What's In a Name?

When deciding to try this writing a blog thing again I knew I would need a new blog.  It would need a new name and somewhat of a new focus.  My other blog, "Fingerprints and Stray Hairs," has a lot of my personal struggles and stories and is private.  Only a few people have been able to read it because it has been such a personal journey in writing.  I had been fearful of people reading my writing.  I played with the thought of just adding to it and opening it up publicly, mainly because I really love the title of the blog.  I found the title in the book, Inkheart.  It came from a character's library that was to be left untouched and perfect for fear of "fingerprints and stray hairs" messing up the collection. Perfection!  Something people strive for but rarely attain!  I knew then as I know now, my life is FAR from perfect and is filled with fingerprints and stray hairs from those who have left their marks on my life.  I wouldn't want it any other way.

Thus, I knew I needed a fresh start and a new focus.  This one will be telling some of my crazy stories and life experiences but maybe not into my personal struggles as much...but who knows!  I only write about what is personal to me.  It's all I have!  I've never thought my "stuff" was very interesting but the more I tell my stories and my struggles, the more people tell me to write.  I do believe that a person's testimony is what makes others find hope in the one that is my only hope.  If my struggles or victories can lead someone closer to God, then I will gladly share my story.

So...a new name?  What's in a name?  Why does it matter?  When trying to figure out what to call this new blog, coming up with a name wasn't that tough.  I had some help with it several weeks ago during a school board meeting for Sonshine School, a preschool at our church.  Several of the wonderful ladies laughed as I told my story about the outfit I had on that day.  You see, we had been inundated with rain for a few days and my rain boots were still on my feet that evening after a full day of work.  Let me give you a little background...especially for those who do not know our story....

We live in our travel trailer!  We moved in the first week of  August 2018, with this great plan to pay down debt and prepare to build a new house.  (I honestly believe someone laughs every time we make a plan...there is another story there...)  We built a barn for the trailer to have some protection from storms but have not finished our drive due to life circumstances... again, another story for later.  Most of the time rain is not a big deal but when it rains for more than a day and multiple inches, we have a problem.  That day was one such day!

Due to the rain, our middle daughter had agreed to pick me up for work instead of my trying to drive my car out of what I affectionately call the "mud bog."  I dressed for work, put on my mud boots and threw my shoes in my bag to put on at work.  Coffee in hand, bag on my shoulder, I hiked across the pasture/mud bog in the dark of early morning (6:30 a.m) to the gate and my daughter's car.  We laughed about my outfit and how I hoped I grabbed the right shoes because of how "cute" I looked in my mud boots!  (Foreshadowing of things to come...)

Fast forward...I got to work, where I teach 5th grade, and began getting things ready to begin the day.  I finally sat down and grabbed  my shoes from my bag to put on....and this is what I pulled  out of my bag!  Not just two different colored shoes but two LEFT SHOES!  There was no way I could even wear the mixed matched shoes.  I just had to laugh!  I now would be wearing my rain boots all day with my outfit!

No one really noticed, or if they did they didn't say anything.  It had been raining and luckily my boots are cute!  (Thanks Hubby!)  When I sat down at our board meeting that evening and my oldest daughter saw my boots, she just laughed.  I had to tell her the story.  Then told it again to the group when they asked.  We all laughed and talked about it being another crazy story for our "Adventures in Travel Trailer Living!"  And then those words...."You should write a book!" came from not just one of the ladies but a couple.  One even said, "You could call it 'Two Left Shoes!' "

So that's it...that's where the name came from, except for one problem...that title is already taken as a blog.  I played with several ideas but then added the "rain boots" to it.  They seemed like an appropriate addition.  They are an important part of our story.  They have played a big role in this life we are living.  They will probably make a guest appearance more than once as this story evolves.  They allow me to live here.  They allow me to get through some of the downpours and the muck and mire of life.  They help me keep my footing when things get a bit slippery.  They have been a lifeline between my husband and I during some dark and rainy days.  It's funny how these boots are so important to the happiness we strive for.  They go with me just about everywhere.  If you look in my car today, they are there just waiting for me to need them again.  I always panic when I realize they are not with me on those dark, rainy days!

I can't help but see a connection between these boots and my Father in heaven.  My lifeline!  My steady footing in a rocky, mucky, and mired world!  The waterproofing of our marriage on those really stormy days!  My go-to source when I have no one and no where to turn when stuck in sadness or depression!  I can't imagine my life without Him.  I dare not go anywhere without Him.  He is the reason I can stand on solid ground when everything around me seems to be shaken and falling apart, mired with loss or confusion.  He steadies my steps when I start slipping because of the trials and troubles that come.  He is my protection in the storms!

Whether life is making you pull out your rain boots or it's been a day of two left shoes...laugh, pray and remember who is always there waiting for you to reach out again for His guidance and protection.  He is our Father...lovingly waiting to hear from us on those sunny days and the stormy ones.  He will steady your steps.  He will be your shelter in storms.  He will get you through the mud and muck and help you find your solid ground again.

For Him....
Denise