Life Outside the Cage

I visited my least favorite place last week - the dentist. Nothing like a root canal and a new crown to bring back childhood memories of drilling and fillings. As I reclined in the chair listening to the terrifying noises, I began to grin (well, the best I could in the dentist’s chair).

My thoughts drifted back to elementary school and the health seminars on the proper way to brush our teeth. At the conclusion of the presentation, each child was handed a packet of little red pills. I clutched mine eagerly, anxious to get home to my toothbrush.

After school my front door would fly open as I raced down the hall toward the bathroom. I’d brush and scrub until I believed I had done an immaculate job of cleaning my teeth. I’d rip open my treasure and chew the pills to see if I had missed any places. To my dismay, my teeth would gleam red and pink. Do you remember?

I am a safe driver. I’ve never had a major accident. I’ve only received one speeding ticket and that was in college when we all liked to drive a little fast. Allstate safe-driving rebates arrive in my mailbox every six months.

But it only takes one time of not paying attention. One time of our mind wandering to the list of things “to do.” One time when we let down our guard and BAM! Our car slides into an object we swore was not there before.

That’s how this lovely hole arrived in my car’s bumper.

I wish I had a great story. You know, I turned a 360 in the snow and stopped right on the edge of a precipice. But my story is not one of adventure or daring or expert driving skill.

My story . . . I backed out of a driveway and hit a brick mailbox.

Ugh! Goodbye safe-driving record, hello deductible!

Many times in my life I have had to learn to w-a-i-t. Times where my patience was tested. For instance:

• waiting for the school bus on a rainy day
• enduring the grocery store express line behind someone with 30 items instead of 20
• handling the anticipation of my driver’s license
• squelching the excitement to open my Christmas presents

Those are actually easy examples. The true test of patience lies in those persevering, character-building moments:

• searching for a job after being laid off
• praying and watching for your prodigal son to return home
• trusting God to move in the life of a loved one

Such times teach us valuable lessons about life, ourselves, and the faithfulness of God.

My biggest lesson in patience has occurred in the last 5 months. I kicked off September with a stiff resolve and a gleam in my eye as I set out to get healthy. Only “good” food adorned my refrigerator and pantry shelves. I arose early to walk my neighborhood as well as adding strength training. My next decision changed my life. I popped in an exercise video to do cardio . . . 30 minutes later my knees were no longer the same because of an exercise performed wrong.

I tried not to be discouraged as days passed with no improvement. A vacation I had saved for and anticipated commenced in great pain. X-rays, ice packs, and medicine held no results. I waited with an attitude of hope. Finally, to physical therapy I traveled. I performed my exercises like a good little patient for eight weeks, yet I still shuffle through my days with pain and stiffness.

I had goals and dreams for where I wanted to be for important upcoming events: traveling to DC to talk to the Congressional women’s caucus, my nephew’s wedding, and my 30th high school reunion. Every day instead of thinking of it as a setback, I am clinging to the sentiments of Colossians 1:11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience.

Each day I strap on God’s strength and ask for enduring persistence and fortitude. I am learning a lot in my school of patience.

Men are different creatures. I’m not saying women are better than men. I’m just stating they’re different. Many benefits reside in the institution of marriage and there are definitely advantages to having a man around the house.

But also let me express it comes with frustrations.

Many times I witness incidents in my family or friend’s lives, chuckle, and thank God I’m single. One of my favorite examples occurred at Christmas. My parents were the host house for our holiday this year; therefore, Mom asked my Dad to decorate the entrance to their driveway with Christmas lights. She even agreed that net lights would be acceptable to use since they are easier to place on bushes and small trees. Visions of beautiful lights danced in her head as Dad worked outside one Sunday afternoon. I approached their house on Christmas Eve and began to laugh until tears rolled down my cheeks. This is his version of putting up lights.

Men . . . you gotta love ‘em.

I am a woman of tradition. I love to follow rituals established by my parents and grandparents especially when holidays are involved.

Most people don’t have fond remembrances of New Year’s Day. They put all of the effort into the evening before. Not in our household. As children, my sister and I would rise to the smell of biscuits baking in the oven and clamor to the kitchen.

Every January 1 was spent eating biscuits and strawberries with blankets wrapped around our Christmas pajamas while we admired and critiqued the floats in the Rose Bowl Parade.

I’m an adult now. Guess what I did today? Yep. My day began with biscuits and strawberries and the beautiful flowers decorating chicken wire cruising down the streets of Pasadena.

Happy New Year!

The greatest gift ever given is Jesus Christ. Given out of grace, love, and mercy, no present can ever top the one delivered in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago. That is why we celebrate Christmas. We recognize and commemorate the birth of Jesus. Every year I never tire of reading the story of that fateful night. I love the angels, shepherds, and then the wise men following the star to honor Jesus with 3 gifts.

Gifts for Jesus. Have you ever presented a gift to Him?

My favorite Christmas carol is Little Drummer Boy. Why? Because it is a tale of a young boy who so much wants to offer something special to this amazing baby, but he has nothing. He is a poor boy. Then he thought of his drum. He can play and use his talents to honor this newborn king.

Gifts for Jesus. Have you ever given Him your talent?

Finding the perfect Christmas present can be challenging. We race around town trying to find the ideal item from our loved ones wish list at the lowest price. You probably have bought gifts for many people this year . . . spouse, parents, siblings, children, friends.

Gifts for Jesus. Have you pondered what gift you will give Jesus this Christmas?

I challenge you to make this Jesus’ best Christmas yet by wrapping up what He desires from you and placing it under the tree?

I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum,

Go ahead. Give Him your best.

Christmas decorations reflect your personality type. My certainly do. I’m quite the sentimental gal. I love reminiscing about past favorite moments. Perusing old photographs brings me pleasure. My garage is bursting from boxes stuffed with Nancy Drew books, Barbie dolls, and other treasured keepsakes.

The same applies to my Christmas trees. Yes, trees. I have three of them. One is for décor only, shining brightly with its classy red, silver, and white ornaments. The other two are a stroll down memory lane. One resides in my office and is adorned with all the ornaments that have special meaning: ones that represent milestones, souvenirs that remind me of places traveled, and gifts from former students.

The third one stands as a tribute to childhood Christmases spent with my grandmother who knew how to decorate for the holiday. Arriving at her house from Colorado, we never knew what to expect. She often flocked her trees in colors. Over the years we experienced blue, silver, and pink branches standing guard over our presents. Each gift was especially wrapped in such a way that you ever so carefully attempted to open it without messing up the paper.

When Nana passed away, we discovered her many boxes of ornaments. My sister and I smiled as we divided them between us. Now her blue and silver ornaments warm my heart each time I see them draped upon my tree.

Special Ornaments space Nana's bulbs