The Lord laughs......

Ever had the Lord prompt you to do something and you just dismiss it? Or "reason" it away? Sometimes the Lord just lets us reap what we sow and sometimes, He gets the last laugh.

One Sunday I rushed to church, 4 kids in tow. After I ushered them to their various classes, I hurried to the choir room for a quick practice before the service. I found the first seat available, the end seat on the back row. (The seats in the choir practice room mirrors the seats in the choir loft.) As I melted into my chair, slowly exhaled and hoped that I was indeed fully clothed, the Lord prompted my heart to move up one row to the empty seat in front of me. It would be an encouragement to the lady sitting next to that empty seat, He urged.

Well, how would that look? And how would the lady I had originally sat down beside feel? Wouldn't she be offended? Surely this is not such a big deal. I'm staying where I am. So! We practiced our selections and I lined up to go to the sanctuary, the Spirit's directive safety tucked away.

Our choir chairs were positioned on elevated platforms (large steps), about 4 rows, with the top row about 10 feet up. (Remember, my chair was on the back (top) row, on the end.) What I didn't know about the particular chair I was standing in front of was that the two left legs were precariously positioned just barely on the platform, with most of the two legs hanging over the edge. That was of no concern until we were directed to have a seat.

As I lowered myself toward my chair I was blissfully unaware of the explosion of activity in which I would soon become involved. When I sat down, the two legs of the chair slid over the edge, slinging me toward the 10 foot drop. Survival took over at that point. Arms and legs went flying searching for stability of some sort. Music littered the atmosphere and all attention was drawn in my direction as I made snow angels in midair. Grabbing whatever I could, I grasped the Christian flag to my left, now billowing without a breeze. My unlucky neighbor grabbed me as I grabbed her. I'm not sure where my feet landed, but side-ways motion stopped and I was suspended at a 45 degree angle in the top left corner of the choir. All eyes were on me and no one was listening to Pastor.

I was able to get my feet under me, haul myself up off the chair and put it back in its place. I gathered my music with the help of a nice lady in the congregation, tucked it under my arm and turned in search of a safer spot to sit. I found myself once more, exhaling slowly as I recovered, then waved to the audience, letting them know I was okay (they could turn their attention back to the pastor).

Whew. Tragedy averted. All was well in the world once again. It was right about then that the Holy Spirit tapped me on the shoulder. "So where are you sitting now?" I had to laugh at myself as I realized I was sitting next to the lady the Lord had suggested I sit next to in the first place. So. Was He trying to help me avoid an embarrassing situation because He knew the booby trap I was headed into? Or was He showing me (once again) Who's boss? It doesn't really matter. I've learned not to dismiss the prompting of the Lord for ANY reason.

sharin' our "lafin" part deux

I want to remind you of our retreat coming up mid-May (see previous blog, "sharin' our lafin"). Our desire is to come together with our friends and laugh and encourage each other. Sometimes when life knocks you down you need someone to help you back up. Perhaps that is you. Or perhaps you could be the one offering the hand. Maybe you're just ready for a break and a lot of fun. This retreat is the place to be! Basic info: Lookup Lodge, Travelers Rest, SC; Friday night and Saturday, May 13, 14 (weekend after Mother's Day); 4 meals and a bunkbed; new friends, old friends, loving the Lord together; $75.00. If you know our family, you know we're all about fun. This time we want you to be in on it, too! Let us know of your interest and we'll send you a flyer.

beachbrooks@gmail.com (robyn)

I work at a preschool.....

I work at a preschool. And there are a few procedures of which you must be aware to make things easier.

First of all conversations are quick and to the point. I passed a little lady in the hallway. I wanted to be friendly. "Hi, Olivia!" said I. "I'm three." said she. "Cool." said I. And we went on our way. Again, walking down the hallway, Jackson passed me, facing me, going the same direction. "Jackson?" "I can get there without looking." And he did.(I think it's a guy thing.)

Another tidbit of which one should take note. When you walk in the bathroom and someone is already in there, you get, "Who's there?" At which point you identify yourself. If you're already in the bathroom and someone else comes in, you get, "Who's there?" If you don't quickly identify yourself, you get a knock on the door. At this point, an immediate response is essential because next you see an upside down face from under the door and, "Oh." I don't really think it matters who's there just as long as everyone is identified.

I've learned so much because I work at a preschool.....

sharin our "lafin"

In October my sisters (Gina, Sherri, Shawn, Tammy) and I took our mom on a weekend retreat for her 75th birthday. We were Friday night and Saturday morning at a ladies' retreat in Chattanooga and then off to Gatlinburg for some fun and R and R.

We had such an amazing time of fun and fellowship! It was just an a awesome time and we thought everyone should have so much fun! Let's do it! Let's have a retreat for all our friends so we can all have fun together! And so from this conversation came the idea for the Dean sisters' Livin' Life Lafin' retreat!

We're getting together this Spring, May 13 and 14 (Friday and Saturday). We'll laugh, and eat and sing and pray and learn and just be happy together!

Chipmunk before church

OK. So I'm heading out to church Wednesday night when I see our cat, Ninja (aptly named) crossing the yard with something in his mouth. I'm interested, so I go to check it out. As I drew closer, I realized it was a chipmunk. I was distressed until Ninja dropped it and it scurried away, or tried to. "Ninny" was on it in a flash. Well I couldn't just leave the little thing to fend for itself, so I moved closer to the cat and tried to urge him to let it go. The closer I got, the more menacing Ninja's growl became. I was determined, but wary, so I "pushed" Ninja over gently with my foot. He laid there with one paw still on the trembling rodent. Finally, SUCCESS! The chipmunk got free and headed for the closest hole he could find....MY PANT LEG!!!

OH YES HE DID!!! The story takes a bit of a turn at this point. Ninja is over in the ivy trying desperately to find his prey not knowing I had it captured in my pants! As for me, I still wanted the little critter freed, but ever so much more desperately now! As I whooped and hollered (Yes, we "holler" in South Carolina.) and danced around the backyard and tried to grab at my pant leg just above the knee to hopefully keep my prisoner corralled so that he would not get any farther up, he did (go farther up, I mean)! Straight up the back of my leg, and all the way to my waistband. About this time I began to realize this war dance I was doing was of no benefit. In fact it was probably scaring the chipmunk as much as the cat did. He was probably pooping and peeing all over me!

I relaxed a little and gathered my wits about me. Standing there quietly (with a chipmunk in my pants), I grabbed my shirt and tied it tight at my waist to prevent any further advancement. Next, I tried to decide what to do! I didn't want to offer a free show to my neighbors who, if they were anywhere near, had heard my war calls and might be investigating to see how my murder was happening. I certainly wasn't going inside to release the thing. The next best option seemed to be to head to the back of the yard and out the back gate where there are woods. Hiding behind a tree, I could just unbutton my pants, flip the waistband down and rid myself of this monster. Seemed like a good plan. Now all I had to do was remain calm, and move slowly to the back gate.

All went well until I was almost to the gate. At this point, somehow, my furry little friend found a way into my shirt, straight up my back, and onto my shoulder (STILL INSIDE MY SHIRT!!) AAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!! So, there I stand, at the gate, with the chipmunk on my shoulder. Ninja, still searching the ivy, could care less about my turmoil. Our dog, Ramsey, however, interpreted all the dancing and screaming as part of some type of play. She bounced around, looking for the source of the excitement. All I needed after all this was to release the chipmunk only to have the dog pounce on it. ARGGGG! RAMSEY! Sit! STAAAY!! She did. Good dog.

Now I needed a bit more privacy. It's one thing to flip down the waistband and quite another to get that thing out of my shirt! Fortunately, it was a button-up. But still......I found a rather large tree. (At this point, the neighbors deserved some kind of show for all the commotion they'd had to endure.) I carefully unbuttoned enough buttons so that I could just flip my shirt off my shoulders. This accomplished, I quickly flipped back my shirt, the chipmunk landed on the ground between my feet and quick as a flash dashed into the ivy.

I stood there for a moment, trying to collect myself. As my breathing returned to normal, I went inside to check inside my clothes for foreign matter. Nope. (I guess he expended it all when the cat had him.) My next thought was, "This is the GREATEST story! Who can I tell? My family's kinda weird like that......

Emotional Eating

Emotional Eating

Okay. Don’t call me an emotional eater. I DON’T have emotional problems. (Some may disagree, but what do they know?) I had a great childhood, good memories, people that love me and are willing to put up with me in their lives (well, mostly), and I’m generally an over-all happy, satisfied person. SO tell my why I came home today, went straight to the freezer and pulled out a slice of key lime pie (which should never have been there), polished that off and then made myself a large cup of hot chocolate. All this about 45 minutes before dinner. I puzzled myself. I am not a big “sweets” eater. I wasn’t hungry (like that mattered). I paused to think about my day.

Jeff was in a major car accident a month ago. He’s doing great and healing well. Not the problem. And although we have begun to receive medical bills on charges relating to his care both in Atlanta and Anderson, today we received a notification from the other driver’s lawyer seeking payment and damages for suffering. This from the guy who was walking around after the accident claiming he couldn’t remember what had happened. I digress. As I paused to consider my actions, I realized I was seeking comfort. I wanted something to make me feel better. I didn’t even realize that was what I was doing, but suddenly it was staring me in the face. Apparently if my tongue is happy, the rest of me will be happy. VERY temporary fix, if it is a fix at all. So what, then? Somewhere along the way to the refrigerator, I need to be able to halt, look at what’s going on and determine a better course of action. Even better, I must have a different “escape route” in place. Human emotions are not bad. I must not, however, allow them to control my actions. Shopping, eating, drugs, sleep, anger or drink do not address the emotion driving the actions. They provide no real solution, no answer. God does, He can, He will. That’s where I need to run, into His presence, into His arms.

"Rumpelstiltskin!"

“Rumpelstiltskin!”

Visualize the young mom with one kid on her hip while the other pulls at her leg. She is standing at the stove working with something that is burning which causes the smoke detector to go off. Just as the phone rings, someone knocks at the door. Sound familiar? Typically, “stuff” comes our way one or two at a time. We handle it and resume our daily activities. But ever so often, one or two become four or five and they arrive all at once, demanding immediate attention. It reminds me of when we (my six siblings and I) were little. After hearing “mama!” for the umpteenth time, my mom would respond with, “My name’s Rumpelstiltskin!” in hope, I think, that we would not be able to pronounce it and she would not have to respond. There are times when we just want to become invisible, transport mentally to any other location, or just melt into the carpet to avoid the catastrophes going on around us.

I reached that place last weekend. I thought I was going to explode. I had walked right up to the edge of the cliff and was peering over, wondering if I wanted to jump or if I just wanted to throw somebody else off. We all reach these moments at some point in our lives. They grab us and make us feel hopeless, helpless and sometimes fearful. We don’t know where to turn, there is no exit to which to flee and it would seem there is no answer as to how to handle the whole mess. What to do? We stumble forward, doing the best we can with whatever strength and wisdom we can muster. So very often I turn to Isaiah 41:10 which reminds us: …fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” It is so easy to feel like we are alone. But as a child of God, we are so surrounded by Him. He is over us to protect us. He is under us to sustain us. He is before us to lead us. He is beside us to comfort us. And He is behind us to gently nudge us forward when we think we are unable. Take hope, dear one! Move forward and watch Him work on your behalf!