Misplaced Moments of a Lifetime

Remember the good ole days?

When the activities of the youth were limited to one after school event,& vacations were to the local state park to take in the sights. Even the thrill of staying in a motel was an event in itself as we stopped the travels in mid-afternoon so we could spend family time in the pool. Then we would dress for dinner at the Howard Johnsons buffet.

These days have been overshadowed by the glitz & rah-rah of expectation & never being satisfied with the simple things of living. As we grow older, we reflect back on these times. Often we are not happy with the transitions. We see our lives moving too fast & time invested in the life of another has diminished, if not almost nonexistent. We place our loved ones, who are now no longer independent, in the care of a stranger or in a home that is not their own.

Then we rarely visit or call. We are too busy. When we invite time to be the enemy we fall victim to the theft of memories we cannot hold on to. We cast blame on the government, the schools, & even the church whether they are a part of the issue or not. Could it be that we are too busy to notice where the blame really is hiding? Take a look in the mirror.

Let’s propose a challenge. Make three appointments to keep for one month; each week no matter what. Make a date with the people in your life that matter the most: one with yourself, one with your spouse or best friend, & one with your parents and children if you are a parent. Rearrange your priorities for a month. Say no to intruding interruptions of your sleep, relaxation, recreation, & quiet times. Turn off the TV, the computer, & stop playing with the phone, apps, & texting. For this time - Just STOP the unnecessary distractions in your Life. Interesting how the word 'NO' is becoming less spoken to children, young adults, and even to ourselves when wanting (not needing) the most recent 'toy' whether it be electronics, or automotive.

We have placed ourselves outside our 'comfort' zone & grown numb to our self imposed debt, disrespect, & delusion of what we can afford physically, financially, emotionally, & economically. “Life was simpler when we were children.” Each generation states that fact as they mature & become dishearten by the following generations. We either ‘remember when’ or we will ‘regret then’. Think about it.

When I was a youth, a box of crayons & building blocks were our iPod. Two cans & a string were our cell phones. It was a soapbox derby that was our car & listening to bedtime stories, our wide screen imagination.

I am blessed to have been a participant in the era I grew up in. Imagine the inner thoughts & memories that your parents who are in their 60-90s must cherish. They have seen so very much. I am blessed to have a strong family & values.

God knows the heart & in my heart are moments of gratitude. We need never take anyone or anything for granted. Memories are to be cherished...not misplaced or replaced. Start today to create your memories of 'remember when' Yes,regret is a choice.

Cut The Apron String- Yubw8n?

Disrespectful Drama

I am not a parent...but I can spot things that apparently
go un-addressed by those who wish NOT to see. Let me explain one example...bear with me~

I have come to the conclusion that I have little tolerance for children who are blatantly inconsiderate & disrespectful to others. This is really apparent when these ‘children’ are adults who take advantage of their parents, peers, provisions, & privileges. When these children continue to suck long & hard on that silver spoon that apparently has been left in their mouth for way too long, this parental error in judgment is only going to enhance any flaw in their child's character, personal pursuits & overall ambition.
When is the apron sting to be cut & by which party…the child or the parent? Someone please ~ give these type of people the ‘grow up & be independent’ scissors.

Stop explaining your actions or lack of, & let go!
Most parents in this situation probably are not anticipating grandchildren. Afterall, who would want to raise both the husband/father & the children? Think about it. The boy can’t even take care of himself at this stage of the game. He still lives at home! The independent gene is not working yet. Why should it...everything is given to him & what's worse ~ it is silently expected to be. So who is to blame here? For whatever the unexplained reason, the drama continues to go undisciplined, unacknowledged, unresolved, & inexcusable. Take a moment, step back ~ look closely at this real life version of the movie: "Failure to Launch" an adult male who overstayed his life at home with his mommy & daddy. Really? Yeah, this happens in real life too.

Folks...this drama is played out every day in our society. Parental abandonment issues grip tightly to the 'Do it for me' offspring & the circle is complete. But who is responsible for letting go~ the adult parents or the adult child? You would think that it would be a mutual want for both. Not always the case. Parents ~How can you enjoy having your child home for the holidays if he's never left? When should parents stop 'giving in'just so he won't leave? It is a fact of everyone's life ~ Growing pains are beneficial. But you have to be willing to let go to become close as adults. Take the role you are given. Be the parent. Be the adult child. Step in to the next stage of your life. You will enjoy it.

My last comment would be pretty blunt: Hello ~ little mama's boy ~ grow a pair! Take that spoon out of your mouth & move on with your adult self! Ask yourself what everyone wants to ask you...Yubw8n?

**Please note ~ any injury or improvement to your parent-child relationship due to the nature of this blog is purely unintentional. (LOL)

"I Love You Even When...."

Having just overheard a mother speak in a demeaning manner while she reprimanded her adult child in a public setting, I believe this story needs to be shared. Fortunately, the daughter proved wise and respectful in this scenario. She looked at her mother, said “Mom, I love you even when…”

What a shame that this kind of scene is more common than not. Although, in most situations, the calmness of the daughter’s reply is not as prevalent. Most of the responses are wrapped in anger and defensiveness at having been publicly reprimanded as the duties of parenthood were over scripted so they could be ‘heard’ in an authoritative role.

I remember a presentation regarding these familiar Bible verses: “Children, Obey your parents… (Ephesians 6:1) Parents/Fathers, don’t exasperate your children... (Colossians 3:21)”
When you are a ‘child’ you obey or you will be disciplined. And as a parent you teach right and wrong by example and with mutual respect to your child. As maturity in years evolves, the adult is no longer 'the child' and possibly a parent as well. Then it becomes obedience in the form of respect…from both.

Parents...never step on the emotions of your children to exercise your parental platform. And as an adult child,always show respect for the authority God has placed in your life. Each will give an account for their actions & responses to these actions. Love gently as you encourage and edify. Never embarrass another in order to be right.
For should you make it a practice to loudly exercise your parental authority in public, don’t be surprised if your adult child walks away from the situation and sadly even the relationship.

With all due respect, whether you are the parent or the adult child, would you stand there and have someone who says they love you speak to you in that manner? Maybe you are uncomfortable with the story I just shared. Maybe it hits too close to home. Maybe that parent is you. Or maybe you are that child who is also the adult ~ wondering why.

People~Life is so precious.Resolve your conflict of hearts.

Be loving. Ask yourself~Yubw8n?

"Did You See That?"

"Did you see that? The look on the face of a child when something wonderful happens is priceless. The awe & wonder of "Wow!" glistens in their eyes as they longingly wish to share this event with you.


As you face your day how many moments do you capture that prompt you to say ‘Did you see that?'~ then invite another to share in your joy? Far too often we take those moments for granted. Either we harbor the joy inwardly for a brief moment with a sigh of appreciation or we let it roll by us as merely a common occurrence. But rarely as adults do we share those times of eye opening wonder with others, like we did as children. Why is that, I wonder?

Today, as you go about your routine, take the time to recognize at least one of the ‘awesome’ moments that is placed before you. Oh there will be several; God has an unending supply just for you. Here is how they may appear- It can be a small thing, a gesture, a word of encouragement, or maybe a smile & a warm hello to someone you meet in passing. For the one who is truly ‘in awe’ & blessed is the one who receives.


Maybe ~ that person you pass on the street, or in the hall at work, or the aisle in the grocery store is having a really difficult time in their life. Your gesture of kindness may be that moment in their day that their inner child whispers to them - “Did you see that?”

That, my friend, is God being Awesome in & through you."

Raining with Reason

Sprinkles of rain can become a downpour. A cloud burst may be seen as a heart overflowing with emotions. Put on your glasses & galoshes & step into a time where getting wet with wisdom is as easy as stepping outside your comfort zone. Let love rain or is that reign?


Have you ever stopped what you were doing to just walk in the rain? You could be in your best attire as you throw designer drama of dry cleaning debt to the wind,& stomp in the biggest deepest mud puddle of them all. As your hair clings to your brow,& droplets race to the cliff of your nose before plummeting to the ground, you turn your face to the direction of the sky. This is where thoughts of the experience take a turn…Question is- Do you see this as a lovely day?
We see blessings in life either as a soft gentle rain on a crisp autumn day or a thunderstorm of trials that test the umbrella of our patience. It's true, there are several people who have had that umbrella turn wrong side out with misfortune~ a sudden burst of hopes & dreams in the midst of trials. These folks scamper to the nearest awning to seek shelter.


What awning do you stand under in a storm after your umbrella of understanding has become tattered? Do you find yourself in the company of others seeking the same refuge? Do you share your thoughts on the circumstances that are pouring down on your life?


You are thinking to yourself…’are you crazy, why would I share that with a total stranger?’ Well, many people do this every day. In the middle of the storm, they share their thoughts with a God that they never really acknowledge in the fair weather times of their life, but cry out & sometimes curse Him when trouble befalls them. Just like a storm that suddenly appears, they complain about it before they really notice the benefits. God was there when the sun was shining but often He never heard from those it was warming beneath its light. Why is it people talk to God, the Stranger they have no time for, only when their back is against the wet wall of what-if & the pleading moments of desperation for help. Then when the storm has passed, they return to the non-communicative relationship of self sufficiency. This is the time to come in out of the storm of self.

The Creator holds each rain droplet as special & unique. How He sees each of us is how we should see the elements of a storm. Let's focus on just the 'rain'...
Every droplet of rain has a destination~


It may be destined to land on a flower, a car, a birdbath, a child’s face, a homeless person in need of a touch, or a seed buried deep within the ground anticipating that first ray of sunshine. Whatever the destination you were created for, go with the flow of each droplet of opportunity. See this as a way to provide a need to another person. Yes, you may be the very refreshment they seek in the drought of despair, the answer to a prayer, the sustenance to quench a thirst for truth, or just a moment to be acknowledged & supported so that they can believe in themselves by your belief in them. A single hello, have a nice day, take care, how are you, God bless…Simple things can make all the difference in a broken heart that screams for love in silence~


Appreciate the moments for what they are. Never take a single droplet of destiny for granted. These are someone’s Showers of Blessings as your Life is a beautiful rainbow declaring that God Reigns.
Walk in the Rain with Reason. As you do, you will discover it's purpose in your life. Be grateful for each storm...Yubw8n...the Son is always shining on you!

It's for you...

The phone rings...you pause for just a moment & wait as someone answers it & turns to tell you - "It's for you." Or maybe you've missplaced your cell phone & you're concerned about missing an important call from someone that is 'just for you'. Maybe you will miss the call regarding an emergency that you need to be informed of or an invitation to a special occasion meant- 'just for you'. Either way, you may experience a feeling of disconnection when communication is gone & out of your control.

It seems these days that everyone has their ear glued to the cell phone or texting with abandonment- in the car, at crosswalks, in stores, bathroom stalls, & even in the most intimate of settings-we really don't know the value of true communication at all. We have made it artificial.

Even when the phone rings- we jump to answer the call. When we have excitement to share, we immediately reach for the phone to call someone to share it with. Even as children we play ‘telephone’& actually never out grow the want-to of speaking to people on the phone. This fun, continues...

Caller ID is a great feature as it let's us see the present situation in real time & decide our actions; whether we will take the call or let it go to a recording even if it is convenient for us to answer. This ‘letting it go’ is simply another form of procrastination. Sooner or later, we know that we will retrieve the missed call, listen to it & then decide, if it is still an option to call back, an action worthy of our invested time.

Life is like that too. People come & go in our life. Many go to our ‘procrastination’ area. We avoid feelings, confrontation, decisions, & closure. If we had had a caller ID on this relationship, we would often just delete it entirely,if we knew then what we know now or should it just not suit us. This irritation rings & rings repeatedly until an action is completed. What is it that stops us from dealing with the situation...the person? Where is the communication?When was the last time you sat still, silent with another person, & then actually talked face to face? We get wrapped up in our life's 'stuff' & give less time to 'people' for who they truly are.

When opportunity calls, answer it. You never know who is on the other side, what it is that is being presented & if you fail to answer the call, well…you have done just that- Failed to Answer the Call. You missed it. And you may not have a return number to call back & hopefully recapture the missed moment.

On the Spiritual side of things, when you choose to be disconnected from your GOD, your Source, you are also lost. Communication has broken down. Prayer is a form of that relationship & requires no special words, equipment, or environment. There is no special ‘ringtone’, service plan, or unique gadget to use. You can talk with God anytime, anyplace, about anything. He is always awake & on your time zone. No long distance fees, no taxes, no rules. Just talk.


While we smile at the little one who finds joy in playing 'grown up' on the telephone,ask yourself this...Have we taught our children the value of prayer?
Do we appreciate the time we have to share our hearts with God?
So, the next time your cell phone rings…maybe a special ring tone of a loved one or a dear friend…don't hesitate- pick it up. They have a reason for calling you.

And as for prayer...God is waiting to hear from you. By the way, God doesn’t need ‘call waiting’,’ call forwarding’, or ‘caller ID’. God knows you intimately & loves you eternally– He just wants to hear your voice. Take the opportunity!

Ring...Ring...Answer His Call...
Ask yourself-Yubw8n?
After all,It's for you