A Pet Peeve

Just thinking about my experience a couple of weeks ago, in  a well known small town establishment, takes my metabolism up a couple notches...as if I'm on a caffeine binge. I keep telling myself that at some point I will offer my "Quest for Excellence" services, to any and all business owner's that have employee's who must meet the public.I'm sure all of you in cyberspace, are very anxious to hear about my pet peeve, so hang on tight...here we go.

I had been to visit my in-law's in Granby, MO. and had promised my honey I would stop for a pizza on the way home. Sounded like a good plan to me and since he's such an agreeable young man (hehe), I made the phone call before leaving Granby. To make the pot sweeter, my sister-in-law gave me a coupon that saved us an extra five bucks! Every thing's going pretty good...

Now I've arrived at the restaurant to pick up my prepared dinner. My hand reaches out for the glass door, pushes it open, and I have begun the walk that will take me to my food. In a world of experienced servers, one can expect to be greeted cheerfully, with possibly a slight smile and a "Good evening! Are you dining in or have you placed an order to go?" Right? Ya know...just a "HI!" would work for me. That's pretty simple...isn't it??? Not particularly stressful.

I swear, this young lady would never be able to pick me out in a line up. Not once did her eyes meet mine. As I opened the door that was a good 15-20 feet away from where she was standing, holding up the cash register, she says something that sounded like, "Do you have a pick-up?" I wanted to say, "Well, ya know...my husband does. But it's not for sale."

I wait until I reach the counter where she was, and then say, "I'm sorry. Were you talking to me?" "What's your phone number?" she asks. Knowing why she was asking, I just bit my tongue and told her what it was. She still hasn't made eye contact. She types in the number and without another word, turns and heads to the kitchen...or someplace where they hold the "to go" pizzas. She sits it down on the counter nice enough, so I think she's okay and can maybe be a little more personal now that the hard part is over.

Clickity, click, click, clickity...she types in something or other on the register. "That will be $15...something or other." "Well, I have this coupon," I say. "I'm really sorry. Didn't know I would have it when I placed the order, but my sister-in-law was kind enough to grab it for me. May I still use it?" Clickity, click, click!!! No words came, but she did know how to reach for the coupon. Whew! I was beginning to worry again. Still no eye contact.

"Ten dollars and (whatever)." I'm really starting to get a little ticked off at this gal. "My sister-in-law says I should ask you for a calendar if you still have any. She says there are coupons for the whole year." She never responded, just turned, grabbed a calendar and laid it on top the pizza box. Still no eye contact, not even a "will there be anything else I can get you?"...nothing!

I'm debating on asking if she is the manager, but instead I say, "Having a rough night?" Ah-ha! Did I see a tiny smile flick across her face??? Still, all she could muster was, "Just ready to go home." I tried to engage her in some light conversation to pick her mood up a little. Didn't work. I asked about the busyness of the week, which nights were hardest, etc...just small talk. She answered all my questions with very short answers and not once did she ever look into my face.

I pay her, grab the pizza, (and the calendar) and head toward my car, (since I didn't have the pick-up). "Hope your night gets better," I say...and leave.

WHAT IN THE WORLD WAS THAT?!!! Who trained this young lady? Was she trained? We all have troubles of some sort, but come on now...you just missed a really good tip! And I'm pretty sure you're not going to last at this job.

Yada, yada, yada...here I am, breathing deeply, trying to figure out how to worm my way into high traffic businesses and train employees in the simple techniques of being friendly.

Oh well, here I'll be in Mary's World, if anyone needs a good quest for excellence provider.  :)

Facing Eternity

"We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience." ~Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

My Father-in-Law has been told he has anywhere from 2 months to 2 years to live. Stage 4 cancer in the lungs and liver, has struck yet another blow. The family is heart-broken, not looking forward to what he may have to face. He is such a trooper though, never complaining much about anything.

I'll never forget "the walk" we took many years ago, when the Lord asked me share His love with Denzil. I've always loved my Father-in-Law...never feeling an outcast by him; and that same love wanted the reassuring words to come from his mouth that he knew the same Lord & Saviour I did. Those were wonderful moments we shared. We returned to the house, my spirit happy within me, because he told me he would consider my words. "Where would you go, should you die today?" was my question. I shared Jesus with him...(he already knew and believed in Him). Difficult issues had caused a separation from the church. So, here we were, walking around his property, with Jesus loving on him, confirming His love for him. A few months later, as we walked through my in-laws front door, an announcement came from my Mother-in-law. With tears in her eyes she said, "I have a new husband." Denzil had rededicated his life and service to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Early this morning I was awakened with "facing eternity." Many thoughts came pouring into my mind. Hopefully I can get some of them out here, because I do think it will give a truer perspective on what we've always known as death.

Death is not an end of things...it is the beginning of things! We've "fought the good fight, have finished the course, have kept the faith; and now there is a crown of righteousness laid up for us in heaven, (to those who have loved His appearing)" ~2 Timothy 4:7-8. God never intended for us to set down stakes here. Our home is with Him. An old hymn declares this. "This world is not my home, I'm just a passing through..."

Gravity is said to hold us here, and yet it was by God's design this should be. But when it's time to go home, gravity won't be strong enough to maintain our spirit.  My Father-in-Law made a comment yesterday...after getting home from the doctor and hearing the outcome of the biopsy, he said, "Well, I don't guess I'll get to see the Cardinals play this year." A big Cardinals fan, this one!  How I wish I had been there to hear that comment. I would have most likely teared up, put my arms around his shoulders, and said, "Oh, Denzil...you will have a front row seat! You may even choose to stand beside the pitcher and encourage him as he throws the ball. Or beside the batter, as he bats the home run of the season." Why would I say such a thing??? Because he won't be bound by anything!  "But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "Death is swallowed up in victory" ~2 Corinthians 15:54.

Some months ago, a close friend of mine, shared a dream with me. She had dreamed about my sister, Becky, that had gone on home to be with the Lord. Kasey was at a gathering of some sort, when she spotted me across the room. As she walked toward me, she saw Becky standing beside me, surprised, knowing Becky was "no longer with us." When she approached us, she asked Becky what she was doing there. I'll never forget the response. "I can be anywhere I choose to be, Kasey Lynn." Wow! And why not? The Spirit of God that gives us life, doesn't ever leave us. Is He bound by anything? So why would we be then...once we are loosed from this phenomenon that holds us here. Once we "break the surely bounds of earth & touch the face of God" (President Ronald Reagan), nothing can hold us down.

If you haven't read the book, Return from Tomorrow, you should read it today. Amazing accuracy that lines up with God's Holy Scriptures. At the age of twenty, George Ritchie apparently died in an army hospital and was pronounced dead twice by the doctor on duty. Nine minutes later he returned to life. Dr. Ritchie wrote of his near-death experience (NDE) in Return from Tomorrow, co-written with Elizabeth Sherrill (1978). In this book he tells of his out-of-body experience, his meeting with Jesus Christ, and his travel with Christ through different dimensions of time and space. Return from Tomorrow has been translated into nine languages!

Ritchie's story was the first contact Dr. Raymond Moody, PhD had with NDEs, during his undergraduate studies in philosophy at the University of Virginia. This led Moody to investigate over 150 cases of NDEs in his book Life After Life and two other books that followed.

My purpose in this morning's blog is to get our eyes on the truth about death. There is sorrow and mourning, but we that belong to God, need not fear death. As we near that mark, we can actually face it with excitement as we peer into the face of God. I have watched a few of my loved ones come near the boundaries of heaven and earth. Those that were able to speak, spoke with excitement at seeing those that had gone on before. "Death is nothing more than a doorway, something you walk through." ~Dr. George Ritchey

 Until I reach that final destination, here you will find me...in Mary's World.

New, New Years Resolutions

Okay...so I've really been inspired...again! I have sat down, put my thinking cap on, and have come up with a true beginning for this new year God has given us. A necessity for me because we have committed to our LifeGate group to not only lead this endeavor, but to encourage along the way, as we travel this new year together.

I do realize, to stay focused I must place the goals where I'll see them each day. My plans are to keep my Facebook family aware of my successes, and my failures, by placing a hash tag in front of FinishYear when I post anything concerning these goals to my Facebook wall. Most likely there will also be blogs concerning my adventure. =} Aren't you happy about that? Double whammy, with the exception of more detail. Hmmmm....could be worth looking at. =}

Jon Acuff is a part of the Dave Ramsey team, and has truly inspired me. You can also be inspired by visiting Jon's web page, www.jonacuff.com. Look for the Archived items or the FinishYear tab to get the jolt you need to make 2012 an exceptional, productive year.

As you create the palate for your delicious year, remember to visit me here...in Mary's World.

Finish Well

It all started this past Dec 7th. (Actually, now that I'm thinking about it, it's seed was planted way back in the days of Fellowship of Christians, when my brother-in-law, pastor of the church we attended, preached one Sunday about it.) But it became very clear to us December of 2011. We were attending an ATI meeting in Tulsa, OK. and a close friend of ours was praying over us, as we look ahead to new beginnings. Not the new beginnings a new year brings...but the new things we'll face when making the move from Oklahoma to North Carolina.

For the past 37 years, our lives (my husband's & mine) have been rooted in Oklahoma soil. We met, fell in love, married, struggled at times accepting each other, had our children, dedicated our lives to God & His Church, Home Educated our daughters, started a support group for home educators, organized Curriculum Fairs (yearly for 5 years), led a church drama team, taught a children's group, opened a business, and pastored a church. Oh yes...and managed a home. Not necessarily in that order.

Our friend, while praying for us, said these words over and over, "finish strong!" No matter where we found ourselves to be, we were to finish strong. I do realize this is something that should be common sense for everyone. But for some reason, God really wanted us to get it. And we did!

Fast forward to today. While visiting in N.C. over the Christmas holiday, our son-in-law gave us both a challenge. Not knowing what has already happened in our hearts, he connected us to Jon Acuff and his challenge to finish well. Finish what you start...well. Very interesting. Especially to me. That's how God yanks my chain. He seems to enjoy using numbers with me. Three times I must hear something for it to attach itself to me...to really get my attention. The first time, it's something I know would be good in my life. The second time, I start to sit up a little straighter. And the third time, I say, "OKAY! I've got it!" Maybe it's because He knows I'm a number person and that I believe in the significance of numbers. The number three? It means "resurrection" and speaks to me the resurrection from a dead area in my life. I love how He loves me.

For the first time in a while, I actually enjoyed cleaning the business we own. Planning, rearranging, dusting, removing, adding, creating. I am determined to "finish well...finish strong" no matter where I find myself to be. Many things the Lord has spoken to me in 2011, but the most prominent is to finish well/strong. The Word He has given me to ponder in my heart...and alongside it, He has promised me His Grace. I can't begin to tell you (just because I couldn't count) the number of times He has spoken grace to me. "Grace multiplied" is what He shows me. Yes, in numbers. When others aren't speaking into my life, God uses His numbers alongside His Word.

Today, I opened an email from ChurchLeaders.com. Want to guess what it's thrust was? "New Year's Resolution: Finish Well"...now you gotta agree with me. Our God is the awesome God.

And now, I'm ready for anything...I think...here in Mary's World.

The Reason for All Seasons

This is the time of year we begin to see posters, billboards, scribblings of pencil drawings and even books on why Jesus is the "reason for the Season." I couldn't agree more with this statement...He IS the reason we celebrate with gifts & parties; and we can't forget the wonderful Church Cantata's and Plays, that are (many times) big productions. Yes...we celebrate the birth of the One who reconnected us to the Father, so that we might live better while here and have an eternal home with our Creator.

Yet, for some reason, this has always bothered me. Just as we celebrate our own birthdays, we should also celebrate the main event...Jesus coming to earth. I can agree with that. However, there are a couple of problems I'm experiencing. Do we really KNOW what day His birth was? Sure...don't be petty, Mary. Of course, we don't know the EXACT day, that's why we chose a day ourselves to celebrate. Okay...I can go with that.

Yet, the saying, "Jesus is the reason for the season" has taken over to a new level of focused opinion. I'm about to walk into deep water here...but I believe we Christians have vicariously made Christmas superficially about this. I say "superficially" because we can't seem to stop trying to please people with our "gifts". Christmas has become a dreaded experience for most of the people I talk with in any given week. And they are the ones that say, "Jesus is the reason for the season." Jesus has become our excuse rather than our freedom.

I do know there are people that love God/Jesus/Holy Spirit with a love that comes from a deep part of their being. So why does the season overtake us with dread? May I submit that it's partially because we don't have the fortitude to say, "ENOUGH!"?

Don't get me wrong. Gift giving is really gratifying. I feel so very blessed to have reached a place that we can give without pain in the offering. (Which in itself is contradictory to satisfaction). But what about those that can't give? Does it cause them to feel less than acceptable? If "Jesus is the reason for the season", why must we put others in a head lock, forcing them to either go into debt or crumble under the pressure of non-gift giving? Maybe we could ALL just get back to the real reason for the season. Just a thought...

The truth? Jesus is the reason for ALL seasons.

Now that we've established that...couldn't we also say gift giving is for ALL seasons? Why must the last month of every year be a burden that would take our eyes off celebrating the main event? Jesus, coming to earth, to satisfy the weary, the broken hearted, defeated and in-need-of-a-saviour, person?

Yes, Jesus is the reason for all my seasons. And He has called us all to reach the lonely, the broken, the desperate, the weary...in all seasons.

So, could we just say it like it is? Christmas time is the time many substitute love for bitterness. If Jesus really is the reason for our season, why aren't our hearts filled with joy? With celebration? With expectation? "Oh come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant. Oh come ye, oh come ye, to Bethlehem."

Just a thought...please don't stone me.
Here you will find me, in Mary's World!

I Remember Her

I remember the day I was trying to find a place to put her picture, (the real one, not this frail attempt at a pencil sketch). I heard her voice, clear as a bell, say, "You're going to forget me." 

Anyone that has known Becky Johnson, is highly unlikely to forget her. Ever. I admit, I rarely stop by the grave site. Just can't find it in myself to stand there at the foot of her grave, knowing the body of one I cherished is under dirt. I do know she isn't there. And such a comfort that is to me. I can deal with this horrible situation much better knowing the person of Rebecca Louise (Prater) Johnson, is no doubt having a wonderful experience all her own. I can only image what it must be like..with the Lord of Glory. But if dreams are any indication of what life is like there...well, she's got it pretty good! (to say the least). She is so beautiful, happy and full of life. Radiant, might be a better word.

Our oldest daughter, Lindsey, has been having frequent dreams of her and calls to share them with me. I, too, have the dreams...but Becky likes visiting Lindsey, it seems, more than me. I must have a talk with her about that. Now, don't pretend you don't "talk" with those you've loved that have gone on to be with the Lord. It just seems to come naturally. The Bible tells us not to talk to the dead. But I'm pretty sure the Lord was talking about us trying to conjur up spirits, with candles and darkly lit rooms, and such. I'm simply talking about when she comes front and center in my mind, I just talk to her. It's mostly a one sided conversation...but that's okay with me. Sometimes I think I can hear her answer me...but it's probably just what I remember about her and how I think she would respond to my silly discourse.

She was a jewel, that one. Always said what she thought and was sweetly (some of the time) direct. But her goal was to help you see how very wonderful you really are. She always prayed for people to be ruthless with their problems. Wanting us to be victorious...not victims. "If you face your problems, they cannot conquer you." "Jesus is the answer." "Everyone creates their own value." "So? Take care of it!" "Now listen, Mary..." Yup...she was passionate. Now I've made myself cry. Back in a minute... :*

I miss her so much at times. I miss her coming to the house, even if we weren't home, to borrow a can of something or other. She would never call and ask if I had it on hand, she just brought her spare key down and helped herself! I wouldn't know it was gone until I had need of it. Then, I would go to HER house and get whatever I needed! We could do that, ya know. She was my sister, my protector (for many years), and my spiritual guide. Her instructions always made sense, I just didn't like a lot of them. Especially when she told me I couldn't always have it my way. She loved me anyway...wanted to kill me probably, on occassion.

Well, I could possibly write a book about her, but I'll save that for later. Just know that from the time I was 9 years old, I can remember her saving me from something or other. There was the time I was thrown into deep water, as my assailant stood on the shore and laughed, yelling "sink or swim." Well, I was drowning! Becky to the rescue! And did my brother ever get a tongue lashing from her! She was so mad at him...but as far as I know, she never ratted on him. That was only one occassion. There were many more to come...much more tramatic. But Becky was always there, being the hand of God, for her little sister.

This pencil drawing of her, came as a result of seeing another blogger's drawings that I follow. She's a pencil artist and I love visiting her blogs. I visited her site this a.m. and found enough inspiration to bust open the new drawing tablet that was a part of a Christmas gift last year. I have never attempted a portrait of anyone, but couldn't think of anyone else I would rather try to sketch than Becky. I knew it was going to be difficult, but I just had to try. As you can see, I must practice, practice, practice. But the passion was there as my pencil gently glided over the pad. I kept telling her I was doing my best. "Yes, I know the lips need work." "Uh-huh...you never wore your hair that high." Erase, erase, re-sketch. "Sorry, Beck...I just can't get the shadowing right." Finally...when I finished, I sent the drawing, via text message, to my girls in North Carolina, with the inscription, "Does this look like anyone you know?" I was very relieved when they recognized their Aunt Becky. (Of course that was after Lindsey said, "Marilyn Monroe?")

Well...here's to you my beautiful sister and friend! I will see you soon!

P.S.

Lindsey and Meg...that does not mean I'm headed there anytime soon. Well, I don't think so anyway. LOL. It's just my way of saying that time passes quickly. I'm hoping I'm allowed to stick around to meet and influence any grandchildren I might be blessed with. And...I hope they like my slobbers, cause I'll be kissin' them ALL THE TIME!!! AND...

Until then, you'll find me here...in Mary's World!

 

The Fulfillment of Creating

I'm not so much a fan of summertime, yet, I love what it produces. For the most part. I love the cool early morning breezes, blooming flowers, lush vines and other bushy plants. I don't love the insects...the wasp, spider and snake. I still haven't figured out the purpose of these critters. Maybe they were created to show us differences. Varmits to bring clarity to just how wonderful the opposite is. Understanding that if all were perfect, we wouldn't know it, for lack of something to compare it to. Bringing life from sub-standard mediocrity, to a role of clear choices. Whatever their purpose, they have my attention and I will always be on the look-out for them, so that I won't fall prey.

One of my favorite things is the time of the earth being renewed by the onset of springtime, that rolls into Summer. Coming out of the very low temperatures of Winter (which I love), and into rain that softens the earth so that seeds may spring into life once again...producing green where once was seeming death. We clean up our yards and purchase plants and flowers to dress up the chorus that Spring asks for. Oh how I love it!

Over the years I have come to respect beauty. Yes, we must endure the storms that wreck havoc with our own pieces of the planet. It really doesn't belong to us, we just take ownership as if it did. And that's okay. God gives us opportunities to show ourselves what we are made of. He already knows...He just wants us to know. So we are given stewardship over his earth. Each of us has our own "little world" to care for. And I love mine! However, should it be taken from me, or should I give it up willingly, I know God will allow me another piece of His earth to care for. And I know that involves whatever my hands find to do. When He created, He said, "It is good."

Don't you just love making something beautiful out of things not so beautiful?  Putting your "touch" (my signature...as I like to call it) to an existing piece of property, just does it for me! I love creating! And I have found that my husband of 36+ years, does also. He just has to have a little coaxing from time to time. But something else I've noticed, is that as the years sweep past us, he needs less and less coaxing. =}  When left alone, he comes up with some really great stuff!

Well, time to go make something beautiful out of my long neglected refrigerator/freezer. You know it's time when you have to move things around to close the door. How it gets that way I cannot figure out! When I clean, I organize. Top shelf is for sandwich add-ons ONLY, (includes soft drinks). Second shelf, right side, is dairy (cottage cheese, dips, sour cream, butter)...left side, sauces ONLY. Third shelf for jellies and small unexpected refrigerated items ONLY. Fourth shelf, neatly stacked left-overs (and bagged coffee) ONLY. I think we have someone living here that instead of pulling the shelf out where he can see what's in the back, simply moves the front items to another shelf. And there you have it...

Until next time...you will find me creating (or re-creating) in Mary's World!