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!

Keep Marching Forward ...

Good Morning Friends!

It has been quite some time since I have written

Hard to believe that it is the last day of March 2019

And just like that – one-fourth of this year is gone …

It is a good time to reflect on goals that have been set for the year

It is a great time to check our progress in moving toward the things God has for us

Personally, I am in the middle of self-development project

It is one aimed at forcing myself out of my comfort zone

As an introvert, it is very difficult for me to socialize with people

Therefore, I have been taking deliberate and intentional steps to overcome this area

In daily interactions and on social media, I am pushing myself ...

To engage more with others and be more interactive

But I faced a significant setback this week –

Even as I have taken steps to be more social and engaging

Someone came up behind me at work and struck my chair really hard

Now, this might not be a big deal to most people

However, given the climate and my history – it had a significant impact on me

I had a full-fledged anxiety attack – hands trembling and an endless flow of tears

I was so disappointed – in my reaction

Understand, I did nothing wrong.

The wrong was on the part of the individual who struck my chair.

Yet – I was disappointed because it felt like I took three steps backwards

Immediately, I could feel the walls going back up

But then I had to remind myself of my goals and of all the progress I have made

Therefore I have decided – I will not let Friday’s incident veer me off course

I will continue to march forward – unmoved by the enemy’s attempt to derail me

There is more of this year out ahead of me than what has passed

Perhaps you have faced some challenges with goals you have set for yourself this year

There is more of this year out ahead of you than what has passed

And so I offer this reminder –

No matter what may happen, no matter what ‘they say’, no matter what you tell yourself

Remember, at all points, and despite any challenges this year

You are –

Perfectly Purposed

‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I set you apart’

Jeremiah 1:5

Timelessly Treasured

‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness’

Jeremiah 31:3

Sovereignly Selected

‘You are my servant; I have chosen you and have not rejected you.’

Isaiah 41:9

Divinely Defended

'Do not fear for I am with you. Do not be dismayed for I am your God; I will defend you.’

Isaiah 41:10

‘No weapon formed against you shall prosper’

Isaiah 54:17

There is more of this year out ahead of us than what has fallen in the rear-view window

Keep marching forward!

Praying You Have a Blessed Day

Wishing You Much Love …

you are more ...

'You are more than what you have become'

Sitting in the living room last night with my youngest son, we were channel surfing and happened upon the movie 'The Lion King' right at that point where these words were spoken. And did I ever need to hear that yesterday, at the precise moment that I heard it. I was feeling so very weary from this journey called life.

You are more than what you have become ...

It is so easy to get stuck in the past, and even the present. It can make it difficult to remember and focus upon the truth that He has a future prepared for you ... He has 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a hope and a future' Jer. 29:11

I wonder just how many people the LORD has had that talk with throughout the ages.

• I imagine He told Abram, 'You are more than what you have become'
• Certainly He spoke those words to Hagar as she attempted to run away (and later as she sat fearfully, watching her son suffer before her eyes). 'You are more than what you have become, Ishmael is more than what he has become'
• I would be willing to guess that He had that conversation with David on several occasions, 'You are more than what you have become'
• I am certain Peter received that message from Jesus, even if not in the exact same words. 'Peter, you are more than what you have become'
• I am convinced Saul heard those words on the road to Damascus. 'Saul, you are so much more than what you have become.' You are more than a religious persecutor of My people. You are my people. You are Paul and there awaits much for you to do and to become.

I believe He whispers it to each one of us ... at various points along our journey. No matter where we find ourselves at present, He is with us. He draws us to Himself and toward His plans and purpose. He speaks with such confident boldness, yet it is intimate and personal at the same time. His words are piercing, penetrating our minds and hearts, but in the very best way. You are more than what you have become! Keep trusting, keep hoping, keep loving, keep persevering, keep submitting, keep sharing, keep growing, keep becoming all that I desire for you to become. He opens our eyes to see, and our ears to hear, and our hearts to feel and hope and dream. And He is so kind, that He will use whatever means necessary to convey the message.

I am more than what I have become
You are more than what you have become ...
Pause, really pause, and meditate upon those words. Embrace the truth of it and, today, let it be a catalyst for change in your thinking and in your doing and in your being.

Have a Very Blessed Day!

no condemnation

Watched a movie yesterday and a young lady (full of hurts/regrets & facing impossible challenges) said, ‘I was so lonely I threw my life away to be held for one moment ….’ Amazing how one comment can derail you and instantly take you back to issues you thought you’d dealt with years ago. Hearing that took me right back to some past decisions of my own. And the bad news is regrets can haunt us indefinitely if we do not know Christ. BUT, ‘there is now therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:1)’. Any man in Christ is a new creation … the old is past and the new has come (II Cor. 5:17). Thank God for Jesus!