Didn't need it anyway

Something happened to me early this morning that has happened before, but it still hurt. I got up early to help my husband and daughter hit the road for softball, but knew immediately it was too early to stay up. I devised the perfect plan in my head. It was to crawl back in my warm and cozy bed as soon as I saw their tail lights head down the white, rock road. Before that though, I had my heart set on a bowl of cereal. I should say a cup of cereal because I have found that a cup works better in bed than a bowl. I poured my Fruit Loops in the cup and then the “IT” happened. I reached for the milk and realized that there was no milk. I mean….really? My first thought was to pout, but nobody was awake in the house to witness fit. I decided to take it like a big girl and when I made that wise and mature decision a thought occurred to me…I DID NOT NEED IT ANYWAY. (Oh, and I did not open the pantry and go on a search for another snack. I just decided to wait a few hours.) My early morning NO was a trivial example of “You didn’t need it anyway” but we all know this can happen on a much grander scale. When we get a NO in life, and we have relationship with the LORD, we really have to see every NO as a YES. Why? Because we trust that He knows better. We have to know when the acceptance letter doesn’t come in the mail, there was another plan. If and when the job position is offered to someone else, it just was not meant to be. When we are not on the guest list, we must accept that we were not supposed to go. When traffic slows us down or the flight is cancelled, we just need to sing the old song “He’s got the whole world in His hands.” This all goes along with a statement I heard a few years ago: There are no NO’s in the Kingdom of God. I have added to that truth that every NO means He has a better YES or that it is just not time yet. What about when we are in a situation and we want out, but God seems to leave us there? Maybe we are looking for the bigger and better when God wants us to realize that we are right where we are supposed to be. There are tests in life and times of waiting that require patience, contentment, dedication, and humbleness. The tests may only be passed when we stay put, remain, and hold tight to what we know is true. NO can mean WAIT because the YES is right around the corner and that means wait without manipulating the situation too. If you feel like your life is one big roller coaster full of ups and downs, it probably is and you may need to settle into the truth in Jeremiah 29:11 that says “For I know the plans I have for you says the LORD, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and hope.” If you do not know the Lord as your Savior, pray to Him today and invite Him into your heart. For the Believer, when you have done all you can do, just REST and accept any and every answer from God because He does know what you need.

Bubs and the garden

My husband is bound and determined to have a garden. We have mastered tomatoes, peppers, and onions. I must admit that I like the idea of gardening too until the dog days of summer set in and the weeding interferes with my lazy schedule. At that point, I am happy to just shop for my veggies. However, this week we had to get the onions in the ground and begin another season. My son headed straight over to the garden after school to level the area that had been plowed. He had his heavy duty rake and was smoothing everything out with nice, level strokes. My first job was to get us a snack together. My progress was interrupted when I heard our Jack Russell barking fiercely like a total maniac of a canine. I thought somebody was coming around the corner or maybe even a stray dog. I was wrong. The whole problem was the rake that Brazos was using. “Bubs” was crouched down in full blown attack mode barking and trying to “get” the rake. I don’t know what he wanted to get it for. The medal would not have been a good chew toy. When I got my rake and joined in, he did the same thing to me. I finally realized that Bubs did not see the rake as a plaything, but that he was afraid of it. He was going berserk. I wrestled to get him off of my rake. Brazos shooed him out of the garden and complained that his paw prints were destroying his work of art in the dirt and would affect the onions if we did not get control of the situation. (Trait inherited from his Father) I could not believe Bubs was afraid of a rake. I later heard my other son offer an explanation for our dog’s behavior. He said, “Bubs is afraid of anything that moves.” I thought to myself, one more thing that dogs have in common with people because most humans live in fear of something at all times. I don’t mean arachnophobia a or anything dramatic and fancy like that, but just fear of the unknown. We fear the economy, our future, our kids’ futures, cancer, what will happen next week, month, and year. We can live with full, outright fear or just worry over all of the details of life that are out of our control. Worry is just as bad as fear and can cripple us just as quickly. When our minds shift into worry mode or the even more severe fear mode, we have to do battle. It is full blown war to tame our own thoughts. The greatest weapon to conquer fear, worry, and every other negative thought pattern that threatens to take root in our minds is speaking the Word of God out loud. The Bible tells us “The Word of God is sharper than any two edge sword.” I believe it and this week we may need to cut out some of our thoughts and replace them with better ones. I love the verse in __________that simple says “Trust in the LORD and do not be afraid.” Another one that cuts the roots of worry to the core is “Why worry about tomorrow when today….”

2014

I said HELLO to 2014 here at my house with my family and enjoyed a rather uneventful evening. We played some basketball, had dinner, and picked up the house. I settled into my spot on the couch by the fire with a cup of coffee and decided to bring in the New Year watching t.v. I was excited about the prospect of being entertained while putting out zero effort. New Year’s Eve television was a combination of music and what seemed to be a recap of the biggest, best, and worst events in Hollywood. I kept on thinking as I watched that I must have been totally out of the loop because I was clueless about most of what they talked about. I do not know what happened with Lady Gaga, understand what has happened to Miley, or who wore what to which event with who; however, I know what has happened right here. I started compiling a list in my mind of the things I DO KNOW. (It was a lot more fun.) I do know that I have a son who wore a size 12 slim jeans for years and all of a sudden jumped up to a men’s size in less than a month. Writing is fun to me. My daughter smile is the biggest when she is playing softball. Being a Fairfield Eagle is great. My fireplace is my best friend and my electric blanket is in second place. My church is a wonderful place to be on Sundays. My husband wanted a big recliner and I fought him, but now it is my favorite chair. I feel better the less sugar that I consume. My son says the most specific, heartfelt prayers that I have ever heard. Outside is my favorite place. Manners are still in style. The LORD is faithful because all four of my children will one day join me in heaven. Watching birds is a good and cheap hobby. A trampoline is the best investment we have ever made. The cutest thing in the world has to be my daughter’s missing front tooth. Facebook is okay when used for the right reasons. Forty is really young. I am thankful for XTO and the opportunities it provides for so many families here in our area. Talking less and listening more is a must. I have to look away when my boys play tackle football in the backyard because I don’t like it one bit, but my husband swears it is good for them. I have a daughter who is a wonderful cook and another one who loves shoes. One of my sons is a talented builder and loves old scrap wood, the other one loves expensive, new socks and shoes. I am not giving up on my teen’s cell phone time and will continue to limit it. Being a teacher is the best. The more money you make, the more you spend. As the world goes faster, being still is a must. The internet and technology pleads to shows us more and more, but we should narrow our focus and zoom in on what is right in front of us as much as we can. I am the happiest when I put others before me and I believe what Jesus said to his disciples in Luke 9:23. He said “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Denying self, taking up your cross daily, no matter how good or bad it might be, and following Jesus worked for 2013 and it sure will for 2014.

"SIGN" column

We had an incident a few nights ago that temporarily forced one of our bathrooms to be closed. I was notified of the necessary closing when my son caught me in another bathroom of the house and beckoned me to help him find he tape. He needed tape because he had designed a sign to hang on the bathroom door that read “Caution: toilet overflowing. Do not use toilet.” We have a great deal of cause and effect in our house at night. One thing leads to another and so on. Luckily, the maintenance crew, I was evidently the only member on call, was available and the repair job was completed relatively quickly and easily. The sign served its purpose and was taken down. The sign at the Elementary school says just what my heart has been thinking. Its pretty lights spell out “Give thanks. Go Eagles.” Thankfulness, faith, family, friends, and a community supporting its kiddos is kind of like my own personal mission statement. There are several other signs around town right now too that in my own humble opinion are doing their jobs well. Ward Prairie Baptist church says “Giving thanks for Jesus.” Round Prairie reads “The task ahead of us is never as great as the power behind us.” Wouldn’t it be nice if we could each have a personal “Sign of the Day” to clearly inform us about what we should expect for the next 24 hours? The morning bulletin might read “Easy day… just rest and enjoy the ride” or “Warning to the adult in this house: A child today will test the boundaries. Get ready!” We have all experienced loss in life when we are sure the word of the moment on those days might have been “Grab the tissue box when you walk out the door. You will need them.” The good news here is that a few minutes with the Lord in the morning is the best chance we have of a daily forecast and it is much more reliable than the weather man will ever be. Even when we do not know what to expect and it is not clearly spelled out for us in black and white letters or blinking lights, we are more prepared for whatever may come our way when we have had time in the Word and in prayer. So…What do we do when we do get a “sign” or a “check” in our spirit? We have to obey the warning and flee from the dangerous situation if need be, stay if the Lord tells us to stay , say whatever it may be that needs to be said, or absolutely say nothing at all. We must be obedient no matter our mood or current attitude. We also have to refuse to justify our actions or make up excuses that we just are the way we are. A famous comedian, Bill Enval, has made millions and made us all laugh from the simple saying “Here’s your sign.” We are not looking for a sign or a nod from man, but from Jesus Christ. Today mine seems to be “Be still and know that I am God” from Psalm 46:10. What about yours?

"car wash" column

We had a good chuckle last week at a drive through car wash in Dallas. It is a fancy one where an attendant meets you at the front to loosen the bugs and presoak your vehicle before you enter. I was thankful that the guys were there ready to assist because my car was covered with Freestone county sludge an inch thick from the rain and bugs must think my car is attractive or a magnet because they flock to it. I also needed help guiding my car onto the medal railing system that pulls you through the car wash. When I was in high school, I tore the fender off of a Chevy and I have not been the same since. Right off the bat we noticed a red truck to our right that was sparkling clean. We thought it was totally absurd that the guy would waste his time and money on a wash. His truck was as shiny and clean as a fire truck ready for duty after a hand washing at the station. My kids joined in and called him a “city boy.” They said he needed a trip to our pasture to discover the meaning of mud and dirt. I looked at him in line and thought: I am dirty. He is clean. How often do we do that in life? We judge people and compare our “dirt” or sin to theirs? God must get really annoyed with us when we waste all of our energy judging and analyzing other people and never take the time to examine ourselves personally. I allowed the situation with the red truck to get even worse in my mind. I pictured my dirt spraying back and getting him filthy. It was a visual of the old throw dirt on someone else to make yourself look cleaner or at least pull them in the muck with you. In the judicial system or with the law we may be guilty by association; however, in the eyes of the Lord, we are judged individually and on a personal basis. We are fully responsible for confessing our own sin and we can’t clean anyone else up or make them look worse for that matter. I awoke from the comparison game when I heard a startling loud noise. The lone attendant had to call for help with his emergency buzzer. My car was a two man job for sure. We held up the line and had cars backed up to Northwest Highway. Maybe I could pen a country song about the country folk coming to town with their dirt and make my family proud. On a more serious note, sin is serious and when we are dirty, there is always a way to be washed clean. We need not let layers and layers of dirt or sin to build up because it makes us miserable. We also do not need to look over at someone’s sin and be their judge. Will the car wash turn me away if I go back this weekend? I do not think so. Will Jesus turn us away and refuse to wash us free and forgive us of our sins? I think not. He will take us back time and time again and clean us up. There are always consequences to sin so we may have a few chips, scrapes and dents, but we can and will be clean again if we call on the name of Jesus. 1 John 1:9 says “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Christmas column from Recorder

Christmas is a season that leads up to a day. The season may begin for you and yours when the last ornament goes on the tree, when Charlie Brown’s Christmas comes on television or a when a certain song is playing on the radio for the first time since last November. I have to admit that this year even though my tree was up before Thanksgiving and I attended several programs that should have ushered me into the Christmas season, I just was not there yet until the last minute. (Shame on me, I know, but I am being honest.) Last Sunday at church, only three days before Christmas Day, I planned a children’s birthday party for Jesus, but my mind was still more random than ready. It was like my attention span had been mounted on the huge spinning color wheel at the fair. You know the one that spins and lands every few minutes on a different color. In my case, the color was a topic that ranged from Eagle football, needing to clean up my filthy car, more online shopping that needed to be done, packages that needed to arrive at the gate delivered by UPS, the menu that needed to get planned, the food that needed to get bought, catching up on our Jesse Tree devotional book, and the energy that it was going to require to get it all done. All of a sudden, everything changed. Ivy and Ally Robinson, the special guests I invited to lead the children in music, stated singing and playing their instruments. They sang “Silent Night” first. By the time about fifty kids and I joined in with them to sing “Happy Birthday Jesus,” it was like I had drawn a line in the sand, and I had stepped over the line and entered into CHRISTMAS. The line separated the hustle and bustle of the season that had been consuming me and the real reason for Christmas, the birth of a King. I realized as the girls were singing that ONLY in my own heart could Christmas begin. Christmas is more than just a warm and fuzzy feeling too wrapped up in a pretty red and green package. Christmas is a TRUTH. It is the reason I am free, forgiven, loved, redeemed, secure, chosen…the list goes on and on. After I got my heart right, Christmas got right and everything slowed down here. There has been an array of family visits, Hallmark movies, dogs sleeping in the house chewing on new rawhides, laughter, and sunshine. Our days have been spent shooting new bow and arrows, jumping on the trampoline, building a deer stand, and eating leftovers. I have used the extra family time at home to talk about patience and kindness on a regular basis as needed and to drink extra coffee on the back porch. Our Jesse Tree devotional on Christmas Day had a prayer that I read. It said “Dear Jesus, Christmas Day is such a special day because you were born on earth! We thank You for coming as a little baby to be our Savior. Help us to make room for You in our hearts, this blessed Christmas morn.” That is just what I had to do. I had to make room in my heart for Jesus. He has lived there for many years now, but I allowed Him to get crowded out and quite honestly, nothing felt right. Maybe that prayer would be a good way to start every day of 2014. “Dear Jesus, help me to make room in my heart for YOU today.” A list of resolutions will come and go. More of Jesus will remain forever.

Eagles: I wonder... from Fairfield Recorder

Anytime I receive a compliment for the normal, run-of-the-mill stuff I write in this column, I usually humbly say thanks and then offer two explanations for why I am doing this. The first reason I write is because if I can make one person each week feel normal and to know that the Lord is involved in everyday life, then my purpose has been served. The second thing that I say is that this column helps me clear my head because thoughts come constantly to me and I have to get them out or I would go crazy! In saying that, I better clear my head about the Eagles or I may go crazy. Here are a few final thoughts for the boys and coaches. I wonder if you know that there are many families, mine included, that will probably never go to a Dallas Cowboys game, but thanks to you all, we visited Jerry’s World. I wonder if you will ever know that today, the day after game day, that there are grown men with hoarse voices from screaming. Many of the men who were in the stands previously wore and Eagle uniform with pride. I was sitting with an old Cougar from Bryan Adams High School in Dallas and although he was never an Eagle, he has supported you along with many “move-ins” for years now. Because of you, many men traveled back to the good old days of high school football in their minds and hearts and you took them further than they had ever been on their own. I wonder if you will ever know that you carried a band that shined, marched, and played their hearts out and a group of awesome cheerleaders who jumped, cheered, and chanted like they never have before. I wonder if you know that the student body who traveled north with them will never be the same. I saw hands clasped and tears shared in the last minute of the game that bonded a student body of Jr. High and High School kids like super glue. I wonder if you will ever know that a new category of laundry has been created. Moms have forever sorted lights and darks. We added one this year because of you. The past few months, we have had lights, darks, and maroons. My living room every Saturday morning has looked like an explosion of maroon and gold. On that note, if we ever add a third color to our traditional maroon and gold, in honor of the 2013 Eagle team, it needs to be camo. We were asked in Waco when we stopped for a snack where we were going hunting. We smiled with pride and said that we were not hunting, but going to watch the Eagles play ball in the cold. I wonder if you know that kids in our town want to be just like you. For many years to come on school playgrounds and in backyards when a football is thrown, a tackle is made, or a touchdown is scored, there are little boys who will for the moment NOT answer to their own name, but they will answer to a name from the 2013 Eagle football roster. I wonder if you will ever know that every time we see Romans 8:39 or the phrase “Keep it Simple” that we will remember the year that you as a coaching staff and a team reminded us to “Keep it Simple” each week. Will you ever know that because of your openness about your faith in Jesus Christ, we as a community, prayed on the courthouse lawn as a group of believers. Every church in town was represented at the pep rally and for once, we were one. I wonder if you will ever know win or lose, state champs or not, that we are proud of you. The Eagles wearing the red, black, and white may have won the game, but the Eagles and the coaches in maroon and gold won our hearts.