Category Archives: Faith

Live for Today: Time is My Friend- by Donna

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Years ago at a family reunion, Karla and I were talking about middle school (which was called junior high then) band and chorus. She was a member of the marching Rebels, playing the mellophone and I was in chorus. Now just because I was a member does not mean I can sing well. But I love music and I love to sing (but only when no one is around). I told her about a song we sang that year called, “Time is My Friend”. She asked me to sing it for her. So, I said I would if no one was around. So we snuck behind the house. After my rendition, she smiled. “Sing it again, it’s beautiful. Please sing it again.” So, I sang it again while she gazed at me like I was Fraulein Maria and she was a Von Trapp child. We still laugh about that moment to this day. It was so stupidly silly. 

Friend or Enemy?

Recently, I wondered if time really is our friend. Maybe it is an enemy. Aging isn’t a fun process. My heart is drawn to elderly people I see when I am out running errands. I see some bent over, trying to walk through the store. Others struggle with their cane across the parking lot or hands shaking uncontrollably as they place their items on the conveyor belt. I watch my daddy with Alzheimer’s as time slowly dissolves pieces of his memory.

My cousin and I went to lunch Sunday. As we enjoyed a three hour meal catching up, inevitably the conversation at one point turned to us pointing out our gray hairs and increased number of wrinkles. We went as far as discussing that we wish we were more fond of needles, because we would be tempted to try Botox! I have another cousin, who is near my age, who is having hip replacement surgery this summer. I finally gave up and got contacts because I was tired of walking around with reading glasses on my head. (Turned out I needed bifocals!) Are we really at this point in life; our bodies going downhill? Moses was lucky. Deuteronomy 34:7, “Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone (NIV).

Back in Time

Another reason I wonder if time is a foe is you cannot get it back. My daughter and I went to the Cave Spring park the other day, just to relax and hang out. While she fell asleep under the shade tree, I sat and watched. Several children were wading in the cold creek and a birthday party was taking place under a pavilion. A sadness crept across me. When my children were young, we spent many a day at this park. It was the home of birthday parties, egg hunts, end of year school celebrations, fall festivals for school, jump rope and chorus performances, and the list could go on. I wished I could go back in time. Not just because I miss my kids being young, but because “what could I have done differently?” I watch them as young adults experiencing this new “adulting” stage of life and all its struggles.

My mama always said, “the older you kids get the more I worry about y’all.” At the time I thought “say it isn’t so” as I worried about a swallowed penny, a busted lip, or an infected ear. As usual Mama was correct. I long for the days when they, like the children I was watching, ran barefoot in the creek, splashing, laughing, without a care in the world. But time does not allow us to go backward.

Make the Best Use of Time

Good times or bad–there is no returning. The past can not be changed. Do not let your mind dwell, trying to determine how you could have better prepared them for the challenges of adulthood. This is a waste of time. Reminisce on the good times. Ephesians 5:16 “Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”

James 4:13-14 states, “Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” (NIV)

Look at the time set ahead of you. Thank God for each new day. The time that matters is the moment that is happening now. Make each day count. Let time be your friend. 

Time is My Friend

Time is my friend, for every time we meet

                    the time we spend is tender and sweet.

         Sweet songs to sing and pretty word to rhyme

                    And memories that cling thanks to time

Quiet paths to walk and long talks to talk

     And tall hills to climb and mountains of time

      And then time to go for everything must end

                     I’ll see you soon I know,

                     Knowing time is my friend, my friend.

                                      —Leslie Bricusse

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Pandemic Guidelines: Separated -By Karla

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Graduation Seating

As I looked upon a graduation field, I saw the candidates were adhering to the pandemic guidelines with chairs spaced the correct distance. Noticing the parents in the stands, they were spread appropriately six feet apart too. While the students were presented with their diplomas, I observed the principal and students elbow bump rather than shaking hands. Although their faces were masked, their pride was conveyed in their stride. Only my nephew’s mom and dad were allowed in the stadium. The rest of the family was left watching on a TV in the front yard of my sister’s house with space between our chairs. 

Sci-Fi?

All this separation. I keep feeling like we are in a sci-fi movie. Everyone standing and sitting far from each other adorning masks to block “the sickness”. Every good movie has a villain. In my imagination, this one is a huge metal-made, silver dinosaur-looking monster invading our planet with a virus that will destroy the world as we know it. 

The Real Enemy

Presently, we are guarding ourselves against the enemy, Covid-19. However, how well are we at guarding ourselves against the true enemy, Satan, who comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). His desire is to completely separate us from God.

We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23), and these sins separate us from God (Isaiah 59:2).

Satan separates us from God by confusing us about what is right and wrong. At times, we let the world’s culture define what is and isn’t sin. Truth is found in God’s word, not trends of the times. How will we know the truth if we spend more time with worldly things than in the presence of God? We don’t get to choose what is sin in God’s eyes, and we cannot rationalize sin into “right”. Oh, we try justifying what we have done by comparing our actions to others’, minimizing its wrongness, avoiding what is true, or blaming our actions on others. However, sin is sin to God! 

Ultimate Separation

Many believe we are Christians because we know who God is, but there is more. God longs for a relationship with us. In Matthew 7:22-23 the ultimate separation is foretold, “Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ 

I don’t know about you, but I am NOT loving this separated life. I miss hugging on my family and patting my students on the shoulder, and I do not like sitting six feet apart and wearing a mask that keeps others from seeing me smile. But when I sin, I am separating myself from God. He cannot hug on me in the way He wants because I have separated myself from Him. God is the one being we do not have to stay 6 feet from, it is our choice as to how close we get to him?

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Thoughts: Can You Hear Me Now? -Karla

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Donna was having the tires rotated and balanced. She sat outside enjoying the sunshine while she waited. What better way to kill time than to call her BFF, share some thoughts and shoot the breeze?When my phone rang, I paused from my house cleaning to sit a spell (as Nana would have said), so we could catch up with the last 24 hours of our lives.

What Happened?

After chit-chatting casually about current quarantine dilemmas and on-line school challenges and successes, she broke into another conversation. The topic was one that only besties would share. I listened intently as she unfolded the details. All of a sudden, I could not hear her. The call was not dropped. Clearly, she was there; I could hear noises in the background.

“Donna, can you hear me? Donna? What are those noises? Did you drop your phone?“ Maybe her phone broke. “Donna? Hello? Can you hear me?” This is weird; I hear male voices in the background. “Hello, where are you? Can you hear me now?” I laughed mocking the older Verizon commercial. 

With no reply, I shrugged my shoulders and hung up. That was one of the weirdest phone call issues I have ever had. Where did she go? It wasn’t like the call dropped. Hmmmm. Hopefully, she’ll call back; she was just getting to the good stuff. Maybe I should try to call her back?

Don’t Call Back

As the familiar “you have a text message” ding came through, I read, “DON’T call back.” Now my mind was totally intrigued as I was left dangling wanting to know the rest of the story and why I couldn’t call back with a capital DON’T! What had happened with her phone?

Within 15 minutes, my phone rang. Neither of us could hardly get a word in as we tried to recall the events of the mishap. I snorted when Donna revealed, “Oh my gosh, Karla! Apparently when my car was cranked, my phone automatically connected to my car speaker. They guys in the shop were listening to our entire conversation!!” 

“Wait, they just heard what we were talking about! Can they still hear us now? ”

“No, that is why I told you to wait so that I could disconnect it from the car.” 

She continued with the story, as now we were safe from outside ears. However, it was not without hoots of laughter because we were continuously visualizing the mechanics’ faces as they were listening to the beginnings of our conversation.

God Hears Our Thoughts

When I got off the phone, I was still chuckling! I believe the truth that someone is always listening, but I don’t think it is usually mechanics. Rather, it is God. He hears everything we say; in fact, he hears everything we think!

Many of us grew up hearing, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” We tend to think that as long as we didn’t say it out loud, we did nothing wrong. But your thoughts are heard. Matthew 12: 25 “Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them… Luke 6:8 “But Jesus knew what they were thinking…” Matthew 9:4 “knowing their thoughts, Jesus said…”; these are just a few examples of Jesus’ all knowing power.

God knows everything about us. 

Psalms 139:2- 3 (NIV) You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.

I think God is not listening to be nosey. Rather, He listens because He cares. 

Yes, we often remember to curb our words, realizing they should not be spoken, but God would love us to go one step further and be aware of our thoughts. So, that they will both honor God.

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Struggling Children: When in Doubt, Let Them Paddle it Out -by Donna

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I have watched ladies sob when the Titanic sank, and Jack slowly disappeared into the ocean or during Ghost when Patrick Swayze went to the light and faded away. I love those movies, but they do not bring out emotion in me, like a dog movie can. Give me Marley and Me or White Fang, and you will see my tears. 

During quarantine, my daughter and I have been walking her dog around a nearby lake. One morning as we stepped onto the path, we simultaneously noticed something black in the water following the geese and ducks. “It’s a dog!” I yelled!

The house I used to live in had a small lake and for several years we had a black lab. So, it was not surprising to see this. But as I approached the family, who was watching the dog, I became concerned. The woman was on the phone saying, “But I can’t swim!” She was standing with a pregnant lady and two small children. When we got within twenty feet, one of the little girls ran toward me in a panic. 

“Can you swim?”

“Yes, I can.” I smiled.

“Save our dog; he’s drowning!”

 I wasn’t worried until I talked to the lady on the phone. The woman called out to her daughter, “Boundaries. Six feet back.” She apologized for her daughter’s close proximity and then began telling me the events. “He has been swimming an hour! He won’t come back.”

How Long Can He Swim?

The dog was far out in the thirty-six-acre lake, and his head was barely above water. So, I watched and wondered. How long can this dog keep swimming? If that woman wasn’t exaggerating in the midst of her panic, he’s been out there an hour. That’s a long time! Dogs are smart, but when he gets exhausted, can he realize how far the swim back will be?

Several people had stopped walking and were gazing at the dog. While the family whistled and called, I began to worry. At times, his head would go down and only his snout was visible. My daughter frantically asked, “Are we going to just stand here and let it drown?”

“No, but I’m not sure what to do?” Having a big heart for dogs, desperation had already been building inside me. And he was swimming further out!

“We have a kayak!” She reminded me.

A Possible Plan

We went back to the car, drove the five minutes home and tried to see if the Kayak would fit in my small car. But the paddle was nowhere to be found, so that plan was out. I started back out the door, but saw two floats that belonged to my son in the laundry room. I grabbed one. 

As I walked back around the lake, holding a float and leash, I thought, can I do this if I have to. Am I strong enough to pull out a sixty-pound dog — if necessary? It’s been over thirty years since I was a lifeguard.

The little girl ran toward me with excitement. “You have a float! You’re going to save him!”

I turned to the woman asking, “Is he a friendly dog?”

As people continued to whistle, to our delight, he began swimming back. But when he was almost to shore, a goose honked and around he turned. He swam and swam. When he was far out, he gave a bark here and there. 

Wait

Is he calling for help? It was agonizing to watch him swim around and around in circles, and then his head submerged briefly. I could take it no longer. As I started to take my shoes off, I heard a man behind me call out, “Wait.” 

I turned and saw a man standing with his dog. “He is struggling, but he is strong.”

“They said he’s been out there an hour! And his head went under a minute ago!” I desperately whined.

“You can’t see underneath. His legs are still strong. I can tell by his stride in the water.”

So, I stood hugging my float feeling helpless but hoped the man knew what he was talking about. He stood with me for a while, but at some point, I turned around, and he was gone. Oh my gosh! Where did he go? He’s supposed to be watching and letting me know when the struggle is real? 

About five minutes later, he suddenly reappeared and stated, “I was watching from my window. He’s still strong.” 

He sensed my extreme anxiety over the situation and said, “If someone has to go in, I’ll go.”

“If someone has to go in, I will.”

Later at home as I pondered the day’s events, I smiled as I recalled how the dog emerged from the lake and the excitement on the families faces. I thought about how the dog scenario was so much like life as a parent and even as a teacher. Watching a child (no matter the age) struggle is so difficult. You want to step in and rescue them. But often we just need to stand on the shore to encourage and cheer them on. They will make it.

The man who stood behind me was like God, metaphorically speaking. God is watching our children struggle too. He wants to remind us, we can’t see what is happening below the surface. We just see the struggle on their faces. They are often stronger than we give them credit. At times we may feel like God has disappeared and left us alone with the problem. But like the man who was watching from his window, He is still there. Perhaps the most important thing is, “If someone has to go in, I will!” Deuteronomy 31:8 states “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you…” 

The dog made it in, though tired and wet. When our children go through struggles, they may come out weary, but the struggles help them grow. As hard as it is, we must sometimes sit back, encourage, and resist the temptation to jump in and save them. If we do, they may miss the lessons learned and the opportunity of growth to help them avoid making the same mistake twice.

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Enough- by Karla

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I do not mean to dis the shoe industry, but I was driving to school a month or so ago when I heard a radio personality discussing the new kind of tennis shoes that tie themselves! Really? Yep, they are rechargeable by placing them on a special pad every ten or so days.

When I heard about the self-tying tennis shoes, I thought, “Who is their target audience?” I surmised the interested group might be parents of young kids, athletes, and older people who have a difficult time bending over.

 I truly do understand there are some who would benefit from this shoe, and I mean no disrespect to those individuals, but I thought about the general public and how we do not need those. Are they a need for most? Absolutely not, yet many will purchase. Why? I believe because Americans just can’t seem to understand “enough”.

Very and Really

 As a middle school teacher, I know I have had enough of several things. Why is it that when one person gets permission to go to the restroom, another ten need to go? Another example is the use of the word very. You know you’ve seen it. “I want to get a dog very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very much.” Occasionally, the kid will slot the word very for the word really:”I really, really, really, really, really want a dog.” I am thankful for elementary teachers who have helped kids learn the verys and reallys are a little too much. I guess somewhere along the way some elementary teachers had had enough! I now notice that as kids get older they move away from using very over and over to capitalizing an entire word. Like the example below:

Capitalizing

My poor little dog Lily. I BACKED OVER her one cool, fall morning. I was in a HURRY, and I do NOT think she heard my car crank. She was hurt BADLY, and I thought she was going to DIE! It was a LONG recovery, but for the most part, she is FINE. Because of the accident, she often has bathroom problems. YUCK! When I leave my house almost EVERY morning, I find a BIG SURPRISE on my front porch. UGH! It is kind of GROSS! I LOVE her, but I have certainly seen ENOUGH of DOG POOP on my porch to last me a LIFETIME!

Enough is Enough

Speaking of the word enough…If I had a nickel for every time Mom  said, “Okay, girls! Enough is enough,” I would be quite wealthy. Maybe even ENOUGH to buy some of those shoes! My interpretation of Mom’s familiar saying was “Karla, you had better find your stop button fast!” So, I did in those moments because Mom was serious about the line between playing around and when it was time to stop! Though the limits may be unclear at times, there is much importance in learning when to draw the line. Those words have helped me develop an internal stop.

By the way, the phrase, “I’m not feeling well ENOUGH to…” was a no go with my mom also. She would say, “Well, get up. Wash your face and brush your teeth. Then you’ll feel better. Even if you don’t feel good ENOUGH to do all you need to, you can feel good ENOUGH to do some things.”

More Than Enough

God knows I struggle with the enough button with certain foods. Yes, I am going here…Put some GOOD OLE, garden fresh vegetables and cornbread in front of me, and I can eat until I realize I have had MORE than enough. Perhaps, you know the feeling? It is not just vegetables. I sure LOVE cousin Marlene’s coconut pies, Aunt Anna’s chocolate delight, and my Nana’s—- oatmeal brownies, rice crispy treats, $300 cake, and Ophie pound cake! Sometimes, the ONLY enough button I have with these scrumptious treats is when I arrive late in getting to the dish and it is almost gone.

God’s Enough

I think God has some ENOUGHS also. I am sure He has had enough of our BAD CHOICES. But, He never says, I’ve had enough of YOU!

Because when it comes right down to it: 

GOD never tires of us bringing our PROBLEMS to Him in prayer.  

And WE can NEVER get ENOUGH of HIS WORD, HIS LOVE, and HIS FELLOWSHIP!

(Bold words are another way kids love to show emphasis in their writing.)

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Peace like a River -Karla

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My oldest, adult daughter and I were talking recently about how different our lives are now that we are quarantined. I must be overusing the word crazy to describe everything lately because Lindsey replied to a comment I made with the words, “Mom, I was expecting you to say, ‘Yes, that’s crazy!’”  

I am not sure why I use that word so often; perhaps it is because I stay at such a loss for an adequate word to describe life as we are currently living. This week in addition to the Coronavirus, the storms seemed to swirl over millions sweeping destruction along their paths.

A Different Easter

Easter seemed so different this year, yet it was the same. I was alone all day, yet I wasn’t. Though technology certainly does have its pitfalls, Sunday it served us well. Through Zoom on Sunday, our ladies’ class continued with our Bible study: Rhythms of Renewal: Trading Stress and Anxiety for a Life of Peace and Purpose by Rebekah Lyons. Afterwards, I was able to worship in song online from my church’s prerecorded music. I viewed my pastor’s message from Emmaus Baptist Church, and then I observed the message from the church I attended as a child (First Baptist Church McCaysville / Copperhill).

Finally, my youngest daughter Rachel and I watched Passion City Church online together though we were about 80 miles apart. Later in the afternoon, I was in wonder while watching the production of “Jesus” by the Sight and Sound Theatre. Yes, this Easter was different, but maybe it was what God had in mind for me. A time to repeatedly take in His Good News.

Stormy Weather

As the storms began rolling in that evening, I realized the magnitude of the situation. Perhaps my concern was the storms were predicted to come and go continuously throughout the night. Maybe, my apprehension was caused by being alone. I would have no one to wake me if I was sleeping if the storm became too violent. Possibly, my worries were related to the uncertainty of our current situation with the Coronavirus. I will admit to changing some of my nightly routines a bit Sunday evening as preventive safety measures.

 Monday morning, I woke up having been protected by God and feeling very loved from friends and family who had checked on me during those 24 hours. I pray that those who have lost homes or other possessions can feel His hand on their lives and those who lost loved ones can feel His comfort.

Peace Like a River

A dear friend of mine texted another friend and me to check on us. The three of us exchanged “good here” messages, and then we text-chatted for a while. One of the friends lives on a farm that has a nice-sized creek. They have built a permanent picnic area complete with a playground and gazebo. Over the years, we have enjoyed the area along with their family. The creek is often so low that it does not rise over the rock wall built for a waterfall. However from the storms, it was pouring over producing an incredible sight. After viewing her short video and wrapping up our conversation, I immediately began singing “Peace like a River.”

Peace Like a River

The Bible study by Rebekah Lyons is teaching and reminding us that God is in control of all. In His love for us, He has created rhythms for us to rest and restore. I default back to my apparent overstated word, CRAZY: irrational, wild, bizarre, cracked, idiotic, and out of control. From my view, our world seems to take on these descriptors more than ever. Yet the pattern of the seasons continue, and the sun rises and sets. The sound of the flowing stream produces peace like a river and overwhelms my soul with His love and comfort that He — and only He —- is in control. No matter what craziness is going on around me, if I choose to pause with Him, peace like a river will reassure my mind and my soul.

Love, Joy and Peace

Without adequate rest to find peace within, I will lack the ability to show a God-sized love for others. As I rest in His peace, He will produce love like an ocean, which can flow from me into the hearts and minds of those in need. In the song, the third verse explodes with joy like a fountain. Joy is contagious! The fountain of joy can spew onto others as we share the true meaning of peace, love, and joy.

For as is stated in the book of Ecclesiastes, there is a time and season for everything. Perhaps, God, in his almighty and sovereign power, is demanding a time of rest for His children as we restore from reading His Word. Let us be refreshed and take His peace, love, and joy into the CRAZY and dying world.

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Covid: Life, Interrupted- by Donna

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With very little warning, life has been interrupted. Over the last few weeks, the usual is no more. What was my norm? My norm was teaching school all day, seeing my daddy every weekend,  going to church, having a daughter attend college, meeting Karla every Thursday at Cracker Barrel, having all needed essentials, and not being afraid to be in a crowd. 

Class Dismissed

I never imagined that when I told my second grade students goodbye March 11th, my year would be over. My heart is broken. Now, I am still working, but if you are not a teacher, you may not understand. I saw a comment on Facebook that questioned why teachers were sad saying it was no different than when they are out for summer. But it absolutely is different! When the last “real” day of school arrives, you can say “mission accomplished”. You have loved, taught, encouraged, protected, and have poured your heart, body, and soul into that group of children. But when school abruptly ended this year, my journey with these students did as well. My heart is not ready to “give them to the third-grade teacher.”  

No Entry

Since January, each weekend, I have driven to Blairsville, Georgia. My daddy is currently residing in a nursing home. I never dreamed that my March 7th would be my last chance to see him for a long time. What disturbs me most is he is suffering from Alzheimer’s. So, my heart breaks knowing that when I can return, he may not know who I am.

The Lord’s Supper

Church is also very different now. Rather than getting dressed, driving across town, and sitting in a pew, I am in a recliner with the computer and dog in my lap watching online. Palm Sunday I was watching my childhood pastor. It was communion Sunday, and the pastor, knowing we didn’t have unleavened bread lying around, suggested getting something else to use. So, I partook of the Lord’s supper with orange juice and a single corn pop out of the Kellogg’s cereal box!  Yes, it was different but the symbolism was the same. His blood and body sacrifice for my sins.

So Many Changes

My daughter and her dog have moved in temporarily with her two brothers and me, rather than stay alone at her place during the Corona virus quarantine. She is currently in her junior year as a theatre major. So, days are interesting. While I am on Google Classroom, she is moving furniture, taking pictures off the walls and removing plants to create a make-shift studio, complete with camera and light to film her acting classwork. When she is “Zooming” for her virtual classes, in order to keep the den quiet for her, I have banished myself to the bedroom to do my work while herding both of our dogs.

Karla and I have met for dinner every Thursday night at Cracker Barrel for over a year. I never envisioned a time when restaurants would only be serving drive thru or curbside. I long for my usual turnip greens and cornbread muffins. It’s been way too long. Karla and I make “Bertha and Geneva” videos when we meet. (It’s two Southern ladies on Facebook.) For fear of not being able to video as much, we broke quarantine, and met in the Kroger parking lot recently. We took several changes of clothes and filmed three just to stock up. 

Even the simple things in life have been interrupted. Toilet paper is hard to find. Many shelves sit empty in the stores, and tape marks the floor, so you stay six feet back. People are shopping wearing gloves and masks. Many have lost jobs and have no income. People are sick and some are not recovering. Life is different now.

This entire scenario is a reminder that life can change at any moment. Confusion, skepticism, and fear are lurking, but one thing remains constant, our God.

And if you think this Corona virus has created chaos, I hope you are prepared for the rapture!

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Forgiveness: Giggles and Grudges -By Karla

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Best Friends

Recently my daughter Lindsey’s best friend got married. Oh, the adventures these two girls have had over the years. I will never let them the time they their giggles caused them to not pay attention. Hence, while carrying tiki torches to the pond, they caught the woods on fire! They have been the best of friends since four and five. Never have a heard them hold a grudge.

Traveling Buddies

Lindsey and Mary Faith have traveled so many places. One threw up over the mountainous road, heading toward GA camp (Girls in Action). Soon after, they tread into baptismal waters on the same day, sealing their friendship on a deeper level as they are now Christian sisters. Mary Faith’s grandparents were probably never the same after traveling with these two girls and hearing their giggles for days to North Carolina for vacation. There have been trips to Florida together with the moms and siblings as well. Countless laughs over the years!

Today or Yesteryear?

Along with another friend, I hosted a bridal shower for Mary Faith. We played a “how well do you know the bride” game. It asked questions like where and when did the bride and groom meet. Other questions focused on the bride: when is her birthday and what is her favorite color? As I continued to answer the questions, memories cascaded into my mind. She is just like a daughter to me. 

As they stood before the group, one minute I viewed them as graceful grown ladies and the next as the two insecure, sill teenagers from yesteryear. We began sharing our answers, and I realized I was getting many incorrect.

How are my answers incorrect? I know her so well.

What Is Your Favorite . . .

“What is Mary Faith’s favorite sport?” Lindsey polled. I was torn between basketball and volleyball. They played both of these together for years at school. Volleyball! That’s the right choice. When Mary Faith revealed, “hockey”, I shook my head in disbelief.

“Favorite movie?” I responded Twitches! This movie scared the girls so badly when they were preteens that they cried. I knew Ella Enchanted was probably the bulls-eye answer, so I went with that. But again, I was wrong. What in the world is wrong with her? Her answers are not matching mine–which I knew were correct!  The memory of the Twitches was too good not to share. The girls doubled over in laughter at the recollection as did the attendees. 

At the end of the game, I asked if I could share Mary Faith’s favorite song because, obviously, she did not know it. “Hoedown Throwdown!” by Miley Cyrus,” I shouted. More giggles. Before the event had concluded, they did a short rendition of the childhood dance. 

Frozen Giggles

Driving home loaded with leftovers and decorations, I realized that I had frozen time. I had Mary Faith stuck in my head as a girl—different ages spanning in time for many years, but still my memories where frozen in time. As wrong as my answers had been, I knew they had been right at some point in time. I never entertained the possibility that she was not that person anymore. At that moment, my brain had another jolt. I wonder how many times I do that with people. 

The situation of freezing memories of them in their younger years caused me to evaluate another thing that I have been guilty of freezing in time.

Frozen Grudges

We often hold onto grudges from the past towards people who have mistreated us–not even remotely considering that person might have changed over the years.

We all have people who have done us wrong. There was the girl in junior high that dared the boy to “go with me” as a joke, the co-worker who “said this”, or the relative who “did that”. In our minds, we so often hold onto that memory and freeze it in time. We clinch it into our fist and hold it so tightly that we cannot breathe around it. Possibly, with each time we think or retell the incident, the anger gets stronger.

I very much recognize that there are people who we truly must guard our hearts from because they have hurt us, and if we let them, they will continue to hurt us. But, these people are few and far between, and even with these people, God asks us to not hold onto that anger.

“and when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” 

Mark 11:25

Freeze framing injustice limits our spiritual growth. When we keep grievances alive in our memory and heart, we sin against God. How thankful are we that God has removed the sins we have commented against Him as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). Animosity towards others is not biblical. Matthew shares how Peter asked Jesus how many times we are to forgive. Jesus answered him, “I say not unto thee, until seven times: but, until seventy times seven.”

Just like Mary Faith is no longer that giggly girl that she was years ago, those people who have wronged us, may have changed over time as well. Yet, we often still freeze the moment they hurt us and the accompanying feelings. Give them the benefit of the doubt. Let the past stay in the past, letting go of that grudges. As Ana from Frozen would say, “Let it go; let it go.” 

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Doers of the Word: What Did He Say? -Donna

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In the South we tend to have lazy tongues. We omit our ending sounds: going becomes goin’ and  kept becomes kep’. Recently while in Texas, Karla and I decided to stop at a local restaurant. When we walked in, It had a small down-home feeling. Besides us, there were only about eight other patrons in the place. We quickly noticed the man who was making rounds from table to table. Clearly, everyone knew him. He reminded us of Uncle Jesse from the TV show The Dukes of Hazzard (‘79-’85). He wore faded blue overalls and a button up shirt. Snow white hair graced his head and face. 

After table-hopping to visit the other locals, he approached our table with a huge smile that could only be detected because his beard widened. “Hey ladies. I’ve spoke to ever’body else, so I had to come tell y’all hello too. That way you can say the crazy pastor talked to you too.” We smiled, laughed, and said hello. But as soon as he walked away, we looked at each other with unsure, large eyes. “Did he say pastor or bastard?” I questioned in a whisper voice, half laughing and half alarmed. Immediately, Karla replied, “I was gonna ask you the same thing! I think he said pastor. I mean ever’one in here knows him, and he’s so nice and friendly.”  I said, “True, but it sure sounded more like bastard, just with the d dropped.”

Confusion

Now if you were a teen in the late 80’s or early 90’s, you probably watched Saturday Night Live at some point. This situation reminded me of the “Pat” character. Pat was an individual in skits, and it was never clear if Pat was a male or female. After our brief remembrance of Pat, we felt we were in a similar boat. 

In five minutes or so another local came in the door. They immediately recognized each other. The man walked over to “Uncle Jesse” and said, “Hey man, how are ya?”  Jesse replied, “I have my wife and my Bible; I am great! ” Karla and I smiled, shook our heads up and down, whispering, “He said pastor.” 

As we ate our salads, we heard him loudly talking. He remarked about all the “s–t” that has been going on lately. We made eye contact and silently mouthed, “he said bastard.” While we waited for our steak and chicken to arrive, we were pretty sure he was bowing his head, saying the blessing. Maybe we were wrong, maybe we didn’t hear the s word earlier.  He probably said pastor.  

Ketchup on a Steak

Being that we were in Texas, I ordered a nice, big steak. I asked the waitress for ketchup. She brought it back and placed it on the table. As I squirted it onto my plate, Uncle Jesse yelled across the room. “You best not be puttin’ ketchup on a steak!” I looked up and Uncle Jesse was glaring at me! Now I do eat ketchup on a steak, but I sure wasn’t going to tell him that. But instead of lying, I smiled and held up a fry, leading him to believe the ketchup was for them. Karla became tickled as she pointed out that before dipping my steak each time, I made sure he wasn’t looking. I felt as if I was doing something I would have gotten in trouble for when I was a kid. 

After his wife was paying for their meal, he came over and apologized for the ketchup comment. He said he was just kidding and talked so sweetly about his wife and his local friends. Karla and I nodded at each other and smiled, signaling “pastor”, but the conversation took a quick turn. He began talking about when he was a kid. Every sentence contained a curse word. We raised our eyebrows signaling “bastard”. When He bid us farewell, he took his wife by the hand and left. 

Deceiving Ourselves

The irony of the situation was the wall Karla’s seat faced was covered with crosses. So many sizes and shapes. There must have been 50, but the wall I faced was decorated with shot glasses. 

When we got in the car, Karla remarked that so many Christians are like that. One minute we are a shining light for Christ and the next we are doing something that makes people wonder if we are a Christian at all. Surely, our sinful nature confuses the unsaved leaving them to wonder how our lives as Christian are any different than theirs. 

I’m not saying that if we say a curse word, tell a lie, or take a little something from our workplace that we are not Christian. Most believers have done one or even all of these, but it may cause a non-Christian to take a double take. 

Though Christians are human and still sin daily, we should be striving to be different! In James 1:22, the Bible says, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”  

Uncle Jessie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TaWtUFmtNE

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Adoption: Mother Miracle -By Karla

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My friend Tonya was born with Turner Syndrome, which is a chromosomal abnormality that affects the development in females. Maybe you are like me and had never heard of this condition, but I know you have heard of God. Having a child was impossible, but adoption is God’s miracle.

Miracle Number One: Tonya’s Birth

Approximately ninety-eight of pregnancies with Turner Syndrome abort spontaneously. Tonya was among the two percent!

Physical Features of Turner Syndrome

  • Shorter stature
  • Neck with a webbed appearance and shorter
  • Lower-set ears that often stick out
  • Elbows with a deformity that causes them to turn outward instead of having the ability to lay flat when the arm is straightened
  • Puffy feet and hands
  • Low hairline
  • Upturned finger and toenails
  • High arched palate
  • Receding lower jaw
  • Large pigmented moles
  • Broad shoulders
  • Lessen breast growth

Medical Issues of Turner Syndrome

  • Born with heart defects (often a narrowed section of the aorta)
  • Aorta tearing with age
  • Droopy eyes and cataracts
  • Frequent ear infections that can cause hearing loss
  • Kidney issues due to their horseshoe shape
  • Scoliosis
  • Diabetes
  • Underactive thyroid (often resulting in weight gain or slower weight loss)
  • Blood pressure issues
  • Stomach issues like Crohn’s disease
  • Lack of ovaries

Social Concerns of Turner Syndrome

  • Lack of ability to understand social cues
  • Low self-esteem
  • Struggles with “fitting in

Cognitive Disabilities of Turner Syndrome

  • Spatial misjudgments
  • Nonverbal learning disabilities
  • Developmental delays
  • Possible behavioral problems

Tonya has some of the issues in all the above categories, but like most who have Turner Syndrome, she does not have all. When Tonya was born, doctors told her mom not to expect her to even know what a brush was used for! However, God had other plans for Tonya. I believe that is due to His supreme knowledge. He knew her heart, and He knew how she would use this heart to love others.

Education Miracles

She did know how to use a brush–and so much more! Tonya graduated from high school in 2003. God planted a love for children, so she went to Berry College and received her teaching degree in Early Childhood Education. On her 12th year of teaching, Tonya has positively affected about 900 students. She cares for them as if they were her own. As the years have gone and she has matured as a woman, the desire to be a mom has grown as well.

Miracle of Service

Moving back to her hometown, she began teaching and started serving in her church with children and youth departments. Her sweet little ears went under four surgeries to help their physical appearance and hearing abilities when she was young. As she aged, with the help of a hearing aids, she has listened, heard, and advised many girls, who needed a Christian friend, over the years.

Music Miracle

In addition, she uses her beautiful voice to minister to others. Learning to depend on others to help her in the areas of weakness, she is careful to make sure she is blending with her praise team, singing with a voice that always glorifies the Lord! Her solos leave me inspired.

Humbling to Ask for Help

Often she asks her passengers for parking help; she eases into spots careful not get too close to obstructions. She asks for assistance and reassurance from those she trusts most to compensate in the areas that Turner Syndrome has left its permanence.

About three years ago, Tonya asked me to accompany her in meeting with a Christian adoption agency. They were encouraging, sharing that they accept singles’ applications and thought Tonya would be a good candidate to adopt. Hearing the process, I became hopeful that this could in fact be a reality for Tonya to become a mom!

However, when we left, Tonya and I discussed the money part of adoption and how this would be the biggest obstacle. She reviewed her finances as we ate lunch. Overwhelmed but enthusiastic, we prayed. As the years past, she continued to pray for God’s will and His timing.

Miracle of Love

In July of 2018, Tonya came for a visit with a tone and facial expression that could hardly be contained. Her announcement has become among the most precious miracles I have personally ever seen develop. An older teen-ager, who needed a home was taken in by a family friend. Over the years, she gave birth to a child. The family continued to provide a home for both the girl and her baby. As the girl matured and cared for her own child, she continued to have a steady, loving relationship with the couple who was providing for them.

When her first child was around two, she became pregnant again. Being a loving mother, she knew she could not care for both children. She prayed and sought Godly wisdom. It was then that Tonya’s name entered the scene. The single mother knew in her head and heart that Tonya would be the best mom for her baby. She and the foster family continued to pray as they kept the possibility to themselves. As the days went by, the reality of her baby continued to develop. In the lady’s final trimester, Tonya was asked a question that only a mother, who truly loves her child, would ask.

Would you take my child and raise her as your own?

I worried more than Tonya that the girl might change her mind, and who could blame her! It takes unselfish love to sacrifice for your child.

Tonya shared that she concluded her two choices: Exist with worry for the next twelve weeks living guarded, or freely enjoy every moment on this possible path God was unfolding

So, enjoy she did, going to every doctor’s visit and buying necessities. Praying for the little girl’s lungs to fully develop, her nails to completely form, and perhaps to even find her thumb to suck as she progressed in pounds and length, she delighted. Tonya also prayed for the mother’s health and her emotional well-being. While others worried; she rejoiced for the upcoming birth of a newborn.

Insurance Blessing

Her insurance allowed her to not only have maternity-leave, but they also covered a room at the hospital for Tonya and Baby Evie to share! When she was born, the nurses helped both mom and baby transition and bond.

Walking into the hospital the day after Evie was born, I was the one who could not contain my tone or facial expressions. In fact, the realization of the Lord’s grace left me almost shaking in awe.

Holding little Evie, tears rolled down my face. I look to my precious friend, whose face held the glow of a new mother. While I was comprehending what was taking place, she had already accepted the magnitude of God’s gift that she had been granted.

Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalms37:4

“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 hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” Jeremiah 29:11-12

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