……..what a year! This time last year we were hustling, packing and pitching all the stuff that we had no room for, we thought. I can’t tell how many times I have looked for something and think.. did I leave that behind in Lawrenceburg or was that at our house in Smyrna? Lord knows I have lost a few things along the way, but nothing truly important. After living and serving in two different churches in the past twenty years, now that we are “home” there is a sweet peacefulness, maybe this is the last post for us? I dare not count on it, there lies the trap, thinking we are settled. God only knows the future and I know I don’t, but I trust Him. This Christmas was far more enjoyable without the pressure of packing and moving like last year and as I reflect on the when and how we got here I am astounded by the grace of God in our lives.
This has been a year of reunion and reminiscing; seeing old friends and family; remembering our family who aren’t here anymore although I feel then lurking around, especially at our church; they are the shoulders we stand on and I pray they know we know that. They paved the way for us, still a few bumps and curves left but if it were easy we would be rotten! Last year we thrived in comfort and joy, this year we have made a list and checked it twice; a lot to do but with the Lords help we have made it through…. In a couple of hours it will be twenty twenty’ six, wow! It was just the year 2000!
Had I honestly given any thoughts about growing up I may have expected the life I have now. When you pass by the fifties thinking ..” okay this isn’t so bad!” Then you hit the wall (the wailing wall I mean!)goodness I got old quick and I really should have stretched more, or any! The years have flown by and I truly did not pay enough attention but the blessings are our four grown up children who are our best friends and even better they are each other’s best friends. That is a wonderful gift and one of the most important things to me, right after them knowing Jesus and just before make a lot of money to take care of me in my old age! Hey kids I’m there!
The last year has been good.. so much fun and a rollercoaster ride all at the same time, we are very blessed and we know it. Of course I have been in a different place than my preacherman, he has had a huge job while I’ve been pretty much retired, but I do know that the Lord directed our path and I do know my job is to take care of my preacherman ( I’m working on that last one, I’m still kinda fussy, the Lord is helping me but I’m stubborn ya know!) we are In His hands, He is God and we are not, whew I can barely be me!
I am looking forward to next year, losing all the weight, reading my Bible more, praying never ceasing, only having kind words to say( yall don’t make that easy! ) not wish the cat would go to cat heaven, clean or keep my closet clean( why do I even mention it?), and most of all be a good friend. That is not an exhaustive list but some top contenders for which I can surely do one of them and I feel like I can read and pray more, besides that I am lost!
Welcome new year, we are here waiting in all our mutual struggles and pressures. I have had to repent from not liking the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn! My daughter has asked for UGGS since they have been invented, they are on the ugly shoe list right after earth shoes and just before Dr.Shoals so I never bought them, but I was given some slippers this year and oh my.. they are still huge on my size ten feet, embarrassing huge, but they are a solid comfortable shoe! I repent and my punishment is that if you see me in them( I bought a pair to wear out the door) laugh knowing I’m dying inside because they look so huge! But I’m old and they are comfortable so there is that! This is the year I’m putting my vanity in check the best I can. I never realized how much I had till the gray hair came and I had cataract surgery ugh!
This is the beginning of a new year, I’m here waiting to see how it turns out…MARANANTHA! Look up y’all.. He is coming back!
P.S. on behalf of Ellie… 6/7 let that one die please! Jk
The word “INFLUENCER” is a popular word these days, many people go to great lengths to become influencers on the Internet just recording daily life. People have actually been able to monetize it to the point, that it is all they do…it is their job! I find that a bit humorous, since we women and especially Mothers have been doing this for years! Living and doing and creating and I just don’t remember getting a special paycheck for it…..but maybe I have?
Women have been influencers as far back as the beginning of people…anyone remember EVE? …And her ill fated moment with a unfriendly serpent who whispered in her ear…”oh come on go ahead…eat the apple!” She did and then proceeded to hand it to ADAM…..who ate also! Maybe this isn’t a great example of a “good influencer” but, non the less it happened and it has been happening ever since.
What we say and even more importantly what we do has a great influence on so many others. It is a heavy head that wears the crown and we women and Mothers are in direct line to help or hurt, our husbands, our children or anyone we know. This is why we must live every day in the will of Jesus, to keep Him close in our heart, leaning on Him every single day….with out which we will surely stumble.
The Lord has called us to be “influencers” for the good, to follow Jesus, to work as a help mate to our husbands, to train up our children in the way they should go…so when they are old they will not depart from it, to be a friend to the friendless, to bring kindness with a soft word or gentle hug to those in need. On any given day we are called upon to be like Jesus to people we meet or work with or even stand in line at the grocery store.
We have the potential to make some one’s life more livable with a smile or just to say we care. Many women in my life and church have influenced my life in the nine years we have been here….to hug and say, “love ya much” or “ love you lots” or to correct me in love or be my friend. These are the influencers I want to be around, those that actually pray for us, that are there to support us and love us. These are the influencers that the Lord raises up. Do they/we get it right every time? No, just like Eve we make bad decisions or turns, or our attitude needs a little adjustment, but when needed the Lord is there to catch us and encourage us and keep us from falling.
So to honor all the women in our lives and if you are not a mother you are not off the hook!, even you young girls especially teens listen to me….what kind of influencer do we want to be? One that lives for Internet “likes” or the kind that helps a sister out, encourages her and helps her find the Lord and grows old knowing she did what was right before GOD, even though the fruit of that may not be seen yet, when we stay in Him, we have the hope and the confirmation that our Lord will get it all worked out. He is our comfort and our shield, and no weapon formed against us will prosper! In tribute to you all….
Don’t forget—we are women created in the image of GOD that give not just life…but abundant life. WE are caregivers, teachers, prophets…preachers…and leaders! Women who fight and struggle and pray and believe , who have HOPE and Faith and the courage to face off any demons that would attempt to overtake our families….DO NOT FEAR THAT SERPENT….he gets it in the end!
For all the Moms and Women in their wide variety and many forms…. WE GIVE THANKS AND PRAISE TO GOD
For my sweet Mom, my Granny Maxwell, my Granny McKnight, my daughter Bethany and most precious granddaughter Ellie; my sisters, Sharon, Janice and Ann, my Aunts; Ornella, Nancy, Lois, Doris, Billie Ruth, Rene, Ruth; my cousins Susan, Nancy, Cindy, Naomi, Lisa, Tonya, Renee and Kim. Many friends thru the years and my best teacher ever, Mrs Maude Chrisman from Murray School … I did get blessed and I have a legacy of love and the confidence that I can be a strong women. That’s better than any paycheck!
I left my house, I drove my car, I went to the store, I worked at my job!!! This was the best day to be had.. for me….a total chicken and despiser of weather especially SNOW. Sun is the only real acceptable weather that any reasonable human should allow…. If only this were possible! I braved up and left my house… creeping down my snowy driveway…creeping along my street… only to get to the main highway to see..black top!! Woohoo! What a great sight!
As I have stated I do not prefer SNOW, saying it loudly as if anyone who knows me could ever wonder. In case I ever forget(not possible )the Facebook reminds me every year showing me signs I have written in the snow stating “I hate snow!” Over and over every year I make it perfectly clear, it’s on the Facebook so it’s obviously truth! This one fact you can rely on… it is truth! I started January attempting to make friends with winter, I really tried but it only took two weeks until winter hit! even when it snowed, I took pictures of the gorgeous Redbirds, the snowy trees, I showered everyday, made my bed, cooked hot cocoa, etc etc, but by the fifth or how I remembered it Day 105! I was done… all bets were off, it was never going to end!
Today though, after I braved the snow.. for which I do believe I should get a medal! I mean okay I am not a first responder or a grocery store owner or HVAC worker or nurse, they do deserve a medal so I am not comparing myself…at …all, but maybe …no I’m just kidding! Although I will say I really wanted to talk! To someone..anyone…. I ran by the store for essentials, toothpaste, and oddly folks didn’t seem as chatty and cheery as I was, I am assuming they have had to drag their selves out in this horrible weather everyday taking care of the rest of us. I am humbled. So I just smiled and left them alone.
Freedom is a valuable commodity… I can’t even imagine not having freedom, on the regular, not being able or allowed to go and do whatever you want. All those people who live in a world that is not free, Jesus help them, wether it be their own fault like a crime or because they were born or married into a life of confinement, it must be horrible. Also the poor folks that are sick or older and unable to go out. I am humbled! I have no excuses. I’m also a tad bit spoiled…No wonder I am a chicken, I have always been one, I’m rarely brave enough to put myself in a pickle.. as a latch key kid, I grew up watching tv movies showing the worst possible things happening. Nope not for me… as a child of divorce I knew I never wanted to be in a position to not have a voice( I’m truly blessed on that one) and being a Christian is probably the only fight I would defend and stand up for, with the exception of if my children were in a pickle.. that’s when this Mom would go to battle, and I have before.
Freedom is one thing people have fought for so all of us can be thankful. I of course exaggerate usually when I write or in my everyday life. (Rarely take me too seriously folks!) I’m mindful of my place in the scheme of things, I do my part no matter how small. Today is only January 22, more winter to come I am sure of but it’s also my big sisters birthday for which I honor and pray she is blessed.. she loves the snow and kept calling me out for being so whinny… she’s one of those people who had to go to work even though before she retired, so because she is able to stay home safe and enjoy the beautiful winter scenes, she was full of joy. I’m humbled.
SNOW-vid ‘24 has done its best! Eight full days of keeping us all trapped. Well played winter, well played. It will be about 60 days until spring for which I know it won’t all be over, I’ve been teased by winter before, it’s a tricky season. Looking forward to what’s next, I’m pretty sure I will have something to say about it, I tend to be too chatty in case anyone didn’t know? Most folks just led it ride, I’m not made that way.. it’s my world and y’all are just living in it, remember?
The winter is one of those seasons that I try to, well… overlook. But that is an impossibility because on days like today, I suppose in honor of MLK, Jr day just being a national holiday wasn’t enough, the universe decided to “bless” ( she says cringing) us with a whole load of SNOW! Most people are thrilled with this fact, all my school teacher friends are loving life and giggles all day( they are dead to me now), every adult that still has that childlike joy for glorious snow are living their best lives(they are dead to me now) and there are all those precious children who still have hopes of a day filled with snowmen, snowball fights and snocream for which some will grow up to become teachers or adults with childlike hearts still( all of which are still dead to me!) it’s a conspiracy I say!
Further more.. I have the nagging feeling that this is only happening to me, yes I said it, this tragic awfully cold frozen tundra is all to torment me. In case no one realizes it.. it’s my world and y’all are just living in it! The world really does revolve around me! Also my super kind husband who I think used to love snow but has abandoned that cult and come over to my side. All four of my adult children hate it now also, working jobs and having to drive in it tends to do that. We are the only ones on earth that rebuke the insidiously awful “blessing” of snow. There surely cannot be snow in heaven?
Maybe I need to read up on that, are there books? Is there a holy scripture that describes frozen water in heaven? Surely not….. I think that Europeans don’t even use ice in their drinks( not that I have ever been, but I read) so my rationale is that Jesus was born in Nazareth and that’s in the neighborhood of Europe so leads me to think ice is not a thing.. there… in heaven. Okay I got that cleared up, good! So my need to hate snow must be a basic fear of all things cold… which of course is a basic life pattern for a person of my age for which I wear sweaters, a good invention for that. There is never any need for snow in my life especially one that covers the whole world ( my world I mean) when even the roads are impassable which hits all my being trapped phobias..stuck without a way out… it’s only Monday and I’ll be itchy by Tuesday nite to drive somewhere but it appears this snow is determined. Huge flakes, packed in high and tight!
I am sure that I may be the most ridiculous person in the world( my world) but this is normal for me. My brain is old but my heart is full of silly and when life doesn’t go the way I expected it to well…. I just have to laugh and try to make the best of it. Even trying to interject my inner Lorelei Gilmore (The Gilmore Girls) who can smell snow coming, who loves snow and who makes it seem wonderful …nope, I still don’t like it! This stuff snow is a natural part of life on earth and even living in the nearly most southern part of Tennessee doesn’t help, as a matter of fact we got the most.. how and why is that possible? We live closer to the beach than ever before.. only six hours away.. a mere short car ride yet here we are with it piled up… and yes I have googled to find pretty towns in northern Florida! But …. It is Florida so that’s not a good choice.
So far so good, our heat is still working and the electricity is still on so I have hope we will ( in my world) live through this snowmaggeden! I will just sit here and take pictures of red birds and woodpeckers in the snow .. they are pretty but I will keep fingers crossed for an early spring, looking on the bright side that this kills all the mosquitoes and bugs for summer. Soon enough my bulbs will sprout and the worst trouble in my world will be weeds in my flower beds. I guess I live in a pretty good world after all! Now for hot chocolate!
In the town we lived for the start of our marriage, the local newspaper would publish birthday announcements for people, the sweet ones announcing the one year birthday of precious babies or sweet sixteen! The other ones usually started out with Lordy Lordy (fill in the blank) is forty!…. Or fifty etc! I don’t live in that town anymore so that is not an option so here is my newspaper announcement for these days and times! Lordy, Lordy Will is forty!!!
My first born is a birthday boy today… I remember it as if it is happening now… he was a month late and still had a hard time getting here, pretty dramatic and eventful. We were scared but excited but this new Mom was ready to see him. Our new first baby we named Will, a strong sturdy name, his given name is so very long, he is a junior so we needed a more fitting everyday name. He was named correctly.. he eventually was tagged… “Will the pill!” because being his fathers (and mine) kid he was sure to be a pill! Later on while knocking baseballs out of the park we’d call him “Will the thrill!” After a few stink eye looks that stopped!
Birthdays are a good time to take stock, I was a mere twenty four years old, only married two years… clueless on how to walk this path but I was committed… babies gonna cry and eat and you gotta fix them. He was a joy, a beautiful baby, every one said so even strangers. That has not changed, he is now a beautiful man. He made me a mother, I made plenty of mistakes with him, he got the brunt of the learning curve, I have since apologized for that, he’s sweet and loves me even though.
My dear son was the beginning of the four babies, all came Into the world just as dramatically. They all are loved unconditionally and all endured the hardships of parents In full time ministry, parents who really had no training as parents, just kids really themselves; but we loved each other and those kids. They filled our hearts with joy every moment. This first born is adored by us all. His voice has always been strong with his pack of followers; those little younguns’ followed him through thick and thin. Thankful they all survived as friends as well as family.
I am in awe of his ability to deal with his own flaws and failures; to choose to help others and have the grace to love unconditionally too. He is still and will always be my blonde haired boy, I probably depend on him more than I should but we’ve been together a long time ya know! When I acknowledge his birthday I feel like I’m paying homage to my own life, becoming a mother is HUGE! A lady (Elizabeth Gilbert) wrote in a book that getting pregnant is like having a big tattoo right across your face! That is the truth, you never can cover it up or deny it, but why would I want to. To be honest I never dreamed it.. it just was what happened and I have to say, Jesus loves me extra special because he gave me this blue eyed boy… Lordy, Lordy Will is forty! Happy birthday to the man we all love ❤️
Welp…..John Lennon and Paul McCartney said it best……
Will you still need me, will you still feed me When I’m sixty-four?
Most of us listened to that song with great joy, never really thinking we will be that old….for goodness sakes, we are only like…twenty seven or so, right? But, The day is come! I am trying to keep on a upbeat keel….la, la, la like the song goes, all quirky and light….but holy moly it is real life! I say this today, the day before the day, as I woke up with a sore shoulder and feeling very creaky in the bones so it is with great disdain for the impending doom of winter closing in I must gasp… I AM OLD!
That is what birthdays do to you, at five they are fun and full of joy and a new doll, at ten when I had my first surprise party with my best friend, Vicki Pickle and at her house, her Mom and my Mom planned a fun party, all surprise and fun…that’s a good birthday! Zip ahead to when I was turning all of twenty two and I had a perfectly gorgeous tall blonde boyfriend who sent me Roses (my first ever flowers from a boy) that was a great birthday. From that point on he(who became preacherman) always lavished me with a wonderful birthday along with all the four kids( dear Lord did we really have four? whew!) they made a girl feel pretty special.
Although, eventually its not cute and fun anymore, eventually its pretty much marking time and with every year I die just a little. Yes, I am being over dramatic I well know, its not really that bad but really its the memories that make me feel the melancholy. When I start to think about what all has transpired over my life time, being a “Boomer” and all, I really think we have had the best period of time. We got in on the last of the really cool ’50’s and ’60’s and survived the ’70’s and ’80’s and seem to be living to see the world self implode or so it seems. These are times that are a changing to repeat Bob Dylan and I am thankful my hope is not in anything of this world. If it were so I would need meds to cope with it.
I am so thankful for a good family heritage, they were not overt Bible carriers but still had a strong moral compass, built with fortitude and strength to survive the great sorrows of the world, they taught be to be kind and un prejudice and love people just the way they are. Then I was blessed to marry into a whole swarm of Bible carriers, Jesus believing, Holy Spirit filled heroes of the faith. I was surrounded by people who struggled but knew where to go for help. These people patterned God in front of this unsanctified girl, loved me even so and gave me the basics for knowing the Lord. Also they gave me a love that has endured through to my old age(still dramatic, I know) and a boy who grew to be a great Man of God. By the way, that did not just happen, I wasn’t that smart, I know that the Lord found me for him and he for me, He loves us that much. Now, the preacherman may question the Lord everyday about that fact but at this point he is stuck with me!
Like the song says….Will you still need me, will you still feed me When I’m sixty-four? I sure hope so!
Bless all you other old folks….we are gonna make it!
I must start this post off with a little comedy, picture this…three adults and one five year old goes on a trip! Everything works out perfectly, all the bags are packed, put in the vehicle with room to spare and we are right on time! Eeeeeerk! Wait a minute! What?
Well, that’s how it played out in my head at least….and actually it went pretty good, but this may be a one and done trip. Not that I don’t love to take a trip, I do, and I love these people in our vehicle and the ones we are going to meet, but my big mistake was feeling sorry for them all to have to go out to eat for Thanksgiving!
I had Mom guilt, ugh! See years ago when our kids were young and we lived in East Tn we changed it up and went to thanksgiving weekend at a TN State Park. NOT CAMPING! Of course, I’m not a outdoors person for any length of time I mean a camp fire is fun but that’s as far as I go and there has to be nice cabins etc. and the difference is back then we would have our Thanksgiving lunch at home then travel. See this year I cooked it all and we are hauling it there! Yep groan, can I get a witness? Plus all the other treats, sausage balls, pig n blankets, cheese ball etc etc.
This truck is loaded down with enough food to feed a army, but ya know we are piling in and hanging out, playing games and I will be smack in the middle of it with a huge grin because this is my heaven on earth! I have a gorgeous, kind husband, he puts up with a lot, I ain’t easy! I am smarter than everyone else and I tend to show I am daily, my opinion is number one, don’t-cha know! I come from a long line of “smart” women, pray for him, he deserves better. Then I have a identical twin, not sister but daughter, she’s as smart as me, and yet another, my granddaughter is “smarter” than all of us! It becomes ridiculously frustrating I know for all the rest of the world. But through it all the preacherman just watches the action. Like I said, he needs prayer.
As hard as it is for a day, I must admit now that all the cooking is done (please Lord let my turkey be moist) I am satisfied that we don’ t have to wait in a long line at Cracker Barrel to eat food that is not as good as mine(my opinion) there are seven of us, big table needed and that makes us have to wait, and wait. So when I see these faces comfortable eating our food and laughing its all worth it. I’m not saying that I will haul all this food the next time, Jesus will have to talk me into it, ha..but to be sure any chance I get to be with these sour patch kids I will.
The car ride has been content, the little one finally took a nap so far so good and all’s right with the world… until we have to unload it all!! Yikes! I am thankful, so very thankful to my God, for whom I live for and when I allow Him to make me a better person, I want to be kind and less bossy. (Skinnier too Lord?…oh that’s up to me? ok thanks, ouch!) thankful he gave me my family, they are my reason for being here, thankful for our first President George Washington who started thanksgiving holiday way back when, for a time of reflection to honor the God who created us, thanks for giving us a holiday before Christmas that gets nearly rushed through, thankful for all the freedoms we enjoy living in the best nation in the world, thankful I was raised to be a good Person and friend and thankful for car rides that give you a minute to breathe and reflect on life and what’s important. I am so In love with my family and my prayer for them is we all eat around the table in heaven together, that is my only goal. So today, is a good day …of course I miss my Mom and my sister in law and Charles beloved Dad and Mom, but they live in our hearts. Thanksgiving is a family thing, whatever shape or form it is, take a car ride with them, connect, agree to disagree even… just take the time to take the time, and might I say I’m also thankful I don’t have to fly a plane anywhere. Every year I feel so sorry for all those people stranded in snow storms and what not!……..Kinda makes a car ride fun!
Many, many…..many years ago, a girl met a boy in a sandwich shop, on a dare, and because she liked the looks of him in his rugby shorts…she got the nerve to talk to him while he was at the jukebox! This sounds like 1950’s B movie but it was’t, although if felt that sweet. It was a sweet time, all the firsts and all the feels….like a rollercoaster! So it began, the beginnings of a long love that continues today.
But, back to the story.. the start was in August, first date, first kisses(there were many) first love, the best of the best. It was a beautiful fall on that college campus and we never knew what would become of it. Zip ahead to October, we are still “a thing” and my birthday is here, another “first” happened! My beautiful blonde boy sent me Roses!!! never have I ever been sent roses or any flowers ever! This guy was a keeper I thought and I was correct! The day of my birthday we had a date, and when he left I politely thanked him for the six(6) red roses….. he was at his car in the street… and all of a sudden he exclaimed…”6!!!!!! There was supposed to be a dozen(12)!!!!!! He threw his keys down and began to fuss at the mistake! The florist had to have gotten it wrong… I was shocked yet laughing at his display of loving angst!
Finally I said….”was it really supposed to be a dozen?” He laughed a lot and said NO! But he wanted it to be!! Laughing he got into the car and left! I was hooked!! This guy was hilariously pulling me into the best decision I would ever make. You gotta love a guy that goes to such measures. The sweetest part of the story was to be heard later.
This boy of mine had um…frugal parents! So to earn the cash for the roses… he wrote a letter to them( planned ahead btw) and asked for the money to buy a girl flowers and he would work it off next time he came home! Which he did….he had to dig potato’s in the garden!!! His Mom kept the letter which I still have, this guy was so dedicated to me he was willing to earn the money however he could. And he was willing to owe them for it which was HUGE! So the amount of money they sent was only enough for a half a dozen, hence the exclamation to make it sound better, quick thinker as he was and even a funnier brain, but it did the trick! I was sunk! I loved this guy!
Now..41 years later, after many , many, many dozens of roses and flowers of all sorts, many more beautiful gifts and blessings and love, this big romantic sends me forty-one(41) yellow roses! I love yellow the most, he listens.. he knows and they are gorgeous! I have never matched him on gift giving… it’s an impossible task, and today is no different. I will never do it! I’ve tried but he’s too good. But I will say, I love this man! The blonde guy with the huge smile and the best sense of humor has been my heart for a little over 41 years. I could never repay him for all the joy he has brought me. Happy Anniversary my dear preacherman, April 24,1982 was a great day to begin so many great days!
preacherswifeintheknow 