First

There she was…

out the slamming door and down the front steps to her first day as a High School Senior tossing something full of fire and venom over her shoulder.

There I was…

held tight with tears and memories, not about the moment, but about all the “firsts” we’ve seen together. I went way back to the beginning, back when she spent her first night in the neo-natal unit, back before first words and first hurts….praying God would grant her life beyond her first day.

There she was…

on a Sunday morning shaking the quiet from the calm and shaking me to anger; wondering how I was supposed to help lead worship with my joy stolen and trampled.

There I was…

Singing the words of “Standing on the Promises” from the platform. I look beyond the hands raised, the faces of worship, to where she sits and I sing the words to her – straight through to her challenge and defiance. We smile, but I’m standing on the promises of what I know is true; the firm and solid foundation of Jesus. Standing on the promises…standing firm as a mom. Standing firm as a woman of God.

Standing firm.

And I think of the words and what it takes to live them.

Lift your hands and simply say “Praise God….praise God”….and repeat.

Anger dissolves when we praise His name. Keeps it at a simmer within instead of bubbling right over into hurt feelings and bruised relationships….

because you can’t praise Him without a smile. It takes a measure of joy to utter gratitude.

If I’d only praised Him….first.

“Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.”

(Isaiah 40:29-30) NIV

Sweet Symphony

A rustle of leaves whispers from somewhere high up in the maples above me. It echoes requests of those enduring winds of change; a season of faith tested, of courage unwrapped and dusted off.

It whispers of a thousand prayers, all spoken from heavy hearts; the blur of hope and fear of uncertain days …and the leaves tumble.

And the rustling explodes in sweet symphony!

A glorious symphony of praise – praise that doesn’t wait for the blessing, but praise for the One who bore it all; praise simply because He lives!

He dwells in the hearts of those who know Him, trust Him, love Him, pray to and believe in…Him.

And the stirring overhead stops, pauses to watch the dance of spinning amber and gold below…and my heart finds rest in the silence.

Let our prayers and our praises ring out for one another in a symphony unto Him; each glorious note aflame with the knowledge and truth of His Word – that we’re to give praise in every situation that chooses us…not just the ones we choose.

“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy…”

(Philippians 1:3-4) NIV

Written just for you today - (brothers and ) sisters in Christ

"The Courage to Fly" Part 1

“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.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

“Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)

I’d just dropped my daughter off at school. And, as I often did, I began speaking to God on the way back home, muttering the same old prayer and plea for help over the top of my travel mug. Normally my morning prayer was a sleepy-eyed attempt spoken from sort of a shallow place inside more out of routine than anything else; thank you for this one and for that one, help me to be all You want me to be today, yada-yada-yada.

But this morning was different. There, in the quiet of the car, I prayed and spoke from a much deeper place – a much deeper need.

“Lord, you know all that’s weighing on my shoulders, and only You know this inner turmoil I’ve felt and the constant fight. So show me, Lord. I’ve wanted to do something useful with my life for so long – something more, but I want to hear it from you. If you can hear me this morning, then please, speak to me…what is it that you want me to do?”

Finally, that day the answer came through clearly in three simple words: “write – for – me”. I almost stopped the car and dropped my cup! The words were nearly audible.

My first thought? Well, duh? We’re supposed to glorify God in all we do and say, so it only makes sense that He would lead me right back to my passion; my love of writing, AND to do it all for Him! I just needed to be clunked over the head with it, in a gentle, God-loving way of course.

So, it was time to dust off the old self-esteem and confidence issues and resurrect the articles and the book manuscripts that I’d tossed in a corner waiting for “someday” to roll around.

But that’s when the Lord showed me

that I was indeed living my “someday.”

He made me realize that without the fire of a dream burning within us – without a passion for opportunities that come our way, we become fruit that withers on the vine. When we lose site of our dreams or the magnitude of the possibilities, it’s easy to talk ourselves into thinking it’s too late in life to pursue them, or that the obstacles we face are greater than our abilities…abilities we possess only because our living, loving God has already gifted them to us. Again, If you’re still here – there’s still work to be done!

You are never too old to be blessed or to be a blessing to others.

It’s true! God has plans for YOU, and plans to prosper YOU. He is our hope in attaining our dreams and goals. He saw the obstacles in your path long ago, and even way back then, He knew your inhibitions and your insecurities.

So, what’s holding you back from pursuing your life-long dream?

Money?

Time?

Energy?

Lack of self confidence or resources?

You may see them as obstacles, but nothing is too big for our God.

Is there someone in your life, either intentionally or subtly, stealing your joy, ultimately preventing you from pursuing that which makes your heart sing? Remember that it’s God’s plans for you that matter. You have the power of the One who conquered the grave on your side, and He intends to watch you succeed. So why not work toward your dream knowing that the Lord is on the sidelines cheering you on!

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish." (Hebrews 12:1) NLT

As we go through this series, it’s important to first realize and acknowledge the fact that you DO indeed possess gifts and qualities uniquely yours.

There are women all over the world who have lost their spark. They’ve mastered the look of composure and contentment on the outside, but in a more intimate setting where true feelings are revealed, you find there’s a real storm brewing just under that smile. Many have either become bogged down with the stress of life and have relinquished control over to obligations or painful memories of a treacherous past, while others are victims of circumstance and shattered faith. Many simply can’t see beyond the sea of pre-school toys, bottles and diapers and have lost the sense of who they are and who they want to be.

Wherever you are in life, the Lord is ready and waiting to comfort and guide you toward your dreams – so, let’s identify and clarify your dream or calling in life in order to begin the process of attaining it.

However, don’t confuse your life’s dream with simply something you enjoy doing in your spare time. Your innermost dream is that one nagging desire deep down in your heart that doesn’t fade with time; the one thing you’ve felt called to do all your life but inhibitions and that little voice of negativity have prevented you from moving forward.

That’s the dream upon which your Creator wants you to act.

How do you know your dream in life is the one you should pursue?

Have you prayed about it?

Have you listened for God’s answer?

Your innermost dream is not a misplaced jewel. God knew exactly what He was doing when He fit the dream to you. He’s always known that you would be the perfect one to carry out His mission. Whether it’s a position in ministry, starting your own business, earning a college degree, writing a book or setting sail for a distant country, it’s going to require taking that first step beyond what’s comfortable for you….the good news? You won’t have to do it alone!

"And the LORD will continually guide you, And satisfy your desire in scorched places, And give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail." (Isaiah 58:11)

Your innermost dream is the one that brings about emotion as you allow yourself to remember what it meant to you before life got in the way. This may or may not be the first physical step toward actively pursuing what you’ve been called to do with your life, but it may help to think of the word “dream” as a noun; an object you are striving to obtain, instead of a verb (such as the act of dreaming). Your dream is very real to you, and very real to God.

~~*~~

Take a minute now to write out your dream whether in a Word doc or in long hand. You may surprise yourself as you acknowledge and visualize your goal, but remember: don’t write what you think will be acceptable to someone else – this is your dream, so use your own words.

Once you’ve written out your dream, put it someplace visible so you’re reminded of it throughout the week. Even if it’s just a Sticky Note on the front of the fridge or microwave, or even simple words scratched on the back of an envelope and stuck on the bathroom mirror, it will serve as a reminder that the dream is still alive. It still exists and so does God’s confidence in you!

Thanks so much for letting me share these thoughts with you. Join me next Monday for Part 2 of “The Courage to Fly.”

"The Courage to Fly" begins tomorrow!

I’m so excited to share some thoughts with you in my blog series, “The Courage to Fly,” which begins tomorrow.

SO excited, in fact, that I’d like to give a little preface post to give you an idea of just where all this talk of pursuing dreams originated.

Perhaps it explains why I relate everything to the garden…because that’s where He speaks to me. That’s where He led me during those dark and cloudy months. The months my preoccupied self took precedence over the weeds, the lack of water and nourishment and the desperate whimper of shriveling foliage just beyond the garden gate. Like prisoners with no escape, I look back now and envision my struggling, weak plants dragging crude metal watering cans back and forth across the gate slats to get my attention, but I’d become too content in my own misery to pay them any mind.

I was in a darkened, angry state of heart running through my days methodically on auto-pilot, ignoring phone calls, decisions, denying myself all forms of peace and happiness. Like the garden, I, too stood withering, fading, losing all traces of color and life. I’d lost my enthusiasm and felt like a failure to my husband, children and family members.

I, like the garden, stood barren, stripped of foliage and limp while the rain poured in my heart.

One day (which I mention later in series), the Lord came through loud and clear – an almost audible voice, and gave me my dream back…gave me back to me! In those simple words, He made me realize that you and I, whether single or married, youthful or “well seasoned,” from false eye lashes to false teeth, we each possess a passion uniquely ours.

Your dreams matter because God put them there. He created you; vibrant, beautiful, intelligent you to live out a particular purpose, and he equipped you with everything necessary to do so. Isn’t that an awesome thing to consider? No matter what stage of life you find yourself, you are still an integral part of God’s perfect plan.

Now, I don’t have a wall full of counseling degrees to back me up, and I can’t tell you why good people have to endure unthinkable loss and heartache, but I do know this: if you had the good pleasure of waking up this morning to a beautiful new day, there’s a reason for it.

There’s a reason you survived the accident, the broken marriage, the unhealthy relationship.

There’s a reason you came through the surgery.

There’s a reason the chemo worked and you’ve been declared cancer free.

There’s a reason for your past, and plenty of reason to look ahead to your future.

There’s a reason the Lord has taken away and forgiven your sins.

There’s a reason why you’re reading this right now.

Yes, you may be scarred and discouraged from the battle, but if you’re still here, there’s still work to be done, and God wants to accomplish it in you one step at a time!

Join me tomorrow as we kick off “The Courage to Fly”!

I Wanted to Tell You First...

Wanna know a secret…?

I am over-the-top excited, blessed, honored, humbled and downright skipping in my flip-flops today because I’m posting over at (in)courage on Wednesday, September 7^th! I know, it’s a couple weeks away, but don’t worry – I’ll remind you between now and then.

So, mark your calendars and have the coffee ready, and I’ll see you on the 7^th!

"The Courage to Fly"

“…but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.”

(Isaiah 40:31) NIV

As I settle my mind here on the leather sofa to write these words, I imagine you sharing this moment with me and how the rich aroma of Vanilla Nut coffee swirls and mingles with spice-scented candles. We cozy up for a great heart-to-heart and a chance to share some of our deepest hopes and dreams; ones we’ve only dared to utter in quiet breath prayers.

I sip my coffee and start us off by asking…so, how are you? Are you happy? I mean truly happy from the inside out? Are you feeling a little like everything and everyone in life sort of takes precedence over your own? Sort of like your dreams and goals have had to take a back seat for far too long? I know how life can get crazy sometimes, and it’s so easy to get caught up in all the going, doing, being and accomplishing, but have you even thought about it lately – “happiness” and what it means to you? What do you think it would take to make you happy right now…today, or do you even dare to let your mind visit that far-away place where your dreams and goals live?

There was a time in my life when I’d forgotten about my dreams and passions - a dark time when I questioned my purpose; my role in life. That’s when the Lord sort of took me by the shoulders, set me firm and changed my way of thinking.

I’d like to share some very practical thoughts with you, my precious sisters in Christ, about the process of reaching your goals and seeking God’s purpose.

Now, I’ve never done anything like this before, but I really feel led to share in this way – so…..each Monday, for the next 7 weeks, beginning August 29^th, I’d like to begin a series to help encourage you to embrace the dreams and goals God has designed you to fulfill. I’ll be sharing, from my heart to yours, what the Lord has revealed to me over the past few years and how giving Him my desires and my inhibitions has changed my life and strengthened my relationship with Him.

I hope you’ll join me – and please, share comments and feedback. Let’s encourage one another as we journey toward our dreams!

Heavenly Father, I want to lift up my friend, the reader of these words. Thank you, Lord, for loving her like no other. Thank you for believing in her enough to place dreams and passions within her and then equipping her for the task. May she look to You for the strength and confidence she needs to see them through. May You be a constant help and presence in her life as she strives to be all You would have her to be. In Jesus’ name. Amen

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

(Matthew 18:20) ESV

"Commit your way to the LORD;

trust in him,and he will act." (Psalm 37:5) ESV

The Absence of Shoes

I can tell who’s home by the pairs of shoes on the floor. For some reason, they seldom make it into the designated “shoe basket” discreetly hidden beneath the table, but that’s all right. I’ve come to appreciate how they’ve increased in both numbers and size over the years.

Today, however, I went home for lunch, and there were no shoes. Normally, I’d breathe a sigh of contentment with the uncluttered space by my front door, but today…..not so much.

The absence of shoes tells me no one will answer back from upstairs when I announce my arrival. The absence of shoes means that college classes have begun for my oldest, and that we’re on the brink of an exciting, exhausting (and expensive) senior year for the other; another indicator of the changing seasons.

I remember when tiny toddler shoes were the first to hit the basket. Soon, chunky hiking boots and sneakers appeared, and soon after that came the soccer cleats, maybe once in awhile a pair of shiny black paten leather dress shoes and then a larger pair of hiking boots. Then came the tae kwon do shoes and flip-flops, slippers and now even bigger hiking boots mixed in with running shoes.

But it’s the hiking boots…yes, I think I’m most thankful for the many pairs of hiking boots.

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6) ESV