I've Made My List and I've Checked it Twice

A line from "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" song. Even Santa makes lists. I'm there! I admit it. Should have been there long before now when I forgot this or that at the grocery store or in the meal preparation for family or friend get-together. Oh, yes! I've been the one that prepared a lovely meal and then when the meal was over, realized I left a salad or another item in the refrigerator instead of serving it.

Yes, I make "to do" lists and I'm proud of it! I'm filled with a sense of accomplishment as I check off each "to do" item. Last week, my "to do's" included getting my home ready for the family coming in, getting the pantry and fridge stocked with food, getting my baking done, preparing all the dishes for the meals (I make a list of each item and check it off once it’s prepared), squeezing in my annual family photo -- even though we had to do it inside because outside it was pouring down rain.

There are a lot of "have to's" in my life. I have to pay bills. I have to respond to emails. I have to go to the grocery store. I have to put gas in my car. I have to wash my car. I have to clean my house. I have to eat. I have to pay taxes.

It’s interesting to look at my "have to" list, and the "get to" list. My "get to" list are the things I "get to" do spontaneously AND intentionally, because I CAN, and because I really want to do those things. I GET TO write a daily blog that often keeps me up late into the wee hours of the morning -- seeking God for "the word" that just might make the difference in someone's day. I get to be a living-out-loud Nana, Mom, daughter, and friend -- no hold-backs on living with passion and purpose. I get to be free of having to have the house in perfect order when the grandkids are here -- the messes are nothing compared to the freedom of doing the things that matter most. Spending time together TODAY -- in this sweet, present time -- time that we'll never have like this day again.

Then I wonder where does my time with God fall? Into the "have to" list or the "get to" list? Do I consider my time in the Bible as a “have to” or a “get to?” And what about my worship and praise to Him? Actually, I do pray for God to create in me a "get to" holy desire to spend time with Him, in His Word, worshipping Him and praising Him for all He means to me. I want it to be the item on my to-do list that becomes so non-negotiable that it comes before everything else in my life. I want my life to be filled with “get to” moments and not “have to” tasks because I can see them all through the lens of blessing and answered prayer.

Aren't we so glad that we're not on God's "have to" relationship list, but we are on His most precious "get to" relationship list. He considers us His most cherished and beloved possessions. He even LISTS us on the palm of His hands – we are unforgettable to Him. Shouldn't He be unforgettable to us?

“….yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.” Isaiah 49:16

Do You Feel Like Quitting -- Already?

It’s just day three of 2019 and maybe you’re already feeling like quitting before you ever really get started on your New Year's resolutions. I plan on spending more time with the Lord in the mornings, but “This morning I need to shorten it up because I have a funeral to go to!" I plan on being more active physically, but “This fireplace feels so good and it's so cold outside! " I plan on starting a Bible Study or Life Group in my home this year, “But I need to really think that through because I know my schedule is so full already and besides my friends are all so busy. Who can add one more thing to their "plates"?”

And, so goes the aspirations and really good intentions. Each January I’m hit with the recognition of how utterly human I am. I become an idealist, I set a goal (or ten), and then I fail. I become disappointed, and then I give up. Take my journaling, for example. I’m on point for several days and then I go for days before I come back and squinch my brain to remember those days and what God and I did together.

It’s true that January can act as a clean slate. A fresh new start. A new beginning. Old things are passed away and behold, all things are brand spanking new! That’s what we love about it, isn’t it? We’re all longing to be made new. But Jesus is teaching me that, with Him, each day — each moment — is a clean slate. We don’t have to force ourselves into a rigid routine, but instead, start to recognize His gentle and loving rhythms of grace.

I am certain that this year I will have intentional sweet times of fellowship with my Lord and He will reveal sweet nuggets of gold from His Word to me. I am also certain there will be days when there is so much on my mind that I won’t give Him my best attention and I’ll miss some of those nuggets. I also know I won’t suddenly become an avid-never-missing-a-day of work-outs in the gym or the pool. And, that Bible Study…..I will not get all stressed out about when I’ll start it, but I plan on seeking God for His wisdom and for divine inspirations that will motivate me to “Start NOW!”.

Recognizing that my life doesn’t need to be a structured, rigid routine (although there is a time and place for that) but instead a rhythmic journey set to the tune of God’s grace, provides me with so much freedom.
I set a goal. There is His grace.
I fail. There is His grace.
I try again. There is His grace.

Tomorrow I’ll wake up and my goal will be to spend quality time with my Lord. I might even get so caught up in my time with Him, I’ll forget about my “To Do” list that can be done later or even tomorrow. Tomorrow I will go back to the pool or gym and, eventually, I’ll become more absolute in the importance of my health and strength and energy. Eventually, I will be so full of God’s Word in me, that I won’t be able to contain it all and I MUST do more than my blogging to get it all out of me and I’ll start that Bible Study even if it’s only me that shows up.

Eventually, maybe tomorrow, I’ll be that gal who is so on purpose that all those goals and aspirations I put out there for this year will be as rhythmic and routine in my life, as brushing my teeth. But, in the meantime, I’ll thank God for His grace in sticking with my consistency AND inconsistency. Here’s to His grace that bears with me. Here’s to today – Day Three and here’s to tomorrow – Day Four of a year that promises to be blessed and highly favored because of God’s amazing grace!

Getting Ready to be Overshadowed

Have you ever felt Holy Spirit’s presence so intensely, that you thought you could reach out and touch Him? That was me yesterday morning. I proceeded with my early morning routine: brushed my teeth, grabbed my mug of water and phone for the text message I’d send to my children later, put the fireplace on and sat in my cozy chair, opened my computer and hit the “post” button on my FB page and my blog.

This morning was very different. I sensed such closeness with the Holy Spirit that it was almost tangible. Maybe it was because I had been pondering the Advent talk I will be giving at my church next Wednesday night because when I awoke, I thought about Mary and the announcement by Gabriel that she would conceive a child and she asked: “How can this be since I am a virgin?” And Gabriel replied "'The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will OVERSHADOW you.'" Luke 1:35

Suddenly, I desired to be overshadowed by the Holy Spirit too. Suddenly the matters of this world seemed so distant to me. It reminded me of an old song we sang: “Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.“ Not long after my sweet Holy Spirit time, I was brought back to the reality of my “To Do” list and “How can I get all this done before I leave town next week?” But, like a cowboy throwing his lasso on a steer to wrangle him in, I felt Holy Spirit pulling me back into that “sweet spot”.

Gabriel gave Mary the amazing news that she was going to give birth to the Son of God -- without knowing a man. That wasn't even believable in the natural. We can only imagine the doubt that must have bombarded her mind: "How can I have a baby without a man?” My “How” certainly paled in comparison to Mary’s “How”. When Mary answered the angel back, she didn't say, "I don't see how that can happen." No, Mary was bold. She made a statement of faith. She said, "Be it unto me even as you have said." In other words, "I'm in agreement. Let it happen. If God says I'm highly favored, I believe it. If God says the impossible is going to happen, I believe it." And, my dear FB and blog friends and family, that's the way we need to be when God puts a promise in our hearts. Instead of trying to reason it out, we have to be fully convinced that what He said, He will do.

You may have a "how" in your life right now. You may be thinking, "I believe I'm going to accomplish my dreams, but how am I going to do it?" "How am I going to get well?" "How am I going to overcome this addiction?" What the angel said to Mary is true for all of us today. He said, "Mary, here's how it's going to happen: the power of the Most High is going to come upon you and overshadow you." In other words, God is going to breathe in your direction, and supernatural things are going to happen.

How are you going to get well? The power of the Most High is going to come upon you. How are you going to accomplish your dreams? The Most High God, the Great I Am, the Creator of the universe is going to overshadow you. When God overshadows you, miracles happen. Supernatural opportunities come your way. Family members that were off course will suddenly turn around. Problems that looked permanent will turn out to be only temporary, and you will see miracles come to pass!

Today, just like Mary, let's dig our heels in and do our part. Let's get into agreement with God's Word and receive His promises and obey His commands. Let's get ready for God's Spirit to OVERSHADOW us!

His Mercies Are New -- But What About My To-Do List?

His Mercies Are New -- But What About My To-Do List?
My faith journey goes way back to when I was a little girl. I remember almost every verse of so many of the old hymns that we would sing. Those were the days when we still used a hymnal and we sang those old songs that were birthed out of hardships, losses and illnesses. One of my favorites was “Great is Thy Faithfulness”. There’s a line that continues to describe my life as each new day brings new hope AND new concerns about this and that, and how will this and that turn out? The line that resonates within me as sweet assurance comes for this day and tomorrow is: “Morning by morning new mercies I see . . .”

I was thinking about that line yesterday. I woke up, headed straight to my closet, stepped on and off my scale! “YAY! I’m down a pound. I’ll go to Weight Watchers (my monthly weigh-in that keeps me accountable to healthy living and weight control)!” Most mornings when I wake up, after the bathroom call, I head to my office to post my FB message and blog and then send a text message of love to my children. My post and loving on my children already has me thinking about Christ’s mercies and faithfulness, but very quickly after that, I’m already going through my “To-Do” list.

“I must find someone to repair my sprinkler system. Why is that fingernail healing so slowly? I must go to the grocery store. I must pay my bills. I must get my blog ready for tomorrow. I must google Youtube videos to figure out how to install that water filter. I must get the garage cleaned out. I must get gas today. I must finish editing my daughter’s manuscript for her new book. I must. I must. I must.

Oh, I know my little list cannot be compared to you mamas who are overloaded with "To-Do's" -- car pools, school lunches, laundry, businesses to run, and on and on. I think we can all relate that our mornings don’t involve a list of God’s mercies as much as they involve a list of our own concerns. I’m sure we can all boast about how good we’ve become at checking off our “To-Do” list.

But, then, in a sweet moment, that old hymn rolls around in my head and, instead of obsessing over all the “To Do’s”, I start to hum the tune I’ve known since childhood. And it reminds me of the God who has loved me since long before that.
“Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided —
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!"

That “All I have needed” part is what makes me stop. I come to a complete standstill. Right there in the middle of my kitchen in front of my host of vitamins I NEED to take and I think….. “Do I really believe that? "All I have needed Thy hand hath provided." Do I live like I really believe that?”

His faithfulness is new every morning in a hundred different ways. In the stormy and sunshiny days and in the hectic and calm days. It’s the one thing that doesn’t change. I desperately want to become an expert at believing that…..don’t you?

What Does Your List Look Like?

No doubt, my list is very different from yours.
For my Frisco grandson and granddaughter, their list probably includes:
~ Pack for Guatemala missions trip (they leave Monday for 7 days with 55 other students);
~ Buy items needed for the trip;
~ Get household chores completed;
~ Get some extra zzz’s before leaving, because they'll need it!

For young moms, your list may look like this:
~ Buy kids’ clothes for the new school year;
~ Buy school supplies;
~ Get kids’ medical and dental appointments made;
~ Do the laundry, make dinner, take kids to swimming lessons, and on and on.

For married couples, your list may look like this:
~ Plan date night for this weekend;
~ Buy anniversary gift;
~ Help each other with household chores;
~ Set aside time to discuss goals for our future.

For business people, your list may look like this:
~ Finish the business plan
~ Set up a staff meeting
~ Pack for business trip

For seniors and retirees, your list may be a "bucket" list. I just completed one of my bucket list items -- go to Holy Lands. Check. We all have lists of some kind – from grocery lists to goals and objectives lists.

While away last week on a family vacation, I had no lists at all – except to show up for family fun, meals and activities. But now that I’m back home and settled into my routine again, I’ve started some daily lists. In reality, I still need to make lists because if I don’t – then I’m wondering “What was that that I needed at the store? Or “When was that appointment?” I keep a little note pad with me most all the time to ensure I make a note of things I need to get or do. Lord knows that I’ve made the mistake of NOT writing it down and wished I had. LOL!

Maybe it’s this season where I don’t have the usual daily activities that I once had with raising my children and being a wife to a very busy man and working at an outside-the-home job, but I sure do remember the need for lists. Now I have new lists – beyond the tangible things I need to do and accomplish, and some things that will outlast me.

While flying back home from Mexico, a lovely lady and I conversed about our children and grandchildren, as well as other “loves” we have in our lives. She inspired me so much with one of her daily “to-do’s”, that I’ve added it to my daily to-do list. Every morning, she calls her three children just to visit with them for a few moments. She said she never misses a day. In fact, if she doesn’t call by 10 am, she gets a call from them to see if she’s okay. Usually it’s because she’s gotten so busy with something. I took that little inspiration personally. While I know my children lead very busy lives and have so many responsibilities, I know they will always welcome a call from Mom just to say “Good Morning. I love you so much!” Yes, I should have started this long before now, but I don’t want any “would-a, should-a, could-a” actions to be a part of my vocabulary, so I’ve started my daily calls. And, since my kids are out of pocket or out of town (like Ryan and Shawntel still being in Mexico), I’m then leaving a text message for them.

Oftentimes, lists can overwhelm us with so much to do and with so little time to do it all. But here’s what I’ve come to know and do. Nothing is more important than right now, and right now with those we love and hold dearest to us. Nothing is more important than picking up the phone to call a friend to give a quick word of encouragement, or even to send a quick text message of encouragement. Nothing is more important than reaching out and hugging a little one when they pass by. Nothing is more important than saying “I love you” to those in our sphere of influence. Lists are extremely important, but “in the moment” moments, are what makes for an end-of-the-day deep sigh of “I finished this day strong and finished those things that money can’t buy. I was a lover and a lover doesn’t need a list to love. I loved.” Check.

Clean Up! Clean Up! Everybody Do Your Share!

If you watched Barney (I did a lot with my grandchildren), you probably learned that little song! Though we weren't singing it, we might as well have, because yesterday was all about checking off Mama's clean-up "to do" list.

You know. Those little odds and ends that, after you move in, get left to the last, and in my case, I needed "muscle" to help check those things off the list. That's when I called in my markers. I promised my grandkids a good donation to their Guatemala trip if I could get some help, so the whole family, including Denise, came over and pitched in. Larry and Payton did some heavy lifting and also set up my surround sound system. Staci and Denise were my "go to" girls -- going up the ladder to the attic to move up boxes and tubs, like two women on a mission! Alexia saw a gold mine in the many give away or sell items I had. I told her she could have the money if she wanted to sell it all, so she started organizing, taking pictures and posting on the Next Door app. Team work sure made the dream work. Now, my car fits in the garage and I can listen to beautiful praise music throughout my home and patio.

I was amazed at the different skill sets we all had. Payton, now with strong arms and legs moved heavy items for me. Denise, who is a machine, stood on the attic ladder and hoisted those heavy tubs and boxes up to Staci. And Staci who got her daddy's packing, organizing and storing abilities, did an amazing job making my attic look like an easily accessible and organized storage unit. Larry, with his engineering and technology abilities, set up a brilliant sound sytem for me. Now, I feel like I've finally moved in and settled! Thanks be to God AND my Wallace Team.

Families really are like a team. I witnessed yesterday how each individual family member brought skill, personality, and their own role to the team, just as a sports player has a specific position on the team. I know their goal was to get "Mama's To Do" list done, and they did with time remaining to get their own "to do" lists done. We need each other -- not just in work, but we need each other for encouragement, celebrations, and for supporting each other through the ups and downs of life.

A couple of days ago I was making some decisions on my own, so as not to "bother" the fam. I needed to get my car repaired (and the other driver's car repaired, that I ran into -- that story is for another day), when both sets of my kids gave me sound advice that will save me a substantial sum of money. I was told "Mom, you need to let go of your pride and go about it this way." I needed that advice. I needed them. I needed their wisdom. I needed their TLC that would point me in the right direction.

If we do it right, as family teams, we'll bring the best of ourselves to the table and our discussions and the advice we give and take, just may be the way the Father intended us to live. After all, "family" is how it started in the beginning, family is what cooperated together for the birth of our Savior, and family is who God wants us to be for each other -- whether we're related, or not.

When we place our faith in Christ, God becomes our Father, we become his children, other believers become our brothers and sisters, and the church becomes our spiritual family: “Jesus pointed to his disciples and said, ‘These are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!’” (Matthew 12:49-50).

Maybe, the picture I gave you of my family helping me out when I needed their help the most, is the picture we all should have -- not just of our own families of origin, but God's family -- encouraging, lifting up, and helping them get their "to do" lists done!

Great is Your Faithfulness

My “ROCK-solid” foundation came as a result of having parents that loved and served God with all their hearts. Our church seemed to be our second home. We were in there whenever the doors opened – oftentimes five times (or more) a week. I’m a lifelong Sunday School girl, and my memory bank is packed full of children’s songs (with the hand motions that accompanied them), as well as all the verses of many hymns and choruses. There are so many beautiful songs written today and sung by incredible artists, but when I find myself humming or singing a tune, it’s usually one that goes way back. One of my favorites is the old hymn, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.“ written in 1925. The lyrics come from Lamentations 3:22-24 “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning, great is Your faithfulness."

Nighttime – seems to present the toughest times when sleep is disturbed by worry, concern and fear. I remember, as a little girl, having a bad dream or one of those awful virus bugs, and the long, long, nights that seemed like they would never end. I remember very long and troubled nights when my young children suffered from an illness or were afraid of something and they’d crawl into bed with us for comfort. I remember the many painful nights that my sweetheart struggled for rest and peace in his body. But, in every nighttime interruption of sleep, I remember the sweet mornings that eventually came, when hope and comfort was restored. Surely, the line of the song that said, “Morning by morning new mercies I see…..” was so true. Those mercies ARE new every morning. Great is God’s faithfulness to us.

Typically we don't wake in the morning thinking about God’s mercies. We’re already in the “to-do-list” mode. Rather than listing God’s mercies, we’re listing our concerns and worries for this new day. In my morning prayer time, I really do endeavor to adore, worship and thank God before I go into my "needs and wants" list. That old hymn rolls around in my head and instead of all those needs, wants and desires, I start to hum the tune I’ve known since childhood. And it reminds me of the God who has loved me since long before that.
“Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!”
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided –
“Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord, unto me!

That “All I have needed” part is what makes me stop and be thankful. Do I really believe that “all I have needed His hand has provided? Do I live like I really believe that? The list is so numerous when I start to ponder His faithfulness to me – my 25+ year old washer and dryer that continue to work so faithfully, my strength and good health that I never take for granted, my precious family, my friends, my churches, my 6-year old car, my sound mind, my dishwasher, microwave, stove, refrigerator, fresh water, warmth in the winter, air conditioning in the summer, living in America, for the kindness of others, for the internet and Facebook, for food and clothes. And, so many more things that can be added to God’s faithfulness.

God’s faithfulness is new every morning in hundreds of different ways. In all the ups and downs, disappointments and joys, the good times and the bad....there is this one thing that doesn’t change -- God’s faithfulness.

I so desperately want to become an expert at believing that. Just think, with each new day, God gives us the chance to prove His faithfulness. And throughout history, He’s never once been proven wrong, for His mercies are new every morning, no matter what.

Partner, Do You Believe We Can Do This? Yes, Partner, I Believe We Can Do This.

Day 137 of Photo Inspirations -- Partner, Do You Believe We Can Do This?  Yes, Partner, I Believe We Can Do This!
Those are words the dad and son exchanged in the movie, "Little Boy" that our Life Group attended last night.   That little boy's daddy was teaching him, early on, that if you believe, anything is possible.   It was a powerful and moving film about a little boy who is willing to do whatever it takes to bring his dad home from World War II alive. Not long after his father leaves for war, Pepper, the little boy, hears the Bible verse, "Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move" (Matthew 17:20).  Then he becomes determined to get enough faith to bring his father home.

While his dad is away, Father Oliver, a good, wise and humble priest, became the little boy's confidant and he introduced a to-do list to Pepper, to get him started on his road of faith.  The "to do" list was:  Feed the hungry; Shelter the homeless; Visit those in prison; Clothe the naked; Visit the sick; Bury the dead.  We've heard those words spoken by Jesus in Matthew 25:35 and it sure made practical sense in this movie.  Oftentimes we think the way to obtain more faith is through praying more.  That "to do" list is OUR "to do" list as well.  That "To Do" List puts our faith to action.

The audacious faith of this little boy changed his world.  Oh, that our audacious faith would change our world, too!  People of faith, who have true, honest, child-like faith, make the people around them better, and it makes them better, too.  Childlike faith that moves mountains is faith that moves mountains in other people's lives, as well as their own.  There are no limits to what God can do when we sincerely believe "NOTHING is impossible with God".

This is the Way I Start My Day

Day 24 of Photo Inspirations:  “Lord, in the morning you hear my voice. In the morning I pray to you. I wait for you in hope.” Psalm 5:3

This is the way I start my day.  One of the things I love about the chilly winter weather are my mornings before the fireplace, nestled in a blanket and spending time with my CEO and Father.   It's our secret place, just Him and me.  That's where I get "inside" information from Him that keeps me above the fray in my day.

But, I'll admit, my mind wanders and it's easy to get distracted there, too.  I have to keep reeling myself back in -- the duties and responsibilities of my day (my "to do" lists) try to invade this privacy.   But the point is, I'm sitting in the very presence of my CEO and Father.  He deserves my undivided attention.   Although my eyes cannot visibly see Him, I picture Him being here, bending close to hear my every word and know my every thought.  I sense Him holding my face and lifting it heavenward.  He cradles me in His arms.  I'll admit it's difficult to fathom that the God of the universe, who holds the entire world in His hands, has time to hear my little prayers. But not only does He have the time, He calls us to come to Him. Jeremiah 33:3 says, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know”.

I know  many of you whose day starts with a bang and you have to hit the ground running -- breakfasts to make, kids to get off to school, chores and all kinds of activities await you.  But, I promise, even if it's for just 5 minutes.....to spend a little "HIM and me" time, it will make such a difference as you create the atmosphere of His peace and joy in your home and day.  You'll set the tone for your entire family  and even your workplace as you exude His energy, His love, His peace, His can-do attitude -- all just because you checked in with Him -- got the download of what you'll need for that day....early in the morning.
#SecretPlace #CEOMeeting #FatherKnowsBest