A long delayed message......

First at bit of background for this story!  Ken and I both attended the same high school but he graduated a year ahead of me.  That means that we have these 8 yearbooks -1 for 68, 2 for 69, 2 for 70, 2 for 71 and 1 for 72.   We did not date in high school but we did share many friends.  It was actually at a friends house, in the summer after I graduated, that we connected and began to date.  My blog tonight was triggered by one of those many shared friends.

Earlier today I got an email from a company that I have not used recently - Classmates.  I never paid for their sight or really used their sight very much.  But I had registered my name sometime in the early 2000's.  After I started using Facebook, I stopped responding to emails about Classmates and I don't think I ever looked at the sight much after 2005 or 2006.  For some reason, tonight I opened that email and saw that I had 5 unread messages on my personal page.  It was a miracle that I remembered my sign in and password (I guess sometimes it is good to mostly use one or two passwords) and it was a very, very old password.  I got to my page and found these unread messages.   That message really stopped me in my tracks. It was sent to me in July of 2009.  It was from an old friend, Sylvia, who sadly passed away in 2016.

Let me tell you about my friend Sylvia.  I actually met her in 8th grade, shortly after we moved to Elk Grove.  We shared a class and got paired to do a project together.  She invited me to her home to complete that assignment.  We became friends after that and I spent many, many nights at her house during my high school years.  She was an only child and much loved by her parents.  They moved houses between our 8th grade year and the beginning of high school, which actually brought her a bit closer to my house.  It was a really interesting friendship since we really did not have much in common (on the surface).  But I remember laughing and having so much fun whenever I was with her.  Looking back, I am sure that she kind of viewed me as a misfit that needed to be helped out.  Which, in fact was kind of true!  The really interesting thing about this is that Sylvia and Ken went to the same church and were a part of the youth group.  I remember Sylvia bringing me to many youth activities and even a few that were at Ken's house!  She had told me many times that she was interested in dating Ken (he was older than us and drove a convertible - both very important things when you are a teenage girl!)  I however, did not see any reason that Ken would be a good person to date.  I actually only saw her one time after high school. It was Christmas time of 1973 and we happened to be at the local grocery store at the same time.  She was home from college and Ken and I had gotten engaged a few months before.  When she saw my engagement ring she wanted all the details.   I was a bit sheepish when I told her who I was planning to marry!  She exclaimed (with a great deal of drama) "That creep!  Why would you possibly want to marry him!"  Which was the exact things that I had said to her about her crush on Ken.  While we talked about staying in touch, it didn't happen.

Sylvia enlarged my world and brought so many adventures into my life.  I went to many, many parties and dances with her because of all the different people she knew.   We had countless adventures driving around - including changing a flat tire by ourselves!  I am so thankful for her friendship .  The message from Sylvia was an attempt to get back in touch with each other.  She spoke about her children and grandchildren and how much she enjoyed being retired.  She had been invited to the many high school reunions that have been held, but was never able to attend.  I so wish that I had the chance to catch up with her.  And it makes me very thankful for the friends that I have managed to keep in contact - even if it is just Facebook or a Christmas card.

Which brings me to the point of this blog.  Sometimes people are in our life for a season and then they are gone.  Then there are those that you hold close, that stick around.  And there are those that you may not see or speak with often, yet when you do get together, it is as if no time has passed. All those that have touched our life are important. Every friend, every classmate or neighbor, or coworker, leaves an imprint on us.  All to often, we forget just how important these people are to us.  After receiving this long delayed message tonight, especially one that I now can not respond to, I know that it is time to reach out to those dear ones that I have lost touch with.  Unfortunately, my list is long!   Are there those in your life that you have wondered about?  Lost touch with?  Someone who has come into your mind?  Take it from me, don't delay - call, write or message today!

We are a people that need each other.  No man is an island.  All of us thrive on contact and on love.  There is such a lack of love expressed these days.  Lets all share more love today.  Brighten someones day with a smile or a kind word.  Knock on a neighbors door just to say hi.  Don't just think about someone - actually call or write them.  This is a dark time of year.  It is cold and dreary around much of the country.  Let us all brighten it up with an outpouring of love.  When asked what the greatest commandment was Jesus responded...... "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind.  This is the greatest commandment and the second is this - love your neighbor as yourself".  Yes it is time for more connection.  More togetherness.  More love!

Jesus, thank you for bringing this message to me, and the reminder that there are many I need to connect with.  Holy Spirit motivate us to walk in love and express love to all those around us.  Thank you Jesus that your light and your love brighten and empower us all!  Amen

Live each day fully!

So I spent a few hours today creating a game for Doug and Susie's baby shower that is next weekend.  I have pictures of Doug and Susie from their childhood and people will need to guess how old they are in each picture.  This got me thinking about Doug when he WAS my little boy.  I really had to search to find a picture of me with Doug since I was the photographer back then.  This was one of the first pictures that Gwen ever took!  She did a pretty good job I think.  And I am thankful to have this picture.  And I am also feeling thankful that I have another little boy to love on.....Zeke!

Yes, I sure love this little cutie!  (This picture was taken by Ellie, and she sure did a good job, also).  And who knows, I might have another little boy to love on!  (We do not know the sex of Doug and Susie's baby.  It seems that I might be the only one who thinks BOY, but who knows, I might be right!)

I think there is something really special between a mom and her son (and a grandma and her grandson).  There are times when it doesn't seem possible that Doug is "all grown up".  When I consider the health issues that Doug had as a child, I feel extremely grateful when you hear about children with cancer or disabilities who don't grow up.  I have been following another blog for quite some time - Mary Tyler Mom.  If you go to this link, you can read stories of children with cancer (September is Childhood Cancer Month).  You can also read Donna's story, the blogger's daughter who died from cancer.  Here's the thing, FOR ALL OF US,  We need to be living everyday as if it were the last day we had here.  A funeral yesterday, and thinking about babies today brought me to this revelation.

What is really important to you right now?  Does it really matter that your entire house is perfectly clean?  Or are there people that you should be spending time enjoying?  Is is more important to work outside of work, or should you be outside, breathing in the fresh air and watching the birds fly around.  And more importantly, are there people out there who you should call, stop by to see, smile at?   These are all things to consider. We really need each other.  Family, friends, neighbors, even those people we just encounter on a regular basis (the grocery clerks, bank tellers, waitress')  all are important.  I am so thankful that I get to actually SEE and hold my grandchildren every week rather than just connecting with them electronically.  Yes, I think it is time to put down our phones, close our laptops, shut off our tablets and pay attention to the people around us.  And in the process of connecting with people, we will also connect in a deeper way with Jesus.  There is nothing like good fellowship and conversation to bring insight and revelation and solutions to difficult situations.  Yes, we all need that quiet place.  But we also need this kind of connections.  In a balance of the quiet and connected we will find a deepening relationship with Jesus.

So, make tomorrow a day of quiet and connections.  Go outside and breathe in the fresh air.  Look at the trees and watch the sky.  Celebrate another day.  Celebrate your family.  And mostly, celebrate Jesus.

Thank you for who you are Jesus.  For your amazing love and grace.  Thank you for reminding us what is really important.  Draw us deeper into your heart, Jesus.  Holy Spirit, nudge us when we hold on to things that are not important.  Help us to connect with those around us.  Thank you for Doug and Zeke!  Amen

The Bone in the Stone and the hands on the rope!

If you have been reading my blog, you will know that sometimes it is the weirdest things that Jesus uses to get a point across.  Well, today was not an exception!  I was watching the half hour television program (he is only allowed one program a day) with my little 20 month old buddy.  During the middle of the program there is a "short" of a different little program.  It was called "Furry Friends".  It is an interesting program that uses real animals (dogs, kittens, rabbits, Guinea pigs, mice, hamsters) against computer generated backgrounds.  Today's episode was called "The Bone in the Stone"!  Okay, bear with me here, there is really a point to this! 

In this cute little program there was a dog who wanted to be the leader of his friends.  But in order to be the leader he needed to remove the bone that was stuck in a stone.  Of course, he could not get that bone to move.  All of his friends (think all of those other real animals) wanted to help him get that bone out.  The dog refused their help because he would not be the "real" leader if anyone else helped him.  A wise owl came to him and told him that all good leaders accept help from their friends.  Getting help does not mean you are not the leader.  So all of the animals helped him, and together they pulled the bone out of the stone.  In the end, the dog became the leader (the king) of all of his friends. 

I couldn't get this little program out of my mind.  In the short 30 minutes that my fussy, crabby little one napped,  I was thinking about this.  Suddenly I had a vision of the 5 fold ministries.  I was seeing a hand and on each finger was written one of these anointings -  Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, Apostle, Teacher.  The interesting thing was I was also seeing the other hand!  And then the message was much more clear.  Yes, those that are operating in those positions of the 5 fold ministries in the body of Christ, all need the support of the others. They each need the input and accountability of those in the other offices of the 5 fold.  Just as the fingers on a hand must stay together, so should those called into these important positions.  There is really nothing new in that revelation.  But then I saw and understood the other hand in my vision!  It is all of us that are a part of the body of Christ.  If we are sitting back and expecting the Pastor or the Prophet to "get the bone out of the stone" on their own, it simply isn't going to happen!  They all need us to stand with them and help them accomplish the tasks that they are called to do.  It takes two hands to hold on to that rope and pull on that bone! 

So, I encourage you to look around, and find those in authority over you, that need your help.  Is there someone who just needs a word of praise or a pat on the back?  Or someone who needs to know that you are praying for them?  Possibly there is a ministry that you have been following, but never really supported (in attendance, by prayer or through finances) - even someone on the TV or the radio.  Is there some concrete way that you can serve? Is there someone who led a Bible Study that changed your life? They might need to hear your testimony today.  I know that I have a few things to take care of right now!  And, more importantly, I have a very different perspective on my own roll in ministry.  I know that I will be seeing those two hands, joining together to accomplish great things for Jesus!

Jesus, thank you - THANK YOU - THANK YOU!   I just love how you take the silly little things and show me something so important.  Please help me to remember this lesson and to follow through with my part in the tasks that you set before me.  Holy Spirit, please remind and encourage those Pastors, Prophets, Evangelists, Apostles, and Teachers that they NEED EACH OTHER!  Bring them together with a renewed commitment to be accountable and supportive of each other.  And Jesus, would you please make those connections to those who are operating "out of hand".  Holy Spirit, thank you for showing me so clearly, of how much you need all of us in the body to do our part.  Give us courage and boldness to fulfill our destiny for your glory.    Amen

Timing is everything....

How many times do we hear "timing is everything"?  Last week there was a post on The Elijah List website, by Dutch Sheets.   (See the entire post here Don't miss God's perfect timing)   I loved this paragraph....

Stay the course. Don't abort the process by letting weariness or frustration set in. Your harvest is being made ready. There is an appointed time for you to reap. Be faithful in the mundane. Don't despise the day of small beginnings. Don't lose heart in well doing. Never give up. Your shift may be closer than you think!

I think this spoke to me because I have been feeling weary and frustrated lately.  But in the last couple of weeks, I have also seen little glimpses of things starting to break and come together. (I know that sounds a little ridiculous - breaking AND coming together - a paradox.  But isn't the Bible filled with paradox?)

Early last week, I connected with a women from my daughter Gwen's church.  She has a passion for a ministry in the western area of Kenya near the town of Bungamo.  She has helped to bring the Heifer Project and also helped to build several wells around there.  Currently there are several ongoing projects in that area, with a Pastor and his church - including providing school uniforms for the children.  When I first heard about this ministry, I wondered if there was any way that my friend  Lucy Wa Ngunjiri might be of assistance.  I was somewhat skeptical that Lucy would be able to help because the majority of her work is in the Nairobi area - quite a distance from Bungamo.  I was able to provide a contact with a Kenyan man (actually Lucy's brother) in the United States who may be able to provide some guidance on these projects.   OKAY - HERE IS THE TIMING IS EVERYTHING CONNECTION. 

On Thursday, I was on Facebook and noticed that Lucy had posted some new pictures.  This picture is of a Prayer Rally that Lucy held, in May, IN BUNGAMO!  Apparently she had never posted any pictures of this rally and people had been asking for them.  If she had posted these pictures at any time BEFORE Tuesday of last week, I would never have noticed the name of the town.  She has held meetings all over Kenya and this town is not a place I knew.  Needless to say, this answered the question I had about Lucy being at all connected in that area.  You know when Yahweh has a plan and purpose for connecting people, He sees to all the details.  Even the posting of pictures on Facebook.  

So today I am feeling much less weary and frustrated.  When the words "Stay the Course"  make us shutter and we are so tired of "hanging on", we can take heart.  Yahweh has a great plan that includes his perfect timing. I just love how a small thing, like this picture on facebook, is really a very big thing in Yahweh's playbook.  It let me know that I am, somehow on the right path. 

Yahweh, thank you for your perfect timing. Thank you for the ministry connection you have made between Fellowship of Faith and Kenya.  Bless all that is being accomplished, in your time, through this connection. And especially thank you for weaving me into this connection.  Thank you Jesus for Lucy and her ministry.  I pray that you would continue to bless her and enlarge her tents.  Thank you for the little things that bring such encouragement to us.  Amen