This last week was the 11th anniversary (for want of a better word) of 9/11. There was a lot of commemorating, remembering, and honoring of those that died that day, civilians and civil servants alike. And that is as it should be. I remember watching the news that morning as I got ready for work and seeing the second plane hit the second tower. I remember driving to work, numb and wondering how this could happen here on American soil.
For years, we have been saying, "Never forget." and so we commermorate, remember, and honor every year. As I wrote before, that is as it should be. The problem for me, is that we have forgotten. Oh, not the victims or the heros, no. Not them. We have forgotten what happened in the days and weeks that followed that attacks.
People were nicer after the attacks. People said things like "please" and "thank you", and were courteous of others. In the days and weeks following the attacks, we looked at each other as brothers and sisters. We were a nation bound together by tragedy. We stood shoulder to shoulder; arm in arm, with our heads held high. We were Americans. We were the UNITED States of America. We mourned together and our hearts beat as one. There was no division as to white or black; gay or straight; Aethist or Christian...not even Democrat or Republican. We were PEOPLE. We were a people united. In our grief and in our love for this country.
Lately, everyone seems to be at everyone else's throats. The enemy isn't from without this time. It is from within. Who was it that said, "I have seen the enemy and it is us."? Or something akin to that. We are our own worst enemy. All of this infighting and where has it gotten us?
Why are we fighting over things that don't affect the fate of our nation? Why aren't we trying to find a solution to this mess we are in? Instead of pointing fingers at each other, why don't we put our heads together and come up with an antidote for what ails this country. We need to roll up our sleeves and use a little bit of that good ol' American elbow grease. We should work together and not against each other to get 'er done. We can fix this. Just put down your verbal weapons and shake hands. Remember how it felt to be UNITED as Americans, instead of catagorizing people into little cubby-holes. Can we do that, please?
We mourned Americans that day and for weeks after. We did not stop to ask if they were gay, straight, of color, Aethist, Christian...not even what their political party was. We just mourned. Because they were people. They were us: Americans.
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Divine Lunacy Rides (and Writes) Again
Good evening, Ladies and Gents...and how are we this fine evening? I have just returned to my hotel room from the excursion to the Grand Canyon. Since I can't get the danged TV to work, I thought I would tell all y'all about my day.
Here is the back story: I decided to take a little mini-vacay while my Mom is in Oklahoma visiting the relatives. So, I decided to come to Williams, Arizona: Gateway to the Grand Canyon and home of the Grand Canyon Railroad & Hotel. I kind of wish that I had also booked rooms at the Hotel where the railroad is located. They have an indoor pool. I'm also betting that the traffic noise (and that includes trains) is not quite as bad. I am staying at a quaint little place called the Canyon Country Inn. It is clean and the bed is comfortable, but the walls are a little thin and the neighbors are a little noisy. Not that kind of noisy. Also, the coffee maker doesn't work properly, so the coffee is less than palatable. (After what a friend told me about hotel coffee makers, I might not ever use one again. Thanks, Doug!) Anywho, I did find a little coffee joint called Café 326 that is walking distance from my hotel and the coffee was absolutely faboo! I will be getting some tomorrow on my way to Sedona.
So here is the recap of the day. I got my tickets: one for going, one for coming back, and one for the bus tour with lunch provided. After the tickets, I killed a little time until the "Wild" west show. Oh my goodness. They herd you way down to one end of the depot where they have a little wild west set and then proceed to put on a very corny and yet simultaneously entertaining show. Then they herd you back the other way to get on the train. Now, I decided to go with the deluxe first class with the dome seating. I will do that again after they install a lift in the train car. There is a little narrow, twisty staircase up to the dome seating. Not that it wasn't worth the climb. It was. I had a wonderful view of the country side as we made our way out to the Grand Canyon. There is a little Continental breakfast served in the regular first class car, but I was not about to try to navigate those stairs again, so I didn't get anything. However, there was cocktail service. I did have my first Bloody Mary today and it was delish. Quite a spicy little drink. There was also a fella that came up and serenaded us whilst playing the banjo.
When we arrived, the buses were ready and waiting. We had two stops where we got out and could take pictures. I used a transgender bathroom, too! Actually, it was more like a transgender outhouse, but without the flies and the smell. Only one seat in the house, so it had to be transgender. I took a few pictures at the first stop, but I gotta tell you: There is not a picture in the world taken by the best photog that can truly bring you the magnificent grandeur of this place. It really deserves it's place among the Seven Wonders of the World. At the second stop, I almost made friends with a squirrel. He was going to come right up to me until he realized I didn't have any food offerings to give him. We were told not to feed the wild life, but if I had had something to feed him, I think I would have made an exception. After the second stop, we went to Maswick Lodge for our lunch. Not bad and I was able to find enough for my vegan needs.
The trip back was a little more subdued; mostly because people were worn out. Despite only having two stops, I did walk quite a bit during the tour. The guy next to me actually started snoring (softly) until the young man with a guitar came in to serenade us. He was really good. The funny thing (for me) was he put me in mind of my cousin, Logan. Not just physically, but his mannerisms, smile, and laugh. Logan, I found your brother from another mother. We did get a little bit of rain on the way back.
Once we detrained, I did a little bit more looking around in the gift shop (guess what this year's Christmas gift theme will be, dear family O' mine?) and then had dinner at their café. Again, they had enough for this vegan to eat. I was going to splurge a little and have a piece of pie, but the only fruit pie they had was sweetened with Nutra Sweet. No thank you.
I am one tired senorita, I can tell you. I'm just going to post a few pictures on Facebook and then be off to dream land. Stay tuned for tomorrow's adventure: Sedona and the Tragically Hip! It should be a gas! That reminds me. I need to fill up my car.
Have a great night! Sweet dreams.
Here is the back story: I decided to take a little mini-vacay while my Mom is in Oklahoma visiting the relatives. So, I decided to come to Williams, Arizona: Gateway to the Grand Canyon and home of the Grand Canyon Railroad & Hotel. I kind of wish that I had also booked rooms at the Hotel where the railroad is located. They have an indoor pool. I'm also betting that the traffic noise (and that includes trains) is not quite as bad. I am staying at a quaint little place called the Canyon Country Inn. It is clean and the bed is comfortable, but the walls are a little thin and the neighbors are a little noisy. Not that kind of noisy. Also, the coffee maker doesn't work properly, so the coffee is less than palatable. (After what a friend told me about hotel coffee makers, I might not ever use one again. Thanks, Doug!) Anywho, I did find a little coffee joint called Café 326 that is walking distance from my hotel and the coffee was absolutely faboo! I will be getting some tomorrow on my way to Sedona.
So here is the recap of the day. I got my tickets: one for going, one for coming back, and one for the bus tour with lunch provided. After the tickets, I killed a little time until the "Wild" west show. Oh my goodness. They herd you way down to one end of the depot where they have a little wild west set and then proceed to put on a very corny and yet simultaneously entertaining show. Then they herd you back the other way to get on the train. Now, I decided to go with the deluxe first class with the dome seating. I will do that again after they install a lift in the train car. There is a little narrow, twisty staircase up to the dome seating. Not that it wasn't worth the climb. It was. I had a wonderful view of the country side as we made our way out to the Grand Canyon. There is a little Continental breakfast served in the regular first class car, but I was not about to try to navigate those stairs again, so I didn't get anything. However, there was cocktail service. I did have my first Bloody Mary today and it was delish. Quite a spicy little drink. There was also a fella that came up and serenaded us whilst playing the banjo.
When we arrived, the buses were ready and waiting. We had two stops where we got out and could take pictures. I used a transgender bathroom, too! Actually, it was more like a transgender outhouse, but without the flies and the smell. Only one seat in the house, so it had to be transgender. I took a few pictures at the first stop, but I gotta tell you: There is not a picture in the world taken by the best photog that can truly bring you the magnificent grandeur of this place. It really deserves it's place among the Seven Wonders of the World. At the second stop, I almost made friends with a squirrel. He was going to come right up to me until he realized I didn't have any food offerings to give him. We were told not to feed the wild life, but if I had had something to feed him, I think I would have made an exception. After the second stop, we went to Maswick Lodge for our lunch. Not bad and I was able to find enough for my vegan needs.
The trip back was a little more subdued; mostly because people were worn out. Despite only having two stops, I did walk quite a bit during the tour. The guy next to me actually started snoring (softly) until the young man with a guitar came in to serenade us. He was really good. The funny thing (for me) was he put me in mind of my cousin, Logan. Not just physically, but his mannerisms, smile, and laugh. Logan, I found your brother from another mother. We did get a little bit of rain on the way back.
Once we detrained, I did a little bit more looking around in the gift shop (guess what this year's Christmas gift theme will be, dear family O' mine?) and then had dinner at their café. Again, they had enough for this vegan to eat. I was going to splurge a little and have a piece of pie, but the only fruit pie they had was sweetened with Nutra Sweet. No thank you.
I am one tired senorita, I can tell you. I'm just going to post a few pictures on Facebook and then be off to dream land. Stay tuned for tomorrow's adventure: Sedona and the Tragically Hip! It should be a gas! That reminds me. I need to fill up my car.
Have a great night! Sweet dreams.
Saturday, July 25, 2015
Words, Part II
Words. For most of my life, I have had a love affair with words. When I was small, I couldn't wait to learn what those mysterious symbols on the paper were; what they meant. Once I did learn, worlds were opened to me. Places that no longer existed; places that were totally from someone's imagination. As a small child just learning to read, it was "Harold and the Purple Crayon." Then I discovered children's mystery books. Trixie Belden Mysteries were always my favorites. At the ripe old age of 11, I discovered Agatha Christie Mysteries and I devoured every one I could get my hands on at our little Henderson Library.
During the time I was learning to read, I was also learning to write. This became another facet of my love affair. I started keeping a journal when I was about 7 years old. This has continued to this day and is now in the form of this blog. Yes, I was a sporadic diarist, as well.
Words have influenced my life and whether you love words or not, words influence your life as well. Interestingly enough, when I wrote the first installment of "Words", we were having a "Woman's Weekend" at my church with a guest speaker. There was a Friday night study, then the service at which Mrs. Connie Hall spoke, and then a Sabbath afternoon study. Her topic for the weekend? The Power of Words. I had no idea until I got to church that morning that words were the topic. I shared what I had written with Connie during our meal and before our afternoon study. The sermon was about speaking life and not speaking death, because that is what our words are: Life or Death.
Since then, I have given a lot of thought to this "Part II". In our afternoon session, part of our "homework" assignment was to find a verse that would become our mission statement. The one I chose for myself is Proverbs 31:26.
I've also done some reading and there is a very small book in the New Testament called James. The 3rd chapter of James is dedicated to the tongue. It likens the tongue to the rudder of a great ship and to the spark that can cause a great forest fire. Think about it. Whether a ship has sails or an engine, you steer with the rudder. One little spark in dry grass can set a whole forest to burn. That is power. That power is in your mouth.
James goes on to say that with the tongue we give praise to God and curse our fellow men. Unfortunately, I've seen a lot of that lately. I've been guilty of it myself. According to James, this should not be. Fresh water and salt water cannot flow from the same spring and yet from my mouth I praise God for His love and goodness and then turn around and yell obscenities at the driver who cut me off. I hang my head in shame.
I pray each day for God to help me live up to my mission statement; the one I chose for my homework assignment. I want to speak life, not death. I want to speak hope, not doom. I want to speak love, not hate. I want to speak courage, not fear. I want to speak peace, not strife. Each morning, when God's mercies are new, I pray for the Spirit to control my tongue and use me to speak life, hope, love, courage, and peace. Each day, I fail; yet each day I gain ground. By God's amazing grace, I gain ground. I'm not there yet, but I'm moving forward and that's what matters.
By the way, Proverbs 31:26 reads: She opens her mouth in skillful and godly Wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness [giving counsel and instruction].
I have described myself as a Jesus Freak and a Potterhead (one is not mutually exclusive of the other) and so, I would like to quote Professor Dumbledore and his thoughts on words: Words are our most inexhaustible source of magic, capable of both inflicting injury and remedying it.
How very true. Do your words cause a great fire? Or do your words quench a thirsty soul?
Oh, be careful little mouth what you say
Oh, be careful little mouth what you say
For the Father up above
Is looking down in love
Oh, be careful little mouth what you say
During the time I was learning to read, I was also learning to write. This became another facet of my love affair. I started keeping a journal when I was about 7 years old. This has continued to this day and is now in the form of this blog. Yes, I was a sporadic diarist, as well.
Words have influenced my life and whether you love words or not, words influence your life as well. Interestingly enough, when I wrote the first installment of "Words", we were having a "Woman's Weekend" at my church with a guest speaker. There was a Friday night study, then the service at which Mrs. Connie Hall spoke, and then a Sabbath afternoon study. Her topic for the weekend? The Power of Words. I had no idea until I got to church that morning that words were the topic. I shared what I had written with Connie during our meal and before our afternoon study. The sermon was about speaking life and not speaking death, because that is what our words are: Life or Death.
Since then, I have given a lot of thought to this "Part II". In our afternoon session, part of our "homework" assignment was to find a verse that would become our mission statement. The one I chose for myself is Proverbs 31:26.
I've also done some reading and there is a very small book in the New Testament called James. The 3rd chapter of James is dedicated to the tongue. It likens the tongue to the rudder of a great ship and to the spark that can cause a great forest fire. Think about it. Whether a ship has sails or an engine, you steer with the rudder. One little spark in dry grass can set a whole forest to burn. That is power. That power is in your mouth.
James goes on to say that with the tongue we give praise to God and curse our fellow men. Unfortunately, I've seen a lot of that lately. I've been guilty of it myself. According to James, this should not be. Fresh water and salt water cannot flow from the same spring and yet from my mouth I praise God for His love and goodness and then turn around and yell obscenities at the driver who cut me off. I hang my head in shame.
I pray each day for God to help me live up to my mission statement; the one I chose for my homework assignment. I want to speak life, not death. I want to speak hope, not doom. I want to speak love, not hate. I want to speak courage, not fear. I want to speak peace, not strife. Each morning, when God's mercies are new, I pray for the Spirit to control my tongue and use me to speak life, hope, love, courage, and peace. Each day, I fail; yet each day I gain ground. By God's amazing grace, I gain ground. I'm not there yet, but I'm moving forward and that's what matters.
By the way, Proverbs 31:26 reads: She opens her mouth in skillful and godly Wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness [giving counsel and instruction].
I have described myself as a Jesus Freak and a Potterhead (one is not mutually exclusive of the other) and so, I would like to quote Professor Dumbledore and his thoughts on words: Words are our most inexhaustible source of magic, capable of both inflicting injury and remedying it.
How very true. Do your words cause a great fire? Or do your words quench a thirsty soul?
Oh, be careful little mouth what you say
Oh, be careful little mouth what you say
For the Father up above
Is looking down in love
Oh, be careful little mouth what you say
Saturday, June 13, 2015
Words, Part 1
Good morning and Happy Sabbath, friends and neighbors. It's been quite a while since I wrote anything here. I've been neglectful and I hope to remedy that. Any who, I've got a few words to share with you.
Yesterday, I had my morning tea and devotion outside on our little postage stamp patio. It was nice and cool with a humid undertone. As I was chatting with my Heavenly Daddy, I began thinking about words. The words we speak. The words we write. Even the words we think. All of these words influence us and have a profound affect on ourselves and others.
The thought that came into my mind was just this: What do I want my last words, this side of eternity, to be?
I began thinking about that. Now, I have a tendency to yell at stupid drivers. You know, someone who is in the far inside left lane and then crosses the middle lane to get to the far right lane to turn. They do it at the last possible moment, usually cutting off people whilst doing it. Or the guy who just has to pull out from the side road right in front of you and then just putts along, causing you to hit your brakes to avoid hitting him. I know that I have yelled some not very nice things at people like that.
What if? What if, after having yelled, "Holy moly, mother of Chow Mein! Who did you sleep with to get your license?" What if I got creamed by someone else? What if those words were the last to leave my mind and exit through my mouth? True, there would be no one in the vehicle with me to bare witness to my outburst. Except, there would be. There always is. Holy Spirit. I ask Holy Spirit to be with me each day. Holy Spirit would be witness to my outburst.
Then another thought occurred to me. The last words that Jesus spoke before dying. He asked His Father to forgive those that had crucified Him. "And Jesus prayed, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do..." I don't think He was just referring to those who had physically crucified Him, either. I think He was referring to all of us. I think He was about to pay the price that we should pay and with His dying breath, He pleaded with His Father to forgive all of us. How powerful are the words He spoke that day? Powerful enough to echo through the ages, before and after the cross.
I leave you with this thought. Words are powerful. Especially when it's a parting "shot". So...what will your parting shot be? Blessing or curse? It's up to you.
Yesterday, I had my morning tea and devotion outside on our little postage stamp patio. It was nice and cool with a humid undertone. As I was chatting with my Heavenly Daddy, I began thinking about words. The words we speak. The words we write. Even the words we think. All of these words influence us and have a profound affect on ourselves and others.
The thought that came into my mind was just this: What do I want my last words, this side of eternity, to be?
I began thinking about that. Now, I have a tendency to yell at stupid drivers. You know, someone who is in the far inside left lane and then crosses the middle lane to get to the far right lane to turn. They do it at the last possible moment, usually cutting off people whilst doing it. Or the guy who just has to pull out from the side road right in front of you and then just putts along, causing you to hit your brakes to avoid hitting him. I know that I have yelled some not very nice things at people like that.
What if? What if, after having yelled, "Holy moly, mother of Chow Mein! Who did you sleep with to get your license?" What if I got creamed by someone else? What if those words were the last to leave my mind and exit through my mouth? True, there would be no one in the vehicle with me to bare witness to my outburst. Except, there would be. There always is. Holy Spirit. I ask Holy Spirit to be with me each day. Holy Spirit would be witness to my outburst.
Then another thought occurred to me. The last words that Jesus spoke before dying. He asked His Father to forgive those that had crucified Him. "And Jesus prayed, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do..." I don't think He was just referring to those who had physically crucified Him, either. I think He was referring to all of us. I think He was about to pay the price that we should pay and with His dying breath, He pleaded with His Father to forgive all of us. How powerful are the words He spoke that day? Powerful enough to echo through the ages, before and after the cross.
I leave you with this thought. Words are powerful. Especially when it's a parting "shot". So...what will your parting shot be? Blessing or curse? It's up to you.
Friday, January 2, 2015
Divine Lunacy Writes a Letter...
A friend on Facebook posted a challenge from author Bonnie Gray, to write a letter to God. I had actually been thinking of doing just that. It's one of the ideas that I have been toying with. So now, without further ado, challenge accepted.
Dear Abba-God:
Here we are at the beginning of a new year. We both know that 2013 was a sucky year for my family. It saw the decline of my Dad and, eventually, his passing. Along came 2014 and I figured it had to be better than 2013. And it was. For the most part. There were ups and downs (but isn't that the way of this life?). On the whole, it was much better than 2013. Now here we are at 2015 (so soon) and I'm a-tingle in anticipation of this year's journey. I can't wait to see what adventures You have planned for me.
First, however, I would like to share with You some of the things I would like to accomplish this year. Ok. Here goes:
1. Lose the rest of this weight. I seem to be stuck. I fluctuate up and down. Never more than just a couple of pounds, but I'm stuck, nonetheless. To that end, I will be using the recumbent stationary bike starting Monday. I'm hoping that will help get me off this plateau once and for all.
2. I want to finish my first novel and get it published. I've been working on it off and on (mostly off this last year) for the last two years. I know Mom wants me to at least finish it so that she can find out what happens. I need to finish it, if only for that reason.
3. I want to go on the reunion cruise with my former classmates. Hence the accomplishing of #1 is very important. I would like to look my best for this occasion.
4. Ok. This is unrealistic, I know, but somebody has to win. Why not me? I want to win the Power Ball Lotto. I just keep thinking of all the things I could do with the money. I could retire, for one thing. I could set up a building trust fund for my church so that we could build our earthly home all at once and not in phases. I could set up a building/student trust for the Holbrook Indian School in Holbrook, Arizona. I could send regular donations to Rio Lindo Adventist Academy and to Las Vegas Junior Academy. Better yet, I could find some land and build a new Las Vegas Junior Academy with all the bells and whistles. I could retire and write full time. And travel.
These are the things I want to accomplish this year. I don't really need anything, because true to Your word, You have provided for all my needs. It's just these few things that I want.
Ok. Now the hard part. I'm giving all of these wants over to You. I'll give them to You and wait to see what You will give back to me. I know that what You have to offer is always so much more, so much better than anything I can imagine. So here it is. I surrender these wants to You, knowing that in Your great love for me, what I get back will blow my mind.
I also know that You have a want list for me. That You want to improve and refine me; to test me and replenish me; to water and grow me until I become the person You always dreamed I would be. I'm good with that. I'm excited to see who that is. I know I'm on my way because You promised to make me complete. It is in Philippians 1:6 (AMP). And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.
Thank You, Father. I'll talk with You later.
I love You!
Gerri
Dear Abba-God:
Here we are at the beginning of a new year. We both know that 2013 was a sucky year for my family. It saw the decline of my Dad and, eventually, his passing. Along came 2014 and I figured it had to be better than 2013. And it was. For the most part. There were ups and downs (but isn't that the way of this life?). On the whole, it was much better than 2013. Now here we are at 2015 (so soon) and I'm a-tingle in anticipation of this year's journey. I can't wait to see what adventures You have planned for me.
First, however, I would like to share with You some of the things I would like to accomplish this year. Ok. Here goes:
1. Lose the rest of this weight. I seem to be stuck. I fluctuate up and down. Never more than just a couple of pounds, but I'm stuck, nonetheless. To that end, I will be using the recumbent stationary bike starting Monday. I'm hoping that will help get me off this plateau once and for all.
2. I want to finish my first novel and get it published. I've been working on it off and on (mostly off this last year) for the last two years. I know Mom wants me to at least finish it so that she can find out what happens. I need to finish it, if only for that reason.
3. I want to go on the reunion cruise with my former classmates. Hence the accomplishing of #1 is very important. I would like to look my best for this occasion.
4. Ok. This is unrealistic, I know, but somebody has to win. Why not me? I want to win the Power Ball Lotto. I just keep thinking of all the things I could do with the money. I could retire, for one thing. I could set up a building trust fund for my church so that we could build our earthly home all at once and not in phases. I could set up a building/student trust for the Holbrook Indian School in Holbrook, Arizona. I could send regular donations to Rio Lindo Adventist Academy and to Las Vegas Junior Academy. Better yet, I could find some land and build a new Las Vegas Junior Academy with all the bells and whistles. I could retire and write full time. And travel.
These are the things I want to accomplish this year. I don't really need anything, because true to Your word, You have provided for all my needs. It's just these few things that I want.
Ok. Now the hard part. I'm giving all of these wants over to You. I'll give them to You and wait to see what You will give back to me. I know that what You have to offer is always so much more, so much better than anything I can imagine. So here it is. I surrender these wants to You, knowing that in Your great love for me, what I get back will blow my mind.
I also know that You have a want list for me. That You want to improve and refine me; to test me and replenish me; to water and grow me until I become the person You always dreamed I would be. I'm good with that. I'm excited to see who that is. I know I'm on my way because You promised to make me complete. It is in Philippians 1:6 (AMP). And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.
Thank You, Father. I'll talk with You later.
I love You!
Gerri
Saturday, May 24, 2014
Divine Lunacy: Genesis 1:26-28 & Psalm 139:13-15
I read an article today about a little girl in New York. Apparently, the great state of New York has decided to take upon it's self the burden of being the Obesity Police. They are apparently weighing and measuring little children (how often, I don't know) and then periodically sending home "Fitnessgrams" to the parents. They tell the children not to read them, but when you are a kid, you just got to peek. This little girl came home quite upset. She had read hers, you see. She gave it to her mother to read whereupon her mother discovered that her child was (drum roll please) ONE POUND OVER THE AVERAGE WEIGHT FOR A CHILD HER HEIGHT AND AGE. This is a 4-foot, 1-inch, 66 pound third grader. Her mother was outraged. Understandably so. Later that evening, she saw her sweet little third grader staring at herself in the mirror and "pinching the inch" around her middle, tearfully asking her mother if this was what they were talking about. Heartbreaking, isn't it?
I was outraged, as well. I have always had a "weight problem". I was always a little bit bigger than the other girls in my class. I do know (based on the pictures of me at that time) I was fairly hefty when I was a third grader. Not sure why my weight went up so much then, but it did. However, looking back at pictures of myself growing up, I really wasn't so big. I know I felt ginormous. Especially next to all my skinny, petite little friends. I was constantly on a diet. I had and still have a bad body image. I often wonder if I had never dieted in my life, would I have gained as much weight as I have in my adult life? There is no way to know, I guess. Anywho, I digress.
All of this got me to thinking, you see. Almost everyone has an issue with something about themselves. Too tall. Too short. Crooked teeth. Thin hair. Thick hair. Big feet. Insert your body peeve here. All of these things add up to this: How can anyone love me? I'm not pretty (or handsome) enough. I'll never be anything worth while.
Ok. Lean in, kiddies. I'm gonna share something with you that is very rarely discussed in church. Now, I know most of you have heard of God's plan of salvation. You know. The one where His only Son took on the sins of the world from the beginning of time to the end of time, died, was resurrected and overcame sin and death once and for all. Well, there is another plan. This one belongs to the enemy and it is called the plan of destruction. This enemy wants all of us to find ourselves unworthy of great love. He wants us to doubt that we can be salvaged and redeemed. Repurposed, to use the most current vernacular. He wants us to think if we can only get rid of those few extra pesky pounds, straighten our teeth, and get rid of all our wrinkles, we will be worth saving. Here's the catch. The enemy keeps upping the stakes. Through media, celebrity, and now the guise of concern for a child's physical health, he keeps setting the bar higher and impossibly higher. We will never, ever be able to reach it.
On the other hand, God's plan is quite simple: Come just as you are. Believe that Jesus died for you. Accept His gift of salvation. That's really all there is to it, friends and neighbors. Once you do that, you will see how much you are loved. As further proof, I offer the two verses in the title.
Now, go enjoy your Sabbath day. You are loved just as you are. You are beautiful just as you are.
I was outraged, as well. I have always had a "weight problem". I was always a little bit bigger than the other girls in my class. I do know (based on the pictures of me at that time) I was fairly hefty when I was a third grader. Not sure why my weight went up so much then, but it did. However, looking back at pictures of myself growing up, I really wasn't so big. I know I felt ginormous. Especially next to all my skinny, petite little friends. I was constantly on a diet. I had and still have a bad body image. I often wonder if I had never dieted in my life, would I have gained as much weight as I have in my adult life? There is no way to know, I guess. Anywho, I digress.
All of this got me to thinking, you see. Almost everyone has an issue with something about themselves. Too tall. Too short. Crooked teeth. Thin hair. Thick hair. Big feet. Insert your body peeve here. All of these things add up to this: How can anyone love me? I'm not pretty (or handsome) enough. I'll never be anything worth while.
Ok. Lean in, kiddies. I'm gonna share something with you that is very rarely discussed in church. Now, I know most of you have heard of God's plan of salvation. You know. The one where His only Son took on the sins of the world from the beginning of time to the end of time, died, was resurrected and overcame sin and death once and for all. Well, there is another plan. This one belongs to the enemy and it is called the plan of destruction. This enemy wants all of us to find ourselves unworthy of great love. He wants us to doubt that we can be salvaged and redeemed. Repurposed, to use the most current vernacular. He wants us to think if we can only get rid of those few extra pesky pounds, straighten our teeth, and get rid of all our wrinkles, we will be worth saving. Here's the catch. The enemy keeps upping the stakes. Through media, celebrity, and now the guise of concern for a child's physical health, he keeps setting the bar higher and impossibly higher. We will never, ever be able to reach it.
On the other hand, God's plan is quite simple: Come just as you are. Believe that Jesus died for you. Accept His gift of salvation. That's really all there is to it, friends and neighbors. Once you do that, you will see how much you are loved. As further proof, I offer the two verses in the title.
Now, go enjoy your Sabbath day. You are loved just as you are. You are beautiful just as you are.
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Divine Lunacy: The Next Chapter
Today, I have been cleaning out my old car. I'm giving it to some friends of mine that want a little run-around car that gets good gas mileage. I still need to vacuum it out, but after that, I will be relinquishing ownership. Am I sad to see it go? Surprisingly, no. Although...I must admit to a small twinge of nostalgia, lightly colored with sadness that it will no longer be my car. Let me tell you a story.
Once upon a time, I didn't have a car or a driver's license. I rode public transportation to and from work and got rides with others for groceries and such. I wasn't interested in the added expense of a vehicle or renewing a driver's license every four years, either. Also, I lost my license due to unpaid parking tickets in LaLa Land, California. Every so often, my Mom would bug me about getting my license. I would always turn a deaf ear. I didn't want one and I wasn't going to get one.
Finally, in the year of our Lord, 2000, I could no longer tune Mom's litany of "You really should get your license...When are you going to get your license...You really ought to have your license." out. To shut her up (hopefully), I said I wanted to start with getting my learner's permit. After all, I reasoned, I hadn't been behind the wheel of a car for a long time. I needed to practice because I would probably be required to take a "behind the wheel" test to get my driver's license. We went to the DMV the next Monday that I had off so I could take the written test to get that learner's permit. I didn't tell Mom, but I had not studied the hand book that she had given me. I didn't even riffle through the pages. I figured I would take the test and fail and that would be it for a month or three. Ha, ha! The joke was on me. I answered the questions, most of which I remembered from years before. I passed the test. I was even in the mid 90 percentile. Holy drive shaft, Batman! I left the DMV with a learner's permit and Mom handed over the keys. The interesting thing was, I had forgotten how much I really like to drive. Once I got behind the wheel and got going, it all came back. Just about a month later, I was at the DMV taking the driving test and getting my bona fide driving license. Ok. I had the license. Now what?
Again, on a Monday I had off, Mom loaned me her Chevy Tahoe. After dropping her off at work, I went home and grabbed some of my CDs and then I set about to do some errands. I was at the light on Lindell at Sahara when I looked to my left and say a marquee on the Budget Rental Car Sales lot. They had cars for $88.00 down. I could do that. I had $88.00. I went to the lot, test drove my future car, and got my Dad involved. He had to secure the loan for me. My credit was so tanked, I couldn't even co-sign for the loan. By the end of the day, I was the owner of a Ticket Me Red 2000 Chevy Cavalier LS.
Not long after that, I got an invitation to my 25 year high school reunion at Rio Lindo Adventist Academy. My Mom began a campaign to get me to go. Finally, I let her book a motel room for me in Santa Rosa, California. (I spent the first night in Tulare with my cousins, Dawn and her daughter, Tiffany.) I did that to shut her up. When will I ever learn? Dad gave me one of his gas charge cards to use so that I wouldn't run out of money filling up on gas. I had to pay him back for what ever I charged, though. (I have since learned that he never cashed the check I gave him for the gas.) I was so excited. My first road trip in years!
I checked into my motel room in Santa Rosa, you know, the one that keeps the light burning. I showered and changed and set about finding a place to eat. I settled on a Chinese place I found in Coddington Mall. With butterflies in my stomach (and a fair amount of lemon chicken and fried rice), I drove into Healdsburg and up the hill to Rio. I went early because I wanted to walk around the campus. It had been over 20 years since I had roamed this beautiful school and I wanted to see what had changed and what had stayed the same. My first stop was going to be the Admin Building. It houses the Principal's office, the library, the auditorium, and a few classrooms. It also has large, framed photographs of each graduating class. I wanted to look at my graduating class' photos; see if ours was still hanging on the wall. I walked up to the building and was suddenly inundated with memories from my time at Rio. By the time I reached the front doors (they were locked), the tears were flowing fast and furious. You see, my life hadn't gone according to plan. I was going to find myself a nice SDA man to marry, have a few kids, and live contentedly going to church, potlucks, church socials, and other church related activities thereby assuring my salvation and place in Heaven. That did not happen. Instead, I met a young man (SDA) that broke me heart and left me without so much as a backward glance. I got mad at God and at the church, made sure the doors didn't hit me in the hinder on the way out, and proceeded to leave behind everything I knew to be right and true. My motto was: Lead me not into temptation...just point me in the right direction and I'll do the rest.
But not that day. That day, standing at the front door of the Admin Building with tears streaming down my face was different. I heard God speak. Very clearly. I will never forget what He said to me: "I miss you. And I want you back." I gave myself to Him right then and there. I had a lot to learn and a way to go, but me wheels were finally on the right path.
I have had my share of back sliding, trials, and general troubles. Each has served a purpose. To help me rely on, lean on, and trust in the Great I Am. Each step in this story was leading me to a better way. So, yeah. Maybe I'm a little sad to let this car go to it's new home. After all, it was the one that drove me into my Father's waiting arms. I'll tell you something else. I'm looking forward to the next chapter of road trips in my new SUV. God always surprises, but that's ok. I've got a full tank.
Once upon a time, I didn't have a car or a driver's license. I rode public transportation to and from work and got rides with others for groceries and such. I wasn't interested in the added expense of a vehicle or renewing a driver's license every four years, either. Also, I lost my license due to unpaid parking tickets in LaLa Land, California. Every so often, my Mom would bug me about getting my license. I would always turn a deaf ear. I didn't want one and I wasn't going to get one.
Finally, in the year of our Lord, 2000, I could no longer tune Mom's litany of "You really should get your license...When are you going to get your license...You really ought to have your license." out. To shut her up (hopefully), I said I wanted to start with getting my learner's permit. After all, I reasoned, I hadn't been behind the wheel of a car for a long time. I needed to practice because I would probably be required to take a "behind the wheel" test to get my driver's license. We went to the DMV the next Monday that I had off so I could take the written test to get that learner's permit. I didn't tell Mom, but I had not studied the hand book that she had given me. I didn't even riffle through the pages. I figured I would take the test and fail and that would be it for a month or three. Ha, ha! The joke was on me. I answered the questions, most of which I remembered from years before. I passed the test. I was even in the mid 90 percentile. Holy drive shaft, Batman! I left the DMV with a learner's permit and Mom handed over the keys. The interesting thing was, I had forgotten how much I really like to drive. Once I got behind the wheel and got going, it all came back. Just about a month later, I was at the DMV taking the driving test and getting my bona fide driving license. Ok. I had the license. Now what?
Again, on a Monday I had off, Mom loaned me her Chevy Tahoe. After dropping her off at work, I went home and grabbed some of my CDs and then I set about to do some errands. I was at the light on Lindell at Sahara when I looked to my left and say a marquee on the Budget Rental Car Sales lot. They had cars for $88.00 down. I could do that. I had $88.00. I went to the lot, test drove my future car, and got my Dad involved. He had to secure the loan for me. My credit was so tanked, I couldn't even co-sign for the loan. By the end of the day, I was the owner of a Ticket Me Red 2000 Chevy Cavalier LS.
Not long after that, I got an invitation to my 25 year high school reunion at Rio Lindo Adventist Academy. My Mom began a campaign to get me to go. Finally, I let her book a motel room for me in Santa Rosa, California. (I spent the first night in Tulare with my cousins, Dawn and her daughter, Tiffany.) I did that to shut her up. When will I ever learn? Dad gave me one of his gas charge cards to use so that I wouldn't run out of money filling up on gas. I had to pay him back for what ever I charged, though. (I have since learned that he never cashed the check I gave him for the gas.) I was so excited. My first road trip in years!
I checked into my motel room in Santa Rosa, you know, the one that keeps the light burning. I showered and changed and set about finding a place to eat. I settled on a Chinese place I found in Coddington Mall. With butterflies in my stomach (and a fair amount of lemon chicken and fried rice), I drove into Healdsburg and up the hill to Rio. I went early because I wanted to walk around the campus. It had been over 20 years since I had roamed this beautiful school and I wanted to see what had changed and what had stayed the same. My first stop was going to be the Admin Building. It houses the Principal's office, the library, the auditorium, and a few classrooms. It also has large, framed photographs of each graduating class. I wanted to look at my graduating class' photos; see if ours was still hanging on the wall. I walked up to the building and was suddenly inundated with memories from my time at Rio. By the time I reached the front doors (they were locked), the tears were flowing fast and furious. You see, my life hadn't gone according to plan. I was going to find myself a nice SDA man to marry, have a few kids, and live contentedly going to church, potlucks, church socials, and other church related activities thereby assuring my salvation and place in Heaven. That did not happen. Instead, I met a young man (SDA) that broke me heart and left me without so much as a backward glance. I got mad at God and at the church, made sure the doors didn't hit me in the hinder on the way out, and proceeded to leave behind everything I knew to be right and true. My motto was: Lead me not into temptation...just point me in the right direction and I'll do the rest.
But not that day. That day, standing at the front door of the Admin Building with tears streaming down my face was different. I heard God speak. Very clearly. I will never forget what He said to me: "I miss you. And I want you back." I gave myself to Him right then and there. I had a lot to learn and a way to go, but me wheels were finally on the right path.
I have had my share of back sliding, trials, and general troubles. Each has served a purpose. To help me rely on, lean on, and trust in the Great I Am. Each step in this story was leading me to a better way. So, yeah. Maybe I'm a little sad to let this car go to it's new home. After all, it was the one that drove me into my Father's waiting arms. I'll tell you something else. I'm looking forward to the next chapter of road trips in my new SUV. God always surprises, but that's ok. I've got a full tank.
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