Humble and Kind

Tim McGraw's new song "Humble and Kind" speaks volumes to me. His words are so on target of how we should be living our lives. They are so simple yet so appropriate.

Please read and ponder. 

You know there's a light that glows by the front door
Don't forget the key's under the mat
Childhood stars shine, 

Always stay humble and kind

Go to church 'cause your momma says to
Visit grandpa every chance that you can
It won't be wasted time
Always stay humble and kind

Hold the door, say please, say thank you
Don't steal, don't cheat, and don't lie
I know you got mountains to climb but
Always stay humble and kind

When the dreams you're dreamin' come to you
When the work you put in is realized
Let yourself feel the pride but
Always stay humble and kind

Don't expect a free ride from no one
Don't hold a grudge or a chip and here's why
Bitterness keeps you from flyin'
Always stay humble and kind

Know the difference between sleeping with someone
And sleeping with someone you love
"I love you" ain't no pick up line so
Always stay humble and kind

Hold the door, say please, say thank you
Don't steal, don't cheat, and don't lie
I know you got mountains to climb but
Always stay humble and kind

When those dreams you're dreamin' come to you
When the work you put in is realized
Let yourself feel the pride but
Always stay humble and kind

When it's hot, eat a root beer popsicle

Shut off the AC and roll the windows down
Let that summer sun shine
Always stay humble and kind

Don't take for granted the love this life gives you
When you get where you're goin
Don't forget turn back around
And help the next one in line
Always stay humble and kind

May God Bless

Are You Living in Fear?

Fear rules me sometimes. It can completely immobilize me doing things that need to be done.

Last week I was going to make plans to visit friends in another state. At the last minute I couldn’t book the flight. I was afraid. What if the plane crashed? What if there was a terrorist on the flight? What if . . kept me from having fun. This isn’t the first time this has happened to me.

I declined a paid trip to China through my work, because I was afraid. There have been several opportunities that I have let pass me by because of fear.

Fear can be negative -

• I fear that bad things my happen.
• I fear dying – mainly the pain I may have of dying. 
• I fear leaving my children and grandchildren. 

My husband thinks it is sad that I leave in fear. Sometimes it can be funny. I can make up some of the craziest situations in my mind because of my fear. Being a writer that can be helpful. I can take just about any situation and come up with a plot for a book or at least a good chapter. 

Knowing that sometimes I carry irrational fears, I try and head them off with a lot of inside talk with myself. Logically I can reason through most of these episodes. When I can’t, sleep takes away my fear, at least temporarily.

Fear can be positive –

• I also fear the Lord.

Luke 1:50
And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.

The Bible mentions fear 456 times. It’s an important topic. I realize there is a healthy fear and then there is the unhealthy fear. I have both as most of us do.

The Bible tells me to cleanse myself from filthiness of the flesh and spirit and to fear God. If I am full of fear of everyday things, then I can’t be filled with the fear (honor) of God.

2 Corinthians 7:1
Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

At those times when unreasonable fear fills me, I must turn to God. Read His word and remember His promises. 

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.

I need to remember that no matter what happens in my life, God is protecting me. My fleshly body can cease to exist but my soul belongs to my Lord.

Try not to live your life in fear and when it does take over and consume you, reach out to God and pray. Peace will come to you through the Lord. 

May God Bless

Are You a Do-Gooder?

Hi, my name is Lillian and I am a do-gooder. I feel like I need to find a 12 step program to join when I say that. The truth is – I am. Are you a do-gooder?

What is a do-gooder you say? Well, let me explain that for you. Somebody who thinks they can do everything that is needed to be done. Please don’t think that I feel like I can do everything better than anyone else, because that isn’t true (in most cases). I just think I’m supposed to do everything that comes my way.

Pick me! I can do it.

I support the cause, whatever it may be, mostly the underdog. Not sure where this comes from in my background or is it something that I was born with. Either way it appears to be my life’s work. I’m the one who can’t keep her hand down in a meeting. Trust me I have tried. My hand just automatically lifts itself without me putting any effort into it. When it’s announced, we need a volunteer – there it goes right on cue. Shoots for the ceiling. I look at my arm as if it came from another universe. My poor daughters would beg me, “Mom please don’t volunteer, again. We want to do this (whatever activity it was) by ourselves.” Nope, there it goes, waving as if I was the queen in a parade.

So what is the definition of a do-gooder? Well, I found out not as favorable as I thought.

Webster’s:
someone whose desire and effort to help people (such as poor people) is regarded as wrong, annoying, useless, etc.

What – annoying and useless?
Urban Dictionary:
See bleeding heart liberal. Someone who thinks they are helping society by championing oppressed minority groups when in fact they are ruining society and crippling free speech. Examples: Bra Burners, Tree Huggers and Churchies

Just a note here, I have never burned my bra or hugged a tree. I am however a churchie.

None of these above descriptions seem to be very favorable. So I went looking for more words to describe the do-gooder in me and here is what I found.

• Humanitarian
• Good Samaritan
• Benefactor
• Bleeding Heart
• Good Scout
• Helper
• Patron
• Philanthropist

I can accept most of these except, benefactor, patron and philanthropist because they just bring up dollar signs in my mind, and that isn’t in my abilities. 

So what does that leave me with –

• Humanitarian
• Good Samaritan
• Bleeding Heart
• Good Scout
• Helper

I can accept those. That list says do-gooder to my understanding. So why all this talk about being a do-gooder?

Sometimes we do-gooders get ourselves in a pickle. We get all tied up in doing good and getting things done that we forget one thing. God. We are so busy “doing” that we forget to stop and do-good to God. We forget to sit down, talk to God, and give Him the glory that we have the ability and time to do these things. We forget to ask God if this is really a good cause, project or interest for me to put my time into. 

So while we are fluttering around doing all the good things that need to be done in the world, don’t forget to do-good to God. Thank Him, Praise Him,





May God Bless

The Truth Will Set You Free

In this world of political correctness (PC), it appears you can’t say much of anything without someone finding an objection to it. It is wearing thin on my nerves. Everybody has rights, yet no one seems to want to take responsibility for themselves and/or their actions.

We hear often, “I wasn’t in my right mind when I did that. Well I say – really? What mind were you in? Do you have more than one mind? Now don’t get all upset about this blog post. I am not talking about “real mental problems”. OK?

Each time we have an election of any kind in this country, we hear more junk that has nothing to do with the issues we really need to discuss. This one in particular has had more mudslinging than any other I can remember. They all want to blame someone else for all the troubles in the world. If we all stood up and claimed our own mistakes and downfalls we wouldn’t have half as many problems. 

I was raised to take responsibility for myself and my family, not blame my neighbor, teacher or peers for what I did. Those who know me well know I am not particularly PC. However, I do try and think before I speak, and consider other people’s feelings.

Jesus was not PC. No, He just said what God sent Him to earth to say. He did not sugar coat anything. He was direct and truthful. Now I know that nobody can be as perfect as Jesus, but come on people can we give it a try?

Look what Jesus said in Romans.

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Sometimes you just have to lay it on the line, so to speak. Jesus held nothing back in this statement. 

1 + 1 = 2 always and forever

You know I am reaching the age that I can hardly remember what I tell someone from day to day. Telling the truth keeps me from getting caught with the wrong information leaving my lips. It really does set you free.

John 8:32 says
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 

So let’s all give it try shall we? If you are sinning you know what will happen. If you are not telling the truth, you will never be free.

Take responsibility for yourself today. Good or bad, it’s who you are. Only you can change yourself, inward and outward.

May God Bless