All I have left to say...

Tonight I sit here in tears.
Sometimes life is just full of emotion.

As I sit and think about all that I've gone through in my life...
deaths
sickness
divorce
tragedies
children
success
hard work
perseverance
lonliness
failure
happiness
sadness
depression
joy,
I can only think of ONE thing in my life that changes all of these things...

My salvation.
The day I totally surrendered my life to Jesus...

It wasn't that I was instantly rescued from a lifetime of wrong choices...
or
instantly healed from all the wrongs in my life...

It's just that I found a new,
fail-proof way of dealing with life's question, trials, and problems.

I gave my life to Jesus.
I finally realized that I couldn't do this without His guidance.
I couldn't do it my way---it just wasn't working.
I needed Him.
I needed Jesus Christ.

There are still mountains to climb,
obstacles to face,
trials slamming me in the face,
times that seem to hard to bare...

but now?
I have the ONLY thing that can truly guide me,
                                                                 speak to me,
                                                                           love me,
                                                                               hold me,
                                                                                    teach me,
                                                                                          lead me...
                                                                                              the RIGHT way.
WIth Jesus came:
understanding, peace, joy, compassion, forgiveness, patience, and true love.
I'm not kdding.
All of these things are abundant in my life.
These things do not come from Earthly things...nor do they come from me...
they come only from Him.

I am truly humbled at this very moment.
I have never had people in my life who love me the way that they do now.
I have never had so many blessings poured out on me.
I have never felt such complete safety in knowing that there is someone who loves me no matter
how I act,
what I do,
what I say,
what mistakes I make,
just,   
no matter.

As I felt hands lay on my back tonight in a special time that only comes from the one true God,
I realized that I am living a life I never knew imaginable.
I can't imagine ever turning away from this unexplainable, unspeakable joy.
I can't imagine why everyone on this planet wouldn't want a part of it.
Why wouldn't you, me, everyone, want this?
It's free to us.
The reward is eternity in heaven.
The blessings on this Earth are countless.
The pathway is golden.

I was not perfect when I gave my life to Jesus.
I was a wreck.
I was at the end of my rope as I knew it.
I didn't know what else "I" could do.
SO I just gave it all...
I gave my life...to Jesus.
And He took me...
         he didn't wait for a second...
                     he didn't hesitate...
                               he didn't say "wait a minute"...
                                            he didn't say "change first",
He just took me.
Held me.
Shed tears for me.
Bled for me.
All for me.

It was truly...
the CHOICE of a LIFETIME.
My CHOICE.
I made that CHOICE.

A choice that gave me more than I could have ever imagined.
The only thing left to say,
is,
Thank you.

These are my thoughts,
Dara

I am thankful...

I've thought a lot today of where I am in my life.
I have a very decent life.
To some it isn't glamorous,
It might not be the "high life",
In fact, it's rather simple.


But my life is full.
So very full.


I have more precious friends than I deserve:
Friends that love me just for me...that have loved me through the hardest of times...that have loved me when I made poor choices...that have never turned their back on me.
I have friends.

I have a wonderful job:
a job that I have never, even one day, dreaded going to. A job that is full of blessings. One that I can use the talents God gave me. One that is full of people who love each other and who love Jesus. One that provides a roof, food, and our needs.
I have a job

I have my health:
I am able to rise each day and do most anything I want to. I can walk, run, skip, laugh, see, hear, talk...I hardly have a need to go to the doctor...I feel good most every day.
I have my health.

I have plenty of things:
I have clothes, a car, beautiful things that hold memories in my house, I have a house, I have a yard, I have a bedroom of my own, I have enough to last a lifetime.
I have things.

I have the 2 best children in the world:
I have a daughter and son who know Jesus. I have a beautiful daughter that is hard-working, caring, intellegent, independant, loving, successful and has a great sense of humor. I have a son that is all boy---a great athelete, one who makes me proud on and off the fields, one that is creative, intelligent, caring, loving, handsome, healthy and warms my heart.
I have 2 kids.

I have a great family:
a mother, 2 brothers, a sister in law, 2 nieces, 2 nephews, who love me and whom I love with all of my heart. One that is there for me whenever I need them...a family that knows and loves Jesus.
I have a family.

I have an abundance of fond memories:
memories that flood my mind each day. Ones that I can share, teach by, laugh at, cry at...ones that I can just remember when I want...Ones of childhood...ones of my dear father...ones that I can learn by.
I have memories.

I have talents beyond my wildest dreams:
I was given many talents, I use those talents to serve Jesus. I don't deserve them all, but as I've been given---I am here to give back.
I have talents.

Last but not least:
I have Jesus. I havent always known Jesus as I do now. I have grown to know him through the years...He saved me...I am guided by him in everything I do...I serve Him...I am blessed beyond measure by Him...He constantly amazes me...He loves me so much He died for me.
I have Jesus.



So as I sit here tonight, I just feel lucky.



I feel taken care of.
I feel blessed.
It's a good way to live.

I don't make excuses for the way I live.

I live the way I think would make my Savior proud...for it's HIM that I will answer to one day.

I won't answer to anyone of this Earth...so I live to please HIM.

I am happy.

Sometimes I'm sad.

Mostly I'm content...for now.

I am thankful.

SO very thankful.

So for today:

These are my thoughts,

Dara

I took a trip to an old memory...

I took a trip today to an old memory.

 It was an absolutely beautiful day!

 I took a ride out to the reason I sit in this town today...

1973...My dad was transferred to Ft. McClellan , Alabama.

 My father was serving faithfully in the United States Army...with Vietnam in the recent past, we were beginning a new adventure.

 Little did we know, it would be the beginning of much of our future.

My dad had gone ahead of us by a few days, and had gotten our new living quarters secured.

 As we drove onto the "post", I remember driving with wide-eyes through the strange roads, in search for our new home. We passed rows and rows of thriving army barracks...green and white. That's what I remember most, the colors.

Everything was green and white...everything.

I remeber seeing men and women dressed in "BDU's", as they were called, scurrying around throughout the rows of barracks...the men and women that served our country.

 I knew they were to be respected...even then, as a young child.

I was 8 years old and I remember sitting in the front seat of that old station wagon: the typical paneled sides- family style (sorta like the one on the Brady Bunch).

My brother, Michael, was 4 years old and my mother was a young and snappy 29.

Wow, it seems like just yesterday when we turned onto Morton Road... 

 3635A Morton Road.

We had moved from Atlanta...from a residential neighborhood in the outskirts of the big city,

 into an army base in rural Alabama.

It was quite different, but somehow...

 it was rather exciting. 

We pulled into the driveway...we were home.

These days were humble.

The memories flood my mind as I write.

The baby rabbits I caught in the back yard patch of woods...

                          the "fort" I built in those same patch of woods...

                                          the bicycle wreck I had as I hurdled around the curve up the street from our house (the wreck that gave me the scars on my fingers that I can still see as I type)...

                              the lemonade stands at the end of the driveway...

                                        the tennis courts...

                                             the commisary...

                                                     the P.X....the bowling alley...the movie theatre...

it was an entire world of it's own.

 We lived on base for 3 years, and in these few years: 

my other brother, (Chad) was born, 

I witnessed my first death (of my friend Whitney's father),

I made many multi-cultural friends,

and we decided to make Anniston, Alabama our permanent home.

We lived on the base for 3 years.

I went to school on the base (3rd grade--Mrs. Hipp...she was the one who called me out in the hall to tell me I had a new baby borther. 4th grade--Mrs. Campbell--great friend then and we've recently caught back into each others paths, and Mrs. Davis were my teachers--i don't guess I'll ever forget them)

My dad died in 1986 and is buried at the military cemetary of Ft. McClellan , Alabama.

It was a memorable military service, the day after Christmas in 1986...

The 21 Gun Salute---Folding and presentation of the American Flag to our family, and the song "TAPS" played on the bugle...I remember the tear dripping off the face of the soldier that played that song. He didn't even know my father, but he was a brother...in arms.

My father would have been very proud of that day, in honor of a man who served his country for 23 years...served in Vietnam and received the Silver Star and Purple Heart (among many other) prestigious medals...it was a sad, cold wintry day in that McClellan cemetary...

but somehow,

 I know my father was smiling.

I visit him a few times a year...he's not there. But I go there anyway...

 just because.

Ft. McClellan closed it's gates in 1996.

It was a sad day.

The distant sound of the military bugle is reminiscent in the old Buckner Circle. 

It belted out it's magnificant sound every work day afternoon at 4:15.

 If I was in the car with my father during this time, we would pull the car onto the side of the road wherever we were...he would honorably get out, dressed in his starched officer's uniform, and stand at a saluting attention until the flag was lowered.

I was so proud of him at this moment.

It was reverent, honorable, patriotic...it was the way it should be.

I loved that my father served our country.

I love that old base..why, it's the reason I live in this town...

and as I drove through the faintly familiar roads today;

my heart, soul and mind remembered days gone by.

It was really a good drive.

 It's o.k. to remember those days.

Smiles and Tears and Memories...

The last thing I did was walk around an old pond...it was the pond I fished in as a young girl.

There was a children's fishing tournament one Saturday morning--1975 to be exact--

I was 10 years old.

My little brother was competing.

I was bored.

So I picked up an old rod and reel, and began to cast.

I ended up winning that tournament...

I still laugh when I think of the faces of all those little boys when I received my trophies.

I won the category "most caught fish" and "biggest fish caught".

I can still hear the shrieks from me and my mother as I reeled those fish in...!!!

Today, I sat on the edge of that pond and looked into the water..

.there were a million fish swimming right up to the edge where I was sitting.

 They were still there...35 years later.

As I stared into the water and saw the reflection of a 45 year old, middle-aged "child", I caught a slight glimpse of a small little girl with the future in her hands...

or maybe it was the glimpse of an old rod and reel....

I swirled my finger in the edge of the water and watched the fish swim swiftly away.

Oh, they'll be back...

and one day...

so will I.

As I drove around the base today, I took several pictures to savor the memories of a time I choose not to forget...

The Old Pond

My dad...well, he's not here. He's in heaven.

He knew Jesus.

The entrance to the military cemetary...something odd about that open gate...it seems so "final" once you walk inside.

There's still beauty in the still, quietness of that old place.

Springtime doesn't close ...

I just thought this was so fresh and pretty...reminiscent of frogs and tadpoles...new life.

I could almost hear the distant voices singing the old hymns of years gone by...what a joy to see this old church tucked away...but then again, what sadness that it's life was over.

Just a memory of an old, rugged cross...how sweet the sound of Amazing Grace.

I saw this old window on the side of the church building and thought of children peering inside the church during the old-time picnics. I could almost hear the laughter and shrills while they were playing a game of tag...boys chasing the girls with old toad frogs of course.

This old door was barracaded with vines, weeds and winds blowing in the distance. I looked at the outstretched vines coming through the walls of the door as if to say, "there's still life here"...

Reminds me of an old Haiku I am working on for class:
The summer river,
 Although there is a bridge, my
 horse goes through the water.
                                                           Seems a bit sad to me...

An old back door to a whithered building.

The reflection of the beautiful sky in the window pane reminds me that God built us a masterpiece to savor.

A tattered bridge that once was covered by soldiers footprints and combat boots. There are no more footprints on this bridge, but I remembered our Armed Forces still fighting so that "I"/"WE" can enjoy this beautiful country.

I loved the way God exposed this radiant beam of light into the threshold of this door. It was opened and closed so many times by people of another time. The radiant light still gives us hope.

An old walkway grown up with vines and weeds. But looking forward, to the light at the end...

The old walkway turned upsidedown...beautiful architecture...and that previously mentioned green color.

The old pond again...the bridge that leads to a tiny island with a lonely 'green' bench. Serenity.

Another view of the old church...notice the "green" cross. Like I said; everything was Green and White. A picture is worth a thousand words...

God is near...

One more good-bye...

Branches...a reminder of the many roads we can choose within our short time on this Earth.

The end of a beautiful day...what a blessing.

Oh...I know there is.

Here goes:
Talking with a wonderful friend today...
we were discussing...well, something dear to my heart.
God.
I hate to admit it, but this one might step on some toes...
it stepped on mine...
and I was the one doing the talking.
Sometimes, it's uncomfortable to admit when you're wrong.


The conversation started because of the lesson I was
teaching last night.
For last nights lesson, I studied 1Samuel about King Saul...
that poor thing. He just didn't get it.
He is quite the example of...
well,
most of us.


The story: (quickly)
He was chosen to rule God's chosen people...the Israelites.
He was an attractive man.
He was smart...uh, that's debateable. Well...he was indeed a winner of battles.
And with his power, looks, and sauve' manner...he fought many battles, and won many battles.
But he had a problem:
the more He won...the more he began to think of himself, be proud of himself, fool himself...
and...
the more he lost sight of His main purpose...
God.
Toward the end of his reign, he was told...by God (by way of Samuel)...to fight the Amelikites and detroy them ALL...and ALL of their possessions (livestock, etc.)
He listened.
Well, kind of...
Samuel, was the go between person between Saul and God, so Samuel gave Saul the messages from God himself...
wow, what a job!
So Saul went off to fight this battle...yes, he won, again.
But he only did things halfway.
He did destroy the Amelikites, but instead of destroying ALL as God had said, he CHOSE to bring home a trophy--- 
the Amelikite leader and some of the best livestock. 
This would really impress his people...if he brought home these riches to show off.
Was he forgetting the instructions?
Oh dear.
When confronted by Samuel (as directed by God)as to why he did not obey...he said: "I did obey, I killed them...well, all but the Amelikite King and the best sacrificial animals...but I'm going to offer them, as offerings/sacrifices to God."
Oh did I forget to add: that before he gave his side of this story, he had built a statue of himself in honor of...
"himself"?
He was very proud of his accomplishments.
HIS accomplishments.
Samuel was furious with Saul's excuses and knew what he had done...Samuel knew what God had instructed and held Saul accountable for his actions...and replied: "Isn't it better to OBEY than to sacrifice?"
Samuel knew the answer to this...for he knew what God thought.
And unfortunately, Saul also knew the answer to this...


We are so much like Saul...
As much as I'd like to say I have never done such, I simply cannot.
We are so good at "choosing" what to hear. Even from God.
We decide which part of obeying we will do,
what's convenient,
what makes us look good,
what will get us the most prestige...
God gives us rules, guidance, leadership. He tells us what to do...and what not to do.
(Here's that word again...)
But he also gives us...CHOICE.


Sometimes it seems that we begin believing our own excuses...and sometimes- even our own lies.
We sorta just live the way we want to, what we think is best, or easier...and we don't think about simply being obedient.
Is it hard to obey?
Yes.
No.
Sometimes.
Should we obey God?
Emphatically, yes...no doubt.
Will we answer for the wrongs we do?
Emphatically, yes...no doubt.
Is this my opinion?
No. It is HIS WORD...not mine.
Like Saul; we get caught up in our accomplishments, what makes us look good, our "looks", proving how prestigious we are, what we can do better than others,...
we are consumed with...
Our-SELVES.
We try to "FOOL" ourselves into believeing that a little white lie, or a little sin here and there is fine...why we can't be perfect can we? 
We can "fudge" a little...we can be very convincing....
But guess what?
You, me, all of us...can believe that for as long as we are here...but it's simply not right.
God doesn't say: "well, ok...go ahead, try it just once...you've been good for awhile, you can take a break."
We can try to convince ourselves all day long that it'll be fine. Rationalize it in our minds that it HAS to be done this way,
we HAVE to cheat a little,
we HAVE to lie,
we HAVE to gossip,
we HAVE to steal...
on and on.
Are you getting it?
I don't think I need to go on...


But sometimes we really don't get it do we?
It's not about us...
If we go back to Genesis...we'll see that God created us in his image, to give him glory, to worship Him.
That's it.
Simple.
He created mankind...
for Him.


I'm not trying to downgrade everyone, including myself...
I just know that when we OBEY and do things HIS way...our lives are so much more fuller and richer.
Richer than money and fame.
I've been on both sides, I know.
Really.
It's worth it.
It may not seem fair...that's us being selfish (again).
It may not seem right...that's us being selfish (again).
It may not seem fun...that's us being selfish...and just plain dumb (again).
It may not seem easy...well, sometimes, it's not...
It's just what is supposed to...
be.


The end of the story:
Saul got fired.
He lost his kingship.
He lost the very thing that he was so proud of...the thing that made him so ... duh...great.
Be careful...
cause, all that???
What we think is so great?
There just might be something greater...
oh...
I KNOW there is.


These are my thoughts.
Dara

Yes, Those were the days...

I think at middle age...oh, around 45-46...somehwere in there, you begin to think back on years gone by. Not that life is ending...or maybe it is. We don't really know the answer to that one, now do we?
Sometimes I like to just think back...as I drive down the road, or while I sit in complete quiet, or while walking down the street...I like to talk to my children about the days that I remember.
Those days really do seem like yesterday.
They really do.
Sometimes the memories are vivid...sometimes cloudy...it's weird that way.
I've written some of those things down for my children to pass on...I've told many, many stories...to many people (thanks for enduring).
I like those memories. Some of them bring a smile, a tear, a giggle...some bring me heartache, some make me laugh out loud...LOL as we say these days.
........................

I remember driving all night (9 hours) and surprising my grandparents in the middle of the night. Not telling them we were coming...knowing they wouldn't mind.  Tapping on their bedroom window at 3:00am, saying "It's me Papa...I'm here!" Never one time was there any other response but pure delight. They'd grab their robe and run to meet us at the front screen door. We'd sit up and talk for awhile before drifting off to sleep...what unconditional love I felt.
Those hugs and tears of joy in the middle of the night were the best.

I remember the evening, at the end of a hot summer day; the day we were huddled together in the back yard for a late afternoon fishing game.
One last cast before dark.
Into the lake I threw that 9 inch green worm.
I reeled it in, ever so carefully...just the way my grand-dad taught me. "Let the worm dive a little, jerk it up, reel, and let it dive back down...repeat...they'll take the bait everytime."
And then..., was I hung?!
The worm was stuck.
It wouldn't move...wait...I felt something.
SOMETHING BIG!
I yelled for Papa.
He, with his ever-present limp, came running to my side. "You must be hung on that old stump." he said.
I knew I wasn't hung...'I'm not hung! papa! just look!"...and right that moment, out jumped the biggest fish I ever had seen!
It was a monster!
I screamed!
He screamed!
He ran for the "dip-net"--- it was a wopper!
I pulled that fish in like I had done it a million times...when in fact, I was shaking from head to toe.
My precious papa pulled that fish in with the net...I can still see his eyes...as big as saucers. Of course mine were too...but I don't know if they were big becasue of the fish or because I had made him so proud.
It was dark by now...but he got those fish scales out of that old boathouse, and weighed that monster fish. 91/2 pounds!
"COME ON!" he said...and He marched me up and down that street to all his buddies, showing off that fish.
He was so proud...I was proud, that I made Him proud...
I loved that night when I was 9 years old...

I remember so many birthdays when I was young...
somewhere down the line, it became a tradition (for awhile anyway) that I wanted to get a toy doctors kit...the ones that had little candy sprinkles in medicine bottles. I think that was really the only reason I wanted that present...the candy -filled bottles.
This is what I received for several years...
but the "icing on the cake" was actually the home-made 3 layer cake with chocolate fudge icing...topped off with real marichino cherries that held one candle each.
I loved those special cakes my mother baked...
Many years passed without such a treat...
until one special year, when I was surprised with that special cake on my 39th birthday.
The only thing missing was that plastic yellow doctors kit with the candy sprinkle medicine botlles.
Oh happy day.

I remember that old farmhouse, the one with the green roof.
I remember the anticipation as we drove to see my grandparents.
We would drive for what seemed like hours...in reality it was only an hour and a half...I would peer out the window, just waiting to see the tops of those 4 chicken houses. I knew we were there when I saw those silver metal roofs shining in the sunlight.
I remember catching tadpoles in the feeding trough, digging up potatoes from the garden like I was searching for treasure, working in the tool shed with my grand-dad until I decided to liven it up by squirting him with the waterhose and old man "Cagel" laughing til' he almost had a heart-attack, getting canned grean beans our of the storm shelter for supper, and planting rows of seeds in the petunia garden. I remember that ole' black spaniel named "TIPPY", that 1959 yellow cadillac, and catching chickens by the legs...
Yes, those were the days...

Yes,
These are My Thoughts.
Dara

Well Good morning!
Yesterday was a very tough day. I get asked a lot!!! how I do all I do...
"I don't know how you do it all", "how do you do it", "arent you tired?"...is what I hear so often.
To sum it up quicky:
I work a full time job/ministry (which involves sometimes very weird hours),
I go to college (for 10 more months & will graduate with a BFA! Art/Graphic Design),
I am a single mom of 2 (and have been for 7 years)which includes, Baseball, football, basketbal, problems, doctors, homework, life in general........),
I hold a second (third???) job selling jewelry,
and everything in between!
Yes it is hard!
Most of the time, I just trudge forward, looking toward my daily goals. I ask God for A LOT of help, and I don't think about it being any other way; it's what I have to do in order to make a living and a decent life for my children. (It's their turn!)
But there are days here and there, when it all gets to be a bit much...
When being a single parent, or just single is for the birds...
when I miss that family bond...
when I miss a shoulder to cry on (at home)...
when I miss my extended family in Huntsville (I don't have any other family close by)...
When life throws curve balls...
when my kids are hurting...
when things just arent in the plan or when things don't go just right.
Life can do that you know....???
It's days like these when I will be riding down the road, with tears rolling off my face and I don't even realize it. It's those days that I feel like I'm just moving forward for the sake of moving forward...


So yes, believe or not, I'm human.
I cry.
I hurt.
I moan and groan.
I get angry.
In fact, I get down right MAD.
I sometimes don't think it's fair.
I have a "weeeee" bit of self pity...ok...a lot.


BUT THEN:...
I think about the people in bed with cancer not knowing if they will have another year with their family.
I think about the ones that have lost a child.
I think about the people that have lost everything they ever knew, because of our economy.
I think about the people that go to work outside in the hottest or coldest of days and work to their fingers bleed.
I think about what I've been through and where I am now.
I turn on the news.
I think about the people that are fighting for our lives---for our FREEDOM! , AS WE SPEAK.
I look at my 2 PRECIOUS children...I look into their eyes...the eyes that need me, count on me, love me.
I think of the people that don't know Jesus.


AND THEN:
I pull myself together.
I get down on my knees...I talk it out with the one who understands my every thought, my every breath, my every...
thing.
I talk to my best friend...my precious Jesus...He always knows just the right thing to say.
I wipe the tears.
I ask forgiveness for being selfish...again.
I thank HIM for loving me through it all...and I thank HIM for ONE more minute to do "ALL the things I do".


AND THEN:
I get up..off my knees.
I smile.
I move forward.
And I KNOW that
I...
Am...
The...
Luckiest...
Girl...
In...
The...
World.


So I go. 
Into another thankful minute of this life that I was so gracefully given.
I realize, that it's really not about me...
It's about my children. my job, my goals, my friends, my family, and MY precious Lord.
Where do I fall?
I fall in the midst of every single one of these gifts...I am so lucky...
In fact I am Blessed.


Lyrics from Martina McBride's "Blessed"
I have been blessed
And I feel like I've found my way
I thank God for all I've been given
At the end of every day
I have been blessed
With so much more than I deserve
To be here with the ones that love me
To love them so much it hurts
I have been blessed
So how do I do it all?
Well, ...
for TODAY...
It's easy.


These are my thoughts:
Dara Murphy

It really is the only way

Sitting here after a 13 hour day and then more homework at home.
It's 11:30 and I am blurry eyed...


My thoughts are wandering to a day of conversations.
I see many people throughout my days...I talk, I listen, I advise, I take advice, I laugh, I cry, I extend a hand, I am humbled, I love, I pray.


Our hearts are troubled.
My heart is troubled.
This world is troubled.
Priorities are out of control...we don't even know what's supposed to be a priority.
There are people, many people, with burdens so heavy.
My heart aches for them, so I offer a simple gesture, a hug, a shoulder, a promise.


Here are the things that have crossed my path:
this week.


Young Adulthood: A young person fresh out of high school faced with such hard and life altering decisions and has never faced such a crucial time before. It seems like it's too much. What do I take? What is my future? It's too hard! I can't do this! Where do I work? What do I do? I need more money. Not enough time. Exhausted. I need ... I need a hug. I need to cry. It's too fast. I'm not ready to grow up. I miss the days not so long ago. Those really "were" the best days of my life. I can't make a decision. I'm scared. Why does it have to be like this? It's not easy to grow up. This isn't what I thought it would be like. I always wanted to grow up so fast...what was I thinking. Help!


Looking Back: Someone looking back on what could've been. If only...I wish...Should I have? There are things I want to do. I worry. I have dreams. I'm scared.  I love my family. What should I do from here? Why didn't I know? Why did I ever do that? Such regrets. What is the future? The past, a lot of mistakes. I'm good, really...but... Just wondering. Just thinking. Just dreaming. Time really does fly.  Help!


Adolescence:  A child approaching the young adult years...so many deicisions!. I want my mom. My mom embarrases me. I love my mom. Stop it mom. I can't "wear" that! That's lame. That's cool. What is this on my face? Oh my gosh! Too much to do...not enough to do. I hate homework. School---uggghhh. When am I ever gonna need that in life??? WHy do I have to learn all that?! I can't wait to grow up! I need your help! No! I can do it on my own! I'm not a baby! Will you hold me? I love you (whispers). A tear. Wiping the tears in silent. Embarrased. Giggles. Chatterbox. Won't speak. It's ok...I understand my child. Help!


Middle Aged:  Life becomes such a struggle sometimes. It's too much. Too hard. Not enough time in the day. What about me!? I give give give! WHat about me?  I've never faced this before. I try so hard, but get nowhere. I just wanna laugh a little! I need break! So what am I supposed to do? If only there were more of me! Sleep? ha! Peace? ha! I can't do this anymore. Really. It's too late now. I'm desperate. Time has flown. Me?? Middle aged? You're crazy...well? I wanna scream! Pull my hair out!  Help!


We're all so different...but yet, so much the same.
Why do we keep it on our own shoulders when we are so weak? We can't do it alone...
So who do we go to?
There's only one answer...and you know don't you?
He begs us...pleads with us to let Him...


L ay your burdens
O n me..
R ight now, because
D aily I will carry them for YOU.


It really is the only way.
These are my thoughts:
Dara