Championing My Sisters

That title might sound like I'm championing a movement for declaring our rights as women. Well, yes, I am, in a sense. What I'm actually declaring is the power that God placed within us to be world changers and history makers. I am so blessed to be a leader for a beautiful group of women who have raised their hands and hearts to also be leaders who lead other women to follow in drawing closer to God. The closer we get to Him – the more like Him we become – loving, serving, giving.

It may seem I have an over-zealous desire to see my sisters become mighty warriors for God. Well, as a matter of fact, I do. I want to see us move from a state of complacency and weakness to “be strong in the Lord and the power of His might”. Ephesians 6:10. And, to be moving on up in our faith and determination to be more effective as faith-filled women in our homes, schools, workplaces and marketplaces. This world needs to see that in women -- to be dominant and ruling over the enemy of our souls who has deceived us and made us feel weak long enough.

I am one of you and if there's anything I desire to do, it's to be a role model who teaches, speaks, writes and who walks the walk and talks the talk of an empowered woman -- who is empowered by the ONE Who lives big in me. Trust me. I didn’t show up overnight with this zeal. It has grown exponentially in me – especially since the love of my life went to heaven. Right then, I knew if I yielded to my natural feelings, I would go underground to retreat from life. But, I couldn’t. I wouldn’t. I knew my mission had just begun. Truly, God loves women. He calls us and equips us. It's backed by God's Word. Just look at some of the Bible's women of faith who set the pace for us.

Besides Judge Deborah, Queen Esther, Ruth and Hannah in the Old Testament, in the New Testament is Elizabeth who recognized the Mother of our Lord, Mary who gave birth to the Messiah, and Anna who spoke about the Messiah to all who were looking for the redemption of Israel. When the time of His Passion drew near, Mary of Bethany anointed the feet of Jesus, Mary, our Lord's Mother, stood at the cross of Jesus, and Mary of Magdala who spoke with the risen Jesus and told His disciples, “I have seen the Lord”.

That sure makes me wanna’ jump up and shout: “I know Him and I’ve seen Him too, Mary!” He is alive and He is on the move in women’s hearts, filling us with His power, so we can tell a hurting, angry world about a loving, life-changing God.

My beautiful and precious Sisters-in-Christ (SIC) – scripture says we are a mighty throng. “The Lord announces the word, and the women who proclaim it are a mighty throng” (Psalm 68:11). Indeed we are. This is where everything begins: acknowledging that God alone is our source of strength. Let us proclaim our mighty Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ as our champion! Indeed we are a mighty throng!

Wheat is More Than a Grain

Donna Wheat. Donna Buckwheat. Donna Oats & Wheat. Donna Corn Wheat. Donna Wheaties. Those were names I was called back-in-my-school-days. Having the last name “Wheat” made for much entertainment for my friends. At least no one ever asked, “How do you spell it?” But, then came my forever boyfriend who had the last name “Wuerch” and to this day I hear “How do you pronounce that? How do you spell that?”

The name, “Wheat” has so much more meaning than it simply being my maiden name. It contains legacy and promise and hope. Not only was I blessed to be born into the Wheat Family which carries a legacy of honorable, faith-filled and devoted followers of Christ, but the name continues to impact this world. In particular, my three nephews, the sons of my brother and his wife who carry the Gospel message as pastors/ministers here in Texas. The “Wheat” crop is top quality and it keeps pollinating and producing other faithful and devoted followers of Christ.

God sincerely amuses me with His subtle way of giving me daily inspiration for my posts. As I was scrolling through my timeline yesterday, I was taken with this beautiful photo of a wheat field. The story that accompanied it was this:

“There was a farmer who grew excellent quality wheat and every season he won the award for the best grown in his county. One year a reporter from the local newspaper interviewed the farmer and learned that each Spring the man shared his seed with his neighbors so that they too could plant it in their fields.

The reporter asked: “How can you afford to share your best wheat seed with your neighbors when they are entering their crops in the competition with yours?"

“That's very simple,” the farmer explained. "The wind picks up pollen from the developing wheat and carries it from field to field. If my neighbors grow inferior wheat, cross-pollination will steadily degrade the quality of all the wheat, including mine. If I am to grow good wheat, I must help my neighbors grow good wheat.”

The reporter realized how the farmer's explanation also applied to peoples' lives in the most fundamental way. Those who want to live meaningfully and well must help enrich the lives of others, for the value of a life is measured by the lives it touches. And those who choose to be happy must help others find happiness, for the welfare of each, is bound up with the welfare of all.”

And, I wholeheartedly agree. We are blessed to be a blessing. When we share our lives, our hearts, our encouragement, our sensitivity, our honesty and integrity with others, their lives WILL be enriched and their “crops” will help heal the lives that they encounter.

2 Corinthians 9:10 “He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.”

Curb Appeal Matters

In the community I live in, all of the yards are pristine -- nicely edged, cut, bushes trimmed, no garage doors open. Every home has curb appeal. It’s a requirement here in this 55+ community.

I've been a R/E Estate Broker for 18 years and I know curb appeal and first impressions matter. A run-down looking property detracts buyers, but a property with a welcoming smile on its face aka fresh coat of paint, landscaping enhanced and tidy, and clean appearance causes buyers to want to know more about that property. Let’s face it, first impressions matter in homes and in us! We spend extra time in front of the mirror before a first date and we care about how we dress for a job interview.

For years, buyers have formed their first impressions of homes while standing in the street or sitting in the car, just beyond the curb. The initial drive-by would determine whether or not buyers would want to see the inside of the house. To get that buyer in the door, the seller spent hours, even days, seeding new grass, planting flowers, painting their front door, weeding and cleaning up the yard. If the home didn’t appeal from the curb, buyers moved on to the next house. Curb appeal was always the single most important piece of the home sale puzzle.

Maybe this post will help you market your home....if you're wanting to, but foremost, this post is to express the importance of our own personal "curb appeal". What is it about us that draws people to us or detracts people away from us? Is our disposition cranky, and dismal and is our attitude "cloudy" and "glass half empty"? Do we look exhausted and worried? Do we look like we could care less about what others think about us? Or, do we look act faith-filled, optimistic, "sunny" and "glass full of joy"?

What is that "first impression" others get of us? If we really want to convey the love of God, His peace that passes understanding, the graciousness and appeal of the Holy Spirit, then our "curb appeal" matters. We were created in the image of God, and God sure doesn't make junk. God sees us as a masterpiece. Do others see us as God's masterpiece?

Sure the world focuses on what people look like on the outside. God focuses on what people look like on the inside. When we focus on what's beautiful on the inside, we will exude that beauty -- that "curb appeal" on the outside.

Maybe, this post is two-fold -- our home's curb appeal and our curb appeal as the "home of the Holy Spirit" who dwells in us. "Don't you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?" 1 Corinthians 3:16. How's that for realizing what our curb appeal should be. We are not just houses, but we are temples of Almighty God -- how could our curb appeal be less than our BEST?

Go With the Flow

Go With the Flow
The notion of being like a bottle that just floats aimlessly with the water’s current can have both a negative and positive connotation. If we were like those who “go with the flow” of following the crowd, we could end up in quite precarious situations. For example, the young person who yields to peer pressure and follows the crowd that takes them to less than acceptable places and friendships. In that instance, “going with the flow” could lead to all kinds of difficulties.

Over the last few days, however, I’ve found myself using the term “going with the flow” in a positive, faith-filled way. There have been many things "on my plate" and weariness had set in. I was shouldering some big-deal responsibilities and I wanted to make the best decisions and I wanted to prove my abilities and strengths in them. I became somewhat anxious and unsettled. That’s when I heard those words “Go with the flow!” I remembered seeing the illustration of that plastic bottle just floating along, going where the current took it. The bottle didn’t resist. The bottle didn’t say “NO, not that way. This way is better.” The bottle was just “being” – doing what a bottle should do if placed in a current. It goes with the flow.

And it was amazing. God met me with this illustration. He is such a personal and specific God. He knows the hearts of those who love Him. And though we don't always need a word from God to get us moving -- most days we just must “trust AND obey”, relying on His Word. We don’t have to be so set in our ways, that we can’t make adjustments and “go with the flow”. I like to think of it as abandoning my way of hurdles to climb, speed bumps to cross over, and detours that take me the opposite direction. When I simply rest in the fact that His way will take me to my destination in short, fast and safe order, then going with His flow, is the way to go.

My husband was a “do it by the book” kind-of-guy. He left little room for spontaneity. He wanted an itinerary and all the specifics laid out way before we’d venture out. Then there was the day, when he won an 8-day, all expenses paid trip to Sweden. No time for planning. While we were there, spontaneously, we bought backpacks and ventured to Denmark and Germany. We rode on trains, took cabs, ferries, and bicycle carts – all without making a big deal about anything. We went with the flow, and we enjoyed adventures of our lifetime. We literally had no plans – just casting caution to the wind and free-styled through Europe.

All we did was show up and obey. God did the rest. And that, my friend, is all we have to do. Mentally, physically and spiritually, we just need to become that bottle that is at the mercy of the flow of the river. Being at the mercy of God’s best plans instead of our own, causes us to relax and enjoy the journey. We don’t know what tomorrow holds, but we do know WHO holds our tomorrows and He is the Master of the waterways.

Psalm 66:12 “You made men ride over our heads; We went through fire and through water, Yet You brought us out into a place of abundance.”

I Can Do This --- Meet You At The Top

Day 15 of Photo Inspirations:
What could be more exhilarating than being pulled up over 75 feet in the air with just a cord holding you up, and then DROPPED?  Answer:  Being pulled up over 75 feet in the air and dropped with your granddaughter by your side.

Okay, I was the most mature one to tackle the high ropes courses, the tandem zipline, and the low ropes courses, and my granddaugther, Alexia, was the youngest.  We were quite the pair!   But we didn't hesitate to take our turn.  It's all about the adrenaline rush, the I-CAN-DO-THIS attitude, no-fear-allowed attitude, and living-out-loud attitude.  Sure, there could be reasons to step back and let all the kids go first, or go not-at-all.  After all, I'm in the "Senior -- above 60 category".  Don't want to take a chance with a little old lady.  After all, I shouldn't take risks with my body or health.  After all, it requires stepping out of my comfort zone.  After all, someone my age should be just watching the fun.  NOT!!!!

I'm here to tell you -- you are talking about the wrong Mama if you're thinking any of that.  I am a faith-filled, big thinking, bet-the-farm risk taker, and I will not give up until I'm taken up.  Expect to see me running with the wind.  I guess you can tell I’m a little on a rampage about growing older and what that means.  I’m not dead so I’m not done.  

Here's the big deal -- the enemy makes us think we’re obsolete when we get to a certain age.  We don’t age out.  We are just on our way home.    Purpose keeps us young.  And my purpose is to be an example of faith, joy, hope and great expectation.  Most of all I want to figure out how to help more people!  I will not be getting into a rocking chair anytime soon.  How about you?  If you're still here -- whether your 20 or 90 -- you're not done.  We're still young.....and we can do anything we set our mind and heart to do -- to the best of our ability!

I'll meet you at the top of the tower -- let's let it roll together!

Faith-Filled Words = Blessings

At my Life Group last night, we talked about how important it is to speak and believe what we are wanting in our lives. The fact is, our words have incredible power! When we speak faith-filled words, positive things just naturally come our way. But, many people just focus on negative things in life, and then they speak negative words that position them for more negativity coming their way.

But when we begin to think and speak the blessings and favor of Almighty God, we’re like a magnet that draws God’s favor in our lives. It’s time for us to declare, and for us to teach our children to declare, “I am strong. I am loved. I am smart. I am happy. I am empowered, and a successful child of the Most High God. I’ve been handpicked by the Creator of the universe to be here. I have great things in my future!” And when we exude that positive attitude through our thoughts and actions, the winds of blessings begin to shift in our direction -- and not only are our lives changed forever, but that positive influence will change the lives of those in our world.

Role Model - Mentor - Women of Example

I have been blessed to have so many amazing female mentors in my life -- that started with my precious mother who showed me the power of profound faith -- in action. I don't remember ever hearing her complain about HAVING to work to bring in the needed income when my dad was so sick for many years, and eventually passed away. I don't ever remember her murmuring about being a widow and being lonely. I remember hearing her faith-filled prayers and singing about God's love while doing daily chores. I remember her having to go pawn her wedding band just to have the finances to make ends meet. I remember her heart of giving -- even with a small social security fixed income. She ALWAYS delighted in giving to her church and to others. She made so many sacrifices for me -- just so I could be dressed impeccably. I remember the sweet and tender heart she had for everyone. I don't remember her being fixated on how her body looked, but I do remember her caring about always dressing like queen. It was her example, as well as other wonderful Christian women who helped me gain a vision for what God desires from His daughters -- living strong, motivated, positive, determined, faith-filled, and energetic lives -- especially eager to make a difference in their world around them.

FB Girl Friends -- let's determine to carry the torch to be that light in the darkness to others, and we can not only be that role model and mentor they need, but will cause them to desire to leave their imprint on their next generation. Let's be those resilient, tenacious, can-do, strong, power-packed, all-out-hearts-for-God women that leave a legacy for others to follow.