20 minutes

I should have been a trucker.  I love driving.  I have covered many a mile with my kids and with my hubby when he is off of work and can tag along.  Call me crazy, but I love coffee, being trapped in a car, and the open road.  I am fully content to just ride and look!

The reason I love buckling up in the car and taking off is that there is no housework, homework, or honestly work at all.  There is nothing much to do but just drive along and sing along.   I traveled all over the world when I was younger.  My budget is different now and traveling with six and especially flying makes me a nervous wreck, so I consider every little trip we take as an adventure and a trip.

A bonus too is that I feel like I have the attention of my kids when we are in the car.  There are fewer distractions than if we are at home.  Some major life topics have been covered on the road to and from Dallas, to and from town.  The bigger topics take 90 miles. The smaller ones can be tackled in just 10. 

My son and I had some alone time in the car last week.  We listened to Hank Jr. and Alabama.  It was one of the highlights of my spring break. I don’t know if he would agree or not, but to me…it was big!

We also loaded up the Suburban and went to San Marcos over the week with the high school softball team.  It was a perfect mix of softball, shopping, and stopping off at a few Texas landmarks.  We had dinner at Black’s BBQ, took in the scenery at Riley’s Tavern, and stopped off at Gruene Hall.  My husband was the driver. I was the navigation specialist and the one who answered the popular question “How much longer?” 

By the time we reached Buc-ee’s in Bastrop on the way back, everyone was making fun of me and calling me a liar.  I always get told to hush, but this was more than that!  I totally got called out!

It seems that every time they asked me how far it was to here or there, I would say “Oh, about 20 minutes.”  When the kids were young and all trapped in car seats with sippy cups, my answer was always “Oh, about 10 minutes.”  I did not realize until this weekend that I had upped the time and that we had officially progressed to 20 minutes!

Going to Riley’s, it was 20 minutes.  From Hearne to Fairfield, we had 20 minutes.  Bastrop to Sequin was 20 minutes.  Gruene Hall back to our hotel was 20 minutes.  Finally, it caught up with me. One of the kids said, “Mom, you can’t just always say 20 minutes.  We do not believe you anymore.”  I must have said 20 minutes one too many times and someone did the math.  My 20 minutes turned into 60, but I was still just saying 20.  Oh well!  I was busted!

You might say 20 minutes became my standard reply.  I have other standard replies too.  One of them being JUST BE NICE!  That one is a big hit with me. 

1 Peter 3:15 reminds us that we better be ready to give a reply to others when they ask us why we are the way we are.  It says “Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you are living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy.”

Quite simply for me, the way I am and the way I try to live has nothing to do with me and everything to do with Jesus.  What about you?

Easter

Today is Easter.  We are eating our second Easter meal now as we speak.  I have had an Easter buzz all week leading up to it.  However, it is not the kind of buzz I have had in the past because I planned too much and worked myself into an adrenaline tizzy. 

I am proud to say too that my excitement has not originated from the sugar content in Reece’s eggs.  Anyone who knows me knows that I am sugar junkie.  I got off of the sugar rollercoaster a few weeks ago and have felt like a million bucks.  (I did cheat and have a few slices of pound cake this weekend without anyone knowing…until now)

My enthusiasm related to Easter started growing when I began working on my Sunday school lesson earlier this week.  I stumbled upon one of my favorite verses in Isaiah 53:45.  The Prophet Isaiah lays the groundwork for what really would one day take place when Jesus died on the cross when he said “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

There is also a song that is based on this passage.   I remember exactly where I was on my way to Palestine in 2008 when I first heard it. It is called “By His Wounds” by Mac Powell.  The world around me seemed to slip away that day.  The lyrics touched me.  I could relate!  All I could think about was “By His wounds, I was healed.”  I bought the C.D. and wore it out. 

On that particular day, I had just completed 6 long months of chemo and 15 days of radiation.  My cure rate was not so good when I first was diagnosed with Lymphoma, but I had been healed!  I had not only been healed of cancer though.  I realized at that moment had been healed of a long list of other things.  (The process still continues today.)

By His wounds, I was healed of the sin in my life that many times had threatened to take me down.   The punishment and pain that Jesus endured on the cross was to bring me peace and forgiveness.  I was living in His amazing grace…free and healed!  It all lined up that day and became very real to me.  Cancer made me realize that there had been a healing going on way before I ended up at Baylor Dallas with a visible illness.

It is true today and I journeyed back to this truth all week…by His wounds, we are healed.  I am completely in awe of that truth right now as I type.  It is like I need to scream out “Lord, I get it.  I get it.  I am healed.”

Because of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross, you are too.  You are healed of death.  You are healed of eternal separation from Christ.  You are healed from addictions and habits.  You are healed of worry.  You are healed of fear.  You are healed of insecurity.  You are healed of your attitude.  You are healed of negativity and bitterness.  Simply said, by His wounds, you are healed. 

The healing is available to all.  The price has already been paid.  It was paid on the cross many years ago.  We simply must accept it.  The healing process begins with a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is the most important relationship you will ever have.  All others depend on it.   The only question is:  Will you allow Jesus to heal you?

the wreck

I witnessed an interstate closure this morning before the sun was even good and up.  I spotted a warning sign right before I reached Dallas.  The sign informed me that all lanes of I-45 would soon be closed.  I quickly went back to my “Dukes of Hazzard” days and surveyed my surroundings. I have been known to go off-road in these situations and find the nearest ditch that can possibly be crossed; however, there was no escaping this one.  I was surrounded by the Trinity River bottoms and actually up on a bridge. 

I pulled on up slowly and assumed my position in line behind the other brake lights in the que.  Everyone around me seemed cool and calm.  It was really too early to get worked up and in a tizzy. 

I could see the flashing police lights up ahead and one red car over on the guardrail in pitiful shape.  The only action was a wrecker who announced his arrival by honking his horn as he squeezed by in the left hand lane. He squeezed in like I used to squeeze into my Rocky Mountain jeans… many, many years ago. 

The scene was pretty tranquil though, until the lady next to us got out of her car and began working her way up towards the collision on foot.  She returned to her car and started trying to shimmy out of her spot.  I knew what she was doing.  I could read her mind. 

It took her several rounds of backing up and going forwards to inch her way out.  She eventually made her way over three lanes and onto the exit ramp ahead of us; however, the ramp was blocked by a police officer.  

The wreck had nearly cleared, but she wanted an escape.  She was looking for a shortcut and an easier way out.  She was fed up with the waiting game and took matters into her own hands or into her own steering wheel you might say.

I got to thinking…we, living in the world of instant, often want a faster route out of our problems and into solutions, resolutions, and peace.  When we are not at peace and something is out of whack, we can automatically behave like the hurried lady on I-45 and who looked for a quicker way out.

When we lack peace, we try to buy it, take it, drink it, or simply imagine that we are obtaining it by escaping into our own space and withdrawing from the world around us.  Sadly, just like the anxious driver failed, we fail when we look for a shortcut or an alternative.

Instead of escaping or trying to muster up your own peace this week, go to Jesus.  Consult with Him about why you are not experiencing rest.  He is the only real source of it anyway.  The solution may not be instant, but His peace really is.

Do not get me wrong though.  Jesus does not operate like a drive though.  Sometimes He does make us wait!  That is called patience and perseverance.   

I found a passage this week in Romans 5:1-3.  Paul wrote “Therefore since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.  And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.  Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance.” 

I can handle suffering when I know the LORD is involved.  I can also stand in grace, peace, and in faith with Jesus.  What about you?  Do not look for a shortcut this week or a seemingly easier way out.  Look for Jesus. 

Three dogs

Yesterday I ventured out for an afternoon run.  Who am I kidding?  It was really a jog, walk or stroll.  Run just sounds better.  All the way down to the lake, I thanked the LORD for my own version of White Rock Lake right in my front yard. 

White Rock Lake was my favorite when I lived in Dallas.  Now, our lake is my top pick because I can take my dogs without a leash and wear my pajama pants if I choose.  I did both yesterday.

Mind you, I have to watch my three dogs closely and for different reasons.

Belle, the older and rounder lab, must be monitored or she might have a heart attack from all of the huffing and puffing she does. 

I cannot take my eyes off of Bubs, the Jack Russell, or he will take off and torment other animals residing anywhere within a five mile radius around us. 

Salty, our Blue Heeler puppy, requires my watch care or she will unknowingly knock me for a loop.  She runs like a skilled football player who has mastered the art of cutting, juking, and running over off anything or anyone in her way.   

The three of them entertained me so much that I called my youngest daughter and invited her to come watch the show. I am all about free entertainment.   We ended up on the pier together laughing. 

Salty, the young, immature, puppy of the group, was in and out of the water like a total maniac.  She went under the pier and came out on the other side as if to say “Peek-a-boo.”  The other dogs were not interested in her game.  Every time she came our way, we braced ourselves against the railing of the dock, knowing her lack of control could send us in for an undesirable swim.  Her playfulness made her clueless at times of her surroundings and oblivious to the safety of others. 

Bubs, was on task the whole time at the lake.  He did not get near the water and sure did not go into it.  He is cold natured like me.  (We prefer direct sunlight and blankets on the couch.)  He hunted over by a boat and tried to sniff up something to chase and devour just for the fun of it.  Unlike Salty, he was not playful, but purposeful. 

Belle, the blonde Granny of the bunch, sat back on the outskirts and just watched the whole scene.  She was probably was thinking it was time to go on home, but she did not leave us.  She stayed on guard and interacted when necessary.

Our three dogs reminded me of the topic of spiritual maturity that is taught in Hebrews 5:11-14.  The author says to immature Jewish Christians “We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn.  In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again.  You need milk, not solid food.” It goes on to say that solid food is for the mature and for those who can distinguish good from evil. 

That packs a punch!  My dogs are obviously on different levels of maturity, and we are too!  For us, it has less to do with age and more to do with our willingness to seek the LORD and put into practice what we learn.  We cannot learn the same principles over and over again.  There comes a time for us to stop learning and start acting on what we know!   

I pray this week I can act on something I have learned in a mature manner that pleases my LORD. Join me!

Marked vehicle

I have been driving around for over a month in a “marked” vehicle.  It has been marked with an Andy Bonner sign because my dad was and is running for county commissioner.  I must confess I have been a better driver. 

The kids begged me one afternoon to pass a slow moving vehicle.  I told them I just could not do it. It was an elderly person cruising along without a care in the world.  It seemed so rude to blow past them just because I had an agenda and they did not! 

In addition to not using my manners, I would not be using my brain because of the sign on my car…DUH!  I was marked.  I was stamped you might say.  I had a name plastered on the side of my vehicle.  I had a reputation to uphold.  I reminded myself of that over and over again. 

One day we had the radio cranked up and my crew was hanging out of the windows dancing and carrying on.  I usually tend to say we can’t do that at first.  Then the peer pressure kicks in, I feel the beat, and join right in.  As usual, I was an active participant and having a blast on this particular day doing the cabbage patch.

The party stopped when we approached another car. I told my crew to cool it.  I fixed my hair and regained my composure.  We cruised on up the road like we were totally innocent.  I refused to look bad or especially to make my Dad look bad. I had to keep in mind at all times that we were MARKED. I explained to my kids that everyone knew who we were because of the signs and that acting good was imperative. 

Right about the time I finished trying to explain politics to my companions and the current situation we were in, the Lord connected the dots like He does so often in my brain. He turned the whole thing into a spiritual lesson for me.  It was like a good old slap in the face!

The LORD reminded me that I am marked at all times!  I have been since the day I invited Jesus into my heart. I am different and I am supposed to be different.  You might say…I am wearing HIS name at all times for others to see.  The question is:  How am I wearing His name?

As born again Believers, we cannot act the same as the world.  If we fuss, fight, and carry on like fools, why would anyone else want to know Jesus?  Because we know Jesus, we are not expected to be perfect or without sin.  However, we sure are expected to be different!  We are walking, talking advertisement for the King of Kings, Lord of Lords.  We are marked!

Paul bears his soul to the Corinthian church in 2 Corinthians.  In 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, He says “Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ.  He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”

That is such encouragement to me. I have a seal on me. I have an owner, and it is God.  Therefore, I need to do my very best every day so that others can see Jesus in me! 

Have you given your life to Jesus?  If not, why not today? He will help you stand firm on earth and live forever in heaven.

If you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, remember you are marked and others are watching…pray today to wear your “sign” well! 

Grow up!

Spring in here.  I can see it and feel it.  The birds are singing, the trees are budding, and our allergies are kicking.  We constantly cling to a box of Kleenex and rub our eyes. 

The Bluebonnets and Indian paintbrushes line the highways and whisper to us that spring is here.  They are as beautiful as any Monet painting I saw on my travels in Europe and literally take my breath away every year.

My husband mowed one day last week for the first time.  We have a lot of ground to cover here.  It is both stressful to get it all done and a source of joy for him I think.  The finished product is absolutely beautiful.  We built our house about 12 years ago in the middle of a pasture.  He has done a great job transforming our pasture into an amazing yard.  It looks the best after the first cut in the spring too.

The day after he mowed when rounded the corner after school and could see the front of the house, one of my boys said “Wow, look at that grass…it is already springing up.”  I did not noticed the new growth. I was in awe of how green and manicured the grass looked and especially in front of my unmanicured flowerbeds.  (That’s on my to-do list.)

The crazy thing was that later that day I made my way back down the white rock road with my other son after track practice and he said “Look at Dad’s grass. It is already growing.”  I saw that as a clear sign from the LORD that He was speaking to me about growth. 

True, everything here is growing. I thankfully have a driver in the family.  It seems like just yesterday that I pushed my oldest daughter around in a jog stroller in our Dallas neighborhood.  Last week she drove us to Dallas.  I call that growth. 

My boys are bigger than me. When we are working outside, they push me aside and often say “Here Mom, I’ve got that.”  I pretend like I can carry a sack of feed just for fun, but everyone knows that it is really a struggle and the sack will probably end up busted.  My youngest is not really young at all anymore.  She keeps me in line with her sense of humor and facial expressions. 

Yes, everyone is growing up, but am I?   I paused a few days ago and asked myself that important question.  Am I GROWING UP?  Am I getting closer to the LORD all of the time or am I satisfied staying right where I am in a state of stagnation.  I found myself last week feeling numb, sluggish, and just blah in my walk with Jesus.  I hate to admit that, but it is true. 

I was reminded from a pastor on the radio to get in the Word.  The Word and the amount of time I spend reading and studying my Bible is a direct correlation to my growth and my closeness with Jesus Christ.  That is a fact.  I got back in the Word like I should have been and was instantly refreshed. 

Please do not let this Easter pass and allow it to be just another holiday with good food and egg hunts.  Get into the WORD and read about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.   

Ask yourself also:   Am I growing closer to the Lord daily?    

2 Peter 3:18 says “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Glory belongs to Him both now and forevermore.” 

I say “Amen” to that!  Get in the Word this week and grow! 

Lamb pen fiasco

Lamb pen fiasco is the unofficial title of this week’s column.  Let me explain.  Three of the Monico kids bought lambs for the county fair.  We have really enjoyed sitting over in the big pen that connects with their smaller living quarters and hanging out.  One day my youngest did her homework at the lamb pen.  Since she was working so hard over there, I even delivered her a snack.  Everything over in that direction has been calm and quiet since we got the lambs unloaded and settled in. 

I decided last week to even move my favorite kick back, reclining lawn chair over into the pen.  It is our philosophy that the more you hang out with the animals, the better they acclimate to humans.  I am not sure if I should be proud or ashamed to admit that I have taken a few 10 minute naps in my comfortable chair IN the lamb pen.  My excuse has been that I am monitoring the lambs. 

The coolness and calmness of the area all changed Friday.  I grabbed my chair by the handle and something in it moved.  It was a mouse.  I threw the chair and screamed.  Bosque and Blaise came to my rescue.  I left the pen to somewhat regain my composure.  Bosque grabbed a shovel and Blaise hopped up on the show box so she could safely be a part of the action.  Bosque spotted varmint under the scales.  He asked if he could go to the house to get a gun.  That was a NO.

We needed a plan.  The easiest thing we could come up with was to get Bubs, my Jack Russell.  I called him on over.  I sat him in the area of the mouse and watched to see what he could accomplish.  I did not expect for him to run the mouse out and for it to run my way. In a split second, I went from watching Bubs in action like a proud parent to jumping up on the show box with Blaise and screaming like a total maniac. 

The good news is that we had a needed laugh.  I found myself in a mood that afternoon and the laughter was unexpected, but a real blessing.  The bad news is that the mouse escaped Bubs and will probably find its way to my chair again.   

The only thing I could think when the little thing ran across the ground was GET OUT OF ITS WAY!  I could only imagine what it would do to me.  It was in control.  I was willing to move, jump, run, and do whatever was necessary to get out of its path.  My plan of jumping up on the show box worked.

Sometimes in life getting out of the way is the best plan.  We often mess up what the LORD is trying to do when we step in and try to take control of situations.  Jesus Christ is always working and His plan is always best.  When we take over by offering advice or even criticism, we are in a way telling the God that we know better and trying to be someone else’s Holy Spirit!   

Yes, this is a hard thing to do!  When worry, fear, and anxiety take over, we automatically want to spring into action and take control.  However, we are much better off to get out of the way and pray!  (Yes, that rhymes.)

A great verse to memorize and say out loud this week is Isaiah 12:2.  It says “I will trust in the LORD and not be afraid.”  Maybe this is the week that you decide to let go and LET GOD!  If so, get out of way, and allow HIM to work.  Jump, run, hide, duct tape your mouth, and do whatever you have to do to give control of the situation back to Jesus Christ.  HE always knows best! 

Why I am the way I am...

Saturday night I passed my son and his buddy some dinner across the bar from my usual spot by the sink.  It was a thrown together meal, but I added some pizazz and a smile as I served it.

My son asked me a question.  He said “Mom, how are you so positive all of the time?”  His friend said “Yeah, how are you?”

I told them first of all I lost my Mom when I was young and that makes me appreciate the fact that I get to be a mother.  I am happy when I am woken up at night because of a nightmare or asked to fix another bowl of cereal because honestly, I am glad to be alive and to see my kids grow up.

The second reason I gave them was cancer.  I got out “the” picture to show Tyler. It is of me bald, gray, and so sick looking that you cannot even really tell it is me.  My eyes were not even recognizable.  Six months of chemotherapy and radiation did me in, but cancer taught me a lot.

Cancer taught me the word NO, because being too busy robbed me of my joy.  Cancer taught me to leave the dishes and go outside to play.  I even leave them until the next morning now.  I am staring at a sink full as I type.  They will get done!

Cancer taught me to only focus on the day ahead of me and not to stress about the future.  So many times over the years, things have been cancelled or rearranged fixing the problem we thought we had before it even arrived.  The LORD takes care of the details.  I live in a 24 hour mindset.  Proverbs 27:1 says “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.”

Cancer taught me to take naps.  I still get in my husband’s chair often and turn off the world for twenty minutes at a time.   It is okay to rest. 

Cancer taught me not to feel sorry for myself because someone always has it worse than I do.  I walked into Baylor for my treatments.  Some people came in by wheel chair.  I valet parked, thanks to my parents, while other patients arrived by bus.  My husband had excellent insurance, thanks to XTO, and I never had to worry about money. I met people who were broke because of their illness.  I was able to still live in Fairfield and drive back and forth.  I met families who had moved to Dallas because their fight for life was all consuming.  I may have had cancer, but I had it so good.

The told the boys the main source of my JOY was Jesus.  Yesterday I heard the song “In the Garden.”  It sums it up.  “He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own.”  I am not alone in this life.  I have no strength, happiness, power, talent, patience, or anything worth a flip without Jesus Christ.  I draw it all from HIM!  I was empty, but He filled me up.  I was lost.  He found me.  This JESUS thing is real.  It is not just a Sunday thing or a dress up and go to church thing.  It is life!

That was the end of my sermon with them.  I thought later about our talk. I will also tell them one day that like Paul, I have a thorn in my flesh.  In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul pleaded with the Lord to take his thorn from him, and the Lord said “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  The passage concludes with “When I am weak, I am strong.” 

I am weak, but He is strong!  I am nothing, but He is everything!