Jesus Take the Wheel -- Please!!!

I'm home from a quick trip to Tulsa to attend a celebration of a dear 90-year-old friend's life. I thought I knew this man who had blessed me with such kindness over the years, but not until I saw his talents all around the halls and chapel did I come to know I had not delved into WHO he really was. Little did I know he was a renown jazz musician, talented artist, and pioneer in the frozen food business. I only knew him as the developer of the beautiful 55+ Hyde Park community in Tulsa. I loved hearing the speaker say that God had "taken the wheel of his life". I learned that I need to be a friend who cares enough to want to know more about my friends before it's too late.

It was pouring rain most all the way back home yesterday. My sis-in-law, Karen, called and we talked as I drove. She prayed for me: "Jesus, please take the wheel for Donna as she drives home!" I embraced those words because the drive could have been daunting in that pouring-down-rain, but I was completely at peace as I knew Jesus was taking the wheel.

Karen is an amazing and loving care-giver of my almost 97-year-old mother-in-law who can be a hand-full. In addition to the responsibility of mom, Karen and her husband own a highly demanding business that consumes an enormous amount of their time. She remarked: "You know, I often pray 'Jesus take the wheel.'" And I reply: "Oh, yes, I do, too!" I love our relationship because we have each other to vent to when we need a listening ear. We know we are never alone and can talk to God Who is always on our side to give us the super-powers we need to carry on but sometimes we just need Jesus in the "flesh and blood" in our lives. I'm thrilled when we can be that for each other.

At the funeral, I notice a young woman standing off to herself, obviously brokenhearted and weeping. I leave my conversation with friends and go to her, put my arms around her and ask: "Are you okay?" She replies, "He was like a father to me. He always let me sit at his feet and he'd tell me stories. He was so kind to me." I remember how Jesus always had women surrounding Him. He was as a beloved father, brother, friend and great storyteller. Of course they wept when He was no longer with them. This young woman needed Jesus "in the flesh". I was able to be Him in the flesh to her. I say: "Jesus must love you so much -- that out of all the people here today, a gal from Texas shows up, sees you and is nudged by God to come and give you a hug." I ask: "Do you know Him?" She does. I tell her: "Jesus is loving you through me." We sit together at lunch and I see her eyes grow brighter and she is calm and grateful. I tell her to pay it forward now and be the hands and feet of Jesus to others.

Those are times that I know that Jesus takes the wheel from me. When I step away from my agenda and surrender to His plans, He takes control of what matters most. The nudge from God to make this trip was confirmed by so many "Jesus taking the wheel" moments. What an amazing ride it is -- when Jesus takes over and takes the wheel from us. We'll arrive safe and sound......and even have a story to tell of His amazing grace time and time again!

And the Celebrations Continue.....

Blame it on my husband and I.....way back in the beginning, we made the celebration of our birthdays bigger than any other day of the year. After all, that's the day God made us so we rejoice and are so glad for it....not just for a day, but oftentimes, for the week and in more recent years, my husband and I called it "Birthday Month".

The older we get, we tend to downplay having another birthday. We don't want any "big deals" or any attention given to another birthday. But, in reality, the older we get, the more we SHOULD celebrate another year of life. And, those of us who have been here for half a century and more are the ones to be celebrated EVEN MORE. For goodness sakes, every year that we're still here, we deserve fireworks, celebrations, recognition and tributes..... because we EARNED this birthday and every other birthday! We made it another year."

And, that's what we've done this week. It was Payton Wallace's 16th birthday on Wednesday (I made it to Frisco to celebrate with the family), then yesterday was the celebration with 40+ of his friends from his church. Then next week we'll continue on to enjoy another one of his birthday gifts....going trout fishing in Oklahoma where Papa and I took the grandkids every summer.

Yesterday, I witnessed how kids that love God and each other celebrate together. Over 6 hours of wholesome and outrageous fun -- at the park, scavenger hunt, pizza and so many snack foods and topped it off with make s'mores. Many of these teenagers are musicians and worship leaders so the dueling grand pianos, multiple drum sets (a new one was added today -- another gift to Payton from Mom & Dad), guitars, microphones and ukulele made for lots of joyful noise indeed! I love how Larry and Staci embrace these occasions. Their home is welcoming to all, especially their kids' friends. They never have to be concerned where they are -- because they all love being at home with the Wallace's.

And, as for this Nana -- how sweet it was to steal away to Larry and Staci's bedroom and get a really sweet chair massage as the kids had their hay day! Celebrating my family's birthdays from this vantage point, is mighty fine! Life is GOOD!

The Master Musician & Master Craftsman = Restoration of Things....and People

"Before & After" photos of a very used, scratched and abused piano bench -- the accompanying piece to the baby grand piano that my grandson had been praying for. Neither piece is new, but when Payton plays it, it sounds like a Steinway -- at least in this Nana's ears. And his Mom restored the piano to beautiful condition and it has a prominent place now in the Wallace Family home.

But, that poor piano bench looked beyond hope. Staci's plans were to go out yesterday and buy a new bench, but, I told her we could "restore" that damaged and pitiful bench to look brand new. We set out to buy some foam, fabric, paint, and stapler gun, and whoa la -- in just a little while -- that's what you see here.

The piano looks and sounds great, and its bench looks great, too. It just took the touch of a musician and the craftsmanship of two "crafty" women!
That makes me think of those of us who had been used, abused, or unused and neglected -- forgotten and beyond hope. But then along came the Master Musician and made a beautiful symphony of our lives.....and He restored us and turned all our brokenness into something of beauty. And, better than just "restored".....we were made to be BRAND NEW. 2 Corinthians 5:17 "This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!"

This beautiful "Gaither" song explains it perfectly:

And He made something beautiful, something good,
All my confusion, He understood,
All I had to offer Him, was brokenness and strife,
But He made something -- beautiful of my life.