All posts by Carolyn Barrett

Road Rage!?

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Does this picture make you tense up? I don’t know anyone who likes to be caught in traffic. It happened to me last week, after a storm sent power lines down onto a major highway, causing a jam-up on the surrounding roads. It took almost two hours to go a total distance of three and a half miles.  Over one hour of that was spent on a short stretch. Ugh. Patience was at a premium.

As I finally approached the last traffic light taking me to freedom, a large white pickup truck appeared in the left-turn-only lane, passing everyone and cutting in at the front of the line. I said out loud, “Yeah, you just go ahead and cut in there pal, that’s just great. Thanks a lot, now I’ve got to wait for another light”.

Do you talk to yourself when driving? I do this frequently. Here are some examples of situations and what I might say. Can you relate?

Someone pulls out in front of my vehicle when there’s nobody behind me, then goes slow, forcing me to brake.
Me: “Oh, now, that’s just great, thanks a lot. You just couldn’t wait for me to pass, could you?”

I get to a four-way stop first, but another vehicle barely pauses and continues on through the intersection.
Me: “Way to stop pal, yeah, that’s right, you’re more important than me, you just go on and go first.”

I’m trying to switch lanes, blinker on, there’s an opening, the next driver in that lane decides to speed up so I can’t get in.
Me: “Are you kidding me? You couldn’t let me in?  What a jerk.”

The person in front of me suddenly brakes and turns without warning.
Me: “Great! Way to use a turn signal. Idiot.”

Ok, these are mild examples. I have been known to swear on occasion, especially if someone cuts me off when I have the kids in the car. Oops, did I say with the kids in the car? For the record, I do apologize to them. But hey, a mama bear’s instinct is to protect her cubs.

Years ago, I was involved in a road rage incident. To this day I can barely speak about it, as the terror of the moment shakes me up all over again. Suffice it to say, I thought we were going to be shot. And it wasn’t even provoked, more like a misinterpretation of what happened by a person obviously filled with rage. These types of incidents happen all too often. No doubt you’ve seen some pretty awful reports in the news.

Nobody should get so charged up over these things that they cause harm to another person.

A while back, as I was making yet another comment out loud in the car, I said to the kids, “You know what, from now on instead of complaining out loud, I’m going to say a prayer for that person”.  And guess what? That lasted one day in a row.

Old habits die hard, don’t they? I still think it’s a great idea, and a way to calm yourself, and do something positive at the same time. So I am trying to make a better effort  to do it again. Now that I’m getting in the habit of praying for crazy drivers who make me nuts, it’s evolved into praying for other people I see along the way. A crossing guard we pass every day who appears to be in pain. An elderly person who seems to be struggling just to walk. A mom with a handicapped child. You get the picture.

Life is so much better when you turn a negative into a positive.  Will you join me in this endeavor?

Have a great weekend and stay safe-

Carolyn

“Life isn’t easy. Together we can make it better.”

 

Do You Feel Alone?

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Are you struggling with a problem, and feel all alone and lost in the world? Maybe there’s a difficulty you are facing but can’t talk to anyone else about it. You’d like to, but it’s just too much for you to handle right now and putting it into words makes it all too real. Perhaps it feels safer to just keep it to yourself. If you don’t acknowledge it, maybe it will simply go away.

Life is never easy. But I want to tell you today, you are not alone.

A while back I was talking with a friend who was pregnant with her first child. At one point I said to her, “You know what the coolest thing is about being pregnant? You’re never alone. No matter where you go or what you do, you’ve got your little buddy in there, kicking around and reminding you he’s there with you.”

Not too long after, a Christian friend said to me, “You know what the greatest thing is about being a Christian? You’re never alone”.

Wow. Had I forgotten that? The Holy Spirit was given to us to help us. We are never alone.

“For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father’.”  Romans 8:15 (NIV)

There will be problems in life, of that you can be sure. But surer than that is that you’ve got a God who cares, who knows all about it, and has the best solution for you. Turn to Him in prayer, give it over, give it up and see where He takes you.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

Amen?

Amen!

Make it a great day-

Carolyn

Do you have a special prayer request today? Feel free to send it to me using the contact form and I will be sure to pray for you.

“Life isn’t easy. Together we can make it better.”

When All You Can See Are Weeds

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Doesn’t it seem that children are generally happier than adults? They are full of boundless energy and it doesn’t take much to elicit a smile.

Somewhere along the road to adulthood, we lose the fun and spontaneity of our earlier years. Our worries rob us of the joy we once felt over the simplest of things. We often speak of the wonders of childhood, or of looking at the world through a child’s eyes, but don’t practice it nearly enough.

I recall each of my children in succession toddling up to me, a dandelion clutched in their tiny fist, reaching up and saying, “For you, Mommy”.  It was as if they were presenting me with the most beautiful flower in the world.  And in that moment, it was.

“Thank you, sweetie, I love it.”

A dandelion. That pesky weed with the bright flower announcing its presence, taunting me with its ability to spread. Any day now it would turn into what seemed like a million seeds.

When your child blows on the white seed head and makes a wish all you can think is, oh, great, a million more dandelions taking over the yard. But you cheer them on, not wanting to spoil the magic.

You might be surprised to learn that the dandelion actually has many benefits. It’s been used as a food and herbal remedy throughout history. It attracts pollinating insects to the garden. Its taproot brings up nutrients for shallow rooting plants. These are just a few of the many.

I recall my grandfather making dandelion wine. I also recall my parents not liking it, but being polite!

Truth is, there are many instances in life where we make assumptions, without knowing all of the facts. We can cast aside someone who might actually become a good friend, based off of a first impression, or worse yet, gossip we’ve heard. A good job opportunity could be overlooked because we didn’t investigate further. Ha! Many people cast aside any belief in God because of how a few “hypocrites” behave.

Negative all too often shadows out the positive. What a shame it would be to miss out if we were simply presumptive without looking at the whole picture.

So let’s make it a point to appreciate what’s around us, as a child would. See the good, not the bad.

Oh, and if you want to prevent those weeds from procreating, pick all of those bright yellow “flowers” and present the bouquet to a child you know. Enjoy the smiles you’re sure to receive.

Have a great weekend-

Carolyn

“Life isn’t easy. Together we can make it better.”

Racing Against The Wind

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Two steps forward, one step back. Three steps forward, two steps back. One step forward, two steps back. I’m not talking about the ballroom here. I’m talking about the dance of life.

May. It always seems to be such a busy month. Ever feel like you’re racing against the wind? Trying so hard, but getting nowhere fast?

There is so much to do right now and we are unable to keep up. Why, this month alone we’ve had a wedding, baby shower, graduation, birthdays, confirmation, play practice and performances, etc. You get the picture. I’m sure you can fill in the blanks for your own life.

And then there are the usual things: grocery shopping, meals, dropping the kids off, picking the kids up, home maintenance, church, meetings, landscaping (still waiting!), exercise (didn’t happen!), and the list goes on.

Then there’s work. Whew–I have to go to work to get a break!

There’s not a minute to spare and there’s still so much to do. Stop the world, please, I’d like to get off.

As I was walking out to my car yesterday to go to another event, I got a sudden jolt and quickly glanced at my feet. Had I put on the brown or the black shoes? I was relieved to see I had the right color on. OK, we’re good. Proceed.

No. Halt. Take a pause. Enjoy the moment. Be glad for the busyness. Be thankful for the ability to be busy. As a health care worker, I am keenly aware that so many people are unable to keep the pace we are at, and given the chance, would choose it.

So I will keep going, but with a grateful heart. From the house to the car and the car to the house, I will stop and admire the flowers and listen to the sounds of the birds. Wave at my neighbor. I will give a prayer of thanks for all that I have and all I am able to do and give of my time.

Stop. Pause. ready, set…GO!

Enjoy your blessedly busy day,

Carolyn

“Life isn’t easy. Together we can make it better.”