Lady Cady

Faith * Family * Life

Dear Critic,

Do you have a dream everyone thinks is crazy, but you know in your heart it is wonderful? Maybe it’s something you even feel called to do by God himself. Welcome, friend. Don’t let your critics get you down, even the ones in your own head. You have great things you can do. Keep at it. Keep up the good fight. And before you know it, you will have accomplished great things.

This is my big mountain
And I’m climbing to the top.
You can watch me from the sidelines
But you just can’t make me stop.
Every day you may feast upon
My blood and sweat and tears.
It may even be a feast you have
For many years and years.
You can use your words to throw at me
And they just might make me trip
But in the end the best they’ll do
Is make me tighten up my grip.
For this is something I must do
Before my life is through
And from your seat down there below
You can’t simply see the view.
Many men are called to do
The work I must pursue
But few will ever have the strength
And courage that I do.
Instead of being my critic
Why not choose to be my friend?
And you can climb up your own mountain –
Together we’ll be triumphant in the end.
But if your fear will always be
Seeped down deep within your bones,
And the best that you will ever do
Is throw a bunch of stones,
Then right now I make a promise –
With all the stones that I accrue
When I reach the top of this big mountain
I’ll build a statue just for you.

Wisdom

Everyday there is evidence all around us of what a fragile existence this mortal life is. Before we know it, we’ll all be facing The End and looking back at how we spent our years and the many minutes of our lives that made up those years. How will you feel about your life? I’m sure we will all have regrets, but we have the power to choose now to make better choices and decrease some of those regrets. What a wonderful thought that is! How comforting. So, let us start now.

As the years spin by faster,
And the minutes do too,
Here’s a thought you can ponder, –
To travel with you.
Your hugs are worth more
Then your fancy sports car.
Your time even more
And will take you as far.
Your talents are worth
The blood, sweat, and tears.
So feed them along
And forget all your fears.
Your family will never
Do better than you.
So, ponder that thought
When you choose what to pursue.
A walk in the woods
Will do you more good
Then a long list of things
That you think that you “should”.
Following the spirit
As it guides you along
Will never, not once,
Steer you to wrong.
Before you sit down
On the couch to zone out,
Pick up a book –
Then take your time out.
And if you desire
To just gaze at the stars
Be sure to embrace it
And be our lodestar.
A call to a friend
Should always come with a yes
Instead of the loneliness
That comes with a guess.
Don’t worry about
What someone once said.
But who you might know
That could use some fresh bread.
Laugh at the jokes
That a dad just might tell
And when the moment is right,
Be sure to retell.
If the music comes on
And you just want to dance
Trust me, no one is watching, –
Just take up your chance.
Your dog and your mama
Will always love you.
Even the things
You can’t ever undo.
Always the Savior
Is waiting with grace
So, ignore the loud crowd
And return his embrace.
Now before you jump back
In the busy rat race,
Where time just keeps spinning
And you must give into the chase,
Remember the wisdom
From others who care
And take time to make changes
Before you despair.

Remarkable

Is there perhaps someone in your life you think is remarkable, but you don’t always appreciate like you should? Let this be the year you change that! Everyone deserves to hear from time to time how much they are appreciated. It lifts the spirits. Lightens loads. Renews strength to keep pushing on. But if you are the one who feels burdened down, unappreciated, or unloved, – take heart. You mean more to us then you will ever realize. ❤

Do you know your reach –
How much you’re loved by those you teach?
Do you know your smile,
When hard to give is still worthwhile?
Do you know your hug
Always gives my heart a tug?
Do you know your good
Is a thing I wish you understood?
Do you know your service
Always has amazing purpose?
Do you know your intelligence
Also shows such humble benevolence?
Do you know your worth –
That you were born of Noble Birth?
Even on your hardest day,
When overcome with great dismay,
Your value is beyond compare
And God listens to each humble prayer.
For to Him you are His Precious One
But you also mean so much to ev’ryone.
We may not always share we care
But we’re so glad for the Burdens, you help us bear.
You are a light within our life.
You give us strength amidst our strife.
You’re someone we can’t help look up to.
You are remarkable, through and through.

The Beauty in a Mountain Pass

I grew up in a desert climate, but I’ve always loved the mountains. We frequently drive over the beautiful Cascades to visit my husband’s family who live a few hours away. Even though we have taken that drive more times than I can count, I always find myself in awe of how beautiful they are each time we take that drive. (Also keeping my eye out for Sasquatch 😉 ) How lucky we are to live in such a beautiful world!

As I drive the Mountain Pass
I contemplate the things that last.
My heart refilled with gratitude
As I appreciate the altitude.
I soak in the beauty all around.
Find answers that, here only found.
Watch an elk as it wanders by.
Watch a bird fly through the sky.
Admire the complexity of a waterfall
And watch its paths – the big and small.
Breathe in the fresh clean mountain air.
Let the breeze mess with my hair.
Wonder at the majesty
And humility beneath each tree.
Enjoy the stillness faraway
From the hustle of my day.
Once again, my soul renewed
As I enjoy this solitude.
Grateful for each mountain high
God sought to make, personify.
With beauty that’s beyond compare.
God’s touch is clearly everywhere.
How blessed we are by this great earth.
How blessed we are to see its worth.

To the Inventor of Dirty Dishes

When I was in college, I remember being amazed at how often the sink was full of dishes. And how often I found myself being the only one to clean all the dishes… It often felt as soon as I left the room the sink would magically refill itself.
And then a few years later I became a mom.
My oldest two kids are now becoming more and more independent in the kitchen (which I love) but it also seems to be increasing our dirty dishes each day exponentially. The last few months, over the holiday season when they’ve had more free time, there has especially been a big increase. And so, I remembered this silly poem I wrote ages ago and decided to share here for anyone else you knows the pain. 🙂

Who invented dirty dishes?
And do they know they never stop?
That they just keep getting dirtier
and piling on the spot?
The water makes my fingers wrinkle
and it never stays too hot.
And the dirtier the dishes,
the dirtier the pots.
And everyone I know
seems to have a dish disease –
every time they see a dirty dish
it makes them sneeze and sneeze.
So here I stand once again,
with dishes stacked up to my chin,
and here’s my wish, my wish to you,
–wouldn’t self-cleaning dishes do?

I’m On the Right Road

The past few years have been challenging for many. Our family included. The thing with life is – it will always be challenging at times. So why not learn from each challenge and trial that comes your way and choose to lean on Christ to get you through.

Today I received some startling news
And now I am left standing at a place I must choose.
One path is anger and bitterness too.
Resentment and choices I can’t ever undo.
The other is narrow and incredibly straight –
I’m not sure my sorrow can even fit through the Gate.
And if, somehow, I manage to take it,
Do I have the strength to full undertake it?
Do I have the power within to do what it takes?
To fully forgive, let go, my sorrows forsake?
How much easier it’d be to simply hold on –
Hold onto the pain till my life is all gone.
But, oh, how heavy – my sorrows to bear.
If I don’t make it through with the right kind of care.
So, with that in mind, I’ll choose the straight road
With kindness, forgiveness, and love a la mode.
For Jesus is there waiting to greet.
To help and to lift these travel worn feet.
And I’ll pass on to him this new heavy load
And with peace I will know – I’m on the right road.