Sane, Simple, Sacred: I'm Not Whistling Dixie

I'm Not Whistling Dixie

Grandma Moses

When I said I aspired to be the Grandma Moses of literature yesterday, I wasn't just whistling dixie! According to the American Heritage Dictionary, to "whistle dixie" is "(to engage)] in unrealistically rosy fantasizing". Usually, it's used in a negative way..."Don't just whistle Dixie", for example, means "Don't sit around wasting time". It comes from the popular southern song, Dixieland. Whistling Dixie is akin to self-delusion and daydreaming.

About mid-morning, I went upstairs to look for a fresh notebook in which to begin my book. I came downstairs, sat at our kitchen table, and filled seven pages. Today I will take up the pen again.

Jesus said, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62). To put your hand to the plow means to begin the task of plowing.

Jesus probably isn't saying you can't glance back. But he IS saying you can't continue to look back once you've begun to plow. If you do, you're not "fit"-- suitable, usable, convenient for something.

I've begun to plow. I want the result to be serviceable in the kingdom of God. Believing He has gifted me and impressed upon me the responsibility and privilege to use this gift, aware that it is never too late to begin, I WILL whistle while I work this morning. But NOT Dixie!

Words my art.
The pen my brush.

Paper my canvas.

Punctuation my nemesis.

13 comments:

Nellie's Cozy PlaceFebruary 8, 2011 at 8:35 AM
Morning Rebecca,
Good for you......You go girl!! You have a lot to say and voice to be heard.
Appreciated all your sweet comments yesterday, they were a blessing. Yes, I like you try to do follow up to....and keep the relationships I have built in tact. Some folks never leave comments,
course, they have such a following they probably just can't, as you get more and more folks, it does become somewhat time consuming. Thanks for becoming a follower, I really thought you already were!! lol
I have done the same exact thing with some folks blog, and realized I have been following them, but never actually joined, but I would come over and leave comments after they left one.
Funny!!
My tablescape was for the dinner I had with my
son's fiancee, Megan's family. We had a lovely time.
Blessings for a Wonderful day,
Nellie
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MoFebruary 8, 2011 at 8:59 AM
I will not whistle Dixie, I will not whistle Dixie...........
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AnonymousFebruary 8, 2011 at 10:08 AM
How about whistling a happy tune? Does that differ from whistling dixie?
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DonnaFebruary 8, 2011 at 10:31 AM
Rebecca, I am most impressed by your industry. I feel like a slacker! Winter has a way of bringing lethargy in its icy fingers. However, the sun is out today and we are promised (!!) warmer temps this weekend. It is key that we recognize our gifts and use them for the glory of our Elohim. And you, I believe, are on your way!
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AndreaFebruary 8, 2011 at 10:42 AM
AMEN Girlfriend! You speak the words of my heart. I was thrilled to find GOD had placed us on similar journeys. Let us commit to pray for one another as GOD speaks through our pens!

I have an award for you at Arise 2 Write. It is the second post down. You deserve the "Stylish Blogger Award" my friend.

I have a prayer request at All Gods Creatures.

Blessing, hugs, and prayers,
andrea
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Jacquelyn StagerFebruary 8, 2011 at 11:22 AM
Now I'm REALLY feelin' the pressure! LOL!
Where am I going to find the time? I have several yet unwritten books with their titles swimming in my head. I'm dying to know WHAT you are writing??? I'm so happy for you that the time is right. Go forth in all HIS energy! Colossians 1:29!
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Jacquelyn StagerFebruary 8, 2011 at 11:23 AM
ps, why are you not doing this on the computer?
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SandyFebruary 8, 2011 at 11:43 AM
Great! Go for it! I always love what's
on your heart, Rebecca.
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DianaFebruary 8, 2011 at 1:50 PM
I love this post Rebecca. The definition of whistling Dixie, surprised me. I had no idea. I love that you can write things down, I used to love writing things, letters, thoughts, stories. But now I can't write more than a few lines. I miss it so much. And typing on the computer just isn't the same. I loved seeing my mothers handwriting in her journals and my grandmothers letters. So keep on writing, I think it's a blessing to be so inspired to do so! Love Di ♥
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Lori ZehrFebruary 8, 2011 at 5:49 PM
I can so identify! I'm in the final stages of book three-approving the cover, final proofread, etc. Trepidation! I always feel a bit like turning back at this point--such a good reminder from you! I am anxious to see what you write this time. I wrote both my first two books in notebooks exactly like the one you pictured. What a job of transcription that was! Blessings to you!
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Janettessage.blogspot.comFebruary 8, 2011 at 6:49 PM
Applauding...so much in this piece is what God has spoken to me at the beginning of the year and you even confirmed through some of your comments...looking back also make the rolls crocked...I look forward to seeing your new harvest
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Barb HodgesFebruary 8, 2011 at 8:12 PM
Rebecca, I really love your blog and wonderful words. Thank you for visiting me today. I went to the wrong blog earlier and then I double checked and realized I had an incomplete address. But the one I did visit was also a Christian gal. How cool was that? Hope to "talk" with you alot in the days to come. My favorite verse that goes along with your desire is: Proverbs 16:3 Commit your works to the Lord and your thoughts will be established.
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JackieFebruary 9, 2011 at 8:32 AM
Write on, Rebecca! :)))
I love your blog....your header is lovely, and may I add that I love your photo for your blog.
Love and warmest hugs,
Jackie
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"We simplify, not just to be less busy, even though we may be right to pursue that. Rather, we simplify to remove distractions from our pursuit of Christ. We prune activities from our lives, not only to get organized, but also that our devotion to Christ and service for His kingdom will be more fruitful. We simplify, not merely to save time, but to eliminate hindrances to the time we devote to knowing Christ. All the reasons we simplify should eventually lead us to Jesus Christ!" (Donald S. Whitney)

Dedicated to my sister-in-law, Beth--a TRUE home manager....

"I work for a King. He has put me in charge of his home. When He comes to see how I have managed His possessions and His children, I do not want to be found wanting. I want to do my best. Everything I have is on loan from Him. I have room and board and a job to do, but it is all for Him. Therefore I want to dress my best and do my best in all my work. I also want to be creative, for this is a sincere attempt to glorify Him and His beautiful creation. How I manage my home is a form of worship to Him." --Lydia Sherman

"A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry,
and see a fine picture every day of his life,
in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul."

~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Contentment makes poor men rich.

-Benjamin Franklin

"What I am gradually discovering is that in the writing I come in touch with the Spirit of God." ~ Nouwen

~~"Reading without reflecting is like eating without digesting."~~Edmund Burke

C.S. Lewis: "To trust Him means, of course, trying to do all that He says. There would be no sense in trusting a person if you wouldn't take his advice. Thus if you have really handed yourself over to Him, it must follow that you are trying to obey Him."

"To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich; to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart; to study hard; to think quietly, act frankly, talk gently, await occasions, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common--this is my symphony." William Henry Channing

“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Apostle Paul: "But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14)

"It's a good thing to have all the props pulled out from under us occasionally. It gives us some sense of what is rock under our feet, and what is sand. It stops us from taking anything for granted. It has also taught me alot about living in the immediate moment. I am somehow managing to live one day, one hour at a time." Madeleine L'Engle

FIVE CERTAINTIES
WITH WHICH TO
START YOUR DAY

God holds you. Each day he carries us in his arms. Psalm 68:19 NLT
God sustains you. THE LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack. Psalm 23:1 AMP
God covers you. He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust. Psalm 91:4 AMP
God pours His love upon you. Through each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me. Psalm 42:8 NLT
God will not fail you. The unfailing love of the Lord never ends! Lamentations 3:22 NLT

THE BLOGGER'S PRAYER Lord, help me to learn to spell without spellcheck, manage to visit all that visit me, and post regularly - all in 5 minutes a day, so that I can clean house and take care of my family. Help me to not look at every occurrence in my life as a blog post, and to quit taking pictures of weird things to share as well. Please Lord, help me to stop talking about my blog friends as though they are next door neighbors or someone I have known all of my life. And help me, dear Lord, to think of something witty and wise to post tomorrow.
Love, The Dust Bunny Hostage

Sane, Simple, Sacred

Mercy

I'm Not Whistling Dixie

13 comments:

Writing a Song a Week #3