My User Manual & My Daily Medicine Dose

From TVs to cars, most everything we purchase these days come with user manuals. For most of us, we rarely read the user manual until something breaks down or isn’t working properly. But, then, we don’t even go to the manual first, we google our issue and find the answer there.

Today, I’m talking about my personal User Manual. It’s the Bible. It’s not just another book on the book shelf that we pick up once, read a little of it, and then be done. It’s not like other books we read and maybe read it a second time because it was such a good story. The Bible is our go-to book as a User Manual, as a daily source of inspiration that brings life to us. God’s Spirit inhabits God’s Word. He beckons us to sit in His presence and breathe in what we’re reading. If we would remember that everything in our lives hinges on God and His promises, then we can count on Him working in our lives. His purposes cannot be thwarted. Searching out His promises and setting our hearts on what He says to us, is truly how to "fix" what's wrong and make us right in every area of our lives.

Many people are in great fear about what tomorrow holds. The coronavirus, political voices, the negativity of the news, and all those fears that try to consume us every day. But I have a prescription for you that will cure you of all those ailments. I spoke to my women's group about the importance of taking this prescription daily in this illustration. I give it to you today from this medicine bottle. If I had the cure for stress and worry; for sadness, pain and guaranteed joy and peace and I kept it to myself, what kind of friend would I be? I do have the cure – and it’s found in the prescription of God’s Holy Word. It’s prescribed to "whoever" by Dr. Jesus. The supply is unlimited and the side effects are peace, joy, hope, love, patience, better health, abundant life and so much more.

I can't begin to tell you how many times I've read a scripture and I found the answer to my problem or question. I have daily “epiphanies” – aha moments from reading and soaking in God’s Word. In Luke 24, we read about two disciples who were sad and confused after the crucifixion of Jesus. Jesus was walking with them on the Road to Emmaus, but they didn’t recognize Him. They invited Him to come home with them and in Luke 24:30-31 we read that the disciples’ eyes were opened after Jesus took the bread, broke it, and gave it to them to eat.

Jesus is OUR Bread of Life, the Living Word, and we are nourished by Him when we open the Holy Scriptures to feed on his truth. Ultimately, it is Christ who feeds us with spiritual nourishment through His Word, but we must choose to come to the table. It is Jesus who feeds us through His living, powerful, and active Word of truth, but we must choose to open the Bible and search its riches, expecting to hear from Him.

On the evening of Resurrection Sunday, it was the Scriptures—being illuminated to the disciples—that burned in their hearts. That same power exists in God’s eternal Word. Does it burn within your heart today?

Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
Psalm 119:11 “Your Word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against You.”

Being Careful but NOT Judgmental

I want to be very careful with my words today because I cringe with the thought that I could sound judgmental. I don't get into politics much, though I am adamant in my position which I think is obvious for Who I follow -- our Abundant Life Provider (John 10:10). Maybe I'm naiive because I assume that those I chum with at church, events and various organizations follow my set of values, principles and God's ways according to His Word. But, shock and awe -- not everyone sees my way of thinking! How can it be? 😉

Such was the case when a friend expressed that she is pro-choice and anti most everything else I stand for. I could have been knocked over with a gentle breeze. I was numb, couldn't even respond and just walked away. A week later I heard that my walk-away meant that I was mad. I quickly asked for forgiveness for the impression I left. At first I thought I'd provide a list of reasons for my position, but then I thought "What would Jesus do?" And, immediately the Fruit of the Spirit -- the qualities that I want "fruitful" in my life, came to mind. So, I expressed my appreciation and love and that "our politics and persuasions" don't make a difference in that love. Between you and me, I'm praying that God will draw her to Himself and clarity comes to her.

Here's what I know. I know we shouldn't judge others, lest we be judged (Matthew 7:1-3). But, I figure it's quite alright to inspect the fruit in my own life and be my own "fruit inspector". I can judge me. Matthew 7:20 says "Therefore, by their fruit you will recognize them." WOW! That’s how we’re recognized as devoted followers of Christ, or not. By our "fruit". So as fruit inspectors, first, we need to pass the test on the fruit we, ourselves, are bearing. It will be obvious, not by judging, but by inspecting where people are at by the fruit they bear also.

It is "fruit bearing" season. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." (Galatians 5:22-23) I'm checking out the "freshness" of my fruit even as I type this blog. As we experience the Holy Spirit's work in our lives, those beautiful attributes and characteristics of the FRUIT of the Holy Spirit will thrive and flourish in our lives. As believers, we know Holy Spirit is in us so we already have the good soil, fertilizer, nutrients and everything else we need to be good FRUIT bearers.

With all the craziness of politics and a world of unrest and pain, we can still find beautifully, mixed-in times of thanksgiving and gratitude. It's the perfect time to settle down to be drawn into a place of intimacy with God and inspect the good or bad fruit we may be bearing. Perhaps, a self-fruit-introspection is what will make us true "Fruit of the Spirit" fruit bearers that cause others to desire that fruit in their own lives, too. Lord, let it be!

Choose Life

What helps me pass the time when I'm traveling or on a treadmill or elliptical equipment, is listening to audio books. Since I’m a “romantic” at heart, I enjoy listening to Karen Kingsbury’s Christian inspirational books of intrigue, a tinge of romance and happy endings. The story-line of a recent one I listened to, included God's words to Moses: Deuteronomy 30:15,19 -“See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. Choose life, so that you and your children may live.” I’ve repeated those words to those I’ve been encouraging.

Every day we make all kinds of decisions – from the outfit we’re going to wear, who to meet, what to eat, and what to do. Most important, we choose what to think. I have come to know one thing for sure: today will not be any better than our thoughts. Seriously. LIFE and death are in the power of our thoughts. Choosing life at every thought makes such an incredible difference in who we are to ourselves and to others.

I was compelled to write this blog today because I’ve listened to some dear friends who are still struggling over the loss of a loved one – years after their passing. Instead of choosing life in abundance, they are still consumed with death and are choosing death over life. John 10:10 says “The thief comes to kill, steal and destroy, but I (Jesus) came to give you life and more abundant life.” Don’t we all want ABUNDANT life?

I work with a Faith and Grief Ministry. We share with those who have suffered a loss: "Take as long as you need to heal. Allow yourself to grieve for as long as you need to.” And while it is a soothing way to help someone ease back into living, I’ll admit, I want to get them on a fast-track back to choosing life over death. The sooner we get back to life, the sooner we enjoy living. For all who grieve, I know it is a profoundly personal journey and while I can share my hope with you -- I cannot speak to your time-frame. What I can tell you is that if you are open to true joy, happiness and living life beyond loss, open your heart to welcome the day to live again because Jesus’ abundant life is there waiting with open arms.

I’m not a mind over matter kind-of-gal, but I am a life-giving, Word-of-God living kind-of-girl. That is my “secret sauce”, which is really no secret. God gave us every tool we need to live an over-the-top victorious life and don’t we want to be one of those who we want to hang around with? I know I live with hope and purpose because I’ve chosen LIFE. The ability to choose my thoughts is the difference between pain and freedom. The greatest truth I have learned about LIFE is that LIFE is only ever one thought away. The good news is we are free to change our mind whenever we want. In every situation, we can cultivate the habit of asking ourselves: “What is the LIFE thought here?” Lay aside those dark, sad and depressing thoughts, and make yourself available to the higher ways of the abundant life Jesus came to give us.

Of all the decisions we make – none is greater than to CHOOSE LIFE. To choose thinking life-filled thoughts instead of doubt, unbelief, death, poverty, sadness and fear. When we choose life, we are choosing God thoughts and God actions. I am speaking to those today who have convinced yourselves there is no hope for good things to happen to you; no great expectations for dreams coming true or prayers answered. I am speaking to a parent who has lost a child or a child who has lost a parent or a widow or widower who has lost your beloved spouse. Today is the day to make a choice. I love you too much not to encourage you to CHOOSE LIFE! What a difference it makes in living!

When it Comes to Fishing – Anything Goes

My grocery list in hand, items checked off, coupons pulled and I’m at check-out with a brimming grocery cart. Only two cashiers? Ugh! I patiently wait in line. All those unnerved folks waiting behind me must be thinking: “Great! There’s THAT lady who is going to take FOR-EVER with all those groceries! And to make matters worse – SHE HAS COUPONS!”

I’ve been behind people like me. I try to grin and bear it, but it definitely calls for pulling the fruit of patience out of my Holy Spirit fruit basket! The elderly lady behind me is amused as she watches the total to $200, then $210, then $235!! She exclaims: “I’ve never spent that much on groceries!” I reply “Oh, I don’t either, but this is for a family fishing trip!” Then she sees the cashier’s final total of $175! Oh, yes, this girl coupons. I apologize to the grocery buyers behind me with their meager-filled baskets and thank them for their patience. They smile at me with clenched teeth. The little lady right behind me assures me “I enjoyed watching this show!”

This kind of shopping is not for the faint of heart. It is a quest – a feat of monumental proportions and it takes time. I ease into the entertainment value of imagining my family’s excitement when I pull out some of the goodies. Hostess chocolate cupcakes! Chocolate-covered mini donuts! BBQ potato chips! Essentials! Family favorites we rarely indulge in, but this is our annual fishing trip and anything goes! So as not to cause you, veggie lovers, to implode – the bounty does include fruits and veggies. It takes precision and quality management to get these groceries home, unloaded, sorted and temporarily stored until we load up the cars and head out about 8 am!

This annual fishing trip is a tradition that started with Papa and me when we took the grands to a fishing location each summer. That tradition continues. We have carried on Papa’s love for fishing. We are serious fisher-people. We get to our favorite fishing spot by daybreak. A picture of heaven (at least in a fisherman's eyes) as we arrive at those quiet, calm, peaceful waters. The fish are jumping and saying (in our imagination) "Come get me!” We are fish-whisperers. They'll be greatly disappointed by the breakfast they’ll go after because tomorrow they'll be in our tummies!

I enjoy fishing but “somebody’s gotta’ be the chief cook and bottle washer. I know the rest of the diehard fisher-people would rather fish than eat so I think of myself as sustenance-provider. I love it. I’ll fish in the mornings, but I return to the cabin for my call-of-duty. Hopefully, this crew brings in lots of fish. It’s a staple: Beer-batter trout. Yum!

So what is my encouragement for today as we make our way to Beaver's Bend in Broken Bow, OK? This scripture comes to mind: John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." I totally get it. The enemy of our souls wants our thoughts to be on everything but peace. He wants us all consumed about matters of the world and matters in our little worlds, rather than taking to the words of Christ to heart "I CAME to give you life and have it to the full". My life is full and running over with God's abundance and blessings. That's what I purpose to fix my mind on -- and NOT those things that the enemy purposes to use to steal, kill and destroy my good thoughts and good attitudes!

So, until next time, I’ll finish loading up all the cold rations into the coolers and get over to my kids’ home where they have all the fish tackle, poles, and everything needed for a few days of celebrating my grandson’s 19th birthday and living the abundant life Christ came to live us! I’m not sure what the wifi ability will be in this very remote spot…..so, just in case I have to be off the grid for a few days – be sure to come back on Saturday when I’ll be back home in My Peace Zone!

Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread

This blog today was inspired after a Bible trivia game Tuesday night. There are over eighty groups to get involved with in the community where I live. It's great If you’re a social butterfly because there are plenty of opportunities to hobnob and interact with others. I’ve picked and chosen those I most enjoy of which my favorites are the Bible studies and fellowship groups. At the Stonebriar and Friends group meeting on Tuesday night, besides a yummy pot luck meal, we played Bible Trivia. I’ll admit. I’m a pretty good Bible tool, but not the sharpest tool in the Bible shed. Thankfully, another gal at our table brought us home to victory with her quick thinking. We were tied with another table but because we finished our questions first, we won the prizes of these “Our Daily Bread” Promise Boxes.

Immediately, I had to share this story with my fellow winners. “This little Promise Box reminds me of one of my mother-in-law’s precious treasures. She and dad received their Promises Loaf of Bread box as a wedding gift 73-years ago. Today, the little cards are frayed on the edges and many words are faded, but if you were visiting her for any length of time, you’d likely be asked to pull a card that has a Bible verse on it and asked to read it and own the words because “those are God’s words for you”.

Before Mom moved to my sis-in-law’s home, in any given day, you could walk into her home and you'd find her at her kitchen table -- reading her Bible, praying or visiting on the phone with a soul who needed her words of encouragement. And, if you were really on cue, you’d draw one of those Bible verses. The words on those cards were just words unless you knew the Author of those verses. For mom and dad, they knew the Author and Finisher of their faith very well and those words proved true in the many years of their lives together. No doubt – if we’d draw upon those scriptures, they would point us in the way we should go, too! It’s time to increase our daily intake of God’s Word. It will be like nourishment and medicine to our bodies, souls and spirits – and if ever we needed to be operating at full capacity, our fuel topped off for the day’s long haul, with our hearts renewed and filled with the Word of God – it’s today.

"Give us this day our daily bread...." are words from the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6:11. Obviously, Jesus wasn’t telling His disciples to pray only for bread – in the loaf-of-bread sense. He was teaching us to come to God in humble dependence, asking Him to provide what we need and to sustain us from day to day. As I read my scripture readings yesterday morning, this scripture popped out at me from John 6:35: "Then Jesus declared, 'I am the Bread of Life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.'” He is the Bread of Life so we pray: "Give us YOU, Lord, as our daily life-giving (and I love that He promised “abundant life”) bread. He is our sustenance Who daily manifests His Word to and in us.

The Right to Abundant Life

The Right to Abundant Life
Today marks the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade legal decision, issued on January 22, 1973, that legalized abortion in the U.S. I wanted to take my thoughts a step further than the two March for Life videos that I posted last week of hundreds of thousands of pro-life advocates, many of whom were high school and college students, marching to defend the rights of the unborn.

I am a woman (so clearly I am pro-women) and I’m a Christian who believes in life at conception to the grave, so clearly I am Pro-Life. I am so proud of those who marched for life last week. I was thrilled to see them carrying signs that read “Choose love, Choose life,” “I am the pro-life generation". God bless President Trump for announcing during the march that he will reject any efforts by pro-abortion leaders in Congress to weaken pro-life laws. He said, ” If they send any legislation to my desk that weakens the protection of human life, I will issue a veto and we have the support to uphold those vetoes.”

I don’t get on a soapbox when it comes to political issues, but when it comes to the sanctity of life, I can’t stay silent. In this case, silence is not golden! I’m not qualified to speak to the scientific debates and arguments going on between the pro-life and pro-abortion camps so I won’t attempt to go there. But I do believe I am qualified to provide what God says from His Holy Word that undergirds pro-life and right-to-life arguments.

1) I am pro-life because men and women are made in the image and likeness of God. "Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness.” (Genesis 1:26). God’s choice at the time of creation. One of the Ten Commandments is: “You shall not kill.” (Exodus 20:13). Why? Remember, God has made man in His image. Abortion is the calculated taking of a life created in God’s image.

2) I am pro-life vs. pro-choice because God is the author and giver of life. "You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.” (Nehemiah 9:6) "Life comes from God; God is for life — that is, God is “pro”-life.

3) I am pro-life because the alternative is death. "This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him. For the LORD is your life…” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20) The abortion industry is a culture of death. The sanctity of life movement is a culture of life. What a contrast!
• God says, “Choose life!” That is God's "choice" — life!
• Death is an enemy! Post-abortion counseling reveals that many women have been traumatized by the later realization that by having an abortion they have opted for death rather than life for their unborn babies.

4) I am pro-life because there is abundant evidence in the Bible that God looks upon unborn children in the womb as human persons, with human emotions. "At that time Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice, he exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped FOR JOY. (Luke 1:39-44). John
the Baptist, while still in his mother’s womb, “leaped for joy” as Mary, pregnant with Jesus, approached.

5) I am pro-life because every child in the womb has the potential for being used by God to declare His love and to serve Him. "The word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:4-5) God called Jeremiah to his future ministry as a prophet before he was born.

6) I am pro-life because children are a God-given blessing, a source of happiness, a reward and a heritage from God. “Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from Him. (Psalm 127:3-5)

Two naive, young and completely unskilled in parenting, my husband and myself, started our family at ages 18 and 19. I continually thank God for my two biological children and my two children they married, and my seven grandchildren. I pray for them all daily. Indeed, “The fruit of the womb is God’s reward” (Psalm 127:3). They are a heritage from God, a reward from Him, a God-given source of blessing and happiness. How could anyone think anything otherwise?

A True Difference Maker -- Happy MLK Day!

Today we celebrate the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. On January 20, 1986, President Ronald Reagan approved the creation of this national holiday, held the 3rd Monday in January of each year. What a price MLK paid for this day of honor.

He lived an extraordinary life. At 33, he was pressing for civil rights with President John Kennedy. At 34, he galvanized the nation with his "I Have a Dream" speech. At 35, he won the Nobel Peace Prize. At 39, he was assassinated, but he left a legacy of hope and inspiration that continues today. I'm one of those he inspired. Those years were some of my first awareness of the atrocities of racial discrimination and the civil rights riots that made us feel like our country was falling apart. It really was. For the love of God, how could this happen to "one nation UNDER GOD"?

Today we honor this passionate, bold and courageous "Baptist minister" who gave his life to change our world. I remember his words just before his assassination in 1968: "Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." MLK was in good company with these words of Jesus in Matthew 5:44, “Love your enemies! Bless them that curse you! Do good to them that hate you! Pray for them who spitefully use you, and persecute you!” That sounds preposterous, doesn't it? How could we possibly love someone that hurt us or rejected us or cursed us? How absolutely IMPOSSIBLE these words seem to be! Only through the supernatural power of LOVE -- God's love -- can it be possible.

He gave up his life so that those who had been ostracized and marginalized, simply because of the color of their skin, could experience abundant life. That sounds familiar, doesn’t it? John 10:10 says “And Jesus came and gave His life so that we could have abundant life.” MLK was in good company, wasn’t he?

MLK fought against injustice without violence. He overcame evil through the power of love. He followed the example of Jesus, who chose to forgive his persecutors even as they were killing him. That’s our calling as followers of Jesus. Unfairness and injustice may be part of the human condition, but when we don't feed into it, we are responding in the love of God.

Relentless passion in pursuit of a dream is what men AND women like MLK are made of . . . and look what one life did to change HIS world. To think and speak on behalf of others is noteworthy, to serve and act on behalf of others is heroic, but what do we call someone who gave his words, actions and life on behalf of others? Martin Luther King, Jr. is one of the few people in history who has so profoundly changed the world in such a short time. His visions and actions for social unity, racial brotherhood, true peace, and social welfare were carefully thought out and acted upon. He fought the good fight and kept the faith.

Lord, help us to love relentlessly and pursue the dreams you would have for us to invest our lives in -- to make this world a better place for just having been here. Thank you, Martin Luther King, for your example of "Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

Holy Saturday – In Between Day – It’s the Day After – A Day to be Sad – REALLY?

My best EVER friend died yesterday. He was my closest friend. How can life go on without Him? It’s the day after, and I have to be the one to handle the responsibilities of planning the funeral, the burial, notifying relatives, and handling so many other details of what to do without Him. They say “Hold it together by treasuring the memories!” But the memories make me want Him here with me even more. They say “Take your time to heal”, but this is just the day after. How can I be expected to be healed TODAY? Please let me just sit and cry my tears of heartache because my life will never be the same again. But then I hear a voice saying "Hold on my child. Joy comes in the morning!"

Yesterday was Good Friday when Christ was hung from the cross and bore every sin we've ever committed. He carried every sickness we have had, and will ever have. He gave His life so that we would live forever and ever with Him. That was His promise, but this day after -- the day-in-the-middle -- the day between Christ's crucifixion and His resurrection, His disciples and followers could only think...."It's all over for us! Life will never be the same again."

Those disciples had walked with Him and talked with Him. They had seen His good acts and the many miracles He performed (raising people from the dead, opening blind eyes and deaf ears, forgiving the worst of sinners and encouraging them to sin no more and to love their neighbors AND enemies). Now, Jesus was dead -- as dead as He could be. They had forgotten His 3-days promise. It was all over for them. They succumbed to doubt, fear, and unbelief. Yes, it WAS their saddest day EVER.

But was it really the saddest day? Those of us who understand that yesterday He died for our sicknesses, our sins, and to give us "abundant life" on this earth and our eternal life with Him. The cross, the time in the tomb, and tomorrow's triumphant resurrection changed everything. When someone we love slips from this life, we think they are somehow diminished to ashes and dust. But this is only part of the story. The reality, the hope, the truth is that they are more fully alive and more real than ever before. They are experiencing the results of the eternal life that resurrection gave us.

Our “in-the-middle” day may be where we’re at in our life right now. Maybe it feels like God hasn't come through for us, and never will. Our dreams for tomorrow are in the tomb right alongside Jesus. It seems all hope is gone because a loved one may have died, an illness may be bearing down hard on us, our marriage may seem dead, our financial situation may appear buried. But to those who know the end of THIS LOVE story AND who know the Savior – our hopes, dreams, desires and prayers won’t be dead forever, because Jesus was raised to life on the 3rd day and He came to give us LIFE and life more abundantly (John 10:10). So hold on, my child, in the middle, this day AFTER, it's time to get our hopes up because JOY COMES in the MORNING!

"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." Psalm 30:5.

"Being Grateful In Good, Bad and In-Between Times”

When my home in Tulsa sold and I wasn’t even trying to sell it, I knew it was a sure sign that God was sending me to Frisco, TX. That’s where my daughter and family live. Don’t you love it when God gives undeniable directions to us – and we don’t even need to ask why there or why that or why not?

Yesterday, He did it again. He confirmed to me I was supposed to be here in Frisco because the Dallas Cowboys “The Star” Training Facility was just built and is located right here in Frisco – just 6 miles from my home. Okay, I’m quite sure those of you who are not fans of football and for sure – not the Dallas Cowboys -- could be wondering “Where is this post going?" But the truth of the matter is this – while I’ve had tears and sorrows and questions about my tomorrows, I’ve had so many joys and triumphs that I get giddy when I recognize even one more blessing. Yesterday was no exception. Staci Wallace, Denise Gerrich, Alexia Wallace and I headed over to the Cowboys training day at their new facility and, of course, I was giddy and even teary-eyed from the sweet memories with my sweetheart. I was like a school girl energized because her “star” crush was in town.

You see, the Dallas Cowboys were a very big deal for us in the early 60s when they were just franchised. My husband and I (then boyfriend and I) wouldn’t miss watching a Cowboy game. We loved Tom Landry and his coaching style – and we loved the 1966 (the year we were married) and 1967 years of their official start of record setting performances. We were hooked! Back then, if it was a home game, the game would be blacked out on TV so as to get more fans to come to the game in person. But, my ever so brilliant husband, rigged up an enormous TV antenna on the roof of our home and Sunday afternoons would mean he was on the roof -- turning and tweaking the antenna ever so slightly to be sure we had the best picture. They’ve been “our team” since then, even though the early “glory days” have been hard for them to repeat. Our hope is still high for their comeback.

As I said, I’ve known plenty of tough times in my life, and even recently some challenges with car accidents and physical issues – but I don’t let my thoughts go to those times. I stay amped up on the sweet favors of God and make a big deal about them. If we sincerely believe that “ALL THINGS work together for good to those WHO LOVE GOD and are called according to His purposes” (Romans 8:28) ….then even in the bad times as well as the good times, we see reasons to be thankful. For example: my car was rear-ended, but I got to drive a fun screaming yellow convertible for a week while it was in the shop.

The Bible is very clear about being thankful. The Apostle Paul says, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

When we give thanks in the good times, we’re reminded that those are heaven’s blessings to us. Giving thanks makes us appreciate what we have been given. A person who is always complaining and never grateful is a someone who just doesn’t know the richness of life. When we take the time to count our blessings, when we make it a point to focus on the wonderful things we have been given, we appreciate life more.

When we give thanks in the difficult times, we are demonstrating our faith in our God who we believe has a plan we do not see. We believe that His wisdom is beyond our own. We can't always understand what happens in life. If we depend on our senses, life will be like a roller coaster. If we learn to depend on God, life will be steady. We can know peace even in the confusing times.

Just a couple of days ago, I was shocked to see that dear friends of mine in Tulsa lost their home in a fire that was caused from their furnace. Thankfully they, their grandson and dogs made it out safely. And, they had the good sense to get their cars out of the garage. These are the dearest, most faith-filled, loving and generous people you could imagine. They had so memorabilia, records and other treasures in that home. Her words on Facebook: “God sent guardian angels that surrounded us tonight. God is always watching out for us.” I didn’t read words of bitterness, pain, anger at God for “letting this happen” – only words of gratitude. I don’t doubt for a minute that God will bring so much beauty out of this loss that they have gone through.

Living daily with an attitude of gratitude, in spite of our good, bad and in between times, has monumental rewards that come our way. We tough it out in the tough times and we celebrate the joys in the good times. That’s just the way Christ would want us to live. After all, He left heaven’s glories to come to this earth to live, die, be buried and rise again – to give us LIFE and MORE ABUNDANT LIFE (John 10:10). I like to think that I’m living the life that He came to give me. Maybe it’s time you kept your eyes open for the blessings that show up in your life – even the good, the bad and the in-between ones!

Work Hard. Play Hard. Fall Hard.

This day is dedicated to my grandson (Happy Birthday Payton Wallace), and his wish for his 17th birthday TODAY, to be here at Marval Camp in Gore, Oklahoma. This first couple of pics are from Tuesday when we arrived here (note the coveted photo with the ginormous trout letting us know of things to come), and then the rest from yesterday when we started our day out at 5 am (yes, we are serious fisher-people) to get to our favorite fishing spot by daybreak, just below the Tenkiller Dam. It is a picture of heaven (at least in a fisherman's eyes) to arrive to those quiet, calm, peaceful, glass-like-waters (except for the fish jumping and saying (in our imagination) "Come get me", long after the dam gates from yesterday were closed, leaving behind all those hungry trout and striped bass to jump on our hooks. We like to think those fish are people-whisperers, and we are fish-whisperers. LOL! They were no doubt disappointed by the breakfast they went after because they will end up in our tummies tomorrow, but we weren't. By 8:30 am, we had reached our limits on the number of fish we could catch.

Bless Larry Wallace's heart -- he spent so much time getting all the poles rigged up, helping getting lines untangled, taking the fish off the hooks for the girls, that he didn't get as much time fishing, but when his line went in, he made up for the lost time by the number of fish he hauled in! Of course, Staci's line is in the water from start to finish -- they cleaned the fish we had back at camp -- and then fished more at the river. Notice that fishing necklace around her neck? That was her Daddy's. She represents him well in her love for fishing as much as he did. Alexia Wallace has become a great all-around fisher-girl too so now, it's a total family affair!

The boys (Payton Wallace & his buddies from church, Matt and Darian) ventured over to the other side of the river to see what their take could be on that side. They were gone a couple of hours and then we saw them heading back. They decided to walk across rocks in the river in order to stay dry. No sooner than they started across, that the horn started blowing that signals the huge dam gates are opening to let the heavy flow of water come through. In their haste, all three guys fell in the water. Hence the photo of the soaked and cold guys here! LOL!

That incident leads me to where I'm at right now as I type this post. All those wet clothes were bundled up and I'm doing their wash at the Gore laundromat, which by the way, has free wifi! Thank you, Lord, for helping me to stay on point to my commitment to You -- to post a daily encouragement on Facebook.

So what is my encouragement for today, particularly in the light of my not being in a church or cathedral or the privacy of my home? As I sit here listening to the hum of the dryers here in this unconventional "online" setting, the first scripture verse that came to me was John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." I totally get it. The enemy of our souls wants our thoughts to be on the politics, the concerns and the lives of those in the public's eyes -- most of which deals with negativity. He wants us all consumed about matters of the world and matters in our little worlds, rather than taking to the words of Christ to heart "I CAME to give you life and have it to the full". All I know, my life is FULL and running over with God's abundance and blessings. That's what I purpose to fix my mind on -- and NOT those things that the enemy purposes to use to steal, kill and destroy my good thoughts and good attitudes! So, until next time, I think I'll get back to my gang and continue with celebrating the life of my awesome grandson and celebrate that abundant life Christ came to give us! http://ow.ly/OYhD30c10HN

A Day to be Sad....Really?

You may know the heartache and feelings when one of your closest friends or family members just passed away.....yesterday. You wake up the day after, and it's up to you to handle the responsibilities of planning the funeral, the burial, notifying relatives, and handling so many details of figuring out what to do without them. You are expected to hold yourself together by treasuring the memories, while being courageous and brave when you just want to sit and cry bitter tears because this life will never be the same again. You look all around and it seems everyone around you is just fine. They're laughing, they're carefree, they're going on with their busy lives, and you think, "How could they be so happy when I'm hurting so much?"

Yesterday was Good Friday when Christ bore every sin we've ever committed. He carried every sickness we have had, and will ever have. He gave His life so that we would live forever and ever. That was His promise, but this day after -- the day-in-the-middle -- the day between Christ's crucifixion and His resurrection -- His disciples and His followers could only think...."It's all over for us! Life will never be the same again."
Those disciples walked with Him and talked with Him. They saw His good acts and the many miracles he performed (raising people from the dead, opening blind eyes and deaf ears, forgiving the worst of sinners and encouraging them to sin no more and love their neighbors AND enemies). Jesus was dead -- as dead as He could be. They had forgotten His "3-days promise". To them, it was all over. They succumbed to doubt, fear, and unbelief. Yes, it WAS their saddest day EVER.

But was it really the saddest day for them AND us? Those of us who understand that yesterday, His great sacrifice of His life bought us our "abundant life" on this earth and our eternal life with Him. The cross, the time in the tomb, and tomorrow's triumphant resurrection changed everything. When someone we love slips from this life, we think they are somehow diminished to ashes and dust. But this is only part of the story. The reality, the hope, the truth is that they are more fully alive and real than ever before. They are experiencing the results of the eternal life that resurrection gave us.

I pause for a moment and think about what my precious husband might be saying to us today. I think it would be something like, “Enjoy life to the fullest. But also remember your fullest life is yet to be!"

Your “in-the-middle” day may be where you’re at in your life. Maybe it feels like God has disappointed your expectations. When it seems all hope is gone because a loved one may have died, an illness may be bearing down hard on you, your marriage may seem hopeless, your financial situation may seem devastated…..but to those who know our Savior and who know the end of the story, your hopes, dreams, desires and prayers won’t be dead forever, because Jesus was raised to life on the 3rd day and He came to give us LIFE and life more abundantly (John 10:10). So hold on, my child, in the middle, it's time to get your hopes up because JOY COMES IN THE MORNING!

Breaking Out of the Safe Space

Over the years, I knew what breaking out of the comfort zone was because I was married to a risk-taker kind-of-guy. Some risks paid off and some didn’t, but it was the two of us, so it made an "It Takes Two" mindset for stepping out and going for it. We were big thinkers and bet-the-farm risk takers. That was then; this is now. I’ve become much more guarded as a single – not venturing too far outside of my comfort zone in some ways, especially when it comes to protecting my #1 asset…ME! So, when my granddaughter asked me to go roller-blading with her, I didn’t hesitate to say “Once upon a time, I’d take on that risk, but now, I value my body parts way too much to go there!” LOL!

And, I’m certainly not as free as a couple of my single girl friends who belong to a Travel Club where they travel all over the world and stay with folks they’ve never met before and are obliged to those people’s itineraries, meals and sleeping accommodations. But, yesterday, I did break out of my safe space when it came to using Uber. I’ve heard about Uber for some time now because I know many who use their transportation services and I’ve also heard the worth of Uber is in billions of dollars – another one of those genius ideas. Uber is an app-based transportation company that operates in hundreds of cities and over 60 countries. Using the app is easy: just type in your current location, where you want to go, and hit request. From there, Uber uses its app to receive its ride requests, sending them out to drivers who transport customers to their final destination.

For those like me who never tried to use Uber, let me share my experience. Because my kids had a much later flight out from Orlando to Dallas than me, I decided to give Uber a try. Larry gave me a quick tutorial, I downloaded the app, and I commenced to book my 30 minute travel to Orlando Airport at the time I needed it yesterday morning. I was still uncomfortable about this service where random (but pre-qualified) people use their own vehicle to move people about. I booked for 6:20 am which meant the drive had a window of 15 minutes to pick me up (6:20 – 6:35). At 6:10, I started receiving notices on a map that “Philip” in a Hyundai would pick me up in 11 minutes. BTW, I chose the most economical vehicle with an expected end cost of $21 to $28. A taxi ride was estimated at $62+, depending on traffic. The app showed me, virtually, Phillip getting closer to me by the minute. A very kind and considerate “Philip” arrived promptly at 6:31 in his very neat and clean Hyundai. He loaded up my bags and we were on our way. I asked Philip, who is retired, a lot of questions:

Me: “How long have you been working for Uber?”
Philip: “Five weeks. My daughter, who is a teacher, recommended it to me because she knows I like to drive and since it’s been a good add-on income producer to her teacher’s salary, she thought I might enjoy doing it too! Now she’s no longer having to borrow money from me anymore. And once I did several pick-ups, she received a bonus of $100 for referring me.”
Me: “How does it work? How are you paid? Do you just get tips?”
Philip: “No. We receive 75% of the charges; Uber gets 25%. And we get tips that are calculated when a customer books the ride.”
Me: “Is this a car you had or did you buy it just for Uber purposes?”
Philip: “I bought this car just for my Uber use because it gets about 37 mpg, and I had to buy an iPhone for the GPS usage. (He had it on a mount where the riders could see the route he takes.)

Philip was a cautious, safe driver and said he does a 4 am to 10 am shift where he’ll take people to work, to the airport, to doctor appointments, etc. At the end of a trip, he’ll press “Trip End” and the next pick up from Uber will show up. When he picked me up at 6:30 am, I was his 5th passenger that morning.

Me: Have you ever felt unsafe or concerned about anyone you picked up?
Philip: “No, because all passengers’ info is with Uber when they sign up for an Uber ride and they already know the range they will be paying for the ride. You can get an Uber ride by credit or debit card, PayPal or e-card. And the same is true for the drivers. You can feel safe because all our information is with Uber.”

Bottom line, not only did I have a great first experience with Uber, but “first timers” get at least $10 off their fare. So what would have been a $26 ride, was $16. Oh yes, I’ll do this again and perhaps, I just might use it instead of tackling Dallas traffic. By the way, if you’d like to try Uber (I found out when you refer a friend to Uber, you get a free ride and your friend gets a free first ride.) So, I'm referring my friends....here's my invite code -- use it when you want to try out Uber -- you and I will both get free rides. Here's my referral code for your first free ride! https://www.uber.com/invite/donnaw6980ue By the way, I gave Philip a 5-Star rating and I expect he gave me a 5-star rating. That's part of the security of Uber -- you can grade your driver and he can grade you!

So, there you go….and there I go. Saving when I can and enjoying the ride as I go. Once again, this widow, mom and nana has got game! I’m in it to win it – that is – this life…no excuses….no holds barred! Just like at the Disney parks with my family -- I rode every ride – crazy fast, spinning, dropping, push and pull of gravity of the Rockin’ Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, Space Mountain and Test Drive…..and even went in for repeats. Like I’ve said before “I’m not giving up until I’m taken up and once I’m up….arrived at my heavenly destination, I’m sure I’ll be yelling at the top of my lungs “Wow!! What a ride!!!”

Maybe your concerns aren’t about an Uber ride, but maybe today, you’re doubting yourself, or even stepping out of your safe space -- on a job interview, speaking up at a meeting, asking that cutie for a date, or some other area that may cause you anxiety. Every time we step out in faith and resist fear, we grow a little stronger, experience more thrills and exhilarating times.

God is looking for believers who are so in love with him—soul, heart and mind—that the risk doesn't scare them—or if it scares them, they go ahead anyway! Regardless of what God is leading you to do, I can promise you it will be bigger than you are, and it will be risky. It will require you to live by faith and not by sight. It will test you and frighten you, but that’s where the blessing is, where the abundant life is. Don’t miss it. If God is for you, who can be against you?

Centered AND Bordered

We were huge fans of putting together jigsaw puzzles. It started when the kids were little with those easy-to-do wooden puzzles. Putting a jigsaw puzzle together at Christmas was one of our family traditions. The box top would be in a prominent place where ALL EYES could see it, and, strategically, we'd get the border done first. Often, the search to find a certain piece would get tedious, so we’d have to walk away from it, refresh, and come back with a whole new perspective. When we did that, we'd find that piece that ALL eyes couldn’t see before. It can be quite "puzzling" to complete a puzzle.

In many posts, I've shared about making God the CENTER of our lives, then whatever happens – the ups and downs, the frustrations or the celebrations, the highs and lows, with Him as Center, we will always make it through life's variables.

When God is not only our CENTER, but like in puzzles, He is also our BORDER, then we’ll living as His fully devoted followers, making daily decisions from His vantage point. When He is our border, He holds our lives together and we won’t cross the boundaries that would cause a break in our relationship with Him. I never considered being unfaithful to my husband because I loved him too much and never wanted to damage the sweetness of our relationship. I just wouldn’t, not just because I loved him so much, but also because we had borders (vows & promises) before God that we made to each other on our wedding day. They were clear borders: “I take you as my lawfully wedding husband to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.” The same is true for my relationship with God. Matthew 22:37 says “Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' That much love is a clear border for when we're weak and are tempted to do anything that displeases Him. That border should be so clear that if we carelessly cross it, we'll be quick to ask for forgiveness because we want to right the wrong we made.

When He is our border, and the more intent we are to please Him, the more the picture of who He wants us to become and the purpose and destiny He has for us because evident, just like the total picture emerges when we work puzzles.

At the beginning of this season of Lent, we have the opportunity to welcome this time of pondering, meditating, and seeking God for a clean slate and being transformed to who God desires us to be. When we received ashes on our foreheads yesterday in the form of the cross, we were saying “I welcome transformation. I welcome You, Lord, to cleanse and purify me as I approach Good Friday when your Son paid the ultimate price for the sins I’ve committed. I welcome Resurrection Sunday when I rose with Him into the abundant life He promised to give me as I walk faithfully with Him.

Yes, as with the jigsaw puzzle, life can present "puzzling" challenges and "puzzling" situations, but when we submit to His desires for us to be renewed and transformed, our Master Creator steps in and gives us His wisdom for handling the challenges and He'll be sure to help us finish OUR "life" puzzle with all pieces intact -- and it will be JUST as He planned it to be!

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

Go Outside and Make Soup

“I’m so bored!” Famous words from kids during their summer vacation. Did you complain of boredom when you were a kid? I did. My Mom’s reply to that – “Go outside and make soup.” WHAT? Oh, I knew what she meant. She wanted me to go outside and play, because that's where we had lots of "play grounds" that resolved boredom. Playgrounds that offered great imagination and adventures. We had a Mimosa tree in our front yard. We kids would take the bean pods from it and break it up into a big bowl. We’d add the leaves, seeds, pods and flowers from it and other trees, and add a little dirt for seasoning. We didn’t eat it, but we had so much fun pretending we were cooks. That little pretend scenario was one of many we imagined. We pretended to be school teachers, and sometimes we did some things that required bravery – like riding our bicycles – no hands, or climbing trees to get into our "club house". Sometimes our imagination went too far. I’ll never forget the trouble my friend and I got into when we wanted a swimming pool and dug an 8 foot by 8 foot by 1 foot hole in my backyard. We were finally caught when we were adding water to “our pit”. I’ll bet you can remember some wild and crazy adventures when you are a kid. Those adventures sure did break up monotony and boredom.

Even more so as adults, we know that adventures break up monotony and the same oh, same oh routines. That’s why our family loves fishing in lakes, ponds AND in oceans.

"Boredom” isn’t a word used in my vocabulary any more. I seem to be flying by the seat of my pants….quite regularly. In a moment’s notice, you might find me hitting the road to go see my kids in Texas, or taking off to a fun location or venue with friends, or volunteering for yet another ministry outreach.

Here’s the thing -- God didn’t create us for boredom! In John 10:10, Jesus said “I have come to give you LIFE, and LIFE more abundantly!” The question is “Are we taking Him up on His offer?”
We are always being “pushed” to be more, do more, experience more, celebrate more, live life larger than ever before. Here’s another great verse. Jesus said, “Whoever believes in Me will do the works I have been doing and they will do EVEN GREATER things than these because I am going to the Father.” John 14:12

So, why sit in the pit of boredom, complacency, and idleness when there's so much to see, so much to do and so much to experience? This world is the greatest ";playground". Why be "dead men and women walking", instead of people who are alive, imaginative, creative AND adventureous? After all, this ABUNDANT LIFE is ready for us to enjoy it to the fullest.

Do You Need a Fixer Upper?

Do You Need a Fixer Upper?

One of my all time favorite reality shows is HGTV's "Fixer Upper", not just because I love the hosts and the hands-on builder and interior designers, Chip & Joanna Gaines, a delightful couple with their four young kids, who live their personal lives in a raw, oftentimes hilarious, and authentic way, but also because I love seeing them transform a dilapidated, hopeless house and property into a gorgeous family home. Yes, I'm an endorser of that show, because it is so inspiring.

We too can have become a "fixer upper" by allowing the Word of God and the work of the Holy Spirit to transform us. We can be renewed and restored with a "before" and "after" story that will encourage others that they, too, can be transformed. Once Chip and Joanna help people find their "before-the-dream-come-true" fixer upper, the people have to let Chip and Joanna perform their "magic" on the home. In the same way, we have to give ourselves up, relinquish control, and submit to God's transforming power in our lives.

Sometimes, the houses that Chip and Joanna help select for their clients are so pathetic, that they have to completely demolish the existing structure, and then they are able to start fresh and clean as though the old house was never there. They'll start from the ground up and build a spectacular home for the family. From Isaiah 43:18-19we hear “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” When we are ready to demolish that old life of regrets, mistakes, failures, tragedies, self-pity, defeat and sorrow, to living the glorious and abundant life that Crhist came to bring us, we will be God's "fixer upper" show-off of what a "Brand New Life" can look like and be.

Do you want to be a "fixer upper"? Do you want a life filled with peace, joy, abundance, healing and victory? Do you want your tired, weary and stagnant life to be transformed into life brand new? We can be because the One Who created us is ready to transform us from the inside out! The makeover we receive is all new and perfect in His sight.

What must we do? Give it up for Him. We must let go and put our lives in the hands of the Master Transformer. The choice is ours. We can submit ourselves to be fixed up, or we can hang on to the shabby house, the tattered clothes and the old way of life. The Lord won't force Himself onus. On the other hand, He will never turn us down . . . we merely need to say, "I'm ready, Lord. Have your way with me!" Now get out that bulldozer, crane and wrecking ball and take down that old house! Are you ready to be a FIXER UPPER?

Spoiler Alert

Day 287 of Photo Inspirations -- Spoiler Alert
I was just getting ready to file the sweet birthday cards I received for my birthday and I saw this one again:  "Spoiler alert -- the hero comes back to life".  In case you don't get it, the guy is in a book store and has the Bible in his hands -- and the message he's hearing is the Hero -- Jesus rose from the grave and LIVES! The inside of the card said, "Happy Birthday and many happy RETURNS!  I loved it when I received it, and I still love the message today.

The fact is Christ's resurrection changed everything for all of us.  Spoiler Alert again:  Those of us who claim Him as our Lord and Savior will really live forever and ever because our HERO paid the price for us to spend eternity with Him.

It really is a phenomenon that 12 peasant fishermen, tax collectors, farmers, a doctor exponentially multiplied to billions of followers throughout the ages.  It's amazing that Jesus never wrote a book yet there are more books written about Him than any other subject in the world.  He never composed a song, but there is more music written about Jesus Christ than any other subject in history.  Jesus never drew any pictures or sculpted any sculpture, but there is more art made about Him than any other subject in history.  Jesus never traveled more than 100 miles from where he was born, and yet, we can find followers of Jesus in every nook and cranny of the planet.

The HERO mentioned on this card, really is about GOOD NEWS.  It's not bad news. It's actually GREAT news!   It's great news because, when it's understood, we are radically impacted by such indescribable love, peace, joy and so many other benefits that cause us to have a full, vibrant, abundant life on this side of heaven......AND BEYOND!!!  Jesus defeated death so we don't have to fear it.  We can be certain of our future in heaven, but the best part is while we are still here, God gives so much purpose for our lives.

I don't know who your hero is, but mine still lives.....He walks with me and talks with and tells me I am His own.  He lives.  He lives.  Salvation to impart.  You ask me how I know He lives......He lives within my heart!

The Operative Word in Dallas Love Field is LOVE

Day 104 of Photo Inspirations -- The Operative Word in Dallas Love Field is LOVE!
Okay....so I get sappy at times -- especially when a sweet memory catches up with me!  Yesterday -- we had a layover at Dallas Love Field Airport.  No big deal -- it's just another airport -- but, yes, it is a big deal to me.  In 1966 Dallas Love Field was THE airport for Dallas.  My family lived just North of Love Field in Walnut Hill -- in fact, our home was right in line for the final approach of the runway and where the planes were descending for landing.  We lived there so long that we didn't even notice the sound, but guests who visited us...DID! They wondered how we put up with that sound that seemed to shake our home.  It didn't phase us anymore -- we didn't even notice it.

And isn't that what we do with thinking about negative situations -- the more we give attention to them -- the worse they become.  But, when we, instead, focus on all that is good -- then the negative has a way of just slipping out of our minds.  That's why when situations and circumstances come, I do my best to replace them with "Him I will keep in perfect peace whose mind is stayed upon me!"  Isaiah 26:3

But the best part of this stopover at Dallas Love Field was the sweetest memory of all.  Like I said, we lived in North Dallas (just North of Love Field), and my boy friend, Ronnie Wuerch, lived in South Dallas.  He would come North and we would have our little sweetheart time "parking" just on the outside of the airport and watch the planes coming in and taking off.  That's where we dreamed about our future together, and quite honestly, didn't really pay that much attention to those planes at all.  But it sounds good for this explanation.  Eventually, in January, 1966 -- Ronnie took me to the La Tunisia Restaurant that was located in the terminal of Love Field.  It was a swanky restaurant and Ronnie spent a lot on that meal for us that night (we were 17 & 18 at the time) but best of all -- that restaurant in Love Field Airport is where he proposed to me.  Yes.....sweetest of memories.  And so sweet that my daughter came to spend time with me during my layover and I got to share that sweet memory with her.

Yes, cherishing the moments and the memories is what I do really well these days.  I don't look back and want to stay there.  It's recalling the sweet times that made for special memories.  Today was one of those!  That season represented a sweet chapter in my life.  I'm still writing this story and this season is another chapter.  I expect this chapter to be one I'll be remembering with sweet joys too.  That's just the way I roll.  Living the abundant life promised to me by my Father and capturing the moments!   SWEET!

More Abundant Life

Day 46 of Photo Inspirations -- "More Abundant Life"
What could be more therapeutic for a widow -- whose husband is in heaven and her kids are in Washington and Texas -- than celebrating Valentine's with really fun kids -- spreading the love around!?  

My godson and his three siblings, all have birthdays during the month of February -- so yesterday -- Valentine's Day -- I threw a birthday/Valentine's party for them at my clubhouse. After pizza and ice cream cake, we partied!   I loved having this time with them -- seeing them having so much fun playing pickleball, golfing on the putting green, playing shuffleboard, running on the treadmill.....and even wading in the freezing cold pool.  They brought such joy to me on this "V" day when I could have been in the mulligrubs and playing the "wallering in self pity" games.  I could have been singing "All by myself....don't wanna' be all by myself....anymore!"

I've learned the best medicine for the doldrums....is to dole out cheer, turn inward thoughts to outward joy, turn garments of heaviness to garments of praise and thanksgiving!  God has given me so many resources for spending my days in power rather than self-pity.  And, the best gift we can give back to God is appreciating the abundant life He has given us.   John 10:10 "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."   "More abundantly" means to have a superabundance of something.   "Abundant life" refers to life in its abounding fullness of joy and strength for mind, body, and soul.   "Abundant life" is a complete opposite of lack, emptiness, and dissatisfaction.

The next time it seems the best thing to do for dealing with sadness, misery, discomfort, loneliness, and pity.....is to pull the covers up over your head and just hang out there....totally reject those thoughts and put on your loud-colored royal jester's hat, and throw a party -- be the entertainment! Celebrate the abundant life God has given you -- that's what I did yesterday -- and it was a glorious day of love, life and laughter!

Living in the Joys of Today

Upon leaving the inspiring and encouraging time with friends and family at the Homegoing Celebration for my Honey on Friday, November 19th, 2010, I knew it was time to turn the page for a new chapter in my life. With our children and grandchildren at my side, we would go home and continue the celebration by more reminiscing about the life of my Honey. BUT, WAIT!!!! I just remembered, and I exclaimed, "We need to go to the Tulsa Convention Center to pick up our marathon bibs and numbers. It's right on the way home." We would all be running in the Tulsa Route 66 Marathon on Sunday, the 21st. Originally, we all had planned this day to show my Honey how much we honored him and we were going to move OUR legs FOR him, since he could no longer move his. Now, it would be in appreciation for a life well lived, and to show our gratitude for being able to move our legs. I will never take "being on the move" for granted again.

So, here was the Wuerch Family -- all eleven of us, dressed in our Sunday best -- rather Funeral best -- from the youngest to the oldest (ME) -- at the Convention Center! We stood out in the crowd of those in their athletic or comfy attire. But here we were -- still celebrating the life of my Honey. We were void of sorrow and grief. Folks there would exclaim, "You are all so dressed up. You look so nice. Where have you been?" None of us had the heart to tell them…."a funeral", and I certainly didn't have the heart to tell them, or even to put on the face of "a grieving widow" -- because, I wasn't. Holding my youngest grandson's hand and my granddaughter's hand, I felt so free -- even to the point that I felt a little guilty about this place of peace I was in. For over eleven months, I was locked into my Sweetheart's physical journey to healing. I didn't get the time to run or play with our grandchildren. Today, I skipped, jumped and laughed with them. I could only think about how much my Honey would want this for us. He would want us to be celebrating. He was passionate about instilling this into our lives -- the optimism, the faith, and the "abundant life" that faith in Christ gives us.

Sunday morning, over 25 of us showed up at the Route 66 Marathon, all with our red "Run for Ron" t-shirts on. It felt so good to be so unified. This would be "Five marathons in 55 days" that our son, Ryan, a marathon runner anyway, would run today -- this time, however, in honor of his dad. He wore his red "Run for Ron" t-shirt, and started out his 26.2 miles run at 7:30 a.m. Our oldest grandson, Braden, ran the half-marathon (13.1 miles). The rest of us started out on our 5K run/walk at 8:00 a.m. It was so exhilarating to see our group -- from 15 months old to my 62 years old "Running for Ron". I knew he would be so proud of us all. Not many of the rest of us are runners, but it brought such joy to see the solidarity of our group -- running/walking with such passion -- so appreciative we could.

Once we completed our 5K, we rushed to the Finish Line to cheer for Braden, our 17-year old grandson who ran the half marathon in his personal best time ever. He told me that he felt his Papa pushing him all the

way. When we went to meet up with Ryan at Mile 16 to cheer him on, we waited and waited, and thought we may have missed him, but in reality, we were at the right place at the right time, as Drew -- a member of our church saw us, stopped a moment to pull out a large photo of my husband. He was also "Running for Ron". Perfect timing to meet up with him.

Then we headed to Mile 20 in hopes to meet up with Ryan, then we got the call….a man had passed out just in front of Ryan. What marathon runners don't do, is stop running mid-way through a marathon as it seizes up their legs, but Ryan stopped to help him. When it was apparent he was unconscious, Ryan held his feet and prayed while others were performing CPR on the man for over 16 minutes. He stayed with the man until the ambulance took him away. Later we would find out the 27-year old man passed away during that time. We knew, again, "the right place at the right time" as we knew divine orchestration took place -- even perhaps that my Honey was there to meet that young man when he went to the other side. Later, we would cheer for Ryan as he crossed the Finish Line -- not his best time because of the delay -- but God's best time, because he responded to "the call" of God to be there for one of His kids.

Afterwards, I was interviewed by the Tulsa World newspaper reporter about our "Run 4 Ron". As an exclamation point to our efforts, that article ran in the paper the next day. I'll finish with letting you read this article. To God be the glory and praise and thanksgiving. The first picture below is our family in our "Funeral best" and the next one is the Tulsa World's photo of us. The following words are the caption with the picture and the next section is the article.

"The 'Run for Ron' Family takes a moment for a group photo at the finish line of the Williams Route 66 Marathon. The family had many members run in various races to commemorate Ron Wuerch, who died Tuesday of cancer."

"While many runners said the wind slowed down their times at the Route 66 Marathon on Sunday, one group found the wind to be anything but adversity. "We were giving thanks for everything in our life and the wind was like a fresh breath of air," said Donna Wuerch, whose husband Ron passed away last week.

Wuerch's daughter Staci, son Ryan and grandson Braden - who ran the marathon and half-marathon respectively - and a host of extended family members and friends, were decked out in 'Run 4 Ron' T-shirts.

"This is our way of saying, 'thank you' for our legs, our lungs," Staci said. "Dad had a lot of issues due to cancer, and we just thought it was a nice way to honor him and thank God for our blessings in our life."

Among those running for Ron Wuerch was 32-year-old Gracie Updyke, who pushed her 15-month old son Ryan in a stroller over the 5K run. Runners came from as far away as Canada to support the cause, Works of Mercy, and the Wuerch family.

By LYNN JACOBSEN World Sports Writer