Tag Archives: friendship

Striving For More

Disability is defined as a physical or mental condition that limits a person’s movements, senses, or activities.         IMG_1297

It is considered a handicap or an impairment. Not typical.
Sometimes a person’s disability can be seen…and at other times it cannot.
There are challenges for those having a disability. Accepting ones limitations without accepting defeat. Living life without living less.
On the other hand, one can be perfectly healthy both physically and cognitively, but live a far greater disability, shown by ignorance.
No one should have to live in a box, only longing to be free.
Able bodied doesn’t mean ability, anymore than disabled body mean dis-ability.
People are so much more, and have so much to offer when given the opportunity.
And shouldn’t we all strive to see the person inside? See the whole, instead of the parts?
Yesterday, I went to a conference sponsored by Joni and Friends. As one who has worked in the special needs community for most of my life, I am no stranger to working with individuals that face challenges on a daily basis. I was mesmerized and energized by the speakers at this event, making a difference in their communities in real and tangible ways.
Striving for more.
The world is always better when we stop to help each other.

 

 

 

We’re Not All That Different

Today is Five Minute Friday over at Lisa-Jo’s.  The writing prompt is…lonely.

Write for 5 minutes…..Get Ready, Get Set, Go!

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There is a chasm of difference between being alone and being lonely.

One is a choice, the other is not.

One allows for rest and rejuvenation.

The other can become a burden.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28  NIV

Jesus understood. He still understands.

Sometimes just reaching out to others, can make all the difference.

The burden can be lifted.

A life changed.

When one realizes he/she is not the only one that ever feels lonely.

That we are all in this together…and that we are not really all that different at all.

 

images-candles

OK, are you ready? Let’s see your best five minutes for the prompt:

Lonely

GO

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Feel The Love

Going through my blog archives today….   This post made me smile, then laugh out loud. I do love the men in my life:)

Men…And Other Scary Animals

A couple in the dark

I like men. I actually love some of them. I think that a lot of time men get “bad raps” in the media. Not fair. They have a lot of good qualities that oft times get overlooked. On this note, I am dedicating today’s blog to my loving husband and sons, and all the other men out there that make the world a more crazy…eh hem….delightful place. I would also like to state for the record that this blog is MY opinion, and on MY blog that is the only one that counts. If you are a male basher don’t read this blog—because I am all about flowers and sunshine:)

 

1. Men like to fix things. This is very helpful to me when I have no clue as to what I am doing. “Honey, the thing- a- ma- bobber just fell off the what-cha-ma-call-it….do you think you can fix that for me? Sure. ( I love him!)

 

2. Unless the food is completely toxic and inedible men will give it a try…and sometimes ask for seconds. I love that they are not so picky.

 

3. Men are usually good with calculations. Math is not really my forte’. Well, upper level math is not my forte’ is what I should say. I also appreciate my husband’s precision when measuring for whatever it is that he is building for me.

 

4. Men are great foot warmers in bed. Most of the time they don’t complain, even if one’s feet are cold, most of the time they are just glad that you are snuggling with them.

 

5. Most men work really hard in their chosen career. (or even if it’s not their chosen career) They want to provide for their family. It makes them feel good–which in turn makes the family feel good:) Which makes them feel good. Which makes us feel good. See the circle of love?

 

6. Most men are really about 12 years old mentally. Some people see this as an obstacle that needs to be overcome. I see it as well…..let’s just say that burping contests, lawn mower races and wrestling each other to the floor is dangerous after a certain age, and leave it at that.

 

7. Men can look totally cute in the morning…even right after getting up. The messy hair and unshaven face just add to the mystique.

 

8. Men like to have female friends. Why do you think that so many men get married? ‘Cause they love us, girls. They really do. They realize how cool we actually are and they like to hang with us. This shows they obviously have good taste, right?

 

9. They are brave and courageous. Even if they are scared out of their wits they, most of the time, will be the one to get up and see what the scary noise is out in the living room. They also crawl under houses to fix things…braving snakes, possums, mice, or other vermin. They are supermen!

 

10. They are fun to have around and they make us laugh. They help to make the world a little more goofy, and less tense of a place.

 

11. They are not rattled when they take a wrong turn. “We’ll just drive around until we see something familiar.”

 

12. There is nothing better than a hug. Even if he is stinky, and sweaty and in need of a shower. ( I wonder if he will use that new lavender shampoo I just bought?)

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Friendship

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking

2. Link back here and invite others to join in.

3. Please visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments.

OK, are you ready? Give me your best five minutes on:

::

Friend…

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Besties and BFF’s

She just “gets” me

Anytime phone calls and “I got your back”

Secrets and sharing moments

Walking together and running into the future

Road trips to here, there, everywhere and no where in particular

Toasts, and cheers and celebrations

Emails and messages

Sweatpants and no make-up and bad hair days

Tears and fights and “I can’t believe you did that!”

Laughter, lots of laughter and camaraderie

Acting like women, but giggling like girls

Silliness and seriousness all in the same face

Bridesmaids, pregnancy, and the growing up years.

Sharing stories, and gaining confidence

Memories that will forever remain

Distance doesn’t matter, and it is easy to take up where you left off

Copying recipes and finding the perfect flea market

Asking opinions and then saying, “You’re crazy!”

Holding a hand, wiping the tears and mending a heart

Just being there and not saying a word…because you don’t have to…

Sharing a life and baring your soul

This is………being a friend.

Friendship, one of God’s greatest gifts.

Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times…

Bridesmaids

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Community

Laughing girl

Laughing girl (Photo credit: @Doug88888)

thegypsymama

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Please visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments.

OK, are you ready? Give me your best five minutes on:  Community

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I want it. I need it. I gotta have it!  Community.

When I moved states with my family, I left my girlfriends behind….and I miss them.

I’ve made new friends in my new home.  I’m grateful for the relationships.

Walking together, just talking. Going out to eat at a local place. Spending time at church socials.

I am thankful for their smiles, and wisdom along with their gripes and complaints.

It’s all about life.

Whether one is 14 , 40, or 84, friends are important.

Community is essential.

God didn’t make us to be alone.

Community is a gift.

 

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Turning The Page

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. – Helen Keller

Stepping out into the unknown…each day unfolding into an adventure.

Helen Keller's famous water pump at Ivy Green

The diploma in my hand was full of promise. I was chosen for the scholarship. I was leaving for school hundreds of miles from home.

The letters after my name. A degree. Four years of hard work had paid off. The future was full of promise.

Applications. Interviews. God had other plans…and they weren’t the same as mine.

I had moved back home. I was 500 miles away, when I received the call. Would I like to travel back to east Tennessee and take the job?

He asked me. I said, “yes”.  The diamond sparkled in the light.

Teaching. Learning. Changing.

The strip had a plus sign on it. The smile broke out across my face. I was going to be a mommy!

The first strong cry, mingled with my own. I took him in my arms and carried him in my heart.

My husband didn’t feel well.

The doctor told us that “things didn’t look right”.  A door slammed shut that day…and it never opened again.

Gray sky on a damp November morning. Freshly dug dirt.

Having to say good-bye and knowing it would be final.

Soccer mom. Church activities. Parent nights. Laughter.

Girls night out. Friendship.

Dating again. Nervous. Unsure.

Meeting new people. Hearing their stories. Making memories.

Falling in love again. Saying yes, to second chances.

Choosing to school at home.

Moving to a new state. New friends. New routines.

A new house. A job loss. Struggling to understand the why?

Life is a constant adventure.

Tomorrow is a new chapter.

Turning the page…

Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
   but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21 NIV

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A Place That Always Feels Like Home

Sometimes, friends come to us…

in ways we might not expect.

Through written words.

Through small, thoughtful gestures.

Through a voice on the phone, across the street or across the miles.

Through a hug, when it’s needed the most, and nothing else will do.

Friendship crosses gender barriers, racial barriers,

economic barriers, age barriers,

time and distance.

Friendship plants itself deep in the heart…

A place that always feels like home.

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart,
   and the pleasantness of a friend
   springs from their heartfelt advice.  Proverbs 27:9  NIV

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Come What May

"ladies in a line"

Image via Wikipedia

It is so easy in today’s society to go for days without actually talking to anyone.

Fast food drive through, talking to a machine.

Phone calls talking to computerized voices.

Self checkouts at the stores.

Chatting via status updates on the internet.

Using phones to text instead of using one’s voice.

As wonderful as technology has been for us as a whole…it can lead to isolation if one is not careful.

“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: “What! You too? I thought I was the only one.”
— C.S. Lewis

We all need relationship. We crave it. We were never created to be completely on our own.

Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

There is nothing better than having a friend to just hang out with. Someone with whom to pray, swap stories, give opinions, occasionally rant, and to hear, “it’s all going to be okay.”  An opportunity to look into the eyes, see a smile, give a hug, hold a hand. Don’t we all want a friend(s) that will stick with us, come what may?

Friendship requires availability.

Time.

Effort.

There is nothing better than being “at home” with another person.

Friendship is a valuable gift.

“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art… It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.”  C.S Lewis

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FaithBarista_FreshJamBadgeG

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Those Who Bring Good News

Man's Feet

Image via Wikipedia

When the waiting becomes almost unbearable…

When I question God’s timing…

When I ask, “Why not me, God? Why not now?”

When time seems long and my patience seems small…

When God says, “not yet”.

Waiting can be difficult, even painful at times.

Waiting is hard work.

In the quiet.

It is during this time that God reveals Himself in a way that I would not have seen otherwise.

He reminds me, “You are not forgotten“.

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”  Isaiah 52:7 NIV

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This day I am thanking God for all things great and small.

*Good news from a dear friend

*answered prayers

*joy in the every day

*all the kids up at a decent time this morning

*working diligently on school work

*good moods

*friendship

*God’s timing

*people to love

*people who love me back

*summer sunshine

*cool breezes

*my sister’s birthday

*being a big sister

*good books

*contentment

*my God reigns

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What are you thankful for?

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