Sacrifice: Day In, Day Out

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends....I have called you friends.

John 15:13, 15 NIV

Greetings from Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St Louis, Missouri.

Did you know that June 6, 2012, marked the 68th anniversary of D-Day? I had the honor of passing a portion of that day in a special place, the final earthly resting place to thousands of American heroes and heroines. And now today we celebrate both Flag Day in the USA and also the 237th birthday of the US Army. Praise God!

While visiting the St Louis area this past week, I walked through Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery with several different girlfriends from our former hometown.. The setting is quiet, peaceful, and serene. Occasionally, a car will pass on the way to visit the marker of a beloved buried here. Deer gallop gracefully through the grave sites, unaware of the sacrifices and valiant deeds carried out by the persons named on either side of the homogenous, solid white stones. We even encountered a lone fawn curled up next to a headstone of a World War II veteran, as if keeping watch and company of the souls commemorated in this hallowed ground. 

Standing under a tree near the Civil War section of the cemetery, gazing out across the waves of white, cascading over the sloping and rolling terrain, I felt a chill under my skin. I stood in awe and utter amazement at the sheer number of lives laid down for the freedom and prosperity of our nation. I knew not everyone named on a headstone died during active service of this country, but I also had firsthand knowledge of the price otherwise paid by soldier, spouse, and children alike. I related in a special way to the day-to-day laying down of life, freedom, and choice in order to pursue a sense of duty. I felt honored to be among their numbers under the leadership of my husband as a soldier and patriot.

In the devotional My Utmost For His Highest, Oswald Chambers writes, "Jesus does not ask me to die for Him, but to lay down my life for Him. Peter said--'I will lay down my life for Thy sake' and he meant it; his sense of heroic was magnificent. It would be a bad thing to be incapable of making such a declaration as Peter made; the sense of our duty is only realized by our sense of the heroic." (p.122, copyright 1963) Wow! I ask myself, can I stand in a place such as Jefferson Barracks, or any cemetery in America, and not feel the urge to make such a declaration? Can I gaze upon a flag flying today and not acknowledge and appreciate the heroism of my fellow Americans and desire to honor them by my own actions and sacrificial giving? Am I capable? Am I willing?

Oswald Chambers continues, " Has the Lord ever asked you--'Will you lay down your life for My sake?' It is far easier to die than to lay down life day in and day out with the sense of high calling. We are not made for brilliant moments, but we have to walk in the light of them in ordinary ways." (p. 122) Girlfriends, can I say "wow" again? Day in...day out...laying down our own passions, pleasures, desires, and wishes for the greater good and glory, in honor of the one brilliant moment in all of history, the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, our God, upon the Cross--a moment imitated by so many men and women in the over two thousand years since that day. Day in...day out...relinquishing our rights and our freedoms for the eternal glory of God, for the salvation of His children, and for the freedom to worship and glorify Him--or not. Praying for the "or nots."

Finally, Chambers states, "For thirty three years Jesus laid out His life to do the will of His Father, and, John says, 'we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.' It is contrary to human nature to do so." (p. 122)  Yes, ladies, it is contrary to our nature to deny ourselves, but as mothers and wives, we understand the nature of sacrifice. I pray you will conquer your will and steady yourselves upon the path to righteousness that is paved with your willingness to forego your own comfort and pleasure for that of others as a result of your love of Christ.

"If I am a friend of Jesus, I have deliberately and carefully to lay down my life for Him. It is difficult, and thank God it is difficult. Salvation is easy because it cost God so much, but the manifestation of it in my life is difficult. God saves a man and endues him with the Holy Spirit, and then says in effect--'Now work it out, be loyal to me, whilst the nature of things around you would make you disloyal.' 'I have called you friends.' Stand loyal to your Friend, and remember that His honor is at stake in your bodily life." (p. 122)

Girlfriends, I could not sum up my emotions and thoughts on this patriotic day any better. I pray in whatever capacity you serve on this earth, that you will be loyal, act honorably, follow the Holy Spirit, acknowledge the sacrifices before you, from God and from your fellow man, and most of all, lay down your life...day in, day out...for your God. I thank you, and I am grateful to the service members, and their families, who rose to the challenge throughout history.

Be blessed today!

Prayer Changes Things

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  

Philippians 4:6

 "I have so much to do today that I shall never get through it with less than 3 hours of prayer."

-attributed to Martin Luther 

Summer is going to be a blogging challenge for me. I have an incredibly busy schedule with the kids, college registrations, vacation travel, and so on. We just completed graduation ceremonies in Chicagoland, and then down in St Louis, this past weekend. Now we are preparing for the parties and celebrations! I am in full cleaning and cooking mode this week. Busy, busy, busy. However, ladies, as the quote above states, I have so much to do that I have to spend some time in prayer.

"The greatest tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer."
F.B. Meyer

I want to talk about prayer today. Our prayer life is not only important but a reflection of our relationship with Christ. Prayer does not have to be the time spent on your knees next to your bedside. Prayer can take place anywhere, anytime you choose to speak to God. I pray while washing dishes, folding laundry, walking the dog, driving the car, and watering the flowers. That is the beauty of our relationship with God. He is always present with us and available for conversation. No topic is off-limits; no subject too touchy. I love that I can pour out my heart to the Lord without worry about my wording or tone or body language. He always understands, always hears, always believes in the best for me. 

"Prayer requires more of the heart than the tongue." Adam Clarke

Prayer for me can be silent conversation in my mind directed to my Father. At other times, I actually speak the words out loud. Many times the discourse takes place on paper in my journals. Throughout the day, I may also sing my prayer when the words of a song move me to cry out to the Lord. The beauty of prayer lies in variety and the fact we do not have to be ritualistic.

"Pray as if everything depended on God, and work as if everything depended upon man."
Francis J. Spellman

I have a sign on top of my refrigerator that states: Prayer Changes Things. When I bought this plaque many years ago, my thoughts were that God would alter the course of events if I prayed long and hard about it. Over time, the phrase took on new meaning, as I learned that God did not always intervene and give me my way. But He did change things...and the thing He changed the most was me. Through time spent in prayer, my attitude changed. My thought process changed. My relationships with others changed. My actions changed. Yes, prayer changed things in ways I never imagined possible even when the earthly, tangible results were not as I hoped. Not my will, but thine be done! That is how we pray.

"Talking to men for God is a great thing, but talking to God for men is greater still." E.M. Bounds

Ladies, today I pray that all of us will exercise the privilege and power of prayer. Spend time with the Lord. You have too much to do not to take time and pray! Nothing in your schedule is more important or pressing. Your greatest provision for the people in your life is to pray for them, bring them before your heavenly Father in love and tenderness. Ask God for His blessing over them, for His power to be known in their lives, and for their hearts to accept His offer of grace and salvation. Pray, sisters, that Christ's sacrifice upon the cross would not be in vain, that we and our loved ones alike, would live like people worth dying for, because Christ thinks we are. He gave His life in exchange for ours that we may live everlasting in His presence and with one another. Believe. Pray. Accept the gift. Spread the Word. God loves you!

And so do I!

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24

Wisdom and Understanding

Blessed are those who find wisdom,
    those who gain understanding,

for she is more profitable than silver
    and yields better returns than gold.

Proverbs 3:13-14 

Hello Girlfriends!

My thoughts are fixed upon graduation as my youngest daughter wraps up her high school career today by taking her last final exam. I think about all the facts memorized, the grammar and spelling checked, and the mathematical equations solved. With twelve years of knowledge in her brain, my darling will embark upon life in the real world. She has high aspirations for a career in graphic design, one that will hopefully pay the student loans and provide enough leftovers for a roof, clothing, and food.

In the midst of preparations, this mother's mind focuses upon today's key verse. My hope for my daughter is that she has obtained more than just plain knowledge in these past twelve years. I pray that she sought the Spirit of the Lord for wisdom and also understanding, for as Proverbs 3 states, they are more profitable than silver, yield better returns than gold (even with today's market value for that precious metal.)

Head knowledge is terrific and especially useful for operating heavy machinery or designing detailed brochures. But heart knowledge is better. Many people know who Jesus is, believe He existed, and agree He was crucified for our sins. What is lacking is the wisdom and understanding of why God entered humanity, died, and resurrected on our behalf. Facts flourish but a relationship with Christ flounders. Unfortunately, without that rapport and without wisdom, knowledge alone can only lead to worldly success with disastrous eternal consequences.

Jesus alone saves us from ourselves, from Satan, from sin--knowing this point however is not enough. Understanding why, and wisely choosing to accept His sacrifice, are the true keys to future profit and prosperity.

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. Matthew 7:24-25

I pray for my child, and all of my loved ones, that God will give them insight, discernment, and wisdom when applying knowledge to life on this earth. Building a house is the easy part; choosing the foundation is the difficult and demanding decision. Society beckons us to settle for appearances, popularity, and its definition of success. God desires so much more for His children. His foundation is solid and steady in the storms as well as the sunny days, but requires sacrifice and slow, steady progress during the building phases. In today's age of instantaneous everything, will our children patiently wait upon stable construction or will they settle for flimsy and fast fabrication? What about us? What example have we provided our youth? Girlfriends, the time is never past for demolition of the old house and construction of the new with Jesus Christ as our cornerstone and concrete base. 


If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. James 1:5

Ladies, today let us join in prayer for our graduates, for our younger and older children, for our friends and family, and for ourselves. May God grant wisdom to all who ask so that the knowledge in our brains connects with the love in our hearts, the passion in our bones, and the saving grace of Jesus Christ. May wisdom and understanding guide every free choice allowing each one of us to be a blessing to others and bring honor to our heavenly Father. 

Have a wonderful day!! 

PS Please pray for my daughter as she gives her speech tomorrow at graduation....another example of how God does not call the equipped, He equips the called. My non-public speaker child has been asked to present the senior class gift to a gym full of students and family members. Her comfort zone is designing the gift and the card to accompany it, NOT making a public presentation. God bless her for stepping out and accepting the challenge. 
 

Better Than A Hallelujah

Girlfriends, today is "one of those days" for me. I sat down thinking my blog title would be Doubting Days. As I began to write, the song  Better Than A Hallelujah by Amy Grant played on my radio. (video above)

I have heard this song many times. For some reason, today was the first time the lyrics sunk in and connected with my brain. God has a way of speaking to me in the absolute moment I need to hear from Him. This morning was that time. Let me explain.

My doubting day really began last night as I sat alone frosting cupcakes into the wee morning hours. Do you ever have those occasions where every nook and cranny of your existence is subject to scrutiny? That is where I am right now. Full of doubt and questions.

My to-do list looms larger than life. I doubt I will be prepared for today's bake sale or tomorrow's FCA picnic. I doubt these white cupcakes taste very good. I doubt my oven thermostat is functioning properly, which leads me to reflect upon all my appliances. I doubt my freezer door will ever work properly after three repair visits already.

Minor issues really. But you know how the isolated mind likes to wander deeper into the forest of fear. I begin to envision my life with no kids at home. No bake sales. No more making posters or submitting announcements. No FCA meetings, youth groups, or school functions. No sporting events. I doubt I will be very happy alone and wonder what I will do.

I think about having time to work out, but I doubt my hands and arms will ever stop hurting again. Naturally, that leads me to doubt I will lose the ten pounds that taunt me daily. I guess I can take walks, but then I wonder if people will think I am crazy, going around the block and talking to my dog the whole time. I doubt Oreo will care about any of this nonsense.

I wonder about a dog's life. I wonder why God created the world the way He did. I doubt I should be questioning God, but I wonder why Adam and Eve could not have just had a "time out" over in the corner of the Garden and rejoined God after they had time to "think about" their actions and motives. Could they not have written one hundred times, "I will not listen to the serpent, and I will not eat the fruit of the forbidden trees"? I wonder why we cannot all live in harmony--without pain, sickness, strife, or sadness--together with Our Father in the Garden where work and play are balanced, where we actually have time to spend enjoying one another. I wonder. I doubt I will know in this lifetime. I wonder if God is upset with me for all this doubting--which leads me to the song on KLOVE. Thank you, Amy, for picking me up!

Girlfriends, I truly believe we can have "one of those days," or two, or a week, month, year...you get the point...yet God's love remains steady and true. He will never give up on us. He does not condemn us or get offended. As Amy Grant says, "we pour out our miseries, God just hears a melody." So, today, I doubt God cares that I am questioning my life and purpose. I believe He is here with me, walking through the mess and holding out a hand to hold. I think we will go for a walk after the bake sale...and take Oreo with us!

Have a blessed day, ladies! Doubting, or secure in your place, God loves you. And so do I!

Better Than A Hallelujah
by Amy Grant

God loves a lullaby
In a mothers tears in the dead of night
Better than a Hallelujah sometimes.
God loves a drunkards cry,
The soldiers plea not to let him die
Better than a Hallelujah sometimes.

We pour out our miseries
God just hears a melody
Beautiful the mess we are
The honest cries of breaking hearts
Are better than a Hallelujah

The woman holding on for life,
The dying man giving up the fight
Are better than a Hallelujah sometimes
The tears of shame for what's been done,
The silence when the words won't come
Are better than a Hallelujah sometimes.

We pour out our miseries
God just hears a melody
Beautiful the mess we are
The honest cries of breaking hearts
Are better than a Hallelujah

Better than a church bell ringing,
Better than a choir singing out, singing out.

We pour out our miseries
God just hears a melody
Beautiful the mess we are
The honest cries of breaking hearts
Are better than a Hallelujah

Guard Your Heart

Guard your heart above all else for it is the source of life.

Proverbs 4:23 HCSB

Good Morning, Girlfriends!

Today I am asking you for prayer for my mom-in-law as she undergoes a heart procedure. We trust in the Lord with all of our heart, which includes literally placing our physical heart in His hands when needed. This day is one of those times for her. 

As today's key verse tells us, ladies, we must guard our hearts at all times. Guarding means protecting, watching over, defending, and securing. Protect your heart with exercise, good food, and stress reduction. Watch over your heart with careful observation, allowing only "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable...anything is excellent or praiseworthy" (Phil 4:8). 

Defend your heart against the enemy--physical and spiritual. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Eph 6:12 Yes, we have to fight off the temptations of the world that contribute to heart disease, but the greater struggle is defending against the spirit of evil which tempts our hearts to harden against our fellow man. Loving God and loving one another is the greatest defense!

Secure your heart, Girlfriends! Let no one take it from you without your express consent. Give your heart knowingly and only to God. Share it with the rest as you discerningly choose to love. As Proverbs 4:23 tells us, the heart is the source of life. Live today from your source; love from a guarded heart!

I pray you will examine your heart and recognize the areas that need tending or mending. Ask God, the great Physician, to heal you. But more importantly, please ask Him to be the King of your heart, your Savior. Jesus gave his life for yours. As the song says, live like someone worth dying for, because my dears, you are! (See Song of the Day tab above.)

May your heart be full of love, mercy, grace, and kindness today! God bless you all, and God bless my mom-in-law!

Share the Memories--and the Jokes!

Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.

Genesis 9:16

Girlfriends, do you remember....?

Ahh, memories, and the emotions sparked by them, lighting fires that warm the night as we reminisce. Looking back, time often blurs the edges around the moments I recall. The details sometimes change but the heart of the matter remains. That is, until someone finds a video recording of "the moment," and I get to view my younger, immature self, frozen in time and electronic space. Suddenly the details are crystal clear and less romantic than I envisioned! Nonetheless, I treasure that footage of the roads we traveled, the homes we occupied, and the children we raised, inadequate and inexperienced as we were!

My children and their generation will carry the blessing and the curse of the camcorder age. Always in the spotlight, no event or activity goes unrecorded. Their memories are influenced by digital preservation. While viewing first steps, first words, and other firsts is exciting, our kids do not have the luxury of glamorizing the days gone by.  There will be no "I walked five miles to and from school every day, and up hill each way" because the video of the trip only lasts five minutes and contains no gasping for breath or complaining of aching legs!

On the flip side, viewing the vivid details, full length, and often including the happy faces of since departed relatives, can bring joy and comfort. I somewhat envy my kids. I would love to observe myself entering the world, discovering it as a toddler and preschooler, and attempting to conquer it as child and teenager! My physical memory is horrible. I treasure the videos I shot and often comment, "Hmmm, I don't remember the bedroom in that house looking like that," or "What was I thinking dressing you like that and feeding you tv dinners at 18 months old!"

This week as we celebrated Mother's Day together with some of the kids and my own mom, we sat in the kitchen watching a few of these home videos on the computer. I can honestly say the emotional roller coaster was up and running. I laughed. I cried. I laughed until I cried at times. Honestly, though, my fondest moment came a day before as the kids and I sat around a table eating with one another.

Between bites, my son said something he thought was comical. My oldest daughter promptly informed him that what he said was the oldest grade school joke around and was not really even funny. Then my other daughter stated that she vividly remembered hearing one joke in grade school, and it was not the one my son just said. Naturally, we asked her to tell her joke, following which we busted a gut laughing for about ten minutes. (Unfortunately, grade school jokes are usually corny, inappropriate, and involve potty talk, so I will not print it here.)

Later, the girls shared the joke with Gramma Sharon, who found it only slightly amusing; however, the girls soaked another ten minutes of laughter out of round two! Once the giggling subsided, I asked my mom if she remembered any jokes from her childhood school days. Cocking her head to the side, searching her brain, she finally declared that indeed she could not recall a single one. "Odd," I thought. My mom has been telling us jokes for as long as I can remember. I wondered when she first found her sense of humor, and better yet, why could we not have video of that? I longed for my grandma or papa in that instant so that I could ask them about mom as a child.

Sharing stories and special memories with one another is such a vital part of family life. I wish I had recognized earlier in time the value of our history so I would have taken the time to listen, to ask, and even to record. Girlfriends, we are exceedingly important to one another. The fibers of our life are woven into a beautiful tapestry, intertwined with our loved ones. So how is that we can know so little about the people with whom we are bound? Perhaps we so often have trouble seeing the bigger picture because we ignore the fact that one exists and that it is comprised of the essence of the individuals surrounding us.

Today, I pray you will seek the bigger picture. Take time to share your memories with your family (and friends) but please also listen to their narrative as well. Watch video if you have it. Ask questions: What was your favorite joke when you were in school? How did you get to school? Did you bring lunch from home? What games did you play at recess? Who was your first boyfriend/girlfriend? Record the answers--maybe with a video camera, or possibly in writing--so that future generations will be blessed and informed.

Ladies, I also pray that you will seek (and share) God's story as well. Wouldn't we all love it if God had created the video camera when He was working out the details of the Garden of Eden? But, alas, He did not, and probably for good reason!  His Story, the Bible, is living and active today. The recorded history is from real people but the lessons from God's Word apply to us this very moment. Seeing the bigger picture means knowing our story--whether an hour ago, fifty years ago, or back to the first day when "God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning —the first day." Gen 1:3-5


Girlfriends, do you remember....? Ask. Listen. Share. Laugh. Cry. Learn. Love. Live!

Our Surprise Gift

Happy Monday, Girlfriends!

My Surprise

I hope you had a lovely Mother's Day Sunday. My day was terrific for many reasons, one of which was a surprise visit from my oldest daughter who lives five hours away! The older they get, the better kids are at keeping secrets. Working out of the details of presentation is another story, as us moms are pretty good at knowing when the kids are up to something fishy. Asking me to crawl inside a blanket fort in the basement because my Mother's Day gift from dad is too big to carry out was my first clue. That the gift is for my flower garden was the second clue. Dad already thinks I have too much "junk" in the yard, and he would never hide anything in the basement! "You guys are up to something," flew out of my mouth as I walked downstairs. Nonetheless I crawled in only to find my "too big to carry" daughter sitting with the beautiful cross pictured above that she made for me! A wonderful surprise!

Mary's Surprise

Another mother we all know once got the surprise of her life when an angel named Gabriel visited her.

“Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!”

But [Mary} was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David,  and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”  Luke 1:29-33 ESV

Now, Mary got that gut feeling I was talking about earlier, that one that says "something weird is going on here!" Can you imagine? You are a young, newly engaged woman just going along doing what is right and holy. You have no thoughts of kids or diapers or wiping runny noses anywhere in your head. Suddenly an angel shows up and basically informs you that 'hey, you are going to be celebrating Mother's Day next year."
I don't know about you, but if I were Mary my stress level would have just shot through the roof. Well, God certainly knew whom to pick, because this soon-to-be-mom already had mastered two qualities every mother needs: patience and acceptance.

And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

 

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy— the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.  For nothing will be impossible with God.” 

And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. 

Luke 1:34-38

 

Our Surprise

Girlfriends, as you reflect upon Mother's Day, I pray you will give thanks to God for the greatest surprise gift of all: that He came to earth in the form of Man to live amongst us that we may be the benefactors of His life, death and resurrection. A gift is just a gift unless you unwrap it. So, ladies, I pray you will accept Jesus Christ in your heart and discover the joy and peace of unconditional love. 

Have a blessed week!

Happy Mother's Day

 Happy Mother's Day, Girlfriends!

Proverbs 31: 10-31 NIV 

A wife of noble character who can find?
    She is worth far more than rubies.  

Her husband has full confidence in her
    and lacks nothing of value.

 She brings him good, not harm,

 all the days of her life. 

 She selects wool and flax
    and works with eager hands.

She is like the merchant ships,
    bringing her food from afar.

She gets up while it is still night;
    she provides food for her family
    and portions for her female servants^.

 She considers a field and buys it;
    out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

She sets about her work vigorously;
    her arms are strong for her tasks. 

She sees that her trading is profitable,
    and her lamp does not go out at night.

In her hand she holds the distaff
    and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor
    and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
    for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed;
    she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate,
    where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them,
    and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity;
    she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:

“Many women do noble things,
    but you surpass them all.” 

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Honor her for all that her hands have done,
    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Mom's Perfect Day

 
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,

 patience, kindness, goodness, 

faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; 

against such things there is no law. 

Galatians 5:22-23

Greetings Girlfriends! This is a very special weekend as we approach the celebration of motherhood!

The Contest

While exercising my motherly skills this morning, aka folding the kids' laundry, I heard the DJ on KLOVE read an entry aloud from their contest called "Mom's Perfect Day." A woman had written that her perfect day would include a visit to Scotland to research her family history for the three books she is writing. Mindlessly placing shirts on hangers as I listened, I marveled that a mother with children at home could write one, let alone three, books. I began to envision her trip to Scotland, with rolling green hills, highland dancers, and bagpipes. As I sorted socks, I wondered about my own "perfect day."  

In an instant, the laundry room faded, and I was relaxing on a private, white sandy beach with my husband in the middle of a clear blue ocean. Our fully furnished villa was stocked with fresh fruit and fine chocolates for me and Diet Mt Dew and pizza for him. No phones; no internet, just island music floating through the air, a serene backdrop to our light conversation, as we gazed lovingly into each other's eyes, reminiscing and laughing carelessly. 

Ding! Ding! A text message alert. Back to reality. I set aside my search for a missing green sock and picked up my phone. My daughter wrote: "I have to give a speech at graduation!" A smile spread across my face and excitement for her welled up inside my heart. All visions of sun, sand, and romance were washed away by the pride I felt for my third child, who four years ago would have passed out on the spot if she had been told she had to speak in front of a group of five people, let alone five hundred people! Suddenly I realized that I have already experienced "the perfect day"... more times than I can even remember. 

My Perfect Day(s)

Today's key verse from Galatians 5 reveals to us the fruit of the Spirit, which grows in a Christ-centered life. I can see the seeds of this fruit sprouting in my life because God chose perfect days to plant them in my heart.

Love. We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 

Perfect Day #1: The day I met my husband. Our marriage has led me to accept Christ's unconditional love and to grant that same unconditional love to my spouse. I cannot imagine my life without him. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:7

Joy. You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever. Psalm 16:11 NLT

Perfect Day #2: The day of the birth of each one of my children. Motherhood has unveiled the joy of Lord in every single moment.  I am honored to instill in my children the joy of knowing Christ as Savior and of living a life of love, seeking truth, granting mercy, respecting justice, and basking in His grace. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:4

Peace. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Perfect Day #3: The day I celebrate Easter, year after year after year. Standing at the foot of the cross, having meditated for days and weeks upon Christ's sacrifice and physical suffering--His forgiveness in the midst of torture--I am filled with peace because He has overcome. Christ conquered death and all sin, fear, restlessness, and disharmony. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27 

Patience. As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience. Luke 8:15

Perfect Day #4: Each day I taught in a classroom, led a girl scout meeting, mentored student leaders in FCA, or coached a youth sports team. God has blessed me with multiple opportunities to model His patience, love, and provision to youth across this nation. In return, I have developed trust and endurance to calmly withstand the trials and tests of this life, including my daughter's serious injury last summer. But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Romans 8:25 

Kindness. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Act 20:35b NKJV 

Perfect Day #5: The day a co-worker gave me a huge box of baby clothes for my first child because she knew how little I could afford; the days military spouses prepared us meals after coming home from the hospital; the days the mailman delivered cards and packages from our parents while we lived thousands of miles away; and the days friends came to my rescue while my husband was deployed or traveling. The Lord is truly rich in kindness, placing caring, compassionate, and giving people in my family's life. As the scripture says, He gives generously to the needy; his kindness lasts forever. 2 Corinthians 9:9 

Goodness. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:6

Perfect Day #6: The day I was born. My parents have loved me and my sister out of the goodness of their hearts, showered us with good gifts, disciplined us with good intentions, demonstrated goodness by their actions toward others, and continue to uplift us and praise us for our goodness. God, our eternal Father, will one day call us all home, and I pray my family will dwell eternally together in His goodness. Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise—“so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Ephesians 6:1-3

Faithfulness. For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7

Perfect Day #7: Moving Day, all twenty of them! From infancy to middle age, I have moved with faith in God's plan. In each new location God has shown His steadfast faithfulness, providing affordable housing, safe communities, access to quality education, opportunity for spiritual growth, and amazing lifetime friendships. For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in your name, for your name is good. Psalm 52:9 

Gentleness. To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. Titus 3:2

Perfect Day #8: The day I met my best girlfriend, Linda. On this earth, she is my role model. Her core ingredients are: humbleness, gentleness, kindness, goodness, giving, loving, sharing, believing, praying, trusting, and devotion to Jesus Christ. The frosting on top is that she is also fun, adventurous, talented, beautiful, a great mother, and most of all, willing to hang around people like me! Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12

Self-Control.  But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:27 ESV

Perfect Day #9: The days I spend in peaceful meditation, surrounded by the beauty of God's creation. Sometimes this day is on a beach, or hiking a wooded-path, or admiring the brilliance of a sunrise or sunset from my back deck. Whether alone or in the company of others, God has impressed upon me the need to focus upon Jesus Christ as the center of my life, taking time to be still and know His power and presence. These times of refreshment and devotion strengthen me for the battle of the flesh and will that permeates all of my imperfect days! We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5

 My Prayer for You

Girlfriends, my prayer for you this weekend is that you will celebrate and honor motherhood--thanking God for the mother who birthed you. If you too are a mom, I pray your children will esteem and praise you for your sacrifices to them. May the fruit of spirit sweeten your soul as you watch it grow. Please, do not wait for a radio contest to recognize and enjoy God's perfection in your ordinary days. His will for you is good and holy!

Love to All!

P.S. If any of you do happen to win an exotic vacation and need some company, or are unable to go, well, hey, I am available for travel! A girl can still dream, can't she????

Get Up, Get UP

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Girlfriends, I have had a BUSY day full of fellowship, meditation and reflection upon God's Word, and plenty of good food.....I am off to bed, full of encouragement and about 3000 calories! So.....

Before I write to you tomorrow morning, I will be moving and grooving in the kitchen to my favorite zumba wake-up song--won't you join me?!!!



GOOD MORNING!! Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh
Get Up, Get Up!!
Love Ya!!!