Look What I Found!!

I flipped though a little doodle pad our boys have and found this:



Now, if you have children, you understand my delight, my fluttering heart, my teary eyes, my joy!!!!

Then my heart fluttered faster, my teary eyes flooded when I realized my FATHER, my Redeemer, my King must feel this same joy, probably more so, when His children tell Him, SHOW Him they love Him.

Have you told Him lately?

Have you shown Him lately?

Can YOU Impact Future Generations?

Our week has been rather bittersweet. We've visited funeral homes three times this week. Three dear friends have passed from this life. I wrapped my arms around family members while their loved one lay cold and lifeless in the casket, beautiful flowers bright and cheerful surrounding them. The scent of roses tickling my nose now and again.

Questions flooded my mind.

What kind of loneliness would this widow / widower face? How many nights in that big, empty bed will he/she cry himself/herself to sleep? How often will she look for him to pull in the driveway? And for those children... what's it like to have had a Daddy or Momma all your life and now ...

Then, my heart broke when it got personal... What if that were me standing there by the casket? What if Mark, my very best friend and favorite person in the world wouldn't be coming home tonight?

All of these friends were saved. Accomplished the goal, ran the race. All have entered that perfect Home! The land of no temptation, no sin, no pain, no funeral homes... Praise the LORD for that hope! (Actually makes me a tad jealous!)

So, as I ponder life -- the meaning of it, how quickly it passes, I'm reminded again of a message I heard. Do you realize the impact YOU have on future generations?

One of the friends who passed away was only 55 years old. Her death, by man's standards, was an accident. Of course, it was no surprise to God; accidents don't happen in HIS world. I've known this precious lady over 25 years. I've never known her not to jump at life... smile and LOVE to live. Her life had an impact on me, but not nearly as much as it did on her own two children who had children, who, if time lasts, will most likely have children.

Another friend had been a neighbor to my parents for over 30 years. His daughter is a very very dear friend of mine. His life has impacted the community in ways he probably never knew, then what about his two children? Their children?

The other friend was 81 years old. A church friend. He and his wife were best friends. They laughed together, sang together, loved and ministered together. Their marriage relationship inspired me. What about their children, and their grandchildren.?

That message I heard was about a couple who married and were blessed with 8 children. They raised them in a godly home, and those eight children had children who had children, etc. After many years had passed, a college student in NY was assigned a project for a class, and he chose this family to research. From this married couple, there were some 10,000 descendants, I believe he said. Of those multiple thousands it could be counted on one hand the number who weren't successful and ministering for the Kingdom.

This intrigued the college student, so the opposite scenario was researched. A couple married to partner in crime. Thousands of descendants followed. In these thousands, most died early deaths, many served long, even life-long, prison terms, and it could be counted on one hand the successful or Christian.

You are just one person -- obviously we all are. BUT our life WILL impact future generations.

The question is what kind of impact are YOU making?

Quick Question

Whose will do you want for your life?

Yeah, I know; no brainer, right? The all-knowing, all-seeing God of all creation?

Humm.

So, as we walk along in our daily lives, do we really want the all-knowing, all-seeing God of all creation to do whatever it takes for His will to shine in our lives?

I got to thinking about this. (My grandmother used to say, "I've been a-studyin' on it.") What about those verses in God's Word -- our life's Instruction Manual.

• Abstain from all appearance of evil. (1 Thess. 5:22 KJV)

Think about that - all appearance. If if looks evil, we're to abstain or stay away. I could dive in right here with all sorts of stuff, but I'll save it for another day. Just consider what looks evil...

• Do not lie to one another. (Colossians 3:9a NKJV)

Oh goodness.... there it is. Right there in plain letters, black and white, in the Holy Book. Surely he doesn't mean even little white lies, does he? I mean if Mrs. Abernathy asks me if I like her new dress - the pea green one, that's about 3 sizes too big - am I really supposed to be honest?

Uhm -- there's a way out. You don't have to lie with an "Oh, yes. It's beautiful" or something. How about, "Do you like it?" or "Is is comfortable" or "Did you just get that this week?" or something tactful. If you're asked point blank, in a situation like this, you still must obey the Word. Don't lie, but...

• Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. (Eph. 4:29 NKJV)

Then, there's this one:

• Do all things without complaining and disputing. (Phil. 2:14 NKJV)

Is that really in there? I mean, does He really think we can do that?

Yep. And here's why:

• that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. (Phil. 2: 15-16 NKJV)

Whew! What a promise! Think about that -- blameless! harmless! children of God without fault!

How can we ever do this you ask? Yeah, me too! Then I found this:

• I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:1-2 NKJV)
  

So, there it is. We can't live in the center of God's will without renewing our minds daily; without daily presenting our bodies as a LIVING sacrifice made holy through the blood of the Lamb... daily.

Any more doubts?

Well, just in case you're thinking, "that writer has it all together" or "it may be easy for her or some preacher, but me?" I looked, and sure enough, it's still there:

• I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil. 4:13)

You can do it. WE can do it, but only through Christ.

Trust Him and allow Him to work His will out in your life. Trust Him in good times, in disastrous time. Live a life separate, unconformed to this world. Renew your mind by digging in the Word. And remember, through His strength and by His grace, you can live a life that shines for Jesus -- a light in this dark world (Phil 2:15).

Now, whose will do you want in your life?

What's Up With Your Scene?

Gotta start by saying:

Happy Birthday, Kathy!!! I love you!!

(If you don't know Kathy and her family, aahh, you just don't know what you're missing... what a wonderful family.)

Okay...

Scenes. We all make 'em.

If you have a child that's older than a toddler, you've experienced the stares of others watching how you're going to handle your "scene."

The pressure! You're in Wal-Mart. Your toddler wants that unimaginable toy -- I don't know, some little electronic remote something or other that looks like it should cost a couple bucks, but really costs fifty because of the computer chip that makes the thing look, act, feel real! So, you say, "We can't get that, honey," in your nice parental controlled tone.

"Why?"

"Well, because it's too much money and we have to eat. We can't eat toys, sweetheart."

"But I want it!" The pout starts. Vocal volume increases.

"Oh, I know, but you know we can't always get what we want." And in your mind you add if we did I'd not be driving a ten-year-old minivan, that's for sure! I'd have a cool shiny SUV with --

"BUT I WANT IT!" The cart starts rocking as that sweet little toddler has a death grip on the handle jerking himself back and forth in the front child seat. The child's sweet little eyes aren't so sweet anymore!

What happened to my baby? He's transformed into this... this... small person that, before I had children I swore my children would never be!!!

Then you feel them -- eyes. Millions of eyes all in your direction. The pressure. Heart palpitations begin.

So, biting your lip, you wonder which of these millions of eyes might be a social service worker waiting for your loss of control in the situation. You keep control -- on the outside. You ignore the screams, empty the cart, grip the handle with your hands over those little pudgy ones and practically sprint to the doors to escape.... praying the alarm at the doors don't go off for the magnetic whatever you have somewhere.

No, I've never been there. :o)

Okay, in my dreams. But raising children is a challenge, kind of like a roller coaster ride. They embarrass you, they make you proud, they make you look like a liar in front of your friends -- and even those people you don't know very well, but want to impress! They steal gum from the store, they drop to their knees and pray the sweetest prayer -- and you KNOW God's gonna answer it, I mean who could deny that? :o) They bring you beautiful bouquets of dandelions, golden rods and Queen Anne's lace... that make you sneeze for two days, but you wouldn't dream of not keeping them displayed!

Yesterday at the pool, we witnessed a "scene." And it wasn't pretty. The daddy was not a happy camper with his screaming toddler. He screamed, too! He didn't heed his wife's advice to "Shut up!" The child didn't heed his dad's advice to "Shut up!"

However we, the other pool guests, all heeded their advice -- we all shut up! It was a horrible scene. I don't know if the child needed a good spanking or if that daddy did, but I know as they carried that baby away, I had tears in my eyes. My heart ached.

Scripture came to mind:

• Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath...


• Children, obey your parents in the Lord...

The pressure on that family knowing that most every eye at the pool- children and adults alike - was on them could have been overriding their normal reactions.

Prayers for that family cried out from my heart.

You see, I found myself, because of my past wondering what if this is that child's last day on earth. What if God's designated time for that child to come Home to be with Him is today... That's one way my suffering has affected my life.

I don't know how I would've handled that situation. I heard other parents/grandparents at the pool share how they'd handle it... I'm not with that child everyday, so that certainly would have an impact. Maybe the child has a learning disability. Maybe the dad does. I don't know...

BUT -- I do know that we are often spoiled little brats when we come to God.

"I want that."

"It's not right for you, my child."

"I don't care! I want it!"

"It will damage you and your walk with Me."

"No it won't! I promise! I can handle it..."

If we could ever come to the place where our lives really -- I mean really lived out Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart, and lean not on your own understanding," Isn't that what we expect from our children? To trust us with all their heart realizing that we understand things that they usually don't.

"In all your ways acknowledge Him" Yep, that says ALL. "And He shall direct your paths."

Shall, that's a promise. No maybe or only in certain situations; if we meet the condition of trusting Him, leaning on His understanding, acknowledge Him - he's got our paths under His control. He will direct us.

Whew! Talk about taking the pressure off.

We don't have to understand.

It doesn't have to make sense.

And you know, if we live our lives trusting, leaning, and acknowledging Him -- our children will see that -- we'll be making a scene! Will life be perfect? Heaven's no -- we're still here, on earth, perfect lives are only in Heaven. But we lean on the Perfecter, the Creator, the All-knowing, All-seeing, Everlasting Father. HE directs us, helps us... forgives us!

So, what's up with your scene? Let me challenge you today to make a scene! Make your scene contagious! Praise the Lord for directing your path! Shout it out! Let the world know, you don't have to understand, but HE does and He's got the plan in action. We're just strolling down His path....

note: clip art provided by Clipart from Clipartheaven.com.

Already There...

August 4th will never be just another day for me as long as God gives me breath. August 4, 1990 changed my view of that date forever. Isn't it amazing how that happens? You go through life never noticing a particular date, but then a baby is born, you begin your life with your soul-mate, God chooses to take a loved one Home... and that date is forever changed.

August 4, 1990 could be viewed several ways for me, and it has been. It was on that day at 3:30 in the afternoon that fire claimed my one-year old daughter's life. I wasn't home. A neighbor came to where I worked and drove me home with barely any explanation as to what the emergency was. Approaching my home, I saw flashing lights from ambulances and fire trucks. And then a lady in white wrapped her arm over my shoulders and explained that the firefighters did all they could, but my daughter didn't make it. Her little lungs couldn't withstand smoke inhalation.

It was horrible-- beyond horrible. A day that is forever engraved in the memories of my soul.

Of course I grieved my loss; I still grieve at times. But then I found an unexpected emotion, jealousy. My baby, Mindi, was in heaven! My ultimate goal-- my ultimate reward. She didn't lose her life, she received it!! I wanted to be there, too! Then, only by the miraculous grace of our God Almighty, JOY flooded my soul. What more could I want for my precious baby girl than a life of perfect peace, joy unspeakable, in the presence of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit hearing blissful angelic voices singing, "Holy, holy, holy". And then to know that this life is nothing but a vapor (James 4:14), but ETERNITY is the time I'll have with Mindi.

If you have lost a child, whether you made the choice to abort an unborn child or God, in His perfect wisdom that is so much higher than we can ever comprehend, chose for your child to live with Him early in his/her life, please know that there is a peace that passes all understanding. It comes only from above. Surrender your life, your grief, your anger, your resentment to God. I can't say it will be easy, most likely it won't. It took me eight years to fully surrender my grieving heart to Him. And I still weep, I still long for time I've missed, I still wonder what Mindi would look like as an eighteen year old young woman... BUT I know God's grace is sufficient... (2 Cor. 12:9) He's proven it time and time again.

Let me encourage you today, friend. Dig into the Word and see where your child is, what your child sees daily!! It's not the horrendous newscasts we see and hear. It's not hopeless devastation. It's tearless eyes, painless bodies, cemetery-less fields, no hospitals, no cancer, no glasses, no crutches, no hearing aids, no tangles in her hair, no war... no migraines!!!

Check out these Scriptures:

• Isaiah 25:8 -- "He will swallow up death forever, And the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces."


• Isaiah 57:1-2 -- "The righteous perishes, and no man takes it to heart; Merciful men are taken away, while no one considers That the righteous is taken away from evil. He shall enter into peace; They shall rest in their beds, Each one walking in his uprightness."


• 2 Corinthians 5:1&8 -- "For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens... We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord."


• Revelation 21:21-25 -- "The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it The Lamb is its light... Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there).

Remember that peace, no matter the trial, can only come from the Lord. "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever... the Lord is everlasting strength." (Isaiah 26:3-4)

So, this brings me to prompt you to check your soul's condition. Are you ready to meet Jesus? Will your children see you enter the gates of Heaven? Oh, my friend, grieving the loss of a child is nothing compared to losing your soul forever-- never making Heaven your eternal home.

Surrender to Him. Here's how:

"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'" (John 14:6)

"If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation... For 'whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'" (Romans 10:9-13)

Finally, we need to remember that we'll never understand why. It's all right to ask, but don't expect to understand. We just have to trust in God's infinite wisdom (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Let me leave you with a verse I quote often; it was in my Blogger Debut post, it's taped to my computer monitor... a promise I lean on. "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." (Isaiah 43:2-3)

You see, this promise comforts me -- There's nothing too big for God. AND He made sure that my baby didn't feel the fire... She was already There.