Has Grace Got You?

My Saturday early morning walk with my two fur-friends before the blistering heat made its way to us, gave me these two photo opts. I saw this beautiful Grace Church in front of me and the street sign read: “Grace Street”. We turned east and ran into this morning glory of God’s grace shining through to us. My “inside voice” was singing Mercy Me’s song, “Grace Got You” that put a skip to the beat in my feet:

Have you ever met those who
Have you ever met those who
Keep humming when the song's through?
It's like they're living life to
A whole different tune.
And have you ever met those that
keep hoping when it's hopeless?
It's like they figured out / what the rest haven't yet.
The second when you realize / what you have inside
It's only just a matter of time / 'til you
Chorus:
Sing, so the back row hears you
Glide, 'cause walking just won't do
Dance, you don't have to know how to
Ever since, ever since grace got you
Laugh, 'til your whole side's hurting
Smile like you just got away with something
Why? 'Cause you just got away with something
Ever since, ever since grace got you

So when you're standing in the rain again
You might as well be dancing
Why? 'Cause there ain't no storm that
Can change how this ends
So, next time when you feel blue / Don't let that smile leave you
Why? 'Cause you have every reason just to....sing

For the uplifting beat and words that make you raise a praise to the Grace-Giver, check out the song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtiUjNT_vAM

I live in God’s grace. I just know it. We all do! No matter what kind of mistake we make, there is always a solution for restitution. It comes in the form of grace. God’s grace that heals and restores. He exchanges our tarnished slate, for a fresh, clean slate so we can begin again. Mistakes are inevitable, but the good news, as God’s repentant kids, all our mistakes are forgivable. That kind of grace is so amazing, God can even turn those mistakes to something good. Romans 8:28 “All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purposes.” Most importantly, it reminds me that my God is bigger than my faults and weaknesses and He can turn anything around for His glory!

Maybe all kinds of stuff is being thrown at you -- like the media or your co-workers or your friends or family seem just too much to handle and it seems there’s no hope for tomorrow. I have good news for you. You are not alone. The ONE who created you and loves you and wants your life to be full of joy, peace and happiness…LIVES! And because He lives, your life is worth living. His grace will carry you through! Go ahead — tell tomorrow — “I’m alive. I live in the abundance of God’s grace and that grace HAS GOT ME!"

Pay Attention to Those God Nudges

It’s not that I don’t have enough on my plate daily to keep me busy, but when a God nudge comes along; I know I better act on it. Yesterday I started my one half-day a week volunteering at the Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital here in Frisco. I watched this hospital being built and every time I drove by it, I sensed a little nudge to be there to love on those precious children. It’s quite the vetting process to go through to be a volunteer in a health facility, as well as the immunizations and training required. My fellow volunteer, Paz, and I were assigned to the surgery area where we were on hand to serve the families while their young ones were in surgery. We also helped sort medical supplies in the surgical area – thus our trendy surgical scrubs!

What blessed me the most about the morning was being teamed up with Paz, a bilingual teacher who gives time to volunteering at the hospital. Right away, our faith connected us as we talked about God’s goodness. I witnessed how God orchestrates sweet divine appointments as my sweet bilingual friend was able to interpret the surgeon for this young child’s Latino grandmother. I could sense a “divine” connection between the two ladies.

While there, I was reminded of my young self at 13-years-old being a Candy Striper volunteer for Baylor Hospital in downtown Dallas. The unique job title represented the candy cane look of the red and white-striped pinafores we wore. We assisted the nurses by serving the patients in basic ways (i.e., taking them flowers and mail, refilling their water jugs, carrying specimens to the lab, etc.).

Maybe it was because I had a very sick daddy and would have to hang out at the hospital with my mom I acquired the love of serving at the hospital. The notion of wanting to be a nurse started way back then. It didn’t happen in the professional sense, but I sure “nursed” some precious loved ones, especially my mom, my sister, dear friends, and my own children. I was put into the throes of nursing as I cared for my husband in our make-shift “home” hospital, giving him an infusion three times a day. I’ll admit my hesitancy to take on such a role that I only witnessed Registered Nurses performing in the hospital. It did seem overwhelming at first with so many sterilizing techniques, flushing the lines, clamping and not clamping, and calculating the drip timing, but like a good student who practices and prepares, I got it down pretty good:6 am – 2 pm – 10 pm. I was “nursing”!

I shared my “nursing” and “volunteering” story to you today to show you how God brings back some of the most incidental moments of our lives for cultivating heart desires and eventual opportunities to give back the blessings of what we’ve received. It’s a matter of staying on point and being present for God’s sweet nudges that lead to our cups being full and overflowing. A friend of mine kept feeling the nudges to assist in hospice care. Today she joyfully gives of herself in such soothing and heartfelt ways to patients and their loved ones. I have another dear friend who was a teacher for many years. Today she teaches religious education at church. Then there’s my friend who played baseball in college and today he uses his abilities to coach boys’ baseball.

Is there somewhere that you could give a few hours out of your week to help others be the best they can be because you care? Maybe God has given you talents and a desire to be a big brother or big sister, a mentor, or a caregiver just because you want to pay back the blessings you were given. Start by being sensitive to God’s little nudges. I promise you – when you step up to bless others…..you’ll be the recipient of the most blessings.

Proverbs 11:25 “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.”

Opportunities Often Come in the Storm

I thought about this Christmas cartoon when I witnessed a Texas-size hailstorm last night. LOL! Actually, it was a sight to be behold, and hear pounding on the roof of my kids' home. Just as it was starting to come down (pea-sized), Larry quickly put my car in the garage. Soon after that, the sizes were way over golf ball size as seen in this second photo. Larry timed the hailstorm by recording it. It lasted over 8 minutes with 2 inches reported. It is suspected that many homes' roofs will have been damaged because it came down in heavy winds. Sirens were also going off as a tornado watch was out and one of the kids' friends came upon the hail as he was driving on the highway, lost control of his car and ran into a concrete embankment. Fortunately, he is okay, but his car isn't. Whew! And I thought Oklahoma had weather excitement!

I understand that hailstorms are frequent here in Texas which means that roofing companies get plently of business. A good friend of Larry and Staci has a roofing company and immediately, he was saying, "Thank you, Lord", along with posting his business info on FB. Cominic just might be saying: "Opportunity comes in the midst of difficulty." That is what It's like for a good friend of mine who is a funeral home owner and mortician says "We never pray for anyone to die, but we do pray "When they do, we're here to serve them!" I think Dominic must say the same thing "We don't pray for a hailstorm, but when one comes, we can serve you!"

Dominic, knowing Payton and Alexia are working very hard to earn the funds they need for their Guatemala Missions Trip in July, gave them a call and said, "I'll give you $200 for every referral you can get me to come out and do an inspection and then repair their roof. You should have seen those two kids going into action -- on social media, calling, text messaging and emailing every homeowner they knew! Blessings often come during times of difficulty -- times of storms. Mercies in disguise.

This reminded me of a beautiful song, "Laura's Song". It speaks of the blessings that come during trials of our lives. I know it will bless you to hear it, too. The link is below:

What if Your blessings come through raindrops?
What if Your healing comes through tears?
And what if a thousand sleepless nights,
Are what it takes to know You're near?
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst
This world can't satisfy?
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mmgV6mPvb0

Mary, Did You Know?

I love this song so much, and even more so since the song is being sung by my daughter with the backdrop of the "Son of God" movie at Elevate Life Church's Christmas production all of this week. BTW -- the production will continue tonight and every night and two times on Christmas Eve. If you're in the area, I urge you to attend. The music, lighting, and visuals are breathtaking!

As Staci sings this inspiring and heart-touching song -- we don't see that sweet and mild visual of Mary pondering her baby's future, but this production conveys the REAL story of a "true grit" mom who had heard Simeon's prophecy in the temple "Indeed, a sword will pierce your own soul" (Luke 2:35) and now felt that sword as she watched her baby boy who had performed remarkable miracles -- blind eyes and deaf ears opening, walking on water....AND now being rejected, despised, beaten and murdered FOR US. I'll admit from the beginning to the ending of the song, I had chill bumps.

Now I really get it. This song brings Mary right to where we are. It helps us to know she was one of us. She was a woman with real emotions, real challenges, and real love for her baby boy. In 1984 Mark Lowery wrote the lyrics to, “Mary Did You Know?” in response to his Pastor’s request to write the script for their church's Christmas production. Not until twelve years later, did Buddy Greene put the script to music. When Mark was asked to write the script, little did he realize what that little "seed" would bring about in an abundant harvest. That script was one of those Jeremiah 29:11 moments “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.” Mark had no idea of the anointing of the Holy Spirit that was on him for that significant moment in time.

"Mary, Did You Know?" is one of my all-time favorite Christmas songs for so many reasons. It momentarily shows Mary more than the lovely woman in blue and white clothing, radiant face, and a halo affixed perfectly above her head. She really was one of us. Like us, she held her baby, she cared for him, she thought about his future -- just like we do for our children.

And, what do you think? DID MARY KNOW -- that He was her Creator, that He would walk on water, that He would heal the blind man, that He would raise the dead? Did she know that when she kissed her little baby boy that she was kissing the face of God?

We'll ask her that question one day, but one thing's for sure, she was the vessel God chose to bear His Son, and I believe she was chosen because He knew she would be the role model, the caregiver, the teacher/trainer, the spiritual director, and the guardian that enabled her son to “grow in wisdom and stature with God and man" (Luke 2:52). I believe she recognized that her boy's talents and abilities would "take Him places" and that He would do great and mighty things, because she was "tight with God" and she held His promises close to her heart.

The question for us is "Do we believe as Mary did?" What God's Word says about Jesus is true. And her example for being that role model, caregiver, teacher/trainer, spiritual director and guardian, is one we should follow in raising our children and grandchildren to "grow in wisdom and stature and favor with God and man".

I love this beautiful song, and this amazing rendition by Staci and the choir at Elevate Life Church. I share it as a gift for you to realize that Mary's faith and reality is our faith and reality, too. "This little child that Mary delivered, delivered her and us!"

This video no way compares to the "live" performance. Bring your family and enjoy the entire Christmas production that includes lots of humor, dance, incredible musical performances and special guest performances.

https://www.facebook.com/larrywallace/videos/10154693897240499/

He’s Still Looking Out For Me

Yesterday, I was filled with so much thanksgiving, yet a little weepy, missing my Sweetheart on our 50th Wedding Anniversary. That’s how I roll. I purpose to live with joy, peace and thanksgiving, but there are still those tender times of sweet memories that bring a few tears to my eyes (yesterday, a few more than usual), and then I pick myself up by the bootstraps to get on with the assignment God has for me each day. My sweet kids had beautiful yellow roses for me. They know how much those yellow roses meant to us. I embraced the calls, text messages and FB messages that celebrated this special day with me. Thank you so much to my precious friends and family who embraced me, virtually AND personally. I strongly felt my Sweetheart's love -- in huge measure, and the chain of events that followed let me know "He's still looking out for me.

On Wednesday, I drove to Frisco and at Sherman TX, my car's air conditioner went out. Hello, Texas heat flash! Five minutes after it stopped working, Staci called and said, “Mom, is everything alright? Payton just called from the church and said, “What’s going on? I feel like we need to pray about something.” I told her about the a/c and she said she’d call Payton back and tell him and his friends to pray for me. They did pray and Payton passed the prayer on to me “Nana, God stated in Genesis that we have dominion over all the earth, and that includes car problems. We all come together in the spirit right now and bless you with all the knowledge of Jesus Christ with us. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is with you always and we can all count on Him to save us. May you be healed from this adversity. Amen."

I truly believed that prayer. After all, “NOTHING is impossible with God”. Thursday morning I headed to the closest Buick dealership. When I arrived, I was amazed at the courtesy that was shown to me by the service reps. Fortunately, at 62,000 miles, I had purchased an extended warranty on my car. When the service rep, Brett Taylor (my knight in shining armor shown in the photo here) drove my car into the garage, he noticed my brakes were squeeshy so he recommended that they be checked, and he noticed that my car had a “recall” on the tailgate and they would see after that, as well as seeing after the a/c – all at no charge except the $50 deductible. By now, I felt like I was at the doctor’s office and the doc was making sure I was in tiptop shape from head to toe. I was getting quality and geniune customer service. How refreshing! I told the rep about some disappointing experiences at my dealership back home and I was assured that wouldn't happen here.

Because of the extensive work needed, a valet driver took me home. Later I found out there were way more issues and needed replacement parts in the vehicle than a mere a/c issue (i.e., replaced steering gear, rack pinion, replaced both front struts, replaced other parts, as well as a new a/c motor). All those parts were nearly $5,000 in vehicle repairs. On Friday afternoon, the rep said, "Miss Donna, I just got the approval from corporate to cover everything. We'll start to work on it all tomorrow morning at 7 am.” That would be Friday morning, July 8th, our wedding anniversary.

Am I so naïve to believe that a vehicle a/c going out could result in a $5,000 blessing? I’m not naïve. I am faith-filled and convinced in my Heavenly Father’s love and promise to me: “ALL THINGS….work together for good to those who love God……” Romans 8:28. AND, to add to that, I’m quite sure that my Sweetheart is STILL looking out for me, and how much better he can do that from his front row seat in the grandstands in heaven than here on earth.

"Jesus replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you." Luke 17:6