Are you "regular people"?

I received the following in an email from my sister-in-law, Paula:

This was written by a Metro Denver Hospice Physician:

I was driving home from a meeting this evening about 5, stuck in traffic on Colorado Blvd. and the car started to choke and sputter and die. I barely managed to coast into a gas station, glad only that I would not be blocking traffic and would have a somewhat warm spot to wait for the tow truck. Before I could make the call, I saw a woman walking out of the quickie mart building, and it looked like she slipped on some ice and fell into a gas pump, so I got out to see if she was okay. When I got there, it looked more like she had been overcome by sobs than that she had fallen; she was a young woman who looked really haggard with dark circles under her eyes. She dropped something as I helped her up, and I picked it up to give it to her. It was a nickel.

At that moment, everything came into focus for me: the crying woman, the ancient Suburban crammed full of stuff with 3 kids in the back (1 in a car seat), and the gas pump reading $4.95. I asked her if she was okay and if she needed help, and she just kept saying, "I don't want my kids to see me crying." So, we stood on the other side of the pump from her car. She said she was driving to California and that things were very hard for her right now. So I asked, "And you were praying?" That made her back away from me a little, but I assured her I was not a crazy person and said, "He heard you, and He sent me." I took out my card and swiped it through the card reader on the pump so she could fill up her car completely, and while it was fueling, I walked to the next door McDonald's and bought 2 big bags of food, some gift certificates for more, and a big cup of coffee. She gave the food to the kids in the car, who attacked it like wolves, and we stood by the pump eating fries and talking a little. She told me her name, and that she lived in Kansas City. Her boyfriend left 2 months ago and she had not been able to make ends meet. She knew she wouldn't have money to pay rent come January 1st, and finally, in desperation, called her parents, with whom she had not spoken to in about 5 years. They lived in California and said she could come live with them and try to get on her feet there. So, she packed up everything she owned and loaded her car down. She told the kids they were going to California for Christmas, but not that they were going to live there.

I gave her my gloves, a little hug and said a quick prayer with her for safety on the road. As I was walking over to my car, she said, "So, are you like an angel or something?" This definitely made me cry. I said, "Sweetie, at this time of year, angels are really busy, so sometimes God uses regular people."

It was so incredible to be a part of someone else's miracle. And, of course, you guessed it, when I got in my car it started right away and got me home with no problem.

Sometimes the angels fly close enough to you that you can hear the flutter of their wings....

Psalm 55:22 says: Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.

Once I read Psalm 55:22, I had to dissect it.

Cast your cares on the Lord (Webster defines "cast" as: to cause to move or send forth by throwing; to deposit) and He will sustain you (Webster defines "sustain" as: to give support or relief to; to supply with sustenance; to support the weight of); He will never let the righteous fall. (Webster defines "righteous" as: acting in accord with divine or moral law; free from guilt or sin.

Sounds easy enough don't 'cha think? No? Well, I agree. I forget that my time and God's time aren't always the same...ok..they are NEVER the same. I want what I want...when I want it. Afterall, who knows what I need better then I do...right? O wait, on second thought, maybe the God of the universe knows better...maybe the all knowing God knows better. And I hate interruptions to my day. How many times has something happened to "interrupt" your day? We've gotten a flat tire? Run out of gas? Locked the keys in the car? I'm sure I could go on and on, but I won't. You get the picture. And...how many times have we viewed that "interruption" as just that...an INTERRUPTION, and not something greater.

I'll be the first to admit that my life is chaotic!! It seems at time I can't hear myself think, much less hear the flutter of angels' wings. But, maybe, just maybe, that's when God says, "Ok Rita, time to slow down" and He allows me to get a cold that puts me in bed for a day or so. Or He allows me to have a flat tire or run out of gas or a million different other things. It's during these times, during these "interruptions" that instead of getting angry about the interruption, I should stop...take a deep breath...and just be still and listen. Listen for the voice of God. Listen for the flutter of angels' wings.

And that is my prayer for my 2010. That I recognize the "interruptions" not as interruptions, but as opportunities. Opportunities to be still ~ even if only for 5 minutes ~ but be still nonetheless.....and listen.

Until next time....

Do these things really work???

I know we've all gotten these types of emails or text messages:

"To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did." When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better. Concentrate on this sentence, 'The Will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you!' Something good will happen to you today, something that you have been waiting to hear.

And then, after you read whatever is sent, you are instructed to email/text a certain number of people within a certain amount of time in order for whatever "good" thing that is suppose to happen to you...to happen to you.

Well, I'm not sure about you guys, but the way my luck has been running, I can't afford NOT to send the email/text out to as many people that are in my address/phone contacts.

So, if you get an email/text from me saying LORD ONLY KNOWS what....just humor me. Read it...and say to yourself....'that crazy Rita is at it again....'

Until next time.....

Home sweet home.....

After a hard day at work...I come home to a pot of homemade veggie soup and cornbread....YUMMY!!! All thanks to my new hubby!! I love you Chas!! Supper was wonderful!!!!

I Am A 'Kept' Woman...

I am a 'Kept' woman...

You see, there were a few times when I thought I would lose my mind.

But the Lord 'kept' me sane. (Isa. 26:3)

There were times when I thought I could no longer on on.

But the Lord 'kept' me moving.

(Gen. 28:15)

At times, I've wanted to lash out at those whom I felt had done me wrong.

But the Lord 'kept' my mouth shut.

(Psa. 13)

Sometimes, I think the money just isn't enough.

But God has 'kept' the lights on, the water on, the car payment paid, the house mortgage paid, food in the refrigerator, clothes on our backs, etc., etc., etc.

(Matt. 6:25-34)

When I thought I would fall, He 'kept' me up.

When I thought I was weak, He 'kept' me strong!

(I Peter 5:7; Matt. 11: 28-30)

I could go on and on and on, but I'm sure you hear me!!!

I am blessed to be 'kept'!!!

And so are you!!!

Unanswered Prayers...

Yeah I realize I haven't blogged in a while...ok a month or longer. But I have a very good reason!!

In November 2009 I started talking to a very wonderful, kind, caring...and more importantly CHRISTIAN man. Chas Yates. Our first meeting (December 7, 2009) was at the Micky D's in Pearl over a coke/diet coke and lasted about an hour and a half (entirely too short if you ask me). We met the next morning at the donut shop in Pearl for coffee before he had to go to work at 6:30 a.m.....YES, I SAID A.M. I actually got up and dressed (complete with makeup I might add) at 6:00 a.m. I knew then that this man was special and I also knew then that I was in love with this man!! A few days after that "date" we met for supper at the Shoney's in Pearl and three hours later we said our goodnights (he had to work the following morning). We saw each other as often as possible after that. On December 20, 2009 we went to First Baptist Church of Fannin to see his daughter in a Christmas program. I met his daughter Sydnee (10), his son Cade (15), his ex-wife, Tosha, and her husband, Curtis. After the program we all, yes, ALL (me Chas, his kids, his ex-wife and her husband) went to eat supper. After dinner Chas and I were driving back to Pearl and he asked me if we could pray together when we got back to the house I was living at. He said that since we both had been praying for so long for God to bring "the one" to us, the least we could do is pray together and thank Him for bringing us together. I think I fell more in love with him that night!! So, after we prayed together, Chas surprised me and asked me to marry him. I said YES YES YES YES!!! We originally had talked about getting married in February 2010....but....we couldn't wait. And, on December 28, 2009 I officially became Mrs. Chas Yates. Chas and I, along with our wedding party (Sydnee, Cade, Jennifer - my youngest daughter, and Teresa - my best friend) drove to Memphis, Tennessee. We had a very lovely (and short) ceremony...but one that I will never forget!!!

We have laughed together, loved together, cried together and more importantly, prayed together and worshipped together. We are praying that God will show us what church He wants us to call our "home"...until then...we are leaning on Him (and each other). Thanking God every day for unanswered prayers!!!

Mercy Me....

Some of you may or may not know about my son, Brian, who was tragically killed August 13, 2005. That day will remain with me for as long as I live.


Well, I recently had the opportunity to go to the Mercy Me concert in Jackson. WOW!!! That's all I can say...WOW!!


They have a song I love...well I love all of their songs, but one spoke to me and I wanted to share the lyrics with you:


I can count a million times People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that I've gone through
The question just amazes me, can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You?

Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on You, oh Lord
My only shelter from the Storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So, I pray


Bring me joy, bring me peace,
Bring the chance to be free,
Bring me anything that brings You glory.
And I know there'll be day
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You,
Jesus bring the rain.


I am yours regardless of the clouds that may loom above
Because you are much greater than my pain
You who made a way for me suffering Your destiny
So tell me what's a little rain?

It's me again, Margaret......

Ok, I am telling myself that I am going to get serious about this blogging stuff....so here goes.

Being over 40 and single...who would have "thunk" it? Certainly not me. This is not how I had my life planned out. By this age I was suppose to have been married for a long time now...enjoying my life.

I never imagined I'd be over 40 and "looking" for the man God has chosen for me. At first, when I started out on this journey I was determined to "find" him. But after months and months of searching....I've decided to stop "looking" and let God handle it. Surprise!!! How many times have we all said that....."Ok God...you handle it...I'm done!!" Only to take it back from Him when we don't think He's moving fast enough for us. I mean c'mon folks...we've all been there, right? Surely I'm not the ONLY ONE willing to admit it...lol. I didn't think so.

So...here I am. Waiting....and waiting....and waiting. Did I ever tell you that I hated waiting? Well I do. I have absolutely no patience. None. Zilch. Zero.

But...the way I figure it...if God could wait on me and my sinful self to come to Him...the least I can do is wait on Him to find me my christian husband. I just hope it's soon...I'm not getting any younger, ya know.

Until next time......tick tock tick tock tick tock.......