Little Girl Dance

Each year, February brings the painful dance of my heart. It’s not that I’m angry. It’s not that I’m hating what I see. It’s just a longing within my once little girl heart that will never be fulfilled.

The beautiful pictures plastered all over social media during this month brings sweet memories never beheld. Precious relationships promising treasured protection and defense for all her days.

His large frame casts a shadow not of harm or destruction but of love and nurture. Her petite form is sheltered, cherished and adored. They stand in parade for all to appreciate and celebrate.

I am thankful for his place in her life. I am grateful for her desire for his strength and fortitude. I truly am.

Yet, my heart breaks time and again for the wee little one standing at the door, her packed bags awaiting his never return. She forms her own dance, spinning, twirling, hoping for his hand; yet, he never extends it.

Someway, somehow, she makes it to the One who holds the key. With tears streaming, hopes shattered and dreams crushed, He takes her into His arms, and swirls her life into a new masquerade where she can smile again. ❤️

Whimsical Wednesday

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

Friday Fun Day

This isn’t a great picture, but I wanted to post it, because it was such a fun and funny moment.

For this man right here, this week has been full of real estate talks and land sales (and hold ups), attorney convos, assisting of various church organizing and leading (in other cities), office move preparations and oversight of room renovations, combined with parental directions for a soon to be college student who is being presented with some big opportunities, and just the normal day-to-day stuff as well.

Needless to say, my husband has had a full week, and it’s not even Friday yet.

But today, as there were renovations and closet clean outs going on in our gym, he sat down in a rolling chair, stuck a sombrero on his hat and carried on a funny conversation with our Hispanic campus pastor.

Once off that call, he proceeded to roll around in the room, “racing” one of our college students through a maze of tables that were being set up for an event tomorrow night.

Then, as we left the building, he flirted with me all the way out the door and carried the folders with which I was weighted down and transported them over to my truck; so, I didn’t drop the pile as I tried to run for cover in the threatening rain.

All of this fun was in the midst of all the busyness, all the potential chaos and all the business that had to be done.

He’s my hero. ❤️

For many, many reasons, but especially today because he reminded me to dance in the rain.

He reminded me that regardless of the workload, it’s important to just take a moment to breathe.

He reminded me, in the middle of what could make a man be totally frustrated, angry or even bedraggled, he always chooses to laugh.

Thank you, my love, for setting me up to have an amazing Friday Fun Day! ❤️

Whimsical Wednesday…on Saturday

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)

Whimsical Wednesday

The other day it was raining off and on, and I walked up to my kitchen door to see this. Both cats were actually staring me down when I walked up, but he gray on there decided he was not having his picture posted and proceeded to show me his determination. But anyway…

Cats really crack me up. They are so particular and opinionated. Now, I do have to say, ours are the most docile I have met in a very long time. I mean, really. You walk out in the sidewalk, and they’ll plop down in front of you to get a belly rub like a dog, and if another cat comes around, unless completely cornered, they’re not really the fighting kind. They’ll just growl and hiss while huddled over to the side in a corner.

Yet, this day with all it’s rain and dropping temperatures, they were sitting at the back door just staring me down, trying desperately to transmit telepathically that they just couldn’t believe I’d leave them out in the wet, dreary weather. They were letting me know, in no uncertain terms, they were not having much of a Whimsical Wednesday!

So, I eventually let them into the garage to dry out from all their weathered-ness. Although, shortly after getting warm and cozy, they were at the door whining, wishing they were outside again. 🙄🤦‍♀️😂

Cats never want to be where they are. They always desire to be exactly where they are not. 😂

Happy Whimsical Wednesday! Hopefully, you are joyful right where you are, even if it is in hopes of going where you presently are not!

Whimsical Wednesday

Are you strong and fierce?

Are you courageous and bold?

Does your roar reach the heavens?

Do the “animals” around you tremble at your nearing?

Or have you become just a legend?

Just a moment in time, wrapped in stone.

The stories of greatness wrapped up in your past, but somewhere along the way, you became lost and undone.

Start again in this new 2020.

Refresh your mind.

Renew your spirit.

Roar again.

…Just a thought for your Whimsical Wednesday…

Friday Fun Day

It’s hard to believe that this time next week, I’ll be writing the first Friday Fun Day of 2020.

Time to assess, evaluate, process and plan.

What have you done in 2019 that has been fun?

What is one thing you wish you could go back and change?

What is one thing you are thankful for?

What is one improvement you’d like to make in 2020?

Your lists may be long, or they may be short, but it’s good to look at your year and take account of the good, the bad and the ugly. It doesn’t mean you can go back and change it.

However, if we keep doing the things we’ve always done, expecting a different results, we are not wise. I believe Albert Einstein actually said it amounts to INSANITY.

If we expect to see change, we must like a flower bush be pruned, watered and fertilized, and in the spring, growth will appear as a tiny bud. It may seem tiny, but over time, the beautiful fragrance will convince you of the change.

Happy Friday Fun Day! Go have some fun!

Let 2019 go out with a bang and welcome 2020 like a beautiful, sweet fragranced rain.

Whimsical Wednesday

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

Don’t Hide the Scar

*A little late to posting today. My apologies.

I saw this picture the other day, and it struck a chord in my soul. Sometimes, we work hard to hide the scars we’ve obtained through the valleys of life. Many times, a scar leaves us with the memory of what is broken and marred. Often times, we try to cover the scar with a smile, a laugh or a seeking to remain in the shadows, thinking somehow, if the scar is never seen, the wounds and the pain will magically disappear as well.

I have found this statement to be so very true. “Never be ashamed of a scar. It simply means you were stronger than whatever tried to hurt you.”

Growth, strength and healing is all in perspective. Let truth be your guide. Let love be your light, and let hope be your destiny despite the scars with which you travel.

Hold your head high and embrace those things that remind you of the struggle, of the wrestling for the next breath, and always remember, your scars don’t make you a victim, unless you choose for them to be.

Once Again

Once Again

Your face reminds me of the pain

Your smile retains the brokenness

Your voice prods the gash deep in my soul.

Just when I think I’ve grown past, I hear your laughter within

Just when I feel I’ve moved beyond, I see your hand holding on

Just when I believe I’ve overcome, I touch a memory in the forgotten mind

I wish I could just stay angry forever

I long to see the payment for your crime

I yearn for the day when justice divides

Yet, He draws me back to unconditional love

He reminds me of His unyielding mercy

He calls to my heart to gracefully forgive

Not for your sake, but rather, for mine

Once Again

Penned – MG – 11/14/19

This is quite an old song, but it so eloquently describes the wounded heart. ❤️

https://youtu.be/E5rfLcGZumE