Monday Morning With The 'Poor Soul' and I

Certain things about mornings just do not typically appeal to me.  Let me rephrase that, if you look at me, talk to me or if you even think about touching me in the first hour of the morning I am not responsible for any actions that may ensue.  To give you some background, I overheard my father providing my husband with a verbal disclaimer regarding my morning ‘activities’ before we moved in together.  He followed by, “You have her in the mornings now; that is one thing I won’t miss.”  Although my Daddy loves me very much and was sad to see me go he was more than willing to pass my morning routine onto some other poor soul.  Fortunately for me, that ‘Poor Soul’ loves me.

The other day I had one of those mornings again.  You know, the one where you have to get out of bed (I hate those mornings).  To top it all off it was Monday and I had overslept.  I jumped out of bed with my usual grace and charm and hurried to gather my clothes and head to the shower.  The ‘Poor Soul’ was awakened by the ranting and grumbling of the ‘creature’ he loved so dear.  With a blur that could only be compared to that of a beheaded chicken I raced to beat the clock.  The children were no match for my morning sprint, they were cleaned, clothed and fed before their little eyes were fully extended.

Just when I thought I was beginning to conquer the morning I looked at the clock and I should have left 5 minutes ago to get the children to school and my Me-maw’s house.  As I turned to scream at the ‘Poor Soul’ I realized he had made our Daughter’s lunch, put my phone in my purse and placed it on the kitchen counter and was offering to take the children to their morning destinations.  I’m not sure what got into him but, if it was not already obvious before that day it was now official.  He has found a way to not only deal with the ‘Morning Creature’ but, to love her for the grump that she is.

As the ‘Poor Soul’ left the house with the children, I swiftly picked up my purse to head on my way.  When I looked in the open purse I saw my phone and my phone charger, that’s odd I thought.  Then I realized I had forgotten to plug my phone in overnight.  The ‘Poor Soul’ had packed the charger with my phone so I could charge it at work.  I don’t know what I did to deserve him but, I thank God for him every day. 

Bad Days and Hard Times Hit Everyone... Be Prepared

Today I just feel like sending a little bit of inspiration your way.  Maybe you are having a bad day, a co-worker or family member has hurt you or you could use these words to help someone else who is having a less than perfect day.  No matter what your situation it always helps to hear that you are not alone.  Every one of us experience emotions of hurt, depression, loneliness, etc.  It’s how we deal with those feelings and our ability to keep shining that sets us apart.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when your world begins to turn upside down.

• You are not alone.  No matter how alone you may feel you must look past your emotions and negative feelings to see who is there for you.  There may be someone ready to talk to you or give you a hug.  They may not want to bother you but, they are waiting for you to reach out to them.  Who is that person?  Find them. 

• Read.  I know it may sound silly but, reading positive thoughts and messages can really brighten your day.  Reading inspiring messages will remind you of how blessed you truly are.  Google inspiring messages or better yet pick up your bible.  Start with Deuteronomy 31:6.

• Count your blessings.  Your Mommy always said that there are a lot of other people a lot worse off than you, she was right.  Take a pen and paper and write down every blessing that you have.  You will be amazed at what you have going for you.  If you have eyes to read this blog, that is a blessing!  If you have hands to type a comment, that is a blessing!  Things you take for granted everyday are not promised to you, be thankful for them.

• Do something for someone else.  There is no way to describe the joy you receive by doing something completely unexpected for someone else.  “One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.” Proverbs 11:24  This does not mean you have to give money… give yourself.  By giving a little piece of yourself you will gain a piece of yourself that you never knew existed.  If you do not give of yourself you will lose more and more.  So bless yourself by blessing someone else.  (Read my experience here http://bitly.com/qUZsqk)

• Stop feeling sorry for yourself!  That’s right, I said stop feeling sorry for yourself!  It’s called tough love and you (or your friend) may need it.  If your feelings were hurt by someone else ask yourself this… “Did they really try to hurt my feelings or did I set myself up for hurt?”  Sometimes we set ourselves up for hurt and don’t even realize it.  Even more common is how we tend to exaggerate our own hurt and problems into something they really shouldn’t be.  On the other hand, maybe someone did deliberately hurt you.  Forgive them, they will hate that!  Do something nice for them or someone else and go to bed at night feeling proud about how you can overcome the hurt and selfishness of this world. 

 
You can do this!  You can overcome!  Don’t let anyone stop you!  I can do all this through him who gives me strength.  Philippians 4:13  Now go out there and take on the world, it is what you were meant to do. 

How do you deal with hurt and depression?  Don’t keep the secrets to yourself… post a comment and help someone today.

  
Photo Credit: brandreadymedia.com

Mommy's First Day of Kindergarten

All the school supply shopping, clothes shopping and mental preparation has come down to this day.  My oldest child was going to Kindergarten.  At this point I am not sure who is supposed to feel more nervous, her or me?  I sure hope she don’t have this sinking feeling in her gut like I do.  Of course, I would never let her see that I was less than ecstatic about her first day of school.  She needed to know that this was a good thing… or was it.  Will she know where to go?  What if she gets scared?  What if she gets on the wrong bus to come home?  Will she like her teacher?  What if there is a mean kid in her class?  STOP!  I told myself.  She will be fine!  Oh, when will this worry every end?  I know, don’t tell me, I have heard it before… it will never end.  They will always be my babies and I will always worry about them.  Those half days of preschool were so easy compared to this.  Now my big girl was about to take off for all day, every day Kindergarten!

We stood at the bus stop and you would have thought she had done this a thousand times.  Although you could not tell from my actions (I had my big girl panties on) she was much more ‘sure of herself’ than I was.  As the bus rolled up I felt the butterflies in my stomach flapping a little faster.  The bus driver brought the ‘yellow freedom vehicle’ to a stop as well as my heart.  I quickly pounded it back into rhythm as I walked my little individual to the start of her own life.  She stopped at the door, turned around for a quick kiss, hug and “I love you Mom!” and then stepped up the steps to independence.

I wanted to go but, I knew that would be frowned upon or possibly involve police so I decided to turn away and walk back across the road.  I made it back into the driveway in time to turn around with a fake smile and wave to the little young lady in the front seat.  I did it!  After a short chin-quiver and a couple of deep breathes, I did what any other mother would do.  I JUMPED IN MY TRUCK AND FOLLOWED THAT BUS TO SCHOOL!

The Strangers Under My Umbrella

Have you ever had a relentless, nagging thought that is telling you to do something?  A “something” that you may or may not want to do?  That is exactly what happened to me just two days ago.

There I was, driving down the road just minding my own business.  I was listening to my children singing in the backseat, rain splatting on the windshield and water splashing beneath my tires.  To be honest I was feeling a little frustrated and sorry for myself because, I was locked out of my house and my Husband was still at work.  (Long story and completely my Husband’s fault but, not the point of this story.)  As I was driving I noticed a woman somewhere in her late 30’s to early 40’s walking down the sidewalk with her son.  When I say ‘walking’ it was not the usual easy stride like most of us are capable of.  She was moving very slowly, slightly bent over relying on the stability of a walker that had a seat on it.  Her teenage son was walking very slowly beside her carrying two plastic grocery bags that hardly had anything in them.  “Why don’t they use an umbrella?” I thought to myself.  “They are getting soaked.”

As soon as I thought those words I could not believe I was being so insensitive.  By the looks of the pair, they probably didn't have the money for an umbrella.  Another thought hit me just as quick, “Give them your umbrella”.  At first I tried to ignore the voice in my head, I was not just going to give away my umbrella.  After all I really like that umbrella.  It is extra-large but, it folds down very small.  It is convenient for taking places, black to match anything and it was not cheap.  In fact I just bought it a couple of months ago after losing one just like it because, I like that style so much.  I was reciting all of these things in my mind but, I could still hear a voice louder than the rest, “You are being selfish, they need that umbrella more than you, give them your umbrella.”  To say the least I had mixed feelings about what I did next.  I turned my truck around, grabbed the umbrella from underneath the back seat and headed back to where I had seen the woman and her son moving slowly on the sidewalk.  “Maybe they will already be gone and I won't have to give it to them”, I thought to myself as I headed in their direction.  I could almost visualize an Angel sitting on my shoulder gently whispering in one ear and the Devil screaming in the other.  Isn’t it amazing how an Angel’s soft voice so effortlessly overpowers the Devil’s strongest screams? 

About that time my oldest Daughter (who realized we had turned around) asked where we were going so I told her what was going on.  “We have to give the people we passed an umbrella.”  Of course she did not immediately understand why, so I began to explain it to her.  As I was explaining the situation a wonderful feeling of serenity and gratefulness came over me.  It’s a good feeling to know that you are doing good for someone else no matter how it may affect you.  No matter where I wanted to be at that moment I was right where I needed to be.

Soon I could see the pair in the distance.  The walk had gotten the best of the woman as she now sat on the seat of the walker while her loving son pushed her slowly along.  I drove up to the pair, turned on my hazard lights, rolled down my window and asked, “Would you folks like an umbrella?”  The look of astonishment on their faces was quickly followed by, “Yes!  Thank you!”  As the son walked over to get the umbrella the mother had a sincere look of gratitude as she thanked me over and over and said what a sweetheart I was.  I then handed the umbrella to the son and said, “Bless you both” as I drove away.

I can’t really describe in words the feeling that swept over my body at that moment.  Tears immediately came streaming down my face.  As I looked in the rear-view mirror I saw not only a son covering his mother with an umbrella but, with the love of God and the generosity of a stranger.

What a blessing that God had put me into that situation.  To think I almost kept driving!  If I would not have turned around that day I would have been the one that missed out the most.  I thank you Lord for reminding a busy, unsuspecting, mother that she is under your covering and she needs to share your love with others.

Sometimes the things we love are put in our lives to show us a greater love.  We have to be willing to listen so we can experience things the way God intended for us to experience them.  I mean really, who would have ever thought an umbrella could bring so much joy.  Only through the hands of God.

Fall Aboard!

Where have I been?  Sometimes I ask myself that very question.  There has been so much happen since I last posted.

Our summer has been filled with fun times and hectic schedules.  I really can’t tell you much more than that because, I believe I may have left my brain back in Spring.  I am hoping it catches up to me before I get too far into the holiday season of Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The bad news is that I am not ready for colder weather and shorter days.  The good news is I do LOVE fall!  The family activities, the smell in the air and well, let’s face it the home décor!  I really love the pumpkins, gourds, scarecrows, corn stalks and chrysanthemums.  I have not had much time to decorate yet but, I am looking forward to it over the next couple of weeks.

If you have pictures of your fall decor send them in and I will add them to an upcoming fall decorations post.  I LOVE to share ideas!

Do you like to decorate?  What is your favorite time of year to decorate?

Photo credit: Front-Porch-Ideas-and-More.com