The Nothing Blog

My heart has been reminded that today, July 5, is the day my mother went to be with Jesus in heaven. She died in 2007 and I still miss her and I still thank the Lord for blessing me as her daughter. The following is a page from my journal written May 27, 2007. I have published this before but I think it's part of the healing/grieving process and I want to honor the memory of my mother, Mary Elizabeth Gillette Brown. Here it is: Mom May 27, 2007 Journal Notes By Polly Balint “Mom” When I was playing golf today with three friends, I started thinking about Mom and how she has given me such a wonderful legacy of loving life… and even in playing golf. While I was on the course, I started to remember what she was like on my last trip to Coral Gables…she had to be bathed and dressed. Couldn’t go to the bathroom by herself…couldn’t walk alone and barely can speak. She would shuffle to walk but it took two people to help her. BUT, she was still so pleasant and cordial and gracious and ...

 Historically, during the weeks and months leading up to July 4th , citizens of the United States of America joyfully and enthusiastically plan all kind of festivities to celebrate INDEPENDENCE DAY! Yes, it was July 4, 1776, when the signing and proclamation of the Declaration of Independence meant freedom for the new colonists in America! Freedom! Yes! God-honoring freedom! So for generations  it has been our US custom for families and friends gather to celebrate each year with parades, cookouts, picnics, road races, pool parties  -- and end the day with spectacular fireworks.  The freedoms of religion, right to bear arms, freedom of speech etc., were also God-given as the initial freedom for the colonists to break away from the tyranny of Great Britain.       And so here we are, and July 4, 2013, is two days away.  Picnics, pool parties, parades, road races, BBQ gatherings and marketplace festivals are...

This morning I contacted my Physician and asked Him how to be healed of a chronic condition. I was tired of trying to deal with it on my own. Not only does it wear me out, it creates anxiety in me, I become impatient and think negative thoughts. When this condition flares up it's hard to focus on the task at hand. I needed to visit with Him. Just the two of us spending quiet time together. I said to Him, "There must be a cure for this, isn't there? I mean, I've been looking to You for help and counsel for many years now and You always have the perfect solution for my afflictions!" He said, "Yes, your condition is not a rare one, in fact, there is an epidemic of it in the world today. People don't want to look to Me for help, they look to each other and to the things of this world. They are finding it doesn't work and they become more desperate. But I have the cure. It's 100 percent guaranteed to cure STRESS  but you must apply it to your life eve...

 When inspired thoughts come to me, as an author I can't wait until later  to write it down.  I have learned that I won't remember exactly how I felt when the thought came and exactly how the inspiration was leading me to express it on my computer screen or writing pad. So immediately I'll either dig in my purse and scribble the initial thoughts on the back of a crumpled receipt or go to my computer and just type out a few of the insights that flashed in my mind. Well it happened when I was reading Donald Miller's book, Blue Like Jazz.   Donald Miller is a skillful writer, obviously using his God-given talents and I have enjoyed reading his book. Here's the passage that gripped me the most and I knew I needed to share this insight! (That's what Encouragers do, when they find something wonderful they want to encourage everyone with it! Yes, just like I'm doing now.) "I know a little of why there is blood in my...

God gave me a Superman for a husband. Wait, let me say that in another way. God gave me a SUPER Man for a husband and amazing father to our two wonderful daughters.His name is Don. No, he doesn't wear a cape but he is clothed in the righteousness of Christ. I call him SUPER Man because is a super man. He has endured many painful trials -- some have lasted years -- and he won't complain about any of them. By the grace of God he's miraculously survived two strokes that literally hit him back-to-back while he was in ICU in the hospital. He does not complain. Picture is from Melbourne Beach, FL. Pictured: Don, Mary, Grace He married me. He does not complain. That's one reason he's a SUPER Man. I was a wild child of God whose faith was in its infancy stages when we met and married. He and I both knew my salvation was secure and I was hungry to know God as deeply as He did. See, even that long ago he had enough knowledge of Scripture and godly wisdom to be a pastor. His w...

Yesterday in the middle of very hectic traffic I saw a sign  -- like a bumper sticker -- on the back window of a pickup truck. The first time I read it, I laughed out loud. I was at a red light and the truck was two lanes to my right. I tried to get my cell phone out quickly enough to snap a picture before the light changed. I knew if I had a photo of it I could concentrate on the anxious traffic instead of the hilarious message. But I wasn't fast enough because I also had to get the passenger (AKA shotgun) side window down -- it was tinted --and it would be difficult to capture the message clearly in a photo. I also had to be alert because I knew that at any moment the traffic light was going to change from red to green. And in Atlanta,  I know I have to be ready to  press my accelerator pedal to the floor to scoot through the intersection as soon as the light changes or there will be a sort of stampede of honking ho...

Food. Who doesn't like to think about, talk about and EAT food? We all do to some extent. I have always enjoyed cooking. It's a perfect opportunity to let creative juices flow; and that's always invigorating for me. All of the senses are awakened when meals are prepared --the vibrant colors of vegetables and fruits, the smells of creative combinations of meat, spices, pasta, vegetables simmering together, and oooh, the textures of crunchy raw carrots, celery, or fresh green peppers dragged through a garlic hummus dip! And then of course, TA-DA!, there's the presentation of the meal! I like to challenge myself to try to imitate a meal that I previously enjoyed in a restaurant. I'll think about what's in the recipe and recall the flavors. Then I'll try to make it at home for my family. Last week I was in a grocery store that makes fresh sub sandwiches while you wait. They had chopped cilantro as an offering for one of their signature sandwiches. I was pleasa...