Tonight, I'm Gone with the Wind

At the beginning of the summer, I had two books that I really wanted to read. 

Ok, I have a to read list that is extremely long, but these two books I really, really wanted to read. 

They just might be the epitome of Southern American literature.... in my humble opinion, at least.

So, in June, I fell in love (again) with To Kill a Mockingbird. Scout Finch and Jem, honorable Atticus, and Boo Radley... well, they remind you about what family truly is and that sometimes, the good guy does win the war, even if you lose a battle. 

And in July, I'll be reading the best book ever.

I have a funny system of reading books. Because my bookshelf is so overcrowded, at the beginning of the summer, I selected seven books and sat them on my bedside table. As I've read one, I've replaced it.  Last night I finished the book I was reading and told Wallace to select a number between 0-7... and he chose the number that corresponded with Gone with the Wind.  As I picked it up he must have saw the look of love on my face.

"Are you going to read that?" He asked, looking at the size of the book.

Oh, yes. For about the seventh time.

I first read Gone with the Wind in high school.  I can remember pulling the cover over my head as Sherman marched into Atlanta, continuing with bated breath as Scarlett and Melanie traversed through the wilderness, the Yankees just a short distance between them. What would happen? Would they make it to Tara?

And I may have cried a little when Rhett left.  I wanted to shake Scarlett because Ashley just didn't seem like who she should be with, yet she still pined over him.

I've learned a lot from Gone with the Wind.

1. There is no place like home.  Ok, this line is from the Wizard of Oz, but Scarlett takes it serious, too. As she comes upon a war-torn Tara, her heart breaks and mine did, too. Tara was her Father's legacy.  Gerald O'Hara knew that land was the only thing worth fighting for.  Tara became her legacy, and she was willing to fight for it. To defend it. To be courageous even as she faced the enemy.

2. Birthin' a baby can be difficult, especially when the doctor is too busy with Confederate casualties and you have to help deliver a baby that belongs to the man you love... with the help of a whiny teenager. My favorite line of the movie just may be from Prissy: "Ms. Scarlett, I don't know nothin' bout birthin' no babies." I repeat it often when talking about nursing specialties, because I have no desire to work OB. 

3. Desperate times call for desperate measures.  Nothing is more desperate than sewing your dress from a set of curtains. And might I add that she looked beautiful in that dress?


4. Tomorrow really is another day. I love Scarlett for many reasons.  I love her because she brings to mind everything that I imagine in the South.  I love her dresses, her pouting, and even though I don't necessarily like her manipulation, she is a better character for it.  She is determined and courageous and willing to fight for what she wants... which isn't necessarily always a great thing. But what I really love about Scarlett is when she decides to procrastinate, because if you know me, you know that I am a true procrastinator. When Scarlett declares, "I'll think about that tomorrow," I want to stand up and cheer. Yes, Scarlett. Tomorrow. 

If you've never read the book and like to read, go buy it now. I'll let you borrow mine when I get done.  I have an old hardback copy in my living room, but it isn't for reading.  I also may have let Kami borrow one, and never gotten it back, but that is ok because I am a true lover of this book and believe that everyone should have their own copy.

And if you compare it to the movie.... well, it's better.  Of course, I always say books are better than the movies.  This is truly one of the only books that I can vividly picture what the author is trying to portray in my mind. 

So, there you have it.  My happiness for the next few days... spent with the gentlemen and ladies of the South. And, perhaps, some who are not gentlemen or ladies...

A Life Vision

This week winds down a five week study through Proverbs 31 OBS Ministries of Derwin Gray's A Limitless Life.

I've also been reading Pursuing the Intentional Life by Jean Fleming.

The past six months have been filled with changes, some good, some bad.  Actually, this time last year was froth with indecision and uncertainty so really the last year could be defined as a catalyst for this post... maybe not necessarily for myself, but for people that I love.  And since I turn 35 in September, these past few weeks have been a reflection of my life now and where I want it to go.

How fitting that one of the assignments on the blog this week was to craft a life statement and a life vision.

I've tried to do that before, but struggled.  The exercise had us answer five questions related to where we wanted to be in ten years, how we've wanted to be seen, things that make our soul sing (I love that), and generally just reflecting on life.

Always before, when I struggled with crafting a vision or a mission statement for my life, it is because I was wrapped up in doing.

I frequently defined myself in the things that I did.  I'm a mother,  a coach's wife, a nurse, a teacher, a student, a reader, a football fan... you get the picture.

And while all these things are true, they don't really define me. All of these roles point me toward an eternal destination. All of these roles provide me with a way  to impact others for Christ. The point of life isn't how great a mom or wife or nurse or teacher I am... but rather, how much glory do I bring God as I am doing those things?  And I'm realizing that it could be so much more...

I have a bucket list of all kinds of things I want to do before I die.  My goals have often been centered on professional accomplishments.... what can I DO?

And as I've embraced my word of the year, "be", I'm reminded of what God tells me.  "Be still and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth." (Psalm 46:11).

At the beginning of the year, I sought out the first part of that verse.  Be still and know that I am God.

As I'm reflecting, though, I see that when I am still, just being and not focusing so much on the doing, my ultimate purpose in life is realized.

For Him to be exalted. For Him to be glorified.

Through me.

Through my actions, my roles, my responsibilities. When I am in His Will, allowing Him to reflect through my life, He is exalted. He's exalted every time I teach a student how to do an assessment focusing on the patient as a person, and every time I tell a student to keep at it.  He's exalted every time I bring a popsicle to the gym and brag on my girls.  He's exalted in every peanut butter and jelly sandwich I make for Wallace.  He's exalted when I am at a football game and the fan from the other team is driving me crazy, but I compliment their players because they are just kids, too. He's exalted when I don't yell at Caleb (Oh, this one definitely needs work). Every smile I give to someone in Walmart, every time I hold a door open, every time I let someone else out in traffic... He is exalted.

They will know us by the fruit that we bear... because His light will shine through us.

Let it no longer be what I can accomplish, what I can check off my to do list, what goals I can reach.

My life vision in 140 characters or less, "To live full of Jesus, love, compassion & encouragement, a light to others, giving honor to those before me and leaving a legacy of grace."

May I do this as a being... and bring You glory.

Five Minute Fridays- Lost

When I read the word for the prompt this morning, I almost laughed out loud.  Wallace and I were in one vehicle driving home from Destin, with Papaw, Nana, and Caleb in another vehicle.  Both cars were comparing GPS systems for the most reliable way home.

GPS systems are great.  They didn't fail us as we journeyed to Destin for the first time this year.  On the trip home, I thought about how nice these inventions were.  I could even speak into my IPhone, for crying out loud, and figure out where the closest Bob Evans was.  (For wondering minds, it wasn't close enough, and I had to settle for Cracker Barrel instead). 

Today on the trip home I thought about how much fun the journey places can be, especially when you have a full tank of gas and know where you are going.

But the journey can turn into no fun really quick when you take the wrong turn, especially when it's because a mechanical voice told you too.

Especially when your cousin is starting his first high school varsity football game, and the GPS was supposed to take you to the football field, and you instead ended up in a field in the middle of nowhere.

"You've arrived at your destination." It announced... with no football lights in sight.

Oh, to be lost...especially when you thought you knew where you are going.  Especially when you thought you were taking a shortcut.

We are like that a lot.  I don't know about you, but sometimes I feel lost sitting in my living room.  I feel lost staring at the computer screen.  I feel lost driving down the road, knowing exactly where I'm going.

But if we are listening to the true navigator, the true GPS, we are never really lost...

we may just be taking the scenic route.

And that's what makes life fun...

Linking up with Five Minute Fridays where we are given a prompt and write for five minutes without editing. Today's prompt- LOST.

Limitless- Snap it

 Limitless...no end in sight.  No end to even imagine.  Whatever you can think of, and even more.  Kind of like standing on a balcony overlooking the ocean.  It stretches out in front of you, blue, waves rippling as they gently reach the shore.  It seems infinite, and to our eye, it is.  Just a few clouds breaking the view to let you know where the ocean ends and the sky begins... except the ocean doesn't really end at the sky, it just looks that way.

 Because sometimes you really can't see that distinction. Sometimes the ocean may be a little murky, and you're not sure what is in the water with you.  You're not sure if you will make it as the waves break over you, knocking you down.  The salt water gets in your nose and it causes you to choke a little.  As you stagger to the shore, you feel beaten and broken.  Unsure of your next step... and maybe when you reach the shore you find it isn't soft sand, but rocky and rough.  You've reached your limit.

 Except you haven't, because with God there is no limit.  He wants to make you limitless, just like the ocean. And when the sun comes out and the Son is within you, that's possible, because His Spirit can do all things.  All things. There are no limits. No limits to His grace. No limits to His love.  No limits to the work He wants to do within you and through you.  More than you can ever imagine.

The sun comes out, and the view is beautiful...and it is you. And Him in you. 

Limitless.  No stopping you now. Get out there and shine.

 

Five Minute Fridays- Release

Release... let go.  Unchain. Become free.

When I read the prompt, I thought how nice that sounded.

Like when you hold your breath and you don't realize it... and then you take that big breath of fresh air.

Or even when the air is thick with electricity, dark storm clouds overhead, wind blowing... and then the cloud bursts, releasing a torrent.

And then I thought of my little sister, who at the age of 3 was locked in a car. 

In the middle of July.

Completely an accident... she was in her car seat and as I turned to get her out, I bumped the door shut.

The keys were still in the ignition.

No big deal, though, because she knew how to release the car seat latch.

I pleaded and begged through the window.

"Come on, Kami.  Open up the latch.  Just push the button."

She'd shake her head no, tears welling up in her big brown eyes, her little pig-tails bobbing back and forth. 

"Come on, it's hot.  Just get out of the car seat."

No...

Not going to do it.

And the temperature was 98 on the bank sign, and sweat poured down her cheeks, and fifteen minutes had passed and I was frantic.

Finally someone brought a pair of keys and I unlatched her.

"Why, Kami?"

"Because Holly told me never to get myself out of the car seat by myself."

And isn't life like that? Don't we all stay locked up sometimes because of what other people have told us or what we've told ourselves or how inadequate we feel?

Come on, take a deep breath... and release it.

It's time to break free and let loose.

Linking up with Five Minute Fridays, where a word is given as a prompt and we write for five minutes unedited.  Thanks for stopping by.

Zephaniah 3:17

"The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save , he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in His love, he will joy over thee with singing."- Zephaniah 3:17

"The Lord your God is with you.  He is mighty enough to save you. He will take great delight in you. The quietness of his love will calm you down.     He will sing with joy because of you.”- Zephaniah 3:17, New International Readers Version

When Caleb was little, this was one of my favorite verses.  I especially loved it in the NIRV translation, which was what his Adventure Bible was written in.

My favorite part was the "quietness of His love will calm you down."

Caleb needed a lot of calming down... but so did his Mama.  Maybe his Mama needed it more.

As I think about this verse, I am overcome.  First of all... He is in the midst of you.  Is with you.  Is encamped around you.  He's everywhere you are, He's everywhere that I am... He's before us, after us.  He knows where we are headed.  He's promised never to leave us or forsake us.  He's not just sitting in the room with us, not even listening... He's completely committed to journey with us, leading the way and carrying us when we can't take another step.

And He is mighty.  Stop and think about that.  I am weak.  I cower in the face of many things.  I let my fear paralyze me, keep me from moving.  But He is not afraid.  He is mighty.  When I think of the word mighty, I think of an army. Or a lion.  Our God is mightier than those.  He is strong, powerful, and full of whatever we need to overcome.

He will save.  Not maybe.  Not might.  But will.  Every.  Single. Time.  The Work has already been finished for us.  He will save us physically.  He will save us financially.  He will save our heart, our minds, and make us a new creature. All we have to do is aks.

He will take great delight in you... He will sing with joy because of you... oh, wow.  How I need someone to "delight" in me.  I mean, Wallace and Caleb love me, but sometimes they tolerate me... and that's ok, because I'm the same way.

But God?  He's infatuated with me.  He loves me.  I make Him happy.

We make Him happy.  When I think about delight, I think about the exhilaration of roller coaster rides, dripping ice cream cones on hot sunny days, the giggle of a baby.  Joy you just can't hold in.

And God delights in us just like that. 

All those sappy love songs?  They're nothing on what God writes... about us.

The quietness of His love will calm you down.  When you are scared, nervous, angry... just be still and know He is God. When we do this, our blood pressure drops, our breathing slows, and things begin to seem possible.

His calmness is enough.

Just stop and think of what this verse means to you.  Our God is so great... but He is quiet about it.  He's not bossing us.  He's loving us. 

And reminding us that we can truly live a limitless life, if we just pause and let Him take control, and trust Him fully.

Thank you, Lord.

Linking up with the awesome bloggers on the P31 OBS Blog Hop. Y'all rock!

A Story Worth Reading

"The only people who truly know your story are the ones who help you write it."- Unknown

These past couple of days I've been thinking a lot about family.

These past few months, actually.

Today, I sat in a church in Dayton, Ohio, and celebrated the life of my 93 year old great-aunt.  It was a touching service, complete with I'll Fly Away, I Can Only Imagine, and memories from her daughter and grand-daughter.

They knew her story, because they helped her write it. 

She also wrote a lot of their stories, too. 

The pastor spoke of her Christian heritage that started with Poppy and Mam. 

That same heritage that my Grandma Na's story was written with.

As her grand-daughter talked about Aunt Virginia, the stories she shared made me laugh, partly because Aunt Virginia was so spunky, but also because the stories were somewhat familiar, because the same thread that was weaved through her family was weaved through mine.

It's funny how two women, separated by 10 years and many miles, could be so alike, yet so different.

Aunt Virginia was the last sibling living in my grandma's family.  She was the second oldest daughter.  My Grandma Na was the youngest daughter. 

But even though 10 years separated them, they were raised with the same values.  Above all, Jesus. Then family. Then serving others.

Today, the pastor preached about our legacy, and how to live is Christ and to die is gain.  As I sat and listened, I thought of how for Aunt Virginia and for Grandma Na, that verse was just as true as it was for Paul.  Their day to day existence was living for Christ.  They loved Jesus.  You knew it when you spoke to them.  And to die, just meant for them to be with Him.  

Jesus should be palpable.  He should be oozing from our very being.. and I'm not so sure that is true for me. There are a lot of times I don't love people like I should.  There are many times when I am impatient and judgmental and crabby.

But the great thing is that He knows that.  After all, He's the author of my story.  If anyone knows how it goes, it is Him... and He loves me completely.  He's also the perfecter of my faith... so if my story doesn't look so great now, He's just not done with the editing.

Keep writing, Lord Jesus... and hopefully people will keep reading and find their way to You.

Give my Mamaw a hug, Aunt Virginia... and since I didn't see you again on this side of Heaven, I'll see you in Heaven.