Boldly Moving from the Back Seat to the Front Seat

We’ve taken the back seat long enough. We’ve allowed others to drive us to places (figuratively speaking) where we really didn’t want to go. But because we’re good back seat listeners rather than front seat speakers, we are complacent, quiet, and seem agreeable to wherever they go and whenever they go there. Instead of sitting in the back seat, it’s time we took our place in the front seat and “steered” the conversation.

When my sweetheart passed away, I had to become a take-charge, confident, fearless and BOLD gal. I played the "widow" card for a while and it worked in negotiations for my new home, getting some special treatment for services and getting lots of TLC from friends and family. Before long, that card expired and I had to step up to the plate and be a strong, resilient and capable businesswoman, entrepreneur and coach to those who faced similar circumstances.

I know boldness can often come across as pushy. And when we "go bold" on our own, it isn't a pretty sight. You know those folks: demanding, controlling, domineering. Ugh! I do my best to steer clear of them and I sure don't want to be one of them, either. Those take-over approaches don't honor God and, in fact, they even repel when we want to draw folks in. We want to lift people up -- not bring them down.

Boldness, in the hands of God, can be such a gift. I love Queen Esther's boldness. She was willing to approach the throne of King Xerxes, though it could have meant her life. She said, "I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish," (Esther 4:16). What a role model for women in every century! But her plan was not her own. Before she put her life on the line to save her people, she wisely asked them to fast and pray, that she might be given favor by the king. And great favor she received.

Boldness can be risky business when we do it on our own. But when we allow God to be in the driver’s seat, we can rest assured He will take us to where we need to go and get there safely and in His perfect timing. We can trust Him completely without fear. In fact, we can leave the driving to him entirely – knowing the outcome is always in His capable hands.

I'm thanking God for giving me victory over intimidation and helping me in my quest for boldness. With His nudging and reminding me of His abilities in me, I sold two homes in Oklahoma and purchased a home in Texas. I left the driving to His capable hands. I’ve silenced the voices of intimidation and have boldly stepped into my seat of boldly blogging and speaking about God’s faithfulness and goodness.

When we let HIS boldness pour through us, we’ll discover, "He crowns the humble with victory," (Psalm 149:4). My crown is not the likes of Queen Esther, but it's one I wear proudly because it's one that God placed on my head and it's called the Crown of Boldness. I've learned not to hold back from sharing God's love to those who are hurting. Here's God's Word for you and I today: Joshua 1:9 "This is my command: Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid. Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." So, let's be bold, be strong, for the Lord our God is with us....and, like Queen Esther...."for such a time as this!"

Graduates -- Oh the Places You Will Go!

I have thoroughly enjoyed all the graduate photos and accolades that you moms and dads, friends and family members have been posting. No question -- Graduation Day is exciting, sweet and, oftentimes, combined with fear and trepidation about what the future holds. "Where are they going? What are they going to do? Where am I going? What am I going to do? Will they be okay? Will I be okay?" It's a wonderful time of realizing dreams and goals were accomplished and it's also an uneasy time of wondering about what the future holds.

No doubt, these graduations bring joys and the immense feeling of accomplishment AND a “Whew! We did it!” said by those who made a huge investment of their time and treasure into this big day. That long-lasting commencement ceremony is over, along with the speeches about pursuing your dreams, trusting yourself, taking risks and embracing change. For many graduates, well, the future is bright and exciting and nothing short of fantastic. For, others, it may be a stretch and a process of figuring out what to do with all this acquired knowledge along with the apparent responsibilities that loom up ahead.

Whether or not we realize it, we all have expectations of how our lives are going to go. We have pictured it time and time again in our heads. Some picture traveling the world while pursuing their dream job. Some picture a white picket fence with four beautiful, well-behaved children and an always-loving husband or wife, while others see themselves owning a Fortune 500 company by the time they turn 25. And, there is absolutely nothing wrong with pursuing dreams, but first and foremost we must know the importance of including God's plans in our plans.

Here’s the best case scenario for these wonderful and accomplished graduates AND you and me. Jeremiah 1:5 & Psalm 139:14 says “Before you ever came into being, God called your name. He formed you with love and intricately designed part of who you would become. You truly are made in an amazing and wonderful way". The fact is none of us are on this path by coincidence. We are here because God looked out over all of history and chose you and me for a particular time and purpose. We could have entered the world a hundred years ago or a thousand years from now. But we are in this generation, this time, and there will never be another you and me or another opportunity to do what only you and I are chosen to complete.

So, to all you Graduates – here’s my prayer and thoughts for you….”Go out there in boldness knowing that you don't have to be like anyone else. You don't have to do what any other person has done. You are CHOSEN for one life — yours. And the wonderful news? Whatever God CHOOSES for you to do, He will equip you. Being CHOSEN means you will be given all you need. Being CHOSEN means that success is simply obedience and trusting God will do the rest. Being CHOSEN means that you have a great big God as your partner every step of the way. Those who love you will be cheering you on every step, too! The best is yet to be for you and we can't wait to see it unfold.

“Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!”
― Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You'll Go!

Choosing the Way of Love

Choosing the Way of Love
Like the true "romantic" that I've always been, I was glued to the TV to watch every detail of Prince Harry and Meghan's (now, Duke & Duchess of Sussex) wedding. Her simple-appearing Givenchy dress on screen (but I'm sure the intricacies were there because I heard the cost was upwards to $350K), the powerful Gospel choir singing "Stand By Me" (I had goosebumps). Meghan's mother's sweetness and grace as she sat by herself and under such scrutiny, Prince Harry's adoring look at his bride, the beautiful, but stone-wall faces of the Queen and many other guests, the adorable little bridesmaids and pageboys who seemed to be on their best behavior, and the pomp and circumstance of it all. Indeed it was a real life fairy-tale wedding.

But what fired me up with joy and delight was the most unexpected: the fiery, impassioned, and spiritually-charged sermon of Bishop Michael Curry. Oh my goodness, and thanks be to God!! Who would have thought we would be going to CHURCH? He was on a mission! It was estimated that over two billion people around the world watched the wedding and that means over two billion people heard the Good News story and message of Jesus Christ. It was all about LOVE!

Bishop Curry's message was a far cry from what might be seen as a traditional, aristocratic sermon we might expect from a royal wedding. For 15 minutes, he emphasized the power of love. I MUST share some of his sermon: (for all of it, go to: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-44186049 )

"Someone once said that Jesus began the most revolutionary movement in human history. A movement grounded in the unconditional love of God for the world - and a movement mandating people to live that love, and in so doing to change not only their lives but the very life of the world itself. I'm talking about power. Real power. Power to change the world. If you don't believe me, well, there were some old slaves in America's Antebellum South who explained the dynamic power of love and why it has the power to transform. They explained it this way. They sang a spiritual, even in the midst of their captivity. It's one that says 'There is a balm in Gilead...' a healing balm, something that can make things right. There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole, there is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul. And one of the stanzas actually explains why. They said: 'If you cannot preach like Peter, and you cannot pray like Paul, you just tell the love of Jesus, how he died to save us all. Oh, that's the balm in Gilead! This way of love, it is the way of life. They got it. He died to save us all. He didn't die for anything he could get out of it. Jesus did not get an honorary doctorate for dying. He gave up his life, He sacrificed his life for the good of others, for the well-being of the world... for us." He continued.....

"That's what love is. Love is not selfish and self-centered. Love can be sacrificial, and in so doing, becomes redemptive. And that way, unselfish, sacrificial, redemptive love changes lives, and it can change this world. If you don't believe me, think and imagine a world where love is the way. Imagine our homes and families where love is the way. Imagine neighborhoods and communities where love is the way. Imagine governments and nations where love is the way. Imagine business and commerce where this love is the way. Imagine this tired old world where love is the way. When unselfish, sacrificial, redemptive love is the way, then no child will go to bed hungry in this world ever again. When love is the way, we will let justice roll down like a mighty stream and righteousness like an ever-flowing brook. When love is the way, poverty will become history. When love is the way, the earth will be a sanctuary. When love is the way, we will lay down our swords and shields, down by the riverside, to study war no more. When love is the way, there's plenty good room - plenty good room - for all of God's children. Because when love is the way, we actually treat each other, well... like we are actually family. When love is the way, we know that God is the source of us all, and we are brothers and sisters, children of God."

Bishop Curry’s sermon was a bold, inspiring example of "Going into ALL the world and preaching the Good News"! It was rich in Christ’s death as the ultimate example of love. I know there are those who opposed such fiery words at a wedding, but I simply prayed that this message of love would be embraced by those of us who need it the most. John said in 1 John 4:7 “Let US love one another”. I LOVE that love. John included himself in that exhortation. He is telling us that everyone is called to love. And actions speak so much louder than words. It’s not enough to just say “I love you”. We really need to actually LOVE..

My cousin posted Bishop Curry's photo and said, "My new hero!" I have to agree. No doubt he was scrutinized for such boldness. I don’t know which side you live on, but as for me, I plan to do my best to err on the side of love. I know it will serve me well as I purpose to sow seeds of love everywhere I go. How about you?

Dare to be Bold

Yesterday, my post was about the willingness to get out of our comfort zone. In other words...dare to be BOLD!

When my sweetheart passed away, I had to become a take-charge, confident, fearless and BOLD gal. I played the "widow" card for a while and it worked in negotiations for my new home, getting some special treatment for services and getting lots of TLC from friends and family. Before long, that card expired and I had to step up to the plate and be a strong, resilient and capable business woman, entrepreneur and coach to those who faced similar circumstances.

I know boldness can often come across as pushy and even arrogant. And when we "go bold" on our own, it isn't a pretty sight. You know those folks: demanding, overpowering, controlling, domineering. Ugh! I do my best to steer clear of them and I sure don't one to be one of them, either. Those take-over approaches don't honor God and, in fact, they even repel when, we want to draw folks in. We want to lift people up -- not bring them down.

Boldness, in the hands of God, can be such a gift. I love Queen Esther's boldness. She was willing to approach the throne of King Xerxes. She said, "I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish," (Esther 4:16). What a role model for women in every century! But her plan was not her own. Before she put her life on the line to save her people, she wisely asked them to fast and pray, that she might be given favor by the king. And great favor she received.

Boldness can be risky business when we do it on our own. But when God leads the way, we can follow Him without fear, knowing the outcome is always in His capable hands.

I'm thanking God for giving me victory over intimidation and helping me in my quest for boldness. With His nudging and reminding me of His abilities in me, I sold my home and built a new home, I started a business that changed my life and many others, I started a Life Group (Bible Study) in my home, I've joined women's groups where I can raise my hand to volunteer, I've become a leader in other groups, I put down my inhibitions and shyness (yes, I once was shy) and now I publicly speak to many various audiences about God's goodness.

When we let HIS boldness pour through us, we’ll discover, "He crowns the humble with victory," (Psalm 149:4). My crown is not the likes of Queen Esther, but it's one I wear proudly, because it's one that God placed on my head and it's called The Crown of Boldness. I've learned not to hold back from sharing God's love to those who are hurting. Here's God's Word for you and I today: Joshua 1:9 "This is my command--be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or ... do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." So, let's be bold, be strong, for the Lord our God is with us....and, like Queen Esther...."for such a time as this!"