Monday 's Freedom of Speech

June 9, 2014
9am

Dear God,

Miss Dottie in her 30's

Where do the days go? It seems like the faster I go the behinder I get. I wonder how (single, in my 30's) I used to manage holding down a full time job, raising a family, taking classes, and keeping a home going. One thing is for sure, I was a lot younger then and could live on 4-5 hours of sleep a night. Now, my body needs rest and my mind needs down time. I could fight it but I might as well embrace my season of living in the now. I am so grateful that You and I are best buds and that You are (and have always been) with me every step of the way.

How do I know this? I have experienced your love, compassion, and grace; AND, I have your word to stand on ... And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:20). Two of the things that I have been most grateful for has been the workings of my mind and heart. I'm a seeker of light and truth which has sometimes made those around me quite uncomfortable. I must say there was a long period of time in my life that I chose to keep quiet and allow the demons inside me to fester and erode my self-image to the point that I almost didn't exist. I could have passed on to Heaven and never have left any kind of legacy ... it is so easy to never make waves or stand up and be heard. Yep, that's the easy route to take. I didn't "become" overnight ~ what a painful, exhilarating, journey it's been to find my way to wholeness.

Some years ago, I attended a class on the book of Revelation in the Bible. The facilitator spoke and my mind feasted on Your Word: I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth... ~Revelation 3:15

Oh my gosh, that was me. I had lived my life on the surface and was like Much-Afraid in the book, HINDS' FEET ON HIGH PLACES (a Christian classic). Yes, You know how painful it was for me to get out of my murky comfort zone. I think that is why I so value the freedom of speech and expression. I don't have to believe or accept what others say. I do give them the right to be heard. Many times we have to agree to disagree and leave it at that...

For many years of my life, I have lived in Texas. Wasn't my first choice but I got planted here and it is here that I have come to bloom. When I got here, I couldn't figure this place out ... these native Texans seemed over the top in friendliness, stores were closed on Sundays, and there was a church on every corner. Most children said, "No sir and no ma'am." Hugs here were common place and opportunities were plentiful. As a liberal, I questioned and rolled my eyes at (gulp) the Baptists. Little did I know, that I would do some mighty big growing in that (gulp) Baptist church. Texas embraced me and I embraced it as a flower blooming after a Spring rain. I am smiling Lord because You knew what I needed to "become."

Grandma Maggie

Am I now a conservative? Well, let's talk about that. I would rather say that I am an independent thinking woman of faith, grace, and love. I've seen what has happened to our country under the guise of tolerance and extreme liberalism and it hasn't been pretty. What we get on the 6 o'clock news is rarely the whole truth and it takes a lot of digging and research on my part to keep my head out of the sand. The older I get, and the more I study my family of origin, I realize that so many of the old ways of moral living were solid. My Grandmother Maggie read her Norwegian Bible every day at 3 pm ~ If I visited her at that time, my Kool-Aid and cookies would have to wait. She didn't preach to me from her Bible, she just lived her life as a Godly woman full of charm, modesty, humility, and grace. I noticed, and so did most folks in town. Okay, back to am I conservative? As I write, I am thinking that I am in many ways. I believe in truth and doing the next right thing even if I don't feel like it. I believe in following the rules yet I color outside the lines!! I don't know if that makes sense.

Do I still have a liberal side? Yes. I also look at the description of a conservative and that describes me too. I don't look at the color of a man's (or woman's) skin or sexual orientation; I look at what's inside. I like creative people who dare to be different. As I said, I often times color outside the lines of life remembering that choices do have consequences. I stand for free speech and the right to bear arms to protect myself and my home. I don't like the corruption of politicians no matter what party they belong to. I still want to get a tattoo and I love fun funky clothes.

As I chat with you, Lord, who I really am becomes quite clear because I want to be like You. I want to study your word and move in rhythm to your beat. I believe in the sanctity of marriage and am pro life. I have adopted 4 rescue dogs and believe in treating animals humanely. I'm a rather shy, quiet soul and words sometimes get trapped inside my head when I feel threatened or am in unfamiliar territory. Odd though because I am also a leader with strong convictions and a fearless demeanor. I truly live up to my personality falling in 1% of the population.

It is storming outside ... the tree limbs are swaying and my flowers are bent over to the ground. The Fabulous 5 gather close and are snoring. I need to start keeping some fruit, nuts, and drinks in the cottage. It's a good thing I got some coffee from the house at the break of day! I opened the door of to snap some photos. Zeke raised his sleepy head, checked out what I was doing and promptly zoned back out. He's such a funny little guy!

Jesus, take the wheel of my life and of the lives of my Readers. Your word is lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105). I  pray for all Christians to light a candle after they read my blog today thinking about the darkness of our present world and how we can shine our lights into those corners where evil resides. Be with my Readers who are suffering and struggling moving them miraculously into a plane of wholeness and clarity. I pray that your storehouses would be opened and that your abundance would spill out to those with financial stresses. Let my blog have a ripple effect, Father, moving from Reader to Reader offering encouragement. My mind is flooded this morning with faces across the globe. Let us all be aware of the need of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Amen, dear Jesus.

Miss Dottie


NOTE TO READERS: "There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because conscience tells him it is right" ~Martin Luther King, Jr.