"Reason for the Storm"

“Reason for the Storm”

The sky is dark,
A storm is taking place.
The pain is real and
The suffering hurts.
The difficulties can’t be understood
And the struggles result in sadness.
Questions go unanswered and
Trials put you to the test.
The road isn’t easy,
But the walk has a reason.

God is in control and
His plan is perfect.
He gives and takes away,
He has a purpose for it all.
He can take the bad and
Use it for His good.

Remember,
God knows during the rain,
We always look for

The Son!

Our Audience

Last night as we sat down for supper, we had two guests. Former basketball players I had coached dropped by to visit and catch up. My husband asked Joy, our 3 year old, "What do you want to pray?"

"Praise Him," she says, like she always does.

I have moved past the fear of praying in front of others, but this wasn't just praying - it was singing. For a side note, my dad and I use to joke - "yeah, we can sing like a bird, a dead one!" So not sure if that fear will ever come to pass, but you can't stop a 3 year old who loves to sing praises and prayers!

We all survived and I heard no comments about my singing ability or lack there of, but as the night came to a close Job asked, "Why were you so nervous when we prayed?"

I said, "I don't like singing in front of people."

He simply responded, "They are not our audience."

Wow, that was a simple but powerful response. One I'm afraid I need to hear more often. It's so easy to get caught up in what other's will think, but ultimately it's not their opinion that matters.

Honestly what better way for me to share my faith with these young ladies, who are following in my steps, than by living it out - without fear.

God is the audience, no one else's opinion matters. His approval is all I need. Sure my singing might cause someone to laugh and stepping out of my comfort zone may cause others to think I'm crazy or too religious, but am I willing to trade that for pleasing God?

Sure going with the flow may keep the peace or temporarily help a relationship, but it in the end it does nothing. Nothing for the ones who are watching, nothing for me and especially nothing for God.

He is my audience and one day I want to hear Him say, "Well done good and faithful servant." He won't be talking about my singing, but obedience.

Hope vs Doubt

Hope - a wonderful concept that keeps us pressing on and moving ahead. Doubt - a dreadful concept that knocks me down and beats me up.



The Bible tells us our hope is in Christ, true; but satan is constantly planting seeds of doubt to change my focus that in turn quenches my hope.



We can't have hope when we allow doubt to enter in and when we're full of doubt, hope is not present.



When we focus on Christ our doubts don't seem so important. We remember I can do all things thru Christ or with God all things are possible. Those thoughts alone offer hope!!



So why is it when I know these things and trust in the promises God provides, I still doubt. Why? Because I'm human and give in to the thoughts in my mind. The I can'ts, the worries of other's opinions, the I'm not good enoughs... They all produce doubt...

"Doubt"
It knocks me down
and beats me up.
It makes me question
and sometimes quit.
It causes me to worry
and even wollow.
It robs me of joy
and leaves me empty.
It prevents me from sharing my faith
and truly loving my neighbor.
It causes me to compare
and think I'll never measure up.
It fills me with regrets
and plenty of "what if's."
It leaves me discouraged
and sometimes even depressed.
It is one of satan's weapons
and one, only GOD can combat.
It reminds me I can't,
but I trust God will.

Doubt - it's not a pretty thing, but when I recognize it and call it what it is, I'm reminded of my need for God and His power in my life. Even when I can't, He can!

Remember we can't have Hope and doubt, so the next time lies and doubts fill my mind I must do what Philippians 4:8 says, "Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

The Perfect Plan

Every morning I wake up with a plan for the day, but rarely do I head to bed after doing what I set out to do just 16-18 hours earlier. I often think my agenda is what is right, but daily God reminds me it is His plan that is perfect.

You'd think that daily reminder would be enough to make me constantly embrace His plan, but my stubborn mind tends to forget too quickly. At times I try too move ahead doing what I think is best.

Lysa TerKeurst reminds us "that God indeed has a plan. Not just a good plan. Not even a really good plan. God has the perfect plan." Wow! I need to rest in that!

This plan applies to every facet of our lives, but the area He seems to have me focusing on is just like Lysa mentioned, "sharing the real me, the imperfect, desperate-for-God me."

God is an honest God, so obviously His plan for me is honesty as well. I know that, but for quite some time have lived believing the lie the more people know about me the less they will want to know me.

I think of my closest friends and know that isn't how I feel about them, but for some reason I've never been one to share. Growing up I was the listener, always available to hear what anyone had to say, but rarely letting anyone know what was on my heart.

A past that includes depression and times of loneliness proves that isn't what God wants for any of His children, myself included. As time moves on though He also reminds me being real isn't just for my own good.

Just as others impact and bless me by sharing from the heart, my story could help someone else. Experience is a wonderful teacher and using my pain or mistakes to keep a sister from the same struggle may be out of my comfort zone and doesn't always appear on my to-do list, but it is part of His plan.

The influence doesn't stop there - God calls me, and you, to be real, open and honest for even more. When we go deep and share our heart - the good and the bad, we also share our faith. And when someone sees what God has done for me, that can only give them hope for what He can do for them.

So like I said rarely do I start the day with "share my heart" on my agenda, but I know when God brings the assignment I must follow thru. It's not always easy, sometimes not real fun, and others I am afraid, but it is always right. After all, it is part of His plan, the perfect plan.

"A Step Ahead"

"A Step Ahead"

The places you've been

are on the road I'm walking.

You've done the things,

I need to do.

You've passed the test

I'm preparing for.

You're a step ahead...

You've reached the goals

I'm beginning to set.

You've succeeded with challenges

I have yet to face.

You've answered the questions

I'm beginning to ask.

You're a step ahead...

The stories you tell

are ones I have yet to live.

You've experienced things

I someday will.

You've even made mistakes,

and now keep me from doing the same.

You're a step ahead...

The example you set

shows me how to live.

The advice you give

guides me through the day.

The words you share

put things in perspective.

You're a step ahead...

I'm thankful for where you're at -

You prepare me

for the future.

You teach me

how to be a parent.

You point me

to our Father.

I pray you'll always be

A Step Ahead!

The other day I wrote about being a true role model - one who not only sets an example, but shares their faith as well. Those thoughts led to ones about the steps I am following, I'm grateful for the Godly Titus 2 women who are showing me the way. My prayer is all of us will take that influence and pass it to the next generation.

A True Role Model

As a child, a young teen especially, I was one to really look up to those who were older than me. I especially looked to those who were on the basketball floor wearing the jerseys and playing the game I dreamt about. I not only admired their ability to dribble and shoot, but watched them off the floor as well.

I still remember the joy that came when they said hello or encouraged me as I played the game. I recall thinking someday when I'm on varsity I'll do the same.

That time has come on and gone, but it was a concept I took quite seriously. One that motivated me even more during the last 14 years as I coached 3 different sports from Little League softball to varsity basketball.

I viewed my role as more than teaching the girls to hit or play zone defense. I wanted to have a positive impact on their life and set an example. This desire motivated me to coach with integrity and value the girls more than winning, but over the last couple of years a question keeps reoccurring - "Am I true role model?"


Expressions of appreciation, comments of thanks and words describing my influence all prove I've set an example for the young girls I've worked with. And I am grateful, but I once heard someone say, "If you aren't impacting them for Christ, what's the point?"

Meaning ultimately the only difference that will last is one we make for Christ. Have I done that with the girls I coach? I don't know. I've tried to encourage right over wrong, we've touched on the clothes they wear, how they treat their teammates and I've tried to walk the walk.

It has been said, "Your life may be the best sermon someone ever hears." I agree - there is power in our actions and believe in the importance of living our faith, but I recently heard someone say, "No one ever gets to heaven by watching." People have to hear the words.

So as I reflect on the ones following in my footsteps, I think about those who are a step ahead, my true role models. They no longer wear a jersey or influence me by the success they achieve, but with the words they say and the faith they live.

Their stories, some told with smiles and others tears, teach me about life. As they share their faith in God during the storms, their praise in the pain and tell about the strength that results from the hurt, I am impacted. Not just for today, but eternally.

They will never know the difference they make and my thanks will never be enough, so I've come to understand when God gives us a gift, He wants us to pass it on.

My true role models live in a way that makes me want to be like them, and I pray someday that will be true.

No Guarantees

With the unexpected passing of a young man in the community and the accidental death of a 3 year old in our neighborhood, I have been reminded of the fact that there are no guarantees.

We have no idea what tomorrow will bring or even the next moment, which can be a depressing fact if we dwell on it.

But over the last couple of days, God hasn't allowed the circumstances to bring me down. Yes there is grief and feelings of sympathy for those who lost loved ones all too soon, but He has used this to motivate me.

Situations I don't understand often remind me that I am not the one in control. God has the ultimate plan, though we didn't expect these deaths at all, He knew and though we don't know who will be the next child He calls home, He does.

My thought lately has been, "will that person be ready?" Again I don't know, but God does. I can't control who it will be or know if they are prepared, but God has given me a purpose - I need to share my faith with them. Sometimes it's with actions, but lately God is calling me to use words.

What is He calling you to do? Or say? Do it today as there are no guarantees for tomorrow.