One of the most difficult chapters that I am working on for the memoir is the one that I am currently on… Chapter 3, Rescue – Amazing From Evil:  Evil must not have the final word.

Finding a balance between what to share and what not to share is difficult. Part of me wants to tell every detail of the abuse and demoralizing things that happened to me. Why? For sympathy? For people to know how terrible those abusers were?

None of those reasons.

I want the person reading the stories to know that no matter what evil happened to them someone understands. I may not understand their specifics, but the aftermath is the same.

Fear

Shame

Guilt

Hopelessness

Grief

Then there are flashbacks, sleepless nights, PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), and haunting dreams.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. You don’t have to live in that never-ending cycle of anguish. Jesus will pull you out and up, as He did with me.

“I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry.

He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps.

He has put a new song in my mouth-

Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, and will trust in the LORD” (Psalm 40:1-3/NKJV).

Wouldn’t it be amazing to be free from the nightmares?!

By Christ’s sacrifice and suffering. I am free!

Free from fear, without shame, having no guilt, released from hopelessness, unburdened from grief, and cleansed and free to be used by God! You can be unencumbered from these burdens too!

Aren’t you weary of struggling in that miry pit?

You have to let it go. Forgive the person who did horrible deeds to you. You may have to forgive them only from your heart for safety reasons… I did. If you hold on to the cruelty then the abuser still has control over you. Take that control away! Be unshackled!

Look at the suffering that Christ experienced for you! Jackie Hill Perry writes, “The only way I’ve chosen to make sense of it all is not by understanding God through the lens of my circumstances but understanding God by the things that happened on the cross.”

Why is there evil in the world?

C. S. Lewis shares the reality of free will, “God created things which had free will. That means creatures which can go either wrong or right. Some people think they can imagine a creature which was free but had no possibility of going wrong; I cannot. If a thing is free to be good it is also free to be bad. And free will is what has made evil possible. Why, then, did God give them free will? Because free will though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having. A world of automata-of creatures that worked like machines-would hardly be worth creating.”

Paul in Galatians states it like this, “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery” (5:1). Satan will constantly try to bombard you with condemnation, but if you believe in Christ, you can use the power that He provides through the Holy Spirit.

“There are forces all around you working to undermine the freedom Jesus died to give you. Whispers of condemnation, feelings of fear and insecurity, graceless messages from well-meaning believers, constant criticism from those you love. Day after day your spiritual liberty and God-given identity are assailed from all sides” Dr. Charles Stanley.

Unless you cling with faith to the freedom Christ gave you as His child, you will continue to spiral downward. But if you stand in faith, meditate on God’s Word, and pray quietly or out loud every time you feel an attack against you, then you can live in freedom from the past, have freedom in the present, and be free for the future to be used by God for His purpose and His glory.

Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. John 8:36

Rise Up!

Stand Firm!

Be Free!

** I appreciate prayers in writing Chapter 3 to make it helpful and not hurtful. Thanks!

“Therefore, He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.” “See then that you walk circumspectly not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:14-17/NKJV/emphasis added).

Sometimes it’s difficult to return to things.

• It’s tough to return to work after a restful vacation.
• Remember returning to high school after being off for summer break? You never knew what friends would be in your classes and what the teachers would be like.
• Also daunting to return to a friendship after hurtful things happen.

It has been grueling for me to return to writing. I love to write, and I believe God has put messages in my heart, but my son who has medical issues had a huge setback and even a week-long hospitalization. There have been weeks of aftercare and recovery. God would bring something to my heart while I was studying the Bible in the morning and I wanted to rush and begin writing, but then a phone call, an outcry from my son, an obligation, or another interruption would halt me from proceeding.

I praise God that my son has improved and I have time to get back into writing sharing the wonders of God in my life. I also started a new habit tracker (yes, before New Years!), to make sure I was taking full advantage of the hours in a day!

Besides being challenging returning to responsibilities, there are also things that leave and never return:

• Words spoken or not spoken at the right time.
• Opportunities missed.
• Chances to forgive or to ask for forgiveness before someone dies.
• Wasted hours doing something not beneficial for your mental state.

There is only one thing in the world that is truly easy to return to. You might not think so, but the reality is that it is easy to return to God when you have sinned, walked away for years, or have been angry with Him. Like the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), God is waiting with open arms to take us back.

There are other reasons that we walk away from God. Some of us don’t want to do what God asks us to do, like Jonah (Jonah 1-3). I can tell you from experience that I would rather be in God’s will and walk with Him through the hard stuff than be without God doing what pleases me. The latter is a temporary pleasure. The first is done for eternity and brings Glory to God.

God is a redeeming God. He has taken all the past things I did wrong, things that others did offensive to me, and turned those around to empower me to encourage others who have been in similar tragic circumstances. Our Redeemer can redeem, restore, reclaim, and rescue you and use your experience to give you a joyful, purposeful life.

Wouldn’t you rather bring light and hope to someone’s life rather than spend all day watching the blue screen light that doesn’t bring you real joy? Instead, the things you view on the visual display both on the phone and television screen become suffocating to your creativity, visions, and calling. You may feel joy for the moment, but it quickly dissipates.

If you feel that you have run too far to turn around, engaged in too many bad things to have hope, or committed yourself to an irreversible course, you couldn’t be further from the truth.

• Saul persecuted Christians (Acts 9).
• David committed adultery (2 Samuel 12).
• Peter denied Jesus three times (Luke 22:54-62).

Christ forgave, restored, and used their lives for amazing journeys.

Turn around…

Return…

Be redeemed…

Jesus is calling you and waiting for you to return or join Him for the first time.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:3-5)

Our Redeemer can rescue the lost. It’s time you returned.

He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. (Psalm 30:1/NIV/Emphasis added)

Those of us who are believers already know that Christ has carried us since we first trusted Him. But sometimes we get weary and overwhelmed. That is common. God knows we are just flesh. That is why it says in His Word, “Commit your way to the Lord [roll and repose each care of your load on Him]; trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass. And He will make your uprightness and right standing with God go forth as light, and your justice as [the shining sun of] the noonday. Be still and rest in the Lord; wait for Him and patiently lean yourself upon Him;…” (Psalm 37:3-7/AMPC/YouVersion/Emphasis added).

Most mornings I am blessed to have an hour with the Lord. I always read from the Bible and meditate on it, read a devotional, pray, or just talk to God, and many times sing a worship or Christian song. I have to take advantage of the mornings as a single mom with a special needs son. By midafternoon I am wiped out. Mostly because I haven’t slept much the night before. However, if I at least read something, even a small portion, it focuses me back on Jesus at the end of the day. Then when I wake in the morning, I start humming a praise song. It’s not something I initiated, I just all of a sudden realize I’m humming a song.

The past few months, though, have been more fatiguing than normal. I know you have those hours, days, and months, too. My son, who has stage 4,severe kidney disease has been experiencing more than normal pain. There have been several doctor visits, tests, some ER visits, and many sleepless nights. My heart breaks for him since my son doesn’t understand why he is hurting so intensely that it brings actual tears to his eyes (he is not a crier).

This month, I have been reading through the book of Isaiah. There are many bite-size, golden morsels to chew on. It amazes me that when I wake up a little more weary than usual, maybe not so joyful; as soon as I finish reading through and praying through God’s Word, I have this peace, joy, and motivation to not just survive, but to flourish through the day.

The LORD will always lead you, satisfy you in a parched land, and strengthen your bones. You will be like a watered garden and like a spring whose water never runs dry. (Isaiah 58:11)

For you will not leave in a hurry, and you will not have to take flight; because the LORD is going before you, and the God of Israel is your rear guard. (Isaiah 52:12)

Even if these forget, Yet I will not forget you. Look, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me. (Isaiah 49:15-16)

Reading God’s Word in the morning is not a magical formula that will produce a miracle, or an answer to a prayer in the moment. It will however miraculously change your heart. You will have more peace feeling God’s presence with you, and more strength (above and beyond strength), to get through the day while you wait on answers, provisions, and guidance.

Have hope! Be encouraged! Be grateful!

Let God’s Word take you from being floored by sadness, frustration, and exhaustion, to being lifted up with peace, renewed strength, and hope for the day!

I appreciate all the prayers for my son’s diseased kidney and hopeful answers and guidance from an appointment with a new Nephrologogist on the 19th.

I will be away from the blog for another month. A second person reviewed several chapters of the book I’m writing. I was encouraged again to continue. God willing, I hope and pray to finish the completed book draft by the end of September. Thank you for your prayers in both matters.

Remember God’s faithfulness – Give a Wave of Praise and Gratitude.

Therefore welcome one another, just as Christ also welcomed you, to the glory of God. Romans 15:7

“Welcome Home” are wonderful words to hear, but what if you have no one at home to welcome you?

My dog and I are always excited when our boy gets home from school. My dog expresses it a little more comically than I do. She runs around in circles, bouncing near my son, wagging her tail! You can almost see the smile that comes across her face! Her boy is home! I’m afraid the neighbors would think I was crazier than they already do if I exhibited those same antics to greet my son! I smile and joyfully greet him with words expressing how happy I am that he is home… happy, loved, enjoyed, wanted, even if he doesn’t function in the same way that typically developing children do. He is loved beyond words but only a fraction as much as Jesus loves him.

We just returned a little over a week ago from another place that welcomed us dearly. A place where we were blessed for a second year in a row. Hope Heals Camp doesn’t say “Welcome Home.” They have words more endearing…

From the moment you enter the campgrounds in Alabama, to when you park your car and get out. You are greeted with a Christlike welcome and love and acceptance. Words of,

I’m so glad you’re here!

It’s so good to see you!

You were meant to be here!

The words are not mechanical but from deep within their hearts. They really are glad you are there.

This is a magical place, not the sorcery kind, but a place where you can feel the Spirit and love of God in every inch of the campus. This camp welcomes families with disabilities. Some disabled are small children, some are adults, and some are elderly. It doesn’t matter the disability or the age, the whole family is welcomed and loved on and pampered.

Last year I was healed at camp. I was healed from pride and rejection. In the initial application process, I had confirmed that my autistic child might have a meltdown but I was a trained professional and mom who knew him well and knew how to prevent and accommodate him if he became extremely stressed. He proved me wrong. As I took him back to his room to calm him down – (did I mention my head was tucked in shame and embarrassment?), I mentally planned how to secretly escape the camp before I even got to experience day one. Before I could take the first step in packing, there was a knock on our room door and I was surrounded by three beautiful ladies who loved on us and prayed with us. The rest of the week was an amazing experience of Christ’s love and their love poured out on us. My son did fantastic the rest of the week!

This year, my son was healed. I had just gotten him out of a devastating public school situation four months earlier. He was still traumatized by what had happened. Some of those traumatic events I will never know since he is nonverbal. He no longer trusted people he knew and simple noises made him jump and cling tightly to me. Even if I stepped out of his sight for a few moments to bathe or cook or get the mail I was met by screams and a child in terror. For three months, this child who had become independent and confident was clinging to me 24/7, seven days a week.

We had known that one of his buddies at camp this year would be the same as last year. Last year my son adored him, but how would he react this year? He wasn’t even trusting people he knew for years in therapy. I spread the word, and we covered him in prayer, even up to the last minute, as we drove into the camp. I had printed a collage of photos from the previous year of him with his buddy and we talked about the photos every day for a week.

As we parked the car, my son’s former buddy came to greet him. I saw the tension in my son; but just moments later, as his buddy took his hand, his shoulders relaxed, and he gladly went off with him for a ride in the golf cart…just like that, the power of prayer.

The word, Welcome, has been around since the Middle Ages (see Online Etymology Dictionary). It is a kindly greeting to gladly accept, with joy, a person coming to visit. Some synonyms are, wanted, appreciated, desired, cherished, invited, accepted, and honored.

In most of the world today there is a limited number of people who accept, honor or cherish a child or an adult with a disability. Thirty years ago when I was working with the deaf community I was heartbroken to learn about the obstacles this population had to face to exist day to day. I would have thought – dreamed – thirty years later opportunities would have been more accessible for them.

As a child of God, I hang my head and my heart breaks when I drive by many churches that have signs stating, “All are welcome here.” Seriously? Where are the special needs ministries in the church? How are programs including people that are confined to wheelchairs permanently? Some churches have counseling classes for widows or others who have lost loved ones. What about encouragement classes for those who have lost physical movement due to strokes, or lost limbs? Where are the support groups for single parents with disabled children? The body of believers should reach out to all people. “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit”(Psalm 34:18). Do you minister to the disabled with the same Christlike love?

It pains me greatly when people ignore my son or feel that he is not understanding just because he is nonverbal and walks to the beat of a different drum. If you could only understand where he came from, what he has experienced, and the milestones and achievements he has made, you would be amazed! All children have the potential to learn greatly when given love, time, patience, and respect… ALL children.

“The LORD of Armies says this: Make fair decisions. Show faithful love and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, (or the disabled), the resident alien or the poor, and do not plot evil in your hearts against one another” (Zecharia 7:9-10/Emphasis added).

Don’t miss out on the blessing of showing kindness to everyone.

I can’t wait to get to heaven, where I will meet Jesus face-to-face, and He will say,

Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord. (Matthew 25:23)

Enter!! Welcome!!

You are,

Invited!

Desired!

Cherished!

Accepted!

It will be the deepest, most loving greeting you will ever hear!

Welcome Home!

• My emotionally healed son at camp with his buddies. It brings tears to a mama’s heart to see her son’s joy restored. You too can make a difference in the life of a disabled child!
• See HopeHeals.com/camp for more photos

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory...” Ephesians 3:20-21a/NKJV

Just to let you know that it will be two more weeks for an article as my computer crashed and we are in the long haul of setting up a new one. We will also be traveling.

I look forward to sharing the amazing things that I know God will do in the next two weeks! He is always faithful and does more than we can think or ask!

Soli Deo Gloria!

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)

Embrace – to take or receive gladly or eagerly; accept willingly.

A few hours after writing my previous blog post, I checked Facebook, Twitter, and email to see if anyone had made any comments. This was not to feed my ego. I have prayed several times over the course of two years for two things I wanted to achieve in my writing. One, that readers would see the faithfulness of God in their own lives and give Him glory; and two, that the one person out there who felt broken, lost, or hopeless, would find courage for today and hope for tomorrow.

I wanted to know if this struggle with time, words, and prayer in writing was making a difference. After two concussions and other health issues, word meanings and spellings seem to evaporate from my mind like steam on the hot pavement after a rain. Praise God for a former English teacher who edits my blog and book!

Friends will mostly encourage you. That is always appreciated.

God, please, send me a person that doesn’t know me, that would acknowledge that what I wrote, encouraged them, convicted them, or brought them reassurance? What was the point of writing if not?

I’m not trying to make a name for myself but to make the LORD’s name renowned.

We all desire that what we say or what we do will make a difference.

We observe professional athletes, actors, singers, and other professionals receive accolades, and yes, criticism too at times. But I believe it’s the hidden artist who paints, writes, teaches, preaches, and creates, that lives in uncertainty asking, is what I’m doing having any effect on anyone?

I read recently of an artist who had submitted a painting to a show, and their painting was not accepted. You could tell he was a little disappointed. I wrote a note of encouragement that no matter what he created, some people were going to love it, and some were not. But if God had given him a gift, to keep using it and keep submitting the finished work. One day it would bring joy to the perfect person.

My issue wasn’t about being accepted (well, wait till I try to publish the book!), it was more about if my writing was making a difference. I pray before I write anything and hope that the Holy Spirit is instilling words into my heart that pour out of my hands into the keyboard.

As I sat there praying about writing, I heard the Lord answer in my heart.

Why do you need someone to acknowledge what you’ve written? Just obey!

Listening to several of the late Dr. Charles Stanley’s sermons, I’ve repeated his life-long phrase a hundred times in my mind: “Obey God and leave the consequences to Him.”

God then placed a vision in my mind to humble me… Jesus kneeling at the rock in Gethsemane.

God just asked me to share His faithfulness in my life. God asked His Son to give up His life. The most difficult obedience ever – die the most painful death for universal sins, past – present – future. Did He receive encouragement from his disciples that had journeyed with Him for three years? These men had seen the way Jesus treated outcasts with unfathomable love. They had watched the miracles of touch, and sometimes the miracle of a word. But no, they couldn’t even stay awake to be with Him when they had heard what was about to happen.

They didn’t see Jesus sweat tears of blood, asking, My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me (Matthew 26:39).

When Jesus was being obedient, and suffering on the cross, was there any acknowledgment?

There was no…

Hey, thanks Jesus, for doing that! Your sacrifice encourages me! You set a good example for us all!

Instead, Jesus was ridiculed, laughed at, spat on, slapped, criticized, and doubted. Those who did not believe He was the Christ, thought he was a self-seeking, crazy man. Those who did believe in Him were…

Disappointed

Doubtful

Depressed

Yet… Jesus still obeyed. He died the most horrific death and gave His life for our salvation and redemption (John 3:16). There was no applause for His sacrificial offering.

The next time you are desiring acceptance, acknowledgment, or confirmation…remember how Christ surrendered everything for you.

Just obey and leave the consequences to God. Even if you are rejected, turned down, criticized, or forgotten.

If God has given you a gift or a calling, embrace it and obey.

If God has asked you to go out of your comfort zone and do something you don’t believe you have the skills to do, just obey and leave the consequences to God.

You may never know until heaven if you have encouraged someone, saved someone’s life, or led them to Christ.

Whatever God has called you to do…

Teach

Paint

Write

Build

Preach

Caretaker

Nurse

Create

Be a mother to a behavioral, needy, ill child…

…work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. (Colossians 3:23).

Leave the ramifications, results, and reactions to God.

Embrace your calling remembering that every skill you have comes from God. We perfect it with practice to proclaim the precious name above all names.

How lovely is your dwelling place, LORD of Armies. I long and yearn for the courts of the LORD: my heart and flesh cry out for the living God… They go from strength to strength. (Psalm 84:1-2, 7a)

It has been two and a half months since I have been able to write on this blog or make any progress on the book. It has not been by my own choosing. I yearn to spend time with God every morning, and mostly, by God’s grace, I am blessed to be able to spend that time in the presence of my Lord. I deeply desire to write of God’s wondrous love and faithfulness, especially the love He has given me over my lifetime. The latter is getting bombarded by obstacles daily by the enemy.

Everyone has trials, bad days, and tragic things that happen in their lives. However, when the flaming arrows are relentless, you can be assured that God has a special purpose for you to fulfill and the enemy is trying everything possible to deter it.

At first, I thought the adversities were God testing my faith, or working on building my character to be more like Him. After the last rocket hit us this week, I knew that it was flat-out warfare. The trials we were experiencing were swallowing the time I needed to do what God told me to do… which is to share His story throughout my life. Yet, still, God does allow those painful circumstances to happen to see if we will throw in the towel and quit? Or will we persevere and follow the will that God has called us to do?

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. (I Peter 4:12/ESV)

Therefore, let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator. (I Peter 4:19/NKJV)

And we all, with unveiled faces, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

If you cannot determine the difference, pray to God and He will show you. Does it matter whether the trial is character-building or warfare? To me, personally, it does. In the first, I persevere, in the second, I counterattack with my own arrows – the Word of God. Speaking Bible verses out loud or singing worship songs to God is more powerful to defeat Satan than any other ammunition I have found.

Remind yourself:

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. (I Peter 5:8-11/NKJV)

Do I dwell on the enemy? No, but when I realize that it is he who is causing the ground to shake, I put on my spiritual armor and fight him with God’s promises.

I’ve grown weary of being knocked down, getting up, being knocked down, getting up, repeating.

Do you feel the same way?

Living from strength to strength?

It doesn’t have to be that way.

Let’s walk our daily walk as I Corinthians 16:13, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong” (NIV). In other words, grab your shield (Ephesians 6:16), put on your heavy work boots, and let’s build a firm foundation going from strength to strength – to Being steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord (I Corinthians 15:58).

Stand strong!

The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:17)

In my early teens and twenties, I despised sleeping. I thought it was an enormous waste of time. There were many productive activities I would rather be completing than sleeping! It was nothing for me to sleep four to five hours a night and have no ramifications.

In my time overseas, involved in ministry and bringing into my home a five-year-old autistic child, I began to think about sleep a little more, or in that case a lack of sleep a little more. The culture festivals that seemed to be every month lasted all night long with food, music, dancing, and fireworks… always fireworks. It reminded me of those cherry bombs my father used to get us when we were kids. The explosions were earth-shattering! I believe I lost most of my hearing overseas due to the fireworks and vehicle horns!

“A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor’s book.” — Irish Proverb

These days as the years have flown by, my sleep time has been disintegrating. When a health issue escalated two years ago, my sleep time became mostly non-existent. Two to three hours at a time, or sometimes that is all I slept in a night. Funny how circumstances change your attitude. I now cry for sleep, whine for sleep, beg for sleep, and pray for sleep… sandman still sprinkles his golden sleep dust but an undetectable elf whooshing in blows the dust over my already sleeping four-legged guard dog happily snoring at my feet. There goes my protection from things that go bump in the night!!

God mentions time quite often in His Word:

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Ecclesiastes 3:11

As long as it is day, we must do the work of Him who sent me. Night is coming when no one can work. John 9:4

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Proverbs 27:1

My times are in Your hands;… Psalm 31:15

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12

We have all paused for a moment to honor a memory of some tragic event or the memory of a loved one. I love the moment in the movie A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019) when Fred Rogers asked Lloyd to do an exercise with him. Mr. Rogers said, “We’ll just take a moment and think about all of the people who loved us into being.” Although I wasn’t a precious thought in my parent’s minds, I still stand in awe to think that God (Psalm 139:13-16), and someone before I was born, prayed and loved me into being.

I’ve thought about the time wasted over my life. Sometimes I have fretted over time squandered in my teens and early adult life. However, if I wouldn’t have the experiences that I did, I wouldn’t be who I am. And even though I don’t waste time watching television, I have been known to convince myself that it was too difficult of a day and I needed respite from the world. Instead of soaking in the love of God in worship songs, Bible reading, or inspirational reading, I’ve lost myself in some comedy or several old television episodes from my childhood. I know we need rest to renew our body and mind, but it’s better to renew it with something that has long-lasting healing and regeneration and not just a mindless laugh. I’m not against a good laugh.

In the early hours of the morning, while I was wide awake, again, I decided to watch the clock for Daylight Saving Time, as the world changed from 1:59 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. Shazaam! Instantaneously, an hour was taken! In a split second, it was gone!

In a split second…

I rushed my son out the door for the bus.

I sneaked into the house hoping the neighbor wouldn’t see me.

I took that second helping of food.

I didn’t pray for the person in that instance.

I lost several family members.

I said goodbye without saying I love you.

A split second can be a crucial eyeblink. What do you want your defining moment to be?

Valuable time was spent yesterday listening to a sermon. There were several, Biblical tools I was given to help me build and repair things as I maneuver my way through life.

• Pray before talking to anyone that is hurting, in need, or has questions.
• Not only seize the day but seize the moment when a neighbor wants to talk.
• Strive for my walk to match my talk.

These weren’t exact sermon notes but how the Lord spoke to me.

The other great point in time was watching my son quickly scoot over to the iPad when I told him it was time for worship. He couldn’t sing with the worship, but I saw his sweet desire, especially when He swayed to the music.     

Take nothing for granted.

Remember the valuable people in your life. Ones that could go in a split second.

Cherish your special moments.

Always look for golden opportunities to share the love and joy of Christ.

“This is what the LORD says:  Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the vast number; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” 2 Chronicles 20:15

Boldly I spoke, “LORD, You know what is happening in this place. You have not given words to my child so he cannot tell me. But I know what is transpiring and I entrust this to You! The battle is Yours! Fight for this child!”

And yet, when my precious child must leave his haven of love and safety and go out into a world he doesn’t fully understand, and is unable to speak his needs, I worry. I remember the tears flowing down my child’s face. I watch my child in the rear-view mirror, singing, laughing, dancing in his seat, yet when we reach a familiar path of a place that he needs to go, the smile turns to a frown, his head drops in defeat, and a low whimper emerges… my heart is crushed. I cry out, God! Why aren’t you fighting for him?!

One day turns into another. The strain of trying to manage this crisis is affecting his health.  I’m sure he wonders why I am allowing this injustice to continue. Nonetheless, I know it’s not physical cruelty but mental demoralization due to ignorance. The child doesn’t know that I am fighting for him and his rights but the numbers against me also are growing.  I cry louder, God! He is an innocent child suffering so deeply! I am surrounded with no help in sight!

On a different day, the child slowly descends the stairs with his bag behind him and a weight on his shoulders. We make it to the end of the drive and he lethargically gives his faithful pup a treat as I mouth the words assuring his companion as he leaves from this spot he will after so many hours return to this same spot. His four-legged companion is partially blinded by the child’s suffering because of her love for him.

The days have been long and hard. No longer does the child find comfort in his mother’s long warm embrace. He knows she loves him with a never-ending love… but not even the hugs or kisses bring him comfort or joy.

Skidamarink a dink a dink, skidamarink a do, I love you.

His formerly cherished transport arrives. Head bent down, the loving warm greeting from the driver swirls past him like leaves floating in the wind, but with his eyes filled with tears, the child doesn’t even notice. He walks down the barren dark aisle and slumps into his seat. No longer does the window entice him to give a final glance to his mother. He doesn’t know that behind her glasses are a thousand tears waiting to explode. The vehicle creeps away.

Safe inside from any eyes being able to see, the mother sits at the desk with the Bible opened in front of her. She pours out her tears and her heart before the LORD.

And the LORD whispers to her…

Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the vast number, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.

The mother decides that both she and her son need a desperate, healing respite. She carries the child away in their motorized chariot to a secret garden where the heartbreaking arrows can’t penetrate the child’s mind. They arrive with the sun lighting their path. The aroma of the wind is of scented flowers. The birds joyfully wave as they fly around their heads whistling happy tunes. The mother propels the child in his wheeled sled down familiar and unfamiliar trails.

The mother swiftly turns the corner and is awestruck by what lies before her eyes. To any other person, it would look like a pile of common rocks, but to her, the vision was clear…memorial stones. She gazes at the stones, unable to breathe. Joy, gratitude, and praise swell up from her soul.

Early in the morning, Jacob took the stone that was near his head and set it up as a marker. (Genesis 28: 18). The LORD spoke to Jacob in a dream about his future.

Each of you lift a stone onto his shoulder, one for each of the Israelite tribes so that this will be a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, “What do these stones mean to you?” (Joshua 4:5-6). The LORD parted the Jordan river so they could cross over on dry land.

Afterward, Samuel took a stone and set it upright between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, explaining, “The LORD has helped us to this point.” (1 Samuel 7:12).

The mother remembered and smiled; how many times has the LORD helped us to this point?

The time the officials told you that the child would never be yours…

The scores of times you were protected traveling overseas…

The myriad of times that the LORD has supplied every physical need…

The mother, now immersed in peace glanced to see the child in the sled with wheels gaining speed down the path. At the speed of light, she ran after the escaped sled and snatched it before it careened into the waiting pond. The child was now laughing! The first laugh in numerous weeks. The mother too erupted into laughter.

A moment in time later, the Lord moved. Prayers were answered. The child’s feet were no longer dragging as he made his way down the drive. His head was up and watching as his once again cherished transport arrived to take him to his daily destination. The child began returning at the end of the day with a smile on his face. He no longer feared the morning trips. He loved listening to his mother sing again in the morning. Changes slowly happened.

Why my soul, are you so dejected? Why are you in such turmoil? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise Him, my Savior and my God. (Psalm 42:5)

I would have lost heart unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD! (Psalm 27:13-14)

Waiting for the LORD to answer in the middle of a crisis takes patience and perseverance. Sometimes the LORD answers quickly, sometimes it takes a long time. God waits for us to see if our faith will stand firm when everything around us is crashing down.

Are you struggling right now? Do you believe that God is not hearing you? Stand firm! Give it to God, He will fight the battle for you. You may have to take some steps and work, but He will open the doors.

The best thing that you can do in a crisis is to pray first, trust always, and remember all the times that the LORD has been faithful to you before. You might gather some stones to remember.

Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today…The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still. (Exodus 14:13-14)

Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am He, I am He who will SUSTAIN you. I have MADE you and I will CARRY you; I will SUSTAIN you and I will RESCUE you. (Isaiah 46:4/Emphasis added)

It’s a New Year! Some of us positively dream of a new year ahead. We have been weary and overwhelmed over the past few years. Many of us are just getting our heads above the water, praying, we will be lifted up and not crashed down by another wave. Others move cautiously, reading the headlines and imagining the worst. I gave up the news and television years ago. It always depressed me. I may scan a few headlines and pray for some heartbreaking situations, but I’ve chosen this year, more than ever, to choose joy and to always trust God.

As I have done in the past several years, I had planned to read through the Bible. I don’t do it for a “Hey, look how holy I am” reason. I do it to know God more intimately each day. This is why each year I read from a different version of the Bible and use a different reading plan. But something strange happened!! I didn’t get to read the first ten days of the year because of some health issues, and there were some other personal time-depleting circumstances. I tried to begin with Genesis 1 on January 11th but soon found that I was just rush reading and not really meditating on God’s word or listening to what He wanted to say to me. I decide to skip the previous days and begin the reading for the date it was. January 13th, Genesis 37.

Only God…I marveled, pondered, and was even amused that God would start my reading this year with Joseph. I know Joseph well. I have studied his story many times. His rejection and abuse are familiar and personal. But it’s his faithfulness that I have aspired for. He was crushed… he was deeply broken… he was forgotten… but the Lord was always with Him. Joseph trusted God, despite what happened to him. Joseph was sold into slavery at age seventeen and didn’t begin his higher position working under Pharoah until he was age thirty!

Have you grown impatient with God’s timing? I know I have at times.

I was blessed as God showed me new insights through Exodus and the Israelite’s rescue and journey toward the promised land.

Enter January 23, 2023, or 1/23/23.

The day before I had watched an amazing sermon. The pastor was emphasizing not to focus on the entire year of 2023 – as none of us truly knew what would happen in the world this year (not that we ever know what will happen), but to focus on one day, committed to the Lord, with a desire, “A priority and desire to navigate the natural world with a supernatural mindset.” I am a very symbolic, visual person, but let me clarify that this isn’t some magic ritual… just a symbolic day to see what God’s word is to each of us. I prayed that night God would put a hedge of protection around my morning. I was open to however He wanted to use me.

The point of the sermon? What are your priorities? What are you required to do as a believer? What is your purpose? What is your desire?

God never disappoints us when we dedicate uninterrupted time to reading His Word and listening to what He has to say. The morning before I woke, I had a three-point dream, and earlier in the night a reminder of what God had first rescued me from. I need you to know that I never remember dreams. Normally, when I wake up, my dreams sprint off like an Olympic runner. Not this time… still to this day, I remember every point God showed me.

• The first rescue… and there were many more over my life.
• The loss of a gift… God took it away because of pride.
• An opportunity to help someone, and in the dream I didn’t help… so someone else did. This is a reminder that if we don’t do what God asks us to, He will get someone else to do the job. What a significant loss that would be for us!
• The only point I could not interpret was a child who was poor and needed water. I tried to help but couldn’t… then I awoke. I’m still listening for guidance on that one.

January 23, 2023’s reading was Exodus, chapters 17 and 18.

Write this down on a scroll as a reminder.

Moses recounted to his father-in-law all that the LORD had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the hardships that confronted them on the way, and how the LORD rescued them.

Jethro rejoiced over all the good things the LORD had done for Israel when he rescued them from the power of the Egyptians. “Blessed be the LORD,” Jethro exclaimed.

Then Jethro, Moses’s father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God…

I know what God has done in my life – some of it miraculous. Does my life inspire others? I pray so. Not what I’ve done but what the LORD has done.

So my worship, offering, and sacrifice to God, among other things, is the book telling of His marvelous ways. It doesn’t matter what others think. It’s what God has called me to do. It’s between God and me.

I am not as old as some young people think I am but the years are passing quickly. The point is, though, I have God’s promises, the same as you for this moment. God has rescued me in ways you would not believe! More than once! God has cared for me, carried me, sustained me all of my life. May the glory and honor be given to Him.

What about you? January 23rd has passed, but again, it wasn’t a magical day. You can pray right now that God would meet with you tomorrow. He can do more than you can imagine or dream of!! (Ephesians 3:20).

Why would you not want to see what God can do through you??

SERMON: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tg-dxlE_Slg – A Supernatural Mindset in a Natural World. Louie Giglio