Jekyll and Hyde

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, while they are fictional characters by Robert Louis Stevenson, is a phrase we use for people having multiple ways of behaving. I think I can now use that phrase for my new puppy. Precious as she can be but coming from a large litter I think she may have been the alpha pup.

This afternoon, she had her supper, played with Mimi a bit went outside and did all her business so I though it would be safe to go downstairs to discuss supper options. Five minutes. Yea, wrong idea…

Last week a storm came through and I didn’t get the banana tree in before the wind did some damage to the two lower leaves and I had not trimmed them as I should have. Now they were hanging within reach for tug-a-war. The tree obviously lost the battle but maybe not the war. The main stem was not damaged and the ball was okay so we will see.

Reminder to self…puppies can become Mr. Hyde in a heartbeat. Prepare. She spent some time in timeout to settle down and now the vacuum has become public enemy #1. Well, it was noisy, so OK.

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And that can be a reminder to us all, that while we can sometime feel like Mr. Hyde we need to remember the damage it can cause. So let us always focus on being kind.

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I Don’t Get It but…

Going to church today, I bumped into the marathon. A 26+ mile run for fun? In the rain?As those who read my blog know I live on the Mississippi river within a 4 city metropolis called the Quad cities, with 2 cities either side of the river. This is the runningest place I have ever lived in, or maybe because of the size and layout of the land here, I see them more. This particular marathon hits all 4 cities. It takes major amounts of commitment, courage, perseverance and love of running. Some run for a cause, some for themselves to beat the last run time and some just run for the fun and enjoyment or it, regardless of the weather. I don’t get it but I admire it.

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I realize these picture are not clear, I was driving at the time, but that folds into what my true purpose of this post is about.

Runners train endless hours to be able to preform the endurance that is required for any given race. They train their bodies to withstand the pressure they may encounter, they revise their diets to help strengthen their endurance and they gear their minds into the proper mindset to be able to finish the race. Sometimes it not about a clear manor in running but that clearly you finish.

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For me, walking .2 miles can be a challenge on some days depending on what the weather is doing to my arthritic knees. But I admire the training of the runner and this morning I thought of a different thought pattern for running a race, which includes all the training mentioned above in different forms.

What if we turned our life into a race of…Running TO Jesus. What if we put a marathon’s passion of running to run toward the one who loves us more than we can imagine. I look at it as a child being lost and then being found like the prodigal some spoken of in scripture. The father running with love toward the some. Our heavenly father is forever running to us, and if we will just turn toward Him…of course it is easier to say than to do.

Or for animal loves, tears come to my eyes as soldiers are reunited with their canine loves upon their return from service. They RUN to each other with love overflowing.

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That really is what God wants from us…to run to Him with His overflowing love for us. Scripture talks about running the race of life and to run it with Christ as our goal, while in fact He is running beside us to make sure we finish with Him.

So when you see runners cheer them own and remember to run your own race to God. He never said it would be easy but it did say it would be worth it.

And while you are running, remember to reflect the love he is showing you and share it with for other to see His love.

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Kindness

An anxious heart weighs down a man,

but a kind word cheers him up.

Prov. 12:25

Come join in on Linda Hill’s One Liner Wednesday.

If you must use one line, then remember to always be kind.

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Frown to Smiles

Our attitudes toward all our of trials in this life is what helps us get through them, as long as they don’t own us. So I challenge you this day to keep your spirits bright and to not let the “Negative Nancy” get the opportunity to fill your thoughts.

Trails of Life

We start out eager and young on this wide trail of life,

In hopes of receiving great fortune and very little strife.

Curvy paths seem smooth, with beauty brightening the day

No concerns considered of what may happen on the way.

Bridge to Sunshine — Courtesy Irene Tron, Heaven’s Sunshine

But not all paths are rosy along this narrow way

And trials of life can happen causing you deep dismay

Don’t let that sadness take hold of you, creating a deep frown

But rise above that sad trial and turn it upside down.

Anita Neal

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And as always when you can smile, you can be kind so try always to be kind.

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Sunshine’s Macro Monday – Fly

I have no clue what this critter is. He is a good three inches long. His coloration of army colors is very interesting and his wings as you can see are translucent. The end of his body is weird, like he has a tail. If anyone knows, give me a shout.

Come join in on Heaven’s Sunshine Monday challenge of Monday macro.

And just a friendly reminder to let you light shine through and brighten someone else day by being kind.

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BOTD, 9/13/19, Fan of…

I am a big fan of my bird feeders. It has been fun watching them feed, fuss, fight and rest. The majority of the birds I currently see are Goldfinch. But the House finch and Purple finch are also constants at the feeders. Its interesting as the Goldfinch like the Niger(thistle seeds) better where the House and Purple like the mix with the safflower seed and black oil sun flowers. The cardinals and woodpeckers prefer the cakes of sunflower seed with the peanuts…as do the squirrels.

The Goldfinch and the Woodpecker watch each other but will guardedly share.

When the squirrel arrives, he has split second time to grab and run before Mimi goes into action. She does not approve of the squirrel in the feeder, nor does the female House finch. Then in the feeder goes empty, we have the neighborhood watch bird pecking at the window to make sure I am aware.

I know that some of these pictures I have posted in the past but it all fit for Fan of… presented by Jez Braithwaite.

And for BOTD by Granny Shot It, , we have the Mourning Dove. All my life, I thought these were Morning Doves until I got a bird book and saw they are Mourning Doves, maybe for the sad sound they make. We have two pairs around and supposedly that is supposed to be good luck for the home. All I know is I am enjoying my birds.

Hopefully we will not be mourning this day but joyous and happy sharing kindness when we can.

Our Amazing Mind, #SoCS-Blue

Our minds are an amazing gift from God that in some instances is phenomenal and in others its…Whaat??!?? I have heard it said that as long as you have the first and last letters correct and a general understanding of what is being said, your brain will make it right. On one hand that is great but on the other hand, its why writers had editors. It struck close to home when we purchased T-shirts for an community outreach program at church. We ordered shirts to let anyone know that we would pray for them right then, whatever was on their heart. What a great concept. The shirts came in, we loved them, several of us took one. I even posted one to show how excited we were about this. The next day we excitedly showed the pastor and he said “What? Did anyone proof read that before ordering?” “Well yea, we said…whats the problem…oh crap.” Three of us missed it.

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Okay I said. I can fix this so we can at least wear them, plus it will be another conversation starter. “Whatever” he said …”order new ones.”

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It just shows how our brains work for us when we don’t seem to be able to do it correctly ourselves. But it emphasizes how we all really need to care for each other and find unique ways to show we care…as in praying for each other. Those of us in the Christian religion like to say we are all brothers and sisters in Christ but it really goes deeper than that. We are all brothers and sisters period. We are all descendants of Adam and Eve…if you believe the bible is true.

I know for me, the idea of me coming from a one cell organism and developing into an ape and then into a human….yea, no. If that were true we would still be seeing that today. Now I will clarify that as there are some people who periodically act like apes and would probably get smack around by an ape if the ape saw that behavior. They don’t tolerate nonsense either.

The new shirts came in today so now we won’t embarrass the church. Funny how many people took one of those shirts with a “4” painted on it…hmmm.

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That being said, if ever I can pray for you about a specific situation or just an unspoken request just reply on any given post P4me and I will do just that.

Today’s prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday by Linda Hill is blue and these shirts are blue although the coloring from house lights really change the color. Come join in and have fun and remember to always be kind. Let the ripples of kindness flow from you to the world.

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FOTD, 9/13/19 Violets

Come join in on the beauty of flowers around you with Cee’s Flower of the Day.

Scatter your kindness & smiles on others as the flowers scatter their beauty with us.

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Things You Forget, #1LinerWed

Things you forget when you see the preciousness of a new puppy and have been wanting one, like no sleep, cleanup detail, making you home puppy proof and toys all over the floor.

IMG_20190909_220030 — Playing with big sister Mimi

IMG_20190910_123905 — Living the good life…doesn’t take long to get spoiled

And as always I remind us all the value of kindness, not just because there may be cuteness around you but because in all things God shows his love to us to reflect it to others.

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Linda G Hill’s One Liner Wednesday is a good quick break for mid week. Come join in.

Monumental, Sunday’s Word

Debbie Smyth of Traveling Intent, challenges us this Sunday with the word of Monument.

Regardless of how you feel about war, you should never take those feeling against the people who have been placed where they have to participate. May we always remember in any conflict Freedom is never free and to show love and respect to those who try to keep freedom at hand.

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May we always remember the sacrifices all of our military, police and fireman do to keep us safe. And may we always be gentle when we can, and kind in our hearts when possible.

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