A New Year

 My New Year's was nothing grand, yet, I was able to stay awake past midnight, something I haven't done in quite a while. I was watching a movie as the New Year came in, and I was mindful of the fast approaching midnight. I received a few text messages from friends, smiling and replying to them with wishes for the upcoming new year. I didn't give much thought to it until a few days later, and it was during Sunday Service that I began to ponder this brand new year and to question myself, as I always do, about the changes I am going to make for myself. We had a great message from our Pastor that morning, and surprisingly, at our new building dedication, the guest speaker used the same title for the message. And it has me thinking, as I am always doing, silently pondering within my mind and heart. The message title was no other than, " What is it that God is Requiring of Me This Year?"  It was a pretty simple message, and the things that stuck out in my simple mind, was the main things that both of these minister's touched upon, God wants my Love, Obedience, and Attention. How often though does he get those three things from me, and is it with my whole heart and devotion to him that I give it? 

  To answer those things, I have to take a long look at my relationship with my God and say, that I try very hard to be obedient, I do love him, and I try to give him my attention, but sadly, it isn't with my whole being I do those things, but it also isn't because I am trying to impress someone with my religious life that I do any or one of those things. I do it, simply because I need Him in my life. I need his word to start off my day, to reinforce that I am to serve him and love him, and that I am to read his word to map my life according to his.  I need quiet time with him, and my time is early in the morning before anyone is awake in my house, before the lights shine so bright in the kitchen, before my folks coffee pot brews, before the radio is turned on, or the TV set comes on, just so that I may read a few passages in the quiet semi still hours before all gets busy. I try to pray each day before  I leave, and I try to remember those in need. I pray for protection for my family, and I thank Him every day for giving me another precious day. I never know what is in store, but I can face it with the knowledge that God loves me, and is with me no matter where I go. 

 So I may not do things exactly the way I should, but sometimes I am reminded that He isn't through with me just yet. I am still a work in progress. Thank goodness. :) 

To Text or Not to Text.?

I hear all sorts of conversations about text messaging, "why do you like to waste your time pushing buttons to get your words sent instead calling someone." "Or why do you want to do something that seems so inpersonal?"
Whether it's impersonal or not, I like text messaging. I like it simply because it is another form of writting. I like it because sometimes you don't want your phone conversations heard, so silent typing keeps your words from being heard. Yeah, I have to admitt, it's not as personal as hearing a voice on the other end of the phone but, those little messages popping up on the face of my phone pretty exciting and I can't wait to read what is behind that little screent that displays you have a new text message.
I still like to pick up the phone and hear my best friend's voice. It makes my day to hear the voice of my friend, or to see that someone has sent me a text message that says, Happy Birthday.
From my earlier posting, I stated my verbal skills were lacking, somewhat, and so texting is happy times for me. Just as I am typing this blog here now, which I love to write, and I wonder to myself, why I don't do more of it outside my cell phone. ? So.. here I am, typing these blogs, in hopes someone might find them that can relate to my words. I hope so.
But even if no one does, it's ok.. I can read from them and learn something I hope.

Until next time... :O)

What Dad thought

My dad was a pretty strict guy, he thought that kids should be seen rather than heard. And though I don't have children of my own, I seem to think along those lines as well.
And so, upon being in the presence of many youngsters today, I hear a lot of kids rather than seeing them only. They scream, loudly. They make all sorts of noise that is not always pleasant upon my ears. Yet, I know kids today do not have the rules that I had as a child. At dinner, if we sat at the table, and we mostly did, the only time we were allowed to talk, was if my father or my mother asked a question. Only then, could we speak. Harsh? Maybe so. But, it taught me, that I was to be quiet during times I wanted to be noisy. It taught me to repect wishes of others, even if I protested silently within my heart.

So, do I think that kids should not be allowed to speak at dinner time? No, I believe in hearty discussion at the dinner table. I love to hear my niece's talk about all that is going on in their lives when we get to eat together.

Do I think that kids should have rules? Most certainly. Yet, I don't think parents today understand their roles well enough to carry them out. They are not consistant with their kids, they don't have the concern that when they punish their kids they should be there to ensure that that punishment is carried out.

Simple rules make life bearable:

1. What you open, close.
2. What you borrow, put it back.
3. Everything has a place, not just where you lay it down.
4. Respect things that are not yours, and others will repect your things as well.
5. Make your bed everyday, it makes your room look neat, even if it isn't. Amazing concept.
6. Clean up after yourself, if you make a mess, don't leave it for someone else.
7. Keep in mind, you are not the only person who lives in your home, life doesn't revolve around you.

Being mindful of simple yet, respectful rules can make all homes happy homes.
Or at least I think so. And that is why I created this blog. I hope you enjoy it.

I feel though that the repression of speech from my dad made me repress other things as well. Though I learned lessons from his no talking at the dinner table, I was also dejected as well. I didn't learn to communicate verbally very well. Though I loved to talk, I was very shy with people I didn't know. I don't blame my dad really, but he didn't help me by requesting that we not speak during dinner. I learned at a early age to repress feelings, and it has taken a long hard road to reverse it. I still to this day, would rather write, Ha , than talk. Which brings me to another subject some other time.. Text Messaging. Oh the joys.
Until then,
Take care.