"Where Are They Now?"

As I wrote this post, I was listening to my little brood, giggling and marathon watching old reruns of reality shows they used to watch years ago when they were teenagers. Brad and Kayla were here for Christmas and when they are in town, Kristen is "in town." She moves back in and they are all "here."  It's great and I love having a full house.

I began to notice a pattern as they were watching their shows.  As an episode would end they would Google the people to find out "where are they now." I started thinking to myself. It's always dangerous when I start thinking, but bear with me a second. They do this for child actors and stars all the time.  The Brady Bunch, The Partridge Family, Boy Meets World, Saved By the Bell, etc.  What if we did this for general, everyday people.  Would it be something that we would want people to see? As I was thinking through this process, I was reminded of a funeral service that I attended and provided music for recently.  Pastor Sears was speaking and my heart was blessed to hear all of the wonderful things about this precious lady. Things about how she had lived her life before God and her family and friends. As I sat there listening, I thought to myself, what will someone say about me someday?  I mentioned this to another lady that was there and she said that she had the very same thought.

Where is Felicia now?  Is she making millions of dollars? Is she in a foreign country feeding the hungry? Does she go straight to work and back home again every day, day in and day out? Does she party all day and every weekend with nothing to show for her life but a good time?   What good has she done? Did she make a difference in someone's life? Does she live her life in a way that is acceptable to God? If someone put our life up on a screen in front of everyone with a headline that read "Where Are They Now"  would we be able to  look at it and say that we made our life count for something?  What will someone say about you someday?  You know, it's never too late to write your story.

I saw this on a website http://spiritualinspiration.tumblr.com/ and I thought it was very appropriate for this post.

You are not too dirty for God to cleanse.
You are not too broken for God to fix.
You are not too far for God to reach.
You are not too guilty for God to forgive
And you are not too worthless for God to love.
Anonymous
(I've tried to find the author. If you know who it is, please let me know and I will give credit where credit is due.)

Until we meet again,  Fifi

"A Little Boy and Frogger"

Me:  I don't know how to make the frog jump.  We played with a joystick when we played years ago.
Luke: What's a joystick?
Me: Well, it's one of those things that you hold when you are playing a game. You know, the thing that makes the frog jump.
Luke: Huh?  Why don't you just hit this button?
Me: Right. Right.

I was playing Frogger tonight with Luke and was trying to get the frog to swim across the river by using the mouse. ( I know, don't say it.) I so don't know how to play a game on the laptop. I do know now. Thank you very much and thank you Luke.  It's a bit humbling to be schooled by a five year old.

Luke is one of those kids who goes full steam ahead, 100% of the time.  However, tonight he wanted to "watch" me play video games. He didn't want to play himself. Just watch me. (insert hysterical laugh)  It had to be the most riveting thing he has done in days. He was the quietest that I've ever seen him.  This was a new thing for us. Usually he is on the go and doesn't have time to sit with me but tonight we sat.  He had fruit snacks, I had goldfish.  I learned to play a video game on the laptop. He taught me. I listened and learned.

It's the little things.  It's those moments when you tune out the outside and sit quietly with a precious, 90mph little boy and he patiently watches and teaches you to play a game and you soak it all in because this moment will be lost in time if you don't. You may never get it again. We need to slow down and grasp these moments.  Life is just too fast. It is folks.  We rush and rush and we miss it and then we wonder where has time gone.

I reflect back to the days my kids were little. Those times of sitting and reading books, curled up on the couch with our blankets.  We would read the same book over and over and over again.  I would finish the book and they would say "read it again mommy" and I would think can we please read another book. Back then I wanted to move on but now I smile when I think of those little bodies cuddled up next to me. All they wanted was to be with me. We can't go back but we can make now as good as it can be. We can cherish the moments we have.

Take time to cherish the moments that we have with those we love. Slow down and enjoy your people and those around you.  Say no, to the things that aren't important and yes to the things that are.  Make life sweet. Listen to a child.  You might just learn something.

Luke 

(Picture used with parental permission)

Getting the Knack of Being Still

I decided way back, sometime last year, like at the beginning of the year, that I needed to simplify. Remember, I needed to "be still." Life had gotten out of control.  I was busy all the time.  I was burning the candle at both ends.  Just as I started into my "be still" mode, I had surgery to repair my rotator cuff, got the flu, etc, etc. moved into the spring and summer and had yet to find stillness. I had used up practically all my vacation as sick time in the first quarter of the year, no stillness there and big changes at work were causing me anything but.  No matter how hard I tried I just couldn't get it. So, I tried even harder to "be still."  You know what I've learned, sometimes the harder you try the further you get from your goal.  I also have found that the harder I tried the more trust I put in myself and the less trust I put in God.

In the process of obtaining this goal of "being still" I built a wall around myself.  I went to work everyday. I came straight home from work and I actually planned to not leave the house all day long on my off days. The "stillness"  (and I use the term in this context lightly) was great. I'm not going to lie about that.  However,  there is a price to pay when you shut yourself off from the outside world. You lose emotional contact.  Sure, I still called my people, my family and friends, but I didn't "see" them.  I didn't realize what I had actually lost until tonight.  It's so easy to make excuses. I'm tired. I'm stressed. I'm too busy. I'm this. I'm that and then you fall into that trap and before you know it, two, three, six months have gone by and you have no idea where they went. The truth is,  relationships don't grow unless you feed them. You can't sit at home by yourself and expect everything to still be the same when you decide to come back out again.  While you've been wasting away life has been progressing along on the outside.  There must be balance. Trying to find that is the key. Right? Balance and moderation in all things.  

I'm still learning that to "be still" has a more deeper meaning than just being free of activity.  Sure, I definitely needed to cut down some of  my schedule but there was so much more to this verse.  "Be still" and "Listen" for His still small voice. No matter what is going on He is still speaking. We just have to be quiet enough to hear Him.  

So, with my new theme for this year coming from Isaiah 43:19, it IS a NEW day.  Today is the day to make time for those I love.  Isaiah 43:19 says: See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up: do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

Until we meet again,  Fifi

Happy 2015 and a New "Theme"

Can it be 2015 already?  It seems like yesterday that I was choosing "be still" as my theme for the year and here I am revealing my theme for a new year.  "Be Still" took on a life of it's own.  We faced things in 2014. Uphill battles. Hurdles.  Some we are still climbing.  I can't say that I've conquered being still.  I CAN say that I've learned huge, valuable lessons this past year.  I've learned that being still and knowing that God (not me) is in control gives me a certain amount of peace.  It has gotten a lot easier to turn things over to Him as opposed to handling things myself.  "Be still and know that I am God" is much more dear to me now than ever before.

Now, on to 2015.  My theme for this year is from Isaiah 43:19 "See, I am doing a NEW thing!  Now it springs up;  do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." So..."NEW thing" is my theme for the NEW year.  I'm already amazed at how many times I've seen this verse crop up since I've claimed it for the year.  I have a friend that I've been sharing this with.  She calls this "God winks."  I'm excited to see what NEW things that God is going to do in the next days, months and year.  I'm think it is fascinating to watch God work when we open ourselves to His will.  So, with that being said...fasten your seatbelts and hold on to your seats.  Open your hearts, pray for your family, friends and neighbors.  Take your pastors and your churches before the Lord. Really, really pray for them. Let's trust God and see what NEW things He has in store for us in 2015.  I'm excited are you?

Source

On another note:  Facebook is now controlling how we "advertise" our blogs.  So...if you like reading my blog, please look at the top right hand side of this post and "subscribe" to Fifi's Filosophies.  All you have to do is type in your email address and you will get email alerts when I've put up a new blog post.  There will be a link in the email that will take you directly to the blog.   I also love to hear from you.  Please leave comments on the blog as to what God is doing in your life.  I think it is exciting when we share with others how God is working.  I know I love to hear about it and it inspires me to live more for Him.

Thank you so much for reading and following along with me on this journey.  I can't wait to hear and see what God is going to do in and through us this year.

Until we meet again, Fifi

Retire and Be Still

This man retired from his job with the City of Winston Salem after working there 30 years. I can't even begin to tell you how weird this sounds to me.  We are not old enough for this. How can either one of us be old enough to have worked at one job for 30 years?  

Working at one job for 30 years, by today's standards, is rare but is to be admired. Shucks, staying at anything for 30 years is amazing in itself. Hardly anyone stays with the stuff these days.

I don't think that it has sunk in yet for either one of us. No one really knows how many phone calls, emails and text messages he would get in a day. I think I know, but he would say to me, "you just don't understand." Maybe he is right. I do know this. He has been interrupted at every known family event.  He has been interrupted at almost every meal. On one vacation it took him three days to clear out all emails and answer all voice mails so he could turn off his phone, relax and rest the remaining days. There have been trips to Chattanooga to watch our son play basketball, where I would drive so he could make calls, answer emails and voice mails. There have been church services when he would have to leave to go check on broken water mains or to answer the phone.  There have been nights when he has been out all night long looking for a turn off valve that no one can find. Thanksgivings, Christmas Eves, Christmas Days, that he has spent at work, working with others to repair broken water mains.  He isn't any different than any other hard working man except for one thing.  He's mine and he retired last week and I'm so stinking proud of him.  

I think the most rewarding thing that came out of the past 30 years is watching our children have the same work ethic as their dad.  They work hard. They love their dad and have such a great respect for him. Kristen and I  were there  on his last day at the office.  As her dad was standing there in front of those men and women that he has worked alongside for so many years, encouraging them to "Grow, Glow, or Go" she had such pride in her eyes for her dad.  Brad sent him a text last week that said this, "I appreciate the sacrifices you made all these years, sticking with it to support us all. I couldn't be more proud of you." 

I couldn't help but notice the deafening silence as he deleted his email account last Friday night.  It was good silence though. It kind of all fits in with my theme for this year, "Be Still and Know."  No pings, no massive emails alerts from City-Link, no calls during dinner or in the middle of the night. I have to be honest with you. When I claimed this verse in January, I had no idea that James' retirement and the silence of  his phone would be part of me being "still." There is a calmness in our home now. That non-stop connection now belongs to someone else. That storm has moved on and the peace that comes after it is here. 

We will see where the next years take us.  I'm not retiring. I'm not old enough. Haha! I'm looking forward to see what God has in store for us as we head into uncharted waters.  What will my theme be for next year? So many questions, so little time.

Until we meet again, Fifi

Proverbs 22:12 says:  A good name is more desirable than great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.  I'm so thankful that our  children have a father that they are proud of and a name they are honored to carry.

"Specializing" at a Special Time of Year

Source: Living Well Spending Less

I can't believe that Thanksgiving is just a week away and I'm sitting here working on our December calendar and oh my goodness it is filling up quickly. Your calendar is probably just like mine. Not many free evenings.  Parties, family gatherings, office socials, church Christmas programs, shopping, baking, making crafts, etc.  How much can you cram into one month?

A precious family in our church always provides lunch for our church staff during the Christmas season and the lady of the house called today to schedule the day and time. I couldn't believe it had been a year since we were last there. Time is flying by.   

Lois is a wonderful cook and makes us feel so special and appreciated.  She and her husband Ben open their home to us, feed us a wonderful home cooked meal but they give us so much more than that.  When you walk into their home you don't feel like a guest. You feel like family. That is a gift. Some people work a lifetime to make that happen and never accomplish it. To some it comes natural. Lois is one of those. You know that she has prepared the meal with love and it comes from her heart. There is no doubt that she is giving of herself.

I have found that when I do something for someone, from my heart, without stressing about whether everything is just perfect, that somehow it all just turns out better. It took me years to figure this out. I used to stress for days about having people over. Was the house good enough? Did we measure up to the way other people hosted gatherings?  Did my table look as good as the next persons? Then the light came on.  I might not host the fanciest party in town. I might not have the biggest, brightest Christmas tree on the street.  I might not have the best dishes on my table, but I can make someone feel at home. I can make a simple home cooked meal and invite someone over. In the words of Barney Fife, I can "specialize" on someone. That's what Lois has done. She has perfected the art of "specializing."  

I would rather perfect the art of specializing than perfect the art of setting a table. I would rather perfect the art of making someone feel loved than perfect the art of folding a napkin. I would rather perfect the art of spending time with someone than perfect the art of spending time making sure my house is spotless. All of these things are great but people are more important. A blog that I love to visit Living Well Spending Less  (Click on the link) has great tips for being hospitable without breaking the budget or  stressing  yourself out  in the process. She has party planning ideas, recipes, budgeting ideas, decorating ideas, etc.  You can pick up great ideas from Ruth.  

The Bible says in I Peter 4:9:  Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.  As we prepare for family and guests during the holidays lets do so with a different  mindset. Let's "specialize" on people as opposed to perfection. 

Until we meet again, Fifi

Feed Them and They Will Come

We set up a tent and grilled hot dogs with all the fixins'.  Hot coffee, sweet tea, Hawaiian Punch and bottled water, hung a sign that we had free hot dogs and waited.

Last year we talked about doing this but didn't. I don't know why. Time and other "things" got in the way I guess. This year we were more determined. We decided this was the year. Halloween was on Friday. No better day to "test the waters." It was more than just trick or treat for us though. We are through with hiding behind our doors waiting for someone to knock, give them candy and close the door. Let's go to the them. Let's set up at the road. Give them more than candy. Give them real food with a little candy on the side too. Let's give them more than food and candy. Let's give them some neighbor love and share God's love with them.

And they came. More than 100 of them. Furniture delivery men, children, teenagers, families.76 of those who liked hot dogs and others who stopped because they were curious and wanted to ask questions or just to get candy or coffee. We met neighbors that we've never seen before. Darkness fell and the rain came and I found myself with eight teenagers under our tent. God had given me an audience and then said to me "you asked me for them, I delivered them to you. Now what will you do with them?" So, I told them about Him. I shared Roman's 8:28 All things work together for good to those who are called according to His purpose, and Romans 5:8 But God commendeth His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. And they listened. Really listened and smiled and we ate a hot dog together. I gave them candy and wordless bracelets.  Precious teenagers who found themselves in our yard, huddled under our tent during a shower of rain, on Halloween night, eating a hot dog and "accidentally" hearing about God's love. They could have gone anywhere, but they came here!  People who now know the folks that live at 265. People who are more than just a face.

Source

Until we meet again, Fifi

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