Muddy EYES

Last night I was at the table all alone basking in the unusual peace and quiet. I actually was jotting down notes for a Bible Study I was about to attend.  And…my phone rang. 

I cringed when the voice on the other end say “Bird, we have a problem.”  My oldest son and his friends call me “Bird.”  I am not sure where my nickname came from, but I have accepted it because it could be  worse.   It is no mystery that I also love birds and talk to my purple martins, so “Bird” does seem somewhat fitting. 

I was fully alert when I heard the word PROBLEM and immediately hopped up from my chair ready to spring into action.  He went on to explain that they had been playing in the mud by the lake, actually in the mud by the creek.  He then mumbled something about getting a 4-wheeler stuck and pushing it out.  He finally got to the main idea and told me that Brazos could not see nor open his eyes because they were filled with mud. The medical team, consisting of two awesome mommas and three teenagers, gave it their best shot to clean out his eyes, but could not get the job done.

I did not panic because this was not Brazos’ first rodeo with mud in the eyes. Several years ago he participated in mud fight on the banks of Richland Chamber’s Lake and ended up in bad shape.  His Dad and his baseball coach/buddy laid him out in a bathtub and used a syringe for over an hour trying to get his eyes cleaned out. I vividly remember praying and holding down Brazos simultaneously. 

Brazos did not want to repeat that episode.  He asked me to take him to the doctor to get his eyes rinsed out properly.  The clinic was closed, so that meant the ER. 

We lead him in covered in mud from head to toe, barefoot, and half blind.  The ER doctor was able to numb his eyes with some drops, flip his eyelids, and flush out all of the mud in a matter of minutes.  We were on our way in no time with a prescription for antibiotic drops.  

I had to fight everything in me not to give the “I can’t believe you would do this again” speech during out quiet time at the ER. It was on the tip of my tongue, but I saved it for later and really just delivered a general safety speech to him. 

I was honestly just glad that he was okay.   That was all that mattered.  The consequence was that his fun day got cut short, and that was enough. 

I obviously gave Braz a second chance and helped him again in his time of need.  And…I will give him a third, fourth, fifth chance if need be because he is my child and I love him.  It is called unconditional love. I can love unconditionally because the Lord loves me unconditionally.  It is amazing!

Jesus could and should have given up on me a long time ago, but He never did.  He is the creator of second chances and the author of unconditional, unfailing love.  David covers this so well in Psalm 86:5-7. He wrote “You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you.  Hear my prayer, O LORD; listen to my cry for mercy.  In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me.”

If you are in need of a second chance or whatever number you may be on by now, call on the Lord this week.  He is forgiving, good, and will answer you.  

School

Writers and students enrolled in upper level English classes know about word counts.  Well, I perform a word count weekly on my column to keep it at a consistent length.

However, I would hesitate to do a word count on the words spoken in our house.  There is so much that is said here on a weekly basis.  A whole lot of it is nonsense that I discard.   

Some of it sticks with me though.  Blaise, my youngest, is usually the one that says things that make me smile.  She is exposed to a lot, both good and bad.  She often messes up when she repeats what she has heard and puts her own spin on it.  She called someone a “Democratic” during a political discussion.  The best was when she saw a commercial for a YORK Pattie and asked her Daddy if he was craving a “YOKE” too? 

Last week, she tickled me when she scolded one of our dogs.  She noticed Salty gobbled her up food and then helped herself to Bubs’ leftovers.  Blaise marched right over and said “Salty, now you know better than that.”

The words “You know better than that” stuck with me.  I know school is about to start, and I know better than to let it get the best of me!  I love my job and my kids love school; however, it is a shock to our systems initially.  At the first of the school year, we all line up like cars at the starting line of a big race and rev up our engines. We hear ready, set, go, and take off.  (And burn rubber or black smoke as my boys would say)

Right about the time we finish the first lap or the first few weeks, I often start complaining about the early mornings, late nights, and homework.  I miss our lazy days of summer, even though I know I should not complain because there is so much to be thankful for. 

This year, I have a plan for this “race.” I am going to give thanks all the way until the finish line! My plan is to think of the many blessings I have every time I feel anxious or overloaded, because that will transform my mind! 

I know better than allowing worry to set it because I know the LORD. He always takes care of us.  I just have to remind myself of that when the uneasiness creeps in.

I picked up a composition notebook today.  I am going to start a family gratitude journal again. I will encourage all of the Monicos to write down a few blessings from each day.  We will not wait until November to give thanks.  We will start now.  (I did this a few years ago and it fizzled out.) 

We must be intentional about recognizing our blessings.  One of my favorite passages in the Bible is from Philippians 4:6-8.   It says “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” 

Intentionally giving thanks to God for all of the little things in life, that are not really so little at all, is a life strategy.  Join me this week.  What do you have to loose…worry, anxiety, negativity, exhaustion[BM1] , and etcetera.   I know better than to hang on to those things because I know Jesus Christ. We should all know better.  Make the 2016-2017 school year one of gratitude! 

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 [BM1]

SNAKES

I am old fashioned.  I believe cell phones are ruining the workplace.  Unless your job description specifically states social media posting and online shopping, it is not appropriate to engage in those activities when you are being paid for something else.  I learned at Sam’s Restaurant back in high school that work meant work.  I am thankful for those lessons I learned while dipping butter and rolling silverware. 

I try to practice what I preach, so when our back to school campus meeting started last Monday, I silenced my phone and put it away. I wondered why even on silent mode, I could hear a vibrating sound.  I heard it over and over again during the meeting.  (I later learned how my phone’s behavior on silent mode could be corrected in settings.) 

I did glance and saw three missed calls from my husband and a text from my daughter that said “CALL ME NOW.”

I mentally performed an inventory of my children’s whereabouts.  My main concern was my fifteen year old son on the tractor shredding for my Dad.  I quietly got up from my seat and walked into the closest restroom to see what on earth was going on. 

My daughter answered her phone first.  She shared with me that both of the dogs had been bitten by a snake.  She followed up with a detailed report of how they seemed to be doing.  I inferred the dogs were both stable, suggested Benadryl, and promised to get home as soon as I could.

My Jack Russell looked like a lizard with a big neck, but was breathing okay and tolerating the pain.  (This was not Bub’s first round with a snake, but round #2...call him a professional.) 

Salty, on the other hand, was miserable.  I found her laying on my closet floor in the dark.  I forced her to stand up.  After a few more doses of Benadryl and shots, they were thankfully all right the next morning. 

I let Bubs out of his crate, but did not dare turn him loose.  I followed him outside with my coffee. 

Why?  He is a complete idiot and would have loved nothing more than to continue the battle with the snake. 

Yes, he would have gone right back and sparred again.  I do not claim to talk dog talk or be a dog whisperer, but I know my dog.  Determination and stupidity go hand in hand with him.  

I laughed as followed him out because he reminded me of ME.  I too have gone back to people, circumstances, and places for a second round knowing quite well that round one did me no good at all!  I have reacted to situations over and over again in the same manner, knowing I was going to get the same results again, and that they would not be good.

However, I do believe there comes a time when we have to respond differently to the same old thing and try something new!  Can I get an AMEN?  There is freedom when we see the same thing coming, recognize it is only going to harm us, and we choose a different path!

My goal this year is to choose a different path or the high road you might call it.  Psalm 119:1-2 in the Message Bible says “You’re blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God. You’re blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him.”

Choose the path this week that will lead you to Jesus.   Avoid the paths, people, and even conversations that will only bring you misery.  You will be blessed!  

Runner's observations

The weather today seemed perfect, my house was in order, and my kids were behaving.  Because my ducks were all in a row, I decided to go for a run.  My goal was the Steward’s Mills Store.  My sister in law promised to meet me there in 45 minutes with water.  

I struggled.  I kept my mind occupied and focused on my surroundings.  I kept an eye on the road because of snakes.   I watched my step and let my mind wander.

I decided this week to share my observations from my five mile trek.  They were interesting enough to keep me going.  Maybe they will keep you going this week or at least provide you with some food for thought.

Observation #1:  The hills nearly did me in!  My legs and my arms were necessary to make it up them.  When I got to the top of one hill, I thought to myself…that took all I had.  Life has “hills” too.  Some of them we bring on ourselves because of our own stupid decisions and sin.  However, some hills are designed to make us stronger.  I can think of several times I have confronted a hill or a mini mountain and thought, I do not dare try to do this alone. In those times, I have called on the Lord and asked Him for help.  He has helped me get up, get over, or deal with whatever I was facing.  In those uphill battles, I have learned to depend on Jesus Christ. (Will you view the next hill differently?  Could it be a blessing?)

Observation #2:  There are things in the road, literally “IN” the road.  Occasionally embedded in the asphalt, there was a flattened can or a small piece of metal.   I concluded when the asphalt was laid, the stuff was there and became part of the road then, or maybe the random objects had been there so long and driven over so many times that were gradually pressed down into the road.   That made me think:  Do I allow words and labels from others, my own attitudes or opinions, and even my personal worries and doubts slowly push in and become part of me.  I realized I better be careful what I allow in, consciously or unconsciously.  (Is this why we need alone time with Jesus to check ourselves?)

Observation #3:  I was ready to quit when my sister in law drove up behind me.  I stumbled over to her car and asked for a drink.  I pointed to a yellow sign up ahead and told her to wait on me there.  When I made it to the sign, I asked her how much further the store was.  She said close.  Well, thanks to her and knowing that she was waiting on me, I made it!  This is so true in life as well.  Knowing we are not alone can be what keeps us going. (Do you need a Christian friend to encourage you?)

Observations #4:  I did not quit, but I sure was close. I wanted to give up, but I did not!  There are times in life that I do want to honestly give up.  I felt defeated in an area recently until I read John 14:27.  In it, Jesus commands “Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  I wrote it over and over again…It became “MY WORD.”  (Do you need a “WORD” this week?  If so, open up your Bible!)

Observation #5:  I could not wait to tell my family that I made it to the store.  It was a big deal to me!  Well, Jesus is a big deal too.  I should be excited this week to tell others about Him.  (When it the last time you told someone about Jesus…share HIM this week and be blessed!)

plans

My Mother in Law and I sat here last night and talked about how amazing it is that we are all here in Fairfield.  She raised her son in Dallas.  Yes, he liked to hunt and fish.  Yes, he played baseball at Navarro, but she never dreamed that he would end up in the country like this, and it is perfect.  She could have never predicted that he would have four children and that all four of them would know the LORD.  She said what God had accomplished with her family was more than she had ever hoped for.  

I told her that is was like a massive dot to dot.  Years ago, with my life and with Branden’s life, God started to connect the dots.  It did not always make sense along the way, but now the dot to dot has beautiful connections, that perfectly make sense… yet, we are far from perfect and we have times that are not beautiful.  

There is another dot to dot that is in the works.  I am in AWE of what the LORD is doing.  

Belle Johnson, a 9th grader from Fairfield, asked me to meet with about a VISION the LORD had given her. We sat down for lunch and I let her talk...she said she had a vision of a revival in Fairfield, but not just limited to Fairfield folks. She wants us to invite family, church camp friends, musicians, etc. from everywhere!

She does not want this "meeting" to be associated with any particular church!  She wants all people, churches, colors, and ages to gather because of Jesus. I asked her why she wanted to do this. She said "Jesus has blessed me in so many ways, and helped me through so many things, I want to give something back to Him."

She went before the City Council by herself to humbly ask for use of the fairgrounds. They said YES!

October 21-23, you are all invited to "THE TENT:  an out of the box 48 hour praise and worship service to glorify Jesus."

We will not engage in preaching, political or social agendas, or extended intercession from the stage. It will be only worship, adoration, and thanksgiving for Jesus. Whether it is just you and a guitar, a praise band, a choir of 100, or a children's choir, you will be invited to sign up for a set. Belle hopes youth groups and families will camp out.  There will be a Saturday night meal.
5th quarter will be held at “THE TENT” after the game Friday night. Sunday night, churches will be invited to come together as ONE in place of their usual services. (Sunday morning too would be GREAT.)

Please begin praying for the LORD to move in a mighty way during this 48 hour praise revival.  Also, pray for Belle. Her obedience and faith inspire me. (This seems BIG for a 15 year old to pull off, but not really because she serves a really BIG GOD and is doing it with a desire to honor HIM.

Musicians, email me to sign up at betsymonico@gmail.com.  If you would like to volunteer to help, email me.  Make plans to be a part of this. Bring a picnic to share with someone, bring cookies to pass out to people you know and people you don’t know.  

The dot to dot with “The Tent” is massive.  I traveled to Washington D.C. with my oldest daughter in early August.  We stumbled upon “David’s Tent.”  Because of it, I had a visual when Belle started talking about her vision. I was afraid to go on the trip and even more afraid for my daughter to visit a college in West Virginia until my Mom reminded me that Banner was adventurous and brave just like I had been as a teenager.  After that, I had peace.

Proverbs 19:21 says “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD”S purpose that prevails.”  

The LORD is at work all around us.  Join HIM this week!  

Praise!

It is quiet around here tonight.  Everyone turned in early.  Monday mornings sure are more fun if we can make that happen.  I am writing at the kitchen table and there are signs of the school year everywhere I look.  My oldest has a textbook open. I would be lying if I said I knew what the subject was by what I can read next to me.  It looks horribly complicated and resembles something like math and science with a lot of reading combined into one.  My other high school kiddo has a “Levels of Organization” project in the works.  It is my kind of homework because it involves colored paper and cutting.  The younger two read tonight.  I can spot their remnants, a Sports Illustrated for Kids and a Diary of a Wimpy Kid book, along with the usual clutter.

This morning I did some reading of my own.  I found myself in a hotel bed with a hot cup of decent coffee and thirty minutes of unexpected, yet coveted free time.  I also found myself in pain because of a back porch work out I spontaneously slid into my Saturday morning.  Something possessed me to do lunges, and walking normal has not happened since.  

Working out can hurt…I mean hurt…but it does make us stronger. My aching muscles made me think of other kinds of pain, like being sad, lost, hurt, or just really confused.  I know from experience that when we hurt in those ways, we can also end up stronger.   Philippians 9:6 says “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in your will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”  That verse came to mind.  The aches, pains, and worries we all face will one day on earth or in heaven be wiped away.  In Christ, we are complete!  He is working and in the good and bad, He is working for our good.  Maybe, just maybe, someone needs to hear that this week and claim the verse as their own.  

I kept on reading in Philippians, like I have before, but it made sense in a whole new way. Light bulbs went off!  This was Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi that he wrote from prison in chains.  (talk about dedication and the ability to praise and trust when you are in pain)  Verse 12 caught my attention.  It says “Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.”  

Paul’s pain and his current situation, being held in prison in chains, served to advance the gospel.  His horrendous conditions made it possible for others to know about the gospel, about the love of Jesus Christ.  

Stay with me here…how could Paul, a follower of Jesus locked up in prison, advance the gospel?  It is because Paul was sharing and preaching about the love of Jesus Christ even when he was in pain and in prison.  I mean for Pete’s sake, how amazing is that? His current loss served as a gain for Christ because Paul was STILL proclaiming how great God was despite his personal predicament.  

This passage of scripture blows me away.  It provides us all with some food for thought.  If you are going through hard times, if  you are in the valley, and wondering how on earth did you end up here, praise the LORD and allow God’s grace to flow freely through you.  When everything is going good and you praise God, it is to be expected.  What about when your life is crumbling and going to shreads and you praise Him?  Then my friends, you are advancing the gospel.  

JUNK

Yesterday was Saturday, and I was absolutely lazy!  Thursday and Friday nights football games in Rusk wore me slap out!  I recouped yesterday and decided today that I had to accomplish something.  I deemed the afternoon as “Mission:  Clean up the Suburban.”  

I attacked the bugs by hand on the front and got it sparking clean… that is until tomorrow night when it gets covered again.  

The next stage of our mission was to clean out the console.  I have often appreciated the deep and roomy consoles that Chevy designed in the 2012 Suburban. When I first bought my car years ago, I thought it was great to have that much room, and that my console would be the most organized and tidy console ever.  

Well, four years and over a hundred thousand miles later, let me tell you that our console was anything but organized and tidy.

Layer by layer, I pulled out a variety of items and took a trip down memory lane with each of them.  I worked with a strategy, using a trash bag for junk that needed to be immediately discarded and a plastic tote for things that possible could be salvaged.  

I transported the reclaimed items into the house.  I found tickets.   There were tickets from The State Fair of Texas, Sandy Lake Park, and from local law enforcement.  (No explanation needed)  I found numerous pens, pencil, post-it notes, and paper clips.  I feel like I should return 90% of our school supplies to Office Depot and beg for a refund based on the number of office supplies I found in my car.  Needless to say, we did not need to have pens or pencils on our list or to purchase a single writing utensil!  The number in my car was ridiculous!  

My console also inconspicuously served as a treasure chest.  It was full of coins.  Some of the coins were actual currency that could be exchanged for goods.  I like those!  Others were from car washes for free vacuums and from the good old days at Chuck E Cheese.   I guess we saved tokens for the next time and sadly, the next time did not come.  We outgrew Chuck E Cheese.  I don’t know if I should cry or cheer.  

I had C.D.s, an assortment of napkins, phone chords, and some old snapshots that were priceless; however, I also had some junk that was not worth keeping.  I brought it in the house for a second look, but deemed several items worthless.  

Working through my console reminded me of how I should work through my life.  

Some stuff in my car needed to immediately be thrown in the trash, just like some of the stuff in my life!  Sin needs to go.  Sin that we know is sin, and that is intentional sin, will only lead to personal destruction!  Why keep it?

A few items made the first garbage cut, but found their way into the trash later after more examination.  Likewise, some areas in life are gray.  They may not be necessarily sinful, but they may not be best for us.  God wants what is best for us!  He wants for us to sort through our choices, attitudes, and actions closely and weed some of them out.  

The good news is that some of what I recovered from my car was good!  Similarly, when we examine our lives, we will find some good stuff.  Thank the LORD for the good and hold onto it tight.  

1 John 1:8-10 says “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us.”  

My FALL....

Last week was one I was ready to leave behind me.  It began when Monday I was chosen for a jury.  Although I knew the LORD wanted me there, it was hard.  After three days of it, I was mentally, physically, and emotionally drained.  It ended Wednesday.  

I started off Thursday by going back to bed! Seriously, I got the kids off to school, ate, and laid right back down. When I got up, I knew what I needed next…a short run in the sunshine to get ready for the rest of my day.  

I headed out to the lake, but put the brakes on when I noticed an unidentifiable animal crossing the dam.  I still don’t know what it was.  All I could think was an aardvark.  We read about them last year in the library.  It was obviously not that, but enough of an odd creature that I stayed close to the house.

I made a few laps to my husband’s shop and back, just in need of moderate activity.  When I headed back this way towards the house, something happened.  It was so unexpected that I am still talking about it and even still feeling it.

I was running along minding my own business and all of a sudden like the ground underneath me gave way and refused to support me any longer. I fell.  I fell hard!  I fell so hard that I did not know what hit me.  That is until my three dogs passed me running and playing like they were the last leg of the 4 by 100 relay at the state track meet.  They were running full speed and obviously I was in Salty’s lane, so she decided to “truck” me.  She literally ran me over and kept on going without even slowing down.  

I wondered if I would be able to stand up.  I finally did.  I surveyed the damage.  My right foot hurt. When I crumbled to the ground like a cookie in the hand of a toddler, it took the brunt of the deal.  

Several days later, I am still discovering bruises.  I get out of bed slower, and I retell my story every chance I get because it was just CRAZY!  It is crazy because I did not see it coming.  I had zero warning!  I did not brace myself or have the time to do anything at all to prepare.  I was running, then I was in midair, then I was on the ground.

I finally got up, after making sure nobody saw me take the tumble.  (I was home alone, but I still made sure I did not need to be embarrassed.)  I began thinking about the times if life that something has unexpectantly blindsided me.  I thought about my friends that have been completely caught off guard by a diagnosis, an affair, a child battling addiction or something else that had gone unnoticed, or even a situation at work that changed everything.

When we expect it, we can brace ourselves.  We can prepare for the hurt!  When we are caught off guard by life’s circumstances, we can plainly have the wind knocked out of us!  WE can find ourselves down, dazed, and disorientated.  We may not have a clue what is going on.

Dear friends, it is okay to not have a clue IF you know the one who does.  Deuteronomy 4:39 says “Know therefore today, and take it to your heart, that the LORD, He is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other.”  

IF you are down this week, look up and take hold of the mighty hand of Jesus. He will pull you up and nothing, I mean nothing catches him off guard!  

Clear picture

Every Thursday my husband and I split up for football games.    When you have a 7th grader and a 9th grader playing, you put divide and conquer into practice.  The girls pick which game they want to go to, typically based on possible friends in attendance, homework that needs to be finished, and what parent they think might take them out to dinner or shell out more money at the concession stand.  

Last week was different because the high school teams had a buy week.  That meant Brazos could go and watch Bosque for the first and only time.   We all headed out to the same game in Connally.  To celebrate our togetherness, I charged and took the real camera.  

I began using the “big” camera when we first got it a few years ago; however, I have never been pleased with my pictures.  I constantly adjust the settings and try harder to focus on my target.  When I am ready to aim, I fold out the large viewer finder from the back of the camera and hold the shutter button down until it turns green.  Green means go, so then I hit the button to snap the picture.  No matter how hard I try though and how much I concentrate, my pictures have never been that good.  They are more cloudy than crisp….that is, until Thursday night.

My hubby and youngest daughter nicely, yet maybe sarcastically, suggested I look at my target in the actual viewfinder, not on the fold out, fancy LCD screen.  I positioned my eye up by the little viewfinder and placed the camera carefully on my cheek.  It was amazing!

My #62 appeared on the field, and he was crystal clear.  He was also enclosed in a neat, little, green box.  I pushed the shutter button and voila…The picture was absolutely beautiful without even a hint of blurriness when I reviewed it.  

Before you knew it, I was snapping away like a professional on a photo shoot or like the paparazzi at a red carpet event.  

I took so many pictures that my husband gave me the look like I needed to “simmer” down.  Looking through the view finder was just so awesome.  I couldn’t stop. I even caught myself watching the game through it.  My new view was the best!

Sadly, I have experienced this in life as well.  I go through periods that I get up early to read and study the Word of God daily.  I stand on it.  I cling to it all day long!  When I do, it gives me the clearest, best imaginable view of everything that comes my way.  

Why then do I allow myself to put other things before my relationship with the LORD for even one single day?  It makes no sense really.  Life without Jesus is like living life in the fog.  It is unclear and blurry, just like my pictures were.  Why not choose clarity?  Why not choose Jesus each and every morning?  

Psalm 5:3 is one of my favorites.  I have used it before I am sure. It says “In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning, I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.”  

Friends

My column is not coming together this week.  I am with my high school friends and everyone is laughing uncontrollably.  It is hard for me to focus.  The reality of it all though is that friendships are great!  

I rode around with my daughter with her best friend, BFF, last night.  My Mother never allowed me to say best friend, because it could hurt someone’s feelings.  I encourage my kids to refrain from using it as well.  However, these two are truly close, like sisters, and they are best buddies.  Even on the 4 wheelers, they took turns on who would go first.  One of them took the lead and then the other one did.  There was no fighting over who would go first and when.  

I am blessed to say I have several really good friends.  The group I was with last night I have known my whole life, like literally as long as I can remember.  I also have a new, but equally dear friend that I met in my thirties.  I have a few friends that are my accountability partners without even knowing it.  They keep me on the right track.  Most of my friends and I are different. You do not have to think the same, act the same, or even remotely have the same personality.  In fact, I appreciate it when my friends are really strong in an area that I am lacking in.  We help each other, we complement each other.  We do life together!  

About last night… It was nothing short of a miracle and a sign of true friendship when we turned on the Presidential Debate and were able to nicely and logically discuss our very differing opinions.  While enjoying my third slice of strawberry cake, I voiced my thoughts.  I know my friends may vote very differently than I will next month, but that does not matter. We respect and love each other no matter what.  (However, I do think I am RIGHT!)  Our group covered marriage, divorce, kids, religion, politics, the past, and the future all with ease.  That is friendship!

Watching my daughter and her BFF jumping carelessly on the trampoline Saturday then hanging out with a group of my girlfriends last night make me think of an old Michael W. Smith song.  The chorus goes like this:

“Friends are friends forever if the Lord is the Lord of them.  And a friend will not say never, cause the welcome will not end.  Though it’s hard to let you go, in the Father’s hands we know, that a lifetime’s not too long to live as friends.”  

This song is about departing from each other.  It was hugely popular at church camps years ago.  You obviously make new friends at church camp, become close, pack up, go home, and leave them at the end of the week. I remember one friend I met in 3rd grade from Jasper.  I loved her!  She loved me.  We said goodbye at the end of the week, but never really said goodbye.  We reconnected when she met some Fairfield girls at Tech.  I ran into her a few years ago at Luckenbach. It was the first time I had seen her in person since 3rd grade.  How special it was to reunite with her after all of the years.

The words of the song are true.  Friends are friends forever if the Lord is the Lord of them.  You can have a BFF, BEST FRIEND FOREVER, if you both have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  You will spend eternity with them forever.  Love your friends, hang out with your friends, old and new, but most of all…Love them enough to be a light and to share Jesus with them.  

Before the TENT

We are less than a week away from “The Tent.”  If you do not know about “The Tent”, please read on.  It all began with Belle Johnson, a 9th grader from Fairfield.  She asked me to meet with her back in August about a VISION the LORD had given her. She wanted to have a revival.  The Lord told her to have a revival!  

She did not sense this "meeting" should be associated with any particular church.  She wanted all people, churches, colors, and ages to gather because of Jesus. I asked her why she wanted to do this. She said "Jesus has blessed me in so many ways, and helped me through so many things, I want to give something back to Him." 

She went before the City Council by herself to humbly ask for use of the fairgrounds. They said YES!  We live in a great town.  Fairfield is special.   

Starting this Friday, October 21st, after the football game, THE TENT:  an out of the box 48 hour praise and worship service to glorify Jesus will begin.  It will conclude at 9:00 P.M. on Sunday, October 23rd.    There will be no preaching, political or social agendas, or extended intercession from the stage. There will be worship, adoration, and thanksgiving offered up to Jesus Christ. There will be music, and we pray there will be people gathered night and day.

My main prayer when Belle gained approval from the city was for someone to help with the musical side of this event.  Belle’s Mom, Misty, and I were comfortable with the set- up, volunteers, t-shirts, and etc.  However, sound systems, speakers, and mics were a foreign language to us.  The LORD quickly answered my prayer.

Jason Francis, a Fairfield native, contacted me and said he wanted to give back to Fairfield. Years ago, several people from Fairfield sent him off on a trip that launched his career as a musician.  Jason called his associates in the Southern Gospel world.  He told them about Belle’s vision.  They said YES!  They are coming.  The sweetest thing is that these artist who travel the world singing will be here, but also many local groups signed up.  Our music slots were full in only a week.  We are thrilled.    

Prayers have continued to be answered.  Churches, families, and friends have donated money.  Several Fairfield City Police Officers offered to do security for free.  The City has continued to bless this event.  They are loaning Belle their stage and tent.  Signing up volunteers was a breeze.  The Davis and Tidrow families offered to cook a Saturday night meal that will be served from 5:00 to 6:00.  

Planning this event has not been stressful. I know that is because it is the Lord’s Will.  This is His Tent, His weekend.  I sure am thankful though that a young lady shared her vision and was bold enough to obediently speak up.

If you have an hour, two hours, twenty hours, or even 48 hours, come to the fairgrounds this weekend.  There will be music.  There will be prayer.   There will be joy, peace, and love.  There will be a timely Word that will bless you, heal you, and encourage you.  There will be individuals congregated to corporately thank the LORD for all that He has done and for all that we know He will do.  

We will have chairs.  We will have water.  We will have the tent.  Bring a picnic, bring your friends and family.  Bring your Bible.  

I do not know what this weekend will sound like, look like, or turn out like.  There is not a plan.  All I know is that the Lord told my little Sister to do this!   The Apostle Paul said in Philippians 1:12 that everything that had happened to him had served to “advance the Gospel.”  I pray that “The Tent” advances the Gospel of Jesus Christ!    

THE TENT

I am coming off of a big weekend. Currently I am eating Cheetos and drinking Diet Coke for breakfast.  I feel like I have been to Vegas or participated in a week long sporting event.  The excitement is still flowing; however, I can feel a nap coming on!  

My hyped-up vibe is from The Tent.  Belle Johnson, a 9th grader from Fairfield, had a vision from the LORD late in the summer that this town needed a revival.  Her vision was carried out this weekend.  The LORD prompted me to help her, and I take no credit at all!  I had a front row seat though to see it all go down.  This was a movement from God from the beginning until the end.  I learned a few things over the weekend.

Obedience is huge!  Belle was obedient and did what the LORD told her to do!  She did not second guess herself.  She moved forward in faith!  She told her Mom, more about her precious Mom later, and stepped forward in total obedience.  In Luke 11:28, Jesus says “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”  We have to hear the Word of God, but that is not enough!  We have to obey it!  My kids hear me all of the time, but they sadly and honestly do not always obey me.  (Shame on them.)  We can be the same way.

The Tent ended up being huge! I looked out several times in total awe and thought…all of this because one young lady obeyed!  What if we all obeyed and did what the Lord told us to do?  The gospel of Christ would move forward faster than ever!  

Another thing I learned was from watching Belle and her Mom.  They worked so hard. They carried tables together, unloaded ice, visited with people, set up t-shirts, strung lights and unstrung lights.  They even slept in the truck Friday night to stand guard over the musical equipment that was left on the stage for the next day.  It was a wonderful thing to see Misty and Belle doing God’s work together.  

Belle could not have done it all alone.  The City of Fairfield helped her.  Jason Francis, a Fairfield native, and musical genius helped her and musicians from all over the state of Texas came together to donate their time and talents.  Churches cooked, served, donated water, and prayed.  A Bible study group baked cookies.  People volunteered, picked up trash, brought lights, and anything else that we needed.  The Tent was a representation of the Body of Christ like I have never seen. The Bible speaks about many members in the body, but that we are All the Body of Christ.  I saw it at The Tent!  It was powerful.  It was beautiful!  We need more of it.  

At one point Sunday night, I was tired! I felt sick.  I sent out a text to a group for prayer.  I drank a caffeinated drink. I told the devil to leave me alone OUT LOUD, and I got back to The Tent so I could hear the music again.  My burden was immediately lifted! My energy came back.  Prayer, praise, telling the devil to flee, and a good dose of caffeine can fix just about anything.  I experienced it last night more than ever!  

Lastly, The Tent taught me that God’s work is fun!  I have had a lot of FUN in my life.  Some of my fun should have, could have ended with me in jail, the hospital, or dead!  However, the LORD in his grace and mercy saved me. Thankfully, my fun now involves Him.   Join Jesus Christ this week in what HE is doing, in HIS work, in the work of the KINGDOM.  You will be amazed. You will have the time of your life!  

David

This weekend I was blessed with some enjoyable alone time.  Although personality tests label me as a “people person”, I crave being by myself too.  I remember the first few times I found myself home alone after Blaise started kindergarten.  I was a nervous wreck.  I had no clue what to do.  Needless to say, I figured it out.  

When I am home alone now, I divide my time into two main categories. The first is picking up and preparing for what is next here on our agenda.  I live life in 24 hour increments, so my time may include simply packing up for our afternoon activities.  The second thing I do with my alone time is rest. Yes, I rest!  I love 22 minute naps.  I sip coffee in silence.  I learned the hard way how to do nothing.  

I literally felt my body turn toxic the year I was diagnosed with cancer.  I secretly attempted to prove who I was, was not, and what I could do.  I was on a merry go round with no escape.  When the oncologist announced I was cancer free, I vowed to intentionally rest. It makes me a much better wife and mom.

Last night, I was flying solo in a hotel room.  My daughter, 16 and independent, took off with her softball team to eat dinner.  I rested, worked out and then showered.  Instead of going out, I stayed in.  I fought the urge to do more.  I did less.

My new Bible was bothering me because nothing is dated or marked.  I started in Deuteronomy circling my favorite verses.  (If you would have told me years ago this was the way I would spend a Saturday night, I would have laughed at you.) I scooted through 1 and 2 Samuel highlighting things about David.  

The popular narrative of David and Goliath excited me like never before.  In 1 Samuel 17:32, David basically tells Saul that he will go and fight the giant.  Saul tells him no way because he is only a boy and that Goliath has been fighting since he was a boy.  

David said to Saul “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it, and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it, and killed it.”

My “WOW” moment came in the “WHY” David told Saul that he was equipped to take on the giant. You see, David had no formal training in “this” line of work.   He did not look like the type of guy you would want in your corner if a fight broke out.  

On the contrary, David’s time was spent working where the Lord had placed him.  He had been tending to the sheep and fighting off predators.  That got me! He was prepared for the giant because of his everyday life experiences and obedience.  Is it possible that changing the diapers, checking the gauges, or studying for the test could be preparing you to fight your giants? I think so.  

Dear Child of God, you are being equipped for life’s greatest battles when you ordinarily live life in fellowship with the LORD, no matter what you are doing.  No matter how big or little your daily tasks may seem, they matter.  You matter.  Your life matters.

David slayed Goliath and was perfectly prepared for the task because he had tended sheep.  God has a plan for your life too.   He is preparing you for the giants.  Starting today, do life with Him.      

My dog and snakes

Thankfully, life has been pretty smooth here at the Monicos.  I equate it to a steady curve on a roller coaster.  Sometimes I feel like we are going up the first hill on the Judge Roy Scream at Six Flags. I refused to ride the Shock Wave until adulthood because of the loops.  However, someone convinced me to give the “Judge” a try. The first hill on the Judge is a killer!  It is steep, and I mean steep.  You feel like you will never reach the top, and then the drop is absolutely breathtaking and fun.  

Life is really a lot like a roller coaster.    We all have days, weeks, and even years individually and with our loved ones that seem like we are endlessly trekking uphill.  Then, there are exciting, downhill times followed by coasting along on level ground.  We currently fall into the coasting category.

Friday night we stayed home to listen to the Eagle game on the radio and invited over some friends for tacos.  Right before they arrived, my Jack Russell came in with an injury that resembled a snake bite.  Bubs’ back leg was shaking and swollen.  I assumed he fought a snake and that the snake won again.  Twice his snake adventures required a trip to the vet; however, I sensed this one I could handle on my own.  

Bubs received Benadryl and mandatory rest.  When our company came, they seemed concerned that we were relatively unconcerned about our precious pooch.  Truth be told, we are so accustomed to his bites, bruises, and brawls that we do not panic.  We are immune to it.  

My friend checked on Bubs often, petted him, and talked to him in a sweet tone that resembled something in between baby and puppy talk.  Her concern was sincere and precious.  Bubs would have “eaten” it up, but he was adequately doped up from the Benadryl.

I realized my indifference regarding Bubs was much like my indifference in life.  I can be unmoved at times regarding things that should move me.  Complacency is not a good.   My Great Grandmother was not complacent.  She often insisted we turn off the television when there was even a glimpse of nudity. She spoke about how one day women would be on the tube in bathing suits.  What would she think now?  I can tell you she would fuss, not cuss, but she would sure fuss!  

Don’t get me wrong…comfort is a good thing.  At this time of the year, we search for new comfort food recipes, comfortable pajamas, and get our cozy blankets ready.  However, comfort is not a good thing when it is related to sin and inappropriate behavior.  

We cannot get so immune to the junk in our life that we do not even see it as junk.  Controlling and manipulating others is sin.  Gossip is sinful.  Insecurity and jealousy that makes us react to others negatively is sinful.  Worry is sin and actually demeans faith.  Crude talk is sin.  My attitude is often sadly sinful.  My mind can be so overrun with offensive junk from the world that I do not even know how to begin cleaning up my areas of sin and indifference.

My favorite, Psalm 139:23-24 tells me what to do and how to pray.  It says “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”  

Meditate on the Word this week.  Allow the Lord to search you and to lead you.  Let comfort in your life be in the form of sweats and soup, but not sin and indifference!  

Deer Season

This is my favorite time of the year.  The crisp, cooler air gives me some much needed pep in my step.  I take extra-long runs in the country.  I also sweep the floors more often for some odd reason.  My favorite activity is sitting on our back porch sipping coffee and watching the leaves change colors down the hill from our house.  The commercial side of Christmas right around the corner overwhelms me; however, I absolutely love Thanksgiving.  I love everything about the month of November, and my family absolutely loves it because of deer season.  

The deer around Bonnerville are moving.  My boys have spent some time in their deer stands here and in Bosque County.  I am pretty hands-off when it comes to their expeditions.  When they were little, I packed their bags and helped them load up.  I watched for them to pull back in the driveway so I could help them carry everything back into the house.  

Times sure have changed.  Now, they plan what they are going to take with their Dad, load, and unload without any supervision or assistance at all from me.  They are grown!  Well, not really grown, but they sure are on their way to adulthood.  The days of me zipping up little camo jackets and helping them with their gloves are over.  

The Monico men are three weeks into the season and do not have a deer on the ground yet.  They have managed to rid our land here of two coyotes and a bobcat. Bosque County has one less hog as of last night.  They will keep on trying though.  They will continue crawling up into their stands and positioning themselves just right to get “the one.”  They will also enjoy everything single minute of the hunt until they get the kill. The memories they make in the woods are priceless and their stories are my entertainment.

I thought today when they came in empty handed that one of their deer hunting strategies could be applied to life.  Please allow me to explain.  Would the boys have any luck if they were laid up inside watching t.v. or wrestling on the trampoline scaring everything in Freestone County away?  It is doubtful.  

They have to plan, prepare, and hunt!  They have to get up, out, and DO IT!  When nightfall comes again without a deer on the ground, they will have to patiently station themselves the next morning again to be successful.  They can’t give up!

Maybe what you need this week is get up, get out, and position yourself for something big?  Truth be told, if you do not apply, you cannot get the job.  If you do not enroll, you cannot take the class. If you do not ask, you cannot possibly go out on the date.  If you do not try out for the team, you cannot make it.  You have to try!  

One of the greatest ways to position yourself for something great is to give thanks to God.  Thanksgiving and praise offered up to the LORD gets us right where we need to be and reminds us to trust Him.     

Psalm 28:7 is a good way to get started.  It says “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.  My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”  

Get up in the morning this week, thank the LORD that HE is with you every step of the way, and get out there, wherever your “there” might be!   Position yourself for something BIG and know that the Lord will help you.