Something is happening

Something is happening to me and in me. I haven't yet figured out how to put it into words, but I feel it. It's something with children and teens. I just feel like I want to draw every one of them I meet into a big hug and help through whatever problem they are having and tell them about the God of the universe that loves them deeply. I don't know why this is suddenly a compulsion of mine. In fact, I understand it so little that I'm not sure why I'm telling the world about it here on the internet.

I'm praying for guidance and direction. I'm praying that whatever it is that I'm supposed to do with this, that I'll do it. I'm praying that I won't pass up an opportunity to seize a divine moment. I'm praying for discernment and wisdom to know what this is and why I'm feeling it.

So many things come to mind... adoption, missions, counseling, etc. Where God is leading me, I'm 100% completely UNsure. I just know he is taking me somewhere. For those of you that know me, rest assured that I'm confident it isn't into a group childcare setting. Could you imagine me pulling my hair out by the end of the first half hour? So, maybe I'm certain of one area where he isn't taking me...

I once heard T.D. Jakes say "your misery is your ministry." For many, many years, my misery has been the children of single parent families. Children who are growing up like I did. Children who are growing up like my daughter is. Maybe He is leading me to do something more in this area. I don't know.

I'm listening, God. Please speak to me in a way that I can understand.

Another missed picture

As we've discussed before, there are frequently pictures I want to take, but just don't have the opportunity to do so. Today, there was a new "picture I didn't take."

I was driving down a fairly busy road near my home. I passed a drive-thru pharmacy that had a sign outside that said both "Drive-Thru Pharmacy" and "Bear & Wine To Go." I couldn't help but laugh out loud and wonder if that was the only medicine that the pharmacy sold. If I were in charge of their marketing, and I'm sure they are glad that I'm not, I wouldn't be advertising the pharmacy and the booze on the same sign.

As funny as this was, it still doesn't beat my all time favorite sign: "Arlington Pregnancy Center & Resale Shop." I giggle every time I think about what they might be re-selling.

Missy is Awesome!

Friends, please join me in congratulating Missy! She rocks!!

Missy has struggled with her weight recently. Six months ago she decided to take the bull by the horns, set a goal for her weight loss, and work toward achieving it. She has reached her goal! Missy weighed in this morning and is down 41 pounds, 1 pound BELOW her goal weight!

I'm so proud of her. Stop by her blog if you can and congratulate her for me. She is an awesome lady and I'm so happy for her sticking with her plan and SURPASSING her goal! Go Missy!!!

*Missy, I hope you don't mind that I snagged a picture from your blog. I wanted everyone to see who we were congratulating!

Aging gracefully

I'm getting older. I hope I'm aging gracefully. Whether it is graceful or not, I'm definitely aging, though.

When we were doing the back to school shopping last week, I noticed that my daughter is truly developing her own style. We don't share the same one anymore, that's for sure. As she picked out her clothes, I kept flashing back to the wardrobe I had in 5th grade. What she chose this year and what I chose in 1984 were nearly identical - bright, almost neon, colors, skinny leg colored jeans, big clunky jewelry, and converse high tops. Wow! It brought back memories, but also reminded me that I've already seen this style come and go. I heard one time that if you were young enough to wear it the first time it was in style, that you shouldn't wear it the next time it comes around. I understand that now.

I've felt younger than I actually am for a long time now. I guess, if I had to pin it down, I'd say I feel about 25. I'm not, though. My daughter's friends don't see me as that slightly older cool chick. They see me as the middle-aged mom that I am. When did that change? My daughter, although she tells me that I'm not old, asked me the other day if records had been invented yet when I was born. She might not think I'm old, but she has no concept of how old I am. Even though I'm getting older, I want to remain relevant.

Time is flying by. It is slipping away. Seasons are turning. Generations are getting older. Am I doing everything I can to reach the younger generation? Do I even know how to do that anymore? Social media, texting, twittering, etc. are the vehicles that today's youth use for communication. Am I using those vehicles the best possible way to reach this generation? No. Will I start? Yes. Over the last couple of days, after being prompted by an online friend, I've been using my 140 characters (the space you get for a tweet, friends) to communicate a biblical truth. I'm paraphrasing Scripture and posting at least one tweet / FB status update each day that speaks truth into the lives of the young people that I have contact with. It's a start. It's not all I need to do, but it's a new trick that this old dog has learned.

**On a side note, do you know what WOMBAT means? I learned today that it is how you say "Waste of money, brains, and time" in texting. I never would have guessed.

Discontent

Merriam-Webster defines contentment as the state of feeling or showing satisfaction with one’s possessions, status, or situation. According to Solomon, fearing the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom, leads to contentment (Proverbs 1:7, 9:10, 19:23). Church leaders have tried to define this fear of the Lord that leads to contentment. The say it is a spiritual gift (Isaiah 11:2-3) that fills us with a sovereign respect and love for God, and makes us dread, above all things, offending Him. According to Robert Strimple, it is actually the convergence of awe, reverence, adoration, honor, worship, confidence, thankfulness, love, and fear. This convergence, then, is what leads to contentment in our lives.

So, what’s the point? Well, I received a message from a FB friend the other day. Everything she said was powerful, but a few things that she said disturbed my soul. First, she said that a life whose calling is never fully met is a tragedy. She went on to say, “When you get a fever, your body is communicating that something is not quite right inside. In the same way, I believe, that discontentment is the holy fever given to us by the God who cares deeply about the calling that he has woven into our hearts.”

I’ve been feeling discontent for awhile. I haven’t yet put my finger on what is bothering me. Is it that I’m not satisfied with my possessions, status, or situation, as Webster says? I don’t think that’s it. Is it that I no longer fear the Lord as Solomon says? No. Is it that some aspect of that reverential fear is missing in my relationship with Him? It’s possible, I guess, but I don’t think that is it either. Is it that I’m not fully meeting the call that God has for me? This is more than possible. It’s probable. In fact, it is the most likely answer. Is He creating this discontentment for me to own it, take action against it, and correct it? Yes. Believe me when I tell you I have thought of little else since I received this random message from a virtual friend, yet actual stranger. In fact, since reading her message, I have felt like a whale might just swallow me up so I have a few days alone in its dark belly to think about the path I’m taking.

Now, what will I do with this? I must figure out exactly where this discontentment is stemming from. What is causing it? Why is it there? How can I gain the contentment found in Philippians? What action do I need to take? What do I need to change? I’m turning to God in prayer. I’m asking Him to disturb me more. I’m asking Him to show me what He wants for me and what His calling is for me. I don’t want to waste it. I don’t want to disappoint Him. I want to heed the call so my life won’t be the tragedy that my friend spoke of in her message. I want to see all that God can do that I could never dream to ask of Him.

Disturb us, Lord, when we are too well pleased with ourselves. When our dreams have come true because we dreamed too little. When we arrive safely because we have sailed too close to the shore. Disturb us, Lord. ~ Sir Francis Drake

Quick Wedding

Scrawny Dude got hitched today!!! Want to see a sneak peek? Go here.

The picture I didn't take

Every once in awhile, I get really upset with myself when I don't have a camera with me. I need to buy batteries this weekend. The ones in my camera and flash are dead and although I usually have plenty of spares lying around, I don't right now. My iPhone was dead this morning, too. I left the house with it plugged in to a charger. I had no way at all of taking a picture while I was out. Normally, that isn't a problem, but like I said, every once in awhile, I really want to take a picture and can't. Today was like that.

I took Liz to her dad's house this afternoon. On my way home, I stopped for a coffee at Starbucks. My new favorite is the skinny hazelnut latte. I sat down to sip my latte and read my book. While I was sitting there, a couple of rough looking bikers came in. They ordered caramel frappucinos. Picture this. A couple of big guys wearing leather vests, chains, biker boots, the whole nine, sipping on these frou-frou caramel frappucinos topped with whipped cream and caramel sauce. The dichotomy sitting across the small room just tickled me. They looked so tough, but not while drinking their frappucinos.

If I would have had my camera with me, I know that I would have asked to take their picture. It would have been a great shot. I have a few of those great shots in my mind from other such instances. They are the pictures I didn't take. The ones I would like to have, but didn't have the opportunity to shoot.