Small Stuff

Do you want to change the world? It's not as hard as it seems. It all begins with small stuff.

This past week, I was part of a mission team that served the children living at Tuscany Apartments here in McKinney. Since most of these kids have never been to church, we brought the church to them instead. Each day, we held "Beach Blast" on the apartment grounds. For the most part, it was a typical week of Bible school, including songs, crafts, and lessons. Indeed, it was small stuff that seemed to bring the most joy to the faces of those kids.

Sidewalk chalk.
Water relays.
Popsicles.
Lots and lots of hugs.
Even an old inflatable pool toy in the shape of a dolphin. (the kids named it Waterfall)

Many of us likely take these simple pleasures for granted. After all...it's small stuff. Yet, each day, as little blessings poured over the complex, the eyes looking back at me softened and smiles grew bigger. As a result, I saw the world grow a little brighter by the power of small acts of kindness performed with great love.

This morning, I witnessed 6 children take Jesus as their Savior and I rejoice with the angels in Heaven for these new brothers and sisters in Christ. Today was the end of our "Beach Blast" but I have no doubt that God will continue to work in the hearts of all who were touched by His love this week. The seeds that were planted by each servant's small acts of love will one day reap a great harvest in God's kingdom.

Too often, we underestimate God and we fail to see Him in the little things. Hopes. Dreams. Wishes. Desires. No matter how insignificant they may seem to others, God cares about it all. Likewise, He cares about the little children, whom many of us disregard. It's true...they are small and they are easy to dismiss. But we are wise to remember that Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:14 NIV)

Today, I challenge you to be mindful of the little ones in your midst. For it doesn't take much to make a big impact in the life of a child...good or bad. Consider the small acts that can either help them or hinder them on their journey to Christ. Then consider the power in the small stuff. After all, we make big changes in the world... one small child at a time.

The Narrow Gate

Lily and Sofie spent their first week of summer vacation at tennis camp. First Baptist Church of McKinney has several sports camps throughout the summer months, and the girls were excited to learn tennis. Every day, I dropped them off at the court, coated in sunscreen, with a water bottle in one hand and a racket in the other.

Learning important skills for the game, such as how to serve overhanded and to use a mean backhand are important if the girls are to be successful tennis players that have a lifelong love for the game. Even so, they are little girls and they inherited their Mama's sweet tooth. To be sure, Lily and Sofie were most excited to receive free ice cream for memorizing their Bible verse. During camp devotions throughout the week, the girls were challenged to "Rise Above" and...

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road the leads to destruction. And many people enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life and only a few will find it."-Matthew 7:13-14

Naturally, we practiced the verse a lot at home to earn that coveted Chik-fil-A ice cream certificate. And as we worked to memorize the words, I was challenged to plant the truth in my daughters' hearts. As we studied the words, we talked extensively about the crossroads before us in the road of life.

At some point, we all make a choice as to which gate we shall pass through. As a woman of faith, I pray my daughters and my son charge through the narrow gate. The world proclaims that it doesn't exist. And yet, God's Word tells us to enter through it. In a lie, straight from the pits of Hell, the world claims there are many ways to God. Still, the truth says there is only one... the narrow gate. It's marked, not by tolerance, but by the blood of Christ. While the world calls it foolishness, only the narrow gate leads to true redemption.

Today, my children walk the road of life with my husband and me. Hand in hand, we spend our days safe in the presence of our LORD. He goes before us and He has our back at the same time. But one day, not long from now, Jack, Lily and Sofie will choose their own path. There is no greater prayer for me as a mother than my desire to see my children "walk in truth."(3 John 1:4 NIV)) And I am aware that each day I am responsible to "train them up in the way they should go so that when they are older they shall not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6) It's a responsibility I do not take lightly, as I understand, that for this, I am accountable to my Holy God.

Our journey has already begun and our days together are short. Therefore, as a woman of faith, I am challenged to live out and teach my kids about God's promises. As their mother, I must not fail to "teach them to (my) children, talking about them when (we) sit at home and when (we) walk along the road, when (we) lie down and when (we) get up." (Deuteronomy 11:19) I must not squander the fleeting moments I have with my kids. Instead, I must train their eyes to know the narrow gate for the world will surely hide it from them. The road of destruction will have many disguises. My children must "not forget the things (their) eyes have seen or let them slip from (their) heart(s) as long as (they) live."(Deuteronomy 4:9)

All the days of their lives, I pray my girls and my son continue to seek the narrow gate and walk the road that leads to life in Christ. As mankind continues to strive on the wide road of humanism, another path lies waiting for us all. Only with Christ can we truly "act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God." (Micah 6:8 NIV) It's a life of restoration and it is found by walking through the narrow gate.

Life To The Extreme

This morning, I woke up early and took a van load of teenage boys to the departure site for Extreme Camp 2011.

Their excitement was contagious as we drove to our church parking lot and loaded duffel bags, sleeping bags, and pillows onto the bus. Zip lines, swimming, and tons of fun await them at Camp Wow in Oklahoma. The boys could hardly wait to get out of the van and onto the bus.

For the next four days, the youth at FBC McKinney shall live life to the extreme. And while I hope this experience is everything they imagine, I pray that camp will be so much more than fun memories with friends. I pray they are moved by the Holy Spirit to embrace a life with Christ with the same excitement they are feeling this morning.

Love,
joy,
peace,
patience,
kindness,
goodness,
faithfulness,
gentleness,
and self-control.
(Galatians 5:22-23 NLT)

These are the building blocks of living life to the extreme. "And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself." (Ephesians 2:20 NLT) So as my son and his posse' take in the great outdoors, I pray they also turn their hearts to their Savior. I pray they dig deep in His Word and come back changed by His grace.

For "our Lord is great and very powerful. There is no limit to what he knows." (Psalm 147:5 NCV) In Christ, we have life to the extreme.

I lifted this pic from Kim Preston's Facebook page...thanks Kim!! Jack is somewhere in that sea of blue. Over 400 FBC youth at Extreme Camp this year. Go God!!




Update: God is moving this generation, one heart at a time. During Extreme Camp, God called out over 100 kids who are feeling called to ministry in some capacity. To my delight, Jack was one of them. In addition, 47 kids chose to accept Christ and were baptized at Camp Wow. Praise God!

Closure

It's been three weeks since we heard of our recent adoption opportunity. Three long, silent weeks. Until Monday. When I woke up on Monday morning and noticed the date on the calendar, I knew something was different. "The baby is due in less than a month," I thought hopelessly to myself. "Surely, she has chosen a family by now..." The silence led me to believe that if the birthmother had indeed chosen a home for her unborn baby girl, it must not be our home. It was a reality I didn't want to face.

After I got the kids off to school, I decided to go for a run and clear my head. As the morning breeze caressed my cheek, I humbly presented my requests to God. "Heavenly Father, if this isn't our baby, please end our waiting. We need closure," my heart cried. While I hoped I was wrong, somehow, in my heart, I knew bad news was coming. For the next few hours, I reasoned and prayed as I tried to prepare myself for the looming disappointment that seemed inevitable.

The day passed slowly and still there was no word. I kept myself busy with errands. Housework. Laundry. Even Facebook. Then it happened. Immediately, I felt a lump in my throat as I heard the words..."She has chosen a family." It wasn't ours. My eyes burned as I listened to the few known details. At last, we had closure. That was good, right? Now, we could move on.

Still, I felt as though someone had just kicked me in the stomach. I hung up the phone, sat down on my bed, and began to cry. All of my efforts to lessen the pain of this day had failed. For this was NOT the closure that I wanted. What I wanted, wasn't mine. She belonged to someone else. I didn't understand and nothing could take that away.

When I told the kids about the news, my daughter Lily reacted most like me. Throwing her arms in the air and stomping the floor she yelled, "Why? What's wrong with our family? Why didn't she choose US?!" I understood her heart. For that had been mine only hours before. So, I took Lily by the hand and pulled her to my lap as I asked God to help me with answers to questions I did not understand myself. It was clear that my daughter, too, needed closure.

Gently, I said, "Lily, I know you are angry. It's okay to be mad. You can yell. Cry. Scream if you must. But let's go back to how we have prayed the past three weeks." I continued, "We prayed for God to guide this young woman and lead her to the family He has chosen for this baby. The LORD is faithful. That is exactly what He did. This wasn't our baby. She has always been theirs. God just allowed us to be part of her story for a little while. I don't understand either, but we must trust that God has a plan and that His plans are always good."

Together, my children and I cried and prayed for God to take us out of the pain that seemed to have swallowed us up. Then, we prayed for the baby girl who we had spent so much time dreaming about these past few weeks. We thanked God for her birthmother who had courageously chosen to honor her life. We praised Him that she would grow up with a Mommy and a Daddy who will cherish her and love her and train her up in His truth. And we chose to rejoice that this family, whoever they might be, are busy preparing a place for her in their home.

Most of yesterday, I felt silent. Words just wouldn't come. Instead, I sat alone with my thoughts and I just kept asking the same question. "Why couldn't we have her?" Why?! It seemed to consume me. And yet, I figured there was little chance I would ever know. More than likely, I would never have closure. While that seemed a bitter pill to swallow, I made a decision to let God be God. That would have to be enough, as it was the only closure I was likely to receive. He is God. I am not. Case closed. This was going to have to go into the growing file of "things I won't understand this side of Heaven". I didn't like it. And I told God as much. But I chose to accept it.

Little did I know, God wasn't finished. Late in the day, I indeed got the closure that I needed. Through a friend, the LORD revealed that the family that is welcoming this precious child is unable to have children of their own. As soon as I heard this, my heart rejoiced for this sweet couple and praised God for His goodness. For even though He did not owe me an explanation, God offered one anyway.

Last night, I shared the news with my children. Again, Lily responded much like me. With a big smile, she simply said, "Well then, that was exactly the right choice Mommy." That was all she needed. Now, it all made sense. We had closure. We may never know why God brought us to this place, but He didn't leave us in our pain. Instead God brought us to it. Then, in His great mercy, God brought us through it.

This morning, I woke early and stumbled to my coffee maker. As usual, I flipped our devotional calendar to glimpse at today's scripture. My heart smiled as I read the words...

"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and stadfast." (1 Peter 5:10 NIV)

So today, I raise my cup to Heaven and I thank God for His closure.

Jericho

The past few days, I have felt like my family and I are walking around Jericho. This week, we are awaiting to hear from a potential birth mother who is considering us for her unborn child's forever family.

Friday morning, I prayed for our chosen child and told God that I would walk whatever path He placed before us regarding our adoption journey. Of course, I imagined He would lead us to an agency or an adoption ministry that we have already researched. Little did I know, God was already at work, and we were already on a path. Where it leads, I do not not. Still, we continue to step in faith as we pray for victory.

Within hours of my prayer on Friday morning, a door opened in our adoption. In obedience, we have followed God's path. Remarkably, we learned of this unborn precious baby girl on Friday afternoon, put our profile together Friday evening, and it was in the hands of the birth mother shortly after. Truly, it is a miraculous turn of events that only God can accomplish. Honestly, I have no idea how many days we will walk around Jericho.

Now all we can do is trust, obey, and wait for God to declare victory. It isn't easy. In fact, waiting is so much harder than I ever imagined. Still, we must persevere and endure. In faith, we press on. In prayer, we look to God for strength. In hope, we ask for God's will to be done.

Yet, here is what really knocks my socks off, as I ponder the happenings of the past few days. One way or the other, God has declared victory for this child. Some lucky family will receive the blessing of this little girl, as she will make her way into this big world in mid-June. Her courageous birth mother, who has chosen to honor her baby's life, will decide with whom this precious child shall live and grow into womanhood. I hope and pray we are that family. But, even if we are not, I celebrate God's goodness. I acknowledge His great power. And, I pledge to keep walking around Jericho until He brings our baby home.

We are all waiting for victory in some area of life. While we anticipate the homecoming of our chosen child, others await employment, financial security, emotional or physical healing. Some, like us, may be waiting on the arrival of a child. I challenge you today to remember that God is the same today as He was yesterday. We are told "the LORD said to Joshua, 'See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands'." (Joshua 6:2) Never doubt that our awesome God has already declared victory over the obstacles in your midst. It may not be in your timing. It may not look the way you imagine. And it probably won't come the way you expect. Regardless,one day, He shall blow the trumpet and declare victory in the Jericho of your life and mine.

What a day that shall be! So keep walking. Keep praying. Keep hoping...and listen for the trumpet. And watch the walls of Jericho crumble at your feet.

Reading: Joshua 6

Reflection: How are you waiting on God today?

Dear Heavenly Father,
We trust in your mighty power and we await your victory as we walk around Jericho today. We thank you that you are the same mighty God that brought down the walls of Jericho for the Israelites. We recognize that You, Father, are the same mighty God today. And we wait to rejoice as you bring the walls of Jericho down in our midst. Thank you, LORD, that victory has already been declared by your power.
-Amen

Ever After

"Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you. Rejoice in the wife of your youth." (Proverbs 5:18 NLT)





Last night, Lily and I were reading People Magazine "Collector's Issue" of the Royal Wedding. Here are some "Royal Wedding" facts:

Number of spectators in the streets of London...1,000,000(approx)
Number of people who watched on television around the world...2,000,000,000(approx)
Number of horse drawn carriages...5
Number of planes in the ceremonial flyby...7
Total cost of wedding expenses including security costs...$65,000,000 (GULP!)

I have Cinderella-itis as much as the next girl. Though I did not opt to get up at 4:00 a.m. to watch the ceremony, I did feel pretty warm and fuzzy the day of the royal nuptials. How can you not? Truly, this was a fairy tale come to life. As my sweet Lily so eloquently stated, "This isn't just a wedding, Mommy. This is a ROYAL wedding." How true.

BUT...here is something to ponder, ladies, as we get carried away in Nevereverland. It's easy to tell your bride, "You are beautiful" as she stands before you in a dreamy white dress impeccably groomed and looking back at you with eyes of utter adoration. But the hard thing is to say "Hi beautiful" to your wife when she is up to her eyeballs in house cleaners, dirty laundry, and sweat. It's tough to say those words when her attention is shared by squabbling children and multiple tasks that require her immediate attention. It's difficult to say when she feels discouraged by images on the media that remind her of her many flaws and motivate her to run straight to the chocolate stash she hides from the children.

Only a real prince has the mad skills to take on the challenges of living "happily ever after" in the rountines of everyday life. My hubby did that just last night and made me feel like a princess. As dinner boiled over and clean, but unfolded, laundry mocked me from our living room couch, Marty smiled and said, "Hi beautiful." All at once, I remembered that though I am not royal by this world's definitions, I have a Prince Charming. And for him, and his unwavering affection, I am grateful. For he see the best in me when I am at my least radiant. He accepts me unconditionally, even at my worst. And he remembers why he chose me all those years ago, even when I am less than breathtaking. That, my friends, is true love.

Various distractions and heavy responsibilities pull husbands and wives in directions that sometimes cause us to forget what we know to be true in our spouse. Every once in a while, it is good to step back and remember how God brought two people together in love. Not just for a day...but for life.

Marty and I met when we were in our late teens, married in our early twenties, and we are still going strong three children and nineteen years later. I am pretty sure I could not even begin to fit into the dress I wore on that gorgeous August day. But when he looks at me, with that smile that stole my heart so long ago, I know I am blessed. That is the kind of love I want for my princesses, Lily and Sofie. That is the type of man I am praying that they seek and find. That is the marriage I hope they are blessed to build.

I was "queen for a day"...August 1, 1992. It was one of the happiest days of my life. But, it was only the beginning. Through the years, Marty and I have had to cling to our beautiful past as we step together into the promises of tomorrow. Life as man and wife is like that. The marriage that followed the wedding is one that exhilerates and challeges both my husband and me. It has not always been easy, but we cling to the promises we made before God and we choose to grant one another grace on our toughest days.

Like everyone else, I celebrate the joys of the royal wedding. Kate and Will are absolutely adorable. Their special day was truly a sight to behold and I wish the royal couple every happiness. Still, I thank God for a husband who chooses to "love the wife of his youth." (Proverbs 5:18 NLT) I am grateful for my very own Prince Charming. Just a thought from an ordinary woman living the reality version of "ever after."

Dayspring post on InCourage Today...

Here is a bit of my new article that is being featured today on Dayspring's InCourage blog...

I am a do it myself kind of gal.

In many parts of my life, I simply decide that God needs a little help and I opt to “give him a hand”. Inevitably, that is precisely when life really starts to get messy.

Read the rest at InCourage
Go ahead. You know you wanna! :)