reality

Friday Fun Day

/ The WheatandTares / 4 Comments

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.

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! 🎉

Whimsical Wednesday

/ The WheatandTares / 4 Comments

Sometimes, you must make your own whimsical moment.

Like stepping on (packing) bubbles and becoming a child again.

Like doing a jig on those bubbles as if you’re Mr. Magorium from Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium.

Like stepping out in the rain and not running from the pain.

Like doing a dance right in the middle of the waterspout just to say you did.

Yeah, sometimes, you just have to make your own whimsical moments.

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

Friday Fun Day

/ The WheatandTares / 9 Comments

Sometimes, you just got to!

Whatever it is. Wherever you are.

However you can make it happen.

Happiness is a perspective. Joy is a choice.

Circumstances and people should never dictate the state of mind nor of heart.

Choose what fun you’ll have today.

Choose what goodness you’ll find.

And smile. Even in the rain.

Penned – MG – 12/7/19

Whimsical Wednesday

/ The WheatandTares

*Late post! We will just pretend it’s Wednesday again. 😂

Growing up can be altogether exciting, challenging and frightening…and that’s just for mom!

This year is full of changes, deadlines, memories and plans, and I’m so proud of our son.

We’re excited for what’s to come, but we’re determined not to look too far ahead that we can’t cherish the memories of yesterday and savor the moments right now.

Wherever you are, BE THERE. No matter how whimsical, joyful, painful or confronting that minute might be.

Learn from it. Soak it in, and if it’s not quite what you’d like it to be, work hard to transform it and use it for your good.

If you’ve found that “sweet spot,” enjoy it and don’t take it for granted!

We never know what will be next!

Don’t Hide the Scar

/ The WheatandTares / 2 Comments

*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.

Happy Thanksgiving to You!

/ The WheatandTares

Today was full of good food, fun family moments and even a beautiful hike in the North Georgia mountains. I do hope you and yours had a wonderful day as well.

Yet, all of this reminds me there are so many who aren’t as blessed. There are so many people in this nation who grieve on this day. There are more who are alone, desperate and afraid. My heart breaks for those, and I will allow it to challenge my heart but not change it to pure sorrow.

For if I allow the heartbreak of the world to keep my joy in the shadows, then I’ve not learned from their loss, I’ve only grown in pity.

Yet, if I will allow it to confront my soul and draw me to repentance, gratefulness and awareness of the blessings I’ve received, then I have grown in wisdom and understanding.

If I allow it to divert my eyes to the less fortunate, and it causes my hands to reach out with love and graciousness, then I will have grown in hope and learned from His goodness.

Let us cherish the grace we have found.

Let us treasure the blessings we’ve been bestowed.

Let us never neglect the chance we have been given to share hope and compassion with another.

I pray this Thanksgiving will not only be a day we celebrate, but I pray it will be a season in which we abide.