Jesus Take the Wheel -- Please!!!

I'm home from a quick trip to Tulsa to attend a celebration of a dear 90-year-old friend's life. I thought I knew this man who had blessed me with such kindness over the years, but not until I saw his talents all around the halls and chapel did I come to know I had not delved into WHO he really was. Little did I know he was a renown jazz musician, talented artist, and pioneer in the frozen food business. I only knew him as the developer of the beautiful 55+ Hyde Park community in Tulsa. I loved hearing the speaker say that God had "taken the wheel of his life". I learned that I need to be a friend who cares enough to want to know more about my friends before it's too late.

It was pouring rain most all the way back home yesterday. My sis-in-law, Karen, called and we talked as I drove. She prayed for me: "Jesus, please take the wheel for Donna as she drives home!" I embraced those words because the drive could have been daunting in that pouring-down-rain, but I was completely at peace as I knew Jesus was taking the wheel.

Karen is an amazing and loving care-giver of my almost 97-year-old mother-in-law who can be a hand-full. In addition to the responsibility of mom, Karen and her husband own a highly demanding business that consumes an enormous amount of their time. She remarked: "You know, I often pray 'Jesus take the wheel.'" And I reply: "Oh, yes, I do, too!" I love our relationship because we have each other to vent to when we need a listening ear. We know we are never alone and can talk to God Who is always on our side to give us the super-powers we need to carry on but sometimes we just need Jesus in the "flesh and blood" in our lives. I'm thrilled when we can be that for each other.

At the funeral, I notice a young woman standing off to herself, obviously brokenhearted and weeping. I leave my conversation with friends and go to her, put my arms around her and ask: "Are you okay?" She replies, "He was like a father to me. He always let me sit at his feet and he'd tell me stories. He was so kind to me." I remember how Jesus always had women surrounding Him. He was as a beloved father, brother, friend and great storyteller. Of course they wept when He was no longer with them. This young woman needed Jesus "in the flesh". I was able to be Him in the flesh to her. I say: "Jesus must love you so much -- that out of all the people here today, a gal from Texas shows up, sees you and is nudged by God to come and give you a hug." I ask: "Do you know Him?" She does. I tell her: "Jesus is loving you through me." We sit together at lunch and I see her eyes grow brighter and she is calm and grateful. I tell her to pay it forward now and be the hands and feet of Jesus to others.

Those are times that I know that Jesus takes the wheel from me. When I step away from my agenda and surrender to His plans, He takes control of what matters most. The nudge from God to make this trip was confirmed by so many "Jesus taking the wheel" moments. What an amazing ride it is -- when Jesus takes over and takes the wheel from us. We'll arrive safe and sound......and even have a story to tell of His amazing grace time and time again!

What is YOUR Aroma?

On the the way to church, yesterday morning, there was a sweet aroma in my car – a fragrance that brings me to tears. Oh but first before I go there.....I'll tell you what created that lovely aroma. Leading up to Saturday, the 16th, there were 16 days of celebrating my granddaughter's Sweet 16 birthday. Her Mom, Alexia and I started the month with an adventurous trip to Six Flags and now it was my turn to finish out the celebrations on Saturday. We celebrated in Nana/Alexia style!

The first thing on Saturday, I headed to the Wallace home for our final day to begin. After my "legacy" talk that I spoke about yesterday in my post/blog, it was time for Nana’s birthday treasure hunt. Unlike other years when a clue leads to another clue until the BIG treasure is found, this year, there were six clues, each representing a letter in Alexia’s name that sent her to places to look around their home. At each location was a paragraph of "wisdom" for her and the treasure that went with the letter. For example, A = Alexia. "The A in Alexia represents ALEXIA which means “helper and defender of mankind”. Indeed, my sweet girl, God’s anointing is on you and you WILL be helping men, women, boys and girls through your beautiful heart of love. You have the DNA of a warrior and a strong, mighty woman of God with a heart to touch so many with God’s love and power. The A has a treasure ahead! Go find it near your Mom & Dad’s bed. Maybe there’s something there that will remind you of “defending mankind”!"
The A treasure was AMC Theater (that would be a part of our day). She’s a strong warrior already so of course, I knew she wanted to see “Spiderman” yet again. There were other clues, treasures and adventures that made for a very special 16th birthday complete.

After the treasure hunt we headed out for lunch, the movie, and some retail therapy which inspired this day's post/blog. At the mall, we walked by a store that ALWAYS takes me back to my sweetheart and HIS aroma. Maybe this is too much information, but here goes anyway! One of my favorite characteristics about him was he always desired to smell good, so throughout the day, he would splash on a little more cologne. So when Alexia and I were passing by the Abercrombie & Fitch store, Alexia said, “Nana, you want to go in?” She knew my heart. We did. We sprayed his and my favorite -- that wonderful “Fierce” cologne on the little cards. Momentarily, I couldn't hold back the tears. When we got to the car, Alexia put her card in the vent of my air conditioner – thus, the aroma in my car yesterday morning going to and from church.

I breathed in that wonderful aroma and I had precious thoughts about my sweetheart. He's certainly basking in heavenly scents now. And, on this side of heaven, God wants all of us to exude His own sweet aroma to the world.

2 Corinthians 2:14 says this: "But thanks be to God! For through what Christ has done, He has triumphed over us so that now wherever we go He uses us to tell others about the Lord and to spread the Gospel LIKE A SWEET PERFUME.”

What if our lives sent out an aroma that attracted people to God? Our aroma will either attract others to Him or repel them. The sweet scent of the likeness of Christ can be an irresistible pull toward the Savior. When we walk with God and are imitators of His character (love, joy, peace, kindness, etc.) we will leave behind an aroma that can inspire others to follow. So many need to experience that aroma....and they will, as we continue to "splash on" His fragrance. So....what is YOUR aroma today?

Some Friends Are For a Lifetime

Day 247 of Photo Inspirations -- Some Friends Are For a Lifetime
"Some friends are for a reason, some are for a season and some are for a lifetime.  That's who these sweet women are -- Life Timers.....and to think we've only known each other a couple of years or less.

 What we all have in common is our love for the community that we live in -- Hyde Park at Tulsa Hills -- we met when we moved here -- and now we do life together.  And, we serve as resident representatives when visitors stop by to check out the community.  Those visitors get our first-hand testimonies about the blessing it is to live here.

The pretty lady in the pink is the daughter of the Developer of our community and she has been second to none in providing the best in experiences here.

To our surprise, Vicki is quite crafty.  So much so, that she gathered lovely vases, dishes, bowls, platters and other glass items and made each of us glass bird feeders.  Each one individually created for each of us -- thus my photo inspirations for today.

Yesterday, we celebrated Vicki's birthday with a yummy lunch at Napa Flats, and we gave her a lovely Rustic Cuff bracelet -- a token of our love and appreciation for what she's done for us.  

This little band of women -- are all very different -- all from various backgrounds:  Private Investigator, Voice & Piano Teacher, Nurse, Realtor, Artist, Physical Ed Teacher, Owner of a Bed & Breakfast,  etc., but we all have this in common -- we have all been fashioned by God from the same clay and His plan included our friendships.  Each of us have been on very unique and exciting adventures in our lives -- now we get to be on exciting adventures together in this season.  

You, me, her, them, us, we are made from the same clay. If we keep our eyes on the Artist, we'll realize He specially designed us with our own uniqueness.  We won’t need to be the same, we won’t need to compare, we can just enjoy His grand scale of color and texture and DNA that each of us has.

We can be in awe of the incredible masterpiece He creates, and be delighted when He puts us in the same time and space together -- to be here for each other -- on this amazing LIFE ADVENTURE!

The First "Seizing the Moment" of the New Year

Day 2 of Photo Inspirations -- The First "Seizing the Moment of the New Year"
Three years ago, my New Year's resolution was to be on purpose, every day, to make Facebook my place of celebrating life, giving hope and inspiration, sharing God's faithfulness and  expressing my great passion for sharing His love with others.  I knew it was a "mission" God gave me, and I've been  diligent to it for these three years.  I am so appreciative to those of you who follow my posts daily.  It is the exclamation point of God's voice to me.

I am passionate about seizing the moments and living with no regrets.  This year, I'm taking my mission up a notch, by not only seizing the moments each and every day, but to capture it in photos.  At least one a day for the next 365 days.  That will be my mission -- but not just any photo -- one that has meaning and purpose and expresses God speaking to me and translating it to my FB friends in special practical ways. Today, January 1st -- was my first opportunity.

Hanging with two boys -- 8 and 10 years old -- certainly gives plenty of opportunities for adventures and to be inspired.  Today, was no exception.  What started out to simply take a photo of Lake Washington as my first photo of the year -- and express the awesomeness and majesty of God, ended up being a celebration of His creation.

It was a most magnificent, clear, cool day in Washington.  You could see Mt. Rainer clearly in the distance, and the gorgeous Seattle skyline distinctly.

So it was a perfect day to seize the moments......and for Brennan to create more movies.   Each of us were characters in his latest adventure film.  People at the park were amused by our antics.   Dusk was falling rapidly as we made our way to our car.  I asked Brennan what he thought God was telling us about this day.  He responded, "God's telling us that His creation allows us to be adventureous.  He made this world for us to have fun and to love people."

And, suddenly the light came on -- earlier today, we had been inside watching TV, playing games, doing craft projects and it was a lot of fun -- but there is nothing to compare with all that God has in store for us when we step outside and behold Him and His marvelous handiwork.  Unquestionably,  watching the sun set, staring up in awe at the giant pine trees, walking in nature away from the hustle and bustle of human activity,

delighting in God’s animals and creatures (we loved the family of Golden Retrievers that joined our adventures). All of these things teach us more about God and draw us to praise and to worship him in deeper and better ways.

What a Masterful Designer, Architect, Builder, Craftsman, Creator, and Artist He is -- and today, His creation was our play place.  It helped us burn a lot of pent-up energy -- but it inspired Brennan with another movie, and for me..... to make this day and year one to be remembered.....on purpose.   Isn't it time to make God's creation your Play Space and Place?
#AwesomeGod

You Are Living Stones

I have a birds-eye view from my office window, of the house being built across the street from me (pictured here). It’s really quite amazing how – just a couple of weeks ago – there was just a vacant lot. It is gradually becoming a home that will soon have happy occupants inside. For the first time, I’ve become keenly aware of the intricate, detailed, precise artistry of the stonemasons. Each rock is random in shape and size, but is actually hand-picked to connect to its neighboring rocks and precisely placed for the forces and elements of nature that will come, yet those stones will withstand the test of time. I took photos of this house, and put together this collage yesterday. You can see the house at the top, the photo at the bottom left is the brilliant stonemason, and the bottom right is the stone cutter. Patience, endurance, and an eye for the layout to be concise – not to mention, their exquisite craftsmanship certainly entitles them to bear the name "Master Artists".

I'm amazed as I think about us, God’s masterpieces, and His plans and purposes for our lives and what all, and who all, He had in mind when He created us. We may feel like random works of art, but, oh no, He had specific "stones" that would be connected to our lives. He had our families in mind; He had our friends in mind; He had those He would want us to influence in mind; He had our generation in mind; He had the future generation in mind. We were hand-picked to connect to people with the knowledge that what we do and who we are, will withstand the test of time……to eternity. My prayer is “Use me, Lord! Please pick me! Oh, great, Chief Cornerstone, may I be one of your “living stones” used as a stepping stone for others to come to You! (I Peter 2:5 “You are living stones…..")

"We are works of art, and we are artists at work."

Works of the Master Artist; Artists at Work

Loved my Life Group tonight as we talked about our great Creator Who created us with the abilities to CREATE. I asked each one to bring a photo or share something that they "created". I loved it when one of our precious ladies brought a gorgeous quilt she had made for a grandbaby that's on the way -- one quilt among many she made for family, as well as those she's created for her business. She was already a quilter when her husband passed away a couple of years ago, and then just a couple of months later, her home burned to the ground. EVERYTHING she owned -- burned, including her quilting machine and tools. She said, "That's it. I'll never quilt again." Then one day, she said, "I'm not going to stop living. I'll start again!" And with that, she rebuilit her home and started creating again. Yes, she spread her wings, and today she exudes with life and love and liberty of knowing she is on assignment. Have you stopped living? Have you stopped creating? God wants us to break free from those things that stopped the creative juices from flowing. He wants us to spread our wings and fly in freedom to be all He destined us to be -- and to touch many lives while we do. We are works of the Master Artist, and we are Artists at work!