My 5 year old granddaughter loved looking through our Christmas decorations the other day. She took full liberty at arranging pieces and patterns as she seemed fit. Very different from the way I have always done things! I gulped. And maybe argued a little bit. Gently. She was breaking my tradition for decorations my first class of students gave me over 30 years ago! After I listened to her “logic” I conceded. There was nothing wrong with her arrangement.

That night when I went to bed I noticed on my nightstand the “new” decoration! It was lovingly placed right where I would see it every morning and night. I nearly cried at her thoughtfulness! Her tender care! Her confidence in not being afraid to change my tradition. She didn’t even realize that breaking the tradition would produce something more precious and valuable!

May I challenge you this Thanksgiving/Christmas season, to experience a breakthrough? In decorations? Sure. More importantly though, in your relationship with the Lord. Let go of the way things have always been, holding on to shame and regret, fear and worry, and trust in the Lord for His beautiful life for you!

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

I’ve heard it said that Patience is when you choose to be happy while you wait.

Thanksgiving break is coming up. Are you choosing to be happy while you wait? The REAL time to decorate for Christmas is right around the corner (Black Friday, for the record!) 🙂 Are you being patient? Springtime weather will be back in a couple months. How are you feeling?

Probably every person reading this has a situation that needs to be made better.  A struggle that needs a conclusion.  A mystery that needs to be solved.  A crisis that needs to be settled. Can you rest in the Lord’s timing?  God is not Amazon. He is not DoorDash.  He is the Sovereign Ruler, loving Father, Gentle Shepherd and Wise King, patiently waiting for you. Seek His heart for you. His love, His patience, His peace that passes understanding.

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.”  Isaiah 26:3

Teachers. Heroes. Super Stars. Guardians of our cherished children. Oh, how I thank God for the group of men and women who dedicate their lives to protecting and providing for the needs of children. What a gift for families to be able to entrust their precious babies to safe, caring professionals!

It has been 30 years since I have worked in a classroom full-time. It was hard then. The burdens the teachers carry today are unimaginable. THANK YOU to all those who serve so very deeply and generously – providing the gracious support and love of Jesus!

“But Jesus called the children to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”  Luke 18:16

Another Winner!
There is another winner in our community who has successfully finished her race!  Our dear friend, Kristy Simcox, battled cancer fiercely for 8 years.  Kristy, like Trey, has experienced the Ultimate Victory!  They now see Jesus face to face!  They received the BEST miracles ever: Forgiveness for their sins, Mercy and Grace instead of their sinful state, AND Eternal Life dancing and singing with the angels!  (Trey is probably doing more dancing – Kristy doing the singing!)

Yes, we are heartbroken. As a friend said, Sweet sorrow for those left behind…missing the presence of our sweet friend….but knowing she is in the arms of the Lord.  Can I get a Hallelujah!?

Trey’s HomeGoing date is tomorrow, November 5, 2014.  It seems like yesterday and yet it feels like forever ago. God isn’t finished with Trey’s story. Or Kristy’s story. Or your story. We need to live a life of legacy: enduring impact.  

So today, let’s dance like Trey. Sing like Kristy. Love like Jesus!

“For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”  Romans 14:7-8

The big chill is coming, so my husband and I spent Saturday cleaning out our vegetable gardens.  We marveled at God’s beautiful display of His power through the twisting and turning of the long green vines….bean plants climbing through a trellis, tomato plants crushing support systems and pea vines interlaced with weeds.  Each beginning with a tiny seed.

During my time in the garden, with dirty fingernails and weary muscles, I paused to consider the tiny seeds in my life.  What am I planting?  What am I allowing to take root in my life?  What is strangling my supports and good fruit?

God’s Word ALWAYS sets me straight!

“let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus”. Hebrews 12:1,2

Scrolling through my recent Missed Calls I see a variety of Caller IDs.  The numbers of….Wireless Caller…Unknown…Toll Free Call….Random City, State…..Maybe (this person)….And the ever popular Scam Likely!

We don’t pick up on these calls because we have no relationship with these people.  We can’t trust their motives in calling. We won’t invest our time and energy in the random nature of them trying to connect with us.

There is one Caller ID I recognize and rely on anytime and every time of day/night!  And I’m so glad He picks up my call even before the very first ring!

“I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.”  Psalm 34:4

When playing the game we ALL know it is better to be the Hider than the Seeker, right?  The Hiders have community, know each other’s secrets, and plot against the Seeker.  The Seeker is alone, on the hunt, vulnerable.  

In God’s Kingdom, it is no surprise that we have it all backwards.  God doesn’t want Hiders.  (He can see you anyway!). God wants Seekers.  He wants you – and each and every one of us – to be looking for Him.  He wants you to endlessly pursue Him.  And He wants the real, vulnerable and transparent – everything out in the open – you!

“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.”  Jeremiah 29:13

I have been watching a lot of baseball lately and I love the sights and the sounds and the emotions filling the stadium when the player reaches home! The crowd roars!  The lights flash! High fives and fist bumps and every other kind of bump out there abound! There is a HUGE celebration!

Where is your home? No, I don’t mean your address… Where do you hear people cheering for you? Who lights up when you cross the plate?  Where do you take a deep breath and rest where you belong?

This earth may not offer you that pleasure right now.  Or you may be between homes.  Or you may be living somewhere you never thought you would be.  With the Lord, wherever we are, we can be home!

“But now, this is what the LORD says— He who created you, Jacob, He who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”  Isaiah 43:1

I had the precious opportunity last week to reconnect with friends I hadn’t seen in a while.  A long while.  A lot of life had transpired since our last gathering, but we were able to pick up right where we left off.  How can that be?  It was easy because we have a long relationship together.

Actually the question is: How can we get so wrapped up in our lives, the minutiae of the daily, that we focus on petty grievances and inconveniences? How can we hyperfocus on what divides or isolates us rather than seek out what unites us!?

Jesus lived such a short time on earth and He made the very best of every day.  With every person He encountered!  How can we make the most of the time we have today?

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”  Colossians 3:12-14

Goliath was the enemy.  Goliath was giant.  David seemed to be ill equipped.  And David was small.

What’s going on in your life?  Have any enemies?  Any giant issues?  Are you feeling not ready or small compared to the battle at hand?

Grab some popcorn and get ready for a really big show!  Read how God provided as David faced his giant!  And then re-read the passage inserting your name and situation.  Especially consider my underlined passages.
“David said to the (Giant) Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head…All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give all of you into our hands.”

As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground.”  I Samuel 17:45-49