Climbing Out On the Crashing Waves

A little boy sits crying because he can't be in the sack race. Tears create streaks down his dirty little cheeks as the wash away the dust from a hot summer day. "Why can't I be in the race?" he sobs.

"Buddy, you just can't be in the race," his mother answers.

"But why can't I Momma? I can do it! Just watch me! I'll show you I can do it!"

"It's too hard. You just can't do it. You have to be able to jump to play that game."

"I CAN jump! Let me show you that I can," he pleads.

"I wish that you could but you just can't. You have CP. Your body just won't do that."

Through sobs he manages to say, "I wish CP didn't exist! I wish I hadn't been born with CP!"

I've dreaded hearing those words for over 10 years. I knew that someday I'd hear them. It was inevitable. The surprising part is that they haven't been said before. Most kids realize their limitations much younger but Sweet G is different. There is nothing average about my Sweet G. He looks at life through a different window than most of us. His spirit is strong and true. He is kind and good. Anything is possible in his eyes.

As a small baby his favorite song was Dream Big by Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband. I remember thinking how cool it was that he loved that song so much because with his disability he was going to need to be able to Dream Big. I began to think of the words as a prayer for him.

When you cry be sure to dry your eyes
'Cause better days are sure to come
And when you smile be sure to smile wide
Don't let them know that they have won
And when you walk, walk with pride
Don't show the hurt inside
Because the pain will soon be gone

And when you dream, dream big
As big as the ocean blue
'Cause when you dream it might come true
When you dream, dream big

When you laugh be sure to laugh out loud
'Cause it will carry all your cares away
And when you see, see the beauty all around and in yourself
And it'll help you feel okay
And when you pray, pray for strength
To help you carry on
When the troubles come your way

And when you dream, dream big
As big as the ocean blue
'Cause when you dream it might come true
When you dream, dream big

As he got a little older his favorite song changed to The Voice of Truth by Casting Crowns. That song gave me so much hope and peace and again I prayed those words as we sang them together.

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves

To step out of my comfort zone
To the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out his hand

But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again. 'Boy, you'll never win!'
"You'll never win"

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
And the voice of truth says "Do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth says "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant
With just a Sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
Shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand

But the giant's calling out my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
Time and time again "boy, you'll never win!
"You'll never win"

But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground
And the waves they don't seem so high
From on top of them looking down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
Singing over me

I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

For the most part we have Dreamed Big and listened to the Voice of Truth but every now and then I have forgotten to have big dreams and sometimes I've listened as the giant says, "He'll never win." But not Sweet G, that is, not until today. Today he realized that dreams aren't always enough and in his weakness he took his eyes off of Jesus, focused on the waves crashing all around him, and listened as the giant laughed and said, "Boy, you'll never win."

One thing I know is that although Sweet G had a moment of weakness tonight, tomorrow will be a different story. Tomorrow we will stop and listen to the sound of Jesus singing over G as He says, "Do not be afraid. This is for My glory," and out of all the voices calling out we will choose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth!

Animal Activists on Attack

Lately Facebook is often overrun with pictures of dogs and cats needing adoption. Some of those pictures tug at my heart strings making me want to load up and go bring those sweet babies home with me. That is because in that moment I am thinking with my heart and not my head. When I step back and take into consideration how full my life is and how much responsibility pet ownership brings I am able to control my desire to rescue those poor animals.

Recently there was a story in the local news about a dog being dragged behind a truck. People are outraged. Comments have even been made that the man should receive the same fate as the dog. I am in no way an animal hater and do not believe in animal neglect or abuse but from what I've read this was just a terrible accident. The dog had gotten loose while the owner was cooking dinner so he tied the dog to the bumper of his truck until he had time to secure the dog in his pen. Becoming distracted by the task of attending the meal he was cooking on his grill he forgot about the dog.

Later, realizing that something was needed to complete the meal he asks his friend to run to the store. The friend gets into the truck and drives the almost 2 mile distance to the store, goes inside and picks up his items and lays them on the counter. An angry crowd gathers outside and someone comes inside the store to find the owner of the truck. A bystander helps load the injured dog into the back of the truck and the man returns to the store to pay for the items he left on the counter.

Now I'm not exactly sure why the man reacted the way he did. Why did he return to pay for his purchase? Why did he quickly load the dog and refuse to turn the dog over to those angry people? Whatever his reasons that is the story. He left the store and drove back to his friend's house with his friend's dog badly injured if not already dead.

I have tried to put myself in his place. Maybe he was in total shock. Here he was trying to help his friend out only to discover he's now killed his friend's dog. He is surrounded by angry people who are accusing him of animal neglect and abuse. He's probably thinking about having to break the news that he's just killed his friend's dog. I don't know what was going through his mind but the point is that neither do those people who are calling for the man to be charged with a crime and taken to trial. The police interviewed the man as well as the owner of the truck and dog and deemed it an unfortunate accident. That should be the end of it but no way are those animal rescue fanatics going to let the police tell them it was an accident! They have called big bad PETA and they are conducting their own "investigation".

According to those nuts it is the responsibility of the driver of a vehicle to:
1. walk around your entire car to ensure nobody has tied an animal to your bumper.
2. get down on hands and knees to confirm there are no animals laying under, around, or near your car that you might possibly run over.
3. As an extra precaution you should probably take a look on all four tires and check under the hood since cats have been known to curl up against car engines. Then about thirty minutes after these security measures you will be free to begin your drive.
4. Now don't go thinking you are safe yet because I have noticed a few dead squirrels laying in the road lately so you should drive really slow with your head sticking out the window announcing your progress to any unsuspecting wildlife in the area!

And for goodness sake please remember to repeat all the steps listed above at every stop sign, red light, and before beginning your return trip home because it is possible that an animal could approach your car while you are stopped.

Its a sad world we live in when people are more concerned over the well being of an animal than that of a human. I'm not saying animal rescuers are all nuts but if there are any sane ones out there I'd sure like to hear your take on this story. I'm sorry but those loudmouth animal rescuers and PETA people are giving animal lovers a bad reputation.

Fifty Things For Fifty Years

1. I love the look of love in your eyes when you look at me, really look at me.
2. I love that you have such a strong work ethic. Nobody can ever say you are lazy.
3. I love that you are always there when I need you.
4. I love that you are my biggest fan and supporter. You really think I can do anything.
5. I love your hairy chest and I'm thankful that the testosterone is making you grow more!
6. I love the way you take over G when you are around.
7. I love the deep tone your voice takes when you whisper sweet nothing's in my ear.
8. I love it that you still love to play and are a kid at heart.
9. I love your ability to problem solve and think outside of the box.
10 I love it when you call me Sweetpea.
11 I love that after 31 years I still get excited when I hear you come in the door.
12 I love that you are my protector.
13 I love that you have loved me so well for 31 years.
14 I love that you bring me Zagnuts just because.
15 I love snuggling up to you in our little bed every night. No king sized beds in this house!
16 I love how devoted you are to God and being faithful in attending church.
17 I love that you make sure G and I eat lunch everyday.
18 I love that you tease me about going to hell hungry.
19 I love your excitement over grilling meat.
20 I love your servants heart and desire to help others.
21 I love it when you tell me you want to squeeze me like a puppy.
22 I love it that you make me snacks and arrange my food in a pleasing presentation.
23 I love it when your cpap blows cool air on me at night.
24 I love every grey hair on your head.
25 I love that you are very social.
26 I love that you and Trey get hung up on different television series.
27 I love to watch you cut the grass with you head phones on.
28 I love the way you smell.
29 I love it that you still love to kiss me.
30 I love that I know almost everything there is to know about you.
31 I love that you will not leave me alone when I'm mad. (I like to be chased)
32 I love that you trust me to cut your hair.
33 I love how observant you are and how you spot construction a mile away.
34 I love that you never complain about honey do projects.
35 I love your passion for spicy foods.
36 I love your construction abilities.
37 I love your devotion to everything you do.
38 I love that you don't have to tell me you love me because you show me in your actions.
39 I love that you tell me you love me even though you know I already know you do.
40 I love that you have never complained about the problems in my family.
41 I love that you take Papaw his biscuits on Saturdays so my Dad can sleep late.
42 I love it when you go to the store you bring back more than the items on the list.
43 I love going to the Drive In with you.
44 I love that you are the last person I see at night.
45 I love that I am the first person you see every morning.
46 I love it when you call or text me just because.
47 I love it that you still love to ogle me every chance you get.
48 I love to hold your hand.
49 I love hearing you fight and giggle with our boys.
50 I love that of all the women in the world that you picked me to share your life with.

I could keep on going and going but I will let 50 be enough for now. You are my one true love. You captured my heart as a young girl and you have lovingly protected since that day. There is not another man in this world that could even come close to filling your shoes. You are my soulmate and I hope I never have to live one day without you by my side. God must really love me to have blessed me with such a wonderful, devoted man.

My Love Forever,
Sweetpea. 💋

He Came From a Long Line of Losers

A couple of years ago I started a new Christmas tradition for our family. I made small charm-like ornaments and a stick tree that serve as a Jesse Tree. It has become a nice addition to our nightly bedtime routine during the days leading up to Christmas. Each night we place that day's ornament on the Jesse Tree and read the scriptures that tell the Biblical story associated with the picture on the charm. It really is a wonderful way to see God's plan for our salvation through His Son, Jesus.

Tonight our story was from the book of Ruth. As I read the scriptures telling the story of Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi I would elaborate on parts to help Sweet G better understand. When I read the part where Ruth was gleaning the fields of Boaz I began to explain that Ruth and Naomi were poor widows and that Ruth worked very hard to gather the wheat that was left or dropped in the field. I told Sweet G that Ruth was an ancestor of Jesus and that her family had worshipped false idols but she had chosen to follow Naomi and worship the one true God. At this point in my story Sweet G asked, "Is it sort of like a long line of losers?" After a short chuckle I began to regain my composure and the thought hit me that G wasn't really that far off. I reviewed the story of Abraham and Sarah, how Abraham lied and Sarah laughed when God promised a son would be born to them. Noah, although found righteous, at one time became drunk. Adam and Eve disobeyed God and hid from Him, then lied about their actions. I skipped ahead to Rahab the harlot and realized that Sweet G spoke the truth when he suggested that Jesus came from a long line of losers. It provided a great opportunity to share with G that God uses average people and loves us in spite of our poor choices.

I'll never hear that country song again without thinking of my sweet Savior. "He comes from a long line of losers. Half outlaws, half boozers." I'm so thankful that God can take someone who has a sinful past full of mistakes and regrets, someone whose family tree may have some questionable characters hanging in it and choose to love them and use them for His glory. Grace, grace. God's grace. Oh, how sweet His love is.

FaceTime Sweet G Style

It's been a while since I've written a post about Sweet G but that does not mean there haven't been stories to tell. For instance, G discovered FaceTime almost a year ago. At first it was another way for him to communicate with me. It didn't matter if I was away from home or simply sitting on the other end of the sofa, it was his favorite means of communicating with me. When Trey informed him that he could also FaceTime him, he became his new favorite FaceTime friend. Then came Hannah, my nephew's fiancé. A few weeks ago he found out that Aunt
D-vette (my sister Davette) was available to FaceTime and she is now his favorite contact.

I love to sit and listen to their conversations. Aunt D-vette lives in another state so we don't see her very often so G's antics are somewhat new and delightful to her. His FaceTime calls during her nursing classes and during her shift in the CCU have yet to drive her crazy, or at least she isn't admitting it yet. G calls her from his iPod touch all the time. I regularly get texts from her with messages to G letting him know she is unavailable because anyone who knows kids knows the don't give up easily and ignoring them does nothing to change their mind.

Last week I overheard him and Aunt D-vette talking and got quite a chuckle out of their interaction. Since we have very limited television selection (basic cable only) G had my sister channel surfing for something good to watch. She found something he wanted to see and pointed her phone toward the television so G could watch the program! I think he was watching SpongeBob which he could watch on Netflix from his iPod, the iPad, or on our television. It was just more fun to watch it on Aunt D-vette's tv.

He inquires regularly about the viewing choices on Comedy Central when he talks to her because he is positive that some day there will be a program on that he can watch. He's been praying for Bill Engvall and Ron White on a regular basis for a while now in hopes that they will get saved and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior and stop saying cuss words, smoking, and drinking liquor. He's kinda given up on Jeff Dunham, Walter, and Achmed the Dead Terrorist getting right and stopped praying for them a while back.

So, that's what we've been doing around our house. FaceTiming Aunts and having them show you around their house and watch tv while fake eating eggs she cooks for you. He also attended her fake Thanksgiving celebration a couple of nights ago via FaceTime (nursing school, work, and clinicals interfered with the real Thanksgiving and since it was on a different day G says its fake). I don't think he ate anything that night. He just visited with the other guests and checked out the tv listings.