Christmas

Christmas is right around the corner.  So often we perfectly paint a picture of it in our heads that starts out on the canvas something like this: 

Everyone sipping hot cocoa by the fireplace with family gathered from near and far, perfectly wrapped presents under the tree, smiles, laughter, celebrations of the year that is passing and conversations of how wonderful the next year will be, family photos with everyone smiling and even the dogs facing the front with pleasant canine expressions on their faces, snow on the ground, gingerbread houses that stand strong throughout the night, and church services together with candlelight that lights up little ones faces while everyone sings “Oh, Holy Night.”   

I wish that I could type and cause a really dramatic sound effect to come through in my writing, but that is impossible, so I will just do this……………………………………

Christmas is right around the corner.  Daughter is driving.  Dad needs her car, so I have all of the kids again with me on the way to town.  We struggle getting ready for school, everyone fusses and fights.  Mom ends up crying on the way to town and lecturing everyone for the 10 minute drive, pleading for obedience and kindness.  Presents are stashed around the house in so many places that it will be a true Christmas miracle for them to appear on the 25^th, some are even being stored in an old Dodge pick-up.  I hope it is locked!  The perfect Hallmark comes on, but everyone scatters to do their own thing.  Only one gingerbread house made it through the night, the Elf on the Shelf forgot to move again, and I better balance my checkbook!

Discouraged, I open Isaiah 9 and read   “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”  I know with all of my heart and soul that that I better be careful not to miss the meaning of Christmas this year.

Over 2000 years ago, Jesus was born!  Luke 2 says that Jesus was placed in a manger because there was no room for Him at the inn.  The angel said “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”

The story seems so perfect!  The story also seems so old and distant at times.  It happened over 2000 years ago.

The Bible and the story of the birth of Christ is more than just a meaningful story in history.  It is a meaningful story now.  It is not just a wonderful story of the past. It is a true story of the present and of the future.  I dare not live a day without Jesus! 

This Christmas, do not only marvel at the birth of Christ that happened so many years ago, imagining Him as a baby in the manger.  Celebrate what that story means for you now in 2015.  Your present circumstances have everything to do with the birth of Jesus.  Your future has everything to do with the birth of Jesus. 

The reality of it all is that your tree may be perfect, your church may be thriving this holiday season, and you may adore your gifts, but if your relationship with Jesus is not first is your life, nothing else matters. 

He was born, lived, and died for you.  That is the real gift of the season.   

Christmas is coming...

My daughter just started my column for me.  There was a nice centered title that read “Christmas is coming.”  She indented the first paragraph and began telling about how it was all about Jesuss.

I have had several experiences recently that have reminded me I do not have small children anymore.  My oldest now has her license and took the whole crew to school last week for the first time without me. 

I stood in the carport and watched them all leave.  It was really strange!  I have carried them everywhere with me.  It has always been 4 plus 1.  Them and me.  Last week, the equation changed.  It was just 4.  They did not need me to be the plus 1.  I cried and smiled. 

It hit me again that I no longer have little kids when I asked my son to pour me another cup of coffee yesterday.   Not long ago, I would have never asked him to remove a glass pot full of hot liquid and to pour it for me, much less to walk across the kitchen to give it to me. 

That spells DANGER anyway you look at it with a small child; however, you see, my son is not a small child anymore.  He is big.  He is big enough to handle hot coffee and breakable cups.  He is big enough to help me.  I no longer have to just help him. It works both ways now. 

Since they are so big, I challenged all six of my passengers this morning on the way to church to do something to help someone every day between now and Christmas…to make it REAL!

Only a few hours later, I had a chance to practice what I had preached at the dollar store. I let three people who had only a few items go in front of me.  We kept our cart parked and motioned the next person in line on up.  The kids did start to look at me like I was crazy when I let the third man go.  He was the only other person in the store I think, so we stopped there with the kindness and proceeded to check out. 

My boys had a chance to help someone too today.  We were taking a friend home and noticed some cows out in the road.  The crazy cows started following me down the blacktop road when I passed them.  You would have thought I was waving a bag of range cubes.  We spotted a gentleman trying to herd them up on his ATV.

I asked him if he needed help.  He did and the two big boys with me jumped out.  It was quite the show to watch them with their new friend get the cows back into the gate.  There was a lot of mudding, running, and hands flying in the air involved in the process.   It took time and determination. 

Mr. Willard, their new friend, thanked them for the help.  He could have done it alone, but the round-up was faster with the two teenage boys.

I realized as we moseyed on down the road that we were looking for someone to help and we found them…just like that!  Ask the Lord to send you someone you can help.  You may spot them sooner than later.

Need some help yourself this week?  Luke 2 tells the story of the birth of Jesus.  The whole reason He came was to help us.  I am in awe of that truth.  He was born a King to help me.  He was born a King to help you.  Let Him help you today!  He is Christ the Lord. 

Best for Last

I am proud to say that I was at the grocery store the day that Blue Bell returned to its precious spot in the freezer among all of the good, but not great ice creams.  There was a crowd and the official Blue Bell men were there in uniform stocking the goods back up. 

It was big time!  I purchased one gallon of vanilla.  There was a two gallon limit. I did not want to be greedy though. 

It was my half day at work so I tied the precious commodity up tight in the sack and snuck in into the freezer in the teacher’s lounge.  When my kids filed into the library one by one from the bus, I asked them if they wanted a scoop of Blue Bell.  I think our homework that day was sweeter for sure, and for one moment…I was the best mom on the planet!

I saved my own personal treat for later that night.  I quietly retrieved my stashed bag of Oreo Thins, my favorite coffee mug, and I created my own Blue Bell vanilla, cookies and cream mixture. 

It was amazing!  I ate it slowly and cherished every bite.  I guarded my cup too since the kids had already had their share.  I did not make a public announcement that I was eating my Blue Bell, because I did not want anyone barging in on my parade and asking for a taste of my treat. 

Confession time:  I have a habit of saving the best bite for last when I am eating.   I let my taste buds build up until the very last second when I am eating.  Then, I WOW them with the last little bit of whatever is my indulgence of the moment. 

I did this with my Blue Bell and then something went really wrong. I dropped my cup on our concrete floors and it shattered.  (If this was a movie, there would be sad music playing here.)  Yes, I was sad that my Starbucks Valentine’s Day mug was shattered, but really I was much more devastated that laying in the middle of the ceramic mess on the floor was my LAST AND BEST bite of ice cream and Oreo!  I contemplated on trying to pick up the one remaining, bite but knew in my heart and mind that it was a complete loss. 

My youngest daughter came in to console me.  She could tell I was upset.  She knew why too.  She said “Oh Mom, I am sorry. I know you save the best bite for last.  Was that your last bite, Mom?”  I looked up at her from my position on the floor cleaning up the mess and said “Yes, it was my last and best bite.  I will never do that again.”

I realized at that point that saving the best for last is stupid! It is dumb to save the best bite for last with food and it is dumb to hold back anything in life!   A friend lost his dad this week.  He would agree with me that in life, we should not save the best for last!  I was at the Senior pep rally today.  Senior parents would agree with me that nothing should be saved or stored up in life because kindergarten to college is quick.  When it comes to loving, laughing, forgiving, and making memories with people you live with, work with, study with, play with, nothing should be held back. 

We are not guaranteed tomorrow.  We have to make the most of today.  So, get right with those around you and enjoy every second of the time you have with them.  Get right with Jesus and enjoy your relationship with Him.  Psalms 144:4 says “Man is a mere breath; His days are like a passing shadow.” 

Do not save the best for last or for tomorrow.  Tomorrow may not come.   Your best is TODAY!   

 

Too quiet

Last week I cranked up my electronic blanket.  It makes my bed the most comfortable, cozy, and warm place in the world. I live in a house full of polar bears, and I am not one.  Five of the Monicos are naturally hot natured.  Do the math…there are six of us here, and I am the only one who is cold natured! 

Their casual winter wear is shorts and t-shirts; however, I bundle up in multiple layers and sleep in toboggans nightly by mid-December.  I survive by telling myself we are saving money on our heating bill.

The first night I slept in my blanket was like heaven!  I crawled into my warm cocoon and dreamed that I would never have to come back out of it.  I did.  My youngest child woke up at 1:00 for some strange reason and was wide awake. I went to lay down with her because she is my “baby” and the only one who still wants me to cuddle.    

When I got to her bed and laid back down, I knew something was wrong!   Our electricity had gone out.  Her ceiling fan was not working.  It was so quiet and so dark.  I laid there forever and could not go back to sleep.  It was a strange noiselessness! 

My little “hoot owl” was wide awake too. We talked about how we did not need the fan to keep us  cool, but we sure did need some noise in the room. 

I tossed and turned.  I flipped and flopped for what seemed like eternity.  I thought about my life and how I am so accustomed to some type of noise at all times, even when I am sleeping.  It is not just noise either. I am sadly accustomed to continuous activity. (Am I the only one?) 

This face paced, smart phone, talking, texting, hands-free , be productive at all times world we live in keeps our minds so stimulated that when we want to try to sit and just do nothing, we struggle!  I hate to admit it, but even when I want to sit and be alone with the LORD, I struggle sometimes.  It is hard to keep my mind still and okay with just being alone in the calm of the presence of the Almighty.   It is a sad truth. 

Flipping through my beloved Jesus Calling devotional last week and wanting read a little bit more, I found a wonderful treasure on August 2^nd.  (Yes, I am a random, pick any kind of day person.) 

The author, Sarah Young, wrote, “Bring me the sacrifice of your time; a most precious commodity.  In this action addicted world, few of my children take the time to sit quietly in My Presence.  But for those who do, blessings flow like streams of living water.” 

Blessings that flow like streams of living water sound really good to me.  What about you?  If you want to be blessed with your work, give the Lord your time.  If you need to be blessed at school, sit quietly in His presence.  If you desire a blessing for your family, turn off the action of the world and just be alone with your Father. 

This all reminds me of Mary and Martha from the Bible in Luke 10.  Jesus ended up telling Martha “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed – or indeed only one.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” 

Like Mary, choose this week to leave the hustle and bustle.  Choose to be quiet and still with the Lord. 

CAMO

Have you ever thought you were hiding really well from someone or something and then realized you really were not hidden at all? Been there, done that…just last weekend!

Opening weekend of deer season around here for me began with sleeping in and then cooking up a nice breakfast for my hunters. 

 After we ate, I decided to head off on a walk up the road with my adventuresome son.  I had spotted a deer several times and managed to convince him that I totally understood the path that this nice buck was taking on a daily basis.  He wanted check out the scene before the evening hunt planning session began, and I needed to walk off my biscuits and gravy.

I did what any mom would do who was pretending to be cool and know something about deer hunting.  I geared up in camo and painted my face with some roll-on camo face paint that was sitting on the bar.  It looked more like it was for Halloween than deer season, but under the shadow of my camo cap, it was perfect.  I looked dirty and woodsy, but smelled like Tom Ford perfume.  (I forgot that scent is a factor when hunting.)

We eased up the road and assessed the situation.  It seemed that what the area right off of FM 833 needed was a tripod stand.  My son knew just where one was and said we could move it together.  That is just what we did.  I got the front.  He got the back.  With only 6 or 7 breaks and a lot of us saying “1,2,3, go,”  we made it.

The stand ended up nestled in behind a cedar tree.  It was perfect and hidden.  I thought I was perfectly hidden too in my camouflage gear until a truck drove down 833, honked the horn, and waved right over in my direction. 

I could not believe that whoever it was saw me.  I was SO in hiding. I was so super-duper supposed to blend in with the surroundings.

I was disappointed that my attempt to go unnoticed was an epic fail. However, I was excited at the same time because I knew the LORD gave me my thought of the week. 

It was like God spoke to me right there in the woods and said “See, you can’t hide from that person and you sure can’t hide from me.” 

We often try to hide things, hurts, issues, problems, and the truth from the people around us.  Sometimes we succeed.  The longer we attempt to hide and conceal the truth too, the better we get at it. 

We can become masters in deception and manipulation with those around us; however, we can never hide one single thing from the Lord, Jesus Christ.  He knows all and sees all!  He knows how many hairs are on our head.  He knows our thoughts and Psalm 139 says He even knows our words before they are on our tongue. 

If you think you are hiding anything or just need to know that the LORD is near, read Psalm 139 completely.  It is beautiful!  It offers such peace!

Why such intimacy from the LORD? Why such a close watch?  My friend, God is so near to you because He desires a personal relationship with you. 

Fool the world, but you can’t fool God.  Loose everything or everyone, but you will never loose God.  The LORD knows you and loves you.  Please take that to heart this week and strive to know HIM more and do not waste any more time hiding.  It will never work!    

Vacation

I am currently away with my daughter on a softball trip.  It has truly been a blessing and a great way to start Thanksgiving!  I often tag along with her on these adventures.  My friend tells me all of the time that it is pretty cool I get to be with my kid while she chases her dream. I agree! 

If it were not for her, I would be at home and stuck in the same old rut.  Getting out some and going to new places is good for me.  I traveled a lot in my teens and twenties.  I forgot that I enjoyed it.  Motherhood does that to us.  I remember now the joy I find in seeing new things and living a bit outside of the routine of work and housework. 

I am cracking up at the present moment because she just went to meet up with her friends and told me to text her if I needed anything.  What could I possibly need?  I am in a hotel room with snacks and a laptop.  I am in good shape! 

I assured her that I wouldn’t need a thing and reminded her that I was an adult.  She laughed and told me not to open the door for strangers and walked on out.  Kids these days…

We made our way this afternoon down Highway One to Newport Beach.  I enjoyed two, not one because they were so yummy, hand-dipped ice cream bars.  I admired the locals pedaling their bikes along the crowded streets and took off my shoes to feel the sand between my toes. 

After we ate, the girls were ready to shop.  The adults on the trip suggested that we walk out onto the pier and take it all in.  The younger crew agreed, but we could tell that the retail side of the picturesque town was sucking them in.  They were ready to drop a few bucks on some junk. 

They followed us, respecting our wisdom every step of the way.  We ended up seeing a shark, a seal, a few stingrays, and an amazing sunset from the end of the pier.   The great thing was that all of what we saw was FREE of charge.  It was nature at its finest, and all part of God’s amazing creation. What we witnessed was better than anything money could buy.

That’s the thing.  The best things in life are free.  Friendly board games at the kitchen table (usually poker for us), early mornings spent in the deer stand, car rides with the windows rolled down and the radio turned up, and things like sunshine on your face after a spell of cloudy weather are the best.   

As we approach the holidays, keep the free things in life first on your list.  Take that walk after dinner with a loved one, sit down to enjoy a second cup of coffee with your friend, and join your children on every adventure that you can. 

Most of all, spend some time this season with Jesus.  He craves a relationship with you…and it is true, the best things in life are free because His love for us is free.  He guarantees peace on earth now and eternity in heaven for anyone who is willing to receive Him.  Knowing Jesus won’t cost you a dime, but not knowing Him could cost you everything! 

Give Thanks!

I pride myself on spending our Thanksgiving break giving thanks and doing a whole lot of nothing. I do not decorate for Christmas until after Thanksgiving; neither do I participate in Black Friday.  I tried Black Friday one time at Toys R Us when the kids were little, but it just was not worth it.  I still remember where I stood in line with my basketful of goods in the far back corner of the store and where I left my items to get out of line and head home.  I went back to my In-laws in Dallas and enjoyed another cup of coffee before my kids even got up. 

We do have the tree up now.  It tried to fall on me today, I mean literally.  I had to hold it up until my husband came to my rescue.  Somehow we got it stable again without having a full blown disaster.  As usual, I got tickled right in the middle of the fiasco. 

I have reminded myself to laugh and intentionally have fun since the rain began Friday.  I have been inside of the house with four kids and three dogs.  We do good with one Hallmark movie day, but three days of togetherness is pushing it for sure! Getting along takes work.

I realized this weekend that there are many parts of Christmas that can seem like work too.  That is not good news for me because I already have a few jobs. I have the wonderful job here of being a wife, mother, and head organizer of our family, and a teacher.  Quite honestly, I do not need for Christmas to seem like another job.  None of us do.  The stress and mess can take away the real meaning of the holidays for sure, and it starts early in November. 

It came to me though that really as a Christian, one who believes in Jesus Christ, that I do have a job at Christmas. My job is to use the special time of year to tell others about the real meaning of Christmas.  It has nothing to do with my church affiliation, age, or how long I have known Christ as Savior. It has to do with all of the people I will come into contact with and that the holidays are on everyone’s minds.

Everyone seems to be looking for a way to give meaning to all of the hustle and bustle!  I can tell them. You can tell them. We can tell them that Jesus is the reason for it all!

I remember several years ago when my friend knew I was pooped from the holidays and honestly frustrated.  She asked me to join a group and make ornaments that would be exchanged and used along with a Jesse Tree devotional book with our families. 

That simple tradition has really helped us!  It reminds us daily why we are knee deep in all of the hype.  It reminds us that while the hype of stockings and Santa maybe fun, the real reason for it all is Jesus. Every home in my opinion needs something like this to do daily as a reflection.

Be ready to tell someone about the birth of Christ.  If there are new jobs that fall upon you during this time of year, remember that the most important task you have is to share the truth about the good news of Jesus.  In Luke 1:10, the angel said to the shepherds “I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all of the people.” 

the fridge

It is difficult for me to write tonight.  Three of my kids are jumping on the trampoline.  I was just with them playing “steam roller” and football. 

The entire time I was playing with them I had a running dialogue going in my head about normal sibling behavior.  I feel like they pick, fight, and can be entirely too rough with each other.  I want to pounce on them quite often and fix it all, but then I remember that most of this is a normal family dynamics and that they do get along…sometimes!   

You see, I want kindness around here all the time. I am a peacemaker.  I attempt to be a peacekeeper.  I have to remind myself often that Jesus Christ is the only real peacemaker and peacekeeper.  I am even learning in my forties to be “okay” when things are not “okay.”

Another reason for my unsettled mind is that I saw “War Room.”  It is an amazing movie!  It jolted me in a huge way concerning prayer and faith.  If I ever gather my thoughts and get my brain wrapped around it, I will share. 

For the time being though, I want to share about our freezer.  We have an extra freezer in our laundry room. It is a necessity.  My husband, being the head chef and head grocery shopper, makes good use of it.  He made a trip to HEB last week to stock up on steak and chicken.  He also visited the “shrimp man” and bought a large quantity of shrimp.  (I have no clue who the shrimp man really is)

I noticed last Friday there was some moisture surrounding the freezer.  I opened the door and a few items were beginning to thaw out.  I assumed someone left the door cracked.  I slammed it shut and carried on with my day. 

The next day, I discovered the door being left ajar was not the source of the problem.  The freezer was going out, and the food was consequently thawing out.   

My husband fired up the grill.  He cooked every ounce of meat that he could.  We salvaged other items by transporting them to the kitchen freezer and to the small one over in his shop.   

The remainder of the thawed out mess got trashed.  The assortment of popsicles were a real work of melted art and a few items were totally unidentifiable. I told myself it was time to clean out anyway before deer season.   

I later realized that cleaning out the freezer related to life.  The freezer was not working.  It had to be cleaned out.  After that, it would have been totally crazy to put the ruined items back in the freezer.  The bad food was trash!  It had no purpose now. 

Just like the freezer breaking, sometimes we break.  Sometimes we get to a point that we are not working properly. At that exact moment, we have to clean out.  The old junk has to go!  The ruined junk that has built up is, and sin will only get worse and harder to remove the longer we allow it to stay.   

I have good news though!  Our freezer started to freeze again after it was cleaned out.  Maybe it was just overloaded.  Proverbs 28:13 says “He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses them and renounces them finds mercy.”  If you are need of grace and mercy this week, start here.

P.S.  And…how crazy would it be to put the old rancid food back in the clean freezer?  Likewise, how crazy is it when we, forgiven and made new, allow the old sin to creep back in? 

 

chicken coop at dark

Luckily I remembered tonight before we shut it down totally to go and close the door on the chicken coop.  My boys brought in the eggs earlier and opened it up so that the chickens could have some fresh air. I always feel sorry for them if they are stuck inside too long.  I also felt sorry for them when our Jack Russell massacred part of their family.  (That is another story and a subject here that I do not need to bring back up….ever!) 

I nominated myself because my girls were all settled sitting clean and pretty on the couch.  My boys were in the shower.  My husband was already asleep. I grabbed the high powered flashlight and headed on my way thinking positive thoughts.  I sometimes freak myself out in the dark!  It is really dark here too.  I mean really dark!

I kept my flashlight pointing down right in front of me.  I literally shined it only right where I was going to step next.  The problem with that is I had no idea what could be lurking out in the distance or in the nearby woods.  I just tuned out that thought though. 

I focused only on my next step because we have a collection of snakes residing here, including timber rattlesnakes.  I have never want my next step to be onto one of them. (I have chill bumps on my arms just thinking about it.) 

Tonight my short walk got exciting when our lab barked.  She was out in the dark somewhere must have spotted something.  When she barked, I jumped.  I mean jumped!  After I jumped, landed, and caught my breath, the thought occurred to me I might should shine my light out in the distance to see what she was barking at. 

However, I needed the light for my next step.  That next step meant I was one step closer to home!   I ignored what could have been lurking and obviously moving around in the pasture and reached the coop.  About the time I latched the door and made my speedy 180 degree turn to point me in the direction of home, it dawned on me that my flashlight strategy was actually like my life strategy. 

I conquered the trip in the dark one step at a time. I try to live my life one day at a time. 

You see, I try not to worry myself with what could, would, or even should be ahead.  I know if I do get too far into the future, I rob myself of any and all joy that might have been meant for today.    I heard a pastor say years ago, God is not “I was.  I will be.  God is I AM.”

We should mirror that.  We should live for today.  How is this even humanly possible?  It is possible because the Word of God teaches it.  It is possible because if we believe and read the Word out loud, we can transform our minds and live it! 

Matthew 6:25-34 is worth your time today.  It closes with a firm word from Jesus.  He says “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.”  (Can I get an AMEN on that?)

Start living today one step at a time, one day at a time, and with some trust.  Trust Jesus.  He knows way more than you do anyway!  He’s got you…today and tomorrow!   

 

summer vaca

I just got back from five nights in Florida with my family.  It was the best trip of my life. In my late teens and twenties, I backpacked through Europe, landed on a glacier in Alaska, fell in love with Vancouver, and strolled along beaches in the south of France, Jamaica, and the Caribbean. 

I loved my adventures in my previous life, but I had given up on travel since I became a parent. It seemed overwhelming with a family of six.  This week reminded me how fun it is to go and do new things; hence, my column will be an assortment of my reflections from our vaca.

First of all, I would not have booked the trip if my friend did not invite me over and say we were doing it.  I needed a nudge!  I needed encouragement. I needed to know that I was not doing it alone. 

Is not that what we all need more of in life?  I do not mean just with travel.  I mean with everything!  We all need friends to come along side us and encourage us to make good things happen. 

Next, the first sunset blew me away!  We landed, arrived, unpacked, and hit the beach.  When the sun began to hide for the night, I felt like I had purchased a front row seat to an amazing art show. The masterpiece was in the sky over St. Pete’s Beach. 

I was in awe!  It was the most beautiful work of nature that I had ever seen.  I know I had previously seen sunsets too that must have been just as beautiful, but it was like my eyes were open to see everything so clearly.  I did not appreciate nature or know how to bask in the stillness and just take it all in years ago. 

Things have changed in the past twenty years for me though. I did know on this trip how to fall in love with the blue and pink sky that seemingly changed every few seconds just for me.  I knew how to lay back in my chair and thank the Lord for His creation.

Lastly, one of my greatest laughs on the trip was when my son and I decided to ride the paddle boats.  My daughter and her friend had gone out about an hour before us. We wondered where on earth they were when we stood in line to get our boat.  A lady came by and told the attendant there were two little girls stuck and really struggling.  We decided at that point to leave the line and go help them along the canal. 

We rounded a manicured corner of the resort and spotted a boat that had been abandoned. We knew it was the girls!  They gave up and jumped ship.  We did what anyone who desperately wanted a paddle boat ride would do, we got in their boat and took off.  My son took the wheel and with our legs in motion, we cruised down the waterway. 

He was the best driver!  Anytime we got stuck, he would tell me to peddle backwards just enough to back us up, and then we would take off again going the right direction.  It was a blast! 

I started thinking that our ride was a lot like my life.  I do go forward, but then sometimes I have to back up to get things right.  Luckily, Jesus Christ is with me all of the way!  He stays by my side as I travel through my life on earth.  Deuteronomy 31:6 says in the New Living Translation “For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you.  He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”  No matter where you go this week, near or far, take that truth with you.

traffic

I spent some time this week in the car with my kiddos.  The first trip that I mentally related to life was with my fifteen year old daughter.  We were navigating our way through Dallas.  We had to conquer 635 or totally avoid it at all cost to get to our destination.  We used my handy dandy app on my phone to survey the traffic up ahead.  Much to my surprise, the usually congested highway was only showing a brief orange slow down, but nothing red.  Red means stop, meaning traffic is stopped and also tells me to STOP going that way if it is at all possible. We were so excited that we could continue on.  Later that night when we were headed home, it was another story.  Everything was red and we proceeded with caution, choosing another path. 

I tried to have a teachable moment in the car with my teenager and tell her that in life she would need to look for warning signs to proceed with caution as she got older. I added that often she would need to choose another route all together. 

I laughed to myself and thanked the Lord that I lived through all of my detours and stops along the way.  I also thanked Him that in a way, He used all of my mistakes to get me to the point that I am at today. I love the saying that says Jesus can turn a mess into a message. 

The next meaningful traffic event was when I joyfully entered the HOV lane.  I love it!  It is my BFF in Dallas.  We cruise past miles and miles of bumper to bumper traffic in our own personal lane without even slowing down.  You have to have one passenger with you to enter the lane.  You have to enter it at the specified time.  You also exit it at a specified time.  In the HOV lane though, life is easier. 

Let me tie that into life.  If you do life with Jesus, life will be easier.  Just like with the HOV lane, there will be some rules and guidelines to obey, but life will be so much better.  You will often pass others up in your own little personal lane because with His grace, you can deal with life in a whole different way.  A relationship with Jesus gives you peace, joy, patience, and so much more! 

My last adventure in the car was when my younger two kids played a game all the way home.  They were calling “DIBS” on every car they liked.  Let me explain that game.  You call “DIBS” on things you like…like houses, cars, boats, etc.  Every jacked up truck, Camaro, and jeep on the road was DIBS on that particular day for them. 

I started thinking I was glad that Jesus called “DIBS” on me.  I belong to Him.  I am His child.  You are too.  No matter your past or your present state, Jesus Christ will call you His own. 

If you do belong to Him, do something for the Kingdom, child of the Most High.  Ephesians 5:1 says “Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children.”  IF you are wondering what to do this week, how to deal with this or that, start with imitating God.  He is yours and you are His.   Do life with the Father. 

missing dog

My husband called me yesterday morning and said we had a problem. Our Jack Russell had been gone from the house for a few hours.  He typically goes on voyages around the house into the woods, but has somewhat been trained to come back home and check in.  There had been no check-in.  (This reminds me of myself years ago at the county fair.  Let’s just say I too avoided check-ins!) 

I got home from my morning errands and did what any woman with a big heart would do.  I put on the tallest tube socks I could find, my boots, got a big stick for protection, and took off into the woods.  I was going to find him. 

My fear was that he had a run-in with a snake.  Only two weeks ago, I nursed him back to health from a horrible bite.  He was sick for three days.  I just knew that might have happened again and that the heat would be a factor. 

I made my way through the back trails.  I reminded myself often to shuffle my feet because every time that I picked them up and tried to walk in a normal fashion, I tripped on the thorns that were naturally draped across the path. 

Now, I was not just walking.  I was walking, calling “Bubs” over and over again and looking.  This was not looking like casually window shopping, but looking intently like on a rescue mission.  I was looking for clues too, although I do not know what they would have been really.

After round one through the trails on foot, I rehydrated and got on the 4-wheeler to cover more ground.  I shut off the engine every few minutes and called out for my possibly injured patient.  I really starting thinking as the sweat poured off of my head and my arms baked in the sun that this was crazy! I left a house with air conditioning, my family, and my plans for the day to come out into the heat and search for one member of the family…and a dog at that!

The thought occurred to me during my rescue mission too that the way I was searching for my dog was the way Jesus searched for me.  He called my name over and over and over again!  He looked for me. He followed me.  He never stopped, gave up, or decided that looking and waiting for me was too much trouble. 

He does the same thing for everyone!  In the Parable of the Lost Sheep in Matthew 18: 12-14, Jesus says “If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hill and go to look for the one that wandered off?  And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about the one sheep than the 99 that did not wander off.”

Jesus is into the lost, the ones who wander off, drift off, the ones who hide, and even the ones who have never been found for the first time.  If that is you this week, know He is looking for you.  He is calling your name and searching for you.  He will not stop!  His love is more than we can fathom.  It is a love so great that it is UNFAILING!  Stop hiding, running, and avoiding the love of Jesus.  He rejoices when you stop and turn to Him!

I rejoiced too when my daughter brought my dog in and threw him on me!  He was hot, panting, and worn slap out!  I have no idea where he had been. I suspect he found a girlfriend.  Nevertheless, I was glad he was home.

Likewise, the heavens rejoice when a child comes home!  Come home this week.

 

Frogs and the LIGHT!

My new schedule at work has thankfully given me some full days at home alone.  I honestly need it to survive.  This past Tuesday was my work day here.  I cleaned up the basic dirt, grit, and grime.   As usual, I saw signs of my children all around even though they were at school. 

I love the to-do lists I find in my oldest daughter’s room.  Her younger sister does not have any to-do lists, but sure does have a pile of shoes in every corner of her room, and they make me smile. 

My boys just crack me up.  Their shared areas, consisting of a small bedroom and bathroom, can be found in two totally different states.  On any given day, they can be living in total order, all nice and neat, or in total chaos.  I mean chaos like you need to wear protective gear when you walk into their room. 

This week, I was impressed by their tidiness.  I was surprised in their bathroom because I found something rather unusual.  Hanging in their bathroom window was a light perched up on a thumbtack. 

It was not an indoor, should be in the house, type of light.  It sure was not a reading light or a decorative lamp that I might add to create some ambiance.  You see, it was the kind of light you might see clamped on a hood hanging over the motor of a car in a greasy garage.  It was rigged up to shine down on the window with an extension cord or two giving it power. 

At first glance, I wondered what on earth was going on.  I do that often with my crew.  After only a few seconds, it dawned on me that there was a definite purpose to this light. 

I had heard mention of it the night before.  It was to help the tree frogs. 

When we first moved into our house over ten years ago, we were blessed with so many tree frogs.                        They were our entertainment.  The kids would tootle around from window to window at night to watch them.  For some unknown reason, they have been few and far between until this year.  We are so happy…the frogs are back!

Well, the boys were helping them.  They strung up the junky light to add some extra light in their bathroom.  They knew if they could attract more bugs that the frogs would have a better nighttime feast.  Although I questioned their set up for safety reasons and found the light not appealing at all, I was so proud of them.  I thought it was a sign of kindness that they were helping their frog family out.

I paused in their bathroom, avoiding cleaning the toilet just a bit longer, and thought that their light sure did relate to life, since we can be a “light” too.  We all have the ability to attract people, not bugs I hope. 

God could set His plan on earth into motion all by Himself, but He does not work that way.  He lets us, those who have trusted Jesus as Savior, help HIM!  Therefore, He needs us to be a light, or you could say a magnet, attracting others to Him.   We sure can’t claim to be Christians, and have no light at all.  That turns people off from the Lord. 

Matthew 5:16 says “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”  Start your day by singing the old children’s song “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine” and shine all day for the Glory of God.  Other will notice.  They will want what you have.  Be a light this week in a world that sure does sometimes seem dark.  Your light matters. 

sick kid...

I had my plan of action ready for my column this week.  You were going on a journey with me through the state of Louisiana in the pouring rain.  True story!  I was the behind the wheel recently and wore myself slap out because I had to be so alert in the storm. 

At one point, I even turned on my hazard lights to warn other drivers that I was cruising slowly and with extreme caution.  (I nervously expected to see a gator cross the road at any time.  I have watched too much Swamp People.)  Two other cars around me turned on their “flashers” too.  I thought it was pretty cool that I had started a safety trend…especially since I have had several speeding tickets and fender benders in my life. 

My idea was to cover that specific part of my road trip and how we have to live cautiously and encourage others to do the same; however, plan B came at 3:00 a.m. when I was woken up with “Mom, I am sick.”  I hurdled over my familiar surroundings at my in-laws in Dallas and bolted to meet my oldest daughter in the bathroom. 

It was either a short lived stomach bug or meatloaf after a week of clean eating that got her.  The funny, or really not that funny at all, thing was that I had not slept good since I laid down at midnight.  I was finally resting when she called out to me; however, I was up, ready, and willing to help her in a split second! 

I grabbed a trashcan, headband, and other necessary supplies and followed her to the living room couch.  I fetched her a Sprite, bottle of water, and settled into my chair in case she needed me again. 

She did not!  Thank the LORD.  My only option for better sleep was to leave the chair that continuously folded up on me and head to the couch in the adjoining room.  I was still close enough to her and could hear her if she needed me again.  I felt like Charlie Brown dragging around my blanket and pillow from room to room at this point. 

It all began when she came to me and asked me for help.  If she had laid in her own room miserable and alone, I would have never known.  However, she was in need and wise to ask for help.  She came to me and knew she could count on me!  Although she is very independent and mature, sick means mom.  There is just no other remedy!

The lesson here is in:  can I follow that pattern as a Child of God?  Does sick mean Jesus?  When I am ill mentally, physically, emotionally, or spiritually, do I go to Jesus and ask for help?  Or do I try another remedy or just lay in my own misery all alone and refuse to ask for help at all? 

This week is the beginning of a new school year in my home.  Let it be a new beginning too for you, school or no school.  Go to Jesus for help.  Call out to Him.  Whether you are a mom in need and sending off a kid for the first time to kindergarten or college, a teacher or student beginning a new year, or whatever it may be, call out to Jesus!    Isaiah 55:6 tells us to “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near. 

He is near today, call upon Him!

The power of a hug

Some things in life can just not be explained.  I thought that this week when I stood back and watched my friend trying to explain to her husband where she was going, who was going with her, what his role was for the night.  We had already flipped flopped kids once to taxi them where they needed to go. Now, she was taking one of mine to school with her. I was staying at her house for thirty minutes with the rest of them until later.  She attempted to explain our divide and conquer approach to him when he pulled up on the mower.  He just looked at her like…WHAT?  Our carefully thought out strategy could not be explained. 

However, just the next day, I saw something that could totally and easily be explained.  It was crystal clear!  At the pep rally Friday morning at Fairfield High School, I noticed what was going on at the door of the gym where the football boys entered.  It was different than at the Jr. High.  There the team enters in their jerseys and jeans so fast that if your thumb is not already on your video button, you are out of luck.  A snapshot is not even a possibility. 

The high school pep rally was different.  The boys did not run out.  They came out one by one like they were marching down an isle at a wedding until they got past the door.     

I realized that one of the teachers at the high school was at the door hugging every guy right before they walked out onto the gym floor.  She is not just a teacher. She is a coach’s wife too.  She is also the mother of two grown boys, a wonderful 7^th grade daughter, and the mother of Johnny.  Johnny now lives in heaven. Last year, he tragically took his own life. 

With her permission, I asked her if I could write about the line that gladly forms in the athletic hallway on Friday mornings.  Mrs. Childers told me that she hugs kids all day long.  She also looks them in the eye and tells them she loves them. 

When I saw her reaching up to most of the boys with a smile, all I could think was…I know why she does that.  She knows the value of a hug.  I mean, she KNOWS the value of a hug.  I felt like I could see her heart and feel it beating, even though I have no idea what she has been through. 

I was touched.  I cried. I could only hear a great silence in the midst of cheering and great noise.  I stood there and was just in awe of the power of the hug.  Unlike so many things in life that cannot be explained, this could. 

What “Momma Chill” knows can be explained.  It is no mystery!  There is no question about it. She hugs and she loves because she knows how much a hug matters and she knows love.    

The Childers family got the Jason Flatt Act passed in our state in honor of their son, Jonathan Childers.  It assists educators in detecting youth in trouble.  They have made a difference.

I pray now as I type that the Lord blesses them and continues to wrap them up with the mighty love of Jesus.  I pray that this week as you read this, you consider the power of a hug.  I pray you love, forgive if necessary, and hug like there is no tomorrow.  Do not hold back! 

It's more than...Papa Bachtel

Yesterday I stored an idea away in my head to write about this week.  After a trip to Olive Garden last night with six crazy kids and an amazing day at church watching special baptisms, I forgot it!  My mind was going so many wonderful directions that my bright idea was temporarily pushed to the back of my brain. 

It came back today at the softball fields when a coach encouraged my youngest kiddo.  He mentioned being intentional with his words and wanting to make a difference with every kid who crossed his path.  His goal to be more deliberate was because of “Papa” Bachtel.  Immediately I had my topic back.  I jotted it down on the notepad I was holding. I wrote “More than just football.”

“More than just football” relates to Papa Bachtel and the life he lived on and off of the field.  He was a man who lived his life around Friday night lights, but he seemed to know that it was more than just football. 

He is now walking in the bright lights of heaven and on golden streets.  I would say that he is strolling on streets of gold, but football coaches don’t really stroll.  They walk.  They pace.  They cover a lot of ground and sometimes even run up and down the sidelines during a game.  During these moments that might seem like seconds just passing off of a scoreboard, some of them make a difference that is never forgotten. 

Anyone can coach.  Anyone can teach.  The ones who make a difference are the ones who know that it is more than a game, more than a classroom, and more than just another kid walking through the door.  This thought is not just for those in education.

What if we all lived with the thought “It is more than….” Fill in the dot, dot, dot with whatever is on your plate currently in life.

It is more than the lesson you plan to teach or the tire you may change.  It is more than a study group you lead.  It is more than the position you hold at work.  It is more than the dishes you wash and diapers you change.  It is more than the casserole going in the oven. It is more than the next customer coming through your check- out line.  Life is more than…(finish the sentence.)

When you have a relationship with Jesus and desire to point others in His direction, life is more than what is simply in front of you.  With Jesus, every task, every day, everything matters.  The most common things turn out to be opportunities to love, encourage, and to share the love of Christ. 

No matter what you are doing this week, remember 1 John 4:19 “We love because he first loved us.”  Life is more than… 

It is about sharing the love of Jesus Christ and making a difference.  Start today!

GOOD

The fair ended for us yesterday when we packed up, said goodbye to our lambs, and headed home.  I make that sound so easy. It is quite a task because of all of the junk we carry up there.  It was such a good week.  We had good weather, good food, and a good time. 

If I was asked to write a “Top 10 World’s Greatest Fair List” my #1 would be the time I get to spend with people.  It is a family affair with cousins, parents, and everyone involved.   My “golden” friends usually keep tradition in check and gather up at the Emmons camp. We swing and catch up.  We have been swinging there as long as I can remember.  We laughed this year about the old days when we all slept on the floor.  There were sleeping bags and girls lined up tight.  Oh, the good old days of show boxes, show sticks, and scooping poop.  They really were good!

My second favorite thing about the fair is sitting back and watching all of the action.  The fair is work.  In the work, you see the best things.  Brothers and sisters tote water buckets for each other.  Friends hold gates and work animals late night in the show arena together. Parents assist at the wash rack.  (I only got one intentional squirt my way this year.  That was pretty good!)   Committee members work and sweat through all of the details of the week. Something good comes from all of the work for sure.  I love watching it.

One morning I was a little tired and needed to not be even the slightest tired at all. I got a text from my dear friend with a verse.   It said “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”   Psalm 107:1.  I read it out loud over and over. It is actually a verse that I know by memory.  I said it enough that it was stuck in my head. 

It was my good thought of the day, and everywhere I looked, I saw the goodness of the Lord. When the clouds kept us cool, I thanked the Lord for the goodness.  When my son learned a lesson with his lamb, I thanked the Lord for his goodness.

The fair is just so much good that you hate for it to end.  There is a saying though, all good things come to an end.  It is true!  However, there is an exception.  I learned it today during the children’s message at FBC.  Miss Laura brought an empty jug of milk.  She talked about how it had an expiration date and about how most things expire and get old. 

I know the message was for the kids, but it hit home with me.  I started thinking about how the goodness of the Lord does not expire.  IT will never run out, spoil, or change at all. It is a constant.  No matter what I do, how I do it, and how many times, His love for me will not expire.  Wow!  The fair might have been good, but that is really good!

This week, focus on the goodness of Jesus Christ and remember that it has no expiration date.  His love endures forever.  That is some good stuff that we all need to hear. Do not just hear it though, believe it and live differently because of it.