My family and our Seasons

July 14, 2010

Last night we were watching the news and we heard a thud at the front door where upon when opened, there was a very large box beaten severely by UPS, but seeing my name on the tag - I couldn't wait to dig into it. . .  Truly I expected to go chasing after that truck to say whatever the contents - it had to have broken pieces!  As I ripped away the tape I discovered three large gift wrapped boxes - they too where smashed in.  I ripped the pretty paper off them and then to my surprise, after relieving the contents from  tons of packing material, there were dishes.  Dishes with my funny little deco scheme of roosters/chickens.  My daughter-in-law, Joy had sent me an early b'day present.  Would you believe???!!!   Not one piece had a trace of so much as a scratch.  Maybe turning 70 in September will be pretty much the same - I've felt a little smashed lately, but I have to tell you - I'm not broken and this Season called "Senior" is just what it is. . . you don't get here without some rough rides and honey,  in the last 10 years I've ridden in not a few moving trucks and re-organized my life to fit the day too many times to be amused.  Through it all I found that my box  has stayed in tack and I can do this!  While I'm re-arranging my packaging for this Season,  our grandchildren are sailing into new Seasons of their own:

 Jack, our 10 year old won his first Iron-man trophy - he is our natural athlete, who knows where his talent will take him?! 

Trey & Mallory began their trip home to OKC after a year in Eugene, Ore. via bikes.  Trey tells me the sights are too marvelous to take in.  He and Mallory were married 2 years on 7/11.  This is a Season of discovery for them as they believe God for the impossible. 

 My Season doesn't include a bicycle and certainly not biking, swimming and running with Jack.   I can still  keep stride with Gerald and that's no mean feat!

Now McKenzie and Mat are in a delightful Season called Engagement.  They've set their date,  the wedding place is secured, the dress has been bought ~ We are all full of plans, what a happy time!

Seasons ~ We are where we are by design, there are no oops with God.  Seeing my life and the lives of those I love from this pinnacle called "70" - there is a pattern, because there is a Designer.  I'm so thankful today that each Season  has it's delights and it's smashings.  My prayer is that I'll remember to see it from God's Season and that's called "Eternity".  paulette

Who wants control?

July 10, 2010
We have a challenge here at 6100 Longmeadow ~ Suzy is into Routine, and every afternoon about 3pm she gets a little cookie (doggie biscuit).  She holds it in her mouth as long as she can stand it then she hides it and protects it with her life.  You dare not touch it should you cherish your hand :~). . . then after about 3 hours of such serious endeavor she calls me (she talks very clearly, although she has selective hearing) and wants me to hold the cookie while she takes small bites - the only problem being, she doesn't want to drop it in my hand - she does and she doesn't.  She wants to eat her cake and have it too.  Every day it's the same, she is so predictable, she's a Routine Dog. 
We laugh at her, but I know  what this is all about; it's called CONTROL and we all suffer with it, well, at least I know a couple of humans  who do.
We want God to have control, but oh, it's so hard to relinquish control.  We want to be in charge, yet we take charge.   We pray prayers that tell God what He's supposed to do and when, and dare I mention that we say, "Are we there yet?"
I don't want to manage God, yet sometimes I ask,  are we through yet?  can I go now?  has it  been long enough all ready???   I even add polite words like; please and thank you.
I do know that God will not be put in a box - I tried to manage Him that way when I first started out to follow Him - well, needless to say, He broke all my boxes!  In fact I broke myself trying to box Him up.  Thank God for freedom today. . . but I must hasten to say, He's not done yet, or was that, "Am I  there yet?"

 "In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day"

"Faith is embracing the uncertainties of Life.  It is chasing the lions that cross our paths.  It is recognizing a divine appointment when you see one.
Embrace relational uncertainty - it's called Romance.  embrace spiritual uncertainty - it's called Mystery.  Embrace occupational uncertainity - it's called Destiny.  Embrace emotional uncertainty - it's called JOY~  Embrace intellectual uncertainty - it's called Revelation."    (Mark Batterman)

I want to laugh today, be surprised and feel passionate about life.  I want God to be God with all His mystery and I want to celebrate being a human being - a Christian in the making.  I want all of Him and I want Him to have all of me.

Do I want to have my cake and eat it too, yes I guess I do.  I'm  pretty hard wired, but at the same time, I choose to have a teachable spirit.  I tell you truly - I need God in my life every moment of every day, how 'bout you?   paulette