Coffee Thoughts

Have you ever just sat back and thought deeply about how everything around you is really so miraculously made? “That is what my ‘coffee thought’ is about today”. It doesn’t matter how much it rains, hails, sleets or snows, God forbids, His works are meticulously done.

It is reminiscent of how I grew up in a little country town where everyone knew everyone, truly giving homage to the common adage, ‘It takes a village…,’ which brings me to this.

As a child when my siblings, cousins and I would visit our grandparents, we didn’t really understand that we were there, supposedly to help them on their farm. Half of us didn’t know what we were doing anyway and considered it a fun vacation. I remember getting up bright and early in the morning, before the sun came up, grabbing a pail with chicken feed in it and taking it to the chicken coop to feed the chickens-  the same chickens I’d chased the day before! But they laid the eggs I would eat later that morning for breakfast. The boys would ‘slop the pigs’ as they called it. But those pigs yielded the pork roast we would have for Sunday dinner. Or my grandfather would send my brother out, sometimes on wintry nights, to chop some wood to put in that old wood-burning stove. That firewood is what kept us warm when we would get up on those icy cold mornings.

But my fondest memory is those carefree afternoons when some of us, usually the girls, would wander off into the field to play. My favorite game was to see who could find the first four-leaf clover. As I look back, I don’t think it really mattered who won, but my visual is lying in the grass, usually with wild flowers we had picked; naming the shapes of the clouds. I recall laughter and staring at the wondrous beauty God had created, from the towering trees to the birds and bees…

In the beginning, He did it all! And now on my mornings, I remember. 

Gloriously!

I love my mornings

I love my days

And take into consideration

All the ways

That God has blessed me

To see another

Of His great works

One way or the other

For this could not be

Possible without Him

He did it all for me

On a wink and a whim

I’m taking it all in

Absorbing its beauty

Relishing in Him

What He does, without duty

And He didn’t have to do this

For you or me

Dirty rags are we

At His feet

I thank Him and praise

His glorious works

For mine eyes to behold

As each morning lurks 

Again and again

It never fails

Same time, descends

His Magnificence unveils

Glory

Blessings,

PJ Payne

Back to School?

It's that time of the year and it came fast, didn't it? It seems summer just began! We've entertained children who have been eating us out of house and home for the past few months. There was never enough to do or enough time to do it, so we stretched and sacrificed... camps, vacations, VBS, swimming... you name it! Through it all, we enjoyed a long summer with our kids or grandkids. Most importantly, they enjoyed us. Some do not have the luxury of sharing extra time and bonding with parents who have to work, so when the opportunity avails, the literally 'eat it up'!

But do you realize, although they were out of school they were still in school? We don't realize this but we're teaching them all the time even when they're not in a classroom setting. We're setting examples! We're teaching them about habits, lifestyles, rights, wrongs, do's don’ts. We are a 'walking book!' So don't think just because children are out of school for the summer, they have no learning mechanisms besides phones, tablets, computers, play-stations… (some of which should be monitored). Parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, their friends, even our friends set standards and our children and they heed the protocol. They are fast learners!

Children... 

They watch what you do

They say what you say

They mimic and mime

My ways and your ways

They initiate progress

Introducing new subjects

Teaching you things

You’d never suggested

Sometimes agreeable

But disagree too

Telling you’re not ‘with it’  

Saying you’re ole school

Then they remind you

Of the used to’s and would’ves

Saying you did it at their age

Why NO now? You could’ve!

Yes, they prick memories

Of you at their age

Realizing their rebellion

I just a stage

A stage of growth, maturity

Release, and lessons

And you say “Thank you Jesus”

What a blessing

That in all your teachings

Examples, preaching

They’ll remember upon return

You taught them Jesus!

Blessings,

PJ Payne

"If it Quacks Like a Duck..."

Been there! Done that! Got the t-shirt!

As I sip my brew this morning, what goes through my mind is how conniving, devious, scheming and with all of that type of energy, how smart some people are.

Recently I experienced an online situation and had I not been aware, I would have fallen for it hook, line and sinker.  I was approached by a ‘gentleman,’ as I use the word loosely… He was ‘oh so charming.’ He was subtle, complimentary, open, spiritual… all those things a woman desires in a relationship, especially an initial meeting.  I just couldn’t believe I had actually come across an individual whom I could relate to in so many aspects. PLUS he was intelligent; loved to write also. The icing on the cake was that he professed to be a Christian. Wow! It was as though he felt me and knew my heart.

Here is an excerpt from one of our numerous communications… you be the judge.

He states...
‘I can't recall when I had a more pleasant time talking to someone. Everything feels so natural about you and you sounded so easy going. It's hard for me to identify what it is about you that attracts me so much. I suppose it might be the combination of your charming personality and your good looks. Whatever it is, I can sense its presence. You could call it chemistry or better yet, the possibility that we are on the same wavelength.

I am a very outgoing and fun loving man, with a passionate and generous heart. I try to find the lesson in every situation. Situations of joy, pain, sorrow, love etc., have made me grow emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. I am dedicated and committed when it comes to a romantic relationship... I want to be in a relationship where she brings out the best in me, and I in her. I would rather be hurt with the truth, than a lie. I want a woman to see me as her equal. Did I mention that I have many different types of smiles? There's a food smile, a guilty smile, a loving passionate smile, a cooking smile, Lol.

I just find so much to be happy about and sometimes it's the littlest of things. I love surprises! I love giving presents and giving surprises. Actually, I just like giving. I have been told that my energy is infectious and addicting and that I am full of passion. I am looking for a woman who knows who she is. I've learned that communication is the key to a relationship, so she must be able to talk and not hold things in until they blow up. I do not want someone who I will control. Everyone is entitled to their emotions and feelings. I am a big cuddler and romantic. I want those things which money cannot buy- respect, love, honesty, generosity, communication, chemistry, passion, humility and tolerance---to name a few.

I want you to know all about me… I am an open book.’

And this type of communication went on for a few days… He was free with his phone number and where he lived.

Hmmm, and your conclusion?

Mine was ‘you’re full of it!’ I MUST admit that at first, it was intriguing and had my ears perked. But as soon as he began to mention traveling, not home much, working overseas… then the ultimate---MONEY. BINGO!! Good-bye.

I am a very private person, but I divulged this little chapter from my experiences to possibly make some of you, (women or men) aware that scammers and schemers come in all colors, shapes, and sizes. But God gives us ALL we need to sniff out those who don’t mean us any good. Our tool is discernment. If you're a lady and want to generically give it a label, then a ‘woman’s intuition.’ In any case, use it. 
"If it quacks like a duck..."

Blessings

PJ Payne

Brain Power?

There are times in our lives, especially as we mature that we are so busy and bombarded with our daily goings-on, that we forget stuff. 

Yes, in the midst of what you are doing, you think, “What was I going to do” or, Why did I come into this room?” Yeah, those moments, right! Ever heard of the phrase ‘The mind is a terrible thing to waste?’ Well, I wasn’t wasting it, I had used it and it was at ‘rest’! But, what happens when you have no control over producing a product that you have worked on hard and long?

The following chain of events was the result of how we have allowed other forces to control our lives, but in reserve, God’s still got us. I endured that about a week ago. See, this wasn’t about my brain doing what it was supposed to do, to function and help me write a speech and lesson I would be presenting within hours. It did just that! But it was my technology that defined the finished product. It failed me. 

I had been working on my speech for the past few weeks. I was researching the scriptures; defining and fine-tuning different points I wanted to make.  My subject/theme was ‘When God has you on the Back Side of the Desert.’ The focus was on the children of Israel and the trials and tribulations they endure throughout their travel in the wilderness. My concentrated chapters were Exodus 15 and 16, then narrowing it down to Exodus 15: 22 through Exodus 16: 5. All of those ‘desert moments’ they suffered.

For weeks I left my document open on my computer; wrote my thoughts and research down; returning and tweaking it… then a day or two prior, I had my finished product. YAY! I thought to myself, wow, ‘I DID this’! I began to rehearse… then all that was left to do was print my work.

Approximately 9pm the night before my event, I was fine-tuning everything before printing, and then BLINK! There was a surge in power. My computer went black. My EYES got humungous! What had just happened?? “Oh my God," I thought!  My computer began to automatically reboot, but as it was doing that, I was trying to remember… when was the last time I saved my document? Did I ever SAVE my document?? I was in a panic! As my screensaver and icons began to appear, my heart was racing… Where are my open files?

There were NONE!

Now what? With less than 12 hours until my presentation, what was I going to do? Surely there was a mistake! Surely my open files would pop up any moment, right? Nope AND nope! Devastation set in.  I called on my ‘computer savvy’ daughter to help… she was in shock! Mama, you should always CTRL and S to save as you go... Okay, okay, HELP! She immediately steered me to my recovery files. Yes, that’s the answer! So with anticipation and hope, I searched for my document. I located it! BUT, it was only a paragraph I had done weeks ago. Apparently, that was my last save.  I began to pray… what should I do, Lord? I put my head down on my desk and wanted to just burst into tears… but they wouldn’t come.  My first thought was to cancel. My FEEBLE mind at that point, could not fathom going forth with a presentation that was not amply prepared.

Then my daughter said “You have to rewrite it. You can do this, Mama! You didn’t teach us to give up, so you can’t.  Put on your coffee and start writing! That’s what you do!” WOW! I needed that!

So that’s exactly what I did. As I wrote, God gave me information and drive that I didn’t possess during the first draft. My brain was on autopilot! He even allowed me to recover 100% of the research I had previously done through Google. I was able to produce a lesson that had previously taken weeks to do, in a couple of hours.

I am in awe of His power over us. My lesson had an even greater meaning to me because I had suffered through the idea that I was doomed for failure… 

See, the children of Israel had a lot of questions and doubts as to whether they would make it through.

They whined and complained to and about Moses on every hand. With the manifestations of God's power and everything, He gave them- water, food, and shelter they survived. But He also tested them. They had to keep his commandments and know that HE IS LORD! He even emphasized that He would not allow them to suffer the diseases that He brought upon the Egyptians, for He is Lord that heals.  Most Importantly He wanted them to depend on Him and know He was the One who had brought them out from the land of Egypt.

As I went through my ‘desert moment’, I realized that this was not about me and my ability to put words and phrases together to sound good, or my keen mind to remember or not. This was about God bringing me out and ME depending completely on HIM!

Blessings,

PJ Payne

Give Me...

I’m sure at some point in your life you have heard the phrase ‘Give me my flowers while I can still smell them’. Do you truly understand the meaning of those words? I used to hear my grandmother and then later, my mother say those words and wondered what they meant by them. They would also say, ‘Just live long enough and you will see what I’m talking about.’ Well, I now understand.

I am resolved to the fact that life teaches us lessons that books can’t touch. Sure there are millions of self-help books and clichés to match. So, where did it all come from? LIFE!

As I think on those words ‘Give me my flowers…,’ I can’t help thinking of the fact that so many times in our busy lives we miss what is important. NOW.  Each day we think we will have time to do those things that we didn’t do yesterday or call those people we didn’t get to call the other day. But what happens when the time we thought we had to fulfill those “I will tomorrows” turn into weeks, then months, years- and we never get around to them? Eventually, they are forgotten until, Bam! Something devastating happens. Then your memory returns. But guess what? “It’s too late!”
That is what ‘Give me my flowers…,’ mean. It is not giving real flowers in the physical sense of those words, but just doing those little things. Some things you may deem insignificant can be so momentous to someone in need. And they will remember it.

So…

To give is receipt

Give your parent/s a hug, NOW

Tell someone you love them, NOW

Give them a kiss, NOW

Brush or comb your daughter’s hair, NOW

Physically WRITE a note to your spouse, NOW

Tell her she’s beautiful, NOW

Help a co-worker you know needs help, NOW

Play catch with your child, NOW

Buy groceries for an elderly individual, NOW

Call that long-lost friend with whom you’ve been out of touch, NOW

And yes, physically “Give someone a flower,” NOW

You will see that your rewards will outnumber your regrets. Then, there will be no need for ‘shoulda, coulda, wouldas’.

Be Blessed

PJ Payne

Are You There?

Do you ever look around and find yourself suddenly having nothing to do? That may sound outrageous in this time and age of devices and mechanisms, which can totally occupy your time, but I'm speaking of having something worthy, time-consuming, worthwhile like a project of sorts.

I find myself there sometimes when I become ‘stuck’ in my brain with an on-going event and need something fresh and new. If you’re like me and some others I know, you bore quickly. If you lose interest, you throw it aside like dirty laundry… ready for something fresh, clean NEW! You may have plenty to do in your ‘now’ pile, but you need to begin a ‘then’ basket. Just an inkling, an idea, a burst of excitement to spur yourself on; give you incentive; stir up your creative juices.
Well, unfortunately, I’m there!

Unfinished

I just don’t know what to do with myself

I don’t know just what to do with myself

I piddle and piddle and twiddle my thumbs

Cause I just am not through with myself

Seems I’m more than this

Seems I’m bored with this

And can’t find my comfort zone

Seems my life’s not full

And my plate is half empty

And my actions are foreign and unknown

Seems I possess so much more

Than what’s visible to the eye

Unconceivable, can’t be put into words

Seems people can’t understand

What’s inside me is vast

Its enormity, a magnitude so absurd

You see, we all have

Untapped territories

that are in need

of a little purging

I pray when I’m

finally pricked,

My safe harbor

will dissipate

with urging

I just don’t know what to do with my self

I don’t know just what to do with myself

My day may end, but my mind begins again

As someday I’ll get through to myself

Blessings 
PJ Payne

ORDER UP!!

It's okay if things don't happen in the order that you think they should. It's okay if you can't check everything off of that checklist... the one that you made 'ten times over' because you kept changing your mind. And it's okay if your priorities became minorities. It's okay if your don'ts became your do's and whys become why not's. Or even, if IS's are now if only's! Stuff gets turned around-- topsy-turvy, tumultuous, and chaotic. And as unbelievable as it seems, it turns out fine. But, whose orders are you following?

Life really does not have an order... the universe speaks for us as things change continuously.
In No Particular Order --
Order dictates graduate high school before entering College.
Order dictates get married before you have a baby.
Better still, order dictates be a virgin when you get married.
Order dictates that you should not be a grandmother before you're 30.
Order dictates you only eat 'breakfast foods' in the mornings, 'at the table.'
Order dictates a baby should crawl before he walks.
Order dictates a child should do BETTER or become MORE  than his/her parents.
Order dictates a 'Presidential' President!
Order dictates a MAN is the Head of his household.
Order even dictates a chicken 'in real time' comes from an egg.
Order dictates a Minister, ministers!
Order dictates you're GROWN at 21.
Order dictates parents leave this earth, before their children.

Life says differently...

We put too much on ourselves. Our expectations are sooo elevated, WE can't even reach them-- and we expect our kids and even peers to do so... just because we demand order. A never-ending cycle. Pssssh!! But Get over it! Sure we want to just JUMP, have FAITH. We have the audacity to advise others to do the same. God also graced each of us with a little thing called common sense... for women, it's 'intuition.' Use as needed. No over thinking.
I used to be OCD! Yeah me! I guess I still have traces lingering (naturally) but believe me, 'I got over it'. When my sanity was at risk, my peace of mind, my time, my finances, my family - I crashed. Yet, I got up! God allows things that our minute minds can't fathom happening, to happen. Sure, we think stuff should be in order... all prim, proper and a certain way. Usually, they're traditions. Again, it's okay if things don't happen in the order that you think they should.

Because even our mere existence is continuously changing around us, we may not grasp why. Does that matter? In the end, it happens in His order and His way.
Just let it happen! ORDER UPwards!

Blessings,
PJ Payne