Just for Today

Several years ago I read this almost daily. When life got too challenging, too busy, too too, I'd read this and remember that all we are given is the day. That is enough...more than enough. I hope this will touch you as much as it's touched my life.

Just for today I will be happy. This assumes to be true what Abraham Lincoln said, that "Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be."

Just for today I will adjust myself to what is, and not try to adjust everything to my own desires, I will take my "luck" as it comes, and fit myself to it.

Just for today I will try to strengthen my mind. I will study. I will learn something useful. I will not be a mental loafer. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration.

Just for today I will exercise my soul in three ways: I will do somebody a good turn, and not get found out; if anybody knows of it, it will not count. I will do a least two things I don't want to do--just for exercise. I will not show anyone that my feelings are hurt; they may be hurt, but today I will not show it.

Just for today I will be agreeable. I will look as well as I can, dress becomingly, keep my voice low, be courteous, criticize not one bit. I won't find fault with anything, nor try to improve or regulate anybody but myself.

Just for today I will have a program. I may not follow it exactly, but I will have it. I will save myself from two pests: hurry and indecision.

Just for today I will have a quiet half hour all by myself, and relax. During this half hour, sometime, I will try to get a better perspective of my life.

Just for today I will be unafraid. Especially I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful, and to believe that as I give to the world, so the world will give to me.

Just for today,
Lila

Seasons

I remember several years ago seeing the saying, "Wouldn't life be much better if we could be like a VCR and just fast forward through the yucky times?"

Sometimes I think life would be better if we could just hit delete and move forward.

However, the other day I heard a story about a pear tree. It's stayed with me.

A father told his four children to go in search of a pear tree. He sent each of them out in different seasons.

To the one who went in the fall in search of the pear tree, they returned telling the father of how lovely the tree was with the tree's leaves a beautiful hue of gold and orange.

To the child who searched for the tree in winter, they returned in despair. They said the tree was nothing but branches and it looked dead.

The child who sought after the tree in spring was elated to find the tree with beautiful and fragrant blossoms. They knew that their sibling must have been mistaken about the dead looking tree and he certainly didn't see any gold or orange leaves. The leaves he saw were a beautiful and lush green color.

Yet, when the child who hunted for the tree in summer returned home, he shared his delight saying that the tree had delicious and sumptuous fruit.

The father said that all four children were correct in the way they described the pear tree. The pear tree goes through seasons looking differently and responding differently in each of those seasons.


So it is with us. While we want to remain beautiful like the pear tree in spring time or useful and purposeful like the pear tree in summer, sometimes we have to go through autumn or winter to prepare us for "the next right thing."

What would be the point in deleting winter if there would be no spring? Let's stay the course through the good and the bad, remembering God's faithfulness in all things.

Showing my autumn leaves,
Lila

Looking for the Divine in 2009

This year will be a year for divine love. The dictionary defines divine as "connected with worship, relating to the worship or service of God; pleasing attractive or well performed."

Do you make new years resolutions? I don't really do that in the truest sense of the word. However, I do try to make some tangible goals for myself - - both personal and professional.

I'm running a little behind on working on those goals this year. I'm going to have some prayerful contemplation today to consider what those goals might be in 2009.

Yesterday as I thought back over 2008 I was struck with how many challenging, hard and at times crushing events occurred. I made a list of the things that instantly came to mind. Yep, there were some bad things in the year.

However, then I made a list of the things I counted as blessings in 2008 and you guessed it. That list outweighed the other list. In fact in a couple of instances, the "bad list" and the "good list" sometimes had the same items on it!

I wish for you this year...
~ God's peace in trials
~ Utter awareness of blessings
~ Inexplicable joy
~ Clarity of divine love expressed

This is my heartfelt prayer for you,
Lila

Laughter Lifts You Higher

I don't think there is a thing in the world more healing than laughter. This week has been such a sad week with our friends, the Allen's, losing Ben. On Wednesday night when some of the "girls" were with Judy, it was good to see that she was able to laugh. A healing laugh.

The funeral today for Ben wasn't called a funeral, but a "fun" eral. Many stories were told and there was laughter and tears . . . just as Ben would have wanted it. The playing of Ben's playlist at the end was great. Not churchy at all.

I'm reminded of a time when we had the Allen's over for dinner and games. We were playing some silly game where everyone was supposed to write down their answer to a question and then the "guesser" had to guess who said what. The question was to name some fashion statement that girls/ladies do that you just don't get. Ben wrote down "glamour lips." We asked him about it and he cocked his head back and pooched out his lips like a model, pointed to his lips and said, "Glamour lips." We still cackle about that.

I also remember another time after we moved here I was feeling "home sick" for Atlanta. I had a group over for Bunco and was trying to be a decent hostess, all the while feeling blue. While sitting in the living room, Judy Allen, Donna Ware, Lori Wallace and Denise Waldrop all burst into our house wearing orange and green wigs. I don't know how they knew that I needed sisters that night, but I forgot all about being homesick and realized I was home . . . with all the other crazies, just like me. :) I laughed so hard I almost . . . well, you know.

More embarrassing and funny moments to come. I got a million of 'em.

Laughing amid the hurt,
Lila

It's All About the Crown - - - NOT!

So, what's with the new blog header? Oh, come on. I can hear you thinking it. Tee hee! Well, I think you deserve an explanation and I have one for you.

Ever since I was a little girl, I've been enamored with being a princess. (I'll bet many of you have as well.) When I was a wee one, my favorite special television night (even more so than when the Wizard of Oz showed) was when Leslie Ann Warren was on Cinderella. She was the most beautiful princess e-ver! I loved her rags to riches story and how the prince on the shining horse chose her. She was the fairest one in the kingdom.

When our girls were young teens that version of Cinderella (with Leslie Ann Warren) was coming on the television. I built it up and told them we were having a very special "girls' night." We got our blankets, our pillows, dimmed the lights, lit candles. fixed popcorn, got sodas and prepared to watch the Cinderella show that I had told them about their whole lives! When it finally aired, we began watching with great anticipation. Katie Lea and Caroline kept looking at me ...saying with their eyes, "Is this what you've been talking about so long?" I reiterated that it was going to get better. We kept waiting. It didn't get better. We were all disappointed. Leslie Ann Warren was pretty, but not nearly as pretty as I remembered. The prince was hokey looking and the acting was just plain bad.

I think that's the way it is. So often I (we?) dream of something that is going to be so glorious, fantasy filled and "happily ever after" and then it happens and BAM! It's not anything like we imagined. Oh, no. It's so much worse!

Vann and I married two months before Princess Di and Charles married. The media buzz that was created about their union was phenomenal. We all know how that "happily ever after" story ended.

Princess Grace of Monocco was first a movie star and then had the beautiful fairy tale wedding. I read her biography and her life was so much "smoke." She lived her life trying to please her earthly father, all the while living a pretty immoral lifestyle and then thought her father would finally approve if she married a prince. Then, that wasn't happily ever after either.

As I've matured I've come to realize that I really am a princess. I'm a daughter of the king. Thank you, Father. I don't have a castle (yet :) but will one day. I think it will be a mansion that looks like a castle.

My father came and rescued me...not on a white horse, but by sending his son to die for me. That requires so much more sacrifice than just riding up on a white horse. Thank you.

I don't have to "be" anything other than what my father created me to be. Princess Di was so burdened with the way she was supposed to "be" to be a suitable princess. My father's yoke is easy and his burden is light.

I'm so thankful my father is a king and I'm a princess. Not the kind with the crown but a princess, loved by her heavenly father all the same. He gave everything for me. I'm living my "happily ever after" because of my dad. I hope you are, too. If not, he so wants to love on you, scoop you up in his arms and let you know you are his daughter (or son), too.

That is my prayer for you,
Princess Lila

What a Perfectly Ordinary Day

As I was driving home tonight I thought to myself, "What a perfectly ordinary day!" It seems the days we tend to remember are the days with all the razz a ma tazz.

Today didn't have any razz and not a lot of tazz...and that was very good.

I remember seeing a video one time called "The Estate Sale." It struck a real chord with me since I love going to garage sales and estate sales.

The premise of the video was this old woman had died (o.k. you probably figured that one out) and the estate sale was taking place. People were perusing all the things that had been hers.

A couple of women at the estate sale were looking at the woman's items and wondered aloud what she was like, what made her happy or sad. The video then flashed back to the old woman who had died and her family as she was raising her children and enjoying being a homemaker in many years gone by.

As the video went on, the woman who had died became older. The children were grown and she was all alone. She was saying to herself that she wished for just one more "perfectly ordinary day."

That poignant video has stayed with me for a long time. I want to live each day. Really live. I want to look people in the eye and be in the moment. I want to listen. Really listen to what others are saying, not only with their words, but with their heart. I want to love others every day. Really love. Not just my family and those I'm close to but all I come into contact with.

If I get the opportunity to grow old, I don't want to have any regrets. I want to be thankful for what was...and is.. and accept it all as a part of God's plan.

What a perfectly ordinary day.

Thank you, Father,
Lila

Rain, Rain, Stay Awhile...

When we were kids we'd sing that song,

Rain, Rain, Go Away.
Come again another day.

I have never minded the rain. In fact, I rather like it! We've needed it so badly in west Texas lately, it's been like nuggets of gold dropping from the sky. We've got a good rain going right now.

This morning as I was driving to work, there was just the right mix of rain, clouds heavy with more rain and sunshine. I know there were rainbows somewhere. Rainbows are just the epitome of serendipity!

As a little girl I liked the school days when it rained. We'd have to stay inside and play inside games like 7-Up (don't remember how it went, but it had something to do with the class putting their heads on the table and someone going around and tapping you, I think.) I remember those inside games as being a little more personal and fun than the outside times...for me anyway.

I love curling up with a good book (or computer) when it is raining outside. Truth be told, I especially enjoy taking nice long naps on rainy days. I've enjoyed watching our "turtle boys" tonight. They seem to be more active in the rain.

Don't you especially love to hear the slow rumble of thunder when you are warm and safe inside? Tonight it is slowly raining and soaking the ground. Everything will be so pretty and bright green in the morning.

I don't spend a lot of time cooking or baking much anymore. Cheryl is the cook for our B & B. But tonight I've got a batch of pecan pie muffins in the oven right now. (Cheryl's recipe) They smell so good. The rain is pitter pattering down and I just now heard the low rumble of thunder!!.

Ahhh. It's a good night. Very good indeed.

Renew-ifying,
(Making up words is fun!)
Lila

I Want Out! (of the box, that is)

“Many intellectual, well-meaning people have not kept their souls alive because they have been afraid to express themselves honestly.” ~Alexandra Stoddard

Who are we really? Who are you? Who am I? I’ve already told you a little bit about myself and why I am writing as Lila. What about you?

Our girls are so unique (I know…just like the rest of us.). I remember when both of them were born I said a prayer and asked God to let them be anything he wanted, but just not vanilla. Boy, has he answered that prayer! Katie Lea is a passionate young woman who expresses her thoughts freely and her artistic abilities with abandon. Caroline has a beautiful heart for service…and purses and fashion.

Our culture excels at keeping us coloring in the lines or inside the proverbial box. I say, “What box?” When we open our hearts to God’s possibilities, there isn’t a box.

Inside the box it is dark, stuffy and light can’t penetrate. We can’t grow inside a box. It’s like those Chinese women who had their feet bound during their youth so their feet wouldn’t grow any more. That’s what living in a box does. It keeps us from being all we were meant to be. It keeps us from growing. And, we know that what isn’t growing is dying. What a tragedy it would be to die before we’re fully born.

What does your box look like? Family, social, job expectations?
Who are we really? Sans box? Come on. Poke a hole in the top of the box. Feel the light pouring in. Feels good, doesn’t it? Now take your other finger and widen the hole. Now, use your hands to really open it up. Let your eyes adjust for a moment . Now, step out on your cramped and tired feet. Reach up to the light giving life and begin running with abandon to the Father of Life who created you to live in his love… not a societal box.

Feeling the light,
Lila

God was in Wal-Mart!

Vann and I were on a delicious vacation in Hartwell, Georgia last week. I’m reminded of an occurrence that happened there last year. We stopped at “the Walmart” to pick up a few items and we saw God!

He was in the form of a 65 – 70 year old light skinned black woman with light blue eyes. Those eyes pierced the darkness and saw good inside.

Vann and I were standing in the checkout line. In front of us were four young black men/boys dressed like trouble. You know, dreadlocks, the jail britches down around the knees. This woman of God was talking to these four lost boys and was speaking with such conviction and love…about the Lord. She wasn’t preaching at them but sharing about God’s great love…for them. They responded to her with humility and respect and called her ma’am. Before they left, she told each of them she loved them. At this point she glanced my way and smiled…and those eyes..oh those eyes. Those eyes were God’s. They were hungry to love.

Next up to be targeted to receive the Father’s love was Krissy, our cashier. Krissy was having trouble ringing up the red grapes of the woman with the translucent blue eyes. While Krissy called a manager to assist her she apologized to “the woman.” The woman didn’t miss an opportunity to encourage and tell Krissy she’d be great. (You didn’t get the impression the woman was telling her she’d be great at being a cashier, but that she’d be great - - period.) After Krissy finished ringing her up, the heart-seeing woman told Krissy that she loved her and God loved her and to not be discouraged as she was made for greatness. I was touched by the book, The Shack, which portrays God as an African (American?) woman. The author must have seen this woman and used her as the idea for his book.

“We can do no great things…only small things with great love.”

Where have you spotted God?

God hunting,
Lila

Mud...or Stars?

“Two men look out through the same bars; One sees the mud and the other the stars.” ~Frederick Langbridge

My mom was such an optimist. Looking back at my growing up years, I’m thankful to still be alive. For I know I must have tested her patience in a million ways. To those who know me now, you probably find it hard to believe that I was ever really negative. But, boy, howdy, was I ever.

I know that eighth grade is really the worst grade for many people and I certainly lived that out in my life! In fact, for that year I can claim the distinction of “neversmilingmywholeeighthgradeyear”. Honestly. (Well, in my mind, it’s honest, anyway.) Back then, The Mod Squad was a popular TV show. Julie, played by Peggy Lipton was my ultimate role model. She had long straight blonde hair (very desirable in 1972). I had long, wavy brown hair. This was before those fabulous flat irons that we use now. She was skinny and long legged. I was just average. She worked with two really cool guys on the squad (Linc and Pete) and they made a cool team. And here’s the real kicker…she never really smiled. So, I never smiled.

I remember once a friend asked me why I didn’t smile anymore and I told her that Julie on the Mod Squad didn’t smile. Wow! The power of TV! The other reason I didn’t smile is because I looked at “the glass as empty - - not even half empty.

Through the years I learned a bit more about how to look at things in a more positive light, though at times I see more mud than stars. God continually reminds me to be thankful in all circumstances and as a result of that gratitude the stars of life become more brilliant with each “thankful act.”

It is my wish for you, dear reader, that you and I will grasp the wonderful power of gratitude.

Star gazing,

Lila

What are you thankful for?

Michelangelo

“I am still learning.” ~Michelangelo

I’m not certain, but I think I read that Michelangelo said this quote after sculpting the David. I’ve seen the David with my own eyes in Florence, Italy. I would say anyone that could sculpt such a magnificent piece of art out of marble wouldn’t be one to say that he was still learning.

The world is big. The world is wide. I know there is always something to learn.

I tend to want the quick learning tools. I took piano lessons for 10 ½ years. My mom dutifully took me to piano lessons once a week for that whole time period. The teachers and professors told my parents, “Your child has talent, but she won’t apply herself.” Witold Turkewicz, a music professor at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama even went so far as to tell my mom she was wasting her money. To learn, desire has to precede the education. I have to devote myself to what I want to learn today.

Today I choose to learn how to open myself up to God’s possibilities. Today, I choose to learn how to better appreciate beauty. Today, I choose to learn how to open my spirit to hear the voice of God.

What are you still learning?

The student,
~Lila