Creators! Let's Create!

I went to church with my grandsons on Sunday. This was the first time the church was fully opened since the pandemic began. Opened, with the exception of limited seating that was maxed out and distanced. What amused me the most was when we walked up to the front doors, tables were set up outside with these bowls of wrist bands on them. Each color had a specific meaning for each one's social desires: Red = “So glad to be here, but please keep a safe distance”; Yellow = “Ready to chat but prefer not touch”; Green = “Ready for hugs & handshakes”. I’m sure introverts loved the red ones; the non-huggers, the yellow ones; and, the social butterflies, the green ones.

I liked that creativity. I also appreciated the thoughtful way the rows of chairs were spaced a good distance apart with two seats between families. Creativity seems to have been a major plus during these times. Sometimes a crisis becomes a strong driver of creativity and innovation. We’ve witnessed it on many levels – families who became creative within their family dynamics – more outdoors activities, indoor games, creative projects and creativity and innovation at national, state and in educational levels here at the start of another school year.

Anyone who spends time on social media has probably noticed that hidden between the political rants and Covid fears are more interesting posts sharing someone’s latest craft-work, recipe, a talent being shown off, or a Facebook Live inspirational talk or some other kind of hilarious situation – many of which have gone viral. Most represent small, but important moments of creativity. I’ve seen many of my friends completing jigsaw puzzles. One couple was so creative that the 1,000-piece puzzles became an opportunity. When they placed a piece, they would offer up a prayer. 1,000 pieces meant 1,000 prayers.

The examples of everyday imagination we see on our timeline may not strike us as creative-with-a-capital-C. Clever family photos, meme creations, or Zoom singalongs may not be the best-of-talents, but we can’t let comparison diminish their value. If creativity is a light, it does not have an on/off switch. My view is that creativity has a dimmer switch, growing from a tiny bit creative to a little creative to creative enough to light up the whole room. I’ve seen that in the way my own family has come up with creative work spaces for school projects and backgrounds for videos.

The truth is we are ALL creators because we were made in the image of OUR Creator. Erwin McManus says: "Creativity should be an everyday experience -- as common as breathing. We breathe, therefore we create.” And on another level of creativity is everyday we have the opportunity to not only create beauty in others by the way we speak to them, but we have the opportunity to create environments conducive to turning darkness to light, animosity to tenderness and kindness, hatred to love and sadness to joy!

So, CREATORS!!! Let’s CREATE!!! Let’s get our “creative” juices flowing and start creating beauty and life with OUR words AND actions! Wouldn’t it be great if we could look at OUR creations, and, like God, say, “It is very good!” (Genesis 1:31)

When All is Said and Done – It's Still a Miracle!

On Sunday, my son called to check in on me. “What are you doing today, Mom?” “I’m going to church with Larry and Staci and then we’re going for my birthday lunch at Hutchins BBQ (my pick)! They’ll be out of town this week on my birthday.”

Then his audacious reply: “Mom, how is it going to feel to be 79?” “Ha! Ha! You know it’s 72 and here’s what I know. My President is two years older than me at 74. If he can run a country – I think I can run my little corner of the world. I’m amazed that President Trump could be in his retirement years and live in a peaceful place of ‘having arrived’ and be able to sit back and enjoy the fruit of his labors – but, NO! He preferred to give his all for our country to get on track again. He chose to not receive his salary – to just give it away. He chose to make tough decisions even though he has to put up with so much hate and lies about him. He chose to be a patriot – so in love with our Country, that he’s willing to lay down his life for us!” Tangent ended with my son barely getting a word in edgewise. Pardon me if I let you in on a personal vent. It’s the day after my birthday and I’m still in the celebration mode! And, as my young-whipper-snapper-self, I’m not ready to quit either. Not saying I want the responsibilities of a store clerk – never mind being president. But he sure inspires me to keep swinging.

Thank you for all the birthday love yesterday from my beloved social media friends and family. My, oh my! If you want to feel the love, be sure to be a friend on FB! My children were all out-of-town for my big day, but they showered me with love from afar and so did my FB friends! Isn't it a miracle that in a matter of seconds, we are transmitting birthday messages to each other -- unlike the old days of snail mail?

I’m grateful for my sweet cousin who took me for a yummy “crab legs” lunch and then to the “Painted Tree”, a new marketplace to Frisco, full of mini-shops of local shop owners, boutiques, decorators, artisans and craftsmen all under one roof. So much fun. Remember my tale yesterday about the “Miracles” book I received, with musings about my life being one of miracles? What captured my attention in Painted Tree was this metal sign that says “there will be miracles”! Of course it was my own birthday gift to me – as a reminder that there are miracles coming our way every day – we just need to expect them and recognize them when they come!

Here’s how I’ll recognize miracles! I will breathe in God’s goodness – that’s a miracle. I can breathe. I will see the sun rise and the sun set. That’s a miracle – I can see God’s creation. Yes, there will be miracles and most of all, the greatest miracle of all is when someone has lost their way, and by God’s amazing grace, their soul is set free. Miraculous the change in one who is redeemed through Calvary. There will be miracles when we see a lily push its way through the stubborn sod. But, most of all there will be miracles because we believe in God. There can be miracles when you believe. And, just in case you don't believe in miracles, perhaps you've forgotten -- you are one!

The Doorway We Choose is in Our Control

Oh. My. Goodness. I’m so done to listening to all the rancor that goes on in social media and the tv/online news reporting agencies. Honestly, I don’t understand how people can be so caught up in such negativity as an investigator or a reporter. How their minds must swirl with “He said. She said. They did.” How they might have trouble sleeping at night as they conjure up ways to get the next most negative news they can find. Oh, I know, in many cases – some look for great, upbeat, and positive news angles. But, in either case -- that’s the doorway they chose to walk through. They chose the good – the bad – or the ugly door and they live on that side of the doorway daily.

Now, that I’m back into my real world at home where I daily make decisions about how my day will go, I’m discovering what doorway I should walk through at any given time -- meditating on what’s good or what’s negative. I’m finding myself watching some social media videos and posts to bring me up to speed on what’s going on in our world. But, I keep hearing these words: “Choose you this day who you will serve” and I know it is about lending my eyes and my ears to the latest gossip and news or lending my eyes and ears to what God wants me to see and hear in this day. Remember St. Paul’s spiritually-elevating words in Philippians 4:8? “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, THINK on these things.” That, my friends, is a great doorway to walk and think through.

Joshua in the Old Testament gave powerful words of choice to the Israelites right after they conquered and took Canaan. He put a choice before them -- whether they would serve the Lord or not. “Choose this day whom you will serve…..as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15. The same choice is set before each one of us each day. The choice is up to us. God will not coerce us into serving Him. It is our daily responsibility to choose the doorways of life. Jesus came to give us an abundant life – but if we choose to listen to lies and the evil-workings of the enemy, we’re choosing death instead of life.

Proverbs 4:23 says: “More than anything guard, protect your mind, for life flows from it.” We can control the doorway to what we’re going to allow in. We can dwell on every negative thing people have said, every derogatory comment, or we can choose to delete it and dwell on what God says about us.

Let's shut the door on the enemy of our souls who keeps trying to get us to choose the doorway of defeat, fear, and anger! We are winners -- the enemy is the loser! Let’s shut the door on the enemy and choose the doorway of abundant life!

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)

Seek and Find

It’s clear I keep my eyes and ears wide open for God-ideas that give me content for my daily blogs. And, that content comes from various places -- a scripture reading, praying, scrolling my social media platforms, something a friend said and in my walks. And you know what? When I seek, I find Him!

In Jeremiah 29:13, God made it clear that He isn’t playing the Hide and Go Seek game. He said: "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." I was on purpose to see Him in my early morning walk yesterday. He wasn’t hiding. I found Him immediately when I hit the streets. Of course, He was in the trees, the cool morning breeze, (thanking God for these cool temperatures), and other people walking. He IS everywhere AND He is HERE in my heart. The more that I sensed Him, the more aware and conscious I was of His love, His mercy, grace, and most of all, His presence. That's when I started noticing the greatest symbol of His love -- the cross. I started seeing crosses on the street, on fences, windows, and objects -- thus my photo collage for this day.

The Cross -- of course, when we seek Him, we'll find Him, and this day I found Him where Jesus paid the ultimate price for us with His life. I loved seeing that reminder everywhere I walked. I paid attention to it. I purposefully looked for it. Holding on to that symbol, assures us that everything’s gonna’ be alright!

And, isn't that what this scripture means? "You will seek Me and find Me.....when you seek me with all your heart." He's just a thought away, a prayer away, a cross away, and a heart-beat away. How I thank Him for the cross and how I thank Him for the reminder of His love for me.

My friend posted this beautiful story a few days ago. It fits in well with this conversation:

THE BRIDEGROOM IS PRESENT, BUT NOT SEEN
A disciple once asked the holy one, "Where shall I look for enlightenment?"
"Here!" the holy one said.
"When will it happen?"
"It is happening right now," the holy one said.
"Then why don't I experience it?"
"Because you do not look," the holy one said.
"What should I look for?"
"Nothing," the holy one said. "Just look!"
"Must I look in a special kind of way?"
"No," the holy one said, "the ordinary way will do."
"But don't I always look in an ordinary way?"
"No," the holy one said. "You don't!"
"Why ever not?" the disciple demanded.
"Because to look, you must be here. You're mostly somewhere else."
(Story shared by Sr. Pascaline Coff O.S.B.)

Right here, HERE, He's just a thought away, a prayer away, a cross away, and a heart-beat away. How I thank Him for the cross and how I thank Him for the reminder of His love for you and me. God is here, there and everywhere! Let’s keep our eyes wide open!

The Church has been Deployed

I like some of the memes because they give me food for thought for my blogs. For those who aren’t 100% sure what a “meme” is, Merriam-Webster says a meme is “an amusing or interesting item (such as a captioned picture or video) or genre of items that is spread widely online, especially through social media.”

One came along during quarantine that struck a chord: “The church has left the building”. We have found that we ARE the church as we and our families are conducting church in our homes! And this one, I loved: “Yes, the Church is empty. But, so is the tomb!" And, “The Church isn’t empty. The Church has been deployed.”

The Church really has been deployed. Here we are on another Sunday and most churches are closed, but pastors and priests will be leading church services again via technological resources that have provided the opportunity to sit in our homes and watch online services given by a skeleton crew – a few people to lead in singing and speaking – all social distanced and looking into monitors to make sure their live feed is streaming to their audiences at home.

Has a sleeping giant been awakened? It seems a larger family of faith has arisen out of the chaos. I’m hearing reports of more people coming into the Family of God through the saving power of Jesus during these times. And, isn’t it something that this time is paralleling with what happened after Jesus was resurrected? In Acts we read about how the Church was deployed and when the “new and improved” Peter, after Pentecost, spoke about our risen Lord, over 3,000 people came to Christ in one day. I heard Pastor Craig Groeschel of Life.Church say that since quarantine, over 240,000 people made a declaration of faith in Christ via their livestream.

I seriously believe that God is doing something in a quick matter-of-time far beyond what man can do in a lifetime. Our buildings may still sit empty, but the Body of Crhist is more active than ever. Just look at us! We are still the Church triumphant and we’re alive and well – no matter whether we’re together at the same time or apart. The Good News of Jesus is still being proclaimed! Aw! Yes! That’s what Jesus meant when He said: "Truly, I tell all of you, the one who believes in me will also do what I’m doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I’m going to the Father.” (John 14:12) Today the good news of Jesus is going around the world – even though church buildings might be closed.

It seems that the coronavirus really did awaken a sleeping giant. It may have kept us from meeting together, but it has brought the broader family of faith together and has engaged the army of God’s people in a way that has not been seen in my lifetime. Indeed THE CHURCH has been deployed!

Shhh! Please Don't Tell Me a Secret!

Please don't tell me a secret. It's just so hard to keep it to myself. I have been known to give away a surprise party before the party in a careless moment of unintentionality. I may have been the kid that went into stealth mode and opened all my Christmas presents and rewrapped them unbeknownst to my mom.

So, I'm in good company with those who couldn't keep it to themselves about Jesus healing a deaf man AFTER He told them to keep it quiet. I would have been one of those, I'm sure. So, while I hope I’d do better than the guys who were healed by Jesus if I were in their situation, I can surely relate. “He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more He ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it.” (Mark 7:36)

There were times when it didn’t matter to Jesus if the news was publicized – all the better! But there were good reasons why He didn't want His miracles publicized some of the time. The leper couldn’t keep the good news to himself when Jesus healed him. Mark 1:45 says: “It was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places.” If the broadcast of the miracle would draw people in to hear His teaching, all to the good. If the broadcast of the miracle only caused a mob scene who misunderstood His mission and purpose, it was useless. (Mark 8:36).

Jesus didn’t come to be an earthly king. He knew that the more famous He became, the more jealous those in power would become. Jesus seemed to be good at "stealth-mode". He kept the full Truth of His divine identity mostly quiet (despite the bad secret-keepers) until God’s plan of Jesus’ passion and resurrection could be realized over the events of Holy Week. We're into week two of Lent -- and I can't keep it a secret about my Savior and the price He paid for me.

We awkward secret-keepers don’t have to worry anymore. With the resurrection, we are witnesses not to just a small piece, but to the fulfillment of God’s plan of salvation. Secrecy is no longer needed. Now we can shout it from the rooftops how Jesus has healed us from our own blindness and deafness and invisible inner leprosies. It’s all too good to keep to ourselves. Whew! That’s good news for me…..and the good news I endeavor to shout from the rooftops (er…social media) every day!

At last…I don’t have to keep it a secret, but God bless those who still have to keep this Good News to themselves in many countries in our world. Lord, I pray for those in harms way because they don’t want to have to keep YOU a secret any longer!

Let's Be Pep-Talkers AND Burden-Bearers

Based on my social media newsfeed, I know there are many who are suffering. It's easy to respond to a "sufferer's" FB comment with cliches like: "Praying for you." Or, with scriptures like: "When we are weak, He is strong" or "All things work together for good." Please don't misunderstand me: Those words are true. Pep-talking cliches and scriptures aren't wrong. They're often just not enough.

As someone who has been on the sending AND receiving end of a lot of “let go and let God” and “sometimes God shuts a door and opens a window” pep talks, sometimes it can feel a little lack-luster. Especially if that’s all we’re getting from people. Jesus was great at reading a room. He could spot hurt and doubt and fear and He knew just when someone needed a tangible touch of grace. Jesus offered His presence and comfort, but He also met people’s needs right where they were at. He served them, fed them and healed them.

It’s often easier to promise someone a happy ending than to accompany them on their journey. As our friendships are deepened, new levels of openness can give many opportunities for becoming "soul" brothers and sisters AND being burden-removing friends to them.

Do we bear one another’s burdens well? Or do we spend most of our time trying to convince them that it’s not really that heavy or that they don’t have that much further to carry it? We believe God calls us to a life of dependence on Him, but shouldn't we also believe He calls us to a life of interdependence with each other as the body of Christ?

I've been on the giving and receiving end of burden bearers -- helping take care of children while they recuperate from an illness, helping pack up friends' homes when they're under a crunch to get moved, making meals for funerals, taking food to a caregiver so they don't have to think about cooking on top of all their other responsbilities, taking a friend out to dinner who needs "presence". And, I've been on the receiving end of those who were my burden bearers. I needed to know that God was close. That Jesus wasn’t far removed but instead cared that I couldn’t go grocery shopping without leaving my husband. A God who understood that medical bills and prescriptions are costly and sometimes our bank account didn't stretch far enough. I needed a God who gave me moral and physical support. And God did show up for me through God’s people who lifted us in prayer, who sat with me through the tears, who reached out to say, “How can we help you in this?”

Sometimes we need to do more than just an offer to pray. Not because prayer isn’t powerful or necessary, because it is. But sometimes after we’ve prayed, God is asking us to move. To invest more than our words, to invest our time, our energy, our gifts, and our presence. He’s calling us to get close, not just to Him but to each other. We can be the answer to someone’s prayers. For goodness sake, don't stop being great cheerleaders and pep-talkers, but let's be the tangible touch that shows what Jesus meant when He said: "I'm here with you" and meant it.

"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2

The Only Story You'll Regret is the One Left Untold

I have little time to scroll through my FB timeline, but when I do, I often get a bright idea for my next blog. I saw a post a few days ago and it inspired me to keep telling stories of my past. Even though my listeners and readers may yawn at yet another one of my Mom or Nana stories, I know they might remember that story and pass it on to their kiddos one day. There are many things I would do over in a better way, if I could, but I can't so I won't live in regret. No “what if’s”, “if onlys” – because that’s no way of living. What I do on-purpose to plant seeds and cultivate them is what matters today. See if this friend's FB post gives you some bright ideas too!

“I’ve encountered the worst, most horrible, awful aspect of cleaning out my dad’s house, which belonged to my grandparents before him: we have lost all the stories. I was my dad’s only child, and he was my grandparents’ only child. My dad’s death was unexpected, so I never got the full data dump of family stories from him, especially as it relates to our heirlooms.
I encounter one object after another that is very old, that I know has deep meaning to my family, but I don’t know details. Which clock is the one that was a wedding gift to my great-great grandparents? Whom did this 1892 Bible belong to? What were the items brought to Texas by covered wagon by my ancestors in the 1850s? My dad knew. Now, he’s gone. There is no one left to ask. I will never know. The stories died with him.

Never has the power of "stories" been more apparent to me than today. It’s reminded me of why I defend people sharing their lives on social media, even if it means we’re walking around taking selfies all the time. When someone is photographing or videoing their lives, it’s not usually because they’re vain or addicted to their phone. It’s because they want to share. They have a story to tell and they want someone to hear it.

As someone who is reeling from the loss of stories, I want to encourage you to be bolder in sharing your own. Let us laugh with you when you can’t find your car in the parking lot. Tell us why you ate that one sandwich for lunch. Vent about how you’re really feeling today. As I sit in my family’s house, surrounded by objects full of secrets I’ll never know, I can promise you the only story you’ll regret is the one that doesn’t get told.”

So, tell those stories, dear friends! Let those youngsters know about walking to school in knee-deep snow (that’s for my Canadian family) – my mother-in-law tells those stories. Tell us how you came to know Jesus.Tell us how He made a difference in your life. Tell us about how you nearly gave up -- but God. Tell us about that vase and where it came from. I love that my mother-in-law labels every item that is given to her by a putting piece of masking tape under that item with a name and date.

I talk a lot about my precious husband -- on purpose. My two youngest grands wouldn't typically remember too much about him, but they do because we keep Papa in the present in our conversations and with photos.

So – with this blog today, I’m reaching out to touch you with an S.O.S.! Don’t take chances that you’ll have your loved ones with you forever or that YOU will be on this side of heaven forever! Ask them about their lives – I mean REALLY delve into WHO they were and what their memories were all about. And, you, start telling YOUR story. I promise you – you will be so glad you did – if not today – someday, when you wish you had!

Being Selfless in a Selfie Generation

Long gone are the days when we used our cameras to take pictures of our family and friends. I never asked someone to take a picture of me all alone. It was always me with my friends or me with my boy friend and later, my husband and family. Selfies didn’t exist then and cameras were too large and awkward to hold steady while taking a photo of ourself. My phone is too awkward to hold steady for me to take a selfie – so no fear – you won’t be seeing this gal – up close and personal!

How times have changed! Selfies have changed the way many people take photographs. We used the "selfie" opportunity to get all of us in the photo when we didn't have an outsider to take the photo for us at our retreat on Saturday. My children have used it to get all of us in the photo for the same reason. Sometimes we just need to be US focused. But the true "selfie" is about me taking photos of ME! One celebrity said she takes 500 selfies before finding one she likes enough to post. Another article said the average teen takes 12 minutes per selfie, from preparing the shot to editing it. It really is a "ME" generation!

How is it that God gave us so many examples in the Bible so many years ago that are so relevant to our lives in this social media, high-tech world today? St. Paul wrote this: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit”. (Philippians 2:3)

Honestly, I am writing this blog today – not because of a selfie issue, but I like to stay in tune with the Holy Spirit enough to know when I’m letting pride sneak into my life. Pride is an enemy of our souls. I feel that gentle nudge when I’m overthinking what I’m going to wear for this or that occasion. Or if I had to have the last word in a conversation. Or, yes, I may be a guilty of over-checking my social media posts for "likes" or "loves". All these admitted issues certainly feed the pride in my life. I sense it and I have to repent when I’ve fallen prey to those snares of the enemy. I didn’t finish the Philippians 2:3 scripture above – the second part says “rather, in humility, value others above yourselves.” Did Paul know what we would be doing in this day and time? It sure sounds like it, doesn’t it?, He’s telling us to be more interested in focusing on valuing others.

“Humility isn’t thinking less of ourselves. It’s thinking of ourselves less.” The more we put the spotlight on others, the happier and more fulfilled we'll become. Maybe instead of selfies, we should turn outward to others and smile, not for a selfie, but so others who need to be valued, could sure use that smile today!

Cheers to the Underachievers who Overcame!

Cheers to the Underachievers who Overcame!
I love following my friends’ posts on Facebook and social media -- especially this time of year when they are proudly celebrating their children's graduations and academic achievements, as well as announcing the ivy league or major state universities that they will be attending in the fall. I always congratulate the entire family because it takes a village -- an entire village of teachers, coaches, counselors, mentors and most of all, parents and siblings that helped facilitate those achievements. I applaud all of you. Oh, the places those graduates will go!

For today's post, however, I'm leaning into those families who were over-the-moon thrilled because they even made it to graduation because it was a tough field to hoe for their child. They didn't have the financial means to put their kids in all of the sports, clubs, groups or other extracurricular activities. I want to cheer for the single moms or dads who didn't have a village to support them. In fact, they had to work two jobs just to put food on the table and ensure their kids had a sack lunch to take with them instead of buying cafeteria food.

I want to applaud all the young people who were willing to get an after-school job to help out with the family budget. I want to celebrate those who weathered the storms of conflict in their home where parents weren't getting along or where a sibling or parent’s health required their extra attention. Maybe they had to step up and be a cook and do more chores to help out. God bless the young people who were willing to walk to school or ride the bus while other kids were dropped off at the door. God bless them even more for not complaining – for sticking to their goals of finishing. And they did. They walked across that platform to receive their diploma because they earned it. Here’s what I know…..the eyes of THE ONE saw them and I’m quite sure He is bursting with pride and joy because they are one of His and He will use them.

Regardless whether you are the best of the best, the star athlete, the “best dressed”, the one voted “most likely to succeed” and the leader of all…..God can use you, too! Just look at St. Paul who was a renown scholar AND a servant. And, God uses "commoners" -- like most of us. Just look at His disciples -- fishermen, a tax collector, a zealot. I pray God blesses each and every one of you -- those who are blessed with means, talents, and abilities and those who are stretching to be the best you can be and have talents and abilities in your own right! I praise God Who specializes in using very ordinary, everyday people AND those with degrees and pedigrees to change the world. The over AND underachievers are designed by God to be those who do something that lasts throughout eternity -- to do some things that outlast us. We aren’t so entangled with stuff as we are caught up in bearing the burdens of others even less fortunate than us, being the hands and feet of Jesus to the hurting, the ones Who wake up saying “What are my marching orders for today, God?” Wherever we’ve been and wherever we’re going – may it be God’s divine plan that assures us we landed right where we were supposed to land – right in the smack dab middle of God’s plans and purposes for our lives.

So here’s to the overachievers who worked hard, studied hard, and received the accolades and honors you deserved. And, here’s to the underachievers who overcame so many obstacles and you MADE IT! Now, may we all come together to be the kind of people who are radical in our faith and determination to be examples of God’s love in the world and who help change it!

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

With All These Conveniences……Could I Do Less?

Someone asked me how I could possibly devote so much time to my blog every day – 365 days a year. My response: I know God gave me this mission to be an encourager and a light in the darkness. I promised to fulfill that mission from the get-go. My "ministry" platform just happens to be on social media. What a convenient way of spreading the Good News -- unlike the ways of our forefathers.

It wasn't so convenient last week at our cabin in the woods without easy access to wifi. I wrote my blog during the day and had it ready to go “live” the next morning by 6 am. I was up at my usual 5 am, but unlike at home, so as not to wake the other sleeping family members, I’d creep around using a flashlight, then quietly exit out the front door to my car. I used the flashlight to break up the pitch black darkness. It was eerie – not knowing what might be lurking somewhere in the woods. One thing I knew for sure – the same God Who called me to it, would see me through it. I drove about three miles to where there was decent wifi to post my blog from my phone. I felt victorious each day when it went "live"!

That was such a minuscule inconvenience compared to the Apostle Paul's location in “posting” his writings! He penned or dictated Galatians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Corinthians and Romans, and from his PRISON CELL, he penned or dictated Ephesians, Philemon, Colossians, and Philippians, then, 1 Timothy and Titus, and during his second Roman imprisonment, he wrote 2 Timothy. He probably wrote with a quill pen and parchment if given that “luxury”, but if not, he probably dictated to others from his prison cell window.

How could I not obey the same voice of the Holy Spirit who spoke to Paul? If he could carry out God’s call in conditions beyond comprehension in a cold, dark, damp prison cell -- without a computer, wifi, car, air-conditioned or heated home or office with electricity, a near-by restroom and kitchen stocked with food, running cold or hot water, and the comfort of a cozy bed (Need I say more?), how could I not fulfill this sweet and comfortable mission that God has given me? What a wuss I would be to complain in any way!

I do sense the Holy Spirit's leading each day for writing what I need personally and for what someone else may need to hear to kickstart their day. I know it’s easy to scan through such a wordy FB post or my blog website ( Mypeacezone.com ). But, most importantly, is the message that I convey to hopefully help someone feel so deeply loved by Father God which causes them to love deeper, to rejoice and live in gratitude more. That they begin to live in audacious faith in spite of the storms. That they share with someone else one of the messages that may inspire and motivate them to pursue God with all their hearts.

I will not give up until I’m taken up. I want to run into St. Paul in heaven, applaud him and say “Way to go with all that incredible example of faithfulness of giving us God’s words because they sure made a difference in my life.” And, in some small token of faithfulness, I hope to hear those words from those I might have inspired to finish their race strong – just like St. Paul told us to! How could we do less than give our best to God Who gave His all? 2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

HELP! If You Have a Great Passage – Send it my Way!

When we are far removed from the turmoil and fear that others go through during storms, tornadoes, torrential rains and now flooding, we pray and give positive thoughts and hopes for them, but still, we’re not in the middle of it. It's not touching us, so we go on about our business.

But this is Oklahoma, where our roots were for over 38 years, so my heart naturally gravitates to my friends and family there. Social media gives us visuals that tenderize our hearts. This photo is of Skiatook, OK (near Tulsa) that is under water right now. The relentless rain has raised the river and lake waters and can’t hold back the deluge. My friend’s drug store is under water. My sister and brother-in-law were helping to evacuate some of their employees because the flood waters are expected to cover their homes and more rain is on the way. Reports are that never has there been flooding so serious as is expected.

I saw a frantic FB post two days ago from a Tulsa friend. Her children were in the middle of the storm. She tagged me in her message. This is an excerpt of this desperate mom: “I can’t even keep tabs on them all, 40 plus tornadoes since Friday, now all over the State of Oklahoma -- homes lost, lives lost, flooding everywhere. Almost to the top of our bridges. Now time to be prepared to go down into our fraidy hole, again! I will be up all night now worrying about all our loved ones/friends and complaining it may seem, but I'm actually just venting and fear-filled, so please guys, pray for Oklahoma! Donna Wheat Wuerch if you have a great passage/message, please send it my way, Thank you and GOD BLESS AMERICA!”

Bless her heart. I did pray. The fact she called out my name put me on the spot of prayer and encouragement. I am humbled and honored that she called out my name while she was calling out God’s name. This is some of my response to her and it is my response to you today because you may be in a physical or spiritual storm and you need words of encouragement too:

“Oh, yes, sweet girl, I know those concerns. We lived in Oklahoma for 40 years and am well acquainted with storms and tornadoes. We knew those violent winds. I remember those times of concern when we went to our safe place in the middle of our home many times. It can be scary but we always trusted and placed confidence in God. We would speak to the storm, "In the name of Jesus, be gone!" I recalled scriptures like this one: "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him." (Jeremiah 17:7) As Jesus did, we spoke to the storm "Peace be still!" And then we'd hover until the storm passed over. Eventually, it did. It's a huge test of our faith to be in a storm and trust in God, but it's those times, we have nothing left to do but to hunker down and trust in His mighty hand. Sweet girl, let peace in the storm be yours. God was always faithful to us and He will be to you, too! I pray for "cease and desist" to those storms now, in the mighty name of Jesus! I read your words: "I will be up all night now worrying…” Precious girl, worrying gets you nowhere, but praying God's Word, believing in His faithfulness and being confident that He is with you and your family gets you somewhere. Here are some to pray:

~ Nahum 1:7 "The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him."
~ Psalm 107:29 "He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed."
~ Psalm 91:1-2 "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.”
~ Isaiah 41:10 "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God."
~ Isaiah 26:3 "I will keep Him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Me."
~ Matthew 8:26 "He replied, 'You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm."

Stand strong for you and your family. Be the faith-talker, God-can-do-anything, nothing-is-impossible-for-Him, mighty woman of God you know you are! God’s peace be with you. Love you much. <3

Dear Jesus, wrap your loving arms around these families and bring a peace that is unexplainable and unending. I pray that a DIVINE sense of your presence invades their hearts and homes right now. Thank you for bringing light and hope to their lives. Thank you for the safety of my family and friends today. In Jesus' mighty name I pray, Amen!

I Hear You, But I'm Not Listening

A concerned husband went to his doctor and said, "Doc, I think my wife is going deaf. What can I do?" The doctor replies: “Go home and stand 15 feet from her and speak to her. If she doesn’t reply, move 5 feet closer and say it again. Keep doing this so we’ll get an idea about the severity of her deafness.” The man goes home and does as directed. He starts off standing 15 feet from his wife in the kitchen as she is chopping vegetables and says, “Honey, what’s for dinner?” He hears no response. He moves 5 feet closer and asks again. No reply. He moves 5 feet closer. Still no reply. He gets fed up and moves right behind her, about an inch away, and asks loudly, “Honey, what’s for dinner?” She replies, “For the fourth time, vegetable stew!”

I thought about that story this weekend when I was in a prayer team (common to a Holy Spirit 101 retreat or healing night) of four people. I noticed a man continuing to turn his left ear in the direction of the person who was speaking, time and time again. After we had individually prayed for each one in this group, I asked the man if he’d like prayer for his hearing. He quickly said, “I don’t have a problem with hearing, but my wife thinks I do. Actually, the problem isn’t hearing – it’s listening.” He amused us enough for each of us to compare notes on how well we listen – especially to the voice of the Holy Spirit.

I think this cartoon best describes why we're not hearing. The message is clear and true to our lives. Jesus said, "My sheep listen to My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me:" (John 10:27). I wonder if He had in mind how difficult "listening for His voice" would be in 2019? Of course, He did. And, if ever we needed to hear His voice, it is in this day and time. So many voices chiming in, so many distractions each and every day and being pulled by our social media apps and electronics that keep us nose-dived into content overload.

We need the Holy Spirit’s wisdom, comfort, guidance, peace, and direction. Of course, we long to hear His voice, but in the busy-ness, the clamor and the many, many activities and distractions of everyday life, oftentimes, we may be hard-pressed to find that quiet PLACE where we can go for solace, rest and peace, and hear the voice of our Shepherd. And, even when we manage to find that place, like in this cartoon, the noise of our cell phones, radios, computers, TV, etc. -- keeps us distracted from hearing our Shepherd's voice.

We need to find that place where His voice comes through loud and clear to us. Oh, He has that place -- and we can find it, but it's up to us to disregard the distractions to "Be still (that’s a feat in itself) to hear and know our God." And, I'm not referring to a far-away island in the middle of no-where. It's possible to find that place if only for a few minutes in our day, to "Come away with Him"!

Matthew 13:13 -- Jesus said, “This is why I speak to them in parables: Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’”

Oops! I Did It Again!

The older I am getting, the more I have to watch what I say. Words will literally pop out of my mouth like a Jack-in-the-Box when I least expect it. I wonder “Where did that come from?” That whole “think before you speak” quote seems to often be null and void in my life. It’s too late to retract them. I said them. They are out there now and perhaps causing someone to think less of themselves AND me. Lord, please put a gate with a lock over my mouth and only open it when You know my words will be sweet and uplifting. Psalm 141:3 “Set a guard over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.”

I wonder. Is it because I pay too much attention to social media where the swords have come out and we wonder if they’ll ever be put back in their sheath. By this I mean the cutting statements in Facebook rants, the attack-dog tweets, the opinions launched like grenades at the other side. It’s tempting to run from it all and hide. Or to enter the battle with even bigger bombs. Go nuclear!

But I want neither. I want my “Good Ship Lollipop” days back again. My peers will remember the adorable Shirley Temple singing those lyrics: "On the Good Ship Lollipop. It's a sweet trip to a candy shop. Where bon-bons play. On the sunny beach of Peppermint Bay." Oh I know that’s “Fantasy Island” (oh me, I’m being held captive in my memories library!)

But, the reality is we tend to soak up the world’s way-of-thinking like a sponge, and, little-by-little, if we let it, we start taking on the characteristics of those we really do abhor (not the people, for goodness sake, we are people-lovers or so we say when we declare: “We love the Lord with all our hearts and we love our neighbors as we love ourselves).

We see the problems — the issues and the differing opinions, the my-way and their-way, the divides between us. And we think what will make it all better is to fix it all and fix them all. So we focus on the politics, the rancor, the public opinions, Hollywood, the other side of the aisle speakers, and then we slam the door on our way out. We type in all caps and put exclamation points at the end. But, then I hear Jesus still saying: “Love one another” (John 13:34). What if we “fixed” all the problems and looked behind us and saw a war zone scattered with the wounded and the dying? What if I fight so hard and I win, but I am the only one to survive? Is that really a victory?

When we unsheathe our swords, may we use them to fight the real enemy (which is not each other or any human). We really are on the same side. We are part of the same family. Yes, we will and sometimes must disagree. But may we be the ones who stand out. May we “be completely humble and gentle; patient, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2)

The enemy of our souls is after mass casualties in the Kingdom of God. He wants us to turn on each other and do his work for him. For goodness sake -- let’s not allow this to happen.

I started this blog by admitting my own desire to watch my words. The truth of the matter is our words are not dull butter knives or plastic light sabers swung in the backyard. They are real weapons. We can use them to wound. Or we can fight the darkness together. I choose the latter. I want my words to be so powerful that the enemy and his helpers run in terror when my mouth gate is unlocked and I speak words of life. You, too?

My Fear Doesn't Stand a Chance When I Stand in Your Love

My morning routine -- make my daily blog post, check emails, scroll through my social media, encourage and pray for those who reflect they need “team” support and prayer. A valiant, warrior mom’s post stopped me in my tracks yesterday.

This most amazing wife and mom has fought the good fight of faith for her precious son for many years. She is typically in full on battle mode as she keeps him comfortable, celebrates his victories (often a smile does that), dotes on him and does everything she can to help him thrive. But this day, she says (in an excerpt from her post): “Today was one of those days that I feel like I’m in a shoot for a movie that I never signed up for a role in. The doctor is talking...I know he’s looking at me and saying things that I’m supposed to remember but all I can feel is the storm. Three people all looking at me in a doctor’s office. Waiting. Waiting for me to make the call. I can’t even remember what the choices were. If that’s what you even want to call them.
Why do I have to make the choice? I’m not ready. What did you say? My husband isn’t here. Why? Why us? Why more? All the while looking around the room in a half daze like where are the cameras? There must be cameras here because this doesn’t happen in real life. Touché. Oh, how I wish this cup could pass us. I feel like I’m starting to lose hope. I feel like this war we have been faithfully waging will never be won. I’m tired of having bad days more than we have good days.”

Early this morning, I was hearing (in my head) Josh Baldwin’s song: “Stand in Your Love”. I thought about the lyrics when I read this friend’s post so I commented: “I know why I was thinking about this song this morning before I read your post. Sweet girl! You are such a valiant warrior and a most amazing mother to this precious little man! We continue to stand and when we've done all to stand -- we keep standing because we're standing in God's love! Listen to this song because I know it will minister to you! Love you so much!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1T2tMt0Ky6g

I don’t typically pass along someone’s post, but this day I sensed there are others who feel just like my friend. You’ve been given news that has jolted you. You are overcome with pressures and concerns about what today and tomorrow will hold for you and your loved one. You are ready to throw in the towel and give up. The strong faith you once had feels like it has drained entirely out of you. You, too, are ridden with starting to lose hope and you think the war you are waging will never be won.

I tell you what I told this sweet friend. STAND!!! Don’t give up! God is saying “Hold on, My child! Weeping lasts for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)

I believe Josh Baldwin’s song lyrics are for you today, too:
When darkness tries to roll over my bones;
When sorrow comes to steal the joy I own;
When brokenness and pain is all I know;
Oh, I won't be shaken, no, I won't be shaken.

My fear doesn't stand a chance;
When I stand in Your love.

The good news is this sweet mama put her combat boots back on and she is standing strong another day – for a miracle. I love her Facebook banner. It says: “Expect a miracle. All things are possible.” And I speak that to you, too, mighty warriors! You and God have got this! You are an overcomer and are equipped for victory! Tough times don't last, but tough people, with God's help, do!

Our Mission Field is Wherever We Are

All my life, literally, all my life, I have been encouraged to love God and share His good news. It started, early on, when I saw the flannel board images of Bible characters while my teacher shared the Gospel story. I was also taught little songs that emphasized the love God has for me. “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so." I was raised in an evangelical home and church. Evangelical, in the sense, that my family was zealous in their faith and love for God and His children. Early on I became a devoted follower of Jesus.

But, I assure you, I wasn’t that girl that was very outspoken about my faith like others who went door-to-door giving out Gospel tracts or standing on a street corner shouting “You must be born again!” I was even quiet when it came to letting others know I was a Christian, in part, because I was shy and I lacked self-confidence. Yes, I took friends with me to church and I did my best to be an example to them of what a good Christian looks and acts like. But, I was not outspoken about it.

Later on, I became a Bible teacher, but even in that sense, my teaching was confined to “within-the-four-walls-of-the-church”. A safe place. People expected that “talk and walk” there.

Before the internet, many of us who were Jesus followers were pretty reclusive. Our faith was within our homes. Jesus “talk” was easy there. Prayers were welcomed there. We’d pray for a good grade on an upcoming test or for healing from an illness. You know the usual requests and petitions. It was faith that was between us four and no more – so to speak.
Who would have thought, way back then, that we would one day have the internet and social media that would open the doors for us to live out our faith online before countless numbers of people? We became evangelists and we were unleashed to spread the good news from behind a computer or a cell phone. I see you. You know who you are. You are the ones who post a scripture photo or you share a quote by Mother Teresa or Billy Graham. You are the ones who share an answer to prayer and also are the ones who ask for prayer.

So when Jesus said in John 14:12, “And greater works than these (the works that He performed) will you do….”, He was foretelling about what we could accomplish in our times. It is time for us to raise our voices even louder. We never know whose life we might impact because of something we posted or said on social media. There is so much power in our words. When we change our words from complaining, blaming or criticizing to faith-filled, loving and caring words, we change our world. Change your words. Change your world.

There will always be a reason to keep us from genuinely loving. But we can decide to be different. We can respond in love when someone hurts us or when it’s difficult to love them. This is what can make those who follow Christ look different from the rest of the world. Love that knows no bounds. Love wrapped in grace. Love that can get over our own insecurities, doubts, and fears. Love that doesn’t have conditions or rights. Love that doesn’t demand its own way. It’s the 1 Corinthians 13 way. May we not walk, talk or scroll right past the opportunities that God has placed in our paths to let His love flow through us. Let’s be billboards that make God famous. We are missionaries because we are on a mission. We have been sent. We were sent the second the first spark of life flickered in our mother’s womb to this earth and now to wherever we are today and to whoever crosses our paths – via the street or the internet!

Treasuring and Making Jesus Famous

We all knew from social media that Anastasia, my friends' baby girl, made her debut Friday morning. I love her name because my Staci's name is a derivative of Anastasia, which means "resurrected life"! My thoughts went to Mary and how she "treasured these things in her heart", unlike how descriptive we are about our children and their lives. I'm guilty, as charged. Back in my day, it was word-of-mouth to alert our friends and family that our baby had arrived. Today, we even know the gestation periods of moms as they show photos of their growing tummies at 12 - 16 - 28 weeks and more. We wore full tops that kept our expanding waistlines from showing. Now it’s tight-fitting outfits that let it show, let the whole world know as the baby grows! And, the latest trends are showing photos of babies bearing a sign "One Week Old", then at one month, two months, etc. We are our babies and families' "publicity managers"! The world of social media certainly is different than Mary's “treasuring those things in her heart".

Mary shared very little about her baby, the Son of God. Dr. Luke, the writer of the Gospel of Luke, must have interviewed Mary because she was the only surviving eye-witness of those events. Only do his writings explain the miracle birth. And, very little "detail" did she give us, unlike my "many words" daily posts. I reflected on Mary’s brief explanation of her miracle pregnancy and the wonders of her baby’s birth – the angels, the shepherds, the star. I marvel at her quiet demeanor and her ability to “treasure” these things in her heart. “Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them.” Luke 2:19 \

We know little of keeping things to ourselves these days – with social media that keeps us well aware of what’s going on in our lives. I know I'm not measuring up to Mary's "treasuring in her heart", especially when I post about where I am and what I’m doing and what my family is doing almost daily. Obviously, my "treasuring" is bold and in technicolor to the world.

But, in reality, how can we make Jesus famous if we simply sit and treasure Him -- keeping Him all to ourselves? Unlike Mary, who had the benefit of a host of angels and a star, we have so many extraordinary, available ways to broadcast the GOOD NEWS of Jesus. Oh yes, there are times to sit in His holy presence and treasure Him and adore Him and honor Him. But, if we don't get out of our comfortable places of "Silent Night. Holy Night" to "Go Tell It On the Mountain" -- who will be the bearers of "Joy to the World. The Lord Has Come. Let Earth Receive Her King. Let every heart prepare Him Room" to our world?

If ever a mother could exploit the exploits of her Son, Mary could have, but she chose to treasure those things in her heart. As I treasured Mary's "Yes" yesterday, I realized God was inspiring me to use whatever platforms I’m given to be Mary’s mouthpiece. She treasured in her heart because that was God's best plan for her. Now, her heart is revealed in how I can help her make her Son famous and help people fall in love with Him as I did.

I’m inspired by Mary’s quiet “treasuring-in-her-heart” ways, but in John 14:12, Jesus said "Truly, I tell all of you emphatically, the one who believes in Me will also do what I’m doing. He will do even greater things than these because I’m going to the Father." Why then, would we NOT use every means possible like books, churches, missions teams, movies, television, social media, and word-of-mouth to get the word out to make Him famous?

I hope to live my life with the same willingness of Mary. What if she had said no? What if she had rejected the opportunity to be the Mother of the Lord? But, she would have missed out on being a crucial part of the greatest story ever told! Millions of people throughout time wouldn’t look back at her life in gratitude, understanding that their salvation was made possible because she was a willing servant of the Lord. No matter the cost. Like Mary, I want to treasure each moment as Mary did, choosing to trust in God’s sovereignty, but I want to get out there in every way possible to shine the spotlight on Him and help make my Lord famous. Will you join me?

Excuse Me! Could I Have Your Undivided Attention, Please?

This photo may look familiar. It should because I was in this very spot two years ago. I’m back in Tulsa for a few days that lead up to my mother-in-law’s 96th birthday on Wednesday. After my home sold two years ago, I stayed at a dear friend’s home for another six weeks because I had speaking engagements and other responsibilities here. I am back in this sweet spot and I get to enjoy this little piece of heaven again. This city holds so many precious memories, precious people, and so many favorite places to go. It’s not a vacay, but it sure is a favorite place to be.

I sat in this very spot each morning for my morning devotions when I was here before. I’d look out across this beautiful pond that my home backed up to. I received so much peace and comfort in this spot. I like to think that God also enjoyed my stay here because He got my undivided attention.

I wonder how God must feel about the lack of our attention because I get a little frustrated when I don’t receive full attention when I’m with someone. I can be having a nice conversation with someone, and then their phone rings or dings and, without even a second thought, they leave me hanging while they answer their phone or text message. Okay! I'll admit it. I've been on both sides....the one singing "All By Myself" while others were heads down in their phones and I've been the one with my head down in MY phone. What in the world? Where did our respect for others go? I'm ashamed of us!! It's time for putting those phones in another room or turning them off so we can get back to what's REALLY important -- being a sincere, caring, and respectful friend and family member.

Even worse is how disrespectful we can be to God. We can be right in the middle of sweet fellowship with Him when our phone dings and we can’t resist checking to see what that text message is all about. After all, it could be the plumber, the friend that we’re meeting later or one of our children or grandchildren who might need us. Right? But, oh so WRONG! We can be fully engaged in conversation with our Heavenly Father and our Savior Who gave His life for us and we allow ourselves to be interrupted. Sound familiar? God must be tapping His fingers on the arm of His royal throne as He tenderly and lovingly says “Excuse Me....could I have your undivided attention, please? I have secrets to reveal and plans to give you for your good.”

Just look at the object in this photo that the enemy of our souls uses to steal our alone time with our Best Friend, our Father, and our CEO? There it is, smack dab in the middle, instead of away from being a distraction to my one-on-one time with my royal guest. Jesus sat the example for us in Mark 1:35-36 "And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He departed and went out to a DESOLATE PLACE, and there He prayed."

Royalty Comes With Great Responsibility

For so many fairy-tale-loving little girls and even big girls like me, we are captivated from our home’s front row seats as we watch the real life, regal ceremonies and celebrations of the marriage of Prince Harry and Megan Markle today. A good love story is hard to resist. And, in this case, a “commoner” and Prince Charming rank right up there with my Hallmark movies that I adore! This one is for the record books. I heard a commentator say that little girls everywhere can now dream and really believe for a “Prince Charming” wherever or whoever they come from. Meghan is the first divorced, biracial, American actress to marry into the royal family.

Meghan bent the royal rules a few times during their engagement period, but much of that distinctive style will, no doubt, change once she actually becomes royalty when their wedding vows are said. While eagle-eyeing all this hoopla, I noticed, more than ever, that royalty comes with great responsibility. Meghan had to delete all her social media accounts and she can no longer take selfies. Her nail polish must be “natural looking”. And, she is permitted to pick up her fork at meals only after the queen begins eating. She’s required to learn British terminology.

I’m on stand-by with my DVR today for recording every moment of the grandeur of this ROYAL day. I wish the couple a most blessed marriage and I pray they will continue to support charities and philanthropy in tangible ways. Word has it that they have asked for donations to charities in lieu of wedding gifts.

I can’t help but think of Portugal's Queen Elizabeth, a Spanish princess given in marriage to King Denis of Portugal in the 1200s. She was well known for going to the countryside and taking food to the poor peasant children, but she'd also take her crown with her for the children to put on. As she placed the crown on their heads, she would remind them that regardless of their situation in life, as children of God, they are royalty because they are members of God's royal family. Queen Elizabeth (St. Elizabeth) became known for practicing this custom throughout her life. It was her way of spreading the Gospel message to simply remind us all that we are God's children.

Royalty does come with great responsibility and I’m sure we’ll be hearing and seeing many news stories about the newly married Duke and Duchess for many years to come, but royalty isn’t for only those with royal titles. As previous royal divorces show, marrying Prince Harry doesn't guarantee that Meghan Markle will remain a member of the royal family for life. But here's the best ROYAL news for you and me. When we became a child of God, we entered His royal family for eternity.

We are the King of ALL Kings' children and in His family, we are royalty. Holy Spirit continues to work with us to become stellar examples of what it means to become one of God's children. Holy Spirit constantly urges us to speak a different language from the world. Royalty doesn't speak "commoner" language. Royalty comes with great responsibility. We represent the Royal Family -- God's Family. Our responsibility is to live our lives as examples of God's language of love, forgiveness, gentleness, kindness, and peace, as well as sharing all of that with others so that they, too, will know they are also royal children of God.