LIVING ON PURPOSE

Today, I am wearing a T-Shirt that our dear friend’s from Show Mercy Intl gave to us. It states “Living on Purpose – Be the Difference”.  From the day we met Mike & Lori, 8 or 9 years ago now, I have embraced their mission statement. Live on Purpose. I even titled my to-do list the same so I would remember to prioritize what needed to be done according to God’s plan.

To live on purpose takes on a different meaning almost daily.  Some days my purpose is to run through the administrative to-do list resolving paperwork, email, website, travel and (yes, even) Facebook issues that keep the ministry flowing. Other days involve total attention to our teams or missionaries and their needs. I walk through days of praise and intercession; prayers for friends, family and the two nation’s God has put in our hearts. Once in a great while I even do my nails.

But today Living on Purpose means embracing my immediate family. Sylvester hasn’t been well and I find he is a bit clingier than I’ve known him to be in 36 years. He wants to be held and petted, kissed and loved. I can’t say no. I can’t be too busy. For all these years Sylvester has been there with and for me. The many moves into new homes, jobs and routine changes, Phil’s death and the ensuing years of grief, gaining a new Daddy. Even while Roy and I travel and leave him with babysitters, he sang, chattered and been the ‘home’ we return to. He is simply a joy.

Now we may lose him sooner than later.  I try not to wake up every day wondering if this will be the day that he can’t handle the pain any longer. I sing his normal songs with him and whistle the tunes we’ve perfected over the years; Roy plays with him in a less rowdy way yet still gives the boy the business that they laugh over. But in the back of my mind I grieve. I’ve had the little buddy over ½ my life.

Grief is balanced these days, though.  I’ve lost babies, a sister and a spouse. I know without a moment of doubt that my Papa always brings about the best for us because His grace is so very sufficient & His plans are always exciting. Steadied by the extraordinary love from the incredible man I get to share the rest of my life with, I look forward. And, frankly, I am strengthened with the belief that when I hit Heaven Sylvester will fly up to meet me.

I’ve learned a lot in these 60 odd years of life God has taken me through. Hello’s are usually tempered with good-byes, but good-byes are temporary in Jesus.

So today, I choose to Live on Purpose by doing laundry, mopping floors, vacuuming rugs and cooking our supper all while laughing, singing, joking and making the best of each minute. I choose to let a smile graze my eyes as the breeze blows through my overgrown bushes in the front yard and the sun warms my face. I may even read a book and/or study for the upcoming training in Kenya.

But one thing I will absolutely do…Praise the One who gave me life and that in abundance! My main Purpose in life is to share His goodness with everyone I can. Even though there are always valleys to walk through, we can be assured. Me in Him; Him in Me. Never alone. Always being cared for.

“Nothing is more powerful than His presence. Whatever mountain stands before you is reduced to dust before the One who lives inside you. So, keep your eyes on Him. Continue peering into the unseen. Listen to what He is saying and shout it from every platform He provides. Allow him to shape your perspective and to use you in unlikely ways and in unexpected moments.” (Bob Hazlett – Think like Heaven. 2015)

Living on Purpose – Be the Difference. It’s a powerful way to live.

Today there were Tears

This morning I cried. Really cried. I cried for our Nation that I love so much and for the senseless killings, ridiculous rhetoric, manipulation and control over unshared ideology. I cried over the intolerant tolerant; those lying to get their own way at our expense. I cried because after spending 13 years traveling to Africa I see little difference in the way people act towards each other. Tribal. I cried knowing God created us all equal and our country was founded on that premise. I cried as I felt the heartbreak of the Father though He is not swayed.

I thought about the many years ago when I was young and in college. I lived in Albuquerque, a melting pot of race and age and culture. We fought together....against Viet Nam, against socialism, for equality and freedom of speech, the right to bear arms and any other constitutional thing we agreed with. We tore down the University's Park sign and replaced it with a sign naming it Freedom Park. and Yes, we burned our bra's. But we didn't kill each other, burn down buildings or break windows. We didn't call the President names or come against those in office. We respected what the majority voted for.

I know that I can't fix this. There is little one can say, because it will be refuted by louder voices bearing rude and ignorant comments. Those with money will continue to buy people to cause riots and pay off those who will blame it on racism or fascism or words they don't even understand. The government will continue in corruption because money and power are more important than the people. The media will agree and everyone will blame it on the leaders that WE THE PEOPLE voted in. The President who doesn't even take a salary to prove he cares. The cabinet that is taking America back to where we used to be...a proud, strong nation. But we've come so far in dissension and so far from prayer.

But there is One. The only One.

As the tears fell and sobs shook my shoulders I heard His Voice. The Voice that stops all thought, all movement and calls attention to itself. "Remember the Boat"? Yes, Lord, I do. I remember. You silenced the wind and commanded the sea to calm itself while rebuffing your disciples of little faith. There is One who is faithful. It took only that brief moment; that one word from the Savior to cause me to throw off my despair and begin breathing in the truth. I grabbed my sword to stand once again. We fight from the Victory. Straightening my shoulders, drying those tears I began declaring the truth into the atmosphere. Is God's arm not long enough? Oh yes. It certainly is.

TIME FLIES

April - August. At least they both begin with an A. 4 months without a blog. How do people do this everyday? I love to write. I love sharing my heart. I love sharing my life and Jesus. And yet 4 months go by in a blink of an eye and I haven't penned one word! 

Well, I have really. In my journal, on Facebook, in my mind mostly.  My second books lies quietly on the shelf awaiting publication. God has given me the title, the cover and even a few extra pages...but, life just takes a hold. I know you know what I mean. Wake up, sing while making and drinking the elixir of morning, prepare for the day and then ... the phone rings, the texts come in, FB rears it's ugly head and the next thing I know all tranquility is interrupted and I am on the move. 

The other day, I decided to change my modus operandi. I examined my priorities. That should be easy for me to do. I spent half my life in the corporate world of management & the other half running a non-profit ministry where priorities are imperative. Yet, when it comes to my personal life I truly fall down on the job. So, I chose to change. Yes, it is a choice. I can let the world run me or I can run the world. So Papa God and I sat down and re-examined my days. I actually scheduled in writing into my calendar. In between emails and laundry. In between church and missions. In between teams and Sylvester.  In between sleep and eating. Well, maybe while I munch on chocolate. 

You may ask WHY, which is a perfectly legitimate question. Who cares if I blog. My words aren't earth-shattering or necessarily life transforming.  Maybe no one really even reads them. So why? Just. For. Me. Because it's what brings me back down to reality. I veg out when I write. I take deep breaths and smile at the end of it. I've expelled something that has been festering inside me, working it's way to the top needing release. It's my way of coming down. 

We all have that 'thing' that brings a sense of peace to a chaotic world. Now before I get lectured...I pray. I intercede for nations. I read the Word. I love that most and before anything else. The Word of God is life to me. 

Even God rested. He knows how crazy the world can get and wants us to step away from the ravages of life for a moment. Step into His arms of refuge and shake out the cobwebs so we are strong and mighty for battle. Writing is my release. Find yours. Prioritize it, spend some time in it and smile at the end of it.