Tag: Kids
My Dog Molly, Is A Pitbull
Post Script: Yes, I know… I spelled vicious and about 15 other words wrong. Oh well… typewriters don’t have auto-correct. Deal with it! 😛 LOL
Multiplicities
You can be anything you want to be!
That’s what I told my kids when they were kids. They’d come to me and say, “Momma! I want to be a Fireman!” or maybe one would say, “Can I be a police man when I grow up?” and of course, being the mom who believed in the endless potential of my littles that I was, I naturally told them they could be ANYTHING they want to be!
And to this day, I truly believe that, with all my heart.
Not to sound overly partial, but I have some really awesome, and multi-talented kids. I’ve seen them change from one thing, to another, with still more to come. There is a seemingly endless ability to reinvent themselves, depending on their current situation in life and how they respond to it, and I am never disappointed with their progress.
But I didn’t come here today, to rave about my completely amazing adult children.
A few days ago, my husband was talking to me about my status as a college student, future Teacher, or Counselor, (I haven’t decided yet) current employment status as a Behavior Specialist, and Writer, plus the Ordained Minister thing, which I’m not currently practicing in any form other than internet posts – He said something I thought was interesting, and in fact, it stopped me in my tracks. After naming off the aforementioned statuses, he said;
How can you be all those things? You should just pick one and go with it.
Being me, my first response was, “Why?” because I’m a ‘why’ kind of gal. I like to – scratch that – I NEED to know the reason behind things. I can’t do algebra, without knowing why something is calculated the way it is. I once took a Rubik’s Cube apart to find out why the colors line up the way they do, because simply accepting it wasn’t good enough for me.
The ultimate question for me in this particular instance, is; Why should a person settle for being only one thing? What if you want to be more than one? I’m a wife and a mother, not just one or the other, so why can’t I be a teacher, and a writer, and a minister, and a behavior specialist? I am also a weaver, crocheter, knitter, and general crafter of anything that catches my fancy. I like it like that. If you are talented at or only want to be or do only one thing, then by all means – be that one thing and do it to the best of your ability. As long as you’re happy, and you aren’t hurting yourself or anyone else, then by God, DO IT!
But – If like me, you happen to be good at multiple things, and you have a desire to BE all those things, then why shouldn’t you? In the words of the United States Army, “Be all that you can be!”
I’d like to leave with you, a favorite quote, by one of my favorite authors;
If God gives you something you can do, why in God’s name wouldn’t you do it? – Stephen King
Truer words were never spoken. Now get up, go find out what you can do, and DO IT!
Many blessings, and Happy Sunday!
C.A.Bennett – Writer – and a whole bunch of other pretty cool things!
Tools of the Trade
My husband of 28 years and I, have very little in common when it comes to our interests. Movies, music, comedy, activities of all sorts, for us, are on opposite ends of the spectrum. What makes him laugh, makes me cringe. He works out regularly, and aspires to go to the CrossFit Games, I would rather sit on the couch and knit, while sipping tea or hot chocolate. We even differed greatly in terms of how best to raise the five sons we created together, but thankfully, they all survived our mutual parental ineptitude and made it to adulthood with all their parts and sensibilities intact! Good job, mom and dad. Good job resilient kids!
We do have a few things in common, however. Some very important things, in fact. Our political opinions are almost exactly the same. We also have our Christian beliefs, which is a HUGE thing when in a lifelong relationship with a person you must share a room with, believe me! We have some of the most wonderful conversations about God and faith, and nary an argument about it to be heard, with the rare exception, but brother, when we debate, we debate hard!
My husband and I also have tools in common. He has an incredible array of tools for any number of jobs. He has worked as a mechanic, and then an automotive and aircraft painter for thirty-plus years. He can fix the mechanical inner workings of almost any wheeled vehicle by getting under the hood, (or under the car, in some cases) and getting grease up to his elbows. He can make the outside of anything from a bicycle to an airplane beautiful again, by pulling and filling dents, and applying paint and a host of decoration. He is a hobbyist woodworker who has spent countless hours measuring, cutting, hammering nails, screwing screws. gluing, and creating something from seemingly nothing. The man owns a LOT of tools, some as new as purchased two days ago to fix my Buick, some – like an antique wood planer – one hundred years old and in dire need of restoration. He loves the old ones best. No matter which one he uses, the job gets done.
Me? I have tools of different types, but they are tools nevertheless. I have knitting needles and crochet hooks for creating a lovely array of warm clothing for the many children and their respective significant others. I have spinning tools that can make fine thread or bulky yarns depending on my mood. I have weaving looms that can make very fine and delicate fabric, or cloth which is utilitarian in nature. I can even create a simple tapestry if I have the inspiration and the motivation.
But my favorite tools, are my writing tools. I love to write! I write periodically throughout the day. I write in my personal journal every night before going to sleep, no matter how tired I am. I even take a notebook with me to write on the go when the mood or an idea for one of my three novels-in-progress strikes. I’ve even been known to use the note app on my phone when I’ve been in a rush and forgot the notebook. I write. It’s as much a part of who I am as the color of my eyes, skin and hair.
My writing tools vary greatly. I have six notebooks, a binder, my 2014 Acer laptop, a 1992 Smith Corona Word Processor, and a 1956 Royal Aristocrat manual typewriter. As soon as I can afford it, I’ll purchase a newer Royal Epoch manual typewriter for it’s lighter weight, included carrying case, ease of use, non-electrical versatility, and the plain, simple fact that I would like to preserve my cherished vintage models by not beating them to death – occasional use for nostalgic sake, not withstanding, of course. No matter what I write with, the story gets told.
We – the hubster and I – also have different tools for our biblical research and edification. He prefers the New American Standard version of bible and has one his mother gave him many years ago, which bears the autograph of Hall of Fame baseball player, Reggie Jackson, who was baptized at the church my husband and his family attended when he was a kid. He also has one that is an extensive study bible I gifted him with on an anniversary many years ago. I, myself own a lovely prophecy study bible given to me from my husband on a birthday a few years ago, and is the New King James Version, which I prefer, and Halley’s Bible Handbook, for greater understanding. No matter how old or which version, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever” – Hebrews 13:8.
So what’s the point? The point is, it doesn’t matter what version of what tool you use as long as it gets the job done! Find what works for you, then go forth and DO IT! “Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; And confirm for us the work of our hands; Yes, confirm the work of our hands.” Psalm 90:17
May you be blessed in all things, and in all things may God have the glory, in Jesus’ name – amen 🙂
Separation of Church and State
When I see the statement, “If we’re going to save our children, we have to put God back into the equation”, it occurs to me that spiritual guidance and growth begins at home.
Proverbs 22:6 says,
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
In my humble opinion, each person has the right to make their own choice when it comes to religious beliefs. If, for example, a person does not believe in God that’s their prerogative, but they have no right to force their status as a non-believer upon me or anyone else. Nor do they have the right to condemn me for being a believer.
Alternately, as a believer, I would never seek to force my beliefs upon another, however I do expect to be allowed to worship in peace and to raise my children with my belief system. The problem with this country, is that there’s this idea going around that we all must conform to one way or another, and there is no happy medium.
God is not a forceful God. He allows each of us to choose whether or not to believe in Him. Do I think the world would benefit from having more people worshiping God? Yes. That said, if anyone chooses to believe and worship then they should be left in peace to do so in their own way. “Separation of church and state” has nothing to do with it.”
The ABC’s of Faith
4 Year Old East Texan Recites ABC’s With A Twist
This is probably one of the most precious things I’ve ever seen! God is good! 😊
Communication
Good evening, Family & Friends. I want to talk briefly about good communication. These days everyone is in such a hurry to just get the info, or send a message, that we often just send a text message instead of actually making a phone call. Let’s face it — a text is fast, it’s easy, and you don’t have to go into the dynamics of an actual conversation.
Here’s the problem: Sometimes things that seem clear, aren’t clear, and little nuances such as vocal inflection cause things to get lost in the translation, or even sometimes, very badly misunderstood, which can have terrible and lasting effects on relationships.
I’m just as guilty as the next person, of just sending a text when I really should have an actual conversation. Many an argument between my hubby and I have been the result of a misunderstood text message. The fact is, there’s no substitute for good communication! Communication is a 2-sided dynamic, that involves information input, translation, and very often, a lot of clarification. Those things are frequently missed in a quick text.
Don’t forget to talk to one-another. Especially to the people who mean the most to you! Good communication is the key to a solid, and healthy relationship, whether it be with your husband, wife, mother, son, daughter, boyfriend, girlfriend….. okay, you get the idea… CALL & TALK. It’s worth it!
As always, may this message be a blessing to you, in Jesus’ name – Amen 🙂
Rev. Crystal
Shelter Me
Good Morning Family & Friends! Today, I’d like to share with you one of my absolute favorite songs. Now I’m honesty not a fan of Christian music, and to see the lyrics you’d think that’s what this is. It may very well be considered such, but this is an awesome rockin’ blues song with a mean guitar riff, and it sums up how I feel about the Lord, so give it a listen. Those of you who’ve watched the TV show Sons of Guns have already heard part of it, because they used it for their theme, however it’s not about guns, which I honestly have no problem with when used responsibly! Okay, the caffeine has officially kicked in, so I’m gonna leave this right here. Have a very blessed day! ❤
Shelter Me – by Tab Benoit (click to see the video & hear the song!)
The earth can shake the sky come down*
The mountains all fall to the ground
But I will fear none of these things
Shelter me lord underneath your wings
Dark waters rise and thunder pounds
The wheels of war are going round
And all the walls are crumbling
Shelter me lord underneath your wings
Shelter me lord underneath your wings
Hide me underneath your wings
Hide me deep inside your heart
In your refuge – cover me
The world can shake
But lord I’m making you my hiding place
The wind will blow the rain can pour
The deluge breaks the tempest roars
But in the storm my spirit sing
Oh shelter me lord underneath your wing
Shelter me lord underneath your wing
Hide me underneath your wings
Hide me deep inside your heart
In your refuge – cover me
The world can shake
But lord I’m making you my hiding place
Now on the day you call for me
Someday when time – no more shall be
I’ll say death where is your sting
Shelter me lord underneath your wing
Shelter me lord underneath your wing
Hide me underneath your wings
Hide me deep inside your heart
In your refuge – cover me
The world can shake
But lord I’m making you my hiding place
Now on the day you call for me
Someday when time – no more shall be
I’ll say oh death where is your sting
Oh shelter me lord underneath your wings
I say shelter me lord underneath your wing
Shelter me lord underneath your wing
C.A. Bennett 