The Olympics: Chasing the Possible Dream

I'm loving the Olympics. I stay up way past my bedtime and finally force myself to walk away from the splendor on the screen. I wake up and recall the events from the night before and anticipate the upcoming events.

I would love to be there in person - to experience the energy racing through the crowds. Wow.  I get chills observing the pride on people's faces as they listen and sing their national anthems, waving their countries' flags.

These athletes are the best of the best. What a crowd to 'hang' with. I've been impressed by the dignity and respect the participants and spectators show each other. There may be language barriers, cultural differences, but they have earned the honor of being there and are there for one purpose. . . to do their best and hopefully, carry home the 'gold'.

I found myself cheering for the Chinese figure skating couples, the two who are married, as well as the couple who skated to "The Impossible Dream". I admired their coach who grew through earlier humiliation in his career. He now represents the finest figure skaters in the world. I clapped for the German figure skaters, performing to the music, "Bring in the Clowns".

It doesn't matter where they are from. They are talented and have perfected their craft. I watched the winners as their eyes lit up, their countries' flags raised above the others'. I felt pride in the United States when our flag was raised high, victory ours.

 Over 80 countries are participating in the Olympics including:  Iran, Israel, North Korea, South Korea, The United States, China, Japan, Germany, Norway, among others. Some countries that otherwise, do not have amicable relationships.

 Those participating in the Olympics have common ground. They have their own stories of struggle and triumph. Young athletes with goals, aspirations. They want to present themselves and their countries in a positive light and do their best. There is strength in that. There is dignity and acceptance.

Ray Stevens sang, "Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world; red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world." The Dave Clark Five sang - "Come on you people now, Smile on your brother, try to love one another right now."

If we could only live that way.... all the time.

A love story

                                                           

He loves me. I don't know why, but he does. I wasn't very nice to him for the longest time.
My friends first told me about him...sure I'd seen him, but so what? Yeah, he was nice and all, but I truly wasn't interested. When, I'd give him a chance, he'd talk to me and I'd be polite. Otherwise, he'd smile and say hello and keep his distance. But, if I ever gave him the time of day, he'd want to spend time with me - and I really didn't want that.

We could be friends. Why wasn't he happy with that? My friends told me he really wanted to get to know me better. I wondered why this guy wouldn't give it up. I'd go out with other guys and if I happened to see him, he'd give me that look. The one that says, 'I wish you'd just give me a chance.' I hated that.

I didn't want to be rude; but he wasn't my type and I didn't know why he didn't see that. We were as different as night and day. My interests - my hobbies, my music, my friends...just about everything.

Then, I noticed little notes tucked here and there. Then there were flowers. Oh my....what was I going to do? Once in a while he'd call and I'd visit for a little bit, so as not to be rude. I'd thank him for the flowers and notes and tell him that maybe it wasn't a good idea. It didn't matter. He'd just keep right on - flowers, notes, things he knew I liked.

I didn't know what to do...so I kept on dating, thinking maybe he'd finally get the hint. My friends told me, he'd said he loved me and he always would. "How is that possible? He doesn't even know me, really," was my response to my 'messenger' friends. They'd just shrug. They were just the messengers.

'Funny thing. My friends knew him and thought a lot of him, but they never pressured me by saying I needed to give him a chance. They were just the messengers. I appreciated that.

Then, one day I was alone...just sitting in the shade of a tree. I was thinking about him and wondered why I wouldn't give him a chance.  From everything I'd heard, it seemed like he was pretty wonderful.

About that time, he walked over to where I was. It was like I was seeing him for the first time. Like I'd been waiting for him all my life. He smiled at me and said, "Yes, you have been waiting for me, all your life, and I've been here all the time."

Yes, he is wonderful - more awesome than anything! We have everything in common, now. He loves me no matter what. He loves me unconditionally. He has always loved me. He has loved me with an everlasting love.

Thanks Punxsutawney Phil!

Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog, saw his shadow this morning. We best be prepared. Don't think about putting winter apparel in storage quite yet. Leave the shovels and snow blowers in convenient spots and by all means, don't plant gardens or uncover the air conditioner. According to Punxsutawney Phil we are in for six more weeks of winter.

Seriously?

 Do we really believe it's up to ol' Mr. Groundhog? When I was in grade school, I remember hearing about Groundhog Day on the radio - when my mom was driving me to school. I didn't ask any questions.

But imagine the thoughts that ran through my young mind. A groundhog? I had never seen one and imagined just that - a ground 'hog'. I thought he must live in a big burrow and have a time of it, trying to get out to let us know what weather we would encounter for the next six weeks. I wondered if he sat in his recliner eating nuts or smoking his pipe, the second day of February wondering...'should I or shouldn't I? It's up to me. All I have to do is step outside my burrow.' I used to wonder how scientific the appearance of a groundhog was. I  thought it was amazing that grown-ups believed a groundhog was predicting the weather. (Ah, the mind of a child).

People all over America (and elsewhere) await the appearance of the groundhog. If he doesn't see his shadow, there are exuberant shouts, "Spring is in the air!" If he sees his shadow, it's "Bah, six more weeks of winter."

We are funny people. We want a reason to celebrate and a reason to complain. Leave it up to a groundhog named Punxsutawny Phil to make sure we have something to talk about. (Hmmm.... could it be that our weathermen/meteorologists anticipate the second day of February to be able to rest from taking the blame for the weather for six weeks each year?)

What would happen if Mr. Groundhog went on strike and decided not come out for his usual holiday? Think about it. With all the publicity, he hasn't gotten any great perks for his appearances!  After all, he still lives in that burrow.

Have you ever been in one of life's ruts?

I've been in a rut. It's not like I have been depressed and distressed. It's just one of those 'ruts' where I have felt kind of disconnected...not really from anything in particular, just a feeling in general.That is, until today.

I took my Writer's Magazine to the gym with me. It was exactly what I needed. (We do have a gym in our small community and it is actually quite nice).  I had my water bottle, and my magazine. I was the only one in the cardio room...that's what I call the room with the treadmills, elliptical machines and bikes.  I changed channels from 9 News on the TV to a Soul Station (purely accidental - I just click till I find music I like). I got on the treadmill, set it to uphill and began my trek. I read, listened to music and hiked. When I finished there I got on a bike...set my magazine in a place on the screen, drank some water and began pedaling.

During my 'bicycling', as I was listening to "House of Clowns" I realized I was enjoying myself, immensely. I thought to myself, 'how much better can it get?' I was listening to music, and reading - two of my favorite hobbies - and I was working out at the same time (working out is something I need to do...maybe it will become another favorite hobby in time).

While in the 'rut' I didn't feel like I had anything to say about anything. I was telling myself, 'everybody's heard everything there is to say'. I didn't think I had any inspiring wisdom to lend to anyone. \

However, reading the articles while I 'hiked' and pedaled, filled me with hope for myself. I worked myself right out of the rut!

Number one: Ruts happen. The article said to keep writing anyway and gave some helpful hints on motivation and imagination.
Number two: Maintain proper perspective. While in a rut, things seem mundane. Keep writing anyway, it said. Write and write and write.
Number three: Don't give up.Don't stop. Keep writing. Write through. 
One, two, three...simple steps. I should've known them on my own. But, I lost perspective.  I needed a boost.

Sometimes we need a boost....just because.

'Reminded me of words from a Bob Dylan song, 'The only thing I know to do is to keep on keeping on.' I can say to myself, 'When I've done all to write, I need to write and write some more'! Words of wisdom - Press on.

I'm ready, now. I was energized by my trip to the gym. Who would've thought?! I found a perfect place to study - a place of solitude and refreshing! I learned a lot at the gym, today. I can't wait until tomorrow.

I am so in awe of You. Words can't express how I feel. You are altogether glorious. You are Almighty God. You held me when I felt so alone. You gave me new Life. You took the ashes of my life and gave me dancing and joy.

Oh, my Lord. You raise me up in the morning and I praise You for a new day. I am grateful for everyday. There were days when darkness closed in and You came, and the Son overcame the darkness filling me with hope.  You have filled my life with good things. My life is renewed daily. In You, I am eternally grateful.
Will I dance and shout Your name? Yes! I will proclaim the wonders of my God. I will not be ashamed but will pronouce that Jesus is my Lord. 

There is no other name under heaven  to whom  I will bow, no, only Jesus is Lord. He has taken chains of bondage and He has set me free! Chains are broken and thrown into the sea of forgetfulness.

Lord, it is glorious to follow You. No matter what ....though the mountains fall into the oceans....I will bless Your name, Abba, Father.

You are my Father. In You I trust. In You I have rest. In You I have victory. Oh, the Love You have shown me. I cannot repay. I cannot.   Yet, You Love...
You sent Jesus, the Word of Love. Because of Him, I live.

You are worthy...so worthy of my praise. I praise You for who You are. You have shown Yourself strong on my behalf. Over and over and over....You have shown Yourself faithful.  You are my Faithful Father.

Thank You. Thank You. Thank You. Yes, it is all new every morning.  The greatness of Your love and the wonder of Your greatness. I will ever be grateful. Amen and so be it.

I have a dream

Ok, 'where do I go from here?' The way seems dim, the path, unclear. Yesterday was all mapped out; the future seemed bright. Then, life took a turn, and nothing remained the same. Absolutely nothing. Not only is everything different, it is horrible, dark and lonely.

Joseph went through times like that - Joseph, as in the coat of many colors. Jacob's favorite son. Jacob made him a special coat. God spoke to him in dreams about his brothers bowing down and serving him. Joseph had a bright future ahead of him.  And then it happened.

His brothers were jealous of him and wanted him dead.
They threw him in a pit and sold him into slavery, later leading their father to believe he was dead
He was bought by Ishmaelites who then sold him to Potipher
He was falsely accused of raping Potipher's wife - when she was the one who was after him
He was put in prison  for the crime he didn't commit
He spent years separated from his father, from his family

He  felt horrible, alone and in the dark. "God, You said all these wonderful things were going to happen to me. What is going on?" 

'Been there! Well, I haven't been in a literal prison. I haven't been accused of crimes. But, I have been in that place of darkness and loneliness. I have been falsely accused and misunderstood. I have felt separated from those I love. I have felt like the dreams I had, flitted away like feathers in the breeze. There have been times when I felt like I was in the bottom of the pit. Yet,in those hours, those dark and lonely hours, I knew who I belonged to.
I knew, and  I know that I know that I know. Those seeds planted in my heart, dreams put there by Almighty God, will happen. The  God who was with Joseph is my God.

After being in Egypt for 20 years, working with Pharaoh and storing food for a time of famine, Joseph witnessed his dreams. Joseph's brothers  came for assistance.They didn't recognize him, but Joseph knew them immediately.  They didn't know this man, equal to Pharaoh, who they were bowing down to, was their brother.

Joseph was in the right place, at the right time. He made a difference in Egypt. He made a difference in his family and was there to deliver them - it was the stuff his dreams were made of. It was the dreams his God had given him, many years before.

The story of Joseph....
 I think of it when things go awry in my life. When things don't go the way I think they should. I turn my eyes to my God. He is the keeper of my dreams.  I can continue in what I know to do, working and occupying; remaining focused on Him, until that day, that fine day, when dreams come true. And they will. 

New Year's Resolutions!!

New Year's resolutions. Yes,I will! No,I won't! This year I really will. I am so serious this time. Work out, eat less, spend less, work more, work less. Read more, play less, no smoke, no drink, lose weight, be nice, break up. I resolve. I WILL keep these resolutions. I AM DETERMINED AND I WILL NOT FAIL!

Intentions are good. Our minds are made up. We have never been more serious.
We are hyped and do well for a time. Then, our wagon hits a bump and we fall off.
"No big deal,I can do this. I'll just get back on, tomorrow." We may or may not get back on tomorrow, or the day after, or the day after that.

Oh well. It's human nature. We only live once. What's the big deal, anyway? I'll start again later. When our neighbor,(remember...the one we told about working out faithfully) asks, "How's it going?" We think she's being nosy and it's none of her business, anyway. Defenses go up as we huff into our house with a twelve pack of Cherry Pepsi and a box of Twinkies.

I am just as guilty as anyone. As I listened to others talk about resolutions, laughing about how long they would last, I wondered why it's so difficult to be faithful, longterm.

Resolution: a determination or resolve; to be determined to do something..firmness of purpose. There was a firmness in purpose. But, there was that determination every year.

How could this year be different?

I listened to a minister speak at a New Year's Eve service. The emphasis was committing to the things of God in 2010. 'Good idea..good resolution for the new year, I thought.

What about commitment? Commitment:loyalty, devotion,dedication.

I can make a resolution to change some aspect of my life for the New Year. I can do it. I can grit my teeth, pinch myself and make myself sick doing it. But,I can do it - for a time. Some have more tenacity than others and can stay miserable longer.
Commitment is deeper. Commitment takes a heart decision-remaining loyal. Loyalty is more binding than resolve.

In all my resolve, I fall short, feel guilty and give up.
When all my resolve caved in, is when I made a commitment to Jesus. All the resolve didn't change a thing. Committing my life to Jesus made all the difference! He came in and became what I needed.

Sometimes, I just don't have the ability in myself alone, but, with Jesus as my strength - all things are possible!

Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ, Who is my strength."

Number one commitment - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path." (Proverbs 3:5)"Commit your way to the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass." (Psalm 37:5)

2010 - BEGIN AGAIN!