Category: Soul Care

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101: more than a number

She lived 101 years: Mary Elizabeth Borror, my grandmother, or more familiarly, Mimi.

David brought her breakfast, and she was as chipper and witty as ever. Her half-eaten oatmeal was all that was left as he returned to find her at 10:50am peacefully at rest.

Although one is never ready for someone to pass, she really was ready to go. There were no loose ends as she saw all of our family was happy and “working together.” She could leave knowing we would all be OK on this earth until we meet her; she gets to be with Jesus early!

What are some fine memories?

-lumpy cream of wheat eaten with my Snoopy spoon

-thin buttered cinnamon toast sliced in strips for ease of eating

-whipped orange juice made in the Oster blender for frothiness

-Lemon ice box dessert made especially non-dairy for me

-taking care of me during pneumonia/Marie Callendars veggie soup

-sewing my formal dresses and fitting me to a T

-Our sharing our love of poetry, pink and flowers

-EVERY painting she created I LOVED ( I was her biggest fan)

-butterfly heels for which I used to don around her house

-moving in with her when I needed her most; helping me financially

-I got to be her secretary when she was in the hospital.

There are a million more. I love you Mimi. Rest with ANGELS

10/03/1911-12/30/2012

 

 

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Dog first; baby second?

The day I brought Tatum home, I had carefully prepared Coti, so I thought. Every night before Tatum’s arrival, we had our chats about what was about to take place. Did he listen? Was he even paying attention!!? Perhaps not. I brought home one of her little hats from the hospital and placed it in his doggie bed. He tossed it around and ignored the head covering. Then the next day, I brought a blanket and strategically put it in his favorite couch spot. Maybe this would do it. Fast forward to Tatum’s homecoming. He not only growled at her but almost bit her! We immediately freaked out and shielded him from her for a few days. Then, finally we just confronted the situation head on. When I fed Tatum, I played with Coti directly following. I had to go overboard to love on my dog.

It’s five weeks later, and he adores her! The minute she cries, he looks at me saying, “Hey, mom, what are you going to do about this!?” If only he could feed her and change her diapers. Maybe I can teach him to soothe her when she cries. Now, that would be the perfect world.

Sadly, it’s not perfect yet. He is going back to BOOT CAMP with dog training. Coti has been showing signs of aggression and elusiveness. It’s only natural; however, I really miss my old dog. I know this transition will take time.

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Wisdom in Time

Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;

I have no good apart from you.”

As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones,

in whom is all my delight.

The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply;

their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out

or take their names on my lips.

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;

you hold my lot.

The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;

indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;

in the night also my heart instructs me.

I have put the Lord always before me;

because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;

my flesh also dwells secure.

For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,

or let your holy one see corruption.

You make known to me the path of life;

in your presence there is fullness of joy;

at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

–Psalm 16

 

I have read this verse over and over for the past 10 years. It becomes clear at times, and at others, it is like reading a mystery. Slowly, He is making known my path in life; for each day, I’m blessed by not only confusing struggles, but minor delights for which I can smile.
Last week, an opportunity of magnificent proportion dropped into my lap. Now, it may not come to fruition, however, I can see that God really listens. He has been silent in areas of my life for over a decade, but behind the scenes, He’s preparing a great feast for me as I continue to walk with Him. Yes, I’ve stumbled and been disobedient at times, but He never leaves me and is so very patient. (Like any good parent).

 

Thank you Father for being my REAL DAD who LOVES ME no matter what.

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Faith: I’m out of the boat

What made Judah decline an eventually fall in 597–586 B.C? What made Israel lose herself before the capture and burning of Jerusalem? Selfishness. Idolatry. Pride. Eyes off God.

 

The storm rages around us. The storm continues, and yet, how can one have peace when chaos and confusion circumvent? Faith. Such an overused word; this word gets thrown around like other words such as ‘love’, ‘tolerance’, ‘happiness’. Faith has to be grounded in something; it’s only as strong as the “being” in whom it is grounded. If God is truly fighting for us, if He is really on our side, then what’ the danger in putting ourselves completely in His arms? Living by FAITH, means we may not have all the answers, but we accept the MYSTERIES of life, relying on Him.

 

This is from a chapter I just read in BECOMING REAL:

 

God is into us taking risks; not playing it safe. We have to let go of the boat and step off the dock. So we ask ourselves:
1. Am I playing it spiritually safe, or am I going to the place where I have to rely on God?

  1. Am I stuck in a rut, or am I focused on the frontier?
  2. Am I doing only the stuff I’m good at, or am I attempting more than I think I can accomplish?
  3. Am I indulging in myself, or am I walking in obedience?

 

(Becoming Real by Steven James p. 78)

 

AAH…the true test. Help me Jesus. Help me get out of the boat and let YOU have the lead.

 

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Before You Speak: THINK

Inspired by today’s message at church.

Before one opens his mouth to speak about another person, he should be mindful of what comes out. It’s interesting that in Proverbs (6:16-19), God puts that he hates six things and murder is equated to gossip. How can the tongue be as ferocious as our own hands? Because what we say can kill a spirit. Often, what we say is not even spoken TO the person, but is spoken ABOUT the person with unintentional malice.

Proverbs 6: 16-19: There are six things that the Lord hates; seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers. (GOSSIP!)

 

This week, let’s try to THINK before we speak about another person.

Are our words:
T: TRUE?
H: HONORABLE?
I: INSPIRATIONAL?

N: NECESSARY?
K: KIND?

If not, perhaps we should just pray for the person or speak to him/her in private if there exists any conflict.

It’s time to be a nicer people who uplift, encourage and edify each other.

 


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Salt Preserves, Balances and Seasons

Recently, I attended a “thank you” luncheon at my church. They just wanted to honor the educators and pray over us for the coming school year. What!? Yep! Pretty darn cool.
They gave us a small bottle of salt as a reminder to what we can be in others’ lives. Salt has many functions, and moreover it is a necessity in all of our lives.

First, it is a PRESERVATIVE

 

As an educator, I can pour into my students’ lives positive messages. However, I exist for one reason only; to preserve the grace and faithfulness of God.

 

Next, I want to be used to SEASON my classroom with God’s love and His grace. Being an example, as Christ was for me, is what my walk on this earth signifies.

 

However, salt has to be used in proper BALANCE. Too much, it causes piety. Too little, it may be thought as weakness. I see SALT as a BALANCE of grace and truth.

 

So, being salt and working with ONE LIFE AT A TIME; this is what Jesus did. He didn’t try to change people. He just loved one at a time; one life at a time.

 

He was interruptible. Isn’t it so true that being available is what makes one so attractive? I take time and I don’t rush through tasks… Relationships over task.

 

Maybe I can create inspiration; I can create WONDER in a child. He/she may be better because I loved on him/her. A prayer for the year.

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Old Commandment Never Old

Reading today in 1John, it is assumed that we know the “old” commandment. “Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard.” (1John 2:7). Before I can even move on to the next statement, I am distressed that I take this so lightly. If this is something that we have heard from the beginning, to love God and others, shouldn’t it be something we have mastered?

There is no cause for any “stumbling” or issue if I love my “brother.” Sure…no problem; Just love others and it will be a lighted path.

 

I pray for the ease of this commandment. No others are needed if I love God and others. That supersedes and abolishes the LAW because if this is the case, then the other commandments are satisfied.

 

Simple? Yes. Easy? No.