I sat in disbelief as I listened to a young lady share her plans to take her own life.  As she shared the details of her plan, my mind flashed back to the day that I met her.  One of the ladies in our lifegroup had invited this young lady to class.  I do not remember what the lesson was that day, but I do remember her adamantly insisting that she was only there because her friend had forced her to come.  I watched as the ladies from our group introduced themselves to her and showered her with love. I knew God had His hand on her and was moving in her life, I just didn’t realize the magnitude.

“How did you know?” she said.  “I’m sorry?”  I asked not realizing I had drifted out of the conversation.  “You knew right?”  “ NO!  I had NO idea!”  I replied.  Again, my mind drifted to the day she was describing.  My children and I had taken an alternate route in an attempt to exit the church quickly.  As we were about to exit, I saw this young lady through the crowds, frantically trying to find the exit.  I stopped to greet her and we talked for over an hour.  We prayed and went our separate ways.  She never mentioned anything about her plan to take her life.  I realized she was staring intently at me waiting for a response.

“Everything you said, it was like you knew…” she repeated. “You saved my life.  Thank you.”   My eyes began to fill with tears as I realized that God had orchestrated every moment for this young lady.  “It was not me at all,” I replied, “it was ALL God!”

Some time ago I read a blog by Baron Batch who experienced a similar situation.  I know I will not do his story justice by trying to explain it so please take a moment to read it.  In his blog, Baron, compares each of our lives to raindrops whose ripples collide with one another.  He proposed that “just maybe each ripple of our lives has been ordered, measured, weighed, named, and timed perfectly to synchronize with the others to save a life.”  Considering, my recent experience with my new friend, I believe Mr. Batch got it right.

Maybe you have been going to church on Sundays but, for whatever reason, you have been sitting on the sidelines.  I implore you to get connected!  Volunteer at the church or in the many outreaches that go on throughout the year.  Join a lifegroup, the semester just began! Get connected somewhere!  You will not regret it!  You will meet some of the best friends of your life while growing in a closer, more personal relationship with your Maker.  Who knows?  Maybe the ripples of your life will collide with someone else’s and change a life forever!

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Have you ever been hurt by someone so badly that you thought you would NEVER be able to forgive them? Or have the words “I will NEVER forgive you” come out of your mouth? Maybe it’s time for a new perspective….

Earlier this month I attended the Prize Women’s Conference and, as usual, it was amazing! The speaker, Jessi Gibson, was phenomenal. She was so good that I did not want it to end. I left that conference so excited that I couldn’t wait to share everything I had learned. Later on that evening, I had the opportunity to share one of Jessi’s stories with a close friend. It was one of hurt and heartache caused by two individuals in her church. She spoke about how deeply wounded she had been and how the Lord had called her to forgive and to love on these individuals anyway. As you can imagine, it was very difficult for her, but she chose to be obedient. Because of her obedience, these people eventually apologized for their actions and the relationship was restored!

My friend, Kat, who is always very insightful, listened intently and blew me away with her response! She said “In today’s society, people believe that it is their RIGHT to be angry and to seek revenge when they are wronged or offended. When Jesus was persecuted He didn’t try to defend Himself or retaliate, instead He remained silent.” I had never thought about it like that. What a great perspective!

Jesus was betrayed by a close friend and another denied even knowing Him, not only once, but three times. He was falsely accused, mocked, beaten, and sentenced to a brutal death. A death He did not deserve. If anybody ever had a RIGHT to hold a grudge, it was Jesus. Instead, as He hung on that cross dying for you and for me, He asked His Father to forgive us.

Is there someone that you thought you could NEVER forgive? Have you been harboring unforgiveness? It is time to let it go…. choose to forgive, not for their sake, but for your own.

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

Matthew 6:14

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For as long I can remember my daughter has stood in my doorway as I get ready for bed.  Sometimes we talk and sometimes she just stands there and quietly watches.  The other night as she stood in her usual spot my heart began to ache as a much younger image of my daughter flashed before my eyes.  I began to cry as reality began to set in.  In less than six months she will be married and will no longer stand in my doorway.  How many times had I taken those precious moments for granted?  She is not even gone and I already miss her deeply.  Maybe I am just being sentimental as that day fast approaches or maybe there is a lesson to be learned.

In the pursuit to find purpose for my life, I often find myself feeling discouraged, frustrated, and inadequate.  I have worn myself out doing all the “Christian” like things that I thought I was supposed to do.  In the process my family, the one’s I love most and am spiritually responsible for, are the one’s who sometimes receive the least of my time and attention.

The Bible says that we are to love God with all our hearts, soul, mind and strength.  It has taken me some time to realize that it is not in the “doing” that we find our purpose, but instead it is in “just being” that we fulfill our purpose.  We do not have to go out and DO this spectacular thing, but instead we just need to simply BE. Whatever season in life you find yourself in, cherish it and do not take those precious moments for granted.

Have you allowed precious moments to pass you by? What can you do to make sure you do not miss out on the moments that matter most?

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Sometimes we get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of life that we miss what my daughter likes to call “Smooches from God.” You know! The times that you know that you know, God has sent that particular moment just for you…..

His “smooches” can come in many shapes and sizes. They can come to encourage or to show you that He is there. Sometimes you ask for them and sometimes He sends them just because He can (those are my favorite). Always they are meant to express His unfailing love and compassion for you. I am thankful for the moments. Some of my favorites include:

The sound of children laughing

An encouraging word from a friend

The lyrics of a song speaking directly to me

A starry night

These are just a few of the countless smooches I am so thankful for. I believe that the One who paid it all is so head over heels in love with each one of us that He daily romances us with these moments. Have you been so busy or focused on the trials of this life that you have been missing the moments He has sent just for you? Can I encourage you to take time out today and allow Him to love on you?

Maybe you have been keenly aware of the smooches that God has sent you… normally I wouldn’t ask you to kiss and tell but this time I will make an exception.

What is your favorite God moment?

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I have a confession to make.  It’s something that I am not proud of.  In fact, I am actually kind of embarrassed…but if it helps save a family then it will all be worth it.

I became a single mom almost seven years ago, and because of the circumstance behind the end, it would be EXTREMELY easy to place the blame on someone else. In fact, I played the victim for many years. It wasn’t until very recently that I realized just how much I contributed to my family’s downfall.

I thought I was fighting to keep my family together, when in fact I was contributing to its demise. My intentions were good and my heart was in the right place; the problem was that my perception of what my role as a wife and mother were severely distorted. I am begging you to not make the same mistakes I made. Fight for your families!

In order to fight, we need to get a new perspective and embrace the amazing power and responsibility we have been given as women. The key is to know your role…

The Lord God said “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Genesis 2:18

Husbands and wives were not created to be competitors but to compliment one another, so stop competing for power and work together!

We have also been given the incredible power to either elevate or tear down. Resist the temptation to belittle or criticize your husbands, instead choose to speak blessing and words of encouragement. And remember, your children are learning what a marriage is supposed to be like from you, so teach them well!

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When did you realize you played a role in the break up?  This semester our Single But Not Alone Lifegroup is studying Lisa Bevere’s Fight Like a Girl: The Power of Being a Woman, and even though we’ve only just begun it brought incredible insight and perspective.

What did you do?  I accepted responsibility. I called my ex and asked for forgiveness and then forgave myself. I’ll get it right the next time!

Last year, I remember freaking out as we quickly approached the first day of school.

I had been unsuccessful in trying to get a transfer for one of my children from a school that had a less than desirable reputation.  I was concerned that he might fall in with a wrong crowd or that he would be picked on or… you name it, I probably thought it!  

As a mom, your instincts are to protect your children. We want the best for them and will go t0 any lengths to make that happen. Well, this mom’s attempts were to no avail. He would have to at least start the school year there, BUT by golly, I was not giving up!

Enter Prize31… A post by Starr Cliff, titled “Will They” reminded me that God is in control. Not me, not the school or anybody else! No matter what, God is in control!

This year my oldest son is transitioning into high school, and I feel the panic trying to creep in again… but it is not gonna happen this time!  I am choosing to stand on God’s word and trust that He will work it all out for our good.

Your child may not be attending the ideal school or making the wisest choices right now. Maybe you are having a hard time seeing God at work.  Just remember that He has a plan and a purpose for your children, and they are good and prosperous ones.  

I encourage you to begin to speak God’s promises over your children and trust Him to bring them to fruition.

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My word, which comes from my mouth, is like the rain and snow. It will not come back to me without results. It will accomplish whatever I want and achieve whatever I send it to do.             Isaiah 55:11

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Don’t know where to start?  May I suggest revisiting Starr Cliff’s, “As My Handsome Boys Start School”?

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