It has been a week of great reflection and joy to know we have a loving God that encourages us through his word. May we continue to press on in all we are called to do.
This week is a little different for me. But all I have is God’s word. Less of me and more of him.
Even when things don’t go as planned, like embedding the link to a YouTube short I created. I thought it was good to go until someone told me it was private. Oh well, sometimes you win, sometimes you learn. I have learned how to make it public.
Learning to be creative is fun!
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24
You were born to create. What will you create today?
This is such an exciting season. In one conversation this week, a wise person reminded me that we know life continues by the budding of the trees. What a wonderful thought to ponder.
Regardless of my internal thoughts, be they happy thoughts, sad thoughts, or thoughts of uncertainty and doubt, life continues to bloom all around me. Her shared words of wisdom was timely and a great reminder to take a look at all the life happening all around me.
Earlier in the week, there was a slight disagreement with a very close friend. I tend to harbor thoughts on how the conversation could have played out. But these thoughts always come after the fact.
While in my thoughts, from my kitchen door, I stood and watched all the life happening outside of me. There were budding tree branches blowing in the wind, and as I listened to a song that sang of the goodness of God, I found peace in my thoughts.
So, as I began this week of another day of Spring, I rejoice in this wonderful life. Living it from the inside out and the outside in.
May I never forget, the season of the resurrected LORD who lived from the inside out. Before Jesus’ crucifixion, he spoke of the dichotomy of life and love. He speaks to us with the obedient words to the Father, as told in John 12:27.
“Now my soul is troubled. What should I say- Father save me from this hour? But that is why I came to this hour. Father glorify your name.“
This is a wonderful season. A season of living in the world, yet not of it. A season of nakedness and new life. A season of obedience and life. A season of eternal love.
This is a season to remember, we know life continues by the budding of the trees and the resurrected Christ.
After weeks of preparation for a book sale, submitting proposals, and facilitating my workshop From Stress to Strengths, it was time to relax. Not the pretend, “I’m going downstairs to chill”. A real relaxing weekend of free thoughts, mindless entertainment, and a glass of red wine.
It was so chill that I made reservations at the local Spanish grill and pre-ordered the Paella de Pollo y Chorizo for 2. It was so chill that we met two friends and talked about nothing of real relevance. It was so chill that we sat for two hours enjoying the company of friends.
It was so chill, we went to the final stop on Jordan Felix’s “Praise God for That” tour with Riley Clemmons.
Another free spirit moment to sing, dance, and praise the Lord to some intense base, fascinating light display, and authentic stories.
Oh yeah! I watched two movies. Really watched- no book in my lap, no phone scrolling, just a good movie. The Accountant with Ben Afflack and Vantage Point with Forest Whittaker. Awesome chill movies with great story line, action fights, and pretty good car chase through Spain. (Wow- as I write this line, did we do the Spanish restaurant because of some subliminal thought)
Are you exhausted? When was the last time you took a chill day?
In the wisdom of Solomon, Ecc 3:18: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal,a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up,a time to keep and a time to throw away,a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.”
But since it is now Monday, I end where Solomon ends Ecc 3:22~ “So I saw that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work, because that is their lot. For who can bring them to see what will happen after them?”
Do you have moments when life continues to move from day to day and you did not do that thing you committed to doing? That is me this week.
In October of 2024, I made the commitment to share pieces of my life. To share how everyday life coincides with my walk for Christ. How his word gives me the strength and the perseverance to pursue, endure, and persist in my gifts and talents. I sat several times this week to keep the Monday schedule- write a Blog!
Each time I sat to write there was nothing but a desire. The desire to write, the desire to keep the commitment, the desire to be the ideal person I am designed to be. All desire but no action.
In my quest to walk this journey of commitment and integrity, I was inspired by a time lapse video a friend of mine shared. It was the inspiration I needed to realize and see how quickly the world revolves, how quickly the days pass, and how quickly I can put commitments to the side.
To look at the sunrise in a 21 second video, taken over 30 minutes, is a wake up call for me to stay on task. As I write this quick post on Thursday, I find peace and give the anxiety to the Lord.
For His word says his yolk is easy. To be anxious for nothing… He sits at the door and knocks. All things work together for good… Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit…
These words are truly what I needed today. “When I said, “My foot is slipping”, your unfailing love, LORD, supported me.” When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” Psalm 94:18-19
This is the peace I embrace when my foot is slipping and my commitment to do goes a bit off schedule.
So on this Thursday, it is a time lapse from a Monday just a few seconds ago. A sequence of life frames set at intervals to record changes that take place slowly over time.
This is the grace of my Lord and Savior. The one who know the beginning and the end and records with forgiveness the frames of my life. A God that patiently waits for me to change slowly over time. A Savior that announces~” Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” Rev 3:20
As the month of Women’s History comes to pass, I remember my mom, Mary. The funny thing is, I don’t have to remember because she is always present. She is present not as the waxing moon in all its phases or some distant adventure in the past. I remember her everyday, even though she is gone.
I remember her in my thoughts of loneliness and times of joy. I remember the yummy yellow turnips she made every Thanksgiving which is now a staple at our Thanksgiving table. A root vegetable, peeled and cut into chunks ,boiled with salt and a piece of smoked turkey wing. Add a bit of black pepper and sugar then mash like mashed potatoes. I remember the times sitting at the table eating Bartlett pears from the can and stuffing the center half with mayonnaise and cheddar cheese mixed together. When I really need her presence, my favorite, be with Mom moment, is sardines, onions, mustard on a cracker.
It is those moments at the table, nourishing the body, feeding the soul, and loving the presence of each other, that I can recreate in the moment. Her sitting next to me and feeling her presence.
I remember how others said her name, Mary. Mary as if it were an expressions of who she was. Her name was said with meaning, with expression, and with love. My mom, Mary. The one who gave what she had to others. She would speak for others that would not speak for themself. She would fight a battle worthy of fighting, even if it were for someone else.
She was Mommy to me. I look at her pictures and still say Mommy. The Mommy that walked me to school on the first day of kindergarten and built the confidence by trusting me and my cousins to make it back home alone. The Mommy that showed delicate care and discipline in the very awkward situation that girls go through when “in love”. A Mommy full of wisdom to raise me up in the way that I should go.
The Mommy that held me accountable to the things I said I would do. Like the high school year of hazing to join a high school sorority- the toilet tissue in the hair and the weird outfits. And the firm no when asked to drive me instead of taking the 2 buses to school.
Mommy, a women of strength- like the hard covering of the yellow turnip. But she was also delicate and seemed like she felt the pain of the world. Like a flower pushing through the hard rocks, she was determined. A mother’s love is never lost on the child. I am my mother’s child and I embrace every moment with gratitude and joy to have known her.
SO, of all the awards and accolades expressed to others during this month of Women’s History- My mom is my reward and I am hers. Thank you Mom for all you did for others. As you rest in the heavens above, may you forever be at peace.
From Momma Jo, to Grandma Callie, to Grandma Catherine, to Mommy Mary, I thank these women for the life they lived, the joy they brought, and the love expressed. I thank them for the worship and prayers prayed that has strengthened this child to stand tall, love others, and love the LORD. I thank them for the peace they showed when times were hard. It is a peace that passes all understanding. And I thank them for being the women they were created to be. For I am better because of them.
To all the other women out there, thank you for being you! Let your light shine!
Walking In Your Gifts 