God Would Never Unfriend Us

Back in the day, when we unfriended someone, we walked away, erased their name off our notebook or wrote a “Dear John” letter. Here we are – decades later and we can unfriend someone with the tap of a button. I don’t “unfriend” but rather “unfollow”, usually because of their language, their rants, their lack of self-control. I still want them to follow me – hopefully, so they’ll catch some Llight if they pass by my blog.

Our lives are about relationships -- with Jesus and with people He’s created. Period. What concerns me most, is that people fail, disappoint, act up and act out, they let it rip – their language, I mean, without a thought or concern. I really do want to unfriend them because my little Pollyanna world needs to stay all peaches and cream. Right?

Good thing I’m not a god who carries a big stick. I’d be whack-a-moleying those ornery folks all over the place. I’m done with their lack of love, lack of decorum and lack of common sense. If some of them were my friends, I would unfriend them without a second thought. Go ahead, God! Let ‘em have it!

Then comes along the full-volume, yet gentle voice of God, with His personal guarantee, "I will NEVER unfriend them." Argh! But, please, God! Then God’s gentle tap on my shoulder reels me back into what His grace is all about. Our God would die before He would unfriend anyone. Fact is: our God did die rather than unfriend us. “Greater love has no one than this: than to lay down one’s life for His friends." (John 15:13)

Jesus didn’t leave, unlike, or unfriend a single one of his twelve closest friends. Not even when they deserved it. He’s not about to start with you and me. Instead, He kept on keeping the promise He first made that He would never leave or forsake His people. This is the God who moved into our neighborhood to be our friend. To know all about us and still love us. This is the God who has pursued you and me since before time and who never ever considers us a waste of time. This is a God who died on a cross to reach our hearts and souls to rescue us. We are loved – in spite of, because of, and instead of, but – do we believe it? Do we believe ours is His Love Story and in His Love Story – the Lover never leaves us.

My precious and beloved friends – let Him love you and wrap you in His grace and mercy. Just say “yes” – ACCEPT His “friend” request. He will take away all your sin, failings, fear and give you His own life – life to the full. "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:10) You are loved!

I Could Sure Use a Tune-Up

Ever felt that way? If our car isn't getting good gas mileage or something just isn't working properly, we'll take it in for a tune-up. If a musician’s instrument isn’t tuned correctly, it won’t sound right. If we’re out of tune or “alignment” in our life, we'll start making uncalled-for blunders, forget appointments and we will start to feel off-kilter in just about every area of our lives.

The last couple of days I was single-handedly hosting my own garage sale, dealing with crowd control, being on point to calculate item prices, and hustling to get the leftovers boxed up for charity. Time for body and soul "tune-up"! A tune-up is taking a closer look at what is going on. We can settle for "it's just my age" or "I never was good at that anyway" or "where did THAT come from? This blog is from my own need to fine-tune. Case in point: my daughter told me something confidential. Carelessly, in a casual conversation with a loved one, I shared that confidence. Didn't even think about it being confidential. The next thing I hear is my daughter telling me the loved one asked her about it. Oh me. I need to be fine-tuned.

I was at a women's meeting last week when I knew this blog would be written. I talked about fine-tuning when one gal spoke about her friend who continued to lose their temper and even curse around her. Of course, her peace is affected. It was in that instant that I thought: "She needs to evaluate that friendship and even needs to realize her peace needs to be fine-tuned from those things that cause her to lose her peace. I know me and if I'm not in peace -- then it's time for a tune-up!

There’s an old saying, and I’ll admit it’s a little cheesy, where the guy says to the girl: "I think we could make beautiful music together.” If we could strip away the cheese factor, can we ask ourselves this question? "Are we making beautiful music in our life? In our relationships? In our thoughts and actions? If not, maybe we need to seriously think about getting a tune-up!

I'm purposing to clean-up and tune-up my act! Here's what I'm doing! Hopefully you'll learn from my mistakes and my adjustments:
~ Fine tune negative thinking. It's time to zero in on all the good in our life and turn that negativity into gratitude. Tweak me, Lord! If we pay more attention to the hustle of life instead of our relationship with God, our health, our family, our friends, and helping others, then we should pray "Tune me up, Lord, so the things that matter most will get my top-priority attention."

~ I know when my body and the foods I eat need to be fine-tuned. I feel it. I know it when I've had sugar-overload and not paid attention to eating right. Purposing to be fit and healthy
Even Jesus needed to withdraw to a quiet place for fine-tuning in prayer. He is our greatest example for spending time in solitude for the purpose of fine-tuning. It's what we need for the long haul. Shouldn't we be treating our life as a fine-tuned piano and beautiful gift that God made us to be?

"Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23-24

Life is About Relationships

I continue to learn that the things that matter most in this life are relationships – not accomplishments. One of my young friends called and asked if we could meet for brunch to talk about a project that may turn into a new ministry outreach for our church. She wanted my advice. I loved that she called on me -- "the older woman" helping the younger as taught in Titus 2:3-5. I suggested she come to my home where we would be less distracted. I received a text from her: “Can I bring ___ with me?” I was pleased to welcome her, too. Then I received another text, “How about ___? Can she come, too?” Of course she could. Now we were an even number of four and my brunch-planning went into action. I wanted it to be a sweet time of celebrating these young women who have hearts to reach out to lonely and hurting people with God’s love.

Table was set with love in mind, fresh flowers in the vases, made a vegetable quiche, French toast casserole and mixed berries with yogurt and granola. At each place setting were cards that read: “You really do love your neighbor as you love yourself. It is obvious by your heart of gold that would rather serve than to be served. Well done, good and faithful servant! “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24.

This mama's heart was overjoyed with their excitement to make a difference in people’s lives. Their enthusiasm motivated me to say “yes” when asked me to be a part of their team. I am honored to align with those precious young women. This second photo is our second meeting at one of their homes! Relationships matter.

The Bible is very clear about what really matters in life: “If you are a follower of Christ Jesus, all that matters is your faith that makes you love others” (Galatians 5:6). Honestly, it’s hard for me to understand the awful animosity in our country these days. How can people sleep without a clear conscience of knowing "this day I lived a life of love”. If we’re not loving, then nothing we say will matter, nothing we know will matter, nothing we believe will matter, and nothing we give will matter. And, if we don’t live a life of love, nothing we accomplish will matter. “No matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m nothing without love”. (1 Corinthians 13:3)

It’s as simple as this: We can have the eloquence of an orator, the knowledge of a genius, the faith of a miracle worker, the generosity of a philanthropist, and the achievements of a superstar, but if we don’t have love in our heart, it is worth zero. It doesn’t count. The only thing that matters to God is this: Do we love Him, and do we love others?

One day we’re going to die, and we’re going to stand before God. When He evaluates our life, He’s not going to look at our bank account or our list of accomplishments. He won’t care about all our sports trophies. He’s not going to look at our endorsements or our resume. God is going to evaluate our life on one basis: our relationships. He’s going to ask, “How much did you love Me and other people?” That’s called the Great Commandment. Did you love God with all your heart, and did you love your neighbor as yourself?

THAT love is a sure winner. That love makes us winners. That love IS about relationships – not accomplishments!

Living Our Christianity Out-Loud -- "One Another Living"

Yesterday on FB, I saw this first photo of two family members with opposing opinions about who our next Texas Senator should be. The caption read: "This Longhorn fan prefers Ted Cruz. This Aggie fan prefers Beto. We may not agree on political candidates, but we definitely agree that relationships matter more than politics. Our families play games together, break bread together, drink wine together, float rivers together, and love a great party with other friends and neighbors. We treat each other with respect, disagree agreeably (and often with humor), and try, although not always successfully, to show our kids how responsible adults who don’t agree on everything should act. Be civil. Have conversations with people who don’t think like you. If everyone thought the same it would be boring anyway. And love your neighbor.”

I loved those sentiments enough to pass the message on. Remember the battle cry of the Three Musketeers? "All for one and one for all"! That sounds like a lofty goal, especially in light of the many different, opposing groups of people. If ever Christians needed to become "All for One and One for All", it's today. What does that mean? It means that our lives should become so "Light" bearing, that it is completely obvious who the Christians are. People need to see Christians who manifest the character of Christ, speaking the truth in love with courage and compassion. The more bitter others are, the more persuasive OUR witness will be. Right now is a great opportunity for Christianity. If we actually lived our faith and actually lived Christianity it would be extremely attractive to people. It differentiates Christianity from all that’s going on in the world.

In Galatians 5:14, Paul wrote, "For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” I think what Paul is talking about is the kind of love of neighbor that the Musketeers had for each another. We can learn from their unity and loyalty. As followers of Jesus Christ, not only do we strive to serve, protect, and love God, but we are also called to serve, protect and love each other.

Today, I'm thinking of ways that we can join our hands and hearts together to be a part of something greater than "my four and no more" -- greater than "What's in it for me?" What if we began to pray and humble ourselves to become God's servants who live a life of ONE ANOTHER LIVING? "What can I do for you? What can I do for the cause? What can I do for the team? What can I do for others that helps them to win?" Let’s live our faith. Let’s let people know we are Christians – not by screaming it out off the rooftops. If we know anything about this culture, they’re screaming at Christians “Don’t tell me. Show me." Let’s live our Christianity and teach others how to do the same!”

Convenience or Relationships?

Three days ago, I ordered two items on Amazon Prime. The items arrived two days later. Sometimes, it's next day. How convenient is that? I didn't have to leave my house!! My daughters often order their groceries from Instacart (Instacart is a grocery delivery service where personal shoppers pick up and deliver the groceries to your door within an hour). How much time does that save? They don't have to leave their home! We may go to church, but we sit at the back, then we're in and out without engaging in conversation with others. We drive into our automatic-garage-door garages -- so we never really converse with our neighbors. We sit at a dinner table -- and rather than being engaged with others at the table, we are texting or surfing on our cell phones.

Where am I going with these observations? I shared this because of a message I heard from Pastor Ryan Malouff at Expression Church in Austin last Sunday (where my kids attend). I perked up when he said, "We've gotten lazy in our approach to relationships. We opt for less conversation and more instantaneous convenience. Once upon a time, our society was about interacting, purposely engaging in conversations -- getting to know each other."

Whatever happened to "relationship" building -- making the effort to get to know our neighbors, our kids' teachers, other kids' family members, attending various groups of interest to get to know others and be a blessing to them.

Think about Jesus. He was a mingler. He went out of his way to engage in conversation (i.e., the Samaritan woman at the well, visits to Mary, Lazarus and Martha's home, spending time cultivating relationships with His disciples, going to Zacchaeus' house and speaking to him and his family about God's love for them). When we're avoiding relationships, we are missing the opportunity to be an encourager to them. Did you know we can be the CEO of our lives? We can all be Chief Encouragement Officers. We can be a light that others need in their lives.

"If you want friends, you must first show yourself friendly." Proverbs 18:24. I've taken that scripture to heart as I've forced myself to be a part of women's groups, Bible Studies, meet my neighbors, attend meetings at my community center, and hang around after church to meet and greet others in the family. I can't stay cooped up and withhold the goodness of God that someone is craving to have. How about you?

Mama's Got Game!

Have you heard it said about someone “He or She’s got game”? Typically that means – “They are really good at something!” But when someone says that about me, it means “She’s NOT simply a fan watching the game from the sidelines or the stands -– she’s in the game, playing on the field, and not only hitting the ball – but knocking it out of the ballpark (well, at least in my imagination).” This Mama’s got game!In October, 2011, my son, Ryan, and his amazing wife, Shawntel, were talking strategies about what their next business enterprise would be. After all, Ryan had, just a few months prior, exited from the company he founded and built to a $1.2 billion valuation. After 10 years of diligence and hard work, it should have been time to relax back and enjoy the fruit of their labors, but that was not to be.

It was in that same month that Ryan had an epiphany – to create a company, uncharacteristic of typical “big enterprise mentality”. This company would be one that placed its values on relationships and core values and providing a tangible means of helping people make a better living for themselves and their family. So, of course, I wanted to be a part of something that had those kinds of ambitions. When I first heard the vision and plans for this company, I said, “Game on!” But, then Ryan said, “Mom, I told Dad I was going to take care of you. You just be the grandmother of Solavei (the new company). Initially, I thought, “Beautiful – Mama can be a cheerleader and support the “Sol Train” (aka Solavei Team)! But after hearing my daughter, Staci, sharing with an individual about Solavei, and hearing her passion for seeing our country’s economy revived and many people’s lives transformed, I could just hear my Honey speaking to me from heaven and saying “Donna, what are you thinking? Really, you’re going to sit back and watch what we believed, prayed and planted the seeds for – for over 40 years? Do you really want to be the grandmother of anything besides our six grandchildren?” And to that, I answered with a resounding, “NO!”

So, then, I had to put a plan together, a case for Mama being in the game. No handouts expected. No rules of engagement any different from any other player on the field. I had to not just “talk the talk”. I had to “walk the walk” and put my plan to action. I set out to be the “Poster Mama” – showing others what can happen when we stop whining about being “too little or too big; too old or too young; too female or too male; too black or too white; it’s too difficult or too easy”……and to JUST DO IT!! And, so I am!!

Yes, here I am today….playing in this game. I’m loving it. And, my team is loving it too! I’m a Founding Member of Solavei. Last week, my son said to me, “Mom, you’re a machine!” Some of my friends are probably thinking, “What happened to Donna? Where is she?” Would you please tell them for me? “Donna’s in the batting cage – she’s practicing her swing, throwing the ball – practicing her pitches, she’s on the field doing her warm-ups, getting the plays down and working hard to be her best -- from sun-up to sun-down.” Oh, yes, Donna’s got game! And, it’s not a competition with anyone other than ME! And at the end of this game season, I will have fulfilled my game assignment!! And you won’t hear me saying “I wish I had!” Oh, no! I’ll be saying “I’m so glad I did….and look, now I’m going to Disney World….oh, actually, it will be Hawaii – Solavei rewards its players for their “WINS”!