How's Your ABC Routine?

Remember a few months ago when we were deluged w/the 'swine flu'? Covering coughs and sneezes in a different fashion and wash...wash...washing our hands. Lots of tips on how best to do that...I adopted the suggestion of singing the ABC song while busily soaping/washing my hands...proved effective for me.

Had a funny thought today about that simple little exercise...easy as 'ABC'...so many things are simple but wow, we humans can really mess up 'simple little things'. Wonder why that is? Could be society is so into 'having it my way'...having to 'be heard'. A thought ran through my mind the simple little ABC's have evolved into All 'Bout Control...as in 'my way or the highway'.

I like to have a voice...to be heard; most of us do...truth is, what I think or want won't necessarily agree with your wants and thoughts...maybe so, maybe not. It's very important that I constantly examine myself...can't afford to be tossed here and there by too much hot air...God knows I have plenty of my own!!!

Negative or positive...which will it be? Frankly, I like positive...I stay that way by constantly reminding myself that I am not in control...with me, it's All 'Bout Christ...now I've said my ABC, tell me what you think of me.

Most Wonderful Father, I know that with your help I can be what you want me to be. I pray that I will remain positive...that I will not gripe or whine...that I will use spirit eyes to share your light with those you place in my life...no matter when or where. I want so much to be pleasing to you..to be like you. I know you'll help me! In Your Son's Blessed Name, Amen

Stamp of Approval

Most of the time...my attitude is positive, sunny forecast..no clouds in sight. Okay, I confess that occasionally it rains on my parade. However, I'm not without my umbrella...it's the Paraclete living in me and when I run into what I consider stormy weather the Spirit guides me...ta-dah, rainbow time.

Rainbows may prove somewhat evasive when so much of what surrounds me today is...conflict. What I want vs. what you want; what I like vs. what you like; I'm right vs. you're wrong...endless conflict. Do you have those feelings or am I the odd one out? God created me and I know He's interested in my attitude...not necessary that I express it verbally since...well...He has awesome ESP...ooh!

You're probably aware that I love quotes, right? Well, I read this from W. Clement Stone..."There is little difference in people but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative."

Things I feel passionate about really affect my attitude. You're probably the same...most of us are. What I really must watch is this; I cannot expect you to become just as passionate about it. You have your 'pet passions', I have mine and multiply that by several hundred and what's the answer? Aargh..talk about different attitudes...like a combat zone if we aren't careful.

Here's the rub, politics is always a war zone but religion? Religion is an extremely different ballgame...we're God's family...a loving family. Growing maturing...together! It would be so 'heavenly' if you and I practiced being positive. I've decided, as of today, I've buried the past for the sake of...God's Stamp of Approval.

"Whenever you're in conflict w/someone, there is one factor that can make the difference between damaging your relationship and deepening it. That factor is attitude." Timothy Bentley.

Dear Father, I pray my attitude will be positively pleasing to you; I want to make a difference in my relationships...please give me strength to be the 'me you want me to be'. In Your Son's Name, Amen.

Mirror, mirror...on the wall...WHO'S THAT???

Sometimes when looking at myself in a mirror, I get the strangest feeling...like I'm detached from myself and looking on. Okay, no psychoanalysis please...don't want to know what that might mean...it just is a very peculiar feeling. Personal therapy ~ me to me ~ is okay though.

God's looking at me 24/7 and wonder what He thinks, right? It's awesome to think He knows my every thought, emotion...ouch, HE KNOWS ME TOP TO BOTTOM...INSIDE OUT?? I don't even know myself that well. I need a tune-up...oh, and God, please send your Windex!

Just remembered...He's already equipped me w/the tools of choice...many words and the Paraclete, too. Lost my focus somewhere...took my eyes off Him and oops, in the water. I want to be positive; that isn't always simple. Sometimes, I fall into a pool of negativism...my bad. Mm, I love to talk...guess I become smitten w/the sound of my voice...how could people not want to hang on my every word??? My bad. Easy...easy...maybe I'm biased? Probably. Especially if I don't really know much about my subject of the moment...jumping to conclusions is sooooo simple, much simpler than checking facts.

Facts are important, so are many other things...figures...checklists...do I measure up to your expectations? Well, I don't know. You and I don't always bump into each other, so I don't know where you are...you don't know where I am...So?

You and I are good people...but we aren't into the same things...So? You and I may not publicize what we do...So? I'm me & you're you...BUT...good news...I'm out of the shop...clear heart...clear eyes & whew...God's cleaned my mirror!

Thomas Merton wrote..“The beginning of love is to let those we love be perfectly themselves, and not to twist them to fit our own image. Otherwise we love only the reflection of ourselves we find in them.” I aim to love like God does...He knows best & I trust Him...100%. Love You! (Love me?)

Thank-Full

Something most comforting came to me yesterday morning. M and I have 'separate' bedrooms; only because our house is extremely small by current standards. But hey, we visit each other many mornings and 'snuggle' together. Having a few extra minutes Sunday morning, I cuddled up and just drifted w/thoughts. I lay my head on his chest and ever so softly whispered, "I love you"...oh, you're wondering what remarkable thing could come from that little simple utterance? M's hard of hearing due to his early career in the Tank Corps...so I really had no intention of his hearing my whisper...wonders of wonders, he replied, "I love you, too." So sweet and I won't forget that moment...that sweet moment.

That got me to thinking about how the Spirit whispers to me...if I keep my heart open, I heat him...I can whisper to God. Oh wow! Just imagine whispering back and forth...a private exchange with my Father...can't beat that w/a stick. Now whispering is good but at times, I need to hear His loud voice...and that took place yesterday.

Sunday morning we had a very humbling lesson from a spirit-filled young man...he's very exceptional and stands head and shoulders above other pulpit men. Speaking from the heart he talked of things that have been harmful, devisive and how badly we need love in our lives. He fed us what we have needed for so long; we've not had a very healthy diet.

Thank you Cody, for being courageus enough to 'speak the truth' and not pussyfoot around what's going on in our lives. I need that and you probably do too. Let's encouraage each other in truthful words, and alway in love. I'm now 'thank-full'...