To Be Thankful is to Be Peaceful

Back in the day, my husband, his sister, a friend, and myself made up the Masters IV Quartet. We were known for our renditions of Andrae Crouch’s beautiful songs. Andrae was a well-known gospel singer, songwriter, arranger, record producer and pastor. He penned these words that were our testimony and I’m sure you might call them yours, too:

“I've had many tears and sorrows / I've had questions for tomorrow / There's been times I didn't know right from wrong / But in every situation / God gave me blessed consolation / that my trials come to only make me strong.

Through it all / through it all / I've learned to trust in Jesus / I've learned to trust in God. / Through it all / through it all / I've learned to depend upon His Word.”

Andrae wrote that song based on the struggles and wins in his own life. John Newton wrote “Amazing Grace” based on his spiritual conversion after having been a slave trader. And, Horatio Spafford wrote “It is Well with My Soul” after the death of his son and subsequently the loss of his four daughters when their ship sank. Horrific struggles in life often produce some of the greatest masterpieces of our lives. As I think about my own life’s struggles – there is an unexplainable thread of peace woven throughout my story and I’m sure, if alive, those authors of some of the most renown songs ever written would tell us the same thing. A powerful peace was prevalent that centered them in the awareness of God’s presence.

The truly thankful person is a truly peaceful person – no matter what! Thankful people have created a habit of noticing, pausing and choosing. Noticing “something” to be thankful about no matter the circumstance. Pausing to acknowledge this “something” as a reminder of God’s presence. Choosing to focus on God’s presence until His powerful peace consumes us. I know this “season” has given us plenty of reasons to be in fear, concern, disappointment and angst about what the future holds. But, will we come through this time unscathed because we’ve been noticers? Pausers? Choosers? Were we people of thanksgiving no matter what the circumstances were?

The greatest examples of the power of thanksgiving are found in sacred scriptures. What was the prayer of Daniel right before being thrown into the lions’ den and witnessing God miraculously shutting the lion’s mouths? Thanksgiving. After three days in the belly of a fish, what was the cry of Jonah’s heart right before he was finally delivered onto dry land? Thanksgiving. What was St. Paul’s mode of operation in the prison cell and how did he instruct us to pray in Philippians 4:6? “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God."

And what was the outcome of each of these situations where thanksgiving was proclaimed? Peace -- powerful, unexplainable, uncontainable peace. Paul went on to write: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7).

I wonder what might happen if we decide in the midst of our circumstances to notice, pause and choose something to be thankful about today. Let’s pray about it!

Dear Lord, will You help me notice things that I can be thankful for in each circumstance I face today? To remember to pause and acknowledge it as evidence of Your presence? And please help me choose to focus on Your presence until Your powerful peace rushes into my heart and helps me see everything more clearly. Thank You for the reality that being thankful changes everything. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

In EVERYTHING – Give Thanks

I stopped by a friend’s home a few days ago. Understandably, she is distraught because her high-school-senior-son is missing out on his final year of baseball, as well as missing out on his Senior Prom. And she went on to feel sorry for those college students who are delayed in their graduations and other friends who are having to cancel or postpone their weddings. I get it. It’s a difficult and disappointing time for so many.

I responded to her by telling her about my morning “aha”. I know this is TMI (too much information), but it’s my truth. I say: “I am sitting on my toilet this morning. I am pooping. I say to God: ‘Thank you so much for my system working so good. Thank you for this toilet. Thank you for the water in this toilet. Thank you for this bathroom that has a door on it and it’s indoors. Thank you for water to drink. Thank you for my home. Thank you for my lights. Thank you for technology. Thank you for YOU, God – Who promises to never leave me or forsake me.’”

She got the picture. And, so do you. It’s expressing gratitude for what we do have. It’s seeing the bigger picture that this all will pass and we’ll be telling our grandchildren about the 2020 pandemic. We will talk about the faithfulness of God Who brought us through while telling them about those who got very sick and many who lost their lives. This time will go down in the history books.

Yes, we are inconvenienced. Yes, we are missing spending times with friends and family. Yes, we miss going to church and concerts and sports games and restaurants and previously planned events. Yes, we want to go back to “business as usual”. Yes, we want our “normal” to be normal again.

But, instead of what we don’t have or what we don’t get to do – let’s consider what we do have. So, what to do when we don’t know what to do? We count our blessings – even name them one by one. I mean it. Since you’re at home with your kiddos – why not play the “I am so blessed” game. “You have one minute to tell us what you’re thankful for!” I did the exercise. I gave myself one minute, using my phone app. Ready! Set! Go!

I heard my dishwasher running. I wrote down "dishwasher". My eyes went to my piano that Papa played, I play, and our grandson plays. I wrote down "piano". I was seeing -- I wrote down "my eyes", and hearing -- "my ears"; I was sitting in a comfy chair -- "my furniture"; I saw my computer -- I wrote down "computer and internet". I glanced over at my refrigerator -- I wrote down "refrigerator".

When we express gratitude, rather than being bugged and annoyed by this time when we can’t do anything about it in the natural, we can express to God how thankful we are for what we do have. A grateful heart sees each day as a gift. Thankful people focus less on what they lack and more on the privileges and blessings they have. The grateful heart is like a magnet that collects reasons for gratitude -- for the paper clip to hold those pages together; for the milk in our cereal; for the song that soothes us; for the clock we hear ticking; for the light that turns on; for the car that takes us to the OPEN grocery store. Thank you, Lord!

May this time of uncertainty and inconvenience, become a time of really being thankful people for what we do have. May we choose gratitude as a habit that we choose daily as a way of life – even after this crisis is over. May we be overwhelmed with the beauty and abundance of all God has given us!

I'm a Thankful Mess

This girl, while I may appear all-together, there are just times, I am a mess. I'm confessing that because I heard the speaker at our church's "mission" this week make that confession. He said that his in-laws get a little uncomfortable with all the crosses and crucifixes in their home. In fact they have one in every room -- including their bathrooms. Along with the in-laws, you may ask "Why?" The speaker said "Because I'm a mess and I need that reminder every day who I need to be for my wife and kids." That makes sense to me. I, too, want to be reminded every day of Who I need to be for the WHOSE I am.

I am so thankful. Every day, I get to write stories about love, life, hope and joy. Stories that, hopefully, convey that life is so much sweeter when we get our priorities straight. God is the biggest part of it. I never want anything I say to sound like I'm venting -- but always imparting God's grace and mercy that is extended to us every day. You may not know that many days, I use this blog as a counseling session -- for ME! I like it that way: I come with issues. God comes with peace. I come weak. God comes with strength. I come needy, He comes ready to satisfy my every need. I come with a mess and He gives me a message.

I come needing an idea for a blog. God, my idea-provider, gives me wisdom. It's His specialty. This is our power boost -- coming weak and He comes on strong with His grace. This is our faith, being dependent on His faithfulness. I am so thankful. My posture of leaning on Him, reminds me that, every time, He's got big arms to hold me up. It helps me see that every bump in the road is softened because He’s the great shock-absorber. He brings glide to my ride! (I'm a poet. Didn't know it.)

I call. He answers. I cry. He catches my tears. He understands and draws near as I pursue Him and His Word. I wait (which sometimes feels like forever), He faithfully and, in His timing, rushes in. He’ll do the same for you. What weakness do you bear that His shoulders aren't strong enough to handle it? The Counselor waits. We show up for our appointment and before we know it, we are armored up with His strength and power. .

I’ve found this, after day-in-and-day-out writing on this blog, I see God’s goodness in the land of my living out life -- the messes, the tough times and the joy-filled times. I find Him there with open arms to give me just what I need -- especially when I need it the most. What seems impossible, He makes possible. I show up with my muddy combat boots on and He washes them off and lets me rest awhile. Then He sends me out another time. "And, through our God, I shall do valiantly. It is He Who will tread down my enemies." (Psalm 60:12) Indeed, God loves using mess-ups to do mighty works for Him.

You Have Permission....to be Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving! I’m so thankful for you! I can't overstate how much my social media family means to me. I am so grateful that you read my blogs. I know that God gave me this platform to celebrate Him and all that knowing Him affords: peace, comfort, joy, zest for life, faith, hope, and untold blessings. I'm glad we're a part of God's great, big family. And, now for what my heart is leading me to say……

I love this day so much -- the fall weather, the yummy food, warm smells coming from the kitchen and the house bustling with my people. Still, I can’t ignore the quiet rumblings of hearts on days like today. Maybe that’s you. You may feel overwhelmed. Or forgotten. You may feel out of place. You may feel stressed and frustrated. You may feel disappointed or anxious with worry. Or just incredibly lonely.

In a world filled with social media posts with “perfect families” as the featured photo, it can feel like an empty place for hurting hearts. But, let's not go there. Let's flip that nagging heart around, because of Who we are and Whose we are! Today is about giving thanks. It is a day for us to give thanks for the things that really matter: the inner peace that settles us when we are afraid. The inner calm that rises above obstacles and calls us to be brave. The inner voice that steadies us when the world crashes around us. We give thanks for the countless blessings we receive in spite of the odds against us. We give thanks for a Creator who sees us, knows us and accepts us just as we are – even when we feel lost on days like today.

That is the beauty of today. I hope you are at a table with those you are proud to call your own. But, if you find yourself at a table that isn’t a “comfort zone” – embrace the opportunity that you are there – making a difference because you are loved by God and you get to be His representative at that table. Smile and breathe. Connect with that inner voice of God that says “You are enough! You are so very loved. You are beautiful. You are worthy. You are brave!” Remind yourself of the ONE Who is right there with you and Who makes your family of plenty or your family of one, so very loved.

You have permission to be exactly who you are and to be reminded that that is enough. Allow the servant part of you to open your arms and serve. Hmmm! I wonder who that sounds like – it was Jesus Who sat in a room of lovers and haters, some deniers, some rejecters. Serving doesn’t feel like a burden at all – instead it’s something we naturally long to do, where the act of giving becomes a natural expression of our heart.

Whatever your table looks like, I promise there is no obligation greater than the one you have to yourself: to be sure you realize how loved you are. You are worthy of being seen and known. You are worthy of being fought for. Be thankful you are loved by the One Who loves you most. I love you and I pray this is a Thanksgiving in your heart and soul – like none ever before.

Being Thankful When It Isn't Easy

In my post, yesterday, I welcomed this week of Thanksgiving. One day just isn’t enough for us to express our gratitude for God’s goodness and mercy for so many blessings. I know, however, Thanksgiving isn't always a joyous and thankful time for everyone. I know that life is going terribly wrong for some people who can’t think of even one thing for which to be thankful. They are hurting way too much. Oh, believe me, I have been in a wallow of self-pity before, and I know those feelings. Of course, we ALWAYS have something to be thankful for, but when we’re in a season of distress, it’s enough to get out of bed in the morning and to put one foot in front of the other.

I'm thinking about the California fires and those precious people who no longer have a home to go to; for those family members who lost their loved ones in the fires. Then there is the medical test that comes back positive. A spouse wants a divorce. A child is wayward. The mortgage company calls in the loan. God seems so far away, and thanksgiving and praise is the last thing to bubble up from our hearts. We can't see His goodness, and circumstances scream that He has forgotten us.

To praise and thank God in those times requires personal sacrifice. It takes an act of our will to let go of it all before a God we sometimes don't understand. When we bring a "sacrifice of praise," we choose to believe that, even though life is not going as we think it should, God is still good and He's up to something good and can be trusted. When we choose to praise God in spite of the storms, He is honored, and our faith grows deeper.

The Apostle Paul set such a good example for us. He wrote, “In everything give thanks.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18. How could he be thankful in everything, in imprisonments, in beatings, in, really, all kinds of adversity that most people would find tragic and unbearable? It is because Paul was a “pilgrim” of a different sort, one who trusted God to take care of him in the very best way. He didn’t say “Give thanks FOR all things”, but “give thanks IN all things”. “In spite of all this painful stuff, I give YOU thanks, Almighty God!" Today, I offer this prayer for all of us, no matter where we are in our heart and soul:

Lord, teach us to offer you a heart of thanksgiving and praise in all our daily experiences of life. You promised that you would be near to the brokenhearted. Please be near to us today, so much so, that we feel Your closeness and your warm embrace. St. Paul said, "Rejoice in the Lord always." Lord, there are times when it's so hard to rejoice, but help us to be joyful always, to pray continually and to give thanks IN all our circumstances. Help us to ALWAYS be able to find the good in whatever we're going through. May the power of the enemy be defeated in our lives through our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Please change our outlook and attitude into one of joyful thanksgiving for your goodness and mercy. We choose to continually offer You a sacrifice of praise. Teach us the power of a thankful heart. May this be our song every day: “I will give thanks to the LORD because of His righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens” (Psalm 7:17-18:1). In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.

It’s Fall -- My Favorite Season of the Year

It rained incessantly all day here in Frisco on Saturday. That beautiful drenching outside made for a glorious indoor day of wearing comfy clothes, thoroughly giving my home a good top-to-bottom cleaning, and then rewarding myself at the end of the day with a sweet Hallmark movie, popcorn, and a chocolate shake. Aw -- the blessing of a rainy day. And what a way to welcome my favorite season of the year – FALL! I sensed I was being powered by a heart of gratitude. I turned a “routine” house cleaning into a charged-up expression of joy. I became very aware of so many reasons to be thankful.

I was thankful for my home and the fact that I had a home to clean. I was so thankful for the rain that watered my thirsty yard and plants. My grandson in Austin was playing two baseball games and through technology, I was able to watch his game on “Game Changer”. More technology gratitude was sensed as I read so many “praise and thanksgiving” posts from others on social media AND I was able to make my own gratitude post.
I walked out on my patio and saw my plant pots overflowing from the rain. I saw. I could see. I heard the symphony of rain hitting all the various objects: my BBQ pit, the trees, the brick porch, the roof. I heard. I could hear. I breathed in the smell of that heaven-sent rain. I breathed. I COULD breathe without devices to help me breathe. I was moving – bending, reaching, pushing and pulling as I cleaned my home. Psalm 107:1 says "Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever."

Fall really is my favorite time of the year. Just around the corner, the leaves will begin turning into their gorgeous colors and soon we'll be able to turn up the thermostat in our homes. We'll start thinking about our families gathering together, and all the other stunning symbols of this multi-colored season. Oh, the genius of our God. And like the spectacular array of beauty in this season with all its variety of colors and uniqueness, so are we. Yes, we are alike in so many ways, but His purpose in making each one of unique is just the way He rolls in all of creation.

The most beautiful part of the Fall season is the attitude of gratitude that comes along with it. I was lavishing in it on Saturday. And that gratitude includes being thankful for the season I am in right now. For each of us, every day is a gift and whether that day includes joy, happiness, peace, and comfort or whether it's stress-filled and challenging -- we know it's a part of this season that God has us in -- and in this season God is working ALL of the seasons for our good. Regardless of what season we are in, let's savor everything that it holds -- because THE ONE who controls the seasons, is THE ONE who will carry us through each one. So, let’s turn up the volume on gratitude. Let's awaken our hearts of gratitude and let’s amp up our bodies, souls, and spirits to the goodness of God, the blessings He’s given us, and our todays and tomorrows that are in His hands. Happy Fall, Y'all!!!

So Very Thankful On This Thanksgiving Day!

So Very Thankful On This Thanksgiving Day!
Happy Thanksgiving, dear FB Friends and Family! I am so thankful for far more than I deserve today. Of God's many blessings to me, He gave me yet another "surprise" blessing at this time in my life. He gave me YOU -- my Facebook friends and family. I can't begin to express how much your lives have blessed me as I read about your joys and blessings.as you post your life stories. I am so thankful for the many times you "like" or “love” mine, and provide your encouragement to me.

It's Thanksgiving Day when we amp up our hearts of gratitude for the many blessings in our lives. This morning I woke up and......oh, let's begin there. I woke up. I got out of bed. Oh, I'm so thankful for my bed and a good night's sleep. I got out of bed. Oh, I got out of bed all on my own. I went to the restroom. Oh, I could go to the restroom all on my own, and my "plumbing" worked. Soon, my family will be arriving at my home where the air will be filled with that best EVER aroma – turkey cooking in the oven.

I think you can see what I mean. Hearts of gratitude START with being thankful for each detail of our lives. Of course "the usual" -- thankful for God, family, friends, home, car, pet, clothes….but, then, seriously, think beyond those. At our Thanksgiving table, we’ll be giving each one, one full minute to share what they are thankful for – beyond God and family. I’ll have my stop watch set at one minute. Then we’ll name as many things as we can that we’re thankful for. Go ahead. You do it. You have one minute to name as many things as you can that YOU are thankful for. On your mark, get set, GO!

I did the exercise, gave myself one minute, and as I started the stop watch, I heard the garbage truck outside picking up my trash. I said, "I can hear." I heard the dishwasher running. I said, "dishwasher". My eyes went to my computer as I typed this post and I said “computer, the internet & technology”. I was seeing. I said, "my eyes". I have a TV set on my desk. I said “My TV”. I was sitting in my comfy desk chair -- "furniture". I'm cozy and warm on this chilly morning outside. I said “good insulation in my home – I don’t need the heat on”. I was sipping my coffee. I said, “coffee and food”.

In reality, literally everything from the breath we breathe to the bills we pay is a celebration of thankgiving. The bills we pay? Seriously? Oh yes, because those bills represent something to be thankful for -- a car payment (we have a car); a house payment (we have a home); an electrical bill (we have a warm home). Everywhere we look, we see things to be grateful for. And, when we live in an attitude of gratitude, rather than being bugged that the computer is too slow, we say, "I'm so thankful for my computer". Instead of complaining about our "old" car, we say, "I'm so thankful for a car." Instead of saying "I have nothing to wear, we say, "I'm so thankful for my clothes." Instead of complaining about our boss or a co-worker, we say "I'm so grateful for my job." A grateful heart sees each day as a gift. Thankful people focus less on what they lack and more on the privileges and blessings they have.

The grateful heart is like a magnet that collects reasons for gratitude -- for the paper clip to hold those pages together; for the milk in our cereal; for the song that soothes us; for the clock we hear ticking; for the light that turns on; for the safe drive home; for the clean water from our tap, for the time we had with our loved ones. Thank you, Lord!

May we choose gratitude as a habit that we choose daily as a way of life. May we adjust our lens and see our lives and our world through the eyes of a grateful heart. May we be overwhelmed with the beauty and abundance of it all. When we live with that kind of gratitude, we will experience Thanksgiving Day.....everyday! Happy Thanksgiving!

Start With Gratitude and End With Gratitude

Start and Finish With Gratitude
Yesterday, this picture and message was posted on my cell phone timeline by Facebook. FB said this was the first photo I ever uploaded from my phone to FB five years ago today. That made me smile because this is the week of Thanksgiving, and it seems that I was in the gratitude and thanksgiving mode at this time five years ago.

It is a product of our upbringing and circumstances that we are "by nature" either complainers or praisers. Most people would agree that we have a lot to be grateful for. After all, most of us live a lifestyle of conveniences. We live in comfortable homes, wear nice clothes, and have reliable transportation. We have no shortage of clean water or healthy food. We have access to quality healthcare and education, and basically live a good life with a lot of freedom, safety and security.

It’s easy to take these wonderful blessings for granted and sometimes get into the bad habit of focusing on what we don’t have while millions of people around the world live without the basic necessities of life. I remember our missions trips to South Africa, Belize and Mexico, visiting those who lived in small huts and cardboard dwellings with a minimum of conveniences and witnessing children digging for food and anything worth selling in a city dump. Lord, may I remember them, especially when I even start to complain about ANYTHING!

Those without a place to live would love to have a home to clean, yet a homeowner is likely to complain about cleaning their home. Someone without transportation dreams of having a car to drive, while someone who owns a car is more likely to complain about the cost of maintenance and unexpected repairs. It is so easy to forget how blessed we are!

Just think about the blessings we often overlook -- like getting dressed on our own, driving to work, going to the grocery store, sending emails and text messages, and hundreds of other routine activities of life. It’s where the majority of our time goes, so why not learn to show gratitude for them? Choosing an attitude of gratitude not only honors God…it’s good for us!

No matter what, it's possible to BECOME grateful -- even if it's not our natural "bent", but it does take discipline. It's like learning to dance or play an instrument or any habit that is formed -- it takes practice and doing it over and over again. The reality is that a grateful heart will make way for EVERYTHING we encounter to find the good in it, and, best of all, it opens the door for blessings. We just have to replace complaints and fault finding, with praise and thanksgiving. I love Nancie Carmody's thought-provoking words that turn complaining to thanksgiving:
I AM THANKFUL
...for the mess to clean after a party because
it means I have been surrounded by friends.
...for.the taxes I pay because it means that I'm employed.
...for the clothes that fit a little too snug
because it means I have enough to eat.
...for my shadow who watches me work
because it means I am out in the sunshine.
...for a lawn that needs mowing, windows that
need cleaning and gutters that need fixing
because it means I have a home.
...for the spot I find at the far end of the parking lot
because it means I am capable of walking.
...for my huge heating bill because it means I am warm.
...for all the complaining I hear about our government
because it means we have freedom of speech.
...for the lady behind me in church who
sings off key because it means that I can hear.
...for the piles of laundry and ironing
because it means my loved ones are nearby.
...for the alarm that goes off in the early morning
hours because it means that I'm alive.
...for weariness and aching muscles at the end of
the day because it means I have been productive.
-- Nancie J. Carmody

Blessed to be a Blessing

Happy Thanksgiving! Let me start out by saying “I’m so thankful for YOU!” I’m so thankful you’re my friend, family member or casual acquaintance, but the fact that you stop by my FB post sometimes, humbles me, yet encourages me to keep on doing what I know God called me to do. THANK YOU for your love!

I'm so thankful…..PERIOD. All except my two oldest grandsons and sweet Ruth, my family will be with me in Frisco today. Though Thanksgiving looks different for me this year – no usual preparations at my home, we’re together in Staci’s big home where everyone has a bed – no blow up mattresses needed this year. No “indoor camping”. There is just no way to complain or wish for the "good ole' days" when my Sweetheart and I welcomed the family home. There is so much to be thankful for THIS YEAR – THIS DAY!! We are so blessed.

And, BLESSED, is the operative word -- not, "lucky" or "fortunate" or "deserved" or "privileged". We ARE BLESSED! And we are blessed -- to be a BLESSING! We can't just simply say "THANK YOU", and go on our way. We MUST do something about those blessings. In fact, we're held accountable for them. Luke 12:48 says ".......when someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required."

There is responsibility that comes with blessings. Actually, it becomes a cycle of blessings, because we see in Proverbs 11:25, "The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped." It's that "give and it shall be given", law of reciprocity....that just keeps on giving.

So, on this beautiful Thanksgiving Day, with sincere thanks and gratitude, may we remember that we are blessed to bless; gifted to give; forgiven to forgive; loved to love.

Valentine's "Bah Humbug"

I don't think I explained about my Month of Love posts. It's been very intentional. You see, February 14th has been a precious day for me since I was 12 years old. Well, maybe even before that when we decorated shoe boxes for receiving Valentine cards from our schoolmates. Up till February 14th, 1961, the cards I received from boys were slim-pickens. But from 1961 until 2010, Valentine's meant the world to me. My Sweetheart and I had our first "date" on Valentine's (ages 12 & 13) and every year since then, we made it "our" special day. Since he graduated to heaven, my sweet kids send me "love" cards with precious sentiments, but you "single" girls know what I mean -- it's just not the same. You just wish there wasn't even a day where the emphasis was on love and lovers -- especially if you don't have a significant other.

But this year, I decided to defeat those thoughts as soon as February rolled around. Rather than being wimpy, I purposed to be energized, strong and determined. I decided to embrace this whole month and call it a Month of Love -- focusing my attention on giving out love daily, expressing my appreciation for friends, family and ESPECIALLY, my Father God -- the greatest LOVER of all.

Yesterday, I, along with other ladies from my church, delivered floral arrangements for Toni's Flowers. We do that for Valentine's and Mother's Day, and she is so generous to make a donation to our women's ministires. What a joy it was to see the faces on the recipients of those flowers, and Toni is so giving that she provides us with beautiful long stem roses with bows and packaged beautifully to give to those we just deemed needed a brighter day. One receptionist accepted the beautiful arrangement for a co-worker and asked "Where are these from?" I told her Toni's. She said, "I just knew it. Toni is wonderful. When my husband died, I went into her shop and ordered the arrangement for my husband's funeral, and Toni also put together a beautiful arrangement for my kids to have there. She didn't even charge me." And, I said, "As a matter of fact, Toni's is where the flowers for MY husband's funeral were from and when I found six little glass birds in her shop for my grandchildren's arrangement, she said, "That is my gift to you." Here were two women embracing the love and the memory -- just because I delivered an arrangement to that business.

After that, I took lunch to Mom and then went to the Nursing Home where my dear friend is recuperating from surgery. I spent time with her celebrating "she's still here, so God's not through with her yet" and then I prayed with her and her daughter. When I made it back to home, a dear friend from years' past called. She had no idea of my husband's passing 5 years ago. She was astounded, yet we both rejoiced in his graduation and celebrating our lives today. For nearly two hours we celebrated God's goodness in our lives.

I'm sharing my thoughts with you about "Valentine's NOT being Bah Humbug". I checked my heart on this before this month rolled around. This month, I'm looking for who I can bless. In fact, I've already made a date with my mother-in-law for a Valentine's lunch-out together. We'll be each other's sweethearts. I'm going to take communion to my friend in the nursing home. Instead of waiting to be loved, I'm making the decision to give love. I have so many friends who need to know someone is thinking about them right now. And there are wonderful ministry opportunities to reach out to those in need. There is so much joy to be had when we seek to invest loving acts into others’ lives.

I am NOT going to fall for the "IF ONLY" lie. You know, "IF ONLY my sweetheart was still here, IF ONLY I had a boyfriend, IF ONLY I had a romantic husband." "IF ONLY" can do quite a number on our hearts. That’s why I’m determined to replace my "If onlys" with "I ams". I AM loved by God. I AM so thankful for the people I do have in my life. I AM so happy that I love this LOVE season because I can express love to God and others. 1 John 4:19 explains it this way "We love because He first loved us."

Gratitude Even in the Toughest Times

Day 262 of Photo Inspirations -- Gratitude Even in the Toughest Times
Last night, my Life Group's discussion was about gratitude.  I asked them to write down 10 things they are grateful for in one minute.   Some beat the minute and wrote down even more things.

I did the exercise, yesterday morning.  I gave myself one minute, also, and as I started the stop watch, I heard my dishwasher running.  I wrote down "dishwasher".  My eyes went to my piano that Papa played and now so does our grandson, Payton.  I wrote down "piano".  I was seeing -- I wrote down "my eyes", and hearing -- "my ears"; I was sitting in a comfy chair -- "my furniture"; I'm flying to Seattle today -- I wrote down "airplanes"; I saw my computer -- I wrote down "computer and internet".  I glanced over at my refrigerator -- I wrote down "refrigerator".  When we express gratitude, it's typically about the love we have for God, our family, our food, our home and car.  But, in reality, everywhere we look, we see things to be grateful for.   And, when we live in an attitude of gratitude, rather than being bugged that the computer is too slow, we say, "I'm so thankful for my computer".  Instead of complaining about our "old" car, we say, "I'm so thankful for a car."

A grateful heart sees each day as a gift. Thankful people focus less on what they lack and more on the privileges and blessings they have. I told the ladies about a FB post I saw by Greta Van Susteren yesterday.  She reported that White House aide, Jake Brewer, and the husband of Fox News frequent guest Mary Katherine Ham was killed in a bicycling accident while riding to raise funds for a charity.   They have one small child and she is pregnant with their second child. Read on to see what a heart of gratitude says during the toughest of times. Just hours after his tragic death, Mary Katherine posted this picture and note on Instagram:  

"We lost our Jake yesterday, and I lost part of my heart and the father of my sweet babies. I don't have to tell most of you how wonderful he was. It was self-evident. His life was his testimony, and it was powerful and tender and fierce, with an ever-present twinkle in the eye. I will miss him forever, even more than I can know right now. No arms can be her father's, but my daughter is surrounded by her very favorite people and all the hugs she could imagine. This will change us, but with prayer and love and the strength that is their companion, we can hope our heartache is not in vain-- that it will change us and the world in beautiful ways, just as he did. If that sounds too optimistic at this time, it's because it is. But there was no thought too optimistic for Jake, so take it and run with it. I will strive and pray not to feel I was cheated of many years with him, but cherish the gift of the years I had. In a life where nothing is guaranteed, Jake made the absolute, ever-lovin' most of his time with all of us. This is a family picture we took a couple weeks ago. It was taken because Jake, as always, was ready with a camera and his immense talent. All four members of our little, growing family are in it. I can never be without him because these babies are half him. They are made of some of the strongest, kindest stuff God had to offer this world. Please pray that he can see us and we'll all make him proud. God, I love him. Psalm 34:18 -- "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Philippians 1:3 "I thank my God in all my remembrance of you."

Oh, my!  This is one day after her husband's death, yet she found reasons to be grateful.  Obviously, she is a woman of gratitude. Her words,  "I will strive and pray not to feel I was cheated of many years with him, but cherish the gift of the years I had."  Instead of looking at what she didn't have, she looked at what she had. Shouldn’t we be so grateful....that at the worst, unimaginable crisis or heartbreak, we find so many reasons to be grateful?

The grateful heart is like a magnet that collects reasons for gratitude -- for the paper clip to hold those pages together; for the milk in our cereal; for the song that soothes us; for the clock we hear ticking; for the light that turns on; for the safe drive home; for the clean water from our tap, for the time we had with our loved ones.  Thank you, Lord!

May we choose gratitude as a habit that we choose daily as a way of life.  May we adjust our lens and see our lives and our world through the eyes of a grateful heart.  May we be overwhelmed with the beauty and abundance of all God has given us!
#Gratitude

The Debut of Two Girls Into Our World

Day 255 of Photo Inspirations -- The Debut of Two Girls Into Our World
On this special day, I'm celebrating two of my girls.

It was actually September 15th when our son asked us to join him and Shawntel's family for a surprise birthday party for her at her home. Her birthday was September 16th, but the party needed to be on the 15th.  We had a wonderful time together celebrating this beautiful woman, but the party went to a whole new level, when Ryan got down on one knee and proposed to her.  We rejoiced when she said "YES"!    We knew God brought them together.   Three months later they were married.

Larry and Staci were absent from this celebration -- but they had a pretty good excuse.  Just after Ryan proposed, we got the call from Larry....."Staci's contractions are just minutes apart."  That meant we had to make a quick exit from this fabulous party.....to be at another fabulous "debut" party. Our little Alexia was coming into the family as well.  

We rushed to Dallas and though the doctors were telling Staci to "push", she refused to....."My Mom & Dad must be here!"    As we were running down the hallway of the hospital our precious little girl started coming.  We made it....but not a minute too soon!  

Our hearts were full -- our son was engaged to the "love of his life", and Larry and Staci brought another precious treasure to love into this world.  And to make it even more special, Ryan and Shawntel drove from Oklahoma to Texas to meet their new little niece on both girls' birth-days.  It was a joyous celebration!

So, today, September 16th, I get to celebrate two precious girls that have brought so much sunshine and joy to our family.  I can't begin to thank God enough for my Shawntel (aka Angel -- always has been to our family) who is the most devoted and loving wife to Ryan, and incredible mother to our boys.  She calls me Mom, which is one of the greatest privileges.  We're bonded.  We've shared so many blessings and though we're physically miles apart -- when we are back together again, it's as though we were never apart.  She's my girl and has always been.

And, then there's my hilarious, beautiful, talented, loving, one-and-only granddaughter, Alexia -- 14 years old today.  Where has 14 years gone?  It seems just a little while ago that we were rushing to meet her, and now she is becoming a young woman of destiny and purpose.  With 5 grandsons who are ALL about "guy" stuff....this precious girl gives me the bows, ruffles, shopping, girly-girl things that I love so much.

Happy Birthday, Shawntel Wuerch​ and Alexia Wallace​ -- my two September 16th GIFTS FROM GOD!

Thankful for the Precious Moments

So good to be back home in T-Town! Always thankful to go.....and thankful to be back home. Quite frankly..... ”thankful” has become my default emotion. Thankful for my life, thankful for family, thankful for friends, and, thankful that I choose to be thankful. I'm especially thankful for the precious moments in my life, and so thankful God gives me wisdom for the moments. He does that, by the way, as I seek His advice even in the smallest details. Looking back….at the times that just seemed routine and non-momentous, are now some of the most precious of them all. Every moment is a moment to be cherished. – because we will NEVER have that moment again. It’s gone. That’s why I make such big deals of MOMENTS.

Here’s an example: Before I left Tulsa, I was accompanying a friend while she shopped. I saw a Kevin Durant (OKC Thunder MVP) sport shirt just in the size of my grandson, Brennan, whose birthday is on July 2nd. It was a “find” – the Thunder are right up there with our Oklahoma roots family. I knew I had to buy it – besides, it was on sale. I took it with me to WA to give to Brennan while I was there, since I’d be back home in Tulsa on his actual birthday. Turning 10 is a big year – gotta' celebrate double-digits. So, I kept my ears and eyes open while in WA. He’s such a great Little League baseball player, and even made the All Star Team (BTW – they won their first All Star game today – continuing to win could lead to a State championship – that would definitely merit a return trip to WA -- LOL). I became the #1 Fan of the team while I was there. Though there were just practices, Nana was there watching my boy play – I embraced the moments. I noticed that most of the boys’ baseball bags had wheels on them, and his Mom told me Brennan's bag was worn from dragging it because his had no wheels. Aha! Birthday idea. So we started looking, and indeed we did find just the one – navy blue like the team colors, more pockets, wheels, and, we had it embroidered with his name and his team’s name.

Last night Nana was able to have the big REVEAL. Just after his shower and before going to bed (and the night before his first All Star game), I told him I wanted to give him his BD present. First, he opened the handmade card I made for him (that’s my “thing” – using graphics to create a special "Nana" card – and of course, I created a magazine cover with Brennan in his baseball uniform). He first opened his Kevin Durant shirt – he loved it, and it was especially endearing to me that he had talked so fondly of Kevin Durant while I was there. Just yesterday we were talking about surprises and he told me "I'm never surprised -- like at Christmas I overheard Mom & Dad talking about my present!" Then I announced "I have one more gift for you -- wait right here!" When I turned the corner with his new bag, his little hands covered his mouth as he was in shock and awe. This time, he WAS surprised. The effort, the time, the joy of research and completion was so worth it. It was a MOMENT -- maybe not one of those defining moments, but indeed it was a moment that will live with me forever.

We can grasp this idea today and start appreciating every small thing that is already great in our lives. We often forget those good things because we're looking back in the past, or what we don't have in the present!! Let's be so thankful for the blessings of MOMENTS we have today, and let's celebrate them with gusto!!

Bitter or Better?

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