Month: July 2017

“Red sky at night, sailor’s delight.  Red sky at morning, sailors take warning.”  Dive Master Dan

Every day has a sunset whether you actually see it or not.  Some are brilliant and hard to miss, while some are hidden behind clouds.  No matter what, I love watching the sun set at the end of the day especially over a lake, ocean, or mountain.  It is God’s exclamation point on the day!

Weathermen go about trying to predict what the next day, next 5 day, next 10 day forecast will be by using all their radar, computers, etc. and most of the time, they get it wrong!  So, I choose to use the much simpler method which is stated above.  There actually is scientific proof that if the sky is red at night, that means there is a huge concentration of dust particles in the air.  This indicates high pressure and stable air coming from west – so good weather.  In contrast, if the sky is red in the morning, that means the good weather has passed and there is higher water content in the atmosphere – thus, rain on the way!

There is also Biblical confirmation of the red sky philosophy.  “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather for the sky is red.’  And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today for the sky is red and threatening.’  You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the sign of the times.”  Matthew 16:2-3

There are times in my life when I wish with all my heart that I could predict or interpret the future for myself, my children, my grand children, my family, my friends, and my church family, but then I would play God. Each sunset is different  – some brilliant red, some yellow, some orange, but all beautiful in a different way.   Each day in life is different with its surprises, joys, disappointments, unexpected happenings, and even grief. It’s the differences that makes life meaningful and beautiful just like a gorgeous sunset!  It might not always be the way we want it to be, but it is still a God given blessing.

At the end of each day, we have a choice to compare life to our expectations or to thank God for what we have actually been given.  We can rejoice in the small surprises and differences in each day if we only take the time and know that God holds each day in His mighty hand!

“I firmly believe that in every situation no matter how difficult, God extends grace greater than the hardship along with strength and peace of mind that can lead us to a place higher than where we were before.”             Andy Griffith

While walking on the beach last week during the beginning of a threatening thunderstorm, I saw a sight that I’ve seen many times before but never really considered.  In preparation for the storm, the seagulls were lined up – each one facing the wind. This wind was really strong, but they would not be moved!  In contrast, I found myself trying to turn away from the wind as I walked.

As I researched this phenomenon, I found that seagulls do indeed face the wind, and they do it for several reasons.  They face the wind to take advantage of wind speed. The wind speed determines their direction, and it makes it easier to vacate the beach quickly in case of danger or if food becomes readily available. When air comes straight toward the gulls, the special shape of their wings and body allows air to flow faster over the top of their wings than under the wings.  These forces that raise the bird are called LIFT, and it allows them to go up!

It seems the seagulls are smarter than I.  Instead of facing difficulties, problems, or situations head on, I tend to turn my back and hope things work out.  It would be so much easier to use my faith in God to face these obstacles head on and be lifted up and through.  God has given me the two things I need to face the wind – dependence on God and confidence in God.    As long as these two things are in place, difficulties will become easier, problems will be solved, and situations will have a successful resolution.  Like the seagull, God has made us to be LIFTED up if we only face the wind.

“Cast all your anxiety on Him for He cares for you.” I Peter 5:7

“When the cares of my heart are many, Your consolation cheers my soul.”  Psalm 94:19

Growing up in my small hometown, our family’s favorite recreational activity was water skiing.  We spent every weekend hauling our boat, The Sandikay, (named for each one of us girls) back and forth to Lake Seminole!  A group of friends and family always met at the dock on the lake.

We all skied, but it soon became a goal for all of us to learn to slalom.  We were taught to get up on two skis, get balance and prepare, wiggle one foot almost out of the ski you are preparing to drop, then drop that ski (or just let it go) when you passed the dock.  As you passed the dock, the crowd went wild with support and cheers!  One of the group would swim out and retrieve the dropped ski. If all went as planned and you stayed up, you were slaloming!  If you fell, you started all over again!  The art of getting up on a slalom is a slightly different story, but it was achieved as well!

It’s been years since I’ve skied, but I remember vividly the feeling of gliding along waters as smooth as glass, crossing the wake, and taking on wakes made by passing boats!  I remember laughing with whomever was skiing next to me (sometimes 4 of us) and the joyous feeling of fresh air and water.

Our Mama was a beautiful skier, and she was always the one in the water with us giving instructions.  I can’t even guess how many kids she tutored.  Her instructions were always the same – bend your knees, hold your skis together, lean back and let the boat pull you up,  and above all, if you fall, let go of the rope!!  There were several instances of people not listening to the last one.

These instructions apply to life as well.  Sometimes, I forget to just lean back and let God pull me up or out of whatever stressful or confusing situation in which I might find myself.  Often, I don’t drop one of the burdens I am carrying, and I don’t trust God to retrieve and handle it.  I also tend to hold on to things when I should just let go!  When I think of things that weigh me down, I try to remember the sense of freedom I felt when I just dropped one!  It’s almost as if God himself is cheering!!

“Some think holding on to something makes us strong, but sometimes it is the letting go.”  Hermann Husse

(The picture is of Randy tutoring Coop!  It worked for a minute!)

“Sit tall in the saddle, hold your head up high; Keep your eyes fixed where the trail meets the sky; Live like you ain’t afraid to die; Don’t be scared, just enjoy your ride.”  The Ride by Chris Ledoux

Our family took a trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming last week, and we had multiple chances to be near horses.  We took a trail ride one day with some gorgeous views of the Teton Mountain Range.  It was the first time on a horse for some of the boys, and as they mounted, the wranglers would always say, “Sit tall, hold the reins firmly, keep your belly button lined up with the horses’s mane,  stay behind the horse in front of you, and don’t let the horses eat grass along the way. Above all, enjoy your ride!”

I was near the end of the line, so it was easy to see how directions can fall apart when boys of any age want to enjoy the ride!  First, Reese, our 6 year old, dropped his reins and allowed the horse to wander up the hill and off the trail. This meant the wrangler had to abandon the lead to go and rescue this rider.  The diversion allowed Mason, who is 8, to let his horse begin to eat grass and wander up after Reese.  At this point, Lee, our 35+ year old, decided to change places in line, and that is not encouraged! The horses can’t get in the habit of passing one another to take the lead. Trotting is also not part of the program, but somebody allowed that to start, so we all got to do that as well!  When one horse starts breaking the rules, they all do, and these riders loved it!  I actually saw Cooper and Drew laughing!  I’m pretty sure there was someone (maybe several) encouraging bad behavior! I have to admit that I’m a rule follower, but married to one who isn’t, so I’ve learned to just sit back and enjoy the moment!

Kids, young adults, and adults live with so many rules whether made by those in charge, self imposed or otherwise, that sometimes, it’s just necessary to ask forgiveness rather than permission and enjoy a different ride!  Often, we just need to break out of the rules and enjoy this ride called life!  These moments make the best memories!  It’s OK to be the lead dog sometimes!

As Lewis Grizzard once said, “If you ain’t the lead dog, the scenery never changes!”