Change

I would venture to say nighty-five percent of the humans on earth have something in their lives they wish they could change.  So why is it when change happens, we don’t like it?’  

I realize, for the most part, changes come from outside forces we have no control over.  Which means, we are usually dragged kicking and screaming through the change.  Do you think it’s because even though we desire change, it requires us to change which we don’t like? 

Let’s be honest, status quo is comfortable.  We know what is required of us and even if our life expands out before us in unending sameness, that sameness is safe and familiar.  We don’t have to stretch or bend or morph into someone different.

But, change is inevitable.  As a Christian, I try to make adjustments in my life every day.  I’m used to the little pokes and prods that accompany them.  The changes I’m talking about are bigger, external ones that require s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g.  Ugh!

Our church is in a transition phase.  We sold the building we were in with basically no place to go (step of faith).  We have temporarily moved into a small building that has required some major logistical contortions. 

As, many of you know, I work in the sound booth.  My responsibilities included the overheads, announcements, lights and recording the service.  All things I had become comfortable with.  Enter the new building.  Not wired for services (or much else).  Plus, we had to change sound boards (which has been a lot of fun…not).  Thank God there are several men in the church who understand what has to happen (Howard definitely needed the help) because the best I could do was fetch and carry.  And of course, they decided to put me back on the keyboard on Sunday mornings. (Hear the creaking of the stretch?)

As a church, we have decided to stay where we are for the time being.  Great.  Wonderful.  We can settle in.  Except, most of the set-up was geared towards being there temporarily.  Howard has slowly been transitioning for long term but now it’s time to go all out.  We start Friday night. 

I don’t freak out about change like I used to so, I really don’t mind.  But, there have been several changes in my personal life also and sometimes I feel like (yes, I’m going to make the comparison) a rubber band stretched between fingers just waiting for the release. 

Really, there's nothing wrong with change.

C-R-E-E-A-A-K.

Anticipating

I love the way God uses everyday things to teach us.  Last night, Noah (Howard’s son) tested for his next belt in Tae Kwan Do.  This is the gist of the text I got this morning:

Sorry, no pictures (I asked for some because Noah's my bud).  Got caught up seeing an underlying problem with Noah.  In life, there is a difference between standing and anticipating.  When you stand, you’re flat-footed and easily knocked over.  When you are on the balls of your feet, you have greater balance.  The challenge is to stay on the balls of your feet instead of the heels and let the little toes do the big job of keeping balance.  I’ve heard this saying all my life but now it’s making sense.   Something to ponder in every other mindset in our life.

Set me to thinking about some of the times I have been knocked flat by a left hook from out of nowhere.  I hate to say it but it’s been more times than I can count.

I know the Bible says when you’ve done all, stand (Ephesians 6:13).  But, it’s talking about the stance of a soldier; one who is suited up and ready for battle.

It was a ‘duh’ moment made worse by the fact that I’ve spoken before on something to that effect.  And, I even used the preparedness of a martial artist as an example.  How one of the first things they learn is blocking techniques (the shield of faith:  Eph. 6:16).  That they are always aware of their surroundings (watch ye, stand fast:  Corinthians 16:13).  Always on the watch for their opponent’s next move (not being ignorant of the devils devices:  2 Corinthians 2:11).  A lot of the times, they are on the balls of their feet doing that side to side shuffle.  (I know, an extremely ‘duh’ moment.)

We are all going to experience getting knocked off our feet moments.  Having to lay there until everything comes back into focus.  Slowly sitting up and shaking our heads.  Maybe doing a neck roll to get a few things back in alignment.  Then, oh so slowly getting back on our feet.

But I wonder how many of those moments we could dodge if, after we suited up with the armor of God (Eph. 6:10-18), we took a soldier’s stance instead of standing flat-footed waiting for the next blow.

Something to ponder.

Horn Tootin’

Last Friday, I took the day off.  Big whoop, you might say.  Not if you understood how protective I am of my days off.  I hoard them like they are priceless art work.  But, it was worth it .

The Longview Public Library hosted a ‘Celebrate Authors’ event.  There was a meet and greet on Thursday evening, workshops Friday and David Hartwig with Skidboot (2) on Saturday.  Plus, they had several tents out front for authors to set up, meet people and sell their books.  I was one of those authors.  I connected with a few old friends and made some new ones.  And yes, I sold some books (yea me!).

This is actually the first time I’ve done something like that.  Vickie Phelps (used to work at Barrons) had local authors in the store for book signings.  I did that shortly after Vendetta came out but that is the only book signing I have done.  I did sign some for the people at work who bought the book (because I wrote it).  But, I haven’t really pushed myself or my books.

It’s that whole not tooting your own horn thing.  That has been a definite problem for me.  Now if it came to you, that’s a whole different matter.  If I really believed in you, I would go all out to toot your horn.  

I was talking to my friend, Lana Lynne, (historical books) about it and said what I need is a tootin’ buddy.  Someone I could brag on while they bragged on me.  We laughed and said we could do it for each other.  Works for me.  So here’s some tootin’.

“I was an avid reader and was enthralled once I began to weave my own story.  My middle school years were filled with journals, poetry and began the process of hand writing multiple novels on notebook paper.  Once of my poems was placed in the church program and a few more in our high school’s publication.  My creative writing teacher was very encouraging, but I placed the stories in a drawer and closed it as I started college.  Three degrees later:  certified teacher and clinically certified speech-language pathologist, I rediscovered my writing as my daughter entered middle school.”

Lana's Blog

Books

Twitter:  @lanalynneauthor

I also met Anne Mateer.   She writes historical romance.  I didn’t get to spend as much time with her as I would have liked (we were on opposite ends of the tents).  She also said she didn’t like tooting her own horn and usually brought a friend that helped her with that (good idea).  Check her out.  Here is some tootin’ for her.

Anne Mateer has loved reading and writing stories since childhood. In

2000, she began studying the craft of fiction and working toward

publication. Ten years later, she received her first book contract. Anne

is a three time Genesis contest finalist, a Carol Award finalist, and a contributor to A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts.

Anne On Amazon

On Twitter:  @AnneMateer

I really enjoyed it and hope they do it again next year.