Squeaky Clean

Southern tip: Always wear heels (or your favorite shoes) when cleaning the house (unless its heavy-duty cleaning).

Do you have a favorite season? If so, which one is your favorite? If not, what do you like about all of them? Seasons give us opportunities to enjoy the creativity of God. We recently transitioned from a season of lights, lavish decorations, and well-meaning resolutions to a new season of brisk weather, goal-driven lifestyles (either long-term or short-term), spring cleaning, and more time spent outside. Now that we are a few weeks into the new season, how are you spending your time?

With the change of seasons comes change in the way we lead our lives. Not only do we experience changing weather, but we also experience changing paces of life.

This also occurs in relationship with God. In your relationship with God, what do you notice about the season you are currently in? How does it affect the way you live? In each season of your relationship with God, it's good to do a "spring cleaning" of sorts. Take inventory of the things that encourage you this season. Also list out the things that cause you discomfort or even pain in this season. Ask yourself the following questions:

- What is God trying to teach me in this season?

- Give this season a title or a caption.

- What do I like most about this season?

Least?

- How am I growing from this season?

- What do I want the most out of this season?

Rooted

Southern tip: Always have a full pitcher of iced tea (preferably sweet) in your abode.

My Southern roots grow down deep into the sweetest soil right next to the most beautiful magnolia tree. Though surrounded by darkness like a mud pie, they draw nutrients from the brightest Light. In the summer, the crickets sing their songs late into a warm twinkling sky as a gentle verbena breeze brushes through my leaves. In the fall, my branches sway to the beat of a tailgate kickoff. They shimmy a wintry two-step through coldness and snow (sometimes) until those blossoms make their springtime debut. Only don't miss my blooms, for they disappear almost as soon as they blossom. They are quick and fleeting, but serve an eternal purpose.

Movie Time - Saving Mr. Banks

I have to admit, I was not sure what to expect from Disney's latest film, Saving Mr. Banks. The trailors looked entertaining, and friends said that they enjoyed the movie, but contemplative facial expressions among them stirred up curiosity in me. From dining with Mickey to singing on stage at Space Mountain to princess birthday parties and singing along with Simba in the Lion King, my heart stirs when I remember the positive influence Disney had on my childhood.

Without sharing details of the movie, Saving Mr. Banks truly brings out the magic of Disney. The film tells two separate, but interwoven, stories. It tells the story of P.L. Travers and her childhood, which more than inspires her book, Mary Poppins, and it tells the story of how Walt Disney adapted it for the big screen. The movie gives viewers a charming behind-the-scenes feel as they watch these stories unfold. Tom Hanks, who plays Walt Disney, and Emma Thompson, who plays Ms. Travers, engage audience members throughout the film. As you watch tensions rise and fall between author and producer, you become frustrated when it seems like the movie will not happen, sad when you learn of the childhoods of Ms. Travers and Mr. Disney, and you feel excited and inspired as you watch them learn to work together.

In her book, Ms. Travers tells a story she knows all too well and defends every detail of it throughout the production of the movie. She fears that Mr. Disney will communicate the story for monetary gain or greed and will end up telling the wrong story. One can see this fear vividly and understandably as the story unfolds. Yet, towards the end of the film, you learn why she wants the story told in a certain way. You also realize there is much depth to Walt Disney and the stories he wanted to tell through his entertainment business. Saving Mr. Banks shows how Ms. Travers grew from the stories of her childhood and how Disney sought to help others grow from their childhood stories, as well.

What are stories that you want to tell?