#TBT – Grateful for Praying Matriarchs

I don’t see as many Throwback Thursday photos as I once did, so I’m reviving it today. Just a few days before celebrating Mother’s Day, I wanted to pay tribute to my praying matriarchs: on the left, my mother-in-law, Lydia Wuerch (still with us and doing so well at 96) and on the right, my angel Mom, Edna Wheat. These two women were my mentors and the greatest influences I could have ever had as Godly women and mothers. Best friends, they were also visionaries. They KNEW that their two kids were meant for each other.

Last week, after I asked a radiology technician if he had a family, he shared: “Oh yes. I’m married with three children. Our marriage was arranged.” I quickly injected “Mine, too! I’ll tell you about mine after you tell me about yours!” He went on. “My parents wanted me to marry this girl I had never met. I told them that I didn’t want an arranged marriage. But, I honored them and flew to her country to meet her. We met. Our love was immediate. We married the next day. She is the love of my life. My parents prayed about it and I prayed about it and I know God gave her to me.”

My "praying" grandmother introduced me to my future husband at age 12. She was the go-between saying “Ronnie Wuerch likes you” and back to him, “Donna Sue likes you”. Between her, my mother, my husband’s mother AND God, our marriage was arranged. I owe so much of who I am to those three powerful, praying women of God. They literally prayed us together -- and those prayers kept us together. We watched their example as they went through tough times, and came through them because of their unwavering faith. They impressed upon us that tough times don't last, but tough people who believe in commitment, keeping their promises and vows -- that they'll be honored for keeping them. How I thank them for their unwavering support and relentless prayers for us. They not only talked the talk -- they walked the walk in their own lives.

I honor these precious matriarchs and all they've stood for, lived for and set the example for us to follow. By their example, I've learned that praying for our children, sharing our years of wisdom-learned with them is part of God’s plan in “Training them up in the ways they should go and when they’re old, they’ll not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

On this #TBT, I must honor the greatest Mother of all -- our Lord’s most blessed-among-women Mother Mary. Just think about the great responsibility she had for raising the Son of God. Her greatest example was “She pondered. She treasured these things in her heart.” I know we mamas do a lot of that, and it wouldn’t hurt at all to amp up the pondering and treasuring instead of speaking our mind so much. I’m quite sure Mary had the same instincts of motherhood that we have – doting, imagining her Son's future, wanting Him to flourish. Luke 2:52 says “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” I imagine that if Jesus were here with us in the flesh today, He would probably talk about His Mama and what she meant to Him. He might say something like this: “It was my Mom’s wisdom, influence, support, and love that molded me into the Man of God I was destined to be! She encouraged me and instilled in me there wasn’t anything I couldn’t accomplish and do. Her unconditional love inspired me to love unconditionally. She always believed in me. She always prayed for me.”

And those are the words I say about my grandmother and my two moms. And those are the desires I have for being that mother and grandmother to my beloveds.

(FYI -- the family photo is from Mother's Day, 1968, and is left to right: My grandmother (the arranger), my mom, my husband's grandparents, my mother and father-in-law, me, Ron and Ryan)

The Older Teach the Younger

We Can Learn From Each Other
There is so much beauty in the scripture in Titus 2:3-5 which talks about older women teaching younger women. I'm so grateful for how that scripture has played out in my life. Many older women (in faith AND age) influenced me as they lived out their faith before me. The role has reversed as, now, I get to be an influencer to younger women. I love responding to a young mom who messages me "HELP!!! What do I do?" Or when a middle-aged daughter shares her plight of caring for her 80+-year-old mom who recently suffered a stroke. I draw from my well of experiences when, as a young wife, mom, and daughter, faced similar times. Much of the stuff of life we go through and how we cope and succeed through it all is for others to know "We survive!" Even my "widow" experiences have helped other widows become warrior women who realize God still has purposes for their lives and then turn their mourning into dancing.

Who are qualified to be the "older" or the "younger" women? If someone is younger in their faith or in life, then we are the older. I saw my granddaughter encourage her younger (in faith) friend. I've seen you sweet moms who figured out the ropes of nursing, getting your little ones to sleep through the night, or the method to use for potty training be the "older" women to those who are "less traveled" on the "mommy" road.

I think about some of you, my sweet sisters, that think you don't fit into either category. You think what you do doesn't count because you're doing it at 2 am in the morning when no one is looking -- except for your sweet baby who has lost his pacifier, AGAIN. Or because you think you need a podium for your voice to matter or make a difference.

I want to take your sweet faces between my hands and tell you "You ARE making a difference." Podiums and pulpits are not just found in churches. Speeches do not just come from stages. I'm telling you diapers, laundry, and a sink full of dishes are serious theology. You are the Proverbs 31 woman who rises while it's still dark to provide for your family. You are teaching your children what a devoted follower of Christ looks and acts like. The hours that you sow juggling sports practices, ballet, and football games or carefully navigating the selection of your daughter's prom dress so it's NOT too low cut in the front, is your mission field. You are teaching and training and being the example of faithfulness and resilience and determination. When you break up conflict between your kids, you are being the peacemaker that, one day, they'll remember how you resolved conflict when they're having to do that with their kids. You ARE in ministry.

It is an honor to offer my life, my lessons learned and failed to my sisters who, on a daily basis, maneuver your lives with precision and are teaching the younger. And while you are teaching the younger, those of us who passed that way long ago.....are engaged in taking care of elderly parents, coping with aging bodies, carrying on when a cherished loved one passes away. But, all is well, because we have "older" teachers that showed us the way. We will survive because we know we're here to grow, mature, train, teach and walk hand in hand -- making our world a better place to be because we cared AND shared and mentored those who became leaders worth following!

The World Needs a STABLE Influence

In June, an item on my bucket list, “Take a trip to the Holy Lands” was checked off. It was a trip of a lifetime and during this wonderful time of the year, the memories of so many holy places are stirred up within me. On the bus, as we made our way to Bethlehem, we sang "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem". The "littleness" was made real to us as. Bethlehem really is a very small town. We celebrated "Christmas" in the Church of the Nativity. How meaningful it was to sing "Oh Come All Ye Faithful" and "Silent Night" there. Christmas Carols, Communion, and worshiping the King in the actual cave of Christ's birth -- made for a heavenly Christmas in June! By the way, it was a cave – not a stable. That's where most animals were kept back then.

Just think of it -- God, from the beginning of time Who created everything, was born in that cave. We were among many Christian pilgrims from around the world who come to pay tribute and honor to God for the birth of His Son there. Truly a STAR was born when Christ was born, and we made our way down to the grotto via narrow stairs to get inside the quiet cave where a star is embedded in the floor that recognizes the actual place of the birth of our Savior. In our deepest humility and thanksgiving for the Star of all Stars, we had to bend low to touch or kiss that star. "Bending low" seems the operative word for bowing before our Creator to give Him our worship and praise. It was a profoundly emotional and spiritual experience, to say the least -- the birthplace of our Savior over 2000 years ago. Our guide said, "Say thank You, Jesus, for my salvation!" We did.

I started this post today with "The World Needs a Stable Influence". "Under the influence" is a phrase that is typically used in defining someone's mental or physical faculties that are impaired because they are intoxicated or on drugs. That phrase can also be used to describe those of us who are "high" on the Christmas spirit. We are "under the influence" of He Who is the originator of joy, peace, and love, so, of course, we are "high" on all that this beautiful season holds.

No one has influenced and changed the world the way Jesus has. And UNDER HIS INFLUENCE, more lives have been positively changed than by anything or anyone else in history. People who encounter the risen Christ are totally transformed. Their outlook on life is altered forever. Many devote their lives to serving others, minimizing their own needs and desires -- all because of Christ's influence on them.

At the announcement of Jesus' birth, the shepherds were under the influence of the angels. The magi were under the influence of HOPE and the Star they saw in the East. I, too, am UNDER THE INFLUENCE of this beautiful season where I hear God's voice in the music and in the squeals and delights of children. I see Him in in the lights shining so brightly and in my friends and family as we open our hearts to His love. I smell Him in the sweet aromas of holly, evergreen, cinnamon and spice. I taste Him in the yummy delicacies of fresh baked cookies and treats. I am under the influence of the REASON for this beautiful season when I hold a friend's hand, when I touch a pine cone or garland or tinsel or wrapping paper, when I write a love note to a friend or when I send them a Christmas card.

Not in the Christmas spirit this year? Then, better check out what, or WHO, is influencing you. AND, what does YOUR influence look like in impacting others in a positive way? Perhaps it's time we all took a trip to the cave or stable -- it just might be that we'll be influenced by the precious baby in the manger and we'll have a "STABLE" influence, not just in our own lives, but all those we influence, too.

This is Your Life! What Does it Look Like?

At the Bible Study I attend, a gal said, “I wonder if God videos our lives and one day, when we get to heaven, we’ll see the video and then be able to thank all those who influenced and encouraged us? Another gal, said “And what about the video that you’ll be in of someone you encouraged and helped?”

That resonated with me. Every day we cross paths with many people and there may very well be playbacks in heaven of those we walked past, or were so busy on our phones – we didn’t notice them. On the other hand, we’ll get to see the ones we took the time to befriend; those we took meals to; those we may have encouraged and invited them to go to church with us.

My Mom didn’t have to have a video tape played of those she helped. It played out LIVE for her on her 70th birthday when we surprised her with a “This is Your Life” birthday party. “This is Your Life” was a “Reality” TV Show back in the 50s to the 70s. It was originally hosted by its creator and producer, Ralph Edwards. In the program, the host would surprise guests and then take them through a retrospective of their lives in front of an audience, with "surprise" appearances by friends, and family. The idea for "This Is Your Life" arose while Edwards was working on "Truth or Consequences". He had been asked by the U.S. Army to "do something" for paraplegic soldiers at an Army rehabilitation hospital. Edwards chose a "particularly despondent young soldier and hit on the idea of presenting his life on the air, in order to integrate the wreckage of the present with his happier past and the promise of a hopeful future. The show was always a feel-good, tear-jerker because we witnessed people helping people.

Back to my Mom and her 70th – we invited friends and family from all over the U.S. to come to the celebration, but she thought that only local friends from church and her community would be there. What she didn’t know, however, were the long-distance friends and family that we had hidden in another room. My husband was the emcee of the night. He’d share sweet stories from his relationship with her and other people were giving their own stories about how Mom exuded God's love to them. But, then the BIG SURPRISE! Mom would hear a voice over the loud speaker saying “Edna, you and Roscoe (my dad), saved my life and marriage when you came to the bars and took me home. You showed me the love of Jesus.” My Mom, shocked, said “Is that you David?” Indeed it was and he and his wife came out and hugged Mom who was elated to see them. Another said, “Edna, you were my best friend and you always encouraged me.” She would come out and they would embrace. Many family members and friends came great distances to express how Mom had changed their life.

In a world that often seems so self-serving, isn't it a breath of fresh air to be around those who have hearts of service -- who seemingly live to give. I pray that this post today encourages us to keep our eyes and hearts wide open to the little nudges that someone needs today. Another gal at the Bible Study said to another gal “You influenced me to come to this Bible Study and I’m so glad you did. It is just what I needed” Another gal, with tears in her eyes, looked at another gal and said, “Thank you for the time you give to my daughter. You have changed her life.”

The video tape is recording. What will we see at the end of the day? One of the greatest things about becoming a Christian is the heart-change we have about wanting to be a difference maker in other people’s iives. We give others what we have been given: hope, comfort, peace, love and compassion. We become a mentor to someone who needs extra help in following after God. What better way to mentor than to be the example of caring for others. Lord, please make us to be "Doers of the Word, and not just Hearers, only!" (James 1:22)

The World Needs a STABLE Influence

Day 353 of Photo Inspirations -- The World Needs a STABLE Influence
The phrase, "under the influence",  is typically used in defining someone's mental or physical faculties that are impaired because they are intoxicated or on drugs.

But, I heard that phrase used yesterday to describe those of us who are "high" on the Christmas spirit.  I like that.  We are "under the influence" of He Who is the originator of joy, peace, and love so, of course, we are "high" on all that this beautiful season holds.

At the announcement of Jesus' birth, the shepherds were under the influence of the angels.  The magi were under the influence of HOPE and the Star they saw in the East.  I, too, am UNDER THE INFLUENCE of this beautiful season where I hear God's voice in the music, the bells ringing, and the squeals and delights of children.  I see Him in in the lights shining so brightly and in my friends and family as we open our hearts to His love.  I smell Him in the sweet aromas of holly, evergreen, cinnamon and spice.   I taste Him in the sweet and yummy delicacies of fresh baked cookies and treats.  I am UNDER THE INFLUENCE of the REASON for this beautiful SEASON, when I hold a friend's hand, when I touch a pine cone or garland or tinsel or wrapping paper, when I write a love note to a friend when I send them a Christmas card.

No one has influenced and changed the world the way Jesus has. And UNDER HIS INFLUENCE, more lives have been positively changed than   by anything or anyone else in history.   No other great leader has inspired so many positive changes in the lives of his followers. People who encounter the risen Christ are totally transformed. Their outlook on life is altered forever. Staying true to their faith, they face hardship, persecution and even death with resilience and determination.  Many devote their lives to serving others, minimizing their own needs and desires -- all because of Christ's influence on them.

Not in the Christmas spirit this year?  Then, better check out what, or WHO, is influencing you. AND, what does YOUR influence look like in impacting others in a positive way?  Perhaps it's time we all took a trip to the stable -- it just might be that we'll be influenced by the precious baby in the manger and we'll have a "STABLE" influence, not just in our own lives, but all those we influence, too.

Who or What are the Tools God is Using to Build YOU?

Love being with my kids in Texas and seeing.....not just a home where love is felt in every nook and cranny, but, this time, when they settled into it, they were on purpose with how it was decorated -- not just with lovely decor, but walls, pictures, tables, rooms, and items have special and significant meaning to them.

Is that hammer displaced -- left over from a picture-hanging project? No, it's there in Staci's office on purpose. It's her Daddy's hammer that was used countless times when he built or remodeled a home, built the shelves for "new" baby Payton's room, or built the "cabin" room in our house just for our grandsons when they came to spend time with Nana & Papa.

And, those eyeglasses? They belonged to my Mom -- Staci's Mamaw. They bring memories of the one that Staci could coax into doing ANYTHING for her when she lived with us for many years. Mamaw helped raise my kids. The only disagreement my Mom and my husband had was when he found out that Mamaw was being paid off (50 cents at a time), to do Staci's chores for her. LOL! Staci and Mamaw had a special relationship -- best buds -- and Mamaw's influence on Staci's life is seen in her determination, faith, resilence and tenderness.

The books -- not just any books, but Bibles that belonged to important people in her life -- her Daddy, her Papaw, her Mamaw, Larry's Mom -- people that impacted her life in so many rich and powerful ways.

Staci recognizes that who she is today is because of those God put in her life. She doesn't take their influence on her life...lightly. And, what if those people, and the experiences she had with them, are TOOLS God used to build her into the mighty, strong, determined and relentless, powerful woman she is today?

Indeed, God uses people, and the circumstances of life, to bring out His character in us. The happiest, most confident, most contented people I know, believe that way. God wants to teach us, prepare us, use us and position us for blessings beyond measure. He knows what is best for us -- so in believing that, we can believe EVERYTHING and EVERYONE are tools that He is using to accomplish that.

Who (or What) are the tools God has used....and is using....in your life?

What Does Your Book of Influence Look Like?

Are you an INFLUENCER to those around you.....and what does that "influence" look like? Does it influence others to be better, act better and live better lives?

Here's a way to measure: We go throughout our day and people get to know us and they see how we treat those around us....from our children, to our spouse, to our co-workers, to the cashier at a store -- we're being watched in how we act (and react) in situations of calm, as well as those of stress. Do we act entitled or are we kind, generous and compassionate, whether we focus on THEM and give them our undivided attention (put down those cell phones!). And also....if we're meeting someone for a lunch or appointment, are we showing up on time? Do we respect the time of others? All of that stuff matters.....and it speaks volumes.

Abraham Lincoln noted that "actions speak louder than words." Even his words, among the most eloquent in political history, would not have been effective if his life had contradicted his words. We don't have to be high profile, in the spotlight, or in a noteworthy position, but we do have to live in such a way that our life illustrates our faith. And our faith is best spoken by our actions.

Excellence is a biblical imperative: "And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching." (Titus 2:7)

Little and big eyes are watching us daily. Our lives represent a BOOK of manners, courtesy, honor, integrity and character that others need to see and become. What does your book look like?