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'...

Heart-full

The past six days have been a 'whelming' experience for Michael, for me. I feel very humble, very encouraged and very grateful. A wonderful, close friend died last Friday and we spent three days with his Sara...his wife who is just as close...like a sister to me. Tears and more tears; I am shedding tears recalling Larry and the events of this past week.

So many said they hoped they would be as well thought of as Larry; I'm one of those and all of us were 'his best friend'. He was a multitude of things, rather like a 'man of all seasons' and successful in every aspect of life. He would say, "Oh no! Let's move on, okay?"

If you know me well, you know that I love encouraging others...I absolutely love that. Don't really know why; perhaps it's because I sort of felt lost moving so much when I was growing up. Perhaps it's because I always needed encouragement myself. I'm smiling because I've changed so very much since my 'prince' came along and took me on. He, the self-assured, focused and most handsome one has totally transformed me w/God's directions...into a most contented, totally happy child of God.

Sara will be lost without her Larry, just as I would be lost without my Michael.

Dear Father, please comfort Sara and strengthen her...hold her hand...she needs you. As for me, I thank you with every breath that I take for giving me such a gift as Michael to care for this short time on earth...and for him to care for me...I need him..we need each other. You have blest me so greatly; I thank you. Please bless our children in their marriages so that they may experience the joys M and I have had...how wonderful. In Your Son's Name, Amen.

Good Plan ~GPS

What a week this has been...lots of 'positioning' going on (in Massachusets, for instance). Shifting positions come and go very quickly, yes? And they are not limited to any particular area of one's life. As a child of His, I weigh my positions as carefully as I possibly can, but guess what? I'm not perfect...ha! I'm not even in the perfect neighborhood...comes to sticking my foot in the mouth? Like an echo.

Some stances bother me though. I wouldn't like to think I would never (that's a big word) change my thinking on anything. Especially if someone proved to me that my stance was errant. That's dangerous...like a concrete mind...all mixed up and already set. Hard nut to crack. Politics can be that way...religion can be that way...you name it and anything can be that way...set in concrete!

Best way for me is not to take someone's word on things but to go to the source myself and sort it out best I can. Granted, I'm not a college grad, not up in the professional world...you might ask "What are you then?" Okay, what I see myself as is a mature, logical, responsible person ~ a spirit-filled child of God. Like the apostle Paul, running the race to the finish line...I'm using that strategy...Paul's an excellent coach.

Responsibility is a biggie to me...who am I responsible to anyway? Well, #1 priority is God, my Father. My #2 would be to my shepherd's...that covers another category, my husband, since I'm married to a shepherd. Those priorities tend to be my security blanket...they do a top notch job of it. I respect them...God and my shepherd's...they have my best interest at heart. They're truly respected. I can't imagine thinking of them any other way...I realize there are those who don't feel the same...besides other things, that's sad.

Today, here's this person (that would be me)...plugged into God's Positioning System...talk about reliability? Wow, way to go!

Cruisin' with GPS

Isn't it great to be cruising along, watching God's beautiful scenery as you toodle down the road? Since M does almost 100% of our driving, I've the luxury of taking in the wonders along the route...he's not allowed to take his eyes off what's ahead. I enjoy it most when we're out of the cities...not crazy about all that buzz and rush...all the noisy clacking.

How often are we able to do that? Not enough, I think...life throws stuff at you all the time, no matter where you are in life...makes no difference unless one becomes a hermit. That's not advisable...for my mental health at least...don't know about you. Much too often I find myself stalled, sitting in the middle of a giant parking lot...aargh.

Noise, noise, noise! So much noise in my world and it's almost impossble to escape. Is doom and gloom, anger, name calling, getting even the order of the day? If I'm not very careful about my mindset...oh wow! Find myself in a dark corner, afraid to come out and 'face the lions'...hmm, something's wrong w/my thought process.

I know full well and I believe, of all people, I've no reason in the world for worry because I'm wrapped in protective gear. My gracious Father tells me all the time, "Don't fret about anything Vasca...believe that I'm your 24/7 safety net...trust me." I think His son was saying over and over again, "Don't be afraid, just believe...don't be afraid, just believe."

So here's my out...stuck in the middle of this giant parking lot I will be stress free and cruisin' on...hey, He's always there and 'right on time' ~ I call His program GPS.

Heart-full

I am a 24/7 happy girl...with a bright disposition. Oh, occasionally I get blind-sided by something; usually it's the result of something/someones' desire to seemingly stand in the way of spiritual development. Mind you, I'm no stellar example of a 'saint' but I'm doing my best to be pleasing to Father...if I can consistently do that then all's well. Almost, that is.

I greatly admire Mother Teresa and particularily this prayer of hers: "Sweetest Lord, make me apreciative of my high vocation, and its many responsibilities. Never permit me to disgrace it by giving way to coldness, unkindness or impatience."

Wow, the way His Spirit moves us is awesome...and I'm amazed at the things he sends our way. God seems to think M and I will always step up and lead. M always has been a 'natural' leader while I, on the other hand, was 'snail-ish' but oh, how much I've grown...could also say, how much I groan, ha! Very recently, I've reached a point in spiritual maturity where I can handle the perils lying in wait for leaders.

Why? How? Mmm, that would be credited to my 2nd love, that would be Michael. This jewel is such a servant ~ he has mentored and raised me up...totally. God so blest me w/such a life-partner. Okay, so my heart races like a fire truck when unpleasantness or hurts zap us, but wonder of wonders I'm able to do like Mother Teresa's quote and believe me I greatly appreciate the faith Father has in me. I will remain warm, kind and patient...that's the way God likes me best. Today, my heart is full.