MY LIFELONG JOB SEARCH! (haha)



1. My first job was working in an Orange Juice factory, but I got canned.  Couldn't concentrate.

2. Then I worked in the woods as a Lumberjack, but just couldn't hack it, so they gave me the axe.

3. After that, I tried being a Tailor, but wasn't suited for it -- mainly because it was a sew-sew job.

4. Next, I tried working in a Muffler Factory, but that was too exhausting.

5. Then, I tried being a Chef - figured it would add a little spice to my life, but just didn't have the thyme.

6. Next, I attempted being a Deli Worker, but any way I sliced it....couldn't cut the mustard.

7. My best job was a Musician, but eventually found I wasn't noteworthy.

8. I studied a long time to become a Doctor, but didn't have any patience.

9. Next, was a job in a Shoe Factory. Tried hard but just didn't fit in. 

10. I became a Professional Fisherman, but discovered I couldn't live on my net income.

11. Managed to get a good job working for a Pool Maintenance Company, but the work was just too draining. 

12. So then I got a job in a Workout Center, but they said I wasn't fit for the job..

13. After many years of trying to find steady work, I finally got a job as a Historian - until I realized there was no future in it.

14. My last job was working in Starbucks, but had to quit because it was the same old grind.    

15. SO, I TRIED RETIREMENT!



AND I FOUND I'M PERFECT FOR THE  JOB!
 

Jesus Whispers...



Did you know that God often speaks to us in mere whispers, and if we're not careful we'll miss the very important things He wants to tell us? Back in 1999-2000, I suffered a bout of depression paired with anxiety. I cannot even tell you how many panic attacks I had over the course of that year, but there were countless episodes. One night I just couldn't get a handle on my panic. Bible opened on my lap, I searched for scripture to wash over me and bring comfort and healing, but my anxious spirit wouldn't even settle down long enough to focus on the scripture. I called to memory Isaiah 41:13, which states, "I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, 'Do not be afraid, I will help you.'" I quickly captured that verse and started repeating it over and over in my head - until I'd worked myself into a regular frenzy. Suddenly, the voice of God spoke to me. It was not an audible voice, but clearly HIS, as He simply whispered, "Honey, I know that verse. After all, I wrote it, so I know it. Therefore, no need to keep repeating it. Say it once, then absorb it into your being, and let Me help you through this time."

Just like that I 'let go'.

I recall an immediate sense of peace fall upon me as I allowed that scripture to soak into my soul and envisioned the Lord taking hold of my right hand. In fact, I raised it up to Him and truly sensed him grasping hold of it. As I rested in His grace and mercy I literally felt my heart rate slowing and my breathing returning to normal.

It was one of those "stake in the ground" kind of moments, a time I look back upon and KNOW I heard the voice of God, felt His love come over me in a supernatural way. From that time forth, whenever I felt my body tense with worry or doubt, I claimed that verse, recalled the Lord's reassurance, and pushed through my panic with God at my side. It was a tough period, that year of depression and anxiety, but, me, oh my, what a crop of blessings it yielded in the end.

Keep your ears open and tuned for the still, small voice of God. He is here, and He speaks...

I WROTE A SONG!
(And now I need someone to write the melody...hmm. Got talent?)



I've been rewriting a book I started long ago called Song of the Blue Grass. 'Course, I'm ALSO penning book two in my upcoming series, so two projects at once is keeping me busy. Anyway, last night I wrote some lyrics to a song called "My Blue Grass Home". I think it will flow nicely with the story line, which is about a rising female country singer/star, Laci Burgess. With her mama's recent passing, and her heart weary and sore, it's time to put her singing career on hold and go home to Kentucky where she needs to work on mending some fences of the personal kind. A cantankerous father with long held secrets make coming home a challenge, though, and the grown up "boy next door" surely doesn't help matters.

Emotions run the gamut, and at times Laci's heart seems damaged beyond repair, but an ever-faithful God and the power of love will weave a wondrous patchwork pattern of hope and healing.

And NOW for the song...

©My Blue Grass Home
Sharlene MacLaren
For "Song of the Blue Grass"

VERSE ONE:
Wasn't it just yesterday I closed the door and walked away?
Is the door still open wide, mind if I just walk inside? I still need a place to hide.
Your blue grass hills are calling me; I'm coming home today.

CHORUS:
It calls to me, my blue grass home, where love and sorrow meet,
Where rivers flow and mountains rise and sun and shade compete.
I can't forget you, blue grass home; my heart still beats for you,
And I am coming home to you, it's been too long, I'm overdue,
I'm coming home, my blue grass home; I'm coming home to you.

VERSE TWO:
Grace is waiting in the wings; hear its voice, how loud it sings,
Hope will greet me at the door; mercy flies on wings once more; love will end this wasted war.
Your arms of peace have beckoned me; I'm coming home today.
----------------------------------------------

PLEASE feel free to comment! I love you all! (((And I'm serious. If you can write music, and you "hear" the melody, JUST DO IT!)))

LOOK WHAT'S IN MY YARD!

Okay, my darling friends, you have not lived until you've seen/experienced a typical Michigan winter. Let me give you just a wee taste of it through these pictures, although I must say photographs don't truly do this most recent snow event justice. At any rate, enjoy...
Here you will see my darling hubby Cecil shoveling off our front porch, which by the way is "covered". How does a porch with a roof over it get one foot of snow? It's called drifting.



Here's a shot of our backyard. Under that mound somewhere is a nice shrubbery arrangement and birdbath.



Here's a view looking out my open garage door. Yikes. That's a lot of snow!


This is a view of my backyard. That's a stationary bench you see there, and beyond that (somewhere) there really is a swimming pool.


Here you'll see a huge mound made by our snowplow driver after he finished plowing our driveway. At the top of the mound is an odd arrangement of snow that just happens to resemble the state of Michigan - which is shaped like a mitten. Isn't that weird?