A Year of GREAT Expectations!

With the Christmas season and story still resonating in my heart -- of a baby in a manger Who became our Savior, I am starting this new year of 2020 on a " great expectation” high. Certainly not expecting a Disney World kind-of-magical-year, but simple confidence in “He Who began a good work in me (and you), is faithful to complete it!” (Philippians 1:6) He Who promised that if I put my faith and trust in Him, will show me where to go and how to get there! “In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge.” (Proverbs 14:26)

As I said in my blog yesterday, the number 20 symbolizes expectancy. My “expectors” are on high alert for a 2020 year and a decade of blessings! I plan to wake up each day with expecting the best out of this day – this moment. No doubt, there will be some highs and lows – but it doesn’t matter, because I plan to view each day as a gift and how I tackle it with my attitude AND fortitude will either make it or break it for me – and even others in my sphere of influence.

My husband and I, for years, made it an annual tradition to meet with our children and we’d write out our goals for the next year. We made dream boards that made our visions very plain (Habakkuk 2:2) like this one of mine and Payton’s. BTW – most all of the pictures and the dreams behind them came true in some way. There’s just something to be said for goal-setting and vision-casting. Goals create a road map for success. They are the targets that we point our lives to – with a starting point and a destination to reach. They help us clarify what we desire to do, understanding the importance of pursuing them and committing ourselves to making them happen.

My vision casting, today, isn’t so much about the things to attain since I’ve been there and have been so blessed. I’m in this sweet season of purposely laying up my treasures in heaven far more. That’s not to say we shouldn’t set goals spiritually AND naturally that include dreams and desires. But, for me, my goals are so simple – spending time with my family, some travelling, but most of all, serving God. I’m intent on leaving a legacy of faith. I sincerely believe this 2020 year will be marked by opportunities to share God’s good news everywhere I go. My “YES” is big when it comes to being a devoted follower of Christ. I’m keeping my eyes and ears wide open with great expectations for a harvest of souls into the Kingdom of God and seeing radical life transformations in those God places in my pathway. I’m purposing to find things that I can take delight in so that I always dwell on goodness and not sorrow. I know I can trust God to bring me through every circumstance in peace.

I am looking to the future and not the past. I know WHO holds my future so I have no reason to fear or doubt. I refuse to allow discouragement to take me off course. I intend to embrace what God is doing in each situation and circumstance of my life because, by now, I’ve learned “ALL things work together for good” because I love God with all my heart and I know I’m called according to His purposes.” (Romans 8:28)

This is my "Great Expectation" declaration! Could I please urge you to begin this year with a Great Expectation declaration, too? Great Expections that something good is about to happen to you and yours each day. Great expectations that God is for you. Great expectations for a great hope and future (Jeremiah 29:11). Great expectations for living in hope, love, joy and peace – every single day of this new year! Let's get our "expectors" expecting!

Casting Vision

After two weeks before and two weeks after of helping my son and daughter's move from Seattle to Texas, I left Austin early yesterday morning, to travel and meet up with my Dallas/Frisco crew at College Station, home of Texas A&M, Larry’s alma mater. There's something about the pride one has for their college or university, but Texas A&M (The 12th Man) graduates seem to have a pride beyond compare. I felt it as I arrived on campus. I was inspired just walking on those grounds.

But this day was about Lexi. She and Payton, both, aspire to follow in their Dad’s footsteps, and attend A&M. We attended the Open House for those who hope to “make the cut” as veterinary students.

Our first session was at 9 am. Dr. Dan Posey, the Director of Veterinary Student Affairs and Clinical Professor, gave any potential vet student every reason in the world to want to attend A&M's Vet School. He was humorous and passionate about his career. He explained how he personally benefitted from the field of veterinarian medicine. He said the diabetic pump was first tested on animals, and now because of that breakthrough, he wears a diabetic pump with gratitude for veterinarian research.

When I heard him talk about the qualities of vets, I had to think how these qualities should be in every one of our lives:

1) They have compassion and passion.

2) They are knowledgeable and trainable.

3) They have the ability to apply their skills.

4) They are intellectually curious.

5) They are very observant.

6) They are community leaders.

Don't those qualities sound like a well-rounded individual who desires to be the best they can be in whatever career they choose.

He told us that his first choice in life was to be a professional basketball player so his Dad took him to a college game. He realized, as he watched that game, he didn’t have the size or the skills he needed to be a professional athlete. It was then that his Dad discussed options for his future. He reminded him about his abilities in math and science and his love for animals. He said, “How about considering becoming a veterinarian? Only as a 7th grader, that day, his Dad helped him cast vision for his future. He attended Texas A&M and became a veterinarian, went on to work with various areas of vet medicine and has been a professor at Texas A&M for many years. He is passionate about his field.

Casting vision. That’s what we did with Lexi today. She's only 14 years old, but she already has a "bent" toward animals and already possesses many of those "veterinarian" qualities. She saw many exhibits of animals being treated for various issues. She saw a pregnant goat having an ultra-sound. She saw dogs, cats, cattle, horses, birds, snakes, armadillo and had hands-on experiences and heard teaching about their habitats, the foods (toxic and non-toxic) they can or cannot eat, and so much more. She saw vet students who exhibited a love for their studies. Lexi's mom and dad (and her Nana) care about what she cares about so vision casting is what this day was about. Whether she pursues this field or not….she has cheerleaders who say to her “You can be anything you want to be and do.”

Isn’t that what God helps us to do with our lives? He says in Habakkuk 2:2 “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it." Are we casting vision for ourselves, our children and others for what we hope to accomplish in our homes, our workplaces, our ministries and our relationships? Whose cheerleader can we be? Whose expectations, vision, and hope can we stir up today? The sky is the limit when we realize "With God, nothing is impossible."

By the way -- check out the sign with the Texas Longhorn -- of course his "use" is to be "meat" for the Aggies! LOL!

Serving God Right From the Start

Day 307 of Photo Inspirations -- Serving God Right From the Start
Of course my photo inspiration today is my precious godson's "first" time to serve at church.  I teared up as I witnessed this precious boy serving our Lord and His people.  This same boy that had such a rough start in life because of several health issues, is thriving in every way imaginable.  Way back in the beginning, we knew "what the enemy meant for evil, God would turn for good!"  We called him a champ.   He has so many abilities that cause us to know God's hand is mighty and strong upon him.

Being an altar server means helping the priest and deacon by carrying the candles and the cross and holding the prayer book.  But, it's even more than that. They're actually assisting in leading worship. For all of us, our worship on earth reflects the worship in heaven. What we do here in worshipping God, is sort of a distant echo of what goes on in heaven. There, the saints and angels worship around the throne of the Lamb.  And, we represent and reflect on earth the heavenly host as we worship God here.  That's a pretty hefty order to represent the saints and angels, but God has called us to be "holy people".   Okay, I know we're not saints OR angels, but we have a role to play in divine worship.  We are called to reflect something....or better yet....SOMEONE greater. He asks us to come and worship just as we are.

When I saw my godson yesterday, I thought about little Samuel, in the Bible (1 Samuel 3) who served in the temple of God.  As Owen processed down the aisle, I saw him as a young leader in the making.   All eyes were on him as he lit the candles.  His reverence and care and love for what he did was communicated to us and it caused me to rejoice. Throughout the service, he sat so reverently, listening to the scriptures and sermon so intently.  I couldn't help but think about his destiny. Yesterday, he started his leadership -- a servant of the King. Little David started as a shepherd boy, then served King Saul.  Eventually, he became King David. Isn't that how we should be envisioning our children?  Is it too far fetched to be vision-casting that our kids will be world changers?  I know anything is possible with God.  

I like to think my little, but mighty godson started his servant leadership yesterday, and  I pray that he will forever be God's servant leader.  Then, I know, that throughout his life, He'll be blessed.  And, so, as we become servants leaders.... regardless of our age or position, we, too, wiil be blessed!