Sick of the "UNs"? Let's Talk.

Let's Chat!

Are you feeling: UN-healthy, UN-peaceful, and

UN-productive? You can add things being

UN-affordable to that list. How about feeling

UN-appreciated? It's all very stressful.

Remove the "UN," and things are more desirable. Who doesn't want to be healthy, peaceful, productive, and appreciated? (I'd also like to spend a $100 and come home with more than three bags of groceries.)

How about UN-familiar? There's one. Frankly, change can be UN-comfortable. Technology, for example, is changing so fast that I can't keep up. I'll finally learn a program on the computer, and they go and change it.

The first time I test-drove a new car, the salesman started it up for me, then jumped out. "Take it for a drive as long as you like," he said. He tossed a fob on the seat next to me, but didn't tell me what it was for. It looked UN-familiar to me, so I ignored it.

I didn't let on that I was a little nervous about going alone. Everything was fine until I paused in the parking lot. The car suddenly shuddered and stalled. I automatically reached for the ignition ... Where is it? ... Where are the keys?! I ignored the fob, but it didn't have any keys attached to it.

Embarrassed, I called the dealership, "HEY! I'm stuck in your parking lot ... how do you start this dumb thing?" The salesman chuckled and started calling me "dear." That's just another way of saying, "You're old!" I'd never heard of a push-button car.

Speaking of being called "dear", I can remember when a clerk called my 90-year-old mother-in-law dear. Boy, was that a mistake. "I'll NEVER go into Penny's again--EVER!" she roared. "Did you hear what that clerk called me?" I thought my mother-in-law was being a bit touchy until it started happening to me.

Another "UN" I'd like to see changed is overly loud music in church. It's UN-pleasant. I like to hear people's voices. My son told me, "Mom, it's just because you're old." I answered, "Yes, and I still have my hearing and want to keep it that way. You younger guys are already half-deaf because of all the loud music you listen to." He chuckled but didn't dare call me "dear".

I visited a church once, and the music was so loud I had to sit out in the fellowship room during the worship. A woman approached me, "Are you alright, dear?"

"Yes," I mustered sweetly. "The music is just too loud for me."

"Oh, but we have free earplugs!"

My response was a bit UN-thoughtful. "Isn't that a clue?"

Sometimes, being a senior citizen can make you feel UN-included. When I became a widow, I often felt like that. Couples didn't invite me like they had when my husband was alive. I often wonder how many divorced and widowed folks in our church might be feeling UN-appreciated, UN-noticed, and UN-included?

Okay, I can go on and on about all this, but that's not productive. When you're up to your ears in life's UNs, I have a suggestion. Try being a bit UN-hurried, grab a cup of tea, and talk to Jesus. He's the one who can turn those annoying UNs into Ahhhs.

If you have a group of ladies from your church who would enjoy a visit to Mim's Pickety Place, email me to schedule your event. stevens.marji@gmail.com

My art studio can seat eight comfortably. I provide the tea, a little inspiration, and a lovely place to talk and share.