My Nuggets of Truth

When It's Time

2012-01-21T19:04:00.000-06:00

I want to share a lesson that I thought I'd learned before, but evidently I had mere head knowledge that had not become heart knowledge. Always believing that God is a Father who wants good things for His children, I have never questioned that He would work things out for good in my life. Even when I have made wrong choices or someone else has wronged me, I knew, if I kept my heart pure and had faith, He would somehow make things right.

This past year was a tough one for my family after I lost my job. I was able to spend a lot of time in fellowship with the Lord, get a lot of writing finished and spend time on my photography and note cards. But our finances suffered horribly. There were some pretty bleak times in the Patrick household. But I never doubted that I would find the right job.

I took advantage of every avenue I knew of to look for work. Company after company would approach me on LinkedIn and other sites to say they were interested in me. I would send off my resume, go in for interviews and be told that I was a great candidate for the job. Then, I would get that email or phone call, telling me that they were "going" with someone else. They were never able to tell my why they weren't hiring me.

I began to question God in His timing. "Lord, you know we're drowning in a mountain of debt here. I'm trying so hard to find employment. Why aren't you opening doors for me? Why aren't I finding favor with these companies who are seeking me out?" I struggled with bitterness and anger. I couldn't understand why we were having to wait so long for His blessing. If I only knew what I was doing wrong, I would change it...quickly.

Once again, I learned my lesson and this time, it sunk down in my heart. A chain of seemingly random events began, starting last summer. I met this person here; they introduced me to that person there; who started hanging out with friends that I hang out with, and sure enough, everything came together, without me even having a hand in it. I have been offered a position with a wonderful company that is far and above any of those other jobs that I so desperately hoped for. God's timing...He had to work out all the details. He had to nudge each person in the chain of events, to play their part in bringing this opportunity across my path. That's why, Dear One, it's so important to be open to the leading of the Lord. He may want to use you to bless someone else and if you're not paying attention, you could miss the opportunity to be a blessing.

I can see, now, that God was watching over me and He knew that better things were ahead. I had only to lean on Him to see me through those tough times. I'm so grateful for each person who played a role in this six month period of events that led me to the place I am now! I'm thankful for God's timing and His grace. If you are waiting on a blessing, take heart and know that He is aware of your circumstances and He will watch over you to perform His word!

From His Lap,

That Which Has Been Given

2012-01-16T11:10:00.002-06:00

I know you've heard the quote, "What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday." The amount of people, relationships and things we have, that we take for granted is staggering. If we woke up tomorrow without them, we would be struck with the reality of how really blessed we are. This past year has been one of growth and transition for me; spiritually, physically and emotionally. Along the journey I was sometimes tempted to groan and complain about circumstances that seemed beyond my control. In the process, I wasn't always thankful for the gifts I have been given and the grace that has been poured out on me.

As I move towards the new places and faces that God is leading me to this year, my heart's desire is to remain steadfastly grateful and thankful for what I've been given. I'm being stretched and pruned and shaped into a vessel that God will use, if I allow Him. He has placed the people in my life that will help me become that vessel. And I, in turn, will bump up against others and help shape them! All the while, being grateful for the growth, despite the growing pains.

As I look back at the questions I had for God about the whys and the hows, I can clearly see that He was really in control the whole time. I just lacked the faith and the vision to realize how He was moving in my life. I will rest in faith and hope, knowing that He gives me the grace to move forward as He directs and guides my path. All the while, I will be ever aware of what I have to be thankful for. This will be a year of giving praise and honor to the One who has given me much.

So, I continue to be thankful for:

121. A husband who continually does his best to be the man God has created him to be; who cherishes me and encourages me to shine!

122. The unborn grandson who will make his presence in the world known, in March. I'm so thankful that God has formed him perfectly in his mother's womb and He is designing him to be a blessing to all who will know him.

123. The people God has brought into my life who bless me continually with their friendship and support and love! Without these people, my life would seem empty and dull. They add color and depth to the tapestry of my life!

124. A church and pastor who believe in doing life together!! They not only teach, but they walk through the yuck and the stuff and the joys with our community! We love doing life together at Sanctuary Tulsa.

125. The creativity that God has put in me. For years I struggled with having enough confidence in who He created me to be. I argued with Him and others that I did not have the gifts and talents that are in me. Now, I acknowledge them, I am grateful for them and I nurture them.

Won't you join me in contemplating all that you have to be grateful for and take note if you've remembered to thank God for it?

I will continue to journey with Ann Voskamp over at A Holy Experience as she shares her own and others reasons to be thankful! Won't you join us there?

From His lap,

Waiting For You

2012-01-12T12:32:00.000-06:00

There is always hope shining through.

Do you need proof of the power of love? Have recent circumstances had you in a place of plummeting hope? In the past year, so many have talked to me of stressed or broken relationships and of lives spiraling downward and out of control. There is good news. Not easy news...but good news. There are ways to find hope and joy and fulfillment if you make the time and do the work and are diligent to keep the prize ever in front of you.

A woman spoke to me recently about her bitter hatred of a former colleague. She is filled with so much hatred that her body is literally shutting down and she's had to go to the hospital and may end up having surgery. She is not willing to keep her eyes fixed on her goals and her heart towards the people she loves, because of these bitter feelings towards another. Everything else that is good in her life, is falling down around her because she won't place her shattered heart in the hands of God and let Him heal the broken places.

The only way to fully grasp the power of love is to turn inward where God is hiding in our depths. If you are willing to turn off the TV, step away from the computer and be alone with the One who loves you completely, then He can show you those broken places. Imagine, in your mind's eye, that His finger is touching the hurt places in your heart and making them whole. And be honest with Him. Cry out to Him. Tell Him how you feel and own up to whatever you need forgiveness for. The hard part comes in disciplining yourself to make that time to spend with Him. Because He gives us free will, He will never force you to spend time with Him. He waits for you to come.

Another difficulty is being honest and confessing whatever part you play in your heartbreak. Even when another person has completely hurt us, somewhere in there, in our response, in our hatred back, we need forgiveness. You see, we can only control our actions and reactions. And when we focus on that, it takes our eyes off of the one who hurt us and opens up a way for God to touch and heal our wounded soul.

And the final challenge is to focus on those people and things that matter...the ones who are being hurt by our woundedness. When we've been broken, we tend to lash out at those who are innocent and don't deserve to be neglected or attacked. Those who broke us cannot fix us. The power of God's love and healing touch is the only thing that can make us whole. It gives us hope for a future.

If you are experiencing hurt and heartbreak, can you do what's necessary on your part, to get the healing process going? Are you willing to do the hard stuff? I promise, He will meet you there and touch you with the power of His love and begin to make you whole. There is no better hope than that.

I'm joining with Ann Voskamp over at A Holy Experience. Visit us over there to see what others are saying about forming spiritual habits that will help you grow.

From His lap,

Not Two Trees, But One

2012-01-10T11:11:00.000-06:00

When we first "fall in love" it's as if a powerful wave is crashing to shore. It knocks our legs out from under us and carries us with the current. But have you ever noticed how quickly that wave subsides and pulls back out to the ocean? Many relationships and marriages crumble as that tide of emotion leaves and the feeling of being carried by the current passes. A kind of stranded feeling remains...one of not being well rooted and grounded. There is no sure footing remaining, strong enough to hold a couple together.

Louis de Bernierès said, "Love erupts like an earthquake and then subsides. And when it subsides, you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together, that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. Love itself is what's left over after being in love has burned away. Your mother and I had it. We had our roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossums had fallen from our branches, we found that we were one tree and not two."

Beautiful words and so true. But the work that it takes to get to that place seems to be too much for many people. In order for roots to grow deep, pruning must take place and we don't like to be pruned. Maybe our spouse has stronger places than we do. Maybe when the droughts come, we don't want to withstand the heat and the dryness. Maybe when it's cold and our branches freeze over with ice, it's too painful.

My marriage has certainly withstood the test of time. We have weathered storms that we thought might break us. But as we have faced each storm or dry spell, we always turned to the One who makes our union holy. Our Heavenly Father has always been the Rock that we could go to when we needed to be touched by love. Crying out to Him was what watered our roots and gave us our strength. Learning how to forgive and bestow mercy...and receive mercy...it has caused our roots to grow together and make us, not two trees, but one. And when our last blossums have fallen and all leaves are on the ground, we will still have our gloriously strengthened roots.

That kind of relationship is so beautiful and fulfilling. We are ever watchful for those waves that come crashing in, sweeping us away for a moment, refreshing us, catching us up in rapturous moments of passion. And then we are left with our roots so intertwined that we are cannot be separated. Are you willing to go through the hard seasons, depending on prayer, hope and faith, to see you through or is it just easier to give up and look for someone else to sweep you off your feet in the next wave of passion?

From His lap,

Digging for Dreams

2012-01-05T16:41:00.002-06:00

"It's not who you are that holds you back, it's who you think you're not." ~Denis Waitley

What would happen if you really got a hold of who you are? My parents always told me that I could do or be anything or anyone I wanted to do or be. But still, for much of my life, I've struggled with thoughts of who I was not. "I'm not this. I can't do that. I'll never have the means to be that." Hopes and dreams can get so side tracked by focusing on everything that we are not, instead of realizing that we are who we are, for a reason!

The Lord tells us in Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." What if that's true? Really, we say we believe God's Word, but it's so much easier to believe for other people. When it comes to believing it for ourselves, we seem to doubt and question. But what if He created you just how you are because He has a hope and a plan for you?

I'm not saying that we are perfect just the way we are and that we don't need to grow and change. But everything that is needed for our hopes and dreams to come to pass has been buried deep in our hearts by our Creator! We just need to dig it out, polish it up and run with it! Concentrating on our flaws and mistakes will only keep us from the process of digging up our gifts and fulfilling our dreams.

I can give you a perfect example. Since I was a small child, I knew that I was a writer. I felt compelled to write, driven to write. But then I became a mom and raising six kids brought a lot of excuses for me to not delve into that gift and nurture it and make it grow. I bought into the idea of everything that I was NOT. You couldn't have paid me to say, "I am a writer," because what if people would laugh at me or say, "Well, you haven't published a book. How can you be a writer?"

Over the past six years, I have been writing again. The first time I told people, "I am a writer", I almost choked on the words. It felt like someone in my head was screaming, "Liar, liar." I squirmed and waited for the people who I said it to, to start laughing at me. But they didn't. Instead, they said that they had read my blog and loved it. They said that they had bought some of my note cards. I looked around the room to see if anyone was going to expose me for being a fraud, but that didn't happen.

So now, when someone asks me what I do, I proudly say, "I'm a writer." And they believe me! Those words still don't roll easily off my tongue, but I'm getting there. You see, Dear One, you can't let all the things that you are NOT, hold you back from being who you ARE. You were created for a purpose and only you and God know what that is. I pray that you spend time with your Heavenly Father every day and let Him whisper His hopes and plans to you. Dig deep into your heart and find the things that make you come alive, polish them, grow them, nurture them and be who you were meant to be!

I'm linking up with up with Anne over at I Live in an Antbed. Hop on over there and see what others are saying about what the power of God can do in your life.

From His lap,

A Mother's Journey

2012-01-03T13:24:00.003-06:00

{EAV:176d33a4c513f99d}Years ago, when my mother passed away, someone sent me this beautiful tribute to moms. I don't know who wrote it so I can't give proper credit. But it is a truly beautiful piece and I hope it touches your heart. Read it at a slow pace...leisurely, digesting every word. For those lucky enough to still be blessed with your mom, this is beautiful. For those of us who aren't, this is even more beautiful. For those who are moms, you'll love this.

Mother

My mom and dad

The young mother set her foot on the path oflife. "Is this the long way?" she asked. And the guidesaid, "Yes, and the way is hard. And you will be old before youreach the end of it. But the end will be better than thebeginning."

But the young mother was happy, and she would not believe that anything couldbe better than these years. Soshe played with her children, and gathered flowers for them along the way, and bathed them in the clearstreams; and the sun shone on them and the young Mothercried, "Nothing will ever be lovelier than this."

My husband and his mom

Then the night came, and the storm, and the pathwas dark, and the children shook with fear and cold, and the mother drew them close and covered them with hermantle, and the children said, "Mother, we are not afraid, foryou are near, and no harm can come."

And the morning came, and there was a hill ahead, and the children climbedand grew weary, and the mother was weary. But at all times she saidto the children," A little patience and we are there." So the children climbed, andwhen they reached the top they said, "Mother, we would not havedone it without you."

My dad's mom

My mom and her mom

And the mother, when shelay down at night looked up at the stars and said, "This is a betterday than the last, for my children have learned fortitude in the face ofhardness. Yesterday I gave them courage. Today, I've given them strength."

And the next day came strange clouds which darkened the earth, clouds of war and hate and evil, andthe children groped and stumbled, and themother said, "Look up. Lift your eyes to the light. "And the children looked andsaw above the clouds an everlasting glory, and it guided thembeyond the darkness. And that night the Mother said, "This is the best day of all, for I haveshown my children God."

And the days went on, and the weeks and the months and the years, andthe mother grew old and she was little and bent. But her childrenwere tall and strong, and walked with courage. And when the way was rough, they liftedher, for she was as light as a feather; and at last they came to ahill, and beyond they could see a shining road and golden gates flung wide. Andmother said, "I have reached the end of my journey. And now Iknow the end is better than the beginning, for my children can walkalone, and their children after them."

And the children said, "You will always walk with us, Mother, evenwhen you have gone through the gates." And they stood and watched her as she went on alone, and the gates closed after her. And they said: "We cannot seeher but she is with us still. A Mother like ours is morethan a memory. She is a living essence."

Your Mother is always with you... She's the whisper of the leaves as you walkdown the street; she's the smell of bleach in your freshly launderedsocks; she's the cool hand on your brow when you're not well. Your Motherlives inside your laughter. And she's crystallized in every teardrop. She's the place you came from, your first home; and she's themap you follow with every step you take. She's your first love and yourfirst heartbreak, and nothing on earth can separate you.
Not time, not space... not even death!

Home is where your story begins.

Today I am linking up with Joan at Reflections of Grace. I would love for you to visit there and see what others are saying about the Grace of God!

From His lap,

When Can You Visit?

2011-12-29T10:43:00.002-06:00

Some of us on Christmas night.

This Christmas was wonderful because we got to spend some time with five out of our six kids. Christmas Eve, we actually were all together but the oldest. He couldn't get off work to join us. We were never able to coordinate things to where we would all be together at the same time again after Christmas Eve. But the rest of this week, we've seen one or two or three of them, here and there, for different events.

Our jammies picture

Something began to tug at my heart as one or the other of them would call with their reasons for why they couldn't make a particular event. "Mom, I have to work." "Mom, I can't afford the airfare." Mom, I told my friends I'd go to the movies with them." "Mom, we're tired so we're just going to stay home." As I listened to everyone of these legitimate reasons for not showing up, I thought about all the reasons I give God for not spending time with Him.

Two of our daughters

"Lord, I have to get to work." "Lord, I've had a long day at work and I'm tired." Lord, I told my friends I'd go to Girls Night Out." "Lord, I have to go to my son's swim meet." Now I realize that I can talk with Him in the car or as I drift off to sleep at night or while I'm grocery shopping. But my best times are when I make time for Him, just like I would make time for my husband, or my kids, or my friends. Those are the times when I hear Him speak to my heart, or get guidance from Him or receive comfort when I'm hurting.

Middle daughter with my hubby

So, as I got those calls from my kids this Christmas, I wondered how He feels when He gets those calls from me, with another well meaning excuse...always intending to get back with Him later. But who knows what blessing I missed out on by not going right then! I wonder if He smiles sadly but fondly when I give Him my reasons for not having time for Him. When my kids show up unexpectedly, at the door, my heart rejoices at the sight of their faces and the sound of their voices. Does God rejoice over me that way when I show up in His throne room? Does He miss me like I miss my kids when they don't come?

My sweet grandbaby

He is such a wonderful Father and He is patient and kind enough to wait for me to show up. But when I think about the sweet times I've missed with Him, it makes me sad. Beloved, if you make time for Him, just like you make time for your loved ones, I promise, you will come away refreshed, renewed and blessed by your encounter with Him. He understands our busy lives, just like we do with our kids. But He is always ready to spend time with us and He will never turn us away or be too preoccupied.

The next time you get a call from one of your loved ones, or there's a knock on the door and you have unexpected visitors, rejoice the way your Heavenly Father rejoices over you when you show up!

Here are some photos of family time this Christmas. I hope you enjoy them.

Our youngest ice skating

Whipping me around the ice rink!

Tulsa's Winterfest

Opening stockings Christmas morning.

Toasting our son & his girlfriend on their engagement!

Some of the girls

Girls definitely have the guys outnumbered!

My beautiful daughter!

I am linking up with Joan over at Reflections of His Grace. Hop on over there and see what other bloggers are sharing about God's love and grace!

Wishing you the most joyous New Year from His lap!

So This is Christmas

2011-12-19T22:00:00.000-06:00

If you could get any present you wanted for Christmas, what would it be? A friend asked me this question a couple of days ago. At first, I thought about some pretty amazing material things that I would love to receive. Then, I thought of those intangibles...you know...peace on earth and those kinds of things. But quick as a flash, all of those pictures disappeared and I had one image in my mind. I knew what I would ask for if I could have anything I wanted.

Without a shadow of a doubt, no ifs, ands or buts, it would be one more day to spend with my mother. You see, she was the one who taught me everything...everything that mattered, that is. She had more wisdom and faith than anyone I know. I learned what love is by how much she loved me. We had our clashes and disagreements just like any other mother and daughter, but she was my rock.

Mom made the holidays an exciting adventure from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day. The last time I saw my mom was Thanksgiving of 2004. So you see, the holidays are bittersweet for me. Don't get me wrong, I don't get melancholy and depressed. It's just the opposite. The very atmosphere of the holidays makes me feel like my mom is right here with me and that brings me much joy!

And so this is Christmas. I decorate, play mom's Christmas albums and celebrate as if she were here, watching me do it all. I thought I would share some of the Christmas sights in our home that make me feel so warm and wonderful. I hope you enjoy.

I pray you have a very Merry Christmas, surrounded by loved ones and making happy memories. But if circumstances have you spending the holidays alone, I pray that you feel the presence of God around you, and that you realize that the birth of God's son was a precious gift for you and you never have to be alone.

I wish you joy and fulfillment in the coming year!

Blessings From His Lap,

His Love is Extravagant

2011-12-16T11:03:00.001-06:00

How can we really put into words the depth and breadth of God's love for us? What human adjectives can describe the kind of love that has been shed abroad in our hearts? I only know that when I enter the throne room of God and His love and grace wash over me, there are no words to explain what I feel; just that I'm being loved in a pure, intoxicating, holy way.

Here is a song by Darrell Evans called Your Love is Extravagant that attempts to put into words, what God's love for us is like. I hope you enjoy it. You can mute my music player to the right to watch this video.

Your love is extravagant
Your friendship intimate
I find I'm moving
To the rhythms of Your grace
Your fragrance is intoxicating
In our secret place
Your love is extravagant

Spread wide in the arms of Christ
Is the love that covers sin
No greater love have I ever known
You considered me a friend
Capture my heart again
Capture my heart again

Deeper than the deepest ocean
Your love is
Higher than the highest mountain
Reaches higher than the Heavens
Still it finds its way to me
Finds its way to me
Your love is extravagant
Your love is extravagant
Your love is extravagant

I hope that during this Christmas season, you are taking time to reflect on the gift of love He has given you by coming to earth in human form, for the express purpose of dying for you. That, is extravagant intoxicating love, Dear One. And it's all for you!

From His Lap,

Unlimited Access to Victorious Secrets

2011-12-14T14:54:00.000-06:00

Victoria's Secret

Every Christmas, I look forward to a pretty package from Victoria's Secret under the tree from my beloved. He always picks out something that's right for me, just my style. He knows me well and knows what I would and wouldn't be comfortable wearing. It's probably a little like walking a tight rope for a fella to go into that store and buy something for his wife that she would like, that is also appealing to him. I kind of feel bad for the men as I picture them trying to decide on something that won't offend or make their woman feel uncomfortable, but sexy and attractive.

I was thinking about what surprise I might get from Victoria's Secret this year and imagining my husband in the store, looking around at all that deliciousness, when another thought came to mind. It was almost as if my Heavenly Father was whispering to me with a twinkle in His eye! I heard in my heart, "If you are in love with Jesus, you have unlimited access to free "Victorious Secrets!" I caught myself smiling at the thought of God teasing me. I knew just what He meant and I had to agree. Afterall, aren't "victorious secrets" better than Victoria's Secrets anyday!

When you're in love with Jesus and you spend time with Him every day, He will impart His secrets to you; secrets of how to love, how to forgive, how to give grace, how to walk with Him, how to fulfill your dreams...all secrets that will help you live a victorious life. Think about it. Who knows you better than Him? He knows what you like, He knows the dreams He's placed in your heart, He knows what you are comfortable with and what makes you cringe. Who better, to give us Victorious Secrets, than the one who created us and made us who we are.

His secrets make us beautiful and appealing to all. When we are draped in His finery, people are drawn to the love and grace that covers us and makes us attractive. During this Christmas season, I would encourage you to draw close to Him. Let Him tell you things that are only for you. You will radiate love and be more beautiful than any piece of clothing could ever make you. As you attend holiday parties and get togethers, instead of worrying and fretting about what you look like on the outside, clothe yourself in His finest garments of love, joy, peace and grace. And you will be stunning!

Today, I'm sharing a virtual cup of coffee with Joan and my friends at the Grace Cafe. I would love for you to join us there and share your thoughts with all of us!

From His Lap,

The Breath of Grace

2011-11-28T21:18:00.001-06:00

I didn't write much last month. Earlier, in the spring, I felt in my heart that a change was coming in my life. I didn't know what it was, but I knew it was coming. I've been anxious and uncertain, but things have begun to be clearer...coming into focus slowly. We always want to get ahead of the Lord, don't we. I begged Him to tell me what was coming, but it wasn't time for me to know yet.

So, the Lord had impressed upon my heart to stay mostly quiet for these weeks and remain in His grace. I've been tucked away there, reveling in His presence. It's been so sweet and I've been covered in peace during a time when I could have been at odds with myself, with others and with Him. He is so faithful to minister to us and pour out on us exactly what we need.

Here is what I have found to be true in my life. When I feel fear or dread or anger or disappointment or hurt or uncertainty...any of those very real, very raw human emotions...I can take in a breath of Yahweh. Say it out loud, "Yahweh". It sounds like a breath. You can say His name and draw Him in with your very breath. And where He is, fear cannot stay. Where He is, hurt, anger, disappointment cannot stay. So this past month, I have been asking Him to fill me with His grace and chase away my uncertainty.

He will reveal to me, in His time, what this new direction in my life will be. I have some idea and my anxiety has turned into excitement. He will not lead me into something without giving me the grace to carry it out. I seek His guidance and direction every day so that I do not get ahead of Him or make costly mistakes that slow my path.

Dear Heart, if you are awaiting change and struggling with impatience or uncertainty and dread...just breathe. Breathe in all that He has for you to wait and walk out this journey with Him.

I am linking with Joan at Reflections of His Grace and Beck from Beck Far From Home. Take a visit over there to see how the Lord is inspiring others today!

From His lap,

The Other Side of Grace

2011-11-23T23:51:00.001-06:00

Grace is what I'm most thankful for this year. Yep, grace! All my life, my parents were faithful to instill in me, a knowledge of what God's grace did for us, on the cross; forgiveness, righteousness, cleansing. I've always looked at grace that way...I've been forgiven by someone who paid my debt for me and grace was extended to me.

But this year, I've come to experience another side of God's grace. His grace that carries us through the things of life that are hard and messy and hurtful. This side of His grace is the stuff hope is made of. It's what carries us through to the other side, from pain to victory. It's His strength in us. I'm so grateful for this precious gift. It wasn't a gift that came all wrapped up neatly with a pretty bow. It came in the midst of prayer and tears and waves of emotions that were often paralyzing. It came through pressing in and hanging on to a faithful God.

Oh, dear reader, I don't want you to think that I have a heavy heart here. With God's grace comes deep joy and that's where I am...in the midst of peace and joy. So I am thankful for grace...every bit of it...the forgiveness, the cleansing, the peace and the joy.

I wish everyone of my readers a joyous Thanksgiving, a sweet time surrounded by loved ones and the gift of grace.

I'm joining with Joan at Reflections of His Grace. Visit there to see what God is laying on the hearts of other wonderful believers!

From His lap,

My Holiday Wish For You

2011-11-22T11:03:00.001-06:00

I have had a season of pressing into God, staying on His lap or right by His side. If you had been watching me you would have thought I was walking through life as usual. But somehow, He has given me the grace to go through the motions of life, all the while, never leaving His presence. There are times when He will call you to Him for deep fellowship. He knows what you are going through or what you are about to go through and He desires for you to get everything you need to be victorious, from Him.

Even in the toughest of times we can experience a deep joy that is unshaken. This past year, I went through something that shook me to my very core and threatened to crack my foundation. It is not anything that I am able to share at this point, but suffice it to say, at a time when I felt so completely alone and desolate, He called me to His side and stayed with me, literally walking out my days with me. I felt His presence with every step and every breath I took. He never left me alone nor forsaken. I now know what "joy unspeakable" means. At a time when there was no joy to be found (to the human eye), I was flooded with it. When terror and anger and confusion would try to clutch at my heart with full on attack, I breathed in the very essence of Him...peace, joy, calm and love would flood in and chase away anything that was not of Him.

As the holidays are approaching, so many people struggle to find meaning and purpose, to know why they are supposed to be celebrating, searching for a reason to smile. I'm here to tell you, if that is you, your reason for celebrating and smiling is that someone loves you so much that He longs to spend time with you everyday! He waits for you to call on Him. He makes beautiful things out of what we see as ugly and wrong! He has blessings He wants to bestow on you that you can't even imagine!

This is my holiday wish for you. I would encourage you to rise up, lift your arms to Him, and let Him love on you, give you a reason to smile and turn your hurts into something beautiful and whole. Walk through the holidays with hope and peace and when you feel alone, go to Him and sit a while. His grace and mercy will rain down on you and fill you with that "unspeakable joy". Don't ever doubt how precious and valuable you are to Him. He is a place of safety and joy where He takes those things meant for your destruction and turns them into beautiful things for you. I know this because I have seen Him do it in my life.

I would like for you to turn off the music player at the top right hand of this page so that you can listen to the video posted here. It is a song by Gungor, called Beautiful Things.

Today I am linking up with Shanda Oakley over at A Pause Along the Path. Hop on over there to see what others are saying about what God is doing in their lives!

From His lap,

"It Happened For a Reason"

2011-11-15T14:40:00.001-06:00

You've heard people reflect on a bad experience and comfort themselves and others by saying, "It happened for a reason." My take on this philosophy is not a popular one and, I suppose it makes some people uncomfortable...but I would like to share it and see if it challenges my readers a bit.

The Scriptures clearly say that "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more will you Father in heaven , give good gifts to whose who ask Him." Matthew 7:11 In another verse, Scripture says "Be sober, be vigilant, for your enemy, the devil, is as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." I Peter 5:8

I know that when bad things happen, tragedy strikes, we can bear the pain easier if we think that God has put this terrible "thing" upon us to teach us a lesson. It makes it seem as if, just maybe, there is a good reason for "it" to have happened. But as you can see from the Scriptures above, God gives His children good gifts. But we have an enemy who is seeking to destroy us.

What gives me hope and helps me through a time that I can't understand or bear, is that Scripture also says, "God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him." Romans 8:28. That is a vast difference than God causing bad things to happen to us. On the contrary, He takes those things and works them to our good, if we allow it.

I don't say these things lightly. I have gone through experiences in my life, that at the time, felt hopeless, lonely and heartbreaking. At the time, I could see no reason for them nor any good that could come from them. I can say, without fail, that the times that I called on God in those situations, He brought me through and I found victory somewhere in the mess. That's not to say that I don't carry scars from some of life's battles, but I remain undefeated with hope for my future!

When we lose someone dear to us, or our finances are a mess, or sickness falls on us, to say that God caused those things to teach us something, is really shortchanging Him. He is omniscient and all knowing and smart enough to teach us the things that we need to learn without causing us harm. We live in a fallen world and the Bible teaches that the "rain falls on the just and the unjust." So when we travel through those rough times, He will walk with us, comfort us and show us a way to make some good come of it.

I'm so thankful that I have a heavenly Father who loves me and wants me to walk in goodness and peace. I'm also grateful that when my life takes a turn for the worse, He is my way out, my shelter from the storm. When you walk through a storm, don't try to find a reason that God caused it, but instead, glean your hope from how He will walk you through it and cause good to come from it that you may not have suffered in vain.

From His Lap,

A Heart Check for the Holidays

2011-11-13T08:26:00.001-06:00

It's already begun at the Patrick household! I'm making my crazy lists in my head for the holidays. It won't do me any good to write them down. I'll just lose them! I can keep better track of the lists in my head. But there are lists for decorations; first Thanksgiving, then Christmas. There are lists for what food will be prepared for each celebration. My oldest son's birthday is on Thanksgiving this year! My birthday is just five days later, so, another feast! Then, there are the lists of guests and visitors for parties, for meals, for sleepovers. I even have a mental list of what old Christmas albums I will play on my mom's stereo. Oh yes, I have this down to a real production.

It's pandemonium in my mind, already! So, I've decided to do a heart check. Not the cardiologist kind of heart check. But the kind of heart check where I sit down and get honest with myself and the Lord, about what's really going on under all the activity. Am I remembering what all of this celebration, friends and family gathering, is all about? My passion since my earliest memories, is for people to know that they are loved and valued. My deepest desire is for others to know that they were created for a reason and that they are God's answer to something.

But somewhere in life's hustle and bustle, in the planning and conforming to the world's idea of what celebration looks like, we stuff our passions down, tuck them away in our hearts and offer up something that looks great but is empty and void of our first love. John Eldredge says, "For what shall we do when we wake one day and find that we have lost touch with our hearts and with it the very refuge where God's presence resides.?"

I don't want to get lost in a bunch of activity for God and in the meantime, forget to spend time with God, talking with Him, receiving grace to carry out my passions. So I'm doing a heart check for the holidays. I'm making sure that I'm remembering all that my heart yearns for, all the desires that he placed in my heart; and I'm going to incorporate those things into my lists and my plans for the holidays. As I celebrate what I'm thankful for and remember the birth of a Saviour who came here for me, I will look inward and be true to who I am. I am someone who desires people to know how valued and precious they are and when they visit my home for the holidays, I want them to leave knowing that God created them as the answer to something!

How will you incorporate your heart's passions and longings into your Thanksgiving and Chrismas celebrations? Will you do a heart check with me to make sure that we remember why we are thankful for so much?

From His Lap,

Confidence and Grace, Where You Can Find It!

2011-11-11T08:14:00.001-06:00

Recently, a friend asked me to write about how wives and mom's get the strength and self confidence to walk through life. It seems as though we give of ourselves so much, and not because we have to, but because it's in our nature. God put in us the desire to pour out grace to our families, friends, co-workers and many others.

You can find God's presence anywhere.

Where does the strength and confidence come from to be able to step out and give, when we, ourselves, go through tough times and feel as if there is nothing left to pour out? This is such a commonly asked question that media has addressed it, the medical field has come up with therapies and drugs for it and still, there seems to be no permanant solution.

I don't pretend to be the expert here. I'm not degreed to counsel or give therapy. But there are some things that I know to be true and I can promise that there is an answer to this question that can bring great results, peace and joy. There is a way for us to have the strength and the fortitude to press on and be the people who God has called us to be, even when it feels like we just don't have what it takes.

It always comes back to Him; spending time with Him, pressing into Him, leaning into Him. I'm not talking about structured Bible study and memorized prayers (although those things are good and helpful). What I'm speaking of is blocking all else out, until it's just you and God. I don't know what that looks like for you so I'll tell you what it looks like for me.

You can even be in His presence
sitting in tree.

Usually, I go to a room in my home where I will be undesturbed for a time. I light a few candles and I quietly play praise and worship music. Sometimes I sit in a rocking chair, sometimes I kneel, I lay on the bed or sit out front on my porch. But in my heart, I see myself approach the throne of God. It doesn't matter whether I'm coming to Him in joy with a song on my lips or if I'm coming in shame for a day not well lived. He always welcomes me with a smile. I really do see this in my heart. His smile welcomes me and He beckons me to Him. I can stand and talk to Him or climb on His lap and just rest my head on His shoulder. It's there that I receive forgiveness, draw strength and renew my joy. It's there where I receive the confidence to go on, being filled with His grace to, once again, give to others.

Can you see yourself approaching your heavenly Father? Do you realize that He hungers for you to come see Him? He awaits your presence and rejoices when you do come! He wants you to pour out your heart to Him; tell Him what you are feeling and ask for His comfort, guidance and wisdom and mostly for His love. I've shared with you what it looks like for me to enter His presence and be given what I need to be who He wants me to be. What does that look like for you? How do you receive His grace, strength and comfort daily to have the confidence you need to walk your journey? Share with us what that looks like for you?

Read more about receiving grace over at Reflections of Grace.

From His lap,

Straightening Out the Tangles

2011-11-07T10:12:00.005-06:00

My husband and sons were off in the mountains last week, camping and hunting, which left me rattling around all alone in this big old house. I painted, I wrote, I took baths, went for drives, got away with my girlfriends...all uninterrupted. There were moments that were glorious and quiet (my family is very loud & they love to irritate me with their loudness), but I realized, more often than not, I missed those interruptions.

Families become knitted together, threads all woven into one piece of beautiful tapestry. Our six kids are all so different from each other and the color they bring to the tapestry of our family is vibrant and beautiful and it would be incomplete without them. Strange, how we can long for some alone time, just not too long. Our minds wonder, again and again back to the others, wondering what they're doing, hoping they're enjoying themselves.

Sometimes a family member hits a snag, gets tied up in knots, becomes tangled. Do we just cut their thread out of the tapestry? Our hearts band together as we all slowly and painstakingly help to unravel and make straight the messy threads. Sometimes they can even become so worn in a place that they actually break. That's when painfully and joyfully, we intertwine our threads with theirs until they are whole again.

Families can be messy, tangled and complicated. They take commitment, hard work and dedication. I'm so thankful for the family God placed me in. I was chosen for this family and they were chosen for me! And our tapestry is beautiful, even if it has a few snags and rough places. Take a moment to ponder the color and texture that each member of your family brings to your tapestry!

I'm so glad my men are back from their trip. When I heard them pull in the driveway, my heart sighed and I felt settled again.

My journey of a life of gratitude continues. I'm so thankful for:

113. The rain I hear outside my window that is turning the dust back into earth.
114. The men getting get away by themselves for 8 days, doing what they love to do.
115. Surviving two earthquakes while they were gone with no major damage.
116. A wonderful day away with soul sisters.
117. A resolved conflict with someone who I love very much.
118. Learning to rely on Him more and more, everyday.
119. My praise & worship music that takes me right into the throne room of God!
120. The life of my mother who taught me everything I know about family.

If you'd like to see what others are thankful for, check out Ann Voskamp's site, A Holy Experience.

From His Lap,

Sometimes a Girl's Just Got to Get Away!

2011-11-03T09:54:00.000-05:00

Sometimes, a girl's just got to get away...with other girls...sisters...soul sisters. And that's just what I did this week. Wives and moms are designed to pour themselves into the ones they love. It's a gift from God. He puts in us, parts of Him, that He wants us to share with others. It's a blessing being able to impart His gifts of love, kindess, compassion, teaching and so much more! The grace of Him flows through us and as it leaves us to bless others, we long for more to give.

But at the end of the day, the month, the year, if we don't get re-fueled, filled back up, then what is left to give? We have our times of prayer and study that feed our spirits but our souls get hungry too! That's what girlfriends, soul sisters, are for! This time we went to a ranch where we could participate in lots of activities or do absolutely nothing. We could ride horses or sit around the fire. We ate like queens and were waited on by a wonderful ranch hand who seemed to know just what we needed.

If you give of yourself to your family, your church, your career, make sure that you give to yourself too. God will always be faithful to impart to you, just what you need. He knows your heart and He loves to fill up the emptied out parts with Himself! Take some precious time to get filled up with laughter, joy, fellowship and sisterhood! I highly recommend it. You will be a better wife and mom when you are filled to overflowing with lots to share!

My friend & jewelry designer, Rebecca

Soul sisters, Felice & Dana

Yes, we got to shoot skeet & now have big bruises on our shoulders!

Kathleen has a hat for every occasion!

Beautiful Millie - interior designer

Somehow our earplugs became noseplugs!

Soul sisters, each and every one!

Nellie was a great aim!

We got to ride as much as we wanted to. I can say that today, my "sit upon" is truly sore!

Doesn't Nellie look the part?

Yes, we really rode off into the sunset! It was so beautiful. It was God's grace filling us again!

It was time to wind down around the campfire with laughs and talk about the day.

We watched the sunset in a blaze of glory over the valley.

These boots were made for more than dancing!

A little log cabin in the woods, saw a rabbit hopping by...

We were plum tuckered out. It was a great feeling.

And so our time had come to an end. But God's grace and beauty had rained down on us and filled us full...ready to be poured out again on those in our lives. He took a group of women with different backgrounds, gifts and talents, and wove us together in a beautiful tapestry! I'm so thankful that God gives us soul sisters who we can be completely ourselves and vulnerable with...ladies who will lift us up in prayer, hold our hands for support, cry with us, laugh with us and know when we are getting close to empty. Share with us what you do with your friends to replenish your soul and be a vessel full of blessings and grace for the giving!

If you want to see what other sisters are thankful for, stop over at Reflections of Grace and read of God's grace!

If you'd like to read stories of God's faithfulness to others, stop over at I Live in an Antbed!

From His lap,

She Counts It All Joy

2011-10-31T08:49:00.000-05:00

I met a young woman this week who inspired me beyond measure. It was just a chance meeting. Or was it? Maybe God ordained the time and place for me to meet her. I was in a shop where I sell my greeting cards and I am friends with some of the women who run it. We were all standing at the register talking, when in bounced a cheerful, candy laden woman with a beautiful thick mop of curls on her head. Everyone rushed to say hi and hug her as she stood there handing out candy.

They all gushed over her, telling how beautiful she looked and how wonderful it was to see her. There was such love and adoration in the air that I found myself standing there with a silly grin plastered on my face. Someone turned to me and said, "Erin, do you know, 'Sarah'?" I shook my head no & stuck out my hand and introduced myself.

They coaxed her into telling me her story and here's where the inspiration part comes in. 'Sarah' used to work at the store. She called in sick one day and said the left side of her body was numb and she was having difficulty remembering things. They tried to convince her to go to the doctor. But there had been a heavy snow storm, and living far out in the country, 'Sarah" couldn't get out and emergency workers couldn't get to her.

After a couple of days, 'Sarah' was able to get to the doctor and was diagnosed with a brain tumor. They would have to do emergency surgery immediately. Because of how the tumor had attached to her brain, they were not able to remove it. She followed up with intensive radiation and chemotherapy to shrink the tumor. She lost her hair, thus, the fuss over her beautiful head of newly grown curls.

'Sarah' began to have seizures so they had to find a medication that would bring those under control. Now, as if all of this wasn't bad enough, her husband left her during this time. But I have to tell you...this woman never stopped beaming the whole time she was in that shop visiting with us. She was calm and full of love. I just couldn't take my eyes off of her, all the while, I'm sure,wearing that silly grin. I have never met anyone so full of grace and gratitude and joy! I felt it an honor to be in her presence. Suddenly, the little bothersome things of life seemed so trivial and meaningless.

If 'Sarah' could have that gentle peace and assurance with what seemed like such insurmountable odds, I know I can choose to be more thankful. Somehow, she had found a way to stay in His presence and let Him be in control. She didn't give way to panic or fear. I am honored to have met her and I think it may not have been just a "chance" meeting. Maybe He wanted me to see what real grace and peace look like!

I continue my journey of gratitude. Every day, there are reminders of all the blessings I have in my life to be thankful for:

106. Having the opportunity to meet 'Sarah' and being touched by her gentleness and grace.
107. Knowing that when there's no where else to go, He wants me to come to Him and sit with Him awhile.
108. Time spent with a son who took a walk with me while I took pictures of trees and leaves. He seemed to appreciate the beauty of it too.
109.  Homemade chicken noodle soup that really was good for the soul.
110. A surprise visit from an old friend who came to town and showed up at my front door.
111.  People REALLY are buying my greeting cards. God, you gave me the confidence when I could find none.
112. Lisa Bevere's book, Lioness Rising, that is radically changing my life.
I hope that you will share with us, the things that you are grateful for. If you would like to see what others are saying about thankfulness, stop on over to Ann Voskamp's site, A Holy Experience.

From His lap,

Nature Tells a Story

2011-10-29T11:27:00.000-05:00

During the day, we are still getting up to the 60's and sometimes even the 70's here in Tulsa, even though it dips down into the 30's at night. The temperatures are a little higher than normal for late October. As a result, fall has been somewhat late in arriving. Walking through the neighborhood yesterday, I took some pictures of the changing leaves, which should have already turned brown and fallen to the ground.

One of the things that struck me as I passed by tree after tree, was that some leaves, which were hanging together on a branch, were completely dead, while others right next to them hadn't even begun to lose their color. How could that be? I know that the reason leaves change color is because nitrogen and phosphorus are drawn from the leaves through their veins, to be stored in the twigs and branches during winter months. That stops the production of chlorophyll, so the lush green color fades and the other pigments in the leaves are able to be seen. This process varies among different species of trees, so they change colors at different times. But I couldn't understand why the timing would be so different on one tree. Shouldn't they all change color together on a particular tree?

What if our lives are like this with all of our thoughts and energy being devoted to certain passions and the veins to other areas aren't being fed the vital nutrients they need to survive? Or maybe, just like our skin sloughs off dead cells that aren't needed anymore, God has built in us a mechanism to slough off dead areas in our lives that we have given up. I wonder, just like those leaves, if we stop feeding things like gossip or anger or addiction to porn or ignoring our children, will those things dry up and fall away?

God is so good and faithful to use His creation to teach us about life. I challenge you to take a walk today. And no matter what is it's like where you live (a warm beach, a snowy mountain, a dreary rain) look for God in His creation. See if He speaks to you in the leaves, in the ocean, in the snow. Open your heart to hear from Him, a lesson about your life. I would love for you to do that and come back here and tell us what you saw and what you heard in your spirit.

God's creation is spectacular no matter what climate you live in and He will speak to your heart through it. Here are some more of the pictures I took during my walk yesterday!

I'm linking up with Shanda Oakley's site A Pause on the Path, to see what others are saying about beauty.

From His Lap,

And the Walls Came Crumbling Down

2011-10-28T09:12:00.000-05:00

Have you ever read the book of Nehemiah? It is the story of how Jerusalem lay in ruins and it's gates had been burned. Nehemiah wanted to rebuild the wall around the city so that the citizens would once again be safe. He was ridiculed and chastised for trying to rally people into helping build the wall. But he was steadfast, as he knew attacks would come again and again and the people would never be safe in their homes, without
that hedge of protection around them.

If you read the whole story, you will see that people were stationed around the city, family by family, each responsible for building their part of the wall. As they were rebuilding they were under constant threat of attack from their enemies. So while they worked on their portion of the wall, they actually had to hold weapons with one hand in order to protect themselves. They worked side by side, each one having their role in building the wall and protecting the family.

Think about this, each family was busy building and protecting itself. As a result, a strong wall was built around and protected an entire city. I think about families today, so scattered, so distracted, so preoccupied with the things of this world. Who is protecting your family? Are you working shoulder to shoulder to build up it's strength, all the while, being vigilant to outside danger? If you take the time to see what is going on with each member of the family and make sure that you are all puting forth the effort to spend time together, praying, laughing, taking walks, whatever it is that your family enjoys doing, you are shoring up the protection that families so desparately need today.

It's not always easy to monitor what our children are watching on tv, doing on the computer, playing on their game system, or doing with their friends. But, this is how enemy is slipping into families and bringing destruction. I have witnessed families where the children barely come up for air from their video games. Their little minds are being filled with God knows what, hour after hour after hour. Boundaries are almost undetectable in society so we must set boundaries in our homes. I don't mean we shouldn't ever allow our kids to have fun or that we shouldn't trust them. We are to build them up, while watching out for them at the same time. Just like the people did while they were rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem.

It's not just our children who need protection, but marriages, as well. As life moves on and stress builds, we can either turn to each other, as a couple, for strength and safety, or we can turn outside our marriages. We make little choices every day that will either weaken or strengthen that bond.

There are some families who have taken a lot of care to build strong walls of protection. There are others who have cracks in their walls with signs of crumbling on the way, and still others, who's walls have completely come down, their family in shambles! What if each family did their part to protect each other from the outside forces that are so harmful to them. It would seem to be the natural progression that with healthy strong families, would come healthy strong neighborhoods which would lead to healthy strong cities and who knows how far this concept could reach.

What steps have you taken to build a strong safe family? Share some of your ideas with us on how to make a strong society by starting with strong families!

From His lap,

Forgive and Forget...What??

2011-10-27T08:51:00.000-05:00

My husband and I lay quietly last night talking about forgiveness. There are so many hurts, so many wrongs that people suffer every day. Wounds are made deep in souls. I wondered aloud, "Do you think forgiving eases the wound? Can we expect people to recover faster because forgiveness has been granted and received?" I was wrestling with the concepts of forgiving and forgetting.

People say so glibly, "Forgive and forget." First of all, that is not Scriptural. We are repeatedly admonished to forgive offenses, but I haven't found any Scripture that says when we forgive, the offense will be wiped from our memory. Secondly, being human, we don't forget like that. Our brains and our hearts are wired to remember. If I hear someone tell a person, "It's been enough time, just get over it" I want to ask if they heal so quickly themselves, from a hurt.

When I think of an actual physical injury, I think first, of the blood. You bleed and sometimes you even need stitches to help hold your wound together. Then you form a scab, and sometimes that scab gets knocked off and you bleed again and another scab has to form. Slowly, the scab dries and a scar is left. Scars are a beautiful reminder that you were injured and are now healed. But the process doesn't happen over night.

I think emotional hurts and injuries heal in much the same manner. After the initial emotional pain and bleeding, we can move quickly to God's presence and let Him place His healing salve on the wound, the sweet balm of Him, easing the pain and bleeding. During this time, ask Him to help you forgive the one who hurt you. Ask Him to give you grace to extend. And then, you must be about the business of healing, forming that scab and the eventual scar that shows you were mended. If you tell someone that you have forgiven them and then you keep bringing it up and beating them over the head with it, it will just make the healing process longer.

You won't forget but you will place your heart in God's hands and trust in Him to make it whole again. So, I asked my husband, "Can we expect people recover faster because forgiveness has been granted and received?" I believe we can. It allows us to get the healing process started and keeps our eyes focused on the One who give us strength and grace to forgive.

If you are struggling to let go of a suffered wrong, dear one, I would encourage you to entrust your heart to Him who heals all wounds and makes all things new. Release the one who offended; turn them over to God so that He can begin a work in them as well.

Share with us how you have learned to forgive and deal with the memories.

From His lap,

You're Not a Gap Filler

2011-10-26T08:59:00.000-05:00

Our church is making some shifts and changes right now and our pastors are trying to prepare the congregation for some of the issues that may arise from this change. We are merging with another congregation so there will be a whole new group of people to get to know. One of the things that folks tend to struggle with when new people enter into an established situation is that they don't feel as valued as they once felt or they think other people are taking the place they once held.

While addressing this issue on Sunday, our pastor said, "There are no gap fillers here. Every single one of you has a unique purpose and plan for your life." That remark really struck a chord with me. I myself have struggled with that thought at times in my life and I know so many others who continually deal with it. If we haven't discovered our purpose, we can wrestle with thoughts that tell us we merely fill in the gaps left by others who know their calling in life!

In church, in our careers, our hobbies...the things that we are naturally drawn to and enjoy...those are the areas where God will usually help us in finding a way to express our gifts and callings. If you don't know what that is yet, don't think of yourself as a "gap filler". Just dig in and get involved wherever you see a need. Somewhere, you will find your passion, your niche, your calling! We have women in our church who are called to change diapers in the nursery and, believe me, we value them just as much as the ones called to preach and teach!

No matter where you look, you will find areas to serve your community. Our unique plans and purposes start there. If you get involved and have a servant's heart, He will guide you and show you where your gifts and callings are a perfect fit and they will begin to flourish. And before you know it, you will know why you were created! You are God's answer to something! Don't shrink back from going after the things that God has placed in your heart.

Do you know what God's plan and purpose is for you? What are you doing to discover what that is? Share with us here how you've found ways to discern your gifts and callings.

From His Lap,

Home is Where Your Story Begins

2011-10-24T10:13:00.000-05:00

I have a plaque over the desk in my home office. It reads, "Home is where your story begins." My mother in law gave it to me because she wanted the words to inspire me as I write. Every day I look at that sign and think of what an amazingly true and powerful statement it is. No matter the home you come from, your story begins there. But as I was reflecting on the plaque today, I realized that your story doesn't have to end there.

I grew up in a stable Christian home with parents who loved each other fiercely. They attempted to have their every action be Christ and family centered. So when I draw on the beginning of my story, it is strong and good and comforting. But what about those whose story doesn't start so well? What about those who began life neglected or abused or in the midst of strife and chaos? If their story begins like that, what hope do they have? At least when you start out life with a good story, then when bad things come, you have a solid basis on which to deal with those things.

I began to feel bad. Should I take the plaque down? Is what it says unfair? As I started to pray about it, I realized that "home" is where your heart is. It is where you feel peace and loved. And if the only place you feel peace and loved is with the Lord, then that's where your story begins. That's your home. That's where you find out who you are and what you were created for. What a place to find out the plans and the purposes for your life.

What if your story started off well and you really screwed it up? Then what? You get to start your story over, with Christ. You get to wash away the past and begin afresh. That doesn't mean you won't have to deal with consequences of sin, but you can begin to clean up the mess and the yuck, by starting your story over new every day.

So you see, precious one, no matter the home where your story began, you can start with a brand new chapter. One where you are valued and precious and celebrated. Be fierce about figuring out the plans and purposes He has for you and go after them and write a whole new story. I've had to begin new chapters several times. I'm so glad He wants me to make my home in Him! I am continually amazed at the blessings He has given me to be grateful for:

100. My parent's passion for following after the things of God. For the example of putting Him first, above all else. Their example of righteous living.

101. My parent's passion for each other. For the example of trying to outdo each other in love. For their selflessness in putting each other first. For their love story.

102. For a childhood filled with love and safety.

103. For meeting a new group of sisters this week who I get to study the Word with and pray with and do life with.

104. For learning that He will give me grace sufficient to get through each day when I spend time with Him.

105. For beautiful Oklahoma sunsets that make my heart sing at the glory of God!

If you'd like to see what others are grateful for, head on over to Ann Voskamp's site, A Holy Experience.

From His lap,

Grace Enough For Today

2011-10-23T08:15:00.000-05:00

If you've been following along with my blog, you know that the Lord has been speaking to my heart over the past several months about staying close to Him, pressing in, hiding in the cleft of His love. Today as I was spending time with Him, I had a thought flash through me that caught me completely off guard and made me realize the importance of spending time with Him daily.

This is what I heard in my spirit. "I will give you grace sufficient to get through the day." Do you hear what I heard? "I will give you grace sufficient to get through the day." I caught myself smiling. "Oh, God," I thought, "you are a jealous God. You want me to come back tomorrow and the next day and the next. You want me to spend time with you each day, fellowshipping with you, getting enough grace, sufficient for that day." You see, dear one, we were created solely to have fellowship with Him and that's all He wants from us. From the very beginning, He wanted to walk with Adam in the cool of the evening, through the garden, every day!

He will give us the grace to get through today and then He wants us to come back tomorrow and spend more precious time with Him. If He gave us all the grace we needed in one fell swoop, we would have no need of anymore grace and we wouldn't return to our First Love! My pastor talks about how we take showers and baths and get all shiny and clean, but by the next day, we need another shower. This must be what he means! We need to return to the One who makes us clean, makes us holy, gives us grace every day.

I thought about how five of my six children are grown and off doing their own thing. How I long for the days when they come to visit me. How I get so excited when they show up at my door or when my phone rings and their name shows up on the caller ID. Is that how my heavenly Father feels when I show up at His throne and ask to get in His lap?

What a precious thing He showed me. He let me know that He loves me so much that He wants me to spend time with Him every day. He wants to give me what I need each day, to make it through whatever comes my way and He wants to bless me with His presence and His grace. I know of no other king who will do that for his people.

I can promise you this; if you make time for Him each day, your life will grow sweeter and you will begin to notice Him all around you as you walk throughout your day. And when the tough times come, you will feel His strength and His guidance, because you have spent time with Him soaking up His glory and His grace!

From His Lap,

A Lifetime of Pressing In

2011-10-21T10:13:00.000-05:00

During the past several months, I have heard the same phrase over and over again in my heart; "Press into Me. Press into Me." I can't escape it. I don't want to escape it. The women's Bible Study group I belong to just wrapped up a study of Sheila Walsh's Book, The Shelter of God's Promises. Sheila starts the book with a story of camping, bad weather, animals and finally, finding shelter from the storm in a cleft in the rocks.

That cleft in the rocks is Jesus. He is our shelter from the storms of life. Life can be hard. It can batter us around and suck the very breath out of us. But not if we're in the cleft of the Rock! It was when our group started this book study, that I first heard the words, "Press into Me." During moments alone, just me and my Lord, it's easy to press into Him. I find I can be honest with Him there. I can open my heart and show Him every hurt, every bit of anger and resentment, every wound. He is so sweet with me there.

But I have also discovered that I can be in the cleft of my Rock anywhere; in my car, at the grocery store, at work, at my son's swim meets. You see, we can take Him with us and be drenched in His sweetness, wherever we go. It's not as easy as when we're alone with Him, but He promises to be our strength when we are weak. He promises to be our peace that passes all understanding. He promises He will never leave or forsake us. So as we press into Him, become intimate with Him, as we learn to dwell in Him, then, when the storms of life come (and they will come) He will carry us through to victory.

That victory will look different to each one of us and we never know what circumstance or situation He will use to bring us to victory, but be assured, He will. He will turn our mourning into dancing. He will put off our sackcloth and cloth us with gladness. Will it be easy? Will God be a magic wand that we wave to make bad things disappear? No, He will be a presence, Who sometimes we can't even feel, but nonetheless there, to help us get through to that victory. Living a lifestyle of "pressing in" isn't easy. We can be distracted and walk away, so that we are caught off guard when we need Him most.

I would encourage you, Dear One, to get in the habit of climbing into that cleft, getting up on His lap; whatever it looks like to you to be pressing into Him. He will meet you there, of that, I'm sure. And there is no better, safer, more peaceful place to be; in good times and bad. Seek Him, not what He can do for you! In finding Him, you will find all that you need.

I intend to heed those words He has spoken in my heart. I am dedicated to spending a lifetime of pressing in, leaning in to Him. There's no where I'd rather be!

From His Lap, (the cleft in the Rock),

Whatever Happened to Dealing Without Drugs?

2011-10-19T09:55:00.000-05:00

Have we become a society that is numb? Have we decided that, instead of facing our emotions and feelings, it is better to take a pill and pretend that we don't have those hurts or worries? What if some of our social ills and immoralities are because we are walking around so medicated with our yuck stuffed and crammed way down, below the surface? It seems to me that whenever I hear someone talking about going through a rough time, the first thing anyone asks is, "Are you taking something for it?". Karol Truman said, "Feelings buried alive never die." No matter how many pills you take to suppress and cover those feelings, they will surface sometime...maybe when you're least expecting it and totally unequipped to deal with them.

Now don't get me wrong. I understand that we can go through horrible events that warrant taking something just to help us maintain our sanity until we can get a handle on what's going on. I also know that we can have chemical imbalances that need to be adjusted with medication. I'm not speaking of those types of situations. What I'm talking about is the rampant use of antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications anytime we don't want to deal with a situation because it may be a bit tough. Whatever happened to getting to the root of an issue, praying about it, working on it, being completely aware of every feeling that you have to go through to get better?

We serve a great God, a Father who wants to go through our journeys with us. He can empower us with the strength and the peace to walk it out and get to the other side of a problem, knowing that we are truly better and not just drugged. I remember a time several years ago when my mother had passed away quite unexpectedly, my daughter graduated from high school and moved across the country to go to college. My husband went to New Orleans to work after hurricane Katrina for 18 months and my best friend moved to another state. I could not have felt any more abandoned or left behind.

I was terribly depressed but didn't realize it at the time because I did what I always do; I just soldiered on. One day, it got unbearable and I went to the doctor. He immediately put me on an extremely strong antidepressant. Being the good girl that I am, I went home and took them just as I was supposed to. I took them for a month and my life became a living nightmare. I was not getting any relief and everything that was bad, was magnified.

Thankfully, I had my yearly visit with my ob/gyn and I told him about the meds I was taking. He asked me what was going on in my life. He asked me lots of other questions too. He wanted to know if there was anyone I could talk to, if there was someone at my church who could pray with me, did I get counselling. He told me that I should feel the emotions of my mother's passing; that I should feel a certain amount of upset over my husband and daughter being so far away for so long. He asked me if I thought I had the tools to deal with those emotions and wouldn't I rather know that I had worked through them and came out on the other side of them, a healthier person. He asked me, "Erin, do you want to be taking this medication?" I said "Absolutely not." His answer, "Then you don't have to take them."

How simple and profound was that! He told me that if I couldn't find someone to talk to, that he would help me find someone. I weaned myself off of those pills and never took another one. I found someone to talk to, someone to counsel with and I dealt with every bit of grief, anger, abandonment...every emotion that I had been trying to avoid, came to the surface and I faced it head on. God was with me every step of the way. Sometimes I was on His lap, sometimes He walked beside me, sometimes He carried me. His love was a healing salve that covered every wounded place in my soul.

I want to be fully alive and aware of every minute of my life. I've been through some horrible circumstances that could have meant the end of my emotional health. But dealing with them has made me a stronger and better person. Please don't think that I am judging anyone who takes medication for depression or anxiety. I'm simply saying that it doesn't have to be your first line of defense. I know going through intense emotions is hard. I know it takes lots of work and commitment.

Dear One, if you are facing a challenge in your life and your emotions are strong and raw, please know that you have a loving heavenly Father who wants to help you through to the other side...to victory. There are people out there who are trained to talk with you, pray with you, stick with you until your soul has recovered. Reach out to someone. Find a way to grow through situations so that you are stronger and healthier than you were before.

I love you so much and pray all of God's blessings for you, from the top of your head to the soles of your feet. I pray for a clear mind, free of haunting thoughts and overwhelming emotion. In Jesus' mighty and precious name, amen!

From His Lap,

The Fruit at the End

2011-10-17T10:27:00.000-05:00

Yesterday our pastor was talking about a transition that our church is making. Change is always difficult for some people, in fact, sometimes they run from it. He spoke of new ideas being birthed out of nothing, sometimes, causing momentary chaos. From there, order and separation takes place, which causes "fruit" or life to happen. If you don't like change, you can become disgruntled or discouraged and leave before being able to partake of the fruit.

So if you are sensing change in some area of your life; work, housing, relationships...don't let emotion cause you to miss out on a blessing. If you stay the course and take the necessary steps, you might be surprised by the outcome.   Don't succumb to griping and complaining, don't become one of the naysayers and miss out on the new life that is birthed! If you dig in and become a part of making order out of the chaos, separating things and placing them where they belong, you will find you have something new to be thankful for!

My list of 1,000 things is growing and I'm living a life of gratitude!

94.   The changing of 110 degree days to the coolness of autumn.
95.   My husband telling me this morning that he would marry me all over again.
96.   My daughter getting to visit with my dad and his wife as they
        traveled through Florida yesterday.Children spending time with
        grandparents never gets old!
97.   Another grandchild who will arrive in March.
98.   The people in my photography group who have taught me so much without
        EVER making me feel stupid or clumsy. They even praise my work!
99.   Spending the morning with my daughter in her adorable new apartment,
        sharing in her excitment, watching her face beam as she showed me every
        little detail.
100. Watching two dear people take their wedding vows and celebrating with them
        as they start their journey together.

Stop over at Ann Voskamp's site and see what others are saying they are thankful for!

From His Lap,

When Life Isn't Fair

2011-10-15T09:03:00.001-05:00

“Don’t I have the right to gripe? Can’t I complain just a little? I mean, after all, I deserve better, don’t I? I work just as hard as the next guy. Why do I have to plaster a fake smile on my face and act like everything is okay? Maybe I would like for something to go right in my life for a change.” I heard these words from a person in line at the grocery store. She was talking on her cell phone. I don’t know who she was talking to. I just know that she was very indignant over the injustices of her life.

I have to admit, I’ve been there before. There have been days when I’ve questioned the fairness and the equity of life. As Americans, we’ve become brainwashed into thinking that we deserve everything and if we don’t have what we want, then somebody has cheated us out of it. The plain fact is we don’t deserve anything. I know that this is going to rub some of my readers the wrong way, but it’s the truth, as I see it. Our western culture has now raised an entire generation who believe that life is all about entitlements. We’ve come a far cry from life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

When I was growing up, I remember my dad saying, “Life isn’t fair.” I used to get so angry when he'd say that. If you live right and work hard, life should be fair. But the Scriptures tell us that “the rain falls on the just and the unjust alike.” There is a story in Matthew 20:1-16 about some workers in a field who had toiled all day and others who came towards the end of the day. They were all paid the same amount of money. The workers who had started early in the day felt cheated and that it wasn’t fair for the late comers to be paid the same amount. But they had made an agreement with the landowner for how much they would be paid. He didn’t say that he would pay any who came later, less wages.

So, what do we deserve? There are so many around the world who don’t even have human dignity, food or a roof over their head. There are innocents who have suffered at the hands of abusers who we will never hear about or know of. When I think of them, I know that I have riches and blessings beyond measure. As believers, we serve a God who served us. He gave all for us. We are worth Jesus, to Him.

In Christ, our lives should be the opposite of what our culture and society tells us it should be. If you want to see Jesus, go to where the hurting and the broken are. That’s where you’ll find Him. The Church is supposed to be a servant. We are called to take care of the widows and the orphans and the sick and the lame. The government is not called to do this. They are called to provide basic protection, simple education and maintain infrastructure and a justice system. We are called to love! We are meant to be Jesus hands and feet on this earth. We are commissioned to “go ye into all the world.”

So, while sometimes, life doesn’t seem fair and we don’t always get our way, we are richly blessed and have much to take to a hurt and dying world. We have a message of hope and we have the means to offer that hope in the form of love. That love can look like different things to different people. It might look like food. It might look like blankets. It might look like assistance with the legal system. It could look like a hug and a prayer. Maybe it’s helping an abused child or a battered woman get to safety. But it’s all love and it’s the high calling of all believers everywhere. Can you see those in your world who could use a hand up? Are there hurting and broken people who you can reach out to? I would challenge each of us to be Jesus hands and feet, wherever we go and impact the world for the Kingdom!

From His Lap,

There's Joy in the Mess

2011-10-14T08:14:00.000-05:00

What do you want from your one life? What could be written about your one shot here on earth that would leave your imprint on those who know you or even those who don't? I want to create my life…to sculpt each day into a celebration of the gifts I have been given. I want to take the desires of my heart and walk them out in joy. Do I always do that? Goodness no. I fall short sometimes…we all do. Yet I aspire to live a life of joy and bliss…a life of abundance as God intended for everyone.

I try to seek out and choose joy even in the worst of circumstances. Life throws at us, what it does. There is mess and yuck all in the middle of it. But when we focus on the mess, we miss so much and life can seem hopeless. I'm not talking about looking for happiness. Happiness is fickle. It comes and goes as it pleases. But joy is a choice and it can only be stolen if we allow it. Don't settle for just being happy now and then, when the circumstances are right. Decide in your heart that no matter the situation you find yourself in, you will choose to find the joy in it. And the best way to do that is to be taking steps towards following your passion. Then, when adversity comes, you keep your joy and move on to another step in the journey.

Sarah Gitzen Chose Joy

Being a wife and mom has been my joy. My passion has been watching my children grow, raising them, being witness to their lives, their choices and their development. Helping to shape their world, guiding them into being strong, caring, compassionate, loving and wise individuals is what has really made my life full. Now that they are on journeys of their own, I hope that I have helped them to become people who walk with God, who know and trust themselves enough to follow their passions and callings. I want them to find their bliss, their sweet spot and have the courage to walk it out. That has been my passion...my children.

I'm now embarking on other paths that are my bliss. There are dreams that God has dropped in my heart that are bursting for fruition! I'm taking slow, tentative but exciting steps to see them happen. What is your passion? Do you believe that God has placed those things in your heart? If so, go get em, tiger! God calls us to use our talents and to trust; trust enough to take the next step. Have faith that the answers are there for you…listen, believe and choose joy!

Here is a quote from a song by Mark Hall and Megan Garrett: "Who, but You, would ever choose to dream your dream in me? Tell me, who but You, would dare me to believe what I can't see? Who, but You?"

From His Lap,

Have You Started Realizing Your Dreams?

2011-10-12T10:06:00.001-05:00

Do you have big dreams? Do you have something placed by God, in your heart that is burning to come to pass? What is hiding deep on the inside of you that wants to be birthed? What is stopping your dream from coming true?

When a hectic life, a busy family, a career, eat up our time and occupy all of our thoughts, it's easy for those dreams to get pushed down and sometimes even forgotten. I would challenge you to search your heart and write down those things that you long to see come to pass. Maybe now isn't the time in your life for those dreams to come to fruition, but it's always time to keep them alive. It's always time to take little steps towards reaching those goals.

What dream God has written on your heart?

After you write down what's on your heart, I suggest the next step would be to think about small doable goals that will start you down the path you need to be headed, and write those down. Maybe you could find someone who has done something similar and talk to them. Don't be afraid to ask questions. I have found that, while people won't give away their "trade secrets", they are happy to warn of pitfalls and shortcuts that could cause harm or delay to your goals. Maybe you could even find someone who could mentor you in whatever area you need some skill building. If your dream involves starting a business, do you know someone who has experience in writing business plans? Maybe you could pick their brains on how they wrote their business plan.

Do you know how to write a business plan?

One area that I have struggled with in the past, is a negative attitude towards my ability to see my passions come to pass. Even when co-workers, friends, family and sometimes, strangers would tell me that I would be a great success, I would beat myself up. I would think, "No, I just don't have what it takes; I'm not creative enough; my ideas are not that good. Somebody else is already doing it better." So, instead of thanking God everyday that He put a dream in my heart and praising Him because He was going to help me move forward, I
shut myself down, squashing the dreams of my life.

One day, I woke up and realized that if God put a hope and a dream on the inside of me, then He would provide a way to walk it out with me. He wants us to take the initiative, to do the work and He can make divine connections and wonderful appointments that we would have never thought possible. So don't think your dreams are trivial or too big or out of reach! Take one step at a time, always go back to Him, the giver of the dream, and take small slow steps!

Don't just believe in your dreams, but in the One who gave them to you. Today is the beginning of all of the rest of your days. Pray it out. Ask for His guidance and wisdom. Write something down, take a step, move towards your goal. Philippians 3:14 says to "Press forward towards the mark of the high calling of God, in Jesus Christ." He won't let you down. He will walk with you and see you through to the end! What hopes and dreams do you have hidden in your heart? What are the things that you long to see come to pass? Share with us what steps you have taken so that you are moving towards the mark of the high calling!

From His Lap,

They Come From Love

2011-10-11T08:28:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, I did a writing exercise based on my childhood and upbringing. It was fun to go back to my heritage and reminisce on my earliest memories. It got me thinking about my kids and what they would write when they are a little older. I'm so proud of them and want so much for them. As I write my weekly post on thankfulness, I'm spending some time to be grateful for the things in my children that are the handiwork of God!

God has already written on their hearts and I'm so thankful for:

76. Our 15 year old's dedication and commitment to being at swim practice at 6 am every morning and after school every day. I can tell that he already has a good work ethic.
76. His tenderheartedness with young children and animals. He has the heart of God.
77. His love for nature and the outdoors. He will go to the mountains and stay in a tent for as long as you would let him stay. He appreciates God's creation.

78. Our 20 year old daughter's adventuresome spirit. She can just pick up and go without being bogged down with the cares of this world. She does not need "worldly things" to make her happy.
79. Her voice of an angel. Well maybe not an angel cause she really belts it out there. But she sings it out all bluesy and folksy and it's wonderful. Her voice is as funkalicious as her wardrobe!
80. Her desire to be the peacemaker; her attempts for everyone to get along and not have fight or argue.

81. Our 22 year old daughter's commitment to being a wife and mom. She keeps a spotless home and spends countless hours with her daughters, taking care of their every need. We never worry that our grandchildren are getting enough love!
82. Her fiercely independent spirit. She's not afraid of anybody and she can do anything she sets her mind to do. Don't dare threaten someone she loves cause she will take you down!
83. Her loyalty and love. Her heart is pulled towards family and when she loves you...you know it!

84. Our 24 year old daughter's dedication to becoming a teacher. She loves children and wants them to know how special they are.
85. Her soft tender heart. She loves all the way and is forgiving and easy going. I love this about her! When you are around her you just feel peaceful and calm.
86. I'm thankful that she is a little like me in the ditzy department. Some call it naive, some call it gullible, but she's just innocent and pure.

87. Our 27 year old son's sensitivity. He can sense when someone around him is hurting or in pain. He cannot stand to keep quiet if someone is not being treated well. He always steps up.
88. His ability to write music, songs, scripts. I love this about him. It's a God given gift. When I listen to the lyrics of his songs, I hear his heart and his passion.
89. His desire to be a father. He has always
  longed to be a father, more than
  anything else. His first child is due in March and he
  is doing everything he can to be prepared to be a
  great dad!

90. Our oldest son's work ethic. He doesn't have a lazy bone in his body. He would never sit around and refuse to work. I am so proud of him for that.
91. His kindness towards others. He will do anything for someone in need and would never expect anything in return.
93. His love of writing lyrics to songs. He has a perception of young people's needs and hurts and knows how to speak to them and to be positive for them through his lyrics. He never judges.

So while they all have scattered like the wind and have their own lives...I'm grateful for what God has put on the inside of them that they carry with them. He shines through each one. I'm thankful that they all know where home is and they can come here anytime. They will never let each other down. They come from love.

Hop on over to Ann Voskamp's A Holy Experience to see what others are thankful for this week!

From His Lap,

Where I'm From

2011-10-10T09:08:00.003-05:00

I am from the view finder on the back of my camera. It all started out with a Polaroid when I was a child. To this day I am the family photographer.

I am from the swimming pool. I am from books, especially Nancy Drew, that I read under my covers with a flash light long after my parents sent me to bed.

And I am from riding my bike around the neighborhood until we would hear my dad whistle that loud ear piercing whistle. Everyone in the neighborhood knew that was Mr. Branz and it was time for us to head home.

I am from the crashing waves of the ocean carrying me to shore over and over again as I swim back out to body surf. I am from the power of the ocean can calm and refresh my soul.

I am from every holiday spent together sharing huge meals and family spilling out of the dining room and kitchen finding places to eat. I'm from Branzs and Baumanns and now, from Patricks.

I am from being at church every time the doors were open and from the home where people loved to come to have a good time and to have Bible study. I am from going to the beach any chance we could. I'm from summers on the Jersey Shore.

I am from "You can be whatever you want to be" and "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it at all." I always wondered what I was supposed to do with those negative feelings that we weren't supposed to express.

I am from nondenominational church and from Bible school and from being told from earliest memory that my heavenly Father loved me. I am from watching my mom & dad pray together every morning.

I am from Serbia and the Tyrolean Alps and Germany and Wales. I am an American mutt. I am from Gnocchi and pot roast. The pot roast was any Sunday that the Steelers were playing. My mom put the pot roast in the crock pot before church, so she wouldn't have to cook when we got home. We could just eat and watch the Steelers on tray tables in the family room!

I am from a good work ethic; my dad working so hard to establish his practice. He would come home, eat dinner, spend time with us and head back out to work. He worked hard so he could take us to the beach.

I am from my grandma taking me to the symphony and the ballet and sitting on her front porch to watch the parades go by, while drinking root beer floats that we called "brown cows".

I am from the prayers of my mother.

I am from my grandparents summer home in Florida (a silver AirStream). Where we would get to enjoy seeing our dad relax.

I am from my siblings, fighting, loving, catching lightening bugs, playing badminton, going to swim meets.

I am from listening to my mom's stereo and all her albums every Saturday as we cleaned house.

Most of all, I am from love.

This is a writing excercise called "Where I'm From". You can get the template for it here. Try it and let me know what you think!

From His Lap,

Finding Significance

2011-10-08T09:20:00.000-05:00

Significance...we all long for it. It's what give us purpose, importance, meaning. We want significance with our parents, our siblings, our spouses, our children, our friends, co-workers. To me, the opposite of significance is loneliness, worthlessness, and feeling lost...like a small child, alone on a busy street. There are so many souls who don't have a loving place where their story begins. Their core is empty because the people who should be filling it have let them down. When we don't have significance, we don't have hope. And when we don't have hope, no life can be found in us.

When we don't have that anchor of belonging and acceptance, I believe that is the tipping point where we see people begin to act out, to rebel, to question everything in their existence. How can we find significance? How can we have a sense of belonging and joy if the people we crave significance from are absent or abusive or self righteous?

There is one who gave it all for you. He paid the price and sacrificed His very life. He bore the lashes, hung on the cross, carried your sin, sickness and disease on His body because you were worth it to Him. That kind of love takes away loneliness, worthlessness and being lost. He can take the place of those who have let you down, abused you and left you. You are significant to Him. "Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down His life for His friends." John 15:13

My friend, you have no greater love than the love of Jesus. You have no greater significance than you do in Him. If man has let you down, turn to the one who will never leave you nor forsake you. Give your heart to the one who knows every hard place you've been to and through. He will fill that void in your heart with hope and joy. Let Him settle in your heart, once and for all, that you are worth dying for. Your story can begin anew with your heart full of purpose, importance and meaning.

Listen to this testimony by the rapper Lecrae. He found significance and you can too! (You can turn off my music player to the right in order to hear the video)

From His Lap,

The Dance of Life

2011-10-07T08:44:00.000-05:00

Pastor Roger dancing with his mother in law

"The moment in between what you once were, and who you are now becoming, is where the dance of life really takes place." Barbara de Angelis I love this quote. We can come from horrible backgrounds or wonderful backgrounds. In either case, that's not where we live now. We can choose to keep going back to those places, reliving them, allowing them to keep hindering us. Or we can become engaged in the dance of life that is happening now!

We can have power over what we will become in the future by being engaged in the present. It is great to set goals and to make plans to reach those goals. But we can't lose sight of our daily story. If we hurry through the day without making it count then it's like ripping a page out of a book. The next page makes no sense without the page before it.

I can remember times when I was so busy (in my head) that all of a sudden I would realize one of my children was in the middle of telling me something and I just had a blank stare on my face and had no idea of what they were talking about. Precious moments that can never be gotten back; times of fellowship that could have meant so much. Times that I forgot to participate in the dance of life. Thank goodness there are not a lot of moments missing from my story!

New Year's Eve Dance at Church

When I think about life as a dance, it becomes less of a chore and more of a joy. I can truly say that the mountains of laundry and the chaotic dinners where everyone was telling about their day, and helping with homework for hours have made for some of my best memories. I cherish those memories, but now, I'm celebrating a new dance in my life. Five out of my six children have flown the coop and the last one will be gone before I know it. So I've got to learn to live and dance this new life.

I am able to spend more time with the hubby and with girlfriends. I'm able to take walks and long baths and sit by myself and listen to my mom's old albums on her stereo. I have kids in college, kids having kids, one in high school and my days are full and exciting. I know that God has a plan for my future but it involves enjoying my present and not mourning my past!

Are you enjoying your dance of life? Are you trying to hurry and skip to get to the future? Are you stuck in memories of your past? Dear One, I hope you remember that whatever your day brings, it's part of your story and you can choose to participate in it, even if it's challenging and hard. I hope that one day when you look back over your story you won't realize there are pages missing.

From His Lap,

Listening With My Heart

2011-10-06T09:11:00.000-05:00

Do you ever sense that God is speaking to your heart to do something or go somewhere that you never expected to? Does He ever ask you to stop and talk with someone you don't know, or pay for someone's meal or give a hug? Do you stop long enough to listen? If you follow my blog then you know that I recently lost my job. Of course this brings uncertainty and yes, I'm tempted to be fearful. But I've found myself with lots of time on my hands...time to listen with my heart...for Him. What things would he have me do? Where might He lead, if I was listening?

When life was so busy with only a few moments here and there to myself, the quiet moments with Him were always rushed always constructed. I wonder how many times He tried to get my attention, tried to love on me, tried to show me something. Now I've had enough time to learn that living a life of gratitude sometimes means being grateful for things that we would normally grumble about, like losing a job.

And so, I've just been quiet. I've pulled inward and listened. And He has spoken! There is a keen sense of awareness of His closeness, His presence. Sometimes I feel if I looked quickly over my shoulder, I would see Him there. No, I'm not crazy, I promise. But I refuse to be in fear, doubt and anger over present circumstances. I will use this time to hear what He would have me do next. The answers are all there...in Him. So I wait and I pray and I listen.

I would not have had such sweet times with Him had I still been working. When we have only Him to rely on, His words seem more precious and His guidance more appreciated. And so, my heart is open, I'm listening to see where He will lead me. Where will my path take me next? Where ever it is, I know it will be good. The Scriptures say "Those that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. That's the promise I'm holding on to.

From His Lap,

A Taste of Things to Come

2011-10-05T08:16:00.000-05:00

Walking through my neighborhood today, I wondered if, due to the record breaking heat we suffered all summer long, the leaves might not change to the vibrant colors we are used to every fall. It won't be the same if we don't get to watch the splendor of the seasons change this year. I thought I would give you a small taste of what our neighborhood looks like every autumn. Maybe it will give you a taste of things to come in "your neck of the woods" this fall.

I know that there are some sections of the country that don't get to experience the dramatic season changes that we enjoy here. But we treasure it. When I look at all of these colors, I don't see how you couldn't acknowledge God and His creation; just like when I witness a rainbow, or see a great waterfall or majestic mountains. God's creation is for our pleasure and His. I hope that you will enjoy looking at these photos from my very own neighborhood!

I hope that you thoroughly enjoyed these pictures as much as I do! I hope that you get to experience a brilliant fall.

From His Lap,

In the Cool of the Day

2011-10-04T06:16:00.000-05:00

In the beauty of the day, I walk quietly reflecting on how the air is becoming crisp and cool. I imagine that when Adam walked in the garden with God in the cool of the evening, it must have felt like this. Just as the air is clear, my heart is clear. I'm pierced through and through with a joy that I'm walking with Him in the cool of my day. There can be no other way to walk through this life for me...but with Him.

Here is where my story begins new every day, walking with Him. Blessings settling on me like the dew that blankets the grass where I walk. Like the dew, new blessings came sometime during the night, while I was dreaming. Blessings of life and love and joy. Any sadness of yesterday is washed away quietly and my heart is full and content.

Here is where my story begins, walking with Him. I can tell Him of things that can't be uttered to anyone else. My soul is laid open before Him and that dew comes in and makes me clean and whole and fresh and I thank Him. Thank Him for the redemptive work that He did as I lay sleeping next to him breathing beside me. He just came and did His work quietly; in my heart that longs for pureness, for fellowship.

So I rise and walk with Him in the cool of the day and thank Him...

66. For the cleansing of my soul as I slept.

67. For the cool crisp air as we walk together.

68. For a restful night's sleep.

69. For the breathing of the man who sleeps next to me who loves me more than he loves his life.

70. For peace that came in the midst of a storm in my heart.

71. For the life of the young man in our church who was taken from our midst too suddenly, too young.

72. For telling me truths when I didn't want to hear them.

73. For learning that the very name of Him, YHWH, means breath and when I say His name, I am breathing and when I breath, I am saying His name.

74. For seeing my mom when I look at my face in the mirror.

75. For a chance at a new day with a fresh start and a pure heart.

Did you walk with Him today? If you did, what things did you tell Him you are grateful for?

To read what others told Him they are grateful for, stop by One Thousand Gifts and see what they are saying!

From His Lap,

Threads of the Tapestry

2011-10-03T08:33:00.000-05:00

Have you ever asked yourself what it would look like if your life had taken some other turn, some path that you might have considered taking, years ago? As I think about each one of my children, I wonder if they are happy with the roads they have chosen. Are they satisfied? Are they passionate in their relationships, jobs, career paths, school, hobbies? Do they feel like they are giving back and contributing? Are they happy with their story?

I like to think of my life as a tapestry. Each person and each event (good and bad) that has touched my life is a different color thread running through the tapestry of my life. When you weave them all together, they make up the story of me. Have you every turned a tapestry or an embroidered picture over and looked at it from the back? Sometimes it looks a mess with a bunch of loose threads and knots. Sometimes you can't even recognize the picture until you turn it back around to the front and look at the whole picture, each color, each thread just where they are supposed to be.

Some people have touched my life just once and there is a tiny bit of their color woven in. Some have had such an impact on me that their thread runs over and over in my tapestry, their contribution making delicious pops of color throughout. Some relationships have been broken, but they are mended in a knot on the back. Those threads run in and out of my tapestry. But the picture would be missing something if I had not walked out the journey I have chosen. Colors and patterns would be missing.

As a mom, I hope that while my children are writing the stories of their lives, the result is a rich tapestry, full of vibrant colors and design. As I have walked out my life being one who trusts the Lord to order my steps, I can only trust the same for my babies. And as they make decisions (good or bad), the Lord will weave them into a beautifully woven life that brings them joy and peace.

So don't fret when you think you may have not lived the
life you thought you were meant to live, or made the
choices you should have made. See how He has made
beauty out of your journey and if you need to make
adjustments to get back on the right path, He will walk with you, adding beautiful threads to your story.

From His Lap,

Eyes to See the Beauty

2011-10-01T09:36:00.000-05:00

All this earth is groaning.
Groaning for peace...
What can come of us
If we don't see the beauty
Of all of His creation?
He formed us each
Out of the dust
With a beauty in mind...
A unique beauty
And a calling.
But there are souls
Who can't hear it.
Who will tell them?

Judgement will come.
One day it will come.
What have we done
With His love?
Who have we treated
As precious?
Who have we walked on by?
What atrocities have we Committed?
What heartbreak have they Endured
For His name sake?
How many scars do they bear
From wrongs suffered?

When He formed us,
Fashioned us
It was for a purpose.
It was to have
Sweet fellowship with Him.
It was to take
The knowledge of Him
To the ends of the earth.
It was to dwell together in Harmony.
Lifting up holy hands in praise.
Singing hymns of redemption.
Using it all for good
To raise up a standard of love.

Let's stop staining our hands
With the pain of others.
Instead, looking into
Hearts and eyes
Letting people affect us.
For even we were formed
Out of the dust.
Men will be evil.
But some men will be full Of Him,
Taking His name to the hurting.

If we open the door to Our hearts,
Run into His presence,
Fill our souls with grace and Love,
The ugly will become
Beauty in our eyes.
Kindness will drip from our lips.
Hands will be outstretched to
Touch with the beauty
We hold in our hearts.
Souls will be healed and
His name will be known.

I would love for you to visit my friend, Shanda Oakley's site, A Pause on the Path, to see what others are saying about beauty!

From His Lap,

Compelling Love

2011-09-29T08:56:00.000-05:00

There is an age old debate about "works vs. grace" that I have never understood. It seems like the two camps espouse views that are completely exclusive of the other. On the one hand, there are those who feel that they must perform good works in order to receive redemption, approval and acceptance from God. Then, on the other end of the spectrum are the folks who believe that all they need is grace, atonement, forgiveness of their sins to be held in a place of honor by the Church and their heavenly Father.

I say that it is because of grace, that we do good works. When we have a burning desire to be in His presence and soak up His love, then we are going to long to do good works, to share that wonderful love with others. The more I press into Him and draw closer to Him, the more I want people to experience the God who I know. This makes it natural to do good works.

But I believe this...God does not love me any more or any less, if I do good works, or I if I don't. The Bible says His grace is sufficient and it is. He will still love me and save me, even if I don't do anything for the Kingdom. But, oh, how sad and selfish that would be. How can I spend sweet time with Him, receive His blessings and not share? How can I look around at a hurting world and not offer up the answer. You have heard the saying "Always preach the Gospel...sometimes use words." We can preach the Gospel with our hands and our feet, by acts of service. His love compels us to do so.

It's easy to get hung up running around "doing works" but never actually draw closer to Him. The result is that we get burned out and begin to resent serving others. The greater thing would be to spend time on our knees with Him, which in turn, will make us hungry to do His work. Spending time in prayer, in praise and worship, on His lap, makes us hungry for more of Him. And the more we have of Him, the more we want to share Him. You don't have to exhaust yourself running here and there, trying to meet every need that you see. Spend time with Him. Just ask Him to reveal to you, people around you, who need a touch from Him, and then go serve them! I guarantee, you will begin to see places and people all around you who could use a hand up and God will work through you to bless them!

From His lap,

I am Irreplaceable in God's Heart and You Are Too

2011-09-27T13:43:00.000-05:00

In God's heart I am irreplaceable! He dreamed me up and placed me here to share His love. I have in me a burning desire to let people know that they are valuable and precious, that they matter to Him and to the world. THAT is what I was created for! I am a lover and a giver of grace! I am irreplaceable to God, because He placed me in certain people's lives and gave me precious gifts that only I can pass on to them.

But if people matter to God, then I had to believe that I matter to Him too. How do we know that we are irreplaceable to Him? How do we bestow on ourselves that same grace we extend to others? I struggled with this for many years. I could see the goodness in people. I encouraged them to shine and to realize who they are in Christ. But I just couldn't see it for myself. I felt that if there was no "me" in this world, there would be someone else who could share the love of God just as effectively as I do.

But over the years, I have come to realize that what He has put on the inside of me is unique and different from everyone else. Just as what He has imparted to you is special. As I spend time in His presence through praise and worship and as I see myself in His lap, letting Him love on me, I realize more and more, every day, that I am irreplaceable in His heart!

Do you know that you are irreplaceable to Him? Do you know that you have unique gifts and purposes in you? Have you spent quiet time with Him, listening with your heart, to hear what He might be speaking to you? I do know this...you are precious to Him and precious to the world. And we all need whatever it is that He has put on the inside of you! So don't be afraid to shine. Don't hold back from offering what He has imparted to you...you, who are irreplaceable!

Hop on over to Heart to Heart with Holley Gerth and see how others are discovering that they are irreplaceable in God's heart!

From His lap,

Sara Chose Joy

2011-09-26T08:21:00.000-05:00

Most of us can easily breeze through a list of things that we're grateful for and a lot of the things on my list would be things that are on your list. God has been so gracious and giving to us that we all know we have been blessed.

We don't often consider that the things in our lives that hurt or refine or strengthen us, are blessings to be thankful for. This week I've been pondering the things that have not necessarily felt like blessings, but have turned out to be just that. If we consider that tough times are an opportunity to move closer to Him and to hear from Him, then we cam look back and see how He caused all things to work together for good.

Sara Gitzen

This week, the world lost a dear soul, Sara Gitzen. Sara was a young woman who reached countless readers with her messages of hope and joy. And she did it all from her sick bed. I would encourage you to hop on over to her site, Choose Joy, and read back through her previous posts. As she journeyed through a life of illness and severe pain, she taught us all how to let God into each moment and how to choose joy in each moment of life.

How could she sit in her home, day after day, longing to be able to go outside and to be pain free for just a time and still choose joy? How could she be grateful for life and encourage others to look for the joy in their lives? I will let her tell you that in her own words. I just know that as she stepped from this life into the next, she was free, she could breathe, she had no more pain and she met her Lord with full joy, leaving behind a legacy of people who have been touched by her life, her love and her spirit!

So today, I reflect on things that may have been painful to me in this life; things that I didn't think I could bear, but afterwards brought blessings and joy.

59. For the life, spirit, love, joy and peace of Sara Gitzen. Her message has strengthened many.

60. For the times when married life has been hard. We have gained a better marriage for it.

61. For the times when I have lost jobs. God opened other doors I never would have seen.

62. For the times when I had to rely on God for our next meal. My faith grew & I saw the faithfulness of His provision.

63. For a painful rift in a relationship with a loved one. Old wounds were healed and a stronger friendship was born.

64. The rebellion of children. When they came home, I got to experience the return of the "Prodigal Son" and my relationship with them was deeper than ever.

65. My husband's job took him out of town for a year and a half and I thought I would die of loneliness. But I met and made a new best friend who has blessed my life immeasurably. I would never have met her if my husband had not been gone.

Can you think of times in your life that have been hard; times when you thought you would break. But now, looking back, you can see the blessings that came from those times? These are not maybe the typical things that you would put on a list of things that you are thankful for, but they are indeed precious gifts that came out of the ashes of tests and trials.

Take some time and hop on over to Ann Voskamp's site, One Thousand Gifts to see what others are thankful for today.

From His lap,

Taking It to the Streets

2011-09-23T10:45:00.000-05:00

If you could epitomize one attribute of Christ, here on this earth, which one would you choose? Would you live out your life in love, in peace, in joy, in faith? How would you convey to the world who Christ is? Do you think about how your life mirrors His when you are in line at the bank, or trying to pass someone who is driving too slow, or when that co-worker is irritating you to death?

I find it's easy for me to reflect God when I am surrounded by people I love and when I'm not feeling threatened or angry. A couple of weeks ago, as I sat in my car, while I was fueling up, a woman approached me and sent a barrage of profanity at me that caught me completely off guard. She thought I was just sitting in my car taking up space at an unused gas pump. She did not realize that I was putting gas in my car. As my brain wrapped itself around the fact that I was being verbally attacked out of no where, for no reason, I searched for some response that would stop her in her tracks and make her ashamed of the way she was acting.

I literally felt a conflict raging inside me. I wanted to lash out...I wanted to represent Christ. I couldn't do both. And so confusion won. All I could say in response to the woman was, "Really? Really?" It sounds comical now. It didn't make any sense, what I said! I didn't attack the woman back but I also didn't choose Christ! I drove away with my heart pounding in my chest so hard that I could hear it in my ears.

Thankfully, we don't have to pick just one attribute of Christ to emulate. He gives us the strength and the power and the equipping to take His message to a hurt and dying world. I want to be in the place where, instinctively, I know how to respond in situations in a manner that reflects Christ. I don't want to be in a war against my flesh to the point that confusion wins. The Lord came across bad people, hurting people, tormented people and He had a response for each one of them that made them "go and sin no more", or at peace or their broken heart mended. He met them where they were. He meets me where I am!! I can follow His example. I can choose to take Him into every situation, prepared to engrave His mark there and leave in peace.

How do you handle these situations? How do you leave Christ's stamp on a person's heart? How have you strengthened yourself so that you are not at war with your flesh when a situation arises that takes you by surprise? Are you already prepared? Share with us here how you have learned to reflect Christ in a hurt and dying world.

From His lap,

It's What You're Hoping For

2011-09-22T07:34:00.000-05:00

Hope. Hope is the stuff our very breath is made of. When doubt and fear, questions and anger are pushing the life out of us, hope comes in like a rush of air, filling our lungs with His presence. Choosing to believe our Father has a plan for us, a hope and a future; gives us stillness and peace, allowing us to walk another step, smile another smile, live another day.

Say "yes" to hope. Choose to know that these hard moments you are in, can be filled with the very breath of God. Let Him fill your lungs and feel His life course through your veins. Now. This moment you are in, that hurts...breathe...breathe in hope. For it's hopelessness that will cause the very life and breath to be sucked out of us. Breathe in hope.

Don't be fearful of the future. There is hope in this moment, for the next step you are timidly putting your foot forward to take. Can you believe for this moment? Can you hold on in this moment and be filled with His breath, just long enough to get you to the next moment? I know you want the answers. How will I get through this? What will I do about that? How can I go on when I have to live with this? How can I make it? Where can I turn?

Choose this minute, this hour, this day to get by on the breath of Him, on the breath of hope. Say "yes" to him in this moment. For He will meet you...now. He wants to be present with you ...here. In all of this...in all the pain, in all the fear, in all the hurt, in all the disappointment...He wants to be your hope.

And if you choose hope, Dear Heart, it comes with an added gift. It comes with JOY! And each painful moment, turned to hope and joy, is another moment you take for the Kingdom. Each time you breathe in that breath of hope it's a step towards a life that says "yes" to Him. And oh, the rejoicing then. Others will see and be caught up in your joy. They will want to know; How did you get through this? How did you make it? Where did you turn to? And your life will be a living testament, offering up hope to others who can't breath. And then, what joy will fill your soul!

Wouldn't you love to fill each moment with the breath of God, the giver of life and hope? Can't you imagine what it would be like to invite Him in with every breath you take? Let Him take away the torture of choking on a hopeless life. His breath is sweet and life giving. It's what you're hoping for.

From His lap,

5x7 Folded Card

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The Gift of Trust

2011-09-19T06:36:00.000-05:00

I was reading from Ann Voskamp's 'One Thousand Gifts'. She spoke about how the very act of being thankful for the moment we are in, creates a cathedral...a cathedral of praise. We can be anywhere, doing anything and if we enter into gratefulness for that moment He has given us, it as if we are in the world's most beautiful cathedral, giving our sacrifice of praise...but it's right there in our hearts.

As I'm sure you know by now, my family loves to take little day trips to the mountains, to the prairies, to the lakes, to the woods...any place away from the grind and the noise of everyday life. In those moments, those snippets of time, when we are surrounded by God, His creation and all of His glory, it is easy to turn our hearts towards Him and become caught up in a cathedral of praise.

But what about those moments where we don't see His glory? What about those moments when we can't seem to sense His presence or understand why life is playing out the way it is, or we can't see past the "yuck"? Can those moments become a cathedral of praise? Does He really expect us to be thankful in all of life's moments and to see everything as a gift?

I do know that He is my heavenly Father and He will cause everything to work for good in my life. He may allow me to stay in an unwanted situation for a while as I learn a truth or develop a character trait that I'm lacking or am weak in; maybe staying just long enough to forgive someone, or to learn patience or selflessness.

Recently, after losing my job, I forgot to be thankful. I forgot that I had met wonderful people, learned new skills, deepened my faith. How could I turn a moment like this into a cathedral of praise when panic and fear would like to set up residence in my heart. How can I trust Him enough in this situation to turn my heart Godward and see great things coming from this...this place of pain?

I know that it means change is coming, but I don't know what that looks like. As I press into Him and put all my trust in Him, I am certain of this...He will not let me down, nor forsake me, nor turn loose of His hold on me. But what am I to learn? How long am I to stay here? Can feelings of distraction and fear be gloriously changed to hope, trust and peace, merely by entering into thanksgiving and praise? He has blessed me so much and He will walk with me along this crooked path until it becomes straight once more. And while we walk, I contemplate more gifts that I am thankful for.

49. That He walks along side me no matter the path I choose, if I ask Him to.

50. Feeling His tender mercies...new every morning.

51. The sounds of my fountain and wind chimes on my front porch as I write these words.

52. The soft rainbow that reminds me of His covenant with me.

53. That He has never left me forsaken and alone nor begging for bread.

54. The gentle rain that brings my lavender and herbs back to life.

55. My son telling me this week that I am the kindest person he knows.

56. There is always food in the refrigerator and the pantry.

57. That my group of Bible study "sisters" is so faithful to each member of our group.

58. That I serve a God who believes in "doing life together".

Can you think of ways that you have put your trust in Him and are thankful that you did so? Are there areas of your life that are in His hands right now that you are steadfastly praising Him for, trusting that He will cause those things to work out for your good? Share some of those things with us so that we may be encouraged and build up our faith with yours!

"Make every moment a cathedral giving glory." ~Ann Voskamp

To see what others are giving thanks for today, hop on over to Ann Voskamp's site and visit for some inspiriation there!

From His Lap,

Eyes That Light Up

2011-09-16T14:30:00.000-05:00

It was 116 degrees with the heat index this day.

Here in Tulsa, in just one week, we have moved from the temperature being in the hundreds to it being 57 degrees. At first, I was a little dismayed. I think going from an entire summer of well over 100 degrees then moving so quickly to the 50's means that our fall won't be the usual blaze of color that it usually is. I know I've told you about the Linda Dillow study that I've been doing on "What's it Like to be Married to Me". Part of the study entails wearing a Gripes Be Gone bracelet. So, I was pleased that almost as quickly as I was pouty about the quick change in the weather, my thoughts immediately changed to the positive. So the Gripes Be Gone bracelet must be working! Or maybe, just maybe, my heart is changing.

Chilly rain

I'm finding that more and more, every day, I yearn, I search for the good in everything, in everyone. I want my story to reflect lots of joy at the end. I want those who remember my life to say that I always smiled, saw the good in them and celebrated life. Don't worry, I'm not getting all maudlin here. I'm not reflecting on death. In fact, just the opposite. I'm reflecting on life and I wonder if we make it as joyous as it could be, or do we gripe and complain about everything.

I'm no ostrich with my head in the sand. I've raised six children and I'm all too familiar with the trials and tribulations that go along with that! But I'm also aware that joy goes along way towards making life worth living! I'm not speaking of happiness here. I don't believe that we can attain constant happiness. But I feel that we can hold onto a quiet inner joy, no matter the trials life brings, if we understand that God sees us as valuable and precious and that He celebrate us throughout our life's journey!

My dad's joy comes from knowing that he is a child of the King.

I remember hearing author Toni Morrison once say, "Do your eyes light up when a child enters the room?" I thought then, upon hearing those words, "If I have that deep inner joy that comes from knowing the love of God, then my eyes will light up whenever anyone enters the room." Do you know that the Father's eyes light up when He looks at you! When you are moving through the hard times and through heartbreak, if you've already been walking with Him, joy can shine through your circumstances. He already knows the worst and the best of us. He's seen the tests & trials. He wants us to "do" life with Him every day, not just seek Him when times are tough. As we learn to walk out our lives in His presence, we can filter all of life's "stuff" through that joy and peace that comes from knowing Him.

Do you have that quiet still knowing that your strength comes from Him in all things? Are you taking Him with you throughout your days? Have you found that joy springs out of you even in the midst of tough times? I think I'm getting there. I'm "doing life with Him" and it makes all the difference in the world. My joy overflows and I'm at peace with my life, even if it goes from 100 to 50 degrees over night!

From His Lap,

You Don't Have to Sink or Swim

2011-09-14T21:58:00.000-05:00

I was talking with someone today about an unpleasant circumstance that she has found herself in. She told me, "Right now, it's sink or swim for me." I have probably heard that euphemism hundreds of times in my life but I guess I never gave it much thought. But when my friend spoke those words to me today, they pierced right through my gut.

"No, no no", I wanted to say. As believers, we never have to choose between "sink or swim" in a bad situation. Truly, we can rest and do neither for a time. There is great peace to be found in getting quiet before the Lord and not panicking. Fear drives us to panic and panic, to foolishness. That's when we either frantically swim for what we think is the far off shore, or we give in to despair and sink.

I recall a time when I found myself in a situation that literally took the breath out of me. In one moment of time, it unexpectedly caught me by such surprise and was so life altering that I could hear my heart beating and my mind was swirling. I could make no sense of what was happening to me. Have you ever been there; in a place where you felt you had no control over where your life was headed and you were at the mercy of something bigger than you? That the only options you had were to sink or swim?

During this time, I immediately pulled myself inward. I went to a safe, quiet place and sat on my heavenly Father's lap. I didn't speak of the issue to others. I didn't run around trying to get advice from anyone who would talk to me. And I didn't stop my life. I literally stayed in His presence every step of every day. I surrounded myself with praise and worship music, with Scripture. Sometimes, when I was alone, I would get down on my knees and cry out to Him in despair, in anguish, even in anger. And then, I would get quiet and listen to my heart.

His sweet presence never left me. I did not feel the need to "swim" for safety, because He was my safety. As I stayed there with Him, my heart quieted, my mind felt peace and my direction became clear. I slowly and carefully started sharing with people what had happened to me (I didn't tell people who would have pulled me back into anguish and fear) and they were amazed at my peace and confidence in the midst of this horrible situation.

Dear One, if you have been handed something that's heavy and heartbreaking, don't panic, don't react too swiftly, taking the chance of sinking. But rather, take some time to sit with Him, pour your heart out to Him and wrap yourself in His presence. His love is a balm that can heal any wound and make life sweet again. You are His child and He is your Father. You can stay there, on His lap as long as you want to.

Take some time to visit Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience and see what others are saying about faith.

From His lap,

How to Find Your Way in His World

2011-09-13T18:35:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I think women fall for the myth that we must "find ourselves". Even precious Christian sisters fall into the trap of thinking that if we could just discover who we really are, life would fall magically into place and we would know the blueprint for our lives. We get so busy as wives and moms that when we have moments to ourselves, when our children move on, if we aren't involved with other activities and hobbies, we don't have an identity.

The tagline of my blog is a quote by George Bernard Shaw, "Life is not about finding yourself. It's about creating yourself." The quote hit home for me, as one by one, my children grew up and left the nest. "Oh no", I thought! "What am I going to do with my time? Who am I when I'm not busy being a mom? I better find out who I am without a diaper bag! How do I keep from flailing around aimlessly, trying to figure out what is next for me?"

Create myself...what does that look like? How do I do that and where do I go to do it? I was a member of a Bible study with a group of women studying Henry Blackaby's book, Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God. In his book, Blackaby stresses over and over, how simple it is to know the will of God for your life. We have the tendency to make it so much more difficult. It's not a great mystery that you will only uncover if you spend hours in prayer, begging Him to reveal His plan for you. God is always at work around you, inviting you to be a part of His work with Him.

I've discovered that one of my passions is photography! This passion has led me to meet many new people and see God at work in many groups in my city of Tulsa. The Lord has used my photography for His plans and purposes because I just got busy with it.

As I reflected on where He might be at work around me, I realized the Lord is at work in my own home, in my neighborhood, at the gym, in volunteer work, in my city...literally every where I turn, God is busy doing a work there. And as I step into His work, here and there, I begin to create myself. I make connections with people, I find organizations that I didn't know existed, I find groups with the same passions as mine. And then I get busy. I accept His invitation to join Him in His work.

In looking at God's will for my life in this manner, it actually takes a great pressure off of me. Because you see, dear heart, when we join Him in His work, the pressure is on Him! It's not us trying to find the way to make something happen, but instead, coming along side Him and helping to carry out His plans. While we are busy doing His work and His plans, we will come to find that we have created ourselves, defined our passions, and walked an amazing path that we would not have found if we hadn't just dug in and gotten busy with God where He was working.

There are so many places to join God in His work in my city!

Are you struggling to know His plan for your life? Do you want to understand His will for you. Look around you for areas where He is at work, roll up your sleeves and join Him in what He is doing. What have you discovered that you're passionate about? Share with us here how you see Him at work around you and how you have joined Him there!

See how God is revealing Himself to others at A Pause on the Path.

From His lap,

A Life of Gratitude

2011-09-12T18:43:00.000-05:00

When I decided to purposefully look for the things in my life that I am blessed with, I was astonished at all of the little things that I had been overlooking; all of the small but beautiful gifts in my life that make my heart sing. These are the gifts that make up the stories of our lives and without them, my story would be nothing that you would want to read about. Moments in time, smiles, stolen glances at loved ones, holding hands...these are where our stories begin.

41. The way my husband makes me laugh. Half the time I'm laughing just because he thinks he is so funny. He won't let me go very long with a pout on my face. He's such a tease.

42. My husband's kisses...that's all I need to say about this gift!

43. Rodney's adventurous spirit has made for countless of wonderful family times and especially "Father/Son" times. Every year, he takes a couple of our sons to the mountains for a week of fun..they like to tease and say they are in search of Big Foot. They come back with thrilling stories of how they heard him in the woods!

44. The way he honors, respects and helps his mom is such a gift to me and to our children. He is tender and generous with her. He makes sure that our son always spends time with her and helps him with her house and yard. He is teaching an invaluable lesson to our son.

45. He knows that I love to be close to the land, so almost every Saturday morning, he gets up and says, "Where do you want to go today?". He takes his whole Saturday to drive with me taking pictures, just letting me feel close to God. Precious time spent together, talking, laughing, not saying anything.

46. Holding hands makes me know my beloved is mine and I am his.

47. The way he'll play along with me and get dressed up to go to a fundraiser for an organization I believe in. My friends adore him for that. He's always willing to "play" along with whatever theme we pick!

48. The smell of his cigar. When he's smoking his cigar, I know he's stealing a moment of peace, just for himself. He will go outside and eventually, I'll catch the wonderful aroma from the cigar wafting through a window. So I'll go outside just to sit quietly with him and enjoy the company. Yes, the smell of his cigar tells me he's content and I love it!

What are you grateful for that tells the story of your life? What small things can you take note of that would leave holes in your life if they weren't there?

If you'd like, you can hop on over to Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts to see what others are thankful for in their stories!

Beautiful Things

2011-09-11T18:45:00.001-05:00

Lake near Tall Grass Prairie

Yesterday we took a drive through the Tall Grass Prairies that run through Oklahoma and Kansas. It was such a strange day, weather wise. There were blue skies, clouds, rain, rainbows and dust. It seemed as though every couple of miles that we drove, we were under a different sky. We would drive for a while, the car covered in dust, then a beautiful refreshing rain would come and wash away the dust, the dirt, the unclean.

Rainbow over Tall Grass Prairie

But at one point, as we were pulled off to the side of the road to take in a rainbow, buffalo walking right past the car, I was struck at the handiwork of God, untouched by man. I thought I could have been standing in that exact spot 100 years ago, and it would have looked just the same as it does at this instant. God's glory stretched from horizon to horizon, no matter which way I turned...just God and His creation, His handiwork.

Is it possible that every day, He is renewing me, making me untouched by this old world, by man, by sin? Is there a place in me that corruption hasn't touched, is only clean and pure?

Buffaloe on Tall Grass Prairie

Can I go to Him each day and get quiet long enough for Him to do His work in me? Can I make time for the cleansing of of my soul? As we drove along, the grasses and wildflowers on the side of the road once covered in hot tired dust, were washed by the rains, and the prairies and the buffalo looked fresh and full of life again. God had His way on the prairie, yes, He had His way. I had not one ounce of control over what touched His creation out there. It felt holy, pure somehow. I wanted to feel that on the inside. I wanted my heart to be clean and new, untouched by sin and hurt.

As the sun began to set over the prairie and we headed for home, I sat in quiet wonder. I am His creation as surely as the prairie, the buffalo, the rainbow. He made me beautiful. I have the chance for Him to make me more beautiful everyday. As the sunset and the moon brought a perfect end to a perfect day, it was settled in my heart. I will sit quiet, still and listening every day, inviting Him to make me new, make me clean, make me beautiful. It won't matter what I did to get dirty yesterday, because today, I can be bathed in His love, pure and clean.

Sunset over the prairie

Brilliant evening sky

The Lord knows how bring an end to the day!

Moonlight over the prairie

Our pastor's son wrote a wonderful song called "Beautiful Things". Click on the title and let the song minister to you.

To read other posts about "Beauty" visit my dear friend, Shanda's blog, A Pause on the Path.

From His Lap, (pure & clean)

A God of Second Chances

2011-09-09T08:38:00.000-05:00

Today I was reading the Scripture in Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." It hurt me to think that we are all guilty of not living up to the potential that we were created for by our Father. I want so badly to be the person He created me to be, but sometimes, I just produce "yuck" in my life.

Have you ever done something that you're ashamed of? Maybe you haven't, but I think, for most of us, the answer would be yes. People in our lives, celebrities, pastors, athletes...everyone (including ourselves) have made mistakes, screwed up or fallen short of acting like the people God meant for us to be. As for me, I'm so glad that I serve a God of mercy and second chances.

Of course there are consequences for wrong behavior and most assuredly, we will have to walk out those consequences. Some might even have to be incarcerated or separated from families. But the joy and peace that comes with forgiveness of those wrong doings, is what helps people get back on the right track again. I remember many many years ago, when I had done something that I wasn't very proud of, I said to my parents, "There isn't a thing you can say to me that will make me feel any worse than I already feel. There aren't any rebukes you can give me that I haven't already given myself." Do you think that if we withhold forgiveness and sit in judgement, someone will make amends faster? Does God refuse to extend His love to those who have fallen?

I belong to a church that believes in "doing life together". That includes the stuff that isn't pretty. That means when someone has offended, we don't kick them out and make them go away in shame and embarrasment. We love them back to the fold. We help, counsel, teach, train, and pray with them so that if they should want to repent and make their lives right, we are not an obstacle to that. Most of the time, people who have fallen just need someone to believe in them, in order to get redemption.

If you find yourself having done wrong, or you know someone else who has done wrong, can you forgive and extend mercy and grace? Can you see past the act to a hurting heart just as God does with us? I would like to tell you about a group that I have become affiliated with called POTSC or People of the Second Chance. This organization is a "global community of activists, imperfectionists, and second chancers, committed to unleashing radical grace everyday, in every moment, for everyone." Our mission is to overthrow judgement and liberate love. I would love for you to check them out and see if you might like be a part of this mission. Who would you give a second chance to? Maybe you need to give yourself a second chance. God would!!

From His Lap,

This Turning Fifty Thing

2011-09-07T10:04:00.000-05:00

There's something about turning 50. I don't know why, but there just is. Most of my life, I've worried about how I looked, what I wore, what my weight was, who liked me, who didn't like me, if I looked like the perfect mom...and now...

Don't get me wrong, I still want to look nice and have good manners, but the things I'm concerned about have changed. My priorities are different. And I think I've become my mother and all manner of older women I've seen out in public. I don't have to have make up on to leave the house and I might even go out in sweats and a pony tail. But the worst thing is, I don't seem to have the filter on my mouth that used to be there.

Don't worry, I don't mean I cuss like a sailor or anything like that. But I have opinions and I find myself expressing those opinions, when before, I would have never spoken such things. I would have bitten my lip, gone my own way and shaken my head in silent wonder all the way home. Now, I just say what I'm thinking. I'm never rude or mean spirited about it, but I put it out there...yes I do.

Sometimes I come across people who move me so deeply that I have to say something to them. Like the beautiful old man on the beach in St. Augustine. I followed him around with my daughter until I got up to the nerve to approach him, tell him he was beautiful and ask if I could take his picture. My daughter was completely mortified! But people matter, and I want them to know that. Even if I don't know them. I've gotten this boldness that I didn't have when I was younger and busy raising my children. Now, if I feel led to say something, there's no stopping me.

Or how about the time I came across an elderly gentleman in the rose garden, who had a crippled hand. I just had to ask him what he did for a living, did he work with his hands? I asked him to tell me a story of his life and took a picture of his hand. He told me stories that made me cry and soon others gathered around to listen. I just couldn't seem to stop myself. This turning 50 thing has taken away that filter that used to be there!

I've grown past the point of worrying about what other people think of me. Oh, I want to be liked and I'm a tenderhearted lover of people, but something in me wants to let others know what I'm thinking. I don't know if it's that I've rounded the half century mark and I'm facing the second part of my life, but I feel like there are so many things that need to be said. As a society, we've let our young people down in many ways. We haven't told them of the important things in life. We've let them believe that they can start out life, right after graduation, making a gazillion dollars and they don't even have to work for it. Sex is blasé and women are objects. It's every man for himself.

So I have things to say...and I say them. I don't judge, but I have opinions, thoughts, ideas. This turning 50 thing is tricky. You have to strike a balance. You're not old, but you're wiser. I actually feel more alive now than ever. The politically correct thing to do today, is to accept and be supportive of anything and everything that comes down the pike. Everything is a gray area. There is no right or wrong. But, you see, some things are right and some are just plain wrong. And if we don't say it, then our young people will continue to go farther and farther away from the truth.

So there...I've put it out there. And some might think I'm mean...but guess what? That doesn't bother me as much as it would have when I was younger!

Don't worry! I'm still in His lap!

One Thousand Gifts II

2011-09-06T08:42:00.000-05:00

This week I'm remembering all of the heroic acts of Americans on 9/11. There are so many stories of the goodness of men and women who risked their lives to save and assist others that day. Some say, "Where was God that day?" But I say He was there, in the hearts of the people, in thier selfless acts. He was there holding up those towers while many escaped. I'm thankful that Americans came together that day, turned to God and loved each other. To comemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11, I'm going to take my son and go visit our local fire stations and uniform police divisions and let them know how grateful we are for there service. It is a gift for which I'm thankful!

21. The way my dogs greet me when I come home.
22. The owl in the back yard that "hoots" me to sleep at night.
23. A pastor who teaches me things that I can actually live by.
24. My husband helping me paint all my old kitchen furniture, making it look brand new again.
25. My 15 year old son telling me that he loves me every time he leaves the house and in between.
26. My Nikon D7000
27. A night spent laughing with girlfriends.
28. My wonderful neighbors.
29.  Having a car that gets me there.
30.  Getting a phone call from an old friend.
31. The cool crisp air that's moving in and wearing hoodie sweatshirts.
32. Taking daytrips around the state with my husband and son.
33. A beautiful flower arrangement made by my sister in law.
34. Having my doctor figure out why I wasn't sleeping.
35.  Having a beautiful peaceful bedroom where I can sit and read for hours.
36. My praise & worship music.
37. Having Godly parents who loved each other more than life.
38. Having photo editing software that does for my photos what I cannot do.
39. Finding just what I was looking for at the flea market.
40. Learning not to gripe by wearing my Gripes Be Gone bracelet from Linda Dillow.

I love being a part of Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts. We are all keeping track and you can find a whole community of thankful people there. I have only gotten through 40 now, so I have a long way to go, but oh, the joy of living a grateful life!

From His Lap,

Where Were You?

2011-09-05T13:00:00.000-05:00

I had trouble falling asleep last night, so I turned on the TV. I switched from channel to channel, watching all of the 9/11 ten year anniversary specials that were on. It brought back such a flood of memories for me. I remember exactly where I was at the instant it happened.

I had gotten the kids off to school and was watching one of the morning shows. When the first plane hit, I was a little shocked, but thought is was probably some little plane with a student pilot or something. As they were reporting, I watched in horror as the jetliner cut through the second World Trade Center Tower. I knew instantly, this was no accident and that something was horribly wrong.

Next came the reports about the Pentagon and the plane crashing in Pennsylvania, about 90 miles from my parents' home. I knew that my cousin worked in the World Trade Center. No one was able to reach him by phone. I found out later that it was his kid's first day of school and he stayed home later than usual to see them off and then caught a later ride to Manhattan. Had he left at his usual time, he would have been in the buildings when they were struck.

As I stood inches from my TV, watching in horror, I wrapped my arms around my waist, doubled over, and just screamed, "God, no!!" Somehow, instinctively, I knew nothing would ever be the same. I needed to know that God was in control, on His throne and would deliver us from this evil. I played Nicole C Mullen's song, My Redeemer Lives, about ten times as I wept on my knees right there in my living room. You can click on the link to hear her song and here are the some of the lyrics from that song that ministered to me in those moments:

"Who told the sun where to stand in the morning? Who told the ocean you can only come this far? And who showed the moon where to hide til evening? Whose words alone can catch a falling star?"
"Well I know my redeemer lives. I know my redeemer lives. Let all of creation testify. Let this life within me cry, 'I know my redeemer lives.'"
"The very same God that spins things in orbit runs to the weary, the worn and the weak. And the same gentle hands that hold me when I'm broken - they conquered death to bring me victory."
"I know my redeemer lives. Because He lives, I can face tomorrow."

After the Lord ministered to me through prayer and that song, I got in my car and drove to each of my children's school, picked them up and brought them home. I wasn't in fear that something was going to happen in Oklahoma where we live. I just needed to be near them.

9/11 changed so many things...for the world, this country, families... My brother became a police officer because of 9/11. My husband and brother both went to Louisiana for 18 months to help with restoration after Hurricane Katrina because of 9/11. Do you remember where you were, what you were doing and how you coped with what you saw? How did it change your life? Share with us how 9/11 touched you.

From His Lap,

Chains That Bind

2011-09-04T09:27:00.000-05:00

We took a day trip through a couple of little towns across Oklahoma this weekend. Some Saturdays are just good for that. We get in the car loaded with snacks and the camera and just drive wherever the road takes us. It seemed like today was perfect for shooting pictures of barns. There were so many of them along the way and the sky was a perfect backdrop of blue. Some, I could walk right up to and take pictures of, some had sagging wire fences that I could just hop over and others were gated and chained up, making it necessary to shoot them from the road. But I was able to get some great shots. I've always had a fascination with and a special love for the heartland, and to me, barns are the most beautiful symbol of Americana. Each, with it's own personality telling a different story of a hard working family who toils and works the land.

As we were winding down our trip for the day, we came across one last barn that I wanted to photograph. It was beautiful from the road and surrounded by wild sunflowers. I took a few shots from across the highway and hopped in the car to drive on down the road. As we got closer to the barn, my husband noticed a small dirt road leading to the barn. We turned the car around and went back. I was so excited that I was going to get to take pictures up close. As we turned in, we noticed a big iron gate that was chained up.

I thought the gate was locked up.

The gate swung open

So I got out and decided to take pictures as close as I could get from the other side of the gate.As I was busy leaning over the gate, shooting pictures of the barn, my husband had also gotten out of the car. I was too preoccupied to notice him. I turned to look at him and saw that he had simply unwound the chain on the gate. All of a sudden, it swung open wide. I was immediately struck with how easy that was! I had been able, only to see from afar, where I wanted to be. But now the chains were loosed and I was free to go all the way in and experience what I thought I could only enjoy from a distance.

I was reminded of the Scripture in Acts 12:7-11. Peter was in prison. All of a sudden, the Lord touched him and the chains fell off of Peter's hands. An angel led him out of the prison and down the street. Peter realized that God had set him free. He had to run to his friends to tell them how he had been in prison and God had caused him to be released!

Can it be that easy? Do we stay bound up by chains of sin and hurt and heartbreak, when He is just waiting to loose those chains and set us free; chains that keep us from what's on the other side? We can see what's waiting for us, but we are so preoccupied with what's wrong in our lives, that we don't take the simple actions necessary to be released. We need to seek Him and ask Him to intervene on our behalf. We need to trust that He knows the way out and will be faithful to do a good work in us. Then we need to be obedient in whatever steps He asks us to take in order for the chains to come off.

What chains are holding you back, Dear One? What has you tied up in knots? Go to Him in prayer and ask Him to loose them and set you free. He is faithful and merciful and a good Father and doesn't want to see His children in bondage.

From His Lap,

I Was Forgiven

2011-08-30T23:03:00.000-05:00

She was half my age, smart, arrogant and had no personality. She was my boss. She told me, "I don't want to know about your personal life, your kids, your family. Just do your job, get the results and we'll get along fine." And then I watched her systematically work to get people fired who had been on the job for 10, 15, 20 years. I watched her destroy a single mom who became ill with cancer and needed her job to survive. I heard her tell employees that she wasn't looking for personal relationships and that they didn't need to come by her office unless she invited them to come there.

I hated her...I did. I did my job and watched others around me fall like flies. I hated her. My heart grew dark and cold. I went to the CEO and told him that I couldn't watch her eliminate any more people. He said she was too valuable to the company, she was young, a go getter, and so I must go. I hated her. As I left, my little box packed with personal belongings, I gave her a smug smile that said, "I'm free of you and of your evil reign of terror." I hated her.

Why would someone who took pleasure in causing mayhem and destruction around her, prosper and be promoted, while hard working, dedicated people lost their jobs with no warning and no where to go? I hated her. It took me a while to recover before I could even begin a job search. I tried to stay in contact with others who had been so cruelly treated, but I was so filled with hate, that it was better to stay away.

I went to church, I prayed, I read Scripture, but I couldn't shake it...the hate...it began to have a foothold in me and a root of bitterness was formed. What was I to do? How could I be set free? Even though I was no longer at that job, she continued to control me by the hate in my heart. One early morning I was driven to my knees. Tears poured down my face, off my chin onto the floor. I told Him of all her wickedness and evil deeds. I rehearsed all she had done to my friends and co-workers.

I heard in my heart, "I don't see her that way". What, God - you don't see her that way? "I see her through the eyes of Jesus. I see her how I created her to be." But Lord, how do you see all the people she's hurt? "I'm talking about how I see her", I heard in my spirit. "She needs your prayers. She needs your forgiveness." Oh Lord, please don't ask that of me! Please don't ask that right now. "She needs it. I love her." My fists were so tightly clenched, my jaw ached as I gritted my teeth. "She needs forgiveness" I heard again.

In a flash, I saw her through the eyes of Jesus. He gave me a glimpse into her soul. She was weak and frightened. She was curled in a ball in the fetal position. I saw it all then, in my heart...she needed forgiveness. I knew in an instant that I would forgive her, but I had to do something else first. I asked Him to forgive me, to clean my dark soul and wash away the hate. He did it in the blink of an eye. I knew it. I was forgiven! I was clean! I felt light and free and whole. The anger and bitterness disippated. I can't even begin to describe what that felt like. Like sunlight was streaming through me and the swirling that had been in my head was gone.

I went back. When I stepped back in her office, I smiled at her again, just as I had smiled at her the day I left. Only this time, it was a smile of love, tenderness and compassion. I spoke to her kindly, told her that I forgave her and hoped that all was well with her. She looked startled and gave a slight smile, but caught herself. I turned and left there knowing that I had done what He asked me to do. What she did with it from there, was between her and God. But I was obedient and I was forgiven and it was the best feeling in the world.

What a hard, hard sweet lesson I learned on that day that I was forgiven. I was bathed in His light and God pulled me through. I was blessed and taken on a completely different path than I ever expected after that. God is faithful. God is good. And I'm forgiven.

This happened many years ago, but I'll never forget it. Today's word is "forgiven". What have you been forgiven of? What's your story?

Read other wonderful testimonies of forgiveness at Heart to Heart with Holley.

From His Lap,

One Thousand Gifts

2011-08-29T16:53:00.001-05:00

One Thousand Gifts

Eight uninterupted days of visiting with my father.
Unexpected rain that came during the night.
The lone sunflower God planted in my yard.
My mother's Bible with all of her notes.
God comforting in the midst of dispair.
My son telling me all about his day at school.
My beautiful new granddaughter.
Fresh herbs from the garden everyday.
My best friend who understands and does not judge.
My husband's ablitity to keep his truck running with 220,000 miles on it.
My beautiful home.
Cool mornings.
Neighbors bringing fresh vegetables from Iowa.
A heavenly Father who let's me get on His lap whenever I want to.
My mom's old stereo and albums.
Night time prayers with my son.
My husband calls me "Beautiful".
An unexpected call from my daughter in the middle of the day.
A full night's sleep.
An unquenchable desire to write of the things of God.

From His Lap,