Phasing Out ...

 

It’s just a phase he’s going through.

Phase it in. Give the public a chance to get used to it.

We are in the final phase of the project.

This is my favorite phase.

 

-

My daughters are going through familiar phases in their lives … and asking me for advice. This has caused me to pause as I relive in my mind the situations I have been in. For a few situations, I can give advice that worked for me, but most of the time, looking back, it probably wasn’t the best idea and maybe I shouldn’t use what I did to survive as advice to my daughter. In other situations, I know for a fact what I did was a bad idea and I tell them that. Some advice I could give is literally not possible anymore – very strange, the world we live in now.

And then there are the things they are going through that I have never had to go through, so I pray. And I tell them I am praying. And I’m honest with them and say, “I have no idea what you should do.”

But this is a good thing. A very good thing. Because the next thing I tell them is probably the best advice I could give about anything – Go to God. Read the Bible. Ask for his wisdom. Spend lots of time praying, in fact, be praying all the time, like a constant conversation in your head to God. Then, don’t forget to pause and wait for God to speak. And be patient.

So, as I go through this phase of my life, with adult children dealing with adult situations, I thank God for the things He allowed in my life that threw me into His arms.

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” – James 1:5

 

-

It’s probably good timing to let you know about my book of devotions and thoughts I wrote after a particularly difficult phase of my life. Amazon will let you read some of it for free, so there’s no risk or hard sell here. I’m a terrible salesperson! LOL

Before Coffee God, by Rachel H T Mendell

-

Which Route

 

“What route should be take?” said my husband looking at the new road atlas.

“That’s up to you,” I said. “You’re driving.”

At that moment I realized my husband and I had just played out a scenario enacted by my parents over and over, years ago. Except my mom frequently chose the route. She was navigator in the family.

Several times I tried to be navigator but with seven children to be on-call for, it was more efficient to be the stewardess. Sometimes one of the older children sat in the front passenger seat of the station wagon or nine passenger van or SUV or suburban and acted as navigator. It soon became a teaching tool.

A million miles of trip travel, a thousand destinations, a hundred scary situations … yet we continue to travel, choosing the same route for comfort or choosing a new route for adventure or being given an alternate route because of the Orange Cone Prophesy.

I have gathered stories:

-          The Breakdown in Beloit

-          Stuck in a Dry Wash While Looking for Petroglyphs

-          When the Truck Expired (parts 1,2, and 3)

-          Engine on Fire

-          Waiting It Out Under the Highway 35 Bridge

-          The Ice Road Outside Indianapolis

-          Slippery, Slippery Road

-          So Hot

-          Cramming 10 People in a Nova

-          Dust Storm over Texas

-          Will We Make It

-          High Winds

-          What a Lovely Park

-          The Guy Who Couldn’t Stop Talking

-          Let’s Go Home

-          And many, many more

Stay tuned, I’m sure I’ll remember more … like the one about being stuck behind a herd of sheep …

 

See more at FMF

I'm short

I’m short.

I’m short about five dollars. Can you help me?

I shorted the measurement, now I have to go get another 2x4.

He was three inches short of the long-jump record.

You shorted me on the material. Now I need it cut again.

Life is short.

Pain is shorter.

Short on patience

 Short on time

-

I’ve always been short, the shortest one in class, the shortest one on staff, the shortest one on the team, the shortest one in choir. The shortest.

But through the years I’ve made it work. And I have spoken with other short people who have found the same secrets.

Like in basketball. I loved playing basketball in grade school. I was 4’9”, but I was good. I wasn’t ever going to be tall enough for center, but I made a mean guard. And, as you know, guards guard. That’s what they do. They guard the ball, guard the forwards, guard the center … and steal the ball. Because I was short, I played from a different perspective and spotted holes in the defense of the other team. My favorite game memory was when I stole the ball from the opponent’s forward, spun around and made a lay-up that won the game. At that moment, I knew being short could be an advantage.

Recently, I held a job at Hobby Lobby (a store created for tall people). I was short (5’2”), but I’m fairly certain my manager was at least an inch shorter. I marveled at how she managed to stock shelves, move boxes, run the conveyor, unload the trucks, and out-negotiate irritable customers (all who were taller than she). Her shortness was a fine art. She became my hero. If she could do those things, then so could I – given a few more months of practice. And I did. My most pleasant memory was when my coworkers stopped arguing with me when I went up the ladder to grab overstock. They didn’t realize that being short meant a lower center of gravity and I was probably safer up there than they were.

At times, my shortness seemed like a disability. When the neighborhood kids played red-rover or kickball I was last to be chosen. As a choir member I was always placed in the front row. Some rides at Disneyland and local fairs were off-limits to me.

And then there were the jokes …

But looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing. I learned self-reliance, resilience, determination, and how to be a monkey. There’s no school that can teach that, only necessity.

I have lots more short stories, but I’ll save them for the future memoir.

 

Go check out what others wrote about SHORT.

But God

 

OUTCOME

The outcome was all good.

The outcome was better than expected.

No one could have predicted the outcome.

It was a list of inputs and outcomes.

-

The outcome was better than I expected, but that’s probably because I always prepare for the worst and am overjoyed by the best.

Our mom had big debt, and we worried about paying it off as she aged. But God allowed her neighborhood to flourish and grow in value. Once her house sold, debts were paid with even some left over. I did not think that was possible.

Given the struggles our marriage has gone through and the trouble our children have had over the years, I would not have imagined this present outcome of our pleasant home, our growing successful family, and our solid marriage. God is so good.

As we struggled with bills 30 years ago, I had almost given up hope of us realizing our dream of having a small place out in the country. But here we are and the steps we followed to get here are pure God – no one would have predicted the outcome. In fact, the predictions were quite the opposite.

When the bad times came during our homeschooling years, I questioned our decision to sacrifice certain things to educate our children at home. But the outcomes have been way beyond amazing. We are so blessed.

I will be forever thankful that God holds the outcome.

 

“The horse is prepared for the day of battle,

But the victory belongs to the Lord.”

-          Proverbs 21:31

“For nothing will be impossible with God.”

-          Luke 1:37

 

FMF

In the middle of pivoting

 

Pivot, turning point, swivel point, axel, hinge, pin, hub, heart

To pivot on its axis

Pivot the drill to keep the screw going in straight

The moment was a pivotal point in my life

Pivot on your toes (like a ballerina), face the basket, shoot from your hips

 

It was a pivotal moment -

The birth of my first baby and the first day with her

The death of my father

The death of my best friend

The explosion within my marriage (don’t worry, God healed, we’re still married)

Attending my son’s graduation from Marine Boot Camp

The completion of my first novel (as yet unpublished)

The publication of my first book (non-fiction)

The first days of a new job

And the events of the past few months, all crammed together to create a huge pivot, which is still pivoting … I think

It’s difficult to perceive a pivot in time when I am in the middle of it. But I know that is what is happening now. Mom’s death, a trip by car to Arizona, finding out things I didn’t know about my childhood/mom/dad/past, saying good-bye to my childhood home for the last time, a last minute trip to Wisconsin and my youngest daughter moving back in for a while, my husband retiring, me quitting my job because my husband asked me to (it’s alright, I was ready to leave anyway)

All in four months

… I’m totally in the middle of pivoting … still moving in a new direction … still waiting for the movement to stop so I can catch my breath …still sorting through all my stash of possessions and giving away things to make room for other things … still writing impressions and emotions and discoveries and mourning losses and celebrating freedoms and finding a space for daily pondering with God.  

Spending time in The Word is a pin, an anchor, to hold me in place during all this movement. So is writing ...

FMF - Go see what others are saying about "pivot" ...

P.S. ... could you give me a like and a follow so I don't lose you and you don't lose me? Thank you. 

Today's Vibe is ...

 By VIBE, I feel like I need to say what society is going through, but that's from my high school days, when we used to ask people we meet, "What's the vibe?" (How are things going today, physically, emotionally, situationally, etc.) ... or "I don't like the vibe in this room" (a feeling of tenseness or anger). 

Well, this week I have been contemplating Juneteenth and all the emotions and opinions surrounding it in my area. Mostly people around here don't like it because, 1. It's a new national holiday, so no mail, no bank, etc. and 2. It doesn't pertain to them much. 

But I disagree. I'm glad we finally have a holiday that commemorates the ending of the American Civil War and the ending of legal slavery. 

What a horrible time that was in our history, so much hatred, so much strife, so much death, so much destruction. I hate to say it was worth it, but a lot of good came out of it.

And we should celebrate the good.

So, my five minutes of thought on VIBE is how I choose to use today. I will do my responsibilities in gratefulness. I will work toward freedom in all its forms for myself and for those around me. I will celebrate the unity we have in our country in all its forms and strive to live in unity with all those around me, especially my family. 

And I will work toward peace in my heart, in my home, in my family, and in my community. 

That's more than enough work for any human being. 

Today's VIBE is positive!

Five Minute Friday is the place to be today. Go check it out.

Just a part

(truck piston)

the way I part my hair

the way I'm a part of the whole in this peaceful place of healing

the part where you tell me something and ask for my opinion and I give you my opinion and you accept it, but you don't necessarily agree, and that's okay

my part in the problem - to be recognized and fixed if possible

I am a part of the landscape, walking around with a grocery cart, choosing what I want to consume, what I am willing to pay for, what I will take responsibility for ...

I sit at my desk which is a central part of this room, which is a small portion of this house, which sits on the property we bought years ago, which is a portion of 175 acres of farmland, which is part of Morrow County, which is an unimportant, but still growing portion of the state of Ohio, which is a part of the United States of America, which is an uneasy brother of the countries of the world, which is a tiny rock in the universe God created years ago to move in harmony by the power of His Might.

And this is just a part of the vast amount of thoughts swirling in my brain.

Five Minute Friday - the place to be today!

Blessings!

Don't criticize

 

Those words still ring in my ears to this day. "Don't criticize," my mother used to say to me when I found something wrong with a person, a musical performance, a piece of art, or the way someone was dressed.

The problem was she set the example of criticizing. When she got on a roll, we knew to just let it ride out. She used words like "frumpy", "glaring", "not right", "inappropriate", even "common". She could be brutal. Each time I felt horrible for the person or thing she was running down but kept my mouth shut.

I don't think she realized her hypocrisy. She usually started verballing tearing something apart when she was angry, hungry, confused, tired, or afraid. It took me many years to find the understanding of what was really happening.   

And I find the same weakness in myself. I catch it and stop it when it is brought to my attention, hopefully by God, privately, in my head. But my most recent employment pulled me back into the cycle of ragging on something or someone and then apologizing. It is difficult to be in a culture of criticism and stay away from the practice myself. 

Very difficult.

But lest we forget, there is a positive side to criticism - evaluation, rebuke, disapproval, analysis, review, assessment, appraisal - all of these have positive and negative connotations. 

Criticism can make us better.

And so, it was with my mom. She was right about a lot of what she criticized, and in a way, it taught me which direction to go. Dress nicely while in public. Do not cuss or swear in public. Pay attention when you are moving about in a crowd. Use your directionals while driving and when in doubt, let someone merge. Pick up your trash. Leave the space better than when you found it.

Boy, could I write more! But we will leave it like this for Five Minute Friday.

What a Deal!

 

A few weeks ago, our mom's house was sold. This was a huge relief to my brother and sister-in-law who have tried to help our parents care for that 1930s home for years. 

It needed lots of upgrades and remodeling, but even so, given the neighborhood, the buyers really got a deal. 

I lived in that house for eight years or more, but with all the moving we did as a family I wasn't really attached to it. My husband and I drove down in March and helped do some clearing out. We gave lots and lots of things away. I'm sure the local thrift store made it possible for buyers to get lots of great deals. 

I don't feel taken or gypped in anyway. The entire episode was a blessing.

And I can't wait to see what they do with the house. 

Stay tuned.

This post is part of a Five Minute Friday routine. Check it out! 

Five Minute Friday

Beginning

 

A new beginning

A fresh start

...

More like the ending of an old life and the living of a new life I don't understand

Almost being born again except with the old body

Almost like going on a trip without a map

-

I've always hated the word "retired", but I think that's because it's been burdened with untruths, like leisure, free time, freedom, avarice, excess, greed; as well as age, decline, suffering, disability, uselessness, poverty, death (as in, "He couldn't handle retirement. He died a couple years later.").

There is no normal retirement. Most of us can't sit on the porch and think while drinking coffee because 1. we don't have a porch; 2. we're not supposed to drink coffee; 3. it's too cold; 4. it's too hot; 5. the projects are calling us back inside.

I officially retired a few years ago, but funds were a little tight, so I got a parttime job. My husband had been looking forward to retiring for years and once his date was set to leave the company, mine was as well. He wanted me to retire with him. He felt bad that I had to work and he didn't. 

So, I officially retired with him. 

This first week of beginnings has been strange. There are so many projects that have waited for us that we have driven ourselves crazy trying to get them all done in a couple days. 

Not possible.

I'd like to say, we've got plenty of time, but we know that might not be true. I'd like to say we are on an extended vacation, but that's not true either. 

I think there needs to be a new name for retirement. Let's leave it open, allow it to be, like moving or getting a new job or having a baby or getting married or getting fired or ... you know, life changes. 

Any ideas?

(Yes, indeed, I will be blogging more!)

Timing

They say, "Timing is everything," and I think they're right.

Timing created so much stress in my life a few months ago that my head just about exploded.

Timing brought me to a place where I became dependent on a new friend to navigate my way - and he became my husband.

Timing got me that job at Hobby Lobby.

Timing got me that job at the library - the right boss, the right skills, the right attitude, the right place, the right time.

Timing took me to a place where I could help that person.

Timing let me see the two bluejays run the crow off their nest. 

Timing allowed me to witness one of my cats leading a deer to water during the drought last summer.

Because of timing I:

- saw that falcon

- prayed with someone who needed it

- helped that patron find a Bible resource

- was kept safe from an accident.

But the truth lies beneath. Timing is God. God is in control of timing. The more I place my trust in God (okay, God, this thing is happening and I don't know what to do, so give me strength and awareness to trust You with it) the more I see His perfect timing. 

Cold

 

Cold

Stone cold

Cold as ice

When hell freezes over

Record temperatures

Battery dead

Pipes frozen

Electricity off

Buying gallons of water to exist

Calling off work for snowed in lane

Snowed in driveway

Snowed in workplace

Canceled plans

Church

School

Closed stores

Doors

Windows

Plastic up

Spare rooms locked

Books out

Crafting

Writing

Old movies playing

Soup

Bread

Chili

Hot chocolate

-

Praying for spring

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

 

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

-

The Friends

I’m thankful for the Friends of the Library and all they do for us. You have accepted me as staff and allowed me to help you out. You tirelessly work to make our library better and provide for the needs of staff and patrons that we could not do otherwise. You’ve got our backs.

And y our perpetual Book Sale is sometimes the only thing some of our patrons go to. It’s a bright spot in our space.

-

1904

I’m thankful for our building.

Weekly, new patrons come in and look up and comment how rare and beautiful you are. You are broken, but fixable, and we are doing our very best to care for you.

You engender respect for our past (literarily and historically), create a haven for the broken and hurting, foster learning and searching for truth, and maintain a place for quiet study like no other building can.

You grace your space in Galion with grand beauty and are the true center of town. Everyone can come to you without fear of judgement, prejudice, or shame.

You are a quiet space of comfort.

-

Chloe

I am thankful for Chloe, for her perseverance in dealing with way too much work for one person, mountains of boxes, and multitudinous glitches in the new cataloguing system.

You’ve taught me lots of software and computer tricks, suggested manga to read (sorry, graphic novels), and kept me feeling young with our discussions about cool tech (I’m jealous of your iPad) D&D, and pets.

You are a great person to work with (I’m sorry I keep calling you by the wrong name!) and a valuable source of general library knowledge and experience. Thank you.

-

Courtney

I am thankful for Courtney for always being willing to re-teach a newbie, sharing vital information about patrons, and being the guard dog for building, holdings and staff.

I’ve learned about plants and people and library history from you and I appreciate all the help you are willing to give on a daily basis.

You are the quickest worker I have ever known (even faster than that girl at Hobby Lobby!). But We will understand if you are a bit slower when you get back to work. We’re praying for you.

-

Chad

I am thankful for Chad who always keeps the building warm and comfortable, for getting here early so things are ready for us, and for keeping the grounds looking nice and neat.

You do a million different tasks that no one ever sees, but the evidence is there.

Thank you especially for NO ICE on the stairs. The library has the cleanest walkways in Galion!

-

Nathan

I’m thankful for Nathan and his tech knowledge, willingness to help, and patience with patrons. You are the computer whisperer and sometimes they stop acting up the minute you touch them. (How is that?)

Thank you for taking over helping a patron when I’m out of ideas. Thank you for the discussions of Ancient Computer Lore Soon Forgotten. Thank you for sharing Star Trek trivia. Knowing you can fix it, whatever the “it” may be, is a comfort to all of us.

Live Long and Prosper.

-

Makayla

I am thankful for Makayla, for her patience with me when I forget to turn on night service – AGAIN – for helping me with lots of little things on front desk, and for being incredibly kind and respectful with certain patrons who shall remain unnamed.

It’s fun working with you, getting hit with snow balls, and talking about crocheting project and cats (probably more than we should). 

You make Tuesday nights fun! Thank you!

-

Rebecca

I am thankful to Rebecca who keeps our books on wheels rolling. You do a ton of work behind the scenes that most of us don’t see, and you work miracles with patrons when you’re on desk.

It’s nice to work with someone who has had a million jobs like me, has a great work ethic, and a sharp wit that sometimes puts me in stitches. I’m glad you landed here.

Thanks for always being willing to help me out in packing and binding and patron issues.

-

Alexx

I am thankful for Alexx who has shown himself flexible, very artistic, and funny.

Thank you so much for your packing help, for sharing your art with me, and for helping out in unique ways (like ripping up boxes and participating in shelving challenges).

Thanks for conversations about rabbits, manga and fellow artists. Patrons trust your book suggestions. You may be quiet, but your presence is felt.

Oh! And thank you for reminding me I’m not old!

-

Amy

I’m thankful for Amy who takes care of our finances, keeps our spending in check, and signs our checks. You have a great attitude, a solid understanding of people and situations, and a quick laugh for me (even when my joke wasn’t funny).

AND - You have the classiest wardrobe ever! I envy your closet!

-

Lexie

I’m thankful for Lexie and I’m glad she moved upstairs! Patrons are always stopping by and admiring her desk and asking questions about the books and the décor.

Thanks for helping me out with patrons when we get swamped on desk. I look forward to the day you are well enough to officially be “on desk” with me.

Your games and puzzles and riddles are challenging and fun, and I’m happy to help out when I can. Your unique outlook on life keeps work interesting!

AND – I’m glad you don’t mind me building my wall every few days :o)

-

Jessica

I’m thankful for Jessica and her Can Do attitude. No matter how bad things seem she can find possible solutions and silver linings in our rain clouds.

Thank you for your unique perspective on our work here at the library, your limitless creativity, and your boundless energy.

Thank you for asking my advice about parenting – a rare event in my life these days – and thank you for helping me focus on the most important part of the library – The Patrons.

FLANNEL FRIDAY!

-

Jodie

I’m thankful for Jodie, my neighbor and fellow philosopher. Your bright, energizing personality gets patrons and staff excited about the work and purpose of the library – Everyone belongs, everyone counts, everyone is equal, everyone learns.

Thank you for helping me out with difficult patrons, telling me I’m doing a good job, and thanking me for my perspective.

Our many political and relationship discussions have challenged me and changed my paradigm. PLUS you’ve taught me lots of new words for old things and honed my compassion.

Thank you for your work in promoting the library, bringing lots of new people in (not an easy thing to do) and in the process challenging other libraries to do the same.

PINK WEDNESDAY!

-

Nancy

I’m thankful for Nancy. You bring smiles and positive energy everywhere you go – even if you don’t happen to be smiling at the time.

Your presence helps us feel safe and secure. Your knowledge of patrons gives us perspective on present situations.

You help me feel like I’m supposed to be here. You tell me everything is going to be okay. You are fun to work with and are always up for a surprise.

Thank you for your little pep talks Saturday morning (when we’re supposed to be letting Alexx in).

By the way, I’m still turning into a toad at night … maybe you could help me out with that?

-

Melissa

I am thankful for Melissa – Oh, the mess you stepped into! But the stress level of the staff area has gone down by 50% since you arrived. You listen to our concerns without judgement. You understand. Your caring attitude creates a desire in each of us to help each other out.

Feeling heard gives us hope, and hope turns into a desire to do better. You meet problems head-on and don’t shy away from angry people. I have watched you diffuse potentially explosive situations with seeming ease.

Your dry wit and snappy asides are always a treat, and your wisdom of people and situations creates a foundation of safety, in the library and among the staff, one of the most valued assets in any workplace.

Thank you for listening. Thank you for hearing. Thank you for caring.

I’m so glad you’re here.

-

Happy Thanksgiving!

~

Enjoy the Drive

Enjoy the drive 

See the new things 

Think the new thoughts 

Pray the new prayers 

Laugh at the silly signs 

Trust God to guide you 

Be comfortable 

Wear comfy clothes (a tight bra causes anxiety. A tight waist band can make your legs go to sleep or trap gas) 

Stop, get out, and stretch often. 

Note how the people change as you move from state to state 

Enjoy the day in the car – it’s not a wasted day to go from point A to point B 

It’s a day to drive all day 

Lots of people drive all day, especially truckers 

Relax 

Let your shoulders drop 

Unclench your jaw 

Smile 

Smiling, especially when you are by yourself, lifts your spirits, lightens your heart 

Don’t be afraid to drive in silence 

Don’t be afraid to talk to yourself 

Don’t be afraid to make up your own travel praise song 

On an all-day trip you will learn about God and learn about yourself. Enjoy!

~

The weight on my shoulders

analogicus - pixabay

 

The weight of the world

The weight of the moment

The weight of influence

 

Question: Weight? Answer: (Here’s where I lie)

 

Heaviness,

Pressure,

Load,

Burden;

Consequence,

Prominence,

Value;

Power,

Ascendancy,

Favor;

Impressiveness,

Gravity,

Importance,

Influence,

Vigor.

 

Ever since I got married, I’ve been worried about weight, my weight, my baby’s weight, my husband’s weight … I’ve gone on lots of diets and lifestyle changes with varied results.

After The Change I have not had good results with any kind of diet as far as weight is concerned. After years of this frustration I have made a decision.

I’m not going to focus on weight.

According to the general opinion of the doctoring community, I am overweight. Because of that my main focus is to eat less and move more. But the most important thing to me now is health. According to the general opinion of the doctoring community, I am in good health.

So, instead of driving myself crazy and listening to all the voices of the past in my head (and on social media), I live my life preparing for the rest of my life.

If I am to be this weight, then I need to be strong to carry it. Therefore, I lift, thereby building muscle and bone.

If my goal is to be of service to the people around me, I need to be able to move and be useful. Therefore I walk, stretch, and challenge myself physically each day. I walk now so I can walk 20 years from now. I eat food that agrees with me, that doesn't make me sluggish, that gives me energy.

God, thank You for this physical body You have blessed me with. Lead me to care for it as I should. Warn me when I chose unwisely. Lead me to the people You want me to help. In Jesus.

 

Thank you, Five Minute Friday, for the opportunity to share my thoughts.

Blessings to my readers.

 

_RHTM_

I was undecided

ArtTower - pixabay

I realized for the fifth time that I stink at freelancing. 

Harsh, I know.

Maybe it's self-doubt, but I don't think so.

Maybe it's fear of success, but I'm sure that's not it.

Maybe it is a lack of discipline in my life, but I believe my track record speaks for itself.

At some point I might try freelancing again, but I'm undecided.

Then, again, here I am - freelancing. I write what I want when I want to whom I want about what I want. I don't charge anything for this blog and that suits me just fine. Sometimes I don't even charge for the books I write. I love giving things that I create away. It brings me joy. And that joy and happiness and satisfaction is worth so much more than the Amazon price of $16.99. 

So, I guess, I do freelance. I just don't do it in the way other people do. 

I've taken all the online classes, talked to all the important and successful people, run with the wolves and played with the big boys. All that is just not me. 

Maybe I have leanings toward putting myself out there, but it is not sustainable. Not to me. I have so many other things I want to do.

Like write.

Like getting another job (which I just did, thank You, God!) and learning new skills. 

Like creating new artwork out of paint, fiber, textiles, words, wood, stone, clay. 

Like spending time helping my family clear houses, collect stories, take photos, build things, make memories, share experiences.

Like keeping promises I made years ago to dear ones, to myself, to God.

So, the conclusion is, I have decided that my whole life has been freelancing - just not in the way some people might think. 

The image of the knight on the dappled war horse with a strong, sharp lance ready to go to battle, ready to work at the King's command, traveling on errands that only He and I know about, showing up in unexpected places and unexpected times - 

That's me.

_RHTM_

Does this really matter?

NoName_13 - pixabay

What does it matter?

Does that really matter to you?

Mind over matter.

All mind and no matter.

Everything is made up of matter.

You matter.

Matter equals importance.

Writing matters.

Reading matters.

Having skills to adult matters.

Working matters.

Serving matters.

Giving matters.

Speaking truth matters.

Jesus matters.

Jesus matters the most. But all the other things also matter because it is these things that God uses to bring us to Jesus.

The man I married mattered because he knew Jesus so we could raise our children knowing Jesus and the way we raised our children mattered because they continued in following Jesus and are now raising their children to know Jesus and follow Him.

The people I have encouraged, and been a small part of bringing to faith in Jesus, came into contact with me because of the work I did, or my interests, or where I was, or who we knew in common, or something they needed me for, or a myriad of other possibilities that God uses to bring people together to enact His will.

When I used to do assessments for home educators (part of Ohio laws) I told them, “Everything matters. Everything counts.” If they went to the park, it became an opportunity to discover new bugs (science), take a walk (physical education), clean up (environmental science), or get hurt and fix the hurt (first aid/health). Education should be practical.

By viewing our life like everything matters, we walk carefully, watching those we meet, taking a breath before we decide, thinking before we speak (even if it means we don’t get to speak).

God uses our lives to work His will. That’s one of the amazing things about God.

Does it matter? Yes, it does.

 

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The Best Preserves

Nodrog1960 - pixabay

 

Food doesn’t last very long, so I try to preserve it. I have tried drying, freezing, canning and cultures. I’ve had good years and bad years. Recently, some of my cans have been expiring sooner than expected. Maybe it’s due to changes in temperature in the pantry, maybe it’s a mistake I made, maybe they’ve just reached the end of their goodness. It’s disheartening to have to throw out hard work, but, you know, better safe than sorry.

This year I decided it was best to freeze or refrigerate leftovers and skip the canning. I have also begun a tighter use cycle, and scheduling meals around a shorter expiration period. This has also led me to make smaller meals and check the freezers more often.

More work, less disappointments.

I’ve realized that no matter how hard I work at preserving food for the future, it will all eventually spoil.

Just like the earth I walk on.

I am thankful God doesn’t have the same problems. He doesn’t have to check batches to make sure they are still good. He doesn’t have to throw out mistakes. He isn’t disappointed in the results of His work.

Everything He has done is perfect. Everything He is doing is exquisite. Everything He will do will last forever.

He will preserve my soul for heaven. Praise God!

 

 

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.” – I Thessalonians 5:23-24

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Youth is not wasted

 

I believe the memories of what I have done in my youth give me encouragement for what I can do in my old age.

Physically, things get more difficult. I need more time to recuperate from a long day of work. But I can still work. I can still walk. I can still serve.

I have more determination now than in my youth. I work smarter, not harder. I know way more short cuts that bring about the same desired results. I pay more attention to details. I move slower, but more efficiently. In fact, I probably get more accomplished now than when I was in my 20s.

Mentally, I find I must limit my time with social media, television, and other media. Entertainment is faster, flashier, more rude, more crude, more disrespectful of everything, and more intense. It creates conflicting emotions, stress, and chaos in my brain. So much confusion!

But reading now is faster, recollection is more accurate, understanding is deeper. Puzzles seem easier because I have more patience. Painting, crocheting, drawing, writing, all seem more enjoyable because the shadow of competition is gone.

Emotionally, I am much more stable, more dependable, more accepting of others’ faults, more compassionate, and a little wiser in the ways of people. I don’t fall for manipulation, intimidation, or domination like I used to.

Spiritually, I spend more time in God’s Word. I spend less time being a seeker in other ways of spirituality. I study the masters (Luther, Tozer, Lewis, Henry, favorite preachers, etc.), but spend more time with The Master.

I pray more because I have more to pray about, more people to pray for.

I still stink at memorizing, always have, but the passages I need in conversation or writing come to mind. If I am searching the Scriptures, I can find what I am seeking much faster because I know where it might be.

I crammed a lot of life into my youth, made lots of mistakes, and fixed some of them. Now I take my time and do the jobs God gives me.

And service is much more enjoyable. Thank You, Jesus!

 

“Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.” – Psalms 103:5

 

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The History of Me

Cool unique auto in the Home Depot parking lot

 

 

World History

American History

The History of Language

 

Medical history

Family history

Work history

 

The History of Airplanes

The History of the Crows

The History of Fashion

 

My personal history is a tiny speck of dust within the history of the towns I lived in and the places I visited and the homes I slept in and the National Parks I walked in and the people I met or talked to or walked past or lived with or heard speak on the radio or in a pod cast or the professors and teachers who taught me or the preachers who saw me in their pews or the neighbors that observed me coming and going.

My health history is linked to my doctors and nurses, my children and husband, my parents, grandparents, and great grandparents.

My work history is bound to the places I labored and the people who labored with me and the bosses I was accountable to and the people who worked for me and my family and all the bill collectors, grocery stores, theaters, amusement parks, online stores, electric companies, mortgage companies that got their money because I worked.

The history of me is unlike any history of anyone else that ever existed on the face of the planet. There might be similarities or coincidences in some small way, a passing by for a day or a month or a year or two, but unique.

So when I write my history, I am writing something completely unique.

People will read it, not because it is so different, but because we are the same.

We share the same history individually in unique ways.

 

And that is the miracle of this crazy earth history that God created.

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Read more histories at Five Minute Friday!