David

This weekend I was blessed with some enjoyable alone time.  Although personality tests label me as a “people person”, I crave being by myself too.  I remember the first few times I found myself home alone after Blaise started kindergarten.  I was a nervous wreck.  I had no clue what to do.  Needless to say, I figured it out.  

When I am home alone now, I divide my time into two main categories. The first is picking up and preparing for what is next here on our agenda.  I live life in 24 hour increments, so my time may include simply packing up for our afternoon activities.  The second thing I do with my alone time is rest. Yes, I rest!  I love 22 minute naps.  I sip coffee in silence.  I learned the hard way how to do nothing.  

I literally felt my body turn toxic the year I was diagnosed with cancer.  I secretly attempted to prove who I was, was not, and what I could do.  I was on a merry go round with no escape.  When the oncologist announced I was cancer free, I vowed to intentionally rest. It makes me a much better wife and mom.

Last night, I was flying solo in a hotel room.  My daughter, 16 and independent, took off with her softball team to eat dinner.  I rested, worked out and then showered.  Instead of going out, I stayed in.  I fought the urge to do more.  I did less.

My new Bible was bothering me because nothing is dated or marked.  I started in Deuteronomy circling my favorite verses.  (If you would have told me years ago this was the way I would spend a Saturday night, I would have laughed at you.) I scooted through 1 and 2 Samuel highlighting things about David.  

The popular narrative of David and Goliath excited me like never before.  In 1 Samuel 17:32, David basically tells Saul that he will go and fight the giant.  Saul tells him no way because he is only a boy and that Goliath has been fighting since he was a boy.  

David said to Saul “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it, and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it, and killed it.”

My “WOW” moment came in the “WHY” David told Saul that he was equipped to take on the giant. You see, David had no formal training in “this” line of work.   He did not look like the type of guy you would want in your corner if a fight broke out.  

On the contrary, David’s time was spent working where the Lord had placed him.  He had been tending to the sheep and fighting off predators.  That got me! He was prepared for the giant because of his everyday life experiences and obedience.  Is it possible that changing the diapers, checking the gauges, or studying for the test could be preparing you to fight your giants? I think so.  

Dear Child of God, you are being equipped for life’s greatest battles when you ordinarily live life in fellowship with the LORD, no matter what you are doing.  No matter how big or little your daily tasks may seem, they matter.  You matter.  Your life matters.

David slayed Goliath and was perfectly prepared for the task because he had tended sheep.  God has a plan for your life too.   He is preparing you for the giants.  Starting today, do life with Him.      

My dog and snakes

Thankfully, life has been pretty smooth here at the Monicos.  I equate it to a steady curve on a roller coaster.  Sometimes I feel like we are going up the first hill on the Judge Roy Scream at Six Flags. I refused to ride the Shock Wave until adulthood because of the loops.  However, someone convinced me to give the “Judge” a try. The first hill on the Judge is a killer!  It is steep, and I mean steep.  You feel like you will never reach the top, and then the drop is absolutely breathtaking and fun.  

Life is really a lot like a roller coaster.    We all have days, weeks, and even years individually and with our loved ones that seem like we are endlessly trekking uphill.  Then, there are exciting, downhill times followed by coasting along on level ground.  We currently fall into the coasting category.

Friday night we stayed home to listen to the Eagle game on the radio and invited over some friends for tacos.  Right before they arrived, my Jack Russell came in with an injury that resembled a snake bite.  Bubs’ back leg was shaking and swollen.  I assumed he fought a snake and that the snake won again.  Twice his snake adventures required a trip to the vet; however, I sensed this one I could handle on my own.  

Bubs received Benadryl and mandatory rest.  When our company came, they seemed concerned that we were relatively unconcerned about our precious pooch.  Truth be told, we are so accustomed to his bites, bruises, and brawls that we do not panic.  We are immune to it.  

My friend checked on Bubs often, petted him, and talked to him in a sweet tone that resembled something in between baby and puppy talk.  Her concern was sincere and precious.  Bubs would have “eaten” it up, but he was adequately doped up from the Benadryl.

I realized my indifference regarding Bubs was much like my indifference in life.  I can be unmoved at times regarding things that should move me.  Complacency is not a good.   My Great Grandmother was not complacent.  She often insisted we turn off the television when there was even a glimpse of nudity. She spoke about how one day women would be on the tube in bathing suits.  What would she think now?  I can tell you she would fuss, not cuss, but she would sure fuss!  

Don’t get me wrong…comfort is a good thing.  At this time of the year, we search for new comfort food recipes, comfortable pajamas, and get our cozy blankets ready.  However, comfort is not a good thing when it is related to sin and inappropriate behavior.  

We cannot get so immune to the junk in our life that we do not even see it as junk.  Controlling and manipulating others is sin.  Gossip is sinful.  Insecurity and jealousy that makes us react to others negatively is sinful.  Worry is sin and actually demeans faith.  Crude talk is sin.  My attitude is often sadly sinful.  My mind can be so overrun with offensive junk from the world that I do not even know how to begin cleaning up my areas of sin and indifference.

My favorite, Psalm 139:23-24 tells me what to do and how to pray.  It says “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”  

Meditate on the Word this week.  Allow the Lord to search you and to lead you.  Let comfort in your life be in the form of sweats and soup, but not sin and indifference!  

Deer Season

This is my favorite time of the year.  The crisp, cooler air gives me some much needed pep in my step.  I take extra-long runs in the country.  I also sweep the floors more often for some odd reason.  My favorite activity is sitting on our back porch sipping coffee and watching the leaves change colors down the hill from our house.  The commercial side of Christmas right around the corner overwhelms me; however, I absolutely love Thanksgiving.  I love everything about the month of November, and my family absolutely loves it because of deer season.  

The deer around Bonnerville are moving.  My boys have spent some time in their deer stands here and in Bosque County.  I am pretty hands-off when it comes to their expeditions.  When they were little, I packed their bags and helped them load up.  I watched for them to pull back in the driveway so I could help them carry everything back into the house.  

Times sure have changed.  Now, they plan what they are going to take with their Dad, load, and unload without any supervision or assistance at all from me.  They are grown!  Well, not really grown, but they sure are on their way to adulthood.  The days of me zipping up little camo jackets and helping them with their gloves are over.  

The Monico men are three weeks into the season and do not have a deer on the ground yet.  They have managed to rid our land here of two coyotes and a bobcat. Bosque County has one less hog as of last night.  They will keep on trying though.  They will continue crawling up into their stands and positioning themselves just right to get “the one.”  They will also enjoy everything single minute of the hunt until they get the kill. The memories they make in the woods are priceless and their stories are my entertainment.

I thought today when they came in empty handed that one of their deer hunting strategies could be applied to life.  Please allow me to explain.  Would the boys have any luck if they were laid up inside watching t.v. or wrestling on the trampoline scaring everything in Freestone County away?  It is doubtful.  

They have to plan, prepare, and hunt!  They have to get up, out, and DO IT!  When nightfall comes again without a deer on the ground, they will have to patiently station themselves the next morning again to be successful.  They can’t give up!

Maybe what you need this week is get up, get out, and position yourself for something big?  Truth be told, if you do not apply, you cannot get the job.  If you do not enroll, you cannot take the class. If you do not ask, you cannot possibly go out on the date.  If you do not try out for the team, you cannot make it.  You have to try!  

One of the greatest ways to position yourself for something great is to give thanks to God.  Thanksgiving and praise offered up to the LORD gets us right where we need to be and reminds us to trust Him.     

Psalm 28:7 is a good way to get started.  It says “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.  My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”  

Get up in the morning this week, thank the LORD that HE is with you every step of the way, and get out there, wherever your “there” might be!   Position yourself for something BIG and know that the Lord will help you.  

end of Suburbans

A long chapter of my life has officially come to an end.  It is the chapter affectionately titled “Driving a Suburban.”  When I had my first child, I traded in my Grandmother’s hand me down Ford Explorer and got my first Suburban.  My original one was white.  I put a single car seat in it, smiled big, and took off.   I followed up with red, but always felt like I was driving a firetruck.  Next, I went with white again and filled it up with kids and car seats immediately.  When that one was worn slap out, I went with a 2012 white one again.  

Purchasing a Suburban proved to be more challenging each time.  The price increased and each model was fancier.  I refused to ever buy one with a television.  Back in the old days before cell phones ransacked my family, we talked in the car.

Some of my fondest memories with my crew will always be from our local and not so local journeys in our Suburbans.  I mastered the art of feeding a baby a bottle with my arm stretch back into the seat behind me.  (Perhaps this is why I regularly see Dr. Shultz, a chiropractor.)  The baggies of goldfish consumed, Icees from Rob’s, and Aaron Watson songs will never be forgotten.  

Well, last week I turned in my keys to my last Suburban.  Our days of all loading up and going everywhere together are over.  That humbling fact combined with the price tag on a new one convinced me to sell. Mr. Randy at Texas Cars and Trucks made it the easiest car transaction ever! It was so incredibly quick and easy that I wondered if I needed a session of counseling to let my “big car” days go!  I felt a bit lost when I walked into the door at school with only a box of remains from my Suburban…I had no keys, no big car, just a box.  

Several days have passed and I am excited now about having one less car. I mean DUH…There are “keys to life” that matter much more than any keys to a vehicle have ever mattered to me.  

Friendship is a key to life.  I stood back last night and looked at the families in my kitchen, and I was in awe.  There were 18 of us under one roof.  Seven families were represented.  Kids were sitting up on the countertops, in and out as usual.  There was a beautiful mix of camo and maroon and gold (our school colors).  The adults were telling stories, and everyone was laughing.  It was not a planned get together.  There was no food, unless you count s’mores, which I call a major food group, but it was the best.  The adults and kids represented in this informal gathering do life together.  What a blessing that is.

Another key to life that relates to family and friendship can be found in Deuteronomy 6.  An entry last week in my journal read “I am 43 – at such an interesting point in my life, aren’t they all though?  Kids are 16, 14, 12, and 11.  I think often… I don’t want to miss it Lord.  I don’t want to wake up at 50, 60, or 70 and think “Why didn’t I..”  This life is ONE SHOT.  I have one try and very few years left to impress upon my kids Deut. 6. That says…Love the LORD your God, with all of your heart, with all of your soul, and with all of your strength.”  

Friends, I share that verse with you because it is my one greatest desires for myself and for those I know.  I repeat it often.  I use it often in writing because IT, dear ones, is the key to life.  

Picking up PULLEYS

Thanksgiving vacation was wonderful. It was the perfect balance of family, friends, food, and gorgeous fall weather.  Keeping with tradition, I began the process of putting my tree up and decorating the house for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving.  After two days of Hallmark movies, coffee, and creativity that ran into the wee hours of the morning today, our house has been transformed into a spectacular display of Christmas.  I love it!  

This afternoon right in the middle of my tree trimming, I agreed to run an errand for my husband and oldest son.  They were on a mission to finish a pig trailer, but evidently had to have a pulley to move onto the next step.  Picking up the pulley seemed like the nice thing to do and pretty easy. All I had to do was go into Tractor Supply and head towards the back right corner.  My husband checked them out earlier in the week and had an idea of what they needed and where they were.  

I realized as I walked towards the back of the store that I did not even know what a pulley was.  I was clueless!  I turned right by the tires on the back isle and called home in hopes of reaching someone that could guide me in the right direction.  My hubby instructed me to circled back towards the bathrooms and look by the chains.  He sent me a picture so I would at least know what type of apparatus I was looking for.  The visual helped immensely.  I found the pulleys!

Fifteen minutes later I happily purchased two pulleys.  It took several pictures, texts, and phone calls back and forth in order for me to complete the sale.  I phoned home again when I got back on the road.  I was compelled to let the boys know how ridiculous it was to send me for the pulley without me having even the slightest clue what I was looking for.  

I proudly strutted back into the house though and handed over the bag.  I felt accomplished.   The thought occurred to me that the next few weeks leading up to Christmas, everyone will be doing a whole lot of looking.  

We will look for perfect gifts to give.  Kids will look under the tree and maybe in closets for hidden presents.  We will look for just the right ingredients to complete our recipes for school luncheons, office parties, and family gatherings.  We will look for bargains on our phones and in sales flyers that arrive in the mail.  We will look for cards and possibly invitations in our mailboxes.  If you are like me too, you will look for gifts that you hide because you forget where you hide them.  

When you are looking high and low for everything you want and need to make Christmas perfect, remember to look for Jesus. How absurd it would be to miss the whole meaning of the holidays.  I love the popular saying “Jesus in the reason for the season.”  

Luke 2:11-12 tells us where to look for the real meaning of Christmas.  The angel tells the shepherds, just like she is telling us today if we are willing to slow down and listen.  “Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all of the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. “

Make your list and check it twice, but make sure you keep Jesus first this Christmas.  Get in the Word and get out to share the Good News of Christ…the real meaning of Christmas.    

LOVE

I may not sleep tonight!  We start Polar Express tomorrow in the library.  That is, unless we blow a breaker and short out half of the town.  My co-worker and I transformed the library into a real winter wonderland with lights galore.   The “train” will run for two weeks serving hot chocolate and tons of festive fun.  I hope it is both magical and meaningful for our little passengers.  

Today I witnessed some magic in a Hallmark movie.   (Yes, this will be a reoccurring theme until the holidays conclude.)  The couple standing at the Christmas tree farm was bundled up from head to toe and wrapped in layers of winter clothing.  It was snowing and obviously freezing outside, yet they stood out in the cold and talked forever.  There was no shivering or even mention of being chilly.   The lady’s hair remained beauty shop beautiful even though the snow was falling at a rate fast enough to make Frosty smile.  

I shared my observation with my daughter, who already thinks Hallmarks are ridiculously predictable and boring.  She rolled her eyes.  In movies, snow doesn’t ruin hair, trees are decorated perfectly, and families always get back together.  

For a brief moment this afternoon, my life seemed like a movie.  My husband cooked chili, we entertained extra friends for lunch, and my house was not clean, but beautifully decorated.  Right about the time I settled down with my coloring book and coffee, a ferocious fight broke out here.  (Names will be omitted for privacy.)

Evidently someone was saving a sliver of cookie cake.  Brother got accused of stealing it and eating it…a logical conclusion because he eats everything.  The cake, tray, cover, and knife all vanished into thin air.  Brother swore he did not eat the stupid cake.  Sister just knew he was lying.  (Big sisters do know everything, I happen to be one too.)  

I went to investigate the crime scene with a picture of the criminal already in mind.  My theory proved to be true.  Earlier in the day, I heard a suspicious sound from the scene of the crime and witnessed our Blue Heeler, Salty, exiting the area. She obviously scarfed down the cookie cake and was in fact…guilty.  Thank goodness it was her. I secretly worried about how long the family feud would continue if she was not the culprit, and I would have understandably been accused next.  

We are not picture perfect here.  We do not even attempt or pretend to be perfect.  We fight.  We argue.  We goof up.  However, we do love each other.   

I absolutely love my husband, my kids, and even my pets.  I have studied each of their personalities for years now.  I know their strengths and their weaknesses.  I nearly can predict when life will be easy breezy for each of them and when they will struggle.  We talk about everything.  That includes the good, the bad, and the ugly of the world and of our own lives.  

I pray even with our own flaws and imperfections that by the grace of God, my crew tries to imitate 1 Corinthians 13.  It says “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”  

Unless your family is miraculously perfect and you predict every holiday gathering you attend to be absolutely full of good cheer, you may want to tuck 1 Corinthians 13 away in your heart and keep it on your mind.

Love is patient, love is kind, and may I add that love is Jesus.  I pray you know Him.  

Being REAL

I caught Charles Stanley this morning on television.  He is a pastor in Atlanta who preaches the Word of God simply and honestly without a fancy show.  Dr. Stanley gave examples from the Bible about how Jesus shared his whole life on earth.  He shared love, wisdom, his healing powers, food, truth, and etc.  Dr. Stanley suggested that if we are believers of Jesus, we better share too and especially share the greatest gift of all…Jesus…with others!   The simple concept challenged me.

I thought to myself that to share Jesus, I must be real!  Real is what we need as 2016 comes to and end and we welcome 2017.  Anything fake, pretentious, or hypocritical will not cut it.  I cannot “talk” Jesus and “preach” Jesus with good intentions to share Him if I do not at least attempt to “act” like Jesus.  Furthermore, I cannot pretend to walk the walk and talk the talk if what is in my heart is hateful.  I felt like the LORD told me this morning to BE REAL!  

Let me be real about a few things:

Our dogs do not eat human food; however, when we suffer a big spill, we eagerly invite them in to eat off of the floor and clean up the mess.  

I battle addictions. My brain chemicals do not know when to stop.  Currently, I am battling BUGLES.  Yes, the chips that look like little tornadoes. Considering my addictive personality though, I am ok with my current “fix.”  

I do not fold or put up my kids laundry.  What they do with it is their business.  I only deliver clean clothes in a big heap to their rooms.  

I cannot recall the last time I had a fruit or veggie.  (Embarrassing)

We left our outdoor Christmas lights up all year, and I absolutely loved just plugging them back in and instantly enjoying our house all lit up.

I fuss at my kids about time on their phones, but I spend too much time on mine as well.  I also detest some of their music choices and then I give in and allow things that are not “that bad.”  Technology drives me nuts!

When my daughter would not go to bed last night because she was fixing her Christmas lights in her room, I threatened to tear them all down.  Her response was “That’s harsh, Mom.”

My marriage takes work and raising my kids takes work.  We are not perfect!  Every member in this family, myself included, does and says things that we should not do and say.  Our actions are sometimes gracious and giving, but more often selfish and self-seeking.  

I need to clean up the dishes in my sink, my bedroom, and my finances.  There are always things in my life that are a mess!

I work at a library and love to read, but I am the only one in my home who reads for pleasure.  (Considering the fact that I taught reading and I am an English major…this is a tough confession.)

Maybe you have nothing at all in common with my list of “real things.”   Maybe we share a few commonalities.  My point here is that it is okay to be transparent and to share with others that you do not have it all together.  You do not have to be picture-perfect!