Monday, March 21, 2016

50 things I've learned

Today, which came much faster than I thought it would, I turn Fifty years old.  Here are a few words of wisdom that I've learned in my 50 years.

1.  Love God, love others.  Jesus said that of all the rules, these are the two most important. Never forget it.  When life throws you in, shall we say, "interesting" circumstances, remembering these two love laws will help guide you through.  
2.  Life moves faster than you ever believe it will in your 20s and 30s.  At this point, I may be 100 by tomorrow.
3.  Your family is your most  faithful and loving group.  Don't treat them badly.  You'll never get equal replacements.
4.  If you have a truly dear friend, cherish them.  Not many people get those kinds of friendships.  If you have them, you may lose them much earlier in life than you ever dreamed.
5.  Go to church.  It may not seem necessary to you, but it is.  Each week it serves as a reminder that you are a part of something far bigger than yourself.  Otherwise, you become a very self absorbed person, no matter how hard you try not to be.  It may even happen while you go to church, but the chances are much greater that you won't if you go love on your church family each week.
6.  Learn to appreciate folks who are different from yourself.  Whether it is skin color, religion, denomination, nationality, etc. , everyone has something to give to this big planet God gave us.  Don't be afraid.
7.  Take care of your skin, especially girls.  Wash your face each morning and at night.  NEVER sleep in your makeup.  Wear sunscreen even when you don't want to.  Your 50 year old face will thank you.
8.  Take time each and every day to read a bit of scripture and then sit with it for a while in quiet.  It will change your life, right down to the grumpiest parts of your personality.
9.  Have conversations with God.  Don't just talk, ask and beg.  Also thank, praise and worship.  THEN you MUST, absolutely must be still and listen.  The quiet will settle your soul and allow beautiful communion with the One who created you.
10.  Keep chapstick with you at all times.  Your lips will thank you and so will the person that you kiss.
11.  Speaking of kissing, kiss your spouse often and with unabashed love.
12.  Tell your people that you love them every chance you get.  This chance might be the last chance.  Seriously.
13.  Always keep the medicines you need within reach:  in a purse, briefcase, glove box...  Your Momma won't always be close by with her stash.
14.  Never grow too old to color.  That's right!  Grab a box of lovely crayolas and a coloring sheet then release some tension.  Its far cheaper than a doctor visit.
15.  Always have dessert.  Even if it's just a wee, tiny bite.  Life is too short to miss out on the glorious blessings of dessert.
16.  Learn to cook.  You'll never starve if you learn to cook.  You will also appreciate more those who cook really well.
17.  Learn to clean house.  Your family and friends will be grateful and you will breathe much easier.  Literally.
18.  Read something lovely every day.  Find YOUR kind of books and keep them around you all the time.  When you can't afford a trip, you'll be able to escape in a book.
19.  Sleep.  It's good for you.
20.  Drink a buncho water.  Your skin and the rest of your body will be oh so thankful you did!
21.  Always contact those you love on their birthday.  It may not mean much to some, but it will mean the world to others.
22.  If you are a wife, always keep your husband updated on when everyone's birthday is to be celebrated. It makes him look good.  And when he looks good, you look good.
23.  When you are a parent and have a choice between loving on your babies and doing something else, love on your babies.  I wish I had  done more loving.
24.  BUT sometimes it makes you a better parent to get away for a bit.  You need a fresh perspective from time to time.
25.  Your spouse is your truest love.  Love them more than anyone, even your children.  Loving your children's mother or dad is the most loving thing you can do for your children.
26.  Motherhood makes for long days and short years.  Learn to enjoy both.
27.  Not all  "friends" on facebook are friends in real life.  Be careful with whom you are familiar.  Not everyone needs or wants to know everything.
28.  If you are married, don't talk negatively about your spouse.  Ever.
29.  Never have sex with anyone who is not married to you.  Ever.
30.  If you are married, have sex often.  Ladies, even when you don't necessarily want to.  In a marriage relationship it is far more important that you will ever realize.
31.  Give compliments to people who can never do anything kind toward you.  Tell a cashier she has on pretty jewelry.  Tell a doorman he smells nice.  Be generous with compliments, but always mean them.
32.  Never apologize for your faith.  Even when others disagree, know what you believe and why you believe it.  Stand firm.
33.  Keep a jacket in your car.
34.  Keep a stick of deodorant in your car.  You never know when you'll forget.  The rest of the world will thank you.  
35.  If a boss belittles you, immediately start looking for another job.
36.  Never quit a job before you have a new job, unless its an emergency.
37.  Travel as often as you can.  Traveling teaches us about this big wide world and reminds us how small a part of it we are.
38.  Don't be a picky eater.  You will miss out on some of the most glorious gifts of God if you are picky.  Try every food  you are offered at least once.  You never know what you're favorite will be.
39.  If someone tells you something in confidence, keep it in confidence.
40.  Don't be a mean girl.  I know there are mean boys too, but mean girls rank up there with the vilest of creatures.
41.  Answer the text.  Especially if it's from your mother.
42.  Don't use the word of God to beat up people.  The word is a weapon, but the target is Satan, not people.  Our job is to love them like Jesus. 
43.  Clean up after yourself.  Always.  Never assume someone else will do it for you. 
44.  Don't sleep in ironed clothing.  That's another story for another day, but just don't do it.
45.  Never expect anything from the government.  Ever.  It is not a dependable entity.  In fact, it's the most unreliable resource you will ever encounter.
46.  Don't wear wear shoes that make your feet hurt.  There is no point to that.
47.  Wear clothes that fit you appropriately.  If you look like a stuffed sausage, get a larger, MUCH larger size.
48.  Don't wear pajamas in public.  Ever. Ever. Ever.
49.  Have your eyes checked.  You may not know that you can't see.  You might be missing lots!
50.  Always stop and be grateful for the life you have, especially on your birthday. 

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Kindness and Truth

This week I've been spending a lot of time in the wisdom filled book of Proverbs.  There is so much meat in these passages a half page (or approximately 1 chapter) is about all my mind can digest in one sitting.  I practice Lectio Divinia ( Latin for Sacred Reading) as I'm journaling in my bible.  I read through a passage once, then sit with it in my mind for a while.  I read through it a second time and begin to pick up phrases or words that jump out at me.  Then I read it a third time and really open my heart up to the words or phrases that keep knocking on the door to my heart.

Proverbs 3 brought me these words to ponder.  "Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart." 

As I meditated on these words, I tried to imagine how that might look in an illustration.  This picture is what I came up with.  How might my life be different if I became so saturated in truth and kindness that it literally draped around me and and solidified in my heart?

Some think these silly illustrations don't mean much, but for me they assist my mind in digesting the words.  I roll the words and visual around in my mind all day long.  These particular words have spoken to me over and over again since Sunday.  Apparently I needed these biblical truths.

I am working to illustrate this particular New American Standard Bible with a picture for each page.  I've addressed it to my future grandchildren on the opening pages.  I want them to see what Grandmommy thought about God's word.

When Angie died I began to ponder what was important.  What had she left behind?  What do I want my family and friends to remember about me?  What gifts can I leave for them, if I should leave this earth earlier than I expect.  I thought Angie and I would grow old together as old friends.  But she left this earth at the age of 47.  I could live to be a ripe old age, or I could go in the next few minutes.  I've spent the past 3 years since her death, trying to decide what I want to do with my life and I don't mean a career.  What messages do I want left behind in the wake of my time on this earth?

Here are some things I've decided I want to leave behind to the grandchildren I already love, but who have yet to be conceived.  I don't know if I will ever meet them, but if I don't, these are things I want them to know about me that will make a difference in their life.

1.  Reading God's word is the most worthwhile activity you can participate in during your day. I didn't accept this truth until later in life.  I wish I had practiced "getting in the word" on a more serious level earlier in my life. 

2.  I want them to have this illustrated bible to show them studying God's word can be fun, creative and absorbing.  I want them to see that all of their senses can be awakened by God's word.  If the Lord allows me to be a living grandparent, I want to teach them to ponder God's word early in their lives.  They will each be given their own bible to use and enjoy illustrating. 

3.  One of my gifts is my singing voice.  Singing praises to God is my most favorite worship activity.  I have been told that my Grandmother Myrtle loved to sing.  My mother says that she wasn't really very gifted with a voice, but she loved to sing anyway.  I would love to have the ability to listen to her sing.  With that in mind, I'm working on a list of songs I want to record for my grandbabies, should I not be here to sing to them.  I want them to know praising God is an important part of your day.

4. I want them to learn to be still, quiet and listen.  I'm working on ways to leave these big lessons behind.  I'll post more of those later.

5.  I want them to use the filter of love to see everything in life.  When faced with difficult circumstances or situations, looking at it through love generally makes things pretty clear.  Jesus said the most important things are to love God and love others.  You can't go wrong with that simple, holy formula.

6. Based on my ponderings from Proverbs 3, I also want them to know that kindness and truth are important to being the person God wants us to be.  If we wrap kindness and truth around us and etch it on our hearts, then view the world and people through a lens of love, all things become holy.