Saturday morning I trudged up the hill to the main street to catch the bus. It was still in the early seven oclock hour and the humidity was as thick as sludge. A car squealed on two wheels in front of me turning into the service station, driver half hanging out of her window, waving her arms and shouting " Pepe!! Pepe! She circles around the lot and yelled out to me "Lady, you seen a little Chihuahua? "  At that moment the object of her hellacious pursuit stood in the middle of a busy intersection, looking as if it was deciding which way to run. I pointed to the dog and the car pealed out of the service station, through a red light, in hot pursuit, she was still shrieking " Pepe!! Pepe!"A cycling club of about seven riders was also peddling through the intersection. Doesn't look good I said and winced at the sound of shouts and tires squealing to a stop. The Lady drove recklessly through the group like a ill thrown bowling ball weaving through pens, missing them all. Everyone seemed to be frozen, sweating, under a sun that looked like a giant egg yolk frying in the sky.  I crossed the street and sat in the sauna, err.. bus shelter and sopped up the globules of sweat that formed on my forehead , nose, and upper lip. All before eight a.m.

You see, my car died a painful death a few months ago so I am learning to readjust  to using public transportation. That in itself is a daily adventure.About twenty sultry,long, energy sapping moments later, the behemoth  puffed and rolled to a stop in front of me belching more heat and gaseous fumes. The doors opened and swirls of cool, refreshing air engulf the limp, damp boarders. No one spoke for fear of adding hot air into this momentary refreshing mirage. I entered and gave the driver a hearty "Good mornin "and smile. In return she looked at me in surprise and returned the smile and greeting. We moved forward into our day that some did not wake to see.

I recently saw a minister from my past and we greeted each other and exchanged pleasantries. As our conversation ended I told him that it was a pleasure to see him. He replied, "Yes sister it is better to be seen, than to be viewed."Live each day with love, and purpose, and never doubt that you are an amazing part of this awesome Universe. Blessed beyond measure.

So many times we have so much on our minds, hearts, heads that we dont take the time to put things into perspective.We run around foolhardy like the woman pursuing the tiny dog, on a busy street with a big car, putting so many others at risk, including our ourselves. We cannot wrap our minds around how blessed we are, each day that we have a God, a Father to take our burdens, concerns , and questions to. We feel that we are better equipped to deal with whatever life rolls across our paths. Even the best computer can crash, the largest tree can fall. God cannot fail. His will shall be done.  The time that you toss and turn in the middle of the night, struggling , not knowing why, is a perfect time to talk to the Master of your soul. He is always listening. In quicksand it is said that the harder you struggle , the deeper you sink and sometimes our lives reflect these struggles. God is larger than any of our problems. And just because He seems not to answer in the time that you feel is right, in the manner that you want, don't be discouraged.A delay doesn't mean a denial.

 When it seems as if all is falling apart, and those closest to you turn their back, remember  the disciples slept while Jesus prayed, even when he asked them to keep watch. Have an unwavering faith, pray, and believe. When you are the center of ire, when you are mistreated, and abused by word or deed, know that you are so much better than that, the attacker is telling their story, not yours . I figure that when confusion and calamity is surrounding me it is because the enemy knows that I am about to come into an amazing blessing and I am happy and expectant. Each day I awake I expect a blessing, I expect a miracle and I try to be a blessing to someone else. I try to put a smile on a few faces, joy , and encouragement in someones life. I speak not from what I have read but what I have experienced in life.

 I have had disappointments and pain that cut so deep into my soul I could barely breathe. The folks that raised me, taught me, held me, loved me...all transitioned to glory and I had never felt so lost or so alone as when I looked around and realized they were all gone. My foundation, the "hand that I fanned with" the ones who really had my back. It is in  quiet times, I meditate on the love they surrounded me with, the faith they had, the God that they held fast to, and introduced me to. In quiet times I wrap my mind around how amazing God is, and how through my life, trials and triumphs, he has bought me through, and has opened doors, and prepared me to handle painful, situations with grace and mercy at my side. I have suffered insurmountable loses, but the blessings, oh my Lord, the blessings are profound. As I reach out to you, I pray that whatever is troubling your heart, be moved in Jesus name, that God will touch you in a unique and special way, quickly, and you will know without a doubt that He is always with you, that God is love and you are his child, deeply loved.

 Psalms 29:11 The Lord will give peace unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.