Loving Blu

Meet our son Blu. Well actually he's our 7 year old, 60lb Pitbull who thinks that he's a little boy. Every time November 21st rolls around his birthday we contemplate telling him that he's not human but, ultimately decide against it. We don’t think he would take the news very well. Boy or canine Blu is loved more than he could ever imagine. But, it didn't start out that way.

My husband called and said that he was going to pick up Bayley from school so considerate. My schedule was overloaded like a suitcase packed an hour before a red eye flight. I had no idea this good deed was actually a setup. Frank and his 8 year old co-conspirator were about to completely traumatize me.

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When they finally came home after dark side eye. Frank burst in the door with a dog crate, food and a myriad of other things confused side eye. Then Bayley came in with a black and white creature that had one brown eye and one bright blue eye. Enthusiastically she held him out to me saying "Look what we got Mommy. His name is Blu, Here hold him." crazy wide eyed mama

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Now I would like to say that my sanctified self said, "Praise God, we get the opportunity to care for one of God's wonderful creations." But, since I know that lying makes me a prime candidate for hell you can read it for yourself - Revelations 21:8

"Get that mutant dog away from me!" were my exact words as I walked away. Now if you're wondering if I'm Cruella Deville’s long lost sister, I am not. But I was a worn out wife, Pastor's wife, Mom, business owner and daughter who had been traipsing up and down I-75 from Building A to C at Emory meeting with my parents' oncologists.

That night I could tell that Blu wanted my affection. But, I was conducting a serious “no pet protest“ and being sweet to him was not a part of the plan. I went to bed only to be awakened by high pitched nonstop yapping and wimpering sleepy eyed mama.

The next day it was just the two of us. He was so little. I had to pick him up to help navigate the stairs. It was cold outside, so I held him close. Somewhere in the midst of going to the potty countless times, we developed a bond. And then I knew that God was teaching me something I didn’t even realize I needed to learn.

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There’s more room - I just knew that I couldn’t add anything or anyone else to my plate. Do you ever feel that way? It was already overflowing. And, I was positive that my reasons for not wanting a dog were more than valid...until I allowed myself to see things differently. Blu was a little eight week old puppy separated from his Mama in a strange place. He was the runt of a large litter and now he didn't even know where any of his brothers and sisters were. Whew! that grabbed me

He needed to feel loved not abandoned...accepted not forsaken. He needed all the things God so generously provides for me every day. - Lamentations 3:22-23

I had the capacity to care for Blu and God knew it. I had room to love more.

Blessings are often disguised

Blu’s unexpected arrival could be accurately described as an inconvenience. It stretched me and completely rearranged my schedule. But at the same time, he made Bayley’s face light up when she came home from her new school.

And I’ll admit that watching him scamper around with his toys was the cutest thing. I was rejecting what God was using to bless me. What I thought I didn’t want or need brought loads of happiness to our home. He came at the right time.

Loving Blu made our family complete and honestly I wouldn’t have it any other way.

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Are you rejecting what God is using to mature, push or bless you? Ask God to give you his perspective. You might find that you are missing out on something really precious.

Your Sister Friend,

Sandra

Focus Please

Matching dates, places and people was at the bottom of my priority list. However as time passes, I’m becoming more of a history lover. who knew?

So the opportunity to produce videos for historical landmarks around our city was right on so many levels.

Thirty one. That was the total number of videos that we needed to complete. As we were wrapping up number 29, I stepped on what I thought was pavement. But actually, my foot landed in a break in the sidewalk. And yeah, that crackling sound had nothing to do with the pebbled surface. It was my right ankle.

Within 90 minutes, I had an X-ray, was fitted for a boot not the cute kind and was at home in the bed in a lot of pain. Did I mention that it was painful?

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We all have those hurry and get it done kind of days...right? And this particular day was definitely one of them. I checked the gym off my to do list and was heading to an appointment for Daddy.

As my friend and I were making our way down the stairs, I missed a step. When I landed, my ankle twisted and all of a sudden I felt something painfully familiar.

And just like a re-enactment from the Groundhog Day Movie, there I was again ... getting X-rays, being fitted for a boot it was still ugly and in bed with nauseating pain.

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Why was I repeating painful experiences? Well, it didn’t take long for the Lord to reveal that both times I was distracted. I wasn’t paying attention. I was juggling too many things. And, the main thing was no longer the main thing.

Proverbs 4:25 - 27 gives us really clear directions. “Set your gaze on the path before you. With fixed purpose, looking straight ahead, ignore life’s distractions.[a] Watch where you’re going! Stick to the path of truth, and the road will be safe and smooth before you.”- The Passion Translation

I know life screams and demands that we pay attention. And even though our motives are right, too many “Yes’s” coupled with unhealthy boundaries cause us to stumble and fall.

While I was recovering I had a lot of time to reprioritize and refocus. And to make sure I remembered what God was teaching me, He gave me an acroymn that you might want to keep in mind as well.

F - Don’t allow fear to paralyze you

O - Organize

C - Keep Christ at the center

U - Don’t under estimate yourself or your God

S - Remain steady

Sometimes life becomes a little too much. And just maybe .... you’re trying to be everything to everybody. But remember, you have the power to choose who and what receives your attention. So take a moment to breathe, redirect your gaze and .....focus.

Your Sister Friend,

Sandra

Run on Sentences

I hated those red marks on my paper. You know the ones the teacher used to point out mistakes on your writing assignment. Vibrant lines decorated your paper if you failed to add punctuation and especially if you had a run on sentence.

Your Dictionary, I didn't know there was such a thing, describes run on sentences as "sentences that contain too many ideas without proper punctuation".

This reminds me of the thoughts and memories that the enemy throws at our minds. It goes something like this....somebody says or does something that is offensive or painful. Or, it may even be something that you've done. Then, the enemy captures those moments and begins to rehearse them like a jackhammer working over time in your mind.

Thoughts creep in when you least expect it. They appear when you're settling down after an exhausting day or when life is at it's best. It's a perfectly timed ambush. And don't think these thoughts come alone. They bring fear, torment, anger and shame to the party. Yeah, it’s a package deal.

No one even knows you're being assaulted. Your family, friends and co-workers have no idea that you're suffering an unmerciful beating in your mind.

So, what do you do? Is it possible to put a stop to the enemy's chatter? Here are a few strategies you might consider implementing.

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Verify the source. My professors always required that we provide credible sources to support our essays. And of course, the word of God fits into this category. It is infallible, faithful and true. (Psalm 18: 30)

So, if what you’re hearing doesn’t align itself with the Bible, it can’t be trusted. Which means, there are just two other options. You’re either hearing your voice and you know how fickle we can be or it’s the devil.

John 8:44 tells us in no uncertain terms that he's a liar - ... “When he lies,he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” - NIV.

Basically everything that comes from satan is wrong and unfounded. Yes, he mixes in a few facts but, they're lies just the same. So, don‘t even give the enemy one moment of your mental space. Not one iota.

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Use a period. Don't you just wish you could delete or erase all of the undesirables out of your life? Trust me, my delete button would be working over time if that were possible. But since that’s not an option, try using a period or in the spiritual realm - forgive it.

And, while you’re at it, forgive yourself. You see, forgiveness puts an end to the whole blaming scenario and redirects your focus to the one who heals. I know its not easy to forgive girl I'm right there with you.

I remember being in tears telling my Grandmama how someone had severely wounded me and betrayed my trust. I think her words will forever be ingrained in my mind. "We can't hate nobody and see Jesus. Forgive them and put it under the blood so you can see Jesus!" Her words struck me at my core. It made me realize that holding someone hostage was not worth being out of fellowship with God.

❤️ my Grandmama

Are you struggling with unforgiveness? Remember that according to John 14:16, the Holy Spirit is our helper. He will help you forgive. Just ask.

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Write a new sentence. There's no rule that says you have to receive all of the thoughts that knock on the door of your mind. You have the right and even more so, the authority to kick out every negative or accusing thought. Now it will take a lot of discipline as if you need to add something else to your plate but, you can resist the temptation to be passive.

As a matter of fact, you can take it a few steps further and create an entirely new conversation using the word of God. Here's an example from joycemeyer.org - "I have been set free. I am free to love, to worship, to trust with no fear of rejection or of being hurt." - John 8:36; Romans 8:1

I encourage you to develop a habit of regularly decreeing and declaring God's truth and promises. There are thousands of promises in the Bible. Write the scriptures down and place them in your car, on the refrigerator, your mirror and anywhere else you can think of. Try one promise per week and see what happens. Before you know it, you'll put those run on sentences on the run.

Your Sister Friend,