Categories
life

Saying goodbye to this year…

I say goodbye to this year with a stoic reverence. Minding my perspective, much like the rain washing through Houston today, 2020 exposed a lot that needed care. Racial wounds in this country have been festering since it’s birth. America was once home to Indigenous people who both respected the land and humanity and two groups of Europeans. Those were sent here for punishment and those who sought refuge from persecution. Those groups quickly turned into the problem for both Indigenous people and Black people. Why BLACK and not an ethnic identifier? We were stripped of it and our humanity was also attempted – but both Indigenous and Black people are resilient. Cameras and social media have exposed much about antebellum lovers. Covid-19 made the entire globe stand still. A deadly germ, unseen to the naked eye, put a stop to the business and busyness of life as we know it. Toilet Paper and Cleaning Wipes became a thing if want and desire as cleaning became a focus again. Opportunists drove up prices and people finally began to appreciate those on the front lines of SERVICE. Yes, medical professionals, transportation personnel, grocers, farmers, ranchers, warehouse workers, and finally teachers. Teachers, who never got to stop working, became a wonder. Parents, a child’s first teachers became more active on education and technology became the conduit whereby lessons were pipped into home like water through screens. The myths about “the perfect child” were bashed against the rock of toggling of children under one roof with distractions. Employers that would have previously never allowed their operations to shift to “work-from-home” status QUICKLY shifted so that things could continue even in the presence of a pandemic. The term “new normal” surfaced and even I have dripped these words from my mouth slowly like molasses from buttered pancakes, and even now I shudder deep within my being. Nothing about this life has ever been normal. I am allergic to status quo. I was never invited to that table. I was allowed to build it, yes, but no one drew out a seat for me there. 2020 has broken what was referred to as normal. I should like to thank her for that. Because we will never be what we were before. We still aren’t out of the manacles of this germ’s clutches. And with that, I will end this is a reverent moment of silence for all of those who are no longer with us on this side. For those who have entered heaven’s gate I send peace and condolences to the families.

::🙏🏽::

Ivy Out

Categories
life

I love my PARENTS!

Image

 

Over the course of this weekend I have spent pure quality time with my parents. Not that I have never spent time with them. This time was different.

Although I hate the reason that brings them west of Houston, I love the unfiltered time. I can admit that I was distracted from homework, I really didn’t text as much, I even watched tv with them. God knows I don’t watch much television. (Let alone the programing they find entertaining.) It was the sheer presence of being in the same living space as them. My parents are interesting individuals. The don’t follow some of the principles that I’ve recently been exposed to. I’m not sure they had a value statement or core values chart for our family, as I am still scratching my head to create my own.(but) My parents are genuine, warm, loving people. They are honest and very open with me. 

As the oldest of two, I have heard many of the things that I did wrong and right over the course of this weekend. I have also heard wisdom concerning many things that I will encounter in life. What I valued most: the walk around my neighborhood. My parents are both healing: one from a back surgery and it’s complications and  the other, shoulder surgery and current back treatment. The got up relatively early on Saturday and walked my neighborhood with me. No complaints, and with a cane in hand, we shared a moment in health together.  I loved it. I can deposit this memory and add it to a random visit to a pet adoption event. I didn’t have the pleasure of taking the black lab that I fell in love with home… but I was there with my parents. 

 

This weekend I fell asleep with my face in my textbook on the floor of my living room. Not two feet away were, you guessed it, my parents. I cooked dinner for them. My mom, as she always does, found something to clean. My dad, found his favorite television show at 10:30, Perry Mason. It felt great. I miss them when they are gone. I realize how I took family time for granted as a child. 

I would give this time up for no one. This is priceless. God blessed parents with children. Children are blessed by parents. The relationship is reciprocal. 

Categories
life

familiar text

So yesterday during my extended study/lax/reading time before Bible study I went to a familiar text to review…Ruth.

Now, I have read this book many times. Two years ago I taught a Bible study at my house with Ruth and Esther as the foundation. I even juxtaposed the preparation difference between the two thinking Ruth’s was significantly short. YESTERDAY I was corrected. She gleaned for the REST of Barley season. When I started looking at information that gave way to the length of this season…I gathered at least 5-6 months. Why is this significant? Glad you ask… I am a woman. Most women anticipate relationships or connections..and we get nervous if we don’t know anything definitive. I am also VERY honest. One thing being single taught me was to glean. Garner wisdom and knowledge from viable sources and respect time. God set time in motion and it doesn’t go backward or bend to human will. Ruth gleaned in this field at the instruction of Boaz and her mother-in-law Naomi. She FOLLOWED INSTRUCTIONS. She was PATIENT. She didn’t know Naomi was going to suggest Boaz redeem her, until she suggested it.

I kind of POPPED UP out of my comfortable reading position when things began to click. Often times, when we don’t follow the wisdom available to us, we move out of turn. We anticipate moves before it’s time. When we do this, we destroy order. (or we make emotional decisions and ignore wisdom)

The last thing I will leave you with is this: twice I can point out the fact that Ruth’s character preceded her. The people around her knew of her. They had nothing negative to say. Are we living in a way that people have nothing negative to say about our character? As a single woman, it doesn’t behove me to have a bunch of people doubting my character, suitors or not. I am not referring to those who are just malicious and vindictive. Boaz mentioned her character TWO significant times for good reason(s).

I have more reading to do…I will continue to share as I read. Growth is a process. I see growth in my life, but I’m not close to the pinnacle.

Ivy Out

Categories
life

Deadlines

If we processed how many people just drifted through life, we could sort them in life lines and dead lines.

If we categorized Christians by those who operated in the spirit, we could sort them into life lines and dead lines.

If we could send a message to all of the people in the world who misuse time, which humans can not subdue, I’d remind them that there is a deadline.

Matthew 24:36

Ivy Out