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!

Our HOUSE

My oldest daughter said something this week that was very simple, yet profound.  It was about my nephew.  He hangs out with us a lot; consequently, he is often witness to the good, bad, ordinary, and extraordinary things that go on here in our “big room.”  I call it the “big room” because we do not have a separate kitchen, dining, or living room.  We have one large and open room that 99% of life around here takes place in. 

My nephew, perched up on a barstool, heard me ground a kid, praise a kid, order one around, and heaven only knows what else all while his popcorn popped in the microwave.  Banner made the comment “Wow, Bragg is just IN everything here.”   I think she was implying she felt sorry for him because he was being exposed to reality here. 

He did not say much, but just smiled.  It was like he was taking it all in and making a mental note of how his Aunt B’s house is action packed and sometimes crazy! 

There is a lot of action here.  We have three huge exercise balls going at all times because the younger  kids convinced me that they would do more homework if they sprawled out on the balls.  The dogs are either sleeping or in trouble and being kicked out for their wild, animal like behavior. 

Two of us like to speak with “Parent Trap” British accents.  There are sports conversations, hunting stories, and cooking tips shared often and sometimes all at once.  The refrigerator open door warning beeper and my smoothie maker are our background music…lots of love and lots of action!

On a quiet morning last week when I was up alone and pouring my second cup of coffee, the thought occurred to me…What are we doing here?  I mean…as a family, me as a Mom, what are we doing here?  We have laugher, busy days, lazy days, good times, bad times and a grocery store list that is never-ending, but I silently asked myself what the purpose of it all was?

Very clearly the Lord reminded me in the stillness of my own kitchen that the purpose of life is to honor and know Him, to do His work.  I mentally connected that truth to parenting my kids.  I thought…I am not raising them to be politicians, hardworking welders, professional football players, hairstylist, or even mothers and fathers really. I am also not raising them to be beautiful, rich, successful, or powerful.  I am raising them to be light in this dark world and lead others, in whatever path they take as adults, to Jesus.  That is our purpose here. 

Rick Warren’s bestselling book “The Purpose Driven Life” begins with this line.  ”It is not about you.”    

The next paragraph starts with “The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind, or even your happiness.”  It goes onto say “If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God.” 

I first read the book in 2003. I am going to reread it.  It lines up with what is in my heart for myself and my family.  Social media likes and bank balances are not it.  Approval from peers and perfectly dusted furniture are not why we are here either.  We are here for Jesus.  I want to get it right!

Exodus 9:16 says “I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all of the earth.”  That is exciting to me.  What about you?

CHOKING!

My husband cooked steaks tonight.  We all sat down at the table and enjoyed a delicious meal together like a big, happy family.  Our nice and rather quiet meal was totally interrupted when my son suddenly and without warning pounded on the table.  It was so loud and so unexpected that I nearly did a backflip off of the bench.  True, I am the jumpy one in the family, but his loud outburst startled us all. 

After pounding on the table like a mad gorilla, he stood up. He spun around and did a 180 heading into the kitchen.  After a step or two, he started spitting, spewing, and throwing up.  (Sorry, this is graphic.) 

It was not until he made it into the kitchen that I realized he was choking on a piece of meat.  I yelled “B” so that my husband would jump up too and perform the Heimlich.  By the time we met up at the kitchen sink, he was okay.  The steak has passed.  I could breathe again.  My son could breathe again.  Halleluiah!

The sad thing about this situation was that when I first heard him beat his fists on the table, I scolded him to not ever do that again!  I thought he had completely lost his manners and his mind!  I later realized that he was beating on the table to get our attention because he was choking.  I judged his actions.  I thought I knew.

How often do we THINK we know?  We offer up in casual conversation what we would do if we were the one with the problem or question how that could possible happen.   We look at the kid, the business, the issue at hand and pridefully proclaim that it is just downright ridiculous how the circumstance is being handled. 

I am guilty.  We all are guilty.  We judge others and swear that on our watch, in our house, in our place of business, or even in our church body that “THAT” would never happen. 

Right about the time that we climb up on our high horse and say never, we better brace ourselves for a fall.  When we get too high and mighty, we will usually be knocked back down to reality. 

I recently got knocked down.  I do not know if I was too high or just needed to be reminded that I need my heavenly Father at all times. I got wind knocked out of me alright.  I would like to say it was the first time. I would like to say it will be the last. 

Understand this please.  When I say I had the wind knocked out of me, I do not mean that I was playing backyard football and got trucked.  I mean that something came up that totally caught me off guard and sent me straight to my knees begging the Lord for wisdom, peace, and strength…breathless! 

Whether you are full of air soaring smoothly or trying to breathe because life is seemingly crushing down on you, remember what the LORD told Joshua in Joshua 1:5.  HE said “Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.  I will not leave you or forsake you.” 

This is a reference to Deuteronomy 31 when Moses reminded all of Israel that the LORD would be with them.  He kept His word and referred back to it. 

Please rest assured this week that the LORD will keep His word.  

This week focus less on what others are doing, what is going on around you, and totally make Jesus Christ #1 in your life.  You will be blessed!