But I'm Too Young!

 

Over a decade ago, when my daughter told us she and her husband were expecting their first child I moaned, "But I’m too young to be a grandma!” I was only forty six. Weren’t my own grandparents ancient all my life? I hated the thought of little people calling me—a still-vibrant lady—a  name associated with fumbling, forgetfulness, and false teeth.

“That baby can call me Nana, Mimi, or Boo-Boo, but she’s not calling me Grandma!” I insisted. My resolve lasted an entire two days.

Once I warmed to the idea of having a wee one to cuddle and spoil, I decided that being a grandma wasn’t bad. I told everyone within a ten-mile radius that I was going to have a grandbaby.

Now we have three darling miniature people, and when they say, “Grandma” it’s like a favorite song being sung just for me. All the implications of that word have changed, now that I have the role of loving and mentoring these little angels.

Have you ever changed your mind about a word or a role? What changed it for you?

 

Name Your Year to Make Your Attitude Sweet

A month ago, a friend challenged me to seek the Lord and Name the Year with one word I wanted to carry with me throughout 2013. Although it's only January 8, the word I chose

--GRATITUDE--

has already changed my attitude from stinky to sweet many times. For instance...

A restaurant we tried for the first time had stale coffee and gave me white bread when I ordered wheat. I did not complain and send my sandwich back. Instead, I thought, "I have food to eat. I'm grateful for that. Many people in the world have nothing."


When my typical Sunday morning depression attacked, I walked over to the church building next door (my husband is the pastor), and paced around, thanking God that we have a church to worship in, and a government that doesn't prohibit our freedom to worship.

When I was exhausted from 10 days of company, I thanked the Lord that I have a healthy family who loves me and each other.

In my flesh, I can find something to complain and grumble about faster than a frog can flick-catch a fly on its tongue, but naming my year is helping me focus on the blessings of God instead of the potholes in the road.

Would you like to name your year? If so, what word would help you make your attitude sweeter?

From NO to YES part 2

After years of resisting others’ encouragement to publish a book, my writer/animator son asked me, “Have you considered compiling your columns into a book, Mom?”

Great, I thought,They’re ganging up on me now.

I whined, “Not really, Ron. Several people have suggested it, but it’s so much work finding a publisher.” I laughed, same as I’d done with the others. Ron didn’t laugh along.

As a free-lance animator, he understood the rigors of trying to find open doors for artistic endeavors. And he didn’t relent.

“You could try to find a traditional publisher for a couple of years, then if it didn’t happen, self-publish. At least give it a shot.”

I went to the Lord with Ron’s suggestion, asking Him to direct my steps and show me what to do.



That was two years, three conferences, several published articles, and two books ago. Although I have yet to find a publisher for the books, the Lord brought a splendid, caring agent into my life to help.



I’ve quit saying “NO, I’m not going to publish a book,” and started saying, “Lord, please help me get my books published.”

Is there something in your life to which you said, “No way,” for many years, but you're now saying, “Lord, help me do this.”? Don’t you love it when He changes your heart?