MEMORIAL DAY 2019

Good Morning Friends & Happy Memorial Day …

Today is a holiday here in the United States - MEMORIAL DAY

It is a day where we reflect upon those who have paid the ultimate price –

It is a day where we remember military service members,

Those who have lost their lives while serving & defending this country

UNDERSTAND –

Ours is not a perfect country – none are

However, I am proud to call this country home, 

Always happy to be back home each time I have traveled outside of the United States

And, while I have not always been an extremely patriotic person,

I have always held a special place of respect for our military service members

Scriptures tells us in John 15:13,

‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.’

JESUS modeled this behavior – with His sacrifice at the cross for our SALVATION

SERVICE MEMBERS mirror this behavior – with their sacrifice for our SAFETY

EVERYDAY –

I honor my LORD and Savior who gave His all for me

TODAY –

I honor those who gave their lives in service to this country and to protect our liberties

I honor their families who lost their most precious and treasured loved ones

I say … ‘THANK YOU!’

HOWEVER, THERE IS ANOTHER GROUP ON MY HEART TODAY

THE SERVICE MEN & WOMEN WHO ARE STILL LIVING,

BUT WHO HAVE ALSO GIVEN THEIR ALL ...

You see, in addition to those who are no longer with us, who sacrificed their lives

There are also those, who live among us, who have also sacrificed their lives

There are those who may not have experienced a loss of physical life;

Yet, they are the ones who have suffered the loss of a way of life which they held dear,

A life which was compromised while they selflessly served [and still serve] this country.

There are those who have experienced the death of relationships –

Those who have suffered the painful demise of a marriage … while they served.

There are those who have endured the loss of a loved one –

Where they could not be present because they were off serving this country on foreign soil.

There are those who have experienced the loss of a life which they knew –

Those who have lost health and wealth while serving or upon returning from service to this country

There are those who have cried tears that only they and God know about –

Those who deal with the ongoing emotional trauma of having served.

I celebrate all these service members as well today and say … THANK YOU!

May God Bless You All … Happy Memorial Day

Praying You Have a Blessed Day!

for the broken...

Hello Friends ...

I pray your day went well yesterday
I am feeling so thankful!
My mom was moved from ICU yesterday and will likely be discharged today
I am overjoyed about that! God is good

AND YET...
My heart is breaking - and has been for weeks - for all the hurting people
There are so many still waiting for their miracle
And it has become an area of concern which has taken center-stage for me
Now, I am not picking up and carrying burdens that are not mine;
I am continually praying to the LORD

HOWEVER...
There is a growth process which is taking place, a spiritual development within me;
A deep, deep compassion for the pain people are feeling
When I struggled with depression last year,
I finally reached a point where I sought out counseling
Study Psychology with a focus on Christian Counseling,
I figured it would be hypocritical if I did not at least give it a try
But then something rather remarkable happened
I went to a session and was encountered with a situation
My counselor was reclining on her couch in tears...
And I was sitting in the chair ...
Encouraging her and telling of the goodness and faithfulness of God

I realized then that LORD was taking me to entirely different level -
A new level of understanding what  it means to be like Christ
To love like Christ, to forgive like, to have compassion like Christ

It has not been an easy road
Yet it is such a beneficial journey
His Holy Spirit lives in me and is empowering me

Therefore, I am saying a prayer for all the broken-hearted this morning
Trust in the LORD...
He cares for every single matter which concerns you

God Bless You and Have a Great Day!

NO REGRETS ...

Good Evening … Again …. Friends …

So earlier today, I wrote about how – even as a friend of Jesus – you can face dark places

I shared some of the concern that I had heading into the Mother’s Day Weekend.

However, I have to say that I was PLEASANTLY SURPRISED!

I went to church in the morning –

Heard my Pastor preach an amazing message on ‘The Power to Get Back up’

SO – AFTER CHURCH …

I had a FABULOUS breakfast made by my oldest son ‘Eggs-Benedict’ … AMAZING!!!!

And then He and I went to go see my Mom.

I was nervous and a bit sad because things have just not been the same since … ALZHEIMER’s

HOWEVER –  All my fears were for naught

We had an absolutely amazing visit with my mom!

She knew who my son was [which she ALWAYS does] …

But she knew who I was as well … BEST MOTHER’S DAY PRESENT EVER!!!

I was even able to show her a picture of my Aunt Mae … her favorite & only remaining sibling

SHE WAS SO EXCITED!!! Her face just lit up as she grabbed the phone from my hand and proceeded to talk at the picture of my aunt, ‘My sister, my sweet sister … I miss you so much and I love you!’

I was ABSOLUTELY TICKLED!!!

And as we concluded our visit, I said, ‘MumMum … I love you!’

And she responded, ‘I love you MORE!’  Just like she always did …

So I went my way … stopped at the SPCA to look at some adorable puppies and then to enjoy the remainder of my Mother’s Day.

THEN – AT 9:53PM MY PHONE RANG

“This is Mary [one of the nurses from my mom’s nursing home], your mom, Ms. Sereta was having trouble breathing and we have called an ambulance and she’s been taken to the hospital.”

So, I told my youngest son and bolted out the door. 

We had just did this same thing LAST MONTH! When I got there, they had her on a BiPAP oxygen machine, had nitro-patch on her chest [her systolic was 196 when she got there] and her lungs were filled with fluid. Already suffering from congestive heart failure and renal failure, she was experiencing a hypertensive crises and respiratory distress.

 Around about midnight, I got a text message from my middle son asking how she was doing.

Now, you have to understand that he has not seen my mom in two years.

The last time he saw her, she was ICU and they were asking us to make a decision about taking her off of life-support. So, we had called all the grandchildren up to the hospital to say goodbye.

NOW – she obviously survived that episode. However, my middle son has not been able to bring himself to visit again her since then ... NOT UNTIL LAST NIGHT/THIS MORNING. 

He wanted – as best he could – to remember her as she was before … the Nana that lived in my home with my sons and I for over fifteen years … the Nana who used to get on the floor with them and act crazy. That is why him coming to the hospital this morning WAS HUGE!

HE HAD TO FACE HIS FEARS and the sure pain he would experience seeing her, not only in her diminished capacity because of Alzheimer’s, but even more fragile due to the numerous issues that landed her in the ER last night.

BUT HE DID IT … AND I COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MORE PROUD OF HIM

You see, he is my child that puts on the strongest face of all my sons. He is a lot like his mom.

Yet, he is actually a very caring person under that SUPREMELY TOUGH [AND OFTEN TIMES CYNICAL] EXTERIOR. 

AND – when he got to the hospital, wouldn’t you know … SHE KNEW WHO HE WAS! And her first comment after acknowledging him was, ‘I HAVEN’T SEEN YOU IN A WHILE!!!’

I LOVE HER!!! SHE IS SO FEISTY!

He stayed with me until after 3AM – until they got her situated in her room in ICU

SO WHY SHARE THIS TONIGHT?

Because I believe there are some people who fall in the category of my last post:

FRIENDS OF JESUS FACING SOMETIMES DARK PLACES

But, there are also some people who fall in the category with my middle son:

INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE TASKED WITH FACING THEIR FEARS AND CHOOSING TO STEP … FORWARD ... IN FAITH

While this morning was extremely difficult for my son, 

HE WILL NOT LIVE WITH REGRETS

He will not live/exist wishing that he had seen her one last time, wishing he had said ‘I love you’ one last time AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY he will not have to live with the regret of letting his fears control his present and future. He faced that challenge head-on. So, whatever happens with my mom [whenever it happens], I know he will be alright.

BE ENCOURAGED TONIGHT –

No matter what your today may look like …

No matter what you have been avoiding up until this point …

YOU HAVE THE POWER TO MAKE DECISIONS WHICH WILL CHANGE YOUR PRESENT AND FUTURE

THE HARDEST PART IS MAKING SHIFT IN YOUR THINKING.

DO NOT BE CONTROLLED BY FEAR

DO NOT LET FEAR OF WHAT MIGHT/MIGHT NOT HAPPEN ROB YOU OF JOY TODAY

STEP OUT IN FAITH ... NO REGRETS!

Praying You Have a Blessed Evening!

Even a Friend of Jesus ...

Good Evening Friends –

I pray your week is off to a great start

This is the first of two posts for this evening.

Now, I do not normally write two posts, however, I had two on my heart today so here it goes.

Yesterday it was rainy and drizzly here in Virginia Beach

It felt appropriate given my somewhat somber mood heading into the weekend

You see, normally, Mother’s Day would be an exciting weekend for me,

Where I would shower my mom with love and gifts.

However, when I went to see her yesterday, I knew it would not be quite the same.

The majority of the time she does not know who I am and it made me think about a message that I heard recently and a song that I have been listening to for the last week-and-a-half.

Last week at my church, our Executive Pastor Scott and his sweet wife Robin spoke together on a sermon titled, ‘The Struggle is Real’. And, in that sermon, they spoke of a very difficult season in their life. They lost one daughter during the eighth month of pregnancy; then Robin’s dad was in a motorcycle accident and hurt significantly to the point where he lost his leg. Then they were advised – pregnant again – that there were significant abnormalities and that their second daughter would experience a lifetime of special needs. Following her delivery and the challenges of having to adjust to a new normal, they also faced the loss of Pastor Scott’s Grandfather and Father. Now, I have been friends with them for years – I have been going to the same church for eighteen years. Yet, even knowing their story and having prayed with them and for them on numerous occasions, it touched my heart all over again. I mentioned them in my book When Storms Rage – under the chapter talking about spiritual giants. Their faith amazes and inspires and they have stood by my side through many trials. They are champions of faith!

Well – after hearing that message on Sunday

I do what we all do … I went about my week

HOWEVER -  Lately [especially last week], I have been listening to a song by Bethel called ‘You Came’. It is an amazing song, delivered from the perspective of Lazarus and starts off with the following verse:

You stood outside my grave
With tears still on Your face
I heard You say my name
My night was turned to day

You came, oh, I knew that You would come …

Now, if you are unfamiliar, Lazarus [and his two sisters Mary & Martha] were very good friends of Jesus. In fact, the Bible only speaks of one time where Jesus cried and it also happens to be the shortest verse in the Bible. ‘Jesus wept’ ’(John 11:35)

And those tears? They were shed over Lazarus and the broken-heartedness of his sisters who were grieving his loss. Now, the story ends well. Jesus arrives on the scene [a full three days AFTER He was notified that Lazarus was sick]. In fact, Scripture notes in John 11:6, ‘So when He heard that Lazarus was sick, HE STAYED WHERE HE WAS TWO MORE DAYS’ [CAPS emphasis added]

OFTEN, we do not understand WHY the LORD allows us to walk through difficult circumstances.

FURTHER, it can leave us feeling abandoned and hurt … and [left unchecked] bitter and resentful.

NOW – I do not think myself so brilliant that I would even attempt to explain Jesus’ actions

BUT– I KNOW THIS

I KNOW HIM TO BE A GOD OF LOVE, ONE WHO CAN BE TRUSTED ;

AND HE TRULY DOES CARE FOR THAT WHICH CONCERNS US.

EVEN WHEN WE DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY,

WE MUST UNDERSTAND THIS –

YOU CAN BE A FRIEND OF JESUS [A CLOSE FRIEND] AND STILL EXPERIENCE DARK PLACES IN YOUR LIFE.

Lazarus was in the tomb FOR FOUR DAYS

And it got me thinking …

How many have been in the ‘tomb’, in a dark place for LONGER?

4 Weeks, 4 Months, 4 Years … 40 YEARS!!!

BUT –

Jesus can turn your fear into faith

He can turn your night into day

That song I mentioned, it rounds about by repeating over and over again,

‘You are a miracle-working God!’

‘You are a MIRACLE-WORKING God!!’

‘YOU ARE A MIRACLE-WORKING GOD … A MIRACLE-WORKING GOD!!!!

And even when the miracle does not always manifest in the manner that I [we] thought it would,

HE IS STILL ON THE THRONE, He is still in control, and He is still actively at work in my situation.

I believe He is working in your situation as well.

SO – I pray this evening that He would open all of our hearts and minds to TRULY SEE HIM

He loves you so much … and so do I!

Praying You Have a Blessed Evening

JESUS IS THE FRIEND WHO STICKS CLOSER THAN A BROTHER

HE WILL TURN YOUR FEAR TO FAITH

TRUST HIM

Happy Mother’s Day!

Wishing my Mom a Very Happy Mother’s Day!

Wishing all moms a Very Happy Mother’s Day!

May your blessings abound and your heart be filled with joy today & always

Saying a special prayer today …

For all who are experiencing their first Mother’s Day without their Mom

You have been on my heart all weekend

May the LORD comfort you today and always

Praying also this morning ...

For those who may have lost their Mom years ago,

     But are still missing her

For those Moms who may have lost a child

For those women who may not be moms by birth,

     But who lovingly ‘mother’ the people in their lives

Know that you are loved and thought of this Mother's Day

Happy Mother’s Day to All ...

Praying You Have a Truly Blessed Day!