Tuesday, February 8, 2011

OUTTA MY WAY

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Do any of you remember those guys?

Well, let me tell you – I sure do. My boys watched the show, and loved it. And when some marketing genius decided to make them into action figures – hold on to your hat!

I don’t have daughters, so I never had to participate in the Cabbage Patch Doll "land grab" of the early 80’s – and I conveniently missed the mass hysteria surrounding the collection of Beanie Babies.

But turtles??

It was crazy…

I’m a collector at heart – and I’ve collected an assortment of things over my life. I’m also one of those people who feels a deep-seated need to have the entire "collection" in my possession. So…turtles became my obsession…

Yes, technically I was collecting them for the boys – but underneath that calm mom exterior lurked "Master Collector" – and so "completing the set" became a mission.

What can I say? – "Heroes in a halfshell."

The four turtles were pretty easy to find – although Michelangelo was a little tougher because he was more popular with the kids. (Why is the goofy one always more popular?!) The evil henchmen, Bebop and Rocksteady were usually on the shelves – though Bebop was a little more scarce. Evidently, mutated warthogs were just slightly more popular than genetically altered rhinos.

Casey Jones? Easy. April? A cinch – in fact, I even considered not adding her to the collection – her action figure was mostly "figure," not too much action (just sayin’) – and I was always a fan of Krang. Krang was a little brain with arms – who couldn’t operate without his little robot body. I always kinda felt an affinity with good old Krang…

Splinter, the loyal and wise leader (who was a rat, by the way) – challenging, but findable.

But Shredder??? The evil bad guy??? Next to impossible.

Trolling the aisles of Target became a regular habit for me. And I didn’t stop there – OH NO I didn’t! If I didn’t find what I wanted, I drove all over – to other Target stores, Walmart, Toys R Us, Kaybee Toys, etc – any place where I could find the coveted character. I even had my mom on the hunt.

I soon learned that Target got new shipments on Tuesdays.

So, one Tuesday I made my way to Target (along with a small army of moms) – firmly planted myself at my strategic position in the aisle, and started combing through the display of Turtle figures, hunting for Shredder. None. I looked below to see if any had gotten mixed up with the Turtle vehicles – nope. I was just about to give up and call it a day, when out of the corner of my eye, I saw it…

…the Holy Grail.

An employee carrying a new box of Turtle figures. I didn’t say anything – after all, I wanted "first dibs" – and started to make my way quickly to him. One mom must have seen me leave, and why I was leaving – for she practically yelled out, "INCOMING!"

Like a marauding swarm of bees descending on one flower – we accosted the hapless Target employee. Forget the boxcutter, buddy – we’ve got business to do. WE tore open the box, we rifled through the figures – WHY are there SO many Casey Jones’s??

THERE – towards the bottom…SHREDDER.

I’m not going to go into any of the ugly details – suffice it to say, that on that day my sons’ collection was completed. Shredder, thy name is Mom…

This is a rather long introduction to my point here (but my boys are going to love it!) Thanks for indulging me…

But, here it is.

I was of SINGLE-MINDED purpose in my quest to find something.

Dogged, determined, unswayed, persistent, creative – NOTHING deterred me from my "mission."

Am I that way with God?

The Bible tells us of a certain man who went to his neighbor’s house to borrow some bread. He would not be dissuaded from what he needed…(Luke 11)

The Bible tells us of a certain woman who persistently kept after Jesus to free her daughter from an evil spirit…(Mark 7)

The Bible tells us of a certain man who refused to let go of the angel of the Lord until he was blessed…(Genesis 32)


Single-minded purpose – determined pursuit.

God encourages persistence in every area of our lives – but especially in our pursuit of Him. Persistence changes our hearts and our minds. It helps us understand what’s REALLY important.

Do you want to know God ABOVE ALL ELSE?

Are you dogged, determined, unswayed, persistent, creative in your pursuit of Him?

Will you let NOTHING deter you from this mission?


I think I’m ready – are you?


"And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened." (Luke 11:9-10)


BLOG = “Blessedly Leaning On God!”

12 comments:

  1. Once I stopping laughing about the FIRST part, I completely enjoyed the message in the second part. It goes right along with your word of the year, doesn't it?

    I loved the Heroes in a Half Shell comment and INCOMING!!! That was so funny, and you nailed the moment of those missions just perfectly.

    And you're right, Sharon. I'm just like you when I'm a woman on a mission. (And you're probably not surprised to know that I'm one who needs to completely complete a collection.)

    I love the passage about Jacob wrestling with the Angel of the LORD. There have been times when I, too, have wrestled and wrestled and wrestled. I have the limp to prove it.

    But what I want more than anything is to have that same single minded focus for Him every day and with every thing, NOT just on the days when I'm searching for my Shredder du jour, if you know what I mean.

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  2. I live to pursue Him and have more of His
    presence in my life. I do remember the
    "Turtle Power!" as my Seth loved them and
    went around singing that song all the time.
    Enjoyed this, Sharon.
    Got my comment thingie fixed.
    Have a blessed day in Him,
    Sandy

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  3. Big Smile, for the first part. Lots of wisdom in the 2nd part a challenging question. Thank you for posting this. God Bless - Nita

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  4. I have a blog award for you at Arise 2 Write. It is the second post down.

    I have a prayer request at All Gods Creatures.

    Blessings,
    andrea

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  5. Great Post Mom! I want everyone to know we had every Ninja Turtle, trust me, EVERY ONE! But this collection story reminds me of another I have to share. Years ago, I was a big fan of the Muppets. You know, Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie, etc. So much so, I actually gave names to the whole family (see, I can embarrass myself too). Anyways, McDonald’s was giving away toys from the cartoon Muppet Babies in their Happy Meals. My mom’s passion for collecting these is legendary. It has become part of our family lore. Dozens of Happy Meals with no intention of eating them, more duplicates then you can shake a stick at, and more restaurant visits than the McDonald’s CEO. But once again we got each one, thank you Mom ☺

    And thank you for this wonderful message. Once again thought provoking and wonderful. I need to let NOTHING deter me from the pursuit of Him!

    Love Ya Big Time!
    Blake

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  6. Hi Sharon -

    Thank you for this turtle journey.

    You were on a mission indeed, and recruited your dear mother (smiles). Tenacious blood line - you two...

    You expressed, "Do you want to know God ABOVE ALL ELSE?

    "Are you dogged, determined, unswayed, persistent, creative in your pursuit of Him?


    "Will you let NOTHING deter you from this mission?"

    This is my desire, Sharon, - that I will be in such close communion with our Lord that if I had to take a bullet for Him, I would joyously do so...

    I want to desire to be of the mind and heart set that I would go down STANDING UP - FOR HIM - who went "down" for us to get up on the third day to be our risen Savior. Oh, yes, He is the resurrection, the way, the truth, and the LIFE.

    AND HE'S BULLET PROOF!

    Bless His holy name!!!




    I think I’m ready – are you

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  7. I was just reading this morning all about the kind of faith that pleases Jesus in Matt 13 and 14. It is a must to be single minded and focused on Him!

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  8. Blessings Sharon... YOU ARE one DETERMINED TOY STORY! I loved your son's comment on McDonald's and all, he shows your gifting and carries on the legacy of writing skill. I remember the Ninja Turtles but certainly not to this degree and by names...obviously not a collector of these. But I could go for Muppet babies or beanies, yet did neither of these; pretty ponies, rainbow somethings, care bears and smurfs (until I learned the demonic influence).

    I totally enJOYed this tale and could not figure out where you were headed with the spiritual connection but found such a great story telling capacity in you. I love every part! You held me interest all the way through...no way was I just indulging in the intro. I actually could visualize all of this.

    I am determined and press on to not only know God above all else but to make Him known to others. That's the mission from which I cannot be deterred and have persisted to follow against many odds. HERE I AM. I guess I have wrestled like Jacob, held on like the woman and so far I have not been dissuaded... I will keep seeking and keep knocking and keep praying! Your message is inspirational!

    You definitely exemplified all that we need to BE in our pursuit of God and His holiness:
    "Dogged, determined, unswayed, persistent, creative – NOTHING deterred me from my "mission." and HIS!!! May we be strengthened like this for HIS KINGDOM and KINGDOM PURPOSE!
    Glory, girl... you are a warrior just not a ninja or a mutant (I don't think)!

    Peace and JOY,
    Peggy

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  9. Okay I must admit I was not in the Turtel generation - my s on was Star Wars and my grandson is Ben Ten - I think I'm glad.

    sandie

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  10. Debbie - I'm glad I'm not the only crazy collector out there! Yeah, I've got a few bumps and bruises from "mixing it up" with the Lord. But I want to follow Him - with single-minded purpose - refusing to be distracted by all the "du jours" in life.

    Sandy - More of Him in my life - YES! What could be better than pursuing the treasure of knowing Him! I'm with you on that one. Love your comment on "Turtle Power!" Made me just :)

    Nita - This one was a challenge I put out to me, too. I so want to be a determined and dogged follower of Jesus. I don't want to give up or give in to anything - praying for God's power to make me unstoppable!

    Andrea - Thank you so much for giving me an award. Though I have opted at this time to be an "award free" blog, I SO appreciate your thoughtfulness in honoring me in this way! I will definitely check out the prayer request.

    Blake (Donatello) - Son, thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and leave a comment. We had some good times growing up, didn't we? (Even if Mom was crazy!) :) As far as the McDonald's thing, all I can say is, AMAZING! It's wonderful to have you in my life, and to be able to talk about all we're learning about God. You're so right, we can't let ANYTHING deter us from pursuing God's purposes. He's got big plans!!
    I (Raphael) will always love you - big time.

    Sandra - Yup, Mom and I can be forces to be reckoned with! I loved how you said that you'd be willing to go down standing up for the Lord - not the you going down part, mind you - but the undeterred determination to not give in to anything that takes us away from Him. I'm ready...

    Mary - Those are great passages. We must keep our focus on Jesus in the storms of life. Where our hearts are focused, that's where we will go with determined single-mindedness. As for me, I'm keeping my eyes on the One who calmed the sea.

    Peggy - Your witness is such an inspiration to me. Your commitment to evangelizing is a huge testimony to your loyal devotion to the God that we all serve. You're definitely a beacon on a hill! (No, I'm not a ninja - the mutant thing? Not sure - you should see me first thing in the morning!)

    Sandie - You're lucky. This little episode was not a star on my chart! However, if I can be like this in my faith journey - watch out!!

    Thanks, everyone, for joining me on this little journey into the past. It was fun. May we all continue to pray for each other as we determine in our hearts to follow Him above all else. May He give us the strength to be determined disciples and persistent pursuers.

    GOD BLESS!

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  11. Oh Sharon, this is fantastic!!! What more can I say other than, YES - I AM READY! I want NOTHING to stand in my way, my relationship with God is EVERYTHING!!!

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  12. Kerrie - I just KNEW that you'd feel that way! God is the best, and we must determine to follow Him without being deterred! Amen?? AMEN!!

    GOD BLESS!

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"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

(NOTE: Anonymous comments will be removed. Thank you for understanding.)