All yards must be this high...

Greetings, Fairy Followers,

I've noticed an interesting phenomenon in my neighborhood. If I get out my mower and get started cutting the lawn within fifteen minutes three more of my neighbors are out cutting theirs. A friend of mine told me that she actually had a neighbor come over and tell her to be sure to let them know when they mowed so that their lawns could match. Really?

On the one hand, it's nice to have a bit of conformity to the neighborhood. I've never been much of a conformist so I guess I'm okay with everyone following me.

Have you ever given into the conformist mentality? Wearing a style similar to someone else's? Growing your bangs out to match the current trend?

Despite all of our determination to be different, unique, unusual, we usually wind up being "different just like everybody else." And there isn't anything wrong with that, most of the time. Having the right amount of flare (or lack thereof) in your jeans, sporting henley's all winter, or the right color flip-flops.

The problem comes when we feel pressured to do things that are dangerous to our spiritual or physical lives. We let ourselves be subjected to things that are not just a way to fit in, but that defile the Holy ground of our heart. Check out this video set to a song by Ceili Rain called "Junkyard."



My heart is not a Junkyard.
My mind is not a dump for all the gunk around...no, it's holy ground.

Keep your temple clean.

Blessings, The B.D.F.

Timing is Everything

Greetings Fairy Followers,

My son stole my husband's chair at lunch today. So hubby stood, with his strawberries and ice cream, and hovered around the table while we ate. My step mom jumped up and told him that there was another chair in the closet.

With impeccable comedic timing my husband answered, "I'd rather stand out here than sit in the closet."

The cardinal rule of comedy...Timing. Do something too late, you miss the joke, too early and your set up isn't in place.

I've been participating this summer in the Beth Moore "Esther" study. Today I was listening to the teaching about when Esther invited King Xerxes and Haman to the first banquet and then, instead of asking Xerxes to save her people, she invites him to another banquet the next night.

It seems, at first glance, that she chickened out. Couldn't go through with it. Decided to give herself 24 more hours to gather some courage. But, as we read on, some pretty important things happen during those 24 hours. And is it possible that God shut her mouth and instructed her to wait?

When was the last time you were faced with a timing issue? I feel God wants me to talk to this friend about her behavior last weekend. I need to leave this job or change schools, but when?

Whatever your "IT" happens to be, the when can be almost as disconcerting as the what. Should I speak up now or wait until the weekend? Should I leave school now or wait until the semester break? Should I sell my car and start taking the bus?

Whatever your next when, fairy followers, be assured that the cosmic clock ticks on in a time-zone unknown to us. But remember that, despite our desire to be in control, that sometimes God is working to align my destiny with that of others who, like Xerxes and Haman, have to be ready to hear what we have to say.

Praying that all of you will do the right thing at the right time.

Blessings, The B.D.F.

What's my motivation?

Greetings Fairy Followers,

I've used that line: "What's my motivation" with various directors as I've done plays over the years. It's when I need the director to tell me why my character is doing what she's doing. The script tells me to walk across the stage and pinch my sister. I want to know why I want to pinch my sister...because she stole my doll? Because she stole my boyfriend? Because she's falling asleep in church?

The reason I want to know is because how I pinch her and what I do before and after I pinch her will be affected by why I needed to pinch her in the first place.

Now translate this to real life. A friend walks by, bumps into you and keeps on going. How would you feel? I'd be slightly put out to say the least. Would it change if you knew that your friend had just found out that her sister was in the hospital or if your friend had just been told that you got the spot on the squad that she wanted?

We are prone to not only put words in the mouths of others, but to put thoughts in their head as well. It is easy for us to judge someone by what they might be thinking. Unless you've developed a sixth sense, you don't know what is happening in the heart and mind of the one sitting across from you.

So the next time you get cut off in traffic or a friend is snippy, put the best thoughts in their mind, instead of the worst. Pray for them.

Blessings, The B.D.F.

You are my density...I mean, my destiny

Greetings Fairy Followers,

We are a week past graduation now and will be officially starting summer vacation. Which, in my family, means starting summer school a half hour later than we started regular school.

The end of the school year always brings thoughts of the "what's next." For graduates it's a big question of what are you going to do as a grown up. For the rest of us it's the answer to what we will be doing for the summer and then the next school year. I just completed my summer "to do" list. It has no fewer than forty individual items on it. Not counting the regular weekly things like mow the lawn, weed the garden and cook dinner.

You may feel you have the next 12 weeks peacefully planned and ready to go. Or you may be more of a fly by the seat of your pants vacationer. Either way, be prepared.

I've been studying Esther and one point the teacher made about chapter four was that often the pivots of our destiny are negotiated during the worst times. On the day when you've gotten up late, missed your ride and your cup of coffee is the day you meet someone on the street who needs your shoulder. They day you lose your job is the day you feel prompted to give to a missionary friend. Have you seen this before in your life? I know I have and it makes me a little fearful to peek around the corner...but who better to entrust with your destiny, than the creator of the universe?

So, like George McFly, chug the shake, walk across the room and meet your density...I mean, your destiny, head on. Your hands may shake, your voice might quiver, but the outcome will be worth it.

Fly on Fairy Followers,

Blessings, The B.D.F.