49 Weeks of Words

Okay. So I'm a little behind. Therefore it will be 49 instead of 52.

One of those 'resolutions' I made at the new year, was to be more much more aware of the words I speak and the way I speak them. I am a bit forthright. I am a fan of "telling it like it is." But is it always said "in love"? NO. I believe "honesty is the best policy". But God is showing me that there really is a difference in speaking the truth and speaking the truth in love. (Ephesians. 4:15) "Truth not spoken in love ceases to be truth. Love without truth isn't love." (Paul David Tripp) There's a fine line. I need to find it. I want the wisdom to know the difference. Another part of this big mouth issue is the one of too many words. I can get a little wordy. I am a lover of details. So I usually can talk and talk and talk about something or nothing. Especially in an argument. Especially with John. Not always just him. Sometimes even with my children. Why is that? I am opinionated, and I feel the great need to make them understand agree with my opinion. So I think the more words I say the better chance of them "getting it". Not so true! And sometimes, most times, all the time I should just not say so much. ("In the mulititude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise." Prov. 10:19) My wordiness also comes with a tone. A negative tone. One that is not necessarily "health to the bones." (Prov. 16:24)

So.........my goal for this year is to memorize one verse every week about "talk". I'm a little apprehensive to make this committment because I know I will fail. I will have a bad day. Someone will get on my nerves. I will get angry. My children will exhaust me. John will start an argument (HA,HA!) We will disagree. And he will remind me. The devil will work overtime. But I am determined. And God's grace is sufficient! I will start Monday.



Words
A careless word may kindle strife.
A cruel word may wreck a life.
A brutal word may smite and kill.
A gracious word may smooth the way.
A joyous word may light the day.
A timely word may lessen stress.
A loving word may heal and bless.

What I like best about my family

An essay written by an 11 year old boy...

My mother keeps a cookie jar in the kitchen and we can help ourselves, except we can't if it's too close to meal time. Only dad can anytime. When he comes home from the office, he helps himself no matter if it is just before we eat. He always slaps my mother on the behind, and brags about how great she is and how good she can cook. Then she turns around and they hug. The way they do it, you'd think they just got married or something! It makes me feel good. This is what I like best about my family.

They're watching us more than we know!

New every morning

Hope
"This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quitely wait for the salvation of the LORD."

Thank God He pours out His mercies on me every morning! With the new year, came a new determination to stay positive, 'do better', 'be better', & try harder in my marriage, my friendships, my parenting, and my walk with God. Since that 'new year's resolution', I'm not sure that any of those areas have improved. It seems the harder I try the more determined satan is to make me fail! Lately life has been down right frustrating. I'm constantly reminding myself it's only frustrating. It could be a whole lot worse! But even those frustrations can tend to wear on us, tear us down, tear us apart, and make us lose our joy. And our hope. Trials, tests, and tribulations are part of a Christians life. I've heard before that a Christian is either about to experience a trial, in the middle of a trial, or coming out of a trial. God continues to refine us by fire. "And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them."Zechariah 13:9 Thankfully, He doesn't waste any test!

And now on to things that make me smile...












"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade-- kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-- may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him: and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls." I Peter 1:3-8

It's Christmas time. Take time.

The Cab Ride I’ll Never Forget
by---Kent Nerburn

Twenty years ago, I drove a cab for a living.

It was a cowboy’s life, a life for someone who wanted no boss.

What I didn’t realize was that it was also a ministry.

Because I drove the night shift, my cab became a moving confessional. Passengers climbed in, sat behind me in total anonymity, and told me about their lives. I encountered people whose lives amazed me, ennobled me, and made me laugh and weep.

But none touched me more than a woman I picked up late one August night. I was responding to a call from a small brick fourplex in a quiet part of town. I assumed I was being sent to pick up some partyers, or someone who had just had a fight with a lover, or a worker heading to an early shift at some factory for the industrial part of town.

When I arrived at 2:30 a.m., the building was dark except for a single light in a ground floor window.

Under these circumstances, many drivers would just honk once or twice, wait a minute, then drive away.

But I had seen too many impoverished people who depended on taxis as their only means of transportation.

Unless a situation smelled of danger, I always went to the door. This passenger might be someone who needs my assistance, I reasoned to myself.

So I walked to the door and knocked. “Just a minute”, answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.

After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 80′s stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie. By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knick-knacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.

“Would you carry my bag out to the car?” she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness.

“It’s nothing”, I told her. “I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated.”

“Oh, you’re such a good boy”, she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, then asked, “Could you drive through downtown?”

“It’s not the shortest way,” I answered quickly.

“Oh, I don’t mind,” she said. “I’m in no hurry. I’m on my way to a hospice.”

I looked in the rear view mirror. Her eyes were glistening.

“I don’t have any family left,” she continued. “The doctor says I don’t have very long.”

I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. “What route would you like me to take?” I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl. Sometimes she’d ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, “I’m tired. Let’s go now.”

We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her. I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

“How much do I owe you?” she asked, reaching into her purse.

“Nothing,” I said.

“You have to make a living,” she answered.

“There are other passengers”.

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.

“You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,” she said. “Thank you.”

I squeezed her hand, then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.

I didn’t pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly, lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?

On a quick review, I don’t think that I have done anything more important in my life.

We’re conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware - beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

Chuck Swindoll read this story this morning. His thoughts were provoking for me. "It's Christmas time. Don't overlook anyone. If you don't know their name, ask for it. Take more time. You have good news. And they don't know it until you win a hearing. Take time. Take time. It's Christmas time."

I am the worst at 'taking time'. I am always in a hurry. Hurry here. Hurry there. Hurry up and get this done. Hurry up and finish this job. I 'hurry' the days away. God is really speaking to me, "Take time, Beth. Take time."

Desparate.

Someone is apparently desparate for some cookin' to be done around here!

Randomness of December...








Christmas time is here~

Christmas, Ohhhhhhhhh Christmas....

This year, all I can say is Ohhhhhhhh, I am really, really stressed out with Christmas! I wish it wasn't this way! I neeeeeed a chill pill reaaaallly bad!!!











One of my most favorite parts of Christmas is Christmas cards...

Believe me, Wyndell has been watching out for who's been naughty and nice. I'm not sure if ANYone in this house will be on Santa's nice list this year!

I keep telling myself, "I can do this." "I can do this." "This too shall pass!" "This too shall pass!"

Tired...

WoW! I am so far behind!

My most handsome cowboy...


And his chick...



Not sure what this is...

Oh yea...it's a really spoiled little girl!

We have a Christmas tree...and we are enjoying it. John and I are enjoying it. Okay. I am enjoying it. The kids have been gone. John doesn't really know if it's here or not at this moment:) So I guess that leaves me. And I am pretty sure that I like it!




We are truly grateful. God is Good. All the time. His mercy endureth forever.