The Things I Take For Granted

My Mom is 84. She is a member of an over 60 dance troop called the Kickers. They perform at nursing homes, YMCAs and senior centers. They practice twice a week and perform once a week.

She loves it. She is also a member of the Red Hat Society, a national group with local chapters in each state. They meet once a month on Saturdays. She takes a class on Tuesdays for line dancing and she teaches dominos. I did mention she is 84.

She had a fall recently which has made if difficult for her to drive. I have taken over the weekday driving for her. She says she will drive again soon although the physical therapists do not give us any hope for that.

I help her get in the car and fasten her seat belt. I open all doors for her because her left arm is so weak. I gave her a small microwave to heat up her meals because the door on the ultramodern range in her home was too heavy.

I moved a chair from her closet so she wouldn't trip and she said to put it back because she needs it to sit in and put her clothes on..She never complains or gets grumpy.

One day with her and you realize sitting in Atlanta traffic is not that bad--at least I am driving.

When I am sore after working out--I am thankful I can work out.Every time I open a can or drag the garbage cans up the driveway--I should be thankful that I am moving!

I love her attitude! I was with her at my office one day and a gal asked her with all of her health issues did she ever complain. She simply said," Yes, I tried it once and it did me no good! So I don't do it anymore."

Wow! Isn't that what the Lord tells us to do. Psalm55:22 says " Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you" I want to learn from my Mom and trust my cares to God because for me to carry them just " does me no good."

Hair

I grew up hearing my Mother say the same phrase every week. "I am going to get my hair done."

That's how I knew it was Saturday. Every Saturday morning my Mother would go spend several hours at the beauty shop. She came back each week with the same style, but she also brought back her confidence and joy.It was an amazing thing that took place during the time she spent in the beauty shop.

I like to go get my "hair done." Now that I am the mother, I don't go every week, although I would if I could. The place I go is best when it's busy. I like it filled with loud women telling stories about their lives and laughing so hard that the hair dresser has to stop to catch her breath. All of these women are there in the hopes of feeling transformed into a Hollywood star, filled with sex appeal and confidence. That usually happens to me when I go, but it's not the cut or color treatment they may put on my hair, it is the WORDS the hairdressers say to me. They tell me I look beautiful and sexy and that my husband will love my new hair.

It works. I feel better. I walk with more strength and confidence . Words are powerful The words we tell ourselves and others can take them from a good day to a very bad day in a matter of minutes. The Bible says the power of life and death are in the tongue. The words we speak to others and to ourselves can have a huge impact on their life.

So why is going to get my hair done such an upper for me? My hairdresser tells me she loves me right when I walk in the door. She gives me a hug and hugs me again as I leave. Special treatment, you say, because I have known her for so long. She treats every customer the same way. Everyone feels special when they arrive and when they leave.
Maybe I should try some of that hairdresser treatment with myself, and my family, and all of those around me. Words, a smile, and hugs... good stuff!

REALLY?

I was trying to decide what to title my blog, which in blog land is kind of a big deal, so I played around with several different titles. Here are just few.

He Loves Me-- not bad, because in the Christian world that fact is really celebrated. He really loves us...so much so he died for us!

Love Wins-- a favorite of my son's because he says when you think about it love always conquers evil, love wins over hate, and ultimately love forgives.

Whats Love Got to do with It? The Tina Turner song. I have realized in life, love has everything to do with it. You see love is big, bold, and beautiful. It is so big that we can't comprehend it, its bold because it can invade a cold heart that looks like a fortress from the outside and turn it into a peaceful park. It is beautiful to watch, from a child sitting on her grandfathers lap while he reads her a story,to a hospital bed where my Father lay dying of cancer reached out to take my hand and for the first time told me he was so proud of who I had become...yeah, that is big, bold, and beautiful.

Even though all of these titles are good I kept coming back to one. Really? I think I know why. You see, I know He loves me, or I thought I did, but I still find myself saying, "Really? God loves me, really?"

I realized I do not always live as if I am loved by the creator of the universe, because if I did I would whine less about long check out lines in the grocery store, and I would believe in myself more because I would know that I am so loved.
Then there is the love wins. Really? That word keeps popping up, challenging my faith. I would not struggle with fear if I really believed that love wins.
What does love have to do with it ? Really? I hope it has everything to do with my life and how I live it on this planet.

Really God's love is big. Really love wins over anything that is thrown at us. Really the love of God invaded my heart and changed me so that I will never be the same nor would I want to be...Really.