Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder

The pandemic has kept me from my family and friends in Tulsa. I miss them all, including my "besties", Charles (Mick) & Sheila Michie. Usually, when I went to see them, I made sure it wasn't on Friday mornings because that's their day of being the hands and feet of Jesus to those who need Him so desperately as their Savior. They are passionate about their jail ministry. Before this pandemic, very little could dissuade them from their commitment to make an eternal impact on those they visit.

I remember Mick sharing with me about taking his computer in with him. He showed the inmates gorgeous videos of God’s creation -- waterfalls, mountains, etc. Most of those incarcerated have never seen or even imagined such magnificence. Beauty is definitely “in the eyes of the beholder”. Those of us who have visited those places have an appreciation for that beauty, but after visiting them many times, our out-take isn’t the same as those who can only imagine the beauty.

When we speak of "beauty is in the eye of the beholder”, we mean that it is a matter of our personal opinion. That is why we might see something that is so beautiful that it takes our breath away. But when we point it out to a friend, they might not appreciate it as much as we do. We can only imagine what beauty is to those who have never seen or known the beauty of God and His creation.

Can we even imagine what it must be like for a blind person who never saw color, objects, people, creation -- anything – but, suddenly sees for the first time? I read a story of a young man who had only known darkness and with an innovative and life-changing surgery, he could see. He woke up and saw a young nurse who was looking after him; he thought she must be the most beautiful girl in the whole world. Then another nurse walked in asking how he feels, and he thought that she was even more beautiful. Soon he was taken outside, and he saw the trees, the flowers, the blue sky, people with smiling faces, and he felt like he had died and gone to Heaven. He even asked the nurse, “Am I in Heaven?” All had been dark, but now he could see the light and everything was so beautiful!

As I pondered about “beauty in the eyes of the beholder”, I thought about the old hymn “Amazing Grace” -- how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now, I’m found, was BLIND, but now I see.” Oh, the grace that opened our eyes to the beauty of the redeeming grace of Jesus. Those prisoners, those living without hope and purpose and destiny, those who live in darkness and unbelief -- but then one day -- they meet Jesus and everything changes. They suddenly know beauty beyond description.

I’m still thinking about my friend’s dad who went to heaven on Thursday. If the beauty of God’s creation here on this earth is beyond compare, and coming to know the beauty of His redeeming grace – we cannot even fathom the beauty to looking on our Lord’s face and His redeeming grace for all eternity.

“As it is written: ‘What no eye has seen and no ear has heard and no human mind has conceived— that is what God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

Dumb Blonde Jokes

I thoroughly enjoyed watching Dolly Parton’s 50th Anniversary celebration as a member of the Grand Old Opry. She is beautiful – inside and out – at age 73! What? She’s older than me. How can that be with no wrinkles, a tiny little body and wearing 5” heels? Okay – we know that beauty is helped along with this and that, but she sure makes 70s look mighty good. The show took us back to her childhood, the 4th child of 12, low income family who loved singing. She was undaunted in her certainty that she would one day be a star. She shared about her marriage of 53 years and her husband who has always preferred to be out of the limelight and has seen only one of her shows. They are “lifers” together.

My biggest smile came when she said: “A man asked if I’d mind if he told me a dumb blonde joke. I told him “I don’t mind. I’m not dumb and I’m not blonde!” I completely relate to that response. I’m not dumb and I’m not blonde either, but since I’ve owned the color that my hairdresser only knows for sure for more than forty years now, I’m sticking to it. I smiled even bigger when Dolly talked about her relationship with Jesus.

My daughter turns 50 on December 8th! It’s hard to disguise MY age when she touts hers. She is absolutely thrilled for this jubilee year and she firmly believes her next 50 will be off-the-charts with even more accomplishments for God.

There’s plenty of help to pretend we’re not really getting older.-- from hair color, tummy tucks, dressing younger, thinking thin. When it comes to getting older, our culture offers three options: delay, disguise, or despise. Rather than those options, why don’t we EMBRACE this wonderful life we have and that we’re still here to live it?

St. Paul tells Titus that the older women are “to teach what is good, and so train the young women" (Titus 2:3–5). I love this passage, wanting to be mentored by older women when I was younger, and now embracing being the mentor to those younger. If this kind of discipleship is going to happen, we older women must be willing to acknowledge that we are older and wiser. So, ladies and men (it's for you too) it's time to step it up and be willing to encourage, support, applaud and cheer on those younger than us. We are on assignment. We're still here. We're not done being used by God.

If we belong to Jesus, our “inner self is being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16). Let’s be proud older women and men who teach the younger in our lives to look beyond what is seen and temporary, to what is truly beautiful and eternal. Living a life of devotion to God and drinking at His Springs of Living Water (His Word) is a sure remedy for the "blues" about getting older. It guarantees living and loving life on purpose.

How Beautiful are the Hands and Feet of Caregivers

Yesterday, I attended the funeral of Aunt Iris Litke, my father-in-law’s sister. After 68 years of marriage, her husband, Uncle Hugo preceded her to heaven. Their son, Art, and wife, Sharon and their son, Michael, were her caregivers. I’ve admired their strength yet tenderness in the care of this precious woman who struggled with tremendous health issues up to her passing. Hearing about their tender love and care for her made me want to reach out to my social media friends who are caregivers today and encourage you as you carry on faithfully in this beautiful ministry of caregiving. I totally believe you have the Father's heart of love and compassion.

I recognize that ministry. I was the caregiver to my precious Mama for many years and into her later years, her 24-7 caregiver. Then during my Sweetheart's illness, being his 24-7 caregiver. I watch my dear sis-in-law and her husband who welcomed my mother-in-law into their home and have given her 24/7 care. What that means is they don’t take vacations or even spend very many hours away from her. Believe me I’ve tried to step up but Mom insists on Karen being there. I get it. Her trust and security is enveloped in the devotion of her beloved daughter. Mom can only deal with a few hours without Karen’s undivided attention. I assure you -- these beautiful caregivers are living with no regrets. I know. I have no regrets in the care of my mom and my husband.

Caregiving should never feel like it's merely a duty or obligation. Caregiving can be welcomed into our hearts as a God-given ministry. It may be a hidden ministry that goes unnoticed by many, but it is a ministry that God sees and one that pleases Him. Jesus recognized its importance when He said, “Whoever helps one of these little ones because they are my followers will truly get his reward. He will get his reward even if he only gave my follower a cup of cold water.” Matthew 10:42.

As a caregiver, God will use your hands as an extension of His hands -- to hold, to support, to embrace, to comfort, to bless, to help, to heal. He will use your words— to encourage, to build up, to speak hope, to convey truth, to strengthen faith, to deepen trust, to impart love. He will use your presence— to show care, to bring companionship, to wipe a tear, to soothe a pain, to dispel a fear, to rub a brow, to kiss a cheek, to hold a hand, to fluff a pillow, to reassure when there’s a setback, to celebrate when progress is made. Those actions certainly do sound like the actions and character of God. God with skin on.

As His servants, the ministry of caregiving means that whatever it is we do to help another, even if it means the simple act of giving a glass of water, the Lord receives it as a ministry done unto Him. How blessed we are to be able to make God's heart glad as we touch others with His love. I can imagine He is giving you applause and a standing ovation for a "job well done"! In fact, He’s saying “Well done, good and faithful servants. Enter into my joy. You earned it. Receive it.”

Thankful on Mother's Day

It's Mother's Day, and I'm so thankful for my angel mom (on the right, Edna Pearl Wheat -- she's in heaven's grandstands cheering me on), and my dear mother-in-law, Lydia Wuerch (still going strong at age 91) -- two women that have been such amazing role models in faith, and life, to me! But, most importantly, these two "best friends" prayed together, strategized and conspired for our "match made on earth and in heaven". We definitely had an "arranged" marriage -- one that was arranged by these two, and arranged by God. I honor both of these two Godly women who knew God's plans long before we did. My deepest thanksgiving to God for His handiwork through them!

And, I am so thankful for these two precious girls that God blessed me with, and who blessed me with my precious grandchildren who call me "Nana"! I'm saying "Happy Mother's Day" to them,and to all you beautiful and precious mothers out there today!

Mary's Alabaster Box = Audacious Love

Monday of Holy Week: "Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair; the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil." (John 12:3) So beautiful was this story, and also, how revealing this story was as we see Judas revealing his true colors when he was in such a tiff about Mary "wasting" this oil. The fact is Mary could have used a dime store brand of oil, but, Jesus explained, "She was preparing for my burial", so, of course, he gave the best she had. Oh, that we would LOVE so audaciously -- in such a way that expresses our deepest love for the ONE who gave us His all.

I love this song so much by Cece Winans, "Mary's Alabaster Box", that is so befitting of the unconditional love that Jesus gave her as she poured out her love to Him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5zIOcBiTGg

You are FABulous!

Just a little reminder....just in case you don't like what you see in the mirror -- there is really only one opinion that matters.....and if God sees you FABULOUS & BEAUTIFUL ....then you are FABULOUS & BEAUTIFUL indeed! We ARE beautiful because God says we are -- “PERIOD.” When we walk in that kind of word, there is nothing, no nothing, that should EVER change our mind or sway our thinking otherwise. He wants us to see ourselves through His eyes, and through His perspective. I love this verse.....Psalm 139:14 "I praise YOU because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; YOUR works are wonderful. I know that full well." This verse is a reminder that our duty is to praise God for what He has made. Each and every one of us is a wonderful work of art. Yes, He thinks we're beautiful. Just the way we are. We are not defined by our wrinkles, our gray hair, our muffin top tummies, our husband, our job, our age, or our kids. We are exactly as we should be, FABULOUS & BEAUTIFUL because the One who made us is FABULOUS & BEAUTIFUL. Isn't it so great that we bear a striking resemblance to our CREATOR and DAD??