So...I got a speeding ticket yesterday morning on the way to the prayer breakfast. Total bummer. I didn't realize what the speed limit was on the road I was on, and I was clocked at 13 MPH over the limit! The officer was super nice, and we actually had a nice little chat before we went on our way. I thanked him for doing his job, told him how much I appreciated him and his service to the community, and wished him a great day.

Interestingly enough, that's the second traffic citation I've received in the past month or so, and I've only ever had one other in my entire 19 year driving career (LOL!). Several weeks ago, I accidentally ran a red light at a busy intersection where a cop just happened to be sitting. He was very concerned for my safety, and said so over and over: "Ma'am, please be careful while you're driving - you really could've been hurt badly going through that intersection like that." I appreciated his concern. I hate that I had to pay so much money for his concern, but I appreciated it nonetheless. Again, I told him how much I appreciated him doing his job, thanked him for it, and wished him well.

Yes: I said I thanked them for doing their job, for stopping me and giving me a ticket. Why? Because I was wrong. I was not paying attention and I was wrong. 

No one likes to be pulled over and given a ticket. Sometimes we feel like it's not fair; sometimes we're just mad that we got caught. In both of these situations these men were working to ensure the safety of everyone on the road, because it's part of their job to do so. By driving along, oblivious to the things around me, I am a danger to my self and anyone I come across. When I push the speed limit as much as I can, zip through yellow lights because I don't want to stop and wait, or "slow down" at stop signs when I feel there is no real need to come to a complete stop, I run the risk of damaging myself and other people. Don't sit there all pious and judgmental - you know you do it too.

This experience has caused me to think about myself as a Leader, as well as one under the leadership of others. Bringing the whole scenario closer to home, as a Leader, I am one who has the oversight of others and the duty and responsibility to train, equip, and protect them. Now, don't get excited if you don't think I'm talking to you anymore: if you're a parent, you fit this bill! It is your job to train, equip, and sometimes protect those in your care, whether children or other servants in the King's house. You do this by imparting to them the knowledge you've gained from your experience, your studies, and the time you spent in training yourself. You use your better judgement to make a call, to correct, to shape, to prune - to do everything you can to make sure those in your care flourish and bear good fruit. When you correct them, you expect them to humbly receive the correction, listen to it, and grow by it.

On the other hand, as one under authority, it has caused me to question how I respond to correction. What do I do when those who are given oversight of me correct me? Do I humbly receive it and become changed by it? Or do I pay my fines and walk away undaunted, resolving only to be more careful about getting caught?

I certainly do pay more attention to the road now while I'm driving. I didn't realize just how many yellow lights I zipped through! Boy, I stop now - I don't care how late I am! And you can bet that I will pay more attention to the speed limit too - on all roads.

How about you? How do you respond to correction?

I've been meditating on relationships today, particularly the relationship between a husband and a wife.


For years I was frustrated in my marriage (and frustrating to my husband!) because I was trying to force something into being that was not meant to be. I have finally understood that the connection I need with my husband is different than what I always thought I wanted or needed from him. The problem has been that I did not receive my husband for who he is and needed to be to me. I was too busy trying to smash him into my idea of who he was and what I thought I needed. I wanted so badly for him to relate to me this "certain" way that I overlooked and rejected the ways he was trying to connect with me.


When you find yourself in that place of "dis-connect" with the person you're supposed to be spending the rest of your life with, it's easy to fall for the enemy's suggestions of loneliness, unhappiness, rejection, etc. And if you happen to come across someone of the opposite gender that you have an instant "connection" with on many levels, it can really unsettle you! It can also lead to all sorts of problems...




As I have come to know and understand my husband more completely, receive him, and allow him to be who he is and needs to be for me, I am finding that connection with him that I've so desperately longed for! It doesn't look like other connections with other people, but it is exactly what Yahweh purposed when He put Jason and me together. This relationship is shaping me into the woman Yahweh needs me to be, and I love that.


So, that's what I've been thinking about...

Let's re-boot this thing...

So...I created this blog a couple of years ago because I really have things on my mind that I'd like to share with others; for discussion, for encouragement, for learning and growing. I have been extremely sporadic with posting (!), however, I am now looking to be more consistent.

There are so many things that fly through my head on a daily basis: things that Holy Spirit has shown me, things about nutrition/exercise, things about parenting, things about homeschooling. It is my desire to share all of those things here with anyone who'd like to hear it!

I hope you will join me ;-)

Talk soon,

Lyd