We all have the choice to believe in Jesus Christ. I choose to. I know him as my Lord and Savior, my redeermer, my comforter, my counselor, my advisor, my Father, my friend. He listens to every thing I say. When needed, he lets me know that I am out of line (a nice way of saying I'm wrong). He guides me in the things I should and should not do.
Yesterday as I drove home from church, I heard a pastor speaking that your faith is the substance of your life. This gave me something to ponder on (like I didn't have anything else!!)
So in reading the definition of substance it says: material, true or real; not imaginary, solidly built; strong, ample; sustaining, considerable in importance, value, degree, amount, or extent: won by a substantial margin.
Needless to say, I was blown away. When I read all these definitions, it speaks to someone who is real, strong, and solid. Like Jesus Christ. Like the image that we are to reflect.
When I think of my faith being the substance in my life, I think more of the food that I receive from being in the word, from modeling the word--it feeds me, it warms me, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be His servant.
Substance: Strength. When Martin needed to leave Medtronic, I knew we would be alright. Because from Him, you receive strength. You know what the right thing to do is, and you do it because you know, he's right there beside you and it'll be alright.
Substance: Real. I've never been one to put on airs. As they say, I am what I am. I've tried to be the very best of who I am. Granted, I haven't always liked myself, but in 1998, I took care of that!! I like to think that I am now the person God intended me to be. On any day, you will get the best of who I am that day.
Substance: Strong. Because of the world we live in, being strong is a NECESSITY. People are drinking and driving, killing their spouses, their children, their dogs. They're stepping on each other to move up the ladder. They're running each other off the road because they were cut off, and more. It's just UGLY. How God must be looking upon us with sadness that he said he would never again destroy the earth.
And because of all this, we have to be strong. We have to be strong enough not to cave in to the likes of these ways. We have to be strong enough to know what is right and do it even if you want to do something else. We have to be strong just to get out of bed knowing that we are going to a job we don't like but it pays the bills. We have to be strong to and committed to our relationships. Not only to Jesus, our substance, but to each other.
You want an idea of strength, real, being strong? Go back to the old days when they had nothing. No cars, no air conditioning, no soda, no phones. They made it just fine, and they were comfortable and happy with what they had. When you were as good as your word. When a handshake was your contract. When everyone came out to help their neighbor.
The pastor ended the sermon by saying that our faith is the substance of our life and it is our faith the determines the quality of our life.
Hmmmmmmmmm
Monday, March 29, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
What Propels You?
Every day when I open my eyes, I'm thankful for the ability to wake up. That in itself is a good start to any day. From there it can get better or worse depending on ME. I can make it or break it.
After being thankful for waking up, I'm glad to see my dog, Mitzee there waiting patiently for me to get up. She's a cutie and a blessing to both Martin and myself.
After being thankful for waking up, I'm glad to see my dog, Mitzee there waiting patiently for me to get up. She's a cutie and a blessing to both Martin and myself.
We head down to the kitchen, take drugs that keep the body going, eat breakfast, go to the bible, read and wonder.
In the book of John, John the Baptist started ministering to people as did Jesus. But for Jesus, it was his love for us that propelled him, to rescue and save those who were lost and to give them the gift of eternal life.
For me, I am propelled by the desire to be a light and a reflection of Jesus Christ. I know I can never be a Jesus but I strive to be a light to one and all. I strive to help others see the right side, the other side and His side of things.
I strive to teach those around me about life, forgiveness, love, and the way they should go. I strive to be a reflection of Jesus Christ.
I strive to love one and all and not judge. This is a hard one and takes constant practice. Judging is done so easily and sometimes without knowledge that it was done. Who am I but a sinner to judge someone else? I have made so many mistakes in my life that I am FAR from perfect, and therefore, do not have the right to judge!!!
God gave us so many people to love. They are everywhere and it's wonderful to be able to love so many. The true friends and family will return that love and it will be felt.
I strive to be an example of Jesus. In all situations I have to ask "what would Jesus do?" After all, if we look at his life, we would know how to act. Sometimes this is very hard because the human aspect kicks in and takes over.
I strive to live my day, each and every one that I am allowed without regret. Why waste what little time I have left on childish actions and behavior. Regret can be such a burden.
So I am propelled by many things and in the end I know that they make my days fulfilled, satisfying, and complete. If I were to die today, the only regret I would have is knowing that some of my family members do not know Christ. But I'm still praying for them.
What propels you?
Thursday, March 25, 2010
When Our Children Turn Into Their Parents
I can't tell you how many times I've heard someone say "I don't want to turn into my parents." I've seen it on t-shirts and on bumper stickers. But I'm here to tell you, it's going to happen and you won't even realize it.
As a parent we are there to love, nourish, support, encourage, direct, discipline and sometimes fight wars/battles. You see your child wronged and immediately you want to jump in there and fight for them and in the end, make it right for them so that they won't feel bad. Ergo, my job is done, it's secure, life is good. But there are some times, when our children are in tough situations, that we as parents need to sit back and watch and see how they handle it, thereby growing them.
So here's the story. My friend, Mo, divorced her husband. He's an alcholic, disappears for long periods of time (sometimes years) and cheats on Mo. In a fight they had years ago, he told her to just divorce him. He walked out and after 3 years, she finally came to the realization that she needed to do this. She is also battling cancer, mersa, her kidneys are not working to their full capacity and more.
This was a tough decision for Mo and 3 weeks ago she came to the dog park down in the dumps. She had gone to court, everything was done--she was a mess.
She has a son that lives here in Florida and in the same development as she does. She was confiding in him and he told her to "get over it." "He's a loser." A fight between mom and son ensued and she told him not to talk that way, he had no right to talk that way, and more.
In effect, he was trying to make things right and ease her pain, thereby becoming the parent. But what he didn't realize was that he hadn't seen enough life to properly handle the situation. He had no idea what Mo and Tim had gone through, the love shared, the memories and the pain. He didn't have the wisdom to know that this wasn't a battle to be won, but a wounded soldier to be carried.
As we as parents grow older, our children start to take on the parental role. It's a fact of life. we get older, can't do as much, life is progressing by us, we can't keep up, scam artists are just waiting to get us, etc. So it's the children to the rescue, because they now know best.....but do they really?
With Mo, all she wanted from her son was for him to listen, maybe to hold her, maybe just to tell her he loved her and that it would be alright. And I know exactly what he did because I know I did it to my mother when she was alive.
What we need to make sure of is that as our parents grow older, we are alert to what they need from us and give it to them. We need to ensure that we treat them with dignity and respect. They are our parents and elders. In the old days, we were taught to respect our elders. I'm not sure that's being taught anymore.
Our children have no right to tell us how to live our lives (unless it is going to cause some form of distress) how and what to feel. After all, we came through a lot of stuff long before they came along and we came through even more afterwards. We've got the battle scars and learned the lessons sometimes the hard way.
So, kids, please know that we love you. By actions, hopefully, we know that you love us. So as we get older, continue to love us, ask us if we need help of any kind. See if there's anything you can do for us. There will be times when we will have to ask for help. We would like to be able to ask our children without feeling like we are putting them out. We will not understand everything as the world continually changes and progresses as it leaves us behind. At that time, speak to us in a loving and respectful manner so that we don't feel like an 80-year old idiot or that we are breaking your arm to help us. Don't be part of the problem, be part of the solution.
Thank you.
As a parent we are there to love, nourish, support, encourage, direct, discipline and sometimes fight wars/battles. You see your child wronged and immediately you want to jump in there and fight for them and in the end, make it right for them so that they won't feel bad. Ergo, my job is done, it's secure, life is good. But there are some times, when our children are in tough situations, that we as parents need to sit back and watch and see how they handle it, thereby growing them.
So here's the story. My friend, Mo, divorced her husband. He's an alcholic, disappears for long periods of time (sometimes years) and cheats on Mo. In a fight they had years ago, he told her to just divorce him. He walked out and after 3 years, she finally came to the realization that she needed to do this. She is also battling cancer, mersa, her kidneys are not working to their full capacity and more.
This was a tough decision for Mo and 3 weeks ago she came to the dog park down in the dumps. She had gone to court, everything was done--she was a mess.
She has a son that lives here in Florida and in the same development as she does. She was confiding in him and he told her to "get over it." "He's a loser." A fight between mom and son ensued and she told him not to talk that way, he had no right to talk that way, and more.
In effect, he was trying to make things right and ease her pain, thereby becoming the parent. But what he didn't realize was that he hadn't seen enough life to properly handle the situation. He had no idea what Mo and Tim had gone through, the love shared, the memories and the pain. He didn't have the wisdom to know that this wasn't a battle to be won, but a wounded soldier to be carried.
As we as parents grow older, our children start to take on the parental role. It's a fact of life. we get older, can't do as much, life is progressing by us, we can't keep up, scam artists are just waiting to get us, etc. So it's the children to the rescue, because they now know best.....but do they really?
With Mo, all she wanted from her son was for him to listen, maybe to hold her, maybe just to tell her he loved her and that it would be alright. And I know exactly what he did because I know I did it to my mother when she was alive.
What we need to make sure of is that as our parents grow older, we are alert to what they need from us and give it to them. We need to ensure that we treat them with dignity and respect. They are our parents and elders. In the old days, we were taught to respect our elders. I'm not sure that's being taught anymore.
Our children have no right to tell us how to live our lives (unless it is going to cause some form of distress) how and what to feel. After all, we came through a lot of stuff long before they came along and we came through even more afterwards. We've got the battle scars and learned the lessons sometimes the hard way.
So, kids, please know that we love you. By actions, hopefully, we know that you love us. So as we get older, continue to love us, ask us if we need help of any kind. See if there's anything you can do for us. There will be times when we will have to ask for help. We would like to be able to ask our children without feeling like we are putting them out. We will not understand everything as the world continually changes and progresses as it leaves us behind. At that time, speak to us in a loving and respectful manner so that we don't feel like an 80-year old idiot or that we are breaking your arm to help us. Don't be part of the problem, be part of the solution.
Thank you.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
The Same for Everyone
Today was a beautiful day in Florida. A nice 72 degrees, sunny and just beautiful.
Mitzee and I headed to the dog park with the intentions of going to the master association meeting at 6:00pm Why they schedule these meetings during dinner time, I don't know. Anyway, Mitzee was playing with Lacey Bell and having fun. I was talking to Kathy about her maltese, Mikey. Scout came and then a couple with three dogs, 2 small and one large, entered the dog area.
Everthing was fine until Loretta got into it with another dog. Immediately, Maureen said your dog should not be in this area because he's over 30 pounds. Well, the husband, Bill, made a comment and then Maureen made a commnent and they had a slinging match right there until Bill's wife told him to shut up.
I grabbed Loretta and petted her. Granted she was over 30 pounds but we customarily allow dogs over 30 in if they are passive and mellow. Loretta was fine and it was just a tisk between her and another dog. After all, I've heard Maureen say many times, oh, they're just having a tisk, they'll work it out.
The couple got up and took their dogs into the back portion of the dog area. Everything was fine until Maureen started complaining again. So, I had to speak up. I told Maureen that if we ask the couple to take their dog out that we could not allow the 2 yellow labs or the very large cocker spaniel in the dog area. She didn't want to have anything to do with the truth.
How often we are told the obvious truth and we discard it. I know what's best, don't tell me anything.
If we continue to have a standard for this day and another standard for another day, it all becomes confusing and weak. People will never know who we are and where we stand.
Just as in our lives, we must strive for continuity in dealing with people, children, and even our dogs. It allows us to have a strong foundation as we are using the same principles all around. This also allows people to know what to expect from us and where we stand on things.
Tomorrow is another day. Another chance to stand up and do what's right thereby being an example. I pray that I'm a good example and I am rock solid.
p.s. There will always be a situation that pops up that we must skirt the standard or bend it or modify it.
Mitzee and I headed to the dog park with the intentions of going to the master association meeting at 6:00pm Why they schedule these meetings during dinner time, I don't know. Anyway, Mitzee was playing with Lacey Bell and having fun. I was talking to Kathy about her maltese, Mikey. Scout came and then a couple with three dogs, 2 small and one large, entered the dog area.
Everthing was fine until Loretta got into it with another dog. Immediately, Maureen said your dog should not be in this area because he's over 30 pounds. Well, the husband, Bill, made a comment and then Maureen made a commnent and they had a slinging match right there until Bill's wife told him to shut up.
I grabbed Loretta and petted her. Granted she was over 30 pounds but we customarily allow dogs over 30 in if they are passive and mellow. Loretta was fine and it was just a tisk between her and another dog. After all, I've heard Maureen say many times, oh, they're just having a tisk, they'll work it out.
The couple got up and took their dogs into the back portion of the dog area. Everything was fine until Maureen started complaining again. So, I had to speak up. I told Maureen that if we ask the couple to take their dog out that we could not allow the 2 yellow labs or the very large cocker spaniel in the dog area. She didn't want to have anything to do with the truth.
How often we are told the obvious truth and we discard it. I know what's best, don't tell me anything.
If we continue to have a standard for this day and another standard for another day, it all becomes confusing and weak. People will never know who we are and where we stand.
Just as in our lives, we must strive for continuity in dealing with people, children, and even our dogs. It allows us to have a strong foundation as we are using the same principles all around. This also allows people to know what to expect from us and where we stand on things.
Tomorrow is another day. Another chance to stand up and do what's right thereby being an example. I pray that I'm a good example and I am rock solid.
p.s. There will always be a situation that pops up that we must skirt the standard or bend it or modify it.
Things I Love - Martin
Martin Allan Rossing, born April 28, 1953 in Stillwater, Minnesota to Myron and Marjorie Rossing.
Two brothers and two beautiful daughters, Michelle and Melinda (both married).
I first met Martin in 1988 when I started working in his area at Medtronic.
In conversations with Mom, I asked her how she raised such a great and gentle man. Her answer: she taught him to respect women and treat them like they were princesses. He did then and still does. He doesn't have to, it's a choice, but doesn't the desire to respect come along with the appropriate behavior?
It baffles me that as we decide to take the marriage plunge, that even as adults we have no idea how to be married, stay married, work on the marriage, improve the marriage, and live with each other until death due us part. After all, we dated but the I do part can change things. And what of expectations? You get into the marriage and his expectations are different than mine? Scary. But I could talk to Martin about anything and unfortunately, he tends to be very objective. This sometimes is not what I want to hear.
Anyway, Martin, Mitzee and I decided to go to Coconut Point Mall as they have music by the lakeside shops every night from 6-9pm. We parked, grabbed a doggie bag, Miztzee and each other and headed for the music. It was nice but not what we expected. We listened for a bit, entertained people cooing over Mitzee and just wanting to get their doggie fix and we cut out to walk the mall.
Coconut Point is a beautiful mall lit up with white lights, palm trees literally swaying in the wind, and smells from the restaurants floating around your nose. As I walked, holding the hand of the man I love and watching Mitzee walk ahead, I realize how sweet life is. How many other people in marriages feel truly loved by their spouses? I know I do!!
Martin is a complex man, he is very intelligent and holds a wealth of information in his head. But what he knows about women he was taught by his mom and that was to respect women. He opens my car door all the time. If I try to open it, he will lock it until he can put his hand on the door knob and open it. When we walk side by side, you will usually find us holding hands which gives us another chance to say I love you, and get a small amount of intimacy in while walking.
When Martin asked me to marry him and he asked 5 times, I finally said yes because as I drove one day I realized I'd rather be with him than without him. As I drove I could recall al the times he made me laugh, how he would come when I was frightened out of my mind and check my house for unwanted intruders. How he could tell a joke and I would roll my eyes and say "that's a DNR". How he could on the spot come up with something exactly right for the situation and make me laugh.
It's funny how our children were trying to get us together. Did they see something we didnt'?
I do know that as I walked down the aisle I knew that in all the decisions I had made in my life, this was the only one I knew was the right one and I wasn't afraid of. Martin saw the inner me (the person God created). I'm so glad. I can't tell you how much I love this man. He can be frustrating as anything, but then I know when he says I love you gorgeous in that tone of voice, that he is speaking from the depths of his heart. How many wives can say that?
I can be in one room in the house and he can be in another, and I feel safe and secure. I can have a bad day and the pain would spike off the chart and even after a 14 hour day, he wants to stop and bring dinner home. When I returned from a weekend retreat, he had gone and picked up our favorite desserts for us to share.
I think when you love someone you put their needs, desires, wants etc first. Martin is an old pro at this. He'd rather buy me something or let me have something and put whatever he may want on hold. He constantly sacrifices and has done so a fair portion of his life for those he loves.
Honey, I love you, think the world of you, and am proud of you.
See you Thursday night.
Some of his other loves. Jonathan
Mitzee
Tucker and Bennett
Please note the facial expression in all the pictures. He seems to be a happy man!!!!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
It's Everywhere!!
My daughter is going through some stuff right now and I'm saddened for her and what she and my two precious grandbabies will go through.
My friend, Harry has cancer in the brain and has lost an enormous amount of weight and can barely talk.
Chile and Haiti both had earthquakes where thousands of people died.
Dawn Brancheau, the Sea World whale trainer was pulled into the pool by Tillium and thrashed about under the water. Suffered traumatic injuries and drowned at 40. She was laid to rest Monday in her hometown of Chicago.
Crap is going on all around us. What are we doing to be better people, to be nicer to each other? To hold the door open when going into a store, to let someone merge on the highway, to give a smile to the check out clerk, ask how they're doing, or using the waiter or waitress' name when they serve you?
Why are we wasting our days just living for us. I once told my daughter that whatever happens to her happens to the rest of the family. I never really took stock of that comment until the first grandbaby came and our lives, all of them, changed. Then baby #2, another wedding, another son in law...it all changes the family, all of us.
But in reality, we are not just in life by ourselves but with everyone around us....if we share our story with someone, whether it be the nice nurse at the medical clinic, or the friendly person giving us our Caribou. Don't you think it changes their life in some way?
More compassion for you and maybe a thought of something they should do in their life and more importantly, a better and hopefully deeper appreciation for what they have and that they better take care of it.
When my step daughter lost her son, my grandson, it happened to all of us. We all cried, we all suffered that loss.
Let us remember that life happens to us all. We need to be ready once we wake to face it head on and with courage. Sometimes life is ugly and we have to be ready for it. Put on the armour of God and charge!!!!!!!!!!!!
Many blessings
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