Amping Up Back-To-School Prayers for Our Kids AND Us

I see and hear you mamas who are taking those kiddos to school and college. Some of you are elated to get them back-to-school after a long summer. But others, like my niece who took her daughter to college, said: "I'm not gonna lie, I teared up the moment we pulled onto the campus, again while decorating, and more as we walked about. I have a feeling that I’m not done yet!"

To help those moms saying goodbye to their new high school freshmen, I love how Tulsa's Bishop Kelley High School (where my nephew is a Math Teacher and the Girls' Soccer Coach) has a school tradition of the upperclassmen standing outside and welcoming the freshmen with signs that say "Kiss Your Mother Good-bye", and when they do kiss their mom, they scream for joy. Check out the video here: https://www.facebook.com/BKTulsa/videos/2004578409565118/

While the arrival of the school year brings a fresh, new start, it can carry new concerns to a mama’s heart. This photo is of my two on their first day of school (first grade and third grade in Cleveland, OK). I wondered how they would handle a brand-new school and classroom with kids they didn’t know and if they'd find a close "good" friend and not hang around the wrong crowd. I wondered if they'd do well in their classes. Some of you may be fretting about your prank-pulling middle schooler, earnestly hoping he doesn’t make a habit of getting called to the principal’s office. You may be stressing over academic concerns. “Will my struggling second grader ever make progress in her reading? Will math ever click with my fourth grader who gets hives when he sees a story problem? Will my high schooler graduate with honors, or better yet, will my high schooler graduate?"

But more than all those “school days” concerns, we also long for our kids to be spiritually and physically healthy. Long ago, in my children’s early years, I found an antidote to worrying about my children in the story of Mary and Jesus.

Luke 2:52 mentions four areas Jesus grew in as a young boy: “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people.” Our Lord grew wiser each year. He physically grew. His relationship with His heavenly Father continually strengthened. Jesus even gained favor with people here on earth who saw Him day to day. And how I love the simple sentence that precedes this: “His mother kept all these things in her heart.” We never see Mary fretting and fussing, worried and anxious. She pondered about her son and his growth, but she didn’t allow her mama heart to become rattled.

Let’s strive to be like Mary. Let’s turn our anxious thoughts into treasured prayers, kept safe and held fast by our loving Father — the one who knows our hearts and loves our children even more than we do. When a concern pops up in our mind, let’s carry that concern to God. When we start to fear for our child’s future, let’s petition the only one who knows exactly what the future holds -- THE ONE Who knows everything about everything.

When we turn our worries into our prayers, we'll realize our children aren’t the only ones being taught; we are learning life-long lessons in trusting and treasuring, knowing God is in control.

Heavenly Father, I pray for all these precious children that are starting a new school year. Protect them, encourage them and fill them with strong minds to learn and grow. Help them to be a great friend to others as they, themselves, have great friends. And, I pray for all the moms (and dads) to turn their concerns and worries into prayers, knowing You are in control. Please help them to treasure each moment with their children as they grow in wisdom and stature and favor with others and also with You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Philippians 4:6-7, “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving; let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

Navigating the Journey is Worth it!

As strategic as you can be on a trip through the mazes, long walking stretches between one ride or experience to the next, being in your spot for the parade and fireworks and the shows as well as determining Fast Pass versus Stand By can be almost mind-boggling. Believe me, showing up with no plan is most certainly not the best use of your time and money – at Disney World..... or in life. Planning goes a long way in the grand scheme of things. Our family has always been planners. It started with the Grand Poobah -- my husband, who was the detailed planner who made sure we were at Point A and B at the precise time needed. Yesterday, in spite of the accuracy of our day, we still had to veer off the Game Plan in order to adjust for some unexpected delays. Isn’t that part of life – being flexible and willing to make the adjustments? Time management is so essential as we plot our daily courses in life, and the older I get, the more I realize, managing my time is critical when it comes to finishing what I start, making good lists so that I can check off those “must do’s”. Larry and Staci went over the “must do’s” with Payton and Alexia before the day started and, combined with Fast Passes and plotting the course of the day, made for completing all our goals for the day.

It takes a lot of “Golden Rule” applications while you’re navigating around little people, strollers, wheel chairs, and motorized skooters at Disney World. Good thing we didn’t have to have a crash course in exercising kindnesses to others because we just happen to believe that’s what our walk of faith and being a bearer of Light is all about. Case in point, while riding the monorail back at the end of the day and seeing my sweet son, Larry, as tired as he was, to give up his seat for others time and again. He is a great example of "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you!”

For myself, amidst the sweetness of all the Disney characters singing “You are special. Just be yourself. You don’t have to be like anyone else!” as well as the twinkling eyes of the adults arrayed in their Mickey & Minnie Mouse shirts, pants or hats (us included), young children, dressed in the look-alike clothes, who are in awe that they are seeing, in real life, their beloved Disney characters, my awe and wonder comes from one of Walt Disney’s most famous quotes, “Let us not lose sight of one thing: that it was all started by a mouse.”

On a train ride home to tell his brother Roy that they had just lost everything they had, Walt drew a little mouse. Walt did the things that everyone else said was impossible. He was never afraid to chase his dreams. The mouse he drew on a train ride became the face of many TV shows as well as a theme park, named after Walt himself: Disneyland. Now there are many theme parks across the world in addition to many other movies and products. Walt Disney World serves as proof that nothing is impossible and that you should never be afraid to chase your dreams!

Imagine that….an unrelenting dreamer and believer in not quitting, but to continue to make those dreams a reality. Of course we needed photos of these famous quotes that cause us to continue to NEVER stop dreaming and believing. Stay tuned for even more inspiration as tomorrow's journey takes us to Epcot!

It Starts With the Family

As part of the leadership team on retreat for an upcoming event next weekend, we were privileged to have Tulsa’s new Bishop, David Konderla, as our guest speaker. At the end of his talk, we had the opportunity to ask him questions. One of the questions asked was “What comments would you give regarding the upcoming election?” I liked his “straight to the point” approach. “Know the party’s candidate and platforms and vote for the one which aims you the closest to what you believe is God’s heart. Our role is to make the world a better place.” What he responded to in the next question made clear sense about what our roles should be. “As women, what can we do to support you?” His response was “You are women who are in charge of your families. Beat them every day, boys twice daily….just kidding.” LOL! Then he said, “Teach your children to love being a productive citizen – that will be the foundation for who they are and who they will become. The people we vote for in an election come from families. Home is their first training school.”

I loved that. Think about it. Every one of our politicians came from families – either they were taught the Golden Rule or they weren’t. They were taught character, honor, respect, human dignity…..or they weren’t. Family values involve all those qualities of how we want to live our family life, and they are passed down from previous generations. They help define the way we behave in various situations, help us make right and good choices, and they solidify the bonds we have together. If our family members respect each other – chances are very good, they’ll respect others. If they live by “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” that’s how they’ll treat others. If they support each other, they’ll support their fellow man. If they respect their family’s lives, they’ll respect other lives.

I learned character from a young age. I remember when I was just a little tot finding some wrapped candy on the floor in the grocery store and slipping it in my pocket. My Mom marched me back to the store to apologize for the error of my ways. That day, I understood the value of honesty. So much so, that as a grown woman, I will still give back change if the cashier gives me too much.

VALUES are those specifics that define who we are and are the absolute non-negotiables in our lives. When God made us, He planted within us certain things that we value deeply. They’re hardwired in our heart. Through our life experiences – from the environment we are raised in, the schools we go to, the friends we associate with, and the religious foundation we receive, God made them clear to us. These are the things that we would be willing to die for. They explain how we come by our personal priorities. If our values are on the side of the 10 Commandments, God’s Word and God’s love….I’d say, like Bishop Konderla said, “We’re making this world a better place.” What if we could see into the future as to where our children would land? Would that vision help us with being the examples of strength, integrity and honor to them? What if we were the only measure of rule they knew? Perhaps it’s time for us to look inside our 4 walls instead of peeking into others and judging them.

Love begins at home. It's not how much we do, but how much love we put into that action. -- Mother Teresa

Come One. Come All.

Come one. Come all.
I saw the Mother Teresa movie a few nights ago. It made me even more inspired about the work this wonderful saint did. She was relentless in caring for the poor. She went "against the grain" when it came to pleasing the status quo, and those who represented the status quo. From sun up to sun down, her love for humanity was seen as she reached out to the homeless, the sick and suffering. She worked so zealously that it affected her physically. When her doctor told her she must get some rest. Her reply was "I have the whole of eternity to get rest."

I thought about her love for humanity that drove her to untold hours of making a difference in the poor and needy, but to the wealthiest, they, too, were affected by her compassion. She left everyone better off after she had spent time with them. She didn't see through the eyes of comparison and measuring up to a certain standard. She just was.

If she had been in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and she saw one of those "beggars" that stand on the street corners with a sign that says "Please help", I don't believe she would have ever passed them by. Somehow I think she would have gotten out of her car and managed to figure out a way to help them. To her, they were Jesus. "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in." (Matthew 25:35) She was accustomed to picking babies up out of garbage cans. Those little ones discarded by leper parents, perhaps, who could no longer care for them.

I heard a speaker tell about a wealthy individual that drove up to his church in a Rolls Royce and was concerned about the security of his car when he went into the church. An attendant parked the car in a locked and secure area that the church provides. Then a homeless man came up to the church pushing his grocery cart with everything in the world he owns in it. He, too, was concerned about the security of his grocery cart. The attendant took his cart and parked it right next to the Rolls Royce. I loved that story. They cared equally for both individuals.

That's what Mother Teresa did. That's what Jesus does. He loves us unconditionally. And isn't that how we should love, too? After all, God didn't give us a measuring stick to use on who measures up and who doesn't. He did give us a measuring stick, and it's the Golden Rule stick and it says. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." And another measuring stick that says "This is the first and greatest commandment. Love the Lord with all your heart, your soul and love your neighbor as you love yourself." (Matthew 22:35).

In a world that needs this love and compassion, how can we rest on our laurels? Maybe it's time for us to get busy loving and caring. After all, like Saint Teresa of Calcutta, we have the whole of eternity to get rest!"

JUST DO IT

Day 308 of Photo Inspirations -- JUST DO IT!
Yesterday's Bible Study was on the Fruit of the Spirit's quality of Faithfulness.   What does "faithfulness" look like to you?  If God is our standard for faithfulness, then we have a lot to measure up to.  Just the thought of His faithfulness, overwhelms me.  He never gives up on us.  He's ALWAYS there for us. We never have to question His fidelity, loyalty and integrity.  He just DOES IT!

Nike's slogan "Just Do It" is a good slogan for Faithfulness -- just doing it -- the right thing -- no matter what.  Doing it regardless of feelings, moods or desires.  

Of course, we look to God for His strength on a daily basis.  Every day we're tempted to give excuses for NOT DOING IT.  We're tired, so we say “I can’t do it.”  We're just plain lazy, so we say, "I don’t want to do it."  We're feeling hopeless, so we say, "It doesn’t matter if I do it.  Why try?"  We procrastinate, so we say, “I’ll do it later."  We rationalize that we don't need to do it, so we say, "Someone else will do it."  We're apathetic to it all, so we say, “I don’t care if I do it."   We're rebellious, so we say, "I won't do it!"
 
Let’s bring it home.  What are the true marks of faithfulness that we want to bear and emulate with a JUST DO IT attitude:

We follow through…on whatever we have to do and we finish it.
We come through….no matter what.
We deliver the goods…..a borrowed cup of sugar.or a finished project.
We show up…..even early so others won’t worry.
We keep our word….our 'yes' means yes and our 'no' means no
We keep our commitments and appointments….we don't cancel.
We are regular church attenders......we don’t neglect worshipping our FAITHFUL God.
We are devoted to fidelity, loyalty, integrity and honor in friendships and marriage.
We live by the Golden Rule and the 10 Commandments.  

We may stumble from time to time, but we don’t stay down for long -- for we are faithful and devoted followers of Christ.  One day we’ll be rewarded because of our FAITHFULNESS and we'll hear these beautiful words: ‘Well done, good and FAITHFUL servant! You have been FAITHFUL with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your Master’s happiness!” Matthew 25:21

Choose FAITHFULNESS!

The Golden Rule

Day 264 of Photo Inspirations -- The Golden Rule
I remember, as a kid in "public" grade school, that "The Golden Rule" was taught, and emphatically brought to remembrance when one of us needed discipline.  It set the tone for our respect and appreciation for each other.  The teachers would quote it to a kid who was a bully (yes, there were bullies back on those days, too) or to a kid who was being disrespectful to their teachers or peers.

Whatever our religious persuasions and faiths may be, if we lived our lives adhering to those beautiful words from Matthew 7:12 -- making them the absolute non-negotiable in our lives, this world would be such a better place.

Yesterday, Pope Francis became the first pope ever to address a joint meeting of Congress.  Of course, on this historic day and occasion, this photo was most certainly my photo inspiration for today.

In his address to Congress, Pope Francis said, "Let us remember the Golden Rule: 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you'.
This Rule points us in a clear direction. Let us treat others with the same passion and compassion with which we want to be treated. Let us seek for others the same possibilities which we seek for ourselves. Let us help others to grow, as we would like to be helped ourselves. In a word, if we want security, let us give security; if we want life, let us give life; if we want opportunities, let us provide opportunities. The yardstick we use for others will be the yardstick which time will use for us. The Golden Rule also reminds us of our responsibility to protect and defend human life at every stage of its development."

I love this Pope.  I love his example of love and compassion for the poor and needy.....and he not only talks the talk, but walks the walk -- of expressing it in deed.  "The Golden Rule," is indeed a biblical principle. Luke 6:31 records Jesus saying, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” This statement is in the context of a lesson from Jesus about loving our enemies. Jesus led by example -- He treated people that way.  Rather than doing to others what they have done to us or giving them what they may deserve, we are to treat them the way we want them to treat us.

These words by Pope Francis rang loud and clear in my heart today.  If we take his lead, just maybe we can be a conduit of living out Jesus' words as we treat others the way we want to be treated.  "The Golden Rule" will be the best "rule of measure" we use daily to spread love and peace in our world.