I have apparently reached a small milestone in the land of blogging. Today’s post numbers 200 which according to precedent set by bloggers all over our fine land, necessitates that one make a list of 200 fun, personalized facts for all to read.
Considering that I lack the time and motivation for such a large task, I have decided to tweak the current trend and instead, make a list that revolves around the number 200.
(For those who are looking to make a citizens arrest on behalf of the blogging police for my world wide web defiance, I humbly ask that you consider my small children, and the effect my absence and/or jail time would have on their development.)
So, here we go.
Two Hundred is the number of.....
... times John has turned out the light on my side of the bed.
... .permissions slips, progress reports and school calendars that have disappeared onto the great abyss known as my Ford Expedition.
... minutes I have held on the phone before being allowed to talk to a customer service rep for Dell computer who just happens to reside in India and impossible to understand.
... hours I have sat in the very long carpool line paying bills, talking on the phone, filing my nails, hunting lost papers and regretting that I didn’t get gas at the last convenience store I passed.
.....close calls that involved me almost running out of gas.
....times a day a child in my house asks me for a snack.
....conversations that ended with my foot residing in my mouth.
....moments I have looked at my husband and children and been brought to tears by the pure joy they bring me
... interactions I have had that start with me saying, “Here’s the thing...” and then ultimately ends with “How ‘bout that....”
... long weekends I hope to spend with the NOGS in this lifetime.
....times I have asked family members to help me find either my car keys, my hair brush or my cell phone.
....loads of clothes I have laundered this week.
....prayers that have begun, “Lord, I know that this comes as no surprise to you, but I’ve gone and messed up yet again...”
.... cheetos I’ve eaten in one sitting. (It ain't easy being cheesy)
.... times I have been nauseous from eating too many cheetos.
.... frogs I am convinced are living in my mailbox.
... phone calls I have made to the 911 operator. (Okay, that’s a stretch. I’m really only on about 156.)
.... posts I’ve written all in the name of a little JOY.
Showing posts with label joy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label joy. Show all posts
Friday, April 24, 2009
Friday, March 28, 2008
In The Hot Seat
My internal organs quivered, my heart beat erratically and I perspired like a man.The occasion? My husband and I shared our testimony with our bible study group Wednesday night.
We just recently joined this exceptionally funny (as in ha-ha) group of Believers and almost immediately felt very comfortable in their company. Comfortable, that is, until they asked us to share our “stuff”. This group of couples had all shared their journey of faith with one another before we became members, which was evident in their obvious closeness and genuine concern they had for each other. Now, to get to know us on a deeper, more spiritual level - to understand why we believe what we believe - they wanted to hear our testimony.
We’d like to think that we have been transparent with our struggles, particularly if the difficulties we’ve experienced can help another in times of trouble.
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)"
Anything we have overcome has been by the grace and love of God, and it brings us joy to give Him the glory for any provisions, any comfort, any direction He has given us. There have been many instances where John has been able to relate to a patient better because of his own experiences. There have been many occasions I have been able to offer a friend an encouraging word because of my struggles. Our journey, while at times difficult and confusing and overwhelming,only has purpose and meaning if it can help another while furthering God’s kingdom at the same time. If our story can’t be used for others, then the trials, the anxieties, the worry would have all been for nothing. Frankly, our arduous life absent of a Divine purpose would have resulted in an existence without any signifigance or any real hope.
So, I don’t mind using my “stuff” if it will comfort another.
But, to do so in front of a group of people, folks who I am just getting to know, who may not necessarily need the type of encouragement I can offer, who might hear my story and maybe think that I am some sort of freak show, is a different thing altogether.( I think I may start to perspire again.) I don’t mind speaking in front of a group and have done it often, but the primary material presented has not been about my mistakes, my struggles, my life.
Even so, we did it. I squirmed some, stuttered some, and sweated some. But the words came out easier than I thought and the story told didn't send the others into a catatonic state. There weren’t looks of horror, gasping was kept to a minimum, and no one shook their head in disdain. Our friends listened, nodded their heads in encouragement and simply understood.
While our struggles are personal, and not always lovely, I realized that everyone has a story of their own that leads them to that place of whole hearted belief and total dependence. I worried that my own history, mistakes and all, would cause others to run from me as fast as possible. But what really happens, if you allow your faith the chance, is that your history becomes HisStory and just maybe, those listening, will run to Him as fast as possible as a result.
So, that’s my story. And as corny as it may sound - I’m sticking to it.
We just recently joined this exceptionally funny (as in ha-ha) group of Believers and almost immediately felt very comfortable in their company. Comfortable, that is, until they asked us to share our “stuff”. This group of couples had all shared their journey of faith with one another before we became members, which was evident in their obvious closeness and genuine concern they had for each other. Now, to get to know us on a deeper, more spiritual level - to understand why we believe what we believe - they wanted to hear our testimony.
We’d like to think that we have been transparent with our struggles, particularly if the difficulties we’ve experienced can help another in times of trouble.
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)"
Anything we have overcome has been by the grace and love of God, and it brings us joy to give Him the glory for any provisions, any comfort, any direction He has given us. There have been many instances where John has been able to relate to a patient better because of his own experiences. There have been many occasions I have been able to offer a friend an encouraging word because of my struggles. Our journey, while at times difficult and confusing and overwhelming,only has purpose and meaning if it can help another while furthering God’s kingdom at the same time. If our story can’t be used for others, then the trials, the anxieties, the worry would have all been for nothing. Frankly, our arduous life absent of a Divine purpose would have resulted in an existence without any signifigance or any real hope.
So, I don’t mind using my “stuff” if it will comfort another.
But, to do so in front of a group of people, folks who I am just getting to know, who may not necessarily need the type of encouragement I can offer, who might hear my story and maybe think that I am some sort of freak show, is a different thing altogether.( I think I may start to perspire again.) I don’t mind speaking in front of a group and have done it often, but the primary material presented has not been about my mistakes, my struggles, my life.
Even so, we did it. I squirmed some, stuttered some, and sweated some. But the words came out easier than I thought and the story told didn't send the others into a catatonic state. There weren’t looks of horror, gasping was kept to a minimum, and no one shook their head in disdain. Our friends listened, nodded their heads in encouragement and simply understood.
While our struggles are personal, and not always lovely, I realized that everyone has a story of their own that leads them to that place of whole hearted belief and total dependence. I worried that my own history, mistakes and all, would cause others to run from me as fast as possible. But what really happens, if you allow your faith the chance, is that your history becomes HisStory and just maybe, those listening, will run to Him as fast as possible as a result.
So, that’s my story. And as corny as it may sound - I’m sticking to it.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Brrrrrrrr
It was something like 18 below outside of my house this morning. Not really, but it might as well have been if you are a Southerner. When the temperature drops below a freezing temperature, those in the South take it as a personal affront - cold affront that is.(I know the jokes are terrible. Feel free to click on the mean, little red box in the corner at anytime) And don't even get me started on the terror "black ice" can cause a community in the south.It is a phenomenon only those below the dixie line can understand. Our cold weather was particularly aggrivating this morning to the little children in my home who had to leave warm beds to get ready for school.
Yep, I said school. It is only January 2nd, but class is back in session, a full week ahead of most schools in the area. The school my children attend did not take into account the additional days they needed to jump on their new trampoline or the bowl games that would be happening the night before . Clearly, the headmaster is not a Georgia Bulldog fan. Anyway, not only was everyone unhappy about the upcoming school day (except for me, of course), our drafty, old house didn't help the situation by allowing each child to witness their own breath as they peeked out from under their covers. And we were not camping. In fact, I could only get them out of bed by allowing them to wear their overcoats and stocking hats to the breakfast table. I'm sorry to report that a few Lucky Charm remnants still remained on the coat sleeve of my son when I picked him up from school.I'm even more sorry to report that it is still there .
Speaking of school pick-up, I heard an unusual expression today that I just have to pass along. I was entering the doorway of the school as a grandparent was making her way out with her grandson. As we passed one another, the icy cold air from outside hit her full force, causing her to yell out, "JIMINY CRICKETS IN THE MORNING!!!!"
.
Huh?!! I don't typically stop to stare, but the outburst was so unusual, that instinctively I had to take in the person making all the racket. What's so funny is that by the look on her face, I could tell it was the first time this lady had ever strung these particular words together before. She was so overcome by our weather, a temporary brainfreeze caused her to scream out words that evidently didn't make sense even to her. Sort of a "Polar Turrets Syndrome" brought on by inclement weather. I was just glad she was not a cusser. Regardless, her expression brought me so much joy that I think I'm going to use it the rest of the day.
Yep, I said school. It is only January 2nd, but class is back in session, a full week ahead of most schools in the area. The school my children attend did not take into account the additional days they needed to jump on their new trampoline or the bowl games that would be happening the night before . Clearly, the headmaster is not a Georgia Bulldog fan. Anyway, not only was everyone unhappy about the upcoming school day (except for me, of course), our drafty, old house didn't help the situation by allowing each child to witness their own breath as they peeked out from under their covers. And we were not camping. In fact, I could only get them out of bed by allowing them to wear their overcoats and stocking hats to the breakfast table. I'm sorry to report that a few Lucky Charm remnants still remained on the coat sleeve of my son when I picked him up from school.I'm even more sorry to report that it is still there .
Speaking of school pick-up, I heard an unusual expression today that I just have to pass along. I was entering the doorway of the school as a grandparent was making her way out with her grandson. As we passed one another, the icy cold air from outside hit her full force, causing her to yell out, "JIMINY CRICKETS IN THE MORNING!!!!"
.
Huh?!! I don't typically stop to stare, but the outburst was so unusual, that instinctively I had to take in the person making all the racket. What's so funny is that by the look on her face, I could tell it was the first time this lady had ever strung these particular words together before. She was so overcome by our weather, a temporary brainfreeze caused her to scream out words that evidently didn't make sense even to her. Sort of a "Polar Turrets Syndrome" brought on by inclement weather. I was just glad she was not a cusser. Regardless, her expression brought me so much joy that I think I'm going to use it the rest of the day.
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