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When God Calls Don’t Hang Up

I spent many years wrestling with what it meant to be called by God. What seemed like the obvious step of entering the “professional” ministry did not work for me. I was young, naïve and wanted to change the world. I learned the hard way organized religion isn’t so much about change as protecting what is.

Never in my wildest imagination did I dream my ministry would be encouraging folks to think positive thoughts, connect with the presence of God within and eat their vegetables. But it’s a good fit and I am glad that certain well laid plans of younger days didn’t play out.

When God calls, don’t hang up. Listen carefully with an open mind and be prepared for wherever the road may lead.

Thought for Today

English: Maya Angelou reciting her poem, "... — English: Maya Angelou reciting her poem, “On the Pulse of Morning”, at President Bill Clinton’s inauguration in 1993 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.” — Maya Angelou

Thought for Today

“The thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in a thing makes it happen.” — Frank Lloyd Wright

Those Heart Attack Symptoms for Women

When those lists of heart attack symptoms in women started coming out many of us were confused and overwhelmed. I know I was. The list was vague and could be attributed to things much less serious than a heart attack. As a woman who over the years had been told not to worry when I asked questions about heart disease this concerned me.

May 18 was my mother’s birthday. When she died of heart disease my concerns turned into a cause. We must not only advocate for ourselves and our own healthcare (do you know how many women do not have access to health care because they are uninsured?) we must start pushing for more research into the causes, symptoms and treatment of heart disease in women as well as the education of physicians.

I recently found a list of “those symptoms” with explanations by physicians who are studying heart disease in women. I found this list very helpful. I hope you will too.

http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/features/womens-heart-attack-symptoms

Feel free to reblog this post. Women do indeed have heart attacks. It’s time to spread the word.

Celebrating the Small Things: Fur Children

Cat in a Box Copyright 2013 by R.A. Robbins — Cat in a Box
Copyright 2013 by R.A. Robbins

I admit it! I am on my way to becoming the crazy cat lady. Bob and I are one of those couples who never were blessed with human children so we opted for cross species adoption.

Our current fur child Callie is wild and crazy and full of life. Sometimes a little too full of life, but she makes me smile and my life would not be the same without her..

This week I decided to teach her how to “ask” for treats instead of knocking the treat bag off the table. It worked. She learned quickly. Now she won’t stop “asking” for treats. If after several tries she isn’t successful she still knocks the bag off the table. Yes sir, that’s my baby!

Please visit the weekly Blog Hop at Scribblings of an Aspiring Author to see what other people are celebrating.

Thought for Today

“We will never enjoy life unless we make a quality decision to do so.” — Joyce Meyer from Enjoying Where You Are on The Way to Where You Are Going

Thought for Today

Disabled man on an electric scooter. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“This peace will come about when we all see ourselves in the other person and above all see something beautiful, good and true, something of God in all those who are different.” — Jean Vanier, from Letters of Jean Vanier – December 2012

Thought for Today

“I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may find myself. For I have learned that the greater part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstance but by our disposition.” — Martha Washington

Thought for Today

“If you have a mom, there is nowhere you are likely to go where a prayer has not already been.” ~Robert Brault

Mother’s Day Tea

“Come, let us have some tea and continue to talk about happy things.” ~Chaim Potok

What little girl (or little girl at heart) doesn’t love a tea party? When I was very young my mom made dainty “cinnamon rolls” from leftover pie dough and we had “tea.” Growing up I remember annual Mother Daughter Teas at church. Several years ago tea rooms were very popular for girlfriend outings.

So what’s with women and tea? I think it helps us remember more refined and genteel days when we were encouraged to “be ladies.” When “dressing up” in mom’s hat and heels and sipping tea was not only great fun, it was what we secretly hoped adult life would be like.

How long has it been since you’ve had a tea party? How about brewing a pot of tea and inviting “the girls” (daughters, granddaughters, friends you don’t see often enough) over?