Tap Tap Tap

I have a love-hate relationship with my dentist. I hate hearing the drill when fixing a cavity or the inordinate amount of time I have to keep my mouth open or X-rays. I dislike deep cleaning. I hate getting the first shot of anesthesia to numb my gums. But I do it all because a beautiful smile is worthwhile (to me). Teeth are one of the first things I notice when I meet a person.

Twenty years ago, I suffered a traumatic accident where my front teeth were damaged. My wonderful dentist (at the time) fixed my teeth so my smile looked as original as possible. But the work she did was temporary. Recently I've had to go through a series of procedures to permanently fix my smile.

Ezra Bible Study - Change: There is Hope

The last chapter of Ezra does not end as we would expect; instead, we see what happens when we truly make a U-turn and change. In this final chapter, there's a recognition of error, coupled with a desire to correct even though it affects their life choices. You see, these men had married women from countries that did not believe in God, which means these women also did not believe in God. God placed a prohibition of intermarriage with the people of heathen nations (Deuteronomy 7:1-6). This chapter ends with a reckoning, listing all the men that left their wives, but let's not oversimplify it. This is

Lord, Change My Vision

Lord, change my vision so that I see the way you do.

You know I focus on the problem instead of the potential.

I see worn rugs, leaky faucets, dirty dishes and dust that multiplies faster than any miracle You performed, instead of seeing your wondrous provisions.

I see estranged relatives, angry drivers, mean kids, and weird co-workers instead of seeing them as those made in your image.

I see others who are writing books, connecting with authors, speaking at conferences and something ugly rises up in me. You called this envy and I don't like it one bit. Forgive me Lord for taking my eyes off of you.

Lord, help me to stop 'speck'tating but instead to remove the beam out of my own eyes.

What Do You Need Him to Be?

Have you ever read a book that changed you? If you've read such a book you will notice that upon each successive reading, you were transformed again because you noticed something new. Some books can do this but as an avid reader, I know that they're not as timeless or alive as the Bible. No book has impacted or changed me like the Bible.

Without knowing it, whenever you read the Bible it is ministering to your deepest needs because that's what it was meant to do. (2 Timothy 3:16) There is nothing that you are going through that you won't find a relatable story, phrase or thought that can provide insight, foresight, and hindsight for you and your situation. As you read and your deepest needs are met in a supernatural way, you may wonder why you've never done this before. Discover the God of the Bible, who is what you need to him to be, at just the right time.

Suppressed Rules

Source

The other day, at a busy 4 way intersection the traffic light ceased to work. Now while this may seem like a recipe for chaos and mishap, quite the opposite occurred. Somehow everyone knew to be more cautious and to take turns so that accidents were prevented. A non working traffic light at a 4 way intersection, functions the same way as a 4 way stop sign.This is something you learned in driver's ed, but rarely have a chance to use.

Expecting chaos and not having any, provides a feeling of relief and it's because we can fall back on what we know.

As I drove through the intersection I realized that this could only happen because every driver was familiar with this unwritten, suppressed rule of the road.


They are other situations in life, where we know what to do, but because its occurrence is not common, we neglect it. Also what's rare for one might not be the same for another. So in my case it's dealing with elderly parents - managing care and being mindful of their emotional state. This is new to me (I don't have any grandparents). But I know it's part of honoring my parents, so I do it. I've also learned that the parent child relationship is enriched when you're adults - pretty much nothing is off limits and the older generation offers an interesting and sometimes much needed perspective.

Suppressed rules revolve around what should be done in the situation.- things people sometimes don't like to hear under normal circumstances and remind us not to take our "normal" for granted; because at some point your normal can change.

Don't wait for a broken traffic light to remember to be courteous to other drivers on the road. In the same vein don't wait until something or someone is gone to realize that you didn't handle with care.

Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous.[a] Be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13 [NLT]

So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. 1 Thessalonians 5:6 [NLT]

The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. 1 Peter 4:7 [NLT]

Your normal can change in the blink of an eye. Are you ready?

This Person I've Become - Nature Lover

Tonight I saw the blood moon.

After the sunset, but before the moon

I didn't know much about it beforehand, but I had heard about it. Some Christians have beliefs around what this red moon signifies, but I hold no such beliefs. I was simply curious and a tad bit bored.

So we ventured out to a popular hiking spot and it was crowded - seems like many had the same idea.

We parked our car and somehow I got into a conversation with an elderly gentleman named Neil.  He seemed knowledgeable about what was supposed to happen, but it turns out he was just like me - curious. While waiting for the moon to show, we talked about everything and nothing in particular. He was a gregarious man. He thought because I was black, I bought into some of the spiritual significance of what this moon could potentially signify.  We chatted and waited and when he left he hugged and kissed my daughters and I. And as soon as he left the moon showed her pretty face. I was excited. The moon was red, but it was blocked by clouds but it was still a sight to see.

I kept saying - "There it is! There it is, I can't believe it."

I was awestruck because so many from around the world were witnessing this phenomenon also.

All I could think was:

The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship.

Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. Psalm 19, 1,2 [NLT]

Did you witness the blood moon? What were your thoughts?

This Person I've Become - Sacred Solitude

I grew up in a noisy, busy house. Noise was a constant - whether talking, yelling, music, toys banging, you name it, it was noisy.

When I had my family, since noise was all I knew, noise is what continued, and of course with three  young children, quietness seemed like a gift. I never mastered the art of reprimanding children quietly.

If I was on the phone and it was somehow quiet, the caller wondered why the house was quiet as if quiet was not expected. I guess I came to expect it too, until one day I heard myself saying the TV was too loud. I have a loud voice but I started making a conscious effort to talk softer. When the children were gone during the summers, I actually found myself looking forward to the peace and quiet. I don't mind when my husband travels, because I've discovered the infrequent times of solitude are OK and refreshing.

Though it seems to be all of a sudden, I love when I am home and there is no outside noise with the exception of music. I like the sounds of peace. And I am surprised because this is a 180 degree turn from where I started from.

While I like the sounds of a lived in house, I enjoy the solitude of a quiet house even more. And at this stage - I am pleasantly surprised by this but plan to enjoy it. More often than not in these times of solitude, my soul is refreshed and I cherish that; for often in these quiet times, I hear a still, small voice.

11 “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.

And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19:11-14 [NLT]

Do you enjoy solitude? Have you always enjoyed it?

This Person I've Become - Emotions

Source

Change - it's inevitable. Fluctuations seem to be one of the constants of life. Apparently we fight against change in organizations, but as humans we're constantly changing. Interactions shape us, relationships move us, thoughts enlighten us.

I've become more emotional, and I remember when I first noticed it. It wasn't motherhood per se, because I've never been a sentimental, overly emotional, mushy mother. But I do remember feeling sad the first time one of my children relayed a story where they weren't treated favorably on the playground. I remember feeling deeply sad and that if I could clobber the offending party, I would. And then I thought - "Who is this person and when did this happen?"

Once I was listening to a song on a talk show, and I found tears in my eyes as I listened. It was a song about motherhood, and I remember asking my mother if she cried, to which she said, "Who me? cry? no." Again I thought, "Who is this person?"

I remember during a brother's wedding, I was so caught up in their love, happy tears rolled from my eyes. Everyone wanted to know what was wrong with me. Nothing was wrong I was just happy. And sometimes happiness shows up in the form of tears. But other emotions are also wrapped in tears: anger, hurt, disappointment, relief. Commercials make me cry as do movies. A good conversation can really move me. Seeing a child being respectful to their mother makes me want to jump for joy.

All of this emotion can't be chalked up to me being more in touch with my feelings, some of it may just be a function of physical changes in the body.

Either way this person I've become, has me perplexed; some days and all I can do is smile and cry.

Have you become more emotional?