Long Friday

Sitting here having my devotions this morning and I began to reflect about this amazing weekend.  In Denmark today is called,  the "Long Friday" - how appropriate is that!   Thinking back to the agonizing pain and brutal beatings that Jesus bore on this day - it probably did seem like the longest day to not only Him, but those that truly loved Him. 

This weekend has taken on a whole knew meaning to me over the past several years.  I have had to quote the scripture "by His stripes you are healed" for not only my life but other family members and friends as well.  The power of the cross became not only for salvation,  but for complete healing from stage 2 breast cancer as well as my daughter who had stage 3 brain cancer.  I remember watching the movie The Passion during the Easter season while on treatment and thinking Jesus you did that for me - for my healing, my salvation, my peace and my hope.  

A few years ago, on this very day, my aunt who was like another mother to me passed away with cancer. As hard as that was on all of us and still is to this day, the  end of her story with us is only the beginning of her story in eternity.  What an amazing promise the resurrection brings!  To be absent in body is to be present with the Lord.

My friend, let's not rush through another holiday ritual of easter eggs and ham dinner,  but pause for a moment to truly thank Him for the cross.  No matter what you are facing today He came to save, heal and deliver - won't you trust him today - He is the hope of the world.  

Did HGTV really just ring my doorbell?

Let me start this post off by saying - we are moving.  Secondly, I need to make a confession - I struggle with OCD - always have.  Not sure if it was from my childhood days,  when I would get home and the house was spic and span as the aroma of pine-sol filled the air.  I am pretty sure my mom may have even ironed our sheets.  Just last week,  I had a discussion with one of the kids and they were telling me that I put pressure on others because when I walk in to their home, without me saying anything, they automatically start thinking I am judging their tidiness because of my disorder.  I began to pray about the situation after assuring them that I don't even look at that when I go to other peoples houses and it is quite the opposite, I begin to think this home looks well loved - toys out means kids are happy, food out means they realized it was more important to take a break and play - the dishes can wait.  

This is where the saying, "Be careful what you pray for" begins to take place.  I think the scripture in 2 Samuel 22:28 became a quick reality for me - You save the humble, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low.  Wait a minute could God be really testing me in an area that I had been praying about?  We are in the middle of moving,  and my son Stuart, who is a musician/producer gets a call that HGTV wanted to film at our house in his studio for an episode on House Hunters.  I immediately told him how funny that was - I have boxes everywhere - he needed to call a few local studios that he has connections with and ask to use their studio - cause it wasn't going to happen here.  A few days went by, I assumed they had worked it out, and they had - the shoot was going to take place at our home.  The photo in this blog is what my house looked like today when the crews showed up - we are moving in 2 days - have I mentioned that?  For those of you that know me personally, you are finding this quite humorous.  For reasons like this,  I know that my heavenly Father has a great since of humor and does have ways to keep us humble by teaching us a lesson or two.   There is no way I could have fixed the situation or changed things - My house was a disaster with camera crews here.  The only thing that I could do was say - "Thank you God for your peace in my crazy world right now."  Honestly, when I let go of how things should be in my own mind  (because I had no choice) I had such peace.  You may not have camera crews showing up to a less than perfect home,  but you may be facing your own giant - he just wants you to lay it at His feet.  He will keep you in perfect peace,  my friend.  

Philippians 4:7 - And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The greatest gift outside of salvation and my amazing husband is this group right here - plus the newest member, Harper Mae.  People always ask Bill and I, "how do you keep your family so close".    There is an amazing unconditional love that has been shown and given to them.  No matter what the blessing or storm that life brings, we face it together as a team. 

If you were to pause for a moment and think about your circle of friends this year - compared to your circle 5 years ago you will more than likely think about how that circle has changed.  Relocating, life choices, growth, and maturity bring new seasons and with that a new circle of influence.  One of the things that we have taught our kids from a very young age is that your friends may come and go - but one thing that will be with you forever is the gift of family.  Your parents, brothers, sisters and children should be your greatest fan club.  For some, that is hard because you may come from an extremely dysfunctional family but if you allow God, He will surround you with right relationships that will bring healing and joy.  

One of the things that we practice as a family, is to be intentional with making time for each other.  Once a quarter we will take a weekend to get away together, those breaks don't have to be major, the getaway is the best part.  My heart was so full this week when my middle daughter Chelsie called and let me know that she had invited her brother and sister over for breakfast.  She felt like their lives have been busy and going in different directions lately and she wanted to make sure that even in the chaos life brings that  their relationship with each other has value and utmost importance,

I began to think, isn't this the way that our heavenly Father is?  He so desires to have a relationship with us.  Your thoughts, your goals, your desires - they all matter so much to him,  yet we get busy and often leave him out.  He longs to be that friend that sticks even closer than a brother.  My friend our challenge today is to spend more time with Him, make Him a priority in your life - I promise you will not be disappointed.

James 4:8 (NIV) - Come near to Him, and He will come near to you.

SHOW ME YOUR FRIENDS.......

When my kids were growing up we had this unspoken rule - stay true to yourself.  My daughter Chelsie,  was the challenger of this concept.  Chelsie had a friend that lived next door with a different lifestyle and value system, not that it was this child's fault, but the dynamics of her family were quite different than ours.  On more than one occasion, when Chelsie would begin to act differently, I would say "You are going to have to take a break from your friend until I see Chelsie again..".  

As the kids grew up our motto was always "Show me your friends....and I will show you your future".    It has been said that you are the average of the 5 people you hang around most.  Even to this day, I take inventory of myself quite often.  Am I surrounded by people that challenge me to live to the fullest?  Am I surrounding myself with positive people.......negativity breeds like a cancer.  Do the people I am associated with have goals and a vision?  Do my friends have the same spiritual values that I hold dear?  

I challenge you my friend, to pause often and take inventory......surround yourself with the right people.

Proverbs 13:20 - Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

don't pack your bags and live there

"Can I have fear and still be a believer?"  These were the words that a mom asked of me a few months ago.  Her son had been diagnosed with a brain tumor at the age of one and after all of his surgeries, radiation, and chemo he was now in remission.  This little one was preparing for his six month check up, which meant he would have a scan where the cancer once was to make sure there was no reoccurrence after being off of treatment.  Although his mom was a prayer warrior,  she found her self afraid and nervous of the unknown.  When she approached someone in her church she was told that something could be spiritually wrong with her.....that as a Christian she could not have faith and fear.

Psalm 34:4 (ESV)  - I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all of my fears.

David is one of the giants of our faith and in this scripture he is saying that he had fears - but he was delivered from them.

Let me break down a little bit more - we are human!  We are going to have fears, have nights when we lose sleep, and are frightened of the things that we have no control over.  Whether you are in a financial situation, having marital problems, facing medical crisis or any other battle, the problem comes in when we pack our bags and live there.

I encourage you today to cast your cares on Him - he cares so much for you - you are his beloved.

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