life

Little Girl Dance

/ The WheatandTares

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

/ 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

Friday Fun Day

/ The WheatandTares / 6 Comments

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

/ The WheatandTares / 2 Comments

Take a minute to breathe.

Breathe long and breathe deep.

If one inhale isn’t enough, do it again.

Life is too short to stay stuck in where you’ve been.

Step out. Take a chance.

Your past can’t be erased from memory.

Yet, that’s no reason to let it consume today.

Walk forward with purpose, with promise; don’t delay.

Relish the moment. Cherish the treasures.

Push beyond your fears and insecurities.

Fly out of that comfort zone, regardless of the ropes.

Tomorrow holds much goodness and hope.

Just trust and believe.

Penned – MG – 2/5/2020

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 / 12 Comments

Well, this week was continued in my battle with the crud’s, and I really wasn’t so sure I was going to have a Friday Fun Day today.

But I awoke this morning, feeling much better, while still struggling with a bit of congestion and coughing; yet, I had such a case of cabin fever that I was beyond ready to get out of the house!

Usually when my husband asks, “Me hat do you want to do for lunch?” I typically answer, “It doesn’t matter to me. However today, I almost didn’t let him finish the question! 😂

I answered within a nanosecond that I wanted to go OUT for lunch, and then, I’d come home and cook the roast I have waiting to have for lunch tomorrow!

He got a good laugh out of that one. 🤣

… then after lunch, we came home, and I helped my son work on his FAFSA form! 😳😬😖

(yeah, we’re a bit behind schedule…don’t follow our lead on that one!)

Not sure THAT was such a great Friday fun day, but there was definitely a moment to rejoice when it was all said and done!!

Like I said last week, sometimes, you just have to put your days in perspective! 😉

Hope your Friday had some fun in it! 🎉

Friday Fun Day

/ The WheatandTares / 12 Comments

Well, my Friday Fun Day hasn’t amounted to much fun.

How is yours?

I guess, I could look on the bright side, huh?

I didn’t have to rise early for work, and I could sleep for as long as I wanted.

I didn’t have follow a strict regime of eating, and if I wanted, I could eat dessert first.

I didn’t have to shut off the TV to do work, and I could read for as long as my little heart desires.

I didn’t have to do the dishes or clean house, and my guys took care of taking out the trash and washing the dishes.

I didn’t have to hear the guys fussing and fighting, and they all came in to check on me and give me hugs. ❤️

Well, I guess, a fun day has to be put into proper perspective, because I surely enjoyed not having to do some of those things I usually have to.

Yet, I do still feel like crud.

It’s all about perspective.

Go have a Friday Fun Day! 😊💕

Whimsical Wednesday

/ The WheatandTares

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… forgotten till Thursday

/ The WheatandTares / 3 Comments

If you are a “faithful reader” here at the Grizzle Grist, my sincerest apologies to you, and my deepest thanks for putting up with my neglect over the past two weeks! Between traveling to Ukraine for 12 days, a bit of jetlag, and the mounds of emails and just everyday catch-up that’s needed right now, I kind of feel like the rabbit from Alice in Wonderland. 🙄🤦‍♀️😂

I have restaurants to review for Tuesday’s Treats and thoughts for Whimsical Wednesdays and adventures for Friday Fun Days, and I’ve just got to take the time to sit down and write! Isn’t that the difficulty of every “well intended, self initiated writer?” Lol.

Well, I’m working on it. So, I just wanted to say, “Thanks for you patience and for not giving up on me!”😉 You’re amazing! 💕

Btw, I know yesterday was Wednesday; so, let me share this thought with you! Since I was a freshman in college, I’ve had this hero who is an amazing speaker, preacher and teacher. Well, now all of a sudden, he’s at our church, speaking to our congregation, and I am having direct conversations with him, like just common, comfortable, “How’s it going today?” kind of convos. It almost seems surreal; yet, he’s so humble, that he doesn’t appreciate the “fan club” type status; so, I definitely try to interact “normal.” 😂

I really began getting nervous yesterday, because I had to speak during the offering time, right before he spoke. 😳 Then, I had to remind myself, “He’s only human, too. God has appointed this time and purpose in the journey of my life, just walk in it and watch His blessings flow. It’s all about HIM anyway!”

Have you ever experienced something like that? Who’s your heroes and have you ever been able to speak to them in person, or has it only been by fan mail or signing autographs? How do you deal with “out of the norm/beyond your comfort zone kind” of moments in life?

Friday Fun Day … on Monday

/ The WheatandTares / 3 Comments

Oops! I didn’t get the Friday Fun Day post up on time, because I was flying home that day. So, today I thought I’d share a few pics from that wonderful trip and plane flight. 😊✈️🇺🇸🇺🇦 Can you guess where I was?? (NO cheating by looking up the flag!😉😂)