20/20 Vision for 2020

2020 is almost here. I love that round number. My grandson, Payton, was born in 2000. No problem keeping up with his age. It’s the same end-two digits of the year. He’ll be 20 in 2020.

I enjoy studying numbers and their meaning in the Bible. Here are some clues for what we can expect in the new year based on the number 20 in the Bible. First, the number 20 signifies expectancy or things to look forward to and it symbolizes the cycles of completeness. It is also often connected to a perfect period of waiting, labor or suffering that is compared to a trial and rewarded. Jacob waited 20 years to get his wives and property in his possession and released from his father-in-law. Israel waited 20 years for deliverance through Samson. Solomon waited 20 years for the completion of two houses. May we have 20/20 vison for 2020 to be OUR year of dreams coming true, deliverances, and many accomplishments. It's up to us to stand strong and to believe it so!

In case you didn't know -- 2020 will be a Leap Year with 366 days in the year. That’s because the Earth actually takes 365 days 5 hours 48 minutes and 46 seconds to go completely around the sun. To keep the calendar cycle synchronized with the seasons, one extra day is added every four years as February 29th. It's called Leap Year because in 365-day years, fixed dates advance one day in the week per year. For example, Christmas fell on a Tuesday in 2018 and on a Wednesday in 2019. With the insertion of a “leap day”, dates (following February) advance two days instead of one. In 2020, Christmas will leap over Thursday to fall on a Friday. Good news – a longer holiday weekend! You’re welcome!

Whatever 2020 holds – and we know it will be a year of many ups and downs in politics, let’s not get that “ups and downs” mentality in our minds about our own lives. I'm NOT! I’ve got my 20/20 glasses on and my EXPECTORS expecting this to be a banner year when it comes to the goodness and faithfulness of our God Who holds our future and all that comes our way! I’m on the 20/20 expecting side of grace upon grace, mercy upon mercy, joy upon joy, peace upon peace, and overtaking us in powerful ways because we are on the same winning side as our God. Whatever 2020 holds for you and me is just about the same as it is for any minute, hour, day, month or year! We may not know what the future holds, but we know WHO holds our future and “Through our God, we shall do valiantly. It is HE Who will tread down our enemies.” (Psalm 60:12).

Happy New Year’s Eve and Happy and Blessed New Year to you and yours! Own it! Those blessings are ours for the speaking, acting and SEEING with 20/20 vision for 2020!

Life is About Relationships

I continue to learn that the things that matter most in this life are relationships – not accomplishments. One of my young friends called and asked if we could meet for brunch to talk about a project that may turn into a new ministry outreach for our church. She wanted my advice. I loved that she called on me -- "the older woman" helping the younger as taught in Titus 2:3-5. I suggested she come to my home where we would be less distracted. I received a text from her: “Can I bring ___ with me?” I was pleased to welcome her, too. Then I received another text, “How about ___? Can she come, too?” Of course she could. Now we were an even number of four and my brunch-planning went into action. I wanted it to be a sweet time of celebrating these young women who have hearts to reach out to lonely and hurting people with God’s love.

Table was set with love in mind, fresh flowers in the vases, made a vegetable quiche, French toast casserole and mixed berries with yogurt and granola. At each place setting were cards that read: “You really do love your neighbor as you love yourself. It is obvious by your heart of gold that would rather serve than to be served. Well done, good and faithful servant! “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24.

This mama's heart was overjoyed with their excitement to make a difference in people’s lives. Their enthusiasm motivated me to say “yes” when asked me to be a part of their team. I am honored to align with those precious young women. This second photo is our second meeting at one of their homes! Relationships matter.

The Bible is very clear about what really matters in life: “If you are a follower of Christ Jesus, all that matters is your faith that makes you love others” (Galatians 5:6). Honestly, it’s hard for me to understand the awful animosity in our country these days. How can people sleep without a clear conscience of knowing "this day I lived a life of love”. If we’re not loving, then nothing we say will matter, nothing we know will matter, nothing we believe will matter, and nothing we give will matter. And, if we don’t live a life of love, nothing we accomplish will matter. “No matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m nothing without love”. (1 Corinthians 13:3)

It’s as simple as this: We can have the eloquence of an orator, the knowledge of a genius, the faith of a miracle worker, the generosity of a philanthropist, and the achievements of a superstar, but if we don’t have love in our heart, it is worth zero. It doesn’t count. The only thing that matters to God is this: Do we love Him, and do we love others?

One day we’re going to die, and we’re going to stand before God. When He evaluates our life, He’s not going to look at our bank account or our list of accomplishments. He won’t care about all our sports trophies. He’s not going to look at our endorsements or our resume. God is going to evaluate our life on one basis: our relationships. He’s going to ask, “How much did you love Me and other people?” That’s called the Great Commandment. Did you love God with all your heart, and did you love your neighbor as yourself?

THAT love is a sure winner. That love makes us winners. That love IS about relationships – not accomplishments!

The Blessing of My First-Born

On the road again! Yesterday the boys and I traveled back from Frisco to Austin to be here today for the traditional birthday breakfast where we celebrate another birthday of one we love. It’s the dad’s (my first-born’s) birthday this time. We’ll enjoy the usual: biscuits (plus cream & chocolate gravies), eggs, bacon and fruit. His will be served in the “You are Special” plate and we’ll each go around and tell him why he is so special to us.

This #1 child (in order of birth debuts) – my first-born -- and his birthday, makes me even more nostalgic than I already am daily. That's what happens as the years go by. Our love for them and all the memories, indelibly imprinted on our mind, continue to give us such pride and joy. And, all you mamas and papas out there, you might as well realize you'll never get over the awe of the accomplishments and abilities of your kids, and most of all, that you were in partnership with God in bringing these amazing human beings into this world.

Our Ryan Keith, our first-born was the “test-case” for two inept amateurs. No prep-training classes in those days. All we had was a Dr. Spock book, “Baby and Child Care” to give us “baby” tips. I remember the hospital staff showing me how to nurse this little human being. It occurred to me: “This baby is dependent on ME!" Oh, the responsibility that hit two very novice kids. I remember being shown how to change his diapers, take care of his tummy button, how to bathe him and THAT WAS IT! We were on our own. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? No formal training in baby care? Fortunately, we had our two mothers that “knew the ropes” and they guided us in becoming experts.

The first-born shows us an unconditional love that is beyond explanation. This little first-born gave me the incredible gift of my cherished title – ‘mother’. My first-born and I were partners as we navigated all his first-born challenges like blow out diapers, sleepless nights and keeping him alive when he was so sick. We are still partnering as we navigate MY life. It’s definitely a role reversal. I’m so thankful for my partnership with my first-born. He was the first time I did all of the “mom stuff” and I certainly made a lot of mistakes along the way, and I (and his dad) have been his first time in his opportunity for “son stuff”. He reminds me each Valentine’s Day that I was his first love. His dad, me and God created his first heartbeat and my heartbeat was the first one he heard.

He was my first time I wore maternity clothes, the first time I watched my body change and grow to accommodate a person, the first time I threw up for mornings for three long months and experienced the crazy ride of pregnancy highs and lows. The first time I nursed, the first time I planned a first birthday party. The first-born teaches us so much. My boy gave me the confidence to be a mother. It didn’t happen right away. But over time, through mothering him, I found out who I was and am in this role. My strengths and my weaknesses. My highs and my lows. He even gave us the courage to do this thing again. And, we had his little sister two and a half years later.

Yes, I’m nostalgic, but mostly I’m so grateful God blessed us with a remarkable, talented, compassionate, giving, tender-hearted and loving first-born. Not only am I having memories on this day, but I'm counting my blessings that continue to bring my life so much joy and pleasure. My greatest blessings call me Mom and Nana -- and on this day, I'm especially thankful for that little man that kick-started us into parenthood and continues to make me so grateful when God was handing out “Motherhood” – He picked me to be this man’s mother. He survived our youth and inexperience and he rocked our world and I think to myself.... what a wonderful world it is!

Happy Birthday, my first-born, Ryan Wuerch! What a difference you’ve made in my life!