What's In a Name?

Out of curiosity today I decided to do some research and find out what Lori meant. As I'm searching I find it means crowned with Laurel. Then I got to wondering; what in the world is Laurel? Laurel is some type of aromatic tree. And, in the process of researching this I found out that a laurel wreath is a wreath of laurel foliage worn on the head as an emblem of victory. Hmmmm....an emblem of victory. I like that!

So, naturally, me being me, I started looking up all the names in my family. Shane means God is gracious. Kristina, well that means Christ bearer. Gabriel means hero of God (I like that!). Helen (my Momma), her name means light and yes, my Momma is a ray of light! Duane (my Daddy) his name means wagon maker (what in the world?! haha). Lisa (my sister), well her name means consecrated to God and her husband John, his name means God is gracious, merciful. Ryan, Kristina's boyfriend who we look at as one of the family, means young royalty, Samuel (my nephew) means God's word and my little rascal of a nephew John William, well his name means God is gracious, merciful, protector. I have two nieces, Lauren and Jessi (Jessica) and Lauren means crowned with Laurel as well, but Jessica means wealthy.

I found all of our name meanings quite interesting and even some a little comical. In a way our names really fit us. Even my Daddy's! You see it doesn't matter what is broken my Daddy can fix it! My Daddy takes alot of pride in keeping things running and he is really good at it! I often find myself calling my Daddy to fix this or that at my house before even giving Shane a chance. Why? Because my Daddy is the fixer...the wagon maker! He can fix just about anything and believe it or not he can fix broken hearts! Many, many a day my Daddy fixed my broken heart as a child!! And, truth be told, he does it now! There's just something about my Daddy! And, if the meaning of names means anything at all, Jessi, Aunt Lori will be living with you in the years to come since you'll be "wealthy"!! hee hee And, if you know John William, well, God must be gracious and merciful because that little one is full of energy! He has my Grannie's mischief and uses is regularly! haha

So, then I got to thinking about Jesus and how specific God was about His name! "And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:21 (NLT). As I searched the name Jesus I found that in today's world that name means God will help. How interesting! Just the name of Jesus can bring me peace and I can feel a wave of calmness flow over me. I am confident knowing that He is my friend. No other friend has died for me! No other friend has carried me when I didn't have the strength to walk. No other friend truly knows my deepest darkest secrets and loves me anyway! He saved me! And, today, He is still saving me! What's in a name? I'd have to say everything!

Calendars

Do you mark out the days on a calendar? I do! I print out a monthly calendar every single month, tape it to my cubicle wall and each and every morning I mark an "X" through the previous day. One by one the month seems to slip away.

I sat staring at my calendar this morning and looked all the Xs that line the days and I thought to myself...what did I accomplish this month? I haven't accomplished very much progress on my work I can tell you that right now. At home, I haven't accomplished much in the cleaning area and don't get me started on cleaning out my truck. I think I could live in that thing for a month and survive there is so much stuff in there.

But, what have I accomplished for the kingdom? I'm not real sure. As I sit here and think I wonder if marking Xs on calendars has always been something people do. I think about when Jesus died on the cross. What did people think, in the days following his crucifixion, when they looked at the X on their calendar? I'm thinking back to all the Xs on my calendar for February. What did those days mean? What did I accomplish in January? What if today is the day Jesus comes back? What will someone who is left behind think of the Xs on my calendar? Will I be the reason that this person is left behind?

"God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I'm not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd's crook makes me feel secure. You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing. Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I'm back home in the house of God for the rest of my life." Psalm 23 (MSG).

Ink Stain

I'm a pen person. I love, Love, LOVE pens! Here in my office good pens aren't that readily available and if you have a good pen you better keep it under lock and key! I came across a pen that had been left at the copy machine one day and I fell in love! The ink just flowed from it with ease. With each stroke of a letter it was if the pen knew exactly what you wanted to say and would move on its own. Okay, I'm being a dramatic, but you are getting my point; right?

So, no one claimed this pen for days so I finally took it as my own. I wrote with this pen every day and loved every minute of it. I wrote on sticky notes, a calendar, I scribbled when I was on the phone and I just made it a point to use this pen as much as possible every single day. Until... last Thursday!

I picked up my pen and started doodling while on a phone call and then moved my attention to something else. I picked the pen up and wrote myself a note and then slid my hand across my desk. And that is when I noticed it...the pen had busted! There was ink EVERYWHERE! I had ink on my hands, my keyboard, my desk, my arm, papers...do you get the point? It was everywhere! I became so aggravated that I just chucked this pen in the garbage and began the task of trying to clean up. As I fussed under my breath I scrubbed and scrubbed trying to remove all this ink.

As I sat down this morning at my desk I couldn't help but snicker at the ink stains that still remain on my keyboard and desk. It doesn't matter how hard I scrubbed I just couldn't remove all of the ink. As I sat and looked I started thinking (or as my Daddy would say...muttering) and I started comparing these ink stains to sin. I thought about sin in my life, in my past and in my future. I thought about how hard I had worked to scrub this ink off my desk but yet it still remained. I thought about how sin affects my life and those around me. Then I started thinking about how Jesus' blood washes my sin white as snow! How I am a wretched ole sole who messes up day in and day out, but I have a Savior!! One who holds His hand out and pulls me out of the ink that I often find myself smearing everywhere. He pours His blood over the top of my head and as it flows over my forehead, down my face, over my chin, and then finishes down my body I no longer have blotches of stains all over me, but instead I am pure...I am restored!

"But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin." 1 John 1:7 (NLT). Do you have ink all over you today? Are you in need of some restoration?

Psalm 119

I was just poking around this morning just looking and I read Psalm 119. Wow, that Psalm is pretty heavy!!

Be good to your servant,

that I may live and obey your word.

Open my eyes to see

the wonderful truths in your instructions.

I am only a foreigner in the land.

Don’t hide your commands from me!

I am always overwhelmed

with a desire for your regulations.

You rebuke the arrogant;

those who wander from your commands are cursed.

Don’t let them scorn and insult me,

for I have obeyed your laws.

Even princes sit and speak against me,

but I will meditate on your decrees.

Your laws please me;

they give me wise advice.

Psalm 119:17-24 (NLT).

Maybe when you read that you get something different. But me, I just keep hearing "I don't know what to do! So, I'm going to just keep standing still, standing firm and standing on your commands because at this point...that's all I've got!" I find myself here many, many times. Sometimes I think I find myself in these predicaments because that is just the way the world is and then there are times I bring them on myself. I stumble and fall and get all confused. I want to make people happy, I want to do the right thing, I want to be liked and I want to be honest. Sometimes all those just don't go well together. But, anyway, today, I found a little peace in some uncertainty...your laws please me; they give me wise advice!

Believe

Believe....hmmmm.... I believe I do like to drink Mountain Dew. I believe I do not like Birmingham traffic. I believe I would much rather be a stay-at-home mom. I believe that Malfunction Junction was designed by the devil himself. I believe that puppies' breath was designed to make you smile. I believe that a child's laughter will make you laugh yourself. I believe Christmas never loses it's "magic." I believe hide-and-go-seek is the best game that was ever invented. I believe a child's view of the world is way better than an adults'. I believe standing at the edge of the ocean is where true peace is found. I believe running sand through your hands somehow fixes your problems. I believe feeling the wind on your face is like feeling the breath of God. I believe you can always find pictures in clouds. I believe your children imprint their footprint on your heart while still in the womb. I believe an adoptive mother loves her child in a deeper way than a biological mother will ever be able to fathom. I believe customer service is not always customer service. I believe teenagers do know what true love is. I believe grasshoppers are scared of two year olds. I believe hugs are the universal sign language for I'm right here. I believe Taco Bell was only designed to be eaten at midnight. I believe classical music is much like books, only a few are born with a real appreciation. I believe yard work is cruel punishment (hee hee). I believe the garbage man is my best friend! I believe hard work is not necessarily just hard labor. I believe my children know who I truly am where I am constantly searching to figure that out. I believe my husband does love me unconditionally. I believe there is nothing better than the smell of rain. I believe driving in reverse is not my specialty. I believe you will never know the lives you touch. I believe people never really know your heartache. I believe tears are a way to let it out. I believe if adults would skip more they would laugh more. I believe Jesus Christ died on the cross for my wretched ole self and saved me from an eternity in hell! I believe I am not perfect but I am forgiven! What do you believe?

"But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ." Galations 3:22 (NLT).

Raindrops

I love the rain...as long as I'm inside! It doesn't seem to matter what I do to try and prevent it, but I get soaked every single time I go outside. I can't seem to figure out how to dodge the raindrops. If I do manage to remember my umbrella I seem to get soaked attempting to close it and tuck it away in my vehicle. And then I have those wonderful moments where I have managed to dodge the raindrops and remain dry or use my umbrella and remain dry and then I do it...I step into a puddle!

As I was walking across the cross walk this morning coming into my building it seemed to be raining sideways. I thought to myself it obviously doesn't matter WHAT I do I am going to get wet! I continued to hurry across when I started grinning from ear to ear because I started realizing that rain is nothing but an example of sin to me. Okay, stay with me here...No matter how hard we try to avoid the raindrops and stay dry we always get wet! Just like with sin...it doesn't matter how hard we try to avoid sinning, we are just going to mess up from time to time! We are sinners! "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God..." Romans 3:23 (KJV). I tend to beat myself up when I make a mistake...when I sin. I ask for forgiveness but yet I seem to stumble and stammer for days on end because I feel so guilty, I feel so, so, so wet!

Today as I walked into the building feeling my skin become wetter and wetter I realized that God truly is merciful and just to forgive us. And, every single time I ask him to forgive me he does...He wraps His big ole arms around me and dries me! "But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness." 1 John 1:9 (NLT). In no way do I believe this verse is a "free ticket" for us to abuse our Father's mercy and forgiveness, but it is comforting to me, someone who can't seem to forgive herself sometimes, to know that even when I struggle with forgiveness my Father always shows me the way...He leads by His example! Sort of keeps me dry on a rainy, windy day! =)

Footsteps

Have you ever walked in someone else's footsteps before? It is pouring down rain today and here at my office I have to park in one parking deck, walk across a cross-walk and then walk through another parking deck just to enter the building. I'm not fussing or anything because there are tons of people who have to park 2 and 3 blocks away from their office building and walk in the rain, cold and snow (as of lately) so I'm thankful I'm covered, but our parking decks flood! When it rains you literally have puddles everywhere! Ankle deep puddles!

Without realizing it I began following a woman through the decks. We were side stepping this puddle and maneuvering around that one. I wasn't paying her much attention at first but I began to notice how I watched her feet and wherever her feet stepped, so did mine! To the left, quickly to the right, turn your foot a little sideways to avoid that standing water and walk around that car to get on the other side of that river over there! Step after step after step.

We had almost made it in the building when the Holy Spirit pressed upon my heart...following footsteps isn't as hard as you think it is... I almost stopped dead in my tracks! I don't know about you, but there are many days that I act and think as though following in my Jesus' footsteps is so difficult and hard. I seem to focus on what is in front of me instead of just watching His feet like I did this woman. When the day is dark and foggy and you are searching for the light to see the way, stop looking so far ahead of yourself and just look down at His feet! Honestly, that's where we need to be looking anyway! If we follow His steps, each and every one, we will not be mislead!!

"Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am." Mark 8:34 (MSG).

Old Wives Tales

As we walked through the yard my Momma touched the branches, kicked around the grass and ran the leaves through her fingers. We were talking about nonsense really and as of this moment I cannot recall a much about our conversation that day. It was about a year ago on a Spring afternoon when my parents were at our house. The seasons were beginning to change, but this one afternoon was picture perfect.

As we walked I do remember talking about all the bushes in my yard. The previous owner was a little bush happy and now we have a mess on our hands. We have made some progress but we still have a very long way to go. As we talked Momma began to tell me things like "Well, if you're gonna cut that bush back you better hurry because the sap is rising." What in the world...I thought to myself. We continued on as she ran leaves through her hands and then she said something along the lines of "I don't know why folks are planting that stuff...it thundered in December so we still have one more frost..." Oooookkkkkaaaayyyy crazy woman!! As we made our way back into the house we were laughing hysterically as I announced that I feel sorry for my grandchildren because the day will come when they will look at me with their cherub faces and say "Nami (that's what Kristina calls me so I go with it), how can you tell if it is time to plant flowers?" and I'm going to reach down, kiss their precious cheeks and say "I don't know...go google it!"

Where did all this knowledge go? I remember my Grannie having this vast amount of knowledge regarding the seasons, the weather, etc. And, my Grandma she knew everything there was to know about flowers, baking, soap operas (hee hee). And here I sit wondering when we made a decision to stop listening to our elders and soaking up their knowledge. Notice I didn't say why did they stop teaching...I said why did we stop listening! So, I'm thinking....if we don't listen to our elders any longer and we aren't learning about "old wives tales" then, are we tuning out God as well?

"The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:8 (NLT).

Rocks In My Pocket

God made everything! That was the theme to our Sunday School lesson yesterday. Shane and I teach the 3 and 4 year old boys class and these boys teach me way more than I teach them! Their insight to things is so wise for their little years. Each one of them is so special and has their own way about them that just intrigues me. They continue to amaze me week after week.

Since the weather was so beautiful yesterday we took a field trip outside to actually SEE and FIND things that God made. We made a lap around the church and each boy with a brown paper bag in hand set out to find things that God made. Of course they all went for grass, a flower, then one yelled "LEAVES!" and as we rounded the corner of the church someone yelled "ROCKS!" One little boy tried to pick up a rock about the same size he was and as Shane tried to explain he couldn't fit that rock into his bag he stood his ground that God made that rock and we said to find stuff God made! I told you...just precious!

After our trip concluded we all went back in the room and went through our bags. We talked about what each one of them had found and then we started thinking of things that God made that maybe we had never considered. "God even made band-aids!" I said. They all gasped and looked at me like I had spoken French! I continued "God made the man who made band-aids so guess what...God made band-aids!" This precious little boy was leaning across my leg with his head gently propped in his hand and he said "Wow...I've never thought of it that way before!"

As we continued on our lesson quickly turned, if God created everything then that means God is in control and that means God takes care of us and that means...we are His! See...I told you these little boys were smart!

I was walking through the parking deck this morning and noticed that my coat was a little off-kilter. It felt heavier on the left side and as I ran my hand along the edges of my jacket near my pocket I felt it...it was rocks! I had rocks in my pocket!! I snickered to myself and a huge grin came across my face. I began to remember our Sunday School lesson and I began to think about the last part...the part about God taking care of us and it hit me like a bolt of lightening. How many times do I feel weighted down by burdens ("rocks"). I thought about how God made everything and how he takes my burden in his hand and gently places it in His pocket to handle it for me. And...if I would butt out of the way He could handle it a whole lot faster! I slid my hand half way into my pocket with the intention of throwing the rocks onto the ground when I stopped...maybe it is time that I walk around with some rocks in MY pocket! Maybe I need that reminder that He is in control...after all He's the creator! What am I? I am a rock carrier...that's what I am? Now...what are you? Is it time that maybe you pick up a rock and put it in your pocket?

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD..." Psalm 37:23 (KJV).

Ummm...Hellur...Do you hear me?

Maybe it's not the greatest movie in the world, but one of my favorites is Madea's Family Reunion. I'm a "one liner" type person and if I come across a movie that is full of one liners it quickly becomes a favorite of mine. In this movie, Tyler Perry takes on the character of a Georgia woman named Madea and this woman is willing to take in anyone, help anyone and beat up anyone! haha I guess you would have to just watch the movie yourself to actually see the humor I see but throughout this movie Madea doesn't say "hello" she says "hellur" and let me tell you it just cracks me up every time I hear it!

I feel like I scream "hellur" alot to the folks that live in my house. I talk and it seems like no one hears me. "Take the trash out!"...no response. "Put those clothes in the dryer!"...silence. "Did you put gas in the car?"...nothing. Ummm...HELLUR...DO YOU HEAR ME?

I find myself getting more and more aggravated as the days goes by when my family can't seem to hear me. I begin to notice that other people can't hear me either. My boss...oh don't even get me started on that! haha Co-workers, the lady who let the elevator door shut in my face while I yelled "HOLD IT!", and then there is that crazy driver in front of me who is talking on her cell phone and going 20 miles an hour...guess what?...she can't hear me either!

I feel as though I am standing in a crowded room screaming at the top of my lungs while no one...not even the mouse running around can hear me. I feel invisible, lonely, unimportant! I have noticed that when I begin to feel this way with the world I also begin to feel as though maybe God can't hear me either. I wonder why on earth would He listen to me when I can't even get my husband and children to hear me! Have you ever felt like that?

Listen, my friend, He hears us. When no one else hears...He does! 1 John 5:14 says "...we are confident that he hears us..." (NLT) and don't forget Zechariah 13:9 says "...They will call on my name, and I will answer them..." (NLT), but my favorite is Psalm 4:3 "...The Lord will answer when I call to him." (NLT). Now, I'm not expecting all honey and no bees (in the words of Bro. John), but sometimes I just yearn for someone to hear me...actually HEAR me and guess what? He delivers every time! Sometimes He may answer me with "wait" and other times His answer may be "no," but more times than not I just want to talk to Him...I just want to be heard and when everyone else around isn't listening I find peace in knowing that the only one that really matters...He hears me!

Papa's Gonna Buy You A Diamond Ring...

It's no secret that I was a "teenage mom." It doesn't matter how old I am nor how old Kristina is I am still classified in that category and it is a badge that I wear proudly. Being a teenage mom also meant starting out my life broke! haha Shane and I didn't have anything when we found out I was pregnant with Kristina and we surely didn't have a dime to our name. We were kids!

Shane worked at a local grocery store part-time and that was the only income we had. As we figured out what we planned to do and how it would all work Shane went and bought me a ring. It took him several weeks salary to save enough money to buy the ring and when he proposed I thought it was the most beautiful ring I had ever seen! If I remember correctly it cost a whopping $250 (give or take).

As the years rolled on like they always seem to do Shane and I started making more money and naturally spending more money. Around 8 years of marriage I demanded a new ring. I wanted a bigger diamond! Yes, you read that right...I WANTED a NEW ring! Me and my selfish self. Well anyway, Shane being the man that he is he bought me a beautiful ring and ring guard. I loved it! I have worn it proudly for many years.

Until...a few months back I was in a jewelry store when the lady behind the counter noticed my ring. She told me that if I didn't have some prong work done I would lose the diamond. As soon as we got home I put the ring in my jewelry box and haven't worn it since waiting for the extra money to get it fixed. Well, during this downtime I've been thinking and came up with the bright idea to have the ring(s) completely redone. I wanted to combine this ring with my original ring and have this monstrosity of a wedding ring. I have talked about it, envisioned it, dreamed about it...oh MY ring!

As I'm sitting in church yesterday listening to Bro. John's sermon I keep hearing the word "idolatry." I hear this word over and over. I hear how we can take something worldly and put it before God and it doesn't matter how you fancy it up...it makes you an idolater. My rings kept flashing in my mind over and over like a bad movie. Was I making this ring an idol?

The answer is YES! 100% YES! As the day went on yesterday I began to think about diamonds. I thought about how I look at the rings that other women have. I thought about how proud I felt when I wore my ring and it was like I compared my ring to others that I saw. I didn't have this ring because it was the one that Shane bought me to show his love and affection for me...I had this ring because I demanded it. Ouch! Talk about an ego trip. Before we went to church last night I went into my bedroom and pulled out my original engagement ring and wedding ring and placed them on my finger...proudly! These other rings...they are for sale! The need to get out of my house! Me...I don't want to be an idolater! No way, no how and as long as those rings are in my house...that's exactly what I am! What about you? Are there any "idols" in your life?

"Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world...Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us...And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father." Colossians 3:5, 11 & 17 (NLT).

Resurrection

Have you ever felt dead? I am not talking about physically dead I'm talking about spiritually dead, emotionally dead. Have you asked yourselves questions like; why am I here? Is this all there is? How does what I do make a difference?

Recently, I have learned that life requires ACTION! I have learned that things like happiness, love, comfort, etc. are feelings and emotions that just come naturally to our hearts. We don't work for them. We don't think about them. They are just there. And, because these feelings and emotions are so readily available to us we have become lazy! Yeah, you heard me...we are L-A-Z-Y!

The greatest things in life are only received through action. They are not just handed over to us on silver platters. They are things that we must dig our heels in and push forward to obtain. We must hit the floor running every single day with determination and perseverance or else we will continue day after day searching for those "feelings."

"But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." Galations 5:22-23 (NLT) None of these things are feelings. Every single one of them can only be obtained by an action. We must show love to other people. We must put a smile on our face to show joy. We must stop fighting to have peace. We must breathe and show someone for the millionth time to have patience. We must help someone to show kindness. We must choose right instead of wrong to have goodness. We must never forsake Him to have faithfulness. We must not be harsh to have gentleness and we must calm ourselves to have self-control. All of these things require action. They aren't just given to us!

And, life. Well it isn't given to us either. We must choose to have it! We walk around dead until we have that moment when the Holy Spirit knocks on the door of our heart. We choose to open our heart and accept Jesus as our Savior! We choose to be resurrected! We choose to have eternal life! “...I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die." John 11:25-26 (NLT)

I wonder what would have happened if Lazarus would have just laid there. What if he had chosen not to get up? What if he didn't act on Jesus' call to him? "Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” And the dead man came out..." John 11:43-44 (NLT).

How many miracles have we missed because we didn't act on them? How many things have we missed out on because we didn't act on Jesus' call to us?

Happiness? Joy?

Wow...it's been awhile! Things have been spirally up and down and left and right in the Goodwin house lately. I had an epidural block done on my neck/shoulder and Kristina had surgery and before I knew it I had not posted a blog in weeks...nearly a month!

Since this month has been sort of strange in our home I have noticed that I have been feeling alot of different emotions. Some of them are very explainable and others not so much. For example, at the exact same time I have felt anger and anxiety over a medical situation that Kristina is dealing with as well as feeling peace and comfort. How bizarre is that?

I have felt out of breath if that makes any sense to anyone. Not physically but emotionally and the more I try to gasp for air the less air there is to breathe. I'm sure someone out there actually understands exactly what I'm talking about. Okay, at any moment now someone can raise their hand and let me know that I'm not the only pink elephant in the room!

In the midst of my frustration I rode home yesterday afternoon listing out my feelings. I made an imaginary column of what I was feeling and an imaginary column of what I wasn't feeling. With every emotion listed I felt as though a burden was being lifted. It was if someone was writing down the emotions for me and placing them in the correct column. By the time I arrived at church I had released some tension, but had not had some great epiphany or life altering event take place.

As my day has progressed today I have been thinking alot about joy versus happiness. I've been wondering why some days I feel joyous and why others not so much. I've been thinking how you can be happy and sad or cry and laugh at the exact same time. I decided to google it because after all google seems to tell us everything; right? Well, as He always does, God works in wonderful ways (not mysterious but wonderful ways) and googling my question led me straight to a devotional that was written about two years ago. The writer quoted James 1:2 "...when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy." (NLT). What? I thought to myself. Just as I started to click back to find something that was really going to help me (haha) I continued to read. The writer began to explain that so many times in life when we go through trials and storms we seem to justify it by saying that maybe we weren't as close as we needed to be to God and therefore He has allowed this storm or this tragedy in our lives to bring us closer to Him when maybe, just maybe the reality of it is that this storm that we have found ourselves in is just that...a storm. The worry and the anxiety that we feel...well that is an emotion of our surroundings, but yet the peace and the comfort we feel...well that's Him!

God never moves...we do! When our lives are flipped upside down and the wind is swirling around us, He is there. The pressure that we identify as the outside world squeezing us, oh that just Him hugging us!

I have said many, many times to my children that love is not a "feeling" it is an action and I have actually learned today that is the difference between happiness and joy. See, happiness is just a feeling...it is an emotion that we feel, but joy is an action. We can choose to be joyous or not just as we can choose to love, or not. He has given us the options, it's the choice that is ours to make!

Keep Out

My morning drive changes alot. Some days I take the same ole route and others I take an alternate route. Not because of traffic but because I get bored! I can only drive one way so much and then I have to change something. I need a change of scenery, a change of pace! I am not one that could work in a repetitive type job because I would lose my mind! Shane works on an assembly line doing the same thing over and over and I have so much respect for him because I surely couldn't do it!

So, I changed up my routine this morning and came into downtown Birmingham though some back roads. Just sort of took the scenic route I guess you could say. As I crossed over I-65 and rounded this curve to the right I noticed a sign that just struck me odd. A church built a new building up on a hill and since it is in a neighborhood in the North side of Birmingham, all parking seems to be in the rear of the church. Now you have to envision how this neighborhood is set up. You have the street, then the sidewalk and then there is a retaining wall probably waist to shoulder high. All the houses, stores, offices, etc. are sitting up on these hills. Are you following me? Can you see it? So as I'm looking up the wall towards this new church I notice the alley that runs right beside the church leading you towards their parking area. Prominently posted on the alley wall is a sign that read "KEEP OUT." I chuckled to myself and thought Why a Keep Out sign? Why not put a No Trespassing sign...it sounds better?!?!

As I traveled on into downtown Birmingham and made my way to 280 I started really thinking about how many of us post an invisible "Keep Out" sign at our church? We talk about how we want our churches to grow, we sit around and talk about projects and things we can do to bring people in, but we never act on those talks. When a visitor does quietly and timidly make their way into our church do we love them, wrap our arms around them and accept them, or do we push them away with our invisible "Keep Out" sign?

More importantly, as Christians, do we walk around with a "Keep Out" sign posted on us! When others look at us do they see love, compassion, understanding, forgiveness, joy, etc. or do they see us pushing people away, wrapped up only in ourselves, looking out for only number one?

Our Sunday School lesson yesterday with our 3 & 4 year old boys was about how Paul told Lydia and her friends about Jesus. Our Bible verse was "Tell others about Jesus." Acts 16:10. I challenged a group of 3 & 4 year old boys to be like Paul...tell someone about Jesus! Today, I challenge myself and I challenge you. Do a self check...do you see a "Keep Out" sign posted on your wall today? If so, take it down and replace it with a "Welcome" sign!

Forest For The Trees

For the past few days I've been meandering my way through life. Up this hill, down that one. Turning this corner and then rounding that one. No different than anyone else's life just in one of those places where I'm only taking one step at the time because I'm not real sure where it will land. I jokingly told a friend yesterday that I feel as though I'm walking on quick sand not sure if the branch I'm holding onto will hold me or not.

On my ride in this morning I was listening to the radio and looking at the cars. I wasn't really looking for anything in particular but just scanning my surroundings. As I started coming up the on-ramp for the Red Mountain Expressway from Carraway Boulevard I slowly started noticing the tall buildings that were downtown. The farther I got up the ramp the more and more I could see these buildings. All of a sudden the cars disappeared from my vision and all I could see was buildings. I scanned to my left and to my right and began to see, actually see, downtown.

As I continued on my journey slowly but surely the buildings began to fade and all I saw was cars. The beautiful city landscape that once captured my attention had faded into a blur and once again I could only see what was directly in front of me.

So many times in my spiritual life I go through periods where I can't see the glory for all the stumbling blocks that are around me. I know it's there. I know that I am free. I know that I am forgiven. I know that in the end everything is going to be okay. I know that this too shall pass, but for that day, at that moment all I can see is what is around me. I wish I had the right words of encouragement to say right here that would make you take your hand and smack yourself on your forehead and have one of those Ah-Hah moments but I don't. I'm still trying to figure it out for myself. But I stand firm on Jeremiah 29:11 "'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord. 'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'" (NLT). Want to know what I like best about this verse? The "says the Lord" part. The Lord, my Father, my Savior, my friend, my everything...He said that! He says that He has plans for me. He says that the plans He has for me are for good and NOT for disaster. He says these plans will give me a future and a hope! That's what HE says, not what they say but what He says!!

So, I challenge you today, if you catch yourself only seeing the cars in front of you...stop and blink a few times. Shake your head if you have to and start looking farther...deeper...harder because I promise you there is something more out there!

When Your Mess Becomes Your Message

by Micca Monda Campbell
Proverbs 31 Ministries

"Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise." Jeremiah 17:14 (NIV)

My brother is a recovered addict. For twenty years, he was absent from our family due to addiction issues. Countless times we thought he was dead, and according to statics, he should have been.

However, God happens to be in the restoration business. He is willing to restore and heal all who come to Him. It doesn't matter who you are, what you've done, or what has been done to you. God is willing and able to turn any tragedy into triumph. My brother is living proof.

After entering many programs with hopes of success and end results of failure, my brother finally found the answer: Jesus. It wasn't until my brother me t the Lord that healing and true change occurred. Suddenly, all things became new.

What's most exciting is anyone can experience this kind of freedom!

The truth is, we don't have the strength, will power, or ability to free ourselves from bondage no matter what the bondage is—drugs, lust, gluttony, pride, anger, or fear. Until we renounce our sickness and surrender to Christ, we will never experience freedom. On the other hand, when we are willing to give King Jesus our mess, He turns it into our message.

Not a day goes by that my brother doesn't look for opportunities to brag on God and share His message of hope.

Take this past summer for example. He and his family came home for a visit. One evening, our families gathered for dinner at Red Lobster. His treat! Twenty-six year old Tiffany was our server. Right away, we noticed two things about Tiffany. She was a natural with people, and she was very pregnant. While we enjoyed her kind service, we ha d no idea that God would turn the tables and call us to serve her in a unique way.

It started when my sister refused to allow my brother to buy her dinner. While my sister loves to give to others, she's not so good on the receiving end. I, on the other hand, understood that it gave my brother great pleasure to pick up the check. The Lord knows I didn't want to deny him his blessing!

Poor Tiffany found herself caught in the middle of the argument. Eager to win, my brother said to our server, "You see, I was a drug addict for years. During that time, my sisters did a lot for me. Now, I just want to bless them as they have blessed me."

Tiffany's eyes widen. "You were a drug addict?" she inquired. "I would have never guessed.""Yes. I was," my brother replied. "But Jesus changed all that." From there he told Tiffany his life-changing story."

I went from being lost to being found; from being homeless to being a home owner; from being an employee to owning my own business; from being bound by drugs to being set free in Christ."Tears filled Tiffany's eyes as we shared God's love with her. That's not all. Later that week, we confirmed God's love to her by presenting her with a baby gift.

Oh, friends, when you and I—like my brother—allow God to turn our mess into our message, He not only changes our lives, but He changes the lives of others too.

Dear Lord, Your mercy astounds me. Your goodness overwhelms me as I cry out "heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me and I will be saved." God, give me opportunities to speak of Your hope so that others may know Your goodness and salvation. In Jesus Name, Amen

Not Good Enough

I'm too fat. I'm too thin. I wish I was taller. I hate being so tall. I wish I didn't have to wear glasses. I hate my hair. My ears are too big. My stomach pokes out. My hands are too small. My hands are too big. My feet are shaped funny. I can't stand the color of my eyes. My knuckles are too big. My fingernails aren't shaped right. I wish I had long eyelashes. My teeth are ugly. I hate my voice. I can't carry a tune at all. I can't stand the way a picture looks after I'm the one who painted it. I'm stupid. I'm not worth anything. I don't matter.

How many times have you said something, anything along those lines? You know, it occurred to me last night that every single time we critique ourselves we are saying that what God has created isn't good enough. We are saying that the very hands He used to make us are broken and worthless. With every jab we make about ourselves we are saying that we aren't important to Him. God doesn't make mistakes. We were each created specifically for a special and perfect purpose. He created us short, tall, skinny, fat, big ears, little ears, long eyelashes, short eyelashes, thick hair, thin hair, brown eyes, blue eyes... We are each a treasure in the arms of Christ! Maybe it's time we start living like it!!

"Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother's womb. I thank you, High God — you're breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration — what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, The days of my life all prepared before I'd even lived one day." Psalm 139:13-16 (MSG)

Turning The Corner Doesn't Always Help

Prom season is upon us and I spent my Saturday going store to store trying to get an idea of where in the world we could find Kristina a prom dress. Not wanting to chart these waters alone my friend Kim and her daughter Cori grabbed an oar and set sail with me. Kristina was out of town and I used my time wisely. She isn't one to enjoy going in and out of stores picking through dress after dress to only leave empty handed. So, several years and pageants ago I learned to go dress shopping on my own, come home and report my progress and then go to only a few stores and pick the perfect dress from there.

As we were out and about we began talking about our teenage drivers. Cori has her permit and she is learning the ways of the road. We giggled about when we were teenage drivers and silly things Kristina has done when all of a sudden Kim bursts out laughing and utters the words "You won't believe what Cori did last night!!" At this point Cori has remembered what happened and she is laughing uncontrollably as well and I am just driving down the road glancing from one to other wanting in on this funny story.

Kim begins...she tells me how they needed gas and how the gas tank is on the passenger side of Cori's car. She tells me that as they pull up to the gas pumps Cori positions her car so that the driver's side is closets to the pump. Before Cori can put her car in park Kim reminds her where her gas tank is and Cori releases her foot off the brake and simply turns around to the opposing side of the pumps! All she did was transfer her car from side a to side b which means she still had her driver's side facing the pump! At this point we all three are laughing hysterically and I'm sure if anyone saw us they thought we were having some sort of convulsions!

How many times do you think you're making progress and you keep drudging along to see a corner ahead, you run, you turn it and you breathe a sigh of relief when you suddenly realize you're still facing the wrong way! I do this time and time and time and time again! Some days I just feel like I can't get myself turned the right way. I bounce off this and bounce off that never really feeling like my feet are planted in the right place. But, isn't it great to know that no matter how twisted we are in our direction, no matter how much we are bouncing around, He is always there to get us straightened back out!

"For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17

Is It A Status Thing?

Last night Kristina and I were watching the movie Pretty Woman. Some may not like that movie but to me it is just a precious, timeless, cheesy love story. There is a scene where Julia Roberts and Richard Gere are going to the opera and Julia Roberts comes out of the bedroom in a beautiful red ball gown and white gloves up to her elbows. Her hair is curled and pulled back and she looks breathtaking. Richard Gere's character pulls out a square box and places a beautiful ruby and diamond necklace around her neck. She asks him how much something like that costs and his reply is "a quarter of a million dollars."

I looked at Kristina and said "Isn't it funny how saying a quarter of a million dollars seems like an exuberant amount of money, but saying $250,000 doesn't seem to be as much?" She sits there for a minute and replies "You're right. Just like if someone told me they paid $250,000 for their house I would think 'man that's a nice, big house' but if someone told me they paid a quarter of a million dollars for their house I would think 'they live in a mansion!'" It's all in the words you use!

Kristina has a Myspace page and as my motherly duty entails me I check her Myspace page and account quite frequently and while I'm on there I look at who her Myspace friends are and what their pages are about. I stumbled across a young girl's page yesterday whose "about me" section was full of obscenities and I sat shaking my head, but then at the very bottom of her paragraph she made the statement that she was a Christian. Not to judge the young girl but the fruits of her "about me" does not reflect a Christian. So, is she also saying "a quarter of a million dollars" because it sounds better?

This has really got me thinking. I'm wondering how many people are truly Christians and how many people say they are because "it sounds good" or "it's the in thing"? What do people see when they look at me or talk to me? Do they think "Wow, she's a Godly woman who loves the Lord?" or do they think "There's one of those people who say they're a Christian but you just never know?" Am I $250,000 or am I a quarter of a million dollars?

"Jesus told him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.'" John 14:6 (NLT). Notice that Jesus didn't add anything to that. He didn't say that He is the way, the truth and the life and a gold ring. He didn't add frills or rainbows and fairy dust. There is a big ole period there. He said I am the way, the truth and the life and no one can come to the Father except through me! I think maybe we need to accept Him for what He is and say exactly what we are and where we stand and stop fluffing our words so that we think He sounds better. And, besides that, why in the world do we even want to make Him sound better? How much better can He get? The unconditional love! The grace, mercy, forgiveness! What else is there?

Books

I'm not much of a reader. I will pick up a book and thumb through it and maybe scan the first few pages and within those first few pages it is decided if I am going to continue with the book or lay it down. Writers have a harsh critic on their hands when it comes to me I guess. You have about ten pages to grab my attention and if I don't feel it, I move on!

However, I enjoy writing. I'm not too sure I could ever write a book, but I do love writing poetry, short stories, and blogs! =) My writing abilities and interest in writing was passed down to Kristina, but I must say she is far a better writer than I could ever dream of being. The way she says things, describes things, insinuates things...her writings grab my attention immediately.

Since she has this interest and talent in writing I have always used that as a tool to talk about life with her. The analogies are just too similar not to. When you are young the chapters are short and more of a starting point. They are more descriptive and full of information and each chapter ends with a cliffhanger to keep you holding out for something yet to come. As you enter your teenage years the chapters get long and hard to understand. The words seem to ramble and the reader feels that the author is just as confused but yet with the end of each chapter you just cannot wait to get to the next one. About the time you are ready to give up you get to the good stuff...adulthood! We spend our entire childhood and teenage years eagerly waiting for adulthood so that we can do our own thing without any rules to only wish that we could go back in time! Those chapters in the book start to show how we are shaped and molded. They show what we are made of! And, then as the book begins to really get juicy the chapters turn into our golden years! These chapters seem to reference the previous chapters. Every step that is taken, every decision that is made seems to be done so solely on what we learned before. And, then, finally, the day will come where our book ends. As the book is published it is handed to someone who reads it intently with a yearning in their heart to know who you truly were.

And, this is where my questions start? What will your book say? Are there things in there that you would not want anyone to read? What about your great-grandchildren; do your choices and actions today leave a good footprint for them to step into tomorrow? All of our lives are a book and at some point in time that book is going to be read. It is up to us what is written in it!

"For I alone am God!...there is none like me. Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass..." Isaiah 46:9b-10 (NLT)

Nip It

"Nip it, nip it, nip it." Oh my goodness I used to love Barney Fife on the Andy Griffith Show. Don Knox played that part perfectly and I don't know if anyone else could have done it any better! Barney and that one bullet always cracked me up and his inability to keep his mouth shut always resonated with me. I'm one of those people with an uncontrollable mouth.

As I was listening to the local Christian radio station this morning the same thing happened! A commercial was aired that absolutely cracked the DJs up and as they were laughing one of them began to tell his own similar story when all of a sudden the audio was immediately shut off and a song started playing. I guess the boss said "nip it, nip it, nip it!"

How nice would it be if we had someone to start playing a song just at the same time that we were about to say something stupid?! You know, alot of times I honestly do not mean anything hurtful or harmful by my words but as soon as they come out of my mouth I realize what I have said/done and I can't "hoover" back in fast enough.

And, in the same turn, I wish what would flow out of my mouth would be nothing but Jesus! I wonder why that is? Why is it so easy to rattle off nonsense but when you discuss Jesus we tend to stop and think about what we are going to say? Hmmmm....

"Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything." Proverbs 13:3 (NLT).

The Sun - - The Son

As I followed the on-ramp down and around to the right the sun was peering through the trees. The sky was so pink it was almost orange and as I straightened up my truck and merged onto the highway I couldn't help but look at the sun. It was a huge orange ball just barely peering over the horizon. I would look at it until my eyes burned and then I'd shut them and look away to only turn to my focus back once again.

The warmth felt good radiating off my windshield and I began to think about how wonderful I feel when I'm in the sun, near the sun, when I can feel the sun! I can't help but smile and turn my face towards it. I can't help but shut my eyes and get carried away in my dreams. And, in the same turn I feel that way about THE SON! I feel wonderful when I am close to THE SON! When I am near THE SON I feel comforted, complete. I can't help but close my eyes and bask in His light. I find it interesting the similarities in the sun and THE SON!

“I am the light of the world." John 8:12 (NLT)

"...his face shone like the sun..." Matthew 17:2 (NLT)

“...My light will shine for you just a little longer. Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going. Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light.” John 12:35-36 (NLT)

Where You Are

Growing up I heard my Momma say many times over how her dream vacation would be Vermont in the Fall. My Momma loves the Fall season and the picture she held in her head of what Vermont would look like in the Fall was more than she could take. I vividly remember riding with my Momma listening to her talk about her dream vacation and what it is like there. I was a young girl, elementary school still, and as I intently would listen to her describe the trees, the air, the environment I could picture it with my very own eyes. Vermont seemed like a different world to me...a place so far off that I would only be able to see it in my mind.

As time marched on and I began to grow older I would look at pictures of Vermont in the Fall. Magazines, books...just anything really. With every picture I would think about my Momma's dream of visiting Vermont in the Fall. I looked at the trees where we lived and although they were beautiful, they were not Vermont!

More time marched on and on a visit to my parents' house Momma and I made a trip into town. She began to describe to me a drive she had on her way to work earlier in the week. She said as she drove down the long windy country road she looked out over the trees. The colors of fall were delicately painted on the leaves as if God has simply brushed across them with every orange and yellow he could find. The trees were full and if you looked close enough you could see the sun peering through the branches. She said God gently pressed upon her heart here is your Vermont.

How many times do we think we need more than what we have? How many times are we content with where we are at this very moment? Oh don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that we should never want anything or have a goal, but what I am saying is that sometimes our want and our goal are right in front of us but we are too stubborn to see it! Maybe it's not in the package that we thought it would be in or maybe it's not the ideal situation but nevertheless it still IS what we had hoped for! Sometimes our Vermont isn't just like someone elses!

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord. 'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'" Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT). Just because we don't see the plan, it doesn't mean there isn't one!

Victory!

Many, many, many years ago...ok that's being a little dramatic but way back when horses pulled carriages...okay, okay....I'm just seeing if you're awake today! Back in 1991 when Shane and I first started dating he asked me an all important question, "Do you pull for Alabama or Auburn?" Friend, I promise you this was an actual conversation between me and him and I answered correctly because here we are nearly 20 years later! ROLL TIDE! =)

Unless you live under a rock you know that Alabama played Texas last night in the BCS National Championship game. I must say that I was concerned about my precious husband last night. As is typical Alabama fashion they couldn't win easily. It had to be a nail bitter. A comeback of some sort. An edge of your seat, jump up and down finish. That is Alabama football! But, anyway, Shane paced and he screamed and he clapped. He coached from our living room, he chastised the refs. He gave Saban advice and even played a down or two himself. Yet, in the end all was well and Alabama beat Texas and are the 2009 BCS National Champions! It was sweet V-I-C-T-O-R-Y!

Oh victory! It's a wonderful feeling isn't it? Did you know you have that same victory in Jesus? It doesn't matter where you've been or what you've done He finished the game for me and for you! "The Lord is my strength and my song;he has given me victory." Exodus 15:2 (NLT). Are you walking around victorious today? If not, why not? The Savior is waiting...

Stupidity

Have you ever thought about stupid we are? I am doing a new Bible study and I am currently in Genesis and for the past few days I have been reading about the first days of Earth. You know what? I will just never understand the mercy and grace of God because why oh why did he create creatures who make such poor choices when He gives us everything?

For example, Cain. After Cain killed Abel he lied to God about it. “I don’t know,” Cain responded. “Am I my brother’s guardian?” Genesis 4:9 (NLT). Can you believe that? He honestly thought that he could lie to God! I sat there shaking my head in disbelief wondering what in the world was going through Cain's head lying to God and then it hit me, I do the same thing! When I am not honest with someone else I am lying to God because He knows the truth anyway! He is just placing me in a situation to see if I am going to be truthful and when I'm not...I'm lying to Him!

And then there was Noah. Okay, check this out. Noah was obedient to God and followed his instructions, built an ark while everyone on Earth laughed at him, ridiculed him, chastised him but Noah never faltered. He just kept right on following God. And, just as He had promised, God spared Noah's life along with the life of Noah's family. So, what does Noah do when it is all said and done? He plants some grapes, makes some wine, drinks it and gets drunk! "One day he drank some wine he had made, and he became drunk and lay naked inside his tent." Genesis 9:21 (NLT). I don't know if things were different back in that day but I can tell you right now that, in my opinion, doing something like that is not respectful towards God...who just spared you and YOUR FAMILY! Hello...

I could sit here and go on and on about the stupidity of man that I am learning through this new Bible study. And...I am also learning how I am right along with them! Isn't it so easy to look at someone else and think you moron but when you look at yourself you can justify everything you are doing? I think it's time that we all pick up a bottle of Windex and a rag and clean our own mirror and check ourselves out before we start checking out others.

It's Better To Be Cold

Brrrrr....that is really all I can say right now! Goodness gracious alive it is freeeeeeezing outside! Me and a co-worker were laughing yesterday wondering where all this global warming is that we have heard so much about the past few years because as far as we can tell Alabama has now become Antarctica!

Just out of curiosity I wondered if the Bible said anything about being cold and I was astonished at what I found. Check this out..."I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You're not cold, you're not hot — far better to be either cold or hot! You're stale. You're stagnant. You make me want to vomit." Revelation 3:15-16 (MSG). Wow! I've never really thought about it this way before.

So many times I feel that straddling the fence or just being "okay" is good enough, but you know what? It's not! It's like a lukewarm shower...I would rather take a cold shower so that I can freeze and get it over with or take a nice long warm shower but if the water is lukewarm it drives me insane! It's just cold enough to annoy me yet warm enough to make me wish I had more!

I am feeling my way through this thing we call life and every single day God shows me something new about myself. Some things I embrace and absolutely love but then other things I don't like so much and today is one of those days. I don't want to be lukewarm! I want to be on fire for my Savior! I want to be warm in His arms! I want to be...me! What are you? Are you lukewarm?

Mommas

Our children eat before us. We wear clothes that have been washed so many times you dare not hold them up to the light for fear you can see straight through them, but our children's clothes are new, clean and pressed. We can't remember the last time we bought a pair of shoes from a department store, but our children wear the latest shoe trend. We take cold showers so that our children can take a hot shower first. We do without so that they can have. We are MOTHERS!

We do all of this with very little thank yous or appreciation. And, truth be told, we don't want them. There is that part of us that way deep down inside just likes being needed. We like seeing our children smile. We like knowing that they have nice things. We watch our children grow knowing that one day they too will be in the same situation with their own children.

I have the greatest earthly Daddy ever created and to close my eyes and try to wrap my head around my Heavenly Father being even better than that is hard for me to do. And, Daddies are great creatures, but they aren't Mommas. They don't possess the gentle comfort that Mommas do. There is a time when a Daddy's arms are the perfect fit and then there are times where no arms other than a Momma's will do. Mommas just have a way about them.

Well, guess what? God is our Heavenly Father who is stern, strong, fierce and mighty yet he possesses the traits of a Momma. He is calm, gentle, tender, selfless. There are times when the strong arms of Christ holds us up when we can't even hold our own selves up, but then there are times when he is tender like a lamb and wraps his loving arms around us in protection...just like a Momma.

"As a mother comforts her child, so I'll comfort you." Isaiah 66:13 (MSG).

Your Own Way

As I sat at the red light I watch the black birds gathering along the railroad tracks. It started out as just one or two and before long there were probably 30 or 40 of them. They seemed to stay grouped together as if they were moving in a herd of some sort.

As my light turned green and accelerated I could tell that the vibration of my truck on the pavement was warning the birds to get out of the way. All of a sudden in one swift fluid motion they all lept into the air and flew away to my left as if in a black cloud. All of them stayed together except one. This single black bird flew to my right and landed on a fence.

As I continued driving I thought about this one bird. Why didn't he go along with everyone else? Was that his family or his pack (you know, like dogs)? Was he just a young bird who didn't know any different? Or, was he older and it was his time to separate himself from the others? Why? Why wouldn't that bird just follow the crowd...?

As soon as that last thought crossed my mind I immediately began to think about man and how we fly to the left with everyone else. I began to think about how hard it is for us to fly to the right and land on a fence all by ourselves. I found myself running back over instances and circumstances in recent days where I flew with the crowd and didn't stand on my own. I began to admire this right flying, fence sitting bird.

Although it may appear to the world that we are flying alone we never are!! Matthew 28:20 says "...I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (NLT). To me, when I read those words I can feel my Daddy wrapping his arms around me and squeezing me in a tight bear hug whispering in my ear that everything is going to be okay, He's here.

Some days it is hard to have the courage to fly to the right all by ourselves while everyone else stays grouped together flying to the left. But, always have the confidence, the security, the strength to know that you aren't flying alone!