Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Peace in the Hodgepodge

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge...everyone is welcome to participate. Answer the questions on your own blog, then add your link at the end of my post before visiting the neighbors. 


1. What's the best thing about growing older?

I think as I've gotten older my 'voice' has become more my own. I'm able to consider all sorts of world and life issues with a wide lens, and then filter the important from the unimportant.  I can easily recognize what lines up with my beliefs and value system and what is contrary to that, and am less influenced by peers, trends, and public opinion than in my younger years. I also think as you age you feel a greater sense of urgency to figure out what really matters, and to act on it...that's a good thing.

2.  When did you first feel like a grown up?

It was a process, but I think I felt officially grown up when hubs and I moved to Richmond.  We'd been married less than a year and were living in Knoxville TN, a very familiar city, with family nearby.  I was 25 years old.  Hubs got a new job, we bought our first house, explored new places, began some of our own traditions, and got ready to welcome a baby. It felt like the place we became officially us. Grown ups.  
3. Chocolate cake with white icing or white cake with chocolate icing?

Finally an easy question...chocolate cake with white icing for sure!

4. What's the nicest thing a stranger has ever done for you?

When I was in grad school I drove by myself from collegetown TN over to Myrtle Beach SC to meet my parents who were vacationing there. Back in the day (gosh I sound old!) you had to take the two lane over the mountain as opposed to the lovely highway there now, and my car died. The clutch went kaput and that was that.  

It was right around sunset on a Sunday evening, and I was pretty much the only car on the road. I was also over a mile from the exit, and 'back in the day' (gosh I sound old!) there was no such thing as a mobile telephone. As I sat there panicking debating what to do, an elderly gentleman pulled up beside me in a pick up truck.  Actually he was probably more middle aged than elderly, but I was 23 and perspective is everything (gosh I sound old!).  He commented on the fact that I had a 'foreign car', and as such would need to be towed to the dealer.  Then he offered me a ride into town.  
Dilemma! 

I'm my mother's daughter, so of course the whole serial killer scenario flashed through my head, but I also knew I didn't have a lot of options. Just as I was getting out of my car and into his truck, an acquaintance from college passed by on the opposite side of the road.  She recognized my car, did a U-turn, and pulled up behind us. She had a carload of people and possessions, but said she'd follow us into town to make sure he wasn't a serial killer I got where I needed to go. She was obviously her mother's daughter too! Anyway, he was just a kind man helping a young girl who needed help, and I've never forgotten him or his willingness to go out of his way for me.  

5. What's something you learned from your grandparents?

My maternal grandma was a woman who prayed, my mama is a pray-er, and I think I am as well so that's something. 

6. Wednesday marks a sad day in the history of planet earth-9/11...what's something you do (or can do) to bring peace to your little corner of the world?

I'm something of a peacemaker...I really dislike controversy, plus I'm the third born child in my family. I think third borns are often peacemakers. I'm also a mother, and as such I feel like I hold the keys to peace at home.  

Outside of my home, I try to treat people with kindness, to remember that everyone has a story and sometimes we don't get to know that story, we just have to deal with the effects it has wrought on their well being and temperament.  One thing I think everyone can do is to 'simmer down'...people are so easily offended it seems, ready to challenge and argue and accuse with little provocation. How 'bout we all agree to give each other a break?

7. Share a favorite quote, scripture, or song containing the word peace.

One of my all time favorite songs ever, particularly this version. I've posted it several times on my blog, and while it's typically played at Christmas time, it feels right to add it here today.  
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep..." 


8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I've struggled with a random thought this morning, nothing feels like the right thing to say. I like this verse so will share it here. These words bring me comfort and fill me with hope...I pray they do the same for you today. 

"...In this world you will have trouble. But take heart!  I have overcome the world." John 16:33






    26 comments:

    1. Your random thought is comforting!!
      Reading your first lines of your 'stranger' story, I too thought of a rapist or serial killer...thank goodness it turned out wonderfully. Not a cake person here, it's PIES for me. lol You can have my share of chocolate cake with icing.

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    2. I love that song, too. I have to agree with your comment that we are all so easily offended these days. What a shame.

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    3. I like your #6 too, "just simmah down now people!" Seriously, everyone is so thin skinned!

      I also have a highway/serial killer story. Coming home from work on the freeway, DARK, a mile from the exit and even then MILES from a pay phone. I too was fortunate and rescued by a nice man who said he would have wanted someone to help his wife in the same circumstance.
      I would KILL our daughters if they did the same thing today!
      Cell phones are a beautiful thing!

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    4. Oh what a beautiful song... I didn't think of Christmas songs, but now that I do, oh, there are so many! And I agree that people are WAY too easily offended... take a chill pill peoples! (Oh dear, now I sound old!) :-)

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    5. The song is beautifully done. I've never heard that version, but love it. Thanks for the nice start to my day! I enjoyed participating, as always, and reading everyone's answers. It is something I now look forward to each week. Thanks!!

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    6. Oh, how I love that song... love Casting Crowns anyways, but that song never gets old to me...

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    7. I really like your answer for #1. It can be hard to distinguish yourself...your ideas...your identity from what you've grown up with or are surrounded by. Thanks for being a beautiful voice here in this corner of the world. :)

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    8. I enjoyed this as always. Love the song, but your scripture in your random heart do totally blessed me. Just what I needed to hear today!

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    9. I like your story about a kindness from a stranger. I wish we could all experience both giving and receiving kindnesses like this. It's sad that we have to be so cautious in doing both. I often worry about being perceived as a 'crazy' when I see a way I could help someone. Of course, now that I'm 'older' I usually just go ahead. Being crazy doesn't seem so significant now. Haha. Have a great day!

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    10. Great song! Wonderful questions as usual. It wouldn't be Wednesday without Hodge Podge.

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    11. Oh, an extra good Hodgepodge today! And, what sweet remembrances of your Grandmother. There's nothing greater than prayer and I would aspire that my children and Grans will remember me as a "prayer warrior."

      And, yes, that song and that scripture are absolutely perfect for this day.

      You are always a blessing!

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    12. Thank you Joyce for the scripture reminder. What a promise! I so enjoyed your post today. Am listening to the song now. Thanks for sharing again.

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    13. Love your answer for growing older. Well that worked out perfectly with the "serial killer" scenario. I'm third born too and I've always been the peace maker. My dad says the family would fall apart if I wasn't around.

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    14. Love your answer to #1. Your random is the verse I used on #7. Enjoyed all your answers! Hope you have a great week!
      until next time...nel

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    15. I think you're exactly right about how the third born child is often the peacemaker...the same is true of myself. I didn't realize that you lived in Knoxville...so did we! I worked at Blue Grass Elementary. How about that? Love that song so much!

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    16. I agree with you on a lot of these. Number one - I think the best part of getting older is finding your own voice! Love the song and the Bible verse. And I like chocolate with chocolate! sandie

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    17. But he might have been a serial killer who was thwarted by your friend following you into town! (I'm my mother's daughter too.) :-)

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    18. I enjoyed ponding today's questions and reading your answers. I had a serial killer type thought for my "kind stranger" answer--except I left out the serial killer part. My guy was a Marine, with big "guns" and a jeep. Love the verse you ended with.

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    19. Interesting that so many songs that mention peace are holiday songs or only played during the holidays now. We don't seem to think about peace year-round. We should.

      I sang all three versus of Away In A Manger to my nieces when they were babies as a lullaby. My choice for a song with peace in it is commonly thought of as Christmas music now too.

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    20. Loved the questions....very thought provoking this week. Your song is one of my favorite Christmas songs....I love it.

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    21. I love your #1 ! It was hard for me to find who I really was until i was about 22 or 23 years old. Well moving away from where i grew up for 20 years and being in a new place really changed me, it was bad for a while adapting to the new environment & culture. (ok im changing my #1 a little) ;)
      Well i too am a third born & i agree we are peacemakers not fighters :)

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    22. great answers! I think once I was married I felt grown up most certainly once the baby came! Happy Wednesday!

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    23. Such a pretty song.

      Have a good day!

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    24. Your grandmother sounds a lot like my grandmother. Also I was struck by your answer to No. 6. I do not like confrontation or controversy and I try to be a voice of calm and reason. Sometimes that's not possible and I tend to revert to "Cop" mode, that is, doing what it takes to restore order from chaos during those times, forcefully when necessary.
      I took care of the "link" SNAFU. I must have fat fingered the keyboard.

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    25. I stumbled upon your blog while reading Hokie Thoughts. As it turns out, I'm about a 20 minute drive from VA. Tech so it's also interesting to see your answer to number 2. Loved your song choice and random thought. I have my blog on WordPress where I linked up, and I have another on Blogger called 'My Constant Thoughts', where I keep all my poetry. Hope you get a chance to stop by. Thanks for having me. :)

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    26. I loved all of your answers and the clever way you insert thoughts and then draw a line through them-- such a neat way to communicate your thoughts!

      Your words about being a peacemaker and not being so quick to take offense -- such WISDOM, and especially for today's world.

      Lastly, I too love "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day."

      Thanks for making the Wednesday Hodgepodge available to us. Even though the questions can be challenging, it's a wonderful exercise.

      Blessings!
      (I'm #38 in the list above)

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