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Wednesday, October 3, 2007
There are benefits to living in California. Never mind the earthquakes, the fruits and the nuts, and the over priced real estate. *grin* Now let me remind you I was with my daughter, my twelve-year-old daughter. Do you think she wanted to ride the Teacups or leisurely sail through, It’s a Small World? Oh no, it was a fast-paced, head-jerking, bouncing, weaving, convulsing, scream your head off, dawn-to-dusk, thrill ride, marathon. We rode every single ride, in both parks mind you, where you panick then grab the safety railings with white-knuckled fingers and hang on for dear life. Every ride enticed us at least twice and sometimes more…. Can you see me running around to get in line again? I did! After arriving home that day with a ton of great memories, laughs and a small crick in my neck, my daughter and I collapsed into bed. The next morning is when I realized my folly. I could barely move. I was stiff all over and suffering from a king-sized headache. My shoulders were permanently stiff and gathered up around my poor neck. I hurt from the top of my head all the way to my big toes. I dragged myself to the coffee pot then shuffled to my daughter’s room to get her out of bed and ready for school. She moved slow as well, and then complained about her sore shoulders. That is when I had a V-8 minute. You know this. It’s where you smack yourself on the forehead and a distant memory dawns on you. That miniute I remembered last year’s visit to Disneyland and how the next day was horrid. I recalled my pinch-in-the-neck, headache had lasted for three days. Why, oh, why do I not remember the price I paid last year? Sometimes those unpleasant experiences I endure just don’t stick. Don’t get me wrong, spending the day with my daughter was a blast. But, why didn’t I think to bring along one of her 12-year-old friends? I have thought about this V-8 moment many times this week as I gulped down asprin. Why didn’t I learn the lesson the first time? Then I started to remember all the revisits to the Lord’s classroom. Why, oh, why can’t I get it right the first time? How frustrated God must be. For example, repeating Finances 101 is a recurring habit. God is always there to instruct me about trusting Him. He reminds me, “Lynn, remember when you were a single parent? You learned to live on $25 a week after I helped you pay the bills. Also let me remind you of the time I supplied the exact amount of money you needed to pay the mortgage and how it came from an unexpected source.” Another “do-over” course I attend regularly covers the danger of pride. He also schedules repeaters with regard to James 1:19. I think I am finally getting that one down. However, the Lord’s patient instruction over the years is priceless to me. A treasure I store in my heart. He never fails to show up even when I mess up for the third, fourth, fifth, etc. etc.…… His protection, wisdom, and love never fail. 1 Corinthians 13:4a (NIV) As for the most recent lesson learned, next year it is Dad’s turn! Have a blessed and beautiful day! See you in the classroom.  I would love to visit with you over at my place:  Spiritually Unequal Marriage.Labels: Humor, Love, Lynn's Articles, trust Leave a comment... 9 Comments Links to this post God intrigues me. He always finds me while I am camping to impart a new life lesson with each tent experience. Last weekend was no different. Saturday night I am snuggled in my fluffy sleeping bag, fast asleep. In the early morning darkness I become painfully aware a bathroom trip is imminent. I fumble with the tent zipper which is stuck. While struggling to dislodge the nylon from the teeth, I begin to dance the potty dance. My feet are tapping and I am tugging. Finally I give it a forceful pull while praying over the tangled mess and the zipper roles up. Whew! After I rush to the bathroom, I slowly amble back up toward our campsite. On the trek back I notice a strange phenomenon, a subtle roaring is emanating from every campsite I pass. For a second I wonder if wild animals have congregated looking for leftovers. No, I don’t hear wild beasts. I hear men snoring. I giggle, completely amused by the various pitch, gurgling, and roaring noises which fill the night air. I arrived back at our campsite to find our tent is rockin’ and a rollin’ in unison with my husband’s wood sawing. My six-foot-two, tall dark and handsome, can snore better than most. He has been known to register a 5.2 on the Richter scale occasionally. We live in California - this can be sacary. As for myself, I might breathe heavily or sigh politely in my sleep. *grin* For years I informed my spouse his snoring was perhaps a bit “over the top.” Of course, he did not believe me. Not once in his entire life had he heard himself snore. He was convinced that I was daft and suffering with oversensitive ears. Finally, it happened. While rooming with a buddy on a trip, my husband’s snoring became so loud his friend picked up and checked into his own room to get a good nights rest. At last, my husband believed. All of this snoring has led me realize, I too, have ignored loud and annoying parts of my character. I chose to believe my circumstances were an exception to specific teachings of scripture. So much of God’s Word I want to apply but have willingly left certain verses sitting idle. I have ignored God. Specifically, over the past two years, God has been pointing out several scriptures I refused to believe were for me. Today, I surrender. I cannot see my life as an exception. I must see my life through all scripture, even passages which point out my spiritual snoring. At last, I see, I believe! Slowly, patiently God waits for me to open my eyes. He never gives up, never tires, never sleeps. He waits and works, crafting my heart and soul. The Lord has an amazing future planned for me which is born out of obedience. I can’t wait to see what awaits tomorrow as I surrender willingly today. Jesus obedient: John 4:34 Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him." I retell this story with a hug from my husband and his encouragement.... Tall, Dark, and Handsome, thanks for allowing me to share you with my friends. Please stop in for a visit at my place: Spiritually Unequal Marriage. Labels: Humor, Lynn's Articles, Obedience Leave a comment... 9 Comments Links to this post Friday afternoon we arrived at the campground. We bailed out of the car and began to unload the gear; sleeping bags, cook stove, food bins, and the most dreaded piece of camping equipment known to marriage, the tent. This year we brought with us a brand new tent, still in the box. I spied the beast lying on the ground, knowing what must ensue. Looking around I was relived to see the campground was empty with the exception of a retired couple sitting quietly in their lawn chairs in front of their trailer about 100 feet away. I approached the box, cut the tape and out slid the biggest pile of nylon and connect-the-sticks I have ever seen. The contraption sleeps ten. Why a family of three needs a tent this size, I still cannot explain. Dragging the tent around on the site, I called to my husband for help. Thus the event commenced; the raising of the tent. This is a hotly contested battle of wit and patience between a husband and a wife. If television wanted a truly unrefined reality show, Raise the Tent, would win hands down. Two minutes into the set up, orders were shouted, my husband was obviously blind to the logic of my instructions. This became readily apparent from the look on his face. A retort from my frustrated spouse was foreseeable. The sound level increased. I glanced over at older couple who sat smiling at their reading materials, afraid to look up for fear they would break into hysterics. Precisely at this moment in all tent-raising events, children mysteriously disappear. My daughter retreated to the creek, suddenly captivated with the rocks at the bottom. I lowered my voice but the yelling continued in what I call, snake whisper. It is still yelling just at a hissing level. I am sure some of you can relate. The older couple is no longer watching covertly, they sit mesmerized by our Finally the Holy Spirit became fed up and tapped upon my heart. He reminded me I no longer needed to be in control. In the midst of our squabbling I saw my husband, a gift from God. I saw a man who has made me a better woman. The bickering diminished instantly and the tent went up quickly. My husband and I are spiritually mismatched in our marriage and although my husband has yet to discover the truth of Christ for himself, Christ is alive and active in our marriage. Christ’s supernatural power brings us through the arguing, disagreements, and tent construction. I look back upon my marriage journey and see Christ standing with us. He has been working through my nonbelieving husband to smooth my rough edges of selfishness and desire to control. My spouse and I are the ultimate odd couple. Our back grounds and beliefs are vastly different, which makes our marriage, our happy and fulfilling marriage, a miracle.  An hour later, I sat at the picnic table waiting for our friends who were joining us to settle into their campsite. Their daughter wandered over for a chat. I asked her, “Did your mom and dad getting everything set up?” She replied, “Yes, but yelling was involved.” I laughed out loud knowing God was alive and well in the next campsite! 1 Peter 3:1-4 (The Message) Please stop in for a visit at my place: Spiritually Unequal Marriage. Labels: Humor, Lynn's Articles, Marriage Leave a comment... 17 Comments Links to this post It’s the weekend! Woohoo! Over the past few weeks I’ve been busier than a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. Sorry, all you cat lovers. What is it about the month of May? I find this month particularly stressful as many of our ordinary activities culminate and crescendo in a finale worthy of the White House. Bible study ends next week. I must prepare for our end-of-the-year brunch. Brunch is not only a time to remember our experiences with God but an elaborate decorating contest to prove no center piece can be too large or ostentatious. ---I am centerpiece challenged! Send me your suggestions. Every May, my daughter is included in a ton of extra curricular activities. A day trip to Disney Land, birthday parties, visits to museums, field trips, and band concerts. My daughter plays the flute. From my tour around the blogosphere earlier this week, it is obvious I am not alone. Post after post I empathized and sympathized with a number of you who are stressed out, weary, drained, fatigued and just plain wacky from the pace of it all. Perhaps it is just me who is wacky (likely). So how do you know when it is time to stop, rest and spend time alone with our Savior. Some of my church friends got together and we comprised our own Top 10 list. The Top 10 reasons you know it’s time for a rest and recharge: (These are real experiences) 10. You find yourself arguing with your three-year-old and she’s winning the conversation. 9. You start cutting the person’s food next to you and you realize it’s not one of your children. 8. Going to the grocery store is the highlight of your week. 7. All you can grow, is found on the leftovers in the refrigerator. 6. You throw on a cap to avoid getting your roots done. 5. The Ice Cream truck driver knows your order but not your children’s. 4. Your date with your husband ends up at Wal-Mart, and you’re both excited about it. 3. You’re hourly telling your kids, “Mommy needs a time out!” 2. The manager at Sees Candies says, “Oh, hi, you again, the usual two pounds?” And, the number One Reason you know it’s time for a rest and a recharge: You begin calling your hot flashes, “mini tropical vacations.” Laughter and time alone with my Savior, is just the thing. With my Lord’s help, a hot Starbucks, and meaningful time alone with my bible and prayer journal, I will triumph. I will conquer the centerpiece, finish errand running, help with the birthday parties, and plan the camping trip. God is good! All the time! Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Amen, Lord Jesus, Amen! Labels: busyness, Humor, Lynn's Articles Leave a comment... 13 Comments
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