The Race!!!

Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! Hebrews 12:13-3 (The Message)

This past Saturday I went to a swim meet. It was quite exciting. There were no Michael Phelps there but it was a notable event. You see, it was my middle grandchild's very first swim meet. Yes, the notoriously astute and absolutely lovely, Anna is now a Newberry Eel. Graceful and agile, Anna swam in two events and while I was breathless with anticipation and as proud as the grandmother of an Olympian, Anna finished a decisive last in each race! But that was okay! No, it was more than okay, it was absolutely fabulous! I'm not kidding...it was fabulous. You see, Anna didn't quit. She didn't cry when she lost. She didn't have one of famous "meltdowns". She didn't even blink at being last. She simply went over to the coach, got her time, and then prissed across the concrete to greet her adoring fans... her daddy, little brother Nate, and me! I wish you could have seen her cute little self determinedly making her way to us in her Speedo swimsuit, goggles, and Newberry Eels swim cap! She had finished the race and she was coming for her hugs and her all important chili cheese fries!

As I've reflected on Saturday's triumphant first swim meet, I think I'm getting a clearer picture of how God sees us. You see, he doesn't expect us to be the best or the fastest or always the winner. I think he's most proud of us when our attitudes are in the right place and when our hearts are set on finishing the race. As Anna finished her first race, I felt as if I were in the pool with her, urging her on, telling her not to quit, watching with pride as she climbed out of the pool. Don't you think God is like that with us? He's in it with us, urging us on, telling us never give up and he watches with pride as we finish the job.

So, I don't know about you but I'm never going to quit and when I finish the race, I know God will be waiting for me with big hug and maybe, just maybe, an order of chili cheese fries!

Love, Jane

The Geese

Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Matthew 6:26 (NLT)



I work in a building made mostly of glass. Today, everyone stopped what we were doing to look at the huge (well, it was big for Sumter!) traffic jam outside. Cars had stopped both ways and they were lining up to the traffic light! We didn't hear the crash of a wreck or the siren of an ambulance. We didn't see smoke. What we did see was a gaggle of geese crossing our busy street! Those geese were waddling from one side of the road to the other just like they owned the place! It was quite a sight. I couldn't help but be reminded that God is still in control! Yes, in the middle of my daily hustle and bustle, God reminded me through those geese He is in control of everything, even the traffic on Wesmark Boulevard!

Calling all women...

No matter which side of the aisle you're on, Ladies...you ought to be good and mad at the liberal media's castigating of Sarah Palin. As a female child of the 60's and a Southern conservative, I am disgusted with the blatant attacks on Sarah Palin. Apparently, I've been naive to believe all these years that the women's movement was about WOMEN'S RIGHTS and not a powerful liberal machine that happens to incorporate the word "WOMEN". What a hypocritical double standard. If Sarah Palin was a Democrat, we, women would be in the street, marching to "I am woman, hear me roar..." and burning our bras!

I happen to line up politically with Sarah Palin and I know, many of you don't. It doesn't matter! We need to make our voice heard and let our "sisters" and the liberal media know, women won't be questioned and scrutinized on the basis of our family situations, marital status, the number of children we have or the fact that we don't have male anatomy.

Please take a moment and read liberal and fellow female, Susan Estrich's comments from yesterday. It is on the mark! (see link below) It's time we, women agree to disagree and stand up and have a 1960's fit over the double standard we've experienced for the past 6 days.

I cannot be silent on this one! There is simply TOO much at stake!

http://www.creators.com/comments/opinion/sarah-s-choice.html

Like I said...I may just burn my bra!