A NEW BIBLE

I have a new Bible and I love it. It's pink, because in just a few years when my grand daughter can read, I'm going to give it to her. The pages are all still stuck together and I can't find a single familiar marking in it. Every page is waiting for me to discover old treasures in a fresh new way. I keep my favorite pen and highlighter handy to mark my new favorite Scriptures! I'm always thinking of that sweet blonde angel who will follow behind me. I pray I will be around to open the treasures up for her, but if not, I intend to leave a trail she can follow.

I'm extremely aware of the responsibility of leaving a godly legacy for my own family. But too often I forget about those who might be following along behind me and I'm completely unaware of my influence. Any day I miss out on an opportunity to tell someone about my Jesus, either in word or deed, is a day wasted. This week in Bible Study, we talked about our "circle of influence." We all have one. God has purposed a mission field for everyone of us.

How are you using the influence God has given you?

HAPPY FALL, FINALLY

I'm not much on Halloween. But I dearly love pumpkins. Fresh pumpkin pies, pumpkin muffins, bread and Starbuck's pumpkin spice latte all point to the fact that it's finally below 90 degrees in Houston. Of all the ways I love that fabulous fall fruit, I think I've discovered my favorite! Let me introduce Mr. Josiah Haines! He is Jeremy and Jessica's baby boy and he is such a delight. He's a snuggle bug for whoever holds him. He adores his brother and sister. There is always the biggest smile on his little face. He just turned 1 and we cannot imagine our life without him.

This baby of our family is secure of his place never doubting the love of his family. He's a bit of a flirt, watching for the opportunity to catch your eye and give you the biggest grin. He is content to play on his own, but if you are in need of some cuddling, he's happy to oblige. He's our 5th grandchild but we just call him our baby boy!

LIFE

Today I was devastated to read about another child who lost their battle with cancer and gained heaven's glory.

I laughed with my daughter-in-love who crossed a line into serious motherhood as she left the car dealership with a mini-van.

I grieved once again over a loved one who can't remember her name or her children.

I experienced great frustration at the drive thru of a local fast food restaurant, which was anything but FAST

I fell more madly in love with my Grand Blessings as their Mom sent me snippets and snapshots of their little lives.

AND

I worried over the future because of the never ending doom of the headlines.

Life would really be crazy and perhaps hopeless if not for my Jesus....

In the overflow of my changing emotions, I find His life for me. One of frustration and failures, abundance and grace... I am at thankful and I am at rest.

OH MY GOODNESS, I THINK I'M GOOD AND MAD

A sweet and precious young woman just posted a link on facebook to a blog explaining all the bad stuff about Women's Ministry. I'm not mad at her, I'm furious with the woman who wrote the blog. (Sarah Bessy, "Why we don't need Women's Ministry at chuchleaders.com) It made me fighting mad! I don't think I am un-biased on this subject. For pity sakes I've spent most of my adult life (and that's a lot of years) involved with the women of one church or another. I very personally, know the good, the bad and the ugly about women in the church. And you know what... the good and the Godly far outweigh the bad stuff.

I've never seen anyone like women seeking after the Lord in Bible Study. None seemed to care if there was a feminine cover on the study or not. It is the women from these groups that take meals and clean the house of another woman who is suffering the devastating effects of chemotherapy. These "shallow" women are the exact ones who show up at the door of another woman who just suffered another miscarriage, or buried her 1 year old. These are the women who hold up another woman who just saw her husband walk out the door after 20 years of marriage. These exact women help rescue another woman who has been beaten to a pulp by her husband. They have helped encourage the marriages in the group, clothe and feed the children who were without and managed to walk through some serious fires without smelling like smoke. They are not shallow or innocent of what the world has to offer.

These very same women would really love for some woman to start a workplace Bible study downtown. They would appreciate some help caring for those who have been unjustly treated by society. They wouldn't even mind if you started a group to discuss world religions, theology or politics. An art or music class for the children in the inner city would be a great place to start.

Stop waiting for an invitation to pray, work or minister to others. I encourage you to get off your soapbox and get busy in the middle of ministry. The church will be better for it.

Maybe just maybe, the reason your Ladies Night was filled with frivolous things like cupcakes and crafts is because most of the women who attended were exhausted and drained from their life of ministry. They needed a night of fun and laughter. They needed a place to take their "lost" neighbor that was not threatening or overly religious.

Does the church need Women's Ministry? Yes, you bet it does. Ms. Bessy, you are right, it's not just for the married women pushing a double stroller. (Although several of those also run marathons for causes important to them.) Women's Ministry is for you and women just like you who want a group that meets them where they are. Why don't you start one for women like that? You don't even have to bring cupcakes.

I feel better now....

FRIENDS

My goodness, it's been a while since I posted to this blog. The baby boy I last wrote about is now 18 months old. There's been another baby boy Haines (I'll write about precious Josiah very soon!) And just to make our life perfect, baby Landen Haines is coming in January. Goodness knows I could write forever about those precious children, but that's not why I signed on today.

Today I want to talk about friends. Real friends that have been around my life for a long time. Friends who know about every stupid, childish thing I've ever thought about. Women who know all my faults and failures, but would swear to others those are their favorite things about me! (They then would pull me aside and tell me to get my life together.) Ladies who I have laughed my head off with and shared an equal amount of tears. Friends....

On Monday, a good friend who helped me raise my boys, had the opportunity to share some things on his behalf. There is something incredibly special about knowing someone long enough they can share stories about your 32 year old kid and his Superman under roos! Time and miles traveled together for that long equal some deep roots in a relationship. Those roots are buried so deep, even a full on Texas drought cannot affect them.

On Wednesday after Bible Study I had a very special time at lunch with two other old friends and one new one. Oh, how I wish I had a picture of that table laden with good Tex Mex food and diet coke with lime in it. With two of the ladies I have shared some real life experiences. Experiences like wonderful kids, not so wonderful kids on other days, sickness, health, death and moving vans. The new friend is new to our area. We don't have any history with her. She has children that are all grown up, grandchildren she's so proud of and a fresh empty place in her heart from losing her husband to cancer just over a year ago. We vowed to include her, introduce her and invite her into our lives. One of us is a widow and promised to share some needed information. One of us will get her plugged in to serve Jesus here in Houston. And, one of us promised to not tell funny stories about her at speaking engagements.... at least for a little while.

I just know we are going to love her and she will surely enrich our lives. A few years back, I might have thought I did not have time or space for another friend, but now I know better. Time and space is more limited every day. I've got to make the most of every opportunity. People say "You can't be too rich or too thin." I don't know much about either of those things, but I know I can't ever have too many friends!


Share some encouragement today with the friends God has given you.