I believe …

… that God gives me the freedom of choice.  I also believe that if I make the wrong choice, but don’t lose my faith, I take away invaluable lessons and knowledge.  I believe if I make a good choice, I can still screw it up by not appreciating it.

I believe I can learn something from every good and bad situation. I might not know it while I am in the midst of it; but if I make the most of it, I can use help myself or someone else later. 

I believe blaming other people is a waste of time.  I believe I should not let other people’s thoughts or actions control me.  I make a decision to do better, be better, live better.  I might have to start by doing better out of spite.  The bottom line is, I will still be doing better.

I believe everyone should rise up, raise the bar and raise it again when you get there.  Some people will come with you, some people will cheer you on and others will stay behind and try to drag you down.  Recognize the difference and continue to give your best.

Right now as you read this, stretch your arm up as far as you can.  Now, stretch a little higher.  See?  You still had room to grow.

I believe I can apply this to all of the different areas of my life as a wife, Mother, Christian,  employee, daughter and friend. 

I believe I am not the only one who can reach a little higher.

Living It vs. Saying It

I saw a bumper sticker that said “I love my wife”.  I honestly laughed and wondered if the guy’s wife put it on his truck.  I have also seen Real Men Love Jesus and Honk if You Love Jesus bumper stickers.  I have seen countless John 3:16 posters while watching NFL football on TV. 

I am not opposed to any of these things.   I have a couple of catchy Christian t-shirts myself and I just bought Chelsea a great one at last weekend’s soccer tournament.   Each time I see something like that, I wonder if that bumper sticker, t-shirt, poster or license plate is that person’s only statement of faith.  I think if we are wearing our hearts on our sleeves (or cars, or book bags or t-shirts) then we better be walking the walk.  We also need to be prepared to back up our “statements of faith” with the life we lead.  For me, it’s not about saying I love Jesus to everyone I meet; it’s about doing my best to act like I love Jesus.  I think actions speak louder than words.  I also think if I’m living it, there won’t be much left to say.  The bottom line is, it’s not about “me” anyway.

OK – here is where I am really going with this.  I’m a little frustrated because someone told me to “do it because I love Jesus”.  Well duh, that is why I do the things I do.  The good things, anyway.  For me (and I’m writing this), sharing my faith is more that wearing a t-shirt or a WWJD wristband.  Once you get to know me, you find a sinner saved by grace who was baptized 25 years ago and remains a sinner saved by grace.  I do not go around shaking hands, telling people Jesus loves them, hauling them to the nearest body of water for dunking and then moving on.  People do not come to know Jesus this way any more than the do when you tell them to F.R.O.G.  Go out into the world and live it.  Spend the time building the relationships.  The people you build relationships with will know you love Jesus and you won’t even have to mention it … or wear it or honk …

Why Mardi Gras Disappoints Me

OK – the first thing I am going to point out here is that this little blog of information is not going to be about the “sins” of Mardi Gras.  Study that on your own and come up with your own conclusions. 

Now, on to the ranting.  People get ugly over $1 plastic beads.  I mean, you would think the people riding on the floats are throwing real money.  Tonight I witnessed several adults (maybe I should say people over 21) taking things from children.  You see, the people on the floats (P.O.F’s) have a few coveted throws that include stuffed footballs with the parade logo, stuffed animals, and “fancy” beads ($2).  The POF’s do their best to toss these precious (?) items into the outstretched arms and hands of excited children.  Unfortunately, the “adults” snatch them away over 75% of the time. 

We went to a parade in Baton Rouge tonight and I was shocked (I don’t know why) by how rude people are.  I was shocked (again, don’t know why) at the amount of children I could see that were more than an arm’s reach away from their parents.  As a matter of fact, I could not even tell you if their parents were there.  We sat for about an hour and a half in the little spot we “staked out” and as the parade rolled in to view, we were suddenly joined by a large group of people who decided they could fit in front of us.  Now, I have to tell you, I could not care any less than I do about the $1 beads.  I can come home empty handed and be fine.  I like the lights, I like some of the music, I like the marching bands (I’m a geek, I know).  I like to see the King and Queen of the parade because they look outrageous (not in a good way).  All of that being said, DO NOT step in front of my baby after she has been waiting an hour and a half for her $1 beads.  That is just unacceptable. 

I have so many other parade things to comment on as this post grows long and boring.   I will try to be brief.

• Marching bands aren’t what they used to be.  There was no formation, no one was in step, the uniforms were either half on or half off.  Some people even wore sweatshirts over their uniforms.  Being the self professed band geek that I am, the bands made me cringe. 
• Apparently there is no weight limit for dancers or high school “show girls” these days.  Before you go all crazy on me, I’m happy for these girls if they get their moment to shine, but their parents should care about them enough to buy uniforms that fit and the proper undergarments to go with them.  I am of the opinion that 16 year old girls’ breasts do not need to be overflowing their uniforms.  We don’t need to see it and they don’t need to show it.
• A truck and empty trailer with a sign advertising a trailer company does not a float make.  Throw me something, mister!
• Only one clown in this parade.  That’s odd.
• The woman who stood next to me has a little girl who gave up soccer for girl scouts.  Yikes!
• We cannot go anywhere in this town without seeing someone that my husband knows!  *grin*

After all was said and done, Chelsea said thank you to Scotty.  She also said she had fun but wished her Aunt Lauri could have been there. 

A better title for this post would have been : Why People Disappoint Me.  I do have enough sense to know people will always disappoint.  Thank God for grace.  I know I disappoint people with my words and actions too.