Home Going

Mike's mom went home to be with Jesus early this morning. Please remember the family in your prayers.

A Divine Appointment

Mike left last night on a Greyhound going to Georgia to see his mother. When he got to the bus station, they told him that the bus was full and he might not have a seat. He went ahead and got his ticket...and waited to see if he could get on. He managed to get the LAST seat on the bus. This morning he shared something with me that happened sometime in the wee hours of the morning and I understand why it was important that he be on that particular bus. I am so in awe of our mighty God. Here is Mike's story....

"I had noticed a young couple on the bus a few times get off during rest stops. They had a little baby with them. When we got to Atlanta, everyone got off the bus. They were sitting in the little dining area of the bus station, and there were no other tables. I really wanted some coffee, so I asked if I could sit with them. The guy said yes. He was holding the baby...the girl had stepped away for a minute.

I know that everyone is lost without Christ, but these two “looked” lost. They had a weary look about them—I’m sure part of that was due to the bus trip with a baby. I kept looking at that baby; I guess I was missing BK. Anyway, I asked him where they were headed, and he told me SC. He asked me where I was from, and where I was going; I told them that I was going back to my hometown area to see my mom, and that she was probably soon going to go home to the Lord (I don’t know why I said it like that, I just did).

The girl was the real talker, and she started telling me that they were going back home to live with her mother. They had had a hard life, seemed like good kids, just made quite a few mistakes. Both of them were worried—or scared—about going back. I started asking about the girl’s mother, and found out that she is a Christian. Neither of them had fathers, though I didn’t ask the details. Apparently the girl left on rather bad terms.

I just had the urge to pray for them and their baby (she was two months old). We were sitting in a corner of the dining area, away from everyone else. I prayed, “My Father, protect these three tender lives. Draw them to You and let them know Your love, that they can always come home to You.” They looked up at me, almost like I was crazy. Robert, the guy, said something to the effect of, “You act like you know God.” I said, “Well, I do. I’m a Christian. You can know Him too.” They looked at each other and their eyes got big, and I tell you, it was like a LIGHTBULB went off over both of their heads.

They both asked, “How??” I got to lead both of them in the sinner’s prayer! We prayed simply, “Lord Jesus, I believe you died for my sins though You didn’t deserve to die. I trust You with my life and ask you to save me. I want to know You. Amen.” Both of them were crying after that, and I almost did. I’m about to cry just writing this.

Jenny, the girl, wanted to call her mom and tell her, but they didn’t have a way to call, so I let her borrow my calling card and she called. I actually got to speak to her Mom, and let me tell you, she was happier than I can describe. Some people around us were probably looking at us like we were crazy, but oh well, that’s the price you pay I guess. They were leaving on a bus later than mine, so Robert walked me outside to the bus when it was time for me to go, and thanked me profusely. We hugged and shook hands. After the bus started and the lights were out, that’s when I cried. I came over here thinking about the nearness of death and got to see new lives! How cool is THAT?

Please pray for Robert, Jenny, and Allison Grace (appropriate, yes?)"

PRAISE THE LORD!!!

Prayers Needed

Mike got a call from his aunt this morning to tell him that his mom is not doing well and that they have moved her to a hospice facility. They are thinking that she had another stroke and she is having trouble breathing and not responding much. Please pray for peace and comfort for the family and that God will be glorified in this situation.

Great Resource

I found a great website this week that offers wonderful articles, recipes and resouces for keepers of the home: http://www.joyfulmomma.org/articlesandresources.html

The author's name is Kimberly Eddy and she wrote the book Momma's Guide to Thriving on One Income. I have been reading it this week and it has inspired me to make a new committment to being the keeper of my home that God wants me to be.

Fear vs Faith

I attended a Ladies Conference at my church last weekend. The speaker was an incredible lady named Tempe Brown. If you ever get a chance to hear her speak, you will not want to miss it. She had so many nuggets of wisdom to share with us. I tried to take notes because I knew that I would not remember even half of everything she said.

One of the things she told us was her definition of fear: believing something is going to happen that hasn't happened yet. Then she told us her definition of faith: believing something is going to happen that hasn't happened yet.

I had to think about that for a minute.

Then she asked us the question "Where do you want to spend your energy?"

Wow...you mean it's a choice? It takes the same amount of energy to let fear control us as it does to stand firm and believe God...and the benefits of believing God far outweigh the other option.

Faith isn't some mystical force that we have to muster up. It is simply believing that God is who He says He is and that He will do what He says He will do. Pretty simple, huh?

Accidently

Last week I was involved in an accident. I am still not exactly sure what happened. I was pulling out into traffic and the other car came out of nowhere. Mike and BK were with me. Fortunately, we are all okay.

I couldn't help but wonder at the time why this had to happen. The timing was stinky. I'm still waiting to get a copy of the police report so I'll know if someone will be taking care of my damaged van or not. We cancelled collision insurance on the van when we paid it off to save some money.

Through all this, I've tried hard to remain calm and not worry. Surprisingly, I have been able to for the most part. God is still on His throne and He's still in control. He promises to work all things together for my good. I just have one job in all of this.

Believe.

I am standing on the assurance that He will make a way when there seems to be no way. I'm thankful that I do not have to face life's trials alone...and that's no accident.

Having a Ball

This Saturday will be BK's last soccer game. When her dad and I were trying to decide whether or not to sign her up, one of the obstacles in our minds was the fact that she is so young. After all, does a three-year-old REALLY need to play soccer? Now that we are on this side of the experience, I am so glad that we let her do it because she has had a ball...literally. : )

The importance of sports, just like many other things in life, depends on the individual. For BK it has helped her confidence in herself. I can see it in the way she handles herself on the field and I can see it off the field as well. She has always been an independent little thing, but now that has really increased. She is truly our little, big girl.

No Greater Love

For as long as I can remember, whenever something particularly upsetting would happen to me and I needed to calm down, I would close my eyes and "go somewhere" in my mind. The place was always the same...a field with tall grass...and since this began as a child, I still see myself that way...running, with my arms open...toward...someone. I never saw the other person, but I knew that it was someone who was safe...and could keep me safe.

It wasn't until years later, well into my adulthood, that God showed me that who I was running to was Jesus. Even before I knew Him...He knew me...and was calling me to Him...to a place of safety and love.

As I am writing this, I have a CD of praise music playing...it washes over me as I think about His goodness. One song in particular made me think about our tendency to want to love those who love us. I am thinking that is just how we are all wired. The old song says....Oh how I love Jesus! Oh how I love Jesus! Oh how I love Jesus..because He first loved me.

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 (NIV)

In the Midst of the Storm

Anyone who lives in the Central Mississippi area knows that we were pounded with storms and tornadoes Friday...very scary stuff to be sure! I have talked to many people who were out and about in the middle of the storms, I think in part because it was around lunchtime...but amazingly I haven't heard of anyone being injured. That is really a miracle when you think about it.

As BK and I huddled in the hall...with the tornado sirens blaring, the wind howling and the lights flickering...my sweet girl was afraid. As she buried her head in my shoulder she said "Mommy, we need to pray to Jesus and God!"

And boy did we!

I'm so thankful that my friends and family were spared from harm.