Visions & Verses

Keeping Your Focus in a 'Garbage Truck' World

When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly....   ~ 1 Corinthians 4:12-13

I received an interesting email this week, and it got me thinking about my latest illustration in a new way:

How often do you let other people's nonsense change your mood? Do you let a bad driver, rude waiter, curt boss, or an insensitive employee ruin your day?  However, the mark of a successful person is how quickly one can get back their focus on what's important. David J. Pollay explains his story in this way….  

Sixteen years ago I learned this lesson. I learned it in the back of a New York City taxi cab. Here's what happened. I hopped in a taxi, and we took off for Grand Central Station. We were driving in the right lane when, all of a sudden, a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his breaks, skidded, and missed the other car's back end by just inches!

The driver of the other car, the guy who almost caused a big accident, whipped his head around and he started yelling bad words at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean…he was friendly. So, I said, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!'
And this is when my taxi driver told me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.'
'Many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it. And if you let them, they'll dump it on you. When someone wants to dump on you, don't take it personally. You just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. You'll be happy you did.'

I started thinking, how often do I let Garbage Trucks run right over me? And how often do I take their garbage and spread it to other people: at work, at home, on the streets? It was that day I said, 'I'm not going to do it anymore.'

Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets. Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't. Believe that everything happens for a reason. 

And that reminded me of my hubby and his daily interactions with people who are not fond of authority and badges.  He learned that 'law of the garbage truck' long ago.  He keeps his focus on what's important - getting home to his family, upholding the law, being a man of character.  He does not bring home his garbage and dump it all on us.  He does share some of his experiences, which remind us to be grateful for what we have, and to pray for those 'with a full load'.  And sometimes, in the midst of people carrying a lot of 'garbage' and in situations brought on by years of 'garbage piling up', all he can do is pray.  Ultimately, the government, the police and even the well-meaning church can't fix these problems.  All the garbage is, at it's root, sin and the only cure is the 'Great Garbageman' Jesus, who can bundle up all the foolishness and filth, haul it away, and leave you clean and new.  And our witness and our prayers are a great first start toward real 'neighborhood clean up.'

Lord, all praises to You for making prayer an effective tool against so many of our problems!  And thank You for our Intercessor, Jesus who cleanses us and frees us to live a life of joy in You.  Help us always to keep our focus on You.

Father's Day Update

But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  ~Matthew 7:26

I wanted to give you all an update on my little 'father' dilemma.  It turned out to be a wonderful few days, where my kids took a break from bickering with one another, and had fun instead.  My son also invited some other friends on Friday for a sleepover, and we left around mid-day for the beach.  One of the wonderful things about Maryland is that you are never far from water.  This particular beach is really on a river, but it's close to where it opens on to the bay, so it has a nice beachy feel.  It was a little too shallow and calm for the boys, but to a Mom that means that no one drowns or gets dragged under! ;0) 

As usual with our beach excursions, after a good soaking, it turns into a major beach excavation project.  There were numerous sand canyons and a hole big enough for Briana to sit in and be wet to the waist.  And, left neglected for a half hour or so, the tide came in and washed it away to nothing.  The awesome power of even the mildest waves!

A little shell collecting, some keep-away from the girl (ew), some horseplay on the inner tubes, and it was time to head home for ice cream and pizza (yes, in that order...kid paradise).  It all went remarkably smoothly, with few complaints and little sunburn.  (What is it with kids and sunscreen?  You'd think we were trying to force them to eat broccoli!)  In the evening it was time for a bonfire and some completely legal fireworks.  (No wonder these kids are always at my house...)

In the end, I was happy to share my hubby for a few days.  And on Sunday we returned him home, where he was going out to dinner with his Godfather.  So my hubby is far from the only man in his life.  I'm still not sure where my jealousy came from, but I am slowly learning to be a sibling in the family of God, after being an only child for so long!

Bind us together, Lord, bind us together with cords that cannot be broken.  Bind us together with love!  Amen.

Land of the Free, Home of the Brave

I'm taking a risk with this post.  I was told at a young age never to talk about religion or politics, but danged if they aren't just my two most favorite topics.  They don't mix, I suppose, but then again, they must mix if we are to have any kind of justice here on earth.  Of course, we are only human, so our government and attempts at justice will be flawed and imperfect.  'Judge not...' and yet we must have judges as long as we have sin and crime.  So, seeing as how God created government (Romans 13:1), and how America was founded on the belief that we have certain, inalienable rights endowed upon us by our Creator, and how we're being inundated with 'election news' daily, and how Independence Day is right around the corner, I thought I'd urge you to consider your freedom.  I'm not endorsing any particular ideology or action, other than to suggest that true change may take more than the current system is offering.  Pardon my fervor, I was in the moment:

 

I received an email today about Veterans, suggesting that it is they who have kept America free.  Now, I revere and respect the contributions of veterans very much.  However, I would like you to consider that it is NOT the veteran that has made us free, but individuals committed to the ideals of freedom.  In the case of the Veteran, so much so that they were willing to risk, and even give up, their lives.  But do not for a moment hesitate to understand that it is EVERY American’s duty to protect our rights and to ensure that our freedoms are still intact.  Consider that very carefully as you watch presidential debates, listen to Congressmen discuss what to do about the economy and the war, as you step out to cast your vote.  ‘We, the people’ have the power, and we merely loan it to our representatives.  When they begin to take our freedoms away, or disregard the Constitution that creates the very government they are a part of, we must act decisively, and not merely give up or give in to a ‘2 party system’ or the power of the rich ‘fat cats’ all over the world who inject our politicians and parties with money and power.  We have a duty to keep America free – you and me...and the Veterans.

'I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments. I will speak to kings about your laws, and I will not be ashamed.'  ~Psalm 119:45-46

Our Father's Day

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.  God sets the lonely in families...  ~Psalm 68:5-6

Ever had an encounter where suddenly a hidden part of you is exposed and it's ugly, and you didn't even realize it was there?  Well, I had one of those last night.  It wasn't bad, just shocked me a little.  Another place where some work needs to be done -- and this is my new construction site.

My husband brought home a friend and co-worker's son last night for a sleepover.  All good.  He's a sweet boy, the kids love him, and because his single mom works, he'd be otherwise stuck at the church with the secretary (worse places to be, but not so exciting when you're just out of school).  But in the evening, while we were alone, my hubby casually mentioned that this boy gave him a father's day present.  Now, to my surprise, my hackles went up and I became very defensive.  Father's Day present?!  As I tried to back myself down from these unexpected emotions of jealousy and possessiveness, my mind went back to my own childhood.  I grew up in a neighborhood of broken homes.  My was the only in-tact family on the whole block, and mine was the only father many of those kids ever interacted with.  And my dad was good at doing stuff that attracted attention, like setting up croquet in the front yard, building tents, suping up wagons, playing Frisbees, etc.  So, we had that yard where all the kids would come.  But I do remember getting very jealous if there were too many kids, or he spent too much time with them. 

Now, of course, interacting with my kids' friends, I know the importance of a dad, and the gap it can leave not having one around.  And my rational self is glad that my hubby has an opportunity to be a small part of their lives, and provide some quality time and be an example of good fathering to them.  It's a Godly sacrifice to be a father to the fatherless.  And fathers are so critically important.

Fatherhood is our earthly example of Godly leadership.  The head of the family, leading with respect and love, not dominance and intimidation -- just as Christ is the head of the Church.  And learning to follow and submit to our earthly fathers teaches us to submit and follow our Heavenly Father.  And this is not an arm's length relationship -- it is a very loving, intimate relationship.  Jesus taught us to pray to Abba, Father, our equivalent of Daddy or Papa.  We are his children, and we must have faith like a little child...willing to believe all things, hope all things, and trust Him for all things.

So, as God's child, I can't keep my father, or my hubby all to myself.  I have to learn to share.  God has called us all to share our love with everyone, but especially the husband-less and fatherless.  And there are so many people who will not be celebrating Father's Day with joy this weekend.  I pray that God will set those lonely women and children in families -- extended families, church families, friend families, even *gulp* my family.  Now pray for me that I can root out this possessiveness and learn to share! (you know I am an only child....;0)

Our Father in Heaven, holy is your name.  Thank you for being our Father, and for caring for us like your children.  Thank you for our families here on earth, teaching us to love, respect and submit to one another the way your Son taught us during his short life.  Help us to reflect your love in all that we say, all that we think, and all that we do.  Happy Father's Day, Abba!  Amen.

A Little Piece of Art ~ Straight from My Heart

Grand Re-Opening of Visions & Verses

I'm so excited to let you all know about the new look of my online store!  It's been a labor of love, but definitely labor.  Anyone who said computers make your life easier has never designed a website!  To celebrate my grand re-opening, I've included a store coupon in this post. Please forward this coupon to anyone who may be interested, to help me share the news. To visit my store, click on the "Start Shopping Now!" button. Use the coupon code at the store checkout! And while your visiting, don't forget to sign up for the June Monthly Giveaway.  Remember, if you've signed up before, you're already entered.  If you can't remember, just sign up again -- I won't mind. Thank you, Jen

Save 10% on all orders until 6/14/2008. Use coupon code: grand

Who likes free stuff?

When I was in law school, I learned a little saying, which I've adopted as one of my mottoes: If it's free, it's for me!  Not meant in a greedy way, but back then, everyday of the week they were giving out free pens, cups, slices of pizza...and I took it all (hey, law school ain't cheap!)

Anyhoo, I'm happy to be returning the favor once again with Visions & Verses June Giveaway!  Click on the 'June Giveaway' page to the left, or head over to the website to check out the prizes and Sign Up. 

This month, the prizes are a 'Love Birds' Decorative Ceramic Tile & Stand, and one of 2 Sets of Note cards, 'In the Garden' and 'Summer Assortment'.

**If you've signed up before, you'll still be entered for this month.  To be fair, if you won last month, you won't be eligible for this month's drawing, but you'll be eligible for July and after.

GOOD LUCK!