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Tuesday, February 26, 2013

STORMY RIDE




     "Eeeeeeeewwwwwwwwww.... Nooooooooooooooo!"
     Gliding effortlessly and without any control over my vehicle whatsoever, I suddenly slid sideways from the furthest left lane through two others to the right of me on the interstate.  Blinding rain poured.  All lanes were packed with semi trucks and autos.  All I could think was, "Oh God!  Oh God!"
     I knew from driving on ice when I lived in Indiana and Michigan that I couldn't jerk or make sudden corrections with the steering wheel.  So, while just lightly holding the wheel, I slightly turned the wheel and followed the car's course.  Praying all the time that the highway edge didn't lead to a steep drop off to the frontage road.
     The next thing I knew, I was facing the opposite direction!  My red Isuzu spiraled around and off onto a grassy section.  I waited and braced myself.  Not knowing if I would head back into oncoming traffic, spin and hit traffic exiting, or find myself rolling toward fence posts that could impale me.
     Instead, I tore a jagged path through the grassy area as I headed toward the frontage road.  I glanced to see if there were any exiting cars that could collide with me, but the one car that headed my way slowed down to a stop and to gawk at my uncontrollable ballet.
     I tapped on the brakes once I hit the roadway to slow down.  Shakily, I turned the wheel to get myself off the road and facing south again.  My car idled while I sat at the side of the rush of the three lanes of traffic when it hit me; the ordeal was over!
     I survived a very treacherous journey waltzing sideways in front of semi-trucks and speeding cars. Not one scrape.  No flipped SUV.  I escaped unharmed; not even a wrenched neck.
     My nerves were a wreck, so I sat there with my eyes closed just grateful, grateful... my heart raced and I breathed slowly and deliberately.  Whoa.
     A rap on the window brought me out of it and I could see a concerned matronly face wanting to talk to me, so I rolled down the window.
     "I pulled off after you slid across those lanes full of traffic.  When you headed down toward the frontage road, I thought for sure you were going to flip your car!  I couldn't believe my eyes when you looped around, slowed and stopped like that."
     "Right.  I was ready for the worst.  I loosened my hands from the wheel thinking the car might right itself.  I am just so thankful that something slowed me down in time.  I was headed right for those fence posts.  Just a few more feet past the frontage road and this Rodeo would have flipped for sure."


     "Are hurt?  Do you need me to call for help?"
     "No.  Nobody to call.  I'm just a little shook up.  I'll be fine in a few minutes.  Thanks though."
     All I could think of was how I couldn't wait to roll up the window, become invisible again, and get on my way.  But where was I headed?  "Huh!  Oh boy God, you sure have impeccable timing."  I muttered.
     It was just like I knew.  This freaky shake-up might have been meant to end me, but God intervened.  He didn't stop the incident, just modified it somewhat and shook me up so I would pay attention.
     "Seems like I've turned a deaf ear to you, God, when you've tried to talk some sense into me.  I guess I just wanted to do things my own way instead.  Well now, you've got my full attention."
     This near disaster was my free wake-up call.  My protector did not call collect and make me pay the consequences.  He was merciful this time.  So, I decided not to wait a moment longer to set things straight.
     My lunch date waited.  Deep down inside I knew this guy was not headed in the same direction I wanted to go.  We had dated a couple of months now.  The trouble was that the closer I got to him, the more I knew I should end it all, but also it became harder to face that fact and tell him.
     My heavenly dad was shouting at me today!  "Girl, what are you thinking?  Wake up and see that this is not a good choice for you.  Let go and walk away!"
     Whew.  I put the car in gear, then checked for traffic before entering the roadway.  Still, I felt a little shaken and weak.  Finally, I reached the rendezvous with my date.  Over lunch, I poured out all that had happened to me since leaving my apartment.  He just grew very quiet.  He didn't ask to go check my vehicle.  He didn't ask if I was alright, or needed x-rays, or anything.  He was just quiet.
     Well, could this spell things out any clearer?  Rather, he was bummed and knew somehow that I planned to end our relationship.
     After this clicked in my head I could not wait to leave.  We talked a little longer.  I thanked him for the good times and wished him well.  I walked out and felt a load had lifted off of me.
     When I reached my little red Rodeo, I climbed in and began to hum.  The sun warmed the inside, so I was cozy.  I smiled.   Funny, I thought.  My car hydroplaned out of control just when I was drifting a little off from what I wanted in a serious relationship.
     "God, you kept me safe twice today.  I'm listening.  Thanks for reaching out to me."

Dear friend, guard clear thinking and common sense with your life; don't for a minute lose sight of them.  They'll keep your soul alive and well, they'll keep you fit and attractive.  You'll travel safely, you'll neither tire nor trip. Proverbs 3:21-23 (MSG)





Wednesday, February 20, 2013

HOODIE HOO



"a time to plant... a time to celebrate..."


HOODIE HOO!!!!!!!!

Yay!  It is time to get outside and kick up your heels!  Time is a wasting!  HOODIE HOO!!!!

Hoodie what?  This is a patented holiday by Wellcat.com to celebrate officially saying goodbye to old man winter and hugging the trees as you salute the entry of colorful spring!  According to their proclamation we go out at noon on the 20th of February and wave out old man winter and salute in the new vibrant spring.

Along with the fanfare for the change of climate comes the fun of planning the new gardens.   Time to start digging into that dark garage and sorting out what to keep and what to sell or give away.  File taxes early.  Pull out those early dandelions.  Clean out your rain gutters.  Get out of your house and greet those neighbors that you rarely speak to.

Spring is a time of renewal and rebirth.  Think about the plants about to sprout and blossom all around you.  Dust yourself off and rethink those resolutions.  What progress are you making?  Did you even make any?  Well... concentrate on one thing to follow through with.

Maybe what the creation is shouting out to us during this coming exchange of the dreary for a spectacular entrance of striking beauty is that renewal and rebirth are a necessary part of this life.

Time to humble ourselves, reassess, and see just what we can shake up in ourselves to sparkle a bit more.  Kinder words, more patience, giggles and laughter, winks and responding in delight could be just a few suggestions to rekindle the magic of love and life in your surroundings. 

Clear out the clutter and concentrate on the truly important things that will nourish your relationships and then give the time to make it happen.  Whether you want to spark it up in the spiritual or natural.  You just pick one thing to concentrate on, follow through, and just see if the bounce returns in your walk and fills up your heart as well.

HOODIE HOO!!!!  Hello Spring!  Look forward to all you can make of today!