step by step

Next week I leave for 9 days for additional training. A very special training - a specific purpose.

Over the years I was blessed to "work" in my passion - Labor and Delivery, Nursery and NICU.
What joy to see precious babies enter the world, breath their first breath and experience the love
of family!

Recently, the Lord has directed my steps to the beginning of this process. Working as a nurse in a center where we welcome women through our doors with the love of Christ. Sharing with them the truth in the choices facing them in lifestyle and unplanned pregnancies. The Center's mission is to glorify Christ, show His love and grace and share His hope - no matter the choice of our clients.

Abortion is a polarizing topic to some . . .and I could write . . . oh, I could write so many things at this point. Let me just say this. Taking life is wrong, choosing life is God's will. If HE is who He says He is, no matter the circumstances His way is the right way. He will provide, He will make a way. He will love those that choose life as well as those that go against His will with the love that sent our Lord to the cross. We stand before Him without Christ - all the same - sin is sin. But God so loved   us . . .

When precious, tiny, little ones are taken from their mothers they immediately are enfolded into the loving hands of the Father. I weep for those that perform and are part of this process. May they see Christ before eternity! I weep for the mothers who will deal with this loss the rest of their lives. I weep for the fathers . . .all hurting hearts. I weep for the power of Satan over God's creation that hardens and blinds hearts.

This new training? Certification in limited ultrasound to show these precious women their little ones, hearing the baby's heartbeat, seeing the baby move . . .allowing the Holy Spirit to touch and heal, work to change minds and see love and hope.

Not all will listen, not all will choose life - God is still God and His love is still available. There is no condemnation, only His constant and consistent reaching out to forgive, pour out grace and mercy and gather all who will listen into His Kingdom .  .  . can you see the reunion?

OK, I’m SHOCKED!

How appropriate Jesus Calling yesterday!

“. . . your time of being still in My Presence equips you for the day ahead of you. Only I know what will happen to you this day. I have arranged the events you will encounter as you go along your way. If you are not adequately equipped for the journey,  you will grow weary and lose heart. Relax with Me while I ready you for action.”

Well . . . now begs the question, why were we (Bruce, a teacher and me) exposed to this incident, a glimpse of the depravity of man? What was the purpose? (and how can I eradicate the image from my mind!) We chose a different way to the train . . .mistake or not, I wonder?

First reaction – SHOCK quickly followed by disbelief then extreme sadness finally tears. 

How the Lord must cry when He sees His creation whom He so loves, His image desecrated.  His beloved children so deceived by the enemy – then to think globally! Past and present collide revealing the sinful heart of man. 

I felt the impact on “my armor”. I still am asking the Lord to wash my mind clean! Thinking back over the years to having “reality” slap me in the face (at least that is what most folks would call it) I shake my head. The “reality” is a glance, a brief window of seeing the truth – the enemy reaching out to

seek

kill

destroy

If we are not equipped beforehand. If we are not standing in the Gospel of Peace. If we are not wearing God’s armor of protection we will crumble, grow weary and lose heart! When dressed completely in our armor – our mind is protected by the helmet of His Salvation. Our heart is covered by the breastplate of His Righteousness. The flaming arrows, bullets, bombs of Satan are extinguished by the shield of Faith. We stand strong in His Peace and raise the sword of the Spirit – His Word in triumph!

Our battle is not against flesh and blood . . . Ephesians 5:10-18

Just got a Reminder!

October 25!

Days and events have blurred. The business of life – the responsibilities, concerns, newness of work, adjusting to a schedule that is so different! Wow, where had the time gone?

I sit this morning in quietness. You see, the Lord reminded me of something He whispered not that long ago.

“Be still and know that I am God”

A busy weekend ahead, this next month filled with scheduled surprises and commitments already and I wonder how it will all take place and I am tired thinking just anticipating the whirlwind and I am shaking my head, wondering how . . . and He taps me on my shoulder gently and points to our special place. 

“Sit awhile with Me”

He quietly says.

“Just sit and be with Me.

Let Me fill you with the sweetness of my fragrance.

Rest by the still waters and quiet pastures. 

Refresh your soul with My Spirit. 

Transform you mind with My Words. 

Heal your heart with My love. 

Unburden your mind as you give me your thoughts, your worries, your plans.”

I do this and my eyes are opened to seeing His hand in the details of the moment and I am amazed!

Sometimes life is like a discarded melon rind!

Ever feel as if your life is full of holes? Something has gouged out pieces, chunks – leaving craters, empty places – the losses, the grief – so hard to experience, so difficult to face.

I read Jesus Calling this morning and was FILLED with hope, courage and thanksgiving!

Listen to these words, say them out loud and let the God of all comfort fill all the holes, each of the empty craters and jagged tears of your heart . . . 

MY GOD answers me

MY GOD delivers me from all my fears

MY GOD fills me with His radiance

MY GOD never puts me to shame

MY GOD hears me

MY GOD saves me from all my troubles

MY GOD fills me with His strength

MY GOD welcomes me to seek His face

MY GOD is the Father of compassion

MY GOD is the God of ALL comfort

MY GOD comforts me

MY GOD spills over from my heart to show His comfort to others

MY GOD uses me to draw others to Himself!

Psalm 34:4-6, Psalm 105:4, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

What You Are!

YOU are my salvation and my honor!

YOU will never leave me!

YOUR Presence is my shield!

YOU surround me with the light of your Presence!

YOU call me:

chosen one

a Royal priest

holy

belonging to YOU!

YOU never change -

You are the ALMIGHTY!

YOU are my life and peace!

I read something the other day that opened my eyes . . .

“When we begin to understand His love we trust” . . .

as our understanding increases so does our trust . . .When we see Him as our BELOVED we only have eyes for Him and dance in His light!!!!!

Romans 8:6, Revelation 1;8, Psalm 62,1 John 4:16

60–Wow, can I do this again!!!!!

In a recent blog I bemoaned the fact that 60 was fast approaching and I hesitated to embrace it. Silly me!

September has been a “celebration month”! I did this to ease the blow of the 24th, but seriously, I am “gobsmacked”! Not only has the Lord showered me with His incredible spiritual blessings in  working at Involved for Life, but my loved ones have rained love and surprises on me till I sit with my mouth open and shaking my head in amazement digging into a bowl of raspberries, cream and honey at 11:00 in the morning! (Celebrating, ha!)

Sunday, a wonderful sermon then lunch with Andrew, John and Marsha. Sunday supper with Dan and Donna! Then . . .

My precious husband stepped out of his comfort zone to surprise me. Now this a feat in itself. I am not easily surprised! He cannot easily keep a secret! 

Monday -  a day of not knowing where I was going or what I was doing only “we are going to peel the onion of surprises today!” WHAT FUN!!!! Driving to Allen in the morning to take Jack and Peyton to preschool. Hugs and kisses – what a special but quick time! Hugs and Kisses from my big boy, Kevin, as well! then the  “onion peeled again” and Bruce, as he was driving north stated “you are going to have a SPA DAY”! Now, that is a DREAM come true!!! When he picked me up 5 hours later I was a bowl of Jell-O and oh, so soft! At home, he led me to the stairs, and looking up I saw a progression of 6 BIG bags with SOMA written on each. “One for each DECADE”, he stated! And then said “open them and enjoy but we have to leave in an hour for supper!” Tears and smiles – you can imagine!!!!! Supper was at a wonderful restaurant in Plano – The Capitol Grill. Oh, did we enjoy it all!

Tuesday, Pappy playing the traditional “Happy Birthday” music box on the phone then a surprise breakfast at work! I have to tell you, my co-workers are amazing women and I feel honored and humbled to work side by side with these precious sisters, loving hurting women and seeing souls born into the Kingdom of God! After work, we hurried home for dinner with my dear friend, Christie. Upon opening the back door I was greeted with Wendy’s welcome and a living room full of balloons and banners! (thank you, Christie!) and then on to a delicious supper!  Upon coming home the phone rang. Sweet voices – Shannon, Kevin, Kate, Campbell, Peyton and Jack singing  “Happy Birthday”! Another call – Andrew, Cory, Lily, and Finnlay wishing me a “Happy Birthday!” Another call, Dan and Donna, and messages from friends and family near and far! Facebook is filled with well wishers, and we are not done yet!!!! The family celebration is coming next month! I am excited about this new journey of the SIXTY’S!!!!! 

Pardon me for sharing so much about this birthday! It is to encourage each of you in this:  The Lord knew of my true feelings about this small thing and has done nothing but pour out His love, His blessings, His affirmation through my precious family and friends to me. He is ever ready to surround us with His love. He wants nothing more than to show His ‘DADDY-side” and bring us joy. Join me in seeing Him clapping at the gates of Heaven as our thanks and love for all His "gifts" fill His courts with praise! 

James 1:17

Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father,

who created all the lights in the heavens.

He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

Don’t Wallow in the Pain!

Have you ever felt you have been abandoned, are alone, face in the dirt and hit in the gut with a pain that won’t let you catch your breath. Someone special has betrayed you and even shattered your heart into pieces by words you never thought you would hear? Or perhaps you feel there is no one at all who understands what you are going through? The walls of the room you are in has no windows and there is no door, you feel trapped with not way to get out.

We all feel like this at one time or another! Others will fail us, our loved ones will disappoint us, some more than others and some more painfully than others. If we dwell in this mire it will suck us down deep till we can't move or think. Grief takes time and healing takes time but as the healing happens we have to remind ourselves we can't wallow in the pain . . . it becomes a pity party and we need God's wisdom and guidance to see the difference between facing the pain and being comfortable in it.

Before our salvation, we were in darkness, alone, left, and then the Light came into our lives and embraced us in His circle of light, not just around us but in us. Satan wants us to cover that Light with our sorrows, our disappointments, our doubts, our pity parties. BUT CHRIST is not in that!

He says " come! You are not abandoned in ME - I will never leave you or forsake you. You are never betrayed in ME! I love you with an everlasting, unfailing love that is unconditional! You are not left alone in ME! I am with you always, I am inside you, I am surrounding you and My hand is on you! You are not divorced from ME! I am your Beloved, you are my beloved and the wedding supper is being prepared as we speak! "

Yes, your heart has been ripped apart, but Jesus is giving you a new one. A tender heart that will see pain in others and a wise mind to help them in time. He has promised to be our strength when we are weak, it only takes faith as small as a grain of mustard to move mountains! Keep your eyes on Him, not on the negative things that hit you but on the evidence of GOD's hand in your life. Crawl up in the King of Kings lap and let Him just hold you and rock you and tell you He loves you and that love will never go away but only grow stronger and brighter as the days go by. Allow His love to heal your heart and make it new. Stay in His arms, He Will Carry You. At the right time, He will gently put you down and hold tightly to your hand as you walk your journey with Him.

Get angry, not at the circumstances but at Satan who is the destroyer! Then smile, because the battle has already been won and we are under the Victor's command! Our Warrior King is greater, He is there with you now with arms open wide to embrace you with love and peace!

Walk, with your head lifted up - He is your King of Glory, He is the Lord of the battle who is before you and your rear guard. He is your JOY and your PEACE - you are His beloved - precious, holy and righteous in His sight because of Christ. Don't give Satan the joy of seeing you wallowing! Submit to God, resist the Devil and HE WILL FLEE!!

Picture him high-tailing it out of your apartment, your home, your work! Scurrying off as fast as he can to get away from the LIGHT OF THE WORLD! Is that not a sight to bring a comfort to our heart and a praise to our King!

One day at a time, one hour at a time, one minute at a time - trust Him. Keep saying out loud, "Jesus, I trust you and I need you" He hears, His heart is tender and He RUNS TO YOU!!!!! He scoops you up in His arms and holds you tightly!

We all need to be reminded of this wonderful fact that our God is Sufficient for all life's problems and anything Satan throws at us. He is there in front of us to receive most of the blow  and only what brings us to Him He allows to slip through His fingers!