She's Gone

I received an email this morning from a friend in California. Actually, it was my friend's husband. He was writing to tell me my friend, his wife, died last month of cancer. What? I didn't even know she had cancer. He asked me to call or email him and I don't feel like doing either, yet I will. She and I worked in the church nursery together and she received the MW Monday Meditations, which is how we kept in touch plus an occasional email to one another. She's gone. Sigh....I wish I had known she had cancer because it would have softened the blow. Friendship is such a bitter-sweet experience. I believe this is what keeps me from getting close to others - I'll eventually have to say goodbye, BUT, being sisters in Christ, I'll see you AGAIN. Thank God for Jesus!

Interceding Bride

I traveled to Atlanta over the weekend to be a bridesmaid in my aunt’s wedding. The day of the wedding, I arrived in very casual attire since we were to dress at the church. Well, the seamstress didn’t have my dress completed nor did she have the bride’s dress finished. Since I wouldn’t be participating in the wedding and definitely wasn’t dressed to attend a wedding, I chose to sit on the back pew and intercede and pray for my aunt who is more like a sister to me. Although I wanted her to have the perfect wedding, as most brides long for, it was important to remove my desires as I stood in the gap for her in prayer. I knew God was using each mishap on this special day as an opportunity to take my aunt to a level of faith she would need in her marriage. My prayers had to be about God’s interest and concerns for her. I needed to stay focused and connected to His will and not my own. As I watched my father walk her down the aisle in her replacement wedding dress, I continued to pray. I was overjoyed as I realized I wasn’t chosen to be a bridesmaid, but an intercessor. Although many things didn’t go as planned, God prevailed and the couple was covered in prayer and married. The seamstress was covered also…from angry bridesmaids. Interceding for others is serious business. Whether we are interceding for our children, husband, friends, organizations, church and political leaders, or complete strangers, it is crucial to remove our emotions and judgments and focus on God’s will in the person’s life. My aunt’s wedding may not have started off right, but her marriage did – covered in prayer.

1 Timothy 2:1 (NIV)
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone...

I'm Married!

In her late 40s, my dear aunt is finally getting married. We've been talking quite a bit lately as she has become a batty bride in preparation for the big day. I've had several opportunities to share the reality of marriage with her. The wedding is not the focus, but the marriage! The warfare, the forgiveness, the compassion, the walk to humility, the acceptance of faults. Yes, marriage is a wonderful thing - with God at the head of the table. It's by His grace that I remain married to my best friend. Well, I'm off to celebrate the big day with my aunt and I thank God for my own marriage as hubby and I walk this journey of being one as we strive to become one with the Father.

Hang In There

Yesterday was a busy, rushed, chaotic day for me, but all was done that needed to get done plus some. I thank God for seeing me through the day. I even had time to stop by first-born's baseball game on the way home from my half of a half of a part-time job (smile). I know I abused my body yesterday because I didn't take time to eat properly. I started with a bowl of oatmeal, but it was down hill after that. I didn't drink enough water nor did I exercise, HOWEVER, today is a new day. I've already completed my exercise, taken my soy drink, and I'm mentally ready for the day. Yes, we will have days when we are so busy we mistreat ourselves physically, but we must get back on track. Hang in there and remember to properly take care of others, we must take care of ourselves FIRST.

My Provider

I was observing the ridiculous gas prices on my way home yesterday and wondered just how high the prices would increase. The summer months always require more traveling and with another out of town trip coming up soon, I began adding the cost of the trip in my head. While doing the math, I had a few unsettling thoughts. When gas was two or three dollars a gallon, filling my tank wasn’t a problem. If God kept my tank full when gas was less expensive, wouldn’t He continue regardless of the price? Did I think I had things under control when gas was cheaper? Do I depend on God more because of rising costs? Have I put a price tag on God’s faithfulness? Good grief; it’s gas – not air! Oh LaVender of little faith – get over it! Instead of listening to the discouraging news and wondering how far I can go on a quarter tank of gas, I need to remind myself of the God I serve. God owns everything and He is my provider! My blessings are running over and my gas tank is not excluded! God is my sufficiency regardless of the economy.

My sons pump the gas for me, so whether I tell them five dollars or fifty dollars, they need to know their Mother’s faith does not fluctuate with gas prices. They need to be assured that God is our sufficiency today and everyday. So what, we have a changing economy. God is still God and we can hold on to His unchanging hand. As Mothers, let’s help the next generation develop an unwavering faith and not a worrying spirit. Jehovah Jireh – my Provider!

Matthew 6:25,26 (NIV)
“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Special Mother's Day Gifts

New Mother/Child Images are now available!

Customer Service

Today is a day off from my half of a half, part-time job (smile). It doesn't feel like a day off because hubby has given me a list of things to do. I thought the honey-do list was for the man of the house. Oh well, he kindly said, "If you have time and if you feel like it, will you...." Not only do I NOT want to make time, but I NEVER feel like it, however, I'll do what he has requested me to do. I provide customer service on the job, therefore, I definitely need to provide even better customer service to my husband. Customer service - 100% Customer Service should begin at home. Honey, how may I help you today?

A Commitment

I've had some full, tiring, peri-menopausal days this week, however, my connection to Jesus has not suffered. It's funny how I spend more time with Him when I'm feeling bad. I call on Him more and I definitely pray more. I was thinking of King David and his commitment to pray three times a day. Although this was David's custom, he was committed to going before the Lord and not allowing anything to get in the way of his prayer time. I've recently made a commitment to study the Word more. Not just read the Word, but study the Word. The Word is our weapon and life will definitely keep us away from it. I've already noticed the benefits of my new commitment. My days are full and tiring, yet my connection to Jesus is growing stronger. It's an awesome feeling striving to be committed to the spiritual matters of this world. We can work and work and strive to achieve in life, yet the only thing that matters and is everlasting is our relationship with Him.