Walking across the threshold was my first awe inspired moment. My eyes darted back and forth while I wondered if I should take another step. Would I be thrown into oblivion as I entered this huge creature? "That's a large door," I said, as the captain and stewardesses greeted me with smiles. Actually, I was trying to see exactly where the door was. I never did find it...all I saw was a large opening that I was suppose to enter in at.
Everything seemed fine. No one was disappearing, or being cloaked in invisibility. This baby was HUGE! Did I miss something? Was this Air Force 1? And why have I been invited to experience such a ride on my mere $464?
I make my way to the assigned seat that had so much leg room, I really thought there had been a mistake of some sort. As I put my carry-on in the more than adequate over-head bin, I notice a TV screen...ON MY SEAT! Well, it wasn't actually ON my seat. It was on the back of the seat in front of me. Just like every seat on this monster. Well, what was I supposed to do with that? I certainly wasn't going to pay for watching anything. It was, however, a nice touch.
As the plane was preparing for take-off, the captain's voice came over the loud speaker welcoming us all and instructing us to watch the monitor in front of us for instructions in case of an untimely, and un-asked for, adventure into the sea or any mountainous range, we might find ourselves connecting with. Well, how nice. They fixed it where we couldn't say we didn't know what to do, in case of emergency, because of all the noise from other passengers that felt the need to talk loudly through-out the instructions. Niiiiccccceeee....
I peered out the window, from across three seats breadth (I had the isle seat), looking at the wing. On most flights, you can actually see the complete length of the wings. Not on this one. Holy Moly...exactly how long is that thing? How wide? I do believe that one wing was as big as most planes I ride between NC and OK.
Sitting over the small landscapes they call wings, I began to hear this horrific noise, as if someone were cutting the tail of the plane off with a gigantic electric can opener. It took me a while, but eventually I realized it was only the wheels of the plane being tucked away until needed for landing. Truly, had me concerned for a moment.
May I just say that bigger is not always better. As impressive as my ride was, it proved to be a bumpy one, back to N.C. But I suppose it might have been worse in a smaller plane. It just seemed to have a lot of groans and moans...creaks and shudders. Glad I had plenty of leg room.
Hopefully, I won't have to experience many more frequent flights. But if I do...I'm going to see if my large Bird of Prey will pick me up again. With all it's groaning, it still was nicer than having to sit on someone's lap. Much better than having sneezes sneezed all over me. Nicer than stale air. And hugely better than having to squeeze my bag under my seat along with my purse, creating zero space for my weary feet.
Once I get my husband here for real, maybe we'll just all settle in here...in Mary's World.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
The Winds of Change
As a native Oklahoman, I sit in North Carolina thinking about the tornado season that is preparing its yearly entrance into my home town and the surrounding 4 states. It's never a pleasant season to face...we've seen the destruction these massive winds cause. As much as I love "storms", these are way too fearful to be even slightly pleasant.
Seasons come and go in every area of our lives. Much like the destruction of tornadoes, so it is with the battle that presents itself in our minds, from time to time. Nothing stays the same, even though there is nothing new under the sun. There are days we are inspired. And there are days we seem to face the mightiest winds of opposition...of doubt. We struggle with despondency and anguish. We brood (sulk). We feel sorry for ourselves as we battle waves of discouragement. There are times we feel as if we're drowning, and there is no hand to reach for us, to pull us to safety. Or we feel as if the wind is blowing with gale-like force against our every movement, with no possible decline in strength. Thankfully, these times are not the normal living pattern...for me, anyway. But I do face them, as we all do.
This partial move of ours finds me without my study books (and a few other things, like my husband!)...which I really miss. I came to N.C. with the bare essentials, thinking all the rest of what I think I can't live without, would follow shortly. It's been 9 months and no evident change in sight. But tonight, as I read from a book loaned to me, I am reminded that I need not be fearful of anything. It seems as if I need to hear this way too frequently. It's a truth I know, but evidently forget.
There are no problems beyond the reach of an all-powerful, always available, omnipotent God who signed and sealed Romans 8:28. The beauty of this Scripture is that it is all-inclusive. It can do anything God can do. It is a divine promise that can touch any hurt and make a way of escape. It lands squarely on the path in front of us...every day, every moment. God transforms our sadness, our doubt, our trials...into victories. It's been said that He alone knows how to bring Easters out of Good Fridays. We can...and will, rise up out of what seems to be the ashes of life, if we but remember, and read again, Romans 8:28.
Even those hard situations we all face, are worked together for good to those who love the Lord and who are called according to His purpose. Every last detail of my life has a higher purpose than I may be able to see. "Blessed is the man who believes, yet does not see" ~John 20:29 "Faith is the evidence of things not seen." ~Hebrews 11:1
I love it that God promised us ALL things work together for good. Not just today, but every day. Not just the fog that seems to surround me, but even the waiting. It's all for good. I am not my own. I was purchased with a price that only He was able to pay. As we search the Scriptures, we find the table He prepared for us in the midst of those things that would pull us from Him, from His promises. When the storms force us to take them on, we have a shield in the promises of our God.
Some days after finishing up my work day, I will find a spot under a tree, to park my car. I'll put the windows down and allow the cool breeze to sweep through as I recline the seat...push it back from the steering wheel, and just relax. I watch people rushing in and out of the stores, some wandering as if they don't know where they are. It's a time of reflection for me as I visit with God. Sometimes I've even fallen asleep, He's just that comforting. It's as if He gives me peace for the moment, telling me it's going to work out for good.
No one likes the real storms of life. No one. I've never heard anyone say they couldn't wait for the next difficult patch to hit them. That would just be weird. I'm not sure I would believe them. Regardless, it's those strong winds of adversity that causes us to become faithful. To become focused. Something is created deep within us. So, I'm thinking it must be that time again. The time to be taught another truth. As long as I have an anchor, I'm good. And that's something I'll never have to be without.
Winning the battle of the mind...here you'll find me, in Mary's World.
Seasons come and go in every area of our lives. Much like the destruction of tornadoes, so it is with the battle that presents itself in our minds, from time to time. Nothing stays the same, even though there is nothing new under the sun. There are days we are inspired. And there are days we seem to face the mightiest winds of opposition...of doubt. We struggle with despondency and anguish. We brood (sulk). We feel sorry for ourselves as we battle waves of discouragement. There are times we feel as if we're drowning, and there is no hand to reach for us, to pull us to safety. Or we feel as if the wind is blowing with gale-like force against our every movement, with no possible decline in strength. Thankfully, these times are not the normal living pattern...for me, anyway. But I do face them, as we all do.
This partial move of ours finds me without my study books (and a few other things, like my husband!)...which I really miss. I came to N.C. with the bare essentials, thinking all the rest of what I think I can't live without, would follow shortly. It's been 9 months and no evident change in sight. But tonight, as I read from a book loaned to me, I am reminded that I need not be fearful of anything. It seems as if I need to hear this way too frequently. It's a truth I know, but evidently forget.
There are no problems beyond the reach of an all-powerful, always available, omnipotent God who signed and sealed Romans 8:28. The beauty of this Scripture is that it is all-inclusive. It can do anything God can do. It is a divine promise that can touch any hurt and make a way of escape. It lands squarely on the path in front of us...every day, every moment. God transforms our sadness, our doubt, our trials...into victories. It's been said that He alone knows how to bring Easters out of Good Fridays. We can...and will, rise up out of what seems to be the ashes of life, if we but remember, and read again, Romans 8:28.
Even those hard situations we all face, are worked together for good to those who love the Lord and who are called according to His purpose. Every last detail of my life has a higher purpose than I may be able to see. "Blessed is the man who believes, yet does not see" ~John 20:29 "Faith is the evidence of things not seen." ~Hebrews 11:1
I love it that God promised us ALL things work together for good. Not just today, but every day. Not just the fog that seems to surround me, but even the waiting. It's all for good. I am not my own. I was purchased with a price that only He was able to pay. As we search the Scriptures, we find the table He prepared for us in the midst of those things that would pull us from Him, from His promises. When the storms force us to take them on, we have a shield in the promises of our God.
Some days after finishing up my work day, I will find a spot under a tree, to park my car. I'll put the windows down and allow the cool breeze to sweep through as I recline the seat...push it back from the steering wheel, and just relax. I watch people rushing in and out of the stores, some wandering as if they don't know where they are. It's a time of reflection for me as I visit with God. Sometimes I've even fallen asleep, He's just that comforting. It's as if He gives me peace for the moment, telling me it's going to work out for good.
No one likes the real storms of life. No one. I've never heard anyone say they couldn't wait for the next difficult patch to hit them. That would just be weird. I'm not sure I would believe them. Regardless, it's those strong winds of adversity that causes us to become faithful. To become focused. Something is created deep within us. So, I'm thinking it must be that time again. The time to be taught another truth. As long as I have an anchor, I'm good. And that's something I'll never have to be without.
Winning the battle of the mind...here you'll find me, in Mary's World.
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