Friday, August 22, 2008

2 Chairs

This week I found myself sitting in two similar chairs that elicited extremely dissimilar physical and mental responses.

The first was the chair at my dentist's office. He's a nice guy, but he deceives himself if he actually believes that the experience is spa-like. They do a good job attempting to create a soothing ambience, but the minute I sit in that chair my heart pounds and my jaws ache. I have this TMJ thing so I can always anticipate a doozy of a headache after holding my mouth open for inspection for what seems an eternity. I left that chair thrilled that for at least 6 months-- barring anything unforeseen--I do not have to return to dental spa hell.

The following day I went to get my hair colored and trimmed. Ahh the difference. Sitting in Teresa's chair as she gently massaged my scalp in the wash basin, I thought I could hear heavenly harps. It was then that I realized two things. One, thank you Lord that I live in an era of hair dye and hot running water, and two, what a difference a day (and a chair) can make.

Two chairs, so similar, yet so different. I'm actually thankful for each of them, but in a silly little way one reminds me of the reality of heaven--the other--well, that other place.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Unposted...

Have you ever labored to write something you deemed important only to have God prompt you to keep all of your passionate pontification private?

Recently, I've felt inspired on several occasions to write about things that I believed were significant, even urgent, but without a doubt I was clearly led to send those pages to the "discard" pile.

For those of us who need to write, the process itself is cathartic. One of God's dear gifts to me is the ability to record my thoughts in written form--a blessing that I imagine helps me avoid a psychiatrist's chair. But writing my thoughts and prayers has served another purpose. Through putting the sometimes scary notions that dance in my head into print, I am able to sort out and process life's beauty and bane from a perspective that mere thinking doesn't always allow.

That stated, I'll end this blog by saying that God is dealing with me in the area of half-heartedness and double-mindedness. What my flesh offers up to Him when I am not fervently contending for my faith is a pile of putrid, filthy rags. My heart longs to be the very opposite of that--a fragrantly sweet, fully devoted follower. Would I be sincere in asking this world and all its seductions to step aside? I hope so. I want to say it and mean it--but in the end, my actions will expose lofty platitudes.

Friday, August 15, 2008

Friday Funnies

So in light of my previous post in which I discussed the potential for self-aggrandizement that blogging might encourage(by the way, I do actually believe that blogging serves many great functions--not the least of which is the opportunity to read the insights and opinions of some really cool people who wouldn't otherwise have a platform for sharing their brilliance) I am posting a list of hopefully helpful suggestions to make Friday more fun.

I received these from my friend Laurie this morning and have selected a few of my favorites to pass along to anyone who happens upon this post:

1. At lunch time, sit in your parked car with sunglasses on and point a hair dryer at passing cars. Watch 'em slow down!

2. Every Time Someone Asks You To Do Something, ask If They Want Fries with that.

3. Put Your Garbage Can On Your Desk And Label it 'In'.

4. Finish All Your sentences with 'In Accordance With The Prophecy'.

5. With a Serious Expression, Order a Diet Water whenever you go out to eat.

6. When Your Money Comes Out The ATM, Scream 'I Won! I Won!'

7. Tell Your Children Over Dinner, "Due To The Economy, We Are Going To Have To Let One Of You Go."

Okay, admittedly, that last one may be a little on the mean side, but it is pretty funny. Happy Friday!

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Sidetracked...

Blogging has taken a backseat to the pressing need to care for my sick family this week. First Leslie, then Ava, then Steven, and finally George all battled a stomach virus that began last Friday and held on for days. Nichole (who only dropped by for a minute on Sunday) got it, too. David and I have been spared, thank God, and our dear ones seem to be on the mend--finally.

I know for certain that Steven's getting better because he found the strength to post a new blog tonight. It amused me because he expressed a sentiment that I've been pondering all week--namely, the vanity or possibly arrogance associated with blogging. Imagining that anybody would want to read what I think about infers a bit of audacity I suppose. And I loathe audacity--especially in the form of self-aggrandizement. But still, I blog.

The truth is, I have no idea if anyone reads what I write and I doubt that anything I blog about is going to mean a hill of beans to anyone except my closest friends and family. That said, my personal goal is to record thoughts and events that are important to me so that my grandchildren's children will possibly have a sense of who their old granny was.

Anyway, I've forgotten how to write with a pen. I have become a computer keyboard writer-junkie. For me, handwritten journaling has gone the way of the rotary phone. So, vanity of vanities, I will blog-on.

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

YAY Nichole!


CONGRATULATIONS to our sweet Nichole! We think she DID rock--and her version of Bring Me To Life was great! We're so proud of you! Congratulations to all the finalists who each brought their best and made Gimme the Mike so much fun for all of us!

Nichole!


Our beautiful (and very talented) daughter-in-law Nichole is a finalist in Gimme the Mike Charlotte. If you can, tune in Wednesday night, August 6, at 8 p.m. (WSOC) to watch her compete in the finale. We love her so much and she's already the winner in our book! She has to sing first in the program, so send up a prayer for her if you think about it. GO NICHOLE!

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Just Don't Go There...

That's the rule of thumb I was taught growing up. The proper protocol for polite interaction at dinner parties or social events necessitated the avoidance of the subjects of religion or politics.

I'm glad that my children's generation doesn't buy such nonsense because there are things that need to be hashed out and critically considered in these serious times.

We live in a rapidly changing world where messages are conflicting, contradictory, and confusing. Who can be trusted to tell us the truth? Where can we glean understanding of the issues that will impact our lives and the lives of our children and grandchildren? What difference does it all really make anyway? And, aren't all politicians just dirtbags with their own personal agendas?

I hope not. I hear the cry for change and I say AMEN. There does need to be change. And there will always need to be change because our world is broken (it happened many, many years ago in a garden called Eden). To complicate things, only intervention from God in the form of a supernatural event is going to bring about the kind of change I'm hoping for, you know...changes that include world peace, a NICE roof over every head, food on every table, zero pollution, eradication of cancer and AIDS and $1.00 a gallon gas.

That said, we have to be realistic enough to admit that sometimes change makes things worse. For that reason, I am going to try to post for the next several days a few thoughts that I hope will pave the way for lively debate and dialog about a subject once taboo in my world.

I'll begin today with this question: When one side of the aisle sees this nation as the problem and the other side views America as the solution, how will there ever be congruity that results in positive change? These two perspectives could be the text book definition of what it means to be diametrical opposites.

I see this situation as a tremendous hurdle facing the two dominant political parties. Unfortunately, this might even be viewed by some a reason to stay out of the process altogether. Hopefully, thoughtful dialog and serious consideration will avert that temptation because those of us who love this land and its freedom's have a duty to all who come behind us to be informed and exercise the privilege that our votes afford.