Game On

Today is the first day ... of what's coming next.  And it's also April Fool's Day.  Earlier this morning I found that thought amusing ... this afternoon ... it strikes me that it's something deeper ... and more fitting ... somehow.

A reminder that nothing is ever easy.  And I have to smile because ... well ... I have known that all along.

I was going to mow the grass today ... figured the soggy bog that is my yard would be dry enough to support the riding mower ... at least in the front yard.  Actually, I was looking forward to it.  A ride .. in the sunshine ... the smell of fresh cut grass ... and chance for a bit of pondering ... and a one-on-one chat with God.

Pulled up in the driveway after church ... glanced at the garage door ... and had to laugh.  I can't mow my grass today.  The lawn mower is being held hostage ... at the moment.  April Fool!

Then I decided the next best pondering therapy was going to be ... blogging.  Seems there is something weird going on with a bunch of stuff on my computer today.  I am hoping it's due to changes in facebook .. changes in blogger ... changes in the universe ... and not a problem with MY computer.

Anyway, my whole blog page was ... disrupted.  Some things were there ... others had randomly moved to the bottom of the page.  April Fool .. again!

And now, a couple hours later, after trying to re-design my page into something that I find pleasing and welcoming ... I am settling.  Surely, tomorrow or the next day the formatting tools will work in some logical fashion again.

Tired.  That's what I am today.  Mentally ... emotionally ... physically.

The last couple of weeks I have simply relaxed into the right now ... of things.  And haven't really given much thought to the consequences ... or the outcomes ... at least not where I am concerned ... of the time spent.


And on the ride home last nite ... I asked for some validation ... some positive reinforcement ... a sign ... that what I had offered had really been the best strategy.  It was an unseasonably warm March evening ... so warm that at 9 p.m. it was perfectly pleasant to be riding with the top down.

An odd harbinger of sorts.  Not typical weather.  Clearly indicating that change is in the wind.

As I pulled into the driveway, he raced towards me ... as if to welcome me home ... my little rabbit ... it's been months and months ... since I've seen him.  Surely it was a sign of hope.

This morning, I awoke with anticipation ... knowing full well I was going to be given something ... a little more definite ... to let me know if I have been on ... or off track ... the last week or so.

The box turtle in the middle of the road caught me completely off guard.  There's no way it's the same taunting turtle from my past ... too far from his home ... totally out-of-season ... he was paused there on the center line ... neck extended ...  unafraid.

"Way to go, MJ!" he seemed to say. "You're taking a chance ... you're making a difference!"

Then came the triple play ...  in Del's message this morning ...  The Land of Hopes & Dreams ... that's what he talked about ... backed up by a little Bruce Springsteen ... we all sang along ... we do things a little different at Grace Community ...

Reflect on who you are ... who you are becoming ... and who you want to be.

You have to take the time to look at yourself ... to see what the world is doing to you.

Find some people who will dream with you ... who will tell you how glorious life can be ... 

who will talk to you ... invest time in you ... to help you re-find your hopes & dreams.

Heal.  You have to take the time to heal.

And I am thinking to myself ... maybe, just maybe, I am getting it right ... touching a life ... making a difference. 

Del said he was going to tell a joke ... "This is a CPA" ... that's what he said.  Flustered & confused ...  Del corrected himself ... actually it's a "Corny Preacher Joke Alert" ... I forgot the "J" ...

No one else laughed out loud ... just me ... and my Best Friend, God, Creator of the Universe.

It was a private punchline ... an indisputable "AttaGirl!" ... you see, it isn't forgotten ... the "J" is  in the palm of His hand!

Life is hard.  And it can reach inside and grab your heart ... yank it out ... leaving you empty ... with no hopes and dreams.  Yet ... I still choose to believe in the possibility of happy endings.

Bases are loaded.  The batter is in the box.  

Swing ... Batter, Batter ... Swing!

www.lifelessons-mj.blogspot.com
(c) April 2012