The Sky is Falling!!! Oh, No, it’s Not!

Remember the story of Chicken Little? Chicken Little was having a great day when an acorn fell from a tree, hitting the top of her head and she cries out: "The sky is falling! The sky is falling!"

Proverbs 4:23 says "Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life." Isn't that so true? From just an acorn, Chicken Little thought the world was coming to an end. We have encountered something far greater than an acorn. The COVID-19 has consumed our thoughts and actions and our "normal" is no longer normal.

I’ve heard many talks about this being the “end-times”, so in a sense we could be thinking “the sky is falling” or rather, the end is near. But, rest assured, only God knows "the end", but I do believe that "what the enemy meant for evil" (Genesis 50:20), God in His "Master Plan" mode is causing us to have an “upward” perspective towards Him. COVID-19 is nothing compared to our God. If we continue to immerse ourselves in daily binge-watching the news and dwelling on the 33,000 people who have died from the C-virus versus the 150,000 who have recovered out of the 778,000 confirmed cases (statistics from WHO), we’ll get as worked up as Chicken Little.

We must get a grip. Are we going to live by news reports or recognize the enemy who wants to keep us in fear, worry and doubt? We can turn those thoughts inside out and into thoughts like "We will overcome. I am strong. I am protected by the blood of Jesus. I have an assignment to fulfill. I walk in divine health. No weapon formed against me shall prosper. God is for me and who can be against me? God holds my todays and tomorrows, so why should I worry or fret?" I know this about God:: “Fear is reality minus God. Faith is reality plus God.”

The sky is NOT falling! So, there is no need to buy paper goods and antibacterial soap till the shelves are empty every day. Unfortunately, some people get the virus and recover and sadly some die. (Last year 18,000 to 20,000 died in the U.S. from the flu). Let’s keep everything in proper perspective. Let’s do what the medical professionals and our government officials are telling us to do – social distancing, washing our hands, etc. – and spread positivity while the scientists around the world are working on the solution to kill the virus.

The most important is to PRAY – big time. Many faith groups are setting up the Sign-Up Genius app for around-the-clock prayers for our health professionals, laborers who are on the front lines and for those who are relegated to stay at home and especially for those who are struggling with their finances and for anyone who has contracted the virus. Lord, have mercy!

There are NO negatives in the Kingdom of God. Every obstacle in our life has a promise and a provision attached to it. The Father is not up in Heaven losing sleep over the COVID-19 virus. He is not filled with fear for His children and He does not feel like He is losing control. Let’s be like Him and apply His Word (like these) to our daily routines:

“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.” (‭Psalms‬ ‭37‬:‭23‬). God gives us His wisdom, so ask His advice before we leave our home or do something that we think could possibly put us at risk.‬‬‬

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6-7‬). God wants us to come to Him with thanksgiving -- thankful that He directs our steps, gives us His wisdom, fills us with hope, and casts out all our fear.‬‬‬

“No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.” (‭Psalms‬ ‭91‬:‭10-11‬). This promise wasn’t only for the Israelites. In Jesus name, and by the healing power of His blood, we are protected from this plague!‬‬‬

Heavenly Father, Your faithful love endures forever! Nothing surprises You. You delight in steering us clear of fear, anxiety, panic, sickness, and any other negative in our life. We ask for divine revelation to come to scientists and medical teams for a cure and it is administered quickly. Help us to be a light to those that are filled with panic. I pray that our peace would draw them to You. You are a good, good Father, and we love You! In the healing name of Jesus, amen, and so be it. 🙏🙏🙏

The Year We Came Together

If there’s anything we learned from it all -- it’s we’ll never take a handshake, a hug or a kiss for granted again. (That's why I can't help but kiss and hug you so much!)To my future grandchildren and great grandchildren:
WOW! What a year 2020 was! Before the BIG “C-Virus”, our world was so divided. There were literal wars and political wars beyond belief. So many people were selfish and talked so bad to and about each other. The heroes before the C-virus were the highly paid professional athletes, musicians, recording artists, politicians and movie stars. While in the quarantine of the C-virus, the true heroes became those in the medical field and grocery store shelf stockers and moms and dads teaching their kids at home and those who were near-poverty because their store or business was shut down. Can you even imagine this? Grocery store refrigerators and shelves were empty. We had to stand in line to get toilet paper and paper towels. There were no professional, college or high school sports games played. No March Madness – well, there was madness, but not with basketball. Businesses – big and small were either closed altogether or their employees were working from home. Food establishments stopped indoor dining and only provided drive-thru meals. We quickly ran in and out of grocery stores in a hurry. People even wore gloves and masks. When they got home, they took off the clothes they wore and washed them right away. Our churches were closed. Online worshipping was the norm. “Social distancing” was the main theme. We had to stay away from closeness in public. Online connectedness was the best way to stay close to each other.

But, that C-Virus did something to us and for us. It brought us together as families and friends. Technology helped with that because we couldn’t go to each other’s homes. We were connected by the internet. Thank God for the internet. Thank God for our phones. Thank God for a wise President who led our Country to wholeness again. Now, there’s a vaccine that stops the spread of the virus and a vaccine that we can take to keep us from ever getting it. Once again, we are free to go about our lives and businesses and friendships.

We’ll never take full shelves and refrigerators at the grocery stores for granted. We’ll never take for granted: a crowded theater, going to church, the taste of communion, a routine check-up, the school rush each morning, the stadiums roaring, taking each breath deeply, the reasons for washing our hands many times a day.

And, my precious grandchild and great grandchild, just look at us now. We have so much to be grateful for. Like in the story of Joseph in the Bible -- "What the enemy meant for evil, God meant it for good." Genesis 50:20. That’s how we came out of our C-Virus nightmare. God turned all of the chaos into so much beauty because we became more like the people we wanted to be, called to be, hoped to be and just look at us now. We are so much better because of the worst. God brought neighbors back together again. Our family units were restored. We ate together as a family. We slowed down our lives and appreciated what mattered most. Most of all, we learned that it is God who changed everything for us. We humbled ourselves, we turned from our wicked ways and we surrendered to His will and His ways. We trusted Him more than our money and our material possessions. We prayed. We cried out to Him and He heard our prayers and He healed our lands and our people. I'm so thankful I went through that experience so that I can tell you that living for Jesus, loving Him with all my heart and trusting Him kept me strong enough to tell you about it.
I love you so, so much, my beloved grands!
Nana

Happy 2020! Let's Be Front-Liners!

I am amped up about this new year! I share these words that I texted my children yesterday. Since I’ve attained the “wiser, older” status with all these years under my belt, I get to pour it on -- believing they are words straight from heaven-central:

“Praise God. I am so excited for 2020. I see it as a year of overcoming, many victories won, and what the enemy meant for evil, God is going to bring about so much good (Genesis 50:20). I see dreams and visions coming true for my family. I see above and beyond all we can ask or think according to the power that works (God’s power) in us (Ephesians 3:20). So, let’s power-up! Miracles upon miracles, blessings upon blessings, I decree and declare over my family in Jesus’ name. I have something stirring inside me that believes and sees it for all of my family – from the youngest (Bryson) to me, the oldest. There is an anticipation building inside me that this is going to be a miraculous year for our family. God is setting up His people for a powerful, mighty move of God. Let’s agree together to not settle for less than His power working in us this year – being instruments of His peace everywhere we go and we see others through the lens of Jesus and we encourage them, give them words of life and peace. They will leave our presence with new hope and expectation for their lives. I decree and declare it so, in Jesus mighty name. Amen. I love you so, so much!”

I encourage you to stand up strong and take faith-filled words and declare them with fervent belief over your families. Display and live out holy, righteous boldness in faith this year.

Some of us are skeptical about 2020 because 2019 was such a rough year. We can take the woe-is-me approach to this new year OR we can be a front-liner on God’s team and we can let Him strategically position us for a major harvest of blessings – and while we’re being blessed – we’re positioned in His army for bringing in an army of lost souls to His saving grace, too! We’ve been in boot camp, so to speak, and we graduated with flying colors. I have holy butterflies fluttering inside me because I'm determined to be on that "front-liner" team.

I sense, for those who are willing, that God is opening our eyes with 20/20 vision for our assignments this year -- having depth of perception, skills that discern the enemy with the ability to take him out with precision. I'm believing for now-moments where God will download breakthrough strategies for this year.

I sense that radical faithfulness to standing strong in the heat of the battle in 2019 was seen by God. Despite what we went through, we trusted God. He was and is watching us TODAY – this first day of the new year. I believe He has been singling out front-liners and I'm raising my hand! Pick me, Lord!

I sincerely believe this will be a new year of such closeness to God that we’ll hear His heartbeat and we'll see through His lens for His people. He is giving us 20/20 vision and we shouldn’t be afraid to step out boldly in faith. Remember Moses and his fears? “Then Moses said to the Lord, "O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant. But I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue." The Lord said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Or who made the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you must say" (Exodus. 4:10-12).

I believe that in this new year and new decade, we will respond to God's nudges and His whispers to stepping up and going where He sends us. We will conquer because He goes before us. He is our Father and will not leave or forsake us. So, won’t you join me and be a front-liner this year?

Train Them in the Way They Should Go

From the very start of her life, our daughter was loud. I mean crying-out-loud loud. When she was a baby, she cried because she was a very sick baby and later when she realized she had a brother that loved to annoy her, she was loud with her shrills and squeals when he as much as touched her.

"STACI!" I'd shout to out-shrill her. "Please stop screaming! And, I mean now!" Later my husband and I heard her belting out the song "Jesus loves me this I know" in the bathroom in perfect pitch. We knew we had a gift from God on our hands. We could see clearly that God was up to something and what the enemy had meant for evil with a Cystic Fibrosis diagnosis, God meant it for good. (Genesis 50:20) She was soon 100% healed.

We were young parents who realized God had given us a great responsibility to cultivate the gifts that were in our children. We were praying parents who sought the Lord earnestly concerning His plans for our their lives. In time, He revealed our children's natural abilities to us. Ryan was a natural born salesman -- winning all kinds of awards for top sales in Cub Scout Scout-A-Rama tickets and other school fundraisers. We were his accomplices when we drove him door to door to give his sales pitch and I was his bookkeeper. And with our daughter's ability to communicate in song and word was enabled by parents who continued to do whatever we could to open up doors of opportunity for her.

When Staci was very young, she’d sing little songs on stage at our church and her school. She was in school musicals and the choir. At 12, she started winning talent competitions, landed TV shows and commercials. Our son gravitated to real jobs in sales where he thrived. They are both in those areas of life today.

We were taking our cues from scripture. Proverbs 22:6 gives specific instructions on developing the God-given potential embedded in every child. "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." I believe that verse is meant for their life and spiritual purposes.

In essence, parents are responsible for investing in their children the love, guidance and structure that can one day produce a life fully committed to the Lord in all they do. As we lead them "in the way they should go" -- according to their unique personalities and natural giftings -- they will live fulfilling lives.

We need to imitate Eunice, the mother of Timothy, the apostle Paul's prodigy. Her godly influence on Timothy created an ironclad commitment that would seal his faith in Christ. Eunice's devotion to that challenge carved a place for her in biblical history, and Paul remembered: "the genuine faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and that I am persuaded lives in you also" (2 Timothy 1:5). Like Eunice, parents can help their children fulfill their purpose in life by intentionally nurturing them. Here are some ways I encourage you to nurture yours:

~ Pray with your children daily.
~ Demonstrate unconditional love, regardless of their failures or successes.
~ Shun performance-based acceptance, and avoid forcing your unfulfilled dreams on them.
~ Spend quality time imparting character-building traits that will stand against the toughest temptation.
~ Talk with your kids about their day at school, their homework and their future goals or aspirations.
~ Find opportunities to hone your child’s natural abilities. I promise you – they have those – painter, writer, talker/speaker, leader, singer, musician, etc.

Parents who are vigilant in their pursuit to raise kids who love God and who will use their gifts to serve Him are trusting God for the outcome. So the next time your child has their stuffed animals lined up and she is teaching them or your child wants to create a meal in your kitchen (no matter how many pots and pans they have out and how messy your kitchen is), don't stop them -- encourage them. Applaud them. A loving and devoted teacher or a master chef may be in their future. Only God knows what's in the making. We get to plant the seeds and water them – God gives the increase!

Going GREEN on St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Do you have your “green” on? After all, it’s St. Patrick’s Day and who wants to get pinched? I’m told I’m 1/16th Irish so I’m wearing my Claddagh Irish ring and I’m wearing my sweetheart’s St. Patrick’s cross necklace that he wore almost all the time. He loved St. Patrick and what he stood for, and so do I. Hmm! It makes perfect sense on this special day to travel with my family to Ireland, but no, we’re on our way to Mexico — a great place to celebrate God’s green earth, His sweet blessings and to celebrate the true meaning of St. Patrick’s Day!

We always enjoyed corned beef & cabbage, Irish Stew, and Celtic music on St. Patrick’s Day. With all the good-hearted fun, I know, like other religious holidays, this is another “watered down, rather, beered down” day where we get distracted from the true story behind the day. The true meaning is about St. Patrick, and, in case you didn’t know, I’m giving you a little history lesson about why this man should be honored. Whether we’re in Mexico, Ireland, USA or anywhere in the world, he is worthy of celebrating and giving thanks for His example of great faith!

St. Patrick was born around A.D. 389 in England. At the age of 16, he was kidnapped and sold as a slave in Ireland. Six years later he escaped and returned home to Britain, but became burdened for the spiritual condition of the Irish. He eventually returned to their land as a missionary for 30 years where he established more than 200 churches and led more than 100,000 to faith in Christ. He used the 3-leaf shamrock to talk about the Trinity. His death on March 17, 461 is remembered each year as St. Patrick’s Day. Patrick was sold as a slave, and like Joseph in the Bible, “what the enemy meant for evil, God turned for good”. Genesis 50:20.

Can you imagine what must have gone through Patrick’s mind when he heard the Lord’s call to return to the land where he was once a slave? Instead of running to his safe place, he followed God’s plan for his life. And, isn’t that exactly what we are called to do? Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”

Listen to how utterly consumed St. Patrick was in his relationship with God in his prayer:”I arise today through God’s strength to pilot me, God’s might to uphold me, God’s wisdom to guide me, God’s eye to look before me, God’s ear to hear me, God’s word to speak for me, God’s hand to guard me. Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise. Christ in the heart of everyone one who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me. I arise today through His mighty strength.” That prayer tells me St. Patrick wanted to be consumed by God!

St. Patrick was a man who boldly listened to God’s call for his life and achieved so much for God’s glory. His witness, his prayers, his passion, and his example really are something to celebrate today. The green I wear today honors him and honors the God he served. I’m in good company with him because I also desire to be consumed by Christ. St. Patrick’s prayer is my prayer, too!

Who is Trevor Lawrence, Anyway?

My son texted me on Tuesday: “Good morning! I love you! Wow, did Alabama get stomped!” My reply, without looking at the score of the Clemson/Alabama championship game, was “They sure did. I’m sure they were humbled.” Actually, I didn't see the game. Once Oklahoma was out, so was I.

But, subsequently I did check out the score, and yes, Clemson pulled off a big upset for #1 Alabama. Apparently, Clemson’s quarterback was the star of the show because he was named MVP. Trevor Lawrence, the 19-year-old freshman, has already received accolades for his talents and ESPN said that “the legend of Trevor Lawrence has only begun.”

I enjoy following Dr. Jim Denison’s review of daily news and this is what he said, “The best part of the story isn’t the part that’s making headlines today. When Lawrence was named Clemson’s starting quarterback last September, reporters asked how he stays so calm during games. “That’s just always my personality,” he explained. “Football’s important to me, but it’s not my life. It’s not the biggest thing in my life. I would say my faith is.” He added: “I put my identity in what Christ says, who He thinks I am and who I know that He says I am.” “Share a nanosecond of celebration!” says Dr. Denison.

I love stories like that – especially the ones when God is given the credit. You know, those “But, God…..” stories. Some people believe God set the world in motion, and then sat back in His holy recliner just to watch it spin without intervening in the lives of men. There many "But God..." stories in the Bible:
Genesis 50:20 “You intended to harm me, BUT GOD intended it for good….”
Acts 2:24, “Jesus was put to death, BUT GOD raised him from the dead.”
Romans 5:8, “We were sinners, BUT GOD demonstrates His love for us that while we were yet sinners, He died for us"

How awesome! God was involved in the lives of men back then and He is still involved now, intervening, guiding, and restoring. I heard these one-liners from men and women this last year:
"I thought my family would never change, but God…"
"My life was spiraling out of control, but God…"
"I thought I'd messed everything up, but God…"
“I was homeless and couldn’t take care of my family, but God….”
“I was diagnosed with cancer, but God….”
“I was abused and tormented, but God….”
“I was in prison with no hope, but God….”
“I couldn’t find a job, but God….”
Each one of those “But, God” stories have a happy ending AND new beginning. "But God" is the moment when God intervenes. Life is going one way and things seem hopeless and then all of a sudden a holy God steps in and everything changes.

What is your “But God....” story? No matter where you are right now or what you've been through, if you'll let God in, He'll bring complete restoration to your life. I know because He did it for me. God loves you so much and has a good plan for your life. Even if you are in the middle of a disaster right now, don't give up hope. Trust Him. Your "BUT GOD" story is on its way!

Sweetheart, You've Got Your Girl!

My obstetrician was going on a 2-week vacation right when my baby was due, and since he had been my "go-to" doc throughout my pregnancy, I didn't want to take a chance on him not being there for me. Doc told me the baby was "fully cooked" so "Let's help her make her debut on Monday", and that's what we did. Back in those days, most of us were "out" when the baby arrived, while the dads were in the Waiting Room.

When I woke up, my husband said, "Sweetheart, you've got your girl." Oh, the inexpressible joy that I felt. Of course, I would have had that joy if God had blessed us with another boy, but, I loved that God's plan was for this precious baby girl, born today, December 8th.

I'm celebrating that precious girl today because I've seen God's purposes for her life being fulfilled in some of the most miraculous and tremendous ways. For the first months of her life, she was a sick little baby with having many bouts of pneumonia and was eventually diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. Not only did the enemy lose that battle, but he lost it in trying to steal our faith. She was ultimately healed, and my husband and our faith grew exponentially. "What the enemy meant for evil, God turned it for good." Genesis 50:20

She was a "Daddy's girl and she became his God-given "project". He understood right from the beginning that she was special, and that God was going to use her life in many ways. He was her sports, voice, stage and life coach. You think a Stage Mom is something. You should have seen the likes of his training and coaching our girl. So many times in tears, she'd come to me asking for my intervention with Daddy who was relentless in pulling out the best in her. "Practice. Practice. Practice" was his philosophy. He succeeded, and that little girl eventually knew no fear to be on the stage, to belt out another song on camera, to speak to huge audiences, and be with high profile people. But more than all of that, her name, Staci Michelle -- "resurrection life" and "close to God" have held true. She has brought so much life to us and so many others. She has led by example in integrity and character in business and life -- sincerely making a difference in so many people's lives.

I spoke at her surprise birthday party with close friends two nights ago and said, “Seedtime and harvest”. Her Daddy and I planted many seeds of faith into her from her very beginning – she knew that the enemy lost his battle on stealing her life at a young age and she has been giving him “hell” ever since with her relentless passion to change the world. Now, more than ever, it seems those seeds are producing a harvest beyond our wildest dreams.

As I'm typing this, I know I must sound like a proud and braggadocios Mom. In a sense, I am, because our greatest investment paid off. The time we invested into her -- through tears and time and finances -- paid off. I tell you this story -- celebrating this day and the precious life God gave us, but mostly to tell you, Moms and Dads, out there -- "INVEST in your kids. Take time to give them the best of you. Cultivate their talents. Speak into them that they can do and be anything that God wants them to be. Teach them about God and His faithfulness and absolutely knowing that "nothing is impossible with Him". What a payback for an investor! The payback of years of growth, rich rewards, paying forward to the next generation (their children and grandchildren) is the greatest reward. And the multiplied blessings of that investment goes way beyond our own family -- it spreads to others -- these seeds bear fruit in so many other people's lives. I promise you....after many, many years of investing into what matters most, it is worth every effort. Just imagine what your investment will reap in rewards.

Who Was St. Patrick?

Do you have your "green" on today? After all, it's St. Patrick's Day and the most important thing about this day is that we wear green so we don't get pinched!! NOT! There will be celebrations all around the world, which includes drinking endless pints of Guinness while wearing green and Ireland's flag colors like this wig on the little guy in the photo.

Tonight, I'll be attending our community's St. Patrick's Day Party, and, yes, I'll be wearing my "green" in celebration of this fun holiday. We'll enjoy corned beef & cabbage, Irish Stew, Celtic music, and just maybe, I'll win the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. ;-) It will be good hearted fun, but I know, like other religious holidays, this is another "watered....er' beered down" day where we get distracted from the true meaning of this day, but I want to honor St. Patrick by sharing who this man was -- just in case you may not know.

St. Patrick was born around A.D. 389 in England. At the age of 16, he was kidnapped and sold as a slave in Ireland. Six years later he escaped and returned home to Britain, but became burdened for the spiritual condition of the Irish. He eventually returned to their land as a missionary for 30 years where he established more than 200 churches and led more than 100,000 to faith in Christ. He used the 3-leaf shamrock to talk about the Trinity. His death on March 17, 461 is remembered each year as St. Patrick's Day. WOW -- like Joseph, St. Patrick, was sold to slavery, and like Joseph in the Bible, "what the enemy meant for evil, God turned for good". Genesis 50:20.

Can you imagine what must have gone through Patrick’s mind when he heard the Lord’s call to return to the land where he was once a slave? Instead of running to his safe place, he followed God’s plan for his life. And, isn’t that exactly what we are called to do? Jeremiah 29:11 says "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."

Listen to how utterly consumed St. Patrick was with his relationship with God in his prayer:

"I arise today through God's strength to pilot me, God's might to uphold me,God's wisdom to guide me, God's eye to look before me, God's ear to hear me, God's word to speak for me, God's hand to guard me. Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise. Christ in the heart of everyone one who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of every one who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me.I arise today through His mighty strength."

Let's take a few moments to honor and be inspired by St. Patrick -- a man who boldly listened to God’s call for his life and achieved so much for God's glory. His witness, his prayer, his passion and his example really is something to celebrate today. The green I wear today, honors him, honors the God he served and HE is also MY Lord, and MY God!

Sweetheart, You've Got Your Girl!

Day 342 of Photo Inspirations -- Sweetheart, You've Got Your Girl
My obstetrician was going on a 2-week vacation right when my baby was due, and since he had been my "go-to" doc throughout my pregnancy, I didn't want to take a chance on him not being there for me.  Doc told me the baby was "fully cooked" so "Let's help her make her debut on Monday", and that's what we did.  Back in those days, most of us were "out" when the baby arrived, while the dads were in the Waiting Room.

When I woke up, my husband said, "Sweetheart, you've got your girl."  Oh, the inexpressible joy that I felt.  Of course, I would have had that joy if God had blessed us with another boy, but, I loved that God's plan was for this precious baby girl, born today, December 8th.....quite a few years ago.

I'm celebrating that precious girl today,  because I've seen God's purposes for her life being fulfilled in some of the most miraculous and tremendous ways.   For the first months of her life she was a sick little baby with having many bouts of pneumonia and was eventually diagnosed with cystic fibrosis.  Not only did the enemy lose that battle, but he lost it in trying to steal our faith.  She was ultimately healed, and my husband and I grew exponentially in our faith.  "What the enemy meant for evil, God turned it for good."  Genesis 50:20

She was a "Daddy's girl and she became his God-given "project".  He understood right from the beginning that she was special, and that God was going to use her life in many ways.   He was her sports, voice, stage and life coach.  You think a Stage Mom is something, you should have seen the likes of his training and coaching our girl.  So many times in tears, she'd come to me asking for my intervention with Daddy who was relentless in pulling out the best in her.  "Practice. Practice. Practice" was his philosophy.  He succeeded, and that little girl eventually knew no fear to be on the stage, to belt out another song on camera, to speak to huge audiences, and be with high profile people.  But more than all of that, her name Staci Michelle -- "resurrection life" and "be like God" have held true.   She has brought so much life to us and others.   She has led by example in integrity and character in business and life -- sincerely making a difference in so many people's lives.

As I'm typing this, I know I must sound like a bragadocious and proud Mom.  In a sense, I am, because our greatest investment paid off.  The time we invested into her -- through tears and time and finances -- paid off.  I tell you this story -- celebrating this day and the precious life God gave us, but mostly to tell you moms and dads out there -- "INVEST in your kids.  Take time to give them the best of you.  Cultivate their talents.  Speak into them that they can do and be anything that God wants them to be.  Teach them about God and His faithfulness and absolutely knowing that "nothing is impossible with Him".   What a pay-back for an investor!  The pay-back of years of growth, rich rewards, paying forward to the next generation (their children and grandchildren) is the greatest reward.  And the multiplied blessings of that investment goes way beyond our own family -- it spreads to others -- these seeds bear fruit in so many other people's lives.  I promise you....after many, many years of investing into what matters most, it is worth every effort.

Just imagine what your investment will reap in rewards.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Day 75 of Photo Inspirations -- Happy St. Patrick's Day
This was the Washington Post's headline for today.   "Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Here’s the chemistry that makes your beer taste good (or bad).  The flavors and aromas of beer all come down to chemistry.  St. Patrick's Day is here, and that means the world is about to consume a lot of beer: 13 million pints of Guinness alone are expected to be consumed."

Quite amusing, and it's a great day for celebrating, but I'm NOT thinking about beer OR science today when I think about St. Patrick's Day.  I know, like other religious holidays, this is another "watered....er' beered down" day where we get distracted from  the true meaning of this day, but I want to honor St. Patrick by sharing who this man was -- just in case you may not know. He was born around A.D. 389 in England. At the age of 16, he was kidnapped and sold as a slave in Ireland. Six years later he escaped and returned home to Britain, but became burdened for the spiritual condition of the Irish. He eventually returned to their land as a missionary for 40 years, where he established more than 200 churches and led more than 100,000 to faith in Christ.  It is told that he used the shamrock to talk about the Trinity.  His death on March 17, 461 is remembered each year as St. Patrick's Day.  WOW -- like Joseph, St. Patrick, was sold to slavery, and like Joseph, "what the enemy meant for evil, God turned for good". (Genesis 50:20)

Listen to how utterly consumed St. Patrick was with his relationship with God in his prayer:  
"I arise today through God's strength to pilot me, God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me, God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me, God's word to speak for me, God's hand to guard me.
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise.
Christ in the heart of everyone one who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every one who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me.
I arise today through His mighty strength."

St. Patrick, his witness, his prayer, his passion and his example really is something to celebrate today.  The green I wear today, honors him, honors the God he served and HE is also MY Lord, and MY God!
#StPatricksDay #ChristInMe