FAVOR

I’ve been thinking a lot about this thing called favor. While some say it is not fair, it is just. Favor does not just overtake you; sometimes it has to be earned. When those who have the ability to grant favor see you going about your daily walk in a consistent, honest and unassuming way they take note of that. One’s character plays an enormous role in how one is granted favor. Have you ever befriended someone and went about the business of being a true friend to that person? Innocently doing for people and asking nothing in return, it’s like God sees you and uses people to reward you. Although this is not the reason you do what you do, isn’t it serendipitous when you discover your new friend is a millionaire and they have been watching you to see if you are honest and true. Just something I’ve been thinking about. Be careful how you treat people, you may be playing host to angels.

1999 Has Come and Gone But It's Still True

I consider myself to be a technologically savvy person, having just a few of the latest gadgets and toys makes my life simpler, fun and well connected to colleagues. After all we have become a global society dependent on these tools to enhance our business engagements and socialization. This week I was so happy to strut to the mall and make a few new electronic purchases. I upgraded my telephone and bought a navigation system to be shared with my husband. I really wanted an iPad and an iPod but decided the two purchases I had made were enough. When the clerk told me I could listen to music on my telephone I figured I was okay for now. My laptop is not broken so why incur these extra expenses? I absolutely adore staying connected and often talk to friends around the country via Facebook. But here is the thing I don’t get. Why is it that everywhere you turn there is a sea of cell phone, iPod, iPad users who are talking to their virtual friends rather than the friends standing or sitting right in front of them? When I migrated to the south the charm of the community was wholesome and refreshingly friendly. Walking on the opposite side of the street people would wave or say hello loud enough for you to hear them. What has happened to the old south? Are we becoming socially inept? Yes I think this generation of tweeters, facebookers, youtubers and myspacers are sinking into a virtual, make-believe world where only other avatars can reach them. Amazing! If we are not careful we will be a society of grunts and moans. Our greatest expressions will be represented by flying fingers and abbreviated words. We’ll be too busy trying to say it all via the written word or with cell phone snapshots. Oh, oh gotta run. The other avatars are knocking on my wall to see if I can come out and play.

Are You Ready for Your House Now

Today I am just very excited about a few answers to prayer. This morning when I awoke before my feet hit the ground I prayed, "Lord, today make something happen regarding housing for my family." It seems that we have been given the run around because the realtors perceive we are not quite ready to purchase. Each of the lovely homes we've previewed also have lovely price tags and we don't want to get in over our heads. Some of the realtors were very nice explaining what they could do to help us get into a home right now. Some just kind of dropped the ball, breaking appointments or not calling to reschedule. One explained that he had been in a three day leadership conference. Well didn't they teach you at the leadership conference that you should follow up with clients and let them know when you are not going to be available. Another had his assistant call and see if we were still interested in a particular home. DUH! The house went under contract yesterday. And had you kept your appointment with us we could have put a bid on the house or at least a lease purchase. Well anyway the object of this piece is to not slander the realtors but to praise God. He does work quickly. All of the folks we had been trying to reach were now calling with good news. Alrighty, we now have choices, good choices and the housing dilema will be over very soon. Now back to my novel my publisher awaits.

Get your hardcopy or eBook of Looking for the Promise at any of your on-line bookstores.

It's transition time and in order to make it a smooth one, I've enlisted the aid of several good housing professionals. What I can't seem to wrap my head around is the fact that so many of the realtors don't bother to follow up. Are they each chasing the proverbial great deal and don't have time to look at all of the inventory, including the homes that sellers want to hold on to until the market snaps back? I can't assume to know what is going on in the minds of these specialists but can I at least get one of them to understand my needs? My case is a little precarious, with the downturn in the country's economics and all of that, but nonetheless my family is ready to take a stake in a wonderful property. Is it too much to ask to have someone show us a great house that we can move into right away, like the one shown here? Geez!

Driving to and from my dentist's appointment today I actually had time to enjoy the ride. The back roads were unfamiliar, but quick. Truck stops, mega gas stations and railroad tracks lined the streets as I made my way to the northside of town. I took this alternate route at the suggestion of my google map application. Through the back streets I drove avoiding expressway traffic but catching a few short lights. Talk about the proverbial waking up to smell the coffee. The feeling enouraged me to breath deeply as I inhaled the beauty of the homes and the manicured yards. This was a neighborhood to share with my husband. We've been so frustrated just trying to find the right home at the right price. It was worth the out-of-the-way trip. Driving back through regular traffic before midday was as peaceful and I found myself thinking of absolutely nothing. Why is there not a thought in your head? I asked myself. Perhaps it was because the absence of the radio just allowed me to be at one with nature and God. One simple little song kept creeping up, no thoughts, just the song. I can't remember it now, but I do know it was an old Four Tops song. Hmmmmm! Something about saying goodbye.

Looking for the Promise clip

Status Check

It's early morning here and although I have to be up and at it in a few hours I've decided to get in a few pages of rewrite before going back to sleep. You see I was asleep a few hours ago but the alarm signaling I was losing my charge kept chiming. My husband woke me to ask what was ringing. I was so groggy and tired from a full day of activities that I didn't understand a word he was saying. Finally I sat up and fished for my cell to turn it completely off. But what that did was fully awaken me. So the pages I promised to do before going to sleep had a chance to be finished. Now, I am writing with more purpose because I have been given a tremendous opportunity to join the ranks of published authors. My book Looking for the Promise was self-published. Without editor or readers to critique my work I forged ahead and began marketing the book. What I am enjoying most about the this process is the chance to tell more of the story of Marva Stewart Shepherd. And of course telling people that I am a writer. Now I'll be able to add, published novelist as soon as the ink drys on the contract.