DETOUR

Well, I’m back. Did you miss me?


Do you  have those times in life when everything demands to be done now?

Well that is how it has been for me the last three weeks.

I had to take a detour from my writing and I have missed it.

We have a rental property we had to get ready for new tenants. There was painting to do, cleaning, doors to be replaced, a light fixture to replace, new trim to put in, etc. My husband and my son put in many hours and I was working right alongside them.

I am pretty exhausted with all I have been doing and I feel like my word tank is empty.

When my body has a chance to rest this weekend I believe it will all come back as I sit myself down to create, at least I am hoping so.

In the midst of getting the house ready and some other major things happening with family, we got some really, really great news. My son and daughter-in-law will be blessing us with another grandchild. They have a little girl who is three, she is our only grandchild. We are excited for the addition that will arrive in November.

On Wednesday I heard from Chicken Soup about two stories I had submitted. One of my stories for their Running Book is accepted. The book will be out in July.

God knew I needed a boast in the midst of all the happenings in my life.

Life is good; spring is coming to Colorado Springs, sometime. It is snowing as I write this.

Photo: Diane Shaw

WILL YOU BE REMEMBERED?

Do you recognize these Old Testament names?

Shummua, Shaphat, Igal, Osea. Palti, Gaddiel, Ammiel, Gaddi, Sethur, Geuel.

These men had something in common, something I hope you don’t share with them.

Are you wondering what they had in common?

They lacked vision. Instead of seeing opportunities, they looked at the difficulties that presented themselves. They focused on what appeared to be impossibilities and they quit.

How do you react when roadblocks present themselves? Do you throw up your hands and quit or do you look for a way around, over, or through the roadblock?

I left two names off the above list they are names of men who had vision and did not let what they saw keep them from what they knew could happen, you will recognize them: Joshua and Caleb.

We remember their names because they did not quit, the other ten men, no one remembers them.

Being in the minority, pushing against popular opinion that says it can’t be done, takes the kind of strength not many people possess. Joshua and Caleb stood up and said, “We can do this”, and the people said, “Let’s stone them.”

Yikes, I doubt you have heard those words when you have shared your vision, at least I hope not. Joshua and Caleb didn’t back down when threatened with their lives and God honored them by allowing them entrance into the promised-land. (You can read the whole story in Numbers 13:1-14:10)

Is it easy to push through to the fulfillment of your vision? God had to tell Joshua three times (Joshua 1:6-9) to be strong and courageous.

Visionary men and women are hard to forget or ignore, they refuse to give up, back down or walk away.

So I ask you “Are you among the two or the ten?”

Photo: morgueFile

LIVING GETS IN THE WAY OF LIFE

Well it’s been a while since I have shown up at my blogsite.

Sometimes living gets in the way of life.

Guess that is where I have been at the past few weeks. I am beginning to poke my head out of my hole. Punxsutawney Phil poked his head out to see if he would see his shadow, I am poking my head out hoping it won’t get shot off. Seems I have been the target of spiritual attacks.

Not spending time in God’s Word and letting thoughts run through my mind that are clearly not God’s thoughts have caused some pretty scary feelings. Forgetting to admonish the scripture to take every thought captive and think on good things, makes for a lousy life. So glad God doesn’t give up on me. Getting myself back on the right track. I crave the peace that He is so willing to give to me and His forgiveness, oh, His soul cleansing forgiveness.

Determining to get back to first things first. God, His Word and Prayer. Truly, it is that simple.

Do you ever look up at where you are and wonder, how did I get here, it’s not where I was intending to go? The good news is you don’t have to stay there. Yea God, He provides a way out. Glory.

Photo:MorgueFile