Forward.....MARCH!

In honor of this month of MARCH, and in honor of our service men and women who, on our behalf, are MARCHING to the beat of the love of their country, my word for today is MARCH.

It’s MARCH 4th -- the only day of the year that can also be a sentence -- MARCH Forth! Time is marching forth and so are we! An Army platoon marches FORWARD, not backward. Whether soldiers are at their home base moving from one post to another, or on the battlefield, they are on assignment until their mission has been accomplished. St. Paul wrote "One thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining FORWARD to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14

My daily goal is to MARCH forward. No backward marching for me because I want to make daily progress. Some folks have lost their hope and expectancy for good things to come their way so they HALT, and are at a stand-still. I get that because for over 44 years, my assignment included a partnership with my dear husband and his earth assignments ended when Heaven called his name. My life could be HALTED, too, but Heaven hasn’t called my name. I’m still here! I'd lose momentum in accomplishing my assignments if I stayed in backward thinking.

My precious 95-year-old mother-in-law often asks “Why doesn’t God take me home? I’m ready to go!” And we always tell her “He’s not finished with you here, yet! Keep sharing your love with others, pray, and be here for us! That’s your assignment until you get called home!” You and I are still here and we, too, must complete our God-given assignments. Keep marching!

Everyday we have the opportunity to MARCH to the beat of our Divine Drummer who has perfect rhythm so we can make daily progress on our journey of faith. No more rear-view-mirror glimpses of regret, unforgiveness or shame from the past. No MARCHING backward. We have assignments to complete. This year, with its surprises and joys, AND with some bumpy roads along the way, let's keep MARCH FORWARD to conquer whatever comes our way, hand in hand with our Commanding Officer, Joy-Bringer, Deliverer, Comforter, Guide, Peace-Giver.

What are the assignments that God has given you? What are you going to accomplish with YOU? Life is worth LIVING. We’re still here and we’re “on assignment” – let’s get our MARCH-ing orders today – our MISSION is possible!

I Waved Farewell to the Past

The Word of the Day: PAST -- no longer existing. Remember the Von Trapp Family in the "Sound of Music" singing "So long, farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, good-bye"? That's what I did on New Year's Eve." The PAST is now the PAST. And, what a way to say farewell than in a predominately African American crowd at Potter's House - North Dallas! I'm talking "HIGH PRAISES" as we lifted our voices, hands, hearts and even our bodies in joy and gratitude for God's amazing grace that brought us through another year and now a new year of great HOPE (that was the word spoken) for the GOOD things that our God has for us.

We bid a fond farewell to the PAST and we closed the door to its many ups and downs. The door burst wide open to 2018. Isaiah 43:18 says “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the PAST."

I want MORE than ever before in 2018. I'm not talking about things, but as I live in the "God with us" mode, at any time and place, He may come with expectations OF me and surprises FOR me. 2018 will bring a milestone birthday to me, so rather than looking at the PAST, I’m looking ahead. I’m very aware, by now, that life is short. I know that I have less time ahead of me than behind me, so each day I will purpose to live with an eternal perspective. The things that once “bugged” me have very little import to me now. Some quirky people with quirky little ways that annoyed me before, don’t bother me as much now. I can zip my lip instead of needing to have the last word -- so much more intentional than I was before. Now, I’ve reversed that “easily-bugged-mentality” to “In the light of eternity, does it really matter?” Maybe it’s because I’m becoming less attached to this side of heaven than ever before. The Apostle Paul said, “One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind (the PAST) and straining toward what is ahead. I PRESS ON toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me.” Phil 3:14

As I pondered 2018, these words came to me: multiply, enlarge, maximize, escalate, magnify, stretch, increase, press. All those words express my desire in knowing God more – experiencing His presence more – taking on His character more. I’ve been harping on “God with us” – Emmanuel -- in several of my posts lately. I think I’m getting it. I desire my love for Him to multiply, to enlarge, escalate and maximize. I want to magnify (make larger) His presence. I want my faith to stretch and increase. I want the PAST to be the PAST and, like St. Paul, I want to PRESS toward the goal for which God has called me.

Whether you are someone who thinks you have more years before you than behind you, or you are like me and you know you have more years behind you than before, maybe it’s time to consider “What if 2018 is my LAST YEAR, here?”

Before we declare this is the year we climb Mount Everest, ride an elephant on a safari or become gluten-free, let’s pause. Maybe our desires for this new year should trump all the rest – to be aware of God’s grace and presence with us than ever before. So, "Farewell, PAST!" Seeing the UNSEEN in 2018 -- in every facet of life -- just may bring us the best year and YEARS EVER!