TIC TOC, TIC TOC!

Tic Toc, Tic Toc....oh how time flies!  Our lives continue day by day and the older we get, time seems to fly even quicker than we remember.  Our parents get older.  Our children get older...heck...WE get older too.  Our grandchildren grow up and we wonder where the time has gone.

As we age, our minds begin to think about the future.  Some people worry about physical ailments, others worry about money, time spent with family, regrets, those they have lost...actually...just about everything we hold dear is a huge concern to the aging.  In reality, there is nothing we can do about any of the things we worry about.

I took my mom to a specialist today with a little medical issue.  Isn't it true when we are worried about something, many of us have enormous imagines.  We think the worst without even knowing all the details.  Yet...our minds make up these huge assumptions of what will be and it can paralyze us!  Mom had worked her mind into believing she was on the verge of death.  After speaking with the specialist, he simply said it was an issue with her current medications.  A little change could fix it all. What a relief!  A simple explanation for such a HUGE worry!

But why do we worry?  Why are things that are completely out of our control, paralyze us and make us age even more quickly?  Why do some people worry themselves to death while others seem to take everything in stride with all the assurance that things will be fine?

I wonder if Jochebed (Moses' mom) or Miriam (Moses' sister) worried when they placed him in the Nile River in a basket?  Did they fret over and animal attacking him or if an Egyptian would find him and drown him in the Nile after hiding and caring for him for 3 months?  Was it just horrendous for Jochebed when she had to return him to Pharaoh's daughter after 3 years?  Did she worry every day he would be well taken care of and not forget who his true parents were?  Tic toc, tic toc, time moves forward and there are so many unanswered questions.

Scripture tells us there is a way to be sure of our future and that we have no need to worry.  Jeremiah 29:11-13 says: For I know the plans I have you, declares the Lord.  Plans to prosper you, not to harm you.  Plans to give you a hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Promises, promises..for a hope and a future.  Promises of His care and availability to Him.  Assurance we can depend on Him.  His "declaration" to always be there.  So why do we worry?

I'm thankful to the ONE I know is beside me always.  I am grateful for His holy Word that gives me hope and assurance.  So, as the song goes....Don't worry, be happy!

SIC 'EM BEARS!

Football season is here again.  Our Baylor flag is waving in our driveway.  Season tickets have been purchased.  Tailgate spot is ready for the grill.  T-shirts and jerseys have been purchased to show our true colors.   Its time to Sic 'Em  Bears!

Baylor is now in their brand new stadium that shines like a beacon in the night.  When the Baylor Line of 4,000 freshman (yes, I said 4,000) come running onto the field with President Ken Starr leading them, it's a sight to behold.  What other president of a university puts on a workout suit and runs onto the field to welcome their players with 4,000 freshmen following, each ball game?  President Starr doesn't just talk a good game but he leads the way and participates.

Its truly a sight to behold and a joy for every BU fan in the stadium.  Even in the first game, when many dignitaries were there for the opening of the stadium, (President and Mrs. George W. Bush), President Starr stuck with the freshmen line and lead our team to the fight!

In our lesson in the life of Moses this week, God called Moses into service to lead his people, the Israelites, out of Egypt. Moses would go before them and lead them, with God's help, through many difficulties.  God told Moses He would be with him.

I often struggle with battles that seem too big to overcome.  Battles of sinfulness I keep repeating over and over.  Moses was a man of God and I am a child of God.  Whatever battle I face, God says He is with me the same as He was with Moses.

Moses became a leader of the Israelites, leading them out of bondage to God and His promises for them.  I can, but only with God's help, lead my family and friends in a direction that points to Him.  No matter the sin, no matter how big the struggle, He will be with me and I am comforted to know, God helps those He calls even when we sin.

I'm grateful for the beautiful picture President Starr represents in leading a group of Christian young men and women to battle.  He's out front, as Moses was, cheering on every student and fan, expecting victory in the game of life.  We could all use that faith and expectation.  We can have it when facing the battles of everyday life when we remember, God is with us and God helps those he calls to service even when we sin.

Sic 'Em Bears

AN OLD DOG LEARNS A NEW LESSON!

Well, there he goes again.  Hershey, our family pet, is off and running, barking his head off.  Hershey barks at people walking, children playing, other dogs, cats, squirrels and in fact anything that moves outside.  Being a labradoodle, he doesn't have that high pitched bark.  But still, I get weary for constantly telling him "No barking Hersh!"

We have tried and tried to find ways to train Hershey to stop barking.  We even bought a shock collar.  Now don't go and call those people at the ASPCA.  The fact is, Hershey has so much hair, its often hard even to get a pulse from the collar through the hair to his body.  Still, we have used it and Hershey knows exactly what it is.   It comes with a hand remote we can push when we want him to stop certain behaviors.  When pushed, the collar gives a mild shock and it gets his attention.  Now, we just hold the remote up without pushing a button and he stops the undesired behavior. Amazing what result a little black, hand held remote with a long string can have on a dog.  Most of the time, the remote is not charged.  (We always forget to charge it).  Hershey doesn't know that though ,and he acts like it's a nuclear weapon.  He backs off and runs straight to us.

I wonder if God thinks I need a shock collar?  I continue to repeat the same things over and over....bad attitude, barking at people, road rage (only to myself), frustration, putting other things before Him, forgetting to be grateful for what He does for me, etc.?  I wonder if He wants to just give me a good shock sometime?

His Holy Bible is like the remote I need, when held up before me, warns me to follow His commands and shows me His grace.  It never dries out of charge (always applicable) and is always available!

I'm grateful for His just and gentle warning.   I'm also grateful He doesn't give me a shock each time I disobey, but instead, uses His Word to gently guide me with His grace.  Otherwise, when I think about it....I'd be electrocuted by now!

Thanks Hershey for teaching an old dog a new lesson!

BRONCO AND POT ROAST

When I was in school, we never had all the fancy white boards or "smart" boards they have in schools today.  Chalk boards!  Yes, beautiful black boards with white chalk!  No colored chalk, no erasable markers, no swiping my hand across a board to change the picture.  Just your simple black board.  How I loved to help the teacher erase the board.  All kids loved to help erase the board.

Not only did we not have the fancy boards they have today, but we didn't have animals in our room either.  No frogs, birds or hamsters.  Today, kids get all the great stuff.  Hamsters are the rage of the classrooms.  My grandson Huston has a hamster in his classroom.  I recently went to grandparents day and noticed this ball rolling through the room. When it hit my foot the first time, I jumped!  Not understanding what was happening, Huston quickly explained that it was the class hamster, "Bronco", exercising in the ball. 

Now, I never allowed my children to have hamsters (what I thought to be really furry rodents) in our house.  We had dogs...and I was always afraid the hamster would get out, get lost and the dog would have him/her for lunch.  They were just a little toooooo "ratty" for me if you want to know the truth.

Huston got to bring "Bronco" home from school to care for this past weekend.  I went to babysit for "H" and his siblings when I soon discovered the furry ball rolling through their house.  I (sort of) got adjusted to the little guy but still refuse to hold him.  I did however, discover a few things.  1) hamsters are pretty cute, 2)  I discovered how Huston held him and was learning gentleness and how to care for a pet,and 3) I can learn a few things from this "rat".

Huston is so proud to have the opportunity to care for "Bronco".  Do I see caring for my family and friends as an opportunity?  A privilege?  Or a burden?  God cares for me every day and NEVER considers it a burden. 

I'm grateful for the gifts of family and friends.  Perhaps Bronco can teach an old gal something about service.   Hmmmm...think I'll treat my sweet husband to a nice pot roast this weekend!

UNDER HIS WING AND CLOSE TO HIS HEART

Sisters in Christ!

How often do you move your home?  Well, since Jimmy and I were married, we have moved approximately every 10 years.  We've lived in Dallas, Houston (really The Woodlands) and now in San Antonio (11 years and staying!) Yeah!  Moves can be stressful and they can be lonely.  The husband finds immediate friends at work while the wife gets the house set up, kids cared for, and focuses on the husband while he gets adjusted.  It can take up to two years, before the wife ever really begins to make her own friends and get settled in.  Moves are hard, can be lonely if you move where you don't know a soul.  However, they can also be a wonderful time to grow closer to God.

I'm studying the life of Moses this year.  Remember when Moses fled Egypt because Pharaoh wanted to kill him?  He fled to Midian.  He left family, friends, a comfy life in the Pharaoh's palace, his power, authority and respect as he grew up as the son of the Pharaoh's daughter, and most of all his people, (God's chosen people), the Israelites.  He was lonely, and in a foreign land.  However, God provided him a new family, a wife and work. 

When we move, I have felt like I was in a foreign country, leaving friends, position within the community, church families and others.  However, like Moses, God has provided me with new loving families, sisters in Christ, church homes and much more.  As God drew Moses closer to Himself, He has also drawn me under His wing and close to His heart.  He has filled my loneliness, comforted me, talked with me when I had no others, and given me hope in the difficult times.

My new friends, sisters in Christ, have been one of the great joys He has given.   I'm so grateful for His mighty provisions.  Grateful for His love to someone so unworthy. Grateful for my sweet family He moved us near and the future families He will provided through my children.   Mostly, grateful that He draws me near and holds me tight.

Are you about to make a move?  Just made a move?  Remember...He is moving with you!

ENGAGED!

My wonderful husband,  Jimmy,  and I have been married 43 years!  Yet, it doesn't seem that long ago, really.  I can remember EVERYTHING about our wedding.  I often wonder if today's brides remember every detail.  Weddings are sooooo huge these days.  It must cost families a holy fortune to marry off a daughter.  Not having daughters, I often envied parents getting to plan such a wonderful occasion.  Yet, I pity them to, for the extravagant amount of money weddings must cost.  Yet....it IS a once in a lifetime event.  

My wedding was wonderful.  Not extravagant at all, but simple and beautiful.  Beautiful because I can remember all the details about the actual ceremony and when I became Mrs. James C Allen.

My son Graham is engaged and will marry the girl of his dreams next year.  We are all so excited about the planning and the time leading up to the ceremony.  The venue has been picked, list started and full speed ahead for all the details.  

There is one thing I wish for Graham and our precious Carissa.  My wedding wish is that they savor every moment of the planning.  They truly ENJOY each other as they pick out all the details, register the choices of their dreams and begin to prepare for a life together.  I pray they will concentrate on the ceremony and are able to remember the details of their commitment to God and to each other.  I pray they will each have one outstanding moment they will remember for 43+ years as Jimmy and I do.

I'm so proud of them and look forward to the next stage of Jimmy's and my life with our new daughter and (hopefully) a family of little ones in the future - (a mom can only hope!!!!!)

CONGRATULATIONS GRAHAM AND CARISSA!