Make YOU WANT TO HOLLER

Make YOU WANT TO HOLLER and Throw up your hands (subtitled and give them a big HUG)

Matthew 10:14  If any household or town refuses to welcome you or listen to your message, shake its dust from your feet as you leave.

 

Bless the words that are coming from my fingers may they be acceptable to your sight oh My Lord, my strength and my redemmer.

It’s funny when people type in capital letters (going forward capital letters will be written as caps – just a heads up)  that means they are yelling.  I never knew that’s what it meant and one day I got an email back actually my entire office got an email, advising that we should be mindful of using all capitals in an email because it could be taken by the reader as offensive and that they were being yelled at.  Who knew.  As you know grammar and spelling are not a big part of my writing gift, but I always thought that an exclamation mark was the indicator of emotion.  Who knew!?

Our expectations of customer service, communication and well just acting proper seem to have changed over the past few years.  Or I’m just getting older and wiser and I just expect good manners, no matter which side of the fence your mowing.   

 Have you ever stood in line and been amazed at the interaction that is taking place before you.  Either the cashier has an attitude or the customer has an attitude, but you can quickly tell that your long time in line is about to get longer, because bad attitudes usually tend to slow the process down. 

One day I was at Chick-fil-A, one of my favorite fast food places.  They have got the absolute best chicken salad if you’re into that.  The lady a few folks ahead of me asked for a  specialty order (clearly she thought she was at Burger King and wanted it her way).  She requested some type of sandwich, but with some alterations.  The cashier, a young gentleman who couldn’t have been over 16, I’m sure, explained quite calmly that he was unable to do this.  The woman raised her voice a bit, she wasn’t at the all capitals volume but each word definitely began with a capital letter as she said, “ I Always Get My Sandwich Like This.”  The cashier  explained calmly again that he was really (he actually said really!) sorry that he was unable to make the sandwich this way.  The woman now went into all caps  mode.  MY SANDWHICH IS ALWAYS LIKE THIS AND I NEVER HAVE ANY PROBLEMS – SO JUST MAKE THE SANDWHICH AND THEY CHARGE ME LIKE IT WAS AND SHE POINTED TO A SANDWICH AND AMOUNT UP ON THE BOARD.

Ok at this point I wanted to tackle this lady (in a bless her heart way of course), because I felt she was just mean and was taking up my lunch time as well as messing up the good vibe Chick-fil-A has that always makes me smile.  Fortunately, I wasn’t the cashier.  I lack certain graces.  This young man maintained his composure did not roll his eyes, suck his teeth or in any way show utter irritation, like I had.  Oh yeah I’m rolling my eyes and  sucking my teeth at the back of the line.

Finally the lady STOMPED off.  With no food muttering to herself , about how it didn’t make any since and she wasn’t coming back anymore.

The cashier took the next person in line smiled and asked how he could help them.  He didn’t change his attitude he didn’t even looked flushed.  He had mentally shook the dust off from that customer and went on his way to his next customer.  This particular Chick fil-A is known for its outstanding customer service and the manager says when he interviews for positions he looks for people with good character and outstanding courtesy.  Well let me tell you, he did a great job in picking this man.   

I try really hard in my job to provide stellar customer service, but sometimes I allow other people’s attitudes to melt away my good efforts and BAM!  I’m angry not just at the person who I allowed to control my feelings, but pretty much at anyone who calls or I have to deal with after them, for at least an hour until I can get it together! (getting it together usually involves prayer and some intervening rants)

So this young man probably half my age taught me a wonderful lesson.  Always stay true to who you are, don’t let anyone’s actions cause you to treat other people differently or even the person who started working your nerves  for that matter. 

I’m a work in progress (or a piece of work) and some days well I’m a downright hot mess, but lessons are all around us and every now and again I learn to be a better human.  So thank you God for the LESSON and Chick fil-A for the great lunch and great service.   

LESSON: BE KIND EVEN WHEN OTHERS AREN’T (YES – I’M YELLING THIS)

So as they say at my Chick fi-A – Have a blessed day! 

I met a great guy Once (Subtitlted - And No it wasn't online)

I met a great guy once (subtitled and no it wasn’t on line)

Jeremiah 29:11  ¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 

Believe it or not I met a guy once.  And it was the old fashioned way.  There were no user names involved or questionnaires.  I was hanging out with a friend and we decided to walk around in downtown Washington District of Columbia (going forward Washington District of Columbia – will be referred to as DC or possibly Chocolate City I’m not sure yet) , which for the record can be one of the most amazing and beautiful cities at night (contrary to news reports – nobody tried to rob me, beat me  or sell me drugs) 

Downtown DC is almost magical at night.  Not magic kingdom magical but there is an energy that you can feel all around you when you are there.  I always joked that it took my breath away that at nights  on the way to a club or girls night dinner that we would ride right past the white house and on the way home depending on my route and traffic I could either drive past the Washington Capital building or the FBI building. 

This night though I really wasn’t feeling the club that we had selected, but had no desire to head home at 9 o’clock (Yes I know that the clubs don’t get started until after 11pm, but even in my youth I was grown and chose rest over clubs usually – in less it was reggae but that is another blog all together). 

This particular night my friend and I strolled up the sidewalk to DuPont Circle, which is a well known landmark in DC.  There is a beautiful fountain in the center and many people converge to play chess.

Now this is where the story gets conflicting, because I still stand on the fact that he picked me up and not the other way around and that is the story I will tell my daughter (fine our daughter)  All and all the elements were just right for our meeting.  The elements included my very cute summer dress and wedge heels and for him (dread) locs, which is one of my favorite things.  (I’m a Rasta girl).  Anyway I pretended (wait that’s the wrong word).  I entertained the idea of learning how to play chess with this loc wearing man and here comes the lesson.

He explained chess in a way that in all these years later I still have not forgotten.  He said the pawns are children, the king is the head of the household.  And the Queen well she can do anything.  The Knights and Rooks were uncles.  I don’t remember what the bishops were (maybe he’ll comment and remind me)  All and all the game was about strategy and how to protect your family.  (Needless to say he got my number that night, because his explanation of the game was the best pick up line I had heard in a long time! – I mean come on he acknowledged my royal qualities, with that the Queen she can do anything)

Every now and again I feel like life is a big chess game and God is playing Himself and I’m just getting moved around like a pawn.  Today though God spoke to me (I told you He and I talk, so don’t get weird on me now) and he reminded me I’m not a pawn, I may act “pawnish” sometimes but to Him – I am a Queen he explained he protects, me through his Word and through our conversations (prayer).  He positioned me for a future and a hope.  He is the King and although sometimes it seems like so much else can be scarified for him, it is his desire to stand guard and to protect.  Check Mate doesn’t mean I loose.  God is playing both sides.  It isn’t a me versus Him – It’s a God and I versus the Universe! I am not just a piece in the game I am worth protecting.  I am worth laying your life down for (and isn’t that what he did, through Jesus)

So Game Won Baby!  I’ve got the Chess Master on my side.

Put your game face on!!!

La Familia (I hope I'm saying that right!)

Subtitled – oh wait you can’t hear me can you & one special shout out to Red!

 

Romans 12:9 - Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

Romans 13:10 - Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

(I couldn’t help it this called for two verses)

I love how La Familia sounds it rolls off the tongue – And it moves my heart – The Family.

I remember when I was in (and I continue to be) in my learn more about Nene (ME) stage aka finding myself.  I asked my Mom a question.  I don’t remember the motivation behind the question, like if I had heard it asked in some movie or book that I had listened to (even though I love to write I actually listen to audio books more than I read) 

I asked my Mom what she thought I couldn’t live without.  I’m thinking she’s going to say something deep like, my righteous, holy daughter of great spirit – I know that you cannot live without Jesus.  (Lol I’m so, not deep and I can only spell righteous because of spell check and my spirit is best defined as free)  or maybe she would go simple and say girl as much as you eat, I’m thinking you can’t live without restaurants!  Heck even maybe she would say I can’t live without friends, because my friendship circle is tight – older (not in age don’t be sucking yawls teeth)  But in years I have friends who I have known for over thirty years.   I didn’t use any names sister girls let’s let everyone assume we met when we were born in the hospital and the circle has been going strong ever since.

My Mom, however shocked me by saying FAMILY.  It was shocking because this conversation had taken place after I had moved over four hundred miles away from family a few years prior to this conversation,  to a town where I had/have no blood family.  Like most children of parents we instantly think, WOW my mom/dad still doesn’t know me.  Don’t get me wrong I love my family but clearly I was living without them around me.

Wisdom trumps pride and bravado every time and I laugh as I think back because she was and is so very right.  I live many miles away from my family, but I actively seek their relationship through phone calls, sometimes cards and Facebook talk.  I hop in the Echo for birthdays, holidays or just because my soul needs to touch home.  There is something so wonderful about walking into my mommy’s house.  The smells the feel the memories cover me.  They make all the bad stress of work life and responsibility drift away and I find myself at peace and I feel so safe as I open her refrigerator (Maybe because I didn’t buy anything in it) and I know all my favorite things are waiting for me (hint mom PLEASE make the cheese salad!)

I’ve heard my pastor and I’ve read (listened) to a couple of books about people who have had near death experiences.  They all talk about love and relationships when they visited the next level.  I don’t know whether my pastor has ever had a near death experience, but he has strongly expressed his belief that the one thing you do take with you in the next life (after life heaven next energy etc.) is relationships.  So although I love my iPod, my Samsung phone and my really super cute shoes that people compliment me on all the time.  If these items were even able to last forever I won’t be taking them to Heaven to text other people, however I will take the love and relationships that I have here to Heaven.  Love is so much more than a feeling/emotion it is an energy an organic living thing – The greatest gift. 

The joy that I have when I sit back at a family reunion and look at my family or on Thanksgiving when we all pack into a relative’s home and talk about Thanksgivings past and childhood memories.  So Mom yes you were right – Who Knew (Fine you knew)  Family be it blood or selected.  Those souls you count on those souls that bring you un-materialistic (pretty sure I just made that word up), unconditional love.  La Familia is eternal, love it and protect it as such.  Through the good and the bad.  Through the sick and the healthy.  Through the success and the failures.  The family, the relationships they are forever. 

To the Family – To Love – You are eternal!

A penny for your thoughts , a nickel for your kiss, a dime if you tell me that you love me!

(Subtitled – Use your common cents or everything has value) I’m not sure which one I’m going to pick yet.

   

Galatians 6:2 - Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 

Life God this world has a cool way of speaking to you.  I wish I could say that these blogs are all my creation, scratch that I’m glad to say that God gives me a taste of his creativeness when he gives me an idea to write about. 

The blog moments often seem to go in slow motion when He opens my eyes to see something that he wants me to get my blog on with.

So this posting is brought to you by my gas station moment.  I have a thing for ice – a serious 5 to 10 cup 32 oz  a day thing for ice.  And I’m picky about my ice; I prefer my ice clear cubed or slightly crushed.  I don’t like snow cone ice, but prefer the very nice cubes of Circle K (a small mini market/gas station chain) or my Mom’s refrigerator ice.

Yes I’ve heard that if you crave ice you may have an iron deficiency.  In my case I’m not a doctor (even though I played one as a child) I believe my crave for ice is more of a desire to hear the crunch of it.  Don’t know why but it calms my nerves.  Yes my nerves may be calm because I’m focused on the pain that it causes my teeth.  Either way I like the stuff.

So there I stood in line at Circle K, I had my 42 oz cup of ice (I knew it was going to be a long day and I would need a bigger cup) in hand and I was the second person in line.  This is where God’s slow motion sequence imaging came into view.  The man in front of me dropped a penny while he was digging through a large old leather wallet.  I watched it in case he needed someone to point out where his money had landed.  He saw it though and he looked down at that  penny on the floor and decided it wasn’t worth bending down for and left it there. (this is my interpretation of the moment - him gritting on the penny and turning away from it.)

Now I’m not one to judge (seriously I try not to judge, because I know my frying pan ain’t clean either) I don’t know why he didn’t pick it up.  He could have been lazy, tired, rich or whatever.  I choose to assume God made him leave it there for the purposes of this blog.  Next in line and at the register to pay .27 cents for my large cup of ice, I too considered not picking up the penny.  To pick it up would take some commitment and coordination on this old/young body.  One  I would  have to sit my ice down, balance my too large but super cute purse, so it wouldn’t pull me over when I bent and then more than likely I was going to groan when I stood back up or at the least my knee was going to crack. 

 

My mind did a flashback like in the movies and I saw homeless people who beg for money, I saw a woman who couldn’t buy her kid the 35 cent blow pop.  I thought about people in other countries who earned less in a day than the cup of ice I was buying.  I balanced my purse sat down my ice and took the time to pick that penny up.  (I groaned don’t judge me LOL)

Even the smallest value has value when it’s combined with something.   That little penny is the start of wells being built in countries with no clear water.  That little penny is a part of a chair at a new church.   That little penny hung out with several other little pennies and helped a single mom feed her kids. 

So if you are blessed enough to find a penny on the ground that someone may not have felt the need to pick up because of its small value, pick it up.  There are so many other pennies out there waiting to be combined with thoughts and love and developed into a shelter, food, clean water school supplies for another humans.  And maybe if we all got all our pennies together, nobody would be hungry, nobody would be without a blanket and everybody would learn that when things of small value are combined they can make one big heck of a difference. 

In Jesus name I pray!

 

Warriors come out and plaayaa

 (subtitled Warrior’s come out and PRAY).

 

Matthew 26:36 - Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." 

Warriors come out and play!  Let me explain the title and the quote because although this movie is a classic (At least on my list, which also includes The Matrix and Pleasentville).   “Warriors come out and play! (he actually says playaa)” is a movie quote from the movie The Warriors (1979).  And the movie The Warriors is about this gang named no surprise, Warriors, who are accused of killing a gang icon while at a Gang rally where all the gangs from various burrows were gathered in an attempt to promote peace among the gangs.  I can’t even imagine gangs getting together like this now, but that is a blog for another day.  Anyway all the gangs at the rally agree on one thing after the icon is shot  and  that is that the members of the Warriors gang are not going to make it back to their  Coney Island turf alive! 

 This leads me in to my Tuesday - my intercessory prayer day (don’t ask how it leads me there just enjoy the ride.) Praying on Tuesdays started several years ago when I would get together with some great women at my job and we would pray in our break room.  It was amazing people would stop us or email us and ask us to put particular people on the list  who needed prayers (from family members to friends to strangers that they had just happen to come across)   We had a notebook and we would put the Thank you notes in there as well, for answered prayers.    Over the years the group has sort of dissolved.  New jobs, layoffs, relocations, and other factors broke up our little group, but it stayed in my heart and I am sure many of their hearts as well.

Today (Tuesday)  besides stating that I had no idea what i was going to blog about.  I also commented that I needed someone to pray with.  (I stated this out loud to the universe myself and a few of my coworkers)  I thought of a few folks but it didn’t feel right.  I asked God to give me someone to pray with and like some of my prayers I forgot I had asked and went on with my day.  While I was working at work (don’t laugh it happens) I glanced over at my cell phone which was respectfully put on silent because people had gotten annoyed at my “Madagascar Afro Circus: ringtone – And low and  behold it was one of my old prayer partners.  We don’t work together any longer.  I just shook my head thanked God ended my business call and decided it was time for lunch. 

I called my prayer partner, former coworker, sister girl, from my cell phone as soon as I got in the car.  The first time no answer and the second time she picked up and there was a lot of background noise.  She was in Trader Joe’s (wonderful small grocery store) and I said child I was looking for someone to pray with and I didn’t know who.  She said I know it‘s Tuesday right.  She was in the grocery store but she found a spot to be still in and we prayed and interceded in such an awesome way that I’m sure the Sprint phone lines were even shouting glory.  And to Sprints credit no scratch that too God’s credit the call didn’t drop.

I don’t know any secret formula or particular ways to pray, whether you should stand up, kneel, or lay down.

But I do know an amazing Warrior who prayed.  Jesus – Not only did he pray he gave suggestions on how other’s could pray.  Now think about this if Jesus who is the right hand of God the Father sees a need to pray, then Wow.  I may not be as forgiving as Jesus and I may not have the faith that he has (which I believe is WAY bigger than a mustard seed) but in my desire to work towards being like my spiritual brother savior and Lord – I sure as heck can pray.

Don’t be scared your home turf is vast and waiting for you Warriors come out and PPRRRAAYYYY!

Bob Ross ...You were one wise dude!

“The Joy of Painting” all these years later this dude still moves me! Aka Bob Ross I never painted but you sure taught me a lot!





 
^{Matthew 18 (MSG)2-5} For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said, “I’m telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you’re not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God’s kingdom. What’s more, when you receive the childlike on my account, it’s the same as receiving me.

 

Ah remember this show or this man.?

If not let me tell you about one of the most enthrallingly calming sedative can't take your eyes off it shows. The one man show "The Joy of Painting" staring Bob Ross painting. After the Saturday morning cereal digested and the wonder twins had activated into the form of a bucket and a glacier and Scooby and his crew had solved a crime - scaring the heck out of me but proving that monsters are not real.

 

Next was The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross for some reason I was hypnotized. I didn't paint while I watched I didn't grow up to be an artist, but if I did I would  have to thank him. Even though I never tried in his simple calming instruction, Mr. Bob had me believing I could paint a mountain scene complete with tall oaks and a waterfall, just with the twist of my brush. There was not much in the way of camera angles on this show - Just a long shot mid shot and close up. Bob spoke soothingly hypnotically of how you could gently move the brush or sponge over the quiet canvas and the canvas would reveal a beautiful scene. There wasn't even jazzed up music in the background, but I sat there stuck watching what image his calm strokes would bring forth.
 

Remembering this I remembered the simplicity of life. 13 inch screen not really a black and white screen but not really color either especially in comparison to the HD TVs now. I didn't need more I didn't want less. Ok honestly I was a kid so I wanted toys, but I could easily forget about toys if I went outside and played. Nothing was greater than watching Mr. Bob then throwing on play clothes and spending hours outside playing hopscotch, hot bread and butter and some homemade games which sometimes included you dodging rocks or racing a junebug you had caught and tied to a string. It would be to cliché to say how I miss the good old days, but dang it if I don't.  

A few years ago a friend of mine came over one day and I caught them staring at me. Initially I thought wow I must be easy on the eyes, but that thought was quickly changed when he asked the question, "Seriously, do you ever just sit still!" Nope! I laughed as i picked up toys, took out the trash started dinner, held a conversation and helped with homework!  I still think as I race through my house doing a lot of stuff, or when I'm at work doing a lot of stuff, or when I'm driving and thinking about a lot of stuff, even when I pray my mind will drift towards stuff.

 

I can’t blame the world for chaos only myself.  You choose the life you live or at least you indulge  in the life that creeps up on you before you realize that you are in the funnel of the storm.  I’m going for the eye of the storm living that peaceful place in the dead center of it all.  I will follow my dreams, I won’t get caught up in the chaos around me.  I will focus on my goals just like the simple brush strokes of Mr. Bob and this life will be as beautiful and a simple as the brush strokes that create mountains.  I will sit still and rest in the waterfalls.  He gave me peace and now like the power of the Super friends in my Saturday morning cartoons I will activate….into the form of a blessing, in the form of love and in the shape of peace.

 

God POWER Activate!

 

 

 “True genius lies in simplicity.” (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart)

In honor of Bob Ross here is his link they have "Happy Tree" T-shirts
http://www.bobross.com/gifts.cfm

I am Commited (no not the institution kind) subtitled I'm doing the thang!

I’m Commited (subtiled no I don’t mean institutionalized!!!) 

Joshua 24:15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

 

I’ve got to tell you I struggled writing this but in my commitment to this He has remained committed to me.  I put the computer down turned off the cell phone and worried that maybe this week this blog thing wasn’t going to happen.  In the form of a friend who I love but don’t speak to often – BAM – He gave it to me so…here we go.

I struggle with commitment.  I often ponder my life- reflect whatever and I think Wow you lack commitment as I count the things I’ve started and not finished.  Master’s program (just three more classes  to go)  knitting I can make a satisfactory keep you warm scarf but I got stumped at the increase decrease part and don’t even get me started on tassels and casting off.  There are volumes of things I’ve started and didn’t finish because it bored me, it got too frustrating to be consider relaxing (hot yoga – REALY) or well I just wasn’t committed!

Unfortunately that last sentence also can apply to a varying (I refuse to say many) number of dating relationships that I’ve had in my life.  Yes I am one to complain that there are no good prospects out there for me.  I’m not Catholic but I have lit my fair share of candles in the hopes that my prayer attached to that flame would flicker in God’s eyes and poof he would give me the right one.  Under the light of a pity party though well maybe the one came and went and I missed that person because of my lack of commitment.

Woooossshhhhh (That is the sound of me blowing the pity party cake candles out-party over)  Now let’s talk about who I am and who you are and who we are growing to be.  I am committed yeah I said it and the ghost of dates past may pop out and shout otherwise but it’s true.  I am committed to this life thing, living and loving and believing and praying and laughing and learning.  I’m committed to God – Yep I said that too (technically I wrote it).  I love the Dude.  I’m no saint far from it, but I still love Him.  I sing with Him and He doesn’t even mind my tone deafness or my inability to carry a note.

 

I’m not big on telling folks my peeves one because I don’t have many and two because well I usually work to get pass them and just love folks, but there is one that I can’t get pass… When somebody looks me in my beautiful brown eyes and says you have missed your calling.  Be it my calling for comedy my calling for acting writing or whatever gift I’m presenting at that moment.  I think to myself Nope I just used my calling you just didn’t know you were worthy enough to be blessed by it (a little ego tripping there).  I’m saying that to say I’m committed to riding this roller coaster ride until the end, loops twirls and even the death defying drops.  I’m committed not until the fat lady sings (because I sing in the shower all the time)  I’m committed until the line goes flat and the unbroken beep sings and then you know what I’m on to my next adventure fully committed.

Give yourself some credit today be proud of the things you are committed too.  You never missed your calling you are living it right now, so be the best and be a blessing to somebody else, because you are already a blessing to me!   If you are breathing then you are committed to living so make the best of it, until the flat line sings!