See Ya' Later

Unlike attending a funeral before these times, within the last two months, I traveled to two funerals via cyberspace -- Facebook Live. While it’s not the same as being there in person to support and encourage those whose loved one passed on, it is a blessing to be in this technology age that affords us the opportunity to watch from the comfort of our homes.

Such was the case on Tuesday, when I, from my home in Frisco, TX and my dear 97-year-old mother-in-law in Tulsa, OK, could go all the way to Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada via Facebook Live for the funeral/memorial service of mom’s 92-year-old sister. We watched it all as my cousins and mom's nieces and nephews sang and gave beautiful remarks about their mom and grandmother. The theme throughout was Alma's love for her Lord, her knowledge of God's Word, always quoting scriptures, singing about Him with her sisters, leading her children to Him, her hospality, the best baker of sweets -- oh, those tarts -- and loving her family with all her heart. What a legacy!

Auntie Alma’s health drastically declined over the last few months. Mom, the older sister at 97, would daily call her to check in and to encourage her until she was hospitalized. Mom told me she’d say to Alma: “I’m calling to make you laugh again!” And, every time, Alma’s spirit was lifted. One such time, Mom said: “Alma, do you remember when playing Hide and Go Seek, we were all found but we couldn’t find you? We looked and looked but you were nowhere to be found. We were so worried we ran in and told Dad. He came out with his lantern, went straight to his Model T in the garage and found you on the floor board, sound asleep.” The last time mom was able to talk to Alma she told mom, “I’m just too tired to talk today.” Then, Mom starting praying that the Lord would take her home. He did.

My cousin let me know about Auntie Alma's passing on and I let Karen, my sis-in-law know. She found the best time to tell mom. When she told her, mom raised her hands to heaven and shouted: “Hallelujah!” I called then to check on her and she was in a rejoicing-state-of-mind! “I didn't shed a tear and have no sorrow. She’s where I want to be. I remember when we talked about our ten siblings already in heaven and only two seats remained at the table for Alma and me. We wondered which one of us would take the next seat. Now, there’s just one seat left and I’ll soon take it and close the door behind me.”

I love mom’s spirit. She is the last of the 12 siblings on this side of heaven. She is still so on purpose with her life. Only God knows how much longer she’ll be here, but I love her attitude. No grief. No mourning. She just keeps saying “See ya’ later” to those that go before her.

From my own firsthand experience, I know about "passing on" of my husband, parents, and all my siblings. Notice I say “Pass on – not pass away”. “Away” sounds like over and done with, but “on” is like going ON home, going ON a vacation, carrying ON. So, like Mom said “See ya’ later” to Alma – that’s the eternal perspective we can have too! Parting is just temporary!

Alma’s bags were packed. (Actually, I think Mom, mentally, has her bags packed, too). One of these days, Mom’s prayers will be answered, and she’ll walk through the door to eternity. Mom was Auntie Alma's midwife. She helped push her through that door. And here’s the best news for us. We'll walk through that door to our home sweet home one day, too. Our loved ones, there before us, will be on the sidelines cheering for us as we cross our Finish Line. In the meantime, let's give our best to God in each day while we live with eternity in our hearts. I intend to finish strong right along with you! I'll see ya' later!

Being a Go-Get-'Em Cheerleader

I know my children and grands would tell you I’m a pretty good cheerleader. I purpose to be their #1 Fan and supporter. It’s a built-in power-pack that comes with the full-package deal we parents and grandparents come equipped with. God placed it in all of us. Not for just our own family, but all who are in our sphere of influence.

I’ve cheered for my kids on at sports events, talent contests and sales competitions. I’ve cheered for them in their academics and in their faith. I’ve cheered them through decision-making times and when life gave them some pretty rough seasons. I know that my encouragement has helped them push through their pain, anxiety, and determination to finish strong.

That's a beautiful picture of what we can do for our children as they embark on the great race of life. I know that’s why I’m here in this season of my life as an encourager aka cheerleader. I want my voice in print and in real shouts of praise to be echoing in my family, and in yours. I want to be a pumping courage and confidence into my children's hearts and yours. I know that an encouraging word, offered at the right moment, may make the difference between my children and you finishing well or collapsing along the way.

Sincerely, whether we are speaking affirming and encouraging words to our children and grands or speaking optimistic and uplifting words to everyone around us, we can be assured that what we are saying has the potential to change the course of someone's day, even their life.

I’m so grateful that we were THAT optimistic, faith-building, “go-get-‘em” kind-of-parents. It served us well and it served our family well because today I see my children cheering and encouraging their children I smile from ear-to-ear when I see my grands hearing and heeding their parents' advice and now embarking on their careers, their sports and their dreams.

We all should be those kind-of-cheerleaders who shout and cheer with phrases like: “You're gonna' make it!” “You can do it!” “I believe in you!” “You are special!” “You have what it takes!” “You're perfect just the way you are.”

My children are all grown up now, but I still purpose daily to speak or type/write a positive word to my four adult children. I want to continue to be a spark that ignites a great passion in their lives. I’m a cheerleading mom and grandmom and I want to "prophesy" success and blessings as they become the best people they can be!

And hey! I want to also speak good things to you and yours, my friends. That’s what this daily blog is all about. I want my light to shine into all those heart crevices to help you see what God sees in you. You are God's beloved child and you are worthy of being praised, encouraged and supported as you run your race. Live with knowing that God is with you, cheering you on to your Finish Line. Run strong. Finish strong. And, pass it along!

Be the Cheerleader in Someone’s Life

Cheerleader -- an enthusiastic and vocal supporter of a team or person.

My son’s 50th marathon at 50 years old was everything we (his cheering squad AND for Ryan) had hoped and prayed it would be. He succeeded in accomplishing yet another big life goal. We were all decked out in shirts that showed our “Team Ryan” spirit. “2018 50th at 50”, with the back saying “Wuerch 50”. The night before, we were celebrating the big feat he would accomplish. We were all on tap for the 6:30 am start yesterday morning. The atmosphere was electric with the enthusiasm and spirit of all who were supporting the OKC Memorial of the 1995 bombing victims and families. As “Team Ryan”, we watched him take off at the start and then we’d drive to various points throughout the course to meet up with him to cheer him on. At the Finish Line, we had great places to stand and the announcer came up and asked about our runner. Ryan’s boys and two of his friends ran the last mile with him, and the rest of us were invited to run in with him through the Finish Line. The Announcer gave plenty of crowd encouragement to cheer us all on. It was certainly a grand way to celebrate as a family and friends.

On being cheerleaders in someone’s life…..did you know that we can operate in God-given ability to bring heaven to earth and create environments of love, hope, faith, and good CHEER in our world that sure could use some cheerleaders in it? I loved hearing the story about a woman who gets up on a chair in her home to cheer and celebrate her husband. Now, that’s cheering at its best.

It's our choice to be encouragers, supporters, strengtheners and cheerleaders to people in our lives. Chances are good that you have a cheerleader or two in your corner. There is someone or a group of someones who root for you when you apply to school, start a business, get promoted, win at a sport, perform at an event, or RUN a MARATHON. Those people are valuable to you because they confirm the best thoughts you have about yourself - thoughts that say you're capable, you're worthy, you're up to the challenge, and that you'll do just fine.

And I’ll bet you are someone's cheerleader, too. Cheering for our family should be by default. You root hard for your spouse or your siblings or your children and friends. You support them and champion what they want to do.

Who, then, can you cheer for? Who on your team or in your office needs a cheerleader, who may not have the support you have? Maybe it’s time we all get on our BEST cheerleading abilities by cheering for them AND cheering for the un-cheered-for. This is the task of a leader. Literally, the word leader is a part of cheerleader. Who will you root for today and tomorrow?

Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up."

He’s Achieving His Goal – 50 in 50

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” —Isaiah 40:29–31

This scripture came alive this morning when I gave it to my son on a card. He’ll need those words in just a short while as he runs his 50th 26.2 mile marathon that starts at 6:30 am this morning. This one is the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. Ryan's goal for years was to complete 50 full marathons within his 50 years of life and this one here in Oklahoma City is especially meaningful because he graduated high school here and Shawntel is a former Miss Oklahoma and Miss America and a life-sized bronze statute was sculpted to honor her and two other Miss Americas who attended Oklahoma City University. We'll stop by to see it later today. Ryan turned 50 last July. He’s accomplishing that goal today. We’re here to cheer him on. We’ll have our t-shirts, signs, noisemakers and strategic locations to be at throughout his run.

After completing several triathlons in 2006, he ran his first 26.2-miler in the New York City Marathon. My sweetheart, Ryan’s dad, was with him at that one and I told Ryan, yesterday, that he’s still here for him running alongside him in this one. Ryan doesn't run to win. He competes against himself -- to finish. He is the winner of every race he runs. He's just that driven, determined, no quit kind-of-guy.

On May 1st, 2011, after training for six months, I ran the Half Marathon in this same Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. It was a feat that was inspired by my husband’s passing just six months earlier. He was paralyzed in the last months of life. He couldn’t run, but since I was told that my son got his long legs from me, I gave it all I had to “memorialize my sweetheart AND all those who had lost their lives in the bombing on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995. We went to the memorial yesterday and walked through the inspiring grounds and museum located at the bombing site. The timing seemed to be orchestrated by God when we walked through the 168 chairs that memorialize those who lost their lives – small ones that represented the children and large ones that represented the adults. We walked to a small chair that had a stuffed teddy bear on it and we saw a woman changing out a pin that was on the bear, with her two children. I asked if she knew this child that this chair represents, and she said, “Yes, I’m his mother.” Immediately, all of us couldn’t hold back the tears that brought reality of what happened to a dear family. This mother exuded the peace of God. I could see she had been on a marathon of her own – carrying on with dignity and joy – which brings meaning to her loss.

Everyone who lost their lives on that tragic day, as well as all of us who remain, have a voice and a life that is to be run with meaning and purpose. Some of us will cross our finish line earlier than others, but it will be a race that we were supposed to run. I won’t be running today, but I’ll sure be one of those remembering and memorializing the runners and what they’re running for.

Whether we are running or walking our race, it’s easy to be tempted to go through life competing with everyone around us. When we see someone who seems to have more in talents, looks, wealth and instead of running our race and being comfortable with who we are, oftentimes, we feel inferior and think, “I’ve got to catch up to them or I’ve got to go further and faster than them.” That’s called competition and what we are asked to do is to be the best and do the best we possibly can with what God has given to us. That’s when we’ll have all the resources of heaven to finish strong – mounting up with wings as eagles, walking and running to our finish line! When we focus on being who God made us to be, that’s when we’ll rise up higher and be positioned for winning and conquering our race.

Life is Fragile – Handle With Care AND Prayer

Yesterday, I made my way to two other “saints on earth”. I heard from friends that my precious mentor and role model, Sister Marie Pierre (will turn 90 this year), fell last week and broke her hip and had surgery. When I arrived at the rehab center, I signed the Visitors List and saw many other of my friends who had already visited her during the day. After therapy, she was in so much pain. I asked God: "Why, Lord, is this precious woman having to suffer when she has been so devoted to you AND us, for so many years?" She and I talked about the goodness and mercy of God and how He sees the little sparrows fall, how much more does He care for her. We talked about Romans 8:28 “ALL THINGS work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purposes.” I thought, "ALL THINGS? Really, God? How can this turn for good?" My questions were answered when she and I talked. Together, we could see God’s goodness displayed in the attention she's receiving by SO MANY who have loved and cherished her for so many years. We're all praying for her and acknowledging and expressing our love and appreciation to her. She is on our hearts and minds. We are better for it. Life is fragile – handle with care AND prayer.

Another dear 94-year old friend is in a long term care facility that was only 2 miles from Sr Pierre’s rehab facility. Of course, it was perfect timing to go see her. This gracious, kind and tenderhearted Godly woman was another of my mentors and role models in faith and class. She doesn’t remember too much about our time together because of memory loss, but that doesn’t matter. I remember. I remember her always dressing to the nines, always complimenting me and encouraging me when I was the president of our women’s ministries. I talked about pot lucks and ministry projects and hilarious times and touching-lives-together-times. I smiled when nurses or aides would come into the room. Thelma would introduce me as the friend that she grew up with, who lived near each other and went to church together. There were some gaps in those memories, but no worries – her beautiful spirit is alive and well. Life is fragile -- handle with care AND prayer.

Why am I sharing these three mature, 90-something years old, beautiful and Godly women of faith with you today? Because those women prayed for me, celebrated me, encouraged me and gave me words that are still pushing me on to my finish line. I pray that when I’m in those years of fast approaching my finish line that I’ll be reminded that though life is fragile – we can handle it -- come what may -- with care and prayer for each other.

2 Timothy 4:7 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

The 2016 Rio Summer Olympics Are Upon Us

I’ve always loved watching the Olympics, so I’m excited about the Opening Ceremonies this Friday night, followed by the games and events for the next two weeks. Whether we're from the USA, Canada, or another country, we have one thing in common -- it's cheering for our “home team”! Regardless of nationality or country, seeing the sheer will and determination of those athletes who have staked their life upon winning at their sport, is so inspiring.

I really enjoy watching the games, but even more so, hearing the stories of those athletes who were relentless in their training, making personal sacrifices and overcoming so many adverse circumstances just to get to the games.

Nothing displays the drama of Olympic achievement like gymnastics. Okay, I’ll admit – that’s my favorite to watch. Seeing those young men and women who have devoted their lives to such a grueling sport, and considering how they are judged for perfection. Whew! I can’t even imagine being on display like that. 7.5; 8.8; 9.8 – in a matter of minutes, their hours upon hours of uncompared devotion to their sport, comes down to a fraction of a point to win.

In the last Summer Olympics of 2012, we were introduced to, and fell in love with, 16-year old, Gabby Douglas – a spitfire, outspoken Christian witness of her faith, who went on to become the Best All Around Gymnastics Gold medalist. I'm excited that she's back this year, as a 20-year old -- competing again. Though she had put in the hard work and diligence, when she won in 2012, she didn’t assume that it was just her skill that caused her to win. When a reporter asked “How do you feel?”, Gabby said, "Being an Olympic Champion is definitely an amazing feeling, and I give all the glory to God. It's a win-win situation. The glory goes up to Him -- the blessings fall down on me!"

I love that. Isn’t that the way we should feel and then express it to others. As a Mom or Dad, if someone asks you “How do you feel?” Or, as a student or careered achiever….”How do you feel?” Shouldn’t our response be like Gabby’s “Being a Mom/Dad/student/businessman/teacher/lawyer, etc., is an amazing feeling…..AND I give God all the glory. It’s a win-win situation. The glory goes up to Him – the blessings fall down on me!”

Whether we are pursuing gold medals or not, shouldn’t we be giving everything we’ve got in attitude, drive, determination and relentless pursuit to be the best God made us to be? Then I know for sure…..one day, we we will be hearing “WELL DONE, good and faithful servant, enter into my rest”……where there is a GOLD crown waiting for us at the FINISH LINE!