Heart To Heart

Oscar and Tilly were both playing Simon Says -  They both heard the same direction -  they responded at different speeds, so this 'moment of time snapshot' shows different positions! Our journey with other people just might might look like this. We're walking with people who are trying to be obedient, and trying to do what they hear is being asked of them -  but they hear and respond differently than we do. Our response choices are... Rejoice in the victory - - -  our fellow follower is trying! YaY! or Look down on someone because they aren't as fast as you, as 'spiritual' as you, as mature as you.... Please choose to encourage - please choose to offer grace - please, please, please REJOICE - even over baby steps & slow hand motions. It'll change your day to find things to rejoice about. Really.  Anyone can find what's disappointing around them... Today.Intentionally.Say.YaY. ...to someone... ...to yourself... YaY!

There will be NO pictures with this blog entry... Yesterday, I went and got a pedicure.  It was a spur of the moment decision.  Someone had given me a gift certificate.  It's a 'walk-ins are possible' type place. I went because I'm really, really tired.  I'm finding that I can get really tired even after doing good things.  We had a women's event this last weekend, I spoke for the Mother's Day service on Sunday, we then drove to Salem for a minister's meeting in another town - but needed to come home early so Dennis could go to another meeting on behalf of the city.  Check in with my parents.  Tired. So, I went for a pedicure.  People seem to love pedicures.  I can count on one hand the amount of pedicures I've had. Picture this... Four big recliner type deals with optional vibration and roller-type massage thingy's that you enjoy, if you choose.  The man in the chair two down from me liked the "shake your head a lot" option of

I took this picture from inside the prayer barn at Genesee Home.  This place is set aside for ministry peeps to rest and renew and restore.   You are looking at some pastureland, some thick forest, and a mountain with snow on it - all in the same snapshot.  It is beautiful and diverse and detailed....and I drank it in from somewhere deep inside my heart. I guess I had some huge expectations about our time at Genesee Home.  I REALLY wanted at least one good 'aha' moment.....maybe an audible message that shifted my heart forever....I listened....and waited....and listened....and waited.....   .......    ....... At one point I did hear, "turn the music off".   Evidently I was filling in the quiet - the waiting -  with my playlist - - hmmmm.... What it did was make me notice - things.  The variety, the beauty, the weeds that looked like they were growing little cotton balls, the different bird songs - - - things. I felt at one point that God said, "