Random Thoughts of Amy Potts

Courtship or dating if you prefer is at best an awkward time of getting to know a person who may become your life companion.  Communication is vital during this time and especially if you are dating from a distance as Mike and I did.  We talked on the phone for nearly four hours one evening, we found reason to have unlimited text message plans and we sent a lot of e-mail.  Communication to the max!  We needed this because we had both been in lengthy relationships prior.  One day I received an e-mail that for a second derailed this love story.  Mike was describing his social life when I read, or rather thought I read, "tonight I'm going to tour the strip bar malls of Overland Park". STRIP BAR malls?!  He is going to a strip bar mall?!!  I was horrified.  What had I gotten myself into?  I thought I had better re-read that sentence just to make sure what I had read before I dumped the chump.  I am so glad I did!  Because what he h...

Time Will Tell Amy Lynn Michael Out of the shadows into the light A battle each day for my soul I will fight One step forward two steps back Some things will fall between the cracks I will press on with Christ by my side Humbly I’ll walk relinquish my pride Only striving to finish this day Tomorrow’s not here won’t wish it away I can’t walk back and fix what’s behind The path before me is where I will find Trials and pain, joy in the race Shame washed away shattered by grace I don’t understand why God chose me To fight this battle where others can see There must be a reason for a heart laid bare Before the skeptics and those unaware I wish I could know how my life will end I can’t see down the road around the bend Only God knows the time and the hour When in my life He will release His power I only know in my human frailty That God will be strongest when I bow my knee I will fight this fight I will fight it well And one day I will win, only time will tell. I found this poem ...

These days when I hear someone say, “God told me…” I have a tendency to cringe; and most of the time it is noticeable.   I have however, managed in some situations to be respectful of the person delivering the divine revelation.   It’s not that I don’t believe people still hear the voice of God as they did in Moses’ days.   I just think that more often than not our opinion is burning hotter than the bush that Moses encountered.   In an effort to be taken seriously we think it necessary to preface our words with, God told me.   Somehow this little phrase will make everything ok if the person on the receiving end doesn’t like what we have said, or is hurt by it.   Have you ever been the person on the receiving end of a “divine revelation”?   I have been both blessed by this and hurt.   I have been blessed when someone called because while they were reading scripture or praying, I was on their mind and they prayed for me.   They called to share ...

Clown White makeup A painted smile Cover your misery Just for awhile Spotlight turns It's all your show Fear inside Nobody will know They laugh as your carry on your routine Night after night same old scene The crowd is now gone as they dim the last light You turn away and walk into the night Wash your face take a bow Look in the mirror, dear. Who are you now? It's a weird little poem that won't win any awards but it describes the person I was several years ago.  I came to place in life realizing that keeping up an image is so much more work than just being who I am. Are you ready to wash your face?  When you are I pray that there will be those who believe in you close at hand.  I don't even have to know your name to know that your "image" is not near as beautiful as what lies beneath. Thanks for stopping by.... Amy Lynn

Saturday was coming and the new Olive Garden had opened in Sioux City , Iowa a few weeks prior.  A group of ladies decided this would be a good day to have lunch and go shopping.  I’m not a fan of shopping, but I do enjoy sharing conversation and a meal with friends, so I accepted the invitation.  Being absolutely crazy for Italian cuisine, I was already aware that the Olive Garden’s offerings would not compare fully to the wonderful restaurants owned by any Caniglia family in Omaha .  But, none-the-less it was the best we had available to us in rural Iowa , so I would make the most of it.  I have two rules when I eat at a good Italian restaurant; creamy alfredo sauce on anything, bread and tiramisu. Um, make that three.  Italian food is rich, tasty and meant to be enjoyed to the point of exhaustion.  The pasta, bread and sauces are why we seek out these wonderful eateries, after all. The excitement of the day was building.  I didn’t eat my typ...

“Those who say religion has nothing to do with politics do not know what religion is.”   Mahatma Gandhi When I think of Christians I want to think of a group of people who care for the needs of other people out of love and concern for their “brothers and sisters”.   I want to believe that if I fall down someone will be there to pick me up physically and spiritually.   I want to believe that the unconditional love modeled for those who identify themselves with Christ, would be offered to me no matter the circumstance.   I want to believe this, but frankly I’ve seen and experienced too much of the opposite. Each time an election year approaches I brace myself for dissention among the ranks.   There are expected ads pitting Democrats against Republicans, this community leader against the other one.   This is expected as candidates jockey for position and to get our votes.   The media battle is frustrating and the battle between politicians is certainly ...

Ask most people in the upper mid-west how they feel about winter and they will say they hate it.  When you ask them why they don't move south the response is usually because they enjoy the changing of the seasons.  In the north the changing of seasons can often be dramatic.  One day you are adjusting the air conditioning and the next the fireplace must be lit. One day you are wearing short sleeves and the next a sweatshirt.  In fact sometimes this can happen all in a days time.  Heater by morning and air conditioning by night.  That is how it is in the mid-west and that is what I love about it.  I love dramatic weather changes.  I love thunderstorms in summer and blizzards in winter.  I love a warm spring rain and I love the fragrance of autumn and the crunching of leaves under foot.  I love the change of seasons as they pertain to nature. There is only one season I don't really enjoy and that is the middle of summer when the heat and hu...