GOOD GRIEF!

LuLu-ism #4: There are days you’re simply not going to be able to do what you want. Whatever! Just don’t let those days pile up on you.

Lovely picture isn’t it? Ah, December in Wisconsin. Wrong! I took this picture of my backyard this morning, April 20, 2011. I want to weep—so do my daffodils and tulips. Can you believe it? Where’s all that global warning they keep telling us about?

Well, LuLu is just shaking her handlebars at me and just daring me to go near her. Looks like it’s Rusty to the rescue. My old exercise bike will have to save the day for me… again. There’s nothing more frustrating than to do all this peddling and go absolutely nowhere. Yikes! Have I stopped talking about bike riding and started preaching? Think about it, how many of us live our lives that way? Spinning, spinning, spinning and going nowhere? I know I have at times. I’m busy. It’s hectic. There’s so much to do. Yet, when I take a moment to look up from all my spinning, I find I’ve done nothing of value, except work up a sweat.

Life’s too short, folks, to allow busy work to rule. Yeah, there’s no getting around the fact that living on this planet requires a certain amount of just running in place. However, shouldn’t we expect more? I want scenery. I want purpose. I want joy. Don’t settle; at least don’t settle for long.

Okay, old Rusty will have to do for today and from the looks of it, tomorrow as well. But I deserve more. And so do you.

Blessings,

deb

FLORIDA GIRL MEETS SNOW

PHOTO CAPTION: Me & Murphy walking on a beach on Lake Michigan.

I think most of you know that I was raised in Pinellas Park, Florida. I’m no stranger to beaches. I love them. I love everything about them. The walking on the warm sand is like getting a foot massage at one of the best spas. Floating on your back in the salt water as the waves lull you to sleep is the most relaxed you’ll ever get. Watching sand crabs dart in and out is a treat. And, in my day, we would find starfish and sand dollars galore as we walked ankle deep down the shore. Yep, I know beaches.

However, this past week while Gary and I were decompressing in Sister Bay, the beach there threw me a new experience. Snow! I have never been walking on a beach while it was snowing. Being from Florida, you can understand why. What an odd sensation. Think of spaghetti with chocolate sauce. Or brats in your rice pudding. It was two very different sensations at once. And, I had to smile. God knows how to get my attention.

You see, Gary and I have just lived in a world of two sensations. The world of cancer with all its ugly stuff like open wounds, infections, and pain. And, the world of caring and hope where people who love you rally around and lavish their good thoughts, their prayers, their support and time on you in abundance. It was the most horrible of experiences and the most sublime of experiences.

It’s dawned on me that’s how God works best. When something bad happens we wonder where God is. But if you’re paying attention, you will find that He is everywhere in that experience. With the bad, He brings the most thrilling comfort and hope. Sort of like taking a walk in freezing weather, and then you look up and find that you are on this most glorious beach surrounded by great beauty.

I’d be curious to hear from you about your snow/beach experiences if you’d care to share. I’ll talk to you next week.

Blessings,

deb