Inspirations

The Spirit we received does not make us slaves again to fear Romans 8:15 Lesson number three from Mr. Woodchuck is this:  Don’t let fear paralyze you. Part of the problem is that when Woody saw or heard the car coming,  he got scared.   Fear paralyzed that little guy, and he started reacting rather than acting.   Woody’s fear caused him to dart aimlessly back and forth.   It prevented him from thinking clearly. Sometimes, I am going through life and minding my own business  when suddenly my life gets messy, and I get fear paralyzed just like Mr. Woodchuck.  Fear has a way of paralyzing me.  When a loved one or I get sick, fear can slip in making me panic. When money is tight anxiety can barge in  making me act in a manner that is out of character for me.   When I am alone,  fear can attack me making me reach out to people rather than G...

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  John 10:27 Woody reinforced another lesson that day. Listen when You're Spoken to. As I was driving down the highway that day,  I saw Mr. Woodchuck and his friend.   He did have a friend with him sitting on the side of the road.   I said from inside my car, “just stay there.   Don’t move Woody.  I don’t want to hit you.   But… He didn’t listen to me.   He ignored my pleas and ran into the road. Now, I know that  Mr. Woodchuck couldn’t hear me talking,  but if he could, he would have heard me saying these things.   But maybe his friend that waited on the berm of the thoroughfare told him,  “Stay here. Don’t move.  We’ll be just fine.”   Woody ignored that warning as well. The sad thing is that often I am no better than Woody.    Man...

… for a doubtful mind will be as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind; and every decision you then make will be uncertain, as you turn first this way and then that.  James 1:6-7 Here is the first of the lessons from Woody. Move forward or wait, but never waver. Woody suffered from a problem that I and maybe some of you have.   He wavered between decisions.   His decision, to cross the road or not to cross the street.   The fact is that neither choice was wrong but being unable to decide cost him his life.   There was time for him to cross the road before I got there,  waiting would have been an ok choice.   However, running back and forth was what caused the problem.   Like Woody, I also sometimes suffer from the inability to decide.   I decide, then wonder if it was right, so I change my mind.  ...

A few weeks ago, I met a woodchuck.   We met as I was driving.    I was behind the wheel minding my own business  when I noticed a Woody on the berm of the road.   As I got closer to where Woody was, I said, “Stay there.  Don’t move.”   He moved.   He ran into the middle of the road, then turned and ran back.   Then, he stopped and once more started across the street.   It was about the same time I reached that point in the road.   With cars behind me, I closed my eyes not wanting to see poor Woody’s demise.   As I thought about it later, I realized that there were some lessons for me and you.    So, for the next few days, I will be sharing these lessons from Woody.

When I was growing up, every year my dad would plant a garden.    I helped (forced labor).   I didn’t mind because I loved helping my dad.   He would plant potatoes and green beans and corn.   We worked all summer, then in the fall we enjoyed the fresh veggies.  The funny thing is, we always got when we planted.    I mean my dad never planted beans and had carrots grow.   Most of you, right now, are saying,” duh.”   There is a physical law that says, “You reap what you sow.”   We all understand this law in the physical realm,  but it’s also true in the spiritual realm.   We reap what we plant. If we plant seeds of love Then love, we will harvest. If we plant seeds of bitterness We should not be surprised if we receive that back. What we often forget is that whether we like it or not  and whether we know it...

You spent hours practicing a song for a recital.  You sang it correctly except for one note which, in your opinion, was slightly flat, or maybe it was sharp either way it was off key.  No one could tell the difference but you.  You knew.  As you reflect on the recital, you don’t hear the compliments from the people who came and enjoyed a lovely concert because all you can hear in your head is one wrong note.  It’s the note of perfectionism.  The sharp sound that says, "not good enough." You painted a room.  It was the perfect shade of blue-gray.  Everyone who saw it praised your work, telling you how beautiful it looked.  But you, you know that you ran out and could not get the exact color, so it’s a slightly different tint.  No one can honestly tell but every time you walk into the room you see a tint failure.  It wasn’t perfect.  Perfectionism always says,” you’re not good enough, you failed,” eve...

You're old-fashioned! My children would snark it at me when they were growing up. Usually, it was because I would not let them go to a party, or wear something or watch a movie that, in my opinion, was inappropriate. I've had it thrown at me at other times and places too. At work, when I won't go out drinking. or participate in casual flirting. Other times I hear it  when I insist on being honest even though it makes things harder. I would be lying to say that it never bothers me. It hurts. But, when I'm honest with myself, I am old-fashioned. If by "old-fashioned" you mean that I will not live with a man that is not my husband, then I am definitely old-fashioned. If by "old-fashioned" you mean that I believe you can have fun without alcohol then I am positively old fashioned. If by "old-fashioned” you mean that I will not knowingly lie or cheat, I am busted. If y...