ADDITIONAL ALLITERATIVE AFTERTHOUGHTS

 FROM 

TO 

= not woe is me.......

                    .....but WOW IS HE!

Do you wallow in your own woe of "poor me" pity......

            or bask in the WOW of His goodness and grace! 

Woe or WOW----it's an alliterative choice!

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: longevi-TEA

Hubby's mom (our Mommar) didn't live to be 103, as George Dawson the focus of today's book review did. However, she did grow up during impoverished times and yet kept that same positive "life is good" focus as Dawson projects.

Dawson's book, Life is So Good, written with Richard Glaubman, is not the best book I've ever read---but I liked it. There are so many lessons to be learned from someone who didn't learn to read until age 98. Even his kids didn't know he couldn't read, until he revealed that "secret" to them during their teen years. Yet, all 7 of his children graduated not only from high school but also from college.

His "learning" began at the knee of his father. "Life is good." And with a grin he added. I do believe it's getting better." (Dawson, p. 4)

In his youth, witnessing a murder of an innocent black man, had Dawson asking himself, "Why am I still here?" and realizing the answer. "I am a witness to the truth. That's why I'm still here. I can't let the truth die with me." (Ibid, p. 45) That was Dawson's impetus to get the true story written down before it was his time to die.

Tho his continuing story didn't focus much on that incident, you understand it's impact on his life and his reticence around others, not of his race. From building levees on the Mississippi and driving railroad spikes to breaking horses in his hometown of Marshall, Texas, Mr. George Dawson continued to work hard, show respect for all people and champion learning for the youth in his GED classes. He was their inspiration.

Dawson had a deep knowledge that came from watching and listening. Even with a limited understanding of Watergate, he still showed a depth of understanding when he commented, "...maybe Richard Nixon just wanted something too much. He worked hard to get what he wanted and forgot the important things along the way." (Ibid, p. 217)

Summing up his philosophy, he answered a 5th grader's question who wanted to know what life was like. "Life ain't all good or all bad. It's full of everything." (p. 233)

I, however, appreciated his answer to an adult who asked if he was a "cup half-empty or half-full" kind of guy. "I see it as being enough, so it's just fine." (p. 238) So biblical! (Philippians 4:11-12)

If you liked Same Kind of Different as Me, you'll like this book.

A cuppa "gentili-TEA"

3/2/13 I was brought up in a home where manners were the way. No opting out. One was to be polite and respectful in all areas of life, not just public. Always polite to others, even in attitude. No muttering under your breath. No eye-rolling allowed.

Today I've wondered if I am being "polite" to God when my "grumblings" continue to surface. I think I'm content but......"grumblings" seem to indicate a lack of satisfaction.

Marginalia from H2H notes (Seville, 2/27/13) was a glaring indicator of my "state."

• Discontent souls lack satisfaction! 

• Contentment comes to the heart of those who thank God.

 Whoa! I need a contentment makeover---I need to brew some gentiliTEA!

Thanks to Norman Mitchell who found this pic on-line.

Reverential awe and respect, or just good old fashion politeness, should be front and center in my relationship with a sovereign God. Such murmurings don't seem "gracious" or grateful.

Sometimes "Life is like a cup of tea" and I need to sweeten mine with a little more gratitude and politeness......

.........gentili-TEA needs to be sipped and savored toward God and others.