Ode to Grandy

A man's gotta believe in something. I believe I'll have another drink.

Success is found in the little things.

Scotch. Wine. Banjo. Storyteller. Quick temper but first to forgive.

Salesman. Family Man. Activist. Journalist. 

Advocate for the arts. World traveler.

Man of faith and everyone's best friend.

My hero.

This was my grandfather. Now, I was a girl blessed with four grandfathers. And though 2 of them are deceased and 2 remain, there was one who was especially close to my heart: Grandy--my mother's father. I believe that from the time I was born until his death, there was a unique relationship between us. I was often referred to as the "apple of his eye." Grandy--known to most as Tom Potts, held more of my heart than I realized. One thing that made him different was his desire to be "up in your face"--getting personal right away. Loving you right where you were. He had a vivacious taste for life and for spreading the joy of life to others. Many of my memories were up at Woodfork--a home of ours in northern Georgia. The disciplined man he was, he would be up early to read his Bible and then go jogging. Afterwards, I would find him cooking breakfast for the family--always with a smile. Come to think of it, he was often in the kitchen. In the evening, you could always find him with his glass of scotch and water with music on in the background. There was always sensational food, wine, music, and laughter. And of course--storytelling. He could take me back in time to the roaring 20s or the bombing threats in Alabama in the 60s. I always felt as if I were apart. I always felt included and most of all--I felt special and completely loved. When staying with him and my grandmother, we'd always end the evening by reading aloud, singing a song, dancing a dance, watching a classic film, or a bit of all the above. Every person involved felt loved beyond compare and immediately at home. 

It's funny how someone who's been gone now for almost 15 years can still be so deeply enriched on my heart and mind. I want to leave an imprint like that on others. It inspires me to forgive quickly, love passionately and to give wholeheartedly--to be completely present wherever I am.

So, Grandy--Here's to you! A woman has to believe in something. I believe I'll raise my glass to you! Here's to another 15 years!

All my love...

Missing you daily...

Hellen

52 Lists: Week 19

Over the past couple of months, I've had a broken washer in my house. The dryer worked, but the belt blew on the washer. And it decided to break at the moment when my finances, heart, and soul were blown as well.

Therefore, it has been sitting in my ever-so-small kitchen for the past couple of months (waiting patiently to be fixed). I knew what the problem was. It was a broken belt. But I was unable to fix it on my own and my pride and lack of finances refused to remedy the situation.

This is how I am (far too many times than I would like to admit) with my heart. Complacent. Weak and prideful all at the same time. Unwilling to be transformed. But like the broken washer, my heart stares at me day in and day out--waiting, hoping, expecting to be repaired.

This week, there was forgiveness. Not only for those that were around who had hurt me, but also myself. Life orchestrated itself this week. Life blew up in my face and I was given an opportunity to fester or to allow LOVE to repair all the mess around me. I chose LOVE this time. It wasn't a planned choice, but a spontaneous action--only orchestrated by a Father who knows and loves me more than I could imagine.

The washer was repaired (for free)! My heart was repaired (by grace)! And the hearts of those around me were repaired as well.

Like the spinning washer, I am a work in progress. And so, I will spin--focused on the One who is able to handle every situation.

Forever thankful and living in the day...

Until next week.

52 Lists: Week 18

Have you ever stood next to a kettle while you wait for the water to boil? It seems like the water will never boil. Tap, tap, tapping of your fingers on the countertop. The never-ending drumming in your head that whistles LONG before the actual kettle rings.

This was my scenario this past week.

So many thoughts. Too many to count. And boy, were my fingers ever drumming. My heart had difficulty being still. But 5 words were able to sum up the entire scenario:

Burdened. Devotion. Conviction. Waiting. Focus.

Like the kettle, my heart has been learning to wait and to focus on the task at hand. There are lots of things in the balance--work, relationships with friends, dating, and with Jesus. It's so easy to turn my attention and gaze from where it needs to be--especially when impatience knocks on my door. As the kettle was burdened with desiring to boil the water inside, so my heart was burdened this week as well--wanting things to happen more quickly with my career, faith, and relationships. So the tap tap tapping not only took place with my hands, but upon my heart as well.

Do you ever find yourself here? Convicted that you need to be still--that things don't occur in your timing, but that they are always right on time? Trying to stay devoted to the task at hand, but continually drumming your fingers--finding yourself failing in the process?

I do. I did. This week.

But just as the water came to a boil and the kettle let out its yell of excitement, I was reminded of how great things happen at just the right time. I don't need to try and rush the process, but to embrace it as it comes.

And embrace it I will.

Until next week...

Freedom.

She is clothed with strength and dignity and she laughs without fear of the future. -Proverbs 31:25

This morning I woke up and my mind flooded with all that I was unable to fix and all the tasks at hand. As I washed the piled high set of dishes in the sink and brewed my morning coffee, a sweet whisper called out: Come away. Pray, beloved. Pray. Give it to me.

At first, I did everything I could not to pray. I was frustrated. Hurt. And the negative thoughts continued to overwhelm my mind and heart. But then, I cried out.


I called out to the Lord out of my distress and he answered me. (Jonah 2:2)

There is power in authentic prayer. There is power in the name of Jesus. And so, as he has asked me to be devoted to prayer for various people, I will.

I've decided to clothe them in prayer. We are each called to be clothed in Jesus and carry his attributes with us to pour into others' lives.

So, I ask you to also join me in this daily prayer for those that you love:

• Mind: What they think about 
• Eyes: What they look at
• Ears: What they listen to
• Mouth: What they speak
• Neck: Decisions that turn their head
• Shoulders: Their burdens and worries
• Heart: What and who they love
• Back: Protection
• Arms: Strength
• Hands: Work
• Ring finger: Their current or future marriage
• Sexuality: Their need for physical intimacy
• Legs: Their stand on truth
• Knees: Relationship with God
• Feet: Their walk

So, instead of taking things up on my own (which I all too frequently do), I've decided to (once again) surrender and give it to Jesus who is able to carry it all. I choose to obey and to take him at his word. He is so faithful and so very good!

Take this week to pray and believe God!

52 Lists: Week 17

Mr Wendal just came on my Spotify station. I immediately laughed because it took me back to a memory. I love how music does this. It infiltrates my mind and heart and pours into all of the spoken and unspoken places of my life.

And that's what these weekly writings on lists have done for me--helped me reflect and to see how beautiful life is. Each second is a gift (even the difficult ones) and should be lived to the utmost!! This past week carried many attributes and characteristics, but the weekend summed it all up:

Salt water. Laugher. Smiles. Confederate Jasmine. Family.

I was blessed to head to the low country of Charleston, South Carolina to join my family in a weekend of food, drink, and sunshine! With my sunglasses, music, wine, and a hand in mine, the time was seized. There were delicious moments found in the simple and with each taste of food and drink that was consumed!

And all that can be said about this week is that it left me smiling...and not wanting it to end.

Forever mine.

Until next week it's summed up in the Quiet Hounds lyrics below...

Hellen

all the gardenia on the sideway dropping like they want you// i'm  a believer when i'm on the highway when they're playing our tune// driving up slowly through the gravel nothing stopping Sunday// summer love songing in my longing we can do this our way// (quiet hounds "southern charm")