Future Blogs

Well, you don't hear from me for a few weeks then get two blogs within 24 hours. This is what I like about you...you still are faithful to read it.

I want to apologize for forgetting to tell you where the blog will go from here. I plan to continue the Leaping Butterfly Blog, but will send it out once a month instead of every week. Would, also, love to get some topic suggestions from you too. My email address is located in the contact tab and would appreciate any topic you would like for me to do in regards to our continued walk with Christ.

Thank you so much for reading the blog this year and for sending me your comments. It has blessed me beyond words and encouraged me to keep in step with our Savior as He guides. Believe me...it's been a transformational process that I have truly been blessed by. 

Never Say Never

One year ago this month I did something I never thought I could do—write a weekly blog. Of all the people I’ve ever known in my lifetime ‘I’ would have voted me the Least Likely to do so. But God, has a way of taking our ‘Nevers’ and turning them into a blazing passion for “Forevers”. 

I know you’ve heard this before, “If God can transform me…He can transform anybody.” So true of me and so true of you! The testimonies are endless how the Lord has done extraordinary things through ordinary people. Why? Because we are ordinary and He is extraordinary.

Thank you for encouraging me through this last year’s journey. I never really had an agenda for the week. God taught me to sit still (hardest part), in my chair, with fingers on the keyboard and wait for Him to tell me what to write.

Transformation has taken place in my own heart as I searched to hear His soft whisper, “This is what I would like for you to write...” I don’t know if I was more excited about what He was going to tell me or if I couldn’t wait to use it as an excuse to spend one-on-one time together.

My writing interest started years ago as I learned to journal my prayers and thoughts to Him in a pretty little book. I wanted record in order to have the opportunity to see where He’s taken me. One word sums it up—Amazing! Never did I dream He would ever use my poor decisions, pain, and sufferings, in order to glorify Himself even more. What a privilege to see how He works.

So with this, I write in this year’s final blog about transformation that I will move on to finish the ultimate “Never”…my book entitled, “Loving a Leaping Butterfly”. I desperately need your prayers as I open my heart so I can find God’s. ALL for His glory!

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

1 Corinthians 10:31

What is the first thing that pops into your mind when you finish this sentence; “I’ll never do…” What if God says, “Good, I’ll do it through you!”? Wouldn’t it be a double blessing to do something you never thought you could, then see how much it glorified Him because you were right?

PS Dawn, thank you for getting me off to a great writing start with the blog. Your sweet friendship and patience nudged me to do. Bless you!  And, to all my precious Words for the Journey friends…you enabled me to imagine what God can and will do if we’re willing. Bless you too!

The Wedding March

My most vivid memory of my mother was watching her graceful hands on the organ keyboard. As the church organist she often practiced music for weddings. Soloist, too, would practice the popular ceremonial 1950 songs of Because and The Lord’s Prayer. To me—it was music to a young ‘wishful’ little girl’s ears that still rings today.

Nearly every Saturday evening I accompanied the accompanist to weddings. The flowers, the solos, the candles, the bridesmaids were nice, but the thrill only came when I could spot the shadow of the bride behind the sanctuary glass doors.

Mom would pause; lay her hands in her lap while silence filled the room. My heart raced with excitement because I knew what was next as she gently reached up to manually pull the stop on the pipe organ that transformed the sound to that of trumpets. I can still see my mother’s confidence to announce the coming of the bride with her dramatic pounding on the keys. I still get Goosebumps just writing about the traditional wedding march.

As time also marches on, and just 4 days short of her 81^st birthday, I believe Mom heard the sound of Heavenly trumpets as the doors flung wide to enter Heaven. Adorned in pure white, ushered by the nail-scared hand of her Jesus—she took her first step into the Throne Room of God.

As I look back on her life I see trials, challenges she overcame, and much suffering however; God used them all to make the march sweeter because I can't remember a time when she ever took her eyes off the groom. I’m sure it was a graceful walk towards Him for her life demonstrated true intimacy with Christ. I desire is to leave the same legacy.

“Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” Revelation 19:6-8

Will our transformation end one day? You bet it will!

When? Only when we hear the signal for the march; not a second too early or too late.

I’m ready when He is. How about you?

Can You Hear Me Now?

Transformation is hard work if you truly make the decision to give all of your heart to Jesus. It cost. Pieces don’t cut it.

Childlike faith is the key ingredient, which melts wisdom and intimacy into a sweet relationship with Jesus. The luster of your faith of trust and dependence will bring about the brilliance of Peace and Joy.

A wonderful friend recently gave me a copy of one of the most transforming books I’ve ever read entitled, Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. Sarah shares her key to intimacy with Christ occured when she began to experience God’s presence continuously in her day. Time alone with God, in uninterrupted communion, taught her the ability to listen rather than talk. Her prayer journals have evolved from a monologue to dialogue.

Sarah now sits before God and waits for Him to tell her what to write as He directs her how to apply His Word to her life. She now rests in His presence as He relaxes her, helps her to let go, and tenderizes her heart to cease striving. Fear, anxiety, distrust have now turned to fullness of joy with a peace that surpasses all understanding because Jesus, Emmanuel, IS God with us.

Here is the May 19^th devotion from Sarah’s book as Jesus talks to her through Scripture.

I want you to know how safe and secure you are in My Presence. That is a fact, totally independent of your feelings. You are on your way to heaven; nothing can prevent you from reaching that destination. There you will see Me face to Face, and your Joy will be off the charts by any earthly standards. Even now, you are never separated from Me, though you must see Me through eyes of faith. I will walk with you till the end of time, and onward into eternity.

Although My Presence is a guaranteed promise that does not necessarily change your feelings. When you forget I am with you, you may experience loneliness or fear. It is through awareness of My Presence that Peace displaces negative feelings. Practice the discipline of walking consciously with Me through each day.

“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12

“The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.” Psalm 29:11

Do you feel Him near you today? He’s with you whether you feel Him or not.

This Too Shall Pass

Has your mother ever said those four words? Mine would as she consoled me with reminders of inevitable change. The absolute was fine in an undesirable situation but heartbreaking when not.

But one day the rollercoaster will end. All accounts will be settled. Nothing will need to change. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ you will be complete; transformed into the full likeness of Him. We, too, will be at the right hand of God. Every earthly situation, good and challenging, will be laid at the Throne of Grace…all for the glory of God.

Why accept Jesus? Because it was He who defeated death once and for all. Only He is worthy to break through the barrier of sin in order to give us access to God. Without accepting Jesus you will experience the ‘second’ death. It is never God’s desire for anyone to spend eternity in hell, but He is a gentleman who has given us the choice to choose life or death. What will you choose today?

“What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you'll have it all—life healed and whole.

I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it's your faith, not your gold that God will have on display as evidence of his victory.” 1 Peter 1:3-7 The Message

If you have chosen life then realize it doesn’t start when we go to Heaven…it starts now! You have everything to live for now!. Rejoice in all things for there will be a Day when we will celebrate our genuine faith. Keep on keeping on because this too shall pass.

Action Packed

In my opinion—if you’ve seen one action packed movie…you’ve seen them all. My husband has agreed to disagree with me for they are his favorite. “Oh, gee, wonder how many things will be blown up in this movie?” For which he replies, “Better than watching a movie with a bunch of kissing.” Oh, really! He talks like a Husband 101 dropout.

Watching soldiers scatter on the screen makes it difficult for me to separate the good from the bad guy. My face stares at the screen with total confusion but hubby knows exactly who everybody is, what maneuvers they use, and can even predict their next move.

This could explain why I’ve never been attracted to the study of the Old Testament. After the story of the Garden of Eden story it’s all downhill from there. Eve sins, Adam sins, then their sweet little children fight until one is dead. Who wants to read about bloodshed everyday in their Bible reading? Where’s the love story? Battle after battle as God’s chosen are faithful to obey one minute then run after idols the next. I mean really…where’s the love?

No doubt something big had to take place to stop the madness. And, it did when you start to read the New Testament when God became a tiny baby. Physical battles of human and animal bloodshed were not enough to bring a permanent end for individual freedom. God loved humanity so much that He gave His beloved Son to shield us from a gruesome and violent eternity.

Yes, one day the transformation process will end. Boot camp for eternity will be complete for there will be a day when He either whispers our name to come home or we’ll see Him appear in the clouds. One day the violence will end, pain will cease, and tears will not be necessary.

For those who declare they have tasted a taste of Heaven with near death experiences share it was the great love they felt the moment they sensed the presence of God and Heaven’s  residents. Love so overwhelming; human words are not appropriate. Now that’s a love story with a happy ending.

‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4

Thank Him that one day the madness will end and there will be eternal peace.

PS…Today is the National Day of Prayer and Happy Mother’s Day this weekend!

A New Do

As we conclude this week with part 4 of our 5 part series on transformation entitled, “Will Be a Process,” it is easy to agree with a resounding yes. This life is not only a test but an opportunity to grow into the likeness of Jesus Christ.

For the past 3 years I feel like I’ve been on a growth-spurt that I actually solicited with a simple prayer, “Father, make me like your Son.” Little did I realize the cost, but little did I realize the blessing.

Please forgive me for skipping last week’s post. It has been a challenge with a right broken shoulder to do any task. I’ve discovered the weakness of my left hand as I’ve been determined use another weak part of my body—my right brain—to teach myself how to do chores with having my right arm in a sling. My poor little left thumb is swollen because it’s never worked so hard to grab things in the past.

The doctor has confirmed it is a miracle that I do not need the extensive surgery he first suggested. Because of your prayers God has enabled my body to produce the needed compound to patch up and heal the shattered pieces of my shoulder. Thank you for your prayers. Yes, God still heals!

God’s choice to heal my arm has not stopped at the shoulder but has moved on to my heart. Here are just a few lessons He’s taught me in my request to grow into the likeness of His Son; how present the Lord is in my day; prayers are always heard; patience is a must; pain hurts; family and friends love me no matter what; the world often rushes by without seeing affliction; how amazing the body is to repair itself; how others have suffered and have learned to adapt to their injury; how sweet it is when someone holds the door open; how much a left hand can do; and most of all…how it’s okay to have others blow dry your hair. I have a new slogan this week that reads, “Transforming a Broken Wing into Hairstyles of Humility.” Lately, my hairstyle has looked exactly like my husband’s. Little wonder why.

Praise God for opportunities to transform as we thank Him for experiences that teach us how others feel. As we pray for Jesus’ 5 senses to become our senses too, we can count on an eventful life; never a dull moment with Christ.

“Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Psalm 25:5

How is He guiding and teaching you today?

Next week we will begin the last part of our series on “Will It Ever End”.

Twist and Shout

Not startled by the sound of the 5:00am alarm on a Monday morning proved that retiring for bed early the night before paid off. My husband and I leaped out of bed to get a head start on our coffee drinking. He had packed the night before so as not to be pushed for his early morning flight to Los Angles.  

“Where are you going?” he asked as I sprinted out the bedroom door. “Thought I’d grab my laptop and check on my task list to see what I have going on today. I’ll be right back. Be thinking of what you’d like for breakfast.” Today we would, both, accomplish much.

My memory served me right as there sat old faithful on the kitchen desk in the brightness of a streetlight. No reason to turn on a light for this was going to be a quick and deliberate trip. But then…the dance began as my foot stepped down on the lid of my grandson’s sandbox in the foyer, which was not his fault. (Further explanations will be another blog one day.) I began to twist in the air like a goofy ballerina on the lid of a Little Tikes turtle shell made of plastic. I landed on the tile floor with great force and…you guessed it…I shouted.

I knew immediately this was another bad fall. Five falls within four years is not an impressive record. I lay on the cold tile, in the dark, unable to move. The pain shot up my neck and down to my fingertips as I listened to the sounds of my husband starting the process of getting ready in the back bathroom.

“I think you need to take me to the emergency room,” I greeted him with my return. “What?!” In a split second our day had changed. My X-Ray proved a fractured shoulder in several broken pieces. My split second decision to save my laptop left the bone in my right arm in pieces. Did I really think my laptop was more precious to save than my own personal injury? Hindsight tells me I should have let go of the computer and hung on to the counter top.

What would you have done? I can clearly hear your reply, “I would have turned the light on!”

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3

I’m praising God today for not only putting the pieces of my heart back together but His ability to do the same for my shoulder. He can heal anything! Do you believe that too?

Outsourcing

“What is it, again, that we do?” I repeated to my husband when we first started working together. He patiently answered, “We deliver body parts.” Body parts? (Try explaining that to your closet friends.) Then, he would smile and remind me, “That’s automotive body parts. We are a logistics company for dealerships. They outsource their deliveries to us.” I’d slowly shake my head in my blonde kind of way.

It was a process for me to understand the industry of transportation but one day I slapped my desk and shouted, “Oh, I get it! We pick up and drop off. Companies sell their goods and we deliver them.” As simple as this may sound—it took awhile to understand the total operation from start to finish.

Over the years of working beside my husband I have had many opportunities to ease drop on this fascinating industry. We are all turning into a global society that wants our items delivered…fast! Other methods can take too much of our precious time. Threshold services have enabled the world to receive items we were not able to receive at one time. As I have now experienced the Lord opening doors of opportunity for much more than automotive parts.

A couple of decades ago few were familiar with the buzzword outsourcing. At first, companies were skeptical to trust a portion of their business to another. However, with time, it has proven to bring about benefits such as: saving cost, focusing on their core business, improve quality, reduce time-consuming methods, and getting rid of the delivery headaches. It has been a win-win for all.

God is calling us to outsource to Him too. He yearns for us to do what we were originally created and designed to do while He does what He does best…take care of our headaches. He truly wants our core assignment to be Jesus to others by learning to live with the qualities of, loving others, being at peace, and living in abundant joy. Why is that we want to hang on to worry, fear, anxiety, and stress? Not sure, because we don’t have to. God says to outsource our worries to Him so He can bring about victories from even the worse of circumstances. Trust He will deliver you in perfect time.

“The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.” Psalm 34:17

Would you trust the Most High Deliverer? It’s His specialty.

Big Deals

Think back to when you were a child…what was your main concern? Scrapped knees from accidents on roller skates or a bike were no fun. I busted through the front door of my house many times screaming in pain. Bloody knees were tragedies to me.

One bike accident literally knocked me out cold at the age of 10. My neighborhood friends stood in awe as I demonstrated how fast I could peddle. It was dusk with streetlights only beginning to warm up for the night. I was headed towards the familiar sidewalk on the busy traffic side of my block. It would be the grand finale to whip on the sidewalk and come to a sketching halt in order to leave permanent skid marks as a monument to all.

I misjudged the indention and hit the curb instead. My bike instantly stopped while my body soared in the air like a rocket. My friends screamed when I landed for they thought I was dead. But I wasn’t and came to when the cutest teenage boy on our block scooped me up to take me home to my parents.

Not much blood but was left with a swollen wrist. Two weeks later we went to the doctor to have an X-ray for the wrist that didn’t stop swelling. The ball of my wrist had actually come out of the socket and was now healing in that position. The doctor asked me how much I liked Mickey Mouse while he took my arm and re-broke my wrist in his office. No Novocain. That was a very big deal to me.

Life moves on to bigger deals, doesn’t it? Pain and suffering can intensify in other ways besides physical. I forgot to mention last week that the temperature of the flame used to refine gold is 2,400 degrees. So, how about the heat in your heart for peace, understanding, love, acceptance, and more? The process Jesus uses to bring us to the simplicity of His sweet love is a process through the trials of this life.

“…We glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:3-4

Have you thanked God for your sufferings? They can be very productive.

Hot Stuff

“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:6-7

Who in the Leaping Butterfly blog world has experienced a hot flash? I have, had, and still having! Tell me…why does it take years to get through this process? As if the emotional heat isn’t hot enough at this stage it can easily be combined with unexpected buckets of ‘Gatorade’ from head to toe.

But things could be worse—I could be a piece of gold. I’ve heard of a process called the refinement of gold, but had never seen it until today; thanks to all our friends at YouTube.com. I encourage you to take a look too.

In a nutshell, the scrap metal is placed in a crucible for a torch melt. Once the metal has melted into a liquid consistency it is slowly poured into a bowl of cold water. Because the metal drains in droplets, it will form into cornflake-type pieces. Later, the pieces are mixed with Nitric Acid. Soon they form together at the bottom of the bowl as a yellow sponge type substance. The next step is to melt the metal again to remove all traces of water, acid, and alloys. Alloys are a less valuable metal that could be mixed with the purest of gold. It would reduce the quality of greater worth should this final step be left out.

Ever felt like you’re having a meltdown? I have and knock on wood…I’ve gone five whole minutes without one.  But, meltdowns can refine us as long as we surrender to the work of our refiner’s hands. Otherwise, the Refiner may have to turn up the heat to rid us of the alloys in our lives.

“Metal is refined and purified in a furnace; the Lord purifies and tests the heart.” Proverbs 17:3

Thank you, Lord, for my meltdowns. Melt and mold me into whatever you wish, Father. I desire for my heart to be pure, brilliant, and a glorious reflection of You.

Strike A Pose

Lands alive! I just completed the editing, downloading, and adding captions process to over 2,380 pictures taken last week in Cozumel, Mexico. You see…this was no ordinary trip. It was a family wedding/vacation.

The problem? Nearly every picture was perfect. Constant questions echoed in my mind as I sorted through each one: what to keep, what to delete, what ones are similar, who has their eyes closed or burns a hole in the page with red-eye, and the infamous…does this picture make me look fat.

Oh, easy to take a picture, but a struggle with which one says it all. Every picture should tell a recognizable story to the viewer. It’s history in the making!

Photos record our life story, don’t they? I thought about my life today as I worked on my photo project. I began to see the out of focus pictures of my life I would love to toss on a blue flame to destroy all evidence; the ones with my eyes closed or when I look like a red-eyed demon; the ones with a frown from the sun; the ones when I’m obviously looking into another camera lens while everyone else is looking into another; or I’ve turned to fix someone else’s collar; and the ones when I decided to scratch a tickle on the tip of my nose but it looks like something else. My spiritual life has faced the same issues when being ready to snap a moment of my life. I haven’t always been ready.

Snap, snap, snap from the time we’re born until the time we can barely hold our great-grandchildren. Pictures record the process of growth. So it is with our spiritual lives too. What would your album record if the photographer zoomed in on your heart?

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4

Delete the undesirable pictures of your life so you can become mature, complete, and lacking nothing. This process will turn your glamour shots into glory shots!

Can It

Have you ever canned vegetables? How about jelly, honey, pickles or salsa? The ‘daughters’ in my family mentioned they want to resurrect the art of canning again. With shopping organic we are contemplating what might be needed to get started. The possibilities to co-op, exchange jars along with recipes are endless. Sound fun?

However, canning is a process. If not followed carefully you could meet an undesirable dinner guest; Mr. Bacteria. Vegetables and fruits must be fresh. Cleaning the jars with soap and water is a necessity. Then you are to place them in a hot bath for about 15 minutes. Remove jars with a safe lifter then allow them to air dry on a clean cloth. Do the same procedure for the lids.

There are countless recipes for canning. Pick one that best suits your taste and follow the instructions. There is the cold pack method and the warm. Most require a good amount of salt for preservation (please don’t tell my dietician daughter-in-law how much sodium you use). When done, place the food in jars leaving an ample amount of space at the top to create a tight seal. Screw the lids on each jar, place jars back into the water bath and boil according to directions. The lids will pop up to indicate the proper safe seal.

It’s a process, isn’t it? Take a look at YouTube.com ‘How To’s’ on canning and you’ll be set! You might find yourself getting hooked on canning!

As we begin our 4^th of our 5^th transformation series I would like to move us from the question: Will it be easy or painful? to the new question: Will it be a process? The answer is, “Yes!” Our impatient society tells us, “We want it and we want it NOW!” As you can see—without a process you could be facing yucky spiritual bacteria.

“Thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.” 2 Corinthians 2:14

Have you thanked the Lord for your process? It could leave you smelling much sweeter.

Playing Hooky

What went through your mind as you listened to your teacher take toll on the first day of school? My first thought is a racing heart as I waited for the letter M to come along. Would she pronounce my name correctly? Would the other kids laugh? But when I heard the familiar name I threw my little hand straight up into the air to state I was there and proud of it. We love to hear our names, don’t we? We feel as if we belong.

However, when the third month of school rolled around I sat, with hands laid flat on my desk, and said in a tired tone, “present”. School was great, but every day? That was another story. When would summer ever appear on the calendar again? I would watch the big black and white clock barely tick off the minutes and say to myself, “I didn’t come here to work!”

I missed home and would often fake a cold so I could watch “I Love Lucy”, “Dick Van Dyke”, and “Andy of Mayberry” with my mother. I didn’t always want to be present…I preferred to be absent. I wasn’t one of those who had to have a certificate with 100% attendance. We’re like that, aren’t we? If it doesn’t feel good…we don’t want to do it anymore.

Thank goodness God is unlike us. We are made in His image…not the other way around. If He says He will do something…you better believe He will. Several times in His Word, He says, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.”

Leave means; to depart from. Forsake means; to abandon, to give up or renounce. The opposite would be—to stay, continue, defend, care, maintain, adopt, be loyal, support, keep and hold. That…is our God.

Psalm 46:1b says, “…God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

Do you ever stop to thank Him for being “ever-present” in your life? What a joy and privilege to know that He is with us at all times, even when we’re not that pleasant to be around.

I challenge you to pray this prayer, “Father, show me You are present in my life.”

One, Two, Three...Eyes On Me

“Wonnn, tuuu, threee,” I would say as the countdown began to gain the attention of my two small children. After a couple of “no’s” were ignored, they knew grace had run out.

Guess some methods never change as I listened to my daughter tell me about her day as a fifth grade teacher, “So, I went to the class next door and when I returned my students were running wild.” I asked how she regained control. “Well after extensive classroom management training I learned to keep the tone of my voice under control, grab the light switch, blink it three times and say, ‘One, two, three…eyes on me!’ The students knew I meant business because the next step was a pass to the principal’s office.

When you find yourself in the aftermath of great loss—literally drowning in a sea of grief—you would think the world would have sympathy as you adjust to your new normal, but it doesn’t. I asked God where He was when I was barely able to keep my head above water. It rained, it poured, and then it flooded. There were days I felt I had been swept up by a current I could no longer swim against.

Grief can become an out of control situation. You know it’s necessary to mourn yet if you allow yourself to follow the urges too deeply you will be sucked into a current of self-pity and despair. It was then I realized the enemy had no mercy for a grieving mother. A bully preys on the weak and unprotected.

Countdowns kept my children and Kellie’s students safe. Sometimes we don’t even realize how far we moved away from the truth until someone presents us with a wake-up call.

Hebrews 12:1-2a is a wake-up call to keep us from a life of despair. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, 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…”

What direction would you take if you’re eyes were fixed on Jesus’ eyes today?

The Unshakable Relationship

God is so good to give us friends. I would be lost without them. Some have been in my life for a season while others have adopted me as their sister. Let’s face it—women need women.

Three very important friendships in my life were my grandmother, my mother, and my daughter. All three are now in Heaven and because of their great love for Jesus I can safely say they are also my Sisters-in-Christ. Even though our next meeting may be different…we will see each other again and pick up where we left off.

Losing my grandmother in 1968 suddenly left this 13-year old very confused about how people can be alive one minute and gone the next. I asked God on many occasions why He decided to take such a fun-loving friend, like her, when I could have grown so much in wisdom had Granny remained in my earthly life as an adult.

In 2008 God chose to take my daughter home, then two and a half years later He took my mother too. Why would God decide it best to take such spiritual mentors from me? The question is almost enough grounds to never trust a relationship again. They were so much a part of me as a part of me died with each of them. But perhaps dying could become Heaven’s gain.

Death can lead to victory for I have learned God alone is all I need. All other relationships are just icing on the huge life cake. The Lord has been so faithful to be my painkiller when times of hurt and fear come. My desires have changed with the force of taking a good hard look at how I want to live the rest of my life. I want to tell others of His glorious love for those who mourn. He hurts when we do. Now…that’s a good friend.

 “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him.  He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken.”  Psalm 62:5-6

What is your hurt today? Will you allow yourself to find love in God alone first, then love others in the same way He loves you?

The Unimaginable

No one should have to experience the loss of a child. The pain is equal to stopping the world from revolving—humanly impossible as heartbreak turns your world upside down and inside out. Ask any parent, of any aged child, and they will say two things, “This doesn’t make sense” and “I was supposed to go first”. It’s a very bitter unimaginable pill a parent must swallow.

However, on the other side of this devastation is another unimaginable…the great outpouring of love.

Months following the discovery of Kellie’s condition messages from a web site called Caring Bridge touched our hearts like nothing we had experienced before. Prayers, encouragement, jokes, and terms of endearment always seemed to come across the airwaves at just the right time. We never walked the journey alone.

And, this care did not stop at the edge of the bridge when the Lord came to get Kellie, it continued as their love carried us through the surreal time. When we moved in slow motion to make necessary arrangements—our friends stayed at the house like guardian angels. They worked hard to keep as much normalcy in our home as possible. Food arrived by many, flowers and plants began to fill our home, phone calls came in to encourage us, paper goods to handle out of town company was dropped off, and an endless supply of warm hugs, gentle smiles, and much, much more.

“Nothing in black, okay?” I said to a good friend who came to the house to help me pick out what clothes to wear. “I want something with color to represent how my butterfly is now a Bride of Christ. Help me enter the church as if I’m the proud Mother of the Bride. This is not to be a funeral…it’s a celebration!”

God provided love instead of despair. He gave us the gift of those who hugged us, cried with us, made us laugh and soon…unexplainable peace and joy filled our hearts once again.

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, and mourn with those who mourn.” Romans 12:15

“A friend loves at all times.” Proverbs 17:17a

Do you want to be that kind of family member or friend? I do…especially since I now know how good it feels to be loved. Decide to allow God to use you too.

Leaping Butterfly

“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.” Psalm 28:7

I looked forward to my daily afternoon journey to the gift shop for fresh popcorn made by the volunteers of St. Luke’s Hospital in Houston. It was such a welcomed time as I made my way downstairs for not only an emotional break but a breather from my daughter’s claustrophobic room.

With time to think I remembered it was Leap Year day. Can you imagine having a baby on this day? When do you celebrate? I wondered but soon blew off the notion and moved back into the moment.

Kellie, my 28 year old daughter, was not very happy with me or the doctors that day. A hint had been dropped the day before that she might get to go home today. She looked forward to her last trip in a wheelchair to the car after spending three different times on the tenth floor within three months. Open heart surgery for a mechanical valve replacement, two repairs to a dissected aorta, and the removal of an aneurysm made it a challenge for her to return for two additional surgeries due to a staph infection. She was more than ready to go home…and so was I.

“Hey, Kel, look what I got!” In one hand I held the warm popcorn and in the other a present from the gift shop. “What is it?” she asked. “Open it and you’ll see.” Her eyes sparkled as she pulled the tissue paper out of the box and exclaimed, “Oh, its beautiful!” Anything with butterflies thrilled Kellie. A teapot and cup to match brought a quick smile. I gave her a wink and said, “Couldn’t resist it. Thought you’d enjoy a ‘spot of tea’ while you recover at home.”

After her father arrived to spend the evening with her I gathered up some items so as to get a head start on the next day’s move. “I love you…I’ll see you tomorrow. Hang in there…one more night.” I said to encourage her as I bent over to drop a kiss goodbye on her forehead. She rolled her eyes and cracked a smile. With arms loaded I managed to give her a thumbs up before walking out the door.

I plopped down on the couch when I got home to watch a little TV and get a good night’s sleep for the long awaited day, March 1^st, to bring Kellie home. What I never expected was a phone call from her dad at 11:00pm announcing Kellie had gone into Code Blue from a pulmonary embolism. How could this be? I was with her all day and everything was fine. I was in shock.

When we arrived back at the hospital we realized the Lord called our little butterfly home on February 29, 2008. Kellie literally leaped into Heaven on Leap Year Day as it became her eternal birthday. My butterfly leaped into the arms of Jesus.

Think of a time you leaped into a transformation. Did it change your life forever?

To Bliss or Not to Bliss?

Turner Syndrome—named after Dr. Henry Turner, occurs in 1 out of 2,000 female births, linked to cause of 10% of miscarriages, genetic chromosomal condition, cause and prevention-unknown, short in stature, intelligent but struggle with math and science skills, low hairline, finger and toenails curve upwards, broad chest, swelling of hands/feet in infancy, webbed neck, ovarian failure, cardiac and kidney abnormalities, hypo-thyroid disorders, frequent ear infections, higher risk of celiac disease, vision impairment, and…well, that’s enough for now, don’t you think?

Hopeless…hardly. An inconvenience? At times. Fatal? Can be if you ignore it. A Curse? No, a disguised blessing. For you see…my sweet little real baby doll, Kellie, had Turner Syndrome.

She was so cute when she was a preschooler that one man in our church nicknamed her Cupie Doll because of her huge brown eyes and lack of hair. Another man named her Mug-Wamp, which had no meaning whatsoever other than he thought she was the cutest little Indian in the world…even though she was half Cuban. Kellie captivated everyone’s attention. Her stage was a shopping cart at Target as she entertained anyone that would watch her. Kellie was Shirley Temple all over again because of her ability to sing and dance before perfect strangers; completely uninhibited. Her style and giggle was contagious as I’d watch her force the biggest stone face to crack into a smile.

God allowed me the privilege to have someone like Kellie in my life. How did I get to be so blessed? For at times she taught me far more than I signed up for. Her diagnoses challenged me to learn about a syndrome I had never heard of. However, back in the mid-1980’s knowledge and support were not as accessible as it is today. We didn’t even know what an information highway was. So eventually my family decided to forget the hard facts. Ignorance seemed bliss. Acceptance was just too hard and complicated.  More next week…

Please take a moment to become familiar with the national society for Turner’s Syndrome through the web site below. Ignorance is not bliss. http://www.turnersyndrome.org/index.html

 “Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.” Proverbs 3:13-14

Life With Purpose

The bittersweet trip to our neighborhood elementary school came way too soon. What was once a private family nucleolus would now become collective as my tiny little girl entered the big doors of public school.  Gone would be the church preschool days of reminding my child, “Now, what would Jesus do?” Now I cried from the car window as I watched her little brown curls bounce with each step, “Mommy loves you and may the Lord be with you when I can’t be.”

Before this big day could occur we had to pass “our” first test…a Kindergarten well-child exam. I quickly made an appointment at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic. As the female doctor examined Kellie she nonchalantly asked, “Has Kellie ever had a chromosome test?” I shook my head no. She continued, “Well, it’s just a simple blood test.” Kellie’s dark brown eyes turned to me sharply to convey there was no way she would consent to this kind of test. I knew a simple trip to McDonalds on the way home would take care of her pain.

Within days I received a call that the doctor needed to talk to me. I arrived at her office and heard the diagnoses of something called Turner Syndrome. Only one word penetrated my ears; syndrome. I immediately zoned my thoughts towards other things as the doctor’s voice began to fade into nothingness. Devastated by the association of a syndrome with my perfectly healthy baby was more than I could handle by myself. I cried all the way home wondering what kind of future this would bring to my child. But, I knew whatever the future held…we would hold it together as we were held in His hands.

More about Turner next week…

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:13-16

Praise God that He never makes a mistake. Everything created by Him is for Him. Every human has a great purpose. Thank Him for making you just the way He designed you to be.

Practice Doesn't Always Make Perfect

What kind of dolls did you have when you were a child? I have my eyeball looking in my time tunnel and I see little glowing faces under the Christmas tree of Shirley Temple, Chatty Cathy, and Barbie standing in front of her dream house with Ken on the driveway positioned in their pink convertible. I’ve had dolls that talked, walked, cried, grew hair, took a bottle then wet her diaper. For hours I practiced on being a good mommy. Bet you did too.

What I didn’t anticipate was colic, high fever, ear infections, asthma, viruses, and a child that would one day stand up to me and say, “No”. Chatty Cathy only said things like, “Hi, my name is Cathy. What’s yours? Would you like to be my friend?”

My usual prenatal comment in restaurants would be, “My child will never act like that.” Listening to a screaming child who was throwing food was more than I could hack. “How dare those parents allow their children to behave so uncivilized. Do they think they’re the only ones here?”

Not long after those comments I sat in a Chinese restaurant with two babies in highchairs throwing fried rice in my hair. Lesson number one in parenthood—get rid of the word never. I tossed all my parental books and ran to the Lord with the realization there were no pat answers for the uniqueness of His creation; except for His very own words.

Kellie and Kyle were 17 months apart and one look at them was all it took for me to fall in love. Life has never (never in this context is acceptable) been the same since. Chucks of my heart were given as I placed my lips on their soft baby skin. Instantly I decided to give them my life should it ever become necessary; for them to live was more important than me to do so.

It is humbling to think God feels the same about us as He did give His life, His Son-Jesus, to show how deep His love is for us.

“Because you are his children, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” Galatians 4:6

Thank God for being your Abba, Daddy God today. He fell in love with you way before your parents did.

More Often

Have you made a list of resolutions for 2011? If you’re like me…you’ve been struggling with where to start or whether to even bother. Often we’ve made our list only to face defeat, but what is wrong with setting some goals? Nothing. The problem comes when you set unrealistic goals. Yes, I want to lose a few pounds, but more importantly I want to get healthy…so, here are my resolutions for the coming year.

I want to eat more often. You heard right! Every year I’ve wanted to eat more yet I deprived myself to less than a thousand calories per day and set a goal for jogging more than I even did in high school. Come on—let’s get real. If I didn’t run a marathon when I was in my early 20’s why would I ever expect to take on such a goal as a grandmother?

So, back to my resolutions, I want to eat six small meals a day. That is three meals with three snacks. Portion control, of course, but I also want to drink water more often. I want to allow God’s Word to soak in my heart more often and I want to sit still and listen to Him speak more often. Is that so bad? Where did we get the idea that being still and listening is passive and not active? I don’t know…I just know that we just don’t make the time to include God into our lives. Can you imagine a new year, with all the new challenges to come, if we made the Lord the Lord of them all? I’m ready for a different year…how about you?

God says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

Does it sink in that when you are still enough to hear God that the entire world could change? All it takes is one who causes a ripple effect.

Next week I will be shifting back to the question of transformation; is it painful or easy, and soon I will ask you to share your testimony as well. Be ready!