For the next few weeks most of us will.

Around 6:30 Central Standard Time tonight, millions will sit tuned in to NBC for the opening ceremonies for the 2008 Olympics that are being held in controversial Beijing, China. I will be one of those millions watching the Olympic flame being escorted to its temporary home for the duration of these summer games.

And I’ll have goose bumps because of the unity I sense for our nation. For the good ole US of A.

From August 8-24, 2008, those who consider America their home will unite. We’ll find ourselves cheering on swimmers like Natalie Coughlin and our beloved and highly decorated, Michael Phelps. Gymnasts such as Jonathan Horton and Bridget Sloan are sure to stun crowds. Let’s not forget our track star, Tyson Gay, who is certain to run his hiney off.

Did I say that out loud?

Over the course of the next 17 days, sport-loving Americans will root the red, white and blue on to victory. We’ll watch behind the scene stories that Matt Lauer is sure to cover on the Today show. We’ll get emotional and even shed a tear as we watch and learn about people who have beaten the odds to be where they are today. We’ll see families who go into debt to make the journey and they won’t even think twice about it. We’ll see proud fathers in the stands wearing T-shirts with their daughter’s faces on them. Their chests will be puffed out just a wee bit more as she nails her landing or finishes her race.

It won’t matter that some of us are black and some are Hispanic. The fact that we follow Christ or Allah won’t even come into play. Whether you are voting for McCain or Obama…that won’t deter you from cheering with your neighbor. In fact, McCain and Obama will be cheering for the same team.

And they’ll mean it.

Maybe it’s because I’m simple-minded and easily pleased, but I find the Olympic games quite fascinating.

My blog friends Hope, Jessica and Mandy asked me about mentors several weeks back. I did a series of posts back in March about mentoring that might prove useful to those of you who find yourselves frothing at the mouth when this topic arises.

First of all, I believe that women should mentor women and men should mentor men. Now, this isn’t the case with parents and children because I am clearly mentoring my sons as their mother and primary caregiver.

Clear as mud?

Very good.

So…

How do you choose?

Well, you watch.

Look for people who ooze wisdom. Pay attention to the those around you and how they respond to difficulties in their lives. Find someone who you know will focus on you when you’ve asked for their thoughts on a topic vs. turning the conversation back to themselves. Seek those who have a passion for pouring into others. Spend time with their family as a whole to see how they interact with each other.

As you are watching and noticing the people around you, pray for guidance. And when you think you’ve prayed enough, pray some more.

I do hope that helps, my ladies.

I learned some time back that my answer was enough.

That my “yes” or my “no” was all that was necessary. I didn’t need to throw in a “because I’m just so tired” or a “you know, the kids really need to spend time with me” after my answer.

You know what I’m talking about.

When you are invited to do something or be a part of a gathering or go somewhere and you really just can’t. Or better yet, you really just don’t care to do the thing.

I tell people that they don’t owe me an explanation. If I invite someone to do something and they can’t, that is just fine. Their simple yes or no response is enough for me. (Of course, I am thinking to myself how jolly of a good time they’ll be missing with me because I can be quite fun. And entertaining.)

If you feel that you owe someone an explanation with your answer, consider changing your response. Instead of saying, “I can’t make it because my son has a baseball game” try saying, “I’m just not going to be able to make it this time. Thank you!”

I promise you that some people will feel that you owe them an explanation. I assure you that you do not.

Something to think about.

When I was a teenager, I didn’t think my mom knew very much.

I knew that she understood things that I didn’t like history and science and even knew the meanings of words that were just making their way to my lips.

But that was about it, really. Things about real life? That was MY area of expertise. After all, I was 17, thank you so kindly.

Then I became a wife and later, a mother.

It is amazing how smart she became and still is to this day.

I wish I had realized it sooner. I mean, I really wish that I had wanted to sit down with her and ask her things about things that I didn’t know but thought I knew when I was fresh out of high school. But I didn’t.

So I ask her now. Not everyday but I ask when I am curious. And want to learn.

Because she’s lived on this earth a whole heckuva lot longer than I have and has raised three children and stayed married for 30 years to my dad til “death did them part” and taught children in the public school system for 34 years and has been faithful to be a part of her church since before I was born and…

She really knows a lot, y’all.

The older I get the more I learn just how much more I need to learn.

Anyone?

I see that hand.

I love the Holy Spirit.

He guides, counsels, comforts, and protects.

I appreciate the guidance that comes as a gentle nudge to write a much-needed note to a friend who is hurting. I am amazed at the counsel that falls from my lips when I have no earthly idea what to say to a woman in need. I adore the comfort I get when I am hurting and no one on this earth can do the trick. I love knowing that my children are protected within a hedge erected by the One True God.

But He also convicts. And dang if I don’t like that.

Please don’t misunderstand me. I love the outcome of conviction but am just not a fan of the discomfort that goes along with it. But, it’s necessary. It’s necessary for growth and a changed life. And I want a changed life.

I raise this issue of conviction with you because I have been slammed with it on every side in regard to a particular issue in my life.

My motives.

The why behind what I do.

Questions haunting me recently have had to do with the purity, or lack of it, behind why I do things or why I say things or why I write things or why I go to the places I go.

Think you get my point.

Do I do things I do to get my name out or to see what people think about me or to make sure I’m seen shaking the right hand or hugging the right neck. Do I want recognition so that my self-esteem and fleshly desires can be unhealthily fed. Do I comment or speak just to hear myself.

Sometimes. Sometimes I do.

I want to have pure motives. I want to have an agenda that is solely about building the Kingdom of God. I want to get my desires out of the way long enough so that I can be fully yielded to what I absolutely know God has called me to do.

Still starving the flesh.

Is anybody hearin’ what I’m sayin’?