Heroes

Everyone has a hero, or two or three!  I guess our heroes are all as different as is our own idea of what  characteristics make up that definition.

One definition I heard is that, " a Hero is a person who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way."
I also believe that a Hero is someone who does what is right, without thinking about the personal cost.

Heroes are a different breed,  Most of them wouldn't consider themselves heroes at all, and usually don't want attention drawn to themselves for the things they have done.

Here are the people in my life who have made the "short list" for Heroism:

..My Husband. who quietly goes about his life doing the things he is called to do. Not seeking reward or recognition...just following in Faith and Commitment. Each day, I am amazed at your courage and strength.

..My three sons.  They are braver and stronger than I will ever be.  They are not afraid of the challenges life has to offer.  They are kind, considerate men of faith and courage.   Their compassion and commitment amaze me every day. They have done so many heroic things that people will never know of, just because they are that way.

...The prayer warriors in my life.  The men and women I have been fortunate enough to know who, when  prompted to pray for someone really do it.  Those people who can hold others up in prayer daily and can hear the whispers of God when he speaks.


..Those who hear of a need and physically do something about it.

...Those who look for ways to build up others.

....Those who love without counting the cost.

For the Heroes in my life who are too many to name...(and who wouldn't want me to, anyway),  I love you!





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"Running Away?"

As I have mentioned before, we have an elderly beagle named Sadie.  She has lost most of her markings now to grey hair and she is really slow moving.  But she still has that "beagle heart".  In her mind, she is chasing a scent to the end of the world and running the whole time.  I could outrun her and that is not saying much, these days! Silly Dog!

Saturday night she "got us" though!  We were inside having dinner and I went to feed her while we were cleaning the kitchen, and  SHE WAS GONE! We looked for her for what seemed like forever. We then decided she would probably come home soon and would check again in a little bit.  About 3 hours later, after calling and watching and riding, we hear a knock on the back door.  She was home and was just knocking with her snout to let us know! Silly, Silly DOG!

Isn't that how we are sometimes, though?   We decide," I think I will run my own race... follow those things that appeal to me for a while, have a little fun and be free."  Well, then things don't work out so well, and we decide we have had enough of that and ......it's back home to the safety of the porch lights, a warm bed and our Father's arms. Knocking to let Him know we are back home.

Many of us as parents have had the same thing happen.  All three of our boys had  a "Runaway Plot" when they were very young.  One even left us a map with instructions not to follow him! I'm so glad those plans didn't work out, I liked having them at home under our protection.

The appeal of the "scent trail", or the "open road" or our "Own devices" can be so appealing, but the road back home is scary sometimes.  For me, I chose to stay inside, within the protection of the Father's house and to know that if and when I follow the wrong path, I can still run, or at least 'hurry" home out of the shadows and into the light!

One of the reasons I like living in the South...

Today is one of those days when I love living in the South.  The first of the week it was freezing, we were in coats, heavy socks, etc. and  then there's today....Today, its 70+ degrees and there is the "hope" of flip flops on the horizon!  I know it won't stay like this forever, but warmer weather will be here sooner than the rest of the country.  I really don't mind the cool weather like it is here; a day here, a day there and then BAM! it's gone!

It does need to get cold enough for a few days so that the mosquitoes don't carry us off, though!

From a back porch, on a cloudy day, in short sleeves, and no socks!

Happy January, my friends~

Dream a little dream........

My childhood was an interesting one.  Too often the sad or hard memories have overshadowed the good ones.   My daddy was a musician.  He was never happier than when he had a guitar in his hand.  He was also one of the more fortunate people who was able to make a living at what he loved to do.  Many of my favorite memories revolve around music.  There were times in the evenings that many of my parents' friends would gather, and play music into the night.  Music, food, dancing and laughter, what priceless memories!  There were other times when my parents would play together and sing.  Mama had a beautiful voice...and  it would  always end the same..Daddy would sing to her.  He sang, "Georgia on my Mind" (Her name is Georgianna, but he called her Georgia), and other ballads, but he always ended with "Dream a little Dream of Me."  and they would kiss.

No matter what life held for them, He loved her dearly, and she loves Him.  As her days here on earth are ending, I wonder if she still hears those beautiful songs, I know she must be dreaming more dearly of him.

Can you hear the music, Mama?

A new week....

Yesterday was the first time I missed church, in like, forever!  I felt under the weather and had some time to think about where I am, where God is leading, and if I am going to follow. And also, Where would I rather be?

Well, First off, I would have rather been at church, seeing the people that God has given to me to "share life"with, and I would also have loved hearing my favorite minister preach!

Secondly, I have had a lot of time alone, lately and have done a lot of wrestling with God.  Now, why did I want to have to spend more time alone with just me and Him, instead of spending time with my fellow  believers? Hmmm?

But, guess what? It wasn't wasted time. I felt His love in a very profound way.  Sometimes when there is nothing else to do, and nowhere else to go, you have to listen for His voice, recline on his shoulders and feel the heartbeat of the one that made you.

Did I feel His love? You bet!

Did I get answers to all my questions, problems, worries? Not yet

Was I restored? In ways I didn't even realize at the time!  In very personal ways, through others very close to me, His love was evidenced throughout that day.

Thanks Lord, for a little bug, a big wrestling match, and the comfort that you know all the answers and I don't have to, ...All I have to know is how much you love me and that You can be trusted with my heart, my soul, and especially my future!

So here it goes, another week! Holding Your hand, and taking the next step!

Today I am looking...............

Today is the day of finding lost things. December was the month of losing things. Today I am going to find them all! Lofty goal, I'm sure!  It seems as though our house is a "black hole:..keys, phone numbers, stamps, mail, and there are only two of us.  The house is not particularly messy, but for some reason, things are walking away.

Where are these items? Are they having a party somewhere I don't know about, and how did they get there?
I think back to the story of "Beauty and the Beast",  are my keys dancing with the stamps, and all kinds of other things?

I am so glad that although I may be temporarily lost that I am not lost forever! I am glad that the one who owns me knows exactly where I am, each moment of each hour of each day!  He doesn't have to wonder where I am, He is here, all I have to do is to want to be found, Again!

Jeremiah 29:13 "If you look for Me, wholeheartedly, you will find me."

 Today, I am searching for more than just "stuff! and I know that I will find it!