Summer what to do?

Summer arrived last week. People are doing all those summer type activities; beach and sand, pool and BBQ, road trip and Mickey Mouse,
planting fresh plants in the flower beds and painting the house.
Summer classes and time for new glasses. Family reunions and scrapbook memories. Remembering all the names... one Jake, one Thomas, three Michaels, an unforgettable individual called James and believe it or not... four Henry's.

In the moonlight as you sway on the porch swing , stars twinkling above, being lulled into a sweet state of calm and reflection. You ponder.....you ponder all the usual, the expected occupations of summer and you wonder awhile about the breakout wild child things you might dare to consider.

Climb a mountain? Possible
Jump from a plane? Strongly rejected!!
Ride a camel or shoot a beautiful elephant on safari with your favorite camera? Definitely more possible.
Swim with dolphins in the ocean? Exciting
Swim with sharks? Lets not push it.
Swim without a bathing suit? Possible...Location..Location...Location.
Go fishing? Yes
Dance in the kitchen with your husband? Double Yes!
Have a backyard camp out with your kids? Yes! Yes! Yes!

Yourself

If you give up because someone else gave up, it shows a definite lack of imagination.

 Think for yourself. 

Feel for yourself. 

Do for yourself. 

Be an individual.

A Gift To Share

We are bestowed the gift we cannot return in the measure it was given. 

Unconditional love from our heavenly Father. 

Something we receive, not earn.

 The surprise is that we conduct our lives as if the only way to win our love is to earn it.

We make demands on the attitude, behavior, and affections of those we hold most dear. If the people around us don't measure up to our standard --ascend to our bar, we punish or sometimes discard said individual.

We are all guilty.

In a given moment each of us could be found

seriously wanting; yet most the time we operate under the illusion that for some mysterious reason, we ourselves, are the one flawless individual in a sea of flawed humanity.

Wake up people take an honest look in the mirror.

Shed that holier than thou attitude for a righteous one.

Take God's example to heart and make His stance yours.

Show Grace

And one other thing

And one other thing to consider about Cinderella..........


Bumps in the road met her at every turn. Obstacles and disappointments, her constant companions. Yet in the end she had the palace, position, and of most value, the Prince's heart....................

                                 And her sisters were left with nothing but broken glass.

Giving up causes you to miss out on the best part, the reward.  

  So don't give up!!!!!!

I saw beyond the glass slipper...

On the subject of Cinderella I have some thoughts...........

 Prince, rich, charming, and rescuer.... that is what people think of him. Forgotten girl, poor, defenseless, trapped, alone.... that is what people think of her. I believe these are just and, in part, accurate adjectives describing these two solitary souls and yet there is more to it.
More to him. More to her. More.......

Cinderella lost her position in life, as well as the love and protection of her father in one moment. It happened at a tender age. She gained in return hateful step siblings and a calculating opportunistic step mother. A cold heart beat within the woman's hollow being, to be certain. Chills.......  In addition, household duties that multiplied with each passing breath became Cinderella's reason for being. Without choice, these truths were thrust upon her. Happiness for this change of circumstance did not swell within the young girl's heart.

 But hopelessness was not allowed to take up residence there either because a determined spirit dwelt in her slender frame. She did not permit herself to grow bitter. She fanned the flame of hope at each opportunity. A true friend she was to all that would receive her friendship; and faithful to them all without reserve. She displayed moxy when the situation required it and tenderness was shown to those that required it and would receive her affection.

Her step sisters are referred to as ugly and indeed we all have little doubt of that being an undeniable fact. Actually, I think they might crack a mirror or two, but what makes us all ugly is not a misshapen nose, an unflattering hair cut, or I dare say an unusually large foot. The heart of the matter is the heart.... period. Behave selfishly, manipulatively, hard, with absence of compassion and you will reap a bitter return.

So, the ugly question ....maybe they were but, their behavior was the paramount detractor.

The Prince, he traveled extensively, his education of the highest degree, privileged, pampered, poised, but not indulged. Excellence was expected in everything. The responsibility to marry and produce an heir, to be 
prepared to rule over the land in due course; all these tasks pressed down upon him. He did not bow under the weight of it, he took it squarely on his shoulders and stood tall. Waiting for true love..... never impressed by the average batch of princesses, all so the same.

True hearts are those that recognize quality at first glance. Out of the crowd the Prince was drawn to Cinderella. 
Not a woman of substantial fortune, but a woman of substance....this is what he was attracted to like the irresistible pull of a magnet. Cinderella found this stranger before her, kind, tender, displaying a gentle strength that was woven into his character. Her heart told her to be near him was a good thing. Her heart that beat with a wild thump in response to his nearness. She was not caught up in the fact that he was a Prince for she knew not, that he was the Prince.

Yes there is more to this pair than we ever think about. Forgiving, open, given to laughter, smart, beautiful heart, beautiful, well developed sense of humor.... that IS her.

Observant, humble, a people person, an admirer...lover of beauty heart deep, attracted to strength, a leader and truly charming.... that IS him.

Ever expectant of the missing piece in their lives, Cinderella and the Prince waited, they each knew their time would come. That the piece would one day fall into place and it did.

When you take the time to look, each person that fills a role of this story, has a lot to contribute. Even if it is just a matter of what not to be, we can learn from each of them. Cinderella is a positive example of believing for the best against impossible odds and up against decidedly discouraging circumstances. The Prince searched out character, heart, and a genuine woman of substance, and found it came in a beautiful package.

Yes, there is more.

It's All the Little Things

It's all the little things that make you who you are and make the big things possible. I have a mother, she is like no other; not exclusively, but partly because she is mine. She taught me to tie my shoes, paint my nails, give a compliment, and a helping hand. My Mother is like no other... she taught me the fine art of making getting lost on accident, into a purposeful adventure. She lead by example that being treated badly did not give me permission to return the treatment in kind. Because of her I know the delights of a sunset, a rose about to open, the value of a warm hug, and the irresistible draw to the 1950's cinema.

 My Mother, the one that gave me eyes like hers, a quick and teasing wit, the ability to turn a phrase, and the satisfaction of drinking an ice cold glass of milk; I love her with my whole heart. My Mother, there is no other, that gave me life. I thank you because you know and I know that giving me life could have and would have cost you your own; but for the giver of all life. Here we are together all these many years later, older, wiser, funnier, and anxious for what comes next.

A new adventure....a new assignment and task. Hmm we could ask?

But no, we will wait and watch, praise our God, raise our hopes and experience His perfect peace in our perfect place.....living free....living blessed. For all the little things I thank you. For all the big things you have done I honor you. For being you I love you.

Happy 75th Birthday.... this one is going to be one to write about.

My Mother is like no other. I would NOT trade her for another. High, low, deep, wide, far, near.
Have I made myself perfectly clear.........I Love You

Now and for Always
YOUR CHARM

Mine Alone

I don't want to know everything. 

It is too much of a burden for my heart; 

it is too much information for my head to absorb.

Let me know only what is mine to know.

Let me do only what is mine to do.

Lord help me do it with excellence

and with my whole heart.