Perspective....

Today is Easter.....Resurrection Sunday. The day we as Christians celebrate the day that Jesus rose from the dead. His POWER demonstrated.

I loved how Pastor Dan distinguished between the cross and the grave today. He said that our sins were taken care of at the cross. It's the empty grave that empowers us to live victoriously once we've been forgiven.

I haven't been feeling too victorious lately. I've been weighed down by life....decisions....uncertainties...loneliness...deferred dreams...I was trying in my own strength to snap out of it today. Even hearing the Word from Pastor Dan today wasn't quite doing it. I left church feeling heavy and deeply saddened on what should be a day of total rejoicing in the LIFE that I have because of Jesus.

And then, my perspective changed. Why? I walked onto the Oncology Floor of Children's Hospital of the King's Daughter in Downtown Norfolk. A couple that attends my church found out on Tuesday that their two-year-old daughter has Leukemia. When I found out, I had this strange wall up, I guess to keep this information from truly penetrating my heart and mind.

I ended up going to visit James and Jackie and their little girl today even though, for many reasons, I didn't want to. I'm so glad I did.

My eyes scanned the room as I walked in. I was so nervous, I guess because of the unknown. They have four children in all ages 4 and under. All of them were there. As I listened to Jackie explain to us how they found out about the Leukemia. My eyes welled up with tears. I was so taken with her strength and the peace and confidence which she exuded as she discussed the tests and procedures that her baby was having to undergo. I just kept thinking life is pretty good and I NEED to praise HIM.

Jackie talked about the schedule that they were needing to develop with their support system and the way she would have to administer treatment once they went home....my eyes welled up again. I felt so helpless, but wanted so desperately to offer any and everything I could to make her journey more bearable.

It was almost more than I could bear to see that precious little girl with all her tubes. I just wanted to break down there in front of everyone....My eyes....my focus....finally OFF OF ME....

God, help me to find the good in each and every day. Help me to LOVE fully and GIVE generously and be GRATEFUL to YOU always....

Please pray for James and Jackie Taylor and their daughter Jaylon. This diagnosis is only a week old for them. Doctors say they have at least a two year journey ahead of them. I know that when things seem challenging for me, I will think of this Mommy who has to care for her sick baby while still being loving Mommy to 3 healthy babies....AND a loving wife...

Pray for strength, discernment, wisdom, and HEALING....

Write The Vision

As the summer gets closer, I get more excited about all the adventures I will be going on. This will definitely be one of the most eventful summers I've had in a long time. However, along with the excitement of the summer and this next transition, comes the reminders that I haven't even scraped the surface of all that I feel like I'm going to do with this life of mine.

I have many ideas rolling around and seemingly not a lot of acting on any of those ideas. It's at the points of transition in my life when I am glaringly reminded of that fact. Hence the reason for my recent habitation of Panera Bread for hours upon hours. I needed to write the vision out.

As I sat there sipping my Chai Tea, the thoughts began to pour out on paper. I wrote out all of these wonderful plans for my business and ideas for community outreaches. And then I just sat there staring at it. What now? Where do I even begin? I was feeling extremely small in comparison to all the plans. It seemed that all the planning and organizing of ideas had created just more questions. It paralyzed me. I haven't looked at those plans again yet. Maybe today? :-)

I wonder how many other people feel the same way. Do you have ideas and visions that God has given to you? Ideas that you know will benefit a specific group of people or area? That concept is the main thing that keeps me pressing toward the goal! I know that my success is not really about me, but all those that will be positively impacted by my perseverance.

Today, I just wanted to remind you to keep pressing on. I'm reminding myself as well. Whatever is in your heart to do is there for a reason and a specific season. God told the prophet Habakkuk to .... "Record the vision and inscribe it on tablets, That the one who reads it may run. For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay." Habakkuk 2:2-3.

I've written it out. Have you written out your vision? Are there dreams you have that need to be put on paper so that they can become manageable goals?

Mary, Jesus' mother was given an impossible task of having a child while still a virgin. She was troubled at this news, but the angel reassured her saying, "For with God, nothing shall be impossible." Luke 1:37.

The same is true for us. If God has ordained something for us to do, no matter how impossible it may seem to us, it IS POSSIBLE for HIM. We simply need to understand the plans are truly HIS. He knows the timing, the strategy, and the resources needed to get the job done.

Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3

Thanks for coming along on my journey with me. I hope I inspire you to start, restart, or re-route your own journey to realizing your VISION....