Could You Use a Blessing Today?

We hear a sneeze and our knee-jerk reaction is to say “God bless you!” I did a little research and found this from the Library of Congress: “In Rome in the 590s, Pope Gregory summoned the people to join together to march in the streets, arm-in-arm, asking God for forgiveness and for an end to the bubonic plague that was ravaging their city. He asked priests to lead people from all seven regions of the city to the Basilica. Whenever anyone sneezed (which was a symptom of the plague), he asked that they immediately say, 'God bless you!' as a prayer to ward off the plague. Their prayers were finally answered and the plague ended." Sounds like that’s something we should be saying to everyone we encounter during this 2020 “plague”.

So, can we be too casual with saying "God bless you"? The words bless, blessed, and blessing are found over 500 times in the Bible. Frankly, I can use as many blessings as I can get! Psalm 103:1 says “Bless the Lord, oh my soul, all that is within me, bless His holy name.” Psalm 103:1

Blessing is the projection of good into the life of another. It isn't just words. It's us willing the good of another person. It always involves God, because when we will the good of another person, we realize only God is capable of bringing that. So, we naturally say, "God bless you!"

Maybe you’re like me and you say “God bless you” at the end of letters or emails. And, for the kind comments from friends and family to my FB posts and blogs, I usually respond with “God bless you for your encouragement.” Earlier this year, for weeks before the pandemic, when we were having our ACTS team meetings, I endeavored to hug each gal when they came in the room. Well, we know how that worked out. And at the end of each meeting, I would speak Aaron’s blessing from Numbers 6:24-26 to them: “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Kari Jobe and her husband, Cody Carnes, put those words to such beautiful music. We can sing those blessing words right along with them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiko8DSRMZI

Those words are the desire of God’s heart for His people. He only wants the best for His children. His desire is to bless us.
The meaning of the word “Bless” is to make somebody or something holy. Just by accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we become holy under God’s umbrella of righteousness. He doesn't measure His love for us by our actions or words. He doesn't have a measuring stick that he pulls back when we mess up. We are in Jesus and that is who He sees when He looks at us.

So, here's today's action for us: Let's open our arms and tell God we receive His blessings and favor! GOD BLESS YOU!

The Seagulls are Everywhere!

It’s not uncommon for me to be inspired for a blog from the “birds of a feather that flock together”, so here I go again! Yesterday morning, I was “perched” in my lawn chair at 6 am here at Aransas Bay on the Texas Gulf Coast, praying for the inspiration for tomorrow’s blog. The brilliant sun was rising and seagulls were walking stealthily along the ocean's edge for their next fish or mussel treat. They’d grab a bite to eat then fly away. Then another would land right in front of me.

Jesus talked so much about birds. In Matthew 6:26 He tells His followers not to be anxious about food, but to rely on God as the birds do, who are worth far less than the people He provides for. I started thinking about how privileged those birds are to live where food is so abundant. As I ate a bite of my protein bar, I remembered my granddaughter eating chips from her kayak and being attacked by seagulls. Sharing wasn’t what she had in mind and neither was I. I quickly shoved that bar in my mouth -- quickly! Those seagulls don’t seem to have a preference for land or sea food!

Are those birds really “privileged” or do they have an innate sense of being who they were destined to be? “Privileged” is a word we’ve heard in abundance in the last few weeks. “Privileged” as in born into wealth or born in a certain ethnicity or born into a specific family of origin.

Let’s consider who the real privileged folks are! I am saying that with happy thoughts daily because I choose to believe that I was born into privilege as a member of the royal family of God. I was born into a family that believed that and so did I. As children of God, we are privileged with abundance, but we must step out in faith and go for the opportunities that are just waiting for us. When we receive Christ by faith, we become His children. We are adopted into His family. "But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God." - John 1:12.

In Matthew 6, Jesus put it this way “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? Therefore, do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things (privileges) shall be added to you.”

Indeed, we are privileged to be children of God Who daily offers us so many blessings. It's time for us to recognize our privileges like living in a free country, having a roof over our head, running water, a warm bed to sleep in, and plenty of food to eat. Yes, we are privileged.

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.”

He Sure Has Mighty Big Hands

In Tulsa, OK are these mammoth “healing” hands located at the entrance of Oral Roberts University. I’ve seen buses of tourists from around the world stopping there to take photos of one of Tulsa's most identifiable landmarks. Though I lived in Tulsa, I became a tourist myself when I took this photo and I found out that those formidable bronze hands stand 60 feet high and weigh 30 tons. Casting done in Juarez, Mexico in 1980, they are the largest bronze sculpture in the world. Those hands still remain a strong model of the power of medical science and God’s supernatural healing power working together to bring restoration to people’s bodies and minds.

Our Heavenly Father really does have mighty big hands. In fact, His hands are so big He holds the whole world in them! How big are God’s hands? God’s hands are big enough to bless us. Jesus often touched people in order to bless them. He does the same for you and me. “The Lord will hold you in His hand for all to see a splendid crown in the hand of God.” (Isaiah 62:3)

God’s hands are scarred to never forget us. In Heaven, the only scars will be on Jesus. God will never forget us because He has a constant reminder in Jesus' nail-scarred hands. The Bible says, “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion for the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands” (Isaiah 49:15-16).

God’s hands are strong enough to keep us eternally secure. “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish .... My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand” (John 10:28-29) .

When our kids were little, my husband would stand in the water at the edge of the pool and say, “Jump to me. Trust me. I’ve got you!” But, they were afraid. "Is he strong enough to catch me? Are his hands slippery? What happens if he doesn’t catch me?" But, after many promises and much pleading, they would finally get up enough faith and courage to jump into their daddy’s arms, and of course he would catch them. Then they’d want to do it a hundred more times!

Our Heavenly Father is waiting for us to jump today. He’s saying, “Trust me. I can be trusted. I’m working behind the scenes. And I can handle anything you give Me." Don’t we want our life to be in God’s hands? We can trust Him with our lives and our future.

The "Praying Hands" statute reminded me of God’s purpose for my own hands -- to type this blog each day to share His love and light, to touch someone who needs a gesture of love -- but most of all -- for my own praying hands to seek Him with my whole heart -- for it is in my seeking,,,..that I find the perfect, tender and loving hands of God.

YOU MATTER!!!

While on a long run in yesterday's mist and rain, I noted that kids still ride bicycles to school...even in the rain. I was impressed with the exercise they were getting and also with the security they sensed in crossing the busy street because of the watchful eye of a school crossing guard. Those kids matter to their parents and to that crossing guard. Teachers await them at the school. Those kids matter to their teachers who put in countless hours in preparation -- not to mention the patience and steadfastness they must have daily. They matter.

When I arrived back at the home of my Frisco family, morning leadership training and devotion was about to commence. Morning leadership means strategic reading from a leadership book with discussion following. Their book, this day, was "Primal Leadership" and the chapter was entitled "The Motivation to Change". "Self-Delusion" was a sub-heading. Under that heading, ways to correct distortions in self perception were identified. Staci asked the kids "What does "distortion to self perception mean?" Earlier she had noticed that both kids were mellow and not as energetic as they could be, so she said, "Payton, I asked you earlier if you could be more energetic and you said 'I'm always energetic'. That's distortion to self perception. You're NOT ALWAYS energetic." Great conversation ensued. These children matter to their parents enough, that they take time to instill great principles for success into them daily.

Following devotion, Staci said, "I love you two so much, maybe I should have another baby. After all, Janet Jackson is pregnant again at age 50 (Staci will be 47 this Thursday.) She proceeded to say, "I never thought I'd want another child but I think I could do it again!" Payton interrupted her and said, "Yes, Alexia, after Mom had ME, she was ready for more, but after she had YOU, she was like, oh dear, never again!" Alexia jumped in to correct his "distortion of reality" and said...."Actually, Payton, when Mom had you, she took one look at you and said, 'I can do better!" But when she had me, she realized I was as good as it gets and decided to stop at perfection!" LOL -- oh me, you can see I'm going to have plenty of content while here with the Wallaces for future posts!

The fact is.....when we care about others, we do things that show they matter. We say it in words and action. You matter so much to me that I write this FB post and blog everyday in hopes that it will encourage and bless you. God matters to me so much that I obeyed Him six years ago when I saw so much negativity on Facebook, and I heard from Him "Make a difference by putting out positivity." We show our world matters when we pray for peace; our country, state and city matter so much that we observe laws of the land and strive to make it a better place to live In. The poor and needy matter when we support causes and charities that benefit them. And, I'm here to tell you.....YOU Matter!

In this moment, in this place, regardless of your last name, your status on the team, the letter at the top of an exam, the amount of your paycheck, whether you live in a palace or a cardboard box, YOU MATTER. This season is all about HOW MUCH WE MATTER. God sent His only Son to this earth to take on human flesh, to suffer, die and rise again so we could live FOREVER with Him. WE MATTER.

Trust in THAT GREAT LOVE for you, trust in Him, BELIEVE the story and then HEAR ME NOW......YOU MATTER!!

Now, tell someone else they matter, too!

Lean on ME

Yesterday, I posted about getting ourselves off our minds, and to understand why God placed us here -- at this time and this place. What if He has us here for a bigger-than-life purpose -- to be here as His messengers and His hands and heart extended to others?

A year ago, this week, devastating tornadoes hit Moore, OK and hundreds of homes and lives were taken. As tragic as it was, the outpouring of love and the real tangible ways that communities, organizations and people stepped up to make a difference in those hurting people's lives -- displayed the beauty that comes when we care and take action beyond our own circumstances. Not just in the most crtical times, but everyday, people are experiencing tremendous pain and hurt in ways beyond what we can imagine, and I think about those who step up to help in untold ways that express God's hands extended to them.

If you are one of those messengers who heed the call of God's dispatcher, I just want to say "THANK YOU" for being, doing, and living St. Francis' words "Preach the Gospel at all times.....and sometimes, use words!" May God bless you for loving and caring and BEING that Good Samaritan and that friend, brother, and sister to those who need you. I'm thanking God for your heart of compassion. You know why you are here, and you're making the world a better place.

If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat!

You know the deal -- when we stretch our faith, and go for it: "Yes, we're buying a house" or "Yes, we're going to start our family -- we're going to have a baby" or "Yes, I'm changing jobs -- the pay is less, but it's what I love to do" or "Yes, I will run a marathon" or "Yes, I will start a Bible Study in my home" or "Yes, I'm quitting smoking" or "Yes, we're moving!" It's all about TRUSTING God to hold us up, when we stretch our faith to "walk on water"!

It's that first step that holds so many of us back. But, it's time for us to get out of our comfort zone. Sometimes God has a way of shaking things up around us to make us so uncomfortable that we will strive to move from where we are, to the next level of our destiny. And, those adversities we are facing? God could be allowing them to push us out of the boat and into the deep, so He can bless us with a new level of faith and maturity and blessings! It's time to live with "no regrets" and for us to learn to let go of our fears and insecurities, and to reach out for life at its fullest. Even if we fall, as Peter did, there will always be SOMEONE to reach out and help us get our balance again! And, by the way, our Lifeguard DOES walk on water -- so need to worry or fret!

Goodness & Mercy Following & Favor Chasing

Really? God's goodness and mercy are following us? His FAVOR is chasing us? Isn't that just like our Heavenly Father -- pursuing us and chasing us with His desire to bless us and do good things for us? It's not just enough to be followed by His goodness and mercy. No, He is relentless in pursuing us -- every single day, and He wants to catch us. So, let's look for Him. We'll surely find Him as we notice those times when God's goodness and mercy catch....like just feeling that kiss from heaven when a prayer has been answered, or being hugged (REALLY hugged) by someone that God used to do the hugging for Him, or getting a sweet surprise phone call, or winning an unexpected prize, or maybe it was the extra patience we were given when dealing with a difficult situation. Let's slow down enough today.....so goodness and mercy and God's favor can catch us.....and not let us go!