Learning from life's adventures...

 I was going through some old papers today and found an old notebook.  As I began reading, I found where I had started this blog many years ago.  So, I logged into this site and began reading.  Oh how the memories began to flood over me.  Much time has passed and many new adventures have been taken.  I remember laughing as I was writing this back then thinking how I never told anyone about this particular blog.  I was just having fun expressing myself.  Not sure if I will expose this to anyone that I know but I have decided to have a little more fun with it and just write.   

life on the porch

One of my small pleasures in life is time spent on the porch.  I have been blessed with three porches, therefore three swings.  Doesn’t every porch need one?

On the back porch, I decided to be whimsical and paint my swing pink, my favorite color but only for certain things!  Here, I enjoy morning coffee looking out over the yard of flowers, my garden.  I am a novice gardner, buying the plants that I love and waiting to see if they will survive the hot SC summers.

If I choose the side porch, I can relax and enjoy a nap on this long, comfortable swing tucked away on a screened-in porch secluded by azaleas and tea olives.  My sweetest memories here will forever be naps with my first grandchild, Jackson, sleeping here with me.

If I want to socialize with neighbors or just be nosy watching people and cars go by, I choose the front porch swing.  I love my street because it is busy with people just strolling or walking their dogs.  Here is where I can say hello to neighbors and enjoy casual chit-chat.

I am thankful for different options for different moods.  Since it is Saturday, I plan to spend some time on all my porches today!

Connecting

My mind scrambles rehashing the events of the day.  Does anything really connect today so that I may learn from it and grow spiritually?

Really don't know why but early this morning it dawned on me that I know at least 7 women about to have a baby.  With that thought on my mind, at work a friend remarked about another baby about to be born - she did not know that was even on my mind.  Well, I had forgotten about that one  - now 8!  

Yet another friend shared with me about the tragic loss of a friend's life that is unexplainable.  The grief and loss is so great that it breaks my heart to hear.  

How do I connect all these mixed up happenings of my day to focus on growing spiritually?

Then I am reminded of 

Ecclesiastes 3

There is a time for everything ...

    

Priorities and Choices

While getting ready for work this morning, my mind kept going to the idea of choices. Everyday and all day long, we are presented with choices.  Many times I am too busy in the moment to really think through the choices and prioritize.  I know I need God to help and guide me to realize the most important thing about any situation and choose the right reaction.  But how many times do I really give Him the opportunity?  

As I spend my day listening to co-workers and dealing with students, did I really prioritize and think through my reactions?

Prioritize  

- designate or treat (something) as more important than other things. 

Jesus told us that the most important thing is to love God and love people.  

Making the right choices really makes a difference.  Did I care enough today to show love?

Success in the little things...

Seems I have such a long "to do" list that I just shut down and don't really get much accomplished!  As I reflect on my day, it didn't start out with me well rested and ready to roll out of bed.  Instead, when the alarmed sounded and I heard my husband already up making coffee, I rolled over and buried my head deep as I could under pillows.  I lay there trying to say my good morning prayers to God, asking for guidance for the day.  Mumbling and stuttering I began thanking Him for His protection but still in my heart dreading to start the day.

So at the close of this day, I am trying to look for any glimmer of successes of the day.  I had the opportunity to listen to a friend share her story and I had the priviledge of trying to encourage her.  Hopefully, I was able to let her know that I cared about her and most of all that God cares.  Also, I could count my work as a success today - I did go today and I did work!

value of truth

I have this song stuck in my head and I have hummed it over and over today.  Maybe it is because of working with children and how many times today that they have had to admit to lying to me.   Each time, I tried to explain to the child the value of truth even when it is difficult to admit for fear of punishment. When I look into their eyes, I see the hurt of being caught.

In difficult times, I too struggle for answers of truth. Satan tries to feed me a lie that is easily bought into like, "Why in the world did I change my life completely for a children's home?  Why did I throw caution to the wind and say that it was ok for my husband to take the job as the director and that it was alright to change my job too?"  But when I listen, really listen, for what God is trying to tell me, I know the truth is that it really is okay.  Because  I know who is truth; it comforts me that He is my guide, today and forever.  John 14:6 ...I am the way, truth and the life...  Stepping out in faith to do what is right and take a stand for what is right is difficult to do.  Faith and works go hand in hand! 

fog

Life  brings many surprises along the way.   Sometimes they are good, bringing joy! While other times, they are not so good.  Today as I drove to work in the early morning fog, I began to think about what the day would be like for me.  I knew my work schedule and what had to be done and probably most of the people.   But just like the fog that blankets and blocks the view, I couldn't see clearly what lie ahead.  I remembered one of my favorite loved poems:

FOG

The fog comes
on little cat feet.

It sits looking
over harbor and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on.

by Carl Sandburg

 

At the close of today, I reflect upon the surprises that I had encountered today and what lessons were learned or joys to keep as good memories.  Lesson:  If a student stands very still and is holding their stomach, just run for the trash can and stand back, way back. Joys to remember:  Next time I see fog in the morning on the way to work, laugh and remember today and just how lucky I was to be standing back - a little!