My Word For The Year

   

         Last year, I got on the bandwagon with everyone else about choosing a “word for the year.”  I think I randomly chose ‘thrive’ because I wanted that to be my ‘theme’ for the year and even now, I don’t know for sure that word was the right one, but that’s fine.  It’s another year and another chance to choose another word!

            A friend recently posted on Facebook that she’s heard for the last few years about those who chose their ‘word’ and she wondered if she had any.  She admits to being frustrated because, well, ---she just didn’t have one.  She said she didn’t even pray and ask God to reveal her word to her, since she’d never had one before.

            As she was going home from work one night, she was reflecting on the year that had passed and recalled it had been a tough year, like a ‘tornado.’  I get that!  It’s been that way in my life, as well.  But she had an epiphany; in the form of a small whisper.  The word ‘steadfast’ fixed on her spirit, and she was overwhelmed to tears since the most recent months had finally been calm.  The word ‘steadfast’ totally resonated.  She found it necessary to actually pull off the road because of her emotions and within this collection of thoughts, thanked the God she’d leaned on all year for HIS steadfastness!  

            I love the story.  Sometimes life causes us to feel like we’re in a terrible storm- (mine felt like a hurricane), but a friend reminded me that if we can stay in the center of that ‘hurricane’ we will find peace. The “eye” of a hurricane, after all, is the calmest part. I was grateful for my friend’s perspective because even while I felt whipped about, there were days when peace poured out like rain!  It was on those days I found myself more focused on Him, than on my problems.

            My word this year is going to be ‘courage.’  I was led to Esther 4:14. ^“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”  I, like my friend, was overwhelmed to tears, as I considered the risk Esther faced and courage she had to muster, to face the King with her petition.  

            Everyone has problems.  It’s the nature of being human.  We all make mistakes, take risks and deal with circumstances that requires courage every day. Sometimes the circumstances aren’t from mistakes made, anymore than Esther was responsible for her people’s difficulty.  The ‘problem’ occurred long before she was even born, yet, it would be she who would bring about the changes that would save the Jews.

            Sometimes we are scared, almost too fearful to move; the heights seem too great, the obstacles overwhelming.  But when quitting isn’t an option, we continue, even when we are afraid.  We can draw on the courage from a God who knows all, and created each of us for a particular service.  Perhaps, even, ‘for such a time as this!’

My Quiet Place With God

           

          I loved the movie “War Room” that came out in 2015.  It gave me much to think about.  I dreamed of having a “room” I could call my own to mediate, read and communicate with the Lord.  Alas, I don’t have such a room.  

            When my five children were young, I not only didn’t have a “room,” I rarely had private time!  To remedy the problem, I would rise early, before I woke my husband at 6:15 for him to ready for work, and close myself off in the bathroom.  I did it that early, because with five small children, even bathrooms were not private!

            As my children grew, it still seemed having the time to call my own, became more and more scarce; and even now, since my husband retired.  Now that seems unlikely, but getting up early, before my husband stopped happening.  I couldn’t get out of bed without waking him.  Once he was up, it meant coffee and—no quiet time!  I would have to squeeze out my “faith moments” whenever I could.  

            Good habits are easy to break and bad habits hard to change back into good ones!  We travel a good bit now, creating its own set of circumstances that alter what I’d always done.  While all this is changing, I found myself clinging to those moments I spent with the Lord in the morning, even if the moments weren’t entirely mine, and then again in the evening before I retired for the night.

            My quiet place with God, I’ve discovered doesn’t have to be first thing in the morning (although that is still my preference), but can still have profound impact, even if I find myself stealing away for only a few moments!  When I can, I get on our exercise machine and while I’m working my body, I’m also working my heart and spirit, as I commune with God.   I have prayer requests written in large letters on card stock paper and set up so I can see them while I work out!  The machine has a timer (or I could use my phone or other source), so I don’t have to worry about the time or counting.  I can focus on my conversation with Jesus!

            My point to all this is simply that we don’t have to have a specific place to read and pray.  While it may be ideal, it isn’t necessary.  God hears our hearts and knows our minds better than we do.  He even knows our motives and deepest desires.  He wants a relationship with us regardless of our environment!  

            God walked and communed with Adam and Eve in the Garden.  He talked with Moses through a burning bush, used dreams and even a whale to have conversation with those who were close to him, or were committed with a job to do.  Sometimes God just talks to us in our heads, perhaps like he spoke to Noah.  Sometimes he uses his Word, but he does communicate and wants us to listen!  

            A quiet place is helpful since it helps eliminate distractions.  But God can speak to us during a loud gospel music concert, a thunderstorm or any way he chooses.  Our personal relationship with Him is way more important than creating the ‘perfect’ room to meet.

            Share with us about your ‘war room” or special place to communicate with God.

            (Picture credit) https://www.pinterest.com/pin/459015387013405118/  

My Faith-Based Bucket List

           

           Bucket lists.  It seems we all have them, although not everyone calls it that.  Some call it a wish or dream list; others simply say ‘stuff I want to accomplish/do before I die list; or depending on how it’s being used, a ‘to-do list.’

            Someone asked what my ‘faith-based’ bucket list would look like.  I had to think on it a moment to refocus from the ‘faith-based’ perspective.  Now, understand, I have lots of lists and some might even cross over to other lists, but this is specifically about ‘big’ things that go beyond what I can or would normally do.  It’s a list that has grown out of my faith, or because God has placed a seed starter somewhere deep inside my soul, and I want to carry out His plan, so those too, are on my list.  

            For years, the only thing I had on that list was going to Israel.  It was my heart’s desire to ‘walk where Jesus walked,’ to see the places where Jesus taught, to see the River Jordan, and step into the Red Sea and gaze over the Sea of Galilee, and so much more.  

            While this was my dream, it was not my husband’s!  He spent time in Viet Nam and the last thing he wanted any part of, was to be in a place where fire arms were carried openly in the streets.  (Yes, it really is different than how we think of our police force here in the states.)  As time passed, God changed my husband’s heart and we did make that visit to Israel.  He said he’d never felt as safe anywhere as he had during our time in there.  

            God more than answered my prayer and filled my heart!  We did walk where Jesus walked, took a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee and witnessed miracles.  It was amazing, and time we both will always cherish! 

            Another ‘faith-based’ bucket list item was answered in a totally unusual way.  Our family has visited Dollywood in TN for many years. One of our favorite things to do is be part of the Sunday Morning worship services held in the chapel right on the park campus during the summer and then on Sunday Nights during the winter season.  It was always such a special event and I wanted desperately to somehow be a part of the ministry at Dollywood.  

            Unknown to me at the time, the Chaplain there had been praying God would send someone who would be willing to write inspirational blog posts he could send out regularly to the employees of Dollywood as part of his ministry.  (There are over 3000 employees at the park!)   He and I would have conversation in passing for several years, but imagine my surprise when he asked me if I’d be willing to write these posts!  What a gift!  For me, it was another answered prayer; another miracle!

            I have two more items on my ‘faith-based’ bucket list, yet to be completed.  I am certain God has asked me to go to Alaska.  I haven’t any idea yet how, when or why I would make such a trip, but I’m excited about the possibilities; and I know I will absolutely make it there!

            The last ‘big’ thing on my list is directly related to my writing.  I would love to see the Paxton Series become an animated TV show for children.  It would benefit not only the children dealing with special needs/disabilities, but it would be a great learning tool for children everywhere.  I’m convinced God has a plan!  If he plants a good idea in a person’s heart, surely he has the means, heart and capability of making the most unlikely event not only possible but probable!  

            I haven’t a clue when this will happen either, but I believe it will---someday.  In the meantime, I will trust my heart and my God to pull it all together in just the right time, place and way!

            I serve a BIG God and am looking forward to all He has in store in 2020!  

            What is on your ‘faith-based’ bucket list?  Share so we can pray and celebrate the miracle with you!

            Happy New Year, everyone!

We All Have Struggles

            It’s been an interesting six weeks.  There have been four Emergency Room visits; three included extended stays in the hospital.  We’ve learned, that regardless how a person looks on the outside (totally wonderful and healthy), the insides can be in total turmoil!  We’ve been deep in conflict with medicines that do or don’t work, doctors trying to figure out how to handle the continuing or new health issues, and emotional struggles that come with an illness that is all encompassing and potentially life threatening.

            It’s likely most everyone reading this has dealt with a circumstance in their life where emotions and fear cause struggles that leave a person feeling like they are stuck in a shoulder deep snowdrift and totally unable to make any forward progress.

            When asked how I dealt with struggle, I had to really think about it.  First and foremost in any situation, I’d like to say I immediately call out to God; and in some sense I do.  But my initial instinct is “What can I do –or need to do --about this right now?  I’ve got to go to the hospital.  I’ve got to make sure this or that is done.  Do you see the pattern?   “I’ve, I’ve, I’ve.”   

            It’s not about me!  It’s about God’s plan.  I need to stop and remember that I am not alone in my suffering, no matter what kind it is! (The medical issues belong to my husband, but we both are impacted!)  The emotional side of it also takes its toll!  We are both on a journey to places we’ve never gone before and it’s hard!  To paraphrase someone else’s thought;  “The devil keeps knocking at my door and I keep opening it, rather than rebuking him in Jesus’ name!”  I’m working on that!  

            I also need to remember that I need not struggle alone!  I like the expression “Do not fear, God is always near!” But it’s wonderful to have human words and physical embraces that are encouraging and supportive, even when I’m having a melt down!    I’ve discovered not only do I have biological family that has completely had my back by staying with me during every hospital visit while my husband fights to regain his health again, but a church family that has embraced us with all the love and aid we could imagine.

            This is how it’s supposed to be!  We are to be a ‘community;’ a ‘family’ who holds up every other member within our congregation, as well as Believers who need us even when we hardly know them at all –or in some cases don’t know them at all.  This doesn’t apply only to a medical issue, but to other types of struggles families and individuals find themselves.  Sometimes it happens because of choices, other times, it has nothing to do with anything anyone did.  It’s life!  It’s ‘stuff’ that happens beyond our control.

            During these dark times, we can be reminded of Mary and Joseph who had plans of an engagement, and marriage and probably dreams of their married life.  But God had other plans.  They were obedient and God blessed them.  God’s timing was perfect; and He gave us the perfect gift for his perfect purpose.

            As Christmas closes in, I encourage you to embrace those around you who are struggling with all kinds of different circumstances.  Each of us have a story.  Embracing each other in love and kindness is a gift that keeps on giving and giving.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

Sounds Of The Season

          Music has a way of touching us right where we need it.  It’s Christmas; time to set the channel finder to a station that plays all Christmas music!  I love it!  (Course, truth be told, it doesn’t have to be the Christmas season for me to enjoy the holiday music!)  There’s nothing like hearing that “special song,” cranking up the volume and singing along with all the gusto I can muster.

 

            There are times, when singing with ‘gusto’ doesn’t work, because it’s a soft song that plays on the soft harp strings within my heart. It causes me to reflect, and remember the first Christmas.  So, I just must stop what I’m doing, and listen.

            At the Christmas program I attended, where my grandchildren performed, I was blessed to hear children of all ages sing and play a variety of different musical instruments.  The levels of ability were varied from just learning, to accomplished, but each had something to offer.  It was amazing and thrilled my soul.

            Sometimes people will ask what my favorite Christmas Carol is.  That’s so hard to answer!  It totally depends on the day or even moment!  "Joy To The World"is so fun to sing and fills my heart with pure elation!  I was surprised to learn this song was not written about the birth of Christ but about his return, based on Psalm 98.

"Mary, Did You Know" is a song that causes me to reflect on what Mary must have wondered as a mom, and more how would I have handled the same situation if it had been me.  I’d like to think in the same way, but really????  What a perfect model she is as a servant of The Lord.  I’d love to be that faithful!

            The Carol “O Holy Night” is yet another favorite, as a song that describes the night of Christ’s birth, while intertwining the deliverance and redemption of the world.  It’s powerful and the heart of what matters about the season.

            Another favorite is "O Come, O Come Emmanuel."  There is something exhilarating about the knowledge the Messiah was promised years before he came.  People, for years, waited expectantly, until finally the prophesy was fulfilled in the Christ Child.  Knowing that Emmanuel means “Christ with us,” makes this song even more moving!

            "Silent Night" is probably the song that tops the ‘favorites’ list, however.  The history about how the English and German troops sang this song in 1914 during World War 1 is incredible, but how it makes me feel now, is equally amazing.  I am filled with awe and washed in incredible peace and just bubble over with calm and serenity, know the Christ Child came to save the world--and even me!

I’ve shared my favorite Christmas music.  I’d love it if you’d share yours and it’d be awesome if you would share why.  We each are moved by music in different ways for different reasons.  I'd love to hear your stories!

            Merry Christmas…..and enjoy this special time of year in the sounds of the season!

https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/occasions/christmas/nations-top-30-christmas-carols/

Happy Thanksgiving!

It’s almost Thanksgiving, and instead of writing a typical blog, I just want to share a few things I am thankful for!

First and foremost, I am thankful for a living God; one who cares for me, offers salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ and saved a sinner like me!

I’m also thankful for my family and friends. Along with my incredible husband of 46 years, I have five amazing adult children with four equally amazing spouses (one isn’t married yet).  I also have 16 grandchildren who share their love unconditionally!  What a wonderful gift!  

 I am thankful for YOU and blessed to have an amazing support group!

Additionally, I am thankful we are able to travel and see this incredible place we call home here in the US, we eat well, dress warmly and have more material things than we need!  

Each day brings its own blessings of laughter and contentment, sunshine, rain (Yes, I really do like the rain!) --snow occasionally, and rest at the end of the day!  

I hope you are able to reflect on God’s goodness during this holiday of Thanksgiving.  Life isn’t always kind, and there always seems to be bumps in the road.  It is however, what we make of it! Choose to make it happy and filled with gratefulness

I’d love it if you would comment by sharing 3 things for which you are grateful.  

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE!  

Resting In The Arms Of God

           

            There are days when even after a full night’s sleep, I am still tired.  I ask myself, why?  It’s amazing what stress can do to you!  It can cause anxiety, eating disorders, headache, muscle aches, mood changes, substance abuse, fatigue, chest pain and this is only half the list!  Personally, I find when I am stressed, I get the feeling of being overwhelmed and just want to sleep!

            Recently we had a bit if a crisis in our lives and that’s just what I did!  After spending the day at the hospital, I’d come home and sleep!  --Even beginning at 6:30 one evening!  I can’t seem to think or process information correctly!  By the next morning, I could start all over again, feeling well, and even maintain it during the day, until I arrived at home again, and then I’d collapse in sleep!

            In the morning, it was wonderful to reach for His Word to be refreshed for the day.  It’s reassuring to know that God wants to reveal things to me while I rest in him.  It’s not just my body and emotions which needs to be refreshed, but also my spirit.  When I allow stress to overtake me, I’m setting myself up to miss His blessings and leaving my human mind vulnerable to the wiles of satan’s attacks!  Stress steals my ability to even communicate in some instances.  I run a total blank and can’t hear a word God is saying to me.

            I read somewhere this week that to be successful in the business world we need to just stop—relax—and allow ourselves quiet time to think!  I find when I am stressed, even as I sleep, my mind is going full speed.  I don’t settle anything, of course, and it’s not until I actually do stop and rest my mind, that I can actually think clearly!  

            When we stop to spend time with God we are being renewed with His Spirit, which is capable of mighty things. (Which for me must be in the morning after I’m rested because I shut down at night!) He enables us to be able to deal with those circumstances in our lives for which we might not be prepared, such as an unexpected hospital stay and the news that follows. 

            We may not have all the answers—or not any answers, but we can know that God knows the beginning and the end.  He is always with us.  We are never alone.  And it’s in times like these we can trust the arms of God for the rest we need to carry on for yet another day.  That’s all we can ask for really, because none of us are promised another day; not even another moment.

            But knowing the arms of God encircle me, gives me the strength to face the crisis, even if I don’t understand or have a hundred questions!  His peace settles in my soul and gives me the power to tackle what is before me.  Will I make mistakes.  Very possibly.  But I know God is a forgiving God and will protect me when my judgement is off and encourage me to listen more closely for the path he has chosen for me.  

            I am grateful I can rest in the arms of God regardless of any situation or crisis.  I hope you are too!