Do you ever feel like God has taken you seriously?
I think we all tend to try to bargain with God. Right? Like we will give Him more time, money, heart -- if He’ll just ___________________________________________________
(fill in the blank i.e. send more money, provide a better job or more mature fruit of the Spirit).
But the bargains, and correct me if I’m wrong in your situation, usually have some serious small print that we are hoping God overlooks.
Bottom line, I give Him additional hoops to jump through. I think we usually call this dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s. And if He doesn’t jump the hoops in the proper sequential plan or within the time/space continuum, or follow Robert’s Rules of Order, then we can drop our end of the deal.
Sometimes I get really sick of myself. The self part of me.
I kind of like the part that God has remodeled, but frankly, the Kelly in me gets a little old.
But since I know I can’t be good or look at all like Jesus without serious help from above, I will often tell God I’d really like Him to dig for some stubborn Kelly-roots or burn off some Poison Ivy. Sometimes, I actually mean it.
So a few Sunday's ago, I cried through communion. After a lesson on forgiveness and some really great songs, the pastor told us to take communion only when we were at “peace with God” instead of all together in a group as usual.
In the quiet time that followed, God flipped through a few pages of unresolved issues in my life.
Did you know that we sometimes have to forgive people for being human and imperfect?
I didn’t think about that until God reminded me of the requests I’ve tossed at Him. The ones where I’d like to get over myself, and actually accomplish something of meaning and value with this life I’ve been given.
I’d like to think I forgive people easily. I say the words. That’s got to be worth something, right?
But sitting there, staring at my tiny cup full of burgundy liquid that is representative of Christ’s blood – the most powerful substance on earth – I realized that I held people to a standard that I can’t keep.
I want the “mature” people that go to my church to actually be “mature.” Reasonable, isn’t it?
I expect the long-term Christians to play well with others and to share.
I expect newbies to want to grow.
I hope – strongly – that the deceived actually want to believe Jesus words of truth rather than Satan’s words of death.
I really do think these are great goals. But I take it a step further and take it upon myself and either make it a burden when they don’t behave as I wish they would, or I get discouraged and let the enemy steal bricks from my foundation of faith.
I forget that God lets people wander in the wilderness because it teaches them and changes them.
He’ll also allow someone to ram over and over again into a brick wall should they choose to do so because they are determined that the rules don’t apply to them.
Noah built a boat on dry land. Abraham had to believe but not see God’s promise until he turned 100, thirteen years after Abraham and Sarah tried to help God out with said promise. David waited years for the whole kingdom of Israel.
And why did these events take so long? Because God doesn’t behave the way I expect Him to behave.
So I chose to forgive a whole bunch of sheep for acting like sheep, and decided to let God shepherd them, since He knows what He’s doing.
Sheep – would you forgive me for being a dumb-baa and tracking sheep doodie on your carpets?
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Serials and Scenarios - Orchard of Hope
Orchard of Hope...click on the cover of the book to head over to Amazon and check it out.
My Review:
Like a shoot of green forcing its way in hard-packed soil is the truth behind the issues in "Orchard of Hope." Through severe and unexpected racial tension, unknown and bitter prejudices, and intense pain, hope grows, unfurls and flutters.
This is a novel that gets stronger as it heads toward the conclusion. I grew to care about the characters and I found myself grieving, even aching, with them.
This isn't an easy read. I don't like to be reminded, or encounter, fresh evidence of prejudice and bitterness based on the color of flesh. Nor do I like to see the ugliness of the human condition without Christ's healing and redemptive power.
Gabhart handles spiritual issues with sensitivity. Story lines of unfolding love and new life add to the sweetness of the planting of hope in "Orchard."
Come bad on Friday for a Q & A with Ann.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Scribbles and Scrambles - More Bad Poetry...
I had some literary fun over the weekend.
Chip MacGregor – Agent Extraordinaire -- sponsors a bad poetry contest in honor of his birthday each year. Chip MacGregor. Chip is not my agent, not even close...but I claim 6 degrees of separation status.
How could I not participate in this contest? You guys know that bad poetry is one of my fortes.
I went for tragic, classic angst.
Chip had this to say about my entry. "Yes! Wonderfully bad, Kelly!"
Cumulus Angst
Why?
The sky? Blue? Why?
Acid rain falls from it.
Blackening my thoughts.
I say the sky
Is poison.
So the grass then
Is painted
In shades of gray.
Why?
I didn’t win. I didn’t even place, but Chip gave me a bit of a nod. You must go to his announcement to read it.
I lost to “Blind Puppy on the Freeway,” “Ode to Snow” and “Moose Without Lips?” I’m honored.
Check out Chip’s blog comments to read the other entries.
Chip MacGregor – Agent Extraordinaire -- sponsors a bad poetry contest in honor of his birthday each year. Chip MacGregor. Chip is not my agent, not even close...but I claim 6 degrees of separation status.
How could I not participate in this contest? You guys know that bad poetry is one of my fortes.
I went for tragic, classic angst.
Chip had this to say about my entry. "Yes! Wonderfully bad, Kelly!"
Cumulus Angst
Why?
The sky? Blue? Why?
Acid rain falls from it.
Blackening my thoughts.
I say the sky
Is poison.
So the grass then
Is painted
In shades of gray.
Why?
I didn’t win. I didn’t even place, but Chip gave me a bit of a nod. You must go to his announcement to read it.
I lost to “Blind Puppy on the Freeway,” “Ode to Snow” and “Moose Without Lips?” I’m honored.
Check out Chip’s blog comments to read the other entries.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Serials and Scenarios - Amy Wallace Wows
Here she is -
Amy shares her soul...I can't wait to meet her, we have a tentative coffee date in Dallas. You all are invited, too, I'm sure she wouldn't mind. Mark your calendars --sometime in September.
Fiction character you would most like to be or most identify with and why?
The fiction character I would most like to be is Shari Hanford from Dee Henderson’s The Guardian. For any O’Malley fan it probably goes without saying why. : )
Some out there in writing land have strange rituals. Share yours.
Strange rituals? I like to procrastinate until the last possible minute before I get started writing on Saturdays, does that count?
What crayon in the box describes you on a good day? Bad day?
On a good day, I’m a happy cerulean. On a bad day, I’m probably more like a fire engine red that everyone wants to steer clear of.
Pick one…..Pink iguana, purple cow, periwinkle giraffe. Which one and why? Can be negative or positive.
I’m thinking a periwinkle giraffe because I like that shade of blue and giraffes are totally fun to watch eye to eye.
Favorite turn of phrase or word picture, in literature or movie.
“Open war is upon you whether you would risk it or not.” Aragorn from Return of the King.
I love the sentiment here that, like it or not, we’re at war. You can either stand and fight or die. I’d prefer standing to fight, and dying a warrior not a coward.
What period of history intrigues you the most?
Modern times intrigue me the most. We have every convenience known to man, the ability to communicate around the globe in seconds and yet we’re still very alone and disconnected human beings. I’m also fascinated with the fact that even with the best of technology people can disappear and reinvent themselves with a little bit of knowledge and a whole lot of money.
What makes you feel alive?
Laughing with my kids and dancing in a mountain stream are two of my favorite things that make me come alive like nothing else.
How does something worm its way into your heart? Through tears, truth, humor or other?
Solid truth mixed with a good dose of humor will endear people and books to me very quickly. I also like people and authors who make me cry because of the depth of passion they live out in their words.
Book, music, person, food you would take with you on a very long trip.
I’d have to take my Steven Curtis Chapman collection of CDs along with my Casting Crowns and Chris Tomlin CDs and a healthy stash of Godiva chocolate. With those things and my family, I’d be set to go, no matter how long the haul.
Where would you most like to travel ----- moon, north pole, deep seas, deserted island, the holy land or back to a place from your childhood, somewhere else? – and why.
I’d like to hang out in the Garden of Eden and experience a little perfection for a while. Then I’d like to stomp the snake before he ever chatted with Eve.
Favorite season and why?
I love fall with all its vivid color, home-baked smells, and the crisp air that promises nights by the fire curled up with a good book.
Which compliment related to your writing has meant the most and why?
That would be a tie between the teary eyes of my husband and kids when they read the Christmas letters I write for them and a reviewer’s comment that the thing which grabbed her heart the most wasn’t the great things she could say about me, but that she heard Christ through my words.
Why? Because I want to connect with people’s hearts and encourage them as well as point them to God.
What criticism has cut the deepest and why?
Being told in one of my first rejection letters that I was melodramatic and cliché, cut deep because it almost pushed me away from writing.
What would you do today if you knew you had only a week to live?
I’d definitely stop marketing.
Then I’d eat lots of chocolate and spend my time running on the beach and hugging my kids and hubby a lot.
What is your favorite word?
Sans. I think it’s a cool word even though my best friend says “normal” people don’t really talk like that.
Favorite chore?
Uhm, none?
Anything you’d do but don’t because of fear of pain? What is it? Ex. Bungee jumping, sky diving, running with scissors.
I’d love to do a thru hike of the Appalachian Trail, except for the inevitable pain in my calves, not to mention the bugs, sweat, and no indoor plumbing.
Societal pet peeve…sound off.
Not being looked in the eye. That bugs me to no end. If you’re gonna tell me to “have a nice day” at least do me the courtesy of looking to see if that’s a possibility or not.
CREATIVE CORNER:
Pick any of the following and have fun with it.
Describe something you can see, hear, taste or feel without telling us what the item is.
This item smells like summer, tastes like salt, and can feel both scratchy and smooth at the same time.
Frizzy hair, purple scarf and a book – make a character.
An over fifty librarian wearing a red hat and waiting impatiently for her hot date that she was terribly worried she’d be too late to meet.
A scatterbrained pacer, a train and a crumpled letter – make a thumbnail plot.
A genius professor clutches a love letter and awaits his destiny arriving on a train from back east. But nothing makes sense when his deceased doppelganger shows up and kidnaps the girl before he can remember what day it is.
Pick one of the “story starters” below and give us a sample of your voice.
The leaves weren’t the only things stirred up by the breeze which now carried the cloying scent of death.
FBI Agent Bowers fought the gruesome images vying for control of his mind. Too late, he’d been too late again.
While death clung to every tree branch and fabric within the cordoned off area of Kentucky backwoods, John imagined the moment he’d come face to face with the killer.
In that one encounter, he’d send a nightmare to hell. The risk of his badge and sidearm were no match for the satisfaction of watching his brother’s last breath.
It wouldn’t bring back his wife or baby girl. But it would silence the ticking clock that haunted his dreams.
If only he’d come home an hour earlier.
If only he’d deciphered Braden’s clues, left just for him to find.
If only…
The words wrapped around mounting case files of unsolved destruction and called out of his subconscious the final photographic remains his brother had orchestrated.
No more. Justice had earned her revenge. He’d see her paid in full.
To that hope he clung. It was all he had left.
Thanks Amy, and Happy Weekend Dregites - especially you mama dregs -"Happy Mother's Day."
Amy shares her soul...I can't wait to meet her, we have a tentative coffee date in Dallas. You all are invited, too, I'm sure she wouldn't mind. Mark your calendars --sometime in September.
Fiction character you would most like to be or most identify with and why?
The fiction character I would most like to be is Shari Hanford from Dee Henderson’s The Guardian. For any O’Malley fan it probably goes without saying why. : )
Some out there in writing land have strange rituals. Share yours.
Strange rituals? I like to procrastinate until the last possible minute before I get started writing on Saturdays, does that count?
What crayon in the box describes you on a good day? Bad day?
On a good day, I’m a happy cerulean. On a bad day, I’m probably more like a fire engine red that everyone wants to steer clear of.
Pick one…..Pink iguana, purple cow, periwinkle giraffe. Which one and why? Can be negative or positive.
I’m thinking a periwinkle giraffe because I like that shade of blue and giraffes are totally fun to watch eye to eye.
Favorite turn of phrase or word picture, in literature or movie.
“Open war is upon you whether you would risk it or not.” Aragorn from Return of the King.
I love the sentiment here that, like it or not, we’re at war. You can either stand and fight or die. I’d prefer standing to fight, and dying a warrior not a coward.
What period of history intrigues you the most?
Modern times intrigue me the most. We have every convenience known to man, the ability to communicate around the globe in seconds and yet we’re still very alone and disconnected human beings. I’m also fascinated with the fact that even with the best of technology people can disappear and reinvent themselves with a little bit of knowledge and a whole lot of money.
What makes you feel alive?
Laughing with my kids and dancing in a mountain stream are two of my favorite things that make me come alive like nothing else.
How does something worm its way into your heart? Through tears, truth, humor or other?
Solid truth mixed with a good dose of humor will endear people and books to me very quickly. I also like people and authors who make me cry because of the depth of passion they live out in their words.
Book, music, person, food you would take with you on a very long trip.
I’d have to take my Steven Curtis Chapman collection of CDs along with my Casting Crowns and Chris Tomlin CDs and a healthy stash of Godiva chocolate. With those things and my family, I’d be set to go, no matter how long the haul.
Where would you most like to travel ----- moon, north pole, deep seas, deserted island, the holy land or back to a place from your childhood, somewhere else? – and why.
I’d like to hang out in the Garden of Eden and experience a little perfection for a while. Then I’d like to stomp the snake before he ever chatted with Eve.
Favorite season and why?
I love fall with all its vivid color, home-baked smells, and the crisp air that promises nights by the fire curled up with a good book.
Which compliment related to your writing has meant the most and why?
That would be a tie between the teary eyes of my husband and kids when they read the Christmas letters I write for them and a reviewer’s comment that the thing which grabbed her heart the most wasn’t the great things she could say about me, but that she heard Christ through my words.
Why? Because I want to connect with people’s hearts and encourage them as well as point them to God.
What criticism has cut the deepest and why?
Being told in one of my first rejection letters that I was melodramatic and cliché, cut deep because it almost pushed me away from writing.
What would you do today if you knew you had only a week to live?
I’d definitely stop marketing.
Then I’d eat lots of chocolate and spend my time running on the beach and hugging my kids and hubby a lot.
What is your favorite word?
Sans. I think it’s a cool word even though my best friend says “normal” people don’t really talk like that.
Favorite chore?
Uhm, none?
Anything you’d do but don’t because of fear of pain? What is it? Ex. Bungee jumping, sky diving, running with scissors.
I’d love to do a thru hike of the Appalachian Trail, except for the inevitable pain in my calves, not to mention the bugs, sweat, and no indoor plumbing.
Societal pet peeve…sound off.
Not being looked in the eye. That bugs me to no end. If you’re gonna tell me to “have a nice day” at least do me the courtesy of looking to see if that’s a possibility or not.
CREATIVE CORNER:
Pick any of the following and have fun with it.
Describe something you can see, hear, taste or feel without telling us what the item is.
This item smells like summer, tastes like salt, and can feel both scratchy and smooth at the same time.
Frizzy hair, purple scarf and a book – make a character.
An over fifty librarian wearing a red hat and waiting impatiently for her hot date that she was terribly worried she’d be too late to meet.
A scatterbrained pacer, a train and a crumpled letter – make a thumbnail plot.
A genius professor clutches a love letter and awaits his destiny arriving on a train from back east. But nothing makes sense when his deceased doppelganger shows up and kidnaps the girl before he can remember what day it is.
Pick one of the “story starters” below and give us a sample of your voice.
The leaves weren’t the only things stirred up by the breeze which now carried the cloying scent of death.
FBI Agent Bowers fought the gruesome images vying for control of his mind. Too late, he’d been too late again.
While death clung to every tree branch and fabric within the cordoned off area of Kentucky backwoods, John imagined the moment he’d come face to face with the killer.
In that one encounter, he’d send a nightmare to hell. The risk of his badge and sidearm were no match for the satisfaction of watching his brother’s last breath.
It wouldn’t bring back his wife or baby girl. But it would silence the ticking clock that haunted his dreams.
If only he’d come home an hour earlier.
If only he’d deciphered Braden’s clues, left just for him to find.
If only…
The words wrapped around mounting case files of unsolved destruction and called out of his subconscious the final photographic remains his brother had orchestrated.
No more. Justice had earned her revenge. He’d see her paid in full.
To that hope he clung. It was all he had left.
Thanks Amy, and Happy Weekend Dregites - especially you mama dregs -"Happy Mother's Day."
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Serials and Scenarios - Ransomed Dreams
Ransomed Dreams -click on the cover to visit Amazon for more details.
The author: Amy Wallace
The Review:
Amy Wallace has produced a story worth reading. A solid debut novel about the power of love, the fragility of life, the pain of loss, and the complexities of relationships.
The deeper I entered into the story of Steven and Gracie, the more I grew to care about them and the faster I turned the pages.
Weak-kneed readers need to proceed with caution. The subject matter is heavy, involving tragedy and death. Evil hovers and stark realities will impact soft hearts.
Though full of hope and forgiveness, mercy and love, if you can't read Karen Kingsbury you will likely struggle with Ransomed Dreams. And if you are a fan of Karen Kingsbury you will find much to like in Amy Wallace.
Come back Friday for Amy's interview...she's lots of fun.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Scribbles and Scrambles - Tagged - and Contagious
I've been tagged by http://prayingforaprodigal.blogspot.com/
"Here are the rules as passed on - Each player starts with seven random facts about themselves. People who are tagged need to write on their own blog about the seven things and the rules. You need to choose seven people to tag and list their names. Don't forget to leave them a comment that they have been tagged and to read your blog!"
I'm supposed to tell you seven random facts about my life and then cough or sneeze on seven other bloggers so they get infected and have to spread this scourge.
Factoid # 1.
I used to play the violin. I now love the violin, but years ago didn't so much. Three years I slaved away learning this fine instrument. You'd think I'd remember something. But it has slipped my mind - like French. A couple years ago I picked up a guitar and taught myself, with the aid of a video, four or five cords. I even developed a little callous. I never graduated to a song. I did think that maybe my musical mind had been loosened, so I picked up my violin and remembered that I had to tighten the bow. That's it. When I took piano lessons and wanted to quit my mom told me I'd be sorry that I did. I'm sorry...but I still have the goal. Guitar, violin, voice or piano - I want to make pretty music...someday.
Factoid #2.
I hate chain letters and guilt inducing e-mail forwards. I break them. Even the children's books or dishtowel ones. I have forwarded e-mails of interest but I take out the part that says if you break it you're cursed and if you pass it on you're blessed and the prayers. But I'm participating in this little virus because it's fun. And I'm pretty sure Mike Duran will be very annoyed, and that adds an element of fun, too.
Factoid #3.
I don't have a college degree. I have a certificate and a state license in limited radiography. But I also have a mish-mash of classes that I've taken over the years. Creative writing - I even edited the college literary journal -- to secretarial, to medical, to early childhood, to accounting. Oh my. Twentish years of higher education. I don't know if I'll continue with classes, but I'm always learning.
Factoid #4.
I was trained to teach inductive Bible studies and I love looking into the rich cultural heritage that I have through Jesus. The Hebrew history and culture fascinates me. One place I'd love to go is Israel, and I'd also love to go to Greece. I'd also love to attend synagogue - especially Messianic.
Factoid #5.
God "made me" go on a 40 day fast a few years ago. He didn't make me, but it was one of those moments of clarity when He called me to step forward and follow Him. It was probably the most frustrating days of my life - spiritually. Very little got "accomplished" - He didn't meet my agenda. But He still uses it in my life - in weird and unexpected ways.
Factoid #6.
Horses hate me, and I'm not so fond of them either. I've been bucked off, trampled, reared off, spun upside down, kicked at, bitten and left high and dry. Oh, and snotted. My parents have a parrot - I love parrots - that hates me. Yet, I was in a pet store once and a "mascot" parrot climbed onto my shoulder while I talked to him. He tried to bite the shopkeeper when I needed to go. Ohhh - that's another Pat story - Pat and Polly Want a Juicy Calf...hee, hee, hee.
Factoid #7.
I really like Iowa. It's beautiful. Yes, mountains call my name, beaches mesmerize me, but Iowa is home. If you were here right now you'd see the sun shining for the first time in days. The earth is swollen because of massive amounts of rain. Green scents the air, like high corn season during high-July-humidity.
I'm tagging the following bloggers: And I'm sure I'll be paying for it - they get so touchy!!!!
http://janetswritingplanet.blogspot.com/ Janet Rubin - come on down.
http://www.mikeduran.com/ Mike Duran - you are the next contestant...
http://www.kristiherbranson.blogspot.com/ Kristi Herbranson...this'll be fun...really.
http://jordanius.blogspot.com/ Like I could leave out Jordan...hugs.
http://swiskus.blogspot.com/ Scott, so I have to resort to trickery to get you to post...
http://anemulligan.blogspot.com/ Ane, you can't say anything about red hair.
http://shibbie1991.blogspot.com/ Because you really need some content!!!
"Here are the rules as passed on - Each player starts with seven random facts about themselves. People who are tagged need to write on their own blog about the seven things and the rules. You need to choose seven people to tag and list their names. Don't forget to leave them a comment that they have been tagged and to read your blog!"
I'm supposed to tell you seven random facts about my life and then cough or sneeze on seven other bloggers so they get infected and have to spread this scourge.
Factoid # 1.
I used to play the violin. I now love the violin, but years ago didn't so much. Three years I slaved away learning this fine instrument. You'd think I'd remember something. But it has slipped my mind - like French. A couple years ago I picked up a guitar and taught myself, with the aid of a video, four or five cords. I even developed a little callous. I never graduated to a song. I did think that maybe my musical mind had been loosened, so I picked up my violin and remembered that I had to tighten the bow. That's it. When I took piano lessons and wanted to quit my mom told me I'd be sorry that I did. I'm sorry...but I still have the goal. Guitar, violin, voice or piano - I want to make pretty music...someday.
Factoid #2.
I hate chain letters and guilt inducing e-mail forwards. I break them. Even the children's books or dishtowel ones. I have forwarded e-mails of interest but I take out the part that says if you break it you're cursed and if you pass it on you're blessed and the prayers. But I'm participating in this little virus because it's fun. And I'm pretty sure Mike Duran will be very annoyed, and that adds an element of fun, too.
Factoid #3.
I don't have a college degree. I have a certificate and a state license in limited radiography. But I also have a mish-mash of classes that I've taken over the years. Creative writing - I even edited the college literary journal -- to secretarial, to medical, to early childhood, to accounting. Oh my. Twentish years of higher education. I don't know if I'll continue with classes, but I'm always learning.
Factoid #4.
I was trained to teach inductive Bible studies and I love looking into the rich cultural heritage that I have through Jesus. The Hebrew history and culture fascinates me. One place I'd love to go is Israel, and I'd also love to go to Greece. I'd also love to attend synagogue - especially Messianic.
Factoid #5.
God "made me" go on a 40 day fast a few years ago. He didn't make me, but it was one of those moments of clarity when He called me to step forward and follow Him. It was probably the most frustrating days of my life - spiritually. Very little got "accomplished" - He didn't meet my agenda. But He still uses it in my life - in weird and unexpected ways.
Factoid #6.
Horses hate me, and I'm not so fond of them either. I've been bucked off, trampled, reared off, spun upside down, kicked at, bitten and left high and dry. Oh, and snotted. My parents have a parrot - I love parrots - that hates me. Yet, I was in a pet store once and a "mascot" parrot climbed onto my shoulder while I talked to him. He tried to bite the shopkeeper when I needed to go. Ohhh - that's another Pat story - Pat and Polly Want a Juicy Calf...hee, hee, hee.
Factoid #7.
I really like Iowa. It's beautiful. Yes, mountains call my name, beaches mesmerize me, but Iowa is home. If you were here right now you'd see the sun shining for the first time in days. The earth is swollen because of massive amounts of rain. Green scents the air, like high corn season during high-July-humidity.
I'm tagging the following bloggers: And I'm sure I'll be paying for it - they get so touchy!!!!
http://janetswritingplanet.blogspot.com/ Janet Rubin - come on down.
http://www.mikeduran.com/ Mike Duran - you are the next contestant...
http://www.kristiherbranson.blogspot.com/ Kristi Herbranson...this'll be fun...really.
http://jordanius.blogspot.com/ Like I could leave out Jordan...hugs.
http://swiskus.blogspot.com/ Scott, so I have to resort to trickery to get you to post...
http://anemulligan.blogspot.com/ Ane, you can't say anything about red hair.
http://shibbie1991.blogspot.com/ Because you really need some content!!!
Monday, May 07, 2007
Scribbles and Scrambles - Racking Up Points
Refresher moment…I work with the public. Yeah, yeah, I can’t believe they let me out into the world, either.
I zap people full of radiation and then bill them. I’m right up there with IRS agents. Side-note –due to the radiation I glow in the dark which comes in real handy sometimes late at night.
I digress.
Occasionally, I witness a touching moment.
We’ve had family reunions in our waiting room. One day, three siblings showed up without knowing the other two would be there. Good times.
No one brought potato salad, though.
Another time we watched a budding romance between two ninety-year-olds. We peeked over the counters as they held hands, and he kissed her hand when his name was called.
The downside of working with the public is the increase of cynicism. Let’s just say we weren’t after that little interlude. Not a dry eye in the office.
This may feel like another veer from the subject, but it’s connected. Rob and I are taking a marriage enrichment class at church.
Really good if you are in the market. It’s called Love and Respect. I’m amazed at how much we’ve learned.
A recent topic was understanding women. The teacher shared that a 5,000,000 point gift for a woman and man are vastly different. Get a guy a new car and he’d be in hog heaven. A woman is much easier…he suggested men could save a ton of money by just being aware of the little things they could do or say to impact a woman’s heart. He suggested something as simple (aka cheap) as a walk together where the man scoops up a rock, puts it in his pocket and later gives it to her with a tiny love note penned on it with Sharpie.
This morning, one of my co-workers, who also attends the marriage class, started flapping her arms. “Oh! That was a 5,000,000 point comment!!!!”
We take pictures of our patients for our electronic filing system. A long-time married couple came in. He had been in a few weeks ago, now it was her turn. My co-worker asked to take a picture of her. She wasn’t real thrilled, but agreed.
He said. “Yeah, I broke the camera, but that won’t be a problem with her.” Okay, not exactly eloquent, but she isn’t exactly Helen of Troy.
I think my co-worker was right. How nice, how loving, how encouraging, especially when we see people cutting each other down all the time.
It made me think of the most romantic thing Rob’s ever said to me. Here it is. “I timed the bridge, it only takes three seconds to cross it.”
Wow. I can hear your hearts pitter-patter.
But here’s the context…when my kids were tiny I had a horrible nightmare. One of those vivid and intensely real ones where you wake up panicked and disoriented. I’d dreamt that our car plunged into the river that borders our city. We crashed through the ice and I rushed to get the kids out before we went under. But I couldn’t get a buckle undone. I awoke as the icy water reached my seat entombed little one. To say the dream freaked me out is an understatement. And for months I avoided crossing the river. When I did travel over it, I held my breath as I planned "what I’d do if…."
Then my husband came home one day and shared that little 5,000,000 point nugget. Yep.
How about you? Are you hanging on to a 5,000,000 point gift that could make all the difference in someone’s life? Or have you received 5,000,000 points lately. And guys, you can share, too.
I zap people full of radiation and then bill them. I’m right up there with IRS agents. Side-note –due to the radiation I glow in the dark which comes in real handy sometimes late at night.
I digress.
Occasionally, I witness a touching moment.
We’ve had family reunions in our waiting room. One day, three siblings showed up without knowing the other two would be there. Good times.
No one brought potato salad, though.
Another time we watched a budding romance between two ninety-year-olds. We peeked over the counters as they held hands, and he kissed her hand when his name was called.
The downside of working with the public is the increase of cynicism. Let’s just say we weren’t after that little interlude. Not a dry eye in the office.
This may feel like another veer from the subject, but it’s connected. Rob and I are taking a marriage enrichment class at church.
Really good if you are in the market. It’s called Love and Respect. I’m amazed at how much we’ve learned.
A recent topic was understanding women. The teacher shared that a 5,000,000 point gift for a woman and man are vastly different. Get a guy a new car and he’d be in hog heaven. A woman is much easier…he suggested men could save a ton of money by just being aware of the little things they could do or say to impact a woman’s heart. He suggested something as simple (aka cheap) as a walk together where the man scoops up a rock, puts it in his pocket and later gives it to her with a tiny love note penned on it with Sharpie.
This morning, one of my co-workers, who also attends the marriage class, started flapping her arms. “Oh! That was a 5,000,000 point comment!!!!”
We take pictures of our patients for our electronic filing system. A long-time married couple came in. He had been in a few weeks ago, now it was her turn. My co-worker asked to take a picture of her. She wasn’t real thrilled, but agreed.
He said. “Yeah, I broke the camera, but that won’t be a problem with her.” Okay, not exactly eloquent, but she isn’t exactly Helen of Troy.
I think my co-worker was right. How nice, how loving, how encouraging, especially when we see people cutting each other down all the time.
It made me think of the most romantic thing Rob’s ever said to me. Here it is. “I timed the bridge, it only takes three seconds to cross it.”
Wow. I can hear your hearts pitter-patter.
But here’s the context…when my kids were tiny I had a horrible nightmare. One of those vivid and intensely real ones where you wake up panicked and disoriented. I’d dreamt that our car plunged into the river that borders our city. We crashed through the ice and I rushed to get the kids out before we went under. But I couldn’t get a buckle undone. I awoke as the icy water reached my seat entombed little one. To say the dream freaked me out is an understatement. And for months I avoided crossing the river. When I did travel over it, I held my breath as I planned "what I’d do if…."
Then my husband came home one day and shared that little 5,000,000 point nugget. Yep.
How about you? Are you hanging on to a 5,000,000 point gift that could make all the difference in someone’s life? Or have you received 5,000,000 points lately. And guys, you can share, too.
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