"Grandma, you're old fashioned!"

A few weeks ago, one of my granddaughters told me that I was old fashioned.

I had never been told that before. I thought about it a few minutes and I replied with the answer - "Thank You".

I thought really that was a compliment. I'm glad I'm still modest and don't know any of the modern hip words of today. I'm glad I still blush when I hear words that shouldn't be said around anyone. I never want to get comfortable when I hear those words. 

And I still love old fashioned manners.  When a man opens a door for a woman or stands up when a woman enters the room.

And I still like dressing up for special occasions and putting on make-up when I go someplace.  Everyone has gotten so lax with how they look.  We live in a world of  whatever is the easiest.  The saddest thing is when people wear their pajamas to Walmart. 

I'm not opposed to change, especially when it makes life better. I love cell phones, Facetime, computers, modern appliances, better medicine and medical procedures.  All of those are good things, but I hope we never lose the beauty of old fashioned respect and courtesy. Or the old fashioned attitude of wanting to look our best, even if it's just for yourself. You are wonderfully made. RESPECT YOURSELF!

Psalm 139:13-14

For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:

marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

2020 - A Weird Odyssey

December 31, 2019

Happy New Year 2020

Every year we try to stay up late and welcome the New Year in. I think most of us wish we could have skipped the year 2020 all together.  I'm sure it will go down in history as the year of the Weird Odyssey.

For most people, it has been a year full of obstacles.

We all had great expectations for the new year, things we hoped to accomplish, new beginnings, new relationships, new dreams and goals.

But then along came the Pandemic. The Coronavirus. And what an ugly looking virus it is.

Many people have had to face death of loved ones, or may have had to recover themselves from it.

People have had to face unemployment, social distancing, and so many other things that are hard for us to understand. These are all obstacles which have brought fear and uncertainty into our lives.

And who could have imagined we would become a nation where everyone has to go around in a mask.  

I decided there are some good advantages to wearing masks.  I save on makeup.  I just have to put eye make-up on.  No one will know if you have brushed your teeth or not.  And if you eat onions or garlic, you are the one that is going to be suffering. Masks also hide big zits on the end of your nose and those poor women that have to fight facial hair.  No one will know that you could become the next Bearded Lady at the circus.

I know that in this year of 2020, all of us have had to face obstacles.  My biggest one is social distancing.  Most people are not made to be alone and not interact with other people.  I want to be able to hug people, especially family and grandkids.  

But right now, we have to believe God is in control and pray for one another, believing that things will soon return to normal.  

Philippians 4:6-7

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication

with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

The Odyssey

When I was in high school, we were required to read The Odyssey. It's an epic tale about a man named Odysseus (also known as Ulysses)  who was trying to get home after the Trojan War. He was the king of Ithaca and wanted to get home to his kingdom and his wife, Penelope, and his son.

It took him 10 years before he finally reached home.  It was not an easy journey. Along the way he met many obstacles. 

During his Odyssey, he made mistakes and got into a lot of tricky situations.

He was in captivity on Calypso's Island, shipwrecked, captured by a one-eyed giant named Cyclops, and many other obstacles on his way home.

Everyone's life is an Odyssey.  We have dreams and hopes of achieving certain things in life, but there will always be obstacles standing in our way.  Some obstacles we have no control over. Other obstacles may be personal or emotional. Fear is a big obstacle in life.  Other obstacles may be just little things that are standing in our way.

I never had to fight a one-eyed giant named Cyclops or face shipwreck or captivity,  but like everyone else I've had to overcome obstacles in my Odyssey.

I am writing this blog hoping that in some small way, I can be a blessing and an encouragement to people on facing their obstacles as they go through their Odyssey of life.

Philippians 4:13
  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.