An Angel on Assignment

Day 358 of Photo Inspirations -- An Angel on Assignment

We hear a lot about angels at this time of the year -- the angel Gabriel's announcement to old Zechariah announcing that he and his old, barren wife, Elizabeth, were going to have a baby, then Gabriel appears to the virgin Mary and Joseph to announce the coming birth of Jesus, and then at the birth of Christ, angels appeared to the shepherds who were guarding their flock. So with that special awareness of angels at this time of year, to hear this sweet story a couple of nights ago, just compounded my belief that angels are really, for real and they are on assignment, even today, and at times when we least expect them.

At a dinner party on Monday night, precious Whitney Jones shared a story she had held in for fifteen years -- at least to the Wallace Family. She shared...."When I was 11 years old, I was taking care of Payton who was only about one year old. I was feeding him goldfish crackers, when all of a sudden he started choking. I patted him on his back, raised his hands in the air, but nothing seemed to help. He started turning blue. I was crying and so afraid, when all of a sudden someone burst into the room and stuck their finger into his throat and pulled out the cracker. Payton quickly recovered and was just fine. Later, I cried and cried as I told my Mom the story." Whitney went on to share how sorry she had held that story in so long, but as she sees Payton serving God and is such an amazing servant that she knows God's hands are on him. (Payton plays the piano and drums and is part of the stage crew at church. In fact, he'd live at the church if he could. He loves serving God that much.)

Indeed, an angel showed up that night for Whitney and Payton. In reality, did the angel show up for Payton's benefit, or for helping Whitney know, at that young age, that she's not alone and that she was just beginning to see God's hand of blessing on her life, and that, she too, was going to be used mightily by God? Whitney is a gifted vocalist. I heard her sing "Mary Did You Know?" in the church's Christmas program this week. There is no question that she sings from a heart that's being touched by God.

This is Whitney, her precious little one year old daughter, and Payton in my photo inspiration today. God's timing was perfect for her to share this story with us -- not only as a testimony to God's faithfulness then, but, like Mary, to know the significance of angels in her life. What a great Mom she'll be as she raises her little girl to grow in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." Luke 2:52. Whitney learned from her experiences, just like all of us do. And those experiences are "those things that work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purposes". Romans 8:28.

How many times have we encountered angels and we didn't realize it? How many times have they protected us from accidents and harm? How many times did they warn us or make an announcement to us?

The angel speaking to the shepherds said, "FEAR NOT, for I bring you the GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY." (Luke 2:10). And, I believe the angels are declaring those words to you and I today. It is possible to have peace and joy, like the shepherds had, right in the middle of the darkest night.

What is bringing you fear today? Christmas isn't a happy time for everyone. Many people are facing debilitating illness, financial stress, or may be facing this Christmas alone for the first time. Listen once again to the angel's words...."Do not be afraid -- I bring you good news of great joy!" It is the same good news of great joy that the angels declared over 2000 years ago. Picture the God of the universe handing you his Son, wrapped in swaddling clothes. Hear Him say, "Don't be afraid of anything….ever. I give you peace. I give you comfort. I give you hope. I give you GOOD NEWS of GREAT JOY! I give you JESUS."

Short Term Pain = Long Term Gain

Day 138 of Photo Inspirations. Throwback Thursday is also Transformation Thursday -- SHORT TERM PAIN = LONG TERM GAIN
#TBT This is a big deal day and weekend coming up.   My grandson, Payton Wallace, will have his 15th birthday.  Big Year.  Yes, for him, he's already identified it as the year he'll get his driving learners permit.  I'm so thankful I'm here in Texas to be a part of these special times.

This big day includes braces coming off.  Transformation from 5 years of painful adjustments on his braces. Often times, he couldn't eat because it hurt so much.  Handling the jokes and name-calling "Brace Face", "Metal Mouth".  But Payton got it -- SHORT TERM PAIN FOR LONG TERM GAIN.

And he got his glasses 5 years ago, too.  He's already making big decisions for his life.   Choosing eye contacts is another big one.  And those didn't come without pain either. Today was his third try at the Eye Doctor's to get the contacts in.  Third time was the clencher.  The Eye Doctor's Assistant came around the corner and shouted "SUCCESS -- he was so determined!"  SHORT TERM PAIN FOR LONG TERM GAIN.

How soon many of us quit during the painful times.  We never achieve the goal or dream because we weren't able to endure the pain OR the process.   I tried to get contacts,  but I never pushed through the pain or process.   The glasses restricted Payton from some athletic pursuits he has.  He was willing to submit to the pain AND the process.

Very simply put... short term GAIN means to do what’s easier now. Long term PAIN means that because we didn’t do what NEEDED to be done in the short term, our life will reflect that forever -- as well as consistently thinking "If ONLY, I had persevered!"   SHORT TERM PAIN means to "Suck it up, Buttercup!" and do the thing that’s harder because we know that our life will be better and easier over the long haul because we made ourselves do the thing we didn’t want to do but we did!

I know that by now you’re thinking of your own examples of short term pain = long term gain and vice versa. This post will not bless you just by reading it, but it will do so when you think through your own life scenarios and begin to consciously choose short term pain = long term gain.

REMEMBER; SHORT TERM PAIN IS JUST THAT... SHORT TERM!!!   It is so worth it -- for the LONG TERM GAIN that is LOOOOONG TERM!!! #Wallace64

That's What Papa Said

This photo is of my sweet husband and grandson, Payton (who is now 14). Payton and Papa had a special bond -- in particular, they both loved to fish and loved to play the piano. This is an excerpt from Payton's published book (he was ten years old when he wrote it, and just after his Papa went to heaven), "That's What Papa Said".

"I've been playing the piano since I was four years old. My mom says that I just hopped up on the stool one day and started playing and didn't want to stop. That's when she put me in lessons to see if I would really want to play. And I did! Of all our family, only Papa and I can really play the piano so it makes me feel like I have a part of him in me. Papa was a great pianist and he could sit down at the piano, and play almost anything.

When I was four, Mom bought me a big white grand piano from my Papa. We only had the piano for two weeks when I thought it needed decorations. I was just learning to play the piano and didn't know better, but I took a black permanent marker and drew pictures all over it. I thought my pictures were really pretty but when Mom came in and saw what I was doing, she wasn't so proud. She cried, "NO!" and immediately picked me up and moved me away from the piano, and called Papa for some advice.

Thank goodness, Papa gave Mom the idea to use Windex to clean the marker off the piano. It all came off and was as good as new. When Papa heard about it, he wasn't mad. He just told me, "Everyone makes mistakes every now and then."

That's what Papa said.

I remember my first recital when I played "Jingle Bells". I was still just four years old. I was the youngest player there and when I was done, I was awarded with a mini Mozart statute. I was very excited that day. We picked up the phone and called Papa. He was so proud of me when he heard I did great. He told me to just keep playing the piano and never quit. Papa said, "God has GREAT plans for you."

That's what Papa said.

When I was around seven years old, I had a song that I was learning called "Ode to Joy." I had to practice very day. When I would play that song, I would cry and cry through the whole song because it was really hard and I didn't want to practice. My Mom sat me down and said, "Why are you crying through a song called "Ode to Joy?" It is a song about being happy!" Papa heard that I was crying through the song because I didn't want to practice. That is when Papa told me, "Keep practicing because practice makes perfect!"

That's what Papa said.

Three years later, when all of the boys in my school were playing sports, I felt kind of left out because I was the last one to be picked on the field. I didn't know much about sports and hadn't practiced football because I love piano and fishing so much. I told Papa about it one day and he told me, "You can only play those sports for a few years, Champion, but you can play the piano and go fishing for the rest of your life!"

That's what Papa said.

When I think of all the things that Papa said, it reminds me of how great he really was. Before he went to heaven, he said a few things that I will never forget. He said, "Love God with all your heart! Sit up straight when you play the piano. Believe in yourself. Keep going even if you don't succeed. Be patient! Never be afraid. Practice makes perfect! God has great plans for you. Be confident, and no matter what, never, ever, ever give up!"

That's what Papa said."

Now, this is back to Donna, and to add my final words. At Papa's memorial service, 10 year old Payton played "Fleur De Lis" on the piano. It was a sweet and tender moment......we knew Papa was looking down at us from heaven and smiling sweetly at his protege. His legacy continues.

The question is....."Are we influencing those around us to be better, braver, stronger and wiser? Don't we want our words and actions to be those that make a positive, indelible imprint upon those around us?"

That's what Papa did.