Be Strong Ministries Blog

     “I do NOT understand why I have to memorize all these bible things!” grumbled my 14 year old this week.  She had literally just walked out of her Confirmation Class, a group of freshmen teens preparing to confirm with their mouths, heart and soul, that they love the Lord, their Savior, and want to grow closer to Him.  And while this might be the objective of the classes that lead up to this very special event, all I hear is, “I love Jesus. He knows it. What’s the big deal?  Why can’t I just say it out loud now and be done with it?”  Spoken with such a heart full of love, joy and passion.  NOT!!!

     As she read the questions out loud, she looked to me for the answers.  “What book in the bible did the first reading at church tonight come from?”  I replied, “I’m not sure. I think Isaiah. I don’t recall the author but I know the message, ‘My thoughts are not your thoughts, says the Lord. Nor are your ways, my ways.” 

     “What is that supposed to mean?” came right out of the mouth of my baby girl.  And boy was I ready with a response!  “You know when you didn’t make the volleyball team in Middle School and you were disappointed.  You didn’t get ‘your way.’  Well Isaiah is saying, you have to trust God in situations like that. When you don’t get your way, you have to accept whatever the reality is and trust God. Trust that His ways are better than our ways, and his thoughts are much nicer too. He forgives, loves always and unconditionally, and looks out for our well-being, even if it doesn’t seem like it at the time.

     Next question (s); “Second reading, psalm and gospel.  Who authored them and what did they mean?”

     It’s amazing to me that my daughter and I were having this conversation. Because as much as she didn’t care about what the answers were, she didn’t want to get in trouble for not completing the work.  So on and on we talked about God’s word and I was able to give her real life examples of how the wisdom God offers through the bible could actually be applied to her young, adolescent life.   How it could help her through difficult circumstances and explain a little bit about how to behave, to be just and generous, kind and accepting and to trust God cause He does have it all figured out, even if we don’t.

     My talk this week on Spiritual Nourishment illustrated that if we get into God’s word, and let God’s word get into us, it can truly strengthen our faith, speak to our hearts and transform us. I gave my personal examples, like when I was waiting and waiting for a response from someone, but it took months to come.  As I grew impatient, upset and angry, God spoke right to my heart through Isaiah 60:22  “At the right time, I, the Lord, will make it happen.” (NLT) And I was transformed. I knew I had to chill, and I did.

     Well the real miracle I glimpsed at work here this week was with my daughter. God’s word was seeping into her head, and heart, even when she didn’t want it to.  We were finally talking about the messages in the bible and what they mean, without me having to ask the bothersome questions. Hallelujah!  I am so grateful and I’m hopeful that while she’s trying to just get through the work, the Spirit will have just enough room to get through to her heart.  Thank goodness for those Confirmation Classes!  It’s amazing to see the Holy Spirit at work, even in those bullheaded teenagers. J

Psalm 27:4
“One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.”

A gentle breeze brushed the green leaves of the giant maple tree. Slowly, because of its height, it bent back and forth in the wind. I swear it was waving Hello to me as I sat in observance from my porch.

The aroma of fresh-brewed coffee played with my senses as I tasted the delicious flavor of hazelnut  from my morning cup of Joe.  Mmmmm, heavenly, I thought.

I don’t always get to enjoy moments like this. Often I’m rushing a child here or there, teaching someone(s) either a swim lesson in my pool or a class at the elementary school.  Many times I rush to the computer to check email, create an ad or write depending upon which deadline is first. 

But today, today is different.  It seems as though God wrapped up a gift for me, with all kinds of “sense-ational” beauty and plopped it right in my lap.  If I didn’t take a few moments to open and enjoy it, shame on me.

How often do we spend time dreaming about how great it would be if only we had more time for ourselves, a chance to get-away or a better, more comfortable home?

I realized this was it. Right here in front of me was the great reward, the secret of contentment, the magical mystery gift from God the creator himself. 

I don’t need to go to the grand ocean to experience peace. The washing in and out of the tide was comparable to the back and forth motion of the gentle green giant of a tree in front of me.  I don’t need to sip a Pina Colada on the beach to refresh. The scent of my fresh brew was enough to percolate my senses. I don’t need to escape from Charlotte NC to find solitude and beauty. I can sit on my back porch, awaken my senses and feel the presence and beauty of God just by opening my back door.  

Whether you are traveling or home, at the coast, the mountains or the amusement park, summer time is the perfect opportunity to slow down your pace and rest, physically and in the comfort of God, who surrounds you no matter where you are. 

Take a few moments to get up early, before the kids stir, and be still to feel a slice of heaven. Or encourage them to take a nap and steal away to your shady spot for peace. As the sun goes down, take a walk, not just for exercise but for silence. Find a bench upon which to perch and soak in the grace of God.

Perhaps you’ll find, as I did, that despite the lure of the beach, the action of the city, the adventure of the mountains….when I take a deep breath, sit still and appreciate all that is around me, no matter where I am, the beauty of the Lord is there.  A gift to be unwrapped.

“Yesterday is history, tomorrow a mystery, today is a gift, that’s why they call it, THE PRESENT.”

The note came at just the right time. It was Christmas. Christmas night to be precise and while everything in the day went smoothly. I was feeling down.

The presents were unwrapped and well received. The kids played without fighting. My husband outdid himself as chef for the day and my mother-in-law didn’t complain about joining us at church. All in all it was a delightful holiday without incident or injury. Yet why was I mopy and melancholy. 

I think it was grace. Just before indulging in our Christmas feast of sweet honey baked ham, mashed potatoes, fresh vege’s, bread and wine, I asked the hungry crowd to pause for a moment of silence. A chance to reflect on the real reason for the celebration. I pulled out a book of blessings called GRACES and attempted to share a tender moment. But the kids would have none of it. They were giggly, poking each other, sneaking bites of food and wrestling the prayer book from my hands. My oldest declared she wanted to read this year’s blessing, which she did…fast, furious and without emotion. Quite the opposite of what I had planned. Then all jumped right into the food like animals. You’d think they’d not been fed for a week.

My hopes for making Jesus the centerpiece of this day, for just a few moments, fell through completely. My little ones were intensely focused on fun and games, presents and Santa, food and family.  All good things right? I know. I know. All great things. I should have been grateful for them. But the thought that my own children couldn’t give honor to the birthday boy, Jesus, on his special day just made me feel like a failure as a mom, as a Christian, as a ministry leader.

Now I admit we did attend church on Christmas Eve and the service was beautiful. I was so proud of my crew for dressing up and behaving well. I guess I just expected some of that to carry over to Christmas Day. Well I was sorely disappointed.

As I cleaned up the dinner table, brooding over our lack of attention to Christ, to God, I decided to check outdoors for the predicted snow that was to hit NC that day. With small hope for a white Christmas in this southern state, I swung the front door open with an inquiring look. No snow. But what’s this? A click, clack noise came from the handle of the door, attached to it hung a simple sack bag. A precious hand-painted angel appeared on the brown cloth with the words, “Believe in Angels”  arching over it.

I anxiously opened the little package, surprised to see that the contents were for me! Not my children, or my family, but me, just me. A note inside read, “Angel Lisa. Thank you for Be Strong Ministries and for being an angel to me this year.” Anonymous. And along with it, the most precious, country wood ornament, a white angel with two red hearts in its center, and BE STRONG written across the chest.

I tell you the timing could not have been better. My heart rejoiced with the feeling of being loved and needed and appreciated. My sorrow of having been a failing mom, an ineffective Christian leader, was wiped away in an instant. And while I thought Jesus may have been upset about not being the center of our attention, God let me know He still loves me, and is proud of me.

Thank YOU my angel-giving friend. Know that you were also used by God to be an angel to me just when I needed you. Thanks for following your heart. It warmed mine, all night long.

My intention was to get to church early for a change. The services have been increasingly crowded making it nearly impossible to get seats together. On this sunny summer afternoon, with nothing on the to-do list, I longed for my quiet time with God in His holy sanctuary. 

The kids and I were showered, dressed and ready so early we had time to spare. I stole away to my swinging hammock in the shade and broke open a summer read.  Before long the eyelids grew heavy and drowsiness overcame my desire to read but sleep would not be happening so quickly.  Suddenly my beautiful bouncy girls, ages 13 and 8, bounded into my peaceful refuge.  They snuggled under my arms, each resting a precious mound of hair tenderly upon my shoulders. 

The setting could not have been more perfect honestly.  A gentle breeze blew over us with butterflies gliding past towards their bush. My little one feared the bees would come near, but they never did, nor flies, mosquitoes or other annoying pests that often disrupt the tranquility of a summer hammock swing.  It was simply heavenly, lying there with my two wonderful daughters as they, rather we, fell into a silent slumber, out there in the midst of nature. 

The minutes passed and I awoke with a start thinking it was time to pack up and head out for church.  But as I glanced at the two angels on my shoulders I thought, this indeed was a holy moment.  My thoughts ascended to the open sky above as I contemplated the need to seek a “holier” place in the sanctuary when clearly this was LOVE in the moment. This was Love, and Peace, Trust and Gentleness, all wrapped up in the arms of one lucky mother. 

Maybe some mothers out there get to lie down with their teenage daughters in moments of tenderness. Perhaps there home is not adrift with sibling squabbling and fighting.  Unfortunately, my kids too often choose bickering over compromise and avoidance over cooperation, so when a special moment of affection arises - it is rare.

My conversation with God at that moment on the hammock was one of gratefulness, but also compassion and understanding.  I knew in my heart that this awesome connection with my daughters was one to cherish and revel in.  His amazing heart would forgive the missed service (and even provide another opportunity to visit Him just 16 hours later.) My decision to forgo the sacredness of His sanctuary and the communal worship of the congregation, was made. THIS moment in time was to be embraced and used to worship and praise God, in place of ritual and tradition. My home had become, most definitely, A Holy Place, as I whispered grateful words of praise and glory.

May you find God in the holiness of the beautiful sanctuary, but also experience His awesome presence and love in the gifts of butterflies, children, silence, hammocks and more.  Embrace every last moment of summer!

“My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes,

 in undisturbed places of rest,” says the Lord.    Isaiah 32:18

As we stretched and strengthened in the beautiful sunshine this past May at our first Be Strong outdoor event, I talked about working out. Not just exercising our bodies through physical fitness, but putting our faith into action and strengthening our spiritual muscles.

We’ve all heard lessons about trust, forgiveness, serving, perseverance and love. We teach our children to embrace these values and are quite familiar with how to execute them, we say.  But the funny thing about our God, as much as he wants us to KNOW about these attributes, He’s more interested in having us PRACTICE them. 

Listening, learning and knowing are great, but actually performing these actions is the true test of one’s faith.  It’s like joining a gym.  It’s one thing to have full knowledge of how all the exercise equipment works, but it is useless unless you actually get out there and do the exercises.

And so it is with our faith.  God presents us with opportunities to practice what we proclaim to believe. Call these trials or tests, for some they are serious struggles and for others it is a gentle reminder that God expects us not to just talk about being a Christian but to act as one. 

During these difficult situations we get to make choices. Will we choose:

trust over fear?

forgiveness over resentment?

peace over retaliation?

humility over self-righteousness?

giving over receiving?

caring over indifference?

and perseverance even when things seem to be going in the completely opposite direction of what we’re desiring?

Even Paul, with his incredible steadfast faith, had many trials to face and he pleaded with God to remove the pain. Listen to what God said.  2 Cor 7 ^“there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

As we sang in church today, “Your grace is enough,” I realized this song stems from God’s message to Paul, and thru Paul, to us, that God’s grace is sufficient for us. Managing trials is simply giving our faith a work out. With the grace and love of Christ working in and through us, we have the strength to do all things and make the right choices.

A good friend reminded me of a humorous way of looking at trials and tests recently. You know that beeping sound that comes from the Emergency Broadcasting System on the radio. “This is a test. This is only a test.” Consider life’s trials the same way, without panicking, but with a sense of trust that you can and will pass this test, not in your own strength, but with the grace and strength of Christ working through your veins, your heart, your soul.

Right on my desk is an orange post-it. It reads, “BEEP… this is a test. This is only a test (of faith). Forgive, love, trust!! Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!”

This is a test. This is only a test, not of the Emergency Broadcasting System, but of your Eternal Belief System. BELIEVE, forgive, love, trust, and BE STRONG!

“Two are better than one, for one can help the other to succeed. If one falls, the other will reach out and help.”  Ecclesiastes 4:9 (NLT)

 “Put down those cocoa puffs, pick up that wheat toast with light butter and orange juice. Today is a brand new day! You can do it! Start off the day right and push yourself towards your goal of a more fit, healthier YOU!”  the email read.

Wow! My first message from my new fitness friend. 

Yesterday I embraced the challenge I gave to everyone in our Be Strong Ministry class on Friendship.  I asked a neighbor to be my fitness friend and encourage me to reach my goal of being healthier and losing 7 lbs. by May 1. I needed someone with a can-do attitude who would motivate me to work out, celebrate my accomplishments, push me to be a stronger person, hold me accountable and remind to make healthy choices.  I wasn’t sure of the response I would get from the email request, but my friend eagerly agreed and asked me to support her in return.  I just put Ecclesiastes 4:9 into practice, I thought, knowing my chances for success just doubled!  “Two are better than one, for one can help the other to succeed. If one falls, the other will reach out and help.” 

Today in Be Strong Ministries we reflected on the importance of friends in our lives, how they contribute to who we are and help us survive this journey called life.  Even in ancient times women relied upon their girl friends for support, encouragement, clarity and to share joy.  Just look at the Daughters of Jerusalem in the Song of Solomon and the significant role they played in steadying and steering the enamored bride in this intense love story, Song of Songs 1-8.  Women need each other.  How good of God to make this clear in His word.

Then we looked at the deep and abiding friendship of David and Jonathon.  What an example Jonathon set for how to be a true friend, 1 Sam. 18 1-5.  He was not jealous, but generous, not envious, but encouraging and with Jonathon’s help and support, David was able to do all that God had intended.

Every woman today should have a diversity of friendships for the many different parts of herself and different occasions in her life.  Each friend is different, with the ability to bring the outside world to you in unique ways and each lets you display a different part of your personality.  Have a range of friends from colleagues at work, to neighbors, party buddies, to soul mates, prayer partners, etc.

These friends will encircle you like a life raft and help you to stay afloat when one of life’s crazy waves comes crashing in on you.  That happens.  If something happens to your marriage, your friends are your life raft.  If something happens to your health, your friends are your life raft.  If something happens to your child, your friends are your life raft.

If your girlfriends are not near by, just knowing they are praying for you can be life-saving as well.  We looked at the power of praying for ones friends by reflecting on what happened to Job. Job 42:7-10 “The Lord restored the prosperity of Job after he had prayed for his friends.”  We are called to be intercessors for our friends. In the midst of our beautiful and peaceful Be Strong yoga workout, we paused on our knees to pray for our dear friends this week.

Well I’m headed off to plug in an exercise DVD as it’s raining outside. Having a fitness friend gives me so much more motivation.  If I don’t do it, I suspect she will remind me, but that’s OK, for the bible tells us, Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, so man sharpens his fellow man.”  A true friend helps another to grow and be a better, stronger person, even if it hurts. 

The truth is you will develop into a stronger person by having friends, even ones who hurt you. They allow you to put the principles of peacemaker and forgiveness into practice.  And true, true loyal friends, (Proverbs 18:24) well with them you can experience the joy of fun and laughter, know the power of encouragement and support, feel the benefits of prayer and the ultimate, touching, uplifting, and empowering beauty of love.  Be Strong My Friends!

Ralph Waldo Emerson:   “The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when you discover that someone else believes in you and is willing to trust you with a friendship.”

Can you picture the greatest party of the universe? 

Just imagine: the brightest, sparkling lights ever; the most beautiful harmonious music where every voice is raised with triumphant joy; an outpouring of devotion and passionate energy bursting forth from each and every beaming smile; hearts burning with the fire of adoring love.  Oh I bet the angels in heaven know how to rejoice each year at this time, celebrating the birth of their King, their Lord, their Love!

Listen to the words of the angel of the Lord who spoke to lowly shepherds many years ago, “I’m hear to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide. A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger. At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises:  Glory to God in the heavenly heights. Peace to all men and women on earth who please him!” Luke 2:10-14

Everybody, from the East to the West, the poor and the rich, the young and the old, all people are meant to share in the glorious excitement of the Christmas season for He is our Savior, our Redeemer, our Love!

While we may be mortal human beings, separate and distinct from angels who are 100% spirit, that should not deter us from acting like angels, especially this season. Choose thoughts, words and actions that will bring honor and glory to our Lord, and joy and peace to all those on earth.

Saint Theresa of  Lisieux put it nicely, “Let us not be justices of the peace, but angels of peace.”

In Be Strong this week, we verified the existence of angels by reflecting on what the church teaches and the many instances in which angels helped mankind throughout history.  We also took a look at the many functions that angels serve.

As messenger; like in Luke 1:19 where the angel Gabriel communicated with Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, ”And the angel answered him, ‘I am Gabriel, who stand in the presence of God; and I was sent to speak to you , and to bring you this good news.” 

As deliver of God’s commands as in Acts 8:26-29  “But an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This is a desert road. And he rose and went.”

As a notary of impending disaster. Genesis 19:15  “When morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city.” 

And as a guard and protector; Psalm 91:11-12  “For He will give His angels charge of you, to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” 

Throughout our lives God’s angels are encamped with us, (Psalm 34:8) and based on the words of Jesus himself (Matthew 18:10) we believe there is a unique guardian angel protecting and shepherding us through life. 

So here’s a question for you?  How thrilled would your Guardian Angel be to see you celebrating Christmas angel style this year?  Go ahead, make them proud!  Herald your voice, raise your hands, open your heart and lift your whole being to the heavens in glorious praise and thanksgiving to the King of Angels himself.  I’ve got a hunch that with every declaration of Glory to God in the highest, you’ll soon be experiencing more peace on earth.  J

TWENTY ONE.   No I’m not thinking of playing Black Jack, or the age at which my children can consume alcohol, or the type of gun salute a hero would deserve.  Twenty one is the number of people we are serving for Thanksgiving dinner this year.

My first reaction to this unprecedented crowd was panic and stress.  One could easily expect chaos, confusion, clutter and be fearful about the upcoming locomotion of activity that will be steamrolling into our home in just a few short days.  But after reading Melody Beattie’s statement about Gratitude this week in Be Strong, my perspective has softened and even turned to joyful anticipation. 

She said:

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. I can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”

I am so grateful for childhood memories of my aunts, uncles and cousins coming to visit my mom, brother and I for the holidays.  It was just the three of us after my dad died but those endless games of wiffle ball, football and tree climbing with my seven cousins will never be forgotten.  They made our small world feel large and our tender hearts feel embraced and loved with so many smiles, laughs, hugs, jokes, pinched cheeks and tickled bellies. 

Now it’s my turn! 

All my precious nieces and nephews gathered here in (hopefully) sunny North Carolina.  I’m so grateful everyone is healthy enough to come.  I’m so grateful I don’t have to sit in some of the worst traffic of the year.  I’m so grateful we have a home big and warm enough to hold all these people and I’m thankful we can afford to buy the food to feed them.  When I look at the holiday with this attitude of gratitude the stress melts away and the excitement builds!! 

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures forever. Psalm 118:29

I have to give all the thanks to the one in charge, my Lord God.  He certainly has taken care of me in the past.  He’s graciously providing for all of us this present holiday and I look forward to the wonderful things He has in store for us in the future.  He is so good.  I just love Him. His love does endure, forever.

For some, this year may be harder than previous years due to the economic climate,  but we must remember the words of St. Paul to the Thessalonions 5:13 “Give thanks in ALL circumstances.” It’s easy to do once you do what we did in Be Strong this week, restore your alertness to the numerous blessings all around.  Simply find something sense-sational to be grateful for, i.e. the scent of cinnamon, the hue of autumn leaves, the morning song of birds, the feel of the warm sun, and the incredible taste of… chocolate.  Whatever your individual senses fancy, be thankful for it!

We were very grateful to Michele our skilled yoga instructor who lead us in unique poses this week allowing us to thank God with our hearts and bodies.  During the beautiful Sunflower yoga pose we stretched our arms to the heavens in gratitude and bowed in worship & praise. Through Camel pose we opened our hearts to the Lord with sincere appreciation and thanks for all our blessings, including the most precious, the life and love of Jesus himself.

Recognizing the consumption of extra calories this week, our Be Strong Challenge is to get outside and walk, walk, walk.   Not only will you get that healthy heart pumping, you won’t be able to miss the bountiful blessings of God’s creation all around you.  Just remember to whisper those favorite words that He loves to hear with each step along the way…thank you, thank you, thank you.

May God bless you and your families on this Thanksgiving holiday and THANK YOU for being involved with Be Strong Ministries!

With gratitude and love,

Lisa

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

Matthew 5:7

It was my junior year of high school.  I was in love.  His name was Brett and he was my first boyfriend.  Yes first.  Not until I was fifteen did the boys start to notice me. Each year I’d attend the school dances with guy “friends” but never anybody I was interested in, or visa versa, except for my junior year.  Brett and I attended our first dance together and I was in seventh heaven.  We exchanged boutonnières and corsages, took pictures and danced the night away.  He was so cool!

Three months into our relationship, something changed.  He stopped calling; didn’t visit me at work at the grocery store; ignored my calls.  I knew something was up, but was not sure what it was.  Until I saw him in his little yellow mustang drive right by my house, pick up my best friend from across the street and drive out again. 

CRACK!

That was the sound of my heart breaking.  My best friend and my boyfriend now out together without me!  I raced across the street to her house and asked her mom if she was home.  She said no, so I told her I’d wait for her in her bedroom if she didn’t mind and I sat there, weeping.  How could she do this to me? How could he?  (Oh the drama of 16 year old love.)  They burst through the bedroom door once her mother told her I was waiting and I lost control of my emotions.  Shouting and crying, pounding my fists into his chest and then tearing away committed to never again speaking to either of them.

A year and half later, I got accepted to the university I was dreaming of attending and had to share the joy with my “former” best friend. I just couldn’t hold it in.  She knew how badly I had wanted to go there.  I left a poster on the back of our car that she was sure to pass when getting off her school bus, declaring, “I got into Syracuse!”  She would know who it was from.  Sure enough she called me to congratulate me and we talked for the first time in what seemed like ages. 

I decided in my heart it was time to forgive her, despite never receiving an apology.  I asked my mother, do you have to forgive even if they don’t say they’re sorry?  The answer is yes.  You have to forgive them.  Just as Jesus forgave his persecutors in the midst of them torturing Him, we are to extend mercy and forgiveness even to those who don’t apologize. 

Ironically, two years later I went on to be one of the bridesmaids in my girlfriend’s wedding, to another man of course!

This week Be Strong Ministries was all about Mercy and Forgiveness.  We looked up Matthew 6:14 and Mark 11:25 which illustrate our need to forgive in order to be forgiven.  Forgiveness and mercy are not mere requests by Jesus. They are a requirement if we expect our own sins to be forgiven.  This can be hard sometimes, especially when the offender does not show any remorse, but that’s when we call upon the power of Christ and let the Holy Spirit in to help.

Together we read Psalm 51 and asked the Lord to help us extend mercy out to all others, without discrimination, and then forgive us our personal transgressions through petition and prayer.  The joy of the Lord filled the room as our hearts were cleansed and our steadfast spirits renewed.   It was truly a great way to prepare for the upcoming holiday of Giving Thanks!

Psalm 28:7  “The Lord is my strength and my shield;

my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.”

     With my bloody, panicked 7 year old daughter in the back seat, I raced like Jeff Gordon across town to the closet Urgent Care I could find. My hysterical baby had an open, bleeding gash just next to her eye.  As I drove, I repeated my plea to God, “Please Lord don’t let her need stitches. Please no stitches. Please just a butterfly bandage or derma-glue. She won’t be able to handle stitches and neither will I. Please God no stitches.” 

      By the grace of God, the urgent care was miraculously empty and the desk manager let us right in after seeing the bloody gauze.  The doctor arrived and upon first glance she murmured, “Oh yeah,” then turned to the supply cabinet.  My eyes popped open in distress, “What does oh yeah mean?”  She replied, “Oh yeah, she needs stitches all right.”  Just then this petrified wounded little child leapt from the table and ran for the door crying and shouting, “NO, NO stitches!” She grabbed me by the hand, pulled my face down to hers and looked me right in the eye saying, “Mommy please take me out of here.”

          Have there been times you have turned to God, your loving parent, and asked to please be set free from a painful situation? Please make it end, please get me out of this? 

          I responded to my baby with the same words I imagine God uses with us.  “We can’t leave honey, this is what you need.  Be strong and courageous and trust me.  Just trust me.”  My 7 year old could not comprehend the benefits of stitches, she only knew there was pain. 

          How often do you go through trials, crying out to the Father in fear and pain, not being able to comprehend the benefits of temporary suffering? Our human minds, in comparison to God’s mind, are so limited, like a child’s in comparison to an adult’s.  Yet we know what He wants us to do, just like we tell our kids, BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS, (Joshua 1:9) and TRUST HIM.

          My sweetie freaked out for a bit, but finally she laid back, received the needle of lydocane and 5 stitches through her skin. She focused on me the whole time. Looking at me she amazingly got through it.  We got through it.

          How similar is our relationship with our Lord? Asking our loving father to spare us from the anxieties and suffering of this world. Praying for our way, (there was no way I wanted those stitches) but ultimately learning that we need to trust Him and His will, for His way is the better way and He will get us through it. Focus on Him. Look to Him.  He is our strength and our shield.

     I didn’t pray for strength, I prayed for a butterfly patch. Yet by the grace of God I was miraculously, and surprisingly, strong. I didn’t pass out, I didn’t freak out. The Lord was my strength.   Psalm 28:7 “The Lord is my strength, my shield (protecting me from harm.)  My heart trusts in Him and I am helped.”

     Are there situations in your life right now that may require extraordinary strength? In Be Strong Ministries this week, we learned where to turn for just such strength.  1. The Scriptures - Nourish your soul with God’s word for an outpouring of His grace, love and strength. This “text,” the bible, is the way He communicates with you, letting you know that no matter what situation you are in, the Lord God is with you wherever you go.  (Joshua 1:9)  You can do all things, through Christ who strengthens you. (Philippians 4:13) because the Lord is your strength.  Trust in Him and you are helped. (Psalm 28:7).

     As Mother Theresa pointed out, her amazing strength comes from prayer. Psalm 138 reminds us, “When I cry out you answer me and encourage me by giving me the strength I need.”  Any time, any where, prayer is powerful.  Use it!

     The Be Strong yoga workout this week definitely pushed us to strengthen our muscles, particularly our biceps in repeated efforts to do push ups, boat pose and other core strengthening postures.

     The Be Strong Challenge, hydrate with more water, should strengthen the body with all the health benefits of increased water consumption.  So drink that water, nourish your soul with prayer, feed on the word of God to strengthen you and remember God tells YOU what I told my little girl,  “Be Strong and Courageous, and Trust!”