Thursday, October 6, 2011

The past few months

Wow...the past few months have flown by with a LOT of changes, and a lot of hurt and a lot of healing.

Dealing with child and family services has been challenging, frustrating and at times, exhausting.  But I am doing all I can to ensure that I get my kids back home.

Thursday, March 31, 2011

How blessed can one mom be?

My favorite second son, Aaron, recently got married.  And into my life and my heart came Michelle, his wife, and Michael, her one-year old son. Mikey has big beautiful eyes and already wants his grandma whenever they come by to see us.  Of course, this will never both me, not one bit!

The blessing to me?  My son has gotten back into church.  Something that this mama has prayed about for many years. And, I am privileged to be sitting here on the sidelines, watching as God grows their marriage and bond to each other.

God is, indeed, good. All the time.

"Fit and Foxy by Fifty"

Wow. Hmm.  What a title, huh? And I know that you're wondering why I would title a blog like this.  So. Let me tell you a story.....

About two months after my mom passed away in 2009, my dad came to me and said he had a proposition for me and my husband.  He said that mom and he had been worried about my health and weight for quite some time and set up a challenge.  Well, I did pretty well during the given time frame, and managed to lose over 60 lbs.

And then 2010 came along and my husband was involved in a bad car accident, breaking his leg.  The ensuing months of surgery then therapy and hauling the kids around and doing all the driving put my weight loss desires on the far back burner. Way back. As in the pantry.

Flash forward to 2011 and the early morning hours of February 28.  The day I turned 48.  In that tiny place between sound asleep and slowly wakening, I sensed very strongly that I was going to be fit and foxy by fifty. Since I have learned to trust when I get those messages, I didn't laugh or giggle or reject it outright.  Instead, I got up and when I popped up my computer, I searched for Weight Watchers.  And the following day, when I went to see my primary care doctor, I was cleared to work out at Curves as well.

I jumped back onto the road to wellness on March 3, 2011 when I walked into my very first WW meeting. And, I haven't looked back. Not exactly, unless you count looking back at my tracker to see what is working. Because in 28 days, I have shed 15 lbs.  I am feeling better. And with God on my side? I can accomplish anything.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Who are you to hold me accountable?

Over the past few weeks, I have had several instances where I've said something or even posted something on Facebook that garnered less-than-impressive comments. Ouch. "Constructive criticism" can be somewhat painful. Until the Holy Spirit showed up and I "re-listened" to what was said and re-read what was written.  And then I see it.  I've stepped outside of my circle of salt and passed judgment on someone else.  Without knowing all the facts.  Without being aware of the circumstances.  Years ago, while under the teaching of Brother Tracey Smith, he told us not to look to the left or to the right when we heard a message, but to let the Light shine on us in our circle of salt.  Because of our (my) human flesh, I sometimes play hopscotch in my circle.  I hear a message and think it would be great if my friend, husband, sister, brother, whoever heard it!  Instead, what I should be doing is soaking it in and allowing the Holy Spirit to minister to my cracks and crevices. So that this broken pot can continue to be refined.

As Pastor Buren says, until I have my own universe, I am not God.  He alone can judge another human being.  My job as a Christ-follower? To listen to the Holy Spirit, sprinkle what I say and write with compassion, love and caring. Because that's what He's called me to do.  He'll do the fixing, I just need to tell the tale of the redemption available at the Cross. I just need to love those who are unlovable.  Because sometimes? I'm unlovable too, even as a Christ-follower.

So keep me accountable. Hold me responsible for the words I say and write. I promise that any sting I feel will be a flesh wound and will heal quickly.