Smile and Be Joyful

  There comes a time for most boats when they need their hull scraped free of barnacles.  One website says that “a barnacle-free surface is essential for smooth cruising”.  According to Google, this process is more easily done if the boat is removed from the water.  I guess God thought I needed some maintenance work, as He has dry docked me.  Four weeks ago, I had shoulder surgery.  Apparently, when I do something, I do it up big.  It turned out that I had not only a rotator cuff tear, I also have something called frozen shoulder.  I was shocked when the doctor originally told me I would miss 6 weeks of work.  I told him this is no time for that.  Teaching virtually and in person at the same time is not something that can just be handed over to a substitute teacher, if one can even find a substitute willing to take it on.  When the recovery time was bumped to 12 weeks (thanks, frozen shoulder) I very nearly decided to just live with...

  Today is election day.   I’ve never seen a political race more closely watched, worried about or polarizing. I am not concerned about the outcome.   The Ruler of the Universe is in control.   On a day when the nation feels so divided, my prayer is that people will remember their “common ground”, the things we can all agree on rather than the things we disagree on.   Disappointment and discord are inevitable whatever the results, throughout the nation, within cities and neighborhoods and unfortunately, even within families.   Days like this one are Satan’s favorite.   He is at the ready with his giant stick to stir the pot of our discontent.   Instead of discontent, let’s fill our pots with all the things we agree upon and treasure.   If each “side” can be gracious and not lash out or boast, Satan will be missing even more of the ingredients needed for his recipe for disaster.   Rather than fanning the flames of discord and fear, perhap...

  I recently had to have an MRI.  I prayed all the way there.  I am not crazy about small enclosed spaces.  (God, please help me do this.  God, please keep me calm.)  As I laid down on the hard surface, I asked the technician how long this would take.  I was hoping for/expecting an answer of “Oh, 5-10 minutes.”  That’s what I had prepared myself for.  When the guy answered, “30 minutes”, my heart rate immediately doubled.  He placed a  device in my hand and said, “Push this button if you need to get out.”  As my body was pulled into the “tube” my anxiety level increased even more.  Apparently, I am more claustrophobic than I thought.  While my body was still, my thoughts and emotions were bouncing around in my head like a pinball machine and my shoulder was screaming with pain.  I immediately began to think about pushing the button.  I reasoned with myself trying to remember why I was doing this.  (A su...