Liz's Letters

I apologize in advance for anyone who I might offend... but sometimes you just gotta say what's on your mind. Workin' too much!

Our lovely daughter. So proud.

Life is FLYING by! A friend of mine texted me yesterday and asked if I was going to make a girls night out in honor of a dear friend who recently finished treatments for breast cancer. I had to tell her "Very sadly, no." I went on to say that I wasn't going to be able to attend the Ladies Bible Study meeting either. My last text to her was, "I am a crazy, senior, band mom." That's the truth. That's me, alright. I had no idea that having a senior was going to take so much time. (and money) and that having a senior in the band was going to take even more time (and money). But I wouldn't trade it for anything. I only get one more Senior year (as a mom) and I am making the most of it. Likely, I will drive my daughter crazy because I plan on attending every football game - even chaperoning the away games (unless I am out of town - like this weekend for work), plan on wearing obnoxious band mom t-shirts, framing gigantic photos and putting them up in...

Powerless. I am reminded of this again and it is mostly due to the fact that I continually think that I have power - even if ever so slight. I returned yesterday from a retreat for women in recovery. It is a weekend that I have gone to every year for the past six years. While there, I am very aware of my powerlessness. Powerless against the effects of alcoholism, powerless against loss, powerless against anything, really. And I know that God is the One who is all powerful. But the very next day, I think I can control the universe. I know it is a ploy. The devil wants me to believe that I am stronger. But, I believe him, and regret it. But, progress, not perfection. Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. Yes, I do believe that.

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 I don't know about you, but often, this passage is so familiar to me that I just read over it. You know what I mean...read it and not really HEAR what it says. But it says "whatever you do". Whatever I do? Yes! Whatever. To me, that means everything. Everything? Yes, everything! Wow! That is SO difficult. I do a lot of things in a day! And in any given week...I do a TON of things! Granted, I am one of those annoying people that do too much. Yes, I admit it...I do TOO much. One of my greatest weaknesses is trying to do everything. But God does say to do "everything" to the glory of God. But I try to do everything to the glory of Liz. Ah. But it just does not work. Nope. Does not work. Never has. Never will. I can wear myself out keeping all the balls in the air. Keep my husband happy (I so fail), keep my kids happy (yet ...

This evening, I sent a message to my friend. She and I have the kind of friendship where we might go weeks or months without having a conversation, but she is often on my heart and in my prayers. I invited her to do a book study with me this summer and have totally dropped the ball. My message said, "Can you do lunch this week? Crazy busy here with weddings and funerals." My next message will be an apology for my neglect. And she will forgive. What I know is my friend will forgive me and we will meet, catch up, laugh, maybe even cry a bit...because my life has been busy with a wedding and a funeral - since my friend and I were together a little more than 3 weeks ago. The wedding, I knew was coming (although it came quickly!) but the funeral, not the case. I didn't actually attend the funeral since it was in Washington DC area (a good distance from Texas), but I was there in heart and spirit with my son and his fiance' - the one who lost her father. I loved her ...