Heart Choices: 2018-07-22 -->

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Five Minute Friday: 13



It's Five Minute Friday when I link up with a group of writers. We receive a one-word prompt and get to write for five minutes flat. Our word for this week is a number: 13.

START

The number 13 can be unlucky. At least, that's what many people believe. You know, Friday the 13th and all. But it doesn't cause me much concern. I've flown on Friday the 13th. Life seems to go along as usual on the 13th. I'm not superstitious.

The age of 13 was a good number for me. I remember looking forward to becoming a teenager, so many years ago. I was in junior high school; a time when I met so many new friends after graduating from a smaller grade school. I was excited about what lay ahead for me.

I chuckle when I notice floor number 13 is missing in the elevator of a high rise hotel. Who are they kidding? Floor 14 is really 13, isn't it?

For me, 13 is just another number.

I look up Psalm 13. It starts with asking God how long He will forget me. But it ends with:

"I will sing to the Lord because He is good to me."

I don't need to be concerned about number 13. God is so good to me.

END

Blessings and love,

QuickEdit

A Different Perspective



How do you view your life? It can be easy to get caught up in the immediate details and issues of today. But do you ever stop and review how you ended up where you are in life?

Sitting on a balcony in a highrise hotel, I could see the cars below. They were scrambling for a parking space as there was a concert scheduled for that evening. I could see several spots available close-up, but the drivers didn't know that. So, instead, they were fighting for the ones in their line of vision.

At the time, I remember thinking that's how I act at times. I can see what's right in front of me but don't see a bigger picture. I fight for what I want, but maybe there's something better. But I can't see it at the time.

I was on a flight from Phoenix to Tampa. The plane was bouncing as there was turbulence from a storm. The pilot announced that passengers should stay in their seats with seatbelts on.  Once he reached a higher altitude, it was smooth sailing (or should I say flying?).

I thought about how when I'm in the midst of a difficult time in my life. I admit that I become anxious as I try to figure out how to handle a situation. It's like I'm in the middle of the storm.

But God has a different perspective. After all, He knows the beginning and the end. He sees the big picture, above my storm. My job is to trust Him, even when I don't understand the details of what's going on. I put on my seat belt and pray.

I remember years ago when I struggled with infertility. I wanted to be a mother so badly. But despite surgeries and treatments, I was unable to get pregnant.

Fast forward to today. God certainly knows what He's doing.

I am a preschool teacher. I love children and get to work with them all day. But then I send them home to their parents, and this works perfectly for me.

God knew what was in my future. He knew the storms that lie ahead for me. And He knew what was best for me.

I'll take God's perspective any day over mine.

How about you? If you look back over your life, were there times when you wanted something so badly? You may have prayed, but it never happened.  Can you see a different perspective on it now that time has passed?

Blessings and love,

QuickEdit

Do You Really Listen?




"Listening is where love begins: listening to ourselves and then to our neighbors.” — FromThe World According To Mister Rogers

I went to the movies yesterday afternoon. I hardly ever go to movies lately, but I read a post by Chad Allen which prompted me to want to see the documentary "Won't You Be My Neighbor?". He wrote a post titled "5 Proven Ways for Writers to Conquer Self-Doubt". And he used essential lessons from the Mr. Rogers documentary. Well, as a writer I do struggle with self-doubt.

Mr. Rogers knew what his passion was; working with young children. And he cared about them. He was known as a man who walked his talk and practiced what he preached. Mr. Rogers was consistent in the way he treated other people with kindness and greeted each day with wonder.

As a preschool teacher, I also have a passion for children. They love to talk, but often people don't have the patience to sit with them to hear what they're saying. I invite you to watch the official trailer for the documentary.



Another quote from Mr. Rogers is this:

"Love is at the root of everything, all learning, all relationships, love or the lack of it."

I'm almost finished with a book I wrote for parents. It's a short book with an important message about listening to your children. I guarantee you will laugh at some of the quotes that I wrote down straight from the mouths of my little students. I can't wait to share it with you. So, stay tuned.

Blessings and love,

QuickEdit
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