If I only had a brain, Part 6

Recently, Kent embarked on a new business venture. He expanded the ice business to include wild game processing. I'm so proud of him! Now, how do I fit into the mix? And how does the 'if I only had a brain' figure in?

Well, I'm in charge of decorating & promoting the new and improved, Trainham Ice & Meat. On the deco-side, I've added an extra touch to the bathroom and the 'meat' room. On the promo-side, I've done business cards, posters, banners, coffee mugs, t-shirts, newspaper ads and, finally, a radio spot. This is where my brain forgot to work.

Well, for four long days I've been listening to the radio trying to catch our ad. And I was a little frustrated because it had a bit of static which I blamed on my living locale. Anyway, yesterday the host of the morning show talked of wrecking her car on Callfield and something or other. I actually thought, "Hmmm, did they move KVRP's station broadcasting to Wichita Falls?" Then the light came on...I had been tuning into the wrong station (KLUR) the entire time. DUH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! One more reason to keep my 'if I only had a brain' coffee mug.

Spiritual Gifts~

Justa ponderin' something...

...whoever thought up the whole idea of spiritual gifts is a genius. Oh, my bad...Genius! (When speaking of the Holy One it's capitalized.) See...I am serving in an area where my gifts are in full force and then I'm serving in another area where my gifts are not. Both instances are of God.

It's taught me something...spiritual gifts are God's gift to ME! When I am working in one of my gifts the job is a joy. I eagerly look forward to it and I'm energized by it. When I am not working in one of my gifts the job is a struggle. I have to really work at it with much discipline and perseverence. It's hard to describe...it's just different.

In my opinion, spiritual gifts are gifts to the servant as well as the servantee...maybe so that servants actually serve. In my sinful state, I'm not sure that empathy wouldn't get the best of me on most occasions. And maybe it's the 'gift of the spiritual gift' that is the cause/effect which gets me off my rump so that I'm motivated to put others above myself. Selflessness and my flesh clash, big time! In a nutshell~I don't trust myself! What is my deepest motivation for serving? In a way, working in your gift can be soooo rewarding that it's almost borderline selfishness. Oh the challenge, to keep my eyes off self and on God. In the end, I think it's a win-win-win situation if first things come first. WIN=God is glorified, WIN=servantee is served, WIN=servant is satisfaction. He's a GENIUS!

My philosophy~

Spring/Fall cleaning is equivalent to "I don't think I can pay another high utility bill, it's God's turn to cool/heat this house". Then as we pry open the painted shut, creaky, crusty blinds and windows we hollar, "Oh my goodness, look at the mess!" Then we proceed to declare war on the fly infiltrated cob webs that are floppin' in the wind.

This fall I got wise, accidentally, I might add. I allowed the spiders to have their 'day' and decorate my house with webs for Halloween. This gave opportunity to be the ultimate fly catcher when cooler temps brought the influx of insects. At just the right moment I did what any good red-necked Texan does, hired an exterminator. Texan version of course, an exterminator equals 'bug bombs' from the thriftstore. And my home was fiendishly festive due to all the dead spiders who were responsible for the death of all the flies and crickets that dotted the windows and crevices.

So you see, when wide-open windows revealed their festiveness then the frenzy cleaning games began. And that, my friends, is my 'new' cleaning philosophy for fall and spring time. I think I killed three birds with one stone, rrrrr' bug bomb. Halloween decorating, fall cleaning and exterminating with all the energy efficiency one could ask for.

I'm gonna!

Every once in awhile the Lord prunes my life. I run smooth out of time for committed activities. He wants much fruit rather than just fruit. As I completed a study a few years ago, "Secrets of the Vine" by Wilkerson, the Lord led me to make a list and check it twice. And that was what He was after...weeding out the good, better and best of my good intentions then keeping those that He willed. It was during that time that I learned, one of the toughest lessons I might add, the art of saying 'No". Unfortunately, I think I've unlearned it! (I lack a bit in the grammar department, too.) Anyway, my whole point in sharing this...my plumb line for pruning? Whatever didn't involve God, cut it off. And by golly that is what happened. The things that went were such things as welfare board, city council and other civic activities. Which brings me to a very interesting conversation I had while painting.

I was painting with a fellow Goree-ite the other day at the Memorial Building. She and I really hit it off and were thoroughly enjoying one another's company. She asked me, "Tammie, why haven't we ever gotten to know each other? How long have you been married to Kent?" I replied, "Eleven years and I have no idea...I guess our paths have never crossed." I went on, "Now, give me your honest opinion...in all these years why do you think we haven't had the chance to get to know one another?" And what she said took me back, "Well, I suppose because you were always involved in church stuff." SLAM! Being 'involved' just to be 'involved' is wrong. Being right where God wants you isn't always within the church walls. The highways. The by-ways. Hello??? I missed the boat on this one! Yes, I still get myself spread too thin, but I'm seeking HIS guidance in those activities where HE wants me to be for HIM. Painting the kitchen of the Memorial Building on a Thursday afternoon became an anointed moment of ministry.

This precious lady was struggling with lack of sleep for over a month. She had just been to the doctor who prescribed a sleeping aid which she was hesitant to take until the weekend. A friend of mine from church just 'happened' to stop by that Thursday evening to pick up a dish from a funeral. We prayed with her and she slept that night. God is the answer and has the power! Seek Him first for your headache, stress, sleeplessness, busyness...I'm gonna!