What to Do When We Don’t Know What to Do

I know so many of us have been in a quandary during these many months of the pandemic. “What do I do next?” “How can we make it?” “What can I do to make ends meet?” “Who can I go to for help?” Those questions were even more emphasized when my niece’s daughter broke the news to us that her mom had several strokes last week, with an emergency brain surgery yesterday. Bless her young heart – she felt the weight of the world on her shoulders for her mom. She said: “Tbh, I am very scared. I am scared for my mom’s well-being. I am scared about finances. I am scared about her future. I just feel like I don’t know what to do. So please pray, light candles, send good vibes, or whatever you do to cultivate positive energy, because she needs it, my brother needs it, and I need it."

I reposted her words, contacted our closest family members and, oh my, my beautiful social media friends and family went into immediate prayer-mode for her. I was so blessed to see the way-over-one-hundred messages telling me that they were praying. What a comfort that brought us – to know when the battle is raging, there are troops of prayer warriors who pick up their swords and shields for us.

I loved Roxie’s honesty about her fears AND her resolve. She knew what to do – call in prayer partners and prayer warriors – anyone who would stand in the gap with her. My memory kicked in when a similar message came to my own family years ago. We received the call from my husband’s doctor with the diagnosis from the tests: “You have Stage 4 Renal Cell Carcinoma that has metastasized to a tumor that is impinging on your spinal cord. It’s a life or death matter. You must have immediate surgery or you could be paralyzed.” The doctor was insistent on aggressively moving forward. So what do you do when you don’t know what to do? The answer is: PRAY. We prayed for God’s wisdom, His strength, His guidance, and most of all, His peace.

At the same time, we were making faith declarations: "Our God, our Healer. You are our Prince of Peace. By Your stripes, we are healed. We trust in you, Father God. We will not be afraid.” Each of us expressed our confidence in God as the Great Physician. It was apparent that we should move forward as was instructed by the doctor. The surgery was a success.

Over the next 7 months, when the questions came again, “What do we do?” we repeated the same steps: Pray, speak God’s Word, seek Godly counsel, pray some more. We found that we were closer to God during this time of crisis because we were acutely aware of our desperate need for Him. And quite frankly, that’s a great place to be. In Him, we found the answers to our questions and peace in our hearts because we sensed His presence with us.

So back to the question: “What do we do when we don’t know what to do?" or “Where can I turn when there's no one else I can turn to?” or “Who can I lean on when there’s no one to lean on?” or “Where can I hide until the storms pass over?” The answer to all of these questions is clear. It is found in ONE simple truth. We go to Him who is our solid rock, our refuge, our shelter, our friend. That’s WHO, WHAT, WHEN and WHERE to ALL questions we have for our today and our tomorrows.

The prayer warriors and praisers showed up for our Ruth just like King Jehosophat’s praisers came through for him. May our battle cry be like those who find their voices in complete surrender to He Who knows what to do when we say with King Jehosophat: “We don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on you, Lord!” (2 Chronicles 20:12)

Is Your Sanctuary a Place or a Person?

Yesterday morning, it wasn’t that cold outside but the winds and heavy rain beckoned me to the warmth from my fireplace. It is definitely my “sweet spot”. In this busy, hectic, and noisy world we live in, there are just times when we need to find a quiet place for our souls to be soothed and our bodies to be refreshed.

After a packed-full day of busyness, many retreat to their easy chair, but the clamor still goes on with the TV blaring and little children doing what they do – being noise-makers! I remember when I worked at the University of Manitoba and I carried the weight of a department of over 80 employees, bearing the responsibility of their performance and the department’s success. There were times I needed to find a few minutes relief to regroup, refresh, and reload. My “sanctuary” was the bathroom stall! Oh, sweet “reset”! Just a little talk with Jesus made such a difference in my mindset and composure.

This sanctuary sign on my fireplace hearth was given to us by a dear friend on October 10, 2010 (the date is on the back). That was right at the time when we made the decision for my precious husband to go on hospice. Indeed, my friend knew that we needed to be reminded of the “sanctuary” we have in our relationship with God. We embraced that sign and its meaning. We knew that God, Himself, was our place of refuge and shelter from the storm we were in. We did have such peace and joy throughout the remaining days of my Sweetheart's life.

The politics. The news. The hate. The debates. The worry. I turn the news on and then I turn it off quickly. It reminds me why I rarely, if ever, watch those live news broadcasts anymore. I don’t have the stomach OR heart for it all. The combative nature in people these days and us vs. them mentality wears on my spirit. I don’t quite know what to make of it all, but as I sit down to write loving, comforting words for myself and for my readers, God places my attention on a little sign that says, “SANCTUARY” with a scripture reference of Mark 6:31 “Come away to a secret place and rest for while” that reels me back in to what matters most.

It might be that you are craving a “sanctuary” today. You may have young children jumping off the furniture. Their sibling rivalry is at peak performance. Your spouse may be overloaded in worries and cares. Your to-do list is way too long to stop in at the “sanctuary”. I know that atmosphere. It is very familiar to me. But what became the most familiar to me and the priority in my home was making God -- my deepest source of meaning, unconditional love, and real peace. It can be found -- even in small increments of time. I promise you, when our priority is, first and foremost, going to the sanctuary sometime throughout our day, it will create a heart that is settled and peace-filled because of the presence of a holy, loving, awe-inspiring God. When we ask Him to settle into our homes, our workplaces, and even in the marketplaces, we will find Him waiting for us. He is available, present and more life-giving and peace-giving than everything else combined.

Today, I offer you a glance at my sign. SANCTUARY. Doesn’t that sound like a relief, hearing it put like that? That lovely, reassuring place of safety. Relief from all the ugliness out there. A break from it all. I can hear Him saying: “Come away with me! Let us go alone to a quiet place and rest for a while.” Mark 6:31-33

When We’re Afraid to Trust Him

You may have witnessed our “family” mishap a few weeks ago. Our “stud muffin” Buddy (The Wallace Family’s 75-pound Australian Shepherd) had a precious, equally beautiful, female Australian Shepherd come from Austin for a lovefest. In case you’re not following my delicate way of putting it, Moana’s master brought her to start a family of Australian Shepherd babies. Moana wasn’t so receptive to the plan and in an effort to give them “alone” time in the backyard, they escaped. Buddy didn’t go far, but Moana was on the run. Family and friends were on the hunt and as soon as someone got close to her, she ran from them – over and over again. Each time someone would call her name and go to help her, that little girl raced away. She was offered food and protection, but each time, afraid, not knowing that no one meant her harm, she would run and run.

She ran for the next 19 hours. Nineteen hours of fear. Nineteen hours afraid to accept food and help from strangers. Nineteen hours of living unprotected from the cold and feeling abandoned. We felt helpless when we went home at midnight to rest until sunrise when we could continue our search. Our hearts hurt for her and her master.

How often do we live this way, afraid to trust, refusing the assurance that God will shelter us, running from the safety of His protection? I sensed that from the homeless people we served last weekend. They were choosing to live on the streets, abusing their bodies and their souls as they continued to refuse to trust when the assurance that God’s arms are open wide to protect them and to give them a place of refuge, if only they would submit to His call. He who says, “Peace, be still,” and calms the waters can surely calm them, too! He offers more than food and blankets and the comfort of a safe place to live. He offers Himself, all that they need. The God of the universe woos them with His perfect love and there is no need to be afraid.

Perhaps you are living like this little dog or the homeless people who are refusing the help that God offers to us through His Word and even Godly brothers and sisters who are reaching out as the hands and feet of Jesus. Psalm 37:40 says “The LORD helps them and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them because they take refuge in Him.”

I wish this story had a happy ending that she finally gave in and responded to our calls. But after 19 hours of searching, praying and calling out her name, we received the call that she had been hit by a car and was rushed by a witness to a nearby emergency animal hospital. Moana was seriously injured in her pelvic area, but her vital organs were good. After two major surgeries, in a walk-a-bout harness (unable to put pressure on her legs for several weeks) Moana returned home. Her healing will come, but it will take time. The upside of this story is Moana’s master came into a beautiful relationship with Christ in the process of this story. “All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purposes." Romans 8:28

Oh, that those of us who are like Moana, afraid to trust, would come to know our God, in Whom we trust! “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to Him, and He will direct your steps.” Proverbs 3:5-6

This Christmas and always, God is offering Himself, all that we need, to us today. That's why we celebrate Christ's birth. The angels said to the shepherds, "Do not be afraid!" We have nothing to fear because He is on our side. Won’t you respond to His call today? He has such great plans for you and your future!

I Found a Special on Storm Shelters!

Oh. My. Goodness. The verbal wrangling and bickering in politics are enough to want to find a storm shelter and stay there until Jesus comes or at least until the storm passes over. Recently, I’ve heard commentators and read articles that declared “America is Facing Another Civil War”. And, others warn “We’re Facing World War III”.

Maybe you're a 50s or 60s child and, like me, you remember the Duck and Cover drills we did for personal protection in case of a nuclear attack which could have come at any time without warning. We’d hear the alarm sounding and then we’d rush to get in the fetal position, face down and covered our heads with our hands. I look at this photo and I wonder how in the world would that position have protected us?

There has ALWAYS been verbal wrangling and bickering and there have always been wars and rumors of wars since the beginning of time. Unfortunately, that hasn't changed. Matthew 24:6, says “you will hear about wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you’re not alarmed….”

Thank God FOR GOD! In reality, there seems to be no certainty in anything anywhere, EXCEPT that our God is stable, secure, and is our ANCHOR that holds in spite of storms, wars and any other force that comes against us. Bottom line. We can live unafraid because God is our rock, our refuge, our shelter in the time of any storm or war or any force that can come against us.
The most dependable, unshakeable HOPE we have during peace times AND perilous times is GOD HAS NOT CHANGED!! As God's children, we do not have to live in fear or defeat. Instead, as His kids, we go to our War/Storm/Crisis Shelter and that place is found in a 9-1-1 call. I call this number regularly.

Psalm 91:1 (911) "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty."

If ever there was a time to find peace, security, and hope in our Father, it is now. He wants us to prepare and rise above these storms of life whether they are storms within our families, the storms of wars around our world or literal storms. It's time for us to pray passionately for the peace and presence of God in our lives. We need to pray for our world and the uncertainties that face mankind. We need to come back to our CENTER and find our peace in Him. Our peace is an incredible testimony in hard times and will help those around us to find Him as their Prince of Peace. He wants to make Himself known in the middle of the present shaking. I can't think of a better place to go to, and place to be than in God's shelter. This entire chapter is one I've prayed over my family for years. It is still relevant and precisely the "Word" for us today:

Psalm 91:1-16 -- "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Surely He will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings, you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation.”

Welcome to my SANCTUARY!

While having my morning devotion time, I looked at the sign on my fireplace hearth, SANCTUARY, that I see every day. But yesterday it resonated with me more than ever. I looked at the back of it to see when it was that my friend gave it to me. It is dated October 10, 2010. That was just before my precious husband had a pain pump surgically placed in his body to help subside the pain he suffered for so long. Though the surgery was successful, we still had to make the decision to go on hospice.

SANCTUARY: a place of refuge or safety, haven, shelter, hideaway, port in a storm.

Indeed, my friend knew that we needed to be reminded of the SANCTUARY we have in our relationship with God. I remember that because we determined that our home would be a SANCTUARY in that season of our lives. Indeed, we had peace and joy throughout the remaining days of my Sweetheart's life. As I wrote that word in my journal, I knew it would be my word of the day because I sensed it might be a word that some of my friends, who are facing some tough times, need to become familiar with because of the place of refuge, shelter, port in the storm they need today.

So how do we find that place of peace and the place to escape from the everyday stressors of life – an escape from busyness and chaos! That place where we find peace in our hearts and souls when with everything in us, wants to run for our lives.

We watched a lot of basketball when our daughter played in high school. We always loved having “home court advantage” over the visiting team. The home team fans were out in droves and the team spirit elevated our team's thinking AND their game. Home court advantage applies to the SANCTUARY that our home becomes as a haven of peace, love and rest when we treat it that way. It becomes our "home court advantage".

The politics. The news. The shootings. The weather. The hate. The worry. I turn the news on and then I turn it off quickly. It reminds me why I rarely, if ever, watch those live news broadcasts anymore. I don’t have the stomach OR heart for it all. The combative nature in people these days and the us vs. them mentality wears on my spirit. I don’t quite know what to make of it all, but as I sit down to write loving, comforting words for myself and for my readers, God places my attention on a little sign that says, “SANCTUARY” with a scripture reference of Mark 6:31 “Come away to a secret place and rest for while” that reels me back in to what matters most.

I don’t know what your world looks like today. You may have young children jumping off of the furniture and climbing in your pantry. Their sibling rivalry is at peak performance. Your spouse may be overloaded in worries and care. Your to-do list is way too long to stop in at the SANCTUARY. I know that atmosphere. It is very familiar to me. But what became the most familiar to me and the priority in my home was making God -- my deepest source of meaning, unconditional love and real peace. It can be found -- even in small increments of time. I promise you, when our priority is, first and foremost, going to the SANCTUARY sometime throughout our day, it will create a settled, peace-filled home because of the presence of a holy, loving, awe-inspiring God. When we ask Him to settle into our homes and our home-life with us, He does it. He is available, present and more life-giving and peace-giving than everything else combined.

Today, I offer you a glance at my sign. SANCTUARY. Doesn’t that sound like a relief, hearing it put like that? That lovely, reassuring place of safety. Relief from all the ugliness out there. A break from it all. What if SANCTUARY looked like nothing more complicated than a hot, comforting cup of coffee? A cozy pair of slippers. A fire in the fireplace. A pen in our hand, a blank page beckoning, with a Bible or devotional book nearby. Going to the SANCTUARY and having moments of quiet, deep peace and rest and the assurance “It is well with my soul.”

Home is a Heart Matter!

John Denver sang "Hey, it's good to be back home again!" And Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, said, "There's no place like home!" Even though I sold my home and am staying in a friend's home in Tulsa, I'm still singing with Dorothy, "There's no place like home!"

"Home" has changed for me many, many times over the years (way more than most) -- home once was when my sweetheart met me at the door with a sweet kiss and hug, and home was where my kids brought their friends to for comfort and FOOD, and home was where a light was always burning when one of us would be out late. Home was where the yummy smell of chocolate chip cookies were baking. And home was where we could be ourselves -- no masks -- no pretense -- just real, authentic, truth spoken in love....and even sometimes....when the truth hurt. But still, all those things were what made home...HOME!

The meaning of home changes over time -- when we were growing up in our parents' home, then a college dorm room was home, then our first home as a married couple, and then home was where our family came "home" to after they moved out and we were empty nesters. Or sweet loved ones left us for their real HOME in heaven. "Home" has so many different meanings.

Now, in this season between living in Oklahoma and Texas, home represents for me....my space in my friend's home or my mother-in-law's home or my children's home, I've got the "gypsy" wandering vibe going. That's been at my children's urging -- "Mom, take your time on buying a new home! Trust God's timing and the place He's planned for you." I'll admit -- I have been a little antsy about that because this little bird would like a "nest" to go to that she can call her own. But, right here in my friend's home in Tulsa, I'm typing my next FB post with complete peace and sensing that God knows where I'm headed tomorrow.....so that makes this spot, right here "home".

In reality, it doesn't matter where the structure of a home is, because home is where our hearts are at the time. I've learned that home can be outdoors, in a chapel, in a comfy chair, riding in a car....or even a motorcoach -- really, just anywhere. In this season of my life, I've come to appreciate that my most precious "home" place to be is where I spend time with the Lover of My Soul -- that place of peace and comfort -- where "in His presence -- is fullness of joy"! I'm "at home" with the One Who always wraps me in His loving arms and He assures me I am home....right where He is -- is home -- any where and any time. Give me that -- and I'm home -- my quiet place -- my refuge -- my shelter -- my secret place of the Most High -- abiding under the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91:1).

Yes.....there really is no place like HOME SWEET HOME -- because Home is a heart matter -- not a place matter -- because any where (and that's everywhere) He is, I'm HOME!

Where is Your Safe Zone?

With the sun up, I could assess any damages around my place from the violent winds in the thunderstorms and tornadic activity that came through Tulsa on Tuesday night. Except for a lot of petals from my rose bush on the ground, it seemed all was well. Thanks be to God. When I turned on the 6 am news, I was pleased to hear that there were no fatalities but lots of damage around Tulsa and other communities, and power interrupted in a lot of homes.

We Oklahomans are a resilient bunch, even though there has been serious damage and loss of lives many times in the past. We still recover, rebuild and restore. Weather forecasters have certainly helped us prepare and be on alert for those nasty funnels. My father and mother-in-law lost their home years ago from a tornado, yet, as Mom and I discussed yesterday, that damage opened the door for them to move to the home Mom still lives in and loves today. We take the bumps and bruises....and turn it into something good.

In fact, many make light of tornadoes. A friend posted: "What do Oklahomans do when they hear a tornado siren?" "They go outside, set out their lawn chair and watch the show." Another of my friends, who moved from California three years ago, loves everything about Oklahoma. In fact, she takes tornado activity with a grain of salt, or rather a color of her hair. She posted Tuesday night: "Tornado sirens going off...not a good time to be coloring my hair." Another friend replied to her post: "Note to self: 'Next time storms are expected, don't even think about coloring my hair. You're not in California anymore, Toto!" LOL!

My neighbor texted me that she had extra space in her "safe room" in case I'd like to join her. But, with the sirens sounding off for about an hour, I made the closet in my laundry room my "safe room". But who am I kidding? That little spot wouldn't provide safety in the horrendous winds of a tornado except for God's protecting hand. Mom reminded me yesterday that all the roof was gone when the tornado hit their home years ago.....except for the patch where Mom and Dad were holding up in a central shower stall. They were in the "shelter of the Most High".

Whether it's a wild storm outside or a wild storm inside me, here's what I pray and speak: Psalm 91:1 (my 911 emergency number) "I dwell in the secret place of the Most High. I abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of You, Lord, You are my fortress, my deliverer, my God in Whom I trust." I also quote and pray Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

What's YOUR safety zone? Mine is the solid rock of Christ. When I need a shelter, when I need a friend....I go to THE ROCK!

I Go To The Rock!

Does life seem overwhelming to you today? The deadline is long past, and you're still endeavoring to get the project done? Are the kids more than a handful and you don't think the new school year can come too soon? Did you get a pink slip from your employer and you wonder how you and your family can survive? Is a loved one so ill that you don't think they're going to make it? Do you feel like you're at the end of your rope?

I've been there..... and each time that I found myself in places like that, I found my answers, my peace and my comfort in the One who is the Rock, and I realize those overwhelming circumstances were ultimately for my good....because they drew me to the Source of answers, the stable foundation, my shelter and my SOLID ROCK.

Where do I go, when there's nobody else to turn to?
Who do I turn to, when nobody wants to listen?
Who do I lean on, when there's no foundation stable?
I go to the Rock, I know He's able, I go to the Rock.

Where do I hide, till the storms have all passed over?
Who do I run to, when the winds of sorrow threaten?
Is there a refuge, in the time of tribulation?
When my soul needs consolation, I go to the Rock.

When the earth all around me is sinking sand
On Christ, the Solid Rock, I stand
When I need a shelter, when I need a friend, I go to THE ROCK!