Saturday Snippets

This has been a weird week!! I thought I'd give a few snippets about it:

aMost of you know that I have been at meeting after meeting after meeting at work this week! At one point I thought poking myself with a stick in my eye would be more enjoyable. UGH!

aWe are gearing up for state testing at school. I really don't like this time of year. It's stressful for kids AND teachers---even when you try to take it lightly.

aDH and DS 3 flew to DS 1's Boot Camp Graduation in Missouri on Wednesday of this week. They flew our airplane--which meant I spent about 8 nailbiting hours tracking their flight! DS 2 had his wisdom teeth out the same day here at home. Poor thing has looked pretty chipmunky ever since!

aDS 1 graduated from Boot Camp on Thursday. He called me a few times during that day and was so happy to be moving on to AIT at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio. He got to "hang out" with DH and DS 3 until 9:00pm that night. It sounds like they had a nice time.

aDS 1 left on a bus yesterday morning for a 12 hour drive to San Antonio. I can't say I'd have been excited about that.

aDH and DS 3, in the meantime, got "stuck" in MO! It was too cold with clouds too low for them to take off for most of the day. They DID finally get to leave around 5ish last night and went to Austin, TX where DH is working all week this week. DS 3 will now fly home today

a DS 2 and I watched an EXCELLENT movie last night! It was The Debators with Denzel Washington. If you haven't seen it, get it---you won't be sorry!

a This morning I cleaned the garage...BIG TIME! I took one giant load to Goodwill and have a ton to throw away with the trash pick-up this week. I love that feeling.

a The weather is gorgeous here today! We have all the windows open, so it's a perfect day for a little Spring Spruce-up!

a Tonight I'm going to a "Girls' Night In" at my friend Kelly's house. Several of the girls from work will be there for an evening of fun. Some are spending the night. I am only going for a while. Should be fun!

There you have it: "Saturday Snippets by Susan"! Have a GREAT weekend, everyone!

To Catch a Thief...

I love to watch CSI and Law & Order. I know that I would never be a good detective, but I like to try and figure out the storylines of these shows. As you know, last week my purse was stolen right out of my car while I unloaded the groceries in my driveway. Last night I received a letter from the local police telling me they had "recovered some of my property" and wanted to return it to me.

And although my detective skills are sketchy at best, here's what I KNOW today:

The thief was probably not a woman or a girl. The purse, it's wallet and my coin purse are all "well-known" names and were left together with my cards/paperwork!

He/she was NOT savvy enough to figure out that a couple of specific store credit cards could have been easily used online. Instead, they were untouched and left in the purse.

This person most likely was NOT after "my identity" because my insurance cards, driver's license, and checkbook was left alone.

He/she was no fan of Disney...there are THREE Disney passes in the purse that have a day left on them. (I know that you have to stick your fingerprint on the machine...maybe they did too.)

This person is not "green" cause they THREW my purse on the side of the road. If I were a thief, I'd have thrown it in a dumpster somewhere where no one would find it. I'm glad they didn't do that!

This person is not a "reader". I know that's odd, but there are TWO gift cards for Borders and Barnes & Noble for $50 in there. I guess he/she wasn't smart enough to know that they could have picked up other things there too, not just books.

They most likely do not get headaches cause there were two bottles of painkillers in the bag!

In fact, other than having dinner at a local seafood restaurant for $20 on my credit card...and taking the cash that was in there, it looks to me like everything else was left inside the purse.

What have I learned? It's a "good thing" to get an "Ignorant Illiterate Environmentally Insensitive Thief"---cause it means you just MIGHT recover most of your stuff!

Where did it go?

If there is one thing I can't stand, it's to reach Sunday night and wonder where the weekend went! In my mind, this is a sign that we've been too busy! Sitting here now and looking back, I honestly can hardly remember Friday night! Then I remember why:

Friday night I came home and was exhausted! Turns out everyone in my house was exhausted, because we were ALL in bed and asleep by 9:30pm. DS 3 went first at 7:30! Then, DS 4 and I went. Finally, DS 2 went. He was getting up at 4:30am to haed to an Ultimate Frisbee Tournament on the other side of the state.

I got up early Saturday morning to conduct a parent workshop at my school. It was a Reading Comprehension Workshop for parents of students in grades 3 - 5 We did not have a great turnout, but those that were there enjoyed it (I think).

From there, I headed out to a craft fair. Our church had a table there (we have several people who make some beautiful cards) and we were handing out FREE Scrapbooking supplies as part of our kindness outreach. It was pretty slow, so we decided to pack it up early.

After that, DS 4 had a soccer game. He played great ball and they won! I don't know if he'll continue in soccer or not. He doesn't quite have the zeal that my other guys did...but he is definitely a better player today than he was just a few months ago.

Last night was "Crepe Night" at my house. My guys love to have breakfast for dinner when DH is out of town. And one of their favorites is crepes. So, we made crepes and enjoyed this little change in our normal nighttime meals.

DS 2 did not get home until midnight from the soccer tournament, but he was so excited that his team won the entire tournament! He loves playing. I guess you'd have to in order to play seven games in a day!

This morning we had a great time at church. I really am chewing on the sermon and want to share more of my thoughts on that later this week. After that, we went to DS 4's final soccer game of the season. They won again!

When we got home I took DS 4 to the skatepark. I am amazed when I am at this park. The park is filled with kids (usually boys) who are either skating or skateboarding in and out of the concrete pools and ramps. Today there were several kids flipping in and out of the pools. I cringe as I watch it!

I came home and finished my blog labels. As you can see, "chabby chic" won. I have loved working with this over the past few days! It's so much fun to learn new things.

It was busy, but it was good. Have a great week, everyone!!

A Little Help Please...

Ok, I'm happy with my signature. I'm happy with my header. Now, I THINK I'm happy with the "date" line. I still can't figure out how to make the comments come up in the same box as your post...I'm still trying with that one. BUT I did figure out how to make the comments come up in their OWN box so that you can read them if you're not reading "pop-ups".

I'm debating over the Labels, though. I'd like your opinion. Here are the two styles I am playing with:

I pasted some in the sidebars already so you can see how they look in there. So...more jewels OR chabby chic plants/cardboard??

Foreshadowing...

I spent time in my DS's classroom today while his teacher had to go run an errand. DS 4 was out of school sick, so he wasn't there. Still, I love this class of kids. They are really fun to talk with and just all-in-all SWEET.

Anyway, while I was in there, one little girl (who struggles with almost every concept) asked me about MATH! In my heart of hearts I was thinking, "NO! Do NOT ask me about MATH--anything but THAT! I have to reach out to my own DS 4's village when it comes to helping him with math on a regular basis." My second thought was, "Maybe I can find the teacher's guide for reference." Suffice it to say, she DID ask me a math term and I could find no teacher's guide.

It was a simple question for which I should have had an answer in seconds. But I didn't. We muddled through it together. I am not going to lie...it was the BLIND leading the BLIND. Just not right.

Now a little over a week ago, my friend Sandy (her teacher) made a comment about elementary teachers being "afraid to teach math". She noted that this really shouldn't be THAT hard. I mean we've all got college degrees, right?

A little elementary math shouldn't make any educated adult fret and break out in a cold sweat. For the most part, she's right (except it DOES get me jittery at times). Just because I don't know a term or a procedure the way it is presented "these days" does not mean that I am incompetent and could not figure it out. I tell myself it's because I haven't been using each of these skills or concepts on a regular basis. I'm sure there's a little truth in that, though some of it may just be that it's "not my thing".

Despite her reminder that all would all be well, today made me realize just how reliant I will be on all of my mathematical colleagues and as many resource books as possible for support when I am once again teaching this subject. I'm so glad I work in a place where people ARE supportive and helpful in times of weakness.

Cause I know I'm not incompetent, but when it comes to this subject, I am definitely inept!

Grrrr...

Thanks for all your sweet comments on my blog design. I used a digital scrapbooking kit to make it. I used the elements to create my header using Microsoft Publisher. I just saved what I created as a picture to get it into my blog.

Now on to my GROWL!

I woke up this morning to discover my purse has been stolen. DS 3 and I figured out that this must have happened while we were bringing groceries in from the car last night. It was dumb, but I didn't take my purse in during the first load. The car was opened and it's evident that it was taken during that time.

Someone charged $20 on my credit card...so it's not "that" bad. It's still a violation and it's a pain in the rear to get it all taken care of.

On a happier note, it seems like I may have figured out what I will be able to do next year. I know that I have to go back to the classroom. I had a wonderful conversation today about possibilities and I'm excited. I'll be able to share more after our budgets are done and the staff is configured. I've believed that God would help me make decisions and end up doing what I am "supposed to"...but I still am certain I've been going through a grief process over the whole thing. Still, it's the first time that I've been somewhat "excited" about my job since the cuts were announced.

By way of information, DS 1 graduates boot camp next week. I can't believe it's at the "end"...but I know he's ready for the next step. DH and DS 3 will be flying up for his graduation.

I plan to get back to regular blogging soon...I have to finish getting my place spruced up here. In the meantime, I finished my new signature below. This has definitely given me energy.

Hugs to all of you!!

Everything old is new again!! I've finally learned how to play with my blog template. This is what I've created for now. I'm still not completely happy with the header, but I'm working on it. Yesterday I was reminded just how motivating creativity can be! Sometimes when I am in a slump, it's being creative that helps pull me out.

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

The WOW Factor...

I have always been drawn to this concept of "Wow" by Tom Peters. In his book, published in 1994, Peters pursues the idea of standing out in a crowd. Largely written for the business world, Peters tries to help businesses see that there are many look-alikes out there. The goal is to be just a little bit surprising and different.

While there are many critics of Peters' and his business philosophies out there, I know that the pursuit of "Wow" is legitimate. When I am "wowed" in a place of business, I am more likely to go back to that place again.

This weekend, I was "Wowed" by a hotel desk employee. Upon arrival, I learned that the travel agency that made the arrangements for our stay at the soccer tournament messed up. They did not put my information in and there was no reservation for me. Peachy, yes that was her name, immediately began calling and trying to figure it out. Eventually, she found me a room and made a reservation in her very full hotel.

The next day, more than 24 hours AFTER she worked so hard to help me find a room...Peachy saw my DS 4 and I walking outside and said, "Hello, Mrs. N. how are you doing today?" I was FLOORED. I know she dealt with a BUNCH of people the previous day. And she still remembered, and used, my name! WOW!

This morning, our paper had a GOOD NEWS story that WOWED me. I thought it was funny in light of this post I wrote last week. It was the shot in the arm that I needed in the morning news:

Headline: "Miami Banker Shares $60 million of Wealth with Employees"

Without clicking, I thought, "WOW"...that's a lot of money. And, I believe there are many people with that kind of money who simply don't know HOW to share.

Opening paragraph:

Citing a desire to reward his employees, a Miami banker doled out $60 million in bonuses to all staffers and even some retirees after he sold a majority stake in the company for close to $1 billion.

The article continues:

The board chairman and CEO of Miami-based City National Bancshares said by way
of explanation: "I sure as heck don't need" the money.Abess said he was
concerned that employees' 401(k) plans had suffered major losses as stock values
plummeted last year. "I knew some of these people since I was 7 years old," said Abess, whose father founded the bank in 1946. "It didn't feel right getting the money myself." He added that "those people who joined me and stayed with me at the bank with no promise of equity -- I always thought someday I'm going to surprise them."

And surprise them, he did! All 399 current employees and 72 retirees received a bonus based on their years of service. He also provided financial counseling and high-rate certificates of deposit at the bank. The article notes that some people received as much as $100,000 extra.

Wow!

Most of us don't have that kind of money sitting around to dole out. BUT we all have the capacity to dole out the "Wow factor" to someone else. I'm going to find a way this week to surprise someone with a simple act of kindness...I'm not looking for the jaw drop as much as I want to pass on what has been given to me on so many different occasions. I believe this is one thing that really could change our world!

Perhaps you'd like to join me in the pursuit of wow as well!

It's a GAME, People!

DH and I have been "soccer parents" for almost 15 years. DS 1 played rec ball primarily for many years. DS 2 played rec ball, club ball, and high school ball. They both played indoor for a couple of seasons and DS 2 is playing in an indoor adult league now. DS 4 has played both rec and club ball. Between our three players, we have been on the sidelines enough to know that there are many kinds of "fans" and "parents" out there. And, honestly, nothing should surprise me anymore.

But sometimes it does.

I have been in "Mouseland" this weekend for a Disney tournament. Their tournaments draw teams from both in and out of state. DS 4's team played one game yesterday morning and two today. Being a "people watcher", I thought I'd share some of what I saw:

During our time there, I watched one Mother call a Father on her cell phone to report on the son's field play. She reported that their son, a 9 or 10-year-old boy, was not playing up to his potential. She said he was "sloppy" and not doing the things he's been taught. I could only imagine what life was going to be like later when the family was together for the soccer grilling that was bound to happen.

I saw a kid get hit very low with a ball and be knocked to the ground. And the parent of the kicker screamed at her son, "Good job, honey! He deserved it!"

I witnessed a parent threaten his young son repeatedly because his "head was in his _____"! Then, when the son took a very hard hit at the knees that stopped his play, I listened as the parent yelled, "GET UP! GET OVER IT and GET UP! YOU DON'T STOP--YOU PLAY!"

As I said, I have been on enough sidelines to know that these people exist. I know that some of them are truly wonderful people when they are away from the game, but they kind of do a "Jekyl and Hyde" thing when their child starts to play. Usually, it's one, maybe two, parents on a sideline.

But, today, I saw something that I have not seen before...the entire sideline was so tightly wound that they had to call security to the game!

It was the game just before ours, so I only saw about 10 minutes of the melee, but it was definitely a sight. An entire team's parents were yelling at the ref. They were yelling at their players. They were yelling at the other team and the other team's parents. There was cussing and jumping around on the sidelines that was unmatched by any other game I've ever seen. Even when the game ended, the parents were so worked up that there were people complaining about them...and they were absolutely astonished that they were being asked to leave Disney immediately.

I wanted to SCREAM: "It's a GAME, people! So much for the "happiest place on earth!"

I keep saying that soccer leagues, and for that matter, sports leauges should video tape the crowd and then let them SEE and HEAR themselves. I wonder if it would make a difference. Oh I know some people are always going to be negative and intense at games. Others, though, might think twice before they speak so negatively and rudely. Perspective can and does change thing for some.

Soccer sidelines are not a weakness for me. I can be a very excited and boisterous fan, but I don't find myself tempted to scream and yell at players...their parents, maybe..but the players, no! Then I am reminded that just because soccer sidelines aren't a problem, doesn't mean that there are not times when I could be less negative or abrasive. Like the soccer parents I watched this weekend, that's when I, too, need perspective.

I know life is more "serious" than a soccer tournament...but I chuckle when I think of how many times I've heard it compared to a "game"...and I know that once again, my circumstances have taught me a lesson. I love that!

We Sure Could Use...a Little GOOD News...

I know I'm dating myself when I say that I have always liked Anne Murray. Her songs often reach into my heart and touch my emotions in ways that others simply don't. A few years ago, I purchased a CD of hers called "The Best So Far". It had many of my "old favorites" on it including: Danny's Song, I Just Fall in Love Again, and Could I Have this Dance?

Tucked in the middle of this CD is a song that I did not remember from radio play. It was relatively new to me...although the lyrics tell me that it is in no way shape or form "new". The song is called, "A Little Good News".

Even with it's "older lyrics" it is a relevant song for today with the economy, the wars, the hate, the violence, and all the other sad news that seems to jump across my screen when I open up my news readers. It is the song that leaps across my heart when I read over and over again of the horrible things that are happening in our world:

I rolled out this morning
Kids had the mornin' news show on
Bryant Gumbel was talkin' 'bout the fighting in Lebanon
Some senator was squawkin' 'bout the bad economy
It's gonna get worse you see, we need a change in policy
There's a local paper rolled up in a rubber band
One more sad story's one more than I can stand
Just once how I'd like to see the headline say
"Not much to print today, can't find nothin' bad to say", because

Nobody robbed a liquor store on the lower part of town
Nobody OD'ed, nobody burned a single buildin' down
Nobody fired a shot in anger, nobody had to die in vain
We sure could use a little good news today

I'll come home this evenin'
I'll bet that the news will be the same
Somebody takes a hostage, somebody steals a plane
How I wanna hear the anchor man talk about a county fair
And how we cleaned up the air, how everybody learned to care
Whoa, tell me

Nobody was assassinated in the whole Third World today
And in the streets of Ireland, all the children had to do was play
And everybody loves everybody in the good old USA
We sure could use a little good news today

Nobody robbed a liquor store on the lower part of town
Nobody OD'ed, nobody burned a single buildin' down
Nobody fired a shot in anger, nobody had to die in vain
We sure could use a little good news today

And while I, like most everybody I know, would like to hear "good news" when we turn on the TV or check the news site, I know that the BEST news is not found in the general media. The best news...the GOOD NEWS...is summed up so nicely in the words of the apostle Paul in Romans 8:31 - 39:

31What can we say about all this? If God is on our side, can anyone be against us?32God did not keep back his own Son, but he gave him for us. If God did this, won't he freely give us everything else? 33If God says his chosen ones are acceptable to him, can anyone bring charges against them? 34Or can anyone condemn them? No indeed! Christ died and was raised to life, and now he is at God's right side, [e] speaking to him for us. 35Can anything separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble, suffering, and hard times, or hunger and nakedness, or danger and death? 36It is exactly as the Scriptures say, "For you we face death all day long.

We are like sheep

on their way

to be butchered."

37In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us. 38I am sure that nothing can separate us from God's love--not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future, 39and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God's love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord!

So, while I wait for a little day-to-day "good news"...I am resting in the BEST NEWS today!!

Does the “green stuff” make you “green”? DH and I just started a small group for church that is dealing with finances. I have to be honest…I HATE that topic!

We have been in the position where we really needed to intentionally plan when and how our next meal would be funded…and which bills needed to be paid in which priority. We remember looking at a checkbook with an “almost zero balance” and asking, “How WILL we get diapers and formula and survive this week?” And I know that it can be downright frustrating and demoralizing.

We have also been in the position where we needed to consider the blessings God has given us. And we had to think about what priorities we would set for giving, spending, and general living. Of course, not being stifled and frustrated is much better, but it still can be an unsettling decision.

I know I am blessed with a husband who can, and does, handle our finances well. I admit that there are times when he talks about it…and I feel like I am listening to a foreign language. I trust him and I am grateful for his expertise.

Since we’re leading the group, we are participating as well. Part of the requirement is to write down EVERY penny you spend for at least 30 days---and, if possible, for 60 or 90 to get a real picture. So, starting January 1 of this year, we are writing down what we are spending. Everything. To borrow a Simon Cowell phrase, “If I’m being honest…” (and I am)…it has made me hyperaware of each purchase I’ve made. There are some I’ve decided NOT to make because I didn’t want to write it down on the paper. You know…ADMIT it!!

We are living in TOUGH economic times. Almost everyday that I go to work, I hear about another “cut” that is going to be made in our schools. While I am able to say I have a job, there are many who are not so blessed. Jobs are disappearing at an alarming rate. As you may or may not know, my job is being cut…which means I’ll be “back in the classroom” next year. It’s OK. But it’s not what I WANT…and it’s not where I think I’ll be best used for our profession.

And it all revolves around the GREEN stuff.

While I’d like to think I have a healthy perspective on money, there are times it makes me downright GREEN:

Sometimes it’s the green of envy. I see something someone else has and I think, “Gee, I wish I could have that!” It may be something really small like an article of clothing. But it also occasionally represents something large like a different house, a newer car, etc. We live in a society that touts bigger, better, faster, finer, more, more, more! It’s dangerous and it’s unhealthy. Often when I think I have this green “licked”…it creeps back up on me.

Other times it’s the GREEN that just means “sick”. It makes me SICK that we have to worry about it. It makes me SICK that I can’t do MORE to help other people. It makes me SICK when I see it controlling the lives of others. It makes me SICK when it controls ME!

And still other times, it’s the GREEN like the one that deals with our healthy environment. It’s the “green that makes the world go around” in positive motion. When the money monster is in balance, it’s healthy. It can help people and situations in many ways. It is necessary. It is helpful. It is a tool that provides security and freedom to so many. I like that green.

So, I admit it. The green stuff sometimes makes me GREEN…any one of these GREENS at any moment in time.

How about you?

Does the “green stuff” make you GREEN?

Affirmation is a Good Thing

We received a letter from DS 1 today. As most of you know, he is finishing up Basic Training for Army National Guard. He may or may not fully enlist, but has told us in almost every letter that he is more and more sure that he is doing the "right thing" and that he feels "called" to be serving in the military. Today's letter was a bit different.

It was addressed to just my DH and me vs. our entire family. He has not changed his mind about the Army or his place in it. I think you could say that this experience has given him a perspective that he has not had before. I want to respect his privacy, so I am only going to share tidbits here.

Hello,

So, in my time here I have noticed something quite profound. I am unlike almost everyone here. Stories of foster homes, group homes, gangs, drugs, abuse and violence are the norm. Poverty/low income are also very wide-spread.

He goes on to write that he is one of a few guys in his platoon who comes from a background of "wealth." He goes on to discuss that "wealth" to him now means so much more than money. He continues:

You guys gave me a great life, nice home, and all the love in the
world. The support I got everytime I wanted to do something new was always there.

This part of the letter talks about our support of his decision to go into the military. He also talks a bit about the support of our extended family.

I have really had an eye-opening experience to just how "rich" I am in family on both sides. The stories I have heard are endless, violent, and shocking....My life has been full of loving family events and many memories of wonderful times with family. Please pass on my love and thanks to all the family for the good times growing up. Thank you for everything!

OK...pass me a tissue...This is when the parent in me looks back at every twist and turn his life has taken and says, "It was all WORTH it!"

CBS Called and My Boys Need YOUR VOTES!

Thank you ALL for your votes and support. The video was #4! This means that they did not make the cut for the top three. We are so touched by so much support. And I'm sure they'll be on another venture in no time. :-) Susan


OK everyone...here's the scoop....

CBS called my boys yesterday and told them that they want to fly the person from the top 3 videos out to LA to shoot a promo video!!!!!!!!!!!!! As you might expect, they are over the moon with excitement at the prospect....BUT.....

While that may make you think that they are IN, nothing's sure until 3pm EST TODAY (Friday, Feb. 6th). The only thing we know for SURE is that they are in the top 5 right now.

WILL you PLEASE vote TODAY?? Will you consider linking back to this post and ask your friends to vote? Can you email a few people and ask them to VOTE too???? We need a REAL PUSH here. We appreciate anything you can do to help and everything you've done this far!

Hopefully we'll have GREAT news to share later today when we find out the top 3.

Here is the link to vote.

Wordless Wednesday: Family Fun

On a Clear Day You Can SEE HEAR Forever!

It's gorgeous out today! There is not ONE cloud in the sky as far as I can see. This is a good thing since yesterday was pretty much gloomy and rainy all day. Now, I know those of you who live where Phil saw no shadow yesterday deal with gloom and moisture sometimes for WEEKS at a time. But here in Florida, that just rarely happens.

Anyway, I was driving to our district office to pick up the State-wide Writing Assessment today. I don't know WHY there is no "courier" for this important secure test, but as the test coordinator, I am a 'trained professional', so I'm fairly certain all was well. We couldn't pick it up until "after 11am" because that is the time the State Board of Ed says the tests can be distributed and "unpacked".

So, I took off at 10:45ish to drive 20 - 30 minutes to our district office. Because I am in a non-classroom position on our campus, I am one of the people there who carries a walkie-talkie. This is used for communication throughout the day between administration, custodians and people like me. I put said walkie talkie in my cup holder and set my sights on the beautiful day and the drive to pick up the tests. I turned the music off and just basked in the blessed silence.

When I was almost to the district office, probably 8 - 10 miles from my school, I hear through sudden static "Mrs. T can you please call the office!" I nearly jumped out of my skin! I mean, I wasn't expecting anyone else to be talking in my car. If you were there, I'm sure you would have laughed cause I almost had to pull over since my adrenaline went from ZERO to FAST in NO TIME at all! (I guess that's why they call it adrenaline.)

I forgot to turn off the walkie talkie when I got in the car. I had a great laugh over it. And then I started to think. I was really far away. I mean I know you can hear it about 2 miles away, cause I've heard it in the bank parking lot before. I'm not sure if the clear day impacts radio frequencies, but I have to believe they are somehow connected.

Then, I thought: Isn't that what it's like with God sometimes?

When we get real quiet...and sometimes when we least expect it....we can sometimes hear his voice so clearly (sans static). But to do it, it has to be a "clear day"...not necessarily where everything is hunky-dory not-a-cloud-in-my-life kind of clear, but CLEAR...minus the STUFF that gets in the way of our spiritual frequency.

When we really listen. When we're really STILL. When we really move the stuff to the side and set our hearts and minds on him, we can HEAR him. Sometimes it's a still small voice. Sometimes it's a loud message. But it's him.

We have a choice. We can be like I was in my car today and momentarily wonder WHO is saying WHAT and WHY. OR We can be ready to hear it like young Samuel who learned say, "Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening."

Prayer Requests...and Our Response

I noticed something the other day. In the span of a few hours, I saw two different “prayer requests” hit the Internet between four different people. For the purposes of my observations, I’m going to call these four people by make-believe names:

Requa – requestor # 1
Questa – requestor #2

Cippy – recipient #1
Reci – recipient #2

Requa and Questa both put their prayer requests online to their respective group of readers and friends. In both cases, the requests were simple but non-specific.

Cippy responded to Requa’s request to “pray for her family” with this message: “I’ll pray, but names and specific situations are important and help greatly.”

Reci responded to Questa’s request to “pray for me” with this message: “I’m praying. Whatever your need is, God knows and He loves you. Let me know if I can help.”

I have seen responses like Cippy’s once too often when someone asks for prayer. The truth is, God DOES know. He doesn’t need US to give HIM specifics. In my opinion, Cippy’s response crossed a line. It is heading toward NOSEY. If Requa wanted to be specific, I’m sure she would have.

Reci’s response, in my opinion, is the one that ALL Christians should have when asked to pray. If, and when, Questa wants to share more about her situation, Reci has left the door open. More importantly, though, GOD does KNOW. And when we can honestly say we will pray even when we don’t know the specifics, I think it shows a certain level of faith and trust that HE CAN work in any situation. And that HE doesn’t need US to fill him in!

I confess, I have been in the situation where I was more curious than anything when someone asked me to pray, but didn’t “fill me in”. I try not to poke and prod, but I can’t say I have always been successful at this. I think, as I’ve grown in my faith, I work to respond more as the person who simply takes the request for what it is…a true heart-felt request. And, I DO pray for the requestor.

So, why am I writing this? I am not completely sure. It's simply what's on my heart and mind today.

I do believe that “prayer requests” have a very REAL danger of becoming gossip and meddling. I've seen many instances of this over my years in Christian circles. And I know when someone asks us to pray, we have a very real choice to make. We can be supportive of them where they are and offer to lend a true listening ear if, and when, it’s needed. Or, we can become meddlesome and possibly more damaging to a person in need.

It’s a fine line. May we all walk it well.