few people with regards to Blake's situation. For almost a year now, I seem to get a different story from absolutely everyone I talk to regarding Blake's situation.

I had been told that Blake could, once approved, receive his meds in New Brunswick as long as it was shipped from Ontario to New Brunswick. I spoke to TWO different gentlemen from the Trillium group on TWO different dates who both confirmed it was no problem. I also spoke with a special pharmacy who deals in dispensing Remicade, and they confirmed that it could be shipped in a special refrigerated package and that it must be used within three days.

Our Specialist's secretary said she called Trillium and the pharmacy and was told that it was illegal to ship the meds from Ontario to New Brunswick. She also said she was told that it could not be shipped because it needed to be refrigerated and that it needed to be used within 24 hours.

I don't understand why we are being told completely different stories.

Then the secretary said that Blake would likely have to change his province of residence to New Brunswick and then apply for health coverage there.

Huhhhh??????

Ummmm.... how about NO!

It all sounded very suspicious to me.

Anyways, she called this morning at 8:55am to announce that coverage for this medication will be provided to Blake and that he may receive his infusions while attending college in New Brunswick. They will call him with the date and time of his infusions.

She confirmed we are covered for one year, and at that time she will fill out paperwork to renew the Section 8 coverage and that I am to continue to renew the Trillium coverage.

Yes. I can do that!

Just yesterday, after my phone call with the secretary where we discussed all these contradictory statements given to me, I was frustrated because I had worked so hard on my phone calls and keeping good records of conversations, etc. I had spoken to so many people, including politicians offices who were, by the way, of no help to me. I felt like I had beaten my head against the wall. I had gone out later that day to cut the lawns and I could feel myself getting somewhat angry for all these delays and road blocks.

Then it was like a light bulb came on.

...."praise God anyways".

So I pushed out the negative thoughts and said, "Lord, I'm gonna praise you anyways. YOU know the situation and You have a plan. It's not going well here, but You have a reason why. I'm just gonna praise You anyways".

I continued to cut the lawns, row after row, and then the angry thoughts would creep their way back into my thinking. Then, I would hear, "praise God anyways".... and so I'd starting praising Him all over again. I kept pushing out the angry thoughts, allowing the Holy Spirit to do His work.

"Thank You, Lord. You're watching over us."

"Thank You, Father. Your Word says you'll never leave us nor forsake us."

"Thank You, Lord. You have a plan for this situation. You're in control."

"God, You are good. You are so good."

"I will praise Him, I will praise Him, praise the Lamb for sinners slain. Give Him glory all ye people, for His blood can wash away each stain."

And then, 18 hours later, I get the call.

And just how amazing is THAT!?

'

I've had my "God moment" for today.

'

So tomorrow we leave to take my little boy back to New Brunswick. He's gained almost thirty pounds back since June. He's feeling better, looking better, sounding better. Like The Six Million Dollar man, he's stronger... better... faster. Well, OK, I might be stretching it on the "faster" part, but you get my drift.

'

He has spent the day packing, running last-minute errands, and tonight is relaxing with his best bud Billy. They are downstairs now attacking the XBox360. It gives my heart happiness to hear them laughing and hollering at one another down there.

'

Please remember us in prayer as we travel all day Saturday. My brother-in-law, Brent, is able to go with me, and I'm very appreciative of that. The van is almost all loaded up and we strike out early morning.

'

Also remember in your prayers to thank our Lord for His many blessings. What a trial these last few years have been; but we come out victorious because we go through our battles in the name of the Lord.

'

There's not a battle we cannot win; we've already won the war! Hallelujah!

As a footnote, I'd like to include this video. It was posted on another blog that I follow. The lady with the hat in the video passed away this week to be with Jesus after a battle with cancer. I thought this was a beautiful song, sung in a "round"; it's message seems to fit what I was just writing about. Enjoy.

[Remember to pause my music at the bottom of this page.]



Hearts Uplifted

Three Old, One Young

Four beds.

Salmon-coloured walls.

Faded yellow blankets.

Four men.... three old, one young.

One on the brink of beginning his life.... and three inching closer to the end of their's.

One of the elderly

Snoring... non-stop.






Chattering away in his sleep.









Having a conversation with himself... none of it making heads or tails.







Answering his own questions in his sleep.






Screaming out in pain when moved by nurses.







Full of apologies to the darling nurses.... yet also thankful for their care.








Incoherent, by times. Convinced he's getting in his car and driving away from here.




Calling the nurse by the wrong name.




Full of congestion.





Ready to cough up a lung at any moment.





And more snoring.... sawing logs.





In his mind, he's resting peacefully.









One of the elderly





Confused by times.




Concerned about his wallet's whereabouts.




The nurse assures it's in safe-keeping.




He asks for it, in case he needs to prove to someone his identity. The wristband isn't enough.




He moves, adjusts his pillow, and off goes the bed alarm.





He's grateful to the nurse for her care.




Pushes the call-button because he thinks his roommate has had a seizure. It's only a matter of the pillow falling on the floor.... no seizure.





Doesn't like to be covered by the sheets, and the gowns aren't quite long enough. Of course his bed is by the door!





Wants the phone beside him. Doesn't expect any calls, but wants that phone next to his bed.





Again he thanks the nurse, not wanting to be a bother.







One of the elderly



Directly across from Blake's bed.



Coherent most of the time.





A retired Priest.





Extremely kind.





A sense of humour.





Another bed alarm.





He wants to walk on his own.





He tries.





The nurse comes running at the sound of the alarm.





No walking alone.





Sits in the chair by his bed.






He has many visitors.








Visitor sits on the side of the bed to chat.










Gets up to leave and sets off the alarm.










The looks on the faces are priceless. "What have I done???"










We grin.










Elderly man laughs.










Visitor waves goodbye, exclaiming "I'm outta here!"










Priceless.














One young man.




Waiting for his healing medicine.








Waiting on the Lord for a miracle healing.










Confident that the Lord can heal him of his Chronic Disease.










At any time.












At any moment.










Knowing that the Lord's timing is best.










Trying to keep open ears to hear His Lord.










Trying to have open eyes to see His face.










Trying to have an open heart to do His will.










Trying to understand what good can come from an illness that eats away on his insides.








Confident that God is all-knowing.












All-wise.










All-healing.










All-loving.










Striving to be a 'patient' patient.








One woman.









One mother.










One caregiver.










Wanting to take the pain on herself.










Wanting to understand God's plan, too.










But knowing His plan is best.










Lessons to be learned through the trials.










Knowing there's green grass in the valleys.










Wondering how others have any hope without Jesus.










Thankful to be a child of The King.










In Jesus name, we press on.

Are You In The Fire Today?

"No weapon forged against you will prevail... " - Isaiah 54:17 NIV

If you could talk with the three Hebrew children about their experience with the Lord in the fiery furnace, perhaps they would describe it this way: The fire was all over us. Our robes were ablaze, yet amazingly, our skin was untouched. We had no idea what was going on. Then something moved among the ashes; we were not alone. Suddenly, out of the smoke came a shining, gleaming person! We never got His name; He never said it. He never said anything. But just knowing He was there brought such comfort. His presence protected us in the midst of the crisis. Now, we do not mean to say that the fire went out, or that the heat was reduced. No, it still burned, but the brightness of the flames was eclipsed by the brightness of His presence.'We never saw Him again; He showed up only when we needed Him. One thing is sure however, looking back, we are glad they dragged us from the presence of the wicked king into the presence of the Righteous One! In His Company we learned that, "No weapon forged against you will prevail. You will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord."'Are you walking through a fiery trial today? If so, you are not alone - God is with you! Take courage! When He brings you out you will know Him better, trust Him more, and have something to say that will make others want to listen.

From The Vine (July 9, 2010)
"Are You In The Fire Today?"
The Word For You Today - Bob Gass

Ow! Oooowwwww!!!

Body....
hurting
aching
stiff
sore

painful

I don't like pain. It hurts me!

Monday night I returned to karate classes after a not-quite-three-year "sabbatical". Actually I was feeling quite brave and decided to tackle the kickboxing class before the karate class.

It was an intense evening.... I went in with a good attitude, knowing I'd be feeling pain the next day, but assured that, after a while, results will start showing.

I expected to feel a little stiff the next morning; but rather a full-blown migraine set in, accompanied with chills. I just couldn't get warm or get my head to stop throbbing. There were a few stiff muscles, but nothing too unbearable.

Wednesday morning I awoke to a pain-free head, but there was pain in my lower back and calf muscles, as well as pain in my stomach muscles. I shouldn't really use the word "pain" because, well, it wasn't unbearable, just extremely uncomfortable. It hurt. Every time I walked, or bent over, or stood up extremely straight, the boys would hear "Ow! Ow! Ow!". Jake kept saying I was faking it, but he forgets I'm an old woman now who hasn't seriously worked out in almost three years!

Wednesday night I decided to go to karate class to get the muscles loosened up. I had a wonderful class, and felt great afterwards. Still a little sore that night, and here we are at Friday and I'm still walking at times like a crippled-up ol' geezer, but.... here's the thing..... I KNOW the pain is going to subside over time. I KNOW this current pain I'm feeling is working for something good.... I'm going to feel better, I'm going to look better.

It is the same with the trials that we experience in our lives. The painful times can be excrutiating and sometimes feel unbearable while we're going through them. Those painful experiences hurt! They wear us down. They make us limp around for a while. We can't see an end to the pain.

I could not even BEGIN to start rhyming off the trials we've had over the last few years. Some of you are aware, some are not. Jon's health situation, his work situation, the "knife wounds" in his back, the situation with Blake's health (which will likely be a lifetime concern),...... numerous situations that you would just not believe......... (and no, I'm not going there so please don't ask, but I can assure you it would make for a very interesting movie!)..... Painful, extremely painful moments in our lives, which didn't just affect me and/or Jon but also our children, and will forever have an affect on us.

But, here's the thing.....

Those moments, those trials, those gut-wrenching, heart-breaking, pain-suffering, unbelievable experiences DID NOT break us in a negative way. Those moments hurt while we went through them, and truth be told, some of the memories of those moments still hurt and are painful to remember; but, we got through. We didn't stay in those moments.

The Lord has never promised us that we will not have trials. Look at good ol' Job in the Bible. He was a good guy, never hurt anybody, minded his own business, lived a good life and served the Lord whole-heartedly; but who on earth would ever want to experience what was forthcoming to him? Lost his children, lost his livestock, lost his home, lost his good health, lost his so-called friends, lost it all..... even his wife was giving him a hard time..... but, despite all of that, he remained faithful to God. And, just in case you don't know "the rest of the story", God blessed his faithfulness and poured blessings upon blessings upon blessings on him, restoring ALL, and in fact MORE, that had been lost.

Going through these last few years have shown me that it doesn't really matter what others "think" they know about us and our situation. We, to this day, are still putting some of the "puzzle pieces" together to get the full picture. But, it has shown me that my pride needed a little bit of 'shifting' by not worrying about what others think but rather letting go and letting God do His job in my life! It showed me that God will never let me escape His care and will always..... ALWAYS..... keep me sheltered under His wing.

I was broken in such a way that God was able to do some work. Now, don't get me wrong..... I'm still a "work in progress", but the trials have helped to put things into better perspective, get my priorities straight, and helped me to realize what and who are important.

Today in Bible Study someone made the comment that we are all at different stages in our lives, in our walks with God, and we need to be patient and not become easily frustrated, just as we don't want people becoming frustrated with us.

We also discussed the fact that what some people mean for our harm, God will use for our good, and that those who "dig a pit" for someone else to fall into will sooner or later end up falling into that pit themselves. (Check out the scoop on Haman in the Book of Esther in the Bible. He'll second THAT motion!)

When I mentioned to a young man at karate the other night about the sore muscles I was experiencing, he smiled and said, "What doesn't kill you will make you stronger!". I chuckled, applying that statement not only to my sore muscles but also to my prior (and current) trials..... those times didn't kill me, they've made me stronger.

I always have been confused in the past when hearing people say they were thankful for their trials. How on earth can you be thankful for a trial? Now I know you can be thankful because it helps you grow. I'm understanding that now. God makes all things work for good to those who love Him...... even in our trials......

And this "pain" that I'm experiencing with my physical muscles is going to work for my good as well. This temporary affliction is gonna pay off in the long run. You just wait and see.

My "Ow!" will one day be a relief sigh of "Ahhhhhhhhhhh....." in karate AND in my trials of life. Now I can say, "Thank you, Lord, for my trials!".

What Faith Can Do - Kutless

You don't need to read any words from me; the lyrics say it all.
(Lyrics are posted below video.)

Enjoy.




What Faith Can Do - Kutless
( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7elxC8LXfzE )


What Faith Can Do
Everybody falls sometimes
You gotta find the strength to rise
From the ashes and make a new beginning
Anyone can feel the ache
You think its more than you can take
But you're stronger, stronger than you know

And don't you give up now
The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds
To find the silver lining

I've seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn't ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do

It doesn't matter what you've heard
Impossible is not a word
It's just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody's scared to death
When they decide to take that step
Out on the water
But it'll be all right

Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing


Overcome the odds
When you don't have a chance
(That's what faith can do)
When the world says you can't
It will tell you that you can

What Ya See Is What Ya Get

Sometimes ME = BAD

Well, I really shouldn't say "ME", but rather "MY MOUTH".

Or maybe rather "MY ATTITUDE".

The other evening I was with a group of ladies and we were commenting about people's bad attitudes in the arena... some parents.... some coaches.....

(Let me tell ya.... some folks in the hockey category can get "PRIT-ty FEIST-y"!)

Anyways, one lady mentioned a situation where a coach was literally screaming and yelling at one of his OWN players during a game (and the player would have been a young boy, maybe 12 or 13 yrs old). The Ref ended up throwing the coach out of the game for his behaviour (which, in my opinion, was a WONDERFUL thing to do! In fact, I'd have banned him from coaching any future games..... again, MY opinion!)

So that got us on the topic of how mean people can be and I started ranting to them about this young arrogant-silver-spoon-fed/-mommy-and-daddy-buy-me-anything-I-want/-oh-everybody-look-at-me-I'm-so-cool-and-beautiful/-Miss-Head-of-the-cheerleading-squad teenaged whippertick girl that I saw in the McDonald's restaurant last week.

I literally stood there with my mouth hanging open watching her. She was SO completely rude to one of the young teenaged boys who was simply just trying to see if she had yet been waited on. He was most polite and courteous, and SHE was MOST.... MOST..... oh I can't even type the adjective that I'm thinking of, lest my blog be categorized under RESTRICTED!

Honestly folks, it was all I could do to not turn and say to her, "And just WHO do YOU think YOU ARE, Miss Goody Two-Shoes!" Without a word of a lie, it took ALL I could muster to not reach over and slap her Maybelline-dressed face! I honestly had a whole conversation happenin' right there in my head, trying to decide WHAT on EARTH I could say to this girl in a Christ-like manner, and LET ME TELL YOU THAT THERE WERE NO CHRIST-LIKE THOUGHTS IN MY HEAD AT THAT MOMENT.

If THAT had've been my daughter, I can tell you RIGHT now that her hiney would've been about four shades darker than her Cover-Girl lipstick!!!!

You can just tell when some kids have that "It's All About Me" attitude, and THIS girl had it.

I was SO angry! (Can you tell?)

That was over a week ago and I'm STILL on fire about it.

Well, I was spouting off to this group of ladies about this young girl, and this particular group of ladies has never seen me get all riled up about anything. But they knew I was cheesed.

However.... and this is the point of this post..... when I got back home, I had to think to myself, (or perhaps the Holy Spirit was gently nudging me), "Did you act in a Christ-like manner in front of those women?"

Ahhh, Lord...... come ONnnnnnnnn...... I was defending that poor little boy behind the McDonald's counter who was just simply trying to do his job.

And then I hear the Holy Spirit say that despite what this young girl said and despite how she acted, it does not give me a license to go around and speak meanly about her.

(Dagnabbit!)

So I confessed to the Lord that my attitude was not proper and that I likely didn't leave a good impression of The Lord in the eyes of these women, despite that the young girl should've been slapped upside the head. I still shouldn't have been complaining or gossiping or chewing nails and spitting rust.

I decided I would watch my mouth from now on and not act the way I did that evening in front of those ladies.

Fast forward four days.

Me and my big mouth.

I did it again.

Different story.

Different people.

But same scenario.

A woman who has just simply got under my skin regarding the whole issue of Blake's health and the paperwork and yada-yada-yada. This woman has a REAL problem with communication skills and phone-side manners!

(Again, who am "I" to judge and act as God.......)

But since I "think" I have some type of authority to chew about people behind their back, I once again start discussing this other scenario with a couple of ladies today. As I drive back home, I think, "For CRYING OUT LOUD, I JUST did it AGAIN!"

Sorry, Lord.

Me and my big mouth.




So I thought about this and decided that it's really not my mouth that's leading me into trouble..... it's my attitude. If my ATTITUDE were in it's proper place, then my mouth would follow.

It's not hard to have a good attitude when all is fine with the world; however, it IS VERY hard to have a good attitude when people hurt you, or they hurt someone you love, or when you see them hurt someone you don't even know, like the McDonald's boy.

And God forbid anyone hurt our children! Mothers are pitbulls with lipstick!





I don't like to be hurt.

I don't like to see others get hurt.

I don't like to see people who are nice to your face but hurtful behind your back.

I don't like phoney-baloneys. (And, yes, I know it's spelled "bologna", but then it wouldn't have rhymed properly).

I think that I am pretty much a "What-ya-see-is-what-ya-get" kind of woman. I'm not perfect, although at one time I might have thought I was. I'm not the kind of person to go out and hurt anyone. I'm not one to have to "be-in-the-know"... in fact, I'd really rather you NOT gossip with me or give me details because I only have a limited number of brain cells left anyways and I'd rather use them up with concentrating on my own family's business and not everyone else's!

I know people who would NEVER say a word about anyone else, yet they are VERY sneaky at probing for information because they feel they need to know what's going on in everyone else's life, other families' lives, the folks they work with, the people they go to church with..... yes, that's right.... church people. Surprisingly, SOME "Christians" are the WORST regarding this!

Anyways, I don't want to get back on the complaining band wagon; I guess I just wanted you to know that I'm not perfect..... that what you see is what you get. I'm a work in progress. Joyce Meyer always says, "Little by little". We aren't going to reach that "taming of the tongue" overnight, but little by little we get closer to the goal.

If I replay the McDonald's situation over in my head again, I guess I COULD have approached the smart-mouthed young lady and simply said, "Excuse me, but that young man is just simply doing his job by asking if he could take your order. Please don't be rude to him."

And as for the other scenario, I COULD have just told the woman on the phone "I'm sorry, this is our first time in dealing with a chronic disease and what we need to do with regards to ensuring the paperwork is completed properly so our son can receive the medicine to save his life. I would appreciate you being patient with me."

My first reaction is simply to bite their heads off. However, I need to remember to "dress" myself. Just as I get up each day and put on my pants and a sweater, I also need to put on some clothes of kindness and gentleness. Colossians 3:12 says, "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."

So, even though I think people can pretty much read me like a book and know what I'm like and know where I stand on things and know that "what ya see is what ya get", I'd like to think that "what ya see is slowly changing into a better person".

There's no time-warp machine to get me there quicker.... it's certainly a process.... but little by little, I think I'm gettin' there.