It has been a week since the storm of life came in and took over our state. Many of us are still in a daze, a haze of what to do next. Before I address the title, I would like to share a story.
Last Tuesday I was on my way to my weight lose facility in Forestdale. I usually travel the same path to destinations, because like my brother and father, I am direction challenged. Yet, for some reason, I decided to to take a scenic route. I was leaving Bessemer, so I went through Hueytown and made a right at Rock Creek Road in Concord. I have dear friends who live on this stretch of road, but I can rarely navigate to there home. This day I had no problem. I saw my friend on the riding mower and prayed for him and his family. Days before I felt melancholy and cried often without cause. On this day I road silently up Rock Creek Road and prayed. I eventually got to Birmingport Road and turned right. I turned on the radio to WZZK and each song was a song of inspiration and love for family and friends, I felt an unimaginable peace. I finally arrived at the road, I can not name that leads to Minor HIgh School and made a left, then on to Forestdale.
The very next day, the storm took that path and I am so glad I appreciated the view just the day before, and I didn't really know where I was.
I only suffered a few days power outage, but I toss and turn nightly asking God how can I help. Well, each of us knows someone who was directly affected by the storm, help them whenever and however you can. If each one helps one, healing will occur exponentially. If you don't know anyone personally, make a monetary or in kind donation, but most of all continue to pray for the families. Don't let your support be for a season, for it will be many seasons before our neighbors will feel whole and strong again, it will happen, but it will take time.
On Saturday I sat on my front porch and back porch, something I forgot to do, 'cause I just didn't want to be bothered, but how blessed I am to be able to do so and the little boy who lives behind me, who used to vex my nerves with that loud music doesn't seem so bad anymore. Saturday morning, when he saw me enjoying the clear sky and the birds singing, he turned down his music and waved to me and in our own way we thanked God for another day.
God Speed to Pleasant Grove, Pratt City, Concord, Tuscaloosa and all the cities, towns and municipalities in temporary disaray. I say temporary, because God can and will restore and make it better than new.
And to Chris Coleman, our radio voice of enthusiam and support, we miss you and look forward to hearing you soon, your seeds are planted in rich soil...
Now, Pass it on.... PAY IT FORWARD
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Cheating Yourself, Seriously?!
So, I need to lose about 50 pounds. I enrolled in a weight lose program directed by a physician. I am enjoying the process and the nurses are nice. I am on a 1200 calorie a day meal plan. The first week was difficult, but I am learning how to mix and measure the six meals I eat a day.
This process got me to thinking about cheating. I was given a wealth of material to teach me how and what to eat and one day I thought, I'll just have this one cookie, it can't hurt. Then I thought, if I cheat at the diet I chose, what does that say about me? I would only be cheating myself.
If you cheat yourself no one else has a chance. Why would You cheat YOU? Ridiculous right? Well I am sure people do it everyday.
At the end of the day, when all is said and done, our integrity and name is all we have. When the obituary is written and your name is signed to the roll, will the comments be, that person could never be trusted or what a good and faithful servant.
This process got me to thinking about cheating. I was given a wealth of material to teach me how and what to eat and one day I thought, I'll just have this one cookie, it can't hurt. Then I thought, if I cheat at the diet I chose, what does that say about me? I would only be cheating myself.
If you cheat yourself no one else has a chance. Why would You cheat YOU? Ridiculous right? Well I am sure people do it everyday.
- Ever play solitaire with cards, real cards, not the computer, if you cheated, you cheated yourself, it's called solitaire.
- Ever looked on someone else's paper while taking a test, that's an answer you could have known yourself and one that may keep from getting something you need, like a job, you cheated yourself.
- Ever skip a class when you were in school? Learning continued, but you missed out, you cheated yourself.
At the end of the day, when all is said and done, our integrity and name is all we have. When the obituary is written and your name is signed to the roll, will the comments be, that person could never be trusted or what a good and faithful servant.
Recommendation
Need a good, solid weight lose program? Try Weigh To Live at American Family Care. It's safe, reliable, affordable and friendly. To set an appointment or consultation call 545-9258, if in Alabama or go to the American Family Care website.
Thought for your children: Childhood is like winter, sometimes it can be brutally cold, but it will never last long.
Now, pass it on.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
The Reflection is YOU
It is natural for us to get more and want more, but is wanting more necessary when we don't take care of what we already have?
Every thing we do is a reflection of and on us and will determine how people view and treat us.
If your occupation is to paint homes and the homes you've painted look like a blind person could have done better, unemployment is a sure bet. And when your customers are asked who depreciated their home, they'll give your name, thus that jobs speaks a thousand words about you, none of which are, come work for me.
Before I do or purchase anything I always ask myself if I can afford the time it will take to engage the project and or can I afford the upkeep and maintenance, if the answer is no, I leave it alone, until I can do better. Believe me this widow knows drowning in responsibility and LIFE guards are scarce,,,, just a thought.
If you've made or have a love connection, on the morning after head to:
Another Broken Egg
http://www.anotherbrokenegg.com/
It's quaint, cute and a bed and breakfast atmosphere, just right for sweet beginnings, check it out, kids are welcome too.
Ta Ta and now, pass it on.
- You finally purchase that dream home, but you neglect to clean or maintain it, i.e, landscaping, pressure washing, securing eaves, etc., does that make sense?
- Just bought that top of the line, show room car, yet you don't wash it and you drive it like a pick up truck, what's the point?
- Bought the Prada bag and shoes or Gucci something and you treat these high dollar items like a flea market buy?
Every thing we do is a reflection of and on us and will determine how people view and treat us.
If your occupation is to paint homes and the homes you've painted look like a blind person could have done better, unemployment is a sure bet. And when your customers are asked who depreciated their home, they'll give your name, thus that jobs speaks a thousand words about you, none of which are, come work for me.
Before I do or purchase anything I always ask myself if I can afford the time it will take to engage the project and or can I afford the upkeep and maintenance, if the answer is no, I leave it alone, until I can do better. Believe me this widow knows drowning in responsibility and LIFE guards are scarce,,,, just a thought.
Today's Recommendation
If you've made or have a love connection, on the morning after head to:
Another Broken Egg
http://www.anotherbrokenegg.com/
It's quaint, cute and a bed and breakfast atmosphere, just right for sweet beginnings, check it out, kids are welcome too.
Ta Ta and now, pass it on.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
What Makes A King
I know so many good men who have the potential to be Kings or who have been abdicated of the title. There are great men who miss the mark of kings men, due to minor circumstances that seem insurmountable. A king is one who is supreme in a class or field. Most fathers are kings in the eyes of their wife and children. Businessmen, creators, physicians, peacemakers, peace takers, theologians and orators can all be kings.
All men fall within one of the categories, so why are not all men kings? The choices made. The males wondering the streets can spin a tale of woe and dismay that span the gamut from a faulty childhood to the unsympathetic supervisor.
It is often said that behind every great man is a good woman be it the mother, sister, aunt or spouse fanning the flames of encouragement, support and unconditional love. Those who color themselves to kings with no kingdom purport that they can do it alone and need no one, then alone wallow in obscurity and doubt.
My father was an abdicated king. To my mother, brother and me he was supreme. Superiority went to his head and he abused the title and privileges bestowed. We thought life could not exist without him and later found that life was dead with him. His kingdom crumbled and we were left to establish a new colony and encourage, support and love the kings' prince in the hopes that he would choose well and be seated at the throne.
My father, the abdicated king, wondered the globe and became one of the "I remember when..." paupers sharing memories of life as a king with all who cared to listen.
So what makes a king... a good and faithful queen be she mother, sister, wife or daughter.
Some kingdoms suffer at the hand of poor decisions and or unsuitable mates at any rate a King requires a Queen and the Queen should exemplify the qualities of Proverbs 31:10-31. For a queen minus a king has a superficial reign.
My brother is now a king and he can be read at
onefathersperspective.blogspot.com
All men fall within one of the categories, so why are not all men kings? The choices made. The males wondering the streets can spin a tale of woe and dismay that span the gamut from a faulty childhood to the unsympathetic supervisor.
It is often said that behind every great man is a good woman be it the mother, sister, aunt or spouse fanning the flames of encouragement, support and unconditional love. Those who color themselves to kings with no kingdom purport that they can do it alone and need no one, then alone wallow in obscurity and doubt.
My father was an abdicated king. To my mother, brother and me he was supreme. Superiority went to his head and he abused the title and privileges bestowed. We thought life could not exist without him and later found that life was dead with him. His kingdom crumbled and we were left to establish a new colony and encourage, support and love the kings' prince in the hopes that he would choose well and be seated at the throne.
My father, the abdicated king, wondered the globe and became one of the "I remember when..." paupers sharing memories of life as a king with all who cared to listen.
So what makes a king... a good and faithful queen be she mother, sister, wife or daughter.
Some kingdoms suffer at the hand of poor decisions and or unsuitable mates at any rate a King requires a Queen and the Queen should exemplify the qualities of Proverbs 31:10-31. For a queen minus a king has a superficial reign.
My brother is now a king and he can be read at
onefathersperspective.blogspot.com
Saturday, March 26, 2011
It Really Is A Wonderful Life
Like everyone I love the movie, It's A Wonderful Life. Jimmy Stewart's character feels trapped in other peoples life and dreams and becomes disillusioned when he realizes all that he has fought and sacrificed for may be lost.
We all feel that way sometimes. We feel taken for granted, unappreciated or caught in a web, not of our making. Well, I have learned to channel my inner Clarence, the angel in the movie, and imagine what life would be like had I never been born.
I challenge you to be bold enough to ask yourself this question. There is someone in your life who wants only your answers to their questions; the way you live, love and share would not have been a wish to someone in need. You've changed the world more than you know, accept it, appreciate it and embrace it.
Your heart may be heavy today, but what a widow knows is that today may look bleak, but tomorrow is a new day with promises, praise and another chance to succeed or fail.
Keep your head up in public, sob uncontrollably in private, thank God and ask for his will to be done all day and everyday. And then when it gets too big you can shake it off, wash your face and suck it up, 'cause rain or sun, it's all God and A Wonderful Life.
Now, Pass It On
We all feel that way sometimes. We feel taken for granted, unappreciated or caught in a web, not of our making. Well, I have learned to channel my inner Clarence, the angel in the movie, and imagine what life would be like had I never been born.
I challenge you to be bold enough to ask yourself this question. There is someone in your life who wants only your answers to their questions; the way you live, love and share would not have been a wish to someone in need. You've changed the world more than you know, accept it, appreciate it and embrace it.
Your heart may be heavy today, but what a widow knows is that today may look bleak, but tomorrow is a new day with promises, praise and another chance to succeed or fail.
Keep your head up in public, sob uncontrollably in private, thank God and ask for his will to be done all day and everyday. And then when it gets too big you can shake it off, wash your face and suck it up, 'cause rain or sun, it's all God and A Wonderful Life.
Now, Pass It On
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