I'll Dance at Your Wedding

Most of my childhood summers were spent with my arthritic grandmother. I loved being with her. It was a win-win. She made me feel special, and I carried, ran errands, cleaned up. She didn't make me work too hard, though. Sometimes, she would even preface a request with the phrase, "I'll dance at your wedding." Never mind that I would do the task anyway. Never mind that we worshipped at an old-fashioned church that didn't approve of dancing. And never mind that if there were dancing at my wedding, she'd be doing well to walk to her seat.

Just the idea of my grandmother dancing, got me moving quickly to do whatever she wanted doing. The first time she said it, I remember asking, "Really, Marnie? You'd dance at my wedding?" I liked the idea of her being able to dance, and if putting her shoes in the closet or carrying the dirty clothes to the washing machine would help, I wanted to do my part.

When I finally did get married at age 33, Marnie had been dead eleven years. And there was no dancing at the ceremony or reception. But I like to think that maybe she was dancing in Heaven, with two strong, unbent legs, fulfilling a promise.

The Spiritual Weight Room

Our preacher encouraged us Sunday to get in the spiritual weight room if we wanted spiritual growth. He said people had to see us sweat to see Jesus. Hmmm, I'm pretty sure he was being figurative because when people see me sweat on the running trail, I don't think it makes them think of Jesus.

My husband was listening closely. A few minutes after the sermon, we took our friend to check out of her hotel room. While I was helping her finish packing and carry her baggage back up to the lobby, Mark met a homeless couple in the parking lot. When we saw him at the front desk, he was paying for two nights so that Stephen and his wife could rest, shower and regroup.

I thought for just a moment about how we have two mortgages and lots of repairs to do. But my husband was sweating. The smile on Stephen's face showed that he saw Jesus in Mark. So, we may put off a few repairs for another month or two. We are blessed to have jobs and a God who puts the weights right before us. We don't even have to join a gym.

What Did God Make You For?

Our minister, Don McLaughlin, inspired us so much Sunday in his sermon, "Seeds of Hope." You can listen to it online, but let me give you the short version of how it encouraged me.

First, Don quoted a story about how seeds are used as tools, weapons, jewelry, but it's only when we plant them that they are truly used for the purpose that God intended. And just as the seed dies to give life, we must die daily to all else but Jesus to reach the purpose that God intended for our lives.

So, ask yourself, "Am I being used for what God made me?"

My answer was, "God made me a talk show host, speaker and writer to win souls for him, to encourage others and to strengthen their faith." Am I used that way every day? Unfortunately, no. But having that as a mission statement will focus me to surrender to his will daily.

Then Don reminded the Christians in the audience, "You signed up for this!"

The part that convicts me is the writing challenge. In addition to two personal blogs, a work blog, two monthly e-newsletters and assorted work writing, I feel called to write books. I have five viable projects in various stages. But something is holding me back from completion. I really think these books will help people, encourage them or strengthen their faith. But I am stuck.

Maybe a little Miracle-Grow (sleep), water (focus and prayer) and rich soil (exhortations like Don's) will cause my book-writing seed to sprout!

What about you? Are you stuck? What do you need? Think about what God made you for and head toward it.

Double Vision

My contact was irritating me so much that tears were streaming out of my right eye. Some moments, I could see just fine and then a minute later, it was as if the contact had fallen out--I could not focus at all.

I got home and yanked the contact out of my eye with a sigh of relief.

The next morning, I started to put the contact in and realized there were TWO contacts stuck together. Don't ask me how that happened!

So often, we are irritated, or we can't focus or get a vision of the future. Then, in hindsight (pun intended) we realize that the issue bothering us could have been easily solved.

If life threatens to rob you of your joy, take a deep breath, say a prayer and ask God to show you the simple solution.

And if you wear contacts, always insert only one lens per eye.

All Things to Enjoy

A friend heard about the gift of Sandy, my new puppy, and shared with me that she always thought Paul was talking about dogs in 1 Timothy 6:17. I ran to my Bible to see what the scripture said, and sure enough, he could be talking about pets, or friends, or books, or a beautiful view.

The scripture reads: "Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy (NASB)."

My husband and I weren't sure about enjoying Sandy's long-term outlook. Since the first few days with us, she had been scratching and turning red all over. We tried odorless detergent. We tried two different kinds of special food. The vet said she had a flea infection. So we spent $300 on medicine. But she wasn't getting better. In fact, she was getting worse. She seemed miserable.

So another trip to the vet... this time, it turns out Sandy has mange!

The good news is, like many of our trials on earth, this one is curable. Until that time, Sandy is wearing pink puppy footies and a doggie T-shirt so she won't scratch herself so badly. She seems to know that we are trying to help her, and that just gives us one more thing to appreciate about her.

Thank you, Father, for richly supplying us with so much to enjoy.

Sandy

This year, my husband gave me the best birthday present--well, second only to the engagement ring he gave me in 1995. Her name is Sandy, and he went to a lot of trouble to surprise me on the air with the new puppy. I cried, I was so shocked and happy.


A year ago, about a week before my birthday, we had to put Daisy to sleep. I'd had Daisy before Mark entered my life, so she was a special friend. Her death was so sad, it was the worst day of our marriage. We'll face worse trials in our future, and compared to what many are going through, it is almost trivial. Life goes on, though, and as I look at this little bundle snoozing on the floor at my feet, I wonder how we waited so long to have another sweet creature be part of our family.


If you need encouragement, consider giving a dog a home. You will learn lessons about God's unconditional love in ways you never will listening to a sermon. Of course, how you react to potty-training may teach you more about yourself than you wanted to learn!


We named her "Sandy" because she was picked up a tiny pup all alone, a stray in the streets. And Sandy is the name of Orphan Annie's dog. Our Sandy was not going to live long if she didn't get adopted soon. It breaks my heart to think this beautiful, smart dog would've been euthanized, as they like to call it.

We look forward to many years of companionship and will always celebrate how this orphan entered our lives and made our tomorrow's brighter.

Better than a Horror-scope

"I pray you will enjoy many unexpected blessings today."

That is how a person signed off an email to me early one morning. Wow! I figured if he was praying that, I would have a great day! And you know what? I did. Every time something pleasant happened the rest of the day, I would ask myself, "Is this the unexpected blessing?"

I don't deserve all those blessings. Just like we don't deserve God's mercy. But thinking that an unexpected blessing may come along made me smile all day long. And knowing that this man I respected took the time to say a prayer for me was the best blessing of all.

In these uncertain times, any excuse for a smile is welcome. We can take pleasure in simple favors. Even scientific researchers say expressing gratitude helps our health and well-being.

So, list what you're thankful for, and enjoy those unexpected blessings, like the prayer of a friend.