What's in Your Well?

I like colloquialisms, especially southernisms. (One of my favorites is "garbage in, garbage out." It's SO TRUE.) My daddy is famous for spouting some of the neatest things during a conversation. It is especially fun when I hear a new phrase -at least new to me.

Last Sunday at church the message was on effective communication. The scripture used was Ephesians 4: 29-32. I've been a big fan of E4:29 ever since I read Silver Boxes by Florence Littauer. The Message puts it this way, "Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift." Greg Addison's blog for more. It also has amazing food from Proverbs included. Mmmm, good stuff.
Unfortunately I tend to forget things and need reminders as life goes along. If you would like a great reminder you can visit

Later, sitting in class, several people were discussing what we had just heard from the pastor. We talked about Matthew 15:18 (But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart...). One of the teachers said that reminded him of something his grandmother used to say, "What's down in the well comes up in the bucket."

That's a new one on me.

And I like it!

There's a whole lot of truth in that country sayin'. It sure makes you look inward.

So what are you filling your well with? And how is it going to sound, look, smell, and feel when it comes back out?

If this is what is in our well, the world will see it when it makes its way out.

We may not have complete control over the thoughts or images that enter our minds, but we can control how long they linger. I do NOT have to entertain unwelcome visitors. Philippians 4:8 is a good guideline for keeping our hearts and minds on track. It says, "Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - thing about such things."

It's a moment by moment decision to keep our hearts and minds pure. Will we ever win? Not here, not now. But we still fight. And my heart and mind are worth fighting for!


This is what I want coming up in my bucket.

So what's down in your well?

Morning with Matthew

Last Tuesday morning my nephew Matt let me take some photos. Here are a few shots from downtown Little Rock. Forgive the quality. I'm going to work on that during our next session. 

The shots in the alley and this one are my favorites.

Childlike Wonder

It feels good to let go of grown-up ideas and assumptions. Sometimes you need a break from what is expected. We don't always have to think like adults. In fact, I make conscious attempts to unleash my mind from the trappings of deliberate thinking. My hope is to capture some of the freshness of an unpolluted mind. Does anyone else do that?

So I've been a thinkin'. I've been pondering God. What is He going to look like? What is Heaven going to be like? What will my days be like? Will there be days?

Will my eyes still be blue? Will I be able to see colors that are incomprehensible here? Can you feel colors?

How will music feel differently? It will all be for Him. Will my entire body respond?

What about taste? And smell? And touch? (I love to touch!) How many more senses will I have?

What is it going to be like, the first time I bow my knee in His presence? Oh the anticipation!

What does God feel like? I can't wait to touch Him!

Do you ever wonder? Tell me.

Yummy

I've been house/dog sitting for the last two weeks for some friends. The house is kind of in the country. It's not deep country, but it will do. The best part about this place is all the fruit! I've been picking and eating blackberries and blueberries everyday. (And the figs are just ripening!)

I started with both berries but the last couple of days have been all about blue.  Here are some of the yummy treats I've made.

blueberry-pineapple smoothie

blueberry breakfast cobbler

blueberries on vanilla ice cream

It's a good thing I'm finished with my assignment tomorrow. If I stay any longer I'm afraid I will have to change my name to Violet Beauregarde.

Fun New Blog!

My amazing, beautiful, witty niece (see post and photo below) has started her own blog. If you've ever wondered what goes through the mind of a 15 year-old growing up today, this is your chance to find out. I invite you to check out blue eyed bug. She is such a delight!

This is Joy

This child is pure joy to me. I love everything about her. Caitie has such a sweet spirit and a heart that belongs to God. I took this photo on our girl's day out together. We went to fab boutiques and tried on fun things. I bet God is passing this picture around Heaven saying, "I made this."

Parents Say the Darndest Things

My mom had a slight accident yesterday. As she was getting into the car, she pulled the door right into her face. The top corner of the door frame hit her near the temple. I got out of the car and we made our way back into the house. Mama sat down and we iced her head for the next 10 minutes. She was in some pain and had a nice little bump, not to mention an inch long purple mark, but decided to continue with our errands.

Mama's head is better today but she still has a swollen eye. And the lovely mark above her eye is now blood red and purple.

My dad looked up from the lunch table and and commented on Mama's injury. He noted the swelling and Mama replied, "I know, and that's where I usually put my eyebrow."

I Can't Be Bothered

Have you ever met someone who doesn't know joy? A person that doesn't know how to be happy? Now before you say it, I know joy and happiness are not the same. And that's my point. I understand that unless you know (really know) this amazing guy called Christ, you cannot experience joy. So the next best thing, humanly speaking, would be happiness.

So how sad is it to meet someone that is incapable of owning any happiness -even if you handed it to them in a bucket. My heart hurts for these people. Really hurts.

Twenty years ago I worked for a major transportation company. At the tender age of 23 I was responsible for $15 million in marketing accounts. I was good at my job thanks to an amazing God that enabled me when I needed it. However, there was a problem. My supervisor didn't like me. She actually hated me. This person made it her mission in life to get me fired. When that didn't work she made herself content with making life miserable for me during working hours.

Nevertheless God prevailed. I continued to earn accolades from my clients, awards from the company, and recognition from the CEO. Unfortunately, the more I succeeded the more I was mistreated. And I didn't just take her abuse. I stood up for myself, without trying to be too obnoxious or disrespectful.

I grew very unhappy at work. I searched my heart to see if I could do things differently to please this person. When I was satisfied that the Holy Spirit had confirmed that I was doing as I should, I changed tactics. Since I knew that I was not the person in the wrong, I began to pray for my supervisor. I asked God to soften her heart toward me and tender her spirit.

I continued to pray for this woman everyday. One day I saw the difference I'd been requesting. No, my supervisor didn't stop her actions. Instead, I began to love her the way God loved her. It began with me not responding to her verbal abuse and escalated to me offering to help her when she looked frazzled.

One day this woman came to me and asked for my forgiveness. She told me that God had convicted her of her treatment of me, and it just got worse when I started being so nice to her. (Isn't God sneaky!)

Now I'm not telling you this so you will think that I'm an amazing person. I mean, I am -but I can post about that another time. I'm sure you guys have already figured out Who the Amazing One is in this story! So here comes one of my favorite things to say. Are you ready?

GOD IS SO COOL! I LIKE HIM SO MUCH!

So fast forward 20 years and I am now in a situation in which I am acquainted with someone that has no ability to see joy, or happiness for that matter. My first reaction was to be disgusted and ignore her.

But then I heard a whisper.

I took another look. This lady is a beautiful child created by my God. He loves her. He gave His Son for her. Whether or not she truly knows that is unknown to me. The fact that her entire life seems focused on stirring trouble and bitterness tears my heart to pieces.

Now, instead of being bothered by this person I have decided to try to love her. I don't know what the outcome will be, but that isn't going to stop me from listening to the whisper. It's doubtful that I will ever be close to this person, but I can pray for her and do my best to see her as God sees her. And I don't care what she says or does. It isn't going to bother me.

I am certain that I will see the LORD's goodness in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13

I'm Back

It has been almost a year since I've been to the blog world. I've missed it, and so I'm back. I can't promise anything stimulating but at least I'll be showing up from time to time.

Another exciting thing for me is catching up on so many of you guys. It's good to be back.

I love you guys!