Cats,Chaos and Colossians...

What. Is. Happening.

At first, I thought Weezie had drugged me at Sunday Night Dinner....

Then I was sure of it when I saw 

Olivia Pope and Pres. Fitz had taken the stage. 

Followed by the traditional Thanksgiving shout out to Hsiu Yu.

Needless to say, I felt 100 years old as I wracked my brain to figure out what spiritual lesson would afford me the opportunity to write about Milli Vanilli's Lip Syncing Cat on the blog.

 It was then this gorgeous face showed up, to calm things right on down. 

My eyes were saved as well as my mind, from possible permanent damage.

It was as if the chaos stopped for a moment.

The season that is approaching us....
faster than some would like, 
not soon enough for others...
has an element of man-made chaos in it. 
(It's as if we are the ones bringing a fake horse and a lip syncing cat)

Although, the element that God Himself brings to this time of year is, Peace, Hope, and Joy. 
(With a side of strong, warm familiarity in the midst of it.)

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, 

since as members of one body you were called to peace. 

And be thankful." -Colossians 3:15

God, Thank You for coming in to our man-made chaos. We are beyond thankful.

In His Dust,
DCC

Watching....

So we headed to dinner on Saturday night with Big Mike D and gang...

After dinner, as we walked in the parking lot, some grubby little fingers tapped me and asked me this....

BMD: "Can I tell you something?" 

DCC: "Of course."

BMD: "I bet when you die and Jesus is tryin' to figure out if He'll let you in.....
           I think He's gonna say yes. Come on in." 

(Wanting to bust in to a theological explanation...I refrained and went with....)

Me:"Thank you Mikey. I appreciate your confidence. I think you are too. 
        As a matter of fact- I know you are." 

BMD: "I've been watching you and I saw you walk over to that sick boy and pat him. 
          And I saw your face when you looked at him. 
          It's like...you're nice to people you don't have to be nice to."

DCC: "That's a load off my mind Mike." 

(my mind raced to what else he had been watching and seeing. Ayyyy Chihuahua!)

I was reminded in such a sweet way- by such a sweet little buddy of mine- that our actions are screaming above our words. 

He didn't hear what I said to the "sick boy" he saw how I treated him.

Obviously, I quickly realized I had just gone to Alamo Cafe with Robert Deniro....

Had he been counting the buttery tortillas I had just inhaled? 
Maybe not...but he was sure silently watching the way I treated people....
and not just the good moments.

He is watching you too. 

Might not be Mikey....but someone is....

someone short...and impressionable.

Which begs the question.....who are WE watching? 

"Keep your eyes on Jesus, 

who both began and finished this race we're in." ~Hebrews 12:2

Because who WE watch and mimic...is exactly who THEY are really watching...and chances are....mimicking as well.

God, Thank You for the reminder and encouragement you give us all in unexpected ways.

His Dust,

DCC

WWII Museum....

Mom and I went to the WWII museum a few weeks ago....

and I am still reeling from it.

Anyone that knows me, knows that I have a deep affection for our military-

and a very deep soft spot for WWII.

We meet them- we thanked them- 

we cried with them- we laughed with them- 

we mourned our own loss and the loss of those around us.

Upon thanking them- we heard over and over again- 

"I am no hero. I was just doing my job....don't forget those that didn't come home..."

My head and heart were about to burst at every turn.

the pictures....the sounds...the proof of the pain and sacrifice.

And then the creme de la creme....

A true Hero, a man that actually drove a Higgins boat, (as in D-Day.)

We waited, with baited breath, for his first hand memories of those days.

He slowly began speaking,

"Are you familiar with the history of the bikini?"

Ummmm, no. No we are not.

Well, have no fear, our hero came through for us again.....

not just with information, he had a book of pictures.

Then we drowned our sorrows in beignets....

because....duh.

There is no question they were our greatest generation.

When given the opportunity to brag on their service....they humbly pass it on to others who sacrificed it all...and in some cases, even use the opportunity to discuss fashion.

They make me happy.

They make me proud.

They made us free. 

"There is not greater way to love than to give your life for your friends." ~John 15:13

I have no question they are resting, laughing dancing and 

possibly even talking about bikinis with God Himself.

God, Please give them peace, give those they left behind courage....
Thank You especially for my Granddaddy Con Mims, Jr. who gave it all.

In His Dust,
DCC