Where Did the Time Go?

I don’t know how it happened. Another birthday is here and sometimes I just wonder where all the time went.  Facebook has made it worse.  All the birthday wishes on my wall are so very much appreciated…yet, my facebook friends span such a huge chunk of time, that it really makes me wonder where it all went.  It seems like only yesterday when so many of them were singing happy birthday to me as we sat at our desks with cupcakes in front of us and the teacher leading the song.  It also seems like yesterday when some of them helped me celebrate my 21^st birthday…and my 30^th….and my 40^th at a huge party at my house, my very own house. 

Sometimes I miss those days, but most of all, I love where I am.  I’ve grown up, but my husband says I’m still only 3.  I love life.  I love the simple, cute things that make my smile, sometimes loudly.  I love where God put me….the family he placed me in, the husband he had me wait until I was in my 30s to find.  I love the people, pets and things He put in my life. 

Thank God, I still feel like I’m young, but I’ve crossed that “middle-aged” line.  It really is true…youth is wasted on the young.  They’ll never learn.  But I have.  Happy Birthday to me…and thanks to everyone who makes getting older=getting better.

It's Never the End of the Story

On Easter weekend, we probably heard that the Crucifixion wasn’t the end of the story and then we celebrated the Resurrection.  But happily, the Resurrection wasn’t the end of the story either. 

While the disciples were locked in a room, Jesus appeared to them and said, “Peace be with you.” But that wasn’t the end of the story…Thomas wasn’t with them.  Thomas said he would not believe unless he examined the nail marks and put his hand in Jesus’ side.

Not the end of the story.  A week later, Jesus came to the disciples again, only this time Thomas was there.  After seeing Jesus, Thomas said to him, “My Lord and My God.  Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed: blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20: 28-29)

But that’s not the end of the story.  Jesus was talking about US!  We have not seen, but yet we believe.  Over 2000 years later, here we are.  No matter where you are in your journey, no matter what you’re facing... it’s not the end of the story. Because you believe in Jesus Christ, it’s never the end of the story.  God is with you, leading you, loving you and encouraging you to continue in His story.  Believe.  This is a story that will never end.

A Super Day

Super Bowl Sunday takes on a whole different meaning when your team is in it.  I've been a Giants fan since I was a little kid.  The memories run deep.  To non sports fans, it really is hard to explain.  The attachment to a team must seem ridiculous to those who have no team...or interest in sports.  But to me, there's nothing like a Giants Super Bowl win.  I've experienced four of them in the past 25 years and they all come with their own set of crazy stories, unlikely heroes and fantastic finishes.
This latest victory had a lot of similarities to the last one....me with a pillow over my head unable to watch...me with that feeling in my stomach that is universally known by Giants' fans....me on my knees during the final minute of play...Eli Manning hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy and winning the MVP....and the most important thing of all....the phone call from my dad immediately after the game's final play.  Of all the things that happened during the game, the phone call with my dad, however brief it might've been, is the things that means the most.  The Giants are the one team that we agree on, the one team we both root for...the one team that we have no arguments about....the one team that brings to mind the other whenever it's mentioned.  So as time expired, I knew as I was in mid jump and mid scream and beginning my celebration, my phone was going to ring and it would be my dad.  That's what a sports team can do...it can create a bond between people...related or not...that runs through a life and creates memories that will never be forgotten.
I loved that game...because I loved the outcome.  It was an unbelievable game. Again. Right, Dad?

What Jesus wants for Christmas

Sunday, Christmas Day, someone wants to be with you.  His name is Jesus.  Jesus wants to be with you as he was with all of us on that 1^st Christmas Day…when he became human, like us. That’s what Jesus wanted for Christmas.  He loved us so much that he could not bear to be separated from us or for us to be separated from him…so he became like us, not only to be with us then and now…but to take us to himself for all eternity so that where he is, we also might be. 

Because Jesus wanted to be with us for Christmas, he united himself with each of us to share with us his divinity.  He assumed our humanity so that we might become like him, not as slaves or servants, but that we could share in his life and power.  When Jesus became like us…we could become like him.

Because Jesus wanted to be with us and one of us on that 1^st Christmas day, he reconciled us to each other and with God, our Father, he began a life as one of us and through his life, his teaching, his suffering, his death and resurrection…we were set free.  We were rescued.  And…all of this came about because Jesus wanted to be with us, to be one of us, on that 1^st Christmas Day.

How special are we, we have been made new, whole, rich…sons and daughters of our God and Father because Jesus wanted to be with us, one of us on that 1^st Christmas day.  As we approach Christmas, we should be gald…rejoice…because Jesus, who shares his life with us, who delights in us…wanted to be with us…for Christmas.

Why We Rise and Fall with Sports Teams

If you're a sports fan, you know it happens.  If you're the die hard fan a a particular team, you KNOW it happens.  The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.  The baseball playoffs are right around the corner.  Some fans can hardly wait, some are already waiting for next year, and some are agonizing over the last spot.  Boston or Tampa Bay?  Atlanta or St. Louis?  It all comes down to the final days.  You're talking about it at work.  Reading about it online.  And I know more than a few of you are praying about it at night.  But why? Are you taking home the ring or the financial benefits that go with it?  Are you pitching the final inning or driving in the winning run?  Well, no.  But for a few weeks in September and October (and lately into November), everyone is a kid again...and every one of us pretends we can.  We're out on that field with them and we feel what they feel.  That's the magic of sports.  Feel your heart pound...look away from the TV screen...fall to your knees....jump with joy.  It's Playoff time and that's what you're supposed to do.

It's the little things...

So what makes you happy?  Really.  Not what would make you happy, but what makes you happy...right now. For me it really is the little things. I love knowing that when I get home, my husband and my dog are there to greet me--which isn't really a little thing, it's a HUGE thing.  I love hugging them and love loving them.  Driving someplace with no traffic makes me happy.  So does a good meal at a restaurant I thought was gone for good.  I nice sunny day with warm temperatures and no humidity makes me happy...but so does a snow day.  Sundays watching football makes me happy, and I'm even happier if the Giants decide to play to win.  A phone call or email from a friend always makes me happy.  Reminiscing about the fun things in life is great.  Looking forward to a vacation, even if it's a year away makes me happy.  I could go on and on about the every day things that make me happy.  So now it's your turn.  Make a list.  You'll be surprised at just how happy you really are.

What's standing in your way?

You've got so many things you want to accomplish.  Whether it's at work, at home...or maybe a personal goal, there's much to do.  So what's standing in your way?  There are lots of excuses...no time and no money come to mind as the top two.  I hate excuses.  The only thing standing in your way is you.  You can find a way to do,to learn, to try anything.  Really.  Step out of your little box of comfort and accomplish something today.