A Thursday Morning in October..

October 4, 2018

Miss Dottie's ramblin' thoughts this beautiful sunny Thursday morning in N Central Texas:

As I prayed this morning, I began to realize that God has wanted me to be still, to listen, to use my eyes to see, my heart to feel, and my common sense to rule. If I truly believe in the power of the Almighty, then, no matter what, "things" are going to be okay.

Let's ramble!!

Do NOT be afraid ~ finding serenity.. I woke up extra early this morning and my mind was darting from this to that ~ my chest was tight, my breathing labored, and salty tears flowed from my sleep filled eyes. I literally had to get out of bed to refocus, replacing all the concern and frustration inside of me with purpose, truth, and asking God to direct my steps. Associate Pastor Rick at church had posted some words from the book of Nahum in the Bible and I slowly read each word. "The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him." Amen!

"There is a way that seems right to a man 

but its end is the way of death."

~Proverbs 14:12

My way or God's way.. My mother used to tell me that some of the first words out of my mouth were, "I can do it." I was a bossy, stubborn little girl hell bent on being independent and self sufficient. I used to love the song sung by Frank Sinatra, "I Did It My Way."  Then, I reached a time in my life, where I wanted to live my life God's way and I surrendered my will to Him. I began to read and study my Bible. I took the class The Mind of Christ and applied it to my thinking and doing. I had mentors come alongside me and worked a 12 Step Program. I put aside my flawed thinking and, instead, began to walk in the light.

Trials in America.. These past weeks, I witnessed something in our nation that has nearly ripped my heart apart. As I began to put my independent thinking cap on, I shut out emotion and began to concentrate on facts. Having been molested myself, commissioned as a Stephen's Minister to come alongside women going through life's trials, worked with battered women, plus, my career time as a relationship coach, I always tend to wrap my arms around the victim. In this case, it took me a long while to identify the victim as well as examine the law of the land whereas a man or woman is assumed innocent until proven guilty. I spent hours doing research and listening before making up my own mind. Perception is NOT fact.

Faith.. My faith in the Almighty gives me peace as I know that EVERYTHING IS FATHER-FILTERED. My sadness comes from the evilness that has surrounded this entire ordeal. People have become sheeple allowing influential orators and the media to brainwash them. Creeps me out!! I had been a proud Democrat for years but no more. I am a strong successful woman who has worked in Corporate America and built my own businesses. At one of the places I worked (in the 1980's) it was a game among the women to see who could seduce the men (especially executives) to their benefit. I've lived long enough to remember the sexual escapades held in the White House and among our elected representatives including Presidents. Yes, I remember lots of STUFF that the media has turned a deaf ear to. Oh the hypocrisy of today.

Feminism.. Women received the right to vote in 1920 which gave us power at the ballot box for change. We still have that right. I believe in peaceful protests and free speech. I may not like what you say but I will defend your right to speak. Am I a Feminist? Nope. Why? I have been embarrassed at how women have chosen to parade naked, shouting obscenities, and blaming men for all the discord in their lives. God says we are equal. If that is true then both men and women are responsible for their choices. MY choices have resulted in some nasty consequences and I take full responsibility for them. There are good men and some evil men ... there are some wonderful women and there are some that are evil to the core. I CANNOT take the side of women who lie, cheat, steal any more than I can a man. WE ARE EQUAL AND SHOULD BE LOOKED AT EQUALLY.

12 Steps to Freedom.. If you have ever been addicted to anything (alcohol, work, porn, drugs, bad people, food, the rush of danger, etc), you know the shame, the trials, and the memories that keep you in bondage. If what you did wrong defines you for your entire life, then, I guess you should just put a scarlet letter on your forehead and be whipped daily. You might as well remain in prison. Right? NO!!!! Jesus Christ said, "Go and sin no more." He has declared me forgiven and worthy!

Today.. I am remembering the Prayer of St Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

Where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek 

to be consoled as to console;

To be understood as to understand;

to be loved as to love.

For, it is in giving that we receive;

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

And, it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Peace be still!

Miss Dottie

PS  I sat on the jury of a trial where a man (the husband of the babysitter) was on trial for molestation. The 5 year old victim took the stand and the whole trial that lasted several days still haunts me. We found the man guilty but my spirit never rested (I was a hold out). Several years later, the father of the boy came into my office as a new member of the dating service where I worked. I introduced myself, explained how I knew him, and asked about his son. He said, "The man was not guilty, try living with that." He left and I never saw him again. Why am I telling you this? I don't know... Maybe, it's just that it bothers me that I helped convict an innocent man.

On the flip side, I was involved in a nasty situation, went through a 6 1/2 hour deposition where my life was turned inside out and upside down. I answered pages and pages of interrogatory questions and was stripped of my dignity. My story made the front page news and I lived in fear. I quickly found out that the scales of justice were tipped in favor of those who could afford unscrupulous attorneys to defend them and WIN. The guilty, in my case, went away unscathed. THE GOOD NEWS? In the end, God used my pain for good as I was on the Board of Directors who established the first Women's Shelter in Collin County Texas. Yes!

Always remember that God loves you and I do too!