Growing up with character

Okay, I don't often like to "brag" on my children because some times I feel that it is too much. My children are not always obedient and they aren't geniuses, but I love them dearly and believe they are perfect in God's eyes. So, I am hoping this comes across as bragging because of who I have "trained up" my eldest child to become in Christ.

I went shopping with my three darlings, whom too many people think are so adorable. I would like to ask them to spend a week with these little angels because they can be awfully ornery and stubborn.

On this particular trip, B insisted he bring his allowance because his little brother was going to have a birthday in just a few days. I thought that was wonderful of him to think of his little brother, not expecting him to truly follow through at the age of 10. I figured he would find something he would like and buy that under the guise of his brother's birthday present.

So, we shop and he asks me to let him know a good time to sneak off to purchase the present he KNOWS his brother will like. I tell him just before I am getting to the meat to go find the present and go to a register to make his purchase. I would meet him at the vehicle.

Low and behold! The child spent approximately half of his money on a Lightning McQueen toy that his brother really did end up loving.

To me, this showed so much character. He could have left all the gift purchases up to me. But, he did this and I am so proud of him.

The youngest child's birthday was this past Saturday, June 9. One of his "most favoritest toys" is the one his Bubba bought him.

I let my son know how proud I am of him. I am proud that he has a heart for the Lord and occasionally forgets to be selfish. At 10, I hardly believe he is capable of being so selfless and mature. But, he is growing up and with the Lord's help, he will become quite a wonderful young man.

In-Law Question

Okay, so there are bad stories about in-laws out there. I just don't get it! I don't understand in-laws that can't embrace one another and love one another. Heck! I can't understand families who can stop talking to one another completely.

I have some in-laws who believe rumors and have outright told my husband they wish he had never married me. After the fact, they have advised him to divorce me. He recently told me one of his sisters would like to beat me up.

I am no saint. But, I certainly am not EVIL. That is how I feel they think of me.

He is the "baby" of five with his closest sibling being six years older than him. And, all the siblings are female. So, mom is very protective and since he has already experience heartache from someone else leaving, she is even more protective.

But, I have tried to be my true self. They didn't like that I am so "open" about my feelings, opinions or whatever. So, I began guarding myself. Part of the reason I guarded myself to friendships is because our small town ... Well, the grapevine here is much like the old game. I would say something and it would be repeated and twisted until it was the exact opposite of what was really stated. NO friends in town!!! That became my cardinal rule. This family is in too deep with too many people whom I don't know to trust.

But, the hurt I feel over all of this runs pretty deep. I have lived here more than nine years. I have been married to my husband more than eight years. I don't feel like much more than an outsider in the town I live in. Fortunately, I work primarily in another town. But, some of my news stories are in this one and I have had one interview (unknown which one exactly) bite me.

Then, my in-laws think I say these nasty things and I have no way of defending myself.

Is it worth a defense? Or, should I just keep my guard up at all times?

Favorite poem

From a book called Poems That Touch The Heart

This, Too, Shall Pass Away

From an old Indian legend in which a king who suffered many hours of discouragement urged his courtiers to devise a motto, short enough to be engraved on a ring, which should be suitable alike in prosperiety and in adversity. After many suggestions, had been rejected his daughter offered an emerald bearing the inscription in Arabic, "This, too, will pass."
Said the poet:

Whate'er thou art, where'er thy footsteps stray,
Heed these wise words: This, too, shall pass away.
Oh, jewel sentence from the mine of truth!
What riches it contains for age or youth.
No stately epic, measured and sublime,
So comforts, or so counsels, for all time
As these few words. Go write them on your heart
And make them of your daily life a part.
Art thou in misery, brother? Then I pray
Be comforted! Thy grief shall pass away.
Art thou elated? Ah, be not too gay;
Temper thy joy; this, too, shall pass away.
Fame, glory, place and power,
They are but little baubles of the hour.
Thus, be not o'er proud,
Nor yet cast down; judge thou aright;
When skies are clear, expect the cloud;
In darkness, wait the coming light;
Whatever by thy fate today,
Remember, even this, shall pass away!

Adapted by Mr. Alexander from sources including Paul Hamilton Hayne, John Godfrey Saxe, Ella Wheeler Wilcox.

The reason this has stayed with me throughout many years is that I can wallow in my sorrows or I can pick myself up. I can turn to the Lord in times of trouble and pain. Not everything lasts forever, but His love. But, we can be overjoyous and become blindsided when trouble makes its way to our lives. So, there is caution to be had in both the pain and joy. It is all but a moment in our lives and nothing compared to eternity.

The Living Bible says
O my soul, don't be discouraged. Don't be upset. Expect God to act! For I know that I shall again have plenty of reason to praise him for all that he will do. His is my help! He is my God! - Psalm 42:11

So, God is the One we praise in times of joy. He will help us through our times of need. He may use others in our lives to help us. But, it is Him who helps us.

So many times I have tried to rely on my own strength, only to fall further than I already was. When I turned to the Savior, I found myself getting up. He may not have brought me to the "up" that I wanted or desired. He may have done it slower than I wanted Him to. But, He knew what I needed to learn along the way and He knew how long it would take to get to where He wanted me to be.

Today, I reflect on these thoughts and feel renewed in my spirit. I am in awe at His power and His wisdom. I hope others might feel the same. Because if He can use these words for any others to gain hope, He has used me to His glory. How awesome that would be.

Glamour of the Dairy

One wonderful part of working as a reporter is that I work in dairy country. We get to get out and sniff the money in the air, often called "dairy air" or "derriere." Smelling it almost weekly is one thing. I am not squeemish, nor do I mind getting dirty if it is absolutely necessary. But, today, I had the personal experience of being on a dairy, and I feel for the people who live or work there daily. I was interviewing a bovine vet. He was checking the reproductive health of cows that had given birth in the last 60 days, the progress of pregnant cows and the status of cows that have recently been inseminated. NOT a glamour job.

Sparing details, it was enlightening (for lack of a better word). But, that is like life! Some times we just have to get in the muck and manure to get to what is best for us. In this case, the muck and manure brought about a good interview (on which I get to expand tomorrow during further experience with the same vet checking his report card on post surgery cows). And, I have a greater appreciation for what dairy farmers deal with in order to provide the population with milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt and the rest of the dairy family on which we so desperately depend. Those precious nutrients in our dairy products are the result of a lot of hard work and someone getting into the muck and manure for us.

So, we have to sometimes do the same, figuratively speaking, to gain the necessary nutrients for our spiritual lives. It isn't always pleasant. We may not even wish to "go there." But, what we deprive ourselves of is enrichment by avoiding it. An example of this may be visiting a homeless shelter nearby. It might not be a pleasant environment. But, our lives might be enriched by helping those who need that shelter like the vet needs to help the cows who live in the muck.

There are other environments or situations that may not be pleasant. But, facing them may help us to become better people and more of what God wants us to become. Perhaps we may not gain from the experience as much as someone else might through our witness.

Something to think about anyway ...

God Is Good

My editor is pleased with my most recent photos. One I posted last Thursday in my blog about Joy. Today's issue had two more photos he was very pleased with. So, I am progressing in my writing and my photography skills. LOL.

God keeps giving me the ability to learn quickly. Now, I need to sit and write some more to my story. But, the story of my life continues to be the gift God has been showing me gets better with time.

He does that ... surprises us with how much He has granted us in our abilities and helps us to see what we are afraid to see in ourselves. He pushes us to be better and for that I am eternally grateful.

He has been so good to me!!

May He be so good to you!!

Word of the Day: Joy

Joy – There are many ways one can express it. There are many ways one might feel it.

Today, joy seems to be the theme. I wrote an opinion column for tomorrow’s Daily Sun News about joy being an attitude. Don’t know if the editor will keep my title. But, I do believe one can become filled with joy on a dark day.

The Bible has many verses about Joy.
The young women will dance for joy, and the men-old and young-will join in the celebration.
I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them and exchange their sorrow for rejoicing. – Jer. 31:13

God wishes for us to turn to Him so he might turn even the darkest moments into joy. It is our choice to be comforted by Him. It is our choice to change our circumstances.

L’Allegro by John Milton
Hence, loathed Melancholy
Of Cerberus and blackest Midnight born
In Stygian cave forlorn,
‘Mongst horrid shapes and shrieks and sights unholy!
Find out some uncouth cell,
Where brooding Darkness spreads his jealous wings
And the night-raven sings;
There under ebon shades and low-browed rocks,
As ragged as thy locks,
In dark Cimmerian desert ever dwell.

This sonnet has 152 lines about overcoming Satan and Hades with Allegro (Joy). Unfortunately, because the sonnet is about Orpheus’ love for Eurydice and the joy she brought him, Orpheus went as far as to go to Hades in search of her when she died. It is a sonnet, which I intend to study more deeply.

My daughter brought me some Lily of the Valley from my flower beds. She called them her “Joy Flowers.” She said they bring her much happiness. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could all find joy as easily?

The above picture illustrates a child's joy. I took the photo yesterday for today's issue of the Daily Sun News.

Wisdom

I certainly am not the wisest person on the land, however I think there is some wisdom in this head of mine. It is wisdom learned through experience (the hard way most of the time) and wisdom gained through others. But, the greatest wisdom I can find is in the Bible. How many times have we needed wisdom in our lives? How many times have we relied on ourselves? I can raise both hands and honestly say I have failed at accepting the wisdom of our Father many times throughout my "short" life.

Today's verse, which I landed upon by merely asking God what He wanted me to share is: Wisdom is enshrined in in an understanding heart; wisdom is not found among fools. - Prov. 14:33

I try to fashion myself as someone with an understanding heart. But, I know I cannot do it alone.

May God Bless you as you seek His wisdom.