My Thoughtful Neighbor

Yesterday started on a high note.
As I opened the window for some great morning air, I saw a lady taking her morning walk. When she got in front of my steps, she noticed my that my newspaper was under a bush and not on the steps. The delivery person did not have great aim yesterday. She stopped, picked the newpaper up, and tossed it onto the top step at my door.
I said,"Thank you!"
She replied, "You're welcome! Sylvia?" She looked up toward my second floor window and smiled. I managed to get out a "Yes, hello!" before she got back into her walking rhythm and moved out of sight. That was so neighborly of her!
The only things is, I don't know my neighbor's name, so I couldn't call it like she called mine. It made me think of how we may know a neighbor by face, but not by name. Yet we live on the same street.
I plan to find out her name soon. I want her to know I appreciate her. By name.
TTYS,
Sylvia

Habits

Happy Friday to you!
Just a thought about habits.
We have them, good ones and bad ones. Sometimes, we allow God to help us get rid of a bad habit and replace it with a good one. A person who used to curse may now hum a tune when the urge to curse arises. A person who used to be quick to argue may now count to five before launching into a verbal altercation. A person who used to overeat may now eat to live instead of live to eat.
Whenever you gain a victory over a bad habit, don't look back at it. Don't think you have such mastery over it that you can do it again, just this once. Leave it alone; don't look back.
Peace be,
Sylvia

Take a Fifty with You.

The other day, a friend of mine talked about putting single dollar bills, some fives, tens, and one fifty dollar bill in her wallet before going out for the day. I questioned her and got this response:
"Sylvia, I am more likely to spend my smaller bills, but I think long and hard before I break the fifty dollar bill, because it goes so fast once I do."
I am thinking about that right now. Today, I left the house with one fifty dollar bill, a couple of ten dollar bills, one five, and some ones. I met a friend for lunch, and instead of using my one of my tens to pay for my share and the tip (attentive waitress!), I broke my fifty dollar bill. I stopped to get takeout for me and my husband, since this is our "Treat Night"/my turn. I think I bought something else before coming home. The bottom line is I should have and will in the future heed my friend's advice. I will think long and hard before I break my fifty dollar bill, because now it is spent. All I can do now is smile and smh.
TTYS,
Sylvia

Cleaning Up: Old Church Bulletins

Today, I made myself give one hour to a task I often overlook: cleaning up my workroom. I am attempting to have less clutter. I figure if I commit myself to one hour a day, I may be finished de-cluttering my study in about one year...
Anyway, I opened a file folder that had old church bulletins in it. Years ago, I and another sister did the church bulletins for this congregation. When we started the task, it was back in the day of the mimeograph machine!
Today, I found an old bulletin dated August 1996 in the file folder; there was a message in it. There was no author listed:

"When God permits His children to go through the furnace, He keeps His eye on the clock and His hand on the thermostat. His loving heart knows how much and how long."

That's a comforting and encouraging thought.
Peace be,
Sylvia

Dedication

At Noon Prayer Service today, our minister directed us to the Old Testament. We were reminded that the foundations of the Christian faith are found there. We read about the burnt offering in the book of Leviticus, chapter one. The burnt offering is described as an offering of sacrifice. One can bring this foundation principle into the life of a Christian today by asking, "Is my life dedicated to the Lord? Are other things, people, pursuits more important to me than doing God's will?"
We can consider the level of our dedication to God by the answer.
Peace,
Sylvia

Rain Today, Yay!

Wow! Rain showers and cooler weather today! I actually lingered in the rain shower as I walked to the store from the parking lot. I didn't care that my bare arms and calves were getting wet. I didn't even care that my hair was getting wet. Now, you know that's something for a sister to say-her hair getting wet!?!
I even purposely walked in little puddles and wiggled my toes in the wetness. Of course, my leather sandals suffered, but so what.
God gave us cooling, wet rain today. I am thankful.
TTYS,
Sylvia

A Butterfly Kiss

It was a busy and wonderful weekend! I traveled to Pennsylvania with three marvelous sisterfriends who also happen to be my sisters in Christ. We attended an annual women's health conference which was informative and positive. We traveled to PA a day early so we could have time at the delightful spa at the Hotel Hershey. It is good to treat yourself to relaxation sometimes...
We also visited the Butterfly House at Hershey Gardens. When I entered the enclosed habitat, I had a moment of child-like glee, because a monarch butterfly landed on my right arm and fluttered there! It was a butterfly kiss! Just for me. When we were leaving, one of my sisterfriends noticed that a butterfly was on the back of my shirt. We laughed that it was trying to make its escape.
Our congregation's 16th Youth Conference wrapped up today. It was a blessing to see young people so involved and enjoying themselves in the Lord. Wonderful.
Peace,
Sylvia

Smile at a Child

Have you ever noticed that children really recognize when adults smile at them? Maybe it's because from the time infants come into this world, some adult is smiling, cooing, grinning, and talking happy gibberish into their little baby faces. Children continue to take note of this form of adult approval as they get older. Even teenagers appreciate when adults smile genuinely in their direction, although they may try not to show it. This makes me think of what happened to me at the mall last Saturday. I wore a novelty tee shirt, one with a big picture of "Grumpy" from "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" on the front. He had his arms crossed and a major frown on his face. I forgot what was on my shirt until a little girl approached me. She looked about 3 years old, and her Mom held one of her tiny hands. The little girl noticeably spotted sour-faced "Grumpy" on my shirt, and swung at him/me with her stubby little free arm! I was more tickled than upset, because the little girl did not like the mean-looking character on my shirt. It wasn't personal.
Smile at a child today.
TTYS,
Sylvia

Pushing Through

I am not a highway driver, although I used to be when I was younger. Now, I avoid them when I can. But sometimes one can't avoid uncomfortable experiences. Two Saturdays ago, I had to drive dreaded Route One North, because I had a book signing event at Borders Princeton. Just the thought of cars and trucks around me whizzing in and out of lanes at a minimum of 60 mph can make me sweat. The night before, I thought about every way of avoiding Route One to get to my destination. I could not think of another way to get to Borders! So I prayed for good rest and courage, and went to sleep.
The next morning, I asked God for His help, checked out the car for safety, put on my cassette of the book of Matthew, and drove to Borders. Was it fun? No, but the joy of knowing/remembering that I can push through circumstances with His help was rewarding. I had a fun book signing event, and sang hymns all the way home. I sang out loud.
Peace,
Sylvia

Into the Fire

Recently I was in a room that had a halogen lamp and an open window with a loose-fitting screen. As the evening wore on, I smelled more and more of a burnt straw aroma. I even thought I saw a little smoke coming from the top of the lamp. It turned out that small flying moths were madly following one another inside through a gap in the screen, literally jumping into the lamp, too close to the bulb and burning up! One after another, they jumped into the lamp! One after another, they burned!
It reminded me of people who keep following others, going after what is bad for them, even though it will do them harm spiritually and sometimes physically.
I thought of scripture (Matthew 15:14b),"...And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch."KJV
I guess the behavior of the moths is a type of lesson in what NOT to do.
Peace,
Sylvia

Lost Sneakers and Shirley

Happy Friday!
Just a couple of thoughts:
Today, as I left the gym, I saw a pair of black sneakers on the ground by a car. They seemed to be in pretty good shape; one stood on its bottom and one was on its side. I wonder who they belong to? Did anyone come back for them? Maybe someone lifted a bag from their trunk, the sneakers fell out, and the person walked away thinking they had their shoes with them.

Lately, two people call me "Shirley" instead of Sylvia. These are newer acquaintances I've made, from two different areas of my life. I corrected each of them once, but I don't sweat it. Maybe I look like a "Shirley" to these two. The main thing is that I show them a Christ-like spirit. I know who I am.
Peace be,
Sylvia

Visit to Town, Visit with Mom

Today was sort of hectic, lots of running around doing errands. Thankful for the ability to run around; some people are not physically able to do so. I drove downtown, parked my car and walked a few blocks to the summer farmers' market to buy some delicious loaves of bread. It felt odd, yet familiar, to carry my groceries on the street while returning the few blocks to my car. Folks used to do this all the time before shopping complexes, supermarkets with rolling shopping carts, and large parking lots.
I wrapped up my day by visiting with Mom at her home for a couple of hours. It is always a blessing to spend time in the company of a loving, wise, Christian woman. That's my Mom.
I thank God for her every day.
TTYS,
Sylvia

Suspicious Thoughts

I went to a local pizza shop recently. I saw an older model car with tinted side windows enter the parking lot right before me. I parked next to the older car, noted that the space between our two cars was tight. I turned off my car and waited for the occupant(s) of the car to get out first. No one got out, so I focused on the man at the steering wheel. He had what looked and sounded like cannisters on the front seat. He held something with a handle in one hand. He had his driver side door open, but he wasn't moving to get out. Now, my overactive mind kicked in:
"Why won't he get out of his car? Is everything OK, should I be concerned?"
I quickly exited my car and entered the pizza shop. My thoughts: "There have been some robberies lately, maybe I should say something to the guy at the counter." I didn't.
While I waited for my order, I made like I was reading a menu posted on the window facing the car so I could watch the man in his car. Got my food, went back to my car, and was embarrassed when I saw the man slowly carry his portable oxygen pack into the shop. Instead of being suspicious, I should have offered assistance. I am a work in progress.
TTYS,
Sylvia

Brick

Did you notice that every generation has its own slang? Especially the teenagers. My teenager taught me this:
"It's mad brick out here!"
"What does that mean?"
"Mom, it means it is very cold outside. BRICK means cold."
When I was a teenager, the word "brick" meant a solid rectangular material used in making sidewalks or building houses. It also meant a female who had a thick, curvy shape. It also meant a missed shot in basketball, I think, and a threat/weapon as in "...upside your head".
I wonder what "brick" will mean twenty years from now?

TTYS,
Sylvia

Promise of Peace

Yesterday,our minister's morning sermon was about peace. Peace is pursued by humans, but often without success. Relationships, possessions, money, power, and other things will not bring true peace. Yet, many folks spend their whole lives chasing them, while ignoring spiritual peace.
"You can't be in rebellion against God and have peace at the same time." Our minister directed us to Isaiah 48:22.
He directed us to Ephesians 2:13-14, which tells us that Jesus is our peace.
We were reminded that God is our source of real, satisfying, and abiding peace.
Watch this: I wouldn't mind having more money. If He blesses me with it, I'll pray to use it wisely. But my focus is on serving Him.
Seek peace today.
Sylvia

New POV/Going to the Dentist

I've decided to use a different POV for this blog. From now on, it will be in my voice. If you haven't checked in before, I am Sylvia Brown-Roberts, author of BEHIND CHURCH DOORS, in which Nikolis McQuaige(Nikkimac) is the main character. More about my novel can be found at www.nikkimacproductions.com.

Now back to me. I went to the dentist 2 days ago to have an earlier root canal cleaned out because of an infection. To make matters worse, my dear dentist had to drill through a capped tooth to do this. Is there anyone else besides me who cringes at just the whirring sound of the dentist's drill? I keep waiting for it to strike the tender part of my gum or whatever is inside the tooth. And what about that distinctive smell caused by a dental drill shaving away tooth enamel?
Thankfully, I have a pleasant dentist who is patient with me, because I can put on quite a show in the dentist's chair. I think that's why the office staff smiles so broadly when I come in for my appointments.