No Matter What -- God's Got This School Year

In spite of the face masks, rules of hygiene, social distancing, on-line or in-person school – I’m asking God for His favor on this year with so many blessings and great accomplishments for our children AND even for you moms and dads. What a breath of fresh air it has been to see such optimism on my FB feed lately of photos of kids going back to school.

Those precious children make me smile with great hope for the beginners, the teenagers and college ones in their dorm rooms. Wide-eyed wonder and excitement about a new year of meeting new friends and having great adventures. No doubt, there will be certain challenges along the way, but I choose to believe it will open their minds to all the possibilities and rewards of being a winner and an overcomer.

I loved my dear friend’s comment to me that of all the concerns she had, her kids are so optimistic, contented and settled into their dorm or school already. Now, she’s optimistic, contented and grateful to God and expecting to be an overcoming mom! I’ve seen many optimistic parents making bold confessions of faith for their kiddos. I’m praying that the first of this school year reveals tremendous resolve and determination because of how last year’s school-year ended – with resolve and determination of you stay-at-home parents who CONQUERED! I loved one mom’s prayer: “My prayer tonight as my boy takes his first steps into high school -- above everything -- that being a Christ-follower is at the top of his desires."

That’s the attitude we should all have for our children and grandchildren. Of all the knowledge they acquire, all the common sense experiences that they will learn from -- the single most important achievement is to be devoted followers of Christ in their friendships, in the decisions they make and their problem-solving with God’s wisdom leading the way.

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 and He physically grew. His relationship with His Heavenly Father continuously grew and was strengthened. Jesus even gained favor with people who saw Him day to day. I love the simple sentence that precedes this: “His mother kept all these things in her heart.” We never see Mary worried and anxious. She pondered about her son, but she didn’t allow her heart to become rattled. And neither should we.

May we all strive to be like Mary, turning 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, we carry that concern to God. When we start to fear for our child’s future, we petition the One who knows what the future holds.

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 and to have great friends. I pray moms and dads can 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 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.”

Getting Our House in Order!

When my father-in-law was diagnosed with melanoma cancer, the doctors stated, at the most, he’d have only a few months to live. Dad was a strong man of faith (besides an evangelical pastor for over 50 years) and just wouldn’t accept that “death” threat. He remembered Isaiah 38:1-7 where Hezekiah, too, was giving a death threat. Isaiah told him that he needed to get “his house in order” because he was going to die. But, Hezekiah prayed: “Lord, I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done good in your eyes.” God relented and told Isaiah to tell him He had heard his prayers and will add on 15 years to his life. God did give Hezekiah 15 more years and when Dad prayed for an added 15 more years, God granted him 15 more years – almost to the day.

Dad had plenty of time to get “his house in order”. And, I took those words seriously since being on this shelter-in-place hiatus. I know there are those of you who were far more impacted than my little world with 24/7 children at home, businesses at home and others who lost their job altogether. So, please know my heart and prayers go out to those of you who are faced with far more challenges than me. My “little” rant is little, compared to others. But, please -- hear me out!

Many of my responsibilities came to a screeching halt. Most went online or not at all. That meant I had time – a commodity that I had hoped for in getting some “to-do’s” off my list. I woke up one morning with a fervor to “get my house in order”. I admit, I’m a full-on “Martha”. I calculated “I can get a lot done during this confinement AND I can also find time to be a “Mary” who sits at Jesus feet – plenty of extra time to do that too. So, I’ve been a part of Zoom meetings where we do just that – encourage, pray, and support each other. I’ve been able to attend on-line church and other on-line teachings and inspiration, besides finding more time for personal prayer.

But, that new fervor to “get my house in order” was like a neon sign in my head. “Make this time count!” It started with cleaning out closets and cabinets. But, then thoughts started racing through my mind – “If something happens to me, my kids would have so much to deal with. I knew this was perfect timing to "get my house in order" like, how my kids can get into my computer, know my passcodes and find all my blog information, have in one place – all business and personal matters, records, bank accounts, insurance policies, utilities, home information, monthly bills, medical information – doctors, health care decisions, our living will, power of attorney, burial literally everything, in one neat and tidy place. I don’t want to leave anything helter-skelter in the event of an emergency.

I’ll admit it – the task seemed daunting at first. It meant looking up phone numbers, digging through files, websites, printing out paperwork and setting up a binder, separated with categories. It meant adding my children to my bank accounts as co-signers. That was a tricky one with getting us altogether, while apart, but thanks to my bank officer and being the only customers in the bank at the time, we were able to accomplish it.

One of the greatest things my husband did for us, long before he was sick, was to set up a Living Family Trust for us. Family trusts protect our assets and benefit our family members beyond our lifetime and a living trust helps in avoiding probate issues. Why am I telling you all this today? Maybe you’re a young person, a young couple, or a young family and you think time is on your side for “getting your house in order”. We all know that our time on this earth is only known to God and this day could be our last day – no matter what age we are. I urge you to consider “getting your house in order” for those you love, too.

But, most important – is going back to that first paragraph and the scripture found in Isaiah 38 where Hezekiah could confidently say these words: “Lord, I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done good in your eyes.” That, my friends, is what our “spiritual house in order” should look like. That kind of life is the best life we can live – not only in our relationship with God – but leaving that “Living Will” of faith, devotion and good to our families, too.

He's the Answer to Everything

Maybe you're thinking "Donna sure loves Easter because she keeps talking about it". If you thought that, then you’re right! I can’t leave Easter alone – it’s the reason for everything we hold dear in our lives. And, besides, Easter isn’t over anyway. We're not done yet! The Easter season (the resurrection of our Lord and His time on earth before ascending to heaven) continues for 40 days AFTER Christ’s resurrection. That’s why I’ll keep all my Easter décor up until we celebrate His ascension to heaven on Thursday, May 21st!

That was 40 days He was "in and out" of places and people's lives. He was showing up when they least expected Him. Can you imagine being one of those who were eye witnesses of the "alive and well" Jesus? They are those who documented and verified Jesus lives. Thank goodness for the Chronicles of Jesus in the Bible. True story. Without a doubt, He lives!

Among those who witnessed Him alive, the first was a woman, Mary Magdalene. He even spoke His first words as our resurrected Lord to her. Then there was Peter and the disciples behind closed doors, and even to "doubting" Thomas who touched the nail prints in His hands and His pierced side. I love the story of Jesus joining the two disciples on the Emmaus road as a stranger. He went to their home, broke bread with them and they recognized their Lord.

For 40 days, Jesus was able to prove to His followers that He really had been raised from the dead. In 1 Corinthians 15:6, Paul records that Jesus "appeared to more than 500 brothers at one time". He needed to teach His disciples the kind of King He really was. What a seminar on biblical teaching and resurrection life that must have been! Imagine being taught about new life, resurrection life, and never-ending life by the One Who had said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he dies, yet shall he live.” (John 11:25). And at the end of the 40 days, He ascended to heaven. But, even that wasn't enough for Him. He couldn't be everywhere at one time, so He sent the Holy Spirit to be with us to comfort, guide, and lead us. He lives in our hearts.

What does the Life of Christ -- His birth, His resurrection and these forty days to His ascension mean to us? First of all, because He lives, we can face whatever this day and what our tomorrows hold. Only He knows if we’ll be able to be back home in our churches, our places of business, dining in at restaurants and shopping at our favorite stores any time soon. I watch the news very little – only for an occasional update. I don’t want to live in the gloom and despair – not to be oblivious of it, but I, rather, want to be a member of the choir that sings songs of hope, joy, peace and LIFE that Christ gave us.

The Life of Christ is the ANSWER TO EVERYTHING -- past, present AND future. Our God reigns supreme -- overall and that should change our perspective about EVERYTHING.

Science was never my favorite class in school, so I was eternally grateful when I passed that class. Done and done! Whew! So, although I'm not a stellar scientific know-it-all, I know this. When I look up at the night sky and I see the stars and planets, I know He lives. When I walk outside in the daytime and see the beauty all around me, when I hear birds chirping, feel the wind against my skin and as I live in peace that passes understanding, I know it's because my Savior, my King of Kings and Lord of Lords LIVES. Let's keep celebrating this miraculous, life-changing Savior Who is the answer to EVERYTHING!

To Be a Shining Example of a Holy Family

My husband and I were given this beloved Holy Family figurine on the occasion of our 35th wedding anniversary when we resaid our wedding vows. It is one of my dearest treasures and though it’s displayed right now with my poinsettia floral piece, you’d find it displayed somewhere in my home year-round. It reminds me of Joseph, Mary and Baby Jesus -- our original “Holy Family” and how much I’ve always desired that my family was a shining example of a holy family too. The second outdoor Holy Family was a gift from my daughter and her "holy" family.

On this first Sunday after Christmas, while we are still immersed in the joyful atmosphere of the celebration of our Lord’s coming to this earth to be one of us, we celebrate His Holy Family. We ask God, Who gave us the shining example of the Holy Family, to help us imitate Jesus, Mary and Joseph in practicing the beauty of family life -- in strength, in faith and in love.

In the family life of Mary and Joseph, God is truly at the center — Jesus is at the center. Their lives breathed with faith -- the faith that gave them the will and determination to face difficult challenges, like the difficult ordeal of the flight into Egypt that we see in Matthew 2. I love Joseph as such a loving and devoted husband and father to Jesus. What a shining example he is for fathers today!

We are called to be families of faith with God at the center of our lives. I can vouch that because of our faith we have been able to endure challenges and difficult ordeals, too! And, I’m sure you can say the same thing. This faith is evident when a family prays together regularly and when it is not just an obligation, but a joy, to be fully devoted followers of God and His Word.

Another essential lesson we can learn from the Holy Family is love. We think about their bonds of love -- the love of Mary and Joseph for each other and for their son, as well as Jesus’ love for His parents. This loving harmony is a model for every family. I’d like you to think my family was the picture of the "Holy Family". We strive to be, but sometimes we disagree about something so incidental and sometimes we say something that we really didn’t mean it to cause pain, but it did. But, as this third photo shows – this is how we play – we forgive, love, share, laugh, listen, help, respect and we PRAY a lot.

Today, I encourage us all to strive for being the shining lights of holy families like the Holy Family of Nazareth -- the true model of a Christian home, an icon of faith and love. And may we pray for those families who are in difficulty, including broken families and so many refugee families in the world today. Let us turn with trust to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in whom we contemplate the beauty of faith and love -- God’s plan for every family!

Another Year of Potential and Possibilities

What a breath of fresh air it has been to see such optimism on my FB feed lately. Of course it has to do with all these adorable children heading off to another year of school. Wide-eyed wonder and excitement about what this new year will hold: new friends, new adventures, more challenges that open their minds to possibilities, understanding and building those little minds. They aren’t perplexed at all about what’s going on in politics.

And I especially appreciate how optimistic you parents are with your bold confessions of faith for your kiddos. Maybe the first couple of days were a tackle with getting in a routine again, but for the most part, I’m hearing a sigh of relief that another year is underway. I loved one mom’s prayer: “My prayer tonight as G___ gets ready to take those steps into Middle School and D___ starts a new school year with an unexpected twist. Of all the dreams I have for them, Christ follower is at the top. They've got this and He's got them.♥️”

That’s the attitude we should all have for our children and grandchildren. Of all the knowledge they acquire, all the common sense experiences that they will learn from -- the single most important achievement is to be devoted followers of Christ in their friendships, in the decisions they make and their problem solving with God’s wisdom leading the way.

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 and He physically grew. His relationship with His Heavenly Father continuously strengthened. Jesus even gained favor with people who saw Him day to day. I love the simple sentence that precedes this: “His mother kept all these things in her heart.” We never see Mary worried and anxious. She pondered about her son, but she didn’t allow her heart to become rattled.

May we all strive to be like Mary, turning 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, we carry that concern to God. When we start to fear for our child’s future, we petition the One who knows what the future holds -- the One Who knows everything about everything.

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 and to have great friends. I pray the moms and dads 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 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.”

I Confess. I am a Martha-holic.

I Confess. I Am a Martha-holic.
I love that gal so much. She speaks up and says what I’ve only wished I could say. I toil and am busy making sure everything is just right. I spend hours in the kitchen doing pre-event planning, cooking and baking and then the day of the event, I am the first to arrive and the last to go home. I give my guests the very best of me. But, deep in my heart, I’m a little peeved at those who never say "Can I help?” They’re too busy chit-chatting to notice I’m carrying the platters, offering drinks, manning the oven, and making sure everyone is having a good time.

I have scripture to back me up! Hebrews 13:2 tells us not to forget to “entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it”. And, Jesus discusses the hospitable behavior of those who will inherit the kingdom: “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, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me” (Matthew 25:34-36).

Dear Martha was hospitable to a fault. She opened her home to the Motley Crew of disciples AND the incomparable Man of God, Teacher, Miracle-Worker, Way-Maker, Water-Walking Jesus. There isn't much applause for her. Sure, she was peeved that her sister was just sitting at the feet of Jesus. I know that feeling. Guests are getting the scoop on all the current events of other guests' lives. They’re telling one exciting story after another, and I want to be in the room with them laughing and oohing and awing, but I’m in the kitchen because if I don’t perform, who will? I really think Martha got a bad rap for wanting her sister, Mary, to stop sitting at the feet of Jesus and start helping her because she wants to hear Jesus’ stories, too. She whined to Jesus: “Tell her to help me!” (Luke 10:40) But Jesus replies: “You are worried and upset about many things” (Luke 10:41). Martha was weary from handling all her “to do” list. Jesus, the supreme guest of honor, deserved the highest quality of service and hospitality. But, no doubt, we Marthas need to learn from the lesson that Martha learned that day.

Our strength and power don’t come from how much we can accomplish in one day. It flows out of our relationship with our Heavenly Father. As Martha hustled around to get it all done with her culinary best, Mary was soaking up the aroma of Jesus and His life-changing words. Don’t forget Mary was once a “red-light district” gal and she had been forgiven. Who wants to eat when the “Bread of Life” is in her midst? Martha didn’t get the response she expected. "My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it." (Luke 10:41,42).

How often do we get all flustered by the have to’s, must do’s and are loaded up to the point of exhaustion? How often do we get so busy running around doing things FOR God, that we forget to spend time WITH God? Both of those women loved Christ immensely. Martha loved Him so much, she wanted to serve Him with excellence and Mary loved Him so much, she wanted to just be in his presence. Two ways of loving and showing their love. (Luke 10:38-42). I have such respect for both of those gals, because, so many times, I'm both of them!

I'm in Tulsa, today, helping to lead a big retreat. Yes, I'll be a Martha getting all the details taken care of, but I plan on being a Mary, offering praise and thanksgiving as I stay in-sync with my Lord Who is always speaking, giving wisdom and insight to us.

Both Martha AND Mary made the record book. Later on in scripture, we hear Martha make a profession of her faith: "Yes, Lord,’ she replied, ‘I believe that You are the Messiah, the Son of God, Who is to come into the world.’” When Jesus said, “I am,” she affirmed, “You are.” Her “I believe” confession is remarkable because she stated His title, His divine nature, and His calling. Martha’s faith was as solid and unshakable as her sister Mary’s. She served the food and also dished out the truth: She said, “It is for Your coming that the world has waited” (John 11:27).

Lord, teach us about balance – willing to serve in word and deed and more than willing to sit at your feet and bask in Your holiness, majesty, and amazing love and grace. Amen.

Slow Down and Listen to the Frogs

My inspiration for today’s blog came from a friend’s FB post. These were her words that captioned this precious photo so beautifully: “When I’m really trying to get a workout in (aka, not stopping every 2 minutes), I’m reminded to slow down when my daughter wants to listen to the frogs. I know one day she won’t ask to go with me, so for today, I’ll slow down and listen to frogs.” I thought, “This is the stuff that brings us to a place of gratitude and embracing the gift of this moment in this day!”

How’s that for a wake-up call? How’s that for conceding to cherishing the most precious moments that will never pass our way again? This sweet mama understands how important it is to slow down and “smell the roses” AND “listen to the frogs”.

Then, yesterday, I had my own “stopping to smell the roses” moments when my two Frisco grandchildren (ages 17 & 18) called me for a date night to see the new Dumbo movie with them. I was on a mission to getting off some important emails, making some necessary calls about an upcoming event and finish working on a script for a play I'm writing, but I was reminded to slow down to watch a flying elephant!

As I began typing this blog, my thoughts turned to how Mary, the Mother of our Lord, must have slowed down to prioritize her time with her boy! She was probably overcome with the responsibility of raising this boy. After all, he was no ordinary boy. He was the Son of God. No doubt, she poured time into him while being a devoted wife to her husband and his carpentry business, but I like to think that she savored the moments when her boy was a little guy, too! Remembering how He played in the water when she heard Him saying “I am the water that when you drink of it, you will never be thirsty again.” She watched Him playing with His friends and when one of His pals fell, I'm sure she noticed Him lovingly care for him. I'm sure she lived in the moments when she saw Him caring for and playing with animals. Can you imagine that she was thinking “He created them”?

That’s why, when my grandchildren take me by the hand and say “Nana, let’s go…….” that I rarely put them off. This Frisco grandson is presently writing a book and starting up a new business. He often comes to my home for serenity. I love that. He acknowledges my “peace zone”! He understands how inspiration and being present in the moments happen here. I love to imagine that he’ll remember that he received inspiration at Nana’s home one day – long after I’m gone.

I started out speaking about a young mom who is keeping her priorities in order. I’m desiring to keep mine in order too! Watching for God’s favors and signs along the way! Knowing when I recognize Him in my children, my grandchildren, and the frogs and flowers along the way, there will be plenty of time for making up the time on everything else!

Trusting God When It Doesn't Make Sense

Yesterday I posted about the times when we are afraid to trust. We have a host of reasons to have a problem with trusting, especially when it comes to relationships and when someone broke our hearts or when dreams crushed or when we’re let down by a sickness reoccurrence. But we have proof of those who weathered their crisis by trusting in God’s promises and Word and came out stronger than ever before. Their test became their testimony and their mess became a message that others witnessed and they, too, learned to trust.

In the joyous Christmas atmosphere with my fireplace warming me, my eyes take notice of this treasured figurine of "The Holy Family" across the room. It was a gift to us by a dear friend on the occasion of re-saying our marriage vows at Christmas. I start to ponder the unimaginable trust found in the Christmas Story. It’s a true story that boggles our minds. This true story is unparalleled in trust. God invited people from different stations in life to become a part of history. The lowly, outcast shepherds. An unmarried, innocent girl. An expectant husband-to-be. Well-educated men from another country. All of those characters had to draw upon some new level of trust and belief to become part of the “Chronicles of Bethlehem”. Each person had to rely on an inner sense of conviction. What they saw, how they reacted, and what they did, demanded an internal “knowing” that trust was the best choice, God’s choice.

Think about trust in the roles those characters played: Mary had to believe Gabriel, the angel of God when he appeared to her. She chose to say “Yes” to his message. Joseph believed that God spoke to him in a dream. Mary had to trust and rely on Joseph for leadership and direction. Joseph believed in her innocence. They leaned on one another for support as God continued to “direct their steps” (Proverbs 3:5,6).

Mary, Joseph, the Magi, and the shepherds had a choice. They believed the angelic visits. The star in the sky and the dreams were signs of God’s direction. Each of the characters believed they had a role to play and each of them relied on God's guidance. They were positioned to be a part of a miraculous and eternal story-line, and they submitted to it.

Now, here’s the “Chronicles of Dallas or Tulsa or Phoenix" or whatever town you and I are in today”, God is writing our story. Mary and Joseph only received one piece of information at a time. Still, they continued to walk in the grace and guidance that had been given to them. Trust enabled Joseph to marry Mary. Trust caused them to leave Bethlehem and travel to Egypt. They returned and lived in Nazareth. God guided. God provided.

What about our stories? Right now you might be right in the middle of trying to find your way in business, in relationships, in your health. Trust will keep you steadfast and immoveable -- not the trust found in partners in business or family and friends or even in the medical report you just received. Trust is our complete reliance on the character, ability, strength, and truth of God. It is simply the confidence that we place in "our all-sufficient One". Our pennies bear the quote "In God We Trust".
That is the trust of all the characters in the Christmas Story. That is the trust that God wants His children to have in Him. May we trust God implicitly, then trust our sovereign God to be in the people and in the situations of our lives.

Who Do You Run to When You Need a Friend?

Today’s inspiration for this blog came from the graphic posted by my friend, Michael Beaudoin. Thank you, Michael! “The first one to recognize Jesus was an unborn child.” Here's what that line means:

Mary had just heard from Gabriel that she was going to give birth to the Son of God. Did you catch that? She was going to give birth to the “Holy, Son of God”!!! I’m not using that as slang! I’m just saying that a young peasant girl received the announcement that she was going to give birth WITHOUT relations with a man, and the clincher is: THAT baby is the Son of God! Then…. what’s a girl to do? Stay in the spot and wonder “How can this be?” “How will Joseph take this news?” “What will the neighbors think?” “What about my wedding and my wedding dress and all the plans I’ve made?” We don’t read any such questions, though she may have had them running through her mind. She simply responded to Gabriel’s message: “Yes. Be it unto me according to your word.” Luke 1:38

Back to that first photo...after hearing Gabriel’s message and giving her “yes”, Mary ran with haste to get to her cousin, Elizabeth, who had been barren, but Gabriel told Mary a miracle had taken place and Elizabeth is six months pregnant. After all, NOTHING is impossible with God! And when Elizabeth heard her greeting, her baby recognized the Son of God in her and leaped for joy in her womb. (Luke 1:39-40).

God is the world’s greatest matchmaker EVER! I’m not talking about the kind of romantic matches made online, but rather about "divine" connections made between women in need and those who can help. I have many of those connections and before I would share "my load" with just anyone, I would go to those gals who have my back and I have theirs. Those are the women I do life with. In this Luke 1 Christmas Story, God gives us a beautiful picture of what it looks like when He gives the gift of that kind of friends to help us in challenging times. Here, He joins together a young Mary, with an older woman, Elizabeth, and encourages both of them in the linking. If we’ll zoom in a little, there are some important lessons for us.

Why did Mary need to pack up and leave home to go see Elizabeth? Where was her mother? Her friends? No matter the answers, one fact is clear. Mary needed a faith-filled woman with whom she could connect. In fact, she hurried there! We live in a world where people are lonely and hurting and we know the saying "Misery loves company”. Mary could have sat at home and worried about this new startling info and turn to a nearby friend for support. But, what friend could understand THIS dilemma? She didn’t look for a friend who knew little of life to give her news to, but, Gabriel had given her Elizabeth's miracle, nothing-is-impossible-with-God story! She knew she was the kind of friend she needed.


There was such joy in their connection. The rest of this story is so beautiful that I can hardly explain it adequately. Elizabeth was elated to hear Mary’s voice and her baby boy leaped in her womb. She cried out in a loud voice, and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” Two anointed-with-the-Holy-Spirit boys were inside these women And then Mary started singing with joy and praising and magnifying God.

The outcome of these women’s connection was great joy. Not only were they happy in the moment, but they were forever enriched by the match that God had made between the two of them. God calls us to connect so we can mature. Mary was supported, and Elizabeth had a chance to share her maturity and support. That same joy can be in store for you and me! Let's connect, Girl Friends, with those who are connected by the Holy Spirit. If ever we needed each other, it is today!

Lord, thank You for giving us divine connections with others who not only encourage us in our faith, but we encourage them with your faithfulness!

Getting Ready to be Overshadowed

Have you ever felt Holy Spirit’s presence so intensely, that you thought you could reach out and touch Him? That was me yesterday morning. I proceeded with my early morning routine: brushed my teeth, grabbed my mug of water and phone for the text message I’d send to my children later, put the fireplace on and sat in my cozy chair, opened my computer and hit the “post” button on my FB page and my blog.

This morning was very different. I sensed such closeness with the Holy Spirit that it was almost tangible. Maybe it was because I had been pondering the Advent talk I will be giving at my church next Wednesday night because when I awoke, I thought about Mary and the announcement by Gabriel that she would conceive a child and she asked: “How can this be since I am a virgin?” And Gabriel replied "'The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will OVERSHADOW you.'" Luke 1:35

Suddenly, I desired to be overshadowed by the Holy Spirit too. Suddenly the matters of this world seemed so distant to me. It reminded me of an old song we sang: “Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.“ Not long after my sweet Holy Spirit time, I was brought back to the reality of my “To Do” list and “How can I get all this done before I leave town next week?” But, like a cowboy throwing his lasso on a steer to wrangle him in, I felt Holy Spirit pulling me back into that “sweet spot”.

Gabriel gave Mary the amazing news that she was going to give birth to the Son of God -- without knowing a man. That wasn't even believable in the natural. We can only imagine the doubt that must have bombarded her mind: "How can I have a baby without a man?” My “How” certainly paled in comparison to Mary’s “How”. When Mary answered the angel back, she didn't say, "I don't see how that can happen." No, Mary was bold. She made a statement of faith. She said, "Be it unto me even as you have said." In other words, "I'm in agreement. Let it happen. If God says I'm highly favored, I believe it. If God says the impossible is going to happen, I believe it." And, my dear FB and blog friends and family, that's the way we need to be when God puts a promise in our hearts. Instead of trying to reason it out, we have to be fully convinced that what He said, He will do.

You may have a "how" in your life right now. You may be thinking, "I believe I'm going to accomplish my dreams, but how am I going to do it?" "How am I going to get well?" "How am I going to overcome this addiction?" What the angel said to Mary is true for all of us today. He said, "Mary, here's how it's going to happen: the power of the Most High is going to come upon you and overshadow you." In other words, God is going to breathe in your direction, and supernatural things are going to happen.

How are you going to get well? The power of the Most High is going to come upon you. How are you going to accomplish your dreams? The Most High God, the Great I Am, the Creator of the universe is going to overshadow you. When God overshadows you, miracles happen. Supernatural opportunities come your way. Family members that were off course will suddenly turn around. Problems that looked permanent will turn out to be only temporary, and you will see miracles come to pass!

Today, just like Mary, let's dig our heels in and do our part. Let's get into agreement with God's Word and receive His promises and obey His commands. Let's get ready for God's Spirit to OVERSHADOW us!

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.”

YES -- Count Me In!

Yesterday I received an email asking me to be a "welcomer" at a 3-day Mission at my church this week. I'll admit I had thoughts of saying "No", because it meant I had to be at church an hour early each night and because I would just have returned home from Tulsa and, and, and (What other excuses could I think of?), but then I remembered what a YES means. I responded to that email: "YES. Count me in!"

My word for today is YES: an affirmative response; absolutely, agreed, okay, okey-dokey, absolutely, indeed, affirmative

There were many times when I was reluctant to say “Yes” to something or someone for fear it may cost me way too much in time, commitment, energy and strength. Maybe you’re right there, right now. Are you struggling with a “yes”? I was. I was just a youngster when my church’s youth choir leader asked me to sing a solo. With trepidation, I struggled with the response, but I said “yes”. When I was a little older and attending my future father-in-law’s church where he was the pastor, he asked me to play the piano for the worship service. Still I struggled with that “yes”, but, afraid, I said “yes” and I played on for years. My future mother-in-law asked me to play the lead role in a Christmas play as well as to play the piano for the church's worship service. My YES in those "younger years" took me out of my comfort zone.

The President at First City Bank on OK City urged me to get my securities brokers license so I could be a branch manager at a new branch that was being built. And another employer asked me to be the Assistant Director in Communications at the University of Manitoba. And my husband pushed me to get my airplane pilot's license, as well as my Real Estate Broker’s license. To every one of those “asks”, eventually, and sometimes, with apprehension and nerves peaking the highest levels possible, I did say “YES” and every time, I became more confident, more determined, more courageous, more accomplished, and more victorious over my anxieties and fears.

God wouldn’t have held a “NO” against me, but that “NO” would have continued to create inferiority and regret within me. The Apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 1:20: “For all God’s promises are “Yes” in Christ. And so through Christ we can say “Amen,” to the glory of God.“ Of course this verse is talking about our YES to those times when we are challenged in our faith. God looks at us to take that step of faith because he knows that we know we can accomplish ALL THINGS, through Christ Who strengthens us.” Philippians 4:13.

YES, it depends on the question being asked. A “no” to some questions is needed, but to those questions that stretch our faith and confidence, we should be bold enough to say “YES”. God is looking at us to take that step of faith. What does saying “Yes” look like for you. Maybe, it’s “Yes, I’ll forgive.” “Yes, I’ll trust you.” “Yes, I’ll share God’s love with others.” “Yes, I’ll volunteer for that charity.” “Yes, I’ll join that Bible study group.” “Yes, I’ll lead that Mom’s Group.” “Yes, God, I’ll open my eyes to your supernatural doors of opportunity today.”

Hebrews 10:23 says “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” People and time and fear and nerves will keep us from our YES. It’s not our ability, but God’s ability in us that gives us the boldness and the courage to say YES!

Think about the YES of Noah. His family was spared. What about the YES of Mary, the Mother of Jesus? Her YES, her unwavering faith and her cooperation with the Holy Spirit, gave us the Messiah. Just think about what your “Yes” could produce!

I'll say yes, Lord, yes, to your will and to your way.
I'll say yes, Lord, yes. I will trust you and obey.
When your Spirit speaks to me, with my whole heart I'll agree,
And my answer will be YES, Lord, YES!

Does Santa Reflect How You Feel Today?

This Norman Rockwell painting shows a worn-out Santa on December 26th -- and, like Santa, if all that’s left of Christmas for us -- frazzled, exhausted, a bulging credit card balance, an over-full, bulging tummy, then we missed the true meaning of Christmas. I'll admit that after all the activities that surround this beautiful season, along with Christmas Eve with my Wallace Family and then just a few hours of sleep before our drive to Austin, I was feeling a bit like this Santa.

I quickly revived when my sweetest spot on earth came when my entire family (my son, Ryan, and his family and my daughter and her family from Frisco) were altogether on the Wuerch's ranch in Austin. After an enormous Texas-style Christmas dinner, it was Nana's time for my annual request -- family pictures taken.

Our precious Denise Gerrich has been our photographer of choice for years. I'm so thankful she was a part of the family celebrations. After the usual antics of photo taking -- I was able to savor the moments of simply watching my grandchildren interact, all of us playing games, visiting about each other's lives, catching up on "what's new?" and reminisce about so many past times together. I pulled out my computer to type this post when Staci asked "What are you doing, Mom?" I was the only one with technology out. I said, "You know me, I'm working on my post for tomorrow morning!" She understood. She knows that's my daily mode of operation -- technology and all.

And, I'm breathing in having my family around me -- hearing Shawntel puttering around in the kitchen, seeing each one going back to the dinner remains for seconds, hearing Larry and Staci talking to Braden about his new e-commerce business that is going gangbusters, hearing the laughter of the kids playing pool and playing with Alexia's Christmas gift from Payton (a hedgehog), watching them all play the game of spoons, seeing Ryan pairing his lights with his Echo, -- just heaven on earth -- my earth -- my space -- my greatest blessings that call me Nana and Mom!

Back to my opening paragraph about Santa, and all of us being worn out after a very busy time leading up to Christmas Day. The good news is Christmas isn't just about that ONE MAIN EVENT. And neither is all the waiting, planning, organizing and preparing for OUR babies to be born, being just about their ONE day of birth. It's about that day and every day after that. Jesus' birthday was just the beginning of His incomparable life. We need to recall how we looked at our babies and how Mary, Jesus' mother, looked at her baby boy, her Son -- a Son like no other Son - the very Son of God - and she saw in his sweet, soft, precious face -- the Redeemer of all mankind. I like to think that I am a lot like Mary was. I can imagine that she breathed in His presence. She was there for his first steps playing games with other children, his puttering around in the carpentry shop with his dad, and she savored His antics and laughter and knowing God had such big plans for His future then she heard the stories of His many exploits.

In you and me is our own Christmas story being written of how God pursued us, loved us unconditionally and how His grace and unmerited favor kept us, gave us the courage to face tomorrow……and caused the peace, joy and love we experience at Christmas -- to stay alive in us each and every day and embrace it, because it's the life God planned us to live and enjoy.

As we continue to frolic and play for a few more days, and even when we return to our day-to-day walk with God, let's remember all that Christmas was AND IS because "JOY to the World" came for our taking and experiencing EVERYDAY!