Dear Lord...

Very recently, as I was sharing about all of the overwhelming things that are going on in my life, I mentioned prayer, and how there was ONE thing that I was heavily praying for. This ONE thing I wanted more than anything else.

Now I know that I lot of folks think that prayer is just a bunch of hocus pocus mumbo jumbo, and that there's no "Big Guy in the sky" who's hearing ANYTHING. I do agree with that, PARTIALLY. He's NOT "in the sky." He's EVERYWHERE.

For me however, as a follower of Christ, I wholeheartedly believe in the power of prayer. Sometimes (many times actually), prayer can be frustrating. In this "microwave age" that we live in, we've lost the patience that is required when waiting. We want everything NOW, or five minutes ago. WAITING? Nobody wants to do that. Certainly not I.

But OHHH...when a prayer is uttered, and very soon thereafter ANSWERED...it just adds another coal to the "belief furnace" and kicks one's faith up just a few notches higher.

That happened to me yesterday. I had been praying hard and heavy for something. Wrote it down in my prayer journal, and although it seemed to be a "lost cause", I continued to petition God for this thing that I so greatly wanted. Never in my prayers do I utter the words, "Lord, if you are ABLE..." But always, "Lord, if you are WILLING..." You see, as much as I know what I want, I had to come to a level of spiritual maturity to understand that God's will for me will ALWAYS trump my own...even when it hurts to think that He may not give me what I desire. That's how I felt about this particular situation. I just wasn't sure how it was gonna go.

Monday night I hit a low. Did something that I wasn't sure I should do, yet knew I had to. Wasn't sure what the result would be, I just knew that I had to do this particular thing.

As I prepared to settle in for bed much later that night, mentally and physically drained, I said my prayers for the last time that day and went to sleep.

Within hours, my prayer...the one I had so strongly been uttering for weeks, was answered, and I smiled the first GENUINE smile that I had smiled in WEEKS. All I could do was THANK GOD, because I knew that it was only He who orchestrated things in the manner that they unfolded.

So no...for me, prayer isn't a munch of hocus pocus mumbo jumbo. For me, prayer is MY way of COMMUNICATING with God. The Bible is HIS way of communicating with me. The communication MUST flow both ways in order for it to be effective.

As I write the words, I don't know how things will continue to develop with the prayer that God answered. But the moments of joy that I received as a result of what He did still have me flying high, and I feel that I can go on wee bit further. He knew I needed that. In His omniscience...of course He knew. And although He didn't have to grant me what He did...I am ever so thankful that He did.

Enough about me. How 'bout you? Let the DIALOGUE begin: When was the last time you said a prayer and very clearly knew that it had been answered?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Friends?

EPIPHANY: a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.

Life gives us many "light bulb moments." It gave me one just recently and it made things so much more clear for me.

With the advent of Facebook, many relationships have developed. Quite possibly, just as many have ended. Folks spark friendships with people they've never even met in person. Yes, even I have done it. I must say though, some of my very dearest friends today are those I met on Facebook FIRST, then later down the line we met and "hit it off" just as naturally.

Then there are other folks (really only ONE comes to mind) who I met on Facebook, but never met in person, and absolutely COULD NOT STAND! The "friendship" with this person was so strained. Anytime I'd see her comment on a post my stomach would knot up because I knew it would be NEGATIVE...especially if it was a post that I created. She was DESPICABLE! Called me a "manipulative piece of work" once when I deleted her negative comments from my page. She recently commented negatively on something else I posted and my spirit said, "That's it! She's gotta GO!!" I had to block her. Yep, I think she may be the first person (and hopefully the last) that I've ever had to block. Sure, I could've just "unfriended" her, but I'd still be able to see her posts in some of the groups that she and I were in together...and she'd still be able to "tag" me in stuff (unless I change my settings). For me, it was just easier, and best for us both, to simply block her. Now, she will NEVER have to see my name ANYWHERE...nor will I have to see hers. So you see...some Facebook friendships are never meant to develop into anything, and if they fizzle out, there's really no love lost 'cause you didn't really know the person anyway.

Next, we have the friendships that started out IN PERSON, and had their run on Facebook, only to end on Facebook...but not so much in real life. I have 2 relationships like that. For one of those people, it's really best that we NOT be Facebook friends, and for the other...although I still desire a friendship with this person in "real life", I NEVER want to be friends with them again on Facebook. It simply does NOTHING to enhance our friendship, and at this very moment, has actually created a divide.

So...if that second person ever decides to reconcile, I'm here. No, I'm not gonna go running TO that person to reconcile because it's not my responsibility THIS TIME. That person did ME wrong, so THAT person has to fix this. Plain and simple. I've reached out. That person did not reach back. My part is done.

Now...Let the DIALOGUE begin: Are there people in your life who you would never want to be friends with on Facebook?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

I'm Still Here

I sat here at the computer this morning with the intention of writing about one thing, but as I scrolled through my Facebook feed, I came across this photo and decided to switch gears.

It made me think about the folks I've recently distanced myself from as a result of some disrespectful things that were done to me by them, and they have not reached out even ONCE to find out how to repair the situation (that they created). As the days go by, I'm really beginning to realize that in spite of what they've told me in the past, when the rubber hits the road -- I really don't matter in their lives. Maybe at one point I did, but at this particular juncture in time, I simply don't.

Hurts? Sure. But, my middle name is RESILIENT

(or at least it should be), so...as with every other offense committed against me...I will get over and through this as well.

Let the DIALOGUE begin: Is there anyone in your life who you used to be close with, and have since had to part ways? If so, how long has it been, and do you even remember what caused the riff?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Rule XV

Every morning when I wake up I begin my day with prayer. For the past couple of weeks I have also incorporated reading a chapter from Og Mandino's, "A Better Way to Live."

There are so many great principles in that book...seventeen to be exact. He calls them "rules."

This morning I read "Rule XV" and it spoke so loudly to me based on things, or more specifically, PEOPLE I've been dealing with lately. It helped justify some of my recent decisions and reinforced the fact that although some decisions may be painful, they're necessary in order for me to maintain a positive level of health and wellness.

Bottom line (and I'm paraphrasing):
I do not have to allow negativity into my space. If someone is bringing me down, intentionally hurting me, unintentionally hurting me (but when I make them aware of the offense they CHOOSE to do nothing about it), and/or only speaking negativity into my life...the decision is up to me with regard to how close I let them get to me.

At this point in my life, I can only have those around me who are here to support, encourage, uplift (and most certainly NOT smile in my face while STABBING me in the back).

My circle may be growing smaller, and folks may be hating and/or calling me everything but a "Child of God." That's ok I imagine. I have spent ALL of my life trying to make other folks happy...walking on eggshells so as not to offend them or "make them mad" at me. But where has that gotten me? It's gotten me disrespected and having folks think they can treat me any old way. Well...NEWSFLASH...those days are GONE.

As I said in a previous post, the older I get, the more I become like my Mother. She spoke her mind ALWAYS. If someone offended her, she confronted them. If they walked out her life afterward as a result, she was ok with that. She didn't suppress her feelings for the sake of "being liked." You either liked my Mother for the "real deal" that she was, or you stepped. No skin off her nose, as she would say...and none off mine either.

As Porky Pig would say..."That's All Folks!"

It's a BEAUTIFUL morning, and my day is JAM PACKED with FANTASTIC people I love spending time with. I've been looking forward to this day for WEEKS. So I'm about to get out there and "let it do what it do!" I hope you do the same.

For those who love me...and I mean GENUINELY love me...I love you right back! MUAH!!!
And for those who don't...I love you too (because Christ commands me to). You've simply taught me that I need to love YOU from a distance.

Let the DIALOGUE begin: What do YOU have planned for this lovely Saturday?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Beer please.

Tonight's gonna be another "light" one because I think it just needs to be.

I was thinking earlier about root beer floats and how my Mom used to make them when I was little. Sometimes we'd have strawberry soda floats. My favorite though were always root beer. I don't think I've even had a root beer float since she last made one.

One thing I do have often though is root beer by itself. I love root beer. Yeah yeah...I know that soda is bad for us, yadda yadda yadda.

Interestingly, I rarely buy soda for home. But when I dine out...I always order root beer. I don't really have a favorite brand. I like 'em all.

I'm sure you can guess what tonight's topic will be. If not, well then...

Let the DIALOGUE begin: For those of you do drink soda...what's YOUR favorite flavor? And have you ever made it into a float?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Hanging on by a very Thin Thread

So many things have happened to me in the past month. Yet more and more keep happening. Some things I've shared with others. Some, I've shared with none. Yet God has seen EVERYTHING that has happened and He (I believe) has been orchestrating ALL of it. I say that because many of the things that have happened have gone way beyond my comprehension. Things so unexpected.

Some things, I never THOUGHT would happen...did.

Others, I never WANTED to happen...they did too.

And people. People have been so very mean, nasty, and disrespectful. I'm talking, "going for the jugular" mean. And I'm not just talking ONE person. At this moment at least THREE come to mind. Like they really want to see me crumble to the ground. It's hurtful, and at the same time, it has my guard WAY UP. I don't profess to be a saint, and I am FAR from perfect. But I do my best to treat people right, and with RESPECT. If I know that you are hurting as a result of something I have done...I'm gonna fix it...because that's the RIGHT thing to do. What I will NEVER do is know that I have hurt you and let you keep hurting. That's just WRONG. I'm not made that way. I'm just not.

Then there's this other thing...this thing that's been nagging at me. Someone very close to me has a secret. A secret that would break me if I knew about it. I'm pretty sure that I know what it is, but I will wait for God to reveal it, and will deal with it at that time. It's been said, "That which does not kill me only makes me stronger." But this secret that I'm waiting to be revealed, will come pretty darned close. I can't worry about it though. God knows ALL. He knows the things that I have done to hurt others, whether intentionally or unintentionally, and he knows what these individuals have done to hurt ME...in a MAJOR way. They are probably laughing about it, but He knows, and my spirit knows too.

In spite of everything, I have (and will) continue to pray. I also know that I have folks praying on my behalf, in the name of Jesus. I know that God is hearing those prayers, (although I'm not sure if mine are going any higher than the ceiling) and though things appear to be getting worse, I know that I'm not going through them alone.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
Psalm 23:4

That's about all I can write about tonight. My head is cloudy which means I need to go spend even more time with God.

Let the DIALOGUE begin: Have you ever encountered people who were just mean to you for no reason?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

And Breathe...

When life gets too heavy (as mine has become lately), sometimes we must step away from all that's weighing us down and simply take a moment to breathe.

With all that has taken place in my life recently, there's only ONE thing that I desperately want. ONE thing that will change my life completely. ONE thing that will lessen the importance of everything else. That ONE thing I will continue to take to God in prayer, faithfully believing that He will answer...in His time.

Until then, for tonight, I will write about the only things I have the emotional and mental energy to handle right now: Flowers and Butterflies. That's it. I can't handle, or write about ANYTHING heavier than those two things.

How 'bout we start with flowers? So many to choose from. Although I love orchids, my FAVORITE flower is a SNAPDRAGON.

My love for snapdragons began as a young girl during my summer visits to Ohio. I loved sticking my finger in the flower's "mouth" and letting it chomp down. I could do that for hours and never get bored. Seems like there were snapdragons EVERYWHERE in Ohio. I rarely see them here in California, but when I do...yes...I squeeze the sides, and in goes my finger. The little girl in me will NEVER stop doing that.

And butterflies.

I really don't have a favorite, although the one pictured here in the post could very well become my favorite, seeing that it's blue and brown...my FAVORITE color combination.

But more than the coloring of butterflies, I am absolutely FASCINATED by how they come to be. From eggs, to caterpillars, to pupa in a chrysalis. Then metamorphosis, and voila...a brilliantly beautiful BUTTERFLY.

Just another one of those things that make me declare, "Our God is AWESOME!" Only He, can create life that way. Creator of ALL.

Anyhoo...as I've done before, and I will ask again...for those who pray in the name of Jesus...please say a prayer for me. I won't go into specifics, but God, being omniscient as He is, already knows. And I thank you in advance.

Now...Let the DIALOGUE begin: What's YOUR favorite flower?

Talk to me!

Til next time...