Dress for Comfort

My JJ just called me, and said that Cole was outside with her and this was his outfit: cowboy pajama bottoms, a too small camoflaged t-shirt and "cars" shoes. All this at 3:50 pm. Now granted, he did just have a bath and nap, so he is clean and comfortable. At first this may seem "odd" or shocking. "My word, her boy is running around outside like that?" But, if you have kids under 4 years old, you understand. You understand picking your battles, you understand negotiating naps, and you understand comfort.
Think about it wouldn't you rather be in your jammies right now? and if you could be in your most comfortable and favorite ones, even better! You see Cole has all favorite aspects of his life covered here, He loves "cars"the movie (shoes), what southern gentleman would not love anything camo covered! And, everyone wants to be a cowboy deep down. I sit here in jeans and a shirt with a hole, that is soooo soft. And I am loving it, no "appropriate sandels", no "nice shirt" and "waist tight" pants for work. It is summer and I am in baggy jeans and a holey shirt. I haven't even looked in the mirror today! This is summer vacation.
Jesus told the 12 and then the "72" to travel light, take no baggage, no money, just what was on their back. (Luke 9,10) This was their instructions before they set out to make miracles in his name and tell people the Kingdom of God is Here. He wants us to focus on the right things; the goal, the message, the mission. It's more than not having the "right" clothes. Jesus wants us to be unencumbered by them...in our favorite comfy jamimes so we are focused on the goal.
Do you think Heaven will be this, our most comfy and it doesn't matter? I hope so. I love those days when you sit around in your "lounging pants" (if you are a propper southern lady) or jammies, (if you are part of our family) or "half necked" as Sam says-until 3 pm-Shower then go out to eat/cook out. And if I can eat that dinner with friends who want to talk about God, what he has done and is doing. Then that is the perfect day! Goal met, comfort worn.

Play Hard, Laugh Much and Leave the worrying to The Father.

I am reading a Max Lucado book right now. He has such a way with words. He was talking about a child's faith. Where Jesus took a little child and stood him in front of him and said, unless you have the faith of a child, you cannot enter the Kingdom of God. Children play hard, laugh much and leave the worries to their father. How much easier would my life be if I just played hard, laughed much and let my Father (capitol F) do the worrying. My life right now has some worries; things I am not sure how they will play out. I know that "all things work together for good for those who love God and follow his ways", so I know the end will be great! It's the journey to the end that often make us falter. Generally I am not a "worrier", but right now I am struggling a little. But, Que Sera, Sera as my Mom and sister say, what doesn't kill us makes us stronger. So, I must be becoming super woman!!! I just want to remember to play hard, laugh much and leave the worries to MY FATHER! Why don't you try that too!

April 19,2008 Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs

I recieved a letter, an "anonymous" letter this week. It was in a plain white envelope with no return address. Now my history with blank white envelopes is not a good one. Those of you in my neighborhood know I have received these letters before from some poor sap in the hood who has nothing better than to watch my grass grow. So with hesitation I opened it. Instead, it was a beautiful hand written note from five friends who had written with their hearts. Things they see in me and who (Christ) they see in me. I was deeply touched.

We so often listen to the little voices in our heads that tell us all our faults and shortcomings. We struggle with behaviors and habits and feel we are getting no where because we tell ourselves we are no good. A letter like this one let me see that what others see, it is the voice I need to be attuned to. Now I don't mean that we should preoccupy our time with what others are thinking. I mean that part of being a Christian community is we encourage one another. I felt as if God was telling me these words of encouragement because they were so "on the money" with were I feel I run short.

The verse that my friends were claiming was Hebrews 10:24 "Let us consider how me may spur each other on toward love and good deeds". My friends have done this, they have spured me on, they have encouraged me and so now I can encourage or spur another on.

This week I had been telling myself that people could not possibley see Christ in me as I am so weak, uncareing, I complain, I am rude and cruel. Its like Paul said what I want to be I can't be, what don't want to do, I do...or something like that.These few words let me know that what I am actually struggling with and striving for is coming to fruition. That Christ is indeed working in me. And especially as a single person, there is no one to hold you accountable in your everyday, every hour life. No one to say, 'oh, carol that was very cruel what you just said" and on the other hand, no one to say "I am noticing a change in you about how you treat people, good job".
This little letter was this for me.

Ephesians 5:19 says, "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs." This was done to me this day. My freinds sang me a psalm, a spiritual song that thier God spirit, sang to my God spirit inside us. There is nothing better than that! It was a balm to my soul from God.

So to those of you who were part of this, thank you. I am blessed to call you my sister in Christ and count you as my family and dearest friends.

To those of you who are just reading this, go and sing a spiritual song to someone you know and is your brother or sister in Christ. Tell them what you see in them that is from God. Not only will you encourage them, but you will spur them on to more good deeds and love

Wednesday, April 02, 2008 GOD, run screaming from him or towards him?

Ok so, the babies came to see me over my spring break. They are hilarious. But Jj has not posted any colisms lately...so here goes. Cole went by himself to visit his grandma in Alabama all by himself...fun! Well they went to church (mass) and usually Cole goes to the nursery, but at her church he was scared. So Claire (grandma) had him sit with her, when she went down for communion, Cole went with her as only Cole can - hiding behind her and grabbing her dress. As they approached the alter, Claire got her communion, and the Priest leaned forward to "bless" Cole, he screams and runs towards the alter (those of you who are catholic are now gasping) yelling "no, no, no". Picture Claire mortified. She asked him about it later and said "you like the priest at your church, why were you scared?" Cole answers, "That was no priest, that was GOD!" My question: If it was God, would you run screaming, or say "hey"?

Sunday, April 13, 2008 ORIGINAL CARSIE SONG

My grand neice, 2 year old (3 in July) made this up...awesome (to the tune of The Farmer in the Dell") The pan is really hot The pan is really hot OH NO I BURNED MY HAND That pan was really hot... But momma's gonna kiss it My momma's gonna kiss it That will make it be all better And then I'll get a band-aid. (there was dancing, of course, that went with all this made up nonsense and it was brilliant.)

Graduation

Monday, my boy graduated from high school. One person commented on how I didn't cry as he crossed the stage. Well, what can I say? I am emotional, very!
But I am involved in education and have watched graduations every year for over 20 years, we were soooo far away from the stage, balcony level, And we were soooo tired. So yes, our little man is all grown and a new stage for him begins as he gets motivated for college and work worlds.
So my life alone has begun and I am not sure if I am ready for it. My Friday and Saturday nights are alone on the computer or watching TV. So, I am looking to my friends out there, to call me and lets go do something, even just play cards, k?
Heidi and I await.....