fear failure or success?

I think that many of the life choices we make are often made out of fear.  Sometimes we are afraid of failure and the resultant guilt and embarrassment. Other times we are afraid that we will succeed and worry that our life will change.  Change in itself is difficult.  Fear can be involved in simple decisions such as cutting our hair to a shorter style.  It can involve decisions such as getting married, choosing to have a child, adoption, college, dropping out of school, forgiveness vs retaliation, drinking or use of drugs, whether to smile and have a good day or sadness and complaining.  A lack of a decision is a decision also because we give up control of decision-making to others.  I have the desire to make active, informed decisions about my life but often that fear creeps in and I back away from a positive change in my life.  When decisions are overwhelming, I want to be proactive instead of reactive.  I often take out my trump card to help decision-making.  I remember to ask God to help and I find that He always does, even if the answer is not what I wanted or expected.  I am always relieved when I pray and the big burden is lifted off my shoulders.  I am then free to make any decisions because I am no longer afraid.

the past

I've been sorting pictures of my family from the early years to the present.  It was fun to laugh about things that happened many years ago and to remember the fun times.  For a long time, I was only able to look at the things that I considered to be mistakes and poor judgement on my part.  I always worried that I wasn't the best mother I could be especially when I was single and raising five teens.  In life there are always positive and negative elements.  Both have an impact on who we become.  I don't know that I would change my life as I have had many good times mixed in with the stressful and difficult times.  I am so happy to have my children and grandchildren. I especially appreciate my faith in God and the wonderful answers to prayer over the years.  It is important to count our blessings!

plumbing

I have to laugh at my attempts at plumbing  I wanted to add a metal handle to a moen shower.  I went to a local hardware superstore and asked about what I would need to buy.  I have had many experiences over the years when an employee of the store would send me to another store to get an item I needed because it was not available. This time I was given parts for an item that was generally adapted to most showers. After I spent hours trying to make it work I returned it and bought another kit and again had to return it.  I went to a plumbing store and was able to buy the correct part and it went on in a matter of minutes.  I have often appreciated the employees who made my life easier by actually helping with the information I needed.

Sometimes we try to adapt our lives by going to the wrong place to try to find happiness when we need to go to the source of happiness.  Often there are special people along the way who can share their knowledge and resources to aid us in our journey.  My experience has always led me to the only place that brings me the peace I seek.  I have to go to the source of happiness.  God and my faith.

Art Show at Bergamo

I am participating in an art show with Queen of Apostles Church.  The Annual Queen of Apostles Art Exhibit will be held at the Gallery St. John Friday, Sept. 5 to Sunday Sept. 14

        Queen of Apostles/Gallery St. John

4435 East Patterson Rd
Beavercreek, OH

937-429-0510

www.qac-ohio.org

It has been wonderful to begin to enjoy art again and hopefully have the energy to do some new art pieces. Since I have been ill, it has been hard to even get interested in art of any kind. Maybe I'll be inspired!   

 

It could be me.

"There but for the grace of God, go I"  It is an "accident" of birth that we live in a safe and happy environment.  We don't have to worry about sending our children to another country to keep them from starving, or being sold to another human being, or any number of unimaginable horrors.  I can't fathom the fear of the child forced by circumstances to travel this dangerous road.  Sometimes it is parents who have to make a choice for the potential benefit of the child or to use them for their own benefit.  Children are caught in the middle and learn to navigate life in survival mode.  I am so sad that the fear of dealing with problems associated with these children will cause us to abandon them.  We forget that we are a country of immigrants who had to adjust to a new world, language, prejudice, poverty, etc. to survive.  We were children once.
Would it be different if it were our children who were homeless without a county or safety.  What if it were us who were living in a war-torn country and we had to send our children away.  Wouldn't we want someone to care for them?  God loves all children and it is our responsibility to look outside the box to find a way to share our resources. I hope that our country finds the compassion to solve this issue in a way to provide hope to these children.

Making lemonade out of lemons

I was talking to my daughter today.  She told me that my adult children and friends that had spent time with us over the years were discussing the fun times that we had together.  I have been worried that as a single parent I wasn't able to give my kids what they needed.  I was stressed with taking care of the household, working and going to school and I felt that my children received a poor substitute for a set of parents.  It made me happy to know that they have forgiven me for their chaotic upbringing and managed to remember the times we went camping at Cedar Point and other parks, swimming, card playing and just being together.  My kids were always a blessing and continue to be now as I am aging gracefully.  They are always available to help when I need anything and are supportive of each other.  When we keep God centered in our lives, we can survive anything with faith and a sense of humor.  I thank God everyday for my family and friends.

Grandmothers and family

I think about the importance of being a loving role model as a grandmother to my grandchildren.  I find that my influence is very minor in comparison to the parents of my grandchildren.  I am so proud of my children and their wonderful spouses who take parenting and faith very seriously. What a joy it is to spend time with children who are well-behaved and who know they are loved by their parents and family.  It is sometimes hard for parents to compromise and have a united front with their children because they have been raised with different family values and parenting styles.  It is challenging to relate to extended family and in-laws.  It is so exciting when everyone has the well-being of the children as a priority.  I am blessed with not only the best adult children but I also have the the finest daughters and sons-in-law that anyone could ask for.  It is sometimes difficult to be an in-law but the effort to communicate can create the opportunity for emotional, psychological and spiritual growth in the entire family.  These relationships create a comforting, safe environment for children and their family.  Marriages create a bigger circle of family to love.