Mamas*Little*Treasures

Hello? Hello? Is this the party to whom I am speaking?

"A gracious good morning to you . . . . Have I reached the party to whom I am speaking?"  This is Ernestine, the Operator at Cyber Space in Your Face, coming to you live from my home office in Somewhere, Rural Midwest America.  So sorry to inform you that just because you can remain anonymous behind your technologically-advanced position in cyber space, it is still not polite to be a bully or be mean-spirited when you speak to other anonymous cyber peeps.  You really should remember that there is a real, living, breathing, thinking, and feeling human being on the other end of the poison darts you spew from your sharp tongue, as they fly eloquently and effortlessly from your mouth, through your fingers, to the keypad and on to your intended victim  recipient.  

You see, here at Cyber Space In Your Face, we easily handle eighty-four billion bytes of information every day.  Messages soaring through outer space from everyone, including presidents and kings, to the scum of the earth.  *SNORT*  We realize that every so often something goes wrong . . . . your computer locks up on you when you are right in the middle of sending a scorching email to someone you hate, and for no apparent reason your computer will crash right when you reallly, really need to finish that really, really important report for work. 

Sometimes you even receive an innocent email from someone who isn't nearly as bright as you are, and you are enraged that anybody would be so RUDE as to accidentally send you an email that you did not request.  Well, here at Cyber Space in Your Face, we simply don't care.  *SNORT*   And obviously, you don't care, either.  Because, WHAP! just like that, you can lose Peoria . . . . or Manhattan, Kansas or Podunkville, Michigan.  Just by being a bully to some well-meaning, intelligent but overworked little lady sitting in her home office in the cornfields of midwest America.  Somewhere.  Of course, you don't care where.  And neither do we, here at Cyber Space in Your Face. 

You see, this internet contraption (invented by Al  Gore, wasn't it?) consists of a multibillion-dollar matrix (or is it multi-TRILLION?  Who knows, what's the difference in a few extra zeros?)  *SNORT*  of space-age technology that is so sophisticated, that even we here at Cyber Space in Your Face can't handle it.  But that's your problem, and it is CERTAINLY no reason to be nasty to fellow travelers on the cyber highway.  So, the next time you get your knickers in a twist because some silly cyber peep makes a mistake, why don't you use two Dixie cups with a sting.  We don't care.  Why should we?  You obviously don't.  Because we can just DELETE you right out of our little corner of the cyber world.  Good-bye and have a great Monday!  This is a recording. 

(Based loosely on Lily Tomlin's monologue as Ernestine the Operator, from "Saturday Night Live")

My philosophy of "Old Stuff"

I've always known (kind of) about the Chinese culture, which holds great reverence for their ancestors and elderly relatives.  So much so, that sons of Chinese families, traditionally, care for their aging parents, while daughters typically marry into another family and help care for the aging parents of their husbands.  With this tradition in mind, I think often of my own daughters and what their lives would be like if they had remained in China.  I am not suggesting that this Chinese tradition is not as good as our American traditions . . . . far from it!  If our elderly relatives were treated with the same level of respect as is shown to the "senior citizens" of China, well we just might be having a different kind of discussion about health care, nursing homes, and the "sandwich generation." 

So there is definitely something to be said in favor of the social and cultural value that is placed on older people in China.  Of course the other side of that observation is that, when this tradition is followed closely, it severely limits options for the women of that country.  On the other hand, sometimes all of the "opportunities" that are available to American young people are not always safe, healthy, or wise.  But that is another discussion . . . . . all of this got me to thinking (again) about how we, as Americans, have for so long been pursuing the dream of having it all. 

And the problems that it has created for people who have been fortunate to have ALMOST all (of whatever they are seeking), and now are faced with the reality of a struggling economy.  Many of us simply can no longer spend our Saturday afternoons wandering around in a huge mall, with cheery music tempting us to feel all warm and fuzzy as we rack up those $$$$ on our charge cards.  We can always pay it off later!  Unfortunately, "later" has caught up with us, and it is not much fun for many Americans. 

My girls will often ask me, "Mom, did you have M&Ms when you were a kid?" or "Was there TV around when you were a kid?" or other equally wise observations from their perspective.  And I will tell them the truth . . . . . yep, those things "were around" but I didn't have nearly as much of it as they do.  And I lived to tell about it!  For some people, that overwhelming desire to have more stuff, new stuff, expensive stuff, and beautiful stuff becomes almost like a noose around the neck.  It becomes all-consuming, to the point of destroying marriages and forcing people into bankruptcy. 

Now, all of us have faced financial struggles at some point in our lives . . . . . and some end up needing to file bankruptcy for very legitimate reasons.  That is not the point of this thought process.  It is about the mindless consumption of material goods that has become such an accepted part of the "American Dream."  So, when I chatted with one of my older daughters about how difficult it is to keep going when there is just never enough money to go around, we came to the conclusion that there are millions of people right now who are actually in more difficult circumstances than we are encountering, and that there are also millions of Americans who lived through the Great Depression . . . . . and they survived.  Not only did they survive, many became stronger, more independent, more resourceful, and more joyful directly in proportion to their determination to be thankful for what they had.  No matter how simple, they learned to appreciate the little things in life. 

So, when one of our nieces posted a comment on my FB page about my ability to take "old stuff" and make it into something kind of cool (or something like that!), it reminded me of a conversation I had with my mother-in-law over 30 years ago.  Even back then, she made the observation that I "could make a beautiful home out of just about nothing."  My philosophy all of my life has been, a coat of paint doesn't cost much and it will make a whole room feel brand-new!  As I carry that philosophy of "old stuff" over into my daily life, I am continually confronted with the ways in which we so often just "throw away" things that are no longer brand-new (well, actually some of it IS brand-new, as evidenced by the number of gorgeous items I find in thrift shops that still have the tags attached!) - but we've grown tired of it, or it is no longer the "latest fashion." 

And that attitude carries over into our lives as we encounter people . . . . those who are older, or a bit slower, or perhaps can't "snap it up" to our level of expectation.  I see it frequently when we are out with our daughter, Missy Stubborn-Pants.  She WILL do it herself, even when it takes her a bit longer than most other kids because of her CP.  Stubborn in that case is a good thing (of course, it sometimes makes me crazy, like when it is time for school and she somehow thinks that just because she is determined to zip her own coat, that will change what time the bell rings!).  Anyway, I've been thinking about "old stuff," perhaps more so because I just had a birthday last week   ;o)  but I've recognized that one of the reasons that I love vintage stuff, and fixing up "old stuff" so much is because I see so much waste in our society. 

 I think it is time for us all to re-think our own "philosophy of old stuff" and begin to get a bit more comfortable with the treasures that can be discovered in all things "vintage."  Including Grandma and Grandpa!   Have a blessed Monday!  I'm off to the studio to fix up some more "old stuff" because it seems that there are at least a few folks out there in the world who like my style! 

Please visit my little Etsy shop at www.gossamerwingsstudio.etsy.com to see more of my "old stuff" that I have turned into beautiful "new stuff" - you won't be disappointed!    

In times like these . . . .

“Peace I leave with you;
My peace I give to you;
not as the world gives do I give to you.
Do not let your heart be troubled,
nor let it be fearful.”

John 14:27 NASB

 

I try not to listen to the news very much.  But it is kind of hard to escape the constant drum beat of confusion and chaos that seems to be surrounding us everywhere we go. Actually, I do like to know what is going on in the world and not just hide my head and pretend that everything is rosey when it actually isn't.  That's one way to be really surprised when reality finally catches up with you!  But, I try not to focus on the competing voices, trying to convince me that "this is a crisis," or frighten me with talk of disaster.  I will admit, though, that trying to focus on the positive, peaceful aspects of life can be difficult on most days, and especially during a time of economic struggle, political turmoil, and national confusion.

So, it is always good to be reminded that true peace only comes from our Heavenly Father through the grace that He has blessed us with in the Person of His Son, the Lord Jesus.  It is easy to be afraid, and it is natural to be concerned about our family in the face of a world-wide epidemic of the H1N1 flu virus. And it is normal to experience some anxiety over the financial circumstances that many of us are facing.  But I continue to try to stay focused on the positive, and not allow myself to slide into the "slough of despond" as John Bunyan warns us through the journey of Pilgrim.  We are all susceptible of slipping off the edge of that cliff!

Today I am finally able to sit down and actually update my blog.  It has  been over a month since I've had the time, energy, or interest.  That is because I allowed myself to become bogged down and frustrated after a year and a half of trying to be "Wonder Woman."  Again.  You would think that I would have figured this out by now . . . . after all, I'm not exactly a "spring chicken."  ;o)  I've been a mom for a long time - my oldest daughter is now 36 years old, and my youngest daughter just turned 7 years old last Friday.  But I am right where I want to be . . . . now. 

I don't know how you do it, all of you moms who are able to have a career outside of your home, and still handle everything that comes along with taking care of a family.  I just can't do it . . . . I've tried . . . . and failed miserably.  All of my adult life, my home and family have been the focus of my heart and mind.  I love being the traditional, stay-at-home mom.  But for the past year and a half I have had to hold a JOB outside of my home, and to put it mildly . . . .well, I'm a GREAT worker, but not such a great employee.  What I mean by that is to say that I always arrived for work on time (sometimes even early!) and did the work that was expected of me.  I worked diligently to learn the skills necessary to do my job well, and I got along famously with my co-workers.  I liked my boss, I organized drawers and cupboards, cleaned up around the office and was completely honest and trustworthy.  But I hated being there!

Not because it was a bad place to be, but because I just really wanted to BE HOME, doing all of the things that needed my attention.  And as the days, weeks, and months went by, I became so discouraged that I could barely function.  Well, now that I no longer have a JOB (because the bank branch was closed) - I am WORKING every day on the "stuff" that needs to be taken care of, and I am SO MUCH happier!  My kiddos and hubby are happy, too, because mom isn't running out the door every morning, no matter what they need.  I'm home where I belong, where I love to be, and actually working harder than I did in that office! 

So, all of that is to say that I have struggled a great deal over the past year with finding peace.  Even though I know in my head the answer, it was very difficult to get past the discouragement to find that place of peace.  I tried, I really did, but I just don't do well when I am away from home for long periods of time.  I guess I just need to remember that God knows each one of us intimately, and He knows what we need, and what will bring us joy.  I am grateful that I am now able to stay home, and have time for the things in life that are important to me.  Things like participating in our weekly IOW project!  I'm glad to be back, and I truly appreciate the reminder that I will never find peace in the things of the world, but only in the safety and security of my relationship with my Lord. 

Please stop by and visit Patricia at "Typing One-Handed" today to find links to all of the other IOW posts this week. 

God's Truth Reflected in Our Lives

"A dog barks when his master is attacked.  I would be a coward if I saw that God's truth is attacked and yet would remain silent."      ~ John Calvin

 

It happens to me all the time . . . . .  I'm just going about my own business, not really paying attention to everything that is going on around me because I am so focused on the task at hand.  Suddenly I become aware that the conversation around me has turned in a direction that just might make me uncomfortable, because the rest of the people in my little office begin talking about me as if I'm not there.  They seem to find my naivete somehow entertaining.  Oh, they really do like me, they just think it is cute that I kind of "check out" of the conversation when they begin discussing topics that I am not comfortable talking about.  

And sometimes they even tease me, trying to get me to engage in their style of communication, in which there are various sexual innuendos and crude language about topics that I believe to be sacred and private.  I tend to walk away and busy myself with my work, or if I am on a break, I typically will be working on one of my writing projects.  In those instances, my silence speaks volumes about my values, my character, and my integrity.  And then, very frequently, I am asked why I do what I do, or don't do what I don't do, or why I believe what I believe.  Then I have an open door to answer them honestly and in a loving way, and tell them of our great God and Heavely Father.  

But then there are times when silence is an assumed validation of whatever is going on in the world around us.  Whether the conversation turns to social issues, political issues, religious or historical issues, there is a time to have the courage to speak up and stand up for what we believe to be truth.  Now, I am not going to suggest that I have the totality of TRUTH with a capital "T" - because I am only a finite human.  But I know what I believe, and I know why I believe it, and I know how it has changed my life.  And that I can speak about with complete confidence. 

Sometimes it is quite confusing to figure things out, in the midst of all of the voices shouting, trying to drown each other out.  We need to listen to God's voice within our own hearts, and discover the truth of His Word.  And it is tricky to figure out some of the issues, because some of the "evil" that we encounter in our lives is very subtle.  Our children are bombarded with messages every minute of every day from a variety of sources.  And even if we are very careful, as parents, we will not be able to shield them from everything we would like to protect them from.  So, we need to be diligent in building their character, so that when they encounter things that are not honoring to God, they will be able to discern what they are experiencing and have the courage and the commitment to make choices that are wise.  We must speak to our children about the true and living God, and how He intervenes in our lives on a daily basis, and teach them to walk with Him.

For the rest of the world . . .. . we must not be silent.  But sometimes our silence speaks so much louder than our words.  Because the world is watching to see if our lives match our words, and occasionally our verbal "silence" combined with the testimony of our daily actions, provides opportunities for sharing the truth of God's love in ways that our words, alone, could not.  Wherever God leads us, He will give us the opportunity to touch others with His love, in words, deeds, and actions.  We simply need to be willing to do whatever it is that He puts in front of us to do.  

Be sure to visit Esthermay at The Heart of a Pastor's Wife and read her inspiring post.  You can also find links to the others who are participating this week with In Other Words, and visit them, as well. 

Britney, I'm Sorry . . . . .

I drove my daughters to school this morning - and watched them run into their classrooms with great anticipation and enthusiasm.  They are five and seven years old.  But they live in a culture that glorifies behavior that leads ultimately to misery and destruction.  Can I protect them?  Can I help them understand the heartache that will overwhelm them if they choose a path of self-glorification?  As I drove home from the school, alone in my car, I heard the words to a song that made me really think about how our society uses people . . . . up.  Until they are completely destroyed, and then we throw them away.  Like Britney.  Yes, her choices are her own, and she alone is responsible for what she will do with her life now.  But, don't we, as a society have some blame for perpetuating the myth of self-esteem?  "It's all about ME!!!" they scream when they are toddlers, and then they are still screaming "ME, ME, ME!!!" when they are 22 years old . . . .but the rude reality of life is that, NO, it isn't all about you.  There are other people in the world who also are special, beautiful, and deserving of love, but we seem unable to give love because we are so often needing it ourselves.  So, the words to the song reminded me of my responsibilities as a mom, but they also broke my heart . . . . because anyone who has ever been treated with contempt and a judgemental attitude will recognize the truth of this song: 

"Britney, I'm sorry for the stones we throw, We tear you down just so we can watch the show . . . . Britney, I'm sorry for the things we say, We love to watch you as you fall from grace . . . .. "  Unfortunately, I don't know the author of the lyrics or the artist who sings them, but if I did I'd surely give credit for the poignant picture that is painted by these words.  And then, the song goes on to say something like, "I know love goes around the world, but you never see it coming back to you . . . . But I know that Love is coming back to you."  As in God's Love, in Jesus, and that love will never throw stones or tear people down because they have made choices that are not helpful - and isn't that the Love that we all need?