Unpacking my faith

It's that time again. Time to make my way to the corner of the garage, haul multiple boxes to my den all to unpack my Christmas ornaments and festive items. I confess, I haven't been the atypical Christmas decorator. In fact, last year I finally put my tree up two days before Christmas. Some would say it was my childhood. Dad and mom would wait a week or so before Christmas and then go on their only date night for the year and come back with a truck full of gifts. Or, they would conveniently hide them in all too familiar places.I found my first sparkly blue banana seat bike behind drywall in our garage weeks before the big day. It nearly killed me knowing it was there, and again later when I convinced myself I could let go of the handle bars. (that's another story) I suppose the gig was up early for me. What I do remember with great fondness is lying in bed late at night trying to hear the hoofs of the reindeer on the roof. It was magical. If we really cherished Christmas for the real reason for the season many of us would not have to "unpack our faith." It wouldn't get shoved in a box, in the corner of the garage or misplaced with the tote full of miscellaneous garage items. We wouldn't get discouraged at broken lights because we would know the true "light." The real light to our feet is our Lord and Savior. I have no one to blame for my Christmas decorating malaise. Perhaps it is because I do celebrate the birth of Jesus that everything else pails in comparison. The only thing I marvel at now late at night on Christmas eve is the thought of Mary, Joseph, a stable of farm animals and the sweetest gift on earth. Unpacking my faith continues to be the most important thing in my life. Have you unpacked yours?

Snakes under the porch

We have a large snake, under our porch. He comes out when the sun is out. It's been a cause of some concern since our new little puppy could easily be swallowed up by the monster. There is some debate over what kind of snake it is...it seems relatively unafraid of us so far and has put up with a brutal attack by our son, and his friends but remains unscathed. We have armed ourselves with three shovels...just in case. We've researched the snake and are pretty sure...(key point) that it is harmless. Alas, I've been away from the farm too long and don't relish the idea of a snake so close.

Mom, McGyver, and Grandma Moses

My mom, Doris Tillis, is a modern day Grandma Moses. In fact she has many traits in common with her. Not only is she a tremendous artist but has only ripened with age in her artistic talent. Like Grandma Moses, also a mother of five, my mom continues to explore new dimensions of art. Just this week, while walking I found a 6 ft. snake skin. Immediately my mom decided to make "nature" art and varnish the last remains of one of her least favorite critters. Earlier in the week, an old ham shaped piece of wood miraculously turned into her palette. Within days she had created a pastoral Ozark scene with the deft stroke of her pen . Today she surprised me with her declaration that she was watching her beloved Tennessee Titans and whittling away at a piece of pruned peach tree limb from an industrious peach tree off her back porch that had far extended it's branching dimensions. I must say though, she also reminds me of another character, albeit less artistic...McGyver. The popular character was known for his quick thinking creative fixes while facing sure demise. Mom has not faced such trauma...but is able to creatively solve most any household problem in an unusual and artistic fashion. What an amazing lady! She's my idol.

Legacy of Laughter

One of my last great Aunt's passed away this week...Aunt Virginia. (now that's a southern name) My aunt was visiting this week and she shared the legacy of laughter that the entire family, all nine children on my grandmother's side, had. Apparently they kept the church pew shaking each Sunday with their laughter during the service. There were eight sisters and one brother in the Rogers family. My Aunt told me that if one started laughing during the service, in time the entire clan would crack up and slowly but surely each pew row thereafter would catch the bug and before you knew it the whole church would be giggling at their antics. I imagine they had quite a reputation at the First Baptist Church of Dover. I'll think of Aunt Virginia the next time I laugh at church and I am grateful for her legacy of laughter. I know heaven is richer today with the Rogers sisters laughing up a storm.

Ten Months Ago

Ten Months ago I learned that my sister had cancer. Today we hiked two hours in the Ozark hills. The path was steep, much steeper than either of us expected. We had each other to encourage the other along. We knew when we took off our shoes to cross the creek we were in for an exciting hike. The trail got tougher and tougher but with breaks in between, and pleasant conversation, we made it. Ten months ago life seemed a lot like our hike today, unknown, steep, tough, scary but we were reminded, just as today that God is gracious and good. At the end of the hike, I said "THANK YOU JESUS" and I meant it.

Slogans, Battlecries and Opinions

Ever had lunch with a qualitative quantitative analyst? Their smart, too smart for the average bear but I managed to steal away a few worthy thoughts from a recent meeting that even I can understand. Oh, it's easy to get lost in the rhetoric of the day..."Country First", "Agent of Change", "transparency", blah, blah, blah. My husband reminds me that God is in control so my worrying, and praying about the future just keeps God laughing. Someone I know said about this about the upcoming election, "we will get what we deserve." I have to believe that God wants the best for us so I just keep thinking we'll get what he wants ...even if I don't like it.

Waiting

It seems like I have been waiting for fall to arrive all year. First, I love the fall and all that comes with it: camping, kids back in school, crisp mornings, and of course our two biggest events FAITH PROMISE CELEBRATION AND RUN TO THE LIGHTS. Why are these events so important? They literally help us grow in leaps and bounds by providing the financial resources it takes to reach more moms and enlist more Caring Women. A lot of people ask what is a Faith Promise? It's simply relying on God for what you cannot see...well, that's my version but it involves a period of WAITING and TRUSTING. As a former Single Mom, I spent a lot of my time waiting....waiting on my kids at the dentist office, waiting on my finances to get better so I could relax, waiting on summer so I could spend quality time with the kids, and waiting on school to start back so I could rest! So...here I am days away from Faith Promise and I am reminded to wait more....AUGH! I feel like Charlie Brown in the pumpkin patch waiting on the Great Pumpkin. Take a deep breath and relax, waiting's not that bad and there's always a blessing on the end of it!