Non-Essential Personnel

     A recent rash of record breaking tornadoes over the past several days has taken its toll in power outages, property destruction, and, most sadly, loss of life in several Southern states. Please remember these people in prayer and seek out opportunities to assist them. They need our help. The following day as the information of closures in the surrounding areas due to these storms scrolled across the bottom of the screen, one particular announcement kept getting my attention. A local college was going to be closed, however, they were requesting that all non-essential personnel report to work at 10:00 a.m.
     My first reaction was how badly I felt for these employees. The phrase somehow seemed to devalue these people.  How would you feel if that were the adjective included in your job title.  I don't know about you, but my self esteem would not be soaring.  My second reaction was why do they even need  to show up if they are "non-essential." If they were the only ones reporting to campus that day, obviously they were quite essential.
     Perhaps I am taking this thought process way too far, and noone there is offended by the phrase.  Perhaps it just hits too close to home because I have felt that way before, and knowing that feeling provoked empathy in me for those folks. Have you ever felt that way...non-essential.  It's not that you are non-productive. You may be working fiercely to be the best employee, the best parent, or the best servant of God.  There you are, giving it your all, and it seemingly goes unnoticed. A little encouragement, a bit of validation would certainly help you on your way.  You crave being recognized as "essential" in the circle of your influence.
     I don't believe that our efforts are overlooked by those around us nearly as much as we think.  I believe we live in such a fast paced society that we simply don't take time to share our appreciation and give encouragement to others. On that note, take some opportunity each day to do unto others as you would have them do unto you.  Encourage them, appreciate them, give them that much needed hug or pat on the back. Maybe they in turn will do likewise for you. That change could start with us.
     Ultimately though at the end of the day, it is not in the praise and approval of others that we will find our worth. Our worth is found in Christ alone.  He is honored and surely pleased with us as we do even the smallest of things in our day as unto Him. And because of all that we have in Christ - salvation, forgiveness, unconditional love, eternity in heaven with Him - we don't want to be the ones receiving all the praise here on earth. We want people to see Christ shining through us. We want them to see Him. That's why we are here. As we have been told, it is not about us. And if our hearts and motives for what we do are pure and for the glory of God, our time of praise will come. We will hear Him say to us, "Well done my good and faithful servant."  What higher praise or validation could we ever receive.

     So know that in God's sight you are anything but non-essential in who you are and what you do.  You are His child.  Someone special enough and loved enough that He sacrificed His son, Jesus, on your behalf. You are someone He has equipped with a special purpose here on earth. Live your life to bring praise to Him.  Their will be blessings. He will encourage you. You are an essential part of God's plan.  So when you think nobody notices or cares, rest assured He does. He is pleased, and you are precious in His sight. 
    
   

I Would Love To But...

     In view of the fact that as a child I was a Brownie, then Girl Scout, I was forced to become a sales person at a very early age.  Without fail, each year the time would roll around for selling Girl Scout Cookies, which back then, I might add, were only fifty cents a box!  That would be only the beginning of things that I would be asked to market over the years that followed in junior high and high school as fund raising events found me peddling everything from candles to candy bars. I was reminded of all this just the other day when a knock at the door found me face to face with teenage girl selling the wares of her fundraiser project.  She was so sweet about it all as she described the different offerings to me.  When she paused to take a breath, I said, "I would love to, but..." 
     I think I raised her hopes in the moment as all she heard was, "I would love to." A smile was beginning to come across her face until she had a moment to digest the but of the sentence which ended with, " I don't think so right now." Having been in her shoes, I felt badly for her as she walked away. I hate to disappoint people, and I had clearly let her down.
     However, this was somehow enough to bring about a moment of conviction from the Lord.  Perhaps it was my choice of words in the exchange that zinged me. I would love to, but... I was reminded of the times I've said those exact words to the Lord in response to His requests to do things for which I felt ill-equipped or perhaps selfishly disinterested in doing . Stating my case nicely, politely with God seemed much better than stomping my foot and telling the God of the universe, "No!" Remember Moses (Exodus 3 and 4) who completed his sentences decisively with excuses, "But, Lord, I am not a good communicator. But, Lord, they won't believe me. But, Lord, I do not possess the skills to do this."  There it is, "I would love to, but surely I am not the person for this job."  Sound familiar? He must have felt pretty confident of his lack of skills because there was Moses in front of the burning bush arguing with God about his poor credentials! Sounds silly that Moses would argue like this with God, who created him for this purpose, but he did and we do! And there I was feeling badly for turning away the young girl at my door. What about disappointing God?
     Sadly enough, I believe we are often guilty of trying to rationalize ourselves out of the purposes that God has for our lives, shooting down opportunities for ministry when they come our way.  Much like Moses, we have debates with God based on our perceived insecurities and fears. However, each of us is equipped by God with every tool necessary to complete our mission here on earth, and just as God made provision for Moses in each situation as it arose, He will do the same for us.  It may not always be easy or comfortable, but God will always there. His love and direction will pave the way for each step we take toward our purpose, toward reaching the lost, toward bringing Him glory. 
     Have you declined God recently in some request He has made of you?  Today, claim victory over Satan's accusations against you and your abilities! Be it large or small, practice saying yes instead of but when God calls on you. Be watchful for opportunities in your church, your community, or at work. Be faithful.  Be selfless. Be ready to step out on faith, to be a servant, to trust God to give you whatever it is that you will need to answer His call on your life. Draw close to God so that He can make you fully aware of what His call is for you. Reply as Samuel did, "Lord, speak for your servant is listening." (Samuel 3) Take a deep breath and with God at your side, simply say, "I would love to. As your servant it would be my honor. Here am I, Lord, send me."  And claim Philippians 4:13 in the Bible which says," I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Now go and be about your Father's business!  To God be the Glory!

 

Hoarding Information

     During a recent move, it was brought to my attention that I am a recipe hoarder.  We had a subscription to the local paper where we lived, and each week I excitedly retrieved the Wednesday newspaper from its holder next to the mailbox.  I never have been much for reading a newspaper page for page as some do, but the food section of each Wednesday's paper was cause for exception. My favorite article each week was the one featuring local cooks and a collection of their favorite recipes.  Usually these recipes were the good old home cooking kind that didn't take a lot of time or call for a bevy of strange ingredients that could not be found in your average Southern town.
     My intentions were good, but only occasionally I would actually try one of the recipes out. The stack however continued to grow and would probably still be doing so had we not moved. I still keep promising myself that I am going to sort through and keep only the most interesting and easily prepared recipes. So by now you must be wondering where I am going with all of this.
     When thinking about something that I was steadily collecting but not using to its full potential, I thought about my own Christian walk. I have been in church since I was on cradle roll. I have been taught untold numbers of Sunday School lessons, heard even more sermons, and memorized Bible verses.  For most of my life I have been in the church collecting information about God, Jesus, and the Christian way of life.  But, much like the recipes I collected, I only acted on the most pertinent and easily executed information gathered through time.
     Only in the past few years have I dug more deeply, past my topical knowledge of what being a  follower of Christ entails, and, oh, the joy that effort has produced. How sad to have had all that information for so long and simply left it at that-a wealth of truth left untapped that could have been incorporated into a relationship like none other we experience in this world. To know is not enough; to step out in faith on those truths and put them to the test is where we find that abundant life we read about in scripture- that abundant life that seems to elude us in our hectic, daily routines.  James 1:21(MSG) says,

  "Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything, but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other.  Act on what you hear!"

     So, as Paul said, I beseech you to take life to the next level. This will take committment, time, and some sacrifice on your part.  Maybe you will have to sacrifice an hour of television, time spent on a computer, or time devoted to a hobby. How any of these pale in comparison to God sacrificing His son for us, to what Jesus endured on the cross. It's time to stop collecting data on Christ. Chances are your data bank is full and the new information just gets booted out.  Take what you have been given most of your life if you are like me, and really study it, digest it, take it on the jouney from your head to your heart. Ask God to lead you in this process, and He will walk with you each step of the way as joy in a true relatonship with Him, beyond words on a page, becomes your reality.
     How many of us if given a gift would put it aside and leave it unopened indefintely. Those truths you have are God's gift to you.  Will you leave them unopened, know just enough to get you into heaven?  Or will you open the gift of these truths and find the abundant life in Christ you have believed for others but not yourself. Only there will you find the comfort for your deepest despair, the answers you often seek. Don't let shallow Sunday School answers be enough anymore. Wade out into the deep waters with Christ and see what He has always had in store for you! Oh, and don't hoard what Christ reveals to you.  Share it!
    
        

Good Friday

                                                                                                                                                           

     It seems unbelievable that we are approaching Easter, yet the chocolate bunnies and brightly colored eggs are a constant reminder in every store. Didn't we just get the Christmas decorations back in the attic? Now, here comes Peter Cotton Tail!  Sad to think that for so many people, that is what Easter will be about--  candy, baskets, plastic eggs, and Easter egg hunts. Now, I have no problem with Easter egg hunts. Our church had one last weekend and the children had a blast.  One child was totally shocked to hear that, when I was young, we colored and hunted real eggs.  Wow! A lost art! I remember thinking the different colors of dye would never wear off my hands. Those were the days!

    I think Easter just kind of sneaks up on us.  The day and month change from year to year depending on, well, the moon. Sometimes the day falls in March, sometimes in April.  Unlike Christmas we don't start thinking and planning for the holiday weeks in advance.  Usually it is the appearance of the Easter paraphenalia that prompts us to inquire about the holiday's date.  Guilty as charged of all of the above! However, this year I am approaching Easter with a different mindset.  This year my mind is more than ever set on honoring the true significance of Easter.

     On Sunday, we as believers in Christ celebrate the resurrection of God's son, Jesus, from death and the grave after he was crucified on the cross for our sins. This act of sacrificial love, this unfathomable suffering paid the debt that we owe for sins past and present. For those who believe, we are rescued from an eternity in hell to everlasting life with God, who adopts us as His own children for whom He has nothing but unconditional love. Praise God!  What a wonderful day of celebration and worship that day should be for us. "He is not here. He is risen."  That was the message the angel had for the women upon their arrival at the empty tomb. However, somewhere between getting the family dressed in their new outfits and deciding where to eat, it seems we may take all of this a bit for granted. We know all the facts, but do we truly reflect on what Jesus did, how God sacrificed His only son on our behalf.  The awesomness of it all!

     And what of Good Friday?  Yea! A paid holiday for many, a day to make preparations for Sunday and spend time with family.  All that sounds good to me. But wait! When was the last time you really thought about what happened on Good Friday and how it is all connected to Easter?  That day was a good one for us, but it was not a "good day" for Jesus or God, his father.  That was the day of our redemption from sin and death, but it was a day of untold physical suffering for Jesus and untold grief for God, His father, who witnessed it.  Now, I know that all this ultimately worked together for good, our good just as God had planned, but moment by moment there was much agony experienced on our behalf.  This will give me pause to thank God and acknowledge what my Savior, Jesus, did for me this Good Friday. 

     I hope you have a great Easter!  Enjoy your family, find those eggs but, most of all, let your thoughts this Easter be focused first on the cross and then on the empty tomb.  We have so much to celebrate. God is so good! Worship Him with all that you are and all that you do, not only at Easter, but always. It will just be our warm-up for heaven. To God be the glory great things He has done!

    

   

       

Tell-Tale Trail

     All right.  Three guesses!  I'm thinking maybe you have to be a bit older or have grown up in the country to know what I've captured in this picture. What you see is the glistening trail left behind by none other than a slug, a slimy looking creature that often wreaks havoc in flower beds.  They are definitely not one of God's more beautiful creations.  How many of you right this moment are thinking of the number of times you poured salt over a slug and watched it literally melt to mush before your eyes.  In retrospect, it seems a terrible thing to have done, but then again, they were likely on their way no good business in the flower bed, and it seemed justified!
     It was at my grandmother's house that I first learned of slugs.  She lived in a pre-civil war constructed home, and slugs were a mainstay there.  They usually seem to come out at night, leaving only the shiny trail as evidence of their presence, not visible under the cover of darkness.  But in the light of day, you could see every inch of floor they had covered, where they had been and where they were going.  We often used those tell-tail trails to track them down and, well, you know, bring in the salt shaker! Those trails definitely worked to their detriment!
     So, I was thinking, what if God in His creation of man, had equipped us with a trail making ability.  How eye opening would that be for us, constantly leaving a well marked record of where we have been and possibly what we have done while there. Now this could work both ways. Perhaps the visibility of our travels would cause us to think twice about our paths which would be manifested with the light of each new day. Maybe we would look back at our shiny trail and be ashamed of the story it told of our destinations and activities. Or possibly, worse, maybe we would find little to no path left behind except that of a path to work, home to a comfy chair, and to bed...all to be repeated the following day.
     But, hopefully, surely, we can look back and see shiny trails showing evidence of travels made on the Lord's behalf...trails that lead to the doorsteps of someone who is lost, in need, or hurting. Trails that are made because of our carrying out something God has whispered in our ear that He would have us do.  Those are the good kind. The kind that we want to look back over our shoulders and see criss-crossing in every which direction! Trails the show clearly that we are carrying out here on earth what the Lord would have us do.  Trails that confirm that we are being His hands and feet here on earth. 
     What stories do the hypothetical shiny trails left by you tell?  Take a look at your life, ask God, and listen ever so closely to God's direction before you plan your next outing. Quite likely, He has some places for you to go or stop at along the way to do His work here on earth. Truth is you may just have to slow down enough to listen and get His co-ordinates.  Don't be ashamed when you look back at where your travels have taken you.  Go and make some trails that the the light of the Son will illumine to reflect your love to Him as you go about your day.   Happy trails, blessed trails to you!

Soaring High, or Not!

     Have you ever looked into the sky and seen a hawk or a similar large bird being plagued by one or two much smaller birds, incessantly swooping down and waging attack?  I once thought that maybe the larger bird under siege had brought this upon himself.  Perhaps he had stolen food, robbed a nest, or in some way initiated the encounter.  Surely he deserved what he was getting ,and the little guys were enacting their revenge!
     However, when recently observing this senario, I had a different take on the situation. This time, I was more sympathetic toward the larger, statelier bird that had caught my eye soaring on a wind current, not even having to flap its wings to maintain its position in the sky.  There he had been, just doing what comes naturally, bothering noone and WHAM! Out of the blue appear these two meddlesome birds, intent on picking a fight despite the fact that based on size alone they could never win, or could they?  Is it possible that their incessant onslaught might be tiring enough to cause the larger bird to leave his graceful moment in the sky, simply doing what God had created him to do and seek retreat?
     In that moment, God inspired a parallel between us as followers of Christ in this display of nature.  Haven't we all been there?  We are airborne, in fellowship with God, seeking His will, things are going well, and then it happens. WHAM!  From out of nowhere, Satan launches an attack on us.  Not with small pesky birds, of course.  Satan attacks us with disapointments, temptations, loss of health or job or relationships.  I could go on and on here, but you catch my drift.  Satan enjoys using these things, these situations as tools of attack on us and our relationship with God. How Satan would relish the victory over us in these difficult circumstances.  If he were able to hamper our flight, our testimony, our witness for the Lord would be hampered as well. We would no longer soar. We would be grounded!
     So who will we allow to triumph in these situations-Satan or God?  In the the Bible, 1Corinthians 10:13 (The Message) has hope and instructions for matters such as this.

No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; He'll never let you get pushed past your limit; He'll always be there to help you come through it.

     Hallelujah! All is not lost. God will always be there to help us thwart these onslaughts from Satan, these attempts to disrupt our flight and ground our testimony for the Lord. As we rest in our relationship with God and trust Him for deliverance, He will send a current of wind beneath the wings of our lives to lift us closer to Him and the shelter of His wings (Psalm 61:4). There is no victory to be had for Satan as long as we allow God to direct our flight and be our air traffic controller. We simply need to check in daily for our co-ordinates given to us through God's written word, the Bible, through prayer and through a daily relationship with Him.
     God did not create most birds to be grounded and simply hop around on the ground.  He gave them wings to fly, to soar, to display the beauty of His creation.  Don't spend any more time being grounded.  With God's help, spread your wings and fly so that you too can bring glory to Him.

Dreams Unexplored

     This is American Idol!  With those words host, Ryan Seacrest, opens up a reality show where contestants pursue their lifelong dream of becoming the next recording sensation.  From one week to the next, each contestant sings his or her heart out putting it all on the line to avoid elimination.  Each week their dreams are in danger of being crushed as one by one they are voted off and only one is left standing.
     Just recently, I witnessed an episode that brought me to tears.  One very talented young man was surprisingly voted off due to lack of telephone votes by the viewers at home. The look of shock on his face was evident. He was rocked to the core of his being. All seemed lost. However, he had one last chance to continue his quest!  His fate was in the hands of three celebrity judges. He had to basically sing for his life to continue in the competition, and the judges are allowed only one save, on second chance per season.
     Just a few lines into his pressure filled performance, the judges waved for him to stop singing. Feeling that all hope was gone, he dropped his microphone to his side.  The look of total devastation on his face told the story; he turned ghostly pale.  He had reached the end of the road, or so he thought.  The judges quickly informed him that he would remain on the show because they saw in him great talent and potential.  The young man dropped to his knees, unable to stand and shaking because he was overcome with emotion. I will never forget the look on his face. It was not over!  His dream was still alive! He cried, I cried. He once again had hope for his much sought after future.
     His transparency in those few minutes of time revealed to me how closely to his heart he held his dream of becoming a recording artist. Have you ever had a dream for yourself that evokes that much emotion in you?  Have you decided to pursue it or have you just given up?  Did you have a dream way back when, and now you can't even remember what it was?  Life happened and dreams seemed too unpractical to pursue. Or are you just too afraid to even hope that it might possibly come true.  You shield yourself from anticipated pain before you even give your dream room to grow, fearing yet another disappointment in life.
     I fall in the last catagory of excuses above for not pursuing my own dream.  It has been my fear that has forced me to keep my dreams on the back burner.  However, something about getting older brought a reality to me that time was slipping away, and it would be better to have tried and failed than to never have tried at all.  Regret was not going to be nearly as easy to live with.  And I definitely think that it was a matter of God's timing as well.  So, with each post that it written you experience my dream being lived out.  To write in an encouraging format where God would be shared and glorified is my dream.  To be used by God in such a way is all I have ever wanted.  And the bonus is that I can use my passion for photography to showcase the beauty God displays in His creation as well!
     Now, once again I ask, what is or was your dream.  It's not too late!  Perhaps that dream was placed in you by God as a part of His purpose in your life.  If that is the case, surely you don't want to miss out on that blessing and opportunity to honor Him. I can't tell you the joy I have felt each time I sit down to write. 
          The life-maps of God are right, showing the way to joy!  Psalm 19:7 (the Message)
     Why don't you open the door you might possibly have locked your dream behind, pull it out, dust it off, and offer it up to God.  Denounce Satan and the fear he will most definitely try to bind you with, and see what happens.  Give your dream the air and sunshine it needs to grow.  Be willing to put forth the effort that everything or worth requires, and take that first step toward it, the step of faith needed to start the process.  Time is not standing still and neither can we. I encourage you to begin the journey, and God bless you on your way.  Thank you for sharing in my dream.  To God be the glory!
    

  

Storms

     Have you been in a storm lately?   I am not referring to one of  meteorological making.  I'm talking about one of those figurative storms that comes along when it seems as if you are living in the path of a tornado, you are barely hanging on for dear life, and the outcome looks bleak. That is when I usually find myself totally freaking out like the disciples of Jesus caught on a boat out in a terrible storm, waves crashing in and filling the vessel. And just as they did, I go running to Jesus, whom they found sleeping peacefully in the stern despite the storm, and say, "Don't you care that this storm is raging in my life and all seems lost?"  (Mark 4: 35-41)
     How has that senario played out recently in your life?  It could be the loss of a loved one, your job, your home, your retirement fund, your health, your dream, a miscarriage, a divorce. What did you do when the storm raged?  Is it raging at this moment? Did you wonder, like the disciples, if Jesus was sleeping and indifferent to your plight?
     I must share this quote with you because God has, not once, but twice brought it to my attention. 
             Sometimes God calms the storm...
             Sometimes He lets the storm rage and calms His child.
     The second time I ran across this quote was at the home of a dear friend who had been diagnosed with breast cancer and spent many long months fighting through surgery, chemo, and radiation.  Unlike the disciples, she did not receive immediate cessation of the wind and waves.  Surely someone gave her this framed quote to remind her that Jesus was not asleep at the wheel, indifferent to her suffering. What an encouraging reminder that must have been that He was right there by her side, a prayer away, prepared to bring her the calmness that she needed to endure, until the storm had passed. My friend, Lisa, was an inspiration to me as she weathered that storm with a calmness and peace that comes only from the Lord.
     My sister, Cindy, has recently endured her own storm as she camped out days on end in an ICU waiting room for the next scheduled visitation time to be spent at the beside of her husband who lingered on the brink of death for months. Again, I witnessed the calmness that only Jesus can give as she never complained and trusted in Him though the storm seemed endless. She is another of my heroes in the faith.  And this past Sunday at church, I listened to John and Pam Keys sing a song entitled Hold Me Jesus by Rich Mullins. This is a bit of the chorus that has been in my head all week:
             Hold me Jesus, I'm shaking like a leaf.
             You have been my King of Glory
             Won't you be my Prince of Peace. 
     This precious couple knew of the peace that Jesus brings in the storm. They sang from hearts of true experience. Six years ago, their second child was born with complications, and they spent weeks waiting for their storm to subside. Praise God, today their precious little Brendon is the picture of health and never fails to bring a smile to my face. What wonderful examples God has placed in my path of His presence and peace when panic and hoplessness could have prevailed.
     It is my prayer that this will speak to someone today at sea in the storm and bring them comfort. Or that God will bring this to mind the next time the storm clouds begin to roll into your life.  You are not alone.  You are loved with an everlasting love.  Just crawl up into the lap of Jesus, let Him sing over you until the storm passes, and be your Prince of Peace. I can't think of a better place to be! And don't forget to bring your backpack full of faith that He will do just as he has promised. What a testimony you will have to share when the storm has passed. To God be the glory!

At the Old Ball Game

     Much like any mother, I held my breath as my son, Ben, stepped up to the plate, bat in hand.  All the pressure, all the desire to knock the ball out of the park was evident in his face as each pitch was made. 
Finally, after the sixth strike and a change of bats (clearly the first one was faulty), there it was, the often elusive over the fence home run that every baseball player lives for!  The small crowd cheered.  His dad and I cheered extra loudly as he rounded the bases and ran to tag home plate with a big smile on his face, satisfied with his performance.
     Now at this point you are probably wondering if I am totally oblivious to the rules of baseball or if there is an overlooked typo in the first paragraph.  I do understand that, in the game of baseball, after three strikes you are out, disappointed and back on the bench.  However, the rules are a little different in this game.  The players on these two teams, both male and female ranging in age from early twenties to late fifties, all have some form of disability.  Some are pushed in wheel chairs as they round the bases, some like my son, have a form of autism, some have help holding the bat and making the swing. They are all participating in what is called Challenger League Baseball, aptly named since each player faces his or her own challenges in every day life.
     In this league, there are no losers.  The score is not kept, the rules are very loosely followed, and you get to bat until you make a hit.  Errors are made, but not counted as balls are missed, recovered, dropped and dropped again in an attempt to make an out. Everyone is cheering for both teams, and there is fun to had by all.
     Since the game is played on a little league field, I am sometimes distracted by the younger children practicing on the adjacent fields, hearing the coaches talk about the next practice and whose mom is supposed to bring hotdogs and drinks for the next postgame party. For a moment, I let my guard down enough to be sad that Ben was unable to have those experiences in his early years.  Then my thoughts turn to my husband who missed out on having those times with his son.  Eddy is a great dad who loves sports, and would have found so much joy in sharing that love with Ben. I glance his way, hoping his mind is not going down the same path as mine. I greive for a moment, clear my head, and refocus on the game being played. I have to chuckle as I spy Ben in the outfield, hands behind his back, watching the ball hum overhead making no attempt to catch it.  Baseball to him is going to bat and running the bases.  He is not a bit interested or engaged with anything that happens when he is in the outfield!
     As I watch the other players, I have a realization that grief is not my emotion to own. I see them for the first time as children of parents who have also done their fair share of greiving.  Parents filled with hopes and dreams for their precious newborn babies. Because of our shared pain, I find a common ground with these parents whom I have never met.  Without doubt, they too have mourned the lives their children will not have because of their special needs. I whisper a prayer for each one as we travel this road together, a road not on the original map we had drawn up for our lives.  Hopefully they, like myself, have made some peace with that sadness and can see that God makes no mistakes and has a purpose for their child, His precious child. I find that God's peace for me in this is requested and delivered one day at a time. And that is what He has promised, one day at a time. (Matt. 6:34)
     The Bible says this in 2 Cor. 1:3 (The Message Version) :
All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy!  God of all healing counsell!  He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, He brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.

      With the ever increasing numbers of children diagnosed with autism, God has given me quite a few opportunities to share with other parents, to cry with them, to love on them. What is unique about your life and the road you are on?  Have you looked around recently to see who is on the road you are traveling?   How has God ministered to you through the hard times experienced on your journey?  You may meet someone this very day that you can come alongside and minister to because of your own unique experience and pain.  Perhaps you have left someone behind that comes to mind.  Give them a call or a visit. Make it a point to be there for that person as God was there for you. He will give you the words to say. Perhaps words will not be required.  Simply your presence and a listening ear may be all that is needed. Just be available! What a wonderful feeling it is to be used by God for this purpose, His purpose.
     Ben's game is coming to an end.  Each team leaves feeling they have won.  I know I have because God gave Ben to me and Eddy.  God has used Ben in my life through some extremely difficult and painful times to draw me closer to God and help me learn of His love and presence in the midst of the storm. I praise God for all that Ben can do despite his special needs and all he has brought in the form of love and growth in my life.  Here he comes, the home run king, feeling all spunky about his game.  It's time for that big embarrasing momma kiss that guys hate to get in front of their friends.  I love my son! God bless you all!