The Crumbs in Life

Have you ever seen the movie “Turner and Hooch?” There’s a hilarious scene where Tom Hanks and his partner are in the car together and his partner reaches for a freshly baked muffin to eat. As his partner is eating, crumbs are falling all over the place. So Tom Hanks reaches for a handheld vacuum and starts vacuuming his partner while he eats. I laugh every time I see it. However, I didn’t know there were actually people like that until I witnessed it myself.

One night my mom requested a piece of pound cake to snack on. She has a real sweet tooth. I keep sweets in the house most of the time for that very reason. Of course, then I end up snacking on them as well, but that’s a whole other story.

I gave my mom a big slice of pound cake and she was sitting on the couch, eating and watching TV as happy as a clam. I was working on my computer when suddenly I hear this loud roaring sound. I looked up to see my sister, Robbie with a handheld vacuum. She was standing right beside Mom and each time Mom took a bite of pound cake Robbie would run the vacuum all over her, picking up all of the crumbs before they ever had a chance to hit the couch. Mom was a bit startled at first, but then seemed to not notice after a few minutes. I just stared in amazement. It was just like the scene out of “Turner and Hooch.”

The eating and vacuuming routine went on until Mom had finished her pound cake and Robbie quickly grabbed the napkin and disposed of all of the evidence. It was like Mom had never eaten the cake. All of the crumbs were completely gone.

I have to admit Robbie is a bit of a neat freak when it comes to cleaning, etc. but I never realized just how much of a neat freak she was until that moment. It was an eye-opener to say the least.

The truth is life is messy. Sometimes, no matter how hard we try to keep our life nice and tidy, we still end up with crumbs all around us. Life is never perfect, but we still try our best to make it as near perfect as possible, or at least as close to the picture of perfect we have in our mind. But we can run ourselves ragged by trying to make our life perfect. Too often we worry, stress and even collapse over life’s imperfections.  Yet there is a way out of our messy lives. 

Romans 3:24 tells us, “God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity He put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we’re in and restored us to where He always wanted us to be. And He did it by means of Jesus Christ.”

Life may be messy sometimes, but through Christ we can successfully walk through life’s crumbs and imperfections. God is in the details of our lives. Trust Him to guide you through the messes and the chaos.

Psalms 9:7 – “God holds the high center, He sees and sets the world’s mess right.”

Leave the crumb removal to God and get on with your life. Even with all of its imperfections, life can be wonderful and exciting. Don’t get bogged down in the crumbs. I’m not saying you should take no responsibility for the consequences of your actions. Do your part to be all that God would have you be. Be obedient, kind and loving. Pray for wisdom and weigh your decisions, whether big or small. But don’t get off track by stopping to focus on the crumbs along the way. Make sure to keep moving forward. Trust God to do the vacuuming along the way.

Conversations with Robbie Lee

For those of you who don't yet know, Robbie is my sister. I sometimes call her Robbie Lee, though her middle name is Lynn. I'm not sure where Lee comes from or how it got started, but it stuck and is now her official name to me.

I love talking with Robbie about any subject. She is smart, alert, insightful and hilarious. She has such a different take on things. She always makes me laugh and is my biggest encourager. I thank God every day for her and that she and I get to do life together.

Some of our best and funniest conversations happen around playing cards. We play Phase 10 at least twice a week and I must admit I'm addicted to it, though I rarely win. While we're playing we talk about anything and everything.

One night we were playing Phase 10 with a friend of ours, Joyceanne, and Robbie was shuffling the cards to deal. I just happened to say something about, "Shuffle off to Buffalo" as just a play on words. It was silly really, but at the time it seemed at least a little funny. Robbie Lee looked at me with a serious expression and said, "You know, I've never understood that phrase, "Shuffle off to Buffalo."

"Really?", I asked. "It's a famous phrase. It's from a broadway song in the play, "42nd Street."

Joyceanne nodded her head in agreement and asked, "You mean you've never heard of "Shuffle off to Buffalo, Robbie?"

"Yes, I've heard of it," said Robbie. "But I just don't see what a buffalo has to do with New York."

Joyceanne and I just blinked twice and stared at each other. We were very confused. Robbie just continued shuffling the cards, oblivious to our faces.

"You do know that Buffalo is a city in New York, right?" I asked, smiling.

"Oh, that's right." Robbie said, looking surprised. "Of course it is. Oh, now it makes more sense. I didn't get why someone would shuffle off to a buffalo. But they were shuffling off to Buffalo, like shuffling off to a city. Now that makes sense."

Joyceanne and I burst into hysterics. Only Robbie would think someone was shuffling off to a buffalo. It doesn't even make sense, but alas, that was Robbie's whole point.

It's so great to have someone to laugh with in life. Robbie and I spend more time laughing than anything else it seems. Don't get me wrong. We have difficult days and seasons just like everyone else, but we choose to add as much laughter and joy to our lives as we possibly can. It keeps our perspectives sharp and focused.

Life can definitely throw a lot of chaos and tragedy at us, absolutely, but we just have to choose not to allow ourselves to unpack and camp there. We have to keep moving upward. Proverbs 15:24 says, "The path of life leads upward for the wise to keep him from going down into the grave." Our path winds upward. It doesn't stop in the middle of the situation. Choose to have a joyful heart. Joy is contagious. Pass it along. Enjoy this hilarious video to get you started.

Pushing Through Resistance

My sister, Robbie was telling about her recent visit to a local bank and how she embarrassed herself beyond belief. Robbie has a lot of embarrassing moments and is the main source for most of the material in my books. So the fact that she had another embarrassing moment did not come as a great surprise to me.

Robbie said she entered the bank as she always does and proceeded through the marked-off line on her way to the front counter. There were no other people in line and several bank tellers available to help her. Thinking she had completed her trip through the line area she attempted to walk up to the front counter. However, to her surprise she found it difficult to reach the front counter. She was walking forward, but was prevented from reaching the smiling teller by some invisible force.

As she looked down she felt herself pushing against a piece of stretchable tape. When she realized she had not completed walking through the marked-off area she proceeded to walk forward again. Then once again she attempted to walk up to the waiting teller to take care of her banking transaction. Yet, try as she may, she still felt herself being met with some sort of resistance. At one point she nearly made it to the counter only to find herself being pulled back once again. She thought she had cleared the taped off area, but apparently not. Now why Robbie couldn't clearly see where the taped area began and ended is not quite clear to me. I ask her this very question myself only to hear her explain, "I just didn't see it! Okay?" Typical Robbie answer.

The tellers were now starting to enjoy each of Robbie's new attempts to reach their counter. I'm sure it was a desirable entertainment break in their long day. They began to chuckle each time Robbie lunged forward to only nearly reach her destination. Then she would have to surrender and be dragged back to the line area against her will. Each time she would switch to a new area and try again and again but without success.

It's a good thing I was no where around at the time because I don't think I could have lived through this moment, watching Robbie attempting to make it almost to the counter and then be snapped back into place by some sort of stretchable tape. I would have been crumpled on the floor, rolling around on the floor and lying spread eagle on the floor during this whole hilarious event. I would have been of no use to her whatsoever I assure you.

Robbie said it took her several attempts before she finally found the proper place in which she could approach the front desk without resistance. Once she reached the counter she quipped to the teller who was waiting on her, "I bet that happens all the time, right?"

"Actually it has never happened before," replied the teller with a huge grin on her face.

This was of no comfort to Robbie at all. She quickly completed her transaction, trying not to have eye contact with the teller. When she was finished and ready to leave I'm sure the tellers were taking bets on whether Robbie would be able to find her way out of the bank without wrestling with the stretch tape again.

I could just see Robbie pushing her way against the tape, trying to reach the counter, while all the while being held back by the stretch tape. I envisioned her just barely making it to the counter and stretching out her arms toward the teller, as if to say, "Please grab hold of me and pull me to safety." I laughed at this story until my stomach ached. Only Robbie could pull off such a stunt.

Sometimes we experience a similar situation in life when we're trying desperately to reach our goals, our dreams or just another level at our jobs and we feel ourselves being met with strong resistance even though we have stretched ourselves as far as we can be stretched. Also, in our Christian walk we can sometimes feel great resistance, even though we have laid it all on the line for the Kingdom to move forward. The good news is God has a reward for those who refuse to give up the fight. He has called us to be conquerors and warriors, not quitters or cowards. The Christian walk is not for the faint of heart. Everything is not simple and easy in the Christian world. We have to battle for what's right every day.

In Revelation 2:26 it says, "Here's the reward I have for every conqueror, everyone who keeps at it, refusing to give up: You'll rule the nations, your Shepherd-King rule as firm as an iron staff, their resistance fragile as clay pots. This was the gift my Father gave me; I pass it along to you--along with it,  the Morning Star."

What an incentive to keep at it, to never give up or go back. Feeling some resistance? Keep moving forward until you get your breakthrough and you reach that goal or that destination. God is for you so who can be against you?

Blogging Again

Wow, I haven't blogged in a long while but I took a break to work on my 3rd book, Chasing Angels. We also moved into a new home and we've been getting settled in. And even though I'm still editing my book I've decided it's time to get back to blogging again. I hope to update my posts at least once a week. So look out blogging world, Polly D. is back! See you soon.

The Best is Yet to Come

Happy New Year everyone! I believing and praying for big things for 2011 and because I serve a big God I can trust in Him to do over and above anything I could hope for or imagine. I hope you are doing the same. Dream big, live big and live a wide open spacious life. God designed us for a large abundant life not for small thinking and little vision.
Make 2011 the best year yet by believing God for more than you have ever believed in the past. God is our resource, not the economy, not our jobs or friends and family. Trust Him. Put Him first and see what 2011 brings. We are blessed to be a blessing to others. So dust off those dreams you've put on the back shelf and believe God to bring them alive again in you. You're never too old or too young. We serve an amazing God. He's only as big as you allow Him to be in your own life.
Walk in confidence in knowing God is in control and He has a plan and a future for your life.

HAPPY NEW YEAR From Life is a Buffet!

Life is a Buffet Speaking Event

  Hey ladies, I will be speaking at the Girlfriends Unlimited Christmas Party located at Hickory Ridge Community Church (HRCC) on December 10th, 2010. The event is from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm. HRCC is located at 3320 S. Battlefield Blvd., Chesapeake, Va. Please contact the church for more information.

If you are in the area, please join us for good food, fellowship and lots of laughs.

Life is a Buffet Books, T-shirts and other items will be for sale so drop by and get your Christmas shopping done early.

Stewed at a Party

This is one of my favorite stories from "Life is a Buffet So Save Room for Dessert." Enjoy it!

Some years back, Robbie Lee and I lived across the street from an elderly couple with whom we had become great friends. Their names were Ann and Larry, and they were the sweetest couple you could hope to meet. Well, Ann and Larry were celebrating their fiftieth wedding anniversary, and they were nice enough to invite us.

I’m not a party kind of person, but this was such a special occasion that I made an exception and decided to attend. Robbie Lee made up her mind immediately to attend because the party was to include a full buffet, and she never passes up the chance to socialize over hot food or, for that matter, cold food.

“You know, I haven’t a thing to wear to this gala affair,” I said, looking through my closet. “None of these clothes are befitting such a party as this.”

“I’m going to wear something that stretches,” said Robbie Lee, closing her eyes and dreaming of the spread that would be on the table.

“That figures. Well, I’m going shopping to buy me just the right outfit for the party.”

With that, I headed out the door for the mall while Robbie Lee popped another Famous Amos chocolate chip cookie in her mouth. When I returned, I was so pleased to show off my new purchases.

“I found this great cream sweater and this blue skirt. I’m going to wear this along with my pink silk blouse under the sweater. I also bought this great necklace to top it all off. Don’t you just love it?” I held it up in front of the mirror, striking different poses, admiring the sweater and the long necklace together.

“Yeah, boy it’s beautiful, but I still think it’s best to be more practical and go with something that can adapt to a full buffet,” replied Robbie Lee.

On the day of the party, I could hardly wait to wear my new outfit. I showered, did my hair and makeup, and sprayed on my favorite perfume. I slipped the creamy sweater over my pretty pink silk blouse and pulled on my blue skirt. Finally, I draped the long necklace around my neck. I was a vision.

“We best get going. We don’t want to be late!” I yelled.

“I’m ready,” called Robbie Lee from her room. She was wearing her black pants with the elastic waist and a baggy blouse.

“This is going to be a good party,” she said as she stood in front of the mirror pulling the elastic on her pants to see how far it would stretch.

When we arrived at the church hall where the celebration was taking place, there were lots of people already there.

“I hope they haven’t started eating yet,” Robbie Lee said, quickening her pace into the building.

 I chose to stroll into the church hall smiling and waving at some of the people, giving them ample time to see my new clothes, even though I didn’t actually know who they were.

Ann and Larry looked so sweet, holding hands and greeting everyone as they came inside. They had been married fifty years, and they still looked as though they adored one another.

 When I got inside, Robbie Lee and I chatted politely with a few folks until the announcement was made that the buffet was now open.

“Now control yourself, Robbie Lee. Don’t make a pig of yourself. Just get a little of each thing on your plate,” I warned her.

But it was too late. Robbie Lee was already in the buffet line filling up her plate. I just shook my head in disgust, picked up a plate, and waited my turn in line. I politely dipped up a little of each dish, smiling and chatting as I went.

After filling my plate, I decided to go and speak to some of my friends and neighbors seated around the room and show off my new outfit to those who might have missed my grand entrance. I immediately noticed that everyone seemed to be admiring the new clothes. They were talking about my new creamy sweater and especially noticed the necklace. I have such great taste, I thought.

After going around and greeting everyone, I joined Robbie Lee, who was standing in the center of the room, eating her little heart out. As I approached her, Robbie Lee burst into laughter, with her mouth wide open, revealing sweet potatoes and fried chicken. It was a disgusting sight, to say the least.

“May I ask what is so funny? And would you mind not laughing with your mouth full of food. It’s starting to make me ill, for heaven’s sake.”

But Robbie Lee didn’t seem able to control herself. She bent over, screaming with laughter, while trying to balance her food on her plate.

“What is it? Tell me so I can laugh too. Did you hear a good joke?” 

By now I could see everyone was beginning to stare at us. But Robbie Lee couldn’t answer. She could only point to my creamy sweater and howl.

As I looked down to see what was causing all of the hysterics, I couldn’t believe my eyes. My new long necklace had strings of stewed tomatoes hanging from it, and the new creamy sweater was covered in tomato sauce from the necklace swinging back and forth around my neck. Apparently, while reaching across the buffet for a piece of fried chicken, I had dipped my lovely necklace into the stewed tomatoes, which were now hanging in strings around my neck. 

My face began to burn. I went all the way around the room and spoke to folks, I thought. Robbie Lee laughed louder. There were tomatoes hanging from my necklace all the way around the room, and nobody said a word.

Robbie Lee was almost on the floor now. I could feel everyone’s eyes on us as we stood in the center of the room, precariously trying to look normal, with the stewed tomatoes displayed proudly on the front of my brand-new creamy sweater.

Suddenly, as if enough had not already gone wrong, a button popped off from the sleeve of my pretty, pink silk blouse, leaving it dangling wide open. Robbie Lee gasped for air as she watched my perfectly coordinated outfit seemingly fall apart before her eyes.

For a moment we stared at one another, wondering what would happen next, but then we began to howl like hyenas in the center of the room. Tears rolled down our faces as food flew from our mouths.

An elderly lady walked over to us and whispered, “You two seem to be the only ones really enjoying this party. What’s your secret?”

We paused and just looked at each other, then continued to howl. 

This went on for a spell until we both decided it would be best if we just left and returned home. We waved good-bye to Ann and Larry and ran off to the car. 

Driving home, we laughed until we cried. Robbie Lee paused long enough to ask, “Are you going to eat those stewed tomatoes around your neck?” I’m surprised she didn’t rip them off of my neck and start to suck on them.

It was awhile before I could bring myself to attend any more parties. As a matter of fact, it was awhile before I was invited to any more parties. Ann and Larry never mentioned what happened, but I’ve heard that every time Ann sees stewed tomatoes, it reminds her of a story she repeats to her friends and even strangers to this day. At least I learned a valuable lesson about what not to wear to a buffet party. 

LUKE 8:17

“For There Is Nothing Hidden That Will Not Be Disclosed, And Nothing Concealed That Will Not Be Known Or Brought Out In The Open.”

Sometimes no matter how much we plan and no matter how hard we try, things fall apart and the worst side of us is exposed. We tend to let God manage only part of our lives, and we let Him know that we are perfectly capable of handling the other parts ourselves. But sooner or later, our sheltered area begins to fall apart and only then do we offer it up to Christ for his guidance and wisdom. We want God to help us find a new job, but we want to handle who we should marry. We want God to heal our illness, but we want to take care of our addiction to gossip, lying, overspending, etc.

You may think you have things well in hand. You’ve calculated. You’ve scrutinized. You’ve talked to your friends. You’ve listened to your heart. But you haven’t sought out God’s will for this area of your life. Maybe you’re afraid of the answer He’ll give, or maybe you think you shouldn’t burden God with every area of your life. Besides, there are some things you already have figured out and you know what you want. Why should you bother God with them? Because He loves you and wants your whole life and your whole heart, that’s why. He wants us to run everything by Him. What better counselor could you ask for than your Creator? He knows the number of hairs on your head. Why shouldn’t He care about who you marry? Who you date? Your finances? Believe me, He does.

Make it a habit to run all of your decisions by Him. Learn to listen for His voice. Learn to wait on Him. Be patient. Don’t wait until the things you’ve left hidden are exposed. Don’t make your own decisions and then ask God to bless them. Check with Him first. It’s easier than having your buttons pop open in public.

Excerpt from "Life is a Buffet So Save Room for Dessert." Copyright © 2005 By Polly Boyette All Rights Reserved.