Monday Musings

August 31, 2020September 28, 2020 / The WheatandTares / 8 Comments

In 2019, I’d never have guessed I’d have face masks hanging from my shower wall awaiting to dry.

In 2019, I’d never have thought of driving into our favorite North Georgia mountain town to find one great restaurant after another either closed early, have outdoor seating only, take-out only or have such dismal cleaning abilities that you’d not want to eat there.

In 2018, I never once worried about whom I could hug on a Sunday morning or whom I couldn’t, unless she was a visitor and then, I’d give it pause to not seem too much.

In 2018, I never once thought about how many people across the nation were dealing questions of, “Should I go or stay?”

In 2017, we had concerns around the world about sickness, desolation and fear; yet, we faced it together. We faced it with purpose.

In 2017, we glanced through the hour glass of time, wondering what the future might hold; yet, we glanced with hope, with promise for a better tomorrow.

In 2016, we had disagreements and didn’t see eye-to-eye; yet, that was a “normal” with which almost all of us could live. It was ok to disagree. It was ok to be at odds.

Life just went on.

I wonder how much has to change in 2020 to wake us up from our slumber.

I wonder how many have to be lost before we realize “that normal” is no more and “this normal” is here to stay.

We have to quit “glorifying yesterday” in order to live for tomorrow and be present in today.

We have to quit pointing the fingers and finding the blame in order to live determines and strong.

If we are to not simply survive…

If we are to choose to THRIVE, then, it starts with you and me…

It starts today…

And it must start now.

“Almost universally, when people look back on their lives while on their deathbed […] they wish they had spent more time with the people and activities they truly loved and less time worrying about aspects of life that, upon deeper examination, really don’t matter at all that much. Imagining yourself at your own funeral allows you to look back at your life while you still have the chance to make some important changes.” — Richard Carlson, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff…and It’s All Small Stuff

Monday Musings

August 17, 2020September 28, 2020 / The WheatandTares / 1 Comment

There’s nothing better than a great big glass of ice cold water after a 3 mile walk in the heat of the evening.

You’re parched. You’re tired. You’re breathless.

Yet, that water is like snow in the desert.

It’s refreshing to the bones.

It’s reviving to the muscles.

It’s rejuvenating to the very soul.

This is just how I have found my God to be.

I’m not talking about finding religion, and I’m not trying to convince you of an ancient tradition.

I’m just referring to a Friend who sticks closer than a brother.

I’m pointing toward a comfort in times of need, a peace that surpasses all your understanding and a fulfilling joy that words just can’t seem to describe.

You might scoff, and you might even turn the page, but I challenge you to simply try Him.

Just say His name.

Jesus.

He can be refreshing water for your weary mind.

He can be a babbling brook for your exhausted heart.

He can be a living stream for your parched soul.

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
John 7:37-38

Friday Fun Day

August 14, 2020 / The WheatandTares / 9 Comments

Sometimes, it’s not even a Friday, but you just need a FUN DAY!!

Yet today IS Friday; so, you have double the excuses!

Forget your troubles today like those belated cards.

Let all the worries float away like a beautiful balloon.

Set a fire to your passions like those melting candles.

Grab your love by the hand and make a wish.

Go have a Friday Fun Day today!!

Whimsical Wednesday

August 13, 2020 / The WheatandTares

A little late is better than never…

How far will you travel to seek your heart desire?

How deep will you search?

How high will you climb?

How treacherous will the adventure become?

Are you willing to go?

Life can be as fulfilling, heartbreaking, thrill-seeking or peaceful as you want to make it.

Live with no regrets.

Survive with no remorse.

Let your heart soar to new heights and rediscover something new to you!

Friday Fun Day

August 8, 2020 / The WheatandTares

Sometimes, you just gotta keep drivin’.

It might be chaotic, but eventually you’ll be arrivin’.

Life can be hard, and life can be insane.

You might go up, down, but never the same.

Sometimes, you need to stop looking at the maze.

And start focusing on the days.

There are precious ones all around you.

You’ve zoned in only on your groove.

Open your eyes to see the beauty.

Open your ears to hear beyond your duty.

Soon an embrace will be too late.

And all you’ll have to hold is your death crate.

Enjoy those Friday Fun Days while you can!

Friday Fun Day

July 17, 2020July 9, 2020 / The WheatandTares

Some days are just going to be filled with wind and rain.

Other days are going to be overwhelmed with tears and pain.

When this journey of life seems to consume, and it’s gets hard to remember the sun that used to shine…

Just take a step back. Breathe deep and exhale long.

Remember, there’s always more.

As long as your heart is still beating and your lungs are still breathing, there’s always hope.

Push away those clouds.

Chase away those blues.

And go have a Friday Fun Day!

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31

“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37-39

Whimsical Wednesday

July 15, 2020 / The WheatandTares / 1 Comment

Parenting has so many mountains and valleys, and they will come and go so rapidly, you’ll miss them if you blink.

You can’t hold too loosely, or you’ll miss all that you neglected.

You can’t hold on too tightly, or you just might lose it all.

You just have to be in the moment and enjoy it.

Savor it.

Treasure it.

Remember it.

And when the heavy lifting over, know that it’s not really over.

It’s just shifted a bit, and a new chapter will open.

Live fully.

Laugh freely.

Love deeply.

Friday Fun Day

July 10, 2020 / The WheatandTares / 10 Comments

I don’t know about you, but those little sparkles that you can buy during the Fourth of July holidays make me feel like a little kid.

They light up the night.

They sizzle.

They pop.

They bring sweet memories rushing in of innocence and laughter.

If you’re struggling today to find some peace, and if your striving this week to find some joy, just go pick up a box of those sparklers.

Light ‘em up.

Let them spark.

Let them bring a moment of joy to your heart, and remember there’s still hope.

Because there’s still breath to breathe.

Enjoy your Friday Fun Day!

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11

Whimsical Wednesday

July 8, 2020July 7, 2020 / The WheatandTares / 2 Comments

Sometimes, things don’t turn out like they should.

Sometimes, your dreams change or disappear.

Sometimes, the aspirations of yesterday get middles in the chaos of today.

Yet, there is still Hope, and it can find a way.

Just take a moment to breathe.

Just take a second to relax

Just step back from all the confusion and deeply exhale.

Just remember, there is a God who can shelter you in the gale.

Penned 7/7/20 MG

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27