EVEN THOUGH

EVEN THOUGH..July 5th and 6th mark two of the darkest days of my life. On July 5th, forty one years ago Lawrence and I lost our son, Dustin. He was a healthy full term beautiful baby boy who died during birth. Four years ago on July 6th my precious husband breathed his last breath on this earth. I wrote recently about how I dreaded the approach of these days. Yes, they represent the darkest, most deeply painful events of my life. And yes they also represent the extraordinary love, faithfulness and power of God. He doesn't make idle promises, ones he can't or won't fulfill.

I always say that God's purpose for me is to give others hope Does that mean there haven't been days in my life when I felt hopeless? No. The days after the death of my husband were filled with heartbreak so intense I physically hurt and thought I might surely die from the pain. It was an indescribable pain that I had no idea existed, especially in the life of a believer. I'm so thankful for God's promises and EVEN THOUGH it was hard by sheer faith I believed them. One of those great promises is found in this familiar Psalm, "EVEN THOUGH I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." God has kept his promise to me. He has been with me every step. He has been my help, my hope and my healer and continues to be every day of my life. I want you to know today that EVAN THOUGH you may be going through the darkest days of your life, EVAN THOUGH we may be going through the darkest days of our nation that most of us have seen we do not have to fear. He is with us and he always will be. You are greatly loved! ❤️

The Best Me

One would think that when you get my age you would have it figured out. I'm sure there are those that have but I'm not one of them. It seems that just about the time you "figured it out" it changes. I think 2020 is the year of Everything Changes. Even if you thought you had it figured out you probably don't anymore. I'm thinking the real question is, how do you know when you have it figured out? What's the standard? Who sets it? Is it the same for everyone? So as always the answers to these and every life question comes from the one who created us in the first place. He tells us he made us perfectly with a purpose in mind. And we are all different, wonderfully different. The Message Bible puts it like this. Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life. (Gal 6:4-5) I believe some keywords here are your own life! It's your life, your purpose and it's no one else's. No one else can be you! So instead of praying, God help me to figure it out we can simply pray, God please help me to be the best me I can be! And you know what! He will! Have a wonderful day being the best you, you can be! You are greatly loved! ❤️

A Hunk of Burning Love

I never know what's gonna come out of my mouth when I'm talking to God. This morning was one of those times and I heard myself saying, "Lord, thank you for letting me love people from my living room." Just a few minutes before that I was thinking about how we are created to be loved by God and to love him and others. It reminded me of an Elvis song, Burning Love. So of course I had to Google it. That'll get you moving in the morning! Anyway the chorus of the song says, I'm just a hunk, a hunk of burning love! And you know what, that's exactly what me and you are! If you know Christ and are filled with his Spirit you are a hunk of burning love and hope and light! And you know what else? It has to get out! Jeremiah tells us if it doesn't get out our hearts will be like a fire shut up in our bones. We are made to love God and to love others and I believe God is saying don't stop! You can't quarantine God's love! You can love others from your living room or wherever you find yourself today! After all you're a hunk, a hunk of burning love! God's love that is! Have a great day friends! You are loved greatly! ❤️

Come Talk to Me

Believe me, I get it! I'm weary of all this too. Yesterday my prayer time started off like this, "God, I just want to lay my head on your shoulder." And I did. I didn't rehearse the things going on our world. I didn't ask for anything. I just let God comfort me. He reminded me that he created this world and it's his. He knows EXACTLY what is going on and where and he knows the future. But I think most importantly he knows our need for him better than we even know it ourselves. And that's exactly what I needed, to just rest on his mighty enormous shoulder! Sometimes that's what we all need. Have a blessed day and remember you are loved! ❤️

Strangely Calm

Four years ago today I wrote these words.

"They are starting the drugs for the surgery and bringing in the consent forms to sign so he will be ready if they (the new lungs) are a match. I am strangely calm."

That "strange" calmness that carried me through what was anything but calm isn't really strange at all when you know Jesus. When everything around you is in turmoil and at times you can't see a hint of light breaking through he wraps you in his peace that is beyond anything the human mind can understand. Storms will come but so will peace. The love of God is mightier than the waves of the ocean. Blessings and peace on your day!

Got Goals?

Happy New Year friends!

There is just something exciting about beginning a brand new year. 365 days of possibilities stretch before us. Most of us have at least a few goals we would like to accomplish in 2020. I read an interesting statistic about New Year's resolutions. Sadly it seems most people give up on them by January 12th. That's bad news! The good news is if you are not MOST people. God says that through Christ we are more than over comers! I love the promise of today's verse that says when we commit whatever we do to the Lord he establishes our plans! It's then that we will succeed! Whatever your goals are for the coming year don't forget to commit them to God first! And perhaps you might ask him just what his goals for you are. They may be bigger than yours! May you be blessed on this 2nd day of this new year! Have a wonderful day!

There is a Fountain

I'm reminded this morning of a worship song we used to sing, Who can Satisfy. The chorus says:

There is a fountain who is a King

Victorious Warrior and Lord of everything

My Rock, my Shelter, my very own

Blessed Redeemer, who reigns upon

the throne.

Jesus promises that when we believe on him we will receive living water. He is our fountain of hope! The Holy Spirit desires to fill us continually with overflowing living water that gives hope and peace beyond what we can imagine! May you be filled and refreshed with living water today and everyday! Love & Blessings!