THE BLESSING OF FRIENDSHIP

I'm discovering that I just love FB (that's Facebook for you who have not ventured into the great Internet craze!) I read in the newspaper today that more and more middle age people are joining the ranks of the Facebook phenomenon. I'm telling you those college kids who started this whole thing are on to something!

I absolutely love that I can sign in and see what my buddies in Mississippi, Texas, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, etc. are doing. I am blessed daily to check in on my kids and their families all in the comfort of my little study and without burning minutes on my cell phone. I'm blown away to pray for sick children or mission trips around the world from my little corner of Texas. Life is good! It's not as good as going for coffee together, but it sure blesses my heart to get to stay in touch.

Of all the blessing I have been given, friends stand out as one of God's best in my life. There are some folks who have been a part of my "family of friends" for over 30years. There is not much they do not know about me. They have seen me at my best and at my worst. Sometimes that transformation from best to worst has occurred in less than an hour! There are other people who have come into my life because they have shared my life and allowed me to share theirs.

As I think about what it is that friends so special, I am reminded of all those who have blessed my life. I still have friends that I have known from school. I grew up in a small town, so I graduated with many who began first grade with me. We became friends because of the common denominators of age, geography and similar likes and dislikes. (Mostly we agreed from one week to the next who we liked or disliked!) Those were the friends I dreamed and planned with.

I have other friends who came into my life when I became a young wife and mom. Our friendship was based on common interests and limitations. (We could only eat out where the floors were tiled and highchairs were provided!) We never completed a sentence during those years, because we were interrupted every minute by one child or another. These are the friends who help keep my family together. Amazing relationships came from this time in my life.

As I grew older, others came to share in my life and we walked according to need and interests. Age, race, politics or religion were not nearly as important as the person. God taught me so much through those years of friendship. I watched my buddies battle cancer, the loss of mates, rebellious children and straying husbands. I watched them become stronger through the battles they faced. These friends made me strong. I became strong as they allowed me to stand beside them on the battle lines.

Every new friend has been blessed by the gifts in my life given by an old friend. I have been changed by the gifts their friends and friendships left in mine. Whether you connect through FB, email, telephone or a lunch date. Make the time this week for your friends. We couldn't make it without one another!

A FUN AFTERNOON

I had such a great afternoon speaking to the ladies at Jersey Village Baptist Church here in the Houston area. (I wish I had taken my camera, you would have loved the pictures!) Women from the church modeled outfits from an upscale consignment shop. Darling women and cute clothes. Then Erika Wise from Star of Hope Mission spoke for a few minutes about the ministry she is involved in. They meet the needs of women trying to get their lives together after some really difficult circumstances. All the women who attended the event this afternoon brought "gently worn" outfits that Erika was taking back to her office to help these ladies out. We had the cutest little cupcakes for dessert and then I had the honor of sharing a little with these precious ladies. I spoke about "What Not to Wear" in a spiritual sense instead of the fashion sense that TLC's Stacy and Clinton do.

I got so into the whole fashion show thing, that I closed out my time with a runway commentary. I thought I would share with you what I think THE GOD SEEKING, FAITH FINDING, WORD FOLLOWING WOMAN is wearing this Summer season. (Col.3:12-14)

First of all, HER COUNTENANCE IS GLOWING because she KNOWS she is dearly loved by God. She is not first on the runway of life because she let her new neighbor go first. She’s holding back, watching and applauding the loudest for her new friend who has just come out victorious in her latest battle. For those who knew this WORD FOLLOWING woman before, you will hardly recognize her. She just looks so peaceful there in the background. She seems so comfortable with her circumstances, she actually looks younger, it makes me think surely she has had a FAITH LIFT! Reports have said she was really nervous about this year and its events, BUT GOD has obviously assured her she was gifted and qualified for tasks ahead.
She was WEARING TRUTH in a way that looked really good on her. Her NEW CLOTHES FIT HER PERFECTLY. It is like they were CUSTOM MADE just for her. I’m told the LABEL and DESIGN HOUSE is called “THE GREAT I AM ENOUGH” and just from looking, you can tell HE CERTAINLY IS. HE has dressed her perfectly in the wardrobe HE picked out for her: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength and discipline are woven through the fabric of each of the garments she is wearing. I understand the WRAP she is wearing is called LOVE. It really is an outstanding accessory perfect for all climates and always in style. No Woman of God should ever leave home without it.

I encourage you to watch your "spiritual" wardrobe this week. I know I'm going to.

Thank you JVBC for the invitation and privilege of serving with you today.

A WASTED DAY

Today's been a rather difficult day for me. Nothing is wrong. My family is wonderful, healthy and growing. As far as I know, there are no crises on the horizon. But today, I have been nearly crippled by fear. All the "what ifs" of my world have been screaming in my soul. They have spoken so loudly, they have overcome the still, small voice that brings me peace. I know the scriptures about "fear" very well. Most of them have been cross-stitched in my heart for years. I've hung them framed throughout my house. I know my Savior did not give me a spirit of fear, but one of power, love and self-discipline. I am reminded often that perfect love casts out fear (His perfect love, my irrational fears).

While I might know the truth, today I made a choice to walk in the enemy's lies and I am exhausted. Finally about 8:00 I sat down with my Bible and my journal. (It was 8:00 in the evening, I'm such a slow learner!)As I poured my fearful heart out to the Lord, He poured His love and His peace into mine. With only a couple hours before bedtime, I am at rest.

What a waste of a perfect day. I am so grateful His mercies are new every morning, aren't you? Tomorrow will definately be a better day!

THE HAINES GIRL

Yesterday at about 1:30 Eastern Daylight Time, I became the grandmother of a little girl. When they placed that little pink cardboard sign in a little baby bed and it said HAINES GIRL, I was breathless and for just a moment speechless! I am a boys' Mom and a boys' Nonnie. I probably am very partial to boys because I understand them. It's all I've known until now. And now... I'm going to learn how a little girl thinks. I think it's going to be a blast with all my little boys and now this precious little pink bundle. I'm a girl's Nonnie, too!

A GROWING FAMILY

"Clear lots of ground for your tents! Make your tents large! Spread out! Think big!
Use plenty of rope, drive the tent pegs deep. You are going to need lots of room for your growing family." Isaiah 54: 2-3 (The Message)

In October of 1991, God first brought these scriptures to me. At the time, we were in the midst of trying to adopt a child. I just knew these scriptures were a promise to me. However, after walking through every open door placed before us (and prying open a couple of windows) we never got our third child. David and I were eventually fine with God's "no" to us, but in the past 18 years, I've often thought about that Scripture. I have wondered just how I misunderstood what God wanted for us. To make things a little more confusing, He brought that Scripture back to me often enough to keep me wondering.

We raised our boys, they married and each has given us a wonderful grandson. Jackson is 21 months old and Gavin will be 1 year old in a couple of weeks. Last Christmas our "tent" was full and we were blessed. In just 5 days, we will be adding to our family once again, and if the ultrasound is correct, we will welcome our first grand daughter! We are beside ourselves!

A couple of weeks ago Jordan's family came for a visit and Allison was not feeling well. After 3 pregnancy tests, we all accepted the fact that God was adding to our family once again. So, come next January, Gavin will be a big brother just like Jackson.

God gently reminded me of my Isaiah promise. I believed with my whole heart, He was going to fulfill that promise almost 20 years ago, and when He didn't, I didn't understand. I've really been "weepy" for the past two weeks, marveling at my Savior's faithfulness. He never forgot His promise to me and He will never forget His promise to you. Great is His faithfulness!

THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

The end of May ushers in the last day of school across our great nation. There are proms, graduations,yearbook signings and end of the year parties. As Moms of school-age children, we all look forward to a little less structure in our daily lives (for just a little while, at least!) I haven't had school-age children for almost a decade, but I still remember my baby's last day of school.

For 16 years, I had been running back and forth from one school or another to take forgotten items to one of our two boys. It is a job, all "moms" understand. It is just one more way we "stand in the gap" for our kids. My oldest son constantly forgot something during his junior high years. The school secretary and I are still exchanging Christmas cards! In fact, I still believe he should have named his first born after her. My youngest did a much better job at remembering. However, on his last day of school an unexpected call came from him about a forgotten event. He had participated in the school's Knowledge Bowl Team and there was a lunch for them in just two hours. He needed a dress shirt, tie and slacks in less than an hour. I was in a hurry that morning for work and the last thing I had time for was pressing clothes and running to the school

In my years of "mothering" I often have said too much too quickly and had to go back and apologize. I am thankful that this time I kept silent. (Probably because he hung up before I finished speaking!) So, as I pressed those slacks and that shirt, God whispered in my heart that this was most probably my last trip up to the school with a forgotten item. Through my tears, I counted it a joy instead of a job, to run up to the school. God showed me it was a privilege rather than a duty.

I believe parenting is one of the greatest callings that one can have on their life (except perhaps grand parenting!) But even in the privilege, there are hundreds of tedious, thankless tasks. So as you endure these last days of school take time to count it all joy and hug your "blessings" this week!

A NEVER ENDING LOVE STORY

A couple of weeks ago my father-in-law had surgery. It was a minor procedure, but when you are 86 years old, nothing seems very minor. David's parents are both 86 and have lived long, godly lives. They are still very much in love and are only whole when they are together. Mr. Haines did not want Mrs. Haines to sit at the hospital during the procedure and only allowed me to bring her when he was out of recovery and in his room. As she entered his hospital room, they both just lit up and he said "How is my girl?" She was just fine as soon as she saw that he was!

The Haines come from the generation where the man took care of the woman and the woman took care of the home and family. (I'm personally grateful that by the time my generation came along, there was more shared responsibilities at home!) My mother-in-law was the primary caretaker of the home, but she worked outside the home whenever extras were needed. They raised five children and I cannot imagine a time when there would not be a need for "extras". I have taught many young married women using the Haines as examples. In the more than 60 years of marriage, Mrs. Haines has honored and respected her husband in both word and deed. Mr. Haines has seldom started a day without first telling her how much he loved her. It is truly a love story that has no ending.

It is a great blessing to belong, if only by marriage, to the legacy they have built for their family. I'm writing today to ask myself how I'm adding to this legacy and encouraging you as you build yours.