I'm All Ears!

It is a dreary morning here and I can think of at least 10 other places I would rather be. But, it's where I'm called to be; so here I am. I've been thinking a lot about the gifts God has given me and I have come to the realization that those gifts bring about glorious surprises each day of my life. I have two gifts that I want to elaborate on--talker and listener.

It's been said that I could talk to a door knob. I'm still trying to decide if that's a compliment or not?! Although I'm not a real blabber mouth, I do love the art of conversation and I can hold my own with just about any individual. I love to hear people talk and it is always a great learning experience for me. I can really talk about anything in the world with anyone. Some of the most interesting topics I have encountered include marriage, relationships, and hunting--I'm an expert on none of these, but I have a wealth of information.

For instance, I know the secret ingredients for a marriage made in heaven and the poisons that will destroy a marriage. It's beyond me why people seek me out to talk about their marraige, but they do, and I listen. I think I could explain what men are from Mars and women are from Venus actually means. Doesn't it boil down to being understood and respected? Different does not have to equal mysterious.

I understand that human nature sometimes tricks us into compromising even the best relationships. Strangely enough, the ones we love the most are the ones we wind up hurting the most. I've had a first row seat to seeing hearts broken and promises voided. Isn't it true that we just get carried away and step on the closest breathing thing? Relationships come and go, this we know. But, for the life of me, I can't imagine one relationship in my life that I want to let go.

Not that I want to, but I could go deer hunting and carry out the entire process from the hunt, to the kill, to putting the meat in the freezer. I've never held a gun and most of the deer I have seen are running a marathon across the road. However, I have been walked through the delicate steps of hunting many times and they are varied and unique--the gospel for hunting according to whichever hunter I happen to be talking to. And mind you, I have only talked to professionals. In the web of words and emotion, I am there...in the woods...watching...waiting. And I understand why they get so darned excited!

Not only do I learn about new things, but I learn about the person talking to me. For in listening, I get a peek into their heart and understand the unlimited ways that I can encourage them in their daily walk. Everything that a person divulges takes me one step closer to who they really are. Bottom line: people want to talk about themselves; it makes them feel important. People want to matter to someone else...to believe they fit in the heart of another human being. People, although they may not realize it, hunger to have attention and intimacy through words. I find that it doesn't take long for people to trust me with their innermost thoughts and I love that! I talk first and then I simply listen.

I love to wrap every conversation I have with people in sparkling paper and a perfect red ribbon. Through the process of listening, I collect ideas so that I might encourage others in their life. O, the ways that you can make someone's day! Some love the gift of time, some cling to tangible treasures, and still others covet silent support. Being an encourager can mean a million different things, but it's easy to figure out if you just open your ears!

Time

“Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity.”

If I could have control of one thing in the world, it would be time. I would harness all of the control that time has over my life and bottle it away forever. I want the time to see the people that I adore and to do the things I never take the time to do. Being a slave to time eats away at my very existence. It steals my joy and harbors possibility. It keeps me from sitting down face to face with the people I count special and having a truly meaningful conversastion. Time is darkness...a bottomless pit that would love to suffocate me.

My father used to have a hobby of building clocks. His workshop was brimming with lumber, wood glue, clock faces, and hands. I would sneak away from my mom sometimes and go to his workshop. When I was very young, he would let me sit on the work bench and watch him sand or stain the wood. I loved the smell of that workshop. Sometimes, he would let me hold things for him or hand him the necessary tools. He took his time because he wanted the clock to be perfect. And to no surprise, they always were perfect. My father taught me that all great things take time. But the greatest lesson he gave me was how to love others, and I know now that loving others takes time. He is a quiet man--a man of few words. The ones I will cherish the most are, "I love you."

Among my greatest relationships are my family, lifelong friends who live close enough that I could see them each day, and friends that I pine over because they are so far away. Today I wonder if all of those people know how much I truly love them. Can I say it too many times? Would they cherish it in their heart as I do the words of my father?

School Days, School Days, Good Old Golden Rule Days!

You may not know that I am an elementary school teacher. Last night (on my birthday!) we had Open House to meet our new students. I absolutely loved talking to my students and getting to know a little bit about them. The evening made me recall my own childhood school days and it gave me an idea for my blog. I decided to list my top five favorite memories of school. You may have some of the same memories or yours may be completely different. Either way, take a walk down memory lane and share your top five memories with me.
My Top Five School Memories
#5- Finding the golden egg at the Easter Egg Hunt and winning a silver dollar.
#4- Putting glue on my fingers, letting it dry, and peeling it off.
#3- Learning to read in the claw foot bathtub that my second grade teacher brought to school...no water or soap invovled!
#2- Writing letters to my friends--the old fashioned way.
#1- My second grade teacher blessing our lunch before we left the classroom.

Following Directions

When I was young, I loved spending the night with my grandparents. They treated me like a princess and always had my favorite foods ready and waiting for me. Nothing could compare to my mammaw's scrumptious cornbread. Her cornbread was like dessert for me. It absolutely melted in my mouth. When I turned 8, my mammaw decided that I should cook supper for her and my pappaw. We went to IGA and debated on what I could make (on my own) for supper. I chose Chef BOY-AR-DEE pizza. Should be simple--all ingredients were in the box and the process only included a few directions.

There I stood in the sacred kitchen of my mammaw with a baking sheet and Chef BOY-AR-DEE pizza mix. I was excited, but nervous. I just really wasn't sure about making the pizza without any help. I opened the box and was quickly overwhelmed with the pouch of dough mix, the can of pizza sauce, and packet of parmesan cheese. For the longest time, I stood and stared at everything from the pizza kit. I knew that I needed water and oil, but what was I supposed to mix the water and oil with? I knew that the pizza should already be in the oven. So, I did the only thing I could think of. I pulled the glass bowl close to me and proceeded to empty the pouch of dough mix, the can of pizza sauce, the packet of parmesan cheese, the water, and the oil. I slowly stirred the concoction. I realized it really didn't look like it did when my mom made it, but I couldn't really figure out what I had done wrong. I quickly pressed the pizza onto the pan--nice and flat and stuck it in the oven. And then I waited. I waited until my pappaw came and removed it from the oven for me. He smiled and got me a cold bottle of Coca-Cola and a straw. My grandparents told me that it was the best pizza they had ever eaten. We ate every single bite of that pizza.

Making that pizza reminds me of how I follow God's directions for my life. He gave me the Bible to read and learn from...a set of directions. If I follow those directions, I will receive wisdom and the blessings of a great God. Sometimes, I may not follow the directions, but I have the right ingredients and I give my best effort, but I panic. God takes that effort and uses it for the good. God sees my mix-ups, but more than that, I think God sees my heart. I think He knows that I love His Word and I want to please Him and serve Him.

Did my mammaw and pappaw see my mix-up? If they did, they never ever told me that they did. They called all of their friends and the family and told them about the best pizza they had ever eaten. I think my grandparents saw my heart...my passion to serve them.

When Life Hands You Lemons...

Make lemondade! Yeah, right. After a lemon of a day, the last thing I want is to sugar it up! No, I want to bask in the sour juices that oozed out and made my day a slippery, sticky mess. I want to frown and pout over the bitter zest that threw me into a tail spin. Basically, I want to roll around in my misery and feel sorry for me. Have you ever had a lemon of a day? You know, what I'm talking about. The kind of day where you trip over your own two feet, you drop everything you pick up, you forget what you're doing every three minutes, you have a double ear infection, and NO ONE does what you think they should.

Poor me. Let down by the world again. And then, it happens. That still, small voice says, "Ahem! Remember me? I'm the Lord of your life. Why are you allowing the world to squirt lemon juice in your eyes? Why are you ignoring the riches and beauty that I have placed before you, my child?"

He pours on the sugar: I saw cows grazing in a lucious field of green. I listened as my nephew, Sam told me about his pet caterpillar. He named him Marvel. I noticed corn and tobacco plants inching taller and taller from the rich soil of the earth. I heard the cicadas sing a wondrous symphony beneath a star-filled sky. I felt the touch of my mother's hand as I helped her to the sidewalk. I experienced the power of God when thunder rumbled in the distance and lightening dazzled an ebony sky. I looked at all that God has created and I had to say, "It is good."

Tell me about the "good" ways God took your day from sour to sweet. (Coyrighted TNTNKY, 2008)

Frosty...A Friend Indeed!

Remember when Frosty was brought to life by a magic top hat on Christmas Day? From the first time I watched Frosty the Snowman, I think I understood some of the most distinct elements of friendship. Frosty loved Karen with a pure, sacrificial love. Even in the earliest moments of their relationship, Frosty watched out for Karen's well-being because he loved her. He made many choices that elevated Karen above self.

Frosty brought laughter and fun into Karen's life from the very moment he took his first breath. Whether they were marching down the streets of town, outsmarting an unthoughtful magician, or attempting to communicate with a crazy rabbit, Karen's heart was warmed by Frosty's endearging personality!

Frosty promised to return each Christmas to visit and play with Karen. Frosty's promise echoes God's promise to each of us. He promises to always be with us--living in our hearts. Frosty promised to always be there--living in Karen's heart. How loving warm promises are!

I am enjoying this must see classic today with my students. It is my effort to bring a little bit of magic and love to their life. Don't let the season pass without filling up a cup of cocoa, stoking the fire, and popping your most beloved holiday classic in. After all, we never truly grow up, do we?

A Few of My Favorite Things...

I absolutely love The Sound of Music. My favorite part is when Julie Andrews sings "Favorite Things." It just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. This morning, I thought to myself, "Why not consider a few of my favorite things?" Here a few of my favorite things and I hope after you read, you will share your list of favorites!

* Wet kisses on my cheek from my neices and nephews
* Naked trees in the dead of winter
* Thick frost on windows
* Burning wood in a stove
* New fallen snow
* A midnight sky painted with stars
* The first taste of watermelon in the summer
* Old, familiar friendship
* Love
* Weeping Willow trees
* Hot chocolate with whipped cream
* Warm chocolate chip cookies

Please share your favorite things and bring a bright spot to the holiday season!