LORD, Let Me Let YOU Lead Me!

I was having a sweet time of morning devotion when I looked at this mug that sits on my dining room table. I purchased this mug a while ago as a reminder WHO is supposed to be leading in this "romance" and journey of faith between God and I. This day, I got the message, loud and clear!

By nature, I gravitate toward being a leader and really have to pull my reins in to be a follower -- especially since I'm "single" now and must make many decisions on my own. But, even as a trustworthy leader, I should still be submitting to THE LEADER who promises to make my way successful when I allow Him to lead in EVERY way. How many times have I started out on a project or plan -- on my own -- and realized I was expecting God to make my way successful on the decisions I was making. I often take in this scripture verse regularly (like a prescription) "Trust in the Lord with all your heart (that's putting Him first) and lean not to your own understanding (that's putting me second), in all your ways acknowledge Him (that's putting Him first again) and He will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5,6 That scripture sets the record straight. In this relationship, He is the leader and I am the followers.

I get it. Our ultimate success comes from letting God lead us.

The truth is -- God IS here for us, so we don't have to go this journey alone -- trying to figure out what to do and when to do it. He's here to lead the way -- to fight the battles for us -- and to give us His grace for the journey

"I will never leave you or forsake you." Hebrews 13:5

Then He called the crowd to Him along with His disciples and said: "Whoever wants to be My disciple, must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me." Mark 8:3

God Gave Us YOU, Larry Wallace!

Friday morning, I took Larry his requested "Granny's Chocolate Cake" for his birthday -- well, it's her recipe, but now I get to take the glory for having perfected it! LOL!

Since I'm going to be out of the country on his birthday, June 9th, and since we're a family that one day of celebration for the birthday guy or girl just isn't enough, I'm starting out this birthday week with telling you about this man who not only changed my mind about "jocks", but changed my mind about the perfect man for my daughter, so much so that I wanted to share with those of you who are praying for THE PERFECT ONE for your sons and daughters. It starts with praying, trusting God and then giving ​Him full reins to be the ​Master ​Designer and Orchestrator of what He knows already to be the "perfect match made in heaven".

Twenty-one years ago, the perfect man for our daughter, in my mind, was a man devoted to full time ministry, because, after all, she had vowed to be the next "Mother Teresa" who was all about making a difference in this world and going to the world to share God's good news. At that time, Larry was a true jock. He had been recruited and played for 4 years for Texas A&M's championship football team. Then he became a body builder and was working towards becoming Mr. Oklahoma. He was, no doubt, a beautiful speciman of a man. What I saw on the outside was FINE, but this guy, in my books, was all brawn and not what I had envisioned for my girl. ​ I had about four guys who I had deemed to be in the running for Mr. Staci! LOL! Thank you, God, for saying "NO" to those prayers.
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Right here is where the story in 1 Samuel 16 is a great parallel. ​ ​God had told Samuel to anoint one of Jesse's sons to be the king that would succeed Saul. All of his sons were paraded before Samuel, and Samuel thought that surely Eliab was the chosen one because he saw something in the tall and stately presence of the eldest born of Jesse which reminded the old man of the splendid attributes of Saul. Eliab seemed to Samuel, in all respects, a fit successor to the great warrior whom the Lord rejected. But the Lord said to Samuel in 1 Samuel 16:7 “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” That's when Samuel asked Jesse "Are these all of your sons?" And we all remember that there was one more -- an athletic, strong, kind, tenderhearted and "heart after God's own heart", ruddy warrior, and beautiful son who was a shepherd, David.

And, here is my departure from that story to this man, Larry Wallace, who, indeed was God's chosen one for my Staci, the exact opposite in nature to hers, but the perfect match for her strong will, drive and determination. Now this "perfect match couple" both desire, more than anything, to make a difference in this world....and they both are driven to do so everyday. When we were going around the dinner table and telling him what he meant to us on Friday night at his first birthday celebration so far, Staci said, "You complete me!" And that is so true. That is why I gave him these words in his birthday card:

"These pictures show the fun-loving, enthusiastic, competitive, yet peaceful, calm, strong, and PATIENT qualities that makes you -- YOU! Really, really, really -- you are one in a million, which shows God must love this family ginormously to single you out for US!! Those are just a few of the many reasons to thank God for the gift of you to this world, but, even greater reasons for thanksgiving -- for me, that God blessed me with having you as my son. What an indescribable love God had for me, Staci, Payton, Alexia and all who know you -- to bless us with YOU! I’m so glad it’s your birthday, because we get to honor and celebrate the mainstay, the pillar of strength, the man of God, the incredible leader, role model, father, husband, son and friend that you are to so many! Happy Birthday, my wonderful son, Larry. I love you so much and thank God for giving us -- YOU!
Mom XOXOXO

We Will Change the World

What a Motley Crew the disciples were. There's Peter -- one minute he was walking on water by faith, and the next, he was sinking in doubts. He was impulsive, emotional, and, then His worst failure was denying Jesus. And, then there’s Matthew, a dishonest tax collector. And, you gotta’ love Thomas who, to this date, is known as “doubting Thomas". But, then....old things passed away. Peter became a bold evangelist/missionary and one of the greatest leaders of the early church. Matthew heard Jesus words, “Follow me”, and he left everything and obeyed. His eyewitness account, is the first Gospel of the New Testament. And, I love that Thomas, though he initially doubted the resurrection, became a man of great faith. He found the truth and also became a great evangelist and missionary. Yes, they changed the world.

And here we are 2,000+ years later -- do you see in this photo how Jesus is pointing His finger at you and me? Though this is a photo and script from "The Bible Series", the message is clear….God is calling US to change our world, also. Though we may have hang-ups, fears, doubts, and other character flaws, and even, like Peter, deny our Lord by our actions, the transforming power of Christ can change US from being a member of the Motley Crew to dynamic and devoted followers of Christ. Like Peter, Matthew, Thomas, and the millions of others throughout the ages.....let's heed the call, and do our part. Could it be that's why God put us here, at this time, to carry on the message, and be a WORLD CHANGER, too?