Fleeting Moments-How Will You Spend Them?

Summer flew by this year, but then it always seems to fly by.  It is usually filled with activities, seasonal activities that you have to participate in or risk having to wait another year to enjoy them.  There are numerous festivals, outdoor concerts and fairs-among other things-around the Finger Lakes in the summertime.  Every weekend could be full to the brim if one so desired.

I made it to one winery event this year, but other than that I tried to give myself the gift of time this summer.  Time to not watch the clock, to see plenty of white-space on the calendar, and time to take a spontaneous walk or drive if I wanted to. 

I spent time with my new granddaughter and her mom, my first-born.  I spent time helping to plan the wedding of my youngest daughter, which is now a few weeks past.  I spent time getting to know myself again-and what I enjoy.  All of these activities were sheer delight and I have to say that if I had spent this summer like most others in years past, there wouldn't be much to savor on remembering. 

Most of my adult summers have been spent on home repair or maintenance projects, trying to fit too much into too little time, all while anxiously hoping the weather would hold.  In western New York that could be viewed as a bit insane.  The only consistent thing about New York weather is that it is unequivocally unpredictable!  Nevertheless, I grew up with the philosophy of "work first, then play."  As the years have sauntered by however, I've discovered that work never ends.  And because of that I have been reluctant to play-until recently.

The saying "life is short" became real to me a couple of years ago.  Some dear ones close to me have theorized that it might be my age, but we won't go there!  A mid-life crisis, some others have suggested.  Whatever it is, I'm glad, because it got off of the all-work-no-play wheel of insanity. 

This new realization made me slow down and thoughtfully consider how I spend each moment, each day deposited in my "life account."  Unlike a bank account a life account has only so much in it to spend.  I can't deposit more into it.  I can only change or adjust how I spend it. 

Knowing this, I will be careful and discerning about how I spend each moment, making sure I use every resource of time for being who I'm meant to be, doing what I'm meant to do, and loving every minute that's been deposited into my account.  And I will be rich, rich indeed.

Snap, Crackle, Pop

This year is going by so fast!  It has been a year of profound change and I have to say excruciating adjustment.  When I think of it all, my mind likens it to the snap, crackle and pop of a chiropractic adjustment, only of the heart instead of the spine.  And like any adjustment, sometimes there is discomfort before relief, but relief does come eventually...

I have come to realize that I've held some limiting beliefs long-term, and they have caused me much grief.  Along with this realization comes regret and sorrow, and they will be my companions for a time.  I already know though that I will move beyond them to a state of increased wisdom and growth at some point in the future.  It's who I am.  I am resilient, optimistic, hopeful.  More importantly, it's who He is. 

God is hope, my hope.  He has a way of getting my attention, and I don't make it easy.  Early this year while I was many miles from home I sat in a pew in the church of a friend.  The preacher spoke about God's love being unconditional.  It wasn't the first time I'd heard a message like that, but it was the first time I believed it, really believed it.

Up to that very moment I had always tried to earn love, even God's love.  I was a pleaser who believed everything was contingent upon her actions, her performance.  But God wanted to give me something for free-absolutely free.  Through harsh lessons in this world I had learned that nothing was truly free.  You have to pay for everything you get-accept God.  He wanted me to get that, down deep. 

The best part is knowing I don't have to be perfect.  I never, ever could have been.  There was a tremendous strain in trying, and failing, and trying again.  It took a toll and it took time, years from me.  There is absolutely no joy in striving to earn that which is already offered for free.  The joy is in learning how to receive, how to graciously receive. 

Parmesan Topped Broiled Scallops recipe

Parmesan Topped Broiled Scallops

From the kitchen of Debbie Jansen

1 lb. sea scallops

½ c. parmesan cheese

¼ c. light mayonnaise

2 T. lemon juice

¼ t. dried basil

1/8 t. onion powder

1/8 t. garlic powder

1/8 t. celery salt

pepper to taste

Spray 1 quart square baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.  Arrange scallops in single layer in bottom of prepared dish.  Mix remaining ingredients together and spread over top of scallops.  Broil on low broil setting for approximately 20-25 minutes.  Note: if you’re broiler doesn’t have a low setting place rack further from heat source so sauce doesn't get too brown.

Note:  In photo entree was served over garlic sauteed baby spinach, with crab stuffed mushrooms and angel hair with pesto sauce. Recipes developed by yours truly!

Making Good Investments

Winter has arrived with a vengeance here in western New York.  When I got into my car on the way to writing class this morning the digital readout read 6 degrees!  I had put on a cotton dress shirt but after seeing that temperature reading I decided to go back in the house and change into something more compatible with 6 degree weather, namely, fleece.

I didn't want to shut off the car so I had to retrieve the spare house key from its hiding place and then trudge back inside with my snow sprinkled boots on, unburdening myself of my coat on the way upstairs.  It's funny though, as I think back to the morning, that I didn't get angry or frustrated.  I just thought "this makes sense."  It makes sense to dress for the weather instead of trying to defy it, like I could anyway.

It was slippery out too, because it had been snowing for about an hour before I left, so there was just a cold, icy covering on the road.  It wasn't bad at first, but the further I got and the more it snowed, the worse it got.  I've been going to this writing class for about three months now, and it's been something that I've really enjoyed.  Today was the last class and I didn't want to miss it, or the people in it.  They, including our instructor, have all taught me so much about life and how connected we all are.

They have helped me see that there is a reason for everything, and that timing is no accident, especially when it comes to people entering, and sometimes leaving, our lives.  If we are open to it, and will receive it, people will invest in us and then we in turn can invest in others.  It makes us all richer and deeper.  And it nourishes a seed of hope.