OPEN and CLOSED DOORS

 

Hello, friends…long time no hear from me.  I just can’t seem to find the motivation to write and lately no time to write either.  But I think my life is about to wind down (here comes boredom), so maybe I will get back into more blog writing.  I really do love it.   Anywho….here’s my latest thoughts.

I’ve been working on a Sunday School lesson on Chapter 7 of Mark Batterson’s book WHISPER.

The book is about the 7 love languages of God…or ways in which God speaks to us.  One way is through DOORS.

As Batterson states:  ”One of the most mysterious and miraculous ways in which God reveals his sovereignty is by opening and closing doors.” I’m sure if we take time to think about it, each of us could probably recall more than a few doors that God has opened in our lives as well as a few that He has closed. 

To give a personal example: 

my parents separated at the end of my 8th grade year (and soon after got a divorce) but as a result SO many doors in my life weren’t just closed…they were slammed shut!  My mother, little brother, and I moved to a nearby town where my mother worked…my big brother stayed with my father in the town I had lived in all my life and where my grandparents and most of the rest of my extended family lived.  All in one 12 mile trip down the road, I lost my family, my friends, my home, my school (which I loved) and my church (which I loved.)  The door was literally shut on everything I had ever known and it was HARD, VERY HARD.   

But at the time, I had no idea how many BETTER doors God was going to open for me.  I made new friends…7 of which I am still very close to today (my VALLEY GIRLS that I’ve written about here), I was able to graduate from a much better high school that had many more activities to be involved in, and I met the love of my life who eventually became my husband.    

 We all have our own stories. If each of us wrote out our stories about open doors and closed doors and put them together, that would make a very, very heavy book!

GARTH BROOKS sings a song about UNANSWERED PRAYERS:

   Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers

   Remember when you’re talking to the man upstairs

   And just because He doesn’t answer

  Doesn’t mean He don’t care

  'Cause some of God’s greatest gifts are

     Unanswered prayers.

 

And it’s the same with doors.  

We love it when God opens doors for us, especially to things or circumstances that we’ve been wanting…and we thank God for these opened doors….but I know there are times God has closed a door on me and I just kept banging on it, wanting God to open it.  That’s how I felt when my parents divorced and my world was turned upside down.  But for one thing, banging didn’t help then and it never will because God has a plan for all of us and it definitely includes both open and closed doors. 

I encourage you this week to think back over your life and look for those opened and closed doors…and maybe even write them down so your grandchildren can read them someday.  And if God closes a door on you in the future, just remember…it may be so He can open a BETTER one.

 

Maybe the ol’ country boy needs to write a new song:

         Thank God for OPEN and CLOSED doors.

A WOMAN'S PRAYER...upon the beginning of a DIET!

 

I came across this recently and it seems very appropriate for me as I “try” (understand I said:  TRY) to begin on a diet tomorrow.  If only losing 15 lbs. were as easy as putting it on!!!!  

 

 

Now I lay me down to sleep...

I pray the Lord my shape to keep.

Please, no wrinkles; please, no bags;

And, please, lift my butt before it sags!

(Sorry...couldn't resist!)

Please, no age spots; please, no gray;

And, as for my belly, please take it away.

Please keep me healthy; please keep me young;

 

And thank you, Dear Lord, for all that you’ve done!

Side bar:  I should have prayed this sooner!!!

I really don’t mind (too much) getting older...definitely better than the alternative...but it’s the wrinkles, gray hairs, chin hairs, menopause weight, and saggy hiney that I don’t care for!!!!  But I’m thankful...very thankful...for God allowing me to make it this far:)

*THE TRUTH IN 13 WORDS...

Inside every older person is a younger person wondering what the heck happened.

 

 

WHAT KIND OF TATER ARE YOU?

 This is an old one...but it never hurts to be reminded.

Some people never seem motivated to participate, but are content to watch others do.  They are called “Speck Taters.”

 

Some people never do anything to help, but are gifted at finding fault with the way others do things.  They’re called “Comment Taters.”

 

Some are always looking to cause problems and really get under your skin.  They are called “Ajjie Taters.”

 

There are those who are always saying they will, but somehow they never get around to doing.  We call them “Hezzie Taters.”

 

Some people put on a front and act like someone they really aren’t.  They’re called “Emma Taters.”

 

Then, there are those who walk what they talk.  They’re always prepared to stop what they’re doing to lend a hand to others and bring real sunshine into the lives of others.  You call them...............  

“SWEET TATERS.”

 

What kind of TATER are you?

DON'T WORRY...BE HAPPY:)

 Remember that song?

Do you need more happiness in your life?  About a gazillion books, articles, podcasts, etc. have been written to give you advice about how to go about getting that.  This past year, I think, has taught us that our happiness can be snuffed out by things outside our control.  And if you listen to the news media much these days, it seems we hear more bad news than good...that the world (or at least our country) is spinning in the wrong direction.  Of course, if we dwell on that too much it can sap every ounce of happiness we can conjure up.  Many people have been in a state of depression and some still are due to all that has been happening around us.

I am trying to learn to find happiness in even the small things.  We don’t have to drown in stress and sadness...there are things we can do to turn our frowns upside down, big and little things that we can do to find the JOY in life that each of us needs. 

How about these little things?

*GET OUT IN NATURE

Take a walk...or a long hike if you are up to it.  Dig in the garden...and use those earthworms you find to go fishing.  Take your child, grandchild, or dog to the park or a playground...and play on the swings while you are there:)   Spending 30 minutes or more a week in green spaces can help lower blood pressure and depression, according to a 2016 study.

 

*FIND TIME TO BE WITH Y-O-U

Everybody needs some “me time.”  Take a bubble bath and lock the door!  Grab your favorite blanket, a good book, and your favorite candle...and dare anyone to bother you for the next 30 minutes (or more).  Go shopping...alone.  Cozy up with your favorite bowl of ice cream and watch a chick-flick.  (I suggest SWEET HOME ALABAMA or PRETTY WOMAN.)

*S-M-I-L-E

Simple...just turn that frown upside down.  Smiling causes our brain to release dopamine which makes us happier.  (Much cheaper than visiting the therapist!!)

 

*COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

Be grateful.  Studies have shown that being grateful actually has health benefits and leads to a feeling of hope and happiness.  We can be thankful for the BIG things...like our families, our homes, our successes.  But there are SOOOO many “little” things we can find to be grateful for:  wildflowers along the side of the road, a rainbow, a good cup of coffee (or a bowl of ice cream which would be my choice), finding a penny on the ground.  The more we look for positive things in our lives, the more we will see them.

 

*EMBRACE RAKs (Random Acts of Kindness)

Research has shown that performing RAKs can help us feel happier and more satisfied with our lives...have you ever wondered who comes up with ideas to research things like this (or who pays for them)???  Thank the cashier for her service, compliment a co-worker on his spiffy bowtie or her new dress, bake cookies for the mailperson (trying to be politically correct here) or the trash collector, or send a friend a gift card anonymously (of course, this could drive them nuts trying to figure out who sent it:) 

 

Most of us could use a little more JOY and a few more SMILES in our lives.  Try some of these ideas...you might like them!

 

Wishing you so much HAPPINESS you “bust” at the seams!

Don't worry, be happy

In every life we have some trouble

When you worry you make it double

Don't worry, be happy

Don't worry, be happy now!

THIS, THAT, AND MORE OF THAT

Well, it has happened.  I’ve been writing my blog on and off since 2010, and I finally got my first rude comment! 

I was told early on in my blogging experience that this would probably happen at some point.  When I first read it, I was upset.  Upset mainly because I just don’t like anyone being rude to me for no reason (but who does?).  Also, because I would never have thought I would get a rude comment on a post about KINDNESS and helping those in need!!!!  By the way, the comment was from ANONYMOUS.  Listen up, people…if you want to be rude to me at least be above board about it and let me know who you are!    

Anyway…I started to delete the comment and probably should have (maybe still will), but then I decided I wanted to respond.  I tried to figure out exactly what was upsetting this gal or guy, but I’m oblivious.  So I decided to take the route I think God would want me to take in my response.  (Confession:  I did, however, not let this person think he or she could just make me into their doormat and that I was going to shy away from sharing my opinion…I can be feisty like that!)

At any rate, PLEASE take a look at the comment and my response and let me know what you think.  I imagine any further comments from Anonymous will be deleted…I just don’t care to get into that sort of stuff on my blog!!!

Note: since writing this post some of my readers commented they have seen this same comment on other blogs.  Guess somebody is just trolling “baby boomers” and evidently doesn’t like us!  It’s sad that something in his/her life has led him/her to feel the need to do this. 

 

I am not going to get into a deep discussion of the recent election, but feel I am ready to say my peace.  I voted Republican, but if you voted Democrat I still like you and respect your opinion…and I hope you will feel the same toward me.  I have to say I am disappointed (not because I am in love with the person of Donald Trump) but because I fear the election was not a fair one.  I would imagine there was some wrongdoing on both sides of the fence.  I just would like to know that votes have been counted fairly, and the rightful winner should be named.  I also have to say I worry about the talk of socialism; the thought of our economy and schools being shut down again; the thoughts of total government control over my life and the lives of my family, and especially grandchildren.  It has happened in the past…we can read our history books to be reminded.  And as we can see, socialism has never worked; total government control has never worked but only hurt the people.  I pray, though, that the future holds nothing but good things for EVERYONE in our country.  And I pray that we all will turn back to God and let HIM be the one in control.  My peace is now said and done with!!!

 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

My son, DIL, and grands always get a head start!  They love their Christmas and so put it up as soon as they think possible😊  However, my son does take it down just about the day AFTER Christmas…for him, when it’s done it’s done.  I will probably start with ALL the decorations (4 trees and then some) next week since my grands are out of school and I will have the help of my very artistic granddaughter who loves her some Christmas decorating, especially my Gingerbread People Tree.  So I’ll be posting pictures.  I hope to visit your blogs and see some too.

 

And I’ll end with something my mama always taught us:

If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all!

More Kindness, Anyone???

 

In my last post I wrote about kindness and again today I was reminded just how important kindness can be…sometimes it can make more difference in a person’s life than we can imagine.  I will explain as best I can.

 

Recently it was brought to the attention of myself and my Sunday School class that a young mother had moved into town with two young children, a son age 5 and a daughter age 7.  (We live in a small town and much doesn’t happen without a lot of people knowing it!!!)  This family’s story is literally one of the saddest I have ever heard…and with my many years of teaching young children I have known a LOT of sad stories.

 

I won’t go into details because it’s not really my story to tell in such a public forum, but I will tell you that I had the opportunity to visit this mother at her home today and in all my life I have never been that close to so much poverty.  My family didn’t have a lot of money when I was growing up, but today I realized that we were RICH in comparison to this family and many others.  After we left, I found myself in tears and all day I have been thinking that as often as I thank God for all I’ve been blessed with, it’s not been enough. 

 

As I talked with the mother (along with a counselor from the school), she was very gracious and very accepting of the help that has been offered.  The school will see that the family has a Thanksgiving dinner, and my Sunday School class plans to make sure that the children will have a special Christmas with toys and new clothes😊 

 

I have no doubts that God was in control of this whole situation today.  I had been trying (unsuccessfully) to get in touch with the mother, and on a whim this morning decided to call the school counselor.  I explained my situation and she said, “I was just about to leave the school to make a home visit to this mother…you can go along.”  WOW!!!  Sometimes God just shows up and shows out…sometimes he just makes a path for us when we don’t see one on our own.  Thank you, God.

Kindness…some people need it more than we can imagine.  So…share a smile and a “thank you” with the tired lady at the checkout counter who may have been on her feet for hours; send a card to a shut-in or someone sick or grieving; bake some cookies for a neighbor who is missing their family; write a letter to a past teacher or mentor telling them how much you appreciate what they taught you; put an extra dollar in the tip jar…add your own ideas to the list!

 

And remember to always be grateful for every single blessing!

 

 

KINDNESS COUNTS

William Thackery once wrote: 

 I think  that’s good advice.  But even more importantly the Bible tells us:

I’ve thought a lot about kind words this week, but I’ve also just thought a lot about kindness in recent months.  I’ve been distressed as I've seen grown (supposedly intelligent and Christian) men spew anything but kind words from their mouths for the whole world to hear.   I’ve seen people (supposedly good citizens) riot and protest illegally in the streets and break into stores to steal anything from big screen TVs to designer purses…something they really need, right?)  I’ve seen kindness obliterated in front of my very eyes, it seems.

 

Of course, I do believe there are still a lot of kind people out there, but do we sincerely give enough thought to being kind to our families, our friends, and even strangers?  Do we strive to find ways to be kind , or do we just wait for an opportunity to show up and then say a few words and think we’ve reached our kindness quota  for the day? 

 

 

I feel sure I miss opportunities to be kind; and I know I don’t always go out of my way to show kindness to others.  But this subject really has been on my mind a lot lately.  In the last few months I have experienced the deaths of 15 people that I have had some type of relationship with…some closer than others.  I have seen the brokenness of the families and their need for  kind words and gestures of kindness.  I have sent cards; I have taken food; I’ve tried to be kind, but I’m sure there is more I can do.

 

Did you know that kindness has power?  Did you know that the effects of kindness have actually been studied by scientists, psychologists, and others?  Mr. Google can tell you all about this; but just to get you started, here are a few things researchers have proven:

 

* Happiness researcher Sean Achor demonstrated through his extensive research that if you perform random acts of kindness for two minutes a day for twenty-one days, you can actually retrain your brain to be more positive.  (Who couldn’t use more positivity in their life?)

 

*Kindness has been found by researchers to be the most important predictor of satisfaction and stability in a marriage.  (I'm so thankful for my kind husband...he's so good about telling me thank you and saying other kind things.)

 

*Kindness begets kindness.  According to Emily E. Smith in an article on www.theatlantic.com:  “A great deal of evidence shows that the more someone receives or witnesses kindness, the more they will be kind themselves, which leads to upward spirals of love and generosity in a relationship.” 

I’ve had a lot on my mind this last week (not happy about the election, but I won’t get into that!)…mostly just some sad things concerning friends and family members.  So, I guess God knew I needed a few kind words myself…and He sent them to me through two sweet people.  I just have to share with you…I’m kind like that you know!!!

 

First, l-o-n-g story short…I had sent a facebook message to a childhood friend, Brenda, that I reconnected with a couple years ago.  Have only seen her maybe 3 times since we were 12 since I moved away at that age.  I was looking for some information on someone from our original hometown and I knew she would be able to tell me exactly what I needed.  Anywho…a little while after we finished messaging back & forth and the conversation had ended, I heard my MESSANGER THINGIE  (my technical term for something when I don’t know what to call it!) ding.  It was Brenda, and this is what she wrote:

        “I remember how sad I was when you left (our hometown).  If you had stayed, I would have been a better teenager.  Anyway, I have always loved you as my first best friend.”

Words can’t express how special that message was and still is to me.  I will cherish it always.

 

Then today I yet again heard my MESSENGER THINGIE ding!  It was a former second grade student that I taught in 1981/82.  She told me a little about herself but this is the part I want to share with you:

        “Just wanted to let you know that I appreciate all that you did for me.  I turned out to be a good kid and an even better adult.  …I know that all the little bits and pieces I received in my younger years contributed immensely.  I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and that all our 2021 is better than our 2020.”    Love, Beverly

Note:  Sadly I don’t remember all my students (I don’t have enough brain cells for that), but I do remember Beverly.  She was a very sweet child.

 

These kind words by my friend Brenda and my student Beverly didn’t cost a thing but a few moments of their time, and yet they brought me more pleasure and happiness than if they had sent me a dozen red roses or a big box of chocolates (if you knew me and my love for chocolate you would realize what a statement I just made!!!)

 

My goal in the coming weeks and months (and hopefully years) is to spread a little more kindness.  There are so many ways we can do this…from a simple smile and a thank you to the gal at the grocery checkout to something a little more industrious like baking a cake for a shut-in (for me that would be hugely industrious!)

 

From what all those experts (with all their zillions of brain cells) tell us…kindness is like a disease; it’s contagious.  So let’s go out and spread it!

THE TRUTH IS STRANGER THAN FICTION

I have debated with myself on whether to post about this because

1.  it’s really, really creepy

2.  some people in this world probably already think I’m c-r-a-z-y 

 and this might seal the deal with them

3.  I’m not sure anyone will believe me

So…are you intrigued????  This really did happen, y’all…honestly!  The details are a little convoluted but I’ll “try” to make it simple.

Back in Feb. hubby and I attended a big high school reunion.  Our school had a very popular “boy band” back in the day and the reunion was put on by them…and extremely well attended I might add.  What a fabulous time we had….but I digress!!!!  (Yep, I tend to do that!) 

Anyway…earlier this week one of my best friends (Jerri from high school) sent me a photo of her and another lady that was taken at the reunion, only Jerri didn’t remember who this gal was!  Jerri has a fabulous memory so why she was asking me (who doesn’t have one!), I have no clue!!!!  The lady had on a nametag which we could clearly see said SUS…but that’s all we could see.

 OK…got it so far???  Well, I can’t stand having an unsolved mystery on my hands so I grabbed my yearbooks off the shelf and began to hunt for any Susans or Susannahs, etc.  And…I came up with two possibilities.  I won’t use their names here but let’s just call them SUSAN #1 and SUSAN #2. I sort of recognized one of the girls, but they were both behind us in school and I really didn't know either one.   (Now, stick with me folks…I promise this will get good momentarily!!!)

Thinking the mystery might be solved I emailed Jerri and gave her the names.  Yep…feeling rather smug at this point…Detective Cheri to the rescue.  (Just so you know, I was wrong on both!!!)

 So…here is the CREEPY part!!!  About 15 or so minutes after sending the email to Jerri, I decided to check out Facebook..gotta know what’s going on out there.  Now if you aren’t on FB (and maybe for a good reason), you may not understand this so let me give a “quick” explanation.  Those of you on FB can skip this part!

Side bar:  On FB sometimes you will get a “FRIEND REQUEST” meaning that person wants to be able to follow you on FB and see your posts.  (Great way of keeping up with old friends.)  HOWEVER….I am pretty sure FB often is the one sending out some of these requests because I’ve gotten requests from people who would never want to follow me (I mean, why would a local teenager want to follow an old lady like me?)

OK…back to my story.  So…I get on FB and the first thing I see is I have a new friend request.  I click on that button and what do I see????  A friend request from SUSAN #1 (one of the gals that I had emailed Jerri about)!     Just in case I haven’t made myself clear…

How did FACEBOOK know that I had just recently emailed this person’s name to my friend????????????????  It was as if someone had read my email!!!!!  Or is there some way FB knows when I type in a name???   I called my son (younger folks know so much more about technology) and he said something (which I didn’t understand) about “algorithms” but then he said, “Mama, Big Brother is out there more than you think.”  Now that REALLY scares me.  He told me to change my FB password which I did!!!!!

Folks, I am not making this stuff up…I’m not THAT creative!  I decided to post about it just to 1. give some food for thought and 2. maybe issue a warning that we all need to be careful and prudent these days about what we put into cyber space.

And just so you know “it’s not just me” with craziness like this….

A good friend recently told me her experience:  she was walking into her kitchen, looking down at her ipad, when all of a sudden this popped up on her screen:  “Watch where you are going.”  Then it quickly disappeared.  Creepy, right?????  And, no she’s not crazy either!!!

Amendment:
After writing this post I emailed my friend in TX and told her all this.  She works for a big oil company and is so smart!  Anyway, she emailed back also saying something about "algorithms" and "artificial intelligence" and sent me this video to watch.  WOW!  WOW!  WOW!  Evidently I've been living in the dark.  You REALLY REALLY need to watch THIS VIDEO!!!!
       

OK, comments, anyone?????

Next thing you know I’ll be posting about little green men landing in my backyard…