The Meditation Of My Heart

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14

I remember my friend Sandra once posting on Facebook that she had chosen a Bible verse to focus on for the year. I thought that was a great idea - for her anyway. I'm not that great at focusing on things in The Land Beyond The End Of My Nose. This year is different, though. I know that I will have to focus on Godly things in order to survive. It has just gotten to that point. 

I thought about finding a verse that would help me, but only me. Of course, the thought that followed that is that is not how God works. He is not wanting Carolyn to focus on Carolyn. He is wanting me to focus on Him and those He has called me to serve. And I will have the opportunity to serve this year, for sure.

Five Minute Friday - Beyond

If you are popping over from Amy Sullivan's place, welcome! For those of you who here with me regularly, I've got a guest post up on Amy's blog about Anonymous Service if you want to go check it out.

Today is Friday, so we are doing our usual writing exercise. On Fridays around these parts we stop, drop, and write.

We write bold and beautiful and free. Unscripted and unedited. We just write without worrying if it’s just right or not.

Won’t you join us? You can play too. It's so easy!

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back to Lisa-Jo's blog and invite others to join in.
3. Most importantly: leave a comment for the person who linked up before you – encouraging them in their writing!

OK, are you ready? Give me your best five minutes on:

Beyond…

GO

Beyond... I often say that I need to visit the Land Beyond the End of My Nose. My natural instinct is not to go beyond my own self-interest and selfishness. But when I do visit the Land Beyond the End of My Nose, I often find wonderful things.

Last night... I felt awful, physically and otherwise. But I had been given FREE tickets to a one-woman play about Molly Ivins, a liberal Texas firecracker if there ever was one. And I knew my very liberal husband - though being a Yankee by birth - would so enjoy it. I wanted to be home, but I decided to think about him for a little bit.

HE LOVED IT!!! It was awesome! I loved it! It was so funny and really caught the spirit of that amazing woman. I didn't have to dip into our meager budget or make a lot of plans. I just accepted what was given and my husband - who is so overworked (and underpaid in my opinion) just laughed and laughed.

And boy did he need the laughter. He woke up this morning refreshed. Because I looked beyond myself long enough to find something that he would like. How easy is that?

I have a feeling that the cross I am to bear through life has much to do with getting BEYOND my own self... dying to self, as Jesus said... most who meet me at first think I am loving and giving, which might be true to a point. Those who live in this house with me know that I am very self-centered. But as I trust my God to complete a good work in me, I am able to see beyond...

STOP

Now wasn't that easy? (Not really - writing without self-editing as I go along is still hard for me, which is why I love participating in this exercise!)

Come join us over at Lisa-Jo's place if you want to see what other people have to say about Beyond

The Land Beyond The End Of My Nose

So I am back from the Writers' Retreat. I am so tired that I can barely keep my eyes open (and that is after a nap!). But I knew you - my five loyal readers (or is it six now?) - would want me to check in, so here is a short version.

Was it good? Yes.

Did I learn anything? Yes, on the few occasions that I visited The Land Beyond The End Of My Nose and paid attention to what was happening, I did manage to learn some things. Then I  would go back into my typical "all about me" state and concentrate on whatever facet of me was most interesting.

What is my take-away? David Dark is famous. And if he isn't famous enough, we should make him so. I will explain more about why in a later post when I am marginally more coherent.

Stay tuned to this channel for updates. Some of you "lurkers" might have to admit you read this blog because I am going to be having a "give away". Everyone likes a chance to win, right?

Thank you for your support. Now off to bed.