This Weekend Just Trust

This Post is Especially For When You Feel Left Behind

 

“If you fall behind, run faster. Never give up, never surrender, and rise up against the odds.”
~ Jesse Jackson

“Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.”
~ Victor Hugo

“Then our mouths were filled with laughter; our tongues sang for joy.
Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord had done great things for them.”
~ Psalms 126:2

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Feeling left behind? Be honest, because sometimes that kind of feeling can creep all over and totally cover you without you even realising it.  So if your answer is ‘yes’ simply pause and take a long hard look at your life. Ask the hard questions … and answer them truthfully.

Think about stuff like this:

• Am I really where I thought I’d be at this time and in this moment?
• Do I still have lots of deep longings waiting to burst out and be fulfilled?
• Is my boat taking a bit long to sail into harbor?
• Is the light at the end of my tunnel fading?
• Actually, why is the tunnel seemingly getting longer and longer instead of shorter and shorter?

Life is for living and every day we can find something no matter how small to be thankful for, even if it’s a laugh (or two or three).  But during the moments of doubt when disappointment or depression blow in, I’d say that’s the best time to take a short break to watch this short motivational video – thanks to Evelyn from the Internets – while you enjoy a big loud chuckle (because some parts are hilarious and you might even relate), dust yourself and then move on with me … because I’m with you 🙂

 

Texting … it can be a hazard!

 

Really, your text message can wait; wouldn’t you rather be alive and safe than dead? Be wise!

If you agree then like and share this important safety message; someone’s life could depend on it.

Today is a truly special day!

Today is National French Fry Day and I am ready!!!!

For real! It’s National French Fry day and even though it’s bizarre to have such a day (well at least to me anyways) I am sooooooo excited because I loves me some french fries and just cannot refuse them. I just had a few but didn’t even stop to take a pic so even if only for today we’re going to share and share the french fry love with others … who’s with me?

French Fry Day? What in blazes is that?

“Each year on July 13, many people will participate in National French Fry Day by enjoying one of the many varieties of the classic food. French fries, also known as chips, fries, finger chips or French-fried potatoes, are batons of deep-fried potatoes and are common fixtures at fast food restaurants that are loved by adults and kids alike!” Read more

Free Fries!

So where can you go to get free fries today? Not sure really but if you live in the USA click here: free french fries.

Random Thoughts

Do you love french fries? Did you know today was National French Fry day? How do you plan to observe it? Fun questions which deserve your answers so leave a comment for us or better yet, pass this fun smile on to others – with maybe a french fry or two or three. If you are game, include a link to a photo of your fries and include it in the comments so we can all share in your fries too 🙂

Much has been given

 

“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” ~ Luke 12:48 (NIV)

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Crop Over is in the air, and I heartily agree with a comment made once by Father Austin Carrington of the Christ Church Parish Church who encouraged Barbadians to embrace the positive aspects of our Festival while casting away the not-so-positive ones.  And here therefore is my “Once-Upon-a-Crop-Over-Long-Ago” story … which of course stars Nathan and Gale.

That particular year we went to the beach one Sunday afternoon with friends and family to enjoy some “Pan pun de Sand”. It was hot hot hot and very crowded but the sweet sweet sweet steel pan melodies soon distracted us from dwelling on the humidity. The musicians were talented and passionately threw their bodies all across the pans, reminding me of the reason I particularly loved this time of year; when I am so very proud to be a Bajan living in the midst of so much local creativity.

Unfortunately, the evening was slightly marred by an interesting interaction involving Nathan who, when it was time to leave, could not be contacted on his cell phone. We knew he had gone off with one of his friends soon after arriving on the beach but by 8 p.m. it was more than a little dark and even more crowded; yet he hadn’t returned to our group. After many frustrating moments of unanswered calls, a close friend contacted us to advise that Nathan was with his family and would be taken home. This was good because it meant Nate was safe, but it was also disappointing because as we found out later on, Nate never even had his cell phone with him! Apparently the battery had died so he simply left it in his room at home, jumped into the car and never once said a single word as we made our way to the venue.

Needless to say, Nathan could not understand the cause for concern.  As we argued, a thought unexpectedly popped into my mind: “to whom much is given, much is expected / required”.  Years ago, I worked and paid for my first (about the size of a flat, extra-large cucumber) cell phone.  I had no parent to gift it to me and yes, times were different since Nathan had his own (high-tech) phone at a much younger age but it is expected that by having this convenient communication tool one should be better able to reach him, especially in an emergency – not so? With this acquisition therefore came the responsibility of keeping it charged (Nathan) and topped up with airtime (Gale).

As Nathan further failed to see the point, both his phone and his I-pod were eventually confiscated by his big bad momma.  Why the I-pod? Because it was always charged so he could listen to music and as a result permanently attached to his hip.  The I-pod had of course accompanied him to the beach, but no phone … were we to call him on the I-pod then when it was time to leave? Was it supposed to ring? Who would have answered? But in reality, what could he have been thinking? And I don’t know why, but as the confiscator proceeded to confiscate items from the confiscatee, another verse sprung to mind, admittedly not in the truest context as presented in the bible: “the Lord giveth … and the Lord taketh away”.

I am still not sure all these years later if Nate has learnt his lesson i.e. the importance of being more responsible and accountable. Parenting is a continuous work in progress and sometimes it looks as though there is no progress at all but I do know that on that night way back then as we went to bed (very very early) I was able to acknowledge that in the same way I had been blessed in abundance with good friends, loving family, basic health, home, car, job and the ability to write creatively, so was I required to share these blessings with others whenever I could, and before for some reason they were taken away.

So here’s the question(s): what about you? What talents or material possessions has God given to you? What testimony is He expecting you to share? Is He expecting much of you as a result of His blessings? Definitely something to think about.

“The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” ~ Job 1:21 (NIV)

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Because Better Days Are Coming :)

 

“But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.” Genesis 39:21-23

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One day I overheard this conversation between two girlfriends.

“Do you know why you are in this prison of a pit right now?”

“Because God is trying to make me stronger?”

“Yes and no.  You are here because if you do not experience the pit, you will not appreciate the palace when you get there.”

Interesting concept but do you agree?  And I’m asking because I know that some days it can look as though the palace is way way out in the distance somewhere, never to be found. Maybe that’s just me.

So let’s shift focus a bit. Do you feel as though you are in a deep dark pit right now, the circumstances of which have you locked down in a serious vice grip? Well so did Joseph but he trusted his God to be there with him no matter the circumstances. God knew he was going to be in pit, followed by a prison, so He must have had an escape plan plotted out as well. How did Joseph confirm this belief? Because the bible tells us that God was with him and gave him success in whatever he did.

Similarly so does God have a plan mapped out for you. The pit may be dark, the prison darker still. But your heavenly Father has not forgotten you! Let God’s word and love be a light to your mind and body, and never forget to hold on tight to your faith … because better days are coming and soon you will be in your palace.  Amen!

Have a Happy Monday and a great week ahead.

Photo by Gale E