Tuesday, March 30, 2010

What if. . .?

I tend to think alot. Maybe too much.

Lately I've not been writing alot.  Busy?  Yeah.  Tired?  Some.  Sick?  Yeah, that too.  It just seems that I've been, ummm, rumitating on some things.   Most recently, I've been wondering about a new "What if?".  I like "What if's" - it let's our imagination soar.  It inspires creativity and sometimes just makes us giggle.

So put on your thinking cap, your adventure cape, and grab your magic wand and let's imagine:

What if we all loved what did so much that we just gave it away?

What if the builder loved making houses so much, he built one and just gave to the first person he saw? 

And the wood and materials for the house?  It came from the logger who loved to cut and grow trees.  The miller who loved to make planks.  The craftsman who found joy in making windows.

What if a baker loved kneading dough and creating bread and pies and cookies that each day, he took trays of baked goods and gave them away to people on the street.  The flour came from a miller who liked to grind wheat.  The wheat from a farmer who finds great happiness in the golden grains grown on his land.

What if a seamstress made clothes and gave them away?

What if an artist painted masterpieces to be handed out at coffee shops?

What if a cook made casseroles and gave them out to all her neighbors?

What if musicians played for pure enjoyment?

Notice, there is no mention of  "need".  If we gave away what we had to those around us, there would be no need.

Perhaps the opposite of Need is Greed.

Maybe we should ask ourselves, "What am I holding on to that I would love to see someone else have?  What do I love to do that would bless someone else?"

Could it be we have forgotten what we love to do?

Hmmmm, I was just thinking. . . .

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

My Wonderful Man

So my title is borrowed - again!

But you need to know what a great husband I have.  Really.  I'm not just singing his praises to make him look good or to brag.  I really want the world to know that he is a wonderful man.  David and I have known each other since we were 12 years old!  Really!  We have been together 21 years and married 18.  He is my love.  And he still makes my heart skip a beat with his sly little wink.

I want the world to know:

He is a provider.  At a job that is, at the least, sometimes challenging.  He works hard.  Very hard - sometimes 60 hours a week.  He works hard at home.  Keeping repairs done.  Being a steward of God's blessings.  He keeps the cars running well, tanks filled with gas, windows clean.  Taking care that we can get where we need and enjoy the journey as well! 

He is a participant.  He is present in our lives.  He has coached soccer since Chris was 5 years old.  He has sold Girl Scout cookies with Ashley.  He skis with his kids.  He listens to my ramblings and stories and will even go shopping with me!

He is patient.  Kinda of a prerequisite to be married to me. I am what you might call "high maintenance."  And my kids follow in my foot steps.

He prays.  When doctors said we would not have children.  When children didn't come.  When two suprises came!  When his first-born was very ill.  When his second-born faced a lifetime of disabilities.  When his wife lay fighting for her life.  When our world was shaken from family strife.  When illness has come and numerous surgeries have arisen.  When God-doubts and self-doubts trouble his soul.  He prays.

He is passionate.  Still waters run deep.  He is passionate for his family.  That they know God.  That they use the talents God has given them.  That they honor God in every aspect of their life.  And in his love for me!

He plays hard.  Life is not all work.  God has given us time for work and time for play.  He works hard, plays hard.  The kids loved going on the roller coasters with him!  He loves to 4-wheel and camp - so do we.  He introduced me to the wilderness and I love it!

He is a teacher.  The kids have learned what "work ethic" means from him.  The kids have learned what "ethics" mean from him!  He has taught me consistency and unconditional love.  Yesterday, he worked all day, coached soccer then came home, exhausted, and taught Chris his math and started a science experiment with Ashley. 

He is tireless.  Working, teaching, loving, building, repairing, packing trailers, folding laundry - he is always busy.

He is a Godly Man.    Rising early to study the Bible and pray for his family.  Staying up late to pray for us.  Giving.  Going.  Supporting our dreams.  Driving to and from youth services.  Praying each night with his kids.

I am so thankful for my husband.  David.  He fits his name.  Strong.  Dependable.  Passionate.

"Thank you, Father, for my husband.  Thank you for a Christian family who raised him to serve you.  Thank you for his dedication to you and to us.  Lord guide his steps.  Go before him and prepare his path.  Send your angels before him to make his way straight.  Father God, be his rear-guard!  He will stand before Kings for his work is excellent!  Everything he touches will prosper because he sees everything as gift from you.  David stewards his time and gifts to you.  Be his strength, his shield.  Let him lay his head down at night and rest in perfect peace knowing that you, the Almighty God, watches over him.  He is blessed when he lays down and when he rises.  David has health and you bless his life with long days.  Let our life together, our family, be an example of your love and unending mercy.  Amen and Amen!!"

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

A Curmudgeon Does Disney World

We did it!  Ten days after major surgery, I boarded a plane for Orlando, Florida!  We were on the ground only two hours before we walked into the Magic Kingdom. 

And it was spectacular!  Music heralded our entrance into the hotel as if we were royalty.  As we entered the Magic Kingdom, the Celebrate! Parade began, welcoming us to our vacation in grand style.

There are many blog posts formulating in my head from this trip.  But first I want to say that "the happiest place on earth" made me feel like an old fuddy-duddy!  I began to formulate a list of possible improvements for park management and suggestions to help everyone enjoy the Magic more:

*  Walk-way cops:  any group caught walking more than two-abreast should be ticketed and forced to sit for ten minutes while other families pass

*  Those who are blind enough to step in front of walkers, strollers, and wheelchairs deserve to be hit.

*  No child under 5 should be allowed in the gates.

*  All children 5-8 must leave the park for 2 hours for a mandatory nap

*  Men are not pack mules

*  Moms - you DO NOT have to see everything in 4 hours.  Pace yourself.

*  PERSONAL  SPACE - please do not stand on my back while waiting in line for a ride.  The wait is only 5 minutes and leaning on me will not get you on the ride any faster!

*  Parents - if your child falls asleep on the bus, let them sleep!  It was your idea to get up at 3am, fly across the country and then drag them into a park.  Yelling, "wake up!" will not help them nor those around you who are wanting to push you out at the next stop.

*  Oh, was that my elbow?  So sorry.

Okay, maybe the pain pills had me a little tired.  And the kid who ran into my stomach on the first night did not help.

But you know what was great?  What was the best thing ever?   Seeing my family - together.  smiling.  laughing.  playing in the rain.  telling jokes.  smiling at the little kids.  screaming on roller coasters.  and at night, snuggling into our hotel room and being thankful to God for the ability to be together.

Where is the happiest place on earth?  Right here.  Right where my family laughter rings.