twowithoneheart

When He speaks His words are loud and clear in my heart, my thoughts, my spirit, as I hear what He is saying! “It’s not about waiting – it’s about the preparation.” Those words came to me as I made some discoveries in reading the last chapter in the Book of Romans.

“I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord.” (Romans 16:22 – NIV) Why was this verse jumping off the page at me? Why have I never really seen it before? Like so many of us do, I skip merrily by the names mentioned in introductions and the greetings sent in closings. But now I was paying attention. Who was Tertius? Why was he writing this letter? After some research I discovered Tertius was the Apostle Paul’s scribe – his secretary! The one chosen to write the epistle to the Romans as Paul spoke it.

It made me think of Pastor Mike and how he had picked me, chose me to be his secretary. He had been walking about the church building, praying about a replacement for the secretary who was leaving. Looking up at a plaque above a doorway, he read the words – “My Father’s house shall be a house of prayer to all the nations” (Mark 11:17). Pastor Mike wanted the nations represented and I came to mind – the young woman from Australia. I had been praying about a another job having just finished working in the local school district, when our children moved up to middle school. In fact, I had just returned from putting in an application at the local Lowes home improvement store, when I got the message from Pastor Mike to call him. In the course of the conversation, he mentioned working part time Monday thru Friday. I said I don’t know about that, thinking he was only wanting me one or two days a week. Then he said, I don’t think you understand, I’m offering you a 36 hrs per week job! I was so surprised! Me? What a privelege, what an honor to take a position in our Father’s house, serving the senior pastor and others administratively! Following in the footsteps of Tertius! Since the church began there were secretaries!

Meanwhile, back in Romans 16:23 it mentions Erastus the city treasurer (or director of public works – responsible for civic administration, public works and roads). Erastus was an active traveling missionary and trusted assistant to Paul. Wham! I immediately thought of my man and how when enlisted in the Navy as a Seabee (the construction arm of the Navy) he would often come under, or alongside of the Public Works departments to do their job, as they served the communities they deployed to around the world. Both he and I went on mission trips, lived overseas (compliments of the Navy) and always found ourselves supporting and assisting the military, church and community leaders we came in contact with, in the different locations we have lived in. The Navy was our mission board, they just didnt know it!

This is the reality of His Word speaking. Ordinary people doing ordinary things as they follow the Lord as He reveals His purpose for their lives, SO THAT, “all the nations might believe and obey Him.” (Romans 16:26)

In reading Draw the Circle, Mark Batterson in his unmistakable way, captures and holds my attention with the reading for Day 12. “Sow the Seed – If you have faith as small as a mustard seed….” (Matthew 17:20). How believably appropriate! He writes about the Sequoa seed and God’s prolific creativity. He writes about William Jennings Bryan’s description of the mystery of the watermelon seed. Then throws in the mustard seed facts and its germination process. All this, as just the day before, I had tried to plant two Gardenia bushes and an Abelia bush in a newly made flower bed under our living room window.

What I hadn’t figured on encountering was the East Tennessee soil! It’s not anything like I know soil to be! It’s hard packed, red clay, rocks and slate. Uh huh. And determined as I can be, it wasnt going to stop me from planting those bushes! As I dug and scraped and raked and removed the newly laid grass covering, I struggled. Really!

After designing and taking a big back yard in Mississippi from just grass to huge corner flower beds filled with day lillies, daisies, ornamental grasses, red tip bushes and so much more, plus a circular bed filled with tall vibrant deep red day lilles, a bird bath and sundial under the massive pecan tree in the center of the yard that all thrived in that wonderful Mississippi dirt. Then after moving into a town home with no backyard, in Washington state, I surrounded our outdoor patio table and chairs with containers, using a variety of potting soils, for the different plants I’d never seen before. The hanging baskets that just grew and grew, almost touching the ground at the bottom of the six foot privacy wall they hung on. Unique small flowering trees that attracted humming birds all thrived in that rain forest sprinkler system of the lush Pacific Northwest. Now how was I going to tackle this Tennessee ‘dirt’?

“Build up” came the random thought! If you can’t dig down that deep, build up! It took You Tube to show me how! Make a hole deep enough to accomodate the roots/root ball and add compost soil. Put in the plant lightly cover the roots to anchor it, then add 2-3 inches of top soil. Finally, add a layer of mulch to keep the moisture in after watering. Thank you You Tube.

As I dug those three 4-6 inch holes, I thought of the parable of the sower and the hard soil the seeds landed on – “Some fell on rocky places where it didnt have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.” (Mark 4:5-6) My gardening interpretation: without life giving, sustaining soil there is no growth. Nuture and water the bushes. Just like in spiritual life it has to be nurtured or as it says later in verses 16 and 17 “…seed sown on rocky places hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they only last a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.” Then this thought – that’s just like mentoring, discipleship! All that prep work is to ensure there is growth, and if you prepare the soil well, they will grow.

We need the patience of a planter, the foresight of a farmer, the mindset of the sower. If we plant and water, God WILL bring the INCREASE. (Mark Batterson)

And the best part? YOU will be rewarded for all your care and effort. So go dig some holes and keep on sowing and planting.

It’s not a girls name, but it could be, and I’m sure there are a few out there! It’s simple really. I wrote this in the month of April and its about thoughts I encountered about a framed print I had just unpacked and unwrapped.

From a physical aspect – My man and I had just moved into our new home in Tennessee and the ‘joys’ of unpacking, allocating everything, putting together, discarding, and wondering where everything was going to go, was catching up to me. I was working on an interior time clock that said I needed to put our house in order. The end of April was approaching fast! My man didn’t understand, but with two house guests coming for one week, followed by four house guests the next week, I was on a mission! I love our home, they way it looks, its comfort and embrace. I want all our visitor’s – family and friends – to feel a deep measure of rest that comes from being in a place that has been prepared with the utmost care, comfort and love.

From a spiritual aspect: As I looked at the print of “The Four” (by Tricia Robinson) I realized that each one of these womens stories have impacted my life in one way or another, one more than the other’s. The four, from entirely different backgrounds, with such different stories to tell, yet here they were bound together by one thing in common. They were grandmothers! Tamar. Rahab. Ruth. Bathesheba. Grandmothers in the family line of Jesus, that is!! Broken women, who walked in the endless measure of His grace. Whose stories have been forever told bringing hope and healing to so many. To quote author Ann Voskamp: “Some were prostitutes, some involved in affairs, some lied and were truly not the starry-eyed perfect princesses. But God chose them …. four broken women – women who felt like outsiders, like has beens, like never beens. Women who were weary of being taken advantage of, of being unoticed, uncherished, unappreciated. Women who didn’t fit in, who didn’t know how to keep going, what to believe, where to go. Women who had thoughts of giving up. And Jesus claims exactly these who are wandering and wondering, and wounded, and worn out as His. He grafts you into His family line and His story and His heart, and He gives you His Name, His lineage, His righteousness.”

This is Grace. Powerful, tender, beautiful. Grace, the gift, we receive from God. Grace, the gift from God, that we pass on to others. Grace. That is what I want to be found, in its deepest measures of rest, for all who come under our roof.

I want others to know of “… the battle’s we’ve won” (The Story I’ll Tell sung by Naomi Raines). Of how His grace has covered my life as it did these grandmothers.

One verse from that song goes “and I’ll testify of the SEAS THAT WE’VE CROSSED, the waters You parted, the WAVES THAT I WALKED, singing oh-oh-oh, my God did not fail.” Another goes “And all that’s left is highest praises, so sing hallelujah to the Rock of Ages”.

How great is His grace …”For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror, then we shall see face to face. For now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I AM FULLY KNOWN” (1 Corinthians 13:12) “And I’ll testify of the battles You’ve won, how you were my Portion when there wasn’t enough ….. singing, oh-oh-oh my God did not fail.”

His grace. My greatest gift.

Well, Happy Birthday to me from all those attending me at the E.R! (1/2023) Due to circumstances beyond my control, this obnoxious little thing called a gall bladder decided to totally disrupt my day! Unexpected and definitely not invited! What I thought was a 24hr stomach virus, ended up being a gall stone passing through the bile duct, my liver enzymes were elevated and surgery was suggested as soon as possible. Okay then. I have coddled this thing for way to long, being conscious to avoid foods that upset it, giving up foods I enjoyed etc etc. It’s time to let it go! (cue that tune that drives us all crazy!) Surgery is scheduled in eight days. This little interloper will be evicted from the space it has so graciously been allowed to rent all these years! Years, people!!

As I showered Tuesday night with the antibacterial solution, I thought of John 2. Thinking about the jars of water in that passage, ones used for ceremonial cleansing, each holding 20-30 gallons of water. Being directed to fill the jars with water, servants filled them to the brim! Then they were told to draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet. This was all taking place at a wedding reception. Not knowing where this wine had come from the master of the banquet called the bridegroom over and congratulated him on saving his choicest wine till last! Jesus had turned the water in those filled-to-the-brim jars into the choicest wine!

He tells me that I am a jar of clay – filled to the brim with Him for His choicest works that have been chosen for me to do since the beginning of time. Imagine. Hand picked things for me to do throughout my life. I have “a treasure within this jar of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us .” As I finished the cleansing shower, I whispered this prayer – “May Your best, Your very best wine flow from my life, from this jar that you have shaped for Your Name’s sake and for Your glory.” Cleansed. Filled. Purified.

It’s now the day after surgery, all went well with the removal of my ‘disruptive tenant’ (aka gall bladder).While curled up here in my big chair, I had the umption to inquire about a volunteer position and my name was forwarded on. It’s a door of opportunity, I’ve knocked and if it opens up, I’ll walk through it. Its what I call “Anna in the temple mode” a background role. It’s about being in the crowd, talking with, engaging with, those who are seeking to blend into the obscurity the crowd offers. I have found its often the place where He will meet us, intimately, when He’s invited to join a conversation. It quickly becomes a sacred place, right in the midst of others who are there, in the midst of whatever else is happening. It’s about doing the unfamilar in the midst of the familar.

After a few more days of laying low, I’m ready to play some – its Super Bowl time! Then, next weekend it’s my Birthday do over! I’ll really be able to enjoy all the food I want – cheers to happy eating! I did hear back about that volunteer position. After graciously acknowledging my inquiry, I was told the postion had been filled. So there’s that! Now I know we are to continue to pursue what we are inclined toward – preparing to move. More on this later!!

Ever catch a word nudging its way into your every day, kinda doing my thing. minding my business way? It all started with a simple three letter word.

At a business meeting I was attending, I had been in the process of passing on some possible business, opportunities in order to pursue a a year long, three day a week, venture that would defintely take me outside of my comfort zone and into an arena I hadn’t been in before. Naturally after accepting the proposal, I began questioning the decision. Asking myself questions like “Why now at this point of time?” ‘Why take a risk knowing what I do?” “Why invest in something that will only last 12 months?” The speaker at this point in time referenced and highly recommended the book “Find Your Why” by Simon Sinek. I ordered it that day, got it two days later and moved it straight to the top of my reading list!

Not even four days later, at another meeting, a career military guy shared a simple message and how his journey with the title of his talk had deepened his understanding of service, sacrifice and giving. The title of his talk? “Know Your Why”

The next morning, everything just spiraled together as words I read in Romans 15:20 seemed to scream at me “it has always been my ambition” (Know your purpose. Know your why!) “don’t build on someone else’s foundation” (Establish your own), and again in Romans 25:1 “so that those who haven’t been told and haven’t heard would understand” (leaving the Familiar to go out to the Unfamiliar). I was all ears!

There it was. A difinitive call to edge out into the waters of the unknown. No more “whys?” were necessary! This 12 month commitment would became my next place to “cast my shadow”. (Cast Your Shadow, Influence on Purpose by Quin Sherrer).

Then as I finished reading, this one line in Romans 15:23 seemed to summarize it all: “but now there is no longer a place to work in this region and since I have been longing for many years to visit you. I plan to do so … ”

Know when your assignment is finished. Know when it is time to move on. And don’t forget to finish well before you go!

Back on Easter week, I felt the umption to pray about the intentionality of Jesus’ steps as He walked to the cross – with me, and you on His mind. His steps purposeful for my redemption, trading His life for mine. I quietly spoke these words from my heart “May my steps through life, be as intentional as your’s Jesus, ever directed by the Holy Spirit, for your Father’s glory.”

The following Thursday, my man and I went for a ride out to O.O. Denny Park, on Lake Washington, affectionately dubbed as “our” park. As we got out of the car, I shot up an arrow prayer asking for the Lord to speak to us in the quietness of nature, in the beauty of His creation. Sitting on “our bench” not talking, breathing n the stillness of where we were, we saw a “huddle” of ducks begin to go by. One duck obviously leading the group, until one by one they began to form a single line as they moved toward another “huddle” some distance away. a whisper went through my mind “Get your ducks in a row.” I laughed out loud and told Russ, who also laughed, as we continued watching the ducks all connect, form a big huddle and drift off out of sight to an unknown destination.

The next day we ventured up to Mount Vernon to go see the tulip fields of Washington in all their beauty. The colors truly stunning as acres and acres of tulips and daffodils showed out in a display brighter than any rainbow. The fields we visited, advised in signage, that they were only at 50% bloom. Another field we drove by was so busy, cars lined up to get in, people all over the place, the field signage indicating they were 100% in bloom. I’m glad we went to the 50% bloom fields. It gave us time to walk slowly, not be rushed along by the crowd, enjoy the time in the sunshine, as we admired the intricacies of the tulip centers, the colors ‘painted’ within, hidden from sight until in full bloom. How much like us, I thought.

When I looked at the photos I’d taken I noticed everyone of them entailed the STRAIGHT ROWS of thousands of bulbs that had been planted. Same with the daffodil fields – their bright yellow seen from afar, as they stretched for miles – all in straight rows, carefully planted so as to not impede the growth of each and every plant.

Then a few days later, as I listened to my man share something he was reading, it all just came together. “I run STRAIGHT to the goal with PURPOSE in EVERY STEP” (1 Corinthians 9:26). As we run the race of life, our competition is not with other believers, the goal is not to out run someone else, but the wicked influences that could bring us down. Run the race God has called you to – don’t concern yourself with who is behind you or who is ahead of you! Stay in your assigned lane, do what Jesus has told you to do and run your race to win.”

My Tuesday prayer about intentional steps, watching ducks go from a huddle to an orderly row, the whisper that followed, the thousands and thousands of tulips and daffodils all in their straight rows for as far as the eye could see. All playing a part in my ordinary days, yet speaking loudly now, about what I needed to hear. May I always run my race, under the covering of Your wing, arrayed in the beauty of Your righteousness and grace.

Dory Wisdom Insight #3 “Life is full of surprises, so hang in there!”

I told my husband and daughters I have this thing about older men! Hahaha – Surrrr-Prise!! You should have seen their faces!! I hastily explained I was writing about businessmen who have left a trail for others to follow with their words of guidance and encouragement, both spoken and written. 

Some time ago, I wrote in my blog titled “Benched” about an older man I know who has lived a life full of surprises, some good, some not so good, and others inbetween, who makes it a daily event to enjoy life! Even now after being ill for nearly two months and recently transfered to a transitional care unit with the hope of regaining enough physical ability to go home; he still laughs, make jokes and causes others to smile. That man? My 93 year old dad.

Those older businessmen I was referencing speak and encourage thousands through their books and motivational events. And they too draw from men like themselves. The 76 year old businessman, of world-wide acclaim, John Maxwell has oft quoted Harvey Mackay : “Find something you love to do, and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.” Can I introduce you to Harvey Mackay? He is an extensively commended, now 93-year-old motivational speaker and author. You may have even used that quote yourself, and if not that’s okay, as Harvey say’s “our lives change in two ways: through the people we meet and the books we read.”

Of the late 79yr old Jim Rohn, entrepreneur, motivational speaker and author, Harvey said “Jim is one of the most articulate, powerful, thought-provoking speakers I’ve seen. His unique delivery and style puts him head and shoulders above the rest.” And wasn’t it Harvey who said:“Positive thinking is more than just a tagline. It changes the way we behave. And I firmly believe that when I am positive, it not only makes me better, but it also makes those around me better.”

About six months ago, I got a surprise. Something I was totally not expecting. I questioned it via a phone call, and was told that what I was seeing was indeed correct and the previous verbal commitment was not in play. With that confirmation, after expressing sincere thankfulness, I started thinking of ways to “surprise” others! Isn’t it funny how things like that work?

But wait, I digress, this is supposed to be about Dory’s quote… “Life is full of surprises ….”

During a conversation with my then eight-year-old grand-daughter – the one I bought the Dory book for – she expressed concerns about some surprsing changes that had happened in her world. Changes she thought were “stupid and needed to end”. I ended up saying, with as much grandma wisdom as I could muster without laughing, “Well, today is the 292nd day of this “stupid” year and we only have 74 days left till it does end; so let’s try to remember what Dory said.” Her response said with a little shoulder shrug and pitiful sigh, “Okay, Nonni.”

It was Jim Rohn who said: “Start from wherever you are and with whatever you have” and “If you don’t like how things are, change it, you’re not a tree.”

Or a fish, for that matter ;-D

Wisdom Insight from Dory #2! “Don’t follow the herd! Be cautious, but don’t be afraid to explore.”

As the shifting tide came in, I caught myself standing on the edge of the Virtual River not wanting to jump in with everyone else. Annnd, I have a confession to make, I’m still not sure. I do have business videos personally developed, I do attend virtual trainings, virtual business meetings and I do send text videos.

But.

As a person that likes substance and depth, I’m stuck in the undertow of trying to understand the nuance of ‘stories’. Why, are we given a quick glimpse into another fishbowl, then just like an air bubble, that’s it, it’s gone. Isn’t there more to life than 30-60 second sound bites? In our click happy, filtered, virtual world how does this all work toward making connections? As life changes, we need to find a connection point with the people in our lives, both personal and business. Finding unique ways of doing it is up to us.

What would happen if the next time a telemarketer called, we listened, instead of hanging up. After all, they are just trying to do their job. They have a family to provide for, bills to pay. What if we just listened, told them we appreciated what they do and wished them a successful day. What if? I did.

After she gave me her scripted presentation I told her I while not interested in the product, I did want to give her the courtesy of simply being listened to. Hesitantly she said “For real? You don’t know how very much I appreciate that. Thank you so much. Thank you.”

In a world that’s too quick to move past an interruption, just maybe, you don’t have to follow the herd. Explore your options! Fill them with worthwhile intentions and purpose, then leave a way for others to follow …. all the way to another river! ;-D

Insight #1 -“Never underestimate the value of a good education.”

I confess I am always reading something, which fuels my drive of ‘learning at least one new thing every day.’

At the beginning of the Covid shut down, I decided to make an effort to learn something beyond the daily of what I do in business. Real Estate business had ground to a literal halt, as statewide preventions where put in place. Buyers were not exactly knocking down doors to go see someone’s home and sellers where being exteremely cautious as to who they let in their homes! All very understandable. It had been mentioned to me about a specialty realtor course that I needed to take a look out. And twice, I ignored the suggestion, took another course and carried on! The title of tha particular course gave me the notion I was about to be floated out to the far end of the pond. Especially after being told it could be my ‘niche’. Uhhh, as in “an ornamental recess in a wall” type niche?! Want a word play insight? How easy is it to underestimate one’s value?

Well, here it was again in my inbox. With nothing else clammering for my attention or any prospective clients immediately on the horizan, I decided to jump in and get it over with.

What a good decision! I discovered something I easily related to and enjoyed learning about the simple fact, that at every stage of life, change happens. In real estate, Baby Boomers (56-72yr olds) lead the way, helping the generations ahead of them through lifestyle transitions, while showing the generations following them, the “how to” involved with making those ‘big’ life decisions. Generation to generation learning at its best. Ohhhhh I did pass the course and received my designation as an SRES – Seniors Real Estate Specialist!

Wisdom Bubble: “What we learn, we get to build upon. When we listen, we grow and honor another’s wisdom.” Charlotte Gambill, (Author, Speaker) Church of the Highlands, Alabama.