Monday, September 29, 2008

This is going to hurt me more than it hurts you.

Remember as a kid our moms always said that just as they drew their hand back for the first lick of a spanking? I can still hear it echoing in my head. She would always say, "I know you don't believe me now, but this is going to hurt me more than it hurts you." What?? Are you crazy mom?? You are spanking my butt, remember?? I thought she must be nuts. How could her spanking my hiney hurt her??

Now as a mother of 3 beautiful, but not always sane, children I get it. So many things happen to them, that really do upset us more than they could ever imagine. Tonight was a perfect example. Apryl and Tyler wanted to have hot chocolatewith marshmellows since it was a little chilly outside. As Apryl was standing at the counter drinking hers, she tipped the mug too far, and it spilled all over her. It was a nightmare!! She was so upset. Apryl's way to handle things is to hide from it, she never wants you to look at a boo-boo, she puts her hand over it. That's what she did tonight. She didn't want me to touch it, look at it, definitely didn't want me to put anything on it. Not only that, but she was crying harder than I have ever heard her cry. (And if you know my girls at all, Apryl is not the cryer of this family) I was so distraught. I didn't know how to help her. It really tore me up inside. I wanted to help her feel safe and stop hurting. I wanted to comfort her. She wasn't going to let me though, it was killing me inside. Abigail was right there too, wanting to help her big sister. So what did we do? Abigail and I prayed for Apryl right on the spot in the bathroom. Something I would never have done before. Something a few days ago that I would have thought was silly to pray for, God has bigger things to deal with than my little problem. BUT NO MORE!!! He is always there ready to comfort us, He wants us to jump in our daddy's lap and tell Him where it hurts. So we did!!! I prayed for calming peace for her spirit, and healing for the burn. Abigail and I both laid hands on her chest and didn't stop until she stopped crying. (If you've never heard Abigail pray, she is a very good Amen-er. And she knows what it means to lay hands on somebody, she's had her share of hands laid on her. 15 minutes later I found her with her little hands together over her baby doll praying something fierce!!) Anyways, back to Apryl. She finally calmed down and she hopped up on my lap, I held her tight, and rocked her. She hasn't let me do that in years. It was wonderful. I went to put some cream on the places on her stomach, and I was in awe. When I first took her shirt off, she was beat red from her chin all the way down to her bellybutton. Just a couple of minutes later, AFTER OUR PRAYER, there were 2 tiny spots of redness. I brought all 3 girls together right in the middle of the living room, and I prayed a prayer of thanksgiving for all of them, for healing for Apryl, for continued health for Abigail, and for a light of Jesus in Tyler that shines brighter everyday.

As a final note, Apryl just came to me and said look mommy, there's no red spots now. I told her all because she let me help her....then I said someone else helped you too. She looked up at me with those big blue eyes with a huge smile on her face. I knew right away she knew what I meant, but I asked her anyways, "do you know who?" She whispered to me "JESUS!!!" Amen!!

This atmosphere will change....he may not have been here tonight to witness it...but if I know those girls they will definitely tell him the first chance they get. And as I get more and more confident in the authority I walk in...he will see it first hand, whether he likes it or not. Amen again!

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Will you catch this??

In a germ-a-phobic world of colds, flus, STDs and everything else disgusting, where hand sanitizer is in every good mother's purse.....we are all scared to death of catching anything. We scrub our hands all the time, we won't even think about sitting on a public toilet, and definitely don't handle the door knob in a public bathroom. I personally wipe everything with clorox wipes. BUT....today I found something that I hope is so contagious, no one can escape it, and in fact I want to be a carrier as well!!

First, let's look at the definition of the word infectious....the first one I found said this "communicable by infection, as from one person to another or from one part of the body to another". But as I continued down the list, here's the one I like...."tending to spread from one to another". I want what I have to be a complete, world dominating, epidemic.

I hope to spread infectious JOY everywhere I go!!!!!

I heard that phrase on Friday afternoon in a commercial and it has bounced around my head all weekend. That is exactly how I hope to be. I want to carry the joy of the Lord with me, and give and show it to everyone I know and meet. Please do everything you can to help me spread this horrible disease!!!

Friday, September 26, 2008

To panic or not to panic??

This gas thing didn't bother me at first. I decided it was just a media frenzy. The media made everyone think a shortage was coming, so everyone freaked out, got gas even if they didn't need it, and created the shortage in their panicked actions. The supply continued to get lower, the prices got higher, the lines got longer, the outlook seemed dimmer, what was next???

By Wednesday I was beginning to feel a slight amount of anxiety over the situation. I was getting concerned. I had tried to conserve and wait out the shortage, but it was getting down to the wire. Then I started thinking not only was I out of gas, but what about grocery store supply trucks, or pharmacies, or electricity repair men. The scope continued to grow in my head and really begin to scare me a little bit.

Then with all the talk about the stocks, Wall Street, bailouts....lots of things I didn't understand....it was all starting to create some concern in me.

Then a wonderful friend reminded me with the following words:
I know its stressful right now, but panic won't help anything. The bible even says not to worry because it only causes harm. How much more simply could that be said?! Remember that we've not been given a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and a sound mind. God has given us power over the fear, and then He tops it off with love and peace! Walk in that authority!

All things that I already knew...but I just needed a little reminding. We are all dependent on something, and sometimes we don't realize how much until its not available to us. Step back and take a look what are the things that you NEED too much???? Your car, cell phones, the Internet, coffee, chocolate, whatever your "it" is.....could you do without it if it was gone tomorrow???

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Where's my baby??

I don't know when it happened, but all of a sudden, over night basically, my baby has turned into a full blown girl!! Did I sleep through it? Was I hit over the head and missed it all? It blows my mind completely. I can remember every minute of being pregnant and having Tyler and now she suddenly 8 going on 30, and wants to shave her legs. (Yes I said shave her legs, YIKES) What happened to my baby? Apparently, martians came in when I wasn't looking and replaced her with some alien who is worried about everything from droughts to hairy legs, and other people's feelings to helping her baby sister, from being sure she hears everything that's ever said to talking 90 miles an hour, from staying up later than the night before to never staying in the bed past 6am, from her hairstyle to being sure her clothes are just right. WHO IS THIS CRAZY PERSON IN MY HOUSE???

I'll tell you who she is, in case you didn't know...she is turning into a wonderful young lady right in front of my face. She will one day lead hundreds of people to the Lord's work. In fact, she has already started. She has such a sensitive ear to hear the Lord's voice. I only wish that I could hear Him as clearly as she does. She thinks of other people before she considers herself. She is always concerned about things that are much bigger than her. She is basically AMAZING, and I can't believe I have the privilege to be her mom. She teaches me something everyday, she reminds me to slow down and take time to just sit and be. Her heart is so huge, and she is constantly dying to show it to everyone she knows, or at least anyone who will listen. She continues to go one step beyond what I expect from her. I honestly believe it will be her that one day reaches her father for the Lord. She will show him nothing but the love of Christ and he will finally "SEE", see what a difference it has meant for her, and realize he needs it as well.

No matter how big she gets, how tall or how old....I will always remember her as the little newborn who had jaundice and had to sleep in the sun almost nude for the first 2 weeks of her life. Or the toddler who constantly wanted to play tea party. Or the big sister who always wants to be the "little momma". And even the 8 year old who wants to shave her legs. She will always be my baby, even when she is 50, and I am....well never mind that number!!

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Praise Him!!!

Let me just say I love what to do....for a long time it was very hard for me to divide my time at church. I loved music and singing with the praise team at our church in SC, but I still always felt lead to help with children's church. I was very "involved" with all parts of church. We were a very small but close church. I loved it with all my heart. Leaving The ROC and everyone in it, was my only reservation about moving to NC. When we moved I thought I wanted to try something different, because I didn't feel like I could find anywhere that would compare to The ROC. So I tried the biggest church I could find. I thought I wanted to be able to just sneak in and hide at the back, and no one really notice. I wanted to find a church that the girls would have lots of opportunities and lots of friends. One church we tried was just that....HUGE church, HUGE children's church ministry. I would sneak in and out every week, without ever really being noticed. I thought it was great at first. Then I started to realize this was not right for us. Even though it was good for the girls at church, if I couldn't be "fed" at church how could I be an example to them at home.
So I was very frustrated. We tried a handful of churches. I felt horrible dragging the girls from church to church each week. I had almost given up. Then....Tahdah!!! There was Breakthrough!! My husband found an article in the paper about their journey as a church, and the grand opening service. I called and spoke with Nate, the pastor, and after just few a few minutes knew we had to go check it out. The first night we went, I could feel the frustration from the girls, especially Tyler. She asked me, how will we "know" this is the right one? I simply told her she would be able to feel it. I almost "joined" the first night, but I wanted to see what the girls thought before I decided. We got in the car, and for a couple of minutes no one said anything, then Tyler says you were right, I just feel it. That is the right church for us, they treated us like they have known us forever!!!! So needless to say we still love Breakthrough one year later.

Here's my point to the whole thing. I wanted to get involved in Praise and Worship right from the beginning, my heart longed for it. It was killing me to not be involved. I almost didn't get involved in anything else, because I knew eventually I wanted to sing!! Well, the Lord started leading me towards the children's ministry, and I kept saying but God I wanna sing. He still said go help with the kids. So I did, because I loved it as well, but I still wanted to sing. After a couple of months, I felt a real burden on my heart for the children of our church, I knew that that was the ministry where I was supposed to be involved in. So I put aside the idea of music ministry, and gave it my all. I didn't feel completely equipped to handle the job, but knew I was ready to try. I thank God everyday that he introduced me to Phyllis. She and I are a perfect match, I handle the events and "extras" while she is very wonderful at the classroom and lessons portions. We compliment each other wonderfully. As we started to pray, plan, dream of what we wanted the children's ministry to be....new ideas were born. We have true Praise and Worship time with the kids!!! Real music, real songs, real emotions, real praise!! Combining my two talents....music and children. God had it planned all along. I have always been around music, played cello for a long time, but was never involved in church music until The ROC. He used that time to train me so that I would be ready for this new adventure at Breakthrough years later. Why do I continue to question Him? He is always 2 steps ahead of me preparing the way if I would just let Him. DUH!!! He already had a place assigned for me, but He had to be sure I was ready for the job.

Ok, so here's the real point to all of this....tonight P&W with the kids was amazing! I always tell them that it doesn't matter how small you are, if two are gathered in His name, HE IS THERE!!! And boy was HE there tonight. I can get more tore up in there with them than I would have ever imagined possible. I could feel His presence so strong with us tonight. It was incredible. And its always amazing to me how quiet they get in those times, they feel it too. I know they do!!

I am just so thrilled to be in the right place doing the right thing. Even when rest of my life is messy....I know that I know that I know that I am absolutely using my best for His glory!!! Thank you God for the opportunity to share that joy I feel with these kids every week.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Working for the benefits...

Ok, let me just say first that I am quite addicted to blogging. It's great to have my own little soapbox to stand on any time I want, even if no one is listening. Just getting it off my chest is great for me. Plus by posting it, even if no one reads it, it feels like the world is seeing it. I'm just going to pretend that I have a huge following that is just waiting to see what revelation I have next.....ha ha ha!!!

Anyways, my idea for tonight is the lack of committment that seems to be plaguing people everywhere. It seems like everyone wants all the benefits of work, like vacation time, days off, insurance, 401K, discounts, whatever, without ever having to actually work!! Everyone feels like something is owed to them for just showing up, even when they are late every day. Its seems like when you are a nice boss, people step all over you and take your for advantage every chance they get. You offer an incentive for doing things they should already be doing as part of their job, then they think they are entitled to that every day. Employees want to start a new job every month or so, but expect to be treated the same as people who have earned the right to be respected as an experienced member of the team. What's up with that???

The best I can figure my momma just taught me better than that. We were taught to do everything you can without hesitation. That anything you decide to do, you are supposed to do with your whole heart. And if you can't give it everything you've got, then maybe that's not the place for you. And even sometimes if you decide its not the place for you, you still stick with it because you made a committment to do it no matter what. I guess I was never really a temper tantrum kind of child, but that's what it seems like so many people in the workplace do, they basically lay on the ground, pound their fists, and kick their feet until they get their way. Or in adult terms....they tell EVERYONE else at work how they are mistreated, and its not fair, and how none of them are appreicated anyways, and they don't need this job they are looking for a different one every day.

Why does negitivity spread like wildfire at work? As managers we try everything we can to pump our people up, to motivate them to want more than the mediocre, to try harder to help themselves...and within 5 minutes they are off in a huddle talking about how bad it is, how awful ti is, why should they put up with it, or how they should start their own business.

I think we all have to learn to appreciate what we have. And until you operate in the situation you are in with excellence, why would you ever grow into anything more? I don't think God will allow us to move forward into a new season, until we can completely handle the one we are in right now. SO rather that complaining about how bad things are, and saying how you deserve better than this, and how they just can't see how great you are....how about putting everything you are into what you are doing today, then maybe something bigger and better will come your way tomorrow.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Salt and Light....what is that really???

I have always sang a song that says to be salt and light in the world, love the song but never really stopped to think what it means. Then, this past week a good friend said it to me, go be salt and light. So I decided I needed to really figure out what it means. Of course the internet and all its splendor has tons to say about it, but I wanted to figure out what it means to me to be salt and light to the world.
To me, light is the easy part. We all know what it means to be a light in a dark world. I always tell the kids at our church that they may be the only light of Jesus that other kids at school have the chance to see. We have to be a reflection of Jesus. Something I read today said that we are simply luminaries of the One True Light, just like the moon only shines as a reflection of the sun. I totally get that part....it was the salt that stumped me. What does that mean???
So I looked up some descriptions, I tried some definitions....there are so many ideas out there to attach yourself to...but I decided I needed to know for myself, what it was to mean in my life, in my daily walk. Something I saw today was about a verse in Matthew where Jesus says you are the salt of the earth. This article said that you have to understand each little word to understand the whole picture. First, who is the "You" in that verse?? It was the disciples, but in this day and age aren't we all just disciples, followers of Christ? Of course we are. The next word is "are". He didn't says you should be, or go be, or try to be....He said you are. No hesitation, no reservations, you are by your heritage the salt, whether you like it our not. Next word is salt, salt has some special qualities that make it salt. Salt, in that time, was precious, serious trades and payments were made in salt. (I even found out that's where the word salary comes from) Secondly, salt penetrates any food it is added to, it goes through the entire dish. You may not see it, but it always gets to every part of a recipe. And finally salt was used to perserve things and keep them from spoiling. Is it all starting to add up for you too??? So, if you have a plate full of food that is bland or needs spicing up, we add salt. It can bring out the best in food, it can flavor an entire meal. Even if it is only a few tiny granules, it can affect a huge amount of food. And lastly is "in the world"...that means you have to go out there!!!

Here is the final kicker for me....something I read said salt is put INTO food, not kept apart from the food. The thing about it is, as christians sometimes we want to sit back in our little christian homes, and our little familiar churches, and only hang out with our christian friends....but to truly be salt and light in the world, we have to get out there and be a part of it, affect some change. We don't go out there to save the world, we go out there to change the world, improve it, make it better. Show people what can make it better, or really WHO can make it better. We can love people where they are, as they are. My dad always says you have to work with people where they are. And you don't have to scream your testimony at them, or preach the gospel at them, just show them the love of Jesus and the rest will come in time. Once they figure out that you are different, they will want to ask you why or how. Remember, salt always makes you thirsty!!!

I had always felt like less of a christian because I suck at testifying....but maybe I am equipped with a different way to testify other than quoting verses or praying in the spirit...maybe my gift is to softly but effectively show someone their life can be different, and then explaining why.

I hope this makes you stop and think a little....it sure did me. And by the way, once I can figure out how, that's the song that will play on my Blog "Say So" by Isreal.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

One step for mankind....so why not me too

If you know me at all you know that I love to talk. Well, apparently this is the "new way" to talk to the world. Everyone seems to be doing it, so I decided why not me too?? I read a few blogs here and there and decided maybe I have a few things to share as well. Amazing things happen and I am always busting to tell someone, so this is the new way to keep track of the everyday goings on and maybe help someone else in the process.
You never know when your little triumph may be huge to someone else. Your victory may not just be for you, it may be just for you to share to inspire someone else to do more, go further, take one more step. I heard someone say today to never give up because you just may be one step away from your blessing. If you stop now you may miss out on that which is set aside for you.
So...with that said here is the first little thing that happened to me this past week, that on the surface seems small, but after I thought about it...its HUGE!!!
I woke up Wednesday morning with a terrible back ache, felt like I had pulled something or had a pinched nerve. I could barely move at all. I tried some cream on it, then a pain pill and nothing was helping. My mom said I should go over and see the chiropractor again, but I knew I didn't really have the money to go. I finally decided that a $25 co-pay wasn't too bad, so I had to go, even if it was just for one visit. So I called and made an appointment for 3. In the meantime, this really nice little older lady that I had helped at the store a couple of times called. She always calls me angel Libby, because I was so helpful to her. When I answered the phone, she said is this just Libby or angel Libby?? She is so sweet. She wanted to be sure I was going to be at the store today when she stopped by. When she came in, basically the 2 chairs she bought were not going to work for her, she looked for something else, but we couldn't find anything. I told her to just bring them back, I would take care of it. Then we started talking about other things. She all of a sudden in the middle of the conversation said 'you're a Christian right? Isn't it amazing that you don't have to push it on people for them to figure out who you serve. We started talking about church and my girls. I was telling her how we pride ourselves on not just being juice and cookies or a babysitter in Kids Zone. I told her how Tyler told me last week that she hears from God. She said is that what you teach them in children's church? I gave a resounding YES, absolutely!! She said that is exactly what they need to hear, they need to know there is more. It was an awesome conversation....but that's not even the best part yet!!! So she decides to go home, get the 2 chairs, and bring them back to the same day. While she's gone, I go to the appointment at the chiropractors office. It helped a little, but he said I was really tense, and knotted up. So he wanted me to come back again later in the week. Again I had no idea how I was going to pay for it. I figured I would do this visit, and see how it goes, then maybe call and cancel the 2nd visit. When I got ready to pay, she said our new insurance has a $50 co-pay. I almost flipped out right there. She said it would be cheaper to be a cash payer, because that would only be $40. So I paid the $40, and left knowing I would definitely have to cancel the 2nd appt. When I get back to the store, there's my little lady waiting in the parking lot for me. She said before we go inside, come here a second. She had a little framed artwork in her arms. She said I bought this a couple of days ago, and I want to give it to you today. It said 'As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord', I thought it was so sweet of her. Then....here's the crazy part. She took my hand and said here take this, go buy the girls something, go have a nice dinner, whatever, just God bless you. And she didn't let go of my hand. I told her thank you, and to please drive around back and I would get the chairs out of the car for her. Well, as I walked inside, I looked in my hand,expecting to see $10 or so....it was $100!!!!! I almost dropped to my knees and cried right there in the store. I couldn't believe it. I really hadn't done anything for this lady, except be nice and listen. It blew my mind. Of course when I met her at the back of the store, I told her the story about the doctor, then she almost cried too!!! She thanked me for telling her the story, that it confirmed she did the right thing. She was being obedient to her God, not even knowing why or how much it would bless my family. The best part of the whole day, I didn't even understand until I got home. I looked at the plaque again. I had heard the verse before, but I guess never really paid it much attention. Then one small word jumped out to me...it said "WE", not me, not me and the girls, but WE. I had been feeling really discouraged lately about John ever coming with us to church...but to me, this is a word from God placed into my life through this wonderful little lady. I receive it, and I believe it. I always worry that I don't hear from God, but this week I realized it doesn't always have to be a big resounding voice from heaven, it can come from a sweet little 80 year old woman. Thank you Ms. Stone!!!
Okay, so I know I am rambling on...I can't help it.