Sights & Lights

Bright, flashing lights. Rows and rows of cars. Skyscrapers. Just a few of the things Mariah, my middle daughter, would have taken in last night as her bus rolled into New York City late. After singing at Evensong at the National Cathedral last night, she traveled down the road to her next performance at St. Patrick's Cathedral with the Charlotte Children's Choir.

Country side. Miles and miles of interstate. Lots of screaming little people. These will be the sights and sounds for Madison, my youngest daughter, as she heads to Georgia this morning for church camp.

Two great experiences. One shaky mom. As my kid's friend, I am so excited for my girls; getting to see wonderful things and spread their wings. As my kid's mom, I am saying prayers for protection and wisdom for every decision they make. When I woke up this morning, realizing that Mariah was in the biggest city in America, without Greg or I, I was so thankful for the protection of the Lord. Mariah is as safe as ever - without us, because she is never without Him!

"Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling." Psalm 91:9 - 10

"I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8

As you read this blog this morning, would you please pray for safety and a fun time for my girls. Then post a comment below of how we can all pray for your family as you venture out and enjoy summer!

Thankfulness works

Sometimes things just don't go as we expect...

Greg needed to get his car fixed, so I asked if we could take it in early because I wanted to go and volunteer in the Proverbs 31 office before the kids got out of bed. So, up we went and down the street I drove. I got there right at 7:00 a.m. There was no one there yet, so I pulled out my Bible, praying Colossians 1 and reading Psalm 26. The first hour of waiting went pretty good...I wasn't sure where any one was, but it was ok. I was having my quiet time anyway. The next hour I worked on a retreat plan for our church for this fall. Next thing I know, it is 9:00 a.m. and some gals are showing up.

Obviously, I missed something somewhere, but you know what - it didn't really matter. I met the Lord. There, in the parking lot in Matthews, North Carolina, I hung out with the Lord.

Where do you hang out with the Lord? Where do you make the most of your time so you can spend time with him? Share with us and give us all some ideas of how we can make the most of our time.

I was reading on Lysa TerKeurst's blog today, that blogging is to be a "conversation". Often, I will have some of you come up to me and say "I love reading your blog" or I will get an email back from you. Please giving posting a comment a try - we can all then read your comments and learn from each other! It will be fun~

RX for the Heart

I was given a gift this weekend. It was a Bible Study called "RX for the Heart". This book is written by a doctor whose conclusion is that the medicine for worry in life is thankfulness.

Yesterday I opened my email to read again of those in Iowa who are struggling to put it all back together again after the floods. I am sure that many ask "why" as they plow through the moldy carpet; the stinky mess. What does the Lord offer to us in these seasons of life when life is hard; when life doesn't seem to make sense and we are tempted to give in to being cynical and negative?

I was in Colossians 1 again this morning and oh, how the Lord reminded me today of ALL I have to be thankful for. None of it had anything to do with this world! verses 9 - 14 list these precious promises for those of us who are His:

1) He has delivered me from the power of darkness!
2) He has translated me into the kingdom of the Son of His love!
3) I have been redeemed!
4) I have forgiveness!

These are promises that I need to cling to every day. Like many of you, if this world was all there was, if the best of this planet was the best that was offered...I would be so disappointed (and my life is great!). But...it is not all there is! In Him, every day, there is so much more! The joy that comes from thankfulness is powerful! It has the charge I need to move my mind from the negative to the truth of His generosity to me.

I hope you will choose thankfulness today. Thankful for His salvation. Thankful for His unending and perfect love to us; unconditional and unearned. Thankful for the promise of a place that He is preparing for us to go to one day. Thankful for His provision and protection. Thankful for the very air we breathe!

More Than Filled

What a wonderful weekend! The Lord opened the doors for me to attend "She Speaks" writer's and speaker's conference - even after it was full! I came away from it overflowing! If you have never visited Proverbs 31's website, I really encourage you to! You can sign up to receive their daily devotionals through email, which are really encouraging!

One of the seasons I went to, taught by Zoe Elmore, was called "Dare to Be Dangerous". Her first point was that dangerous women are disciplined. She shared about a time when her relationship with her son was very difficult. The wisdom that the Lord gave to her was to pray not preach. Tough words! She than began to pray Colossians 1: 9 - 14 every day for her son:

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

This morning, when I went to read this in my Bible, I had written above the word "filled" in verse 9 "to occupy all of; raise the level of a low place". I then wrote this passage out in my journal, making a commitment to pray every day, this prayer for those I love who are struggling; who need to have the Lord occupy and fill the level of low place in their life like only He can do. Do you have one in your life who needs that as well? Take a few minutes to write out this verse, put the person's name on it and put it in a place where you will remember to pray for them every day!

Zoe ended her story by sharing that after a year and a half, her relationship with her son was more than restored! We can believe the Lord will work on our behalf's as well!

I Should Have Listen!

Remember when you were a kid and your mother told you, "You should have listened!" I definitely hear myself say that to my kids a couple of times a day! Well, those are the words the Lord could be (should be!)saying to me tonight. It is 11:30 p.m. and here I am preparing book proposals that He told me to prepare two months ago!

So the story is: I volunteered to pick up some folks from the airport for the Proverbs 31 She Speaks conference this weekend. When I got my packet, I discovered three of these persons were in the publishing industry. You see, part of the reason I didn't prepare any proposals was because all of the appointments with agents were filled, so I assumed I wouldn't have an opportunity to speak with any of them. Who would have thought the appointment would have been in my car?

Please think to pray for me starting tomorrow and throughout the weekend. I am so excited to see just what the Lord has in store for all those attending this conference. (Please also pray for Greg and the kids as they get by alone!)

I'll chat with you on Monday!

Cobras Win All!

The hot sultry wind feels like a cool mountain breeze because we are winning...finally winning. After two weekends of getting annihilated, Madi's 10 and under traveling softball team is coming around. We are up 4 to 1 and it feels good. It is the North Carolina State Softball championship and we want it!

Then, the tide begins to turn. With a few stolen bases and an error or two, the score is now tied. I find Madi next to me, trying to hold back the tears. "Are we going to loose again?". Greg and I encourage her to stay in the game and give it all she has.

Now, Madi is up to bat. The bases are loaded with only 1 strike. She winds up, hits hard and in come two runs. The rally has started and we finish 11 - 4.

Life can change so quickly. It is going along great and then it is not. 1 Peter 1:6 - 7 "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

Enjoy the picture of the team! Madi is on the right holding the plaque.

Strength, Refuge and Shade

Strength, refuge and shade...it seems our country is in need of all of these things at once.

My home state of Iowa is in a state of disaster. The half where I grew up (Cedar Falls/Waterloo)is flooded and needs His strength to repair the damage that has been done; the other half where I lived before I moved here (Davenport) needs Him to be a refuge from the water that is moving its way down the Mississippi. The state I currently live in (North Caroina) needs Him to be a shade from the constant heat near 100 and the drought.

Whether it is physical, emotional or spiritual, our wonderful Savior has said He would be all of these to us. Isaiah 25:2 "For You have been a strength to the poor, A strength to the needy in his distress, A refuge from the storm, A shade from the heat; For the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall."

Please take a moment to pray for my husband's family in Cedar Falls, my brother's family in Cedar Rapids and my friends in Davenport today and for those of us who lives in the Carolinas (especially those of us who are crazy enough to head out to an amusement park!)

Off to a Bumpy Start

Driving down the road, I found myself crying. What is wrong with me? What is there really to cry about? I guess sometimes the changes in life just pile up all at once.

My brother-in-law called from my hometown, Cedar Falls, Iowa asking for prayer. The river was getting ready to overflow the levy and flood the entire town. Madison had a 2 1/2 hour "graduation" from elementary school in the morning and then went to a party for the "popular" people, only to feel like the odd ball out. Mariah was dropped off at school in the morning and then asked to hang out with friends after school, which led to a sleep over. On their way to the bowling alley, Zach's friend slid his car into another on the slippery road and totaled his car. Fortunately, they were safe.

I guess all of these emotions just pile up and need an outlet - sweating through the eyes I call it.

Jesus tells us in James 1:2 - 4 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." So, according to Him, yesterday was an opportunity for me to develop perseverance - so that one day I will be complete and not lack for anything.

Have you had a day when you needed to sweat through your eyes? Be encouraged...He is at work. We just need to partner with Him to see that His life is developed in our's.

Let's Do Summer Again!

"What would you do if you could do summer again?" my husband asked at dinner last night. Greg is referring to those carefree days when you were a child and summer was filled with lighting bugs, kick-the-can games, and sleeping in the camper. Why not do summer again - like a child is my question.

So...here is my summer list:
1) Sleep out all night under the stars on my trampoline
2) Go camping in a tent
3) Make s'mores several times a week
4) Eat lots and lots of homemade salsa
5) Have a late night bowling tournament on Wii
6) Listen to the frogs by the moonlight
7) Have a summer movie night with a projector and white sheet
8) Drink tea by a lakeside early in the morning with the Lord
9) Canoe with my husband at dusk
10)Wear lots sundresses and no make-up

What is your list? Post your comments below and let's share some ideas of how we can make this summer one to never forget with the everyday events of summer!

Launching Day

Hey gals...I am heading out to a launch site today (my term for a graduation ceremony)! My nephew Bobby is graduating from high school. He is a young man who has had many things "packed in his trunk" (see June 3rd blog) for the world he is about to enter.

Have a beautiful weekend...I hope it is cooler where you live! It is suppose to be 98 in Charlotte today...I hear the mountains calling my name!

Irresistibly Adorable

"So, Mom, are you somewhat adorable, sometimes adorable or irresistibly adorable?" was Madi's question as she gave me the online quiz forwarded to her by her friend. "I would say somewhat adorable." I replied. "Mom, you are irresistibly adorable! Remember what you have always told me - that Jesus is madly in love with me! That means we are irresistibly adorable!" Wow...to hear your child repeat back to you the treasures you have milled in her heart is an incredible joy!

Madi has heard me instill in her "The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your Lord." Psalm 45:11, "You are altogether beautiful, my darling, and there is no blemish in you." Song of Songs 4:7, "My love is mine and I am His..." Song of Songs 2:16

How would you answer the question of the day? Somewhat adorable, sometimes adorable or irresistibly adorable? He says "#3". If you didn't know that for sure, ask Him to reveal to you just how He sees you. Write out these verses and make them a part of your day today!

And The End is Exit.....

The last letter in our word PREPARE is E for exit. It is true. One day, these precious little people that we have invested so many laughs, tears, energy and hugs into will leave our home and start their own. I would like to end this with a quote from Lysa TerKeurst in her book, "The Bathtub is Overflowing, But I Feeled Drained":
"Our children are like that rainbow. They burst on the scene of our lives in such a way that you feel as though they they'll be there forever. Their colorful personalities and bright expressions are shining reminders of God's promises and miracles. They dance through their childhood, making lasting impressions on our hearts, and then the time comes for them to pull away. The colors of childhood will open for the last time, and that night, as surely as that child closes her eyes to sleep, the door will close. All the curious questions that drive you crazy today will cease. All the fingerprints and smudges will go away. All the childhood fantasies and dreams will fade. And her mother will wake the next morning to peer into the sky and wonder where the rainbow has gone."

Yesterday, I did something very abnormal. I took Madison grocery shopping with me. Usually, I try to get this done while my kids are in school, but I had spent my day doing other things and it just could not wait any longer. So there we were. I was exhausted from having woken up at least one hour too early and Madi was her chatty little self (there is more than one reason we nicknamed her the mouth of the South when she was little!). I found myself being very short tempered. Finally, in her kind and gentle way, she said, "Mom, let me help you". I felt so humbled by this sweet little person. She was so patient with me...and here I am suppose to be the mom. As I tucked her in bed last night, I said, "Madi, I am so sorry for being mean to you at the store today." "When Mom?" was her tender response. Children...if we could only sometimes be more like them.

Gals, the day will come, all too soon, when they will be gone. For some of us, we need to practice letting go a little bit each day. Maybe it is letting them stay home alone for the first time, getting their driver's license or going to that camp. These little "letting go's" are a good thing...no only for us but for them for, you see, we both need to prepare for that day. So while you prepare, bit by bit, be sure at the same time, to grasp the joy of each and every moment of those you have left.

"That it will never come again is what makes life so sweet." Emily Dickinson

The R in Prepare Stands for Read

R stands for Read. We need to not only read the Word to our children, but teach and model to them how to read it for themselves. In John 17, Jesus says the truth will sanctify them and your word is truth. They need to know that in order to become more like Christ, they need to know Christ. Knowing Him deeper will come naturally by reading the love notes that He has written to them.

John 8:32 says, "And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." Sometimes when we see our children, they don't look so free! They are tangled up in bullying, gossiping, iming, texting, school pressure, sports demands, friendship problems and fears. All of these things are part of the adversity that we talked about yesterday - James 1:2 says we are to count it all joy when our life is full of trials. But how would our children know that they are to expect trials and count them as joy unless they know that the Word says so?

I was reading a book on teenagers years ago and it held some advice that I have really clung to. You give them good advice, but it seems to bounce right off. You read them the Word, but it seems to have no effect. The author of this book said to picture your kid's lives like a car. It may seem that they words have no affect, but in fact, your kids are storing all of these things in their trunk and one day, when it is needed most, your children have have access to all of the things you have put into their "trunk" or their hearts.

Ladies, do not grow weary in well doing when it comes to teaching your kids the Word. Even when they grown when you pull out the devotional book after dinner. Even when they finish the verse you are about to share with them sarcastically because they have heard it so many times. Even when they pick up their phone to text in the middle of your sentence. Your seed is not being sow in vain. His Word will not return void!

Keep on Preparing! A = Adversity

We've been talking about preparing our kids to one day leave the protection of our homes and head out on their own into the wide, world of adult life. Jesus' pray for his disciples before He left the earth is our example in John 17. So far we've covered PREP...so today we are on A.

A stands for adversity. We need to prepare our kids to face a world that will very likely not like them. If our kids are truly walking in His light, the world will not understand the way they live. In John 17, Jesus says in verse 14, "I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world."

During a recent conversation I asked my son, “Is there not anything to be ashamed of in your culture?”. “Yes, Mom. Shame for being a believer.” My son has obviously felt the scorn of this world in his life. We need to teach our children that adversity is a natural part of being a believer...it is not strange or unusual.

Recently, while working out on the treadmills at the Y, the lady next to me began discussing born-again Christians and how they were so hypocritical. She suddenly looked at me and then stated, "Oh, yeah, you are one of those!". I made sure that I shared this incident with my kids so that they know that adults experience ridicule as well.