Westwoods

I was reminded recently of how slaves in the state of Texas didn't know they had been freed until two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed. It is thought to be the fault of the slave owners. I suppose they thought if they kept their mouths shut, life would go on the way they were used to. How often do we forget we have been freed spiritually? Do we live like we are freed or do we put ourselves in safe boxes where we behave and do only the things that are expected of us? Do we put limitations on our abilities because we do not claim ownership of our freedom? I think that I am guilty of this. For the longest time, especially while growing up, I tried to hide my love of writing because I felt shame that I couldn't really write. In my world there was scoffing  toward people that loved the arts in general, so admitting that I was one of those who had fluffy dreams of making a living writing best sellers was ludicrous. And it worked too. I hid

Do you ever feel you are on the outside looking in? Like everything in life is a great big picture window and that you can see all the good things inside the room from the outside but no matter how hard you press your nose against the glass you just cannot quite become a part of the things you see going on inside the window? I do. I know a lot can be said for those who have been brought up going to church every single Sunday and also on Wednesday evenings for prayer meetings. I know it is a blessing in belonging to a local body of believers, after all there is something wonderful about belonging. But belonging can sometimes make us feel exclusive and premier like we have special dibs on the goodness of God. Or maybe we are more prone to becoming sweetness spoiled like too much candy in one place. Maybe we think we deserve special privileges and benefits because we are loyal church members. Could it be we think we know more accurately what Jesus taught than those outside ou

  Yes, it is time for quiet but it is also very unlikely that it will happen. What should a person do when the world comes crashing in and takes over every fiber of their being?   This desire to be quiet, is not such a bad thing in of itself, but hold it too tightly and it can make you feel like a tight-fisted Scrooge, especially this time of year.    Sometimes the striving created to find quiet and peace has the opposite effect; better to learn to embrace the chaos and anticipation along with every little boy and girl. Even the sugar cookies with the messy frosting and sprinkles that will scatter everywhere...that you will be wiping off the kitchen floor for the next month...They too are part of what you are better off embracing.  Dear Mommy, do I have to?   It comes to this. You can find quiet and calm wherever you so choose. It can be found knee deep in the clutter of laundry and dirty dishes. Or it could be in those hours of sleeplessness when you so desperately