CASTING YOUR NETS INTO THE WATER

 I want to share this story because I have heard it myself several times this week. When I hear a story repeatedly, I get to thinking that God might be trying to tell me something.

The story begins with Jesus teaching a crowd along the river, in Galilee. The crowd pressed so close that Peter, a fisherman, allows his boat to be used by Jesus. Jesus climbs in and continues to teach.

Perhaps as a way of thanking Peter, when he gets out of the boat, Jesus instructs his friend to cast his nets into the water. Peter responds that it is the wrong time to catch fish, but if Jesus said to do it, he would obey. As it turned out, Peter had to call for help because the catch was so great.

Sometimes I think I'm like Peter. Jesus gives him a blessing, but he argues and says, "Thanks, but that isn't the way things work." If Peter hadn't put his net, he would have never known what he'd missed.

How many things have I missed out on because I hesitated? How many blessings have I missed because of my indecision? 

I have voices in my head, loud voices that tell me that I can't do things that others do. They tell me I'm not talented enough. I'm not athletic enough. I'm not creative enough. I don't have the right connections. I'm too old and the time for change has left me behind. 

Life doesn't have to put up roadblocks for me. I do that all by myself.

My son isn't like that. He frequently has the courage I lack. As I watch him, I think I should be braver. I need to walk out on faith more often. I need to cast my nets and stop missing out on the blessings. 

I hope you will do the same.

MARCH OVERVIEW

 

As a child attending school in Texas, the changing of the calendar was a big deal. The teacher would take down the calendar for one month and replace it with the new month with great fanfare. A new month offered new opportunities. 

As a child, it seemed like an exciting thing. To this day, there is still a little thrill in the changing of the calendar.

This morning I did a little research about the month of March—one of my favorite months—since it is when I was born. Daylight Saving Time is March 8. In March we have the 2^nd Friday the 13 of the year. Palm Sunday is March 29^th.

This is International Women's Month and Expanding Girls' Horizons in Science & Engineering Month. This reminds me of the episode in The Big Bang Theory where the nerdy scientists are sent to a high school to encourage girls to consider careers in science and engineering. They eventually call their girlfriends, Bernadette and Amy—who are also scientists—to do an impromptu Skype for the group. Bernadette and Amy, who happen to be dressed as Disney Princesses, Skype about the virtues of careers in Science. The school girls are left unimpressed.

This week is National Ghostwriter Week. Since we don't know the names of the ghostwriters, it is hard to wish them well. It is also Return the Borrowed Book Week. I was always the worst. I never remembered to return the books I borrowed. 

Since I'm so bad at returning books, the next celebration was made for me; National Read an E-Book Week. EBooks are convenient and you can adjust the size of the print and glare on the screen. That is very important for my old eyes.

As you probably know, I have a series of eBooks available with Desert Breeze and on Amazon. You can learn more about my eBooks on the "About Me" section of my blog.

The best thing about March is that it is usually a sign that spring isn't far away.

Shine A Light On Slavery Day.

In the U.S.A we study the Emancipation Proclamation and think that slavery has ended. Freedom for all no longer ended at the Mason-Dixon line when this document was signed by President Lincoln.

When I became an adult, it was shocking to realize that slavery, legally, still exists in many parts of the world. Weren't we all enlightened enough to know that one person shouldn't own another?

In the 1990s there was publicity about slavery in the Sudan, where Muslims were attacking mostly Christian villages and stealing young adults and children to sell into slavery in Muslim territories. Young girls sold at the highest price.

I remember a sad documentary where a father was using an American agency to try to locate all the members of his family to buy back their freedom. He located the children and eventually his wife and the agency paid for the return of each. It ended with the husband vowing he would not ask about anything his wife was forced to do for her "master" while she was his slave.

Even in "civilized" countries there is an underbelly of evil where illegal slavery exists. Underground networks keep women captive for sex trafficking. I can't even imagine the kinds of people who would frequent such a place.

There are organizations trying to address these issues and make a change. Here are some that were passed on to me:

 https://www.freetheslaves.net/   --Works to liberate slaves around the world.

 http://www.theexodusroad.com/about/  --Funds rescue missions in Asia and the U.S.A.

This site truly touched my heart because it showed such hope. Former sex trafficking victims are rebuilding their lives by designing and selling jewelry. I think I may do some shopping, buy some jewelry and help change lives, all at the same time. Here's the site:

 http://www.emancipationnetwork.org/

FACING CHALLENGES

The past few months have been challenging. I've never been very athletic, but I've always been able to get around. At the moment, I'm recovering from an episode of sciatica. It's left me in pain that has affected both my sleep and ability to walk.

As I go through an average day at work or home, I think about where I'm walking and obstacles to reaching my destination. I worry about steps, curbs, long hallways at school, uneven playgrounds, and parking lots.

For the past week weather has not been good. That means that icy, wet, or slippery sidewalks have kept me inside. It's as if  I'm surrounded by literal stumbling blocks.

After two months I started to get discouraged and needed a change in attitude.

All those positive thinkers talk about looking at adversities and thinking about them as opportunities. I'm not too sure how to do this. I do try to regularly visit the YMCE and each time I increase my time exercising on the elliptical machine to encourage bending joints. I spend more time in the swimming pool, exercising my back and legs.

The ice storm threw another obstacle to my exercise program. Fortunately, I was able to find an exercises on-line to tide me over till TN gets a thaw.

I try not to think of the length of a hall or the height of stairs before I walk them. Instead, I wait till I have completed an errand (crossing the Walmart parking lot, getting my prescription, and returning to the car) and think about how well I accomplished the task. Staff at the schools where I work have noticed my improvements.

It is a slow process, but the obstacles are becoming less. I have moments that are setbacks, especially during the morning or in the late evening. Looking at the tasks I've completed as accomplishments helps me see the progress I'm making.

I am a person of faith. Faith, prayer, and gratitude helps during discouraging moments.

It's always important for us to recognize progress we have made. Be kind to yourself. Focus on progress you've made, too.

CABIN FEVER

We've had a lot of ice around here. School has been out. Businesses are closing. No, it is nothing like Boston or cities up north, but we aren't northerners. We aren't accustomed to this kind of thing.

I've made my share of hot drinks, chili, soups, and pop corn. I've watched TV, played on the Internet, dusted, and read books.  Thank goodness for my Kindle and Amazon.

Still, I'm getting grouchy. I am tired of the dogs getting underfoot and even my son and I are occupying opposite floors of the house. How do Alaskans deal with it?

Fortunately, I don't have much longer to be stuck in the house. The below freezing temperatures today are supposed to reach 60 tomorrow--60 degrees and rain. I don't think the rain will keep me in the house, though.

For all of you who are still frozen in, try to take it one day at a time.

Winter can't last forever.

Soon spring will come.

Think daffodil thoughts and try to be good to all those who are stranded inside with you.

CARING FOR OTHERS

From time to time I might post examples of people who are positive influences, as I did with the crossing guard who shouts blessings to drivers. Another dear friend, Becky, frequently posts on my Facebook news feed.

I used to see Becky every Sunday, but these days getting to church is far more complicated for her. She's a caregiver to her mother with Alzheimer Disease. It is difficult to reverse roles, the child becoming the parent.  

Becky's insights are always so positive. I've begged her to keep a journal so that she can, someday create a book that will be inspirational to other caregivers.

Periodically, Becky lets us into her world, like the time she came to church with a shiner, a gift from her mother. There are also times when her mother calls Becky cruel names and throws things at her.

Becky's response? She often talks about how she hates Alzheimer's. She doesn't blame her mother. She blames the disease.

This reminds me of something I learned when I was in Al-anon. I often heard people talk about hating the disease instead of the alcoholic.

I remember what people at church used to say. "Hate the sin. Love the sinner." 

Perhaps we would all get along better if we could see people as people--separate from their problems, disease, or shortcomings.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES

This year Friday, the 13th came just before Valentine's Day. You had a day celebrated as being unlucky, followed by a day where people celebrate love and sweethearts. School children even had their Valentine's Day parties on Friday, the 13th.

What a difference a day makes.

The older I get, the more I realize that one day can make a big difference. Sometimes a good day is followed by a bad. Other times it is a bad day that is followed by a good one. Either way, it is important to be prepared.

 Lately, I've been having some trouble with illness, back pain severe enough it has affected my walking. I was in constant pain. In time, however, the pain was only present as I moved. Then the pain was only present during and after exercise. Exercise was always necessary or I wouldn't be able to walk properly.

Oh, I was so tired of constantly hurting, of pain with every step. When I was able to walk with a cane and return to work, I still came home to a messy house. I barely had the energy to make it up the steps to my bedroom to rest. I was so weary of the nagging pain and messy house, I was always close to or in tears.

--But each day I saw a new improvement. I could stand to work a few more minutes on the Nu-Step elliptical machine at the YMCE, or I could walk a step or two without my cane. I was sleeping through the night a little better. Yes, each day was an improvement.

Life is like that. There is a constant ebb and flow to things. One day can make a drastic difference in one's situation and perspective.

I once heard a PSA for a suicide hot line that said, "Don't try to solve a temporary problem with a permanent solution." Wise words.

I know I have gotten through a lot of hardship by remembering the famous last words in Gone With The Wind. "After all, tomorrow is another day."


How very true.