I’m doing something different today. Usually I write my essay then I go read and find a bible verse that best suits my message of the day. It’s easier that way for me because I look for verses about a certain theme, read and study them, then choose the one that speaks to me. To take a verse and pontificate on it seems a bit foreign after writing for nearly five years the other way. But today…I want to talk to you about Romans 12:6-8 specifically.
“My Hope is in You Alone” - MercyMe
I was writing last night and listening to a channel on Amazon Music called “Relaxing Christian Music”. MercyMe came on and sang “Even If You Don’t”. It’s about those times when your faith is challenged by the hardships you face in life. It made me think of the losses so many are facing. There are seventeen mothers and fathers preparing to lay their children to rest this week. It is easy to ask questions like, “Where was God during all this?” “How can God let bad things happen to innocent people…especially children?”
Kicking Back by the Pool
We have had a few really warm days here in West Virginia, even though it’s been rainy and grey. I’ve been staying put a lot this year. Last year was crazy busy for me and I traveled a lot. There was also the car accident a year ago. Mr. FixIt had his hand surgery the first week of December and now he’s having pretty intense hand therapy, and I am taking advantage of the down time to just be still. We have some fun things scheduled, but for now, I’m kind of liking this homebody stuff.
”My burdens are light as a feather because God carries them for me.”
I love Uma Girish. Uma is a Grief Guide…one who helps others walk their path with valuable tools she gives them along the way. Uma wrote a post about mindfulness that I wanted to share with you. We talk about mindfulness here a lot. My word of the year is “presence”. I practice mindfulness frequently. I sure wish I could say I practice it all the time, but my monkey brain kicks in and takes me on wild tangents. I get lost in the weeds. Then, Spirit sends me something…a message, a person, a hint. Yesterday…I was sent back to Uma.
(*Edited: I must admit, I took the number 18 and ran with is as it was the lead in a number of online stories. That number was promoted by a group intending to imply there had been 18 mass shootings in schools during the first 7 weeks of 2018. This, of course, is not true. There have been 18 incidents where guns have been used on school grounds, including shots fired through windows and suicides both in and on school grounds…one at a former school. Ok, statistics are what they are and I know they can be manipulated for various purposes. My point remains the same. If there had been ONE school shooting, that is one too many. Thank you, Nancy, for bringing that to my attention.)
“My Funny Valentine”
You know this day will come. Well…you certainly hope it does. Mr. Virgo didn’t get this far. He died at sixty-two. Mr. FixIt brought my mail home from town yesterday. I was browsing through it when I noticed an envelope from the Department of Health and Human Services. I thought it was just an advertisement but when I opened it…it was my Medicare Card.
Wow.
“Late Winter Sun”
We are having a warming trend here in West Virginia. The monsoonal rains are beginning and we will have long stretches of grey, rainy days in the next few weeks. Still, the night time temperatures drop and we awoke to a skiff of snow and icy roads yesterday. After totaling my truck this time last year, I am really skittish about driving on dicey roads so I’ve been hanging out at Mr. FixIt’s place while he goes to town for physical therapy on his hand.
Word Power
When I was a teenager, my mother always told me my mouth would get me in trouble. I’ve spent a lifetime speaking when I should have remained silent. I say the wrong things at the wrong times. I let my anger lead my speech far, far too often. I am a work in progress. I know what I am supposed to do. We all do, right? But even God knew we could never tame our tongues…not completely.
Jim and Pam from The Office
I need an intervention. I’ve gone without watching practically any television for the last five years. I took great pride in my “sobriety” from the tube. Then Mr. FixIt turned on his TV. I watched a game or two. Then there was the occasional MASH episode or Big Bang reruns. I wrote the other week how I found The Office on my iPad, and now I’m like a junkie…I can’t stop. I’ve been binge watching a show that is so cringe worthy it’s like watching a train wreck…you can’t look away.
I have always loved the Olympics. The games always capture the imagination of the world. They are often fraught with shades of politics and even North and South Korea leaders are seated beside each other to witness the opening ceremonies. Two hundred forty two athletes are gathered to vie for the gold and bring home the bragging rights of being the best in the world.
I’ve always enjoyed figure skating, downhill skiing, ski jumping, the halfpipe. Shaun White is back for his fourth Olympics. I cannot see him without picturing a young seventeen year old redhead holding court in the corner of the ballroom at the Hotel Jerome in Aspen several years ago. I was at the Aspen Sojourner Magazine’s holiday party after Mr. Virgo snuck me in. He was the Food and Beverage Director. Several celebrities were there including Heidi Klum and Seal, Paris Hilton, Justin Timberlake, and Mariah Carey. Shaun White was obviously reveling in the moment, surrounded by star struck snowboarders. Mr. Virgo walked up and Shaun said, “Dude! You want an autograph?” Mr. Virgo laughed and said, “Dude! I want your beer. You’re under age!” At which point, a contrite young man handed over the bottle. It was actually quite funny.