What's With The Name?

Part of the reason I hesitated to start a blog was that I was having a hard time deciding what I'd call it. Although I'm creative in many ways, coming up with "catchy" but not "dorky" names for things is not my forte and I will stress about it until the end days if left to myself. Dork, by the way, is my middle name--just so you understand where all this is coming from. And yes, I realize I just ended a sentence with a preposition. See, dorkiness, ugh. I say "ugh" a lot. (While I'm being honest, I also say "y'all" and use smiley face icons a lot...a LOT!) So you can imagine my surprise and delight when God spoke straight to me through the speakers of my made for hot mamas only minivan. Three little words took hold of me and wouldn't let go.

Before I go any further, I need to fill you in on where I've been spiritually this past month. Without getting too heavy, let me just say I've been struggling with feeling that many people in my life don't know the real me. And most of this is my own fault. I worry much about whether I've said the right words, done the right stuff or shown too much of my dorkiness to poor unsuspecting souls who might never be the same after runnin' across dorky ole me. This is what I'll call the Dorkiness Double Standard. You see, I love the dorkiness in everybody else. Just can't accept that others might actually love the dorkiness in me too. Go figure.

Now fast forward to about a week ago, when I was driving aforementioned hot mama minivan to pick up the twins at preschool. I was enthusiastically enjoying for once getting to listen to "my" music (which, let me assure you, does not include Sesame Street, The Wiggles, or any sort of Einstein) and was crankin' Wow Hits 2009.

Y'all, there are some REALLY good songs on that double cd set! But the one the Lord chose to use on me that day is called "Washed By The Water" by NeedtoBreathe. A line near the beginning of the song says "Just tryin to make the world a little better You know, shine a light." It struck me instantly and I knew the Holy Spirit was reminding me that I need to be shining my light. I'm supposed to shine it. And I'm hindering God from working through me by being too afraid to shine it! I mean, for all I know there's some Big Ole Dork who's reading this right now that needs to know the dorkiness is totally okay. (And it's okay if you're that dork.) So this song was the Lord saying to me "Shine A Light, Girl"! Shine. A. Light. Hence, the blog name.

And there you have it. Amen.

Confessions of a Neat Freak

Hey y'all! It's waaay too late and I am waaay too awake, but I have to confess something. After a full day, finally getting the kids to bed, actually exercising, then stopping to enjoy a post-exercise snack at 9:00pm (that's what you're supposed to do right? replace all those calories you just burned off?), I hopped in for an extra long shower and hopped out all motivated to clean out the bathroom cabinets and drawers.

Now under current circumstances this would be considered a nice little surprise. Lately it's been like pulling teeth to get me to do any sort of organizing around here. I know this is hard to believe as I am all "I'm gonna lose it if I can't find a place for everything and soon!" 97.65% of the time. (Y'all didn't know I was all technical-like either did you?) But the problem tonight is, I have two chapters to read for Bible study tomorrow morning. And it's already late. And did I mention the two chapters?

Well, I must confess I chose to clean out. And although there's way more religion in that book than under my bathroom sink, I think I can honestly say I spent some quality time with the Lord digging through those drawers full of old hair products, nail polishes and half-used lip glosses. Because there's really nothing like the feeling of doing something that is so innate and true to the person God made me to be. Thank you, Lord, for making me ME! Guess I better wrap this up and get to reading...only two chapters to go! And by the way, the bathroom? It looks GOOD!

Our Little Secret

Shhh...don't tell anyone but here I go. Several of my friends have started blogging and have encouraged me to do the same. I've laughed them off and given all sorts of excuses, like, I don't have the time, can't think of a thing to say, nobody would care anyway, blah blah blah. Well, as much as I am not usually one to jump on a bandwagon, I had to admit that I am kinda sorta a little teeny tiny bit interested in this blog idea.

Don't ask me why but I think it has something to do with how pretty it all looks once it's done. Not kidding. That's a perfectly good reason, right? Oh yeah, and it's fun to think I can post anything I want, anytime I want and nobody can say anything about it. Wait, I want you to say something about it--just make sure it's nice...you know...if you can't say something nice, don't say it at all...isn't that how it goes? Just kidding. But if you must be cruel, at least do it softly and tenderly, right Michele? And if you act up I'll just delete your comment and it'll be our little secret. Just like my blog...