Category Archives: Faith

The Red Tide -by Donna

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Last weekend I was asked by Karla to join her ladies’ small group on a trip for the long weekend. Saturday morning the seven of us headed to the beach. We ranged in age from late twenties to early sixties. Some of us rented chairs and others laid on the sand. We cranked up the Eagles Pandora station and enjoyed the sun.

Karla and I coughed occasionally, and while she worried her allergies were starting to act up, I was concerned I was getting the upper respiratory infection I get every fall.  When our bodies had toasted nicely in the sun, we headed down to the water. As we walked in, we found it was difficult to breathe. Jumping into the cool waves, our eyes began to burn immediately as did our noses. The water tasted awful. But despite of the toxic air we had a blast floating and around swimming.

That evening we went to eat at Runaway Island. We sat on the deck eating seafood watching the sun set over the ocean and listening to the live music. After we went back to the condo and played one of my favorite games, “Imagine If…” We laughed until it hurt.

Karla knows I love to research things, so she wasn’t surprised that curiosity got the best of me. Earlier that day we heard someone say something about the Red Tide, but my comment was, “I can’t look it up until we are done at the beach. I am afraid I won’t get in if I do.”

The next morning about 6:30 am I went for a walk on the beach. As I walked and listened to my praise music, I noticed the dead eel and several deceased fish. About 20 minutes into my walk, I began coughing thinking that I might have to go back because I had no water. Thankfully, I was able to continue and enjoy an hour and a half walk.

Day 2

The seven of us spent another day on the beach. As we walked into the water, it was as if you were breathing in hot vapor. We could feel a heavy sensation coat our lungs. Our eyes burned like fire!  We laughed when the young boy ran out of the water, up to his parents, yelling, “I’m going blind.” But we certainly understood his thoughts. Karla had to flush her eyes out with her water bottle the day before. Our noses felt like they were searing on the inside. As we lay on the chair at one point I began laughing to myself. Karla, who was dozing, woke up and said, “What’s are you laughing at?”

“Listen.” As she held her head up and looked around, she heard and saw it. “Oh my gosh! This is crazy! People are coughing everywhere!” People in the water, on chairs, in the sand–coughing until they could catch their breath.

As we headed back to the condo, even people sitting on their balconies were coughing. “This is like something in a Stephen King story….The Red Tide.”

That evening, three of the younger girls went crabbing. They came back talking about how they had to walk with their noses under the neck of their shirts because of the smell that was comparable to sewage! One even moistened a Q-tip and cleaned out her nose, so it would stop burning.

A Phenomenon

On the trip back home, I researched it. The Red Tide is a phenomenon that occurs when a species of algae blooms out of control and puts off toxins. “The toxins get up in the air and if you go down to the beach, you’re breathing it in. It’s a neurotoxin. It’s like a tear gas.” (USA today)

A hurricane was heading toward Panama City beach, I wondered if it would make the Red Tide better by washing it away or make it worse because it would come ashore. I researched that and found out it could go either way. I thought of how life can be like this Red Tide scenario.

Sometimes when we are dealing with a difficult situation, we carry on with life, laugh and have a good time. Yet we are burning on the inside. At some point the burden is more than we can bear and we want to go running and screaming, like the little boy. And then comes the storm. Life seems to fall apart. It may be a storm as devastating as Hurricane Michael, and it tears apart not only us, but those around us. What happens then is up to us.

Like the Red Tide, our reactions can go either way. We can stand, look at the destruction, and continue to let the storms in life bring us down, burning and irritating us. On the other hand, we can let wash away and make a choice to move forward. Yes, life’s storms can cause damage, and there will be repairs that need to be made. But just like the people in the gulf area, they will rebuild, and given a time for healing, they will flourish. Will things ever be the same as before? No. But sometimes we just have to accept change. Let the past wash away, and with God’s help welcome the new.

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

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Transformation: Pearls – By Karla

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Recently at school, one of my reading groups and I were previewing a book about oysters. Some were grossed out at the thought of eating a raw one. A few students knew that pearls came from oysters, but all were amazed at how they were formed.

The Very Idea

Like really, what in the world made God think of such an incredible idea. Okay, He is God, so I won’t put too much thought into how He came up with the process, but seriously, I find it very cool. According to pearls.com, pearls usually form when some parasite works itself into the oyster, or other shelled sea creature.  Out of defense, the oyster produces a fluid to coat the invader. For the next six months to seven years, the coating process continues as it forms this valuable beauty.

Life’s Parasites

In everyone’s life, we face little pesty situations. We also face more serious circumstances where we have either allowed irritants into our lives or Satan weasels his way into our lives, acting like a parasite.  When these nasty things enter our bodies, it makes us feel bad, cause us to get sick, or even worse.

Transformation to a Pearl

How cool is it that God allows the parasite in an oyster to transform into such a beautiful gem! Isn’t that the way God wants it for us? He desires for us to bring the “parasites of our lives” to Him in prayer. He wants to protect us when we are vulnerable and need to shut out the harshness of the world around us. Like the physical forming of a pearl, our trials can last for what seems to be a lengthy time span. But we can rest in His arms, knowing He is our defender.

When we turn inward to God and bask in His word and wisdom, He can slowly soften the sting of our hurst and sorrows. As time passes and we continue to allow Him to be our fortress, He makes us stronger. If we persist, remaining in His glow, He will totally transform our parasites into pearls.

Transformation of Pearl after Pearl

We should strive always to stay in a daily walk with God. Thus, each time we encounter life’s leeches we don’t have travel great distances to find our Defender. Trial after trial, we have the opportunity to transform what Satan meant as destruction into pearl after pearl after pearl.

Alone these gems are magnificent, but when strung together into a necklace, it can represent strength, grace, and wealth. When Satan strived to tear you into a million pieces, God rebuilds you with surpassing strength. For when the world tried to make you bitter, God grants us grace for others. As ones around you tried to trapped you in poverty, the King of Kings provides you with wealth.

As you adorn yourself with the strand of pearls that God has tailored specifically for you, He will allow you to be His witness sharing your pearls with others who need His encouragement.

“God intentionally allows you to go through painful experiences to equip you for ministry to others.” -Rick Warren

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9/11: That September Day – By Karla

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Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?

-Alan JAckson Song

Remembrance of an Answer

I love the question posed by Alan Jackson in his song. That September day I was in my classroom teaching a group of innocent children. During my planning, a co-worker came in and turned on the television. I whirled around from typing an email and froze as I saw the continuous recounts aired. The magnitude of the event was immediately felt.

Fear Brought Unity

At the time, I was married; he was a soldier in the Army Reserves. I instantly felt the sting of what this moment meant. I had lived through Desert Storm as an army wife while he was on active duty. For many months while we lived in Germany, his bags remained packed, and I did not know if he would return home when he left for work every morning. But this time was different. We had two girls, one in kindergarten and one in fourth grade.

In the week or two that followed the attacks, I sensed the fears as did everyone, and the urge for closeness with those we loved most. Like in the lyrics of Jackson’s song, I think many Americans did dust off their Bibles for a time and come together in churches. I vividly remember sermons reminding us that God is in control, and I recall our congregation joining together in prayer while forming a band of unity as we held tightly to each other.

Comings and Goings

In the years that followed, my girls and I said hello and goodbye to their dad often. Sometimes, it was for short period, only a week to a month, but others it was for a year or more. There were times when I had to shield them from noticing angry protesters. They exhibited their right to express themselves, while it cut me deeply to see their lack of support for our family’s sacrifice. But most often, we noticed the honor that others gave to soldiers and their loved ones.

There is a special twinkle in the eyes of children waving a flag as they watch their dads, moms, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, and cousins, return home from serving overseas. I have stood in a crowd with all my family together and cried at the joy of another family reuniting.

Responsibility to Remember

I think we have a responsibility to remember 9-11. This weekend I was going through old home movies with the girls. Through the Easter egg hunts, school chorus shows, and Christmas mornings, we found two video clips of where I had taken questions from my students to my nana and my girls’ great-grandpa.

First-Hand Sources

Nana grew up in North Georgia, while Grandpa Harold lived his life in Michigan, New Mexico, and California. Both had such deep sadness when asked about Pearl Harbor and WWII. My students learned more from those two interviews than they from any textbook. One student wanted me to ask them both if they would rather live in today’s world or years ago. Their answers were the same, in fact almost word for word. “Well, you have more conveniences today, but it was better back then. There was less violence, and you spend more time with your family.”

Family Importance

I pondered that thought for a while. If I could choose what stage of life I would like to remain, I think it would be anytime I was surrounded by my family. Though we can’t stay home indefinitely and cling to our family like the song discusses, we can strive toward a simple life to spend more time with our family. For these are the people who love us most and have our true best interest at heart.

My life has changed so much since 9/11 as I have weathered many storms. I wish that we, as a nation, strived to maintain our need for a tighter togetherness. Sadly, I believe we laid our Bibles back on the shelf to collect dust all too quickly.

Peace from God

This morning my quiet time began with Psalm 62:1-2. In all the changes that have occurred since the morning of 9/11, I can say these verses have held true for me. I wish that America could keep these truths, which we so dearly clung to that September day, and act upon them in our daily lives.

Truly my soul finds rest in God;

my salvation comes from Him.

Truly He is my rock and my salvation;

He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

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Slowing Down: Rush and Rush -By Karla

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Rush and Rush

In the early 90’s Alabama recorded a song, I’m in a Hurry. The lyrics were so true of how I was living; I often felt that I was running about like a chicken with my head cut off. (One of Mom’s favorite phrases to describe situations in life.)Never slowing down, also rush, rush.

Growing up, one of my favorite musical groups was Alabama. They are one of the few bands I have seen in concert. Mom surprised us with tickets one Christmas. This was the olden days when people flicked their Bics instead of using a cell phone as they swayed along with the songs. My sisters and cousins sang along to Tennessee River and Old Flame soaking up every moment of the experience.  

I’m in a hurry to get things done

Oh, I rush and rush until life’s no fun.

All I really gotta do is live and die

But I’m in and hurry and don’t know why.

-Alabama Song
     

A Sign of Weakness?

Many people have no desire to slow down, even saying, “I’ll slow down when I die”. My daughters were this way when they were younger. In the back seat, they sat tired from the days activities. Their exhaustion resulted in biting each others’ heads off! (Yep, one of Mom’s favorite sayings). I would say, “Y’all need to take a nap today.” They would reply in union, “I’m not tired.”

As they aged, often I felt beaten down with work, their extra after school hustle, and church activities. There were times when all I felt like I was doing was rushing from one place to another. Sometimes while I was driving, clothes were flying from their bodies as they slid from their school clothes into their basketball jerseys. Simultaneously, they inhaled chicken nuggets and fries.

Too Much

Even alone, I felt the need to rush. I would stand in the grocery line, sit in the doctor’s office, and even idle at a red light thinking, “Hurry, hurry, I have somewhere I had to be, or something to do!” I spent these moments in near panic, fearing being late or unprepared.  

The anxiety that accompanied this fret was seriously real for me. God love my girls having been the recipients of my snapping words, which had to have hurt their little hearts. What concept of time did they have?

Tired and overwhelmed by my hurrying around to get things, my life wasn’t much fun. In fact, my life was becoming more and more hectic filled with more and more stress.  

Trying to do things by myself only left me going through the motions of life. Oh, If I could relive these days knowing what I know now, my life would have been much more calm.  

Not Alone

I believed I had to accomplish everything before I could stop. My own power source is not enough; I needed to be recharged!

Be still and know that I am God.

Psalm 46:10
Plug in with God and recharge

Knowing this verse and living it are two separate things. I did not even try to be still very often Yet, I was on pause so often. I could have been plugging up and recharging during those times.

  • Braking at the red light, I could have been praying
  • Sitting  in the doctor’s office, I could have been made a mental list of ten reasons to praise Him
  • Standing in the grocery line, I could have prayed for a friend
  • Waiting in the car for the girls, I could have been reading a devotional from the book tucked under my seat or from my phone

For our God desires our lives to be more than rushing around until life’s no fun.  This is accomplished not on our own, but with His aid. He is the battery from which we must recharge.

“Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.” Proverbs 19:2

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Pity-Party: It’s My Party and I’ll Cry if I Want to

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During our college years, Karla and I were partiers! Well, maybe not like you are thinking. We loved a good pity party. I used to send her invitations to the “Donna Turner Pity Party!” Of course, once we unloaded all our complaints and feelings on each other, we usually laughed and moved on.

Valentine’s Day

One Valentine’s Day we decided to invite our boyfriends over to our dorm apartment for a “romantic” dinner. It was all planned. We pushed our desks together and covered them with a white table cloth. We even had a centerpiece and candle. Love songs played on the radio and we ordered dinners from the local steakhouse. At the last minute, Karla’s fellow cancelled. So, I spent the evening eating a romantic dinner in the den, while Karla sat on the bedroom floor alone wallowing in self-pity.

Anger

This spring, I had an incident that upset me. I felt like my go-with-the-flow personality was taken advantage of. A week later, a totally unrelated event upset me, to the point of anger. Anger is not an emotion I possess very often, and crying is something I rarely do. This day I was crying out of anger.

Later that day, I drove to Karla’s. Driving alone gave me time to mull it all over and I became very offended. The more I thought, the more agitated I got. I am always nice to people. and I always show respect, when others don’t. Don’t I always do what I am told? I went on and on in my little mind. Why do people run over me. Because they know I will not pitch a fit. I’ll be nice no matter what.

Self-pity Train

By the time I got to Karla’s, I was on a self-pity train. I am a nice person. I’m nice to everyone. How can people treat me this way? Who gets treated like this? As I arrived and stepped out of the car, it was as if I audibly heard a whisper, “Jesus.”

“Oh.” I said, shaking my head at myself. Jesus, the most loving, caring man that ever lived, was treated terribly. Others mocked, spat upon and much worse. But, He did not complain. He continued to focus on others not himself. There I was feeling sorry for myself and having a pity party. The definition of pity party is: self-absorbed unhappiness over one’s own troubles. Self-pity comes from the wrong belief that “I don’t deserve being treated like this.”

While we can’t always control how we are treated, we can control our attitude. We have the choice to respond by trusting God. 

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Pay Attention: Just One, One, One – By Karla

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Are We Paying Attention?

There is a reported story in which President Franklin Delano Roosevelt experienced the feeling that no one was paying attention to him. Receiving guest as presidents often do, he grew tired of the mundane routine and politely began repeating the phrase, “I murdered my grandmother this morning.” No guest responded to his statement in shock.  Rather, they responded with comments like “Keep up the good work, Sir” or “God bless you, Mr. President.”

We can all get so caught up in our own lives that we don’t even notice the world around us, but there are people everywhere who are hurting. Storms occur in everyone’s lives. Though the turmoil takes different shapes and forms no one is immune. Sometimes, I feel overwhelmed with the needs of others. Then I remember Mother Teresa’s words, “I never look at the masses as my responsibility.  I look at the individual. I can love only one person at a time. I can feed only one person at a time. Just one, one, one.”

Christian’s Lending a Helping Hand

Recently, a friend shared the sermon notes from his church in Rome, Georgia. The minister asked, “How can we know when someone is hurting or sick unless we are intimately connected with each other?” Coming from generations of caring Christians, I am very blessed and have many family members who are deeply connected with me. In addition, I have so many dear friends who have given me countless hours of love. But many do not have that background of solid Christian structure? I believe it is my responsibility as a Christian to keep intimate connections with others and make the ties with those who do not have a strong Christian family to help.

Pray and Follow Through

James 5: 13-16 discusses the power of prayer when a friend is hurting, sick, or sinned. Some share their woes through media. It is not a quick stroll through Facebook clicking a “like button” or typing the words “praying” that get the job done. Yes! I do this too, but is that all I do? Sadly, sometimes. I should take action; I should be texting a private message, sending a card, or dialing the number. Some hurt quietly. 

If you are the one who hurts, is sick, and has sinned, share within your circle of friends. If not, Satan may prey on you during the darkest or loneliest moments. It is during these storms that our Christian sister and brotherhood grows stronger.

The shared sermon from my friend went on to state some qualities of an unhealthy church: judgement on others, slow disconnects, saying things we don’t mean, or making praying promises that we don’t keep. I think it’s no wonder churches are dying; many times, we do not take care of each other.

Looking Outside Our Circle

While keeping our existing, intimate relationships, we should find one or two who need our commitment to pray for them. Spend some time asking God who needs you. Send a text or write a card. Ask that person how you can pray for them. Then do it!

 Mother Teresa also said, “Nothing makes you happier than when you really reach out in mercy to someone who is badly hurt.”  

My mom’s friend Mrs. Arp once shared a story with me that has helped me on occasion. When her husband had Alzheimer’s, she had been feeling down because he was getting worse daily. She said one morning she was moping around, thinking how bad things were and thought, “Kathryn’s {my mom} cancer is getting worse. I am going out today and buy her a new house coat.” She shared that the joy on Mom’s face when she gave it to her was equal to the blessing she received from giving it.

Care does not have to cost money, but its return is tenfold. Give of yourself to someone each and every day. “Just one, one, one.”

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Trust: Letting Go and Letting God – By Karla

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Many times in my life, I realize I must trust God more, letting go or the concern and let God have it. Knowing something and doing it are two separate things! Sometimes I think I am on the edge of figuring out how to handle the situation. It is like I give the worry or burden to God, then I think, “I know how to fix this, God, give it back to me.” I must learn to trust.

Swinging Back and Forth

During times like these, I often feel like a trapeze artist. Please do not misinterpret my words because I do not possess the grace required to be a ballerina or an acrobat (Beauties Within). Standing on the edge of the platform high above is how I feel during these uncertain times. So scared when I look at the “unknown” below. God stands on the other platform. He swings the bar to me and asked me to hop on; He is waiting on the other side to catch me.

Now I know that you are thinking. “What in the world? God as an acrobat?” That is not really what I mean. I just picture myself up there while God is waiting on me to make my move. It’s like I say, “Okay, God, I am ready to give it to you.  And truly, I do! Well, for a little while anyway. However, then, I start trying to inch the bar out of God’s hands and back in mine. I know! It sounds so wrong, and it is. From all I have learned about God, He is faithful, true, and holds fast to His promises to do what is best for us. And yet, I do this same action over and over.

Life’s Balancing Act

Over the years, the platforms have taken the shape of a decision for a job, a move, or the how to spend my money. However, most often these situations concern my children. My youngest daughter Rachel, the one who I loving thought might become joined at my hip, petitioned to graduate from Kennesaw University last week. She is beginning to sprout her wings and fly, coming home less and less.

I have been struggling. Maybe the root of my struggle is that Rach is my youngest or because she “gained her independence” a little slower. Who knows? Maybe I am having a hard time because the way both my girls needed me in the past is not the same as how they need me now. The helper and fixer person I am has to figure out how to be the mom of two fully grown children. I am so proud of both my girls, but I have to remember they are their own persons now.

Praying and Patience

While Donna and I were in Florida, she happened to stumble onto a Facebook post by Lindsey Feldpausch concerning the Thailand moms, whose sons were recently in the news. We were both in tears at her describing the Thailand mom’s roles and the role of moms in general. While the boys were being rescued from the cave, the moms could only watch, not help. She continued by saying that we won’t always be the person most equipped to rescue our children. She had powerful words, when we can only watch: “I need to tell myself:  Intercession not interference.”

This week I was reading 1 Samuel chapter one. Again, God reminds me how to give Him my cares and how to leave them with Him. Hannah was barren and prayed in anguish to God. He heard her prayer and granted her desires.

Unlike me giving God control of the bar during the scary times, Hannah followed through with giving her son to God when he was weaned. “For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to Him. Therefore I have lent him [Hannah’s son] to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.” (1 Samuel 1: 27-28)

And with these commanding words, I will strive evermore to swing the bar to my God and ask Him to help me let it in His care because “we know that for those who love God all things work together for good”. (Romans 8:28)

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Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone -By Karla

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An Opportunity

 A couple of months ago, my sister Gail asked Donna and I if we wanted to help at an accounting conference she works  during summer months, when we are out of school. Gail has worked the conferences many years, and I knew she put in many hours each day. Honestly, I didn’t know much about what I would be asked to do, but I thought it sounded like a good opportunity to make a little extra money. Lindsey, my oldest daughter who is also a teacher, decided to go as well. With the four of us there, even with all the hard work, I knew we would have fun.

Work, Work, Work

Gail had never stretched the truth about the conference; there was much work to be done. In fact, in five and a half days, we worked 73.5 hours! Now, I am not afraid of hard work, but I do like my sleep. And I did not get enough of it! I think I may have walked the distance to New York and back during the days! God love those patient people! I must have said, “I’m not sure of the answer to that. Hold just a moment, and I will try to find out for you.” I smiled each and every time someone walked to the counter, but inside was thinking, Lord, please let me know that answer to this question.

May I Help the Next Person In Line?

The employer and attendees were wonderful. In the world of teaching, the help I give often yields slow results. Here I received much satisfaction with quickly solving questions. “How do I check-in?” “Where could I find…?” “Will there be a place to check my luggage on Wednesday after I check out of the hotel?” Ninety-five percent of the inquiries ended with a smile on their faces and much gratitude for our help.

Not In Kansas Anymore

Another duty I had was room monitoring. I laughed when I first heard this term because I knew it must have a different meaning than it does in the teaching world. As an education term, room monitoring is used for the adult who makes sure all kids stay in their own rooms on an overnight field trip! My job at the conference was to assist the instructors by contacting someone to help when they had a problem. In addition, I was to hold up my hands giving them a “ten minutes left” signal. Room monitoring required me to walk up to a stranger to initiate a conversation. This skill is a stretch for me; I have a difficult time with my confidence. But after the first few deep breaths and meeting a few instructors, I starting feeling more at ease.

Who Me?

On the third morning of the conference, a lady hobbled over to the counter in a panic. Her eyes were filled with tears. The lady was in much pain after having half pulled off her toenail and cutting her big toe profusely. Several people, including Gail, were helping her as I went on to my monitoring duties. About ten minutes later, Donna came down the hall and said she was about to throw me under the bus. She was asked to take the lady to the nearest urgent care.  Donna’s reply was, “I’m not your best choice. Let me get Karla.” (Donna has many stories as to her lightheadedness that occurs to blood and needles.)

Without thinking, I briskly walked to the front desk, got my keys, and with very brief instructions, headed to get my car.  Upon cranking, it hit me. I cannot navigate myself around in downtown Atlanta! Donna and I both should have gone.  For me to navigate and her to drive. Gracious, this reminds me of the time we tried to look for Doctor’s Hospital Focus, Karla, Focus!  Round and around I spun trying to find my way out of the parking garage. I was struggling with this simple task and I was about to pilot myself on the one-way, construction-filled streets.

Taking Chances

Guessing, I turned right and was thankful when I saw a reassuring sign that I was headed in the right direction to pick up the injured lady and her friend. Hobbling from the wheelchair into my car, we were off. The friend steered me with the right directions while the lady tried to keep some composure. As she was holding back her tears, I thought that I needed to say a prayer for her. Then I wondered if I should ask if I to pray with her.

I do not believe I had offered to pray with many strangers before, but it seemed to come out before I could think. She did not seem to know what to say and stumbled on a few words, but gave me permission. I smiled and shared that I promised to keep my eyes open while I prayed, trying to lighten the moment. I asked God to comfort her and give her a care team that would be knowledgeable and caring. When I finished her friend asked if she knew what the word Amen meant. I smiled as my backseat driver explained. The injured lady begin to calm down a little. I hoped that in my taking another chance, I had planted a seed to help someone desire to know more about Jesus.

The lady’s co-worker and I sat for four hours in the urgent care. While there, I was able to encourage her with situations with her children.

After I dropped both ladies off at their hotel, I realized I would then be left alone to find my way back. Honestly, I surprised myself!  I cannot say that I didn’t make a wrong turn (or did a short reverse on a four lane road), but I can say I did it!

Yep, I took several chances over the last week, worked in an venue very new to me, and made some new friends. In fact, I even took a chance on the pay; I am not totally sure how much I will make!

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Survival: Solid Rock – By Karla

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Tarzan in Nana’s Backyard

My sisters and I watched Tarzan every Saturday afternoon at one o’clock. Ron Eli, the 1960’s Tarzan was wonderful with his sidekick Chi. However, were equally excited when Johnny Weissmuller filled Nana’s black and white TV portraying the 30 and 40’s hero swinging on the vines avoiding the quicksand to save Jane!

After Tarzan went off, what were four girls to do?  Go outside and play Tarzan, of course. To be truthful, three of us went out to play.  Lynn, my oldest sister, had her fill of the jungle life by the watching of Tarzan and was ready  to settle into a good book. So, Gail, Julie, and I run to the massive rope that hung from the big oak behind Nana and Granddaddy’s house. It once adorned a tractor tire, but at some point the tire retired, which was okay because we were still enthralled with our “jungle vine”. Gail was always Tarzan, no matter how much Julie or I begged. Thus, Jane became my role.

Poor Julie!  This left her with few choices:  boy (from the older movies), Chi, or Cheetah–Tarzan’s monkey! Luckily for Julie, one episode featured Ron Eli helping a deaf and mute girl. Julie was forever saved! She was no longer stuck with being a boy or a monkey. In our minds, the little child was a regular in Tarzan and Jane’s lives. This also had another perk; she couldn’t talk! We had to remind her of that often. We climbed trees, looked for the poachers, faced fierce alligators, dodged the quicksand, and managed to always safely return to our imaginary tree house

The Jungle’s Quicksand at School

I must have been totally fascinated with quicksand, because at school during recess, I protected my best friends from the quicksand that covered our playground. There we had no Tarzan; Gail was across the catwalk in the other building.  So, I was not Jane during the week. I was just plain Karla, who with my friends, had dangerous missions. Our goal required us to strategically move from one landscaping timber to another avoiding the massive quicksand pits.

The Quicksands of Adulthood

As I continued into adulthood, I found quicksand there too. At times, the quicksand took on the form of loneliness after a relationship breakup. Managing a part-time job with college tests and project deadlines caused pitfalls. Career choices and house hunting has swept me off my feet at times, and I don’t mean in a good way.

Endless bills and deciding where the money for those would come from have entangled me on many occasions. Being a mother, even in all its joy, is like continuously swinging above the quicksand, not knowing when you might fall. (Broken arms, teenage hormones, didn’t  make the team, first dates, and the endless mounds of laundry.) Life is tough!

However, I have a Savior, and He saves me from all the quicksands in the world.

In Psalms 18:2, “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” There have been so many days in which I am overwhelmed by people or my circumstances. I have held tightly to this verse to carry me through uncertainty.

For, “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.  All other ground is sinking sand.”

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Negativity: Oh, the Thinks You Can Think! -By Donna

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Oh, the Thinks You Can Think!

In Dr. Seuss’ book, Horton Hatches an Egg, we see Horton the Elephant wronged by everyone. He is ridiculed, imprisoned, and left responsible for what doesn’t belong to him. But Horton chooses his “thinks”. The sour kangaroo comments on Horton, “Someone is thinking different than us!” But no matter what, he doesn’t change his thinking. He continually chooses to be positive. “I meant what I said, and I said what I meant. An elephant’s faithful one-hundred percent.” In the end, Horton’s path, though unpleasant, leads him to happiness.

Has anyone ever done you wrong?  Sure, they have. If it’s someone who has been in your life a while, they may have mistreated you for years. It may have been a spouse, a friend, a sister, a brother, a cousin, a parent, a child, or a co-worker, and the list could go on and on.

It’s easy to let your mind dwell on the past. I could sit around and tell you every way in which I feel I have been wronged and how unfair it is. But will it really change anything?  During hard times I realized that if I let my mind become cluttered with negative thoughts, it only led to me being unhappy and angry. I would rather be happy.

Stones

Negative thoughts are like stones. A stone tossed into a lake causes a rippling effect. Your mind is much the same. It doesn’t just stop at the one thought, it brings wave after wave of negativity. Soon you are thinking about and remembering everything that person has done to hurt you. Does it make you feel better to recall those events?

No. We all get hurt. We all get wronged. It starts in preschool and continues our entire lives. But is it worth your happiness?  Even if you are in the right and they are in the wrong, sometimes you just have to let it go. Did Jesus ever become upset? Yep, one day in the temple. But do you think after that day, he sat around time after time and thought about their actions and became angry again and again?

It’s like carrying around a basket full of stones. Each stone represents a negative thought you had about that person. The more bad thoughts, the heavier the basket becomes. Sometimes others contribute to your basket. They toss a new stone in with their opinions and comments. You will weigh yourself down. Soon you are dragging, mentally, physically, and socially from the load. It’s a load that we aren’t meant to carry.

God Knows

God knows exactly how much it hurts us. How can we live as the person God created us to be and follow the path he has planned for us? Friends, we are perhaps without even realizing, turning around and going in the opposite direction. In that other direction is Satan–waiting. He says, “Oh keep thinking that way, keep thinking your way farther and farther…because that allows me in to take over.” The most important thing to remember, and to remind ourselves, is that we must choose. The direction we take and which way we choose to think is up to us. When the negative thoughts first enter our minds, we must stop and immediately give those stones with their weight over to God. He wants to take them from us, but only if we allow!

“Oh the places you’ll go” …. because of the “thinks you can think.”

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