MARY, THE MOTHER OF JESUS

Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother... John 19:25

As I think upon the person Mary must have been, I am continually amazed at the strength I find in her life. Her life as a young woman was "interrupted" by an angel with an dauntingly divine message. She was entrusted with the job of raising the very Son of God. In addition to that special child, she was also mother to other children and a wife to Joseph. We see her very few times in the Scriptures, but each time she is mentioned we see the picture of a strong devoted woman.

I have gained much spiritual insight and strength through my own experiences as a mom. My sons have taught me important lessons about love, faith, grace and mercy. They are also responsible for a fervent prayer life for me! I am not sure I ever grasped the reality of God giving up His one and only Son until I held my own sons in my arms.

Several years ago I watched the Easter Pageant at our church. Jeremy, our oldest son, portrayed one of the thieves that was crucified beside Jesus. It was pure agony watching him up on that stage prop of a cross. I kept having to remind myself that "it was just a play, not for real". Mary did not have that option. She was at the foot of that awful cross watching her sinless first born die "for real."

During this time when we reflect upon the death and resurrection of our Savior, please do not overlook exactly what our redemption cost. The cross was real, the nails driven in the hands and feet of our Savior were not stage props. The noise of the hammers that drove the nails into the sinless flesh of my Jesus were not sound effects. The tears and agony of Mary were not an act.

Salvation is a free gift, but it cost God everything He had.

THE CALL OF THE CROWD

"What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?" Pilate asked them. "Crucify him!" they shouted. "Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!" Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. Mark 15:12-15

Pilate was a man that so wanted someone else to take the blame. He did not really care if he was right or wrong, just so no one pointed their finger at him. He had an opportunity to react right, but he refused. Of course, in his cowardly ways, he also confirmed what Scripture had taught. (I find no basis for a charge against this man. Luke 23:4) Jesus was the pure, innocent Son of God who GAVE His life for our sins.

Pilate tried to pass the buck. He wanted the people to decide what should be done with Jesus. But the emotional tide of the people had been stirred up by the Chief Priest and Pharisees in the crowd. The people asked for freedom for Barabbas instead of Jesus. In their unbelief, they chose death for the only ONE who could buy their eternal freedom. In Pilate's refusal to make a decision, the decision was made for him. How tragic that we often do the exact same thing. In our indecisiveness, our analysis paralysis and even in our silence, decision are taken out of our hands. Pilate washed his hands over the situation signifying his lack of blame, but the blood of Jesus didn't wash off that easily.

Pilate gave in to the crowd. He wanted to satisfy the loud voices in the multitudes. Like Pilate, we sometimes ponder at the pool of popularity too long. Just because the voices around us are loud does not make them right. Even if the majority agrees, they just might be wrong. Do you have the courage to stand for what is right even if you stand alone? Never forget that Jesus stands on the side of right. When you stand with Him, you will never stand alone.

JUMPING THROUGH HOOPS

"Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10

The Lord and I had a discussion this morning. Actually, He talked and I listened! He brought to my mind and heart so many incidents from the past when He had given me a specific word about a where I should walk with him. He reminded me of His plans for me that I had failed to accomplished because of a heavy dose of fear in my life. I remembered so many times I was kept from God's best for me, due to other's opinions, both spoken and perceived.

Why is it we worry so much more about what others think, rather than what God requires of us. I have jumped through some giant hoops just so I could please people. I could testify of time and time again when I drove myself crazy trying to make everyone happy and in the end no one was, and I was exhausted (and a little mad!)

This morning I committed to get myself free from the things that have entangled me and kept me from walking in God's perfect will for me. I'm still a people-pleaser, but I want to worry less about people and more about God's opinion of me. The only hoops I am jumping through from now on are the ones on God's court!

What about you?

A LEGACY FOR DAVID

I absolutely cannot believe Monday ushers in the month of March. For goodness sakes, I just delivered another Christmas gift last week! My January was filled with waiting on the birth of our little blessing Micah David Haines. He made his appearance January 21st. I was so blessed to be able to share his first couple weeks of life with his Mommy, Daddy and big brother Gavin. I had a blast!

March 1st is important day for our family. We get to celebrate David's birthday on that special day. He has been the best husband, friend and father any of us could ask for. Not too long ago I told him that I could not think of a single dream he hasn't tried to fulfill for me. He's the best!

Micah and Jackson both carry David's or "Grand D's" name! I hope our children know what this honor means to their Dad. You see, David always wanted to be a Daddy. Several months ago we were discussing our life goals, accomplishments and dreams. David told me how blessed and fulfilled he was to be the Dad of Jeremy and Jordan. And what a Dad he was.... from the first moments of their lives until today he has been there. He was so much calmer than me, they both ran to him with their accidents and injuries. David was the "A" team for every science fair, invention convention and history project. He was there for baseball, basketball and football. He coached, corrected, encouraged and enjoyed every thing they did. He was there for the fun times and the hard lessons. He has never given up on knowing God would bless his boys.

David's legacy of loving his family continues on in our four grandchildren: Jackson David, Gavin Matthew, Jenna Claire and now Micah David. I hope they know who much they are loved and how lucky they are to have him for their Grand D! You are truly the best birthday presents he could ask for.

What about you? Who has planted dreams in your life and left a legacy for you to follow? Take the time to tell them so this week. If you cannot tell them, than thank God for the footsteps you have to follow.

GOD'S DAY TIMER

In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9

I love Saturday mornings. Years ago when our boys were too old for a babysitter, but too young to be left alone after dark, David and I found a perfect solution for some time alone. We began to schedule "dates" for Saturday Breakfast. Even though the boys are old enough to hire sitters for their children, we are still enjoying our dates over Saturday morning breakfast. This past Saturday we went to breakfast and were excited to discover, we had absolutely no plans for the rest of the day.

As we pulled out of the parking lot, my cell phone rang and an unfamiliar number was displayed. When I answered a frantic friend was on the line telling me she had a problem. It seems their Speaker for a planned event was having to cancel because of an illness in her family. Flipping mentally through my calendar, I knew I had obligations through the rest of the year. And then my frantic friend said.... "our dinner is tonight!" I just grinned at the Lord because He knew exactly where I had an opening in the schedule. I was able to tell her I would be happy to serve in her church.

What a blessing Saturday evening was for me. I was privileged to serve at Westway Baptist right here in Houston. I saw some familiar faces, met some new friends and came away knowing God had determined my steps, my words and my weekend.

What about you? Has God re-arranged,interrupted or shaken up your schedule lately? Give Him the freedom to work daily in your world. His plans are always best!

FIRST DAYS OF SCHOOL

I believe school has officially started everywhere. Even our little Jackson started Mother's Day Out this week. For the last couple of weeks, everywhere I shopped was filled with excited children and broke, exhausted parents. They were buying school clothes, school supplies and school shoes. An entire column could be written about those school shoes! I'm grateful for boys after all. They just need a new pair of tennis shoes and they were ready to go.

I would like for just a moment to address the teachers who also began school this month. They are probably not nearly as excited as their young charges! I no longer have a student at home, but I did for many years. I wonder, dear teachers, if you realize what an important part you will play in many children's lives this year? Your time with them may be short, but your influence is profound. Each of you will have a job to do this year dictated by state requirements, Principal mandates and established lesson plans. There will be tests that measure the success of your teaching methods and styles. You will receive notes of gratitude and complaining phone calls. However, there is another area where your success will not be so easily measured. How can one clearly tally the effect you have on the heart of a child you teach? Who will make note of the smile you greet them with each morning? Who takes into account the hours you spend encouraging a child who receives no encouragement at home? Who will notice when you take interest in a child the rest of the world has labeled a lost cause?

I saw a sign out in front of a church one day that read, "God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called". I have found much joy in the ways many teachers have invested in my children. My boys are better people because of the jobs those teachers were called to do. Write a note this week to encourage a teacher.

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!