All Surrender is significant...

Our Daily Bread
I am not trying to minimize the surrender of Mary to the angel, the Holy Spirit and God, but I think all surrender is significant when it comes to our relationship to God. Why? Each surrender is God taking us where we are and moving us forward to a deeper understand and relationship with him. Pretty amazing stuff!

I have to admit that God is using this passage to talk to me: 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. I admit that no angels have visited me (at least that I am aware of) to tell me of great things coming in my life. I don't know of any major event or task that I am supposed to do for God. He asked me to do something that is very difficult for me at times -- be upbeat and steady. My personality is one that is great during times of duress and trouble. I am strong and reliable during those times. God is calling me to be upbeat and steady all the time. While no human can do this all the time, God used several scriptures and stories to demonstrate that I have a reason to be upbeat and steady - I am a child of God!

The last part of of that passage "May your word to me be fulfilled." also spoke to me again today (even though I read this passage week before last for D2 class). The desire of my heart is for God's Word and will to be fulfilled in me rather than my will. I am dealing with a bitter disappointment in my life. I am doing my best to move through the grief process while still being upbeat and steady and also remain the kind of friend that I need to be. Forgiving myself and the other person has been difficult for me. In my mind, I know that God has a plan for me. I am trying to rely on him for fulfill that plan. To meet the desires of my heart. To trust God to really do this instead of feeling like I have been trusting empty promises.

During this season of the greatest promise of all, I can do no less than rely totally on God for everything. I will trust. I will listen. I will let God move things from this silly bear's mind down to my fickle heart. That is what I do...

Movie Monday
I got off work early on Thursday so I went to see The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. I had heard mixed reviews online and from friends. I loved the movie! I thought it had the kind of story line and action of the first Narnia movie. I also gleaned some important messages from the movie as well that some folks may or may not have not have noticed.

The first one was when Aslan told Lucy "you underestimate your worth" Wow. I have been feeling that way a lot lately. It helped me snap out of my funk in that area of my self-esteem (which is usually abundant in most areas of my life!).

The second is that many times we do not realize who we are and what we are and what we have until it is brought to our attention. That was cool as well.

Was there too much CGI? Maybe. Were the new characters engaging? Definitely. I still think they could have trimmed 20 minutes or so from the movie without missing anything, but that is just my opinion. ;-)

I give this movie 3 bear paws. I recommend seeing it on the big screen.

Other Stuff
I had a great time at the home of my walking buddy last night. I finally got to meet one of her close friends that moved back to town recently. We had a great dinner and talked about some good old days. Very cool. I took one of my apple pumpkin streusel pies for dessert. They really liked it. ;-)

I started making my Buckeyes (homemade peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate) yesterday. I made two dozen for some friends. I will make the rest of them tonight and tomorrow night. I have a few other things to do around the house this week before heading up north for Christmas Eve and Christmas day. I am also looking forward to my best friend and his buddy, George, visiting next week.

I get to spend some time with special friends this week as we share our Christmas cheer.

Hang in there, my friends. I WILL be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...