“Wisdom,” Who ARE You?

Well, it would be a puzzle except for the sign that says it in case you can’t figure it out…The word for today is, “Wisdom.” And here is a spoiler alert, despite all the book pictures that came up, it is not always found in books! Tuesday is Day 2 as we pray through the 7 godly characteristics of “Pray for Me,” for our church’s students. Same 7, every week of the school year, even holidays :-). Maybe I will even get some added character out of this for myself :-)! Proverbs 3:13-14 (assumed to have been written by Solomon, the wisest man on Earth, according to the Bible): “Happy is the man who finds wisdom, & the man who gains understanding; for her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, & her gain than fine gold.” Chris Freeland says this of wisdom: “It is a God’s eye perspective for navigating real life in real time.” And also, “The wisest is not always the smartest, most educated, oldest, nor do they necessarily know the Bible the best. They have these characteristics: they listen to instruction, wisdom, correction; they are moldable, humble & teachable; & they seek wisdom. It starts with the ‘fear [or awe/reverence] of the Lord.’ Of His highness, wisdom, understanding & of the power of God…that He has a bigger perspective, a greater understanding than me. And this changes everything!” Lord, I pray for our students that they may gain wisdom & seek wisdom, be humble & teachable, that they may find her proceeds better than silver or gold. I pray that they get Your perspective to navigate real life in real time, no matter how educated, old, informed or smart they may be or become. I pray that they listen to wisdom & correction, & that they have a high view of You, reverencing You & Your wisdom & power. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

The Magic Cap (spoiler alert, this is not a fun magical story, don’t get too excited :-)

Why this picture, you ask? Well maybe you don’t ask. Because nowhere online do photographers want to show pictures of real people, apparently! Especially of yoga moms with hat hair and “gimme” caps on! Enter: the “magic cap,” low profile, of course, cuz I don’t want to look like a trucker. It is amazing how much vanity we can put aside by simply putting on one of these caps. It’s signifies to the world that we have just rolled out of bed, we do not care how we look and so everyone seems to forgive the lack of makeup or fixed fluffy hair, etc. I wear it when I’m going to exercise and didn’t have time to get ready. And why bother to get ready when you’re just going to sweat anyway? And then why redo the whole look when you’re already out and about. So, shopping, here we come…in Lycra pants and the magic cap :-). Side note, my son is overjoyed to see that I finally “don’t care what I look like anymore” … his words, not mine. “You’re too old to worry about how you look anymore.” REALLY! :-0 #thoseaintpants

Second to none… Well, okay… maybe I’m 3rd or 4th or even further down the line!

I am amazed at my spirit of competition sometimes. As a young singer, I learned that the best way to get over my feelings of jealousy when other singers got a part I wanted, was to become their friend, and then I loved them & didn’t care so much if they got something I wanted. I learned to see that for certain parts & roles, they were just better suited than I was! And now I find that old Rascal Jealousy coming back, in a simple online game called Design Home. If one of my designs falls short of the mark, it still upsets me – sometimes more than others. Why? Is it an assault on my ability, or my value as a human? Sometimes, I have to accept still, other people’s work is just better than mine! Maybe they spent more money on it (or any money, as I play for free), or more time, or just simply had better taste than I did in that situation :-). Learning to accept a secondary role or place in life can be hard for some of us. And learning that just because we took second place (or 3rd or 4th) doesn’t mean that we aren’t valuable, or our opinions and viewpoints aren’t valuable… This is another lesson I am still needing to learn. So silly, how these things keep popping up throughout our lives. “Tis a gift to be simple, tis a gift to be free, tis a gift to come down where we ought to be.” A wonderful old song, a wonderful old truth!

I hate the sound of “obedient”… till I look at my mutt

So to be obedient, instead of “subserviant,” maybe I need to think (selections from Webster): respectful, reverent, well-trained (;-), willing, amenable, deferential, compliant, devoted, faithful, honoring, law-abiding (I was once called a “law-breaker” in partial jest, by a friendly legalist), loyal, obliging, observant, pliant, tame, under control, attentive…or just NOT: contrary, disobedient, insolent, misbehaving, mutinous, obstinate or rebellious!

Always lead with your heart, not with your ego. – Anna Carlson

“Always lead with your heart, not with your ego.” – Anna Carlson, Middle School Drama Teacher, said years ago to her middle school student leaders, as gratefully recalled by two of them, years later, as senior year mentor/leaders for the Middle School Musical.

Hero, icon, faithful servant

Watching the coverage of Billy Graham’s funeral this morning, the commentator made this remark, which is so beautiful in summing up Billy’s manner: “Billy Graham had a real love for people…you don’t walk over people to reach the world.” Amen!

My dog is not proud

My dog is not proud. It came to me as he hopped down out of my chair seeing me approach. He is cognizant of his place in life and happy to take it. He does not insist on the chair even though it is the comfiest place for him to sit. He hops right down when he sees me coming, for he knows I’m his “master.” He is happy to oblige! And he follows me, everywhere I go, because he loves me and wants to be with me. He wants to please me, imagine that! Would that I would be so obedient and HAPPY to be obedient when my Master approaches with an assignment or task that puts me out of my comfort zone! #tisagifttobesimpletisagifttobefreetisagifttocomedownwhereweoughttobe –
“Simple Gifts” is a Shaker song written and composed in 1848 by Elder Joseph Brackett.

Shih-tzumility

It was my little Shih tzu who inspired my morning “Instablog” about the value of humility, etc. It is said that the Shih tzu was bred to be this way. Can we breed humans to be obedient and submissive? 🙂
“His name means little lion, but there’s nothing fierce about this dog breed. The Shih Tzu is a lover, not a hunter. Bred solely to be a companion, the Shih Tzu is an affectionate, happy, outgoing housedog who loves nothing more than to follow his people from room to room.
Read more at http://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/shih-tzu#kwHjb271zGLXKHV3.99”