10 years without a kitty

Facebook reminded me two days ago — Jan. 29 — that I’ve been a cat person without a cat for 10 years. I didn’t cry this time. I don’t know whether that’s a sign of healing or reluctance to let the floodgate open. Last year I shed many tears as I looked at pictures of my sweet girl Bridget. 

Among things I’m aware of this year as I’ve entered a recovery program for my clutter addiction is that my clutter addiction is a contributing factor to why I don’t have a kitty. That is a positive realization for me that I pray will help me continue to take necessary steps, with the help of my 12-step program, to change my ways of thinking & acting in regards to possessions, among many other things. 

Grateful even when

I’m grateful for sunrises & sunsets even when I don’t take & share pictures. 

I’m grateful for each step of faith & progress even when I don’t write about it. 

I guess that’s all for now. 

Giving it all to God

Today I shared a video on Facebook with this explanation: 

The only reason I’m posting a video where I make this many mistakes singing is that God is good ALL THE TIME! Great is His mercy, love, grace & faithfulness. I prayed for guidance on what to sing on a worship theme of “prayer,” & Tauren Wells’ “When We Pray” is where I felt God led me — far from my comfort zone. I knew it would challenge me. I practiced a lot (& kept praying) & was able to sing the words & melody correctly at home many times. Why was it so much harder singing live for the early worship crowd?!?!? Not too long ago, I would be in tears over this. By the grace of God & His people at Goodrich & beyond, I can keep smiling & singing & giving thanks & praise! (Fortunately, I had the forethought to have the words projected on the screen. They didn’t help me but at least the congregation could see what I was trying to say!! 😂🎶❤️🙏👍) 

It was a leap of faith. I’m grateful I trusted God & took it. There is more to this story, perhaps for another day. 

Adventures in travel, with prayers for those left in a bind

Our day did not go as planned, and Gene & I landed back in Norman, minus one checked bag, instead of in Fort Myers, Fla., after spending most of the day at DFW. 

So many little twists & turns I could share & maybe will someday. Overall, I am extremely grateful we had options & flexibility & it was mostly a trip of opportunity for pleasure. And we were together. 

It was nothing like the people who missed family gatherings & highly anticipated events over the holidays, or what these Oklahoma State University musicians worked so hard for & missed when their flight from Dallas to Florida, like ours, was cancelled today. Even with a couple of musical instruments still in transit, these students remained calm & upbeat. 

My prayers & best wishes are with all who were caught in the travel disruption today. 

#adventuresintravel #safelyhome #noessentialsincheckedbag

Trusting God in the complexity of life

Life. Ups. Downs. Making sense of it is often hard for me. 

I posted this on social media: 

Even for someone without a job, it was nice to have two days to celebrate the start of the new year. Yesterday we went to church & fished; today we walked, watched football & did things around the house — and ate more black-eyed peas for good measure. 

I deleted this part: 

Tragically, a holiday weekend with great college football games ends with the suspension of the Buffalo/Cincinnati NFL game after Bills player Demar Hamlin collapsed after a hit & is hospitalized in critical condition, fighting for his life. 

It just didn’t seem right to tag that on a photo with Gene & I happy & smiling. 

Then I added this:  I do realize this black-eyed peas won’t do me much good if I don’t get busy working toward goals. Starting tomorrow! 😂 #newyear #goals

Lots of things seem complicated right now. Several of the messages I’ve sent have not received responses. I’m not prepared to pack for Florida. I’m not staying true to disciplines that keep me healthy. I’m not standing up for my needs & honoring my priorities. 

Pause. Pray. As anxiety grows, God reminds me: What He asks, He can always deliver. When He says, “Do not be anxious,” I can be confident that He’s got a way for joy & thanksgiving to replace my fear & worry. It is up to me to ask & receive His grace for the moment. And so I ask, in faith & w/thanks, to know & do Your will, to trust & obey & to give You all glory, honor, thanks & praise. 

Starting the year right

I was blessed to start the year with a few of my favorite things! Gene & I traveled to Gainesville to worship at Whaley with Mom & other family members, stopping beforehand at the farm to pick up the boat so we could head to the lake right after church. After getting the bass to bite a couple of chatterbaits & a few other lures, we headed to Lindsay for BBQ & black-eyed peas! A colorful sunset ended the daylight as we headed back to Norman. #startingtheyearright #newyear2023 #worshippingGod #bassfishing #favoritethings #sunset