Comfort and Peace in the Storm

I’m continuing my blog series about these two furry grand-dogs that I’m keeping while my children are away. It’s Sunday morning and I get a wake-up call, rather a wake-up barking at 4:30 am from Emma, the Yorkie. I’m not a happy camper. Who wants to be awakened by a barking alarm? My sleep is very important to me because I get so little of it. So the little I get doesn't want to be disturbed. I prance into my granddaughter’s bedroom where Emma sleeps and I shoosh her. I get back to my room and determine to get just a few more minutes of shut-eye, then I hear thunder bellowing loudly. Aw! So that’s why Emma is barking. She is afraid. I go pick her up and bring her to my bed. She snuggles in closely to me. She is comforted. She is at peace because I represent peace and comfort to her.

Rarely do I veer off-course from my life experiences in my blogs. That’s on purpose. St. Paul said, in 2 Corinthians 1:4 "That you may be comforted with the same comfort that I have been comforted with." And, indeed, that is my desire to bring comfort – not to just a furry friend, but to comfort others with the many times of comfort that I have been comforted with during my own “thunderous, stormy and difficult times. I want to help others learn their lessons.....much faster than I do.

I found that when the storms come, it’s our nature to get worried –- like little Emma. She doesn’t understand loud thunder. And, maybe we don’t either. Oftentimes, praying and seeking God for the answer is the last thing we do to escape our storms. "Well, I've tried everything else.....so as a last resort, I'll ask God for help!" We do our best to try to figure it all out, when He Who knows everything about everything has it all figured out. He is just waiting for us to cry out to Him for the answers.

The disciples knew Jesus was on the mountain praying. They discounted the fact that He was the authentic, unparalleled storm chaser and peace maker. They toiled and feared in their boat on the stormy waters, but Christ was praying on the mountainside for them because He saw the storm come up and He saw their fear. And we should realize that He sees and knows the storms we're going through and He is hearing our prayers in the midst of OUR storms.

Little Emma snuggles in close to me and even as I type this blog this early Sunday morning, she sleeps on, and, in fact -- snoring. If my tender heart cares for the concerns of this little dog, how much more does our loving Heavenly Father care about us? He is always inviting us to “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) We can know this: There is no difficulty in life that is stronger than Jesus. We can snuggle in close to Him and face our difficult times with courage because He promised to ALWAYS be with us! I love knowing that His peace is ours during our storms....and how reassuring to know that right behind this storm is a rainbow of blessing! He promised it, and I've come to count on it!

Run to the Father. His Arms Are Open Wide.

When I was looking for an online photo to capture a father's arms open wide to his child for this post today, I ran across this one. You see the unspeakable joy of a young son running to his father after the dad was held captive in Syria for six months by a rogue al-Qaeda group. I knew this would be the message I wanted to convey in my post today.

This time of the year -- more than ever -- we're reminded of the joys of being a child. Blissfully running about, filled with happy freedom from care and concern. I love it when I hear them scream "DADDY!" as they're about to be caught by a sibling or friend. They know who to turn to for security and protection. Matthew 18:4 says "Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of God". When Jesus urged us to become like little children, He was telling us that He wants us to regain some of our childhood innocence and awe. When we were young, it was easy to believe in a good God Who watches over us and Who has a band of angels to protect us. I love how my two youngest grandsons make sure we pray for the angels to encamp around them while they sleep before they go to bed at night. They MUST have that prayer, and we're delighted that when we pray, they are comforted, followed by sweet sleep.

As we grow older, some of those comforting images fade and we gradually lose that sense of security. Of course, as adults, we face many variables in life -- responsibilities, pressures, transitions, the ups and downs of life, and then we fail to remember the freedom and abandonment of worries as we did when we were children.

We can change that. We can revive the innocence and joy we knew as children that is not just dependent on our own efforts. Maturity isn't being independent from God -- it's a deeper dependence more than EVER! We're DEPENDENT on His mercy and grace. God IS our DADDY, and from our first breath -- to our last breath -- He has a watchful eye over us and His plans for us include His very best. Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

May we take on this beautiful season of Christmas with wide-eyed awe and wonder -- like we had as children. And, when "stuff" is chasing us down and we're about to be CAUGHT UP in the frenzy and stress that often comes with this season, let's cry out "DADDY!" and run into God's open arms.

One of my favorite worship songs is all about running into the arms of our Heavenly Father. May you run into His arms today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYQ5yXCc_CA

Where Empathy Makes a Difference

Yesterday, Buddy and I started out on our usual walk when we came upon this adorable little girl, who, from a distance, I could hear shouting "Look, a puppy!" She was so excited to express her joy to Buddy, and he was for her, that we stopped for this sweet exchange.

We made it back home just in time for the family's morning training and devotion that pivots around the current events of the home: a praise or motivational moment, a discipline moment, or moments of exchanging creative ideas on a project or activity. Yesterday's was so stirring that tears began to flow when I started sharing. On point, Buddy came and laid his head in my lap. I get that not everyone believes that dogs have the ability to "empathize", but I sensed it. Many years ago, Staci's dog, a Cocker Spaniel named Desi, was with us during some times when it seemed I often shed bucket-loads of tears. Inevitably, Desi would crawl up in my lap to comfort me.

Empathy: the ability to understand and share the feelings of another, like putting ourselves into the mental shoes of someone to understand and even share their emotions and feelings. Though our furry friends may give us a measure of comfort, there is truly something to be said for others who understand us because "they have walked in our shoes", but even more so, when those friends give us hope. Here's what I know from experience. I don't need someone to say "Bless your heart. I know how you feel -- I've been there." Those words say to me "Go ahead. Wallow in all that pain. Go ahead and take your time in getting over it." PLEASE....give us more than that! Please give us hope!

St. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 1:4 "That you may be comforted with the same comfort that I've been comforted with by our God of comfort ." Like Paul, in his many testings and trials, we are encouraged to come boldly to God's throne of grace, where His mercy and grace are free-flowing in our times of need. The Lord is able to give peace to our troubled souls and says "Let not your heart be troubled." Our sweetest comforts are in Him. He speaks peace to us and He binds us up when we are broken-hearted. He gives hope and joy during our times of greatest need.....so much so that not only are we comforted -- we have enough comfort left over to encourage and comfort others.

Our story and how we made it through those times is what they need. That brings me to three words we can use to help encourage others. Feel. Felt. Found. For example, it goes like this when I am epathizing with a new widow(er): "I know how you FEEL. I FELT the same way, too, when my husband passed away. But, let me tell you what I FOUND. I FOUND that God is so ever-present to us in times of sadness, loneliness, pain and heartache. I FOUND that He is my best friend that has stayed closer to me than my husband ever could. He is always with me. I'm never alone. He gives me peace when I stop thinking about what I don't have any longer, and I start thinking about God Who has given me so much: the breath in my body to live another day, the strength to continue to run my race because I'm still here to complete the assignments God gave me." Now, that's what I call true empathy -- true understanding of how it feels, but true love that gives them cause to live another day with hope and great expectation for this day and tomorrow. That's what I call being a "Difference Maker"!

A Little Kindness Goes a Long Way

Yesterday, while speaking to a visitor and her daughter at our 55+ community, I asked if she was married or single. She immediately teared up and said she was a recent widow. I knew what she was feeling and I told her so. After my husband went to heaven, I weighed my options on keeping my 3,600 square foot home or make a move to a smaller home and simpler lifestyle. The man who was marketing this community, asked me the very same question. And, like this precious lady, I teared up when I said I was a recent widow. His words were so kind as he said, “I know how you feel. My wife passed away three years ago.” Yesterday, I was able to comfort this visitor. That reminds me of the scripture in 2 Corinthians 1:4 “That you may be comforted with the same comfort that I have been comforted with.”

Kindness. A word that we could sure use a lot more of these days. I’ve known kindness in action. Different ones who knew my husband will come to me and say “I remember when Ron said……” or “I still carry the ‘hope’ rock he gave us in our Bible Study” or “He had the most beautiful head of hair” or “He always had a good word to say.” They comforted me then, and now, when they remember him to me.” They are being so kind.

I sincerely want to be the person who encourages. I want to be acutely aware of the needs of others.

I know what it is to witness so many levels of suffering that I didn’t know or even relate to before I walked alongside my sweetheart in his battle against cancer, and eventually his graduation to heaven. As I reflect back, I am reminded of kind words spoken to me and how God used them as healing ointment for my soul. I consistently clung to God for strength, but it was the encouraging words, the delicious home-cooked meals, the calls, the support and offers to help us, was like a shelter in the midst of our raging storm.

Today, six years later, those kind words still comfort me and bring me solace. When, at church, I would speak or give the scripture readings, my sweetheart would always pat my hand or hug me when I returned to my seat and he'd whisper "Good job!" Today, friends who remember that, are on point when they hug me and say “Good job”. They know I need those words of encouragement. I know it's a little wimpy sounding, but oh the breath of fresh air when those soft, spoken words hit my ears. Those kind words have been like kisses from heaven.

I am forever grateful for those who have spoken grace and encouragement into me. My mind is flooded with examples as I am sure you can reflect on encounters from your own life where a kind word ministered more deeply than the speaker could have ever imagined. Those kind words from others have caused me to realize that every day I have the opportunity to let kindness pour out from me. I want to be the person who is sensitive to God’s prompting when He nudges me to be kind and to speak kindness into the life of another.

In the words of Glen Campbell’s old song, maybe we should all “Try a Little Kindness”:

You've got to try a little kindness yes show a little kindness.
Yes shine your light for everyone to see.
And if you'll try a little kindness and you'll overlook the blindness,
Of the narrow minded people on the narrow minded streets.

LOVE is Sharing the Journey

Many times in life, we find ourselves, hand-in-hand and side-by-side with others on similar faith journeys. This is a story about Shannon Brill Rziha, a precious friend, wife and mother of three young children who passed from this life to heaven five years ago February 11th. I am compelled to share about her because she was such a part of our own Faith Journey, and just maybe there's someone God is calling you to partner up and share faith journeys together.

Several years ago, Ron and I were drawn to Shannon, her husband, Wayne and, at that time, little daughter, Cecilia. Later, they were blessed with two precious sons, Daniel and Anthony. We always remarked “What a beautiful family!” They served God in word and action in so many ways. Ron, because he had such a passion for promoting and discerning vocations in the Church, naturally gravitated to Wayne who was the Vocations Director. We watched Shannon, as her love for children was obvious as she was a vital part of Children’s Christian Education, Vacation Bible School, Fall Festival, etc.

In December, 2008, after many months of increasing pain in her hip, Shannon was diagnosed with cancer.
We saw our church family, as a team, go into action. Our church’s prayer team, as well as prayer teams all around the country, stepped up in prayer for them. Our church’s women, not only provided meals for them, but many helped in housekeeping, child caring, and chauffeuring. There were fundraisers, prayer vigils, "red solidarity night" and other events held for them. And, we watched Shannon and Wayne do their part – determining to find and obtain the most qualified and skilled doctors, the best medical center, the most effective treatments and surgeries. They submitted to trips away from the children in order to have the best care. And, Shannon, exuded the grace of God as she submitted to her medical team’s recommendations. She lost her hair after chemo several times -- smiling her way through it! I loved it when she bravely played the role of Lucille Ball (wearing a red wig over her smooth, bald head and refusing to use her cane) in a play that I wrote for one of our women’s meetings. Rarely, did she ever miss attending church. She put those who have no physical issues to shame as she would make her way on crutches down the aisle for communion and to get “as close as possible” to the altar.

Right from the start of Shannon’s faith journey, Ron and I felt so drawn to stand in faith with this precious family. They were consistently in our thoughts and prayers. I, personally, felt compelled to be a regular e-mail correspondent with Shannon – applauding her faith, encouraging her to keep “standing” and to not give up. We shared with them about what God’s Word says about times like this. We quoted healing and faith scriptures to them. But, we were speaking to them about what we knew from God’s Word – not what we had personally experienced. We watched how they trusted God, stood in faith and enjoyed life as best they could with their three precious young children.

In January, 2010, my Honey began to have such tremendous pain in his back that continued to increase. In April, we received the doctor’s diagnosis of Stage 4 Kidney Cancer. An emergency surgery was performed to remove the tumor off of his spinal cord. Shannon and Wayne were in Houston at MD Anderson that week for one of Shannon’s treatments when they heard about Ron. I’ll never forget the night, after his very serious, almost fatal surgery. Coming through the hospital room door on her crutches, was Shannon, having just arrived back to Tulsa. She said, “I had to get here as soon as possible!” She came in and was quite perturbed that Ron, the man of faith and her faith coach, could possibly be in this condition, yet she was there with us to be OUR woman of faith and faith coach. It was then, that we knew what it meant to feel the pain, know the pain, and know the emotions that she had been experiencing for two years before us. Before now, we had head knowledge, and now, we had personal knowledge of this experience. We “identified” with her. And now, we really understood St. Paul and his words in II Corinthians 1:4 “That you may be comforted with the same comfort that I have been comforted with.” We had planted into Shannon, and now Shannon was there for pay-back. She was there to comfort us. That’s what teamwork is all about. That’s what the Body of Christ, the church of God, is about.

My Honey graduated to heaven almost three months before Shannon, but I’m sure it was a part of God's divine plan. They comforted one another in life, understood each other’s pains and now, they’re celebrating being home. They are where we all will continue to press toward. In the meantime, the journey continues for the rest of us – to be there for each other – to comfort one another – hand in hand – side by side. LOVE is sharing the journey!

Re-membering

Re-membering (I know my FB posts are longer than suggested, but I'm on purpose. I know most wouldn't click the blogspot link, so I post in both places.) This post was written 5 years ago, and it bears repeating -- especially for those who have lost a loved one and for those who just don't know what to say to someone who has lost a loved one. I pray it brings you comfort and wisdom today.

It’s just past the two-month mark since my Honey graduated to heaven. We continually remember him. We talk about him, the “ways he did things”, his little quirks and his many abilities. Someone will tell us about how he impacted and made a difference in their life, and how they will never be the same because he cared. Someone will do something the way he did it, and we’ll remark “That is just like him!” Another one will smell a cologne…and say, “That smells just like him!” Another will hear a voice and exclaim “That sounds just like him!” Another will comment about his “always-perfect hair”. At breakfast this morning, Ron's Mom, sister and I remembered him. We recalled how contented he was during that year of adversity, and how he never complained. We recalled how very quiet he was -- quite the feat for a man who "fire-hosed" people when he was given the chance to expound on God's Word. All such sweet re-membering that is so very important and brings us so much comfort.

A few days ago, my daughter, Staci, spoke to me about a new way of understanding the word, re-membering. She reminded me of a beautiful statue of Jesus that I had given to her and how, inadvertently, in a move, the statute was broken into many pieces. Very quickly, she embarked on the task to “re-member” Jesus. Carefully, piece by piece, she glued the statue back together again. In essence, she put Jesus’ members back together again. She, then, said “And this is what Jesus wants us to be doing – to “re-member” His body (the Body of Christ – you and me) by striving to bring us all back together again.

As I thought about that, I thought about what we are doing when we re-member our loved ones. For me, it’s putting my Honey’s broken body back together again – re-membering that beautiful body that we knew and loved, before the disease took its toll on it – putting away the thoughts about the pain he suffered, and the broken back that would not let him sit up – and come to a fresh, new “re-membering” of all that he was and is to us.

Ryan, our son, is re-membering by stepping up and carrying on my Honey’s passion, and his Dad’s passion, for missions and helping those in need. He is carrying on our 40-year old humanitarian foundation to help hurting people, to be a resource for improving and giving opportunities for education for those who can’t provide for themselves, to feed the hungry through the establishment of food pantries, building and operating orphanages, and fund the building of water wells in third world countries.

Our daughter, Staci, is re-membering by being an expression of her Dad as she motivates, encourages, trains and brings healing into hurting individuals, families and homes, and in so doing, re-membering what was broken, and restoring to brand new life.

Our ten year old grandson, Payton, is re-membering as he just wrote his very first book, “That’s What Papa Said”. His 5th grade class was given the assignment to write an imaginary story that will be illustrated, hard bound and published. He didn’t want to “imagine” a story. He was insistent that his story would be about actual facts. He asked, and his teacher allowed him to write his story about his Papa. I cried as I read how he remembers his Papa and all that he taught him about life, the right way to do things, piano playing and fishing – with each paragraph ending with…..”That’s what Papa said.”

Then there’s our nine-year old Alexia, who we never know what will be coming from her next. She’s always “thinking outside the box”. Out of nowhere, a few days ago, she asked “Nana, why did you need to put such good clothes on Papa in that bin?” “That bin?” I asked. “Do you mean, the casket?” “Yes” – that’s what she meant. She was re-membering….in her own style and in her own way.

And, for me, I have been re-membering with friends and family as they ask me “How are you doing?” I was asked by a friend a few days ago if people were still expressing their condolences to me. I commented “Some do, and others seem to not know just what to say!” And I recall, I was like that when wanting to comfort someone – wanting to say the right thing, but often hesitated, because I just wanted my words to be heartfelt, and not so sure what those heartfelt words should be. But now, I know. I know, re-membering is the most precious gift – keeping that loved one very much alive in our hearts and minds. From now on, in those times, I will ask them to re-member their loved one. I will join with them and remember some of the things that made that person so special to me. I will ask them to tell me about them – what some of their fondest memories were – what he or she did that made them laugh – what he or she did that made them so proud of them. I, too, want that. I will be a force for re-membering! I will REMEMBER to remember as I continue this exciting faith journey!

Christmases in Heaven Are Beyond Compare

Day 352 of Photo Inspirations -- Christmases in Heaven Are Beyond Compare
#TBT  This is Roscoe Owen Wheat, Sr., my sweet Daddy who graduated to heaven 51 years ago today, December 17th, 1964. I was 15.  I remember that day so clearly. I came home from school and found him lying on my bed. I said, "Daddy, are you okay?" He responded, "I'm okay, Baby, I'm just resting." I knew he wasn't okay -- he NEVER took naps on MY bed. I ran quickly to a neighbor for help and by the time we got back home, he was gone. My Mom was at work -- we had to break the news to her. While rushing home, she passed the ambulance taking my Daddy to the hospital. She knew it was him. We wrapped our arms and hearts around each other -- from that day on....it would be just Mom and me.

There were pj's and house shoes already wrapped for him under the tree. I remember my precious Mom, tearfully unwrapping them. But, having had so many years of illness, we knew my Daddy was loving having Christmas in heaven.

My heart goes out to anyone that this is their first Christmas without their loved ones. The memories seem more vivid and the love we had for them is even greater during this tender season. And, quite honestly, there's this yearning to be with them -- after all, what Christmas could compare to a Christmas in heaven? We all have this sweet assurance, they aren't celebrating with Baby Jesus. They're with our King of King and Lord of Lords. So rather than feeling sad or disheartened -- let's celebrate that they get to be where joy and peace and love and comfort and healing is ETERNAL.... and one day we'll be there to celebrate with them.

I hope you are comforted and embraced with God's loving arms around you.  You are not alone --  He is with you, and He's probably sending kisses down to you from your loved ones.

Watch and listen to this beautiful video "Christmas in Heaven". I hope you are comforted and embraced with God's loving arms around you and know you're not alone -- He is with you, and He's probably sending kisses down to you from your loved ones.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QroAdejZD4w

"You make known to me the path of life; In Your presence there is fullness of joy;  at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."  Psalm 16:11