Clever Characters

"Mom I ate lunch by myself at school today." Instantly I wondered what Katie Beth had done to keep her from the table with the other children. Children are seated by themselves for two reasons:Peanut allergy or as a consequence. I ask "Why did you have to sit by yourself KB? " She answered that she had forgotten her money in the classroom and come into the lunch room after all the seats were taken. "Mom it was wonderful. There was peace and quiet and I could hear God clearly. It was perfect I wish I could sit with God everyday." I was amazed. About this time Brad chimed in "Katie Beth sometimes I spend my time with God as my lunch buddy." They talked back and forth about how great it was to have this precious time with the Lord. Next I heard Brad give Katie Beth a warning. "Princess remember Satan tries to turn the good things of God into bad. Satan is going to tell you when you are alone with God that you do not have any friends and that b...

One look at Katie Beth after school and I could see she'd been deflated. "Mom I had the most horrible day. I am a horrible writer. Writing is so hard and my teacher fussed at me. Oh mom what am I going to do because I will always have to write." Sob, sob, sob, SOB, SOB,SOB...she crumbles into my arms while tears flood her face. I asked, "What if you're not? What if you are NOT a horrible writer?" Everything shifted with that one question. "What happened exactly?" "Well my teacher was grouchy and she fussed and then I thought I was a horrible writer." Did she say you were a horrible writer? No . Did you feel very upset and anxious? Yes . Philippiansa4:6-7 "Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful ...

There is a layer of frost on the ground this morning. It's chill might as well be wrapped around my heart. My friends are hurting. A LOT of my friends are hurting A LOT. It seems the slightest momentum of Christmas spirit is halted by upsetting news. My current prayer list includes : A friend whose teenage daughter ran away with her lover, a friend whose fiance died of a heart attack 3 weeks after his proposal, a friend who has walked away from his amazing wife and his baby boy, two friends whose jobs are sucking the life out of them, one friend who is seriously ready for him to put a ring on it, another friend whose husband just lost his job, and the teeth of divorce are gnawing on yet another friend. Add to that those reeling from loved ones taken in death or caring for loved ones battling disease and the pain level is maxed out. I can honestly tell you my heart is ACHING for those I love during this season to be jolly. Looking at my calendar I recognize how busy this season can ...

When Brad and I got engaged we asked a small group of close friends to pray for several weeks about our engagement and seek God's blessing on it. We both agreed we did not want to enter into marriage without HIS blessing. I realize this sounds a bit strange to some. I think it is best explained by our total trust in God. We had both seen God work powerfully in our lives and honestly trusted His ways over our own thinking. And sure that is code for "we had each MESSED our lives up trying to do things OUR way" before we met. When the day of blessing came there were precious words to confirm our union, scriptures given to anchor our marriage, and prayers to seal these words onto our hearts. I continue to go back to my journal entry where these words and scriptures are recorded for strength on the days I know we, as a couple, are facing challenges. The next few days fall into that category. Tomorrow we will bury Brad's mom in Tennessee. I know it will be difficult but I a...

When I think of joy I think of my daughter Katie Beth. She truly lives life to the fullest and often cracks me up. In the picture she is showing me her latest bike trick. I have included some KB stories from this week. ENJOY! The other night we were in Home Depot and she was riding on my back. The game was for me to try and buck her off. All of a sudden she states loudly "Mom you are one big mother bucker." I laughed so hard I cried. And of course others laughed too. She still has no idea why that was so funny. Same day, moments later, still at Home Depot...Katie Beth climbs up on a wall and starts singing "Don't you wish your girlfriend was hot like me?" while strutting her stuff. I was shocked! It was hilarious!!! So I ask the origin of the dance and coordinating moves. Alas Alvin and the Chipmunks have poisoned my daughter's mind. And she now understands why that song and dance is not a good choice. Same day on the way home "Mom I know why Madison a...

One of my very favorite things to do up until the age of five was spent the night with my Aunt Opal in Paducah, Texas. Favorite memories include playing croquet with all the neighbors, catching horny toads , talking to truckers on the CB, dashing to the storm shelter to escape a passing tornado, and making the most scrumptious strawberry cake ever. My Aunt Opal deposited in me a love for life, a spirit of adventure, and shall we say a hefty portion of spunk. (Brad you can quit nodding your head.) One weekend my parents drove from Lubbock to pick me up and noticed Opal didn't look right. They convinced her to come home with us. During the two hour trip my aunt had a heart attack in the front seat. My dad drove like a bat out of hell. By the grace of God we got a police escort to Methodist hospital. I remember pressing my face against the window and staring at the Harvest Moon on that terrifying drive. I only saw my Aunt Opal one more time before she died. Ever since then I have been...

I really like when you check the *like* button on my facebook status. And I adore your comments of affirmation on my wall. At times I wonder how I can please you. And there are moments that your opinions matter more to me than God's. Daily I battle between seeking man's affirmations and allowing God to tell me my worth. Who among us does not value affirmation, connection, affection, or position as a way to validate your worth? Maybe you have even thought "When I am married I will be complete." Daily decisions to fill our God spaced hole with affirmations from man result is pews filled with masked Christians hiding messy sinful lives all the while trying to put on a good show. The official name given to these people both by the news media and the church is hypocrite. I might suggest another name. Captive. We all need God to save us from ourselves. The following is a quote from the Pastor John at Gateway Church in Austin. He shares an amazing message that shook me to my...