I Wanna Go Back…..Maybe NOT!

I’m revving my engine, mentally and physically, as I type this blog today. A lot has been on my plate for the last few days and even more the next days, weeks and even months. I was on the road again after a beautiful three days in Tulsa. Made it to Austin last night -- safe and sound -- on the road again! Lots to do, places to go and people to love,

I heard the David Dunn song, “I Wanna Go Back” again and this time it really resonated with me. The song describes how as we grow older and lose our childlike faith and belief that we can do or be anything. Instead of being grateful for all the abilities we have to drive a huge vehicle on crazy busy highways and byways, and even maintain our lives on our own, take on responsibility and conquer it, and be grateful we even made it through our childhood ups and downs, we digress to wanting to go back. David Dunn sings “I wanna go back to “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so. I wanna go back to “This little light, gonna let it shine.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUvxhGRUR3s

This time when I heard the words of that song, I realized how much Jesus does loves me and I truly know it. I’m not just singing words. I’m singing from my very being. He loves ME! He sees me as a beloved daughter and though often I feel like a messed-up kid, He still loves me -- this I know!

Here’s the funny thing. As a kid, I thought God was out to get me when I slipped – maybe a little peek at a friend’s paper to get the answer to a question, or the little fib I told my mom. I feared Him and His big stick. Today, I recognize my mistakes quickly, and do my best to make amends. I feel His arms around me, pulling me into Him and His gentle words: “I forgive you. Do better next time!”

And, about that wanting to go back to “This little light, gonna let it shine” – I’m doing that too. I’m not that little kid any more who thinks God is punishing me for something I did wrong. Once upon a time, I really did think that. I didn’t really understand grace until I grew up and rationalized that the free-flowing grace of my Father is what proves Jesus loves me this know! Not just because the Bible tells me so. I know. God has proven His love and grace for me in abundance – far more than I deserve. So I purpose, first thing EVERY SINGLE DAY – to let my little light shine through my blogs and my “can’t keep it to myself” attitude. I know a good thing – er, a good Father – and I must share Him.

Now, I sing “Jesus loves me this I know” with absolute certainty of that love. I notice that He keeps a watchful eye on me and delivers me safe from harm. I recognize the car that almost ran into me, the misstep that I took and didn’t fall down, the sweet embrace of a friend and I know it’s Him loving me through them. We’re big kids and by now we should be fully aware of God’s love. If we really understood His love, we’d understand He’s smiling at us with a gleam in His eyes -- the same way I watch my kids and grandkids.

If I see my own with the joy of a mother’s heart, I know He sees me with a joy that surpasses my understanding. I know because the same God who created them, created me. He created you. I want to smile back at God with the confidence of a daughter. A daughter who knows “Jesus loves me. This I know, with absolute certainty!” How about you?

We Can't Judge a Dandelion by its Cover

You know those bright yellow flowers that we consider our enemy? I saw this photo and a friend’s post declaring “Dandelions are not Weeds! They build bones better than calcium, cleanse the liver and heal eczema.” Who knew? I’ve always pulled them out of my yard or had my lawn guys spray them away. But though we may not care for them growing wild in our lawns or gardens – still (if not laden with chemicals) are edible and can be used for a whole host of culinary purposes and health benefits. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says edible wild greens, like dandelion, taste good, are low in calories and are packed with vitamins. Dandelions in particular are high in calcium and vitamins A and C.

So, people spray their lawns to get rid of them, while others use them to heal their body of numerous ailments. We can learn a lot from the good found in dandelions. How many dandelions does it take to cover our entire lawn? Only one, given a little time. Ever try to get rid of dandelions? Unless we dig all the way down to the very tip of the taproot, we're not getting rid of them. They keep coming back, undefeated by our efforts to stop them.

Wow! Revelation from Heaven Central! God's creation created with purpose. And so were we! We should be like those dandelions -- knowing what we believe in and what we stand for, and hold us fast when forces try to dig us up – defeat us, discourage us, and wipe us out -- knowing “tough times don’t last – but tough dandelions and tough people do”. Dandelions grow everywhere: cracks in sidewalks, middle of lawns --- its seeds land and they grow and bloom. That should be us. Wherever we are and whatever the situation, we can grow and thrive. We need to be as stubborn as dandelions with our faith – unwavering, relentless, and committed to never giving up.

We cannot ignore dandelions. Their bright yellow color screams at us to either weed them out and now we know the health benefits so they'll scream at us to eat them! We'll never ignore them again! They’re unabashedly, loudly here. They are relentless. They teach us to not let the haters get us down. Some people curse dandelions as a weed and try to take them out, but they keep coming back. And, we need to know what and WHO we stand for so we can be as resilient and single-focused as the dandelion. We just keep coming back.

Maybe it’s time we become dandelion-minded. God put us here for a reason and while others might see us as nothing more than an irritating weed, God sees us as His daughters and sons and He endowed us with abilities and strengths to conquer and overcome whatever comes our way. Inside of us are prayers to be prayed, songs to be sung, books to be written, words of encouragement to be given to others to heal their hearts and souls, ideas that can change the course of history. So go ahead, be as stubborn as a dandelion and never quit. Just be the best dandelion (YOU) that you can possibly be and let your bright colors of God’s grace and love shine through you.

Cheers to the Underachievers who Overcame!

Cheers to the Underachievers who Overcame!
I love following my friends’ posts on Facebook and social media -- especially this time of year when they are proudly celebrating their children's graduations and academic achievements, as well as announcing the ivy league or major state universities that they will be attending in the fall. I always congratulate the entire family because it takes a village -- an entire village of teachers, coaches, counselors, mentors and most of all, parents and siblings that helped facilitate those achievements. I applaud all of you. Oh, the places those graduates will go!

For today's post, however, I'm leaning into those families who were over-the-moon thrilled because they even made it to graduation because it was a tough field to hoe for their child. They didn't have the financial means to put their kids in all of the sports, clubs, groups or other extracurricular activities. I want to cheer for the single moms or dads who didn't have a village to support them. In fact, they had to work two jobs just to put food on the table and ensure their kids had a sack lunch to take with them instead of buying cafeteria food.

I want to applaud all the young people who were willing to get an after-school job to help out with the family budget. I want to celebrate those who weathered the storms of conflict in their home where parents weren't getting along or where a sibling or parent’s health required their extra attention. Maybe they had to step up and be a cook and do more chores to help out. God bless the young people who were willing to walk to school or ride the bus while other kids were dropped off at the door. God bless them even more for not complaining – for sticking to their goals of finishing. And they did. They walked across that platform to receive their diploma because they earned it. Here’s what I know…..the eyes of THE ONE saw them and I’m quite sure He is bursting with pride and joy because they are one of His and He will use them.

Regardless whether you are the best of the best, the star athlete, the “best dressed”, the one voted “most likely to succeed” and the leader of all…..God can use you, too! Just look at St. Paul who was a renown scholar AND a servant. And, God uses "commoners" -- like most of us. Just look at His disciples -- fishermen, a tax collector, a zealot. I pray God blesses each and every one of you -- those who are blessed with means, talents, and abilities and those who are stretching to be the best you can be and have talents and abilities in your own right! I praise God Who specializes in using very ordinary, everyday people AND those with degrees and pedigrees to change the world. The over AND underachievers are designed by God to be those who do something that lasts throughout eternity -- to do some things that outlast us. We aren’t so entangled with stuff as we are caught up in bearing the burdens of others even less fortunate than us, being the hands and feet of Jesus to the hurting, the ones Who wake up saying “What are my marching orders for today, God?” Wherever we’ve been and wherever we’re going – may it be God’s divine plan that assures us we landed right where we were supposed to land – right in the smack dab middle of God’s plans and purposes for our lives.

So here’s to the overachievers who worked hard, studied hard, and received the accolades and honors you deserved. And, here’s to the underachievers who overcame so many obstacles and you MADE IT! Now, may we all come together to be the kind of people who are radical in our faith and determination to be examples of God’s love in the world and who help change it!

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Practice and Practice Makes Perfect

I thoroughly enjoyed the TV show “Little Big Shots” with Steve Harvey, as the most incredible talents were revealed by the youngest children. Case in point: Four-year old Evan Le who “picked up” the piano only a few months before and played “The Flight of the Bumblebee” masterfully. (I posted the link below if you’d like to see it. It’s hilarious AND amazing!) I can understand how methodical training, coupled with guidance from parents and teachers, and personal determination and drive – the faster and the younger the children are in becoming accomplished musicians or whatever they are given to learn.

On a personal note, I started taking piano lessons when I was 8 years old. The first thing I learned was how to read the notes on a page and associate those notes to the keys on the piano. Then I learned how to look at the music and pay attention to my fingers at the same time. That sounds like a lot of coordination is involved, and, yes, it is -- eyes, fingers, ears, and a good brain. But as I practiced and practiced (for years -- much longer than kids today), something remarkable happened. Not only was I able, by instinct, to play what I was seeing, but before long, I even had music memorized and I was able to play by memory. All those lessons and all that practice served me well over the years as I played the piano and organ for our church and our quartet that itinerated around the U.S. and Canada.

Learning to play the piano (or any instrument) takes time, determination, practice and consistency. And that's the way it is with anything that we want to accomplish in life -- whether it be in learning to cook or a new language, being good at a sport, dance, or even in being a better husband/wife, parent, friend, employee or neighbor.

Let's say we really do want to be caring and giving. Maybe we've been "all about me" for far too long, and now we're ready for change. First we get a plan of action (like I had to with learning to read the notes and keys). Every day we think about how we can be more kind and generous to our spouse or neighbor or work associates. Then we determine to carry out that plan (just as I practiced over and over). We practice by offering to help someone with something they are having to do (i.e., clean out a garage, help an associate with meeting a deadline, take care of a neighbor's kids, tutor a child, offer to help at a local charity, etc.). And we keep on practicing those caring and giving habits. All of a sudden, by instinct -- by second nature -- we are living out what we put into practice. We become the one that raises our hand when someone asks for help -- just instinctively. We can't help it -- it's second nature.

Indeed....practice makes perfect in just about everything we hope to excel in -- in life -- and that holds true to practicing love, harmony, faith, good attitude, consideration for others, and generosity.

Here’s that darling video of Steve Harvey and Evan Le: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnXT8SY4-9Q
#PracticeMakesPerfect

You've Come a Long Way, Baby!

Have you thought about how far you’ve come in life? You’ve acquired abilities you never thought possible. You dreamed of driving a car and the day came when you earned your driver’s license and now you’ve been driving for years. You dreamed of one day getting married and having children. That day came and now you’re raising your children and, quite frankly, you’re doing a great job at it. You dreamed of the day when you’d have a job that paid you well for your hard work. You put that dreaming to work as you earned a college degree or you learned a skill or you gained on-the-job, hands-on experience that opened up even more doors for your next position.

Think back to where you started. Maybe it was that newspaper route that taught you the discipline of getting up early and the responsibility to be on time and throw it just in the right place on the driveway. Maybe it was that waitress job that taught you patience and diligence? Maybe those school sports gave you the start you needed to be the team player with sportsmanship and comradery that you have with your friends and fellow employees today.

Thomas Edison said "I never did anything worth doing by accident, nor did any of my inventions come by accident, they came by work." He was known for an unfailing work ethic. He never shirked from mundane tasks because he always found there was something he could learn even while working in a telegraph office.

Think about Jesus Christ – the skills, the abilities, and the leadership qualities He had when He showed up on the scene at age 30. He must have acquired so many of His characteristics from the training He received from his dad and mom while working in the family carpentry business and from the tough times when his dad, Joseph, passed away and He had to step up and help earn income for He and His mother. Also, think about His childhood, youth, and manhood, when He studied the Scriptures. As a little child He was daily at His mother’s knee taught from the scrolls of the prophets. Here is what was said of Him: “And He grew in wisdom, stature and favor with God and Man.” Luke 2:52.

Like Edison, if we keep working at that "thing", that invention, that creative idea or project – we’ll land right where God planned for us. Like our Lord Jesus Christ, if we keep diligently pursuing God and becoming who He destined us to be, we'll also hear those words “And he/she grew in wisdom, stature and favor with God and man.” I don't know about you, but I see my life's timeline and I see God's Master Plan that landed me right where I am here today. He's been with me all the way. I can assure you “I’ve come a long way, Baby!" How about you? We're still here so we're not done with choosing to continue to grow, learn and finish strong!”

The 5 Awesome A's -- Assignment, Anointed, Abilities, Authorities, Armor

As I woke this morning, I had one of the precious ladies in my Life Group on my heart and started to pray for her. I was going to send her a private message, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized I needed to send it to all the ladies in my Life Group, as well as to my FB friends and family, because each of us face “stuff” on a daily basis, and this message is one we can ALL use.

I believe God is equipping us ALL, as He did with Queen Esther “for such a time as this”. Often we go through “stuff” in order for God to get our attention. He is raising up an army of FULLY DEVOTED followers of Christ, who are committed to being in a “preparation season” because He needs us to be His hands extended to a very hurting world.
We ALL must realize, as we get ready for our day, that we are here for specifically designed purposes by Father God, at THIS TIME. He has given us ABILITIES and the AUTHORITY, and like the little shepherd boy, David, He wants to ANOINT us to complete the ASSIGNMENTS He has given us. But before we head out into this day....into the battlefield, we need to be sure we put on the whole ARMOR of God. And, here’s how to put on the ARMOR:

Ephesians 6:10-17 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the BELT OF TRUTH buckled around your waist, with the BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS in place, and with your FEET FITTED WITH THE READINESS THAT COMES FROM THE GOSPEL OF PEACE. In addition to all this, take up the SHIELD OF FAITH, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the HELMET OF SALVATION and the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, which is the word of God.”

Beautiful people, I love you so much and I pray this day we are fully equipped and armed and fully ready to take on whatever comes our way with the tenacity and determination to conquer……because “we are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus”, and “greater is He who lives in us, than he who is in the world”!

My Amazing Dance Partner Makes Every Day Memorable

Last night, was karaoke night on the cruise. I urged my Staci to sing, and she did -- blew the crowd away with her rendition of "My Heart Will Go On". She dedicated the song to me.....and of course the tears flowed, as, once again, I remembered when my sweetheart was her #1 cheerleader and coach. He relished hearing his girl sing, as I, but because he had been her coach for so many years, he loved seeing his protege, and his pride was beyond description. "Train up a child in the way he/she should go, and when he's/she's old they'll not depart from it." She continues to thrive in the abilities and skills her daddy taught her.

So here we are in Cozumel, Mexico! My sweet husband and I, our children and grandchildren were on a cruise 11 years ago (there were only 4 grandchildren then) where this Cozumel port was part of the itinerary. I remember that trip well. We enjoyed the beach together, Ryan & Shawntel went scuba diving, we watched a dolphin show and we ate at a great Mexican Food restaurant that had a wonderful band. Staci sang on stage, and my sweetheart and I danced together. Aw! Precious memories! This is the photo of that day on the left -- my Honey and I dancing -- and I still have the family picture of all of us from that day displayed in my home -- still today. Those precious memories are captured in print and in my memory bank.

We made even more memories today. We re-enacted our day from years ago, and, ventured out for, yet again, a great Mexican Food restaurant and my sweet son took the place of his daddy and danced with me (pictured on the right). My sweetheart lives on today in all of our hearts -- we sense His presence with us. How is that? Legacy doesn't die. A word, an experience, a memory, a location, an action, a story, a picture -- precious loved ones are still with us.

My sweetheart is dancing in heaven now, but today my sweet son took his place here. This vacation will soon end. These days will be simply sweet memories that I will carry with me. But the best news is EVERY DAY I have an amazing dance partner– my Father God, and He makes EVERY DAY memorable -- full of celebrations and joys and victories! Who could ask for anything better....or anything more? Most certainly -- not me!

Works of the Master Artist; Artists at Work

Loved my Life Group tonight as we talked about our great Creator Who created us with the abilities to CREATE. I asked each one to bring a photo or share something that they "created". I loved it when one of our precious ladies brought a gorgeous quilt she had made for a grandbaby that's on the way -- one quilt among many she made for family, as well as those she's created for her business. She was already a quilter when her husband passed away a couple of years ago, and then just a couple of months later, her home burned to the ground. EVERYTHING she owned -- burned, including her quilting machine and tools. She said, "That's it. I'll never quilt again." Then one day, she said, "I'm not going to stop living. I'll start again!" And with that, she rebuilit her home and started creating again. Yes, she spread her wings, and today she exudes with life and love and liberty of knowing she is on assignment. Have you stopped living? Have you stopped creating? God wants us to break free from those things that stopped the creative juices from flowing. He wants us to spread our wings and fly in freedom to be all He destined us to be -- and to touch many lives while we do. We are works of the Master Artist, and we are Artists at work!