Inspirations

Recently I bought a shed, a metal shed.  It was 8 x10, feet not inches.  When I bought it, I had every confidence that I could put it together.  However, as I opened the box and saw about 200 pounds of metal staring back at me, my confidence fizzled like a wet firecracker.  I should have known I was in over my head when the kind Lowes man delivered the shed and ran.  He probably thought I would ask him to assemble it.  As I stood looking at the shed, wannabe, I said a prayer, “Oh Lord, what a mess this is.”  My daughters questioned, “Mom, you ARE going to read the directions, right.”  The know that I tend not to read the instructions.  So with my daughters’ questions ringing in my ears, I decided to get out the directions.  There was a moment of panic when I thought perhaps they did not SEND instructions.  They were under all the parts.  So we started with step one and began assembling a shed.   We spent about tw...

I was sitting in the dentist office, that in itself is not a happy time.  They were taking pictures, X-rays, to be exact. When the dentist came in, she asked an odd question. She asked, "Do you remember a time when you hurt your teeth?  Your front teeth are dead, well the roots are, at least.  You would have been eight  or maybe nine." "No," I replied with a laugh. It was the truth.  At the time, I could think of no such time when I had suffered trauma to my teeth. However, the question made me start thinking. Memories that I had hidden in the dark recesses of my mind swept over me like a flood.  These were not happy memories of playing with friends,  riding my bike, or walking in the woods.  No, these were memories of not fitting in, of being teased, of being pushed off swings, and being blamed for things that I didn't do. As I thought about it, I said, "People made me an introvert." As these memories flooded into my consci...

I went to visit my daughter.  She lives in Georgia, and I live in Pennsylvania.   Unless you've gone on vacation, you would not believe all the extra work that goes into making this happen. I spent hours making lists for those staying here. I had to find people to check on things while we were gone. I had to make sure there was food so they wouldn't starve while I was gone. I had to purchase tickets for the excursion. I had to clean the house so they could mess it up while I was gone. I had to get time off from work. I'm getting tired just thinking about it. So, why did I want to do all those extra things?   One word LOVE.   I love my daughter and want to spend time with her.   I love the ones staying here and wanted to be sure their needs were met. So I will gladly spend three hours driving to an airport.  Ok, it was supposed to take three hours.  I can't help it if it only took me two hours. I will gla...

I was tired, worn out.  The day had been long, yet, as I closed my eyes,  I found sleep elusive. So many thoughts kept running through my mind. So I began praying,              praying for my children who are living their own lives.              praying that they always look to God.              praying that God will bless them. I started praying for our country.              praying that we, as a nation, will seek God.              praying for wisdom in the coming election              wisdom to know who should get my vote. As I was praying, God gave me some insight that gave me peace and calmed my mind. God reminded me that on the day Jesus was crucified, there were likely many who disagreed with the crowd. They could have voiced their opinion, ...

I confess, sometimes I feel overwhelmed and helpless.  When I was in school and I could not understand the new concept that everyone else seemed to know, or when I was a new mother trying to do everything right for this new life that had been entrusted to me.  Later when my children would ask questions for which I had no answers.  Why did grandpa die?  Or Why am I here? And lately, when I look at the state of the nation and world.  I see perspective presidents and cringe and or get violently ill (not an exaggeration), and I feel helpless. One candidate is nothing more than a public spectacle another is s liar who will do whatever it takes to get the power they want. Yes, there are other prospective candidates out there, but the front runners scare me. As I was dwelling on this, feelings of desperation and despair started sweeping over me.  I could not help feeling a little like Elijah hiding in a cave feeling like I am the only one left wh...

I woke up and stumbled to the door.  I took a peek outside afraid of what I'd find.   It was supposed to snow.  I was hoping that the forecast was wrong, and there would only be a little snow.  As I looked out the door, my heart sank right to the floor.  There were tons of snow already on the ground, and more was falling.  I quickly dressed and grabbed a shovel.  The driveway needed to get dug out by six, so my hubby could get in the driveway.  I shoveled and shoveled, but the snow was falling so fast that it looked like I had not done anything.  When my hubby got home, the driveway was not done.  I motioned for him not to pull in the driveway. but he pulled in despite my efforts.  The next thing I knew, The car was sitting on top of about a foot of snow.  The wheels would spin, but the car could not move.  Now I had a real dilemma. I had about thirty minutes before I needed to be at work.  I decided to shovel in...

We, my friend and I, were talking.  It was a while ago, so I don't even remember what we were talking about at the time.  It might have been something political or financial I am not sure.  What I do remember is that one minute we were having a nice conversation and the next, moment we were in the middle of an argument. I imagine most of us have been in that same predicament, at one time or another.  Later we wonder, "What happened?" It's true that some personalities just clash. But... not always. Sometimes it is more than just a difference in personalities that clash. It's worlds, ideas, and beliefs that clash. We see it in the political setting and the legal setting quite often. If you don't believe me, mention the word "abortion", or "homosexuality" there will be an instantaneous clash of worlds.  You can almost hear metal clanging against metal in the spiritual war that takes place. Usually, for most of us, t...