And They Inspire Me....

Titus 2

 ³ Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. ⁴ Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, ⁵ to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
 ⁶ Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. ⁷ In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness ⁸ and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.


I just wanted to take a minute to THINK about the older people in my life who have influenced me in the wisest of ways.  There are so many that have at one time or another touched my life in a way that was so perfect for that moment (good reminder to ALWAYS be listening to the older people).  But there are a few in my life right now that just inspire me daily. :) For a variety of reasons.  Some inspire me NEVER to be like them :O :)

 Oh my word.  If you have never had the greatest neighbors in the world, let me tell you, GET THEM.  :)  We moved to 9850 Crowell Rd in 1998 in New York state.  Mr. and Mrs. Crowell had lived on that road for something on the order of 60 years.  I mean they could TELL THE STORIES.  Thing I love about them most?  They love each other like you wouldn't believe.  I mean, Mr. Crowell helps Miss Annabelle down the steps into the car...he's always there holding her hand...she's always laughing at him....he's always winking at her... AND THEY DON'T EVEN PROFESS TO KNOW THE LORD!!!  Not that I'm condoning that, but omigosh!  They just UNDERSTAND THE HEART OF GOD.  And they don't even know it.  Holy cow.  They tell stories for hours.  And tell you what they could've done different...things they did when they raised their kids....things their parents did to them.  It's like a torrential downpour of wisdom.  Amazing.

 That's my grandpa.  Ohhhhh yeah.  He's my bestest, bestest guy friend besides my dad and brothers.  And I mean it.  He has a lot of regrets, that man, but he still tears up when he talks about how God reached down and he took his hand.  Everything about life is simple to my grandaddy, and he doesn't mind telling you that.  He has however complicated his life with technology, and it's really comical.  :)  He laughs ALL THE TIME and always has a joke to tell and a hug to hand out.  Really, I feel sorry for everyone who didn't get my grandfather.

 This is Juanie.  I only met her once.  In Haiti.  AAAAHHHH!!!!  Can you believe one person can influence so much in so little time?  But it's true.  She has the brightest countenance and biggest servant's heart of anyone I've ever known.  Not even kidding. Get this, SHE DOESN'T SPEAK ENGLISH.  We communicated solely by gestures and facial expressions (yes, there are other people in the world that make crazy faces!!!)  One thing I noticed about Juanie?  She's always looking for ways to make her husband more comfortable.  Cooking a delicious meal, cleaning the bedding, washing laundry, rubbing his shoulders or feet after a day's work, looking pretty for him...it's all a big dance for Juanie.  And I l.o.v.e. it.

 Oh, Pierre and Yvrose.  Who have dedicated their lives to serving their Jesus by loving his lost little children...orphans.  Yvrose, who left her comfortable job and home in the USA to serve in her country of birth.  Wow.  Would that I had a smile as bright as Yvrose.  "Those who look to him are radiant" as my blog scripture says... (Psalm 34:5).  Yvrose is radiant.  Pierre just LOVES.  It's amazing.  Yvrose calls it "debilitating love". :)  Meaning they are constantly "debilitated" (pulled on, hugged, kissed, and held) by children who love to love and love to be loved.  It's really incredible.  She's touched me deeply.

 My daddy. :)  There's just something about a girl that can't help but love her daddy.  Honestly.  He's a voice of wisdom that I take for granted a bit too often.  His passion is truth and his mission is to see his children succeed in godliness.  Whoa.  For a guy who spent twelve years in college and has a Ph.D in electrical engineering, has traveled the world, has dealt with research's elite...I'm feeling a little bit unworthy.  His favorite thing to ask me is "Do you believe in God?  If you do, do you trust him?"  That sums up my world.  Badabing.

 Miss Janet....Omiword.  She's just bubbling over with godly counsel....mostly learned the hard way.  She and Mr. Bill (below) have raised a passel of children and have since dedicated their lives to serving Jesus.  They are the hands and feet of ministry.  I'm amazed at the capacity Mr. Bill has to love.  He just pours out and pours out and pours out and never does seem to run dry.  He's like a second daddy to me, and Miss Janet is my Titus 2 older woman.  I'm literally blessed to know them.

There's my sweet neighbors from New York again!  Miss Annabelle and Mr. John.  They spell a.m.a.z.i.n.g. and that's that ;)

 That's my Uncle Rob.  He takes his job as my dad's long time best friend pretty seriously and tells it to me straight.  I can always count on Uncle Rob to call a spade a spade.  And agree with my dad for the most part.  He's just as cut and dry as they come!  And no one ever had a better adopted Uncle ;)

 Aunt Becky.  Oooohhhh.  She's like Uncle Rob.  Totally cut and dry.  Tells you like it is.  And she loves the Lord.  Loves to see people inspired to serve Him.  She's someone I could ALWAYS go to for ANYTHING and she would speak truth to me in a completely unbiased way.

 My brother Jared....you're asking "how the heck did he end up here?"  He's just that good.  ;)  Jared went through a spiritual detox (oooh, I'm stepping on toes) a couple of years ago and emerged a new man.  A very inspired, motivated and biblically driven one.  I mean, he doesn't say much unless he can point out scripture to solidly back up his points.  And it's just great to have a best friend as a wise one and a brother.

 My grandma Taylor....she's the prayingest woman I ever did meet.  No joke.  I call her and say "Grandma, this happened, and I need prayer..."  She drops EVERYTHING RIGHT THEN AND THERE and starts praying.  Lawdamercy.  The devil is barely a match for that woman.  They say there's power in  a praying woman.  I don't doubt it.  When grandma prays, things happen.

 And my sweet Mama.  She just always has an encouraging word, an inspiring way to make me feel like I can face the world again.  It's the best ever.  I want to develop that characteristic.

 Carol is my neighbor.  She is as radical as they come.  Growing up in southern Kentucky there are a lot of things that are sort of "obligatory" for her (and most of the folks here) that not much thought is given to.  But Carol has a passion for righteousness and it's inspiring to watch her grow more passionate daily.  I hope I'm as avid a learner as she is when I'm her age.

 Miss Ellen....wow, there's so much to say.  She's very similar to my momma.  She had twelve children, one of whom drowned in 2008 followed by the death of her husband to cancer six months later.  WOW.  The woman has maintained a joyful countenance raising the rest of her children and facing life without her love, who was vvvveeerrrrry similar to my dad!  Even in her sorrow she has continued to be a wise counselor and dedicated to raising godly children.  She's ALWAYS listening to the Lord.  And I love her.

Miss Katrina trusts God.  It's beautiful.  She has a vibrant spirit, and is full of good ideas and wisdom, and she mostly chooses to be silent and smile and let God do all the moving and shaking.  It blesses me.  I hope that I have that courage and overcoming spirit when I'm faced with those challenges.  She's one long testimony of God reaching down and doing all of the work she stepped away from in submission.

Oh, and all these grannies I have around here.  They keep me laughing so hard!!  Particularly Granny Henderson (Carol's husband's grandma).  She is HYSTERICAL!  She laughs at EVERYTHING!  And NEVER misses a beat!  She's as witty and determined as they come and she speaks her mind VERY clearly!  LOL!  I love spending time with her letting her boss me around and do some household stuff that's gotten a bit too much for her.  Or just listen to her tell stories and try to make her laugh.  Oh gracious the blessings we miss when we don't pay attention to the older folk!  :)

Moral of the story?  Choose your friends carefully.  Wisely.  You don't have time for everyone.  And the ones you take time for better be good influences.  :)

I LOVE all of you.

LiSSSS