skunk?

Does anyone know how to get skunk spray off of a phone? I have a perfectly good reason for needing this advice. Now, my husband might not think so or some of you but to me it is a PERFECTLY good reason. 

I went for my walk yesterday. Oh, how I love summer. I came across this sign. I chuckled because it fit in nicely with the book I was listening to on tape. Basically, we don't know what is ahead but we do know who will join us there. I have been thinking a lot into the future. I will be returning to teaching on the fall and will be entering into a NEW grade. 1st. All the feels on that one. My kids are now blindingly so getting older. They are moving into themselves. My role is changing in so many areas at once. Sometimes I feel like I just need a minute (or month) to just catch up on everything. Even to think on where I am heading. But like the sign clearly says there will be twists and turns that I didn't see coming for me. Some for good and some for growing. As I walked on my twists and turns I ran into a friend. 

Yes, that is a baby skunk. Standing on the side of the road while cars hurriedly whip right past. NOW, in my defense, last summer I experienced a similar situation. I was driving when I saw him being whipped around from the wind of people's tires driving past. So I did what any sane person would do. I turned around and parked. Right there in a curve I was going to save Little Mr. Skunk. I had seen that his mama had not made it and I could just leave hi there. I approached him and tried to shoo him off the road. That wasn't working. I noticed though that there was no smell. I got in the car and found a bag and went and put him in the bag nad carried him back to my van. I couldn't let him on the curve. I called Scott.

There was a lot more he said but all I remember was a big NO don't you bring that home. He was so tiny and so cute/Was I going to abandon him?? Certainly not. I also googled why he hadn't sprayed me and it turns out he was not old enough yet. Lots of story and pictures later nad I found a friend who could take him to a state park where he would find family. Not only did I learn baby skunks can't spray, but also that a mama skunk will take in any and all babies AND skunks are the number 2 carriers of rabies right behind racoons. In other words, kids DO NOT try this at home. 

So I turned a bend and there he was. I heard Scott's voice in my head. "Theresa, let it alone." But I couldn't I just couldn't. I approached him and I should have noticed although a baby he was bigger that my last friend. I needed to get him off the edge of the road and into the bush that led to the forest. I stomped and kicked in his direction. He wasn't amused. I MAY have waved my hand close to his face to get him to GO! He may have hissed. He may have sprayed a little. My phone may have been in the hand I was trying to shoo him with. He was a baby and it wasn't bad, but I could tell he for sure was a sprayer. Still I would not abandon him! I crossed the road and my foot smooshed into a wet muddy, muck but I did get a larger branch. I came back and used my large stick to poke and force him back into the green home. Finally he padded his way away from the edge of the road and into the forest. Tossing my stick, my good deed for the day was done. I hadn't noticed a smell until I brought my hand up to my forehead to wipe. Yeah, he was a little guy but he had gotten my hand. 

Although my walk was not over, I decided to head home. Scott working in the basement was surprised to see me so soon. I had to come home I told him. His first words without even seeing me yet was "You better not have brought any animals with you." Not really but come here. He turned the corner and gagged. "How did you get sprayed by a skunk.?" Well, ya see there was this baby and he was at the edge of the road and... "I have heard this story before." "Yeah but this one was bigger that the last one and I guess he was big enough to spray." "You know you don't have to rescue the world?" "If only, but this little guy needed help." I went to shower and scrub (using Dawn dish soap make up wipes and everything I could think of. Eventually I couldn't smell is on me but I spent the rest of my evening wiping at my phone case. 

Trust God from the bottom of your heart. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go: He's the one who will keep you on track 

Don't assume you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil!

Your body will glow with help  your very bones will vibrate with life. 

The Message- Proverbs 3:4-8

The curves and straight ahead. Certainly we never know what is around that bend. Perhaps a baby skunk who needs you. Or a new adventure or an ending you didn't see coming. Who knows. But the Word tells us if we trust (firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something) God, we know that He will keep us on track. If I am sticking close, He will guide me. If I ever find myself in the middle of a big forest of the edge of a scary road, i know I won't been alone. We walk together He and I. It's not always easy or fast, or makes any sense, but one thing i know it that it is good. Very good. I am so glad that I never walk around. 

 

The Dance

I had a long car ride ahead of me, so I decided to look through some audio books and pick one to help pass the time. My passengers were teenagers so I knew they were much more interested in staring into the black abyss of their eye lids than having a chat with me. I have been a huge reader for as long as I can remember, but my genres seem to change in and out. Everybook I came across just didn't seem to cut it. I finally landed on a book called Franenstein by Dean Koontz. This book was a twist on the old story of the real monster that Dr. Frankenstein erected with some borrowed body parts and some electricity. However, the book picks up a couple of hundred years later, and the creator has found a way to not only stay alive, but also create even more intricately designed creatures for his master race. The "advanced" race is actually "born " out of a tank. Before they are "born" and readied for their assignment, they have had billions of mega bites of data downloaded into them. They may never have experienced World War II or a Steeler's football game, but all of that information has been downloaded. Just in case it becomes needed to fulfill their goal- whatever it is the master is breeding them for.

Although that idea would knock me out of a job, I thought how interesting that would be. To download experiences and knowledge. Think of the time saver! The mistakes that could never be made. The time saved it would have saved me on memorizing the periodic table alone! *sidenote- which I have never been asked a question regarding the periodic elements and if in the case I was, I would I would look it up.

It brought me back to my high school years sitting in youth group, and asking my leaders why it was so hard to figure out God's PLAN. Here I was at the end of my high school career and about to become an adult, and I had no idea where I was to be in 10 years. Much wiser than me, they explained about following Jesus step by step. Only enough light for the next step. That certainly was an afront to my type A personality. A step at a time. No, just no. I sighed and said "Maybe He could just send me an email." Everyone laughed. Meanwhile, I'm opening my email thinking "well God if you parted the red sea You could send me a quick note."

But, alas, no email came. What if....I could have all the Christian knowledge downloaded into me? The Bible, the great commentaries, insightful pastors, and more! I would know! According to my Bible dictionary, Bible "knowledge" covers a wide range of meanings such as intellectual understanding, personally experience, emotion, and personal relationship. Intellectual understanding I would have downloaded! But the rest, not so much.

Have you ever seen the meme where it say how you think your life will go and it is a straight diagonal arrow going up. Then on the other side it says how it really goes with a mess of ups and downs and sometimes a mess of squiggles. On a Social Media post today, I saw that a famous country singer had sung Garth Brooks famous song "The Dance" and she said how it had reignited with her.

As I listened, thoughts jumped around my head (as they often do). Maybe sometimes it is better not to know. You might just decided that the hurt is not worth the cost. But maybe that cost is what brings light to another. There are personal experiences, many personal experiences, that I would have loved to jump over. Then could I walk alongside of those traveling on the same road? Could I share the pain, the suffering, the learning, and sometimes beauty?

The chorus of the song "Our lives are better left to chance, I could have missed the pain, but I would have to miss the dance." My life is not up to chance. God knows every hair on my head and every ridiculous plan I ever had. He knows what I do before I do! As I walk just one day at a time with Him, I get to dance. Sometimes its a dance of leaping for joy, or perhaps one of mourning and sorrow. I know every step I take is moving me into the person I was created to be. As long as I keep my vision fixed on the Author and Perfecter of my faith.

It also says in the song that had I known the way it all would end - I might have changed it all. That's why I can't know ahead. Because the path is not always roses and rainbows, but it is purposeful. It is planned. When I finally meet my end, I know every high and every low will be worth it. It is worth it to me, perhaps for someone, for the Kingdom, but it will all be worth it for Jesus. Because what a dance life is. And Jesus, no one would I rather be dancing with than you.

come and see

 The sky was perfect. The ocean was breathtaking. I rasied my camera to take a picture. When I looked at the picture, it didn't come anywhere close to capturing the magnificence in front of me. So I tried again. And again. Anyone who has tried to capture that perfect moment will tell you, the picture never does the real thing justice.

I have a t shirt and it says "ask me about Jesus." I have not worn it yet because I haven't come up with what I would say if someone does ask. I read in the Bible "But in your heart set apart Christ as Lord. ALWAYS be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give reason for the hope you have." 1 Peter 3:15

Such a big question. I have stewed over this for months. Why do I believe the way I believe and why do I think you need it?

My mom taught me it. We all know (especially since I am now one) mothers hold the secret to life. Church told me and church leaders told me. The Bible is an absolutely fascinating book. This come from someone who has read thousands. Purely from a literacy stand point in my opinion it is unmatched. I could go on all day about that. Do I believe because what does it mean if I don't?

I have to have a better reason. After all, I stake my whole like on this. Could I tell you the times Jesus has done something miraculous in my life? So many times. Could I tell you about the time Jesus led me out and away from somewhere that wasn't for me and now I can see it? Over and over again. What about my times of worship or the quietness of a whisphered prayer. Truly when I look at the tapestry of my life I can't see a place God's hand wasn't at work.

But you asked me about this Jesus. What can I tell you? Today I started reading in the Gospel of John. At the very beginning of it all, he turns to ask the men (his future disciples) "What are you looking for?" They were probably taken aback. Bible scholars think that may have meant just that or He may have meant a more theological question meaning "to remain, continue, or abide." In other words "What are you seeking in life?" Even in the best of circumstances, the clouds just right and colors breathtaking with the very best of I Phones, I can't capture the sunset.

I can and would love to tell you all Jesus has saved me from. The places I've been and the things I have seen. I can tell you when I know I heard His voice and have seen his hand. As hard as I try, I can't find the words. Like my sunset.

So, tell me about this Jesus. I would love to introduce you. Explain the basics. Storytime on what He has done for me. But when I look into your eyes and grab your hand I know you just don't "get it." His Word, of course, has the perfect answer. "Come and see." Because I am not sure what Jesus will mean to you. What He wants to do in your life. I don't have the words to express how much He loves you. That's ok. Because it will be your personal journey. No two are alike.

We can meet and talk. Share things we learned and heard. Perhaps right then and there lift each other in prayer. Oh, but that's no sunset. To experience the sunset you need to be there. You have to see it for yourself. I'll walk to the top of the hill with you. Hold your hand and point to where it is. But only when you see and experience for yourself will you finally GET IT. So, tell me about Jesus. COME AND SEE.