He Knows Your Name…

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My daughter turned eight shortly after my husband and I got married. I was very fortunate in that she was truly longing for a mom. She made the transition very smoothly. One of my own regrets with my second father was that I never made the transition to calling him dad. I wanted to give my daughter the opportunity to call me mom pretty quickly. So, Memorial Day weekend, about six months after we were married, I asked her if she would like to try calling me mom. I told her that it might feel strange at first; but that eventually it would get easier. She eagerly agreed to give it a go! And a go she did!

I vividly remember that we went to the beach that weekend as a family. My daughter is a lover of the water, sand and anything slimy. So, she never lacks for energy at the beach. I truly believe that she called me mom 1000 times in the span of 2-3 hours. Mom, look at this cool shell. Mom watch me swim. Mom, check out this sand castle. Mom, look at me. Mom! Mom! Mom! It came so naturally to her. But, my learning curve was longer.

We went to Walmart that same weekend, jus the two of us this time. And I remember standing on an aisle and hearing a child asking her mom a question, over and over again, saying mom every time. This mom was apparently distracted. I thought to myself, ‘for goodness sake, answer that poor child so she will quit saying your name’. It was then that I realized that I was the mom. And my daughter was the child asking me the question. Oh my goodness, I was the mom.

Isn’t it reassuring to know that our Father knows our name? Better yet, isn’t awesome to think that He hears us every time we call him by His name? He delights in relationship with us. He wants to see the sand castle. He wants to watch us twirl on the beach. He longs to see us play in the waves. The Creator of the Universe knew you before He put you in your mother’s womb. He knows every hair on your head, He delights in every step you take and He collects every tear that you cry.

Thanks to Jesus, your name will appear in the Book of Life if you make Him your Lord and Savior. You will inherit eternal life. We are redeemed, children of God. Isn’t it amazing to think that the Enemy sees your Father’s name written on your forehead? (Revelation 12:4) You are sealed by the blood of Christ and the enemy has lost.

Yes, indeed, your Father knows your name. And my daughter knows mine! But more importantly, she knows the powerful name of Jesus! And I pray that she calls on that name over and over again. You too, my friends!

Be joyful!

“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” John 10:28 NIV

Life360…

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As I mentioned before, my daughter is now a driver. This past weekend, I told her that we were going to try out this new app as a family, called life360 and that the app will allow us to track each other via our phones.

Believe me, I was ready for the complete teenage “jelly fish” moment (to borrow a term from my Pastor). Those of you with teenagers know this one well…moaning, gnashing of teeth, the cry of injustice that comes from a teenager being put out by their overbearing parents. But, instead, I was met with complete obedience, almost a jovial response and the app was immediately downloaded onto her phone. I must admit I was a bit bewildered, until my daughter exclaimed, “now I will know when you are at home and simply ignoring my texts. You know that really makes me crazy mom, when you ignore my texts and I know you are just simply sitting at home.” As if. She went on to tell me that she has always wanted to see exactly what I do during the day. I started to think that this life360 app was a bad idea.

On Monday, I had a pretty normal day. I taught a class at the gym first thing in the morning, did a couple of errands and headed home to get cleaned up. I had a nail appointment right after lunch and left my phone in my car during the appointment. The last thing on my mind was life360.  I came out of the salon an hour later (with gorgeously polished nails I might add) to find a text from my daughter asking what I was having done at the salon and why I had not responded promptly, thank you very much. I responded “stop stalking me.” Indeed, this life360 app really might be a bad idea.

It occurred to me that this is a lot like how our Father in heaven must feel. He knocks, we invite Him into our heart and He “downloads” His Holy Spirit into us. The heavens rejoice and He has so many blessings in store! Then, we set out to live our lives and sometimes we forget that He has a perfect plan for us.

There was a significant season of my life that I was so busy doing things my way that I never even considered God or His plan for my life. He was there. He was tracking me. He was watching and waiting. He tried several times to get my attention, to get me to answer “His texts”. Yet, I was convinced that my way was the best way. You see, I left my phone in my car. I didn’t really need Him. I had this, thank you very much. When I finally hit rock bottom, I looked up and realized what a mess that I had made of things. And you know what? He met me there, helped me up, dusted me off and restored a new Spirit within me. Glory!

The only way this thing called life works is with Jesus front and center.. I sure do hope that you “download” the app and give your life over to Him. Life360 is only possible with His love, grace, forgiveness and mighty hand leading, watching. tracking, guiding, and protecting.

And on that note, my final analysis is simple: Jesus at the center of my life360 is indeed the only way. He is the Way. The Truth. and the Life. I hope it is true for you too!

Be joyful!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not o your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Show Me Your Muscles…

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My mom is the strongest woman I know. I learned leadership from her and the importance of having a quiet, steady faith in God. She is still the most beautiful woman in any room, as far as I am concerned. She is my mom first, my best friend second and has walked me through the highs and lows of my life.

She is also my biggest cheerleader. If I sneeze, she will tell you that it was ‘the best sneeze ever sneezed’ in all of history! She is always on my side, even when I am terribly wrong. She is my PR agent. When I was a freshman in college, she dragged me across the room to meet the University President at orientation. She loves to make me laugh. One time, she stood in our front yard, showing me her “muscles” and from then on was deemed “muscle mom.” She taught me the joy of “retail therapy” and we earned our degrees in this “vocation” the year after my first father passed away.

She was meant to be a mother. God gave her extraordinary skills in this role and she has served Him mightily.

She was a Girl Scout leader, youth leader, PTA President, retail shop manager, receptionist, to name a few. She remains an avid bridge player, master gardener and animal lover. She believes in community service and involvement. She is a wife of a Pastor, which should, in and of itself, speak to her mighty strength.

My mom and first father were middle school sweethearts. When God called my first father home, she was left with two teenagers to raise. She was only 41 years old. Many nights after he died, my mom would walk around our swimming pool and yell at God. She would question him in her grief and would tell Him exactly how she felt. You see, in her grief and anger, she reached out to her Father. She knew that He could take it.

It occurred to me in my adult life what strong faith she showed during those honest cries of grief and heart ache. We do not argue or get angry or “lash out” at someone that we don’t believe in whole heartedly. She knew that her Father would hear her cries and would not forsake her. She knew He loved her and that He would heal her broken heart in His perfect timing. You see, she was in relationship with God, the author and perfector of her faith and ours.

Are you facing something in your life that has left you heart broken, angry, sick with grief or faint from lack of understanding? Your Father in heaven is only a cry away. He will never leave you. We see example after example in the Bible of times where He sees His people, hears His people, and loves His people.

He sees you. He hears you. He loves you. Trust that He can handle your grief. Your anger. Your lack of understanding.

Just like my very own Muscle Mom, He will show you his muscles! And trust me, our God is stronger!

Be joyful!

“The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.” Psalm 34:17 NIV

A Tale of Three Fathers…

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When I was 13 years old, my biological father died of esophageal cancer. He was an amazing man, with an infectious personality. He loved to laugh; he loved his family; he loved to tell a good joke; he loved fishing; he loved oysters; he loved the beach and he loved God. He was the kind of person that people were drawn to and wanted to be around. I was blessed to have him. I know that I had more of an earthly father in those 13 years than some people experience in a lifetime.

Here is the amazing part. I now have a second father who is equally remarkable. He has been my father since I was 16. (The poor man has been putting up with me for 29 years. I think he deserves a medal!) He loves to laugh; he loves to cook; he loves to travel; he loves to read; he loves his family; he loves to garden, and he loves God. He, too, is the kind of man that people want to be around. I currently have more of an earthly father than some people experience in a lifetime.

There were several years when I resisted loving my second father. I was so afraid that he would try and take the place of my first father. What I didn’t realize was that he just wanted a place in my heart. And God made our hearts big enough for all kinds of love. We simply have to put fear aside.

Now, are you ready for the UNBELIEVABLE part? My Father in heaven orchestrated all of this to His Glory. You see, He knew that one day I would have a daughter. And He knew that cancer would have touched her life too. And that the loss of a parent was part of her story. He knew that my love and respect for my second father would grow to new heights as I, too, navigated being a second mom. God knew that I would understand a little more the capacity of His heart and the kindness of His nature. He knew that I would encounter grace in ways that only He can orchestrate in our lives. And how God can weave brokenness into beauty in ways we will never fully understand.

I have the extraordinary privelege of having three amazing fathers. Except I think I may have muddied the order here. God is my first Father and He blessed me with two more. I am one lucky gal!

Be joyful!

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, said the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11  (American King James Version)

 

The little old man…

Mother’s Day weekend of 2017, my husband and I moved his biological father in with us. He was living in Colorado as a recluse and was in very poor health. He had survived a series of strokes, as well as a heart attack, and needed help. He had never been an active part of my husband’s life, nor had he been a good man or father. In fact, it was quite the opposite. Quite honestly, from a worldly perspective, my husband would have been quite justified in wiping his hands of the situation and letting his dad figure something else out.

My husband is a Godly man, truly a man after God’s own heart. So, he did not feel justified in letting his dad suffer. Instead, he felt convicted that he should intervene and extend grace and kindness to his dad. After conversation and prayer, we decided to make the drive and bring his dad home.

What has been amazing to me about this part of our story is the way that God can truly work goodness in us. It is Christ living in my husband that made him able to put the past aside and find love in his heart for a man who left him as a young boy. The healing that has occurred in the time that this little old man has come to stay with us is truly remarkable.

Please don’t get me wrong. There has been difficult parts to this process and boy has there been some laughter (yes, at the little old man’s expense). This is no fairy tale. But, the truth of the matter is that my love and admiration for my husband has grown through this process. And my love for a little old man has grown too.  I have chosen to consider his presence in our home as a living, breathing example of God’s grace, tenderness and mercy. My husband had the pleasure of introducing his dad to Jesus. He attends church with us on Sunday and goes to Men’s Bible study.

We serve an awesome God! Romans 5:8 reminds us of this unbelievable truth, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Can I get an hallelujah from the back row? You see Philippians 4:13 has proven true. “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”

Oh, yes, we can, even with a little old man!

Be joyful!

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Mirror, Mirror on the Wall…

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Every Sunday morning, I am surrounded by the most gorgeous girls. Each one beautiful with shining eyes and open hearts, desiring to study God’s Word and get closer to Jesus. You see, I teach a Sunday School class at my church for high school girls. It is an absolute joy to spend time with them each week and often I marvel at the beauty surrounding me.

Monday through Friday, I spend each morning at my home away from home, my gym, where I teach fitness classes. A mostly female crew, the faces that surround me are equally beautiful. They are women of all ages and all sizes. They are strong, radiant, capable and wise. Each one striving to be the best they can be. They too, are a privelege to be around.

Here is the sad truth about both of these groups of women. They truly have no idea how beautiful they are. They have bought the lie that somehow they aren’t enough. I would imagine that there self worth is often dictated by the number on the scale, the image in the magazine or the tag on their pants. They haven’t quite let it sink in that they are royalty, made in God’s image, and secure and complete in their identity in Christ.

Part of the problem may be the mirror on the wall. We size ourselves up, tear ourselves down and make unhealthy comparisons. The mirror on the wall is a liar. It doesn’t capture the beauty of our souls, our graceful manner, nor does it show the new creations that we are in Christ.

The mirror that we should be gazing into is the Word of God. His scripture is where we find the Truth about who we are or better yet Whose we are. We are simply a reflection of our Father and the pages of His living, breathing Word is where we find out that we are holy, righteous, chosen, and good.

My prayer for you today is that you remember to seek His Truth for your life. You are enough. You are actually more than enough, you are the apple of His eye. And His beauty reflects, radiates and shines so brightly in you.

Mirror, mirror on the wall…Jesus makes us the fairest of them all!

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” 1 Peter 2:9‭-‬10 NIV

Be joyful!

The Big Red Bow…

I’ve mentioned that my daughter is 16 years old. Her 16th birthday was just a couple of weeks ago and my husband and I surprised her on the morning of her birthday with a car. It was one of those rare “movie” moments. She walked out to find a cute, Volkswagen beetle parked in our driveway with a big red bow on top. Her exact words to me were, “are you kidding me”, as the reality of what she was seeing in front of her began to sink in. My husband showed her all the features of her new “ride” and we told her that if she passed her driving test that afternoon that she could drive her car to softball practice. She replied, wide-eyed, “BY MYSELF?” Oh, my husband and I just died laughing. What a great morning! What a great memory! I told my daughter to hold onto this fun memory and lock it in her heart. Yes, it is important to stop and take notice when the big red bow appears in life.

It made me ponder my own big red bow moments. I am enormously lucky to have a mom who provided many of these moments, especially during my childhood. My man has locked a few big red bow moments into my heart as well. But, the sweetest big red bow moments have come from my Father in heaven. The best and most important one being the gift of His Son, my Savior, who sacrificed His life to redeem mine. In fact, when you really think about it, big red bow moments in life are a result of Jesus Christ. His goodness. His love. His grace. His moments to give to you.

Yes, it is important to stop and take notice when the big red bow appears in life. These moments are just around the corner, when you least expect them and often appear when you need them most. They can leave you stunned with joy. They can bring you to your knees in thanksgiving. And they can revive you on a dark day by just conjuring the memory back up. You see, that is just how our God works. He is Hope.

I encourage you to enter into each day looking for the big red bow.  I am convinced that He has one to offer, big or small, when we walk with Him and let Him guide our steps.

By the way, my daughter did drive, “all by herself”, later that day. Actually, she wasn’t all by herself. (None of us ever are.) Her heavenly Father was watching, grinning and enjoying that first ride with her!

“What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Romans 8:31-32 NLT

Be joyful!

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The Story of Us…

I have to admit that I met my husband on-line, on Christian Mingle to be exact. I signed up for a one month membership and decided that I would give it a try during the month of June in 2009. I was coming out of a time of major healing in my life. I will write more about that some other time. But, it is important to point out that I was in a good place. I was working for a church full-time that I loved in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. For the first time in a long time, I was within a two hour drive to my parents summer home at that time. (They have since moved to that home year round.)

One of my areas of responsibility at the church was the youth group. I had taken a small group of high school girls to my parents house for a weekend retreat near the end of June.  One of the exercises that we did that weekend was to write down an area of our lives that we were going to release to God. Truly let Him have control over it. Hand it over and not look back. I had purchased a gold box for each girl to place their entry in and we made our way down to the Greenbrier river which runs behind my parents house. We each took a moment to write and then we placed it in the gold box. I encouraged the girls to keep the box as a reminder that God was now in complete control of this part of their lives.

The area of my life that I wrote about that day went something like this. ” Father, I am satisfied in my life. I place my love life in your hands. I am surrounded by children in my current role at the church and I am satisfied. So, if it is not in your Will for me to be a mom. That is okay too. I give both areas to you.”

A couple of days later, a profile popped up on Christian Mingle and something about it made me take a look. It was a profile for a man in Texas (I had visited Texas only once before when I helped with a National Youth Gathering). He wrote about losing his wife to cancer a couple of years earlier. And he wrote about his seven year old daughter with such tenderness. I remember vividly that he said that he knew that God had someone special in mind for him and his daughter. But, until God placed that woman in his life, he would continue to figure out how to do his daughter’s hair with those tiny hair bands. He had me. Hook. Line. Sinker. I winked at him and we married exactly six months later to that day. My heart desire for a Godly husband and to be a mom was fulfilled in the “wink” of an eye.

Some times we have to truly give up before God can do His best work, which requires us to let go with both hands, not hold a piece of it back. We can’t keep one hand on it, so that we can grab it back as quickly as we give it up. Faith in our Father means being content right where He has you and trusting that He is faithful and will fulfill His promises in your life. It is unbridled trust that His timing is perfect and His will is better. And when He comes through with the blessing, you then grab a hold of it with both hands and thank Him every day for it!

“Wait patiently for the Lord. Be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14 NIV

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Toys! Toys! Toys!

This ones for you Muscles….

Let me tell you a little more about Angel dog. He is a mutt, dachshund/terrier mix. I found him when he was a puppy running through the tall grass beside a very busy road when I was headed home from the gym. He knew a sucker when he saw me and literally came running into my arms. I was sunk.

If you own a terrior or terrior mix, you are all too familiar with their playful nature. Angel dog loves toys. He loves to play tug of war, shake them in his mouth, fetch them and if that toy squeaks, it is “on like donkey kong”! Angel dog has at least three baskets of toys. And if you ask him to go get a toy, he knows exactly what to do. In fact if you scream excitedly “toys, toys, toys”, he responds with unwavering excitement, toy in mouth.

He is also obsessed with the “squeaker” in his toys. The goal is to locate the squeaker. He will eventually chew a hole in each toy and pull out all of the stuffing until he reaches that squeaker. When he finally gets the reward of the squeaker and he has successfully chewed it up, he then is no longer interested in the toy. In fact, he then goes and takes a nap, leaving the mess for mom to clean up. His satisfaction is short lived though because there is always another toy and another squeaker to pursue.

Isn’t that just like us? How many times do we pursue possessions, fame, success, relationships. We invest so much time and energy in the pursuit of that next best thing. If only we could have that position, that car, that pant size, that hairstyle, that kind of husband. Our lives would be complete. We would be satisfied. Sometimes in the pursuit of it, we leave a mess that others have to clean up. And most of the time, when we finally achieve it, we find that our contented spirit only lasts a little while and pretty soon we are looking for something new and shiny, squeaker in tact. And leave it to the devil to yell, “toy, toy, toy” and we are off in hot pursuit.

We were designed to pursue our Savior whole heartedly. We were designed to long for Him. He is the only One who can refresh our souls and give us a sense of wholeness. Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:13-14 NIV)

Drink deeply from the well. He is worthy and He is enough!

Be joyful!

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A Room full of Teenagers…..

Happening right now in our family room is my daughter’s 16th birthday party. There are 20 of them, watching a movie, eating burgers, fries and an unnatural amount of sugar. My husband and I have escaped with the angel dog to our bedroom, where we are eating skittles on our bed, drawing straws on who is the next one to “make an appearance” and make sure that things are on the “up and up.”

This morning, we were also surrounded by teenagers, this time at our church, where we attended a funeral for an eighteen year old high school senior, who died unexpectedly at his school less than a week ago. The young man who died was a strong Christian, who lived his short life to the honor and glory of his Father in heaven. He ran his race and was called home and heard his Savior say, “well done, good and faithful servant.”

Some times God provides sharp contrast in our lives. The room full of teenagers in my house right now make me crazy in my brain, most of the time. Yet, one of the boys looked up innocently earlier and said, “do you have any new batteries mom?” He is not my son. technically. But, he sees me as a mom. What a privilege!

Sharp contrasts.

There was a time in my life when I didn’t think that being a mom was going to be part of my story. There was a time in my life when the thought of a room full of teenagers was an unfulfilled dream. But, my God is faithful and His timing is perfect.

So, I consider time with each one of these teenagers a blessing. I want our home to be a place where they can gather and steal away from the pressures of life. I will cherish each day with my own teenage daughter because time is fleeting and life is short.

Oh and my husband drew the short straw!

“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
    Remind me that my days are numbered—
    how fleeting my life is.
5 You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand.
    My entire lifetime is just a moment to you;
    at best, each of us is but a breath.”  Psalm 39:4-5