Forget Cake: Let Them Eat Pie!

My third grade teacher, Mrs. Laughter, found eating pie for breakfast unsuitable. When I let her know that we often ate pie for breakfast, she let me know she would be talking with my mother about such rubbish I spoke in her classroom. I remember thinking to myself, "Go ahead. I'm not lying and you're going to feel like an idiot when my mom sets you straight." I loved Mrs. Laughter so I didn't dare say that to her. Just thoughts; it all stayed just thoughts in my head. When I came home from school that day, my mom, in a not so pleasant voice asked me why I told my teacher we ate pie for breakfast. It went something like this, "TYLER! Why did you tell Mrs. Laughter that I let you eat pie for breakfast? WHEN? When have I ever let you eat pie for breakfast?!?!" I was in utter disbelief. All I could imagine was the conversation that played out between my mother and teacher about me lying. My mom saying, "Oh good grief! She does NOT eat pie for breakfast. I don't know where she gets these stories from!" I found myself in "story" predicaments quite often. I was, what you might call, a creative child. With tears of frustration due to implications that I was, in fact, a liar I declared, "MOM! We eat pie at Ganny's all the time!" Realizing I was quite sure that we did, in fact, eat pie at Ganny's, I could see my mom's wheels turning, trying to figure out what I was talking about. And then it hit her. My mom started laughing and said, "Quiche. Ganny makes quiche." Well, whatever it was called, it was served in a pie shell AND it was all kinds of goodness. I have never grown out of loving quiche. If it's on the menu, I will be eating it. Yesterday, I made several for a dear friends baby shower. I had no idea others didn't have a "Ganny" who made quiche for them. It seems as though, I may now have a small quiche making business. And I'm okay with that. Forget cake. Let them eat pie!

Sausage & Cheese Quiche

Spinach & Cheese Quiche

So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them under the sun. Ecclesiastes 8:15

I ask for a fish, I get a Blue Marlin

Back in 2012, I had high hopes for 2013.  I said to a friend several times, "It really can't get worse" while freaking out, hyperventilating or crying. Speaking now from experience, never, I repeat, never say that.  EVER!  I appreciate the sick sense of humor the Lord has and my parents instilled in me because now, I laugh.  And I laugh often because "it" can get worse if that's how I choose to look at life. Or I can choose to look at my life each day as it comes and be grateful for the numerous blessings that surround every ounce of my being.  I am learning to trust the Lord daily.  Living in the present with Him and truly depending on his provisions day to day has been freeing.  During the days of "it can't get worse," my relationship with the Lord was not based on dependence and trust because I was still speaking the words "I can handle this; I can control this; I've got this" and not "God's got this; He's taking care of me; I trust you, Lord."  Now, my trust isn't perfect every day and I have to check myself when I feel the tension in my arms, back or chest, but I'm better.  I'm closer to where I want to be and where God wants me to be, but the only way I've gotten here is through reading His Word. 

I have to work at living day to day.  This may sound silly, but day to day living isn't structured enough for me.  There's no planning... and that's just uncomfortable.  What am I supposed to do with my time.  Oh. wait. Maybe this is where I find more time to live in God's Word building a relationship with Him.  I mean, He is the one who created me and planned this life for me.  It seems like it would make sense to listen to Him.  I joked many times about seeking the Lord in 11:11 while I was changing through 12:34.  My jokes have come to pass.  11:11is the structure I needed to live in Him day to day.

As I began my new adventure, Luke 11:11 immediately spoke to me. You fathers - if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead?  Just imagine who my parents are: If I asked them for a fish, my parents wouldn't settle on a goldfish. They would gift me with a Blue Marlin from the Marlin Capitol of the World in Cabo San Lucas. I thank my Heavenly Father daily for the parents He blessed me with on earth.  My parents are kind, giving, loving, supportive, encouraging, loyal, funny... I could go on and on.  As other positive qualities pop in your head, assign them to my parents, too, because that's who they are.  Many times in life, when I have disappointed myself, I'm heartbroken over the idea of disappointing my parents; even worse, embarrassing them. The unconditional love and support they've given me at even my worst moments...times...years... is beyond words.  They love me. Period.  How wonderful it is to be raised by parents who want only the best for me; who want me to be happy; who want for me what I want for me. 

                       My Dad: My superhero.  My mom: My best friend.  
Because my parents loved me above all else, 1 Peter 4:8 is easy to comprehend.  Above all, love each other warmly, because love covers many sins.

Heavenly Father, I thank you for blessing me with my parents. I ask you to watch over them. Keep them safe and healthy. I pray your healing hands touch their entire bodies. I pray that they feel your presence and your love thoroughly enveloping them. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Oh my, have I become Martha???

Over the past 3 months, I've had many ask if I'm still writing, reading, learning, growing.  "Where are you?" The answer is always the same.  I am still writing, but more reading, learning and growing.  The past three months have been filled with fasting, family illness and friends' heartaches.  Sometimes it's more important to exchange writing time with loving your loved ones. 

Unfortunately finding a balance between loving those around you and loving yourself enough to NOT lose yourself can be difficult.  That's exactly where I found myself today - completely out of balance. Exhaustion has worn me down and allowed bitterness to fight it's way in.  I recognize it by the just plain nasty, negative thoughts that have popped in my head lately- those thoughts that then immediately prompt, "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU TYLER?!?! THAT'S JUST MEAN MEAN MEAN!" 

A couple of months ago, my sweet friend blessed me with prayer beads.  It took me a while to decide what scripture I wanted to use as my mantra.  I finally decided on Proverbs 26:10 "Be still and know that I am God." It's my way of asking the Lord to take captive not only my thoughts, but my actions - attempting to fulfill 2 Corinthians 10:5 "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."   I just realized I've been saying my mantra A LOT lately.  Which now prompts me to say, "I'm sorry husband for the past few days of eggshell walking.  Seriously...BLESS YOUR HEART!"  AND I honestly mean that in the biblical sense rather than the southern way of making my offensiveness's all okay.

I love how God meets you right where you're at - ready to speak to you in whatever way is needed so you will hear Him.  His timing is perfect. This morning, I opened to chapter six of "He Still Moves Stones" by Max Lucado. The title made me laugh out loud: "Sour Milk: Overcoming a Bad Attitude." 

Luke 10:40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.  She came to Him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to help me." Martha, Martha, the Lord answered, You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken from her.

Oh my, have I become Martha???  The last thing I want to be is whiny Martha! I certainly didn't plan on being irritated with others and the role I believe they should be filling in my life.  No wonder I've been frustrated lately.  Thank you Lord for your perfect timing - your living word speaking to me when I was ready to listen.