Let's Be Kindness Junkies

A "junkie" is someone consumed by an addiction. What a difference it would make if we were all addicted to being kind -- just can't help ourselves. It's who we are and what we do. A few days ago I told the story of our helping a lady whose keys were locked in her car and her cell phone was dead. She was so relieved when we showed up to help her. But, what if we had parked in another location or what if we were so into ourselves in conversation that we didn’t even notice her?

I believe we are all God’s messengers on assignment when we leave our homes (or even in our homes when we sense a nudge to encourage a family member or call someone to encourage them). Most of the time, kindness always begins with our eyes — the way we observe the world and are sensitive to the needs of other people.

That's what I caught when reading about the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:33: “When HE SAW the man’s condition, his heart was filled with pity”. Notice that “he saw.” That's our starting point. If we want to learn to be a kinder person, our world view must change to being an observer of the needs around us. When we're in a hurry -- kindness opportunities evade us. If we're wanting to be a "kindness junkie", then we must slow down! Distractions are the death of kindness.

1 Corinthians 10:24 says “Look out for the good of others”. The first step to kindness is to ask God to give us a sensitive, spiritual radar to be on the lookout for people around us who are hurting emotionally, spiritually, and physically. To be on high alert for the opportunity to spread a little kindness with our words and our actions.

I'm determined to be a kindness junkie. I want to be aware of those who need kindness ministered to them. I want a bumper crop of kindness to harvest. It’s not always easy to see the needs of other people, especially when they’re on the other side of the road. But it’s the starting point of kindness. Maybe it’s time to slow down and even stop to smell the roses because the roses we smell, might be someone who needs Jesus in human flesh.

ROAR -- When Life is Wild -- God is Good!

Last year I heard about the exciting and fun-filled times that were had by the kids and the adult and teen volunteers at Vacation Bible School at my church. With all that enthusiasm, I didn’t want to miss out this year so early on, I enlisted! And, I am so glad I did. Today is the third day and, I’ll be honest, I think I'm getting as much out of this week as the kids are. I am on a “Faith Station” team with another adult volunteer and three teen volunteers who make up the narrators, actors and prop crew. There are four other Faith Station teams who also teach individual groups of kindergarteners through 5th grade. So altogether, we work with about 400 kids a day and then pre-school has another group of children.

There are 440 kids, 158 teen volunteers, and 155 adults. The VBS theme is ROAR and we are having a ROAR-ing great time. If you went to VBS as a kid, you’ll probably remember some of the fun, and most importantly, you probably remember the impact of hearing the messages of faith and overcoming life’s challenges. Like me, you were probably left with an indelible imprint of a time when your life-course pointed in the direction of following Christ the rest of your life.

We all have said, at one time or another, “God is good – all the time! All the time – God is good!” The theme of this VBS is built around those words. Some times we mindlessly say those words – but this week, I’m seeing those words go to a whole new level as we declare: “When life is wild – God is good!” And, as we all know – YES, life can get pretty wild! The building is covered in wild African animal prints and cut-outs, waterfalls, grass, skies, sun, and African jungle music is being played and relatable songs are sung with lots of hilarious shenanigan moments.

Monday, our Wild Bible Adventure theme was “When life is unfair – God is good!” It took us back to a time when the Israelites were enslaved by the Egyptians. After 400 years of horrific slavery, Moses was trying to work to make things better for them, but his efforts made Pharaoh really angry! So he punished God’s chosen people even more! It was so unfair! I loved it when a 3rd-grade boy raised his hand and asked "Why didn't they move to America?"

The words, “When life is unfair – God is good”, were repeated through the morning assembly, the faith station, imagination station, music station, and the outdoor station. This is not my VBS from years ago – when flannel board figures were the highlight, as well as kool-aid and cookies. But, even in that “ancient” time, this little girl was impacted so much that here I am wanting to pass along the message. I would say that’s “seed time and harvest” – especially as I see these precious children soaking in the message of the goodness of God.

Yesterday’s theme was “When life is scary – God is good!” This day was about Moses continuing to beg Pharaoh to let God’s people go and each time he refused, another plague fell on the Egyptians. We meticulously, and hilariously led the kids through each of the ten plagues from the river turning into blood, to the last plague of the death of the firstborn Egyptian sons and the remarkable protection over all of the Israelites throughout each plague and the Passover.

This is just a brief overview of our first couple of days of pouring into these precious children the goodness of God in whatever situation they may be in. How’s that for empowering our kids during summer break for the next school year when they’ll come into plenty of opportunities to remember that God is so good no matter what they may face? It's a work-out, no doubt, but the rewards we reap, in the light of eternity, in focused training and disciple role modeling carries on from generation to generation. "We will tell the next generation about the Lord’s power and great deeds and the miraculous things he has done.” (Psalm 78:4)

Expanding Our Horizons

Yesterday morning, my daughter and I reminisced as we took a road trip to Tulsa, which included spending time with Mom (aka Granny). The highlight of visiting 96-year-old Granny was when she suddenly started speaking words of great wisdom into Staci for her life and ministry -- treasured words that will be forever imprinted in Staci's heart. That of itself made the trip worth it.

Back in the 90s, I was Staci’s travel companion. Often, we traveled by air and other times, we traveled in our high top van all over the country and Canada. She would take the wheel and I would sleep on the bed in the back and vice versa when it was my turn to drive. We covered a lot of territory in that van and touched many lives at the ministry and motivational events where she sang, spoke and shared Christ's Good News.

Our lives together have never been stuck in a rut. This girl has kept me on-the-go, even to today as I am still greatly involved in her ministry which has continued on in so many ways.

Yesterday, as we reminisced about so many lives that were changed by God’s wonder-working power, I recalled an old song we sang that reminded us to remember God's faithfulness:
"He’ll do it again. Just take a look at where you are now
And where you have been.
Hasn’t He always come through for you,
He’s the same now as then,
You may not know how. You may not know when.
He’ll do it again.

To look back at some of those “where you have been” and “He’ll do it again” blessings, I took along the newsletters (way before social media) that we distributed, far and wide, from our make-shift offices in our garage. Oh, the places we went; oh, the lives of so many people that were radically transformed; oh, the lessons we learned and oh the joys of serving God.

Many seeds were planted in those days, months and years. We also experienced the joys of harvest time. We've come a long way, Baby! Now so many of those transformed lives are making a difference in the world. Staci and her precious husband, Larry, are 100% focused on changing lives. That little ministry that started in a renovated garage has expanded to nations today.

My post today isn’t about a focus on my girl or her love for God, serving Him and helping people to know Him more, though it’s worthy of focus. I wanted to impress upon you to reminisce about the goodness of God in your life. We don’t look back with wishing we could go back. We look back to count our blessings. So many seemingly impossible situations became possible. We realize there are possibilities available to us when we reach beyond where we are and allow inspiration to move to the forefront again. Who wants to be stodgy, dull and uninspired? Not me!

Matthew 13:15 says “For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed." Maybe it’s time for you to take a road trip and reminisce about the drive and determination you once had and ask God to light a fire under you again. We’re still here so we’re not done running our races with zeal and making sure we impact many along the way!

Seed Time and Harvest Time

Yesterday morning, I was on the road again! Willie Nelson, thanks for the song to accompany my travels to here and there and back again. I made my way back to Frisco from Austin and what a joy it was to arrive just in time for the performances of my Wallace grandchildren (and their Mama) as they performed at the Createvations Showcase last night. Lots of practice and hard work merited outstanding performances. It was another sweet night of celebrating these kids AND recalling to how we got here.

Here comes another blast from the past. From a very early age, we knew our daughter had a God-given talent to sing. She was always known as the little girl with the big voice. But that little girl needed vocal training -- proper technique and breathing, stage presence and lots and lots of practice to mature the gift. Who knew better how to develop those giftings than her daddy who had likewise been given incredible vocal abilities. It didn't take long for him to realize that God's giftings in her required an investment of his time to help cultivate her talents. Soon, his goal was to pour himself into our girl. He knew his investment of time could have the potential of yielding a huge harvest. Seed time and harvest time.

They spent hours and hours of time in our basement in Canada..... practicing and practicing. Staci would often be in tears when her daddy said “Sing it again, but this time..........” Today, Staci would be the first to tell you how grateful she is for her Dad’s relentless persistence and diligence in training her.

The icing on the cake is that those often miserable times of rehearsals and practices (the seed time) resulted in the opening of many doors of opportunity. Her musical abilities have served her well (the harvest time).

My husband was also a gifted and talented pianist. I can't begin to tell you the joy he had when Payton, Staci's son, wanted to follow in Papa’s footprints….er....rather, Papa’s fingerprints on the piano keys. Since four years old, Payton has been honing his love for playing the piano. Last night, what a joy it was to see, for the first time, Staci singing, with her son, Payton – Papa’s protégé, accompanying her on the piano. Papa must have been leaning over the rails of heaven cheering them on.

I shared this with my FB family today to emphasize the importance of seed time and harvest – what we plant, will eventually yield a fruitful harvest if we don’t quit. I’m so grateful to be a part of the harvest today as I repetitively see the fruits of our labors in our children and grandchildren

I encourage you to consider the seeds you plant each day into those you influence -- your children and maybe you don’t have children, but you have friends, loved ones, and neighbors that you could be planting seeds of faith, hope, confidence, and encouragement into them. Not only does your influence represent seed time into their lives -- but just maybe, you’ll get to be there when their harvest comes in AND when you watch them plant seeds into others, too.

Planting Seeds of Faith

Day 211 of Photo Inspirations -- Planting Seeds of Faith
My daughter went home yesterday, but left behind my sweet package of love, Alexia Wallace​.  I love these "Nana & Lexi" alone times together.

Reflecting on a sweet encounter we had Saturday, I knew this should be today's photo inspiration.  Lexi asked to go to the ORU Campus.and have photos taken at the Praying Hands.  While we were there, a man and woman drove up to look for a clue in a treasure hunt they were on.  We asked if he'd take our photo and he graciously did.  He asked if we were vision casting, and we told him we always plant "faith" seeds in prayer and visions for "what could be" into our children.  He proceeded to tell us that he and his wife had been pastors in Las Cruces, New Mexico for many years and had just recently moved here to be near their daughters.  All three girls had attended ORU, met their husbands there, and now, their youngest is going to be teaching there this year.  We loved his story.

We drove on through the campus and, Lexi saw some geese and wanted to get out and take photos of them.  So we sat in in the car while she pursued the "geese" for her photos. The man and woman, from our earlier photo opt at the Praying Hands, drove through the campus to find us.  The wife wanted to tell us more.  She felt strongly about what we were doing with Lexi. She proceeded to tell us how much they believed in prayer and believing and trusting God for what seems impossible.   Being pastors with a limited income, they needed funds to send all three girls to ORU and they had cast vision for them when they were very young.  So much so, that they brought them to the Praying Hands and, as a family, joined together, held hands, and prayed that they would ALL be able to attend there.  This precious woman was in tears as she shared her story with us.  While two of their daughters attended ORU, the 3rd daughter had a "miracle" faith story.  A man who didn't even know this family spoke to these parents when their 3rd daughter was only 12-years old and told them not to be concerned -- that she WOULD ALSO attend and they would not have to pay a cent for it themselves. A few days later, the family attended an event at ORU.  At the concert everyone was invited to write their names on offering envelopes if they were interested in attending ORU. A drawing would take place for a scholarship.  The young 12-year old daughter put her name on the envelope, and, yes, it was her name that was drawn.  Later, not only was she able to attend ORU because of that unlimited, full-ride scholarship, she met her future husband there, they graduated and married, and is now returning to ORU to teach this year.

Was it just  a coincidence that we arrived at the Praying Hands the same time that this couple did?  Or was it a divine appointment that they were there -- on assignment, as voices from heaven to encourage us with Lexi's future?   I love the scripture on the base of the Praying Hands:   "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and favor with God and man."  Luke 2:52.  I pray that prayer over all of my grandchildren.  

This post isn't about attending ORU, but I like to think that I'm passing along this story today for some of you who may have what seems to be some impossible dreams for yourselves and/or your children.  As this family cast vision and prayed in absolute faith for their children, and those prayers were answered exceedingly abundantly far above all they could have asked or thought, don't we have the same favor of God?  Do we trust in His unlimited resources and live a life that is so focused on Him -- that we can also say "NOTHING is impossible with God"?  Why NOT us?  Why NOT our family and our kids?  It's simply a matter of PLANTING those seeds.....and watching for the harvest to come up some day!

My Unstoppable Nephew

Day 24 of Photo Inspirations -- My UNSTOPPABLE Nephew!!
Of course I seized the moment when I received the telephone call from my Harley Dude nephew, Mark David Lawrence, and he told me he was in Tulsa -- just 10 minutes from my home.  I heard him and his souped-up Harley coming from a distance.  He drove into my quiet 55+ community as subdued as possible -- but that's just not possible when you're packing an engine that burns-with-need to make its presence known!

I smiled with great joy when I went out to meet him.  Why?  This is a man who talked Harley, dreamed Harley, collected Harley memorabilia and wore Harley apparel -- long before he had his Harley.   He evenstarted a ministry in his church called "Gear Heads" that is his online and real life play space.  Gear Heads is a Men's Community Group interested in hot-rods, Harleys or anything with wheels and an engine. They are all about fellowship, ministry, car and bike shows and helping single moms and those in need of mechanical help.

How did it come to pass for this Skilled Nursing Facility Administrator, father of 6 children, 7 grandchildren, devoted husband to an angel, Donna, licensed minister and comedian to achieve his dreams?  It's the principles of God "Believe and you will receive", the Law of Attraction that what you think about, speak about and dream about is magnetically drawn to you -- it just goes into action when we believe with all-out audacious faith and hope and perseverence in our actions, dreams and visions. He was a dreamer extraordinaire.

Just a few months ago -- he finally got his Harley, and I must say "It's a beauty", but more than that -- to see him "living his dream" makes this Auntie so proud I could bust -- especially in that his dreams included being a fully devoted follower of Christ to the world.  His branding is drawing in folks who otherwise would never dart a church door -- but the doors to be a light to them are opening wide.  Yes, you can say...."I am inspired, and this photo reminds me of seed time and harvest.  We planted a lot a seeds into this man.....and the harvest is coming in -- in truckloads....er....Harley loads!"

Never Underestimate What God Plans for Your Kids

I'm back in Texas, and had the opportunity to visit with my husband's best bud and cousin, Wes Wuerch and his precious wife, Letha Wuerch, Pastors here in Texas. I loved talking about the "good ole' days" and remembering the times when these two guys played their trumpets in church and sang together. They both went on to be ministers and pastors and they served God and His people in such beautiful ways. And now seeing the fruit of their labors by the many people whose lives were radically changed, and, they too, are being used by God in amazing ways today. Seed time and harvest.

Who knew those two little mischievous boys would have such an impact on this world? Their mamas.... and God. I'm telling you mamas and papas, today, "Never underestimate what God will do with your kids. He has great plans for them." These two guys are proof that He just needs the seed. He's the Master Gardener and he turns seeds into a mighty harvests." Now it's time for us to cultivate the soil, plant the seed and let God give the mighty increase!