Bubbles

I was ‘that’ person today at my local grocery store.  Went through the express line with my ten items, but I was lured into the impulse buy at the checkout (so, it’s sort of their fault, right?) and added another four items.  I watched the cashier scanning my items and only then realized that I had gone over the express lane maximum.  I gasped!  I joked about what I had done, looked at the folks behind me and said, “OMWord – I am THAT person!  It’s ok – you can give me ‘the look’ because I’d be giving ‘the look’!” We all laughed, the clerk was sweet, said it was fine. 

But then I just wanted to cry.

As I looked into the faces of those complete strangers, it occurred to me that they had no idea that I was mourning my Jordan, having lost her two years ago. 

And I had no clue what any of them were facing in their own lives.

Bubbles.  We’re all in one.  Going about our daily lives, floating around in our own space, our own thoughts and occasionally we bump into another bubble.  Sometimes our bubble pops because of another person that is having their own bad day (HA! - forgive the pun). 

Back to my day – I’m usually pretty in tune with my own bubble and fellow bubbles around me, taking into consideration that a cashier or waitress may be having their own ‘stuff’ going on.  But today (sigh) I was having a tiny pity-party, very self absorbed on my sadness.

Interestingly enough, it brought me back around.  I reminded myself that I am not the only one that has lost a child.  I began to wonder about those other ‘bubbles’ and feel compassion towards them too. 

So why do I share this with you, my fellow bubbles?  To bring a heightened awareness to those around you, to be sensitive and consider the ‘stuff’ that someone else is going through.  I’ve been known to shift my paradigm towards someone after I learn something tragic has happened in their life.  But why do I (you) need to wait?  EVERYONE has something – tragic or not – going on in their life. 

Ever blow a bubble and two develop?  They’re side by side, floating in harmony, not popping but completely in sync?  Why not be that bubble?

And in case you’re wondering – I did cry today.  Several times. 

When asked, ‘How are you?” 

In a word, “Sad.” 

Yet in that sadness, I am loved on by so many of you and blessed beyond words.  

I continue to be...humbled, buoyed and blessed

Eyes On Him

Mama Fox

I do want to extend a special thank you to my Sweet T and my Beth-friend in Colorado for just...listening today.  Thank you thank you.

Lifeboat on a Lake

Many of us are familiar with the passage in Matthew where Jesus calms the storm.  For those of you that are not, the disciples follow Jesus onto a boat, storm comes, disciples freak out, Jesus calms storm, the end.  No worse for the wear, these twelve, albeit a little wet.

Well, I had the pleasure of reading this passage the other day.  I have a little devotional book that I use occasionally and it led me to this particular passage.  As is the case with passages that I've read over and over, for some reason it all came to light this particular day.  The clogs shifted in my brain and WOW!!!  The symbolism knocked me right over.  May I share?

Matthew 8:23-27

THEN HE GOT INTO THE BOAT

AND HIS DISCIPLES FOLLOWED HIM IN

The boat represents life / living.  I am to follow Jesus, trusting him completely.

WITHOUT WARNING, A FURIOUS STORM CAME UP ON THE LAKE, SO THAT THE WAVES SWEPT OVER THE BOAT.

As is the case with any 'storm' in our life, upheaval, crisis, tragedy and sometimes just a plain ol' rotten day comes out of nowhere.  And note - this isn't the ocean (as I've often envisioned), it's a lake.  You can see the other side (usually, The Great Lakes aside).

BUT JESUS WAS SLEEPING.

Can you blame him?  (I'm KIDDING!!!)  Seriously, he was calm in the storm.  He not only did not jump ship, he stayed in a steady and peaceful state.

THE DISCIPLES WENT AND WOKE HIM, SAYING,

"LORD, SAVE US!  WE'RE GOING TO DROWN!"

In the storm, Jesus is literally with them.  The disciples mirror our human nature so beautifully.  Full on panic, short sighted with doom and gloom as our conclusion.  Understand, I'm not at all coming down on the disciples - I mean, I've had a few of my own "I'm GOING TO DROWN!!!!" moments.  But I certainly didn't wake him up...ok, yes, I probably did - HA!

HE REPLIED,

"YOU OF LITTLE FAITH.  WHY ARE YOU SO AFRAID?"  

THEN HE GOT UP AND REBUKED THE WIND AND THE WAVES AND IT WAS COMPLETELY CALM.

Ouch.  Yes.  Why am I so afraid sometimes?  He doesn't move until after he rebukes the 12.  'THEN' he got up...it's not like he shot up out of his boat cot, "WHAT?!  A storm?!  Why I oughta..."  And marched out there to punch it in the nose.  He remained calm throughout.

THE MEN WERE AMAZED AND ASKED,

"WHAT KIND OF MAN IS THIS?  EVEN THE WIND

AND THE WAVES OBEY HIM."

(sigh) I love the visual of this passage.  Floatin' along in the boat of life with my Jesus.  BOOM!!!  <thunder lightening effects> Storm hits!!  And He is still there, my anchor, my steady and my calm.  SNAP!!  Storm ceases.  I can see the other side. 

Great stuff people, great stuff!!



Thanks for sharing in an A-HA moment with me. 

Eyes On Him

Mama Fox

(oh...and I talked to the author, he said it was ok to share)

Untethered

(I clearly have an issue with technology.  Going over past posts...apparently I've given my two cents a few times.  I apologize.  Maybe I just don't feel 'heard' <sigh>  Next post will be on something else...I promise - hee hee.  Apparently it  doesn't bother me too much - I'm blogging now - HA!!!!  Oh...the vast vortex!!)

(gasp)  As a man, desperate for water crawling on the desert floor (or, as of late, the Texas)

"Our Internet is down?!" (gasp!!)

For THREE DAYS?!!?! 

<for those of you that know me, you can imagine how difficult this is to type without my beloved emoticons...HA!!>

But...but...what about emails?  And FaceBook?  How will anyone KNOW that I'm ok and how will I share my opinions with my friends at large?  I mean...HELP ME NOW!!! 

During those three days my sweet husband walks in while I'm sorting my catch all recipe drawer.  He asks, "Internet still down?"  I simply look at him, indicating with the nonverbal, "Uhmm...yeah...you think I'd be doing sorting my recipe drawer if it were working?"  Silly man.

Whew...at least there was my 'smart' phone for those three agonizing days.  Heaven forBID I pick up a phone or better yet, NOT be ruled by almighty technology.

But really, how 'smart' are these phones?  It's terribly disconcerting to see these blue glows on every one's faces, constantly connected - be it text, email, social media and often the loud conversation on the phone.

Yes, yes - I've touched on this before.  And all of these great things have their place.  I mean, there is comfort in having my phone with me should something happen or I would like to ask my Joel to pick up something from the store.  Or when major life crisis happens, have mercy - the tool of social media was a tremendous way to get information out on a large scale.  And of course, staying in touch with those that are overseas - it's a huge comfort to see their sweet faces and know that they're ok.

But why, why, why has it become our obsession?  Are we that miserable with actual human contact or rather, place so little value on it, that we can't give technology a rest?  Since when did it control us? 

I'm pretty certain that the memory my girls will have of me is the back of my head, like Cousin Id, "Mmmm...I think her eyes were green.  She definitely resembled a Smurf."  Seriously - I'm pretty sure they just turned another year older while I was checking my emails.  Ugh.

'Ding, ding' - OH!!!  an email!  a text!!  (sigh)  I'm just as guilty - a little shot of adrenaline...I'm popular!  Someone loves me! 

Honestly, I do not know 'the answer'.  As I've said, there is a place for these tools in our life.  But that's just what they are - tools, to be used by us - not the other way around. 

So my challenge to you today.  Set some boundaries.  Does your email really have to be open ALL DAY?  Do I really need to know what you're doing on the hour?  Every hour?  I mean, I'm thrilled that your digestive system is working and that they weren't out of toilet paper in the bathroom, but really...?  I need that visual?

I'm just sayin'. 

Eyes On Him (and I'm fairly certain He doesn't text)

MamaFox