Some people give advice.

Ms. Mabel gives you the kind of advice you didn’t know you needed.

We’re putting Ms. Mabel in the hot seat for a little game of What Would Ms. Mabel Do?—because sometimes life calls for wisdom, sometimes it calls for common sense, and sometimes it calls for a good friend who isn't afraid to tell you the truth.

What’s one thing you’ve learned the hard way?

When to keep my darn mouth shut.

It’s an undervalued life skill that we all learn too late in life.

Very rarely does anyone actually care about your opinion, especially a negative one.

What’s something that gets better with age?

Friendships.

Ain’t nothing better than developing a friendship over the course of 20 years.

You don’t have to talk every day or even every week, but they would 100% help you bury a body.

Not that I have ever needed that.

Not yet, anyway.

What is one thing people make much harder than it needs to be?

Prayer.

Thinking you need the right moment, a certain amount of time, or the right atmosphere to pray totally hinders a true relationship with our Lord and Savior.

I talk to Jesus all day, every day.

The number of times He’s helped me find my car keys is embarrassing.

What’s your secret to staying positive when life isn’t cooperating?

Gratitude is the quickest way out of the poor-pitiful-me’s.

You can’t be grumpy and gracious at the same time.

That’s science. Look it up!

What makes a community feel like home?

Action.

A community, whether it’s the town you live in, the church you attend, or the school your kids go to, if you ain’t serving the members in some capacity, you aren’t really a part of it.

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

Stop worrying about tomorrow.

Today has enough trouble of its own.

What does your perfect Saturday look like?

Waking up to a house already clean, a whole season left on a show I’ve been watching, and a good breakfast.

Maybe that Tom Selleck fella bringing me coffee in bed, if we’re dreaming big here.

What’s always in your purse?

I don’t know.

Maybe some old church bulletins and a loose piece of gum that tastes mildly like perfume?

What’s one food you could eat every single week?

Domino’s Pizza.

What’s your favorite local spot?

Right now?

The red light turning left off Marlin Road onto 31W in White House.

Now that I don’t have to sit there for 2-3 business days, I’m one happy gal.

What song will always make you want to dance?

“Breaking Dishes” by Rihanna.

Don’t judge me. You don’t know my whole life.

What’s something that instantly puts a smile on your face?

Babies and toddlers that wave at strangers.

Wind blowing through the trees when I’m talking to Jesus.

And the thought that we are 4-6 weeks out from no longer living in the depths of hell and I can fix a pot of chili.

If Ms. Mabel had a bumper sticker, what would it say?

“I’ll be praying for you, darlin.”

And finally… when life gets complicated, what’s the one thing you tell yourself?

"You’ve made it through worse. Pray and move on.”

The Ms. Mabel Rulebook

Never leave the house without:
Sunglasses

Always keep in the pantry:
Chocolate chips

Never argue about:
Politics

Always make time for:
Serving

When in doubt:
Pray

And above all else:
See above.

Because apparently, when life gets complicated, Ms. Mabel has already given us the answer.

Pray and move on, darlin’.