Moms! Let it Go and Let it Grow!

I'm sitting at my desk in Radiology at Children's Hospital and hear playing "Let it Go" on the tv monitors in the waiting room. How many times have I heard that song from "Frozen" and from messages I've heard about letting unnecessary stuff go?

But, this day, I'm thinking about Mother's Day and from what I've learned, "What would I tell my 18-year-old self when I first became a young mom?" I would tell her: "You may be new at this but practice makes perfect so LET IT GROW!"

I wasn't athletically inclined. No sports for me. Though I wanted to be "that" girl who stood out and won awards for her team, I didn't even try to go there. But, athleticism kicked in for me many years later when I started running. I learned that God made our bodies in a way that we can't expect to be an athlete with only an "I wish I could" mentality. Years ago, a group of us walked the 5K in honor of my husband who couldn't walk at all. After that, my son's marathon trainer said: "Your son's long, athletic legs came from you! It's time for you to start running!" At first, I thought she was kidding or crazy, but before long I started training. It started with building endurance. Then I was ready to run a mile. The first day I walked and ran, the next day I walked a little faster, and eventually, I could run a mile. Before long, I was ready to run my first 13.5-mile half-marathon.

I wish someone would have told me about endurance in motherhood! It takes endurance, practice, work, consistency, and exhaustion to grow into mothering with wisdom and maturity and grace and gentleness. I found the more I practiced, the stronger I became, step by step, slow and steady, learning, doing, listening to older moms, staying closely knit with the Lord and relying on His Holy Spirit, the better I got.

There is a reason Scripture talks about older women teaching younger women (Titus 2:4-5) to keep on and that's what this older woman is saying to you today, precious moms! You are NOT failing! It takes time and work and sweat and tears. When I say, it gets better, I don’t just mean it gets easier because your kids sleep and are more self-sufficient (although sleep is awesome). It gets better because you get better. You mature. You grow in grace. You are acting out of what you have been given by God. You have been molded and tested, and if you keep on, you will make it. So get your running shoes, pace yourself (oh my goodness, pace yourself), and keep on. You are NOT failing! I'm not saying "Let it go". I am saying "Let it grow!" You're not alone. God is cheering you on and so am I!

James 1:2-4 confirms what God is telling us: "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So LET IT GROW for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing."

So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Goodbye

Remember those words from the "Sound of Music"? When the Von Trapp family sang that song as their final number at the German festival, they escaped to freedom in Switzerland.

This morning, I, too, am singing that song, but it's not because I'm escaping a negative situation to find freedom. It's because I already live in freedom which is produced by walking day-to-day in the confidence of God and His desires for me to live an abundant life in Him. I know that good-byes are always just temporary absence because here, or there in heaven, we'll meet again.

Since last Saturday, I've been in Tulsa which was like my "Farewell Tour" as all my responsibilities here are completed and it's time to go beyond the comfort zone to unchartered waters, but no concern, because God is already there where I'll end up.

My sweet Life Group sisters met for the last time Thursday night, and while we shared such precious memories of answered prayers, victories won, and great expectations for our future, we talked again about those "signs" that God gives us to show us we're on track.

One of the conversations we had was about the movie my family and I saw on Thanksgiving weekend, "Moana". It is definitely the Polynesian islands equivalent to the "Frozen" movie. As one of the gals looked at the overview of the movie on her cell phone, she said, "Donna, Moana is you! It is definitely a SIGN." As I read what she had pulled up, I agreed. "Moana is an adventurous teenager who is inspired to leave the safety and security of her island on a daring journey to save her people. (Well, quite obviously, I'm not a teenager, but I do own the fact that I am adventurous. And I am inspired to leave the safety and security of my comfort zone -- Tulsa, OK. And, more than anything, I desire to be an ambassador for God who wants to lead as many people as I can to be fully devoted followers of Christ.) Inexplicably drawn to the ocean, Moana convinces the mighty demigod Maui to join her mission, and he reluctantly helps her become a WAYFINDER like her ancestors who sailed before her. Together, they voyage across the open ocean on an action-packed adventure, encountering enormous monsters and impossible odds, and along the way, Moana fulfills her quest and discovers the one thing she’s always sought: HER OWN IDENTITY. My sis-in-love reminded me that last year I ran my last Run-for-Ron marathon because I heard God say..."Donna, you've run-for-Ron long enough now (5 years to be exact), it's time to Run-for-Donna (my OWN identity).

Moana reminded me that, as a Christian, I should take my callings (my God assignments) seriously and pursue them with all my heart even if it is a journey with unknowns, maybe risks or costs. In other words, the selfless courage of Moana is something I want to emulate. "Moana” reminds me that I should let my mission in Christ and God’s calling in my life define my identity, not the easy peasy, comfortable circumstances or even the mistakes and disappointments along the way.

In parting, I say "Tulsa, and all my precious colleagues, friends, family and acquaintances -- THANKS for the memories. Thanks for the friendships. Thanks for making me better. Thanks for loving me, embracing me, helping me grow and BE who God destined me to be! I love you all so much. I'll see you later!"

Funny, You Don't Look Like a Grandmother

Day 161 of Photo Inspirations -- Funny, You Don't Look Like a Grandmother
For several weeks now, my sweet BFF, Sheila Michie​ and I have been going two different directions. She was on a missions trip to Guatemala; I was  on a trip to Northern Europe.  She was in Texas with her new grandson; I was with my 13 & 15 year old grandchildren in Texas.  But yesterday, we reunited and caught up, and it was as though no time had passed at all.  We had a lot in common before, but this precious little grandson, gave her full membership as a card-carrying member of the grandparents club.  She passed her first test:  she was right on queue, pulling out the photos and videos.  It's easy to see that little boy is a genius -- at 5 weeks old he's smiling and cooing and his best friend is Olaf, the snowman character from "Frozen".   You can tell it in his eyes!  Yes, she's smitten. And, I wouldn't have expected anything less.  My gift to her was a book entitled "Funny, You Don't Look Like a Grandmother!" ....and she doesn't.

It's been a long time since those words were said to me.....my oldest grandson will turn 23 this year -- whew!  But, seeing my sweet friend's joy reminded me of that little man that turned OUR world upside down.  We fell madly in love with him at first sight -- when we saw his 8-weeks-in-the-oven ultrasound.  He looked like a peanut. Bear with me -- that's him in the photo.   Each of my six grandchildren, in their each individual ways, have captured my heart. Since I'm an elite member of the grandparents club, of course I need to show you all six (the last photo of us with Papa).  

I talk a lot about cultivating the talents and gifts of our children.  After we've practiced and practiced our parenting skills, then we become grandparents.  It's then that we get to help shape THEIR thoughts and values and help pave paths for them.....even when they're not aware of our doing so. We get to give them the audacity to dream and prepare them to take giant leaps in life by being loving and supportive.  How best do we do that?  We do so in our prayers for them.

I am a "circle maker".  I've drawn circles of prayer around each of my six, plus one, my grandson's fiancee, Ruth Hays​.  As I pray over them daily, I pray those words spoken about Jesus.  "And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man."  Luke 2:52.   I expect great things from each of them.  The sky is the limit -- that's the way I pray for them. My children and my grandchildren are my greatest assets and these prayers that I pray will live way beyond me....they'll be lived out in even my grandchildren's children.  God blessed my life with them.  And, if you haven't noticed, I'm wearing a crown these days.  "Children's children are a crown to the aged" Proverbs 17:6

Temporarily Out of Order - Let It Go

A few days ago, I posted about taking on life, and its ups and downs and twists and turns like riding in a roller coaster – I said, “Just throw your hands up in the air and enjoy the ride.” But, a friend shared with me…. “Roller coaster rides make me want to throw up!” That put a big smile on my face. But, in reality, we ALL have days like that. Just when we think we're making progress, another "mechanical" difficulty causes our ride to come to a screeching halt and the "TEMPORARILY OUT OF ORDER" sign goes up. You know, those times when we want to go back to bed and pull the covers over our head, rather than face another disappointment, defeat or delay.

But, ultimately, if we believe that God is working everything we encounter for our good, and if we believe that He has an awesome Master Plan underway, then we’ll get re-energized, re-focused, re-stored, and re-connected to the ONE who is in control. We’ll listen for His voice, and we’ll re-engage and re-focus on His promises to us and we’ll gain back our composure and calm. And, once again, we’ll “fight the good fight of faith”.

But, WARNING – TAKE PRECAUTION – just in case the enemy shows up to throw a monkey wrench in the mechanical system of your roller coaster – just carry along with you – a barf bag – and "Let it go!" (as sung by Elsa from the Disney Movie, “Frozen”). Get rid of the yuck, and get back on the ride of determination and put on that never-give-up and more-than-a- conqueror attitude! Then -- throw your hands up in the air and ENJOY THE RIDE!