Our All-Wise Know-It-All has a Purpose

I have loved watching you moms and dads and your children forge through your, what seems to be, perpetual at-home time together. I've passed by families going on walks together. I’ve seen FB photos of you having family meals together and, I’ve heard you saying: “I’m going to miss this!” I’ve seen you being home school facilitators, and, latest news is you're going to get to supervise through to the end of the school year! Maybe that's more than you bargained for -- but you're surviving!

This time will pass and I pray that you look back on it as a life-changing time that will give you fond memories and many lessons learned, in spite of it being some of the most challenging and even disappointing times. I pray that your new value system of family meals together, playing games together and caring for each other and others, along with the tenacity, perseverance and fortitude you’ve acquired, to be your new non-negotiables.

We might consider these times to be a “hands-on seminar” by our Lord. He wants us to know “I have a purpose in mind”. And it’s verified in James 1: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

We mamas know the pain of childbirth. Oh, but it’s so worth it to hold that little bundle-of-purpose in our arms. We’ve heard it said “No pain – no gain!” There is so much gain that we will have had from these times of isolation and confinement if we but realize God always has a purpose.

Seriously, I'm speaking from firsthand experience. Out of the toughest times of our lives, when my sweetheart was diagnosed with terminal cancer, God had a purpose already planned for me. I had a choice. To waller in self-pity or to allow God to use that season as preparation time in my life. That latter option is what compelled me to start blogging, and from Facebook's notice to me yesterday -- it has now been 10 years of blogging. Our greatest tests turned out to be my daily testimony to others. God had a purpose for me way past my husband's life on this earth. I knew God wanted me to bring His light to the darkness on social media and I promised to blog 365 days a year with a 6 am post goal each and every day. I am driven with a passion for this mission. My passion is telling a lost and hurting world about the love, mercy and grace of Jesus.

I'm pulling out one of my favorite scriptures. Romans 8:28 “For ALL things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His PURPOSES.” Did you get that? HIS purposes! He is on purpose, with a purpose in mind. So, if we but take deep breaths, we’ll weather this season with new purpose right here in the middle or end of it.

Peter did. Remember what a coward he was? He denied even knowing Christ. Tough season for him and the other disciples. Everything they staked their lives on ended up in their Leader’s demise. Oh, but God had a purpose. The PURPOSE rose from the grave and ascended to heaven. The PURPOSE was to radically transform lives so we can live for eternity with THE PURPOSE. The coward, Peter, turned into a vibrant, Holy Spirit-filled, preaching machine after Pentecost. His first message brought in over 3,000 people to Christ.

What if God’s purpose is packaged in temporary pain and inconvenience? What if we understand that God’s purposes are always right on. What if we yield to our divine “Know-it-All” and surrender to His ways without whining and complaining? We should follow James’ words to “Count it ALL joy” – because a creative idea, a witty invention, a new way of solving problems, and a family bond is created that will never be broken. What if we hold tight and watch God do what He does best? He is our God and Father of PURPOSE, and Father knows best.

What is it Like to be You?

We’ve all played “ice breaker” games with a group of people who we may know very little about. It’s a great way to get to know each other in a very open environment. But, instead of the usual questions: “What do you do for fun? What was your most embarrassing moment? What was your favorite vacation?”, what if this question were asked: “What is it like to be you?”

I assure you – it would depend on how we felt physically, mentally, socially, economically, relationally, and spiritually on that given day. If we felt good – no real aches or pains; if we were calm and at peace in our souls; if we were in a happy place with our spouse or friends; loved our job, and if we were in a right place with God, our answer may be something like: “It is great to be me because I am healthy, my family loves me, I have great friends, an awesome job, and God is so good to me!”

Good answer -- on a good day! And, if it were a faith confession of "speaking of things that be not as though they were" (Romans 4:17) -- it would still be a good answer. I may have answered it differently last week after recovering from a minor surgery. I developed an excruciating, painful skin issue. Having cloth of any kind next to my skin hurt beyond explanation (good thing I was alone). If I had been asked “What is it like to be you?”, though I would have tried desperately to describe myself in a faith-filled, upbeat, hallelujah voice, if I were honest to the bone, I would have told you that I felt miserable and in pain like I have never known. Being me would have come down to what I felt in that one season of time. I thought how I have taken my good health for granted. I thought about those who were living their lives without a thought about how good they feel and for those who were in far more pain than I was in. But fast forward to today when there is no more pain and suffering, I’d tell you “My life is like birds singing, bells ringing, blue skies, raindrops on roses, whiskers on kittens, and walking on sunshine.”

This experience made me realize that I don’t want to take God and His blessings for granted in any way. God is good. Really, really, really good…..all the time!" Nothing that comes our way in this one life, is surprising to God. Why He allows us to experience tough times is up to Him – there is always a reason. Whether or not we understand His reasons, we must remember that God is good, just, loving, and merciful. When bad things happen to us that we simply don't understand, instead of doubting God’s goodness, our reaction should be to trust Him. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5–6). I was saying that scripture a lot last week.

The best news of all is this one life here on earth is short-lived in light of eternity. It is the ensuring that whatever this life looks like here is nothing to be compared to what our lives will look like in heaven. As it has been written: "What no eye has seen, and no ear has heard, and has not entered into heart of man, what God has prepared for those who love Him." 1 Corinthians 2:9

So, in reply to “What is it like to be you?”, I’m saying it is a blessed life of living one day at a time, embracing each and every moment of it, celebrating that I’m a child of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. In sickness and in health, in death, we will never part….because He’s prepared a heavenly place for me……and YOU! And, then, when asked "What is it like to be you?", our answer will always...for eternity be...."HEAVENLY!"

No Pain or Trial is Wasted

Most of my posts are from my own personal life experiences. St. Paul said, in 2 Corinthians 1:4 "That you may be comforted with the same comfort that I have been comforted with." And, indeed, it is MY utmost desire to comfort others with the same comfort that I have been comforted with during my own difficult times. I want to help others learn their lessons.....much faster than I did. That being said, I segue from my own words to a dear friend's words that I read recently in his FB post. I was so stirred that I had to pass along an excerpt for you. Anyone facing pain and trials can learn from his words.

“No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable.” Orson F. Whitney

Two events this week caused me to pause and reflect on the words above. On Thursday morning, the son of a family in our church congregation was killed in a motorcycle accident. He leaves behind a young wife and a grieving family. His father and sister spoke in church today about how challenging the past 72 hours have been. Despite their grief, the family's faith in God has not diminished. They choose to trust in Him even though they do not understand why their son/brother was taken back home at such a young age. They believe they will see him again someday because of the sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and testified the family has received many blessings in the form of "tender mercies" since he was killed. They have been strengthened. I admire the example of this sweet family. They move forward with faith and our prayers are with them.

Yesterday morning, after our daughter Aryn had been complaining of abdominal pain and running a high fever, two of her uncles who are health care professionals diagnosed the problem as a possible ruptured appendix and encouraged us to take her to the ER ASAP. After some tests, it was determined she needed to have her appendix removed but it had not yet ruptured. They rushed her into surgery and she came home last night. She is recovering just fine! Although this surgery will cost us several thousands of dollars even with insurance, how grateful we are that Aryn was protected. We realize had her uncles not identified the problem when they did, things could have been MUCH worse.

During her surgery, the veil was very thin for Aryn. She was blessed to see family members on the other side...my parents & Belenda's father, our daughter and grandson, future children coming to our family, and other relatives she didn't recognize. Through this trial, Aryn and our family received this blessing of further understanding that life after this Earth continues. My parents were very happy. My dad was holding Aryn's hand and comforting her...even teasing her like he did when he was alive.

Why do some things happen in this life? I don't know. But, I have faith that God is in control and through all our trials and experiences, we can find those "tender mercies" and blessings that will "build up our characters, purify our hearts, expand our souls, and make us more tender and charitable.” And I conclude this post by sharing and encouraging us all with God’s words, from Romans 8:18-23 "Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will give us later.”

Romans 5:3-5 “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
Thank you, Eddie Espiritu, for blessing and encouraging us with God's words and your heartfelt words,

Yes, I Can Be a Little Grabby.....on Purpose

My Children's Hospital sagas continue. A younger child has no idea what faces them here so they hold tightly to their mom or dad. They only know they hurt and their parents love them too much to let it last. Yesterday, most of the kids were quite strong as they allowed mom or dad to wait while I took them back for x-rays. One little girl grabbed hold of me, hugged me, called me Princess and asked me to be her best friend. My heart melted as she held tightly to my hand. The diagnosis? This time, it was a sprained finger. Last time? A broken arm. No wonder she wasn't grasping so tightly to her mom. She knew we were here to be loving, kind and caring and to make her better.

Soon, another mom came in with a grasping-tightly, in much pain, three-year-old. If that wasn't enough, the mom had a feisty one-year-old, hard-pressed to stay in his stroller. Mom needed "a hand" and I gave her one. I intervened by making rumbling sounds with his truck and other shenanigans while the little girl was being x-rayed but it lasted only so long before he was looking for his mom. When she appeared, he stretched out his little hands for her. Those HANDS -- he knew so well.

As I listened to news reports about the devastation in Oklahoma and Missouri over the last couple of days, I was reminded of David's words: "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your HAND against the wrath of my enemies, and Your RIGHT HAND will save me. The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; do not forsake the works of Your HANDS." Psalm 138:7-8. That scripture is about the Lord's goodness to the faithful. I see how His hands are reaching out to His children -- you and me. God is our relief-provider.

In the Book of Psalm, we can clearly see David's heartfelt relationship with God. He was in trouble so many times. Still, he knew God and His mighty hands that would hold tightly to him and bring him out of the mess he seemed to get himself into often. David knew God would stretch out His HANDS in his time of trouble and deliver him. I hear God saying to us over and over "Fear not!" in the midst of our troubles. We just need to be GRABBY and take hold of His hand when He stretches it out to us. Grab hold of it tightly and don't let go. No matter what we are going through, God will fulfill the purposes that He has planned for our lives. We can still feel the wind but when we hold tight to God's unchanging hands, He makes it all better.

"For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, "Do not fear; I will help you." Isaiah 41:13

Weathering the Storm

We’re stoked about the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon being given by the downtown Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital which includes our North location volunteers. It’s going to be a great way to spend a Saturday with some other volunteers going with me. We are decked out in our 50s and 60s outfits because, after all, a prize is going to the best dressed.

First thing, I see an email from Sally: “It looks like the weather is going to be too bad for us to go to the luncheon.” My optimistic, no-worries, "What’s-a-little-storm-anyway?" reply was: “I don't mind taking my car and driving in the rain (I'm used to it. I'm often on the road to Austin or Tulsa in the rain). And when we get there, we'll be parking in the garage. I'll be happy to pick you girls up and we go for it! Let's be adventurous and live with no regrets!” So the girls were onboard for “dragging Main”, until heading out, opening my garage door and a gust of tornadic winds and rains blew back at me. My granddaughter texted me “Tornado!” I went back in and we canceled our outing.

I remembered this photo of a bird weathering the storm and the words: “Sometimes, you just have to bow your head. Say a prayer, weather the storm and trust that this too shall pass.” Many of us handle the challenges in our lives like that bird. We stand in the rain soaking wet with a smile on our faces in our cute pair of galoshes and say, “I’m dry, really, I’m dry.” I know what that’s like because I’m a “STORM-move-out-of-the-way" kind of girl. I can grin and bear it when the weather channel maps are covered with red and sending warnings to take shelter immediately. There were terrifying tornadoes that took the roof off our barn, our parents lost their home in a tornado, ice storms caused a loss of electricity for days, snow storms kept us homebound for days, hail storms devastated our home's roof, and, now, wind and rain storms kept us from a great luncheon. But, I could grin and bear it through most of them!

But, there were times when the storms of life prevailed in my life that brought hurt, disappointment, fear, concern, and pain, unlike those literal storms. Those storms were slow in passing. Those torrential storms upheaved my comfort and security. Those storms shook me physically, mentally and spiritually. I had to admit that my optimistic, no-worries, "What’s-a-little-storm-anyway?" reply didn't work those times.

But, in the midst of some of my darkest hours, LOVE showed up in the form of family and friends who encouraged me with comforting words, but most comforting that I heard within my heart was God's whisper, “I’m here with you.” I also realized I wasn’t the only one who was soaking wet from the storms. Others began to open up to me. It seemed I wasn’t the only one with a storm in her life. Many of us were drenched from the rain and I found out we all had some type of rain in our lives. We were great, big, beautiful soggy messes, and God loved us all.

Maybe you’re muttering under your breath, “I’m dry, really, I’m dry” but your soaking wet from the storms in your life. It's okay to admit it. When we open our eyes to the Peace-Maker and Storm-Chaser walking on the water to us, we’ll finally be free to discover that LOVE is waiting for us right in the center of our storms. Along with this brave little bird, we remind ourselves "to bow our heads, say a prayer, weather the storm and trust that this too shall pass.” I assure you, I’m proof positive that we can weather any storm when we know God is with us and we are safe, sheltered in His loving and sovereign arms. Forecast for tomorrow? Blue skies, sun shining, calm winds.

Him I Will Keep in Perfect Peace Whose Mind is Stayed on Me

That's my sweetheart in the photo – so at peace during one of our Belize missions. I posted this message, 25 days after we received the Stage 4 Kidney Cancer diagnosis. I have friends encountering some major life storms, as we did, and I want to share how we made it through the rough waters.
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On this incredible faith journey, though we are confident in the good work God is doing in my sweetheart, I'll admit there are highs and lows in emotions. Ron is truly my hero, today, more than all of our yesterdays, as I watch him refuse to succumb to pain, and to the many voices he is hearing.

Last night was one of debilitating pain -- he said it felt like knives going into him -- the pain much worse than it was before the surgery. Trying to find a place of rest and comfort, he finally found his recliner to be that place, at 3 am. Thankfully, he woke several hours later with the pain much less intense.

I felt I needed to be my Hero's She-ro, so first thing, this morning, I called doctors' offices to voice my concern about this new-found pain in his body. Then all the voices increased in volume in our ears -- one saying, "it might be this"; "do that"; "take this medication"; "don't take that medication"; "eat this"; "don't eat that" and on and on! Before long, we were both, a bundle of nerves. So, what do I do in times like this.....even before I call on God? Call my daughter! With always the just the right words, she immediately began to pray words of peace over us..."Jehovah Shalom (God our Peace), be very present with Mom and Dad!" "Mom & Dad, breathe in Jesus; breathe in peace!"

Almost immediately, the scripture, "Him I will keep in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Me" (Isaiah 26:3) came to us, and we welcomed Father God, Jesus, our Prince of Peace, and sweet Holy Spirit into our home and day. We put on praise and worship music, and the atmosphere that was prevalent with anxiety, concern and distractions, was replaced with calm peace and assurance that God had us, and all our cares, in His control and we have nothing to be concerned about. God knows about this journey we are on, and has known about it long before we did.....He even knows the outcome! So why should we worry, fret or be concerned?

In a locked room, afraid about what the future would hold without Him, Jesus appeared to His disciples, and said....."Peace, be with you!" And, He says to you and me today, “Peace, be with you!”

We are No Surprise to God

Did you know that you, and your circumstances, are no surprise to God? It took me a while to get that, but, now that I know that, it's how I roll these days. Maybe it's a pain in a place where we never had a pain before, a flat tire, a friend's call for help, an unexpected bill, a disappointing phone call, a job loss, a leaky faucet, and so many other "surprises" that may interrupt our day -- though it may be a jolt to OUR plans, it's not a jolt to God's plans. And here's the consolation.....the "knowing" that whatever comes our way, and whatever we may encounter, God's got this. In fact, He knew about it before it got to us....and guess what? He knows how it's all going to turn out.....and, in fact, He has special plans for turning it for our good. What a relief that is! And, He sure surprises me with His favors.....but I just can't "one up Him" -- I can never surprise Him. "We know that God causes EVERYTHING to work together for the good of those who love God, and are called according to his purpose for them." Romans 8:28

Bitter or Better?

I have an Aunt who has been in a British Columbia hospital for over 15 months now -- Crohn's Disease -- and, after all she's gone through -- so many surgeries, in so much pain, and many other complications -- she remains joy-filled, thankful, and continues to give God praise to be alive. Her faithful husband rides the bus for 45 minutes each way to go see her each day. I continue to tell them...."You are on assignment! People are encountering THE LIGHT when they see you! You have been seasoned with God's peace, His joy and His faithfulness.....'for such a time as this'! All roads of your life have led you to this time!"
And, I see that in my life.....the faith journeys have led me to this time of "singing in the rain", of "coming through the fire -- and not smelling like smoke"!
What have the experiences of your life brought you to? Are you bitter.....or better because of them? Are those problems making you....or breaking you? Are you a Victor or a Victim? Are you comforting others with the comfort that you've been comforted with? If you are....you KNOW you're on assignment.....are on purpose....living in GOD's master plan.....and are causing people to come face-to-face with a BETTER WAY! Indeed....you are BETTER and are a VICTOR.....and you're causing others to be that, too!

Peace, Be Still

On this incredible faith journey, though we are confident in the good work God is doing in my sweetheart, I'll admit there have been highs and lows in emotions. Ron, is truly my hero, today, more than all of our yesterdays, as I watch him refuse to succomb to pain, as well as to the many voices he is hearing.

Last night was one of debilitating pain -- he said it felt like knives going into him -- the pain much worse than it was before the surgery -- trying to find a place of rest where the pain would not be so intense, he finally found his recliner in the den to be a place of comfort at 3 am in the morning. Thankfully, he woke several hours later with the pain much less intense.

Of course, I felt I needed to be my Hero's She-ro, so first thing, this morning, I called doctors' offices to voice my concern about this new-found pain in his body. Then all the voices began to increase in volume in our ears -- one saying, "it might be this"; "do that"; "take this medication"; "don't take that medication"; "eat this"; "don't eat that" and on and on! Before long, he and I, both, were a bundle of nerves. So, what do I do in times like this.....even before I call on God? Call my daughter! With always the just the right words, she immediately began to pray words of peace over us..."Jehovah Shalom (God our Peace), be very present with Mom and Dad!" "Mom & Dad, breathe in Jesus; breathe in peace!"

Immediately, the light bulb came on and, once again, the scripture, "Him I will keep in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on me" (Isaiah 26:3) came to me and my Sweetheart and I welcomed our Father God, Jesus, our Prince of Peace, and sweet Holy Spirit into our home and our day. We put on praise and worship music and the atmosphere that was prevalent with anxiety, concern and distraction, was replaced with calm peace and assurance that God had us and all our cares in His control and we have nothing to be concerned about. God knows about this journey we are on and has known about it long before we did.....He even knows the outcome! So why should we worry, fret or be concerned? I hear and share these words of Jesus with you......"Peace, be with you!"