You might want to sit down and get really comfortable when reading this short story… and before you ask, “Yes, this is a true story.” My husband might not be keen on me admitting that, but I must.
My husband and I were only married a little over three years. We were still getting to know each other’s habits, likes and dislikes. My husband’s job took us to sunny Florida for a time.
We made this move in the wrong month. I say that because August is the HOTTEST month of the year in that area of the United States.
Humidity levels ranged from 100 down to 95%. Everything done outside at that time of year was accomplished at a pace called slow. Even if you just stood still, your body continued to perspire. It’s been said that men perspire, and women glow.
Well, in Florida, if that phrase were true, women would be glowing into a puddle!
We had survived the adjustment to the summer heat. We waited until late October since it was cooler to reappear on our neighborhood streets for evening walks, and one could wear slacks in the evenings. While I was thinking of ways we could meet our neighbors, the following is a vivid recollection of a series of events.
While strolling in evening coolness near our home, my husband realized he had picked up a passenger. He immediately began leaping and yelling and shaking in his pants. A small lizard had climbed inside his pants leg for a ride around the block, and since it was likely too confining, this little fellow wanted “out.”
My husband wasted no time in removing his belt and began lowering his slacks to provide a quick “evacuation route” for his new little friend. Though supportive of his dilemma, all I could do was laugh … but did so with great sympathy, I might add (or at least I tried).
It was getting dark outside so the neighbors never observed the unfolding drama.
Well, this was certainly one way to be remembered by our neighbors. I wondered if there might be another?
Though we don’t celebrate Halloween, I wondered how we might introduce ourselves to the neighborhood. It dawned on me that Halloween presented us a “unique opportunity” for us to dress up and meet them that way.
Here is where you’re not going to believe what happened next.
Since we were not flush with funds, I gathered a few articles of
our clothing, and began being creative. On the night in question, I
asked my husband to join me at our bathroom sink. He took a seat and I, shall I say, “re-constructed his appearance.”
I did the same for myself.
Yes, we went to visit all the neighbors as Raggedy Ann and Andy! The neighbors laughed at (and with) us. We had a hilarious time that evening going from door to door. So, if you are struggling to get to know your neighbors, might I suggest that you dress up a little and make an appearance? Believe me, they’ll remember you forever!
Published by Dianne Horne
I can’t think of anything I enjoy more than to see lives changed! There’s nothing more that puts “oxygen and joy” into my life than to bring the application of Scripture into the “shoe leather” of our lives and to share it with others.
I feel awkward speaking about myself, but I understand it can be helpful to enable others to relate to and enjoy the work of our Lord does in other people. Another down-to-earth way of sharing who I am, is that I love to eat, laugh and to talk about the Lord. I’m not a very exciting individual, but my Savior sure is!
I’ve been happily married for many years, and I now reside in Vancouver, B.C., Canada. God has transplanted my husband and I 28 times in our years together; and it is only when in His presence that you can ask the “why questions” as to the adjustments He’s brought us “to” and “through” in the numerous locations and countries we have lived.
God’s care, love, forgiveness, faithfulness and moment-by-moment presence has not only carried me (when I had every reason to fall apart), but lifted me to a joy I’ve never known. There’s one thing to have joy when things are going great, and quite another dimension of joy and peace when everything in your world is crumbling and unknown. Most of our lives will appear like “ordinary oatmeal living”, but when we allow Him to “establish our steps”, He alone takes our mundane acts of kindness or aid and makes them “extraordinary” for His purpose in the lives of others.
The seasons of caring for my parents and the associated grieving process has forever changed me. It was my honor, joy and privilege to participate with my Lord in what He was accomplishing in their lives, as they both gave their lives to Jesus Christ just days before they were escorted into His presence in heaven. The medical challenges and decisions that needed to be made for a number of those years thrust me into a trust and dependence upon the Lord that I had never known up to that point in my life.
In my journey, I’ve come to realize that our “weakness” is our greatest “strength”, because real power, provision, and His purpose being carried out in and through our lives, depends on Him orchestrating such through His sovereignty.
My “heartbeat of fulfillment” lies in sharing with women, in various settings, helping them to enjoy, study and apply the principles of God’s Word in a down-to-earth fashion. I thrive interacting with women and encouraging them to put their trust in the One Who knows them best and loves them extravagantly; and to prioritize “spending time alone with God each day” developing their relationship with Him. Our lives aren’t designed to just get answers to prayer….but to know and love a very personal Savior, and to surrender daily to “His plans, His agenda and purpose” for our lives.
Several years ago I was challenged to respond to a critical question I had never considered: Why do you exist? What’s your purpose in life?
I live to bring an expression of God in the ordinary events of life, seizing every opportunity of serving and delighting in others. I want my life to be an infectious expression of His love for others, and for them to know how special “they are” to Him; and thus be contagious with His grace.
My life compass is: After people spend time with me, what do they think of Jesus Christ?
The stories that will appear in my blog, are true events that have taken place in my journey. They’re all “very ordinary” circumstances that have occurred through sharing them with Jesus and watching Him orchestrate and demonstrate what He can do when we yield “our ordinary” to the Extraordinary One.
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Cups of Cold Water 
Hi Dianne, Enjoyed your very cute story! Hope all is well with you and Peter! Love, Susan
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Morning Susan: I sent you a text on your ANNIVERSARY….did you get it??? Hope it was a lovely day for you both. Hugs…..
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