Something To Share

I'm so blessed. As I ventured a bit south of home this afternoon, I was reminded of just how beautiful life is. I felt it on my heart to share some of my wonderful blessings with you...

Although I grew up in the Mojave desert of California, I always wanted to live along the coast. I cannot remember a time when I didn't feel drawn to the ocean. Eight years ago I spent three days on the Oregon coast dreaming of a home by the sea. Last fall my prayer was answered and my dream came true. This tiny town is a blessing in itself. People really do care here. It's a place where one's word or a handshake are still worth something. I drive ten minutes and I'm on a quiet beach surrounded by the salty air, sound of pelicans and gulls, and the waves wash over my feet. As I close my eyes the sound of the sea draws me to a safe place. I can almost feel God's embrace and I smile, saying 'Thank you'. It's as if God whispers on the sea breeze 'You're welcome, my child'.
Were you familiar with the road I've traveled you'd realize that nothing short of grace and a miracle could bring me here.
I love this place and wanted a house by the sea. I got what I wanted. What a blessing.

I wanted someone with whom to share this life. Someone whose values and beliefs fit with mine. We'd all like that wouldn't we? Yet for so many years the person eluded me. I settled for counterfeits. I settled for less. Finally I stopped settling and put my heart, and the matters thereof, into the hands of the only One who knows all. I got what I wanted. I share my life with a husband who is perfect for me. He is my best friend, my confidant, and loves me unconditionally. I love him, too, naturally. Love isn't all though. I respect my husband, I admire him. In many ways I look up to him. I LIKE him. Were he not my husband he'd still be my friend; someone I'd hang out with. What a blessing! I've been given the gift of someone who knows everything about me and loves me anyway. Someone who loves me whether I'm sporting plus size clothes or skinny jeans. Someone who loves me when I've got sleep in my eyes just as much as when I'm wearing lipstick, eyeshadow and my hairs just right. What a rare thing. What a blessing! So worth the wait.

I love animals. I always have. I'm surrounded by them. :o) 6 birds, 5 cats, a few rats, a guinea pig, a scorpion, and some stick bugs. Most of my furry, feathered "kids" are rescues of some fashion. I awake to the sound of parakeets chattering away and the chatter goes on throughout the day. My mom tells me it always sounds like spring in the house. I suppose she's right. Those of you who have animal companions can appreciate the unconditional love they give. At the risk of sounding cliche, kids may say the darndest things but animals do (and birds also say) the darndest things. They can make you smile when nothing else can. What a blessing!

I shouldn't be able to afford the car I drive but I can. God does provide. I always wanted a Saturn. I drive a Saturn. What a blessing!

I always wanted to live by the sea with a husband who is just perfect for me. I always wanted a Saturn and to help animals.

I live by the sea, married to my best friend, who helps me care for our animal kids, and drives around town with me in a Saturn. What blessings! Why am I ever downcast? Could it be because I'm looking inward instead of upward and all around me? I think so.
If I were to continue on about all the blessings in my life, as they cascade into my heart, I'd need an entire web site I suppose. I'm blessed. I pray you recognize your blessings, too. Take care and be at peace :o)

T

Where's The Love?

According to the Beatles, "All You Need Is Love".

The Captain & Tennille told us that "Love Will Keep Us Together".

So where IS the love? I've been thinking a lot about this today...meditating on what I know some folks believe...thinking about what I believe and why. All we need do is tune into the local news, ride the wave of the internet upon our virtual "surf" boards....all we need do is look around and we see anything...everything but love. Hate crimes, murders in churches, Sunday school teachers who "appear" to have violated precious trust. Where IS the love?

I bet if I were to walk the streets of the tiny, coastal town I call home, and randomly ask people to define "love", the answers would be as varied as stripes on a tiger (no two tigers have exactly the same stripe pattern. But that's another topic).

Defining love is sort of like defining "good" isn't it? I have a definite opinion of which Chinese dishes are "good", which movies and songs are "good", and of what makes me "good enough" for this or that. Every person on the planet has a definition for "good". So it is with "love". We "love" certain people, certain foods, hobbies, places, etc. As I reflect upon these things it occurs to me that the definition of "love" in these instances is usually based upon how these people, places, and things make us feel. This is not always true, naturally, but if we're honest with ourselves it IS true much of the time.

To me love is not synonymous with tolerance and acceptance. Love is ideally to be unconditional.
Real love, life-changing, world-changing love, is displayed IN SPITE OF what some may say needs to be tolerated or accepted. Love is meeting someone where they are at the moment. No judgment. Love is also honest, however, and will always share the truth with its object.

AHA! So what is truth? Hmm...again, each human being alive will have a different opinion of what truth is. Is it absolute? Does it change based on times and circumstances? I leave that to you, my friend, to ponder in your heart and mind. I'm convinced, however, that these three: love, goodness, and truth must be considered together. How can one truly exist apart from the other? I look forward to hearing from you. Until then, be blessed always..in ALL ways....Peace be yours....

T