The other day, as I was driving home, I came upon a detour in the road. I followed the orange signs, winding around a neighborhood I wasn’t familiar with, only to end up a few minutes later in the same spot I’d started.
I shook my head, sure I’d done something wrong, and headed into the detour again.
And ended up in the same place again.
I couldn’t figure it out. Could detour signs really be wrong, or was it me?
I watched other cars and realized that some of them were turning left instead of right like the sign said.
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I have never liked my hair. Not even when I was four-years-old and my golden locks rivaled those of Rupunzel. Oh, I liked the length, and when it was properly curled and styled I pretended to be a princess…but I did not like the tangles…and even less did I enjoy the pain and aggravation caused by the untangling process.
My mom, being the one who had to listen to my whining protests, decided that my long hair had to go. This decision was made when I was in the fourth-grade, and it was one with which I agreed.
Oh, but there was a downside…I was in grade four during the year of the mullet.
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It was supposed to be a lovely, leisurely Saturday morning. A fruitful stroll through the local farmer’s market, followed by lunch at our favorite cafe and a drive through the hills to a neighboring train-centric town. Something for everyone.
We could tell it wasn’t a completely typical morning downtown from the crowded parking area, but it was the shouting that seemed really out of place. (Rumor has it the film “Pleasantville” is based on this town; only smiles and friendly exchanges allowed!)
I was chagrined to see the commotion was coming from people wearing Bible verses on their shirts and carrying signs promising eternal damnation to just about everyone.
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We like to compare ourselves to others to see how we measure up. I think we, as women, are especially prone to this. “Look at her family.” ” They always wear clothes that match and are ironed.” “She cooks homemade meals every night.” “She never yells at her children in public.” “Her husband is so much nicer to her than mine.” Or, “I would never let my children out in public dressed like that!” “She must feed her kids fast food every meal!”
These comparisons accomplish one of two things. They make us proud because we are doing so much better than the other person.
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While my son and I were traveling to the Atlanta airport last week, I received a message from the airline telling me my flight had been cancelled. My mind raced to all of the reasons why that was completely unacceptable. I quickly called the airlines to see what could be done. An agent said, “If you can get here by 5:30PM, we can get you on a flight through Chicago and get you home tonight.” Yeah!!
My dear son got focused on the task at hand, and I walked into the terminal with 60 seconds to spare. Whew! LOL.
Soon the aircraft arrived and the first group of passengers prepared to board.
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“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11
What gets you out of bed on a lazy, rainy morning to brave a day of errands? What keeps you going when nothing you’ve planned is working out? When your kids are defiant and your husband just doesn’t ‘get you’ and you’re friends, well, are only online?
If you’ve been reading my posts and following my writing journey, you know it’s been an up hill battle. I write and study and attend writer’s conferences and write some more and get rejections. Then I start the process all over again.
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“I’m scared you’re going to get hurt again,” my daughter told me a couple nights ago as I was tucking her into bed. Ever since I’d broken my arm and tore my knee at the beginning of the summer, she’s been concerned about me, constantly reminding me to wear my knee brace and walk slowly.
I promised her that I’d do everything I could to make sure I didn’t get hurt again. Then I kissed her on the forehead and started to leave her room.
“Mommy?” she asked before I got to the doorway.
“Yes?”
“Be slow when you do things, okay?”
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M.J. Corrales
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.
In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer.
I have overcome the world. (John 16:33 NKJV)
When was the last time you were slapped in the face with God’s truth? Oh, sure, we read about it in the Bible, sit in church and Sunday School and listen to it every week, and perhaps even have a daily quiet time when we study it. But when was the last time the truth in the Scripture jumped up and hit us right where we live?
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