A husband who's taller and bigger and smarter than me,
Glasses that help me better see.
Condo fees,
That prove I have a house to sleep.
A cat, a job, a car, two feet,
with which allow me to run on the street.
Parents, sisters, friends for life,
Water, food, a fork and knife.
Clothes that are clean and new and fresh,
A TV that's huge and claws at my flesh.
A beautiful, sparkly, gold diamond ring,
And painted nails that show off that bling.
A birthday fling,
That makes my heart sing.
Computers and cell phones and wine in a glass,
High heels that tell me to walk with that sass.
A shiny new laptop and ipod to tote,
Carkeys that have automatic remote.
Root Beer, Sprite, Dr. Pepper, and Coke,
No wonder so many waste life with a stroke.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Strength in Weakness
God is so good.
I took a class called Soul Restoration last fall at Old Dominion Bible Church. The teacher/pastor who led the class, Bob Perdue, wrote a book called Ten Life Choices. He used it as a base curriculum for the group. Each week, we would read one chapter, which consisted of one life choice, and discuss it in small groups the following week. According to Bob, our ten life choices are: honesty, grace, forgiveness, truth, surrender, empowerment, community, worship, intimacy, and availability.
I say God is good because, well, a) He is good, and b) through this class and through my devotion He has "Empowered" me to be opened up to and thereby experience Grace and Surrender. There were a lot of great things that came out of this class and all of the ten life choices have their own story and meaning. Everyone in the class, without a doubt, found different meaning in each of those choices depending on what was going on in their own particular lives.
As I get older and devote more of my time and passion toward what God is doing, I begin to understand Him more. For me, the choice of Grace was an easier one. Who doesn't want Grace? Who doesn't allow themselves to openly receive something free, for no price, without questioning it? Grace is easier to learn, easier to accept, and easier to understand.
But Surrender...oh, Surrender my friends is a tough one. Grace is accepting something for a price that's already been paid and learning to understand something that's already there for your taking, but you just can't see. Surrender, well Surrender's a different story. Surrender is giving something up you also "already have," but learning to let it go and lay it down at His feet. And this, this comes with a cost.
The title of this note is called "Strength in Weakness" and, for me, through this class and through these last few months has been about Surrendering my Weaknesses. And when I refer to the "Strength" in Weakness, I'm referring to the Strength that comes out of Surrendering those Weaknesses. There are a lot of different meanings, as I said, in those words for different people. And uncovering those meanings in your life is a process and journey in and of itself.
But what God has made apparent, at least in my own life, is that being able to realize my Weaknesses and then Surrendering them to Him will ultimately bring me strength and make me stronger. I don't know why it took me so long to realize this simple yet profound truth, but it did. And now that I know it and can say it out loud, I am swallowed by it's profound magnitude and instantaneous result.
Pastor Steven Furtick from Elevation Church said something along the lines of, "We are living on an oil mine," in one of his sermons the other day. He's right. There is so much power in the realization of Truth it's unbelievable. Once we are able to step outside our comfort zone (which is so hard, I know) and Surrender ourselves to His Truth, then great and powerful and wonderful and mighty things can and will happen.
I say all this to you because over the past few months I have been experiencing God's revelation of Weaknesses in my life. I thought for the longest time that by praying and asking God to help me with this or that for me was being obedient enough and I didn't have to do any work on my end. But as He would have it, it wasn't enough. The Strength I experience today in recognizing my Weaknesses, admitting them freely and openly to Him, and learning to live out of that recognition is the only thing that sustains me and keeps any ounce of humility I ever had, in tact. I realized that God doesn't and won't do all of the work for us. That is not how He works. And even just writing this to you now is an eye opener. God will not grant us restoration, rescue, release, or freedom without Surrender and the realization that we cannot do it alone. This is such a simple concept, yet has so many facets.
It is often embarrassing, humiliating, and scary to openly admit our faults, Weaknesses, and trials, but the only person in the world who a) can help us, and b) whose opinion of us really matters anyway, is Christ. We are sitting on oil mines. We have the power at our fingertips. Some of just have dead batteries and need a recharge to the reality of what we already have and own, in Him. Suffering is not long-lasting, because it's already done. But, Surrender is. We can die daily, Surrender hourly, and time after time let go of something we have been holding onto because we are trying to do it ourselves. But God cannot help us with something we won't let go of or won't relinquish control over. He sees our weaknesses and faults and fears just as they are, but He just wants us to admit them, acknowledge them, and become aware of them so He can help us.
Be Empowered and choose Surrender. Then, allow the Grace of his mercy to flood you with Life.
I took a class called Soul Restoration last fall at Old Dominion Bible Church. The teacher/pastor who led the class, Bob Perdue, wrote a book called Ten Life Choices. He used it as a base curriculum for the group. Each week, we would read one chapter, which consisted of one life choice, and discuss it in small groups the following week. According to Bob, our ten life choices are: honesty, grace, forgiveness, truth, surrender, empowerment, community, worship, intimacy, and availability.
I say God is good because, well, a) He is good, and b) through this class and through my devotion He has "Empowered" me to be opened up to and thereby experience Grace and Surrender. There were a lot of great things that came out of this class and all of the ten life choices have their own story and meaning. Everyone in the class, without a doubt, found different meaning in each of those choices depending on what was going on in their own particular lives.
As I get older and devote more of my time and passion toward what God is doing, I begin to understand Him more. For me, the choice of Grace was an easier one. Who doesn't want Grace? Who doesn't allow themselves to openly receive something free, for no price, without questioning it? Grace is easier to learn, easier to accept, and easier to understand.
But Surrender...oh, Surrender my friends is a tough one. Grace is accepting something for a price that's already been paid and learning to understand something that's already there for your taking, but you just can't see. Surrender, well Surrender's a different story. Surrender is giving something up you also "already have," but learning to let it go and lay it down at His feet. And this, this comes with a cost.
The title of this note is called "Strength in Weakness" and, for me, through this class and through these last few months has been about Surrendering my Weaknesses. And when I refer to the "Strength" in Weakness, I'm referring to the Strength that comes out of Surrendering those Weaknesses. There are a lot of different meanings, as I said, in those words for different people. And uncovering those meanings in your life is a process and journey in and of itself.
But what God has made apparent, at least in my own life, is that being able to realize my Weaknesses and then Surrendering them to Him will ultimately bring me strength and make me stronger. I don't know why it took me so long to realize this simple yet profound truth, but it did. And now that I know it and can say it out loud, I am swallowed by it's profound magnitude and instantaneous result.
Pastor Steven Furtick from Elevation Church said something along the lines of, "We are living on an oil mine," in one of his sermons the other day. He's right. There is so much power in the realization of Truth it's unbelievable. Once we are able to step outside our comfort zone (which is so hard, I know) and Surrender ourselves to His Truth, then great and powerful and wonderful and mighty things can and will happen.
I say all this to you because over the past few months I have been experiencing God's revelation of Weaknesses in my life. I thought for the longest time that by praying and asking God to help me with this or that for me was being obedient enough and I didn't have to do any work on my end. But as He would have it, it wasn't enough. The Strength I experience today in recognizing my Weaknesses, admitting them freely and openly to Him, and learning to live out of that recognition is the only thing that sustains me and keeps any ounce of humility I ever had, in tact. I realized that God doesn't and won't do all of the work for us. That is not how He works. And even just writing this to you now is an eye opener. God will not grant us restoration, rescue, release, or freedom without Surrender and the realization that we cannot do it alone. This is such a simple concept, yet has so many facets.
It is often embarrassing, humiliating, and scary to openly admit our faults, Weaknesses, and trials, but the only person in the world who a) can help us, and b) whose opinion of us really matters anyway, is Christ. We are sitting on oil mines. We have the power at our fingertips. Some of just have dead batteries and need a recharge to the reality of what we already have and own, in Him. Suffering is not long-lasting, because it's already done. But, Surrender is. We can die daily, Surrender hourly, and time after time let go of something we have been holding onto because we are trying to do it ourselves. But God cannot help us with something we won't let go of or won't relinquish control over. He sees our weaknesses and faults and fears just as they are, but He just wants us to admit them, acknowledge them, and become aware of them so He can help us.
Be Empowered and choose Surrender. Then, allow the Grace of his mercy to flood you with Life.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
A Good Day
There are some days when life is extremely good. I mean, they're not just ordinary. They're not just OK. They're good. And on those days, everything seems to go your way and turn out for that good. Those days are rare, and few and far between. Most days are like running the rat race and waking up with an 8-ton headache, not even remotely ready to start the day. Most days are like the day before, and the day before that, and the day before that, and so on and so on. But today...was a good day.
There are few days when one wakes up and every thing that is set in place for that day, is great. I count those days as blessings, and certainly try to make them last a little longer, because I never know when they're going to come back.
Today was Friday, for starters. So, waking up to that and getting Starbucks on the way to work was a slice of heaven. I love those rare morsels of goodness. And then, I moved into my new office today and two sales guys were kind enough to help me move a second desk in for me so that I had an L-shaped working area with more than enough space. I even motivated one of them to clean out their old office. I had people stopping by and saying hello and chatting...I really started to feel like I was becoming part of the family (which is a little frightening and I don't know if I'm ready for that yet...or frankly even want to be part of the family. Is that bad?). I didn't get a whole lot of orders because business is steady, not too crazy, which works well for me I admit.
Later in the day, I got a personal email from the president of the company telling me that one of the sales reps told him that I was doing a great job and that I was a pleasure to work with. My boss was copied on it so that was the sweet icing on the cake. Don't worry, because God taught me a huge lesson on humility on my way home. But, that made me walk a little taller.
And if it couldn't get any better than getting my own office and a personal letter from the president today, tomorrow is my birthday--and it's a SATURDAY! So, the whole day I was on top of the world anyway thinking about what surprise planned by the hubby (for which, by the way, didn't show up until the end--long story) the evening held, and all this great stuff happens.
After work, I went to Peebles and bought myself a green sweater because, hey, it was only 9 bucks and I thought to myself, "Why not? Your birthday is tomorrow."
I spent the next 4 hours at dinner at Tony's with my favorite peeps in the world: my family. And, never mind the presents, my mom bought me the cake I wanted! It's the most fabulous cake in the world. Thanks mom. And, interestingly enough, an old, old friend of my sisters (who I also knew) that I haven't seen in about 5 or so years came over to the house to visit at 10 o'clock at night. He is an interesting character with some wild stories. And I must admit we are weird for having people over to our house at 10 o'clock at night.
It was one of the best days of life in a long while. I'm having more of those lately. And the great thing is, which a lot of people don't do I think, I'm allowing myself to have them.
There are few days when one wakes up and every thing that is set in place for that day, is great. I count those days as blessings, and certainly try to make them last a little longer, because I never know when they're going to come back.
Today was Friday, for starters. So, waking up to that and getting Starbucks on the way to work was a slice of heaven. I love those rare morsels of goodness. And then, I moved into my new office today and two sales guys were kind enough to help me move a second desk in for me so that I had an L-shaped working area with more than enough space. I even motivated one of them to clean out their old office. I had people stopping by and saying hello and chatting...I really started to feel like I was becoming part of the family (which is a little frightening and I don't know if I'm ready for that yet...or frankly even want to be part of the family. Is that bad?). I didn't get a whole lot of orders because business is steady, not too crazy, which works well for me I admit.
Later in the day, I got a personal email from the president of the company telling me that one of the sales reps told him that I was doing a great job and that I was a pleasure to work with. My boss was copied on it so that was the sweet icing on the cake. Don't worry, because God taught me a huge lesson on humility on my way home. But, that made me walk a little taller.
And if it couldn't get any better than getting my own office and a personal letter from the president today, tomorrow is my birthday--and it's a SATURDAY! So, the whole day I was on top of the world anyway thinking about what surprise planned by the hubby (for which, by the way, didn't show up until the end--long story) the evening held, and all this great stuff happens.
After work, I went to Peebles and bought myself a green sweater because, hey, it was only 9 bucks and I thought to myself, "Why not? Your birthday is tomorrow."
I spent the next 4 hours at dinner at Tony's with my favorite peeps in the world: my family. And, never mind the presents, my mom bought me the cake I wanted! It's the most fabulous cake in the world. Thanks mom. And, interestingly enough, an old, old friend of my sisters (who I also knew) that I haven't seen in about 5 or so years came over to the house to visit at 10 o'clock at night. He is an interesting character with some wild stories. And I must admit we are weird for having people over to our house at 10 o'clock at night.
It was one of the best days of life in a long while. I'm having more of those lately. And the great thing is, which a lot of people don't do I think, I'm allowing myself to have them.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Back to the grindstone, again...
I went in late Monday. Isaac had off Monday. I worked Tuesday. So did Isaac. Isaac and I both had off Wednesday. And I went in late today. It's funny when I hear my work say "we are on a two-hour delay," like we are in high school again.
It was a nice breezy week. I'm counting my blessings. And now, tomorrow is Friday and we have a 3-day weekend coming up, followed by a 4-day week. I'm making Isaac go see Dear John with me. Won't that be a hoot? The following Friday is my birthday and I think we are having some shindig at Carrie's for which I'm excited.
I've spent the past few days trying to figure out WHAT it is that I need to do, to put one foot forward in the direction I want to go, but I cannot figure out what that is. I have been researching and researching and reading and looking things up online, and consulting with people, but nothing is sticking.
I'll tell you what is sticking...all this snow. I think it's become a natural thing to look out the window and see white things falling. It's weird, now, when I look out and see empty air. It's almost unnatural at this point to NOT see any snow falling.
I think the snow has made us all kind of "pull together" and rely on one another. I met a neighbor named Alison who lives on the 4th floor in my building. I helped her shovel her car out last Sunday because she lives alone and didn't have any help. The poor girl had one shovel and was going the opposite of warp speed. Now I know who I can borrow a cup of sugar from.
I mean, we all work so, so hard and we deserve a break more often than we take one, I think. I wish we lived like the French do and only had to work 35 hours a week, by law. That would be nice, don't you think? We push ourselves to the max, overworking ourselves at times, which some of us like to do and can be good. But most of the time it results in neglecting family and children, for which our lives pass us by. Next thing you know, little Johnny is going off to college and you don't even know him very well. Oh, the wonders of what it would be like to leave the office at 5 every day! I have to say, I'm pretty proud of myself. This new job I got allows me to do that, so far. I haven't had any crazy demands yet to sell my soul to Brookfield Corporate Drive, yet.
It was a nice breezy week. I'm counting my blessings. And now, tomorrow is Friday and we have a 3-day weekend coming up, followed by a 4-day week. I'm making Isaac go see Dear John with me. Won't that be a hoot? The following Friday is my birthday and I think we are having some shindig at Carrie's for which I'm excited.
I've spent the past few days trying to figure out WHAT it is that I need to do, to put one foot forward in the direction I want to go, but I cannot figure out what that is. I have been researching and researching and reading and looking things up online, and consulting with people, but nothing is sticking.
I'll tell you what is sticking...all this snow. I think it's become a natural thing to look out the window and see white things falling. It's weird, now, when I look out and see empty air. It's almost unnatural at this point to NOT see any snow falling.
I think the snow has made us all kind of "pull together" and rely on one another. I met a neighbor named Alison who lives on the 4th floor in my building. I helped her shovel her car out last Sunday because she lives alone and didn't have any help. The poor girl had one shovel and was going the opposite of warp speed. Now I know who I can borrow a cup of sugar from.
I mean, we all work so, so hard and we deserve a break more often than we take one, I think. I wish we lived like the French do and only had to work 35 hours a week, by law. That would be nice, don't you think? We push ourselves to the max, overworking ourselves at times, which some of us like to do and can be good. But most of the time it results in neglecting family and children, for which our lives pass us by. Next thing you know, little Johnny is going off to college and you don't even know him very well. Oh, the wonders of what it would be like to leave the office at 5 every day! I have to say, I'm pretty proud of myself. This new job I got allows me to do that, so far. I haven't had any crazy demands yet to sell my soul to Brookfield Corporate Drive, yet.
Friday, February 5, 2010
The Weatherman and God
I always notice how when the "weatherman" says it's going to snow we run to the stores to stock up like there's literally no tomorrow. Are we that worried that the food we currently have in our fridge will not tide us over for one day? We buy gallons upon gallons of water, loaves upon loaves of bread, and purchase canned goods like we're getting ready to encounter a flood. Why do we do that?
Why do we put our faith more often in something and someone that could be wrong, that has been wrong, and that is only leaning on what others have told him? Why do we put our faith in a person who could lead us astray? Granted, it did snow. It snowed huge. Grand, even. And the weathermen were sure as heck right this time. They're great at their jobs and I thank them for their insight and knowledge. But we often put our faith in them like they own the world and predict the future. The weatherman might not have even been right, which is the case a lot of the time. But each time, whether it's rain, or shine, or sleet, or snow, we put our trust in them to tell us the truth. We believe what he says because it's all we can go on and we have nothing else to base our ruling against. We are trusting that he has gathered the right facts on our behalf to prepare us for what is to come.
But, why can't we be like that with God? God is always right. He's never wrong. He doesn't make predictions or assumptions and he is never only "90% sure" that something will or will not happen. If God told us there was going to be a flood, would we believe Him? If He spoke to one of us and said he was going to heal your sight or allow you to walk, would we really take His word? I know I would have a hard time believing it. But yet, we believe Chief Meteorologist Topper Shutt when he says, "there's a big one coming" every time.
I admit it. I have an extremely difficult time trusting God. I don't want to believe Him and I certainly don't want to trust Him especially when it's something I don't want to do or feel I cannot do. I probably tend to put my trust in the weatherman more than God sometimes. I will believe him in an instant--an instant, more than I will believe God on something. Why do I do that? Why do I do that when God has saved me, chosen me, picked me up, carried me, never doubted me, loved me, held me, comforted me, disciplined me for my own good, and died on the cross to save my sins? Why do I not believe him more over someone who doesn't even know my name? Perhaps it is because I want excitement...a thrill. I want a high. And getting that high by watching everybody go ballistic about the snowstorm of 2010 gives me my fix. I think it gives everyone a fix. But the secret is, it's only temporary. Just like anything--drugs, alcohol, sex, greed. We don't want to admit it. We don't want to hear anybody say it...but it's true. They are so temporary it's ridiculous.
But the funny thing is...there is no secret in God. He has put Himself out there plain as day for all to see. He's not hiding anything. He wants us to know Him. And the truth of the matter is, the power of His Holy Spirit that's waiting for us at our fingertips has been there all along. And it will always be there.
We can put our faith in weathermen, and he may sometimes be right, but the faith we put in the Lord will give us an even bigger return.
Why do we put our faith more often in something and someone that could be wrong, that has been wrong, and that is only leaning on what others have told him? Why do we put our faith in a person who could lead us astray? Granted, it did snow. It snowed huge. Grand, even. And the weathermen were sure as heck right this time. They're great at their jobs and I thank them for their insight and knowledge. But we often put our faith in them like they own the world and predict the future. The weatherman might not have even been right, which is the case a lot of the time. But each time, whether it's rain, or shine, or sleet, or snow, we put our trust in them to tell us the truth. We believe what he says because it's all we can go on and we have nothing else to base our ruling against. We are trusting that he has gathered the right facts on our behalf to prepare us for what is to come.
But, why can't we be like that with God? God is always right. He's never wrong. He doesn't make predictions or assumptions and he is never only "90% sure" that something will or will not happen. If God told us there was going to be a flood, would we believe Him? If He spoke to one of us and said he was going to heal your sight or allow you to walk, would we really take His word? I know I would have a hard time believing it. But yet, we believe Chief Meteorologist Topper Shutt when he says, "there's a big one coming" every time.
I admit it. I have an extremely difficult time trusting God. I don't want to believe Him and I certainly don't want to trust Him especially when it's something I don't want to do or feel I cannot do. I probably tend to put my trust in the weatherman more than God sometimes. I will believe him in an instant--an instant, more than I will believe God on something. Why do I do that? Why do I do that when God has saved me, chosen me, picked me up, carried me, never doubted me, loved me, held me, comforted me, disciplined me for my own good, and died on the cross to save my sins? Why do I not believe him more over someone who doesn't even know my name? Perhaps it is because I want excitement...a thrill. I want a high. And getting that high by watching everybody go ballistic about the snowstorm of 2010 gives me my fix. I think it gives everyone a fix. But the secret is, it's only temporary. Just like anything--drugs, alcohol, sex, greed. We don't want to admit it. We don't want to hear anybody say it...but it's true. They are so temporary it's ridiculous.
But the funny thing is...there is no secret in God. He has put Himself out there plain as day for all to see. He's not hiding anything. He wants us to know Him. And the truth of the matter is, the power of His Holy Spirit that's waiting for us at our fingertips has been there all along. And it will always be there.
We can put our faith in weathermen, and he may sometimes be right, but the faith we put in the Lord will give us an even bigger return.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Here We Are
We went to a Wizards game on Saturday night. It was fun. We stopped at Rosa Mexicano beforehand to grab a little dinner. Actually, it was not little. You did not see the bill. I have been dying to get Carrie there because they have the best Guacamole dip (albeit I’m not a guac fan) and she is a big Mexican food eater. It’s right across from the Verizon Center. I love Rosa’s because the atmosphere is classy, yet a little fun with an edgy spice. It makes me feel like I’m in New York or San Francisco eating at an upscale joint. Isaac loves their Pomegranate Margaritas. He’s all about the tartness and I can’t handle it.
Carrie and Phil picked us up in the 4Runner and we took 66 to the metro. 66 was the worst I’ve ever seen it and frankly, I can’t believe we trekked out there in the cold windy snow storm. Did I bring my gloves or wear my hat? No. It was all for the “memories” if you ask Carrie. Granted, we do always have fun no matter what. I learned a bit more about Phil as well. He’s funny and loves to dance just like me. Give him a beat and he’ll take four.
The Wiz won, at least. And Miller was beast.
I still can’t get over the fact that it snowed on a Saturday again. Why did it have to be a Saturday? Why couldn’t it be a Thursday or Wednesday? Then perhaps I’d get a day off work or at least a 2-hour delay. I know, I know, I’m not in school anymore…but I can pretend can’t I? Who wants to go to work in 19 degree weather? Not me.
Today is another day and another dollar…trying to get along with a job I’m not crazy about and staying afloat. I have visions on my way to work in the morning about doing something I love. And what or where or when exactly that is, I suppose is yet to be revealed. I have ideas and dreams, but it’s all in God’s timing I must tell myself. All in God’s timing.
At least Isaac is living out his dreams—though I think they were dreams formed over time. I don’t always remember him wanting to be a solider or a Police Officer. He was always the businessman prototype, as we know. But, I’m learning that sometimes we are given new dreams according to God’s will and plan and that we learn to love what we never first envisioned for ourselves. How much more amazing can it get?
He is into his third week of the Academy and today he is at the Prince William County Fairgrounds where he starts training with the police car (for those of us who know him, you know he is beside himself). The pour soul gets carsick when he is not driving, though. Let’s hope he comes home tonight in tact. He was excited, I could tell, because he talked about it all weekend. What guy wouldn’t be…who legally gets to drive 90mph doing 360s in a parking lot? My suggestion would be to stay away from that part of town this week.
He’s doing well, though. I’m very proud of him. I know I always say it, but I am. I never thought my husband would be serving in the military and in the police force. As they say, he’s finding himself. Am I scared for his safety? Yes. Am I worried he will get deployed? Yes. But do I see passion in his eyes? Yes. Do I see a sure fire in his heart? Yes. I do. All of the above. He loves his country, he loves his community, and not many can say that with assuredness and truth. He’s an inspiration to me. I’ll admit, it was once I who was passionate and bold-hearted in my aspirations, but now I’m the one in a holding pattern. I’m the one on the ground waiting for lift-off. I’ve gotta be patient…
And of course, all dreams come with hard work. Shining your boots and ironing your clothes every night takes discipline. And add two hours of homework to that from a jumbo book and you’ve got college all over again. It will all be worth it once he gets the badge, though, and he knows it. I wouldn’t doubt he gets an award, either. There have already been two dropouts, plus he’s about third in line to the top running record in his Academy.
It’s moments like these in life…dreams like these in life, which are being fulfilled before our eyes that make me happy and appreciative of the times when we hold fast for what we think will never come. Steven Furtick from Elevation Church Live calls it reaping what we sow. He said we always reap what we sow, we always reap more than we sow, and we always reap later than we sow. Isaac has begun to see the fruit from the seeds he planted a while ago.
And so, I hold fast to my dreams…to my visions…and wait for answers. I’m excited to see what directions lie in the future and I hope this inspires you the same. And for now, I will tend to sip my coffee, write to you, and tune in to Third Day for motivation...
Carrie and Phil picked us up in the 4Runner and we took 66 to the metro. 66 was the worst I’ve ever seen it and frankly, I can’t believe we trekked out there in the cold windy snow storm. Did I bring my gloves or wear my hat? No. It was all for the “memories” if you ask Carrie. Granted, we do always have fun no matter what. I learned a bit more about Phil as well. He’s funny and loves to dance just like me. Give him a beat and he’ll take four.
The Wiz won, at least. And Miller was beast.
I still can’t get over the fact that it snowed on a Saturday again. Why did it have to be a Saturday? Why couldn’t it be a Thursday or Wednesday? Then perhaps I’d get a day off work or at least a 2-hour delay. I know, I know, I’m not in school anymore…but I can pretend can’t I? Who wants to go to work in 19 degree weather? Not me.
Today is another day and another dollar…trying to get along with a job I’m not crazy about and staying afloat. I have visions on my way to work in the morning about doing something I love. And what or where or when exactly that is, I suppose is yet to be revealed. I have ideas and dreams, but it’s all in God’s timing I must tell myself. All in God’s timing.
At least Isaac is living out his dreams—though I think they were dreams formed over time. I don’t always remember him wanting to be a solider or a Police Officer. He was always the businessman prototype, as we know. But, I’m learning that sometimes we are given new dreams according to God’s will and plan and that we learn to love what we never first envisioned for ourselves. How much more amazing can it get?
He is into his third week of the Academy and today he is at the Prince William County Fairgrounds where he starts training with the police car (for those of us who know him, you know he is beside himself). The pour soul gets carsick when he is not driving, though. Let’s hope he comes home tonight in tact. He was excited, I could tell, because he talked about it all weekend. What guy wouldn’t be…who legally gets to drive 90mph doing 360s in a parking lot? My suggestion would be to stay away from that part of town this week.
He’s doing well, though. I’m very proud of him. I know I always say it, but I am. I never thought my husband would be serving in the military and in the police force. As they say, he’s finding himself. Am I scared for his safety? Yes. Am I worried he will get deployed? Yes. But do I see passion in his eyes? Yes. Do I see a sure fire in his heart? Yes. I do. All of the above. He loves his country, he loves his community, and not many can say that with assuredness and truth. He’s an inspiration to me. I’ll admit, it was once I who was passionate and bold-hearted in my aspirations, but now I’m the one in a holding pattern. I’m the one on the ground waiting for lift-off. I’ve gotta be patient…
And of course, all dreams come with hard work. Shining your boots and ironing your clothes every night takes discipline. And add two hours of homework to that from a jumbo book and you’ve got college all over again. It will all be worth it once he gets the badge, though, and he knows it. I wouldn’t doubt he gets an award, either. There have already been two dropouts, plus he’s about third in line to the top running record in his Academy.
It’s moments like these in life…dreams like these in life, which are being fulfilled before our eyes that make me happy and appreciative of the times when we hold fast for what we think will never come. Steven Furtick from Elevation Church Live calls it reaping what we sow. He said we always reap what we sow, we always reap more than we sow, and we always reap later than we sow. Isaac has begun to see the fruit from the seeds he planted a while ago.
And so, I hold fast to my dreams…to my visions…and wait for answers. I’m excited to see what directions lie in the future and I hope this inspires you the same. And for now, I will tend to sip my coffee, write to you, and tune in to Third Day for motivation...
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