Good for a laugh...

I enjoy humor as much as the next person. There is nothing that relieves pressure and stress like a good chuckle. We all get those chain emails that contain funny stories, pictures or jokes. We read them; we get a good laugh. And we hit forward and send them on their merry way to release some humor into another life. We post them on our blogs and share them on Facebook.

I received a letter in the mail yesterday and it contained something that caught my funny bone. I wanted to share it today, but as I was typing it God spoke to me. "Don't". It was not crude or offensive in anyway. It was just a little chuckle. In the overall scheme of things it was just a little sentence that made me laugh that was used as a marketing ploy by a large company. But when God spoke, it made me think. I have so many readers according to my stat counter that come from many different places. I do not know anything about them. I do not know what they are going through in life. I do not know their personal situations, their religious affiliations, their political views, or their core values.

It made me think. What if this one little sentence that lightened my load for a moment and made me laugh offended one of my readers. What is this off-hand remark wounded their soul or "hit home" on what they are going through. Would I want to wound one soul just so everybody else could laugh. The answer was very clear. No, I do not. One thing that I cannot abide is cruelty, even if it is not intended. I do not like to see anyone hurting by something someone else has said without thinking. So I will not share the laughter. Instead, I will share Proverbs 14:13 - Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.

How appropriate is that. There is a lesson to be learned here for all of us. In marketing, the first thing you are taught is to know your target audience. This should be true in all of life's situations. Before you share that next joke, cartoon or video, please, oh please, make sure you know who you are sharing it with. I would hate to have one off hand comment or quote make someone laugh only to remind them of their pain and cause hurt in the end. Have a blessed day.

I need the help of my readers and followers...

I need your help. I am working on an idea for an upcoming post, but I need your help to do it. I need to know what your all time favorite bible verse is. I don't need the actual wording, just the book, chapter and verse that is your inspiration. I hope you will help me with this as I think you will enjoy what I have in mind.

If you are a follower or if you sign up to follow me, just leave a comment on this post with your favorite. Mine is Psalm 46:10.

If you are not a follower, I would still love to hear from you. Please send me your favorite verse to mamawsplace@gmail.com.

I want to thank everyone in advance who is willing to help me with this project.

Meet me on Monday

Meet me on Monday

(I'm a day late, but yesterday was end-of-the-quarter tax day so forgive me)

1. What do you put on your hot dog?

I am the queen of hot dogs. A true connoisseur. My absolute favorite dog is plain on a toasted English bun. I also love them with chili, mustard and onion, or with dill relish, mustard and cheese or just a plain wiener on a standard bun. There is not a week that goes by that I do not have at least one hot dog at sometime during the week. (By the way, after reading the questions this morning, I had to go to the store. Guess what I got for supper....Yes, hot dogs!)

2. Do you play Sudoku?

Crazy about crossword puzzles but I cannot get into Sudoku. It's like trying to do math as a hobby. Ugh! I tried it once and it drove me crazy after about 2 minutes.

3. What is your favorite vegetable?

Potatoes. Without a doubt. Fried, baked, mashed, scalloped, french fries, potato chips (especially with hot dogs). I just love potatoes.

4. Do you color your hair?

Definitely. I could not care less about gray hair. That is not why I do it. I started coloring it when I was 18 and loved it. Over the years, I've experimented with being a brunette, a red head and a golden blonde. I have to use an ash blonde so that my brown hair just looks like it has golden highlights. If I don't use the Ash, I get an auburn color. It's all about change. I'm not one who likes things to stay the same. I love to "shake things up a bit" every once in awhile. And then sometimes I just let it go natural again.

5. What is your favorite brand of clothing?

Is "inexpensive" a brand?  I guess if I had to pick something "special" it would be St. John's Bay...or Faded Glory...or George...or White Stag...or I guess I really don't have A favorite.

 

Thank you to a sweet lady!

A special heart-felt thank you to Ms. Mary over at Visits with Mary for presenting me with the Stylish Blogger Award.  I am humbled that you like my site so well. It's simply a place for me to meander with my thoughts.

One of the things that Mary shared with the award, was 7 things about herself. Here are 7 things about me.

1. Faith is the one constant in my life that never changes. Through faith, God helps me conquer all things.

2. I am a girly-girl who loves her bubble baths, nail polish, jewelry and purses.

3. In contrast to my girly-girl personality, my favorite all time sport is Bullriding. I love it. (I'm taking my grandsons to the PBR in Knoxville, TN on the 12th)

4. Other than the Lord, My family is the absolute #1 most important thing in my life.

5. I am an addict of chocolate, flip-flops and tote bags.

6. I love to read. I've finished about 5 or 6 books since the first of January.

7. My husband is my best friend in all the world. We met on a blind date arranged by a friend, married two months later and will celebrate our 30th anniversary in March.

In the spirit of giving and keeping the award going, I would like to share this award with 7 very special blogs that I visit regularly. They are each unique in their own way and very deserving of this award.

Jeremiah 29:11

Jessica Leigh Blog

Day by Day with Beth Marie

Butterfly Flutter - Isaiah 40:31

Jewelry for Change

Wheel Chair Decor

365 Days of Good

A two year old mind

We all know that kids can be funny. They are amusing little creatures. Yesterday, I was driving to church and two of the grandchildren were in the car with me. We passed a field and there were three deer playing. They were jumping and bouncing around and they were getting awful close to the road. I slowed down the car so the kids could get a better look and made the remark that I was afraid to drive by them because they might dart in front of my car.

My 7 year old grandson asked me what would happen if I honked at them. He thought that perhaps it would startle them enough that they would run back across the field or cross the road so we could move safely pass. I thought "What the heck?" so I tooted the horn. They completely stopped what they were do and all three turned to stare at me. I could see it on their faces, it was as if they were saying "What????" It was cute. They were still; so we drove on. About 5 minutes later, we pass a cow pasture and in an excited voice, my 2 year old granddaughter says: "Mamaw B, there's cows. Honk at them!"  Guess she didn't quite understand the horn concept with the deer.

I tooted the horn and continued down the road. Did the cows even notice? Not so much. But as we were passing them, the little 2 year old says "Why don't I see a pink cow?" Oh, the mind of a two year old.

Sunday Sanity....

In today's world, life has many ups and downs. We function at a very fast pace. Some days just seem so crazy. We flitter and flutter from one thing to the next. We are always in a hurry and we don't often take the time during the week to stop and rejoice in the life we've been given.

That is why God gave us Sunday. It is a day to rest and recoup from our crazy life.It is a day to restore peace and tranquility to our soul. Some weeks, Sunday is the only thing that keeps me sane. He allows me to drink from that cool, crystal water and to know that in all the craziness of the world, there is One who loves us; One who cares.

Psalm 46:10 tells us to "Be still and know that I am God." That is why we have Sunday. We need to just step back; chill out and praise Him for bringing us through another week and ask for His guiding hand to lead us through the one coming up.

My prayer for each of you is that you take the time in your busy life to sit quietly and reflect on the wonders that he brings to your world every day.

Give God the Glory for the Little Things...

My all-in-one printer has lost its fax capabilities. I was making a run to Staples for a cartridge for my Laser Printer. While I was there, I decided to price all-in-ones so I could get an idea of what it was going to take to get a new one. I love HP and decided to look at those. Lo and behold, they had exactly what I wanted on sale for $59.98 (original price $99.98). I was thrilled but the sale ends today. There was the dilemma.

I am very strict on my "shopping money". I usually set aside a certain limit and try to stick to it based on what my sales were for the week. I had put back about $65 to spend on my shopping expedition today because there are a few things I need.

I need to get some new tennis shoes and normally just pick up some cheapies at Walmart. But Goodies has a pair of tennis shoes exactly like I've been wanting and they are on a sale .....  that ends today! New shoes that are WANTED and are at a really good deal (Reg. $58 on sales for $38.86 and I have a coupon for 25% extra) or a new printer/fax that is NEEDED. What to do, what to do?

Then I remembered I had a friend who was looking for a printer. She HATES office supply stores and has been procrastinating since summer. We discuss all the time how she needs to get a new printer and she only wants to spend about $50.00. She wanted a printer/copier/scanner, but had no need whatsoever for a fax. Since my other machine was in perfect condition except for the short in the fax portal, I called her. She was THRILLED. So I sold her my printer and got me a new one for only $9.98.

Now, I still have enough of my allowance left to get my shoes for $29.00! And I'll have shopping money left over for a new lamp for my office. Woo Hoo and Woo Hoo. I love it when a plan comes together.

Isn't funny how the little things that thrill us so are still gifts from God. I was so excited about shopping today, but yet felt a little guilty since I needed a print. We should always give the Lord thanks for every little thing in our lives. He is always in control. One of the most beloved bible verses is Romans 8:28 "...all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."