Nose Job

I'm ready for a nose job! Read on!! Have you ever laid in bed pondering things?  What a question to ask, huh?  Well, last night was one for me, with a new year about here.  I asked myself, "self, what is new this year?" 

Except for changing a number in the year, what's new? The pandemic is old...real old. Winter is winter; taxes are due; other things sure seem the same, so, what's new?

Then I got to thinking about the "inside stuff", you know, inside my spirit, our spirit. Indeed some of those qualities may not be the best; things I want to work on from here on in. Some days I beat myself up, thinking I am not on the right track but with my spiritual director's input I can see that I'm OK, that indeed I am on a track that is very OK.

It is a perspective that comes from another seeing things from a different vantage.  Reminds me of the saying, "as plain as the nose on my own face" but think about it, we can not see our own nose on our own face! 

So, I'm excited to let others see my nose on my face and open to them telling me how they see it! That's what's new!  It's an inside job, willingness to see from another's perspective.

Courtesy of Pixabay

How about you? You ready for a nose job? What a new year resolution.  Happy New Year to all my family and friends this 2022! 

Christmas

The wait is over.  Christmas is here!  A blessed
Christmas to each of you and your loved ones! From our house to yours.

Waiting

All of us have been waiting: waiting for this virus to be over, waiting for spring, waiting for Christmas, waiting for one thing or another.  Right now, we are waiting for December 25th.  This time waiting for the Christ child to come in the Christian world is called Advent. 

Many, even Christians, don't understand why the churches are not decorated in all the Christmas regalia yet but it has been Advent, until this last Sunday before Christmas.  It is a preparation time for that special day.  It means "coming". So, in two days, that coming of the Christ child will be here and families will be celebrating together. 

One thing I have pondered this year is how challenged many of us are because of the highly transmissible strain of Covid. Many will stay home and not travel; Covid has made life very difficult on many fronts. 

Think about Mary and Joseph, that Child's parents of how difficult their life was trying to find a place to deliver their baby.  Travel was challenging, no room at the Inn, with only a barn stable to take shelter in. They, of all people, certainly understand our challenges. 

So, of what are you awaiting and where is that Christ child, Jesus, in your life right now?  No matter what, that child can be in our heart, giving us Joy, Peace and Love.

 

Merry Christmas to each of you and your family!  God bless you!

Courtesy of Pixabay

Disaster

 As I watch the evening news my heart is so saddened at what the storms/tornadoes have done to the 6 states in the south, collapsed buildings, places of business and lost lives.  

I cannot imagine for a second what that disaster must be like, not only for the victims but all the teams trying to assist.  

Let us pray, offering a prayer, especially for the families who are grieving tonight. In these times of what divide us, let us come together as one nation with prayers and resources. 

Creator God, we ask you to guide, guard, protect and be with all those involved in the disasters in the south due to weather yesterday. Wrap your arms around all those affected that they may know your love and care during this trying time. Amen

Now Where?

"Where do I go from here?"  Ever ask that question? It could be about road directions or trying to figure out what course of direction in a complex situation that stumps us.  We've all been in this situation; all are different.

This morning I found myself in the same thing, being told to call one department, only to be redirected to another.  That person sounded like he didn't know much either.  I could have blown a cork!

But little by little, it seemed my questions and concerns had gotten to the correct person who was going to clarify the issue with the one who really would know...you know, where "the buck stops here?!" 

Again, like any road in life it's never straight and we may come to intersections, curves, big hills or even buffalos in the road (like in the Black Hills!) but that doesn't mean we check out of the trip.

There always is an option.  Someone will speak in our ear and let us know what to do or where to go next.  So the next time you ask, now, "where do I go from here?" just stay on the line and the answer will come soon.