I’ve been sick for the past couple of days, so I’ve really got nothin’. And, due to tonsillitis, I was unable to speak yesterday. An event my husband missed, much to his chagrin, I’m sure.
On another note, I’d like to acknowledge the flight crew of US Airways flight 1549. Uh-may-zing.
After that masterful landing, that captain is now my second favorite pilot J
Have a great weekend, and y’all stay safe.
Filed under Randomness
Some things I’m learning in my little….okay, big surrendering of all of me to Him:
It’s a conscious effort every single day.
Sometimes, I’m afraid of what He might want for me.
The whole, “I want what God wants, BUT….” isn’t gonna work.
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. (Proverbs 19:21)
He is concerned about me.
He knows what’s best for me.
Jesus knows what it feels like to surrender – “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39)
He will give me the desires of my heart. And, in this process, MY desires become HIS desires.
Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
What is God teaching you right now?
Filed under Spiritual Journey
Y’all know I love Francis Chan’s book, Crazy Love. It really did a number on me. Well, there is one part in his book where he quotes John Piper from God Is the Gospel. It went something like this. Actually it went exactly like this:
The critical question for our generation—and for every generation—is this: If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with heaven, if Christ was not there?
I asked around….Okay, so I asked two people this very question. Here were my answers:
Kris Takle (Husband, Father, Pilot Extraordinaire): “Yes!” (He’s so dang cute, he could say anything.)
Buren Goss (Pastor, Husband, Dad, Ga-Ga, Best Fish Fryer in the Southeast): “It’s not a fair question.”
My thoughts:
I agree that it is an unfair question. Bottom line is that we all know none of the above could exist without Christ. Scripture also tells us that He will be our ultimate enjoyment and contentment. I think these questions are good in causing us to self-evaluate – to check our hearts to see that we desire Christ above all else. But, I still find the question’s intent a bit unfair. And, I mean no disrespect to one awesome John Piper.
Makes ya reflect, though.
What do you think?
Filed under God Stuff
A few months back, I wrote a post called “I Struggle With Porn.” In this post, I led you to the story of Chris and Cindy Beall. I really do hope you were able to read their incredible story of redemption. Since that post, God has been taking their story to a whole new level – allowing them to minister to so many marriages crippled by pornography and infidelity.
Also, since that post, Cindy Beall has become a dear friend. I know. Right? Okay. Enough name droppin’.
Cindy has added a new author on her blog.
Mr. Chris Beall himself.
Yesterday, Chris posted a video answering many questions about their story. It’s a little lengthy but worth the viewing. I wanted to encourage you to hop on over there and listen to Chris. I also want to encourage you to share their story with others. Not only will you appreciate Chris’ transparency, but you will see a man with a heart after God.
Chris and Cindy like to use the phrase “better than new” as it relates to what God did in their marriage. And, they have no doubt whatsoever, that He will make your marriage better than new, too.
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Mr. Chris Beall.
I will be the first to admit.
I’m not a big hugger. Sure, sure I will squeeze my kids tighter than a pair of size 2 jeans, but I’m less likely to go full frontal with any of you.
I’m more of a side sweeper. Heck, even a high five is okay with me.
This bothers some. And, relieves other side sweepers and high-fivers.
Now, my friend, Doug Wesley? He is a full frontal hugger. Andbygolly, he’ll call you on it if you even attempt the side sweep. For real.
Does this mean I have some unresolved issue that I need counseling for? Or, am I just a product of the Buren Goss {that’s my Pops} school of hugging?
Are you a side sweeper or full frontal hugger?
*Necessary Note: “Full Frontal” in no way denotes nudity in this post. Mkay?
Filed under Randomness
While taking John Henry to school yesterday, I told him, “Thank you.”
“For what?” He asked.
“For being John Henry Landreth. I wouldn’t want you to be anyone else but you.”
His blue eyes lit up and a smile raced from ear to ear. “You’re welcome, Mom.”
I so want my children to know that they are wonderful JUST AS THEY ARE. That they are fearfully and wonderfully made.
God makes no mistakes.
He knew us long before we were ever conceived.
I usually don’t give you assignments. But let me encourage you to tell your children today that you are so glad that they are who they are. Who God created them to be.
I bet they smile.
Oh, and I can’t even believe I’m going to say this….
But.
Boomer Sooner!
Or, at least, I have the ability to make it one. If I want, I can even make such an event complete with an assortment of all of my favorite comfort foods from Junior Mints to Sour Patch Kids. Of course, such delicacies don’t need the occasional sulking for consumption. For real.
There are times we have all the reason in the world to sulk. To feel sorry for ourselves. Because, let’s face it. Sometimes, life is just plain unfair.
The key is not to stay there.
No matter how bad the circumstances appear.
Most of you know my story. I was pregnant with John Henry with a realization that I was about to be a single mom. On top of the pain, I had a few of those sulking parties. My dad has always had this charming way of dropping bits of wisdom here and there. He let me sulk. But, he wouldn’t let me settle into my pity. I will never forget the moment when he said, “Dusty, someone has walked out on his spouse today. And, she has no one. Look at what you have.”
I could go on and on with stories of people – friends – who made life better for me.
A lot of love surrounded me. And, I had this remarkable hope because of the One.
Feel free to sulk every once in a while. And, if you’re having Mayfield’s Moose Tracks ice-cream or chocolate in any form, invite me to join you. {I’m also available for the occasional chips and queso.}
But don’t stay there.
Eventually, you’ve got to look at what you have.
And, if the King is living inside of you, you have it all.
And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you. Psalm 39:7
Filed under disappointment, divorce, life, Spiritual Journey
I don’t have a picture….Let me re-phrase. I don’t have a DIGITAL picture of my Great Aunt Kate and Bigmama together. But, just to show how much these two favor, I’m posting their photos side by side. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Exhibit A.
Ya know. The more I look at these two photos, the less resemblance I see than I used to. All save their still beautifully dark hair with gray on the sides only, which they do not dye thankyousokindly.
Well, scratch Exhibit A, and I have no B. But seriously. Don’t these two look fabulous to be just a few years from reaching a CENTURY old? Okay, Bigmama, I know you’ve got another ten to go. Simmer down.
Bigmama and Aunt Kate are the two remaining siblings out of NINE. And, oh the stories they can tell. They experienced everything from the Crash of ’29 to looking down wells on nights with a full moon to see the reflection of the man they were supposed to marry. They believed those legends.
Their dad died of a farm accident before Bigmama was even born. And, their momma died of “the” typhoid fever a few years later. I emphasize the “the”, because Bigmama prefaces all diseases and ailments with “the.” As in, the SARS, the diabetes, the Cold. And, let’s not forget that all stores end with an “s.” As in, Walmarts and Krogers.
Their two oldest siblings, Woodson and Mattie, raised the younger seven. As a matter of fact, when social services showed up at their door, Woodson stepped out onto the porch with a shotgun and demanded they leave.
They did.
I spent the greater part of my childhood with these to ladies. If I wasn’t crocheting at Bigmama’s, I was across the street at Aunt Kate’s dipping snuff. Oh, it was just pretend. Aunt Kate would help me stuff tissue {pronounced “tisha”} down my training bra and spit in a red Dixie cup while I snapped peas from the garden. Good times.
Bigmama and Aunt Kate still have their sibling spats. But, the last phone call they make before they go to sleep is with each other just to say “Goodnight.”
I have wonderful memories with these gals.
What are some of your special childhood memories?
Filed under Randomness, Relationships
I realize this post has no significance whatsoever, spiritual or otherwise. But, I just felt like giving you a rundown of the Takle family weekend. And, the title has nothing to do with this post. I just thought your Monday might be as mad as mine will be today. Goodbye holidays and vacation.
Here goes.
Friday
Wake up. Read the Bible Twilight Saga. {I’m aware of how long it’s taking me to finish this series. Holidays. Children. No time. You get the picture.}
Bigmama INSISTS we take the kids to see Aunt Kate, her 93 year old sister.
Aunt Kate and Bigmama look a lot alike, but they are quite different. Bigmama wouldn’t be caught dead in a pair of pants while Aunt Kate wouldn’t be caught dead in a dress or without her snuff.
Later in the day, Bigmama checks on Kris’ New Year’s resolution to cut back on the caloric inhalation. She said they had agreed to do this thing together. Oh, yes they did. Called your accountability partner, Hun?
Finish book #2. Finally. Listen to a bunch of hoodlums cheer on a helpless Tide. Go nighty night.
Saturday
Cram as much as I can into four suitcases. See my flight departure time has changed. Changed again. Changed again. Changed again. Arrive at the Hartsfield-Jackson Airport. Just in time to wait an extra two hours for a delayed flight. Break down and buy book #3. See poor little 7 year old girl named Rylee sobbing as she is flying by herself from ATL to OKC. We welcome her into the Takle family for 2 hours.
Listen to my kids fight over who gets to sit by Rylee. Listen to Anna keep calling her Ry-lea. Land. Yell at my children for running around the baggage conveyer thingy. Yell again. Yell again.
See the husband for the first time in four days. Hug. Hug. Kiss. That’s it. I’m tired. Pick up on that other New Year’s resolution tomorrow. Choose wine instead. Hubs understands.
Hug this guy. Especially after seeing Marley & Me.
Get in my very own bed.
Sunday
Repent for not going to church. Try to explain to my dad why I didn’t go to church. Eat Mexican. Car wash. Read my “heathen” book, to quote my father. {Between skipping church and reading about vampires, my dad is going to fly out to serve me communion really soon. I’m sure of it.}
Make good on some resolutions.
Hear Anna call John Henry “b*%#ch”. She uses the word incorrectly, so I’m sure she didn’t hear it from me. Blame Kris. Blame Pre-School. Blame Aunt Kate.
Take Kris for his first Crest grocery store experience. He sees the light, too.
Kris shares random experience about riding a grocery cart in a Kmart parking lot once when the cart flew out from under him and he did a face plant. Laughed. Laughing about it now as I type.
Wonder if anyone else thinks it’s funny when people fall down.
Watch Horton Hears A Who.
Go to bed.
Wake up to a mad, mad Monday.
How was your weekend?
Your kid ever drop a “bad” one? What did you do?
Do you laugh when someone falls down?
Filed under Randomness
wife, mother, pastor, writer
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