One More Thing...

Almost forgot to mention that today marks a big anniversary in my life.

On November 17, 1986 my bedraggled family and I limped into St. Charles, MO wondering what on earth God was thinking.

We'd just resigned from a staff position at a Christian school and had nowhere to go. We were confused and angry at the turn our lives had taken. We were embarassed that 2 college graduates with 2 toddlers and 7 years of marriage behind us could have so (meant NO) few options.

We'd sacrificed everything to be in ministry and had nothing to show for it; not even good memories of blessings we'd received through selfless service. We owned nothing and had no prospects.

Finally, out of desperation, we contacted my Dad in St. Louis to ask for advice. In his generosity, Dad and Milly jumped into their van, rented a u-haul trailer and came to help us out and bring us back with them.

I remember riding along with my Dad along Hwy 70 heading east. We passed a billboard advertising a tourist attraction and I asked, "What's the name of the town we're moving to?"

Thankfully, Dad had a condo he'd bought for an investment and he allowed us to move in there until we could get on our feet. It was really humbling, yet meaningful since that condo was the nicest place we'd lived in thus far.

During our time here in St. Louis, I've experienced so many blessings. Our lives have completely changed. Now as I look back, my anger and confusion has transformed to gratitude to recognize how we were being led to be here.

I think I drive my Dad crazy because I've make some kind of gratitude statement on this day every year. So let me push him a tad further to the 'happy home.'

Thanks, Dad and Milly, for all you've done for us and who you are in our lives.

We love you very much.

When I Was Your Age

It's true:

The older you get the smarter your parents become.

I know this is true because I hear myself saying the same things to my kids my fuddy duddy parents said to me.

Things like:

Be careful
Just wait until (fill in the blank)
When I was a kid
It's my house and I can say what I want
If you don't work you don't eat.

I'm realizing that such comments weren't meant to criticize or demean me. They were intended to reach across the years of experience and hard knocks to perhaps help me avoid doing some pretty foolish things.

I wonder how the folks felt when I did something foolish anyway.

So as I share old fogey-isms with my own kids and anyone else within earshot,let me challenge you to listen to yourself as you speak to your loved ones. Make sure your words are meant to guide and not to demean.

In the stillness of your heart, utter a blessing to those who have invested into your life words of caution and experience.

Then maybe you'll appreciate your life, your job, your church, your family and friends and be thankful for them.

Be careful
Look both ways
Chew your food
Don't talk with your mouth full
Eat your vegetables

One day you'll thank me.

Have You Ever...

Have you ever accidentally sprayed your underarms with hairspray, thinking it was deodorant?

Have you ever gone to church wearing two different colored shoes?

Have you ever sat in on a meeting only to realize you're in the wrong meeting?

Have you ever gone through an entire day and not realize until getting ready for bed you'd worn your shirt inside out?

Have you ever spent panic-filled moments looking for your car keys only to realize you'd been holding the keys all along?

How about looking for same keys in same panic while sitting in the car while it's running (so THAT's where the keys went!)?

Have you ever walked across a crowded room with your skirt tucked up into your panty hose?

Have you ever addressed the 'new wife' by the 'old wife's' name?

Have you ever been so overwhelmed by the magnitude of an important finals exam you blanked out when asked to write your name at the top of the page?

Have you ever stood on a ramp in a busy building, thrown back your head in laughter and broken the strand of beads you'd been wearing,thus sending you and everyone else chasing after rolling beads scattered everywhere?

Have you ever been onstage at a dance recital and realize your costume top had not been adequately secured?

Have you ever gotten the giggles while someone else is in deep heartfelt prayer?

Ummm...

Me neither