Different but same

 

You may think I am a weirdo. But, over the last few years, I have taken delight in looking at trees. I mean really looking at them. Seeing their uniqueness and beauty. Wherever I go, if I see a tree that has some personality, I just have to take a picture of it.  And if you really look at them, you will see their personality. It is amazing how God has made everything the same but different. What I mean is that when we look at the above pictures we see trees. but they are unique in their own way. One at the top is at my new home that is being built. It has already dropped their leaves to display their wonderful structure and limbs. And it even has its own creativity of how it wants to appear.  Like it has "dressed" itself to show its limbs reaching out as if to pick something out or reach out and shake my hand.

The other is in my front yard at my current home. It still has its beautiful yellow leaves on it. It is as if it wants to show off its beautiful coat of many colors. And I picture it reaching up to the sky like it is raising their arms in praise. 

           

I am sure you see your own version of those pictures but this is what comes to my mind. Just like those trees, we are the same but different. We reach out and reach up for others for many things. We show off our colors through actions and words, not just externally with appearances. Have you ever wondered what others see in you? We all "people watch", sometimes it isn't intentional but we do. What are you showing others? Do you walk the talk that you believe? 

I think my trees are giving me a life lesson. To be myself, to love myself, and to love and accept the differences that we all have. Jesus loves us all, despite our differences. He doesn't see that, all he sees is that we are made in his image and we are his children.  So love starts with loving yourself and the differences you have. You are beautiful. 

1 Peter 4:8: "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins".

Psalm 139:14: "I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made". 

Ephesians 5:29: "For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church"

Ephesians 4:2: "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love".

Love to all, 

Kentucky-isms

 

Well, if you live in Kentucky or any part of the Southern part of the U.S., you have heard or even may had said any of the below. I just thought I would enlighten my fellow readers. Different parts of the world have things you say that others are like, "what in the world are they talking about!" This can even happen in other parts of the US. As with my daughter who moved from the southern part of the US to the west coast. When she says one of these, her co-workers are like, "what the heck!" and then just start laughing! With the help of my daughter, she compiled a list of some of the common ones we say. So let's get started!

* What the Sam Hill?  

    This means: what the heck? Fun fact: Apparently, Sammy was a guy that cussed so much his name became a euphemism for cussing itself!

* I got a Hitch in my Gitty-up

    Means: I'm hurting, to be injured, moving slow Ex: Slow down, I have a hitch in my gitty-up. Happens to me a lot, since I am getting older! Especially in the cold weather.

* It has been a month of Sundays

    Means: A super long time. For me it happens usually on Wednesday's when I am ready for my work week to be over!

* O' Lord, Katie bar the door!

    Means Watch out! Prepare yourself, something's coming.

* It's all "Gummed up"

    Means Nasty or dirty

* I'm living High on the Hog

    Means Rich/extravagant or financially secure. I usually say this if I am eating a steak, because that doesn't happen often!

* To be "hot". Ex: Ohhh, I am so hot! Sometimes also will say, "I am so over it"!

    Means: incredibly mad, like you're so angry your face turns red

* I am full as a tick

    Means you have eaten so much food, you cannot eat anymore. Mostly said on holidays

* If it were a snake, it would've bit me

    Means: often said after you lost something and it was so close to you when you found it, if that object were a snake it would have attacked you

* They are three sheets to the wind

    Means incredibly drunk

* Piss or get off the pot

    Means to stop dilly-dallying (stalling)

* They couldn't hit the broadside of a barn

    Means Bad aim. Ex: when someone is throwing a ball and can't hit the basket.

* Spitting snow/rain

    Means it's trying to snow/rain

Well, I think you are ready for a visit to us Kentuckians! I can't wait! We are all different and it takes all of us to make up the world. So wherever you live, however you talk, we are all one in humanity. You are perfectly made, no matter where you live. 

God made us all, in his image and He loves you!

Psalm 139: 13-14; "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

Luke 12:7: "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." 

Love to all,

It's change of season time!

 Yep, it's here. Change of season, cold weather, and the dreaded time change. All of this has effects on people and me too. I don't like cold weather, and the change in seasons mean winter is coming! BOO. What I do like is the beautiful change in color the trees give us this time each year. It kinda makes it a little more bearable. As I was walking this week, there are so many reds, yellow and orange colors on the trees! So beautiful.

Despite all this good feeling nature, there are just some days. Do you have those days where the thought of having to smile and be nice to everyone or to say Good morning a gazillion times just isn't in you? It takes everything you have to smile and say it? I had one of those days last week. I just felt, "I can't do this today." But when you are wallowing in your self pity, God steps in and KAPOW! You are smiling. That was me. But what gave me my smile was God placed someone in my path. They had a word of encouragement for me, and it went a long way to help me through my work day.

When I think on it, I still smile. I try to help others throughout their tough times, and just feeling that support from others, well....it feels different receiving it. I experienced how my words make other feel. 

This past week was Halloween. I anticipated a lot of kids because our neighborhood has a lot of kids. I only got 5!!!! I have so much leftover halloween treats. More for me!! But you know what comes after halloween????? NOVEMBER 1ST! Some may not know, but IYKYK! It is christmas music time! It starts on Nov 1st. I LOVE IT! It helps me through this dreary time of shorter days, colder nights and coat weather. 

So this week, one- I am off work (YAY for me!) but two- I am breaking out the christmas decorations!! At least for inside my house. I usually won't decorate outside until after Thanksgiving. I have to get some use out of my pumpkins I bought 2 weeks ago.  haha!

My challenge for you, spread joy. Compliment someone, smile at someone. You never know where their mind is and what your words or smile will do for them, even if it is just a small thing. The compliment I received....a Thank you. Someone just came to me and said, thank you for everything you do for us. That small sentence made me feel valuable.

John 3:30 "He must become greater; I must become less.”

Hebrews 10:24-25; "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Love to all,