Saturday, October 24, 2015

How to Hopefully Avoid Future 2x4 Moments.....Yikes!

Three of the hardest things to do:

  • Let go
  • Wait
  • Listen
I don't know about you, but it's very hard for me to let go of something.  Especially if I think the outcome has the potential for being bad, sad or ugly. And not because I chose that outcome, but I want to be in control that the outcome is the complete opposite.

Patience is also not a strong point and I get that honestly.  I like to arrive a few minutes early vs being late.Oh goodness, PLEASE do not make me late (said with a slight rolling of the eyes).  That is a waste of expensive make-up and gas.  Why make-up? Because I've just spent a little bit of time getting ready and yes, that means applying make-up.  If I'm forced to be late that means a frown will certainly takeover any smile that was once there.  Why go to the trouble of trying to look purdy, if the frown will trump that? Why gas? Because I will get in my car and drive myself to avoid being late. So yes.....if I finally give up and realize that I have no control over something, I don't wait patiently.

Finally.................Listen!  
Well, life needs to just slow itself right on down if I need to take time to actually listen! Yeah right!!

I try to take quiet time every morning and pray.  Sometimes that is after everyone is gone and I have the quiet house to myself and other times, it's in the car. I love the sounds of nature early in the morning, so before turning on the ignition (and have the radio blasting at the volume I left it at!), I have quiet time in the comfort of my car! I offer adoration, thanksgiving, praise, ask for forgiveness and prayer requests for the day.  But then......I'm off like Tony Romo wishes he could be.....Quick & Fast!

I know nobody else has had weeks, or even months, like this, but LIFE just tends to build up and up and up and before you know it the "S" word creeps in.  And, you can think you have everything under control, and don't get me wrong - I am NOT by any stretch of the imagination an 'everything has to be perfect' kind of girl.  In fact, I do like the uniqueness of the imperfections in life. But......S-T-R-E-S-S is a completely different ball game and it whacks you in the head like a 2x4.

If you keep up with my Facebook rants, posts and stuff, you probably saw that I recently found an old journal of poetry I wrote back in high school.  I won't go into the Taylor Swift Gold Mine that could be, and promise that should she ever reach out to me for those poetic words of love and heartbreak (over and over and over again - Bham!  Another 2x4 moment of Girl, what were you thinking?), I will change the names to protect the ?innocent?!

A-n-y-w-a-y.....It sparked the once creative words of rhyme and the power of putting meaningful words on paper.  Words that might just somehow get me through any difficult times, struggles and desires to use that 2x4 myself! 

Honestly, you'll never see some of them because they are from my heart and pull out my true feelings and quite frankly none of your business (said with the most sincere charm of a southern girl). However....this we can all somehow all identify with and if you don't.......give it a shot and you might just find the difference you've been looking for.........
I am a woman....I am human....I struggle....I doubt....I know right from wrong....I cry....I ugly cry (ladies you get that!)....I worry....but I also pray....and know where to go for the rebuilding of that strength when I'm at my weakest because I like to laugh.....I like to play....I like to be silly....I like to create....and I like to be ME!

Love you....mean it!
Robin

Friday, October 9, 2015

Be strong enough to hit the breaks, but patient enough to wait for the green light!

Do I dive in face first into that plate of no-bake cookies.....or do I put on the breaks and indulge into a cup of yogurt and fresh berries? (and....maybe sprinkle just a quarter of that no-bake on top?)

Do I press the accelerator to make it through the yellow light....or do I put on the breaks and enjoy the last bit of Tom Petty's American Girl on the radio? 

Do I continue to rush through Wal-Mart with my buggy on cruise control....or do I put on the breaks and help the aging man trying to reach the last bottle of Dr. Pepper on the top shelf?

Start....Stop.....Start.....Stop

It doesn't mean you've given up because you put on the breaks.  Just like it doesn't mean you are out of control when you floor it!


Someone not so near (dang-it!), but very dear, reminded me recently that God doesn't actually operate the gas/brake pedals for us.  Exactly!  What He does do is give us the ability to chose one over the other in ANY given situation.




Carrie Underwood so beautifully sings...Jesus Take The Wheel and yes, we are instructed not to worry....Let Go and Let God take control.  However, to do that we have to be equipped with that ability to choose. And, sometimes that involves an adventure, but it always require being in God's word too!


Allowing God to influence decisions doesn't mean we sit back and have a boring life.  Get out there and get the stink blown off ya!(Hope FloatsLet go of the thoughts you don't need anymore....Let go of what is holding you back....Let go and die your hair bright pink and paint your toes to match! You might actually be surprised what is planned for you.....Be still in the presence of the Lord and wait patiently for Him to act - Psalm37:7

Be strong enough to hit the breaks but also be patient enough to wait for the green light. Once you have the green light...........there are endless opportunities to laugh until you can't breathe, love until you think your heart might explode, dance in the rain and splash in the puddles!  

I do control the gas/break pedals and if you happen to see me at the stop light.....join in because there is always a concert in the Fusion!

And...thanks TVWIII for the words of inspiration! 

Love ya...mean it!
Robin

Monday, October 5, 2015

You Can Keep Your Curve Balls!

We made plans for a trip to the beach and started anticipating the enormous amount of laughter, fun and friendship to come. However.....

Life happens! Hurricanes happen!  Storms happen!

With the anticipation of a brewing storm, messages started flying in via my cell phone, Facebook, email and more.  I'll admit it now, but I was a little concerned, especially when the prediction turned saying that Hurricane Joaquin would be upgraded to category 4. I knew I still needed to go!




I needed to be drawn closer and being up close to God's magnificent ocean put in perspective just how small I am in the scheme of things - but yet, I'm still very special to Him.



Gayle took a picture of me holding on to a fire hydrant and I wasn't only holding on, but had to lean into it as well to keep from falling over.  The winds were crazy and blowing from every direction with gusts of 45 mph, while my feet were sinking in the wet sand! 

It was in that very moment, that I was reminded just how much I need Jesus in my life. I was still drenched.....sand was weighing me down....I didn't know what was coming up behind me....but I was anchored onto something I knew would not fail me.  And, because of that I was able to live and enjoy my life and enjoy that exact moment!  No fear....Salt air....beach hair and all!

Hurricane Joaquin-2015

I need to not only live in the moment, but cherish every single second with those I hold near and dear to my heart. Tomorrow is not promised and ...I don't want any regrets.  Even as hard as it was to say good-bye to Dad, I said 'I love you' both with words and actions and have no regrets.   

Death and struggles with health concerns seem to be all around. Friends and family battling cancer, dementia, disabilities and just heartache in general of what will or will not be. It's tough!  Really tough at times.


I learned that above all else, I need to guard my heart! EVERYTHING I do flows from my heart and I want each of you to know that I love you and look forward to what God has planned! 

I read a quote this weekend that said...What if tomorrow only gives you what you were thankful for today? 


09 10 01 10