The Incredible Push-Up, or the Incredible Uplifter?

                                                                                            (photo courtesy of Victoria's Secret ;)


 #472...Of Stupid Things I've Said.

"Just tighten that strap up a little."
Ugh.
As soon as I said it, I knew it sounded better in my head.

Recently, I've taken a part time job at a women's clothing store.
And since I've asked God to guard my mouth today..I'm just going to leave it at that and not go off on an awkward situation that presented itself a few weeks ago.
Again...it's a women's clothing store.

Moving along, 'cause I'm too tempted to rant.

I love this job.
Helping people shop and spend money that is not mine.
Re-hearing my mouth probably cross the line.
Yikes.

A beautiful woman in her, mmhh? maybe mid 50's, was trying on one of my most favorite shirts in the store. It's a super cute bat wing, with sheer sleeves and a very figure flattering type of cut.

But she wasn't happy with the way it was looking in the front.
Neither was her husband.
It does look best with a gorgeous necklace of some sort, but I understood the problem immediately.


Having just had the same problem last week, I was ready to share my great words of wisdom and make both their day.
Both of their days?
Anyway, so I say, "Just tighten up that strap a little."

"Oh. It adjusts?" she said, looking at the shoulder of the shirt.
"Well, not the shirt, but your undergarment. Just adjust the strap a little and lift them back up," I said smiling sweetly.

The deadpan expression hinted that I'd said too much.
Undergarment is a tactful way to say that, right?

So I tried to explain, "Sometimes we forget, and the straps stretch out. It's amazing how uplifting it can be to just do a little 'adjusting'. I had to do mine just the other day and it makes a world of difference."

I was still smiling sweetly, she was.....not so much.
The voice inside of me said, "Dear God...shut up already."

Now, that whole scene has been in my head for two days straight.
And God just loves to teach me lessons in my lameness.
So, as I was driving and reflecting on my overly personal, didn't mean any harm, really I was trying to help comment, I got to thinking about making some adjustments in my own life.

I've been feeling a little emotionally in the raw.
And physically sagging in my life...and my bra.
And my spirit.

Most days I try to be encouraging and uplifting.
I was trying to be "uplifting" that day.
Really, I was.

She was a beautiful, beautiful woman and I was just sharing a girlie reminder.
One middle aged woman to another.

Sometimes less is more.
And maybe this is an area where I could use some adjusting.

Less caffeine, less yapping, less complaining, less trying to figure things out for myself and just more trusting perhaps. Less sarcasm, less food, less tv, less loathing.

And then, because I'm only semi-sane on some days...I thought that Victoria Secret really screwed things up with their whole Push Up bra.
It should have been called something, like "The Uplifter".
'Cause that sounds a whole lot more encouraging and nice than a Push Up!
I despise push ups, but I'd like to be lifted.

We all like to receive a little encouragement every now and then.
And fortunately, I had the opportunity to hear Max Lucado speak the past two weeks.
I've seen him on tv and read many of his books, but I'd never actually seen him in person.
Until last Sunday.

Let me just tell you.
Max Lucado is like the Mr. Rogers for Jesus.
He is very calming.
And in cool wire rim glasses, much more attractive.

In the "Garden of My Mind", weeds sprout up. (click the link..)

But seriously, something about that man just radiates peace and love.
I just finished his new book, "Grace", and unlike the unfortunate thunder blunders I speak,
his words were just what I needed to hear, right when I needed to hear them.

I'm not going to give away the details, but there is a story that Max tells in this book, that had me saying, "Okay, Max...I love you! Thank you soooo much for that! Thank you for your honesty and sincerity and thank you for sharing something so personal with those of us who really screw up our little Jesus walks. Thank you for helping me feel less unworthy!"

Thank you Max, for reminding me of God's Grace.
Buy the book.
Amazing story after story, the undeniable presence of God's love is all over the pages.
It's not super churchy, it's just super powerful.

One of the things that he said has stuck with me all week, and as I've let it really set in, it's helping me tremendously.

 "Trust God's hold on you, more than your hold on God."
"Trust God's hold on you, more than your hold on God."

I typed it twice on purpose.

I'm going to make a few adjustments, and trust that, better than my bra straps, he will hold me up.

"Be Lifted Up".