Mindless Mending

I never have been much of a sewer. However I do occasionally try to make the most of what little ability I have and put a stitch or two in items coming apart at the seams. As I was sewing a pair of my jeans that had literally given way in the seat of my pants, my mind was definitely somewhere else. I just wanted to get the job done. I don't enjoy repair work when it comes to many things; especially by way of sewing. I quickly ran the needle in and out of the fabric in hopes that when I got done it would hold. After working on it for a brief time. I tied the knot and declared...Done! As I turned them right side out to inspect my work, I was not surprised that the first thought that came to mind was, "Mom could have done better." I slipped on my glasses to see if it really looked as bad I thought it did. The votes were in, the tally counted and the answer was YES. In fact, it looked worse than my first inspection let on. Since the first try at mending those pants was no fun I was pretty sure the second would be even less so. Did it really matter? I mean how many people look at the stitching in the seat of your pants anyway...right? I decided that I would wear them "as is" and see if anyone noticed. I am really not sure how I rationalized this in my mind, but somehow I came to the conclusion that if it was really that bad a friend or loved one would step up to the plate and tell me. I wish my story ended there, but it doesn't. A day or two later I was getting dressed and grabbed the poorly sewn jeans from the shelf and slipped them on. Oh yeah, now I remember why they let loose. They had no choice. A little snug might be an understatement. But, hey, I got them buttoned and when on my merry way. Well that was until isle 6 in Walmart. I reached down to grab a can of tomatoes when I felt the seam once again let loose in protest. If it had been a small rip like the first I probably could have hid it until I could make it to my car. Unfortunately my jeans had something to prove and in doing so left a gaping hole. I quickly pulled my shirt down as far as I could...left my basket where it sat...and headed for the door carrying my purse behind my back to cover what I am sure everyone in the store now knew about. All I could think was: "Oh my gosh I am going to be the next person seen on those awful 'what you might see on your next trip to Walmart' pictures." I quickly climbed into my car and headed home. As I was driving I asked the Lord how He was going to use this one. Most times in my life when something embarrassing happens to me He later uses it as a life lesson. I waited for a reply. Nothing. So I drove home. Later that night as I was doing some writing for another project it came to me.
Many times we try to repair rips in relationships in the same way. First of all, we try to take it into our own hands. Hands that are unskilled and really unwilling to take the time to really repair things. Secondly, we want a solution with little time and little effort on our part. Expecting that whatever we get will be good enough. Good enough for what though? Thirdly, even if it isn't the prettiest repair job we still expect that no one will notice and that it will hold regardless of the circumstances. What I learned in Walmart was this...
1. If you really want a relationship restored take it to the Master of restoration. He is the only One who knows how to repair things properly. I mean He did restore us to Him!
2. True restoration takes time.
3. True restoration take effort.
4. Good enough is not an option.
5. Shoddy patch jobs do not hold!
6. The second rip is usually much bigger than the first so you might as well repair it right the first time.
7. Walking with holes because of torn relationships is just as embarrassing as torn jeans. Repair! Repair! Repair!

"Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Rejoice. Change your ways. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you."                                                   2 Corinthians 13:11 (NLT)

I want the God of love and peace to be with me. I hope you do too!

Blessed to be His,
Kim

Laffy Taffy

I want them to know the joy of Laffy Taffy!

WOW!  This week has flown by.  Hard to believe the week is over and we are heading home.  It has been an absolute delight to have an entire week to spend doing whatever we wanted to.  It's hard to believe my parents started a tradition over 31 years ago that included our entire family seaside at the same location to enjoy each other and God's creation.  This year has been a little different because the house we have rented all these years is currently being remodeled.  I know this doesn't sound like a big deal, but it changed our traditional vacation entirely.  We are in a new city.  In a different house. My brother and his family are not here and neither are my sister and her family.  My parents are out of state enjoying cooler weather.  To top it off you can't see the beach from the balcony.  In fact, there is no balcony.  The home we are staying in is beautiful and it is centrally located to so many amenities.  3 miles from the beach, 4 miles from the outlet shopping center, a theater within walking distance, and eating establishments on every corner.  Believe me when I say, I am not complaining.  It is just different this year.  My longing for tradition has once again shown to be a powerful drive in my life over this last week.  For some odd reason I want my kids to experience all of the same "good times" I have had over the years.  This was never more evident than yesterday as we were shopping at a local market.  This market started out as a fruit stand.  Now however, in addition to fruit and vegetables they sale candy, ice cream, canned items like pickled okra, jams, jellies, kitchen items, baked goods, and old fashion toys.  It is one of my favorite places to visit while we are in the area.  As we were walking though I heard a child talking with her mom.  It went something like this..."Mom, mom.  Can I buy this?"  "No sweetheart.  You have already spent all of your money" her mother replied.  "But Mom I think I have to have it.  I really do.  I HAVE to have it" was the little girls plea.  "Sweetheart," her mother said, "you don't HAVE to have it.  You want it.  There is a difference." The child's voice now climbed an octave as anxiety set in.  I had to see what the little girl HAD to have.  As I peeked around the corner I heard her exclaim, "No mom...listen to me please.  I have to have this.  Please if you buy this for me then I won't ask for anything for the rest of the day.  Please!"  As she came into full view I noticed two things.  The precious face of a  6-year-old facing the possibility that she would not get what she wanted, which by her own definition, she had to have.  My eyes lit up as I recognized the desired prize.  "Honey, why do you HAVE to have it?" her mom asked.  "Because" she said, "It is Laffy Taffy and I need to laugh today.  I might be sad without it."  Laffy Taffy!  For those who don't know what this is...it is salt water taffy.  Not the kind that is sold in bite size chunks.  This taffy is special because they roll it out, much like a sheet of paper.  It is about 4 inches wide and 8 inches long.  It doesn't taste any different, but is more fun to eat than normal taffy.  When I was a kid this was the one candy I "had to have" when we traveled to the beach.  There are so many memories tied to even the mention of the name.  Long days spent playing in the sand and water with my family.  The little girl was right...this was a must have item.  I am not sure of the outcome of the conversation but I hope for her sake her mother took pity on her need to be happy and bought it for her.  As we were driving home I got to thinking.  A lot of what I do for my family is rooted in the idea that I want them to have some of the same great experiences that I have had.  Whether it is Sunday supper, vacations by the beach, Christmas craziness, or homemade ice cream on a hot afternoon, they are all driven by my desires for my family to share in some of the things that made me the happiest as a child.  There is only one thing wrong with this idea.  The world is not the same.  The world we live in today doesn't allow for some of the simple things to be some of the most enjoyable ones.  It doesn't allow for the comfort of knowing your children can play outside unattended for hours and the only thing you need to worry about is them fighting amongst themselves.  The world has changed and will continue to change.  We will have to live more guarded to live "safe" lives.  We will have to work at making simple things special and special things priceless.  What was designed by God to be a "walk in the park" is now more like working in the fields.  So where is the joy in the present state?  It is where it has always been.  It is in the laughter of an elderly woman who has lived life and laughs anyway.  It is in the smile of a loved one who has found peace.  It is in the hug of a friend who cares deeply for you not out of "have to," but because they want to.  It is in a memory brought on by a piece of candy.  Laffy Taffy?  I think I need a piece!   

Heading in the same direction

Can't wait to have a few
 conversation
with this little man.

Hey Boney

"Hey honey," or at least that is what I thought it said. I was texting my daughter-in-law about something and started the text out with "Hey Honey." I went on to text her the rest of the message. Only later when I picked up my phone to text her again I noticed that my previous message did not say honey at all...but "Hey BONEY." Now my daughter-in-law knows at least two things about me. Number one, I can't spell worth a hoot. In fact, I have her and my daughter edit this blog before I post it. Number two, she knows that I don't see well without my glasses. I am sure when this message arrived on her phone she took one look at it and thought one of two things....Either mom is not wearing her glasses or she is making fun of my pregnant state. Of course the the statement prior is the true one. It seems that this happens to me all the time. I have been known to write messages like, "I love you poodles and poodles." Of course I thought it said oodles and oodles. My last mix up was not one I wrote, but one I read. It came from Kristin, that same boney daughter-in-law. I read, "Only the LORD got me this fart." I laughed out loud, but had no idea what she was trying to say. Well, that was until I put my glasses on. She really wrote, "Only the LORD got me this far!" Aw the "t" was really an exclamation mark. Jeepers! I think I need more than my eyes checked. While I laugh at my own disability I wonder how many times I have made this same mistake concerning other things. You see everyone of us brings to the table a set of ideas, perspectives, and opinions. Unfortunately however, many times those things can be out of focus just a bit. Leaving us to read another person's words or actions through a distorted lens. Oh we think we are accurate in what we see but like a person who has never worn glasses, we believe our vision is 20/20. We might all be surprised at how much clearer things become when we choose to wear some corrective lenses. There was a time in my own life when I judged people according to who I was. Talk about being SELF-centered. It wasn't until God took me through a few opportunities to get close to people who were a lot like me that I began to learn this was not what God had intended when He spoke of discernment. You see many times those people who I loved to "jaw" with about how others were so wrong were the very people who started judging me. According to "them" of course. While a painful experience, I wouldn't trade it for the world. It taught me that I NEVER see the entire picture. Never. I see glimpses of people by what they do, but don't really understand all of the underlying chaos they might be living in. Don't believe for one minute that I am cured from all critical judgment. I am sad to say I am not. There are times when my feet seem to slip off the Rock into the deep cold water of criticism. However, I have given Jesus permission to reach down deep and drag my behind out of a place I freely jumped. Usually these "draggings" consist of a time of feeling soaked to the bone with conviction about my behavior. While I don't use "The Message" as a translation of the Bible I study with, I do love how it interprets Matthew 7:1-5

1 "Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults - unless, of course, you want the same treatment. 2 That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. 3 It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. 4 Do you have the nerve to say, 'Let me wash your face for you,' when your own face is distorted by contempt? 5 It's this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.

Let's agree that in the morning before our feet hit the floor that our hearts hit the cross. Remembering that Christ died because not a one of us are perfect. I love you all and am glad we are walking together through life.

Blessed to be His,

Kim!

Movement

The sound of air moving can bring both the feeling of paralyzing fear as well as inexpressible joy. If you think about it people who live in states where tornado's reign as the number one cause of unexpected deaths the sound of air rushing around them in a furious, uneasy pattern brings the fear of what is to come. Questions like, "Will I find shelter in time? How long will it last? Do I have enough provision to last me awhile? Who do I need to take with me down into the shelter?" And I am sure many more questions like this are asked at such a time of desperation. However, to one who stands over someone who has just been pulled from the icy waters of the ocean prays that they will hear the sound of rushing air. The sound of a wife, daughter, husband, child, suck in the ever expectant and yet so unexpected gasp to hang on to life. In both cases it is the movement of air, which brings an outcome. So this is my question this morning, while mostly to myself, I will present it for all of you. Is it the things around you that determine your existence or is it what you take in that will have the most effect? We too often stand out in the middle of a tornado with our voices raised asking the question, "Why God?" Many times we ignore the fact that He has given us a shelter to move into. If you and I stood watching the undeniable force of the turbulence a tornado brings wouldn't we do everything we could to make it to that shelter? Wouldn't we grab our children, loved ones, neighbors and anyone else on the street we found walking aimlessly and beg them to take shelter with us? We would! I know we would! Brothers and sisters there are tornados approaching. Take shelter! Better yet take someone with you, take everyone with you. Everyone who will listen. I can remember as a child falling off of the ledge of a muddy embankment into a very deep body of water. I went down, found the bottom with my feet, and pushed off to try and reach the surface again. A place where air resided. As I came to the surface my parents faces came into view. They looked panic and my dad was stripping off his clothes. It was an odd feeling to gasp air only to know that I would have to find the bottom again in order to push off in hopes that my face would break the surface of the water again. As I started to sink again I could hear my mother yelling...."OH NO...NO Dear God." It was then that I felt the warmth of my earthly father's body embrace my own. As he wrapped his arms around me I could feel the the pressure of water working against his might to pull me to the top. Before I knew it I was sitting on the embankment again with my parents and grandparents stripping off everything that had weighed me down. We had gone fishing and I thought I was big stuff because I wore a tackle sack around my waste. I am sure that the sack with the added weight of my shoes and clothing is what weighed me to the bottom. While I am sure there was no real danger (except in my childlike memory) it was an experience I will never forget. I cannot imagine the panic of a drowning experience both for the victim and their loved ones. That first breath must be the most precious sound. The first breath of renewed life. The sound of life rushing into their bodies. The sound of grace. You and I can experience the same thing when we will allow ourselves to hear the sound of grace as it floods the spirit of one who has just come to know Christ. My prayer for us all...."Lord let us ache for that sound. Let us become addicted to the sound of grace flooding souls around us in such a way that we are willing to risk it all just to hear it once more. Not for the sake of our gratification Lord, but with the realization that there is an even greater celebration in the heavens. A celebration which will strip away every weight. Oh how we love you LORD. Oh how we love you!"

Blessed to be His,

Kim T.

Are You Prepared?

I live in an area of the country where the weather has been somewhat volatile. One minute the sun can be shinning and the next, you would think someone reached up into the sky and turned off the sun. The wind blows and then without notice there is an eerie calm that comes over the land. This last week has been crazy. I have learned the art of dressing in layers. I can now go from being dressed for a winter storm to a nice spring afternoon in less than 30 seconds. This last Tuesday was no different. I was on my way to work, and as I was driving down a stretch of road the sun was out and I had just thought to myself..."what a beautiful day this is. Thank you Lord for such a glorious day." I turned the corner and there it was. A cloud that threatened both my mood and my environment. I could see as it quickly approached that it would show me, or anyone in it's path for that matter, no mercy. I could see the rain that fell in sheaths just about 500 ft. in my future. I was headed in it's direction and it was headed in mine. I quickly started to adjust to what my future held. I looked around my car to see if I had prepared for such a possibility. Yes...there was my umbrella! Ok now I could relax just a bit. I got to the office and it was raining so hard that the rain did not immediately soak into the ground, but rather danced on top of it for a bit before succumbing to gravity. I started to unload my car of things I would need for the day. It was on about my third trip up the front porch stairs that God began to speak to my spirit. "Are you soaked yet?" he asked. "No," I replied, "what kind of question is that?" "I was just wondering. It is raining pretty hard," He said. At this point I was back on the stairs descending this time out into the middle of this massive pour. I looked up and asked "Are you kidding me? You send rain this hard and ask me if I am getting wet. Then you tell me it is raining hard. I know I am standing in the middle of it." I wasn't being disrespectful. I was trying to get every bit of what he was trying to tell me. "Why aren't you soaked?" He asked. This is where I just came out and asked, "Lord what is it you want me to know? My brain is not on it this morning and I just need for you to speak CLEARLY to me." So He did. "This rain pattern resembles life, don't you think? It comes and goes. Sometimes with a warning. Sometimes in a sudden burst. When you could see it coming, Kim, you looked for your umbrella. That is your protection from the rain. My Word says that my love is like a banner over you. Most people think a banner is to announce your coming, but in this case the banner is to announce My protection. It is also as David said "But let all who take refuge in You be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You." (Psalm 5:11) So you see while it is that I protect you from getting drenched by life, I do allow you to get a little wet. I want people to want Me like they want an umbrella in the midst of a rain storm, which is at times why I let storms come." I was starting to see how this all made sense. There was one more concept however, that He shared with me. That was this...I have to be prepared for the rain. If I had not had the umbrella in my car I would have been soaked. Not to the point of drowning, but still wet clean through. It was because I carried the umbrella that I was able to open it to its' full capacity for my protection. The living Word of God is the same way. It is not wise of us to go looking for it only when it is raining. Although we may find what we need, it is better to be prepared. To know without a doubt that the protection that God has promised is on the journey with you. I believe the best way to do this is to do just as Scripture has instructed. Oh dear ones, we have to learn to hide it in our hearts. To ponder it as Mary did at the birth of Christ. We have to learn that it is not just for our protection, but it is also for our well being. I love it when God speaks to me in very simple, real ways. He is so much more than just a protector. I am not sure how today finds you. Maybe you are discouraged or tired. Maybe you are worried or anxious. It could be that you are fighting sickness physically or that you are depressed. Can I tell you, that I know without a doubt that Jesus is the answer to all of life's issues. The trouble is that most of the time we don't want to wait for Him to act. We want immediate results even though we haven't always given Him our immediate attention. If you will allow me I would like to pray for you. Oh, I know what you are saying, "How are you going to pray for me over the Internet. You don't even know what I need." That's the beauty of it. I don't need to know because I am not the one who is going to give you what you need. He knows. I am only releasing His power and I will do it in any way He allows me.


Father, right now in Jesus name I ask that the brother or sister sitting on the other side of this screen feels your mighty presence. That Lord they might be coming to you looking for answers and solutions, but instead Lord I ask that they find You. One who not only created them but One who also sustains them. Jesus we ask for healing where healing is needed. We ask that you take every care and every worry. That the burden of the oncoming storm is lifted from this dear one's shoulder. Lord only you know who will even read this far and who will allow Your power to take control even now. We ask Lord that you help us to see just a glimpse of Your glory. Thank you Lord that we can be prepared even before the rain starts. That we might know Father of Your faithfulness. We ask this in Jesus' mighty name....Amen


Please my friends...pick up the protection that is available to you. Do not walk in the rain complaining that you are getting soaked for your protection is only an arms length away.


Blessed to be His,
Kim T.

Bad Bertha?

Children amaze me! They really do. I am often struck by the simple fact that they can make almost anything fun. Even walking on the treadmill. I have one sitting in my bedroom and it gets used about 3 to 4 times a week. There is a huge difference between how I use it and how my nieces and nephew use it. I have to get myself psyched up for it. I set a time in my head, then about 15 minutes before it's time to step on that beast I start preparing for what's to come. I put on my workout clothes including my special tennis shoes. I grab a magazine or a book, because you know I have to divert my attention so that my mind doesn't dwell on the fact that I am actually doing something good for my body. Then I get my water, eye glasses, Ipod, headphones, Kleenex, telephone (both cell and home phone), and last but not least, a book just in case I get bored with the magazine. I turn on the machine and wait for it to display the light, which tells me IT is now ready for me. I step on and do everything within my power to keep my mind somewhere else. I don't understand why doing something so good for me has to be so overly involved. Well....I guess it doesn't have to be but I sure make it that way.
So I am standing in the bathroom putting on my makeup before I take my nieces and nephew to school when Cade, my nephew, comes in with a simple request. "Auntie can I walk on that walking machine." He must have seen that I was blown away by his request because when I made eye contact with him he shrugged his shoulders and said, "What?" "You want to walk on the treadmill?" I asked. "Yes. It's fun," he replied. I couldn't believe my ears. Did he know that this machine was invented for exercise not for fun. Did he know that thousands of Americans buy machine after machine after machine only to let them sit in their bedrooms offering up daily allowances of guilt and shame for not being used? Did he know that that beast was created for adults for the sole purpose of trying to get in shape? That machine is not fun....it is WORK! So like a good Auntie I said yes, he could walk on it. I walked up to the machine and instantly broke out into a sweat. "Calm down," I said to myself. I am turning on the treadmill for someone who wants to have "fun." I flipped the switch and watched as my nephew stepped on with the biggest grin on his face. I heard my nieces coming down the hall. Before they even rounded the corner they began asking if they too could take part in the joy of walking on the treadmill. Ha, who would have thought something so painful for me could be so fun for them. As I stood at my mirror listening to them banter over who's turn it was next and how long they each got I began thinking. What makes this treadmill so difficult for me and so fun for them. Why do they count the minutes before they can get on and I count the minutes before I can get off. Why do they, with no preparation I might add, step on smiling from ear to ear, and I step on with a look of determination to make it at least 29 minutes? Then it dawned on me...this is work for me because somebody along the way told me it was supposed to be. That exercise, while good for you was not fun. That it was a necessary venture for good health but that it would be at the cost (heaven forbid) of effort. Those kids didn't see it that way. Maybe my mind set is the reason why getting on Bertha (yes I named my treadmill) seems to be more of a duty than a benefit. I find this with many things in life. My mindset often has an affect on how I approach activities, people, and even my God.
I love The Message's take on Philippians 4:8. It says...
Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious--the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.
I know you might be saying..."Kim, I think Paul was talking about things that were a little more spiritual." I would agree with you, however why can't we apply God's truth to EVERYTHING in our lives. Why can't we take truth and apply it stroke by stroke into the nooks and crannies of our everyday living. Today when I step on that treadmill I will no longer think about how much work it is, but how thankful I am that I can walk. How thankful I am that we had the finances to even buy Bertha. I will thank the Lord for giving this day and this moment to put all else away and just talk with Him. I will change my mindset to the beauty of all that the Lord has given me rather than on the ugliness that was past down about that dreaded word "exercise." In fact, I will start by changing the treadmills name. She will no long be called Bertha, but is now Esther. Why? Because she was created for "such a time as this."



Blessed to be His,
Kim T.