Is Your "Faith Tank" Running on Empty?

Before I left for Austin on Sunday, I made sure to get my car filled with gas. I was thinking the closer I go South, maybe the gas shortage could create a “treasure hunt” to find gas – not to mention the price of gas might be higher as I travel further South also. I did notice, as I traveled South that there were empty gas stations – no gas available, so I was glad I had filled up before leaving Frisco.

I thought I’d stop in at my favorite gas station, Buc-ee's, and its ginormous store, At Buc-ee’s, you’ll find every snack and meal you can imagine, drink, home décor, Texas themed apparel and lots of Buc-ee’s name brand merchandise. Best of all, they have really nice and clean bathrooms -- and no waiting -- plenty room for busloads. This Buc-ee’s is just South of Temple, TX which is about 75 miles from my kids’ home in Austin. To my delight, even though there were plenty of their 60+ pumps shut down, they had plenty that were open at a gas price of $2.29 a gallon for unleaded gas. I filled up just in case Austin stations were low on gas. Unfortunately, Premium and Diesel gas wasn’t available.

On my way back home to Tulsa, yesterday, I went back to Buc-ee’s and even more pumps were shut down, but the few remaining, gave me the opportunity to fill up for my trip home and beyond.

Friends in my Frisco community told me that Dallas is having an unusual gasoline shortage. I posted about the craziness I encountered when I was filling my car up last Saturday. Apparently, the craziness was because word got out that Hurricane Harvey could cause massive gas shortages. As a result, thousands of people in our area rushed to gas pumps, which, if they were open, the line stretched for hours.

Isn’t that craziness like our culture today? People get all worked up about politics, a flu virus, global warming, Wall Street’s ups and downs, the cost of gasoline or the lack thereof. They watch dismal news stations 24-7 and they over-react and start complaining and expressing fear to those around them.

I’ll admit I was a bit cautious about traveling to Austin because I needed to be back home for meetings yesterday and if there was a gas shortage, I’d miss my must-be-at meetings. But, then I took a deep breath and settled my “unsettledness” with my favorite scripture “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways (the highways and byways) acknowledge Him, He will direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5,6). I like to think that my stopping at Buc-ee’s was Him directing my paths. He was there for me going AND coming!!

Maybe it’s time for us to look at our own lives and what we need to make it with a “full tank” of high octane fuel to be our best, but not just during short bursts or when we need to be at our “peak.” We want to live and maintain our full potential, to reach and sustain what is called “high performance.” High performance is that living “above and beyond” the fray. “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” (Ephesians 3:20)

Maybe it’s time for us to look at how our faith and attitude measures up during times like these. We need to consider is our "faith tank" full of high octane fuel to help us go the distance? An octane rating, or octane number, is a standard measure of the performance of an engine. How is your engine (your mind, will and emotions) running? Is it performing at its best? Our we running on the bare minimum of just aa little “God additive” with a thought towards Him occasionally in our day? Of course, He is always with us and never forsakes us, but what if we put in the premium fuel that includes “living in His presence” where we acknowledge Him regularly throughout our day and even spend time in His Word – soaking in the peace that passes understanding, the joy of the Lord which is our strength, the love that never fails and the confidence that "Our God reigns" and our God lives big in us. With that kind of "additive" how could we not be thriving and getting extra mileage for the journey?

A Journal of Joy & Laughter

I was in Tulsa for the last couple of days to check in on Mom and my other besties. So my “sugar and spice and everything nice” awaited me.

When I arrived at Mom’s, Karen (my sis-in-law) and her home health nurse were with her and Mom was cringing as the nurse tended to some tender areas of pain. When the nurse finished, Mom’s wit and sense of humor kicked in. “Donna, I went to my podiatrist and he had to remove my big toe nail because of the infection under it. First, he deadened my toe, then he put a rubber ring on it to work on it, and I said, “Doc, are we engaged now?” LOL” We laughed at each other with our “toe” issues (my two broken toes, still on the mend) and her toe.

There is nothing like laughter that lifts the spirits and invites in joy. In the afternoon, Mom’s 4-year old great granddaughter came by. The minute she walked in the door, joy came in with that little cutie pie, making us laugh without even trying.

We made hairy play dough snakes with bows on! She has brought so much joy into Mom's world, who will celebrate her 95th birthday next month.

Then I made a quick stop-over to my BFF’s Mick & Sheila, whose 2 year old grandson was at their home – even more laughter and joy as that very talkative, energized and hilarious little guy stole the show.

AND, he loved helping me open my birthday gift and blow out my birthday cake!

To top my day off, I had precious time (and a yummy roast beef dinner) with my godson and his family. The day lit up for me when I heard incredible stories about my sweet godson and the health strides he is making. I gave them all treasures from my Holy Lands trip, and, with my Sea of Galiliee map, showed them where Jesus walked and performed so many miracles.

Nothing can give more joy than talking about our Lord.

Yesterday, Karen and I had some “sister” alone time for lunch. I know of no one that can compare with this gal who serves others so selflessly. Not only does she see after Mom on a daily basis, but she serves others with a heart of servitude that inspires me so much. We laughed. We cried. We both know the love of God so much that we just can’t help ourselves in returning that love in loving and serving others.

You’ve just read my joy-filled journal for the last two days. There was so much joy wrapped up in all of those little visits that I couldn’t help but share them with you.

Here’s what I’ve come to know and appreciate so much: “Good humor, laughter, kindness, and hearts of gratitude and thanksgiving are far too wonderful not to come straight from the heart of God.” That’s why I love making my little visits to those people who bring the heart of God into my life.

But, life isn't always “sugar and spice”. I found that out when I arrived back in Frisco. I needed to fill my car up when I made it back home because I’m headed to Austin. After trying 8 gas stations that were out of gas, I finally saw a 7-11 with a long line of cars at one entrance and just a few cars at the entrance that I was driving by. I pulled in and in a matter of 10 minutes, I was filling my car up. I think some of that “sugar and spice favor” was still on me. But while I was there, I witnessed frustrated drivers yelling at each other. A woman cut in line ahead of another car and a screaming match ensued that I could hardly believe. As I understand it, there really isn’t a shortage of gas, simply a delay getting the fuel to the stations, but fear and panic are gripping people’s lives who don’t know God's loving heart.

Proverbs 31:25 says about the virtuous woman, “She is clothed in strength and dignity, and SHE LAUGHS without fear of the future.” I sure want to be this woman. There is no need to fear when God is our Father. I love that “SHE LAUGHS”. And, in a day when there is so much doom and gloom all around, we can LAUGH and rejoice away the darkness as we let our little lights shine with the loving and tender heart of God! Maybe it would be a good idea to go hang out with some jolly, merry and happy souls that will fill up our joy tank today or maybe we could be THAT joy tank that fills others up with the joy of the Lord.