Traditions

     When I was a kid way back in the olden days, our Christmases carried the same traditions every year.  Without fail, I knew that we would go to church on Christmas Eve.  I would recite a poem, sing a song or act in a play.  After church we would gather at my grandparents' house where each family would take turns having a picture made in front of the Christmas tree.
     Once the big celebration was over, we would go home (I grew up across the pasture from my grandparents' house so we didn't have far to go) and open our gifts.  For some reason the excitement of the night always seemed to be followed by an extra cold bed and sometimes I would pay my younger siblings to warm my bed for me!
     Anyway, we would get up on Christmas morning and open our stocking gifts and later go to my other grandparents' for Christmas one more time.  Every year.  Pretty much.  Every year the same traditions.  Well there was that one year our house burned on Christmas night but that's a story for another time.
     Traditions.  They have never been this way for our kids.  We have seriously done Christmas in the spring with one set of grandparents.  And because of dad's work schedule, each year has been different at our house.  I've wondered if it has been difficult for our kids, but they've never known any other way.
     While it would be nice to have a set plan each year, a tradition, not being able to do that has certainly done a number on the control freak in me.  In fact, she has pretty much had to take a vacation every holiday!
     Typical traditions or not, I am blessed with an amazing family.  We've had a crazy year and I'm sitting here alone in my empty nest.  Everyone else is either at work, church, traveling here or enjoying their own home.  We've celebrated on Christmas Eve Eve.  We've celebrated in a whirlwind because time was limited. We've celebrated for two days!  But this year our celebration is 'scheduled' to happen very late.
     Yet we must carry on.  One son has helped me with the menu and will do some of the cooking.  A couple of the boys helped me grocery shop. (Now THAT was a real adventure!)  When we arrived at home after shopping, a dog walked up to us.  Our usually sarcastic son couldn't rest until we had gotten the dog safely back into the neighbor's yard.  That boy.  He tries to be so tough but he has a heart of gold.
     The main reason we are waiting to have Christmas so late?  Our youngest son volunteered to work a double shift both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  He works at a hospital two hours away.  After coworkers found out he had volunteered, they thanked him.  One with tears in his eyes.  He told our that son he had never gotten to spend Christmas morning with his child because of the job and was so thankful to finally get to do that.
     Traditions.  Well we may not have normal traditions like everyone else.  But I sure hope the tradition of service, love and giving is something all our kids carry on for many years to come.  Somehow I believe those things are a better gift to our Savior than a strict holiday schedule anyway.
 

It's Fake!

     Here I am rewatching yet another Hallmark Christmas movie. While I normally can't sit still long enough to watch  anything more than a 30 minute sitcom,  these  Hallmark Christmas movies start getting my attention way back in October.  I guess you could say I'm addicted.   And yes I even love it when they show their Christmas movies in July!
      So here I am,  cappuccino in  one of my favorite Christmas mugs,  watching tears come into the eyes of a son  as his father plays  "The First Noel" on the piano  just like he did last night when I was wrapping Christmas presents.   And the situation that looked hopeless  is now going to have a happily ever after  just like it did when I watch the same movie last night.
      Such a sweet story right?    We all love a good happily ever after ending.   Well  most of us anyway.   My sons tend to tease me about watching these Hallmark movies.   They have noticed many similarities between each one.    It seems the main character is always having a horrible catastrophe.   And often it involves a missed  plane according to my sons.
      But the one thing I have noticed over the last couple of years of watching and re-watching these wonderful Hallmark movies  is that the snow is fake!   It's absolutely  fake!   Shrubs are covered with blankets that appear to be snow.   But they are all too perfect.  Snowmen are perfectly shaped  and actually wiggle and wobble when  buttons are placed on for eyes.   I don't know about you but I have never had a snowman wobble simply because I placed  button eyes on his face.
      I've watched people sit down on snow and the whole blanket move.  And a poinsettia being given as a gift that was obviously a fake flower! Not even a good fake!   But still I spend hour after hour watching Hallmark Christmas movies.  And it doesn't matter if Lacey Chabert  is playing  a widow or a young woman in love;  or if Candace Cameron Bure is falling in love with a fellow snowstorm survivor or with the son of the innkeeper,   I am pulled into the story and head over heels in love with the happy endings.
      Fake snow or not,  did you know that we can all have a happily ever after ending?   There is only one way.   By excepting Jesus Christ as our Savior.   And that is what Christmas is all about.

I've Fallen and I Can't Get Up

     I have a new exercise. Sock skating. Seriously. Every night I put on the slickest socks I can find. Walking through the house during the Christmas season  wastes too much valuable time that I could be decorating, creating, cooking, writing etc. So I get from one place to the other by sock skating!  It's much quicker than walking and I have assured myself I'm burning tons of calories.
     There is also an added bonus. Less sweeping. These fluffy socks pick up dog hair and lint like crazy. Every 30 minutes or so, just clean off the gunk and your socks are ready for another go!      
     When I first told my family about my new mode of transportation, the suggestion was made that I get one of those life alert pendants. You know. Like the sweet gray haired grandmother gets in the commercial after her family discovers her alone in the kitchen floor, unable to move.
     Really?  I'm 55 folks!  Not 105!  Sure it sometimes takes me a little longer to remember that that big box in the kitchen that keeps things cold is called a refrigerator.  And sure I sometimes don't remember where I'm going. But what's the big deal?  That's been going on for years!
     About a month ago we put up our outdoor Christmas lights.  Because of time constraints I volunteered to get up on the roof to help. The 'NO's could be heard all over the neighborhood!  What's the deal people?!?
     While I love my family, and appreciate their concerns for me, I will continue sock skating. So, please excuse me while I skate off down the hallway  to take care of these gray roots no one is supposed to know about.  No one is gonna offer me a senior discount anytime soon!  And when sock skating becomes an actual sport, I will have lead the way!

Judge Not------Unless You're on Jury Duty

     Judge not lest ye be judged.  Ever had that quoted AT you?  I have.  Matthew 7:1 is probably one of the most miss-quoted scriptures in the Bible.  

     A few months ago I got that dreaded letter in the mail.  I had been selected for jury duty.  Seriously?  I was about to go on vacation.  And when I came back from vacation I was starting a new job assignment that would require lots and lots of training and concentration.  All to be interrupted for the next four months by jury duty.  

     You know.  Some people have jury duty and never even have to report.  The four months go by without interruption and jury duty is a thing of the past.  So maybe that would happen for me.

     Yeah right.  First day of reporting I tried to hide in the back of the courtroom.  I stayed quiet and avoided eye contact with the judge and attorneys.  I wore my bright pink stilettos so, that if they saw them, they would think I was eccentric and not choose me.  None of that worked.  I found myself seated on my first jury.

     There I was, no cell phone allowed, taking notes, and being asked to judge another person.  Judge! That word!   Me.  For two days even.  

     But what about judge not lest ye be judged?  Well here's the deal.  When reading the next 4 verses we find out that it's okay when we've got our own lives in order.  Did I have my life in order?  Was I worthy of passing judgment on someone else?  I will admit that I sat in the jury box praying as I was being asked to judge.  It was an awesome responsibility.  And I wanted to make the right decision.

     Well that one went by well and we were even given pizza for lunch as we were locked in that jury room deliberating.  Yeah, locked in.  Another thing I had to overcome.  Was it really necessary to lock the door to that tiny room filled with 11 other people I didn't know but had to eventually agree with? Surprisingly we arrived at a decision fairly quickly and blew the mind of the plaintiff's attorney when he found out he wasn't going to get a ton of money he expected to get. 

     Thinking one time would be all I would have to go, I breathed a sigh of relief.  Now I could get to learnin' my new job.  Right.........  Called downtown once again to the courthouse, I found myself sitting in that jury box again!  This time I missed it by 3 people.  Whew!  Only took half a day for that one.  Surely I was done.

     Not so fast.  One more time to the courthouse.  Again I sat quietly in the back.  And again it didn't work.  My name was called first and I found myself one more time in that jury box.  And one more time on a jury and asked to judge someone.  And be locked in that room again!

     Jury duty will be a thing of the past for me very soon.  I'm glad.  And I'm thankful for the soul searching jury duty brought my way.  Judge not lest ye be judged?  It's a good idea to re-read Matthew 7:1-5 every now and then.  And get things right first.  

Empty Nest

     Joy.  Fear.  Excitement.  Anxiety.  My emotions have been all over the place the last few months as  one after another our kids have left home.  Seriously.  Just three months ago three of them still lived at home full time.  Now this week one is left and he is closing on his first house in just a few days.

     Part of me wants to turn back time.  Remember when they all wanted bean bag chairs for Christmas and then they were too little to climb up on them without help?  How about the little plastic Cowboys and Indians that were flushed, but not quite, and so the toilet had to be taken up in order to get them out?  Holes in the wall blamed on grandma.  Squeals of excitement when daddy would come home from work.  Smiles so big it was hard to blow out the candles on birthday cakes.  

     Hundreds of Hot Wheels cars.  Basketball games, t-ball, football and soccer.  Choir concerts.  Oh parents!  Hold on to those times!  In the blink of an eye it will all be in the past.  That house that seems so small right now will one day be so big and so quiet.

    Of course there are down sides to having kids.  Like the time one got chicken pox and brought it home so that three others got it at the same time the next week.  And the stomach bugs, snotty noses and ear infections and ER visits.  But there is nothing like snuggling with that precious little child.  And knowing they are depending on you to make it all better.  

     "If I could do it all over again" has passed though my mind many times the last few months.  And if I could, there are some things I would do differently.  I would spend more time with my kids, interacting, and less time making sure the house was clean.   While I read to them, a lot, I would spend even more time reading to them and less time on the phone with other moms.  If I could do it all over again.  

      Perhaps the most important part of if I could do it all over again comes from the Word.  Proverbs 22:6 to be exact.  You've all heard it.  "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."  And just how would I do this?  By example.  I would be the best mom and wife they had ever seen.  Not that I didn't do ok.  But sometimes I just know I didn't do my best of showing them Jesus.  And, as parents, that's our most important job.

     Empty nest.  Part of me is looking forward to it.  Part of me is longing for the past.  But I know this is yet another season in life and God is in control.  The difference in now and back then......I'm learning to let Him be in control.  So I'm kinda enjoying life a bit more.  And I'm hoping our kids are seeing that.  Because even when we are old, they are still watching us.  Learning from us.  And, if we're doing it right,  seeing Jesus in us.

     

55

     55. Yep. 55. I googled it. Discounts galore. But here's the thing.  I really don't want 16 year old behind cash registers asking me if I should get the Senior Discount.  Maybe if they called it something else it would be alright. But probably not. Because I would still know it's just because they think I'm old!
     I remember (yes sometimes I can still do that) when I was a kid and thinking how old I would be when the year 2000 arrived. Wow!  I was pretty sure being 38 years old would mean I wouldn't be celebrating in the new year. In fact I figured I would be dead by then. And if I wasn't dead, everyone older than me would be.
     Yet here I am, almost 17 years later, and still plugging along as are many of the people I thought would have gone on to eternity with me!  I will say turning 55 this week has been a bit interesting though. It's one of those ages you can't turn around and pretend you're younger. You know. Like I could the day before my birthday when I was 54 and could pretend I was 45.
      Most days I don't think I feel 55. Although I'm not sure what 55 is supposed to feel like. And I certainly have convinced myself that I don't look 55!  However  the way I see  things is a bit different these days. Some how I have developed that short arm issue people of this certain age tend to get. So I now have 'readers' placed all over the house. Thankfully these lovely accessories can be purchased for a dollar and I take advantage of that bargain. Only thing, somehow several pair tend to end up in the same room and not in the room where I need them.
      The big thing that is supposed to come with age though is wisdom.  Well that and gray hair. I've chosen to not have the gray hair. But wisdom.  I'll take some of that.  Thing is, the way we get most of that wisdom is by experience. And to get that experience we eventually have to get old.
      So 55. Too young to want a senior discount. But old enough to start gleaning from the experiences of life by recognizing the wisdom those experiences brings. I'm thinking maybe I'm gonna like 55. At least parts of it.
   
   
   

He Wants You Home

Have you strayed?  Are you running from God?  He loves you. He wants you. He has ordered that the road home be cleared and made ready so that you can run to Him!
He's not mad at you. He loves you!  He just wants you home.  Now. He will heal you!  Trust Him.

“The Lord says, “Let my people return to me. Remove every obstacle from their path! Build the road, and make it ready! “I am the high and holy God, who lives for ever. I live in a high and holy place, but I also live with people who are humble and repentant, so that I can restore their confidence and hope. I gave my people life, and I will not continue to accuse them or be angry with them for ever. I was angry with them because of their sin and greed, and so I punished them and abandoned them. But they were stubborn and kept on going their own way. “I have seen how they acted, but I will heal them. I will lead them and help them, and I will comfort those who mourn. I offer peace to all, both near and far! I will heal my people.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭57:14-19‬ ‭

A Perfect Rose

     I love taking pictures of flowers.  If you looked at my iPad right now you would find that I have well over 10,000 pictures stored there.  A good majority of those pictures are of flowers.  Some of those flowers belong to me.   Some I’ve taken, as I’ve mentioned before, while on walks.  And many were taken while we were in Jamaica last summer.  Flowers I had never seen the likes of except in the silk stem section of Hobby Lobby and I wasn't sure they were even real on that beautiful island until I touched them! 

     Some of those flowers I know the names of and some I don’t even have a clue about!  But I just can't seem to get enough pictures of them. I am in awe of their beauty and uniqueness. 

     Anyway, I also love putting scripture on my flower pictures and sharing them.  Most often I see a verse that makes an impact on me and I want to share it so I search my 10k plus album and find just the right photo.  Other times, like in this case, I take the picture, look at it, and just know what it’s about.  

     This rose is so beautiful. Perfect even. When I got it and it's 11 lovely companions last week, they were all closed. Still beautiful. But closed. Often that's how love is. It's beautiful but hasn't been allowed to really bloom. You love. But you stop right there. No effort. No real work. 

     “So they are no longer two, but one. No human being must separate, then, what God has joined together.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭19:6‬ ‭

     The verse that just seemed to fit this picture.  Jesus said it.  It's about marriage. Your marriage is sacred. It's a covenant ordained by God. Meant to last forever. Meant to bloom into beautiful perfection like this rose. Watered, fed, and cared for, it will last as designed. 

     Sacred. Not to be discussed behind the back of your spouse. Not to be taken lightly. But to be cherished. You are one with your spouse. God joined you together.  Any negative thing you say about your husband or wife, you're also saying about yourself. As the saying goes, instead, 'handle with prayer'. 

     Forgive. Often. Daily. Hourly. Minute by minute and never bring up hurts from the past. Forgive like Jesus. Forgetting what needed forgiveness in the first place. And allowing your spouse to not fit into the mold you created for them.  But encouraging them to grow. 

     Love. Like Jesus. It will transform your life. 

Leap of Faith

     Leapfrog. Lords a leaping. Leap into the air. And of course today is leap year. But my favorite, leap is leap of faith.
     Yesterday we did some leaping. And running and grunting and groaning. And laughing and smiling.   We played tennis again. Young vs Old. We had so much fun!  Yes. I was on the Old side. But we did alright. We won four games....out of like 24. But at least we won some!
     I noticed while we were playing that my mind would leap around occasionally. Like when I heard the ice cream truck. I just knew we had played hard enough for a treat. But no one even seemed to hear me when I announced the ice cream truck over and over.  That's what I get for playing with a bunch of competitive guys.
     My doubles partner made an amazingly wonderful observation. He loves playing basketball. But he said playing tennis was much more fun because he got to play with us!  Awww.....
     But on to that leap of faith. Ever want something so badly you just didn't know what to do?  You knew it was right. You had prayed and prayed. It was in line with the Scriptute. But it just didn't look like it was going to happen.
     Leap of faith.  Believing something you can't see. Trusting God for something that the world would call impossible. Guess what. God can do anything!  In fact, Jesus said it!
      Jesus looked straight at them and answered, “This is impossible for human beings, but for God everything is possible.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭19:26‬ ‭
     There is absolutely nothing God canNOT do!  Sure you may have some sore muscles. You may be very tired from leaping. You may turn your ankle (yeah I did that yesterday too). You might even almost miss your step and feel like you're falling off a cliff instead of landing safely.
     But trust Him!  Take the leap of faith. God doesn't give you the desire without providing a way to achieve it. And absolutely nothing is impossible for my God!

Dates

  

   Dates.  Birthdays.  Wedding Anniversaries.  We all have dates we remember, or at least we should!  But for some reason my brain recalls unusual dates and odd details about them.

     For instance.  25 years ago tonight my husband and I ate at a local buffet called Bonanza.  Why do I remember this?  Because I was huge pregnant and the next morning we were in the hospital preparing to birth our son!   Guess it was a good thing that I just couldn’t eat much of my taco salad that night.   And a good thing that he ate a lot because he chose to not have food during labor and delivery since I couldn’t.   (Awwwwwww)

     March 16^th.  Now just why would that date be important?   Well I remember it being the birthday of one of my uncles.  And I remember having a little party for him out our house when I was a kid.  And on that March 16^th I also remember one of my cousins being there and asking for my mom’s green food coloring because she wanted to put a green streak in her hair for St Patrick’s Day!  But what else is there about March 16^th?  Well it always reminds me of John 3:16.  “ For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him would not die but have eternal life.”

     What happened on March 17^th of that same year?  Well I watched my cousin with the green hair run in a track meet haha! It was a cold, sunny and very windy day.   And for some reason my brain reminds me of that almost every year.  But my heart reminds me that “God did not send His Son into the world to be its judge, but to be its Savior” John 3:17.

     August 5^, 1992.  We were presented with a cake that said “Happy Anniversary”.  Why would I remember this date?  Because we had just had our third son the day before and we were in the hospital on our anniversary.  White frosting with yellow writing!

     Friday, April 13, 2001.  A sunny Friday.  A day of restoration in our family.  A day that was special and we took lots of pictures.  A day that was chosen by God for the occasion of recommitment.  How do I know God chose this day?  Because on Monday  March 5, 2001 we were putting on the Armor of God and quoting scripture.  Back then the kids liked to quote lots of verses and I seldom had time to get one in before dropping them off at school.  But this day was different.

     I can tell you exactly what house we were passing when the kids finished up and I had to come up with a verse really fast.  We were passing the home of one of my husband’s co-workers.  Oh my!  Think fast mom!  You’re up!  “I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me! Philippians 4:13” I said quickly.  Whew.  I remembered one!  But wait.  4:13.   That was the date we had discussed using for our special occasion.  Our recommitment.  But I had been unsure.  “Lord?  Is that You?  Are you trying to tell me something?”

     I drove on to work, praying.  As I entered the building and turned on the radio, I heard Steven Curtis Chapman singing “I can do all things, through Christ who gives me strength………”  Wow.  If that wasn’t God…….  Right.  It WAS God!  And still is!

     That verse has been my go-to verse since 2001.  Whenever things are hard,  the verse will appear.  God reminding me that, as long as I trust in Him, I can do this!  And when things are good, a reminder that He is there all the time. 

     I could go on and on about dates.  But you get the idea.  And every day is important.  God has a special plan for us today.  And I’m expectantly waiting!  How about you?

     

If

God if I could just have a do-over.
If I could live that day again....
Things would be so different now.
If I hadn't committed that sin.

If I hadn't said those words.
If I hadn't used that tone.
If I hadn't let anger win.
If I had behaved like I'm Your own.

But all the ifs can't change it.
All the tears won't make it go away.
All the begging and pleading won't undo
What I said and did on that day.

That day that life began to spiral down.
When the sun went dark and the thunder rolled.
The lightening cracked like the sting of judgement
And a seemingly unending storm began taking its toll.

But wait!  I know You! My Savior and my God!
While I can't undo, You still forgive!
You even forget! Oh my!
Please forgive me right now!

On my knees I bow before you Lord.
I ask you to take my sin away.
Teach me, Lord, to be like You
In each day and in every way.

I can't undo. But I can change
And show true love like You.
Thank You, God, for taking my mess
And using it for Your good!

Don't Give the Devil a Chance

      "I'm so mad I can't see straight!"  Ever heard that?  Ever said that?  Perhaps you feel you have a right to be angry. And maybe you do.
     “If you become angry, do not let your anger lead you into sin, and do not stay angry all day. Don't give the devil a chance.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:26-27‬ ‭GNB‬‬
     The enemy is really good at reminding us of something someone did to hurt us. He wants us to get mad at that other person. He even tries to convince us that it's our right to be mad, yell at the other person. Call them names. After all, look what he/she did to you!
     Now wait just a minute here. Are you a child of God?  Well I can tell you from first hand experience that He doesn't want His children behaving that way.  Didn't He tell us to 'turn the other cheek'?
     Once again pride has stuck it's ugly nose where it doesn't belong. So let's just stop right here, right now.
     "Lord I repent of my pride once again. This very moment I ask You to change my heart. Guard it from the temptation to give in to the devil and be angry.  I don't want to give him the slightest chance.  I don't want to make him happy!  One thing always leads to another. I'm sorry. Please restore, renew and revive. Help me be a shining example of You. And You don't retaliate when wronged. You don't talk behind someone's back. You love. Just love. I thank You for Your wonderful mercy. Amen"

God Doesn't Love Me........Any More Than He Loves Anyone Else

   

     I walked into church this morning not realizing I had an attitude. It was a little church I've visited several times. Notice I said visited. So why was I kinda bent out of shape when I noticed someone has placed a Bible to save their seat right were I usually sit when I visit?
     I found a seat just one pew in front of my usual place. And I began my usual people watching prior to the start of the service.
     "You are not more important to me than anyone else here."  Wait. What?  God?  Is that You?  I was suddenly struck with the realization that I was suffering from a bad case of pride. Why on earth would I ever think I was better than these sweet people?   Furthermore, until that moment I didn't realize that I even thought that.
     “Pride leads to destruction, and arrogance to downfall.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16:18‬ ‭GNB
     The sermon began. About pride. God was definitely telling me something. Pride. I thought I had already learned this lesson. Obviously not.
     God loves us too much to let us think we are hot stuff. He can't use a prideful person. At least not while pride rules the heart. But He can break that prideful heart if we let Him. Lord break my heart!
     A prideful person is always competing.  The prideful person refuses to admit mistakes. Whoa. Pretty sure I just saw myself in that mirror.
     “First pride, then the crash— the bigger the ego, the harder the fall.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16:18‬ ‭MSG‬‬
     So here it is. God loves me. But not more than He loves you. He loves us all the same. He sent His Son to die for my sins. And He sent His Son to die for your sins. As they say, the ground at the foot of the Cross is level. By God's design.
     Today I repent.  Thank You Lord for showing me that I suffer from pride. I ask that You continue humbling me until You can use me. Truly use me.

Is God Trying to Get Your Attention?

“Sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭20:30‬ ‭
     Is God trying to get your attention?  He only wants what is best for you. And because He loves you so much He will use anything and everything to get your attention. To get you to open your eyes.
     So stop the madness!  Stop blaming others for everything bad that is going on in your life. And look at Him. Talk to Him.
     Yes. Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. Let Him show you what He's been trying to show you. He loves you so much!
     Today is the day to realize that He is working all things together for your good and His glory. Trust Him. And watch the clouds roll away.

A Cake

   

     A cake. Before it is mixed you can tell what is the mix the eggs the oil and water. But it won't taste good that way. Once you beat it together it's impossible to discern which part is which. It looks like a mess. Then it gets really hot. But at just the right time, it is removed from the oven. Cooked to perfection. It's a cake. But it can't be a cake until it has been beaten and heated. Trust the Lord through the beating and the cooking. He's making an amazing cake out of your life.


     Ever feel like you've got a handle on things?  You know what's going on in your life. You know where each piece fits. What each part is supposed to do.
     Then, things get stirred up. You feel out of control. You pray and ask God what is happening. But you are too caught up in your circumstances to even listen for His answer.
     Suddenly things get quiet. And you think that storm is over only to find out that your chaos has now been surrounded by unbearable heat!  'When will it all end?  How can I survive this?' These thoughts sound familiar?
   
     “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:5‬ ‭
     “You, Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭26:3‬ ‭
     “God is my saviour; I will trust him and not be afraid. The Lord gives me power and strength; he is my saviour.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭12:2‬ ‭

    Consider the oven a storm of life. “Jesus got into a boat, and his disciples went with him. Suddenly a fierce storm hit the lake, and the boat was in danger of sinking. But Jesus was asleep. The disciples went to him and woke him up. “Save us, Lord!” they said. “We are about to die!” “Why are you so frightened?” Jesus answered. “How little faith you have!” Then he got up and ordered the winds and the waves to stop, and there was a great calm. Everyone was amazed. “What kind of man is this?” they said. “Even the winds and the waves obey him!””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭8:23-27‬ ‭

     Notice that Jesus was with them in the storm. In fact, He got in the boat first and they went with Him!  When the storm came He was asleep. And they were afraid. What were they thinking?  The Messiah was with them!  Yet they were afraid. Those silly disciples!
     Ummmm.......  This sounds way too familiar. Just like Jesus was with His disciples then, He's with us now. In the storm or in the oven, He is there with us. In fact, He was there first. He goes before us.
     Speaking of ovens, how about this. “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered, “Your Majesty, we will not try to defend ourselves. If the God whom we serve is able to save us from the blazing furnace and from your power, then he will. But even if he doesn't, Your Majesty may be sure that we will not worship your god, and we will not bow down to the gold statue that you have set up.””
‭‭Daniel‬ ‭3:16-18‬ ‭
     These guys came out of the furnace without even smelling singed!  They put their trust completely in the Lord. But how about that cake now? Are you feeling like you're in the midst of the oven and it's getting pretty hot?  Just hold on. Relax in Him. Watch the gooey mess form and rise.  Take a deep breath and smell the amazing cake He is making!  But only when you trust Him, completely, with all the ingredients.

Running From God

     Are you running from God?  Blaming other people for the things that have gone wrong in your life?  It's not their fault.  Your issue is not with your husband or wife. It's not with your kids or your parents. It's not with your friends or coworkers. It's with the Lord.
     Every step you take in your desire to get farther from God is stomping all over the hearts of those who love you. Is it worth it?  You know what?  There is no where you can go to get away from God anyway. Your running is futile!
     This is not about your marriage. It's not about your job or your parenting skills. It's about you and God. Period.
     So stop. Right where you are. Now. Turn around. Look up. You are looking into the face of your Savior. He has been there all along. Running after you. He loves you so much!  Go ahead. Do it. One step and you are in His arms. Covered in forgiveness. Living the amazing life He has planned for you.  Time is wasting. Won't you take that one step in the right direction now?  Please?

““But even now,” says the Lord, “repent sincerely and return to me with fasting and weeping and mourning. Let your broken heart show your sorrow; tearing your clothes is not enough.” Come back to the Lord your God. He is kind and full of mercy; he is patient and keeps his promise; he is always ready to forgive and not punish.”
‭‭Joel‬ ‭2:12-13‬ ‭

““Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them — what do you do? You leave the other 99 sheep in the pasture and go looking for the one that got lost until you find it. When you find it, you are so happy that you put it on your shoulders and carry it back home. Then you call your friends and neighbours together and say to them, ‘I am so happy I found my lost sheep. Let us celebrate!’”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭15:4-6‬ ‭

Peter's Misery

     The story is familiar. We've heard it a thousand times. Recently a friend reminded me of it and within hours I read yet another reminder.  A reminder of Peter's misery.

“Peter spoke up and said to Jesus, “I will never leave you, even though all the rest do!” Jesus said to Peter, “I tell you that before the cock crows tonight, you will say three times that you do not know me.” Peter answered, “I will never say that, even if I have to die with you!” And all the other disciples said the same thing.

Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard when one of the High Priest's servant women came to him and said, “You, too, were with Jesus of Galilee.” But he denied it in front of them all. “I don't know what you are talking about,” he answered, and went on out to the entrance of the courtyard. Another servant woman saw him and said to the men there, “He was with Jesus of Nazareth.” Again Peter denied it and answered, “I swear that I don't know that man!” After a little while the men standing there came to Peter. “Of course you are one of them,” they said. “After all, the way you speak gives you away!” Then Peter said, “I swear that I am telling the truth! May God punish me if I am not! I do not know that man!” Just then a cock crowed, and Peter remembered what Jesus had told him: “Before the cock crows, you will say three times that you do not know me.” He went out and wept bitterly.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭26:33-35, 69-75‬ ‭

     Oh the misery of Peter!  With one breath declaring his undying devotion to the Lord.  Then doing just as Jesus had said he would do. He denied even knowing Him. Not once. Not twice. But three times before morning!
     Wait!  What just happened?  The memory of what Jesus had said must have echoed over and over in Peter's mind.  Peter wept bitterly in utter misery.  "How could I have done such a thing!" Peter must have thought. As memories of all he had seen Jesus do and had participated in over the last few years flooded his heart, he wept bitterly.
     The healing of the sick. The people Jesus had raised from the dead. Broken hearts mended. Ruined lives restored. Sins forgiven.  Fish and bread that had seemed to appears out of thin air!  Not just a few but enough to feed thousands!  Oh!  And how could he forget?  When he focused on Jesus he was even able to walk on water!
     But now it was like he had thrown it all away in just one night. Know anyone who has ever done that?  Have you ever done that?  With one bad decision. With one prideful action. All you had was gone. Hopeless. Never to be gotten back because too much had happened for you to get back what you threw away.
     Peter went back to his old life. Fishing. Then this happened.
   
“Simon Peter said to the others, “I am going fishing.” “We will come with you,” they told him. So they went out in a boat, but all that night they did not catch a thing. As the sun was rising, Jesus stood at the water's edge, but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then he asked them, “Young men, haven't you caught anything?” “Not a thing,” they answered. He said to them, “Throw your net out on the right side of the boat, and you will catch some.” So they threw the net out and could not pull it back in, because they had caught so many fish.”
‭‭John‬ ‭21:3-6‬ ‭

Jesus prepared their breakfast on the beach that morning. And served them. He didn't hold a grudge against Peter. He forgave him. In fact He spoke specifically to Peter.


“After they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Take care of my lambs.” A second time Jesus said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Take care of my sheep.” A third time Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was sad because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” so he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you!” Jesus said to him, “Take care of my sheep.”
‭‭John‬ ‭21:15-17‬ ‭

     Peter went on to become a great preacher!  God was glorified in Peter's life and even in his death. Did he have to keep repenting for that one night of denying our Lord?  No. Jesus forgave him. Completely. Notice Peter was given the opportunity to declare his love for the Lord three times in that one conversation. Jesus didn't scold him or bring up the past. Instead He entrusted Peter with the hearts, souls and minds of His very own people.
     Are there things in your life you think He can't forgive?  Or He won't forgive?  Has the devil convinced you that there is no hope for you?  Are you running from Him?  Oh my friend!  He loves you so much!  Stop running away just for a second. Now look behind you. He's right there. So close you can touch Him!  And He wants to embrace you. Forgive you. And go with you as you live the amazing life He has planned for you.  Won't you come back to Him?  Today?

Most of All, Love

“Above everything, love one another earnestly, because love covers over many sins.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭GNB‬‬

“Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others]. [Prov. 10:12.]”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭AMP‬‬   (“Hatred stirs up contentions, but love covers all transgressions.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭10:12‬ ‭AMP‬‬)

“Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭NLT‬‬


     It really doesn't matter which translation you use, love is the answer.   Does this say that love hides the truth?  Not at all. It says that love forgives. Love doesn't remember the bad stuff.
     And just how important is this forgiving and forgetting kind of love anyway?  We should live as if our lives depend on it. After all, Jesus gave His very life because of love.
     Do you know Him?  Really know Him?  Would you like to?

My Chalkboard

     Last Christmas I got surprise after surprise. My plans were changed and the whole family surprised me. Then my husband told me he and I would be going on a trip to a beach outside the US. (We went to Jamaica!)  And they gave me the iPad I'm writing this on right now. So this year I wanted to make sure they didn't spend too much. I was so grateful for the sweet gifts I had gotten the year before. But I didn't want them being so extravagant this year. So. I asked for a simple chalkboard and chalk. 

     As it turned on, at the last minute, I needed a new mixer too and got that. But I also got  just what I had asked for. My chalkboard and chalk!  I will be the first to say that I am not an artist. But I am inspired. It's kinda funny. It's like I start getting little Holy nudges and a picture and scripture or phrase will pop in my head. 

     Like today. I was busily cleaning out a kitchen cabinet and 1 Cor 13:5 kept coming to mind. Love keeps no record of wrongs.

   
     So this is how it turned out. Yeah I know it's not artistic in the least. But I just felt inspired to show a bunch of erased chalk and then make the word 'wrongs' appear to be being erased.
      But what does this scripture mean?  Well. Let me give you a couple of examples. Have you ever had someone accuse you of something?  What did you do?  Did you lash back with things your accuser had done as well?  Did you start quickly scrolling through memories (or old texts or emails or voicemails) to come up with something?  Hmmmmm. Guess what. That's not love. Love keeps no record of wrongs.
      How about this one.....  Has someone done something to hurt you?  It's ok to hurt. But how did you respond?  Did you retaliate?  That's not love. Love keeps no record of wrongs.
     Love is kind. Love is patient. Love is forgiving. And forgiving. And forgiving again!  Just ask Jesus.  He forgives me all the time.  Because He loves me all the time.

   

Hiding From God

 

       You can't do it.  "You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins."  Proverbs 28:13a  Not only can you not hide from Him, but Proverbs says you won't  even succeed in life.  The Message Translations says "You can't whitewash your sins and get by with it." Why not?  God knows.

     He always knows.  He is Omniscient.  He is everywhere.  Omnipresent.  He is all powerful.  Omnipotent.  So are you really gonna try to hide from Him?

     The rest of Proverbs 28:13 says "confess them (your sins) and give them up; then God will show mercy to you."  Mercy!  Love that word!  The Message Translation says "you find mercy by admitting and leaving them (your sins)".  Mercy!

     Mercy.  God's mercy.  Withholding God's judgement.  Not giving us what we really deserve for those sins we were trying to hide.

     So just how is your life going?  Really?  Are you where you wanted to be by now?  Are you living openly before the Lord?  

     Think about it.  Not because I suggested it.  But because you know you need to.  Is there anything in your life that doesn't align with God's Word?  Is there anything you think your are hiding and won't be found out?  

     Hiding from God.  Making excuses for your behavior.  Blaming someone else for your actions. None of this will work.  Confessing your sins.  YOUR sins.  Not making excuses.  Now that works. 

     Remember God sees all.  He is everywhere.  And He is all powerful.  Might as well give it up.  You can't do it.  You can't hide from Him.  WE can't hide from Him.  

     Dear Lord, I confess my sins to You.  I come before You openly, nothing hidden.  It's all there.  Lord please cleanse me completely from my sins.  MY sins.  What I've done that was against Your Word.  

     Father I thank You for Your Forgiveness.   I thank You that You truly forgive and forget when we confess and forsake our sins.  Please give me a nudge when I start to stray or give in to temptation.  I want to glorify You with my whole life.  Amen

      No we can't hide from God. But we CAN hide IN HIM! Thank you Lord!

Yeah Mon. No Problem!

     Ok. I have a confession to make. I tried so hard to not inhale!  I really did!  Oh boy. I have to tell you so here it goes.

     July found us in Jamaica!  I think I mentioned before that I was in total awe of the flowers and plants there,  even to the point that I thought they weren't real!  I'm sure, as we stepped out of the airport, I looked like the the Jamaicans' worst nightmare. Or maybe more like their easiest prey!  Constant picture taking and pointing and smiling like an idiot. 

     Once we got settled in our hotel, I couldn't wait to get out on the beach!  I had been warned that there were people who would try to sell you ganja (marijuana) everywhere though. So I was on the alert. Noticing what appeared to be a small lean to on the beach, just past the resort property, I couldn't help but be curious. I reasoned that must be where they lured in unsuspecting tourists and got them high on pot!  (You already know I can be a bit naive and have an imagination so.....) 

     We watched tourist after tourist go to that little shack. Pretty sure they were all coming back out too.  But I made a mental note not to get too close. I was curious but not that curious!

     Well. One morning while I waited on the beach for hubby to come down from our room, I was taking pictures as usual. "Come see my shop!" A loud deep voice shouted to me from just a few feet away. Without even realizing it, my photography habit had led me right down the beach to that little shack. A huge Jamacain with long dreads was right there in front of me! 

     Quick!  Think!  If I try to run he will surely catch me. I can't run in the sand!  And if I go with him, what if I breathe in some of that ganja smoke and then have a drug test and then lose my job and the respect of everyone I knew!!!!  What was I to do. Ok.  Calm down.  It was just a tiny shack right at the end of the resort property. I'd watched many people come and go. What could happen?

     "My name's Smokey" he said. Oh great. He was even named after the smoke from the pot!  But I was just going to this little lean to so I would be ok surely. I tried to tell Smokey my husband would be right down and I didn't have any money on me. He said that was 'no problem' and lead me towards the shack. 

     But,  oh my.....  BUT that was not Smokey's shop!  As we got to the little shack I looked to my left and saw another shack. And then another. Smokey then asked that I follow him to his shop and I realized I was walking down a dirt path wearing no shoes, had no phone service and my husband thought I was relaxing on the beach just yards from our room!  Would I make the international news when I didn't return?  What kind of torture did Smokey have in mind for this little ole lady from Arkansas? 

     As I passed by person after person in various stages of consciousness  I reminded myself not to inhale. There must be ganja smoke everywhere!  Smokey informed me that his shop was the last one. He invited me in. Oh no. This must be where the torture takes place!  If I step inside that tiny building it might be like a magicians box that closes and then I disappear, never to be seen again!  So I politely just stuck my head in the door and asked if he had made all the paintings and carvings. He said he did. When  we went into town later though, we saw the same stuff for sale in many shops. Smokey must be a very busy artist!

     As calmly as I possibly  could, I thanked him for showing me his shop and tried to appear interested  in other shops as I made my way back down the winding dirt path, through  the shack shopping mall,  to the resort. 

     So I don't know if I suffered any effects of the ganja. But I'm wondering if the lack of oxygen from holding my breath for so long may have done a little damage........  We may never know. 

     

Red Frosting

     "Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a real blessing."   Psalm 127:3.  Been thinking about this a lot lately.  As our kids prepare to be on their own, they may not need us so much anymore.  Or will they?  How often do we, as moms in particular, say "you'll always be my baby"?  Our children really never stop being our children.
       We wonder "Did we teach them right when they were growing up?"   I look back and see things I did wrong and wish I could change those things.  "Teach children how they should live, and they will remember it all their lives."  Proverbs 22:6.  That's a hard pill to swallow when you know you haven't done everything right.
     So what are we to do now? Is it too late?  Well, God never gives up on us.  And while we must let our kids make their own way in the world, even as adults we can offer guidance. But, most importantly, we must be examples. Even to our adult children.
     Last week our kids saw a different side of me than they used to.  Looking back through pictures and videos I noticed that I didn't smile much when they were younger.  I don't know why.  But I didn't.  So I have purposed to set a better example by smiling more and being more positive.  Doesn't always work.  But let me tell you about last week.
     While decorating our youngest son's birthday cake (the easy way with a can of frosting and screw on decorating tips) the can malfunctioned.  Our daughter then got red frosting all over her hands.  On a dare from one of her brothers, she proceeded to try to smear red frosting on my face.  I fought back of course!  But she got me anyway while another brother videoed.  Then the birthday boy came up behind her and grabbed her hands, making her smear the red frosting all over her own face!  We laughed so hard!  And of course we've watched the video over and over.
      Did I redeem myself for not being more upbeat and happy when they were growing up?  Maybe just a little bit. Hopefully it taught our kids that mom can have fun and smile and laugh.  And that, even if things aren't going like you planned, it's ok.  Go with it.  Oh. And a little (or a lot) of red frosting smeared on your face can be a good thing. Getting  it out of your hair may take a day or two though!
      What did I learn from the red frosting incident?  That we were being a family.  And I loved it!   In fact, let's do it again haha!
   

Oh Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

     It's about time for some fun stuff!  Us girls.  We work hard!  And it's not like we don't enjoy taking care of our families.  We do!  But sometimes we just wanna have some fun.  And I'm learning that having fun can have an awful lot to do with the attitude.,

     Glitter.  I love glitter!  But it seems a lot of guys are afraid of glitter.  With the recent celebration of Christmas, I did at least my share of decorating.  Lots of those decorations are glittered.  When it was pointed out that I had glitter on my face during a decorating session, I appreciated that someone cared enough to point it out.  But I let them know that I actually have a bottle of glitter that I spray on myself sometimes!  And I just don't understand why some guys are afraid of glitter.  :)  

     I've probably mentioned before that I'm not very good at sitting still in front the TV for a movie.  While my family watched a couple of Star Wars movies (I think it was just two....got kinda lost) a couple of weeks ago, I gladly joined them.  Not to watch the movies.  But I had fun drawing on my new chalk board I got for Christmas!   I am not much of an artist, but my family was glad that I sat still with them for just a little while.  And I had fun being 'creative'.  It was all in the attitude.

     Recently I wrote about skimming sea shells in the ocean.  Now that trip was so much fun!  But less than 24 hours before we were to fly away to paradise, we found out we had an electrical problem at home.  In fact, not just a problem.  We had a fire in the meter thingy on the outside of the house!   Instead of freaking out, prayers were said, smiles were worn, and the problem was fixed.  Nothing was stopping us!  And we were able to leave knowing our home and family were safe.

     Stepping out of the airport in Jamaica that next day, I was in awe!  There was just no way the flowers and plants I was seeing were real.  Just no way.  They were beautiful and perfect and vibrant.  I had never seen such perfect colors other than on silk flowers in the craft stores.  That was it.  They were tricking us! They had placed fake plants and flowers everywhere just to make us think something could be that amazing!  Yeah.........well I finally touched a couple of them and found out I was wrong.  It was then that I realized these were the real deal and the ones I had seen in the store were made to look like these.  So where is the fun in that?  I got a good laugh at myself!  And I probably took like 1,000 pictures of those beautiful real plants and flowers!

     Ok so then they couldn't find our reservation.  Oh no!  I felt the panic start to rise even when the desk clerk said "no problem!".  "No problem mon".  That was the saying of the week.  What a fun attitude! I'm pretty sure we could all learn a lesson there.  Attitude.  No problem.  Nothing is really a problem!  And we 'qualified for an upgrade' once they found our reservation under a combination of names and not just our last name.  That was no problem mon!

     I know I've mentioned before that I love shoes!  In fact, I'm thinking of turning a bedroom into a shoe closet.  Just call me Imelda haha!  (If you're very young you might want to look her up.)  I don't like to shop.  At all.  Except for shoes.  I can't imagine what it would be like to have every style of shoe and boot I ever wanted.  What a dream!

     So back to now.  Christmas is over.  Glittery decorations have been taken down and placed in the garage but not put away just yet.  Well most of the decorations and waiting in the garage.  We still have four huge poinsettia plants in the house.  Not many years ago I would have considered that really dumb.  Christmas is over so all signs of it should be gone too.  But I kinda think it would be fun to see if I can keep these four plants alive.  May set them by the pool this summer!  Because, you know, girls just wanna have fun! 

     

     

This and That.....Year

     That year, 2015.  "My brothers and sisters, consider yourselves fortunate when all kinds of trials come your way, for you know that when your faith succeeds in facing such trials, the result is the ability to endure.  Make sure that your endurance carries you all the way without failing, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."  James 1:2-4
     Consider myself fortunate to have trials.  Really?  I could make a list of the trials we've experienced this year and you might feel sorry for me.  I must admit there have been times I've felt sorry for myself.  But is that what God intended?  Most definitely not.
     "We know that in all things God works for good with those who love Him, those whom He has called according to His purpose."  Romans 8:28.  All things.  That includes trials.
     Trials:  Unexpected job change.  Just when you think you're on top of things, it happens.  Suddenly the job you thought you would be doing changes and all you had worked hard to learn is next to useless.  Feelings of giving up, running away or just crumpling into a blubbering heap of goo become almost overwhelming.
     A diagnosis out of the blue.  Six months to live that turned into less than 2.  Not enough time.  Just not enough time.  Long, painful, lonely hours when it just doesn't seem like that aching hole in my heart will ever go away.
     But didn't He say He works ALL things together for our good?  Sure doesn't feel like it sometimes.  And didn't He say to consider myself fortunate in ALL kinds of trials?  Seriously?  Haven't I been through enough already?
     This year, 2016.  Time to use what I was supposed to learn in 2015.  Attitude.  "Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts."  Proverbs 4:23.  Yes there were some difficulties last year.  And yes my heart is still hurting.  But God truly does cause all things to work together for good for those of us who belong to Him.
     Pride.  "Pride leads to destruction, and arrogance to downfall."  Proverbs 16:18.  Was it fun having an unexpected job change?  Not at all.  In fact it was down right miserable.  But then I realized something.  Took me a long time.  But the Lord finally got it through my thick skull.  He was using that situation to get rid of the pride I had clung to for so long.  Thank you Lord.  I'm so sorry it took me so long.
     Have I learned all the lessons God has planned for me?  "Of course, my brothers and sisters, I really do not think that I have already won it; the one thing I do, however, is to foreget what is behind me [trials, pain] and do my best to reach what is ahead.  So I run straight towards the goal in order to win the price, which is God's call through Christ Jesus to the life above."  Philippians 3:13, 14.  Now that's our real goal isn't it?
     I think I probably have some more to learn before that time comes.  And my first lesson for 2016, I believe, is simply to be the woman described in Proverbs 31:26.  "She speaks with a gentle wisdom."  I'm working on it.......