Todd & Katy

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails."

1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 (NIV)

Good morning Girlfriends!

I hope you had time to read yesterday's message which introduced my two friends. Today I begin to tell you why I am so encouraged and inspired by these two amazing people.

Todd and Katy met in 1999, began dating in 2000, and were married on August 9, 2003. By all accounts in her diary, Katy was head over heels in love with Todd, and he adored his bride. Their wedding album, full of smiles and enchanting photos, depicts a fairy tale affair. In the following months, they basked in the newlywed glow. Todd and Katy loved God, and they loved each other. All was well in their world. God's promises remain unchanged.

"‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Matthew 19: 5-6

With the tree decorated and gifts wrapped, the promise of a cherished first Christmas together was drawing near. Todd and Katy did not know that instead of celebrating the birth of their Savior, they would experience life on the brink of death and a rebirth of a very changed Katy. On December 23, 2003, outside the restaurant where Katy worked, a moving vehicle struck her as she was crossing the street to complete an errand. Katy suffered a severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) which left her in a coma for weeks. When she emerged from the coma, several more weeks passed before she could utter a sound. Todd was devastated, yet he kept a prayerful vigil at her bedside.

During these moments of fear and doubt, Todd wrestled with God. He tells how he prayed over the Lord's promises there in the hospital room with his beloved hooked to monitors, tubes, and machines. Why did this happen? Will she live? What does our future hold? Questions, doubt, and fear. Yet God's promises remain unchanged.

"For I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you." Jeremiah 29: 11-12

At the same time, the entire community lifted this couple up to the Lord. The church where Todd's father was the pastor kept the residents updated on their outside sign. A caller notified the local Christian radio station, and believers everywhere were praying for Katy. Surrounded by this love and faithfulness, Katy survived; however, as a result of the brain injury, her memories perished. Katy had no recollection of her deep love for Todd nor their wedding or honeymoon. She didn't recognize the house in which they lived. The clothes in her closet were foreign objects. Nothing was right in their world.

At the rehab institute, Katy was like a newborn baby, learning to function again. Holding her head upright, moving her limbs, talking--everything she had done on a daily basis without a thought was now a monumental chore. Yet Todd remained, encouraging her through each phase. Katy shows a photo of her in a wheelchair with Todd squatting at the side, his hand upon hers. On Katy's lap is a dog, which is providing therapy to prompt Katy to use her limbs again. She lights up talking about these amazing pets which stirred her into action when no other therapy worked. Katy progressed and was eventually released to go home and continue with outpatient therapy for another year.

Herein lies the heartbreak and struggle: home was not home for Katy, and home was everything Todd desperately desired to be normal again. Katy fought to regain her life physically yet mentally the slate had been wiped clean. The abyss of depression seemed to be sucking her down. Todd engaged Satan at every level to reclaim his bride. We cannot imagine the battles they faced in the midst of this war. Yet, Todd persisted, Katy endured, and God's promises remain unchanged.

" Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?  If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast." Psalm 139: 7-10

Girlfriends, the story continues tomorrow, but for today, won't you pray for Todd and Katy? Won't you reflect upon your relationship with Lord, asking yourself if you are standing on His unchanged promises in the midst of whatever trial you may be facing? May you feel God's grace upon you today!

A Love Story

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails."

1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 (NIV)

Hello My Darlings!

How are you today? Love has certainly been in the air lately. Unfortunately Fannie Mae, Brachs, and Dove have also been in my mouth lately. If you are suffering from a chocolate hang-over, I hope you can carve out some exercise time today. I know I feel better after a walk, jog, or yoga session. 

During my work-out this morning, I reflected upon my writing process. I always begin with prayer, thanking God for the ability He gives me and asking Him to flow through me as I write. I want my words to be His words and what I write to be honest and entertaining yet truthful, bringing Him glory. Yesterday, I began as usual with this prayer. But I found as I started to write, the devotional flowed nothing like the outline I had in my head when I started. I had intended to tell a love story between two people I know. God had another plan!

Looking back, I see my mission was to point out that God has a love story with each one of YOU that is better than any love story I can tell between two humans. As noted yesterday, God has written you a beautiful love letter, the Bible, and through His letter He reveals Himself to you. As you read the Bible, your love story will grow and unfold in details beyond your wildest imagination and longing. Furthermore, your love story will grow to include other people--as you are perfectly loved by the Lord, so too will you be enabled to more perfectly love others.

With that background, after praying again today, I feel that I can now tell a human love story! This tale is very near and dear to my heart--and no, honey, if you are reading, I am not about to reveal the way you swept me off my feet and into your arms so many years ago! 

I want to introduce you to Todd and Katy. I met Todd three years ago when he spoke at a meeting of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. His presentation moved many students (and me) to tears. Todd and I developed a friendship, and in the time since, he has attended many of our FCA meetings and twice shared his testimony with the teens. Katy accompanied Todd, but she remained in the background--until this week. On February 13th, Katy publicly spoke for only the fifth time about the twists and turns her life has taken since suffering a severe traumatic brain injury after being struck by a moving vehicle on December 23, 2003. This amazing couple lives what I call it a 1 Corinthians 13 love story--both being perfectly loved by an infallible God and loving in return with hearts like Jesus.

Beginning tomorrow, I will write what Todd and Katy have shared with me about their journey, individually and in their marriage. My hope is that you will be encouraged and enlightened to what God can do in your life through the revelation of God's providence during this couple's tragedy, struggle, perseverance, and triumphs.

Until then, Girlfriends, will you please spend some time in prayer and reflection over the verses at the top of the page (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) and ask God to prepare your heart for what He wants you to take away from Todd and Katy's story? After all, as the title of my blog states, whether it is my story, your story, or their story, we are all woven together into God's story--and what a story He creates!

Happy Valentine's Day!

"Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God."

1 John 4:7 (NLT)

Happy Valentine's Day, Girlfriends! 

What a wonderful day this is, specifically dedicated to that greatest commandment of all: LOVE.

Today I have been thinking about everything I love...my husband and children, my family and friends, my dog, long walks especially on a beach, writing and creating, playing volleyball, yoga, listening to music, and the list goes on. During this time of reflection, the "warm fuzzies" kept creeping up inside me, and I realized what I was feeling: genuine peace and joy. I could not suppress the emotion on my face because I knew that the greatest love of my life was eliciting this smile. Although unwritten, God is at the beginning, middle, and end of my love list. Because I love Him first and foremost, I am then able to love everyone and everything else.  

Luke 10:27 tells us "...You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” (ESV) I have always thought those words sound nice and Hallmark-y, and are good advice, but I did not always know how to put that word LOVE into action. Added to my ignorance of biblical love, I had the commandment reversed. For years, loving others was my priority, and a relationship with the Lord was an afterthought, if He crossed my mind at all.

Girlfriends, where are you relative to Luke 10:27 in your life today? I encourage you to examine your love relationships and find out. To fully love others,we must first love our God and Creator in Heaven. And to love Him, we must get to know Him. I can honestly tell you from hours and hours spent in the greeting card aisle, or online searching quotes to create my own, you will never read anything as beautiful and moving as your Father's love letter to you: His Bible. Read it! He will speak to you in ways no one person ever will.

Let me ask you: If someone gave you a Valentine's card today, but it was written in Chinese, would you feel connected to them in any way? I bet it would be difficult to experience their love written in the characters on the page, or to feel any connection to that person at all. Girlfriends, it is the same with the Bible. You are not going to develop a relationship with God if His Word seems like Chinese to you. (Unless you are reading this and you ARE Chinese, then change that word to Spanish and start over!) 

But here is the good news: God gifted numerous writers throughout time, not only to record His Holy Inspired Word into what we call the Bible, but also to translate it so all of His children can understand. And, beyond the language translations, He gifted scholars who put His Word into types of bible translations that account for different styles of learning. So, ladies, just as you carefully hand-pick a greeting card that states your thoughts and emotions in just the right way, also spend time choosing your Bible. God made a translation just for you. If you are not sure which one is for you, ask for help. (I love the Family Christian Bookstores near me. And of course, praying to God to lead you helps too!) Please do not give up because it all seems like Chinese! This is one love letter you will always cherish and treasure, read and reread, and share with others for years to come.

Girlfriends, today know that you are loved by the God of the Universe, and Love will change your life!

Fear Not!

"For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." 

2 Timothy 1:6-7

FEAR!
How can one emotion be so intimidating to the point of paralyzing us from action?
Seriously, Girlfriends, is it not fear that drives us away from the dressing room when what we really desire is to try on that cute bathing suit on the store mannequin? Fear that it won't fit our body like it does on that perfect, plastic dummy with no head; fear of the smirk on the dressing room attendant's face that translates to "yeah, right, lady; in your dreams" as she counts each tiny piece of cloth and hands us the number tag; fear of our own self-judgment in the mirror, colored by relentless images in magazines, tv, movies and billboards? Really, is it not fear that drives us to just put that hanger back and go find some XL shorts and a baggie tshirt for the beach or pool? Can anyone relate here?
FEAR!
I have to admit that fear keeps me in my comfort zone, whether it's bathing suit shopping, speaking to a neighbor about a conflict, or challenging the established norms of a society gone astray. Easy is the way when I bury my true desires so that I don't have to step out in faith and act! Instead of feeling good about the "me" God created and not worrying about the "me" I think I should be, I don't buy the swimsuit I really like. Instead of speaking in love to the neighbor and trying to solve the problem, I complain to anyone and everyone who will listen about what a jerk I have living across the street. Instead of writing a powerful letter to my congressman, or asking to speak before the school board, I sit around feeling sorry for myself and worrying about the world my kids are inheriting. And, most recently, fear kept me from the one thing I had strongly felt God calling me to do: publishing my writing!

My comfort zone does NOT include setting up anything technical on the computer. I loved the idea of a blog but feared the process; I had no confidence in my knowledge nor ability to obtain it. Fear was fueled by the memory of past failures: How many times have I called my husband at work, crying (or whining) because the computer would not "just do what it is supposed to do"? And how many times has he lovingly restored to right order the disaster I had unknowingly created by letting the virus monster inside my beloved laptop? Answer: A LOT.

So, just how do we conquer fear? What enabled me to venture into the great galaxy of Google and return with this lovely little blog? The answer lies in the Scripture above.

Paul, a friend and mentor of Timothy, writes these encouraging words to him: For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God...Don't you just love that imagery? God gifts us, both with His Spirit, and then, by the Spirit, with individual gifts with which to serve Him. What starts as a spark, God will help us to enflame. Wonderfully He also provides those encouraging friends, reminding us both of our gifts and of our duty to use them- and use them mightily. I am grateful for those of you who urged me to fan the flames!

But let us not overlook the second half of the message from Paul: "for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." YES! My "gift of God" is a spirit that enables me to travel out of my comfort zone and explore with confidence because His power, love, and self-control are also mine. I do not have to fear failure or worldly judgment when I am ablaze with the Spirit!


My Girlfriends, as I have been encouraged, please let me encourage you today. You can conquer your fears! You can have a spirit of power and love and self-control. If you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, come to Him today and surrender. He is waiting with open arms to take you in. Confess your sins and ask Him to be the center of your life. You will receive His Spirit. And for all who have accepted Jesus as their Redeemer, listen to Paul's reminder: Fan into flame the Gift of God! With Him, you can do all things (Phil 4:13) so go ahead: Face that challenge, speak up with a strong voice, step out in faith and try something new, or hey, maybe even buy that cute bathing suit and we can go swimming together!
God loves you, and so do I!!!

TGIFriday and the Tree

TGIFriday! And I do not mean the restaurant!

Quite frankly, Girlfriends, I thank God each day He wakes me up to His beautiful world!

The first little, and I mean little, snowflakes of the impending snowstorm are starting to flutter outside my window as I write to you.

I am so glad I got up early and walked Oreo before the temperatures dropped. I enjoy my mornings walks with our dog. I usually start out in the same direction each day, circling around the corner to the east side of the house and heading north on the sidewalk. I have to tell you, though, that we do not get far past our yard before we make the first stop. Sometimes we halt because Oreo is doing the pee-pee dance! But, usually, I am the one pausing to meditate, while she looks up at me with pleading eyes as if to say, “Who’s walk is this, anyway?”

So what give me pause so shortly into our morning stroll?

A tree.

Not just any tree, mind you. My street, my neighborhood, is full of barren trees lining the streets and in the yards.

So what makes this tree under which I stand so special from November to late March?

Leaves.

Not just any leaves, mind you. DEAD leaves.

This tree is completely cloaked in dead, brown, lifeless leaves.

It isn’t beautiful; this tree is honestly just as much a reminder of the bitter cold, stagnant days of winter as the bare trees surrounding it.

Yet I stop beneath this tree every single day…and LISTEN.

What this tree DOES have, on most days, is a rustling murmur that whispers to me in the silence of the season. As the wind passes through the brown, crinkled foliage, I hear the voice of God calling out to me: “I am still here. Do not believe your eyes—what appears dead is really alive!”

What a way to start my day, ANY day, not just TGIFridays!

My neighbor’s oak tree is God’s auditory reminder that HE IS ALIVE and present in this world, in my world, in YOUR world.

My Girlfriends, God is calling you today; can you hear Him? Have even you stopped to listen? It may only be a whisper, or the wind through the dry leaves of an oak tree. But make no mistake, He is alive, and He wants to be your friend too. God is calling you to a relationship with HIM. Figuratively or literally, whether you are living in a place where the trees are green and the flowers in bloom OR you are passing each day in the dormancy and dead of winter, YOU ARE NOT ALONE! Spend some time with your Lord today. He wrote you the most beautiful love letter ever—better than any Hallmark Valentine’s Day card –it’s The Bible. I urge you today to hear from the greatest love of your life and know that YOU are His love!

In case you need a place to start, and since it is close to Valentine’s Day, I will leave you with some of God’s poetry: a Psalm. How amazing that in Psalm 1, Verses 1-4, God talks to us about WALKING, MEDITATING, A TREE, WITHERING LEAVES, and WIND.  (And even more amazing is the fact that I wrote this note to you BEFORE I looked up a verse to go with it! Glory to God!)

TGIFriday, and Thank God for _____________.

(My answer is GIRLFRIENDS! Love You!)

Scripture:

Psalm 1:1-4

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
² but his delight is in the law^[b] of the LORD,
   and on his law he meditates day and night.

 ³ He is like a tree
   planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
   and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
⁴ The wicked are not so,
   but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

TESTS

Scripture:
Job 23:3-12:
3 "Oh that I knew where I might find Him, That I might come to His seat ! 4 "I would present my case before Him And fill my mouth with arguments. 5 "I would learn the words which He would answer, And perceive what He would say to me. 6 "Would He contend with me by the greatness of His power ? No, surely He would pay attention to me. 7 "There the upright would reason with Him; And I would be delivered forever from my Judge. 8 "Behold, I go forward but He is not there, And backward, but I cannot perceive Him; 9 When He acts on the left, I cannot behold Him; He turns on the right, I cannot see Him. 10 "But He knows the way I take ; When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold. 11 "My foot has held fast to His path ; I have kept His way and not turned aside. 12 "I have not departed from the command of His lips ; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.



TESTS!!! Ahhh, that word takes me back to school days. How about you? What emotions does that word “test” evoke in you?  Anxiety? Fear? The urge to vomit (ha ha, just kidding…at least I hope I’m not causing anyone to lose their breakfast!) Or, are you one who likes a challenge? Confident and prepared, eager to prove yourself? Or, maybe, you are one who just really does not care? “It will be what it will be.”

TESTS. Life is full of them. Some people may even feel life is one long continual test. Some tests are easy, the “open book” kind, or maybe the “group quiz.” Others are more demanding and lengthy, like semester finals, covering chapters and chapters of life. And then there’s the dreaded “pop quiz.” Oh how those can catch us off-guard, especially when we have dedicated our time to the wrong priorities and did not do our homework.

TESTS. Preparation is always the key. But how can we be prepared for every test life gives us? There is just SO MUCH material. Well, I believe the answer lies in the book of Job. Job was hit by every kind of calamity possible, testing him in every area of his life. The sections of his test were death (loss of children), financial disaster (loss of all he owned), and medical disaster (severe affliction of his body), among others. Even his three friends and wife were of no help in the “group” portion of the test.

So, what was Job’s secret? I would say it was his Teacher. Job was a man of God. He had a bond with the Father that no test could break. Because Job had dedicated his life to living by all he was taught, even in the midst of great pain and agony, he remained confident in what he knew from the Teacher to be the right answers to the test. He did not sin. He did not curse and blame the teacher. He stood firm. He passed the test with an A+++ and great was his reward! (Job 42:12: The LORD blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part.)

But what I love about Job’s story is contained in the verses you read at the top of the page: Job wanted to talk to the Teacher about his test! Oh how many times have we done that? Maybe sought clarification to a question? Or help with a difficult problem? OR,  in steadfast belief that our answer was correct, to argue and present our case for the way we answered to the test! And that is where we find Job, seeking the Teacher, in Chapter 23. But guess what? The Teacher, in Job’s mind, has left the room! Now what? Here’s the cool part…even when he cannot find Him to present His case, Job trusts that God knows the way he takes and that when the test is over, Job will “come forth as gold.” YES!!!!

Girlfriends, what I want you to know today, whether you are in the middle of a test, just finished one, or preparing for the next, WITH GOD as your Teacher, you will PASS!!! Do not enroll in worldly classes, led by Satan and his legions of false teachers! Choose your schedule wisely; dedicate yourself to the coursework of the Bible. Do your homework; be prepared. My prayer for you is that with the Lord by your side, the next emotion evoked by the word “TEST” will be “BRING IT ON!!”
Love You All!