Say My Name, Say My Name

"Say my name, say my name"... I love to sing that part of Destiny's Child song. 

And..... it's the only part I know. 

It's catchy and you can sing it over and over. 

Kind of like my other favorite, "Ice, Ice Baby"...
I ask you, is there a song better than Ice in the whole world?

Hoagie Carmichael, The Gershwin boys, The Duke (think Ellington, not John), Cole Porter, and not to leave out Swift.
Did any of them ever compose anything as catchy as,"Ice Ice baby, Ice"?

I don't know the rest of those words either....
but it makes me feel edgy and fresh. 

Might want to look up fresh, it doesn't mean what it did in 1980.

When I started writing this post, "Say my name, say my name" was on repeat in my head, so I looked up the lyrics and well, they didn't fit at all.

 But maybe some of you, like me don't know the rest of the song.

Last week I was walking into a grocery store near my house. I don't shop there, but needed stamps and there is a post office in this chain. Yes, I love this fact as I do not love going to the post office. I rate it with my detest of the DMV office.
You might be shocked to know what lengths we go to avoid that place.

As I walked through the first set of doors, I heard someone say my name. 
Okay, this would not be a big deal last year, but here, now, where I almost know as many people as I have fingers....
yeah, it was a big deal.
That song started in my head a few minutes later, and it hasn't really stopped.
Well, except when Ice takes over.

The person who said my name wasn't even sure it was me. She just called out, taking a chance. She doesn't shop at this store either but had stopped in to pick up one item.
Maybe it was chocolate because that would make it important.

We talked, we laughed, we almost hugged... she had just come from the gym.
She made my day.
Really
I have been waiting for someone to say my name since I arrived here.
I didn't know this until she said it.

It made me happier than you can imagine. One reason is, I really like this girl. We have a lot in common, age not being one of them.
She is a capable leader in her community. She is passionate in what she believes and how she lives.
I like that in people. She is also funny and likes to laugh. Humor and laughter rate high on my friend list.

The reality is we all want to be known and we want people to say our name. We want people to know us, remember us and smile when they see us.
I had that in the community I left, but here it will take some time.
I was reminded that He knows my name, He says my name and He smiles when He sees me.
The He being God of course.
Didn't want any of you to think Vanilla Ice knows who I am...... I mean he might, but....

When you see someone you know today, holler out to them and say their name. Better yet, just say "Ice, Ice Baby" to them.. bet that gets them smiling.

Stumbling And Drunk

The New Orleans morning rush of traffic was upon him.

 Dressed in an old tee shirt and jeans, 50 yr old guy stumbled in the middle of street, going down to his knees, clutching tightly the cup in his hand. 

 People walked around him,

keeping a safe distance. 

Begging for strength he fought to make his way to the corner, the light was changing.

 He lunged for the fire hydrant and clung to it, as a life preserver. 

He held tightly, struggling for composure. 

He rested... people walked by. He heard the comments, mixed with snickering and laughter.

 Words called out to him, "drunk!".... and worse. 

No one stopped. 

No one offered help. No one cared. 

He was one of those.... lost, without hope, cast out, cast off and forgotten.

Who was he? Who is he?

I know him.

He is a pastor. He is a husband, a father, a son, a good man.

The cup held his morning coffee.

He has back problems, that can come on suddenly, especially in the early hours of the day.

The pain threw him to his knees that morning... in the middle of the street.

He saw first hand how others..... how WE treat the lost.

Should people have stopped if they knew he wasn't a drunk? 

Is that what makes the difference?

Are the drunks and cast out.. not good men? 

Are they not sons, brothers, husbands, children of The Most High.

Why don't we care enough to stop and help them to the curb? 

Are we so afraid for our own safety that we refuse to help?

Where in the Word does it tell us to constantly look out for our own good, our well being? 

Isn't that what the Messiah took care of, when He struggled the path to the cross, stumbling to his knees in agony, getting up and continuing.... for us. 

Didn't they shout insults at Him, calling Him names?

Are we any better than these people?

Jesus said, "Feed my sheep"... not once, but three times.

The sheep are in need. They are drunk, sick, lost and dying all around us. 

Lord, help me open my eyes, that I may see them.

And when I stumble.... will anyone care enough to help me up?

The Long Haul On Being A Parent Lost In The Forest

No Idea Who This Is.... A Flying Squirrel Perhaps

This weekend took the hubster (that's hipster for husband) and I on a whirlwind 22 hour round trip car ride in little more than 24 hours. Yeah, not sure if that math works out, but trust me it seemed like eternity.

And that was before we got lost... took a detour through The Mark Twain National Forest.
If you are ever thinking of going, call me first. I can give you some pointers. Take food, water, camo and a banjo so you can play along with the locals to Deliverance tunes and don't worry about your cell phone, unless you want to use it as a weapon.
The terrain is lovely to look at it, but after 15 minutes you swear you already drove by that mountain lion, grizzly bear or flying squirrel.
I tried to get the hubster to pull over so we could stretch our legs... instead he locked the doors and mumbled something under his breath.
Seriously? The daughter needed us.... and we were driving around lost.

This trip was necessary....

You see

The lovely daughter 

was in need 

of

new wheels.

It wasn't her doing, but that of the young gun who decided to drive his car into hers on super bowl sunday. 

Maybe he was trying to get her attention.
It got her dad's attention.

No doubt in a hurry to see his team... (hopefully lose). Go Giants!

We had found a vehicle that fit into the desires of her heart.... 

Since she was 12 she wanted this vehicle.

One had been located.

She never thought she could have it, but voila..... like pennies from heaven,

good things were coming her way.

and like a good neighbor, our Insurance Company came through.

We made our plans for travel.

I asked the hubster if we could fly? 

He looked at me like I was blonde (I have been) and 

reminded me we were leaving in 19 hours...
Okay, okay.....

We met the darling girl, made the purchase and went on to spend the next 8 hours in her town....
Nashville.
So much to do, see, shop and visit....
We were tired.
The husband took a nap.... a three hour nap...
I can't help but see Gilligan and hear "a three hour tour" playing in my head.
Yea, he got lost alright.
The male gene kicked in and he was snoozing.

Later that evening our son made it back into town after his three day track meet and we sat down to dinner at 9:45.
My daughter turned to me and said something about her friends thinking we were crazy. She said they meant it in a good way...
Crazy to make this drive...
She said, "I guess you take this parenting thing seriously and you are going to see it through to the end."

Well, that's always been our plan.

And where exactly is the end of parenting?
When I leave this earth I imagine.
A helicopter parent I am not.
 I pushed my kids away from me when it came to college choices, away from home.
That was not my heart choice, but still the right choice.

We gave them wings to fly, and after we push them out of the nest, they make the choices.
They choose the grades, the friends, the decisions.
They know we will always help them....
We have also let them fail...
They know we will not fight their battles or clean up their messes.
We will encourage them, direct them and even advocate in situations that are appropriate.

We will always be their parents and we will drive the miles and be the support system that we were called to be when we became parents.
Parenting doesn't end, but it does change.
We stand by now.... instead of in front of.
They do not need us to block them from harm. They are adults... and my what lovely adults they are becoming.
I say that, not out of pride, but out of thankfulness, gratefulness, heart overflowing.... to God.
He gave us these two people to help mold, but they are not ours... never were. They are His and we are blessed to be their earthly parents.
I am so thankful they know their Heavenly Father is the One who will never get lost or take a detour. 








Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 "Honor your father and mother "--which is the first commandment with a promise-- 3 "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." 4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Today We Feast...

Today is Fat Tuesday....... the day we feast. 

On this day in medieval times Christians would use up their milk, eggs and butter, abstaining from these treats during Lent. 

This day would include pastries, pancakes, Paczki (a doughnut) and Kings cake.

I walked into my grocery store yesterday and there were boxes and boxes of Paczki. There were also boxes of bright green and pink Kings cake.

I will admit.... 

none of those delicacies are in my house today. 

Instead we will feast on Cornish Game Hens and roasted vegetables tonight. 

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday.. when Lent begins.

Having grown up in a non catholic home, the days of Lent had escaped me, leaving me a bit confused, 

even doubting the importance and need for them. 

I feel differently now....

No matter our denomination, if we claim Christ as Lord, we can and should consider this observance important. We can find comfort and blessing in participating in this season of Lent.

Sometimes we miss observances of grace filled moments when not part of liturgical churches.

The good news is the season of Lent is available to all.... it's a matter of the heart.

Lent prepares us for Easter Sunday 

as we give up, pray, fast... It is an opportunity to quiet ourselves, bringing into focus what we will consider, recognize and celebrate during the weekend of Easter.

What we give up, or even begin is up to us. Maybe giving up and beginning is a good option. Giving up something we will really miss. Beginning something that will increase our faith and bring us into a more intimate place of worship with the Creator. Opening His word to us and becoming friends with the Messiah who came and gave His life for you and me.

He gave up His life and began a forever relationship with us when He carried his cross to that hill ..... that would change our world forever.

My prayer is we give Him these 40 days and let Him transform us into more of Him. 

Tonight over dinner, the hubster and I will decide what we will give up and begin, as we seek more of Him. Whatever we choose will pale in any way to the gifts we have received from Him, but He understands us in our weakness and He loves us anyway.

"We're grateful", she said......

I don't watch much television. One reason is because my television is not normally in the ON position. I prefer to have the 4 tv's in my house display a solid black picture with no noise coming out of them. Maybe a little strange... but I prefer quiet and once it's turned on, it quickly becomes the idiot box or boob tube as my parents referred to it. Can't really call it that name today. It sounds so dirty... I should have bought 4 large black frames and hung them up throughout the house.. would have been cheaper, with no monthly fees.

The other day my television was in the on position ... tuned to the local news channel. We have three local stations and I am trying to figure out which one is the ONE to watch. When we lived in Champaign everyone knew you watched Jennifer Roscoe, duh... In my new city, I have no idea.
As a newcomer I should get to know my community a bit. Discover if the mayor is a man or woman, where the major crime is happening, who runs the town, who not to tick off. Important stuff... sort of.

What I witnessed on the news was an older couple being interviewed. They were about 80, impeccably dressed,white haired, very calm in their demeanor. He, a retired professor at Friends University was holding his wife's hand.
Friends University is one of three local Universities and from a Quaker background, hence the name.  We tried to entice the son to consider it. We even met one of the cross country runners, very hipster, funny, cute, dreads and all. We knew he and Dan would be instant friends, no pun intended.
Once Dan heard the name of the university he dismissed it....He did not want to go to F.U. or Friends University of Central Kansas, as it used to be called.
Helloo... come on Dan,what's in a name? It's a great school, and you'll be ten minutes from mom and dad.
Hmm, maybe that had more to do with it...
I digress......

Back to my point. This lovely couple had been through some difficulties as of late. The husband had a bad fall which caused bleeding to the brain. He had recently had brain surgery. Okay, any kind of brain surgery is major, let's face it.
There is no out patient brain surgery....
"Honey, going to have my brain opened up this morning. Can you pick me up at three at the outpatient discharge? I'll be the one with my head wrapped up, like a mummy.
Yikes, that's a lot to go through at any age.

Recently, the couple had gone to the Doctors office for a follow up visit and upon returning home, the wife noticed the front door to their home was ajar. She being the smarty pants she obviously is, went back to the car, called police and waited till they arrived.
Upon entering they found the house quite disheveled. Not much was taken. The couple stated the thieves were probably disappointed as they did not even own a flat screen TV. Not even one.
Good for them, I was already looking for their phone number. We could be friends. They probably have a great library of books! Who knows what I could teach Dan about Quaker life.

What touched me about this couple was their response to the break in. The wife calmly looked at her husband and said, " We just feel very blessed." He nodded in agreement.  Blessed... not violated.... not fearful..... not angry. They felt blessed.

I am glad I turned on my television that day. This couple brought perspective to life. They showed what they value and how to have joy through trials.
They are no doubt thankful to have been able to go through this together. The husband wants to protect his wife and he was there to comfort her and reassure her that all would be okay.
This couple had experienced trials. You don't get to show off those lovely white locks without going through the fire. They had it together. They were solid.

We constantly get worked up over things that do not matter. Most of the stuff we upset ourselves and others with.... does not matter.

Then what does matter?
I believe relationships matter. My relationship with my husband, my children my family and everyone I come in contact with. Not just the people that I perceive may benefit my life. The ones who have nothing to offer me matter... they matter a lot.. sometimes more than I ever thought possible.
My relationship with The Creator of this amazing universe matters. He guides my heart to the things that truly matter. If it were not for this relationship, I would spend a lot of time.... upset over things that honestly, are not worthy of taking space in my brain.

I want to remember this couple when things get scary and hard.
Maybe I will find their number and see if they would like one of my televisions too.
Bet they say no.

It's Valentines Day.. Let's Get Engaged.

Love is in the air. Red is the color of the day, with tiny cut out hearts making messes in classrooms everywhere.

 Yet stress, strife and emotional distance can be the words of the day. Let's face it, today is just another day... no matter how hard Hallmark tries to convince us otherwise.

We can say we love, admire, and are devoted...... but are we engaged? Not the sparkly diamond type of engagement, but the down deep kind of engagement? Through thick and thin, good times and bad.....

Not just with a spouse, but with our families, our friends.

Are we there for the people in our life who need us, count on us, love us? Will we be there tomorrow when we finish off the heart shaped box of candy, and toss aside the cards our loved ones hand picked?

Last night our two kids were Skyping us at the same time. Skyping for attention, we call it.  They were both dialing and we could not figure out how to Skype as a group. Yeah, I know......

I unintentionally hung up on one while talking to the other. I repeated this three times.... They kept calling back! Winning! My heart longed to talk to both of them. 

It reminded me of when they were little, both calling out to me. 

This does not happen often now, as they are strong, independent adults. 

They took me a little too seriously when I told them college was their time to fly.....

Don't fly away my heart whispers now.

The hubby and I had dvr'd The Grammys and The Voice. We were ready to sing along......

Our kids called, we responded. "Grammy Who? I will watch Adele later." Repeatedly, no doubt. 

I was excited to look at my kiddos precious faces and hear about their days. 

We became fully engaged (except for the hanging up part) and it felt good.

Being engaged takes work, with our mate, our kids and friendships. 

I wish I could have some Do Overs. 

I could have been more engaged when my babies were young, when my husband needed me and I was too busy. When I ignored friendships and expected them to always be there. 

I can't ... and maybe I would repeat my mistakes.  

I have today. 

Today I can be engaged. 

I can choose to slow down and listen....

Engaged in the blessings of the moment. 

The graces that fall on me, though I do not deserve them. 

I can be engaged in the life I have been given, no matter where I find myself. 

I can be engaged with the people that God brings my way. 

The question is, will I? 

Will I engage?

Will You? 

Today is about relationships. Tomorrow is also about relationships.

 Let's get engaged.

Make A Joyful Noise

Psalms 47:1 Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!

Need a little joy in your life? 

I can't think of a better way to spend two hours on a cold, gray winter afternoon than watching 

Make A Joyful Noise. 

My face was smiling, my feet tapping and my heart singing. 

I wanted to join the choir... and I was in a choir once and it was nothing like this....

If you are looking to replenish the joy in your life, maybe need a reminder of forgiveness and redemption, buy a ticket and get ready for a blessing. 

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

The Brotherhood Of Man.. Enjoy The Game

Waiting for the superbowl....

Just watched the NBC pre- super-bowl commercial titled The Brotherhood of Man. 

Listening to the words, they are pretty great.

Now, you may join the Elks, my friend,

And I may join the Shriners;

And other men may carry cards

As members of the Diners. 

Still others wear a golden key

Or small Greek letter pin;

But I have learned there's one great club

That all of us are in. 

There is a Brotherhood of Man,

A Benevolent Brotherhood of Man,

A noble tie that binds

All human hearts and minds

Into one Brotherhood of Man. 

Your lifelong membership is free.

Keep agivin' each brother all you can.

Oh aren't you proud to be

In that fraternity,

The great big Brotherhood of Man? 

You, you got me;

Me, I got you, you! 

Oh, that noble feeling,

Feels like bells are pealing,

Down with double-dealing,

Oh Brother! 

You, you got me;

Me, I got you, you! 

I want to live like that ... The Brotherhood Of Man. The membership is free, givin each brother( and sista) all we can. You got me , and I got you. Who wants to join me? Enjoy the game... and may your team win.

Crawling And Walking These 22 Years....

It will be 22 years tomorrow since I lost a great love... a day that changed life forever.
It was a milestone of my spiritual being, a day I had to choose what I would believe, who I would follow.....

Since then I have learned some things....
Most I am still struggling with ... just to keep this honest...

I have learned that somedays I am still trying to walk........

I have learned that life is more fragile than I thought. Like glass shattered on hard surface, life can change. Life can become undone......

I have learned thankfulness....... for each new morning and the gifts that come. Hundreds of blessings each day, if I were to count. The blessings of body, relationships, sound soul and mind.......

I have learned that ignoring prayer in my daily life will cease communion with God....
He can't listen if I am not talking and I cannot hear if I don't call......

I have learned that relationships are the cats pajamas......
We are created for relationship and that's about it. You can't top that with any job, amount of money, grand home or fancy fill in the blank.

I have learned that I do not have all the answers...
I cannot convince someone to believe as I do....
I can love them and introduce them to my Jesus.....
I have learned that the evil one will use his limited power to divide us on issues....
I will point to God, through prayer and scripture to find truth, instead of truths we can each create to feel peace, though faulty because of human thinking.

I have learned that it is joy to be generous. I try to hold lightly to anything I believe is mine. None of it is mine, it is all from above and He is watching to see how I will handle these gifts....
Will I hold with clenched jaw and tight fists, or will I give as He desires..... till I feel it, till I recognize the choice is one of the biggest blessings a Christ follower could experience.

I have learned to let go of anger and frustrations towards others....
I am called to live out Christ...

I have learned that worry is the tool of the devil. If he can keep me worried he wins...
I cannot commune with God and follow the devils curse of worry.....

I have learned to slow down......
Hurry is not a gift of the spirit. It is a tool of the evil one....
It will keep me from the relationship God desires to have with me.....

I have learned that life will be very different than I expected...
It will be a journey that will have ruts and bumps but also beautiful views of things I never dreamed of......

I have learned that this life I call my own, is anything but mine.....
It is an opportunity to join God, the Creator of the universe... in His work.
It is the most amazing opportunity anyone could ever desire....
To work with God....... bigger than the CEO of any company...
He is the CEO of the world........
He calls me each morning and asks if I have plans for the day...
He invites me to breakfast....
He tells me He has wonderful plans for the day and He would like me to join Him.....

He tells me that we can work together every day.....
for the rest of my life.....
It doesn't matter where I grew up, what country I am from, where I went to school......
I only need arms wide open and a willingness to be used.......

I have learned that many will not see life as I do.....
Eyes will be veiled and hearts hard......
The things of life weighing them down, keeping them from the glorious view of their Maker....
I have learned to invest in relationship when God leads....
Other times walking away, finding an empty soul, not wanting to be filled......

I have learned that I will continue to make mistakes, hurt others and say stupid things....
I have learned that grace will always be enough.....

I have learned there is always more to learn, see and be amazed by... in this life of faith....