Because I Can – Because We Can

It was cold enough for gloves and warm jacket, but I went for an early morning long walk, with earbuds in my ears and praise and worship music kicked up in high gear. I was flailing my arms and high-stepping it. Why would I do that? Because I can.

I was listening to the song “Where the Spirit of the Lord is” and I couldn’t help myself. His Spirit lives in me. Wherever I am, He is. Why wouldn’t I get myself moving and dancing and going outdoors and celebrating life? Quite frankly, outdoors seems to be the closest place to be near Him. After all, everywhere we look – the skies, the trees, the birds, the sun – AND people walking by -- He is there – and I think to myself what a wonderful world!

Why wouldn’t I dance? What wouldn’t I walk or run or jog? Why wouldn’t I stretch out my arms to the heavens in praise and worship to my Lord? Why wouldn’t I – when there are others on ventilators and they can’t, who are confined in bed and they can’t, who are isolated in a prison cell and they can’t, who are in a third world country and they are too afraid leave their shelter, so they can’t.

Because YOU can. We have seen you. You’re the ones holding up signs and balloons out of car windows, honking your car horn to celebrate someone’s birthday – apart, but together in spirit! We have seen you. You are the one who stands on your porch or balcony and you sing or play an instrument to brighten the world. You are the family that gets all together outside an elderly parent’s nursing home window to cheer them up. We have seen you. You are the devoted followers of Christ who are not missing a beat of your time to worship and praise Him in online services from home. We have seen you. You are the ones collecting food for the those who lost their jobs and they need help. We have seen you. You are the ever-faithful medical, emergency, and essential services warriors that have been relentless in life better for us. We have seen you.

And, what you see here is a most precious gift from a dear friend who is so multi-talented and uses her gifts to bless others. Because she can. She’s not one that likes to be on stage or to be the grandiose out-loud-pray-er – but, oh, the blessing she is to many. Because she can. On Tuesday, with her son as her chauffeur and her dogs as her body guards – she brought me this lovely encouragement. She blessed me so much. She handcrafted and painted half of the heart with these words:
“2020 started strong and tall. Who’d have thought that we’d end up with social distancing for all?
For now, my heart is hurting and broken right in two,
So, here’s a piece for me and here’s a piece for you.
But when this crazy time is through,
And we won’t have to be apart,
We’ll get together, have some fun
And mend this broken heart.”

Precious brothers and sisters-in-Christ – get out and do something that you can do, explore and do more for each other AND lift your praises to God – BECAUSE YOU CAN!

An Icebreaker Became a Memory Maker

Our interdenominational fellowship group came together in my community on Tuesday night for another pot luck meal and time of fellowship. There is always an entertaining or thought-provoking time after dinner. This week we had five icebreaker questions to discuss at our table. I sat by my cousins and there were two other couples at our table. Naturally, for the couples, they answered the questions with each other in mind. For example, question one was “If stranded on an island, what 3 things (or people) would you want to have with you and why?” Each one of the couples gave as one of their three as each other. Widow Donna came up with a hatchet, water, and a ladder (I need help climbing a tree!). I’ve watched “Survivor” episodes so I know what I'd need on a deserted island.

The one question that gave me pause and introspection was “If you could live one year from your life again, which one would you go back to?” The couples’ answers were beautiful: “Going back to the first church that we pastored in Fayetteville, AR that began in our home and grew exponentially.” Another couple talked about the year that their first child was born, and the other talked about the year when he returned from Vietnam to come home to his wife and baby. Then it was my turn. I had plenty of time to consider it and, without a doubt, it would be the last year of my husband’s life that I would want a do-over.

You see, my sweetheart was a muscle-bound, picture of health and strength, full of the joy of living and sharing God’s love in ministry and counseling. We had traveled a lot and had the thrill of precious times with our children and grandchildren. Life was good. Then, came the day when we received the diagnosis of Stage 4 Kidney Cancer that changed everything. Life came to an all-consuming 24/7 endeavor to get him healed. If it had been God’s will, he would still be around today because with all the treatments, surgeries, interventions, and most of all, the prayers from around the world, it was his time.

This is what I shared with our group. I would have stopped being Martha – doing, doing, doing and I would have stopped to embrace every second that I had with my Love. I would have spent every waking moment laughing about our puppy love romance at ages 12 & 13 and some of the crazy things we did together. I would have talked more about all that God had blessed us with in the past than continuing to figure out that awful disease. We both knew he was in God’s hands and it would have been so much better to have trusted implicitly for the outcome than all the going here and there and everywhere. I would have sat with him patiently at the dinner table and just talked and talked instead of hurrying to get the dishes cleaned up so quickly. I would have thanked God for the ups and downs that we survived and even thrived through. Actually, I’ve added a little more than what I actually said in that group, but what I did say to them, as couples, to live each day as if this were the last with each other. Love each other deeply.

Since we can't do do-overs -- the best way to live life on this side of heaven is to take each day -- one day at a time -- and live it as though it were our last -- living with no regrets -- embracing and loving those around us with intensity, gratitude and gusto. Living in the light of eternity -- helping take as many others with us to heaven. My Love is waiting for me there. I look forward to introducing you to him one day!

The Show Must Go On....Here & Up There

Day 314 of Photo Inspirations -- The Show Must Go On....Here & Up There
Of course this precious man's photo is my inspiration for today.  Heaven is a wonderful place and every time I hear about someone's loved one getting to go there, it seems to get sweeter and sweeter. At least it sure does for me.

My Sweetheart went there ahead of me...5 years ago today. His Bucket List was completed, and he got his ticket for the ride he'd waited for, earned, deserved and awarded.  On the other hand, he was always ahead of me -- leading and guiding me, and always my cheerleader.  I like to think that's part of his assignment in heaven -- to keep pushing me to be the best I can be, like he did during those 44 years we were together on this side of heaven.  

What would it be like if I just sat and pined away for wanting to "go home" too?  What if I didn't celebrate my life on this side of heaven because I'm still here?

Growing up, I heard a lot of songs and sermons about heaven:  "Won't It Be Wonderful There", "When We All Get to Heaven", "Heaven is a Wonderful Place", "In the Sweet By and By", "Shall We Gather at the River?"  And I agree with those songs and sermons.  It will be beyond our wildest dreams and imaginations.   But if we're not doing what we are supposed to be doing in the right here and now, we'll be most miserable.  Why be dreaming about the future, when God has called us to pick up our assignments and DO THEM today?   There's people to love, encourage, and strengthen. There's young people that need mentors.  There's more lessons to learn.  There's widows and widowers that need to know how to continue living strong.  There's prayers to pray and seeds to plant.  THE SHOW MUST GO ON!

I keep remembering so many of my Sweetheart's quotes.  "You can do this.  Your best days are ahead.  Have faith -- it's gonna' be alright. Throw your hands up in the air, and enjoy the ride.  Finish strong.  The show must go on."   And during those times when I am challenged with life and the situations and circumstances that sometime seem overwhelming….. like having to handle business affairs and financial challenges, home and car repairs, fire alarm batteries that go off in the middle of the night, drainage issues in my yard, the refrigerator and the photocopier and the computer breaking down, counseling friends and family members, and making so many life decisions on my own, and when I really would love to hear his sweet voice to tell me what to do, I compose myself and I sense the voice of my Heavenly Father saying, “Trust ME!”   We have a resource that we can go to for the answers, and Who gives us the strength, understanding, wisdom, and comfort we need……to keep this SHOW GOING ON and keep it going strong for a long run!!!

Happy Homegoing Day, PRECIOUS MAN!

Inspired and Blessed Beyond Description

Day 216 of Photo Inspirations -- Inspired and Blessed Beyond Description
Please indulge me for just a couple more days of these grandkids photo inspirations.  I was inspired in so many ways in this day.

Got up early to catch the 8 am to 9 am opportunity to buy reduced priced Tulsa Zoo tickets which included the Jurassic Park exhibit and unlimited train and carousel rides.  It started out nice and cool and then the sun was like a heat lamp -- one of these photos shows Alexia with an ice pack on her head to cool off while we watched the sea lions.  Thankfully, there are plenty of buildings to walk through to cool off.

As always the baboons showed off their rare talents as they picked at each other's bottoms. ;-) And we saw two birds having a love fest -- Lexi's remarks?  "Well, there you go, the circle of life happening right in front of us!"  LOL! The more inquisitive we were, the more we found out that the Tulsa Zoo rescues many animals.  In fact, we saw two beautiful bald eagles that were not in captivity and wondered why they weren't flying away.

We asked one of the Zoo employees and he said they had been wounded and could no longer fly.  Then we saw the sea lion show and found out they, too, had been wounded and if they had not rescued them, they would have been killed by predators.

We loved that these beautiful animals were protected and now live in a safe environment and are bringing much joy to those of us who see them.

My thoughts as we walked through the zoo and so many various species of animals -- tall, little, colored, speckled, one-foot standers, crawlers, climbers, jumpers.....and all of them created by our awesome God.  What an imagination he had!!!!

Alexia wanted to go to the top floors of Citiplex Towers (formerly, City of Faith) to take photos. We headed that way, while listening to beautiful Christian music on KXOJ.  The kids had me turn the channel up louder so they could hear one of their favorite songs, and then I realized "we're heading to Citiplex Towers and that's where KXOJ broadcasts from".

So now we were on a photo inspiration beyond what we originally planned.  Going up to the 55th floor, there was KXOJ and a sweet receptionist named Debbie gave us a grand tour -- showing us the broadcast studio.

Now we could put images in our mind where those DJ's and music are broadcasting from.  Bryson was amazed that "those guys" actually get paid for doing something so fun.

Then it was back to Great Granny's for a special time with little cousin, Anna, and Great Granny surprised the kids with her BEST-IN-THE-WORLD chocolate cake.  Seriously, there is no one that can hold a candle to her cake -- though we've tried.  Bryson said, "No one, except Jesus, can make a cake as good as Granny!'  ;-)

We ended our day with more fishing, swimming, pickleball, with a finale of a few left-over fireworks on the street, and then watching a sweet movie called "Home" (a must-see for families -- so good, with such a good message).

Call me a photo-taking fanatic and I'll agree. I'll continue to be enjoying these days for many years to come because of these photos and the memories we captured with them.  Thank you Facebook.  Thank you Mark Zuckerberg for giving me such a beautiful place and space to archive my memories!  Thank you my FB friends for letting me celebrate life in its sweetest ways.