This is what Love and Life Looks Like

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart." (Jeremiah 1:5) Oh, yes, my friends – God isn’t surprised by surprises. In fact, He is delicately, intricately, lovingly, and carefully at work in our mama’s womb from the moment of our conception. And these photos are proof of what love, support and life look like when a young person and her family value that precious, God-given life. Is it easy? I'm sure it isn't -- but it will be oh, so worth every minute of choosing life.

Last week, a dear friend sent me a private FB message asking if I could help her with a proclamation she was making to the world. I was surprised by the story, but I was so proud of her for being such a loving, caring and supportive mom to her 16-year-old daughter, but also because she led us all in the value and sanctity of life.

I was able to pray with her a few weeks ago when she came for prayer for several things -- but this one wasn't mentioned. Her hands were already full including the passing on of her beloved father. I love how deeply my friend loves. I asked if I could share my suggestions for her proclamation. Obviously she said "yes".

"Amidst all the concerns and worries about all that’s going in our world, the Torres Family were blessed to welcome a beautiful, brand new life into our home on Sunday, September 6th, 2020 at 8:05 pm. Needless to say, a lot changed for the Torres household when precious baby boy, Elijah, made his debut, making Secily, a mom, Andrew and Seth, uncles, and for Richard and I, grandparents. So, this is our new US – with new life, joy and laughter brimming in our home!

This is Us, today, but just a few months ago, when we heard the shocking news of our teenage daughter embarking on an unplanned journey, our first reaction was tears, fears and concerns. But, after the initial shock, we chose to welcome this precious addition to our home and family. We are so grateful for the unconditional support and prayers from our family and our church family who embraced the journey wholeheartedly with us.

We are so proud of our daughter for choosing life at the young age of 16, and only three weeks after my dad’s passing. So, please join our entire Torres family as we welcome Elijah Candelario, weighing in at 5 pounds, 4 ounces and 18 inches long. Sweet and beautiful Elijah, you have given us reasons for so much joy in a time of grieving from the loss of your great grandpa, Candelario. We love you so much and are so thankful God gave us you!
“You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy.” Psalm 30:11"

I know this story isn't the same for everyone when making the tough choices for life. Some young women don't have supportive families like the Torres family. Some don't have resources to provide for their prenatal care, the birth of the baby and the ongoing care that follows, but God who delicately and intricately formed that precious baby, is the same God who cares for us all of our lives. He has plans for each life and in partnering with Him, we'll find the support, the resources, the strength and, if for the best, a loving couple, unable to give birth naturally, is waiting and longing to adopt. Living with no regrets is key to loving life. Life is precious. And so are you.

The Love Just Keeps on Giving

Here we are on the last day of February! It's hard to believe -- only ten months till Christmas. So if you're desiring a November or December baby -- pitter patter -- better get at 'er!

Awww! Babies! Be still my heart! This photo isn’t of me, but it sure looks like me singing to my baby boy. Same color of hair (the baby and me), that thin, and that love she has for her baby! Oh, how I loved singing to my babies AND grandbabies. As I scroll through my Facebook timeline, I can't help but slow down when I see a mom or dad's new baby photos with their cutest, enormous bows ever on little girls and "future football player" shirts on little boys! Forgive me, but I'm a gawker, smeller (heaven's scent is all over them), a rocker (in the chair sense) AND singer. The maternal instincts in me want to get my hands on those little darlings.

I am biding my time until my grandson and his wife give me my first great grandbaby. Lord knows (and maybe they know all too well also) that this Nana will be invading their privacy when that precious one arrives someday. I’ve been planning their baby since I started encouraging my grandson to find himself a Spanish senorita because I declared “you’d make beautiful babies”! He fulfilled my request and gave me a senorita beauty -- inside and out! Check! Okay, I was sort of kidding about all that, but I know one of these days I’ll hold that little bundle of joy and oh the love songs I’ll sing to him or her or THEM (Ruth is a triplet!). In the latter case, all hands will be on deck!

Now picture this: God holding us in His loving arms like the photo of this young mom holding her baby, and singing. God’s quiet love, tender hugs, and gentle whispers of acceptance and delight are the greatest love song our spiritual ears will ever hear. Maybe if we'll find a quiet place to listen, we just may feel His embrace and hear Him singing His love song to us right now! Zephaniah 3:17 says: "The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you WITH SINGING."

One of my favorite "baby/kid" songs was Skidamarink: It went like this:
Skidamarink-a-dink, a-dink, skidamarink-a-doo, I love you. (2x)
I love you in the morning and in the afternoon;
I love you in the evening, and underneath the moon.
Oh, skidamarink-a-dink, a-dink, skidamarink-a-doo, I love you.

I can picture our Heavenly Father singing over us "I love you in the morning and in the afternoon and in the evening. I LOVE YOU ALL THE TIME!"

When I think of how Father rejoices over us with singing, another image comes to mind. I envision Him swinging us around in circles, all the while bellowing His song of extreme affection over us. He is not ashamed of the love He has for us and He wants the whole universe to know it. The next time you worship the Father in song, remember that as you sing of your love for Him, He, in turn, sings His song of love over you! Can you hear Him singing now?

Peace on Earth, Goodwill to All

I've witnessed so much peace and goodwill over the last several days since the passing of our 41st President, George H.W. Bush. Many accolades and gracious editorials, social media posts and televised stories of this very praiseworthy American statesman were seen and heard almost non-stop. His funeral, yesterday, was beautiful and inspiring even though the tension on that first row of presidents and first ladies was sure obvious. It took the passing of a peace-filled former president for them to be together. But, bipartisanship has been sensed from all sides, except for the “slanted” commentators who used their segments to talk about the “stark contrast” of his presidency to our current president with disparaging remarks. What a shame! My two cents worth here: Every president elected to the highest office of this land, deserves to be respected and honored for the price they pay to lead and protect our country, regardless of their leadership style! Okay, enough of my rant! Back to peace and goodwill!

The words, “Peace, goodwill toward men”, keeps echoing in my heart. No doubt, peace and goodwill have often been missing this year. They’ve gotten lost somewhere in the hate-filled mobs, politics, Hollywood, news media, and even our relationships with each other. Oh, but there's good news!

I segue to another story and another scene. The weary shepherds keeping watch over their flock of sheep. The shock and awe of angels declaring the good news. The star and the manger. The Baby and the hope.

God could have chosen a lot to say that night. He could have dealt with politics (which had their troubles then too). He could have lauded verbose words to proclaim the need for morality and civility. He could have taken a tone like a ruler-tapping teacher and told us all to get our act together. But instead, He blessed us. He spoke words of encouragement and hope.

What if the whole world did the same this Christmas? What if in this season we all put down our opinions and picked up grace? What if we shut our mouths and opened our doors; pulled back our judgments and reached out our hands? What if our angry words were buried and we brought out the welcome mat for kindness and mercy?

Sometimes we forget that Someone already came to save the world. That job has been taken. That box has been checked and the task has been marked complete. It is not on our shoulders. And this is what Jesus told us will continue that mission: “A new commandment I give to you, love one another” (John 13:34).

Peace on earth, goodwill toward men! It’s the good news of the first Christmas. It’s what we need so much more than the doomsday speakers out there. So much more than another television tirade. More than fists and voices raised. And this good news hasn’t changed. I suggest that it's time to spread the GOOD NEWS of “peace on earth, goodwill toward men”! We need to turn up the volume of our peace-filled voices and turn up the amps of our “lights”! Let’s make this Christmas all about love. Which is really just another way of saying let’s make it all about Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

That Precious Rocking Chair of Peace

I no longer have a rocking chair because its usefulness was over, but it meant the world to me at one time. Oh, the joy I experienced in that rocker. I sat and rocked in it and sang sweet love songs to each of my babies. I’d kiss their soft cheeks and take deep breaths as I smelled that heaven-scent aroma on them. I’d pray for their little lives to be filled with the love and grace of God. They’d drift off to sleep as I cuddled them so close – and often, I’d fall asleep, too. It was almost a holy, sacred place of complete peace and serenity.

I’ve also ridded myself of the not-so-precious "worry" rocking chair. In the words of the great philosopher, Erma Bombeck ;-) .“Worry is like a rocking chair: It gives you something to do, but it doesn’t get you anywhere.” From firsthand experience, I can tell you that statement is true. I've done my share of worrying, and it has NEVER gotten me anywhere! I realized that it is a time waster, energy sucker, stomach nauseater, and a depression maker -- not to mention, that I disappointed God when I was a "Worry Wart". Worry Wart: someone who worries too much. Worst of all, being a worrier is admitting that we’re not trusting God to take care of the situations in our lives.

God knows that one of the greatest "joy stealers" in our lives is worry. That's why He reminds us not to worry and to trust Him completely. Jesus said in Matthew 6:25 “Therefore I tell you, DO NOT BE ANXIOUS ABOUT YOUR LIFE." That doesn’t sound like a suggestion, but a commandment from God.

Sometimes….as stalwart as we may be in professing to have great faith, and trusting in God implicitly, we are still vulnerable to the lies of the enemy. But thanks be to God, like rebooting a computer, we can do a “reboot” on our minds and remember what we know to be true. "Cast the whole of your care (all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all) on Him, for He cares for you." (I Peter 5:6, 7). I love that image! I know what it is to CAST for fish and reel that bait back in. In that scripture, it means CASTING the cares -- all of them -- on Him....and NOT reeling them back in. We CAST them to Him....and let go of them.

I'm learning my lessons well. When worry starts knocking on my door.....I do my best to quickly put mind on HIM who is my worry-bearer. "Him I will keep in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Me" (Isaiah 26:3). I quickly go get in my precious "peace" rocking chair and I cast the cares, the worries and pressures to Him -- after all HE is the Prince of Peace so why should I worry or fret? And why should YOU worry or fret? What rocking chair are you rocking in today? A chair of peace and serenity or the chair of worry – that gets you nowhere. I’m choosing the peace chair! How about you?

No Prayer is too Small for our Lord to Handle

Prayer has unbelievable benefits to us, even when we're just praying about a lost set of car keys or finding our cell phone. Praying for the little things, as well as the big things, helps us to acknowledge our dependence on God. When we become so self-sufficient that we don't leave room for God's ideas, creativity, and resources, then we're deliberately unplugging from our greatest source of supply. It's like unplugging a lamp from its electrical supply. No electricity -- no light! And when we choose to plug into God’s unlimited power, an abundance of God's grace, wisdom and understanding comes flowing to us.

When we choose to seek God’s provision for something seems as insignificant as a parking place or just-the-right wording of a letter, or the most effective words to give in a speech, or what clothes to wear to the office, we’re acknowledging that we want and need God’s direction in every aspect of our day. We’re inviting Him to be the end-authority of every last detail of our life. And that kind of praying gives us hundreds of opportunities, everyday, for sweet communion with God.

Three days in a row, this scripture bears repeating, Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."