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I Am Not the Center of the Universe (gasp)

2/12/2015

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Today was a great day for a reality check.

I spent much of the morning nervous as all get out because Mabel, my seven-year-old Basset Hound, was under anesthesia for a dental procedure.  So, when 3:30pm finally rolled around, oh the relief that flooded my soul.  As BJ and I stood in the vet's waiting room, another couple came in carrying a sweetheart of a border collie.  Between their tears and the receptionist's kind words, it was evident that they were having to put their precious dog to sleep.  I tried to be discreet, but it was nearly impossible to tear myself away from their obvious grief.  Before I knew it, I was standing there crying.  I might have been embarrassed, but I realized BJ was crying, too.  At that moment, Mabel came bounding out with her tail wagging, a picture of health and vitality.  I gathered her up and we hustled out, stopping first to tell that family, "I am so sorry." 

And I really was very, very sorry.   I love my dogs so much, and I could feel their pain.  Not because I've gone through it, but because I know one day I will.

On the drive home, I was struck by how, just a few minutes before, the world had seemed like a pretty decent place.  My little day was proceeding quite smoothly, and my dog had come through her procedure with flying colors.   But then those folks came in.  Their tears as they clung to the last few precious moments with their beloved dog were an unexpected reminder that my perspective is not the only one.  They reminded me that an infinite realm of heartache, hope, agony, and triumph exists beyond my little one woman circus.  

But shame on me for needing to be reminded.  You see, sometimes I get so caught up in my little sphere that I forget every single person I encounter is carrying the weight of their own world.  While I'm fretting over my Basset Hound's dental procedure, parents are watching their toddlers go through chemo, folks are getting laid off from their job of 20+ years, husbands and wives are devastated by their spouse's infidelity, and precious senior citizens are having to decide between groceries and crucial medications.  And, as if that weren't weighty enough, pilots are being burned alive in cages and humanitarian aid workers are being taken hostage by terrorists.


All this while I go about my day, and a comparably good one at that.  This leads me to two main thoughts.

First of all, I need to practice a far greater degree of gratitude.  In the midst of being blessed, I forget just how blessed I am.  I ought to be constantly counting my blessings, with the sober understanding that they could disappear at any time....and with the humble realization that I do not deserve a single, solitary one.  (Thank you, Jesus.)

Secondly, from the overflow of gratitude and humility should spring sensitivity.  I've got to switch out my mirror for glasses so that, instead of constantly peering into my own existence, I can see into the hearts and hurts of others.  So that I can give instead of take.  So that I can see a need and meet it.  So that I can extract myself from the center of the universe and help shoulder the load.  So that I don't miss out on knowing, loving, and learning from the beautiful people with whom I'm privileged to cross paths.

Wherever those folks from the vet's office are tonight, I wish they could know I'm still thinking about them and grieving their loss.  I have every reason to suspect that was an incredible dog...and one that will be sorely missed.

"And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.  This is the first commandment.  And the second, like it, is this:  You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  There is no other commandment greater than these."  Mark 12:30-31
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My husband teases that I'd rather be around animals than people.  I hope that's not really the case.  But one thing's for sure...I have always been and always will be a dog lover!  This is Charlie, my five-year-old chocolate lab(ish).  BJ and I found him on the side of a winding country road when he was just a few weeks old.     
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GIANT Banana Walnut Muffins For Two (or, as in my case, for one person twice!)

2/4/2015

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It's kinda a bummer that BJ is not a breakfast person because most of the time I don't feel like whipping up eggs and bacon or french toast for just one person.  But, on the other hand, when I do take the time to make breakfast, it means I get to eat twice as much.  (I guess that's technically a bad thing??)  Just thought I'd share a recipe I used today.  I made the vegan version, but I've included modifications in case you don't have the non-dairy ingredients.  


<------The finished product!  Yowzers, these are good.  I'm eating one right now as I type.



This time, I doubled the recipe and made 4 huge muffins, just in case you're looking at the pic and questioning the math :).


GIANT BANANA WALNUT MUFFINS

1 very ripe banana (the riper the better, but today all I had were green ones and it was fine)
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
a pinch of salt (however much that is??)
1 tablespoon melted vegan butter (or 1 tablespoon regular butter)
1 small flax egg (or 1 regular egg)
           * To make flax egg, mix 1 tablespoon ground flax seed with 2 1/2 tablespoons water.  Set aside 5 min.)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour
whole walnuts for topping

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Prepare flax egg and set aside.
In a large bowl, mash the banana, leaving some texture.
Add brown sugar, baking soda, and salt and mix for one minute.
Stir in flax egg, vanilla, and melted butter.
Add flour and stir just until combined.
Divide batter into two sections of a jumbo-sized muffin pan (as in you're making just two jumbo muffins).
Top with walnuts.
Bake for 25-30 minutes until tops are golden brown.
Eat as soon as possible because they're seriously delicious.

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It's the little things.  Like toothbrushes.  And tacos.

2/3/2015

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This morning, BJ went to the dentist for the first time in more than fifteen years (don't judge!).  Prior to his appointment, I was inwardly fretting.  Perfect pessimist, I envisioned a myriad of problems that would need to be corrected, thereby burning through our budget in no time flat.  To my great relief, the dentist pronounced BJ's teeth virtually perfect (just two teeny tiny little cavities)....if anything, almost overly brushed!  My worry dissolved into giggles when the the dentist proclaimed, "BJ, you have an excellent mouth of teeth, but we must work on taming your overly aggressive brushing style."  

This is a silly story.  I know that.  But the truth of the matter is that little blessings are actually huge blessings as long as we don't take them for granted.  BJ and I are real people who live in the real world.
We know what is it is to fret, rejoice, wonder, worry, and celebrate.  Now, I will be the first to declare that cavities are certainly a frivolous concern in light of beheadings, war, pestilence, and famine.  In fact, realities like these make me even more aware of how extremely blessed we are.  We have a thousand reasons to be grateful today...perhaps the very least of which is the thousands of dollars we will NOT be spending on sealants or root canals.  Blessed and grateful.  Very humbled.

On that note...how do you celebrate supremely good news from the dentist on a beautiful Tuesday evening?  Well, with Doritos Locos Tacos from Taco Bell, of course!  Just kidding.  Or maybe not...? 


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"This is the day that the Lord has made.  We will rejoice and be glad in it."  Psalm 118:24

Love this crazy boy who always makes me laugh!  
Mostly because he's weird...but that's okay.
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Land Hunt...Just FYI

2/2/2015

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It occurs to me that many of you fine folks have not a clue what BJ and I are up to these days.  Of course, I do realize that we are far from being the center of the universe, and there are a myriad of far more pressing matters that weigh upon you, but just in case you happen to be wondering...here's what's up with us.

We're back from an amazing, incredible, breathtaking year of adventures in Wyoming.  Grateful for every single second that we had with the Ken McNabb Horsemanship team.  Those folks are class acts, and we look forward to many ministry opportunities in the near future.

We are currently residing in Grassy Creek, NC, in the beautiful basement apartment of some of the kindest friends we've ever had the privilege to know.   They happen to make the best pumpkin fudge known to mankind.  (For realz.)

Something we're super excited about--we've started searching for our future home!  The land/house hunt is on!  We are checking out properties in NC, VA, and WV, and we're asking God to direct us to just the perfect place to serve as our home and the home base of Circle G Ministry.  (So, if you happen to have a suggestion, we're all ears.)

Today we checked out places in Crawley, Pipestem, and Princeton, WV...as well as a place in Wytheville, VA.  All super cool in their own ways...but not yet THE place.  

In the meantime, BJ will be preaching lots of revivals, cowboy churches, and special services.  Lots to look forward to in the days ahead.

So, that's what's up.  Thanks for taking precious moments from your busy day to read about us.  It really does mean a lot to us!  Folks like you taking an interest in our ministry leaves us feeling so humbled and so grateful.  Hope your week is blessed.

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    Maryanne Grimmett

    BJ handles the cowboying and preaching--and I take care of all things nerdy. The blog falls in that category.

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