destiny

What COVID-19 Has Taught Me

/ The WheatandTares / 6 Comments

I know the present pandemic isn’t quite over, and for many, it has brought a whole new normal. I grow angry at those who perpetuate the fear, and I am broken-hearted for those who have lost so much. I neither trivialize nor magnify this crisis. I live with precautions; yet, I absolutely refuse to live in fear.

When I am surrounded by media outlets constantly trying to manipulate the masses to think a certain way, or even act a certain way, I have red flags and sirens immediately go off inside my mind. I stop, watch intently and listen beyond the headlines. I read more, seek more and yes, even pray more to find the absolute truth not the perpetuated and opinionated half truths/half lies.

So, with all that being said, I’d like to tell you what I have learned during this 2020 pandemic… (These are in no particular order…just thoughts brought from heart to pen and paper.)

1. There are many things in life which I thought I needed, and I have found I can live without.

2. There are many things in life which I thought I needed, and I have found I was right.

3. You can confine and restrict, but the old adage stands true, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

4. School can be cut out from the children, but they will learn in more way than you first realized.

5. Even in brokenness and poverty, kindness can override…and the opposite is also true.

6. Even in health and prosperity, selfishness and hatred can thrive…and the opposite is also true.

7. We all need our friends and our support systems.

8. We all need our downtime and to be alone with our thoughts.

9. If you are always the smartest person in the room, Leave. You’re either not as smart as you think you are, or you’re not surrounded by enough challenging people.

10. Your wellness and happiness does not depend upon your wealth, your posterity, your location nor your relationships

…neither does it depend upon your poverty, your failures, your content nor your friendships… but these all (good and bad) can make a defined difference in your life, your destiny and in your legacy.

11. Some people are angels, no matter their circumstance.

12. Some people are devils, no matter their circumstance.

13. It can be very comical what people will buy in a panic.

14. It can be very heart wrenching what people will need in a panic.

15. People are resilient when given a chance to choose.

16. People are assiduous and persevering when left without an easy alternative.

17. Our older generations are valuable, genuine and full of tenacity.

18. Our younger generations are cherished, authentic and full of vigor.

19. People who have determination and purpose can thrive in adversity and in abundance.

20. People who live in fear can be controlled by those who appear to have the confidence to give direction.

21. People who live in doubt can be contained by those who appear to know the answers.

22. If you can believe in the Creator of this universe, He will give you hope, grace and peace like you’ve never seen.

23. God is God, and His name will be glorified in the good, in the bad, and yes, even in the ugly.

Whimsical Wednesday

/ The WheatandTares / 5 Comments

Are you whimsical, you mighty, magnetic beast?

Are you playful, fun-loving and free?

Your roar makes my heart tremble with trepidation.

Your paws make my eyes widen with awareness.

Your power is unmatched and unrivaled.

Your strength is uncontainable and unrefined.

Your tenacity is unfathomable and uncontrollable.

I stand in humble awe of all that You are.

Yet, in all your power, and in all your might, You loved me still.

In all Your awesome, overwhelming sovereignty, You entice me to stay near.

Your fierce protection and unyielding dominance gives way to mercy in me.

Your relentless graces consumes my wayward soul and calls me back to You.

Penned – MG – 3/3/20

Whimsical Wednesday

/ The WheatandTares

My mind is swirling with so many deadlines and appointments.

I almost feel overwhelmed with all the expectations to be have been sent.

Yet, I will stop and take a moment to breathe.

If I don’t, I only find my sword unsheathed.

Whimsical Wednesdays sometimes remain in my mind rather in reality, but that’s ok, as long as my perspective on Him remains in centrality. 😉

Penned – MG – 2/26/20

Whimsical Wednesday

/ The WheatandTares

My mind is swirling with so many deadlines and appointments.

I almost feel overwhelmed with all the expectations to be have been sent.

Yet, I will stop and take a moment to breathe.

If I don’t, I only find my sword unsheathed.

Whimsical Wednesdays sometimes remain in my mind rather in reality, but that’s ok, as long as my perspective on Him remains in centrality. 😉

Penned – MG – 2/26/20

Whimsical Wednesday

/ The WheatandTares

She twirls. She swirls. She takes a bow.

She looks up to see Him now.

She takes His hand to receive her guide.

He leads her down the path not wide.

Upon the journey, darkness falls.

In the fog, to Him she calls.

He is there, reminding her she has His hand.

As long as she holds on, she will always stand.

Creatures and sounds try to distract her way.

Screeching and screaming, making her jump in dismay.

She holds tightly through the pitch black night.

And sees His loving eyes in the morning’s shining light.

Penned – MG – 2/12/20

Whimsical Wednesday…on Saturday

/ The WheatandTares / 4 Comments

Sometimes, I dream of heaven.

Almost always, I think of a beautiful lion sitting in all his majesty. Maybe I’ve watched too much Chronicles of Narnia and fallen in love with the character Aslan, but the Scripture tell us that Christ is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. And I look forward to the day that Mighty Lion rises and roars for all the heaven lies to hear. I look forward to the day He leads His children into battle against the enemy to slay and bind him forever. I look forward to the day when the mighty Lion lays down with the Lamb. And I look forward to the day I can just snuggle up close to Him, wrap my arms around His neck and call Him, “Friend,” face to face.

Yeah, you might just think I’m crazy, or maybe you just need to watch The Chronicles of Narnia again, and ask that Mighty Lion to reveal Himself to you.

That’s one of His specialties…

(Rev. 5:5-6; 5:12-13; 1 Corinthians 15:57)

Friday Fun Day

/ The WheatandTares

Get out and enjoy a Friday Fun Day today.

If you’re cooped up at work, then, plan for tomorrow.

But get out and do something different.

Change the atmosphere. Change the routine.

Get out and remember why you’re alive.

You have a purpose. You have a significance.

Remember what, why and who.

Move beyond the mundane and into the extraordinary.

You can do this! Now, go have some fun! 🎉

Sometimes, You Can See It

/ The WheatandTares / 9 Comments

As a parent of two older teen sons, there are often times, I wonder if we’ve raised them right.

When their attitudes are stinky, and their relationships are floundering. When they’d rather threaten to “punch you in the face” to show brotherly love than express a kind word. When they’d rather goof off and smart off than do what they’re told and help out around the house.

As a parent, you work real hard to train up your children in the way they should go. You work real hard, constantly hoping your words are matching your own deeds, and somehow, that example is being seen by the tiny feet (now big feet) that follow.

As a parent, you spend long hours teaching the hard lessons, conveying life truths and praying, “Dear Lord, help this child to hear and understand what I’m trying to tell him.”

As a parent, you’re continually pleading with God to protect, guide and help, give grace, and most importantly, to love and help them to realize just how much.

And you wonder…

Are they getting it?

Will they hear it?

Much more, will they believe, receive and repeat it?

Then, in one brief moment, one twinkling of an eye, you get a glimpse…

You and your sons are sitting in a restaurant, awaiting your food, and an elderly couple pulls up in the rain. The husband is bent over in stature, trying desperately to help his wife, who is just as feeble, to get to the door and out of the downpour.

All of this has been in your peripheral vision, not completely cognizant of the events, until at the same split second, you hear your 18 year old’s chair loudly scrape the floor, and by the time you turn to see him, he’s already at the door.

He proceeds to hold the door, take the lady’s hand from her husband (so he can go park the car that’s been running on the curb) and he proceeds to walk the little lady to her table and make sure she’s alright.

Wow. He’s gonna be okay. Not just ok, he’s already become an amazing young man, and I just got to see the proof of it.

This momma’s heart is full. ❤️

Friday Fun Day

/ The WheatandTares

Sometimes, you have to choose to dance in the rain.

Life isn’t going to always be what you want.

Circumstances aren’t always going to be what you like.

These things may laugh and mock at you while you faulted and flop.

What you choose in that moment will often determine your destiny.

Choose life. Choose joy. Choose peace.

Choose love over hate.

Choose truth over lies.

Choose a smile. Choose fun.

These things might not change your event, but they will change your perspective.

They will change your heart.

They will change your mind and your eyes.

Fund Days are happenstance.

Sometimes, you stand to make it happen.

Whimsical Wednesday

/ The WheatandTares

Oh, the deadlines, test dates, pictures, invitations, test scores, applications, conversations and far away visits that happen in the last lap.

The tears flow unexpectedly and without warning. The memories flood in like a cold, hard rain, and the expectations burst forth like a bright ray of sunshine.

There’s apprehension, excitement, fears, doubts and joys to be had.

Your heart desires to hold on tightly, clinging to all that has been, not wanting to extricate or even peek ahead.

Yet, your head knows the day comes and waits for no man, understanding this is all you’ve worked toward since the day your eyes first met.

Your hands acknowledge the time is beckoning him to fly, and there will be no flight if they don’t release their grasp.

Your soul understands if there is no surrender, his wings will be clipped, and the sorrow will be grave for all involved.

Your feet can feel the earth begin to tremble; you question is that the ground or the foundation of your dreams.

For they’re no longer your hopes, your visions, your aspirations; they must become his as he pursues the calling within.

The smiles savored and the grief in farewell is intermingled with the confidence and exhilaration of the promises yet to come.

As you cheer him on for this last lap that will count for a lifetime of yesterdays and tomorrows.

Penned – MG – 12/10/19