Trap Line Success!

I received an early morning call from my husband. I could hear the excitement in his voice. “Are you up? I need your help…” He had gotten up at 4:30 am to head out in the pitch dark to check his trap line which he had been attending to all week. Each morning upon his return I would ask, “How did you do today?” He would offer an answer of disappointment. But he had not given up nor lost hope! He continued his efforts.

This was only his second session this trapping season. The first ended with a broken down 4 wheeler which left him with no choice but to pull the entire line that he had invested that entire morning setting.

Sensing his disappointment and lack of success, as his wife I did what I often do on his behalf. I went to the Lord in prayer! Not only did the Lord answer my prayers, He exceeded them.

The exciting phone call was the report of a harvested bobcat! He has often communicated his desire of catching a bobcat and now his desire was complete. A disappointing beginning has turned out to be very exciting!

We can choose to be supporters of our loved ones interests, whether it is photography, outdoor exploration, hunting, sports, coaching, fishing, woodworking or any other hobby. I don’t participate in Steve’s trap line often but I do try to go out with him at least once a season. I’m a huge supporter of Steve and if it’s important to him it’s important to me.

I love that my God is able to do immeasurably more than all I ask or imagine according to His power that is at work within me! When I went to Him in prayer I did not ask specifically for a bobcat but God knew that would fulfill Steve’s desire and He did immeasurably more than I asked! He’s such a grand God!

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)

Image courtesy of Gloria Stucky

To Be So Celebrated!

How can one moment have such a powerful impact on life! Another trip to Nashville to visit family and I didn’t see it coming!

It’s a tough trip driving to Nashville on a Friday evening exhausted from the full week of work. When we normally arrive to our daughter’s home the grandkids are peeking out the fingerprinted windows anticipating our arrival and greet us at the door with great excitement. This time was different. We knocked to no answer. Where were they? Not even a bark from Viking their not so vicious Terri-poo. Since the door was unlocked we made our way inside yelling “hello.”

Naomi, our 3 year old granddaughter had been playing back in her room. When she heard our entrance she came joyfully running down the long hallway, jumping with excitement. She ran into my arms yelling “My G.G.! My G.G.!” Her excitement over our presence was a true celebration. There was no denying her love for us. In that moment the stress and hardships of the week instantly melted away. I seriously fought back the tears that welt up in my eyes as I found comfort in such an expression of adoration over my physical presence. It was a powerful moment!

Have you ever felt celebrated? If your first thought is “no,” let me tell you there is One who deeply desires to celebrate your presence. So deeply that He allowed His one and only Son to die on the cross for your sin that you could one day stand in the presence of God and celebrate!

Are you willing to open the unlocked door and walk through to the greeting of a lifetime? How ridiculous had I stood there and ignored the beautiful welcome of Naomi! How ridiculous of you to ignore the sacrifice that has been made on your behalf! Open the door and begin the celebration!

2 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us,God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:1-9 (NIV)

Image courtesy of Gloria Stucky

I was certain I had just killed my baby!

As I opened the front door the wind powerfully pulled it from my hands. I quickly reached for it in hopes of preventing it from blowing off the hinges again. In my attempt to save the door, my body launched forward pushing the stroller which held my infant son. The impact forced it down the steps in front of me where it flipped landing upside down on the concrete sidewalk.

I stood there screaming for so long that I lost my voice! I stopped long enough to listen for his cries and heard complete silence. Not a peep came from inside the still upside down stroller. I was certain I had just killed my baby! Shaking uncontrollably, incredibly weak, unsure what I should do next I found enough strength to flip the stroller over and investigate the consequences of my failure as a mother.

His face was bloodied where the skin had been ripped from the impact with the concrete. He was attempting to cry but no sound came from his tiny little body. Somehow I managed to make it to the hospital. Why I didn’t just call for help is still unknown to me. Upon full examination, the doctor assured me he would be okay and then turned his attention to me. In his experience he knew I was also a victim in this situation. He knew I would struggle to forgive myself for bringing such harm to my baby.

These memories all came flooding back to me after I ran into a neighbor as she was pushing her adorable, almost 6 week old baby in the stroller. I was reminded how challenging those early years of motherhood can be – especially with multiple children.

As I listened to her joys and challenges I said a quick prayer, “Lord, help me to be an encouragement.” I didn’t share any nightmare stories of my own experiences nor did I tell her everything would be okay. I let her know how proud I was of her ability to discern and communicateI reminded her, that it is okay to struggle and I encouraged her to embrace those struggles on those difficult days. For those are the days we look back to and remember our great need for our Savior and His continued grace upon our lives.

My children endured their fair share of parental dysfunctions and inabilities but in the midst of it all, they had a Father who loved them and cared for them in ways unfathomable by their earthly parents. He is the one Who gets all glory for the two beauties I have the joy of calling my children! So blessed by the privilege of motherhood!

Image courtesy of “Baby Feet” by tuelekza at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Lights, Camera, Action!

How do you like being filmed on camera? Our son is a film student at Columbia College of Chicago. We have encouraged his creative mind for years and it’s been so much fun watching him develop creatively.

On his most recent trip home, he filmed a couple of my devotions which will be posted on my website. Being in front of a camera makes me a bit uncomfortable. He skillfully worked to help me feel more at ease and let me start over as many times as necessary.

The highlight of our project was our opening prayer. His prayer really stuck with me and served as an incredible reminder! He asked the Lord to be glorified in the end result. Not Sam or Sam’s abilities, not Gloria or Gloria’s ministry but to God be the glory!

It really stood out to me because I struggle with the responsibility of building a platform. In today’s world, it’s not enough to have a valuable message or product that can help or benefit others if you don’t have a platform to share the goods. At times, building that platform feels like drawing attention to self even though my heart’s desire is to glorify Christ. The Lord has given me a compelling desire for ministry. Ministry for me is about glorifying God and drawing attention to Him! Ministry done well, in my opinion, allows others to see through us toward Christ.

Years ago, God used a dynamic woman who was sold out for Christ to draw me to Himself. When I spent time with her I walked away saying: “I want what she has.” What I later learned, the attractive fruit in her life was the result of her relationship with Christ.

Building a platform is not the chief goal. It is the means by which we are granted the opportunity to share precious truths of a God who is worthy to be glorified!

What about you, what is your heart’s desire? What compels you? What dreams are you working toward? What is your motivation and Who gets the glory?

³¹So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)

Baby, All You Have To Do Is Ask!

Have you ever allowed fear of rejection to paralyze you and keep you from acting? I sure have and it’s a miserable place to be!

I wanted to ask our pastor’s wife to join me in leading a Bible study guide I had written on the Book of Ruth, but fear of rejection paralyzed me and kept me from acting in obedience.

Why such fear? If you know her you know she loves people well and is not scary in any way. She’s incredibly approachable and unintimidating yet (I’m a little embarrassed to say) I chose to stay safe rather then put myself out there and take the chance of being rejected.

The Bible study she was facilitating was coming to an end and she asked the group “How many of you would like to do another study?” There was great interest and as she asked for future study recommendations my heart instantly began to race. I had missed my opportunity. One of the attendees recommended a Ruth study she had viewed at the local LifeWay Christian bookstore. I immediately felt like someone had punched me in the stomach. I screamed inside: “No, you can’t do THAT Ruth study! Let’s do mine!” But I sat there in silence, ashamed of my unwillingness to speak up.

I bawled the entire route home: “Why would anyone want to do my study when there are so many great options out there?” My husband greeted me as I walked through the front door and immediately realized something was wrong. He listened closely as I explained what had just happened. He was relieved to hear my story as he thought it was something more serious. His reply was simple! “Baby, all you have to do is ask!”

I knew he was right but I didn’t want to ask! What if she said no! What if the group really didn’t want to do my Bible study guide? What if I put myself out there and the very thing I feared (rejection) happened! I would rather them come to me and ask me to do it. But that didn’t happen so my only choice was to ask.

So I wrote her an email: “…I have been praying about asking you to consider co-leading the Bible study I wrote on the book of Ruth…”

A portion of her reply: “…Truth be told – God has been laying on my heart to do something with you. Isn’t that crazy??…”

So she and I shared in the awesome privilege of studying God’s word with a group of precious ladies!

Sometimes the Lord opens tremendous doors and we don’t even have to knock! Other times He requires we step out in faith and act risking the chance of rejection. We can’t just sit back and believe it can happen without being willing to take action when required. Faith without deeds is useless.

Is there something you have been putting off? Baby, all you have to do is ask! The answer may not be what we want to hear but how will we ever know if we don’t ask? Sometimes it’s more about our obedience than the answer we receive.

Image courtesy of “Question symbol” by graur razvan ionut at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Stay-At-Home Mom Gone Executive Vice President

After years of being a stay-at-home mom I went to work part-time with an ad specialty company. I was on board from the infant stages working from the basement of our owner’s home. I showed up ready to work on my first day but completely unaware what a promotional business was even about. I was so uncomfortable in my new role I asked the owner to leave the room so I could get enough courage to make phone calls to our vendors. We quickly outgrew our basement space and purchased a building with a warehouse as our team continued to grow.

My role as a mother naturally transitioned over the years as our daughter married and our son took off for college. With those changes, after 10 years working part-time, I took on the full-time role as Executive Vice President. I used to tell our owner, “You couldn’t pay me enough to take that position.” One day, she wrote a dollar amount on a Post It® note and stuck in on my desk as she walked by. “That’s starting to look pretty good!” At the end of June 2015 I finished my first year in my new position and the month of June was a record month and we finished the year with the highest sales in the history of the company!

I must admit I am quite proud of these accomplishments and would even delight for you to join me in my pride. When I step back and look at the year as a whole I am reminded how deeply I leaned heavily upon my Savior’s strength, wisdom and guidance; each morning I made the commute praying over our company, owner, team, customers, vendors and my own lacking abilities. How many times I begged Him to give me His heart toward the team I lead. How many days I made my way home so exhausted from the tasks I could hardly think straight; at times tears streaming down my face as I pled: “Lord, why does it have to be so hard! Are you sure this is what You would have of me?”

He often puts us in positions that are greater than our own abilities, gifts and strengths. Those are the times we need Him most and His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Therefore we can boast in our infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon us. For when we are weak, then we are strong. His grace continues to be sufficient! My pride is in my Savior!

If you are completely comfortable with your own abilities and strength in your current positions of life, perhaps you are not being challenged enough. When you are stretched beyond yourself there is little room for self-pride as we become aware of our great need of a Savior! He’s such an impressive Savior! I’m so proud of Him!

Image courtesy of “woman taking notes” by marin/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Get Out of My Way!

A man in his large pickup truck pulled out in front of me, slammed on his brakes, and fled from his vehicle to aggressively pursue a jogger. Apparently they had exchanged a few words and this guy was hot! The athlete was wise in continuing his run without stopping for further conflict. Wow, talk about road rage. You don’t have to look hard to be an eyewitness to such events.

As I commute to and from work on New Circle road I continually get cut off by oncoming vehicles. There is an obvious lack of knowledge and skill on what it means to YIELD and MERGE into the flow of existing ongoing traffic. I can’t help but consider the similar attitude some apply to life. “I’ll live my life with no regard to how my behaviors affect the flow of your life.” “It’s your responsibility to stay out of my way.” Careless living with no regard to others is not only selfish but unwise.

James 3:17New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁷But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. (Emphasis added)

If we want to be skilled in the art of wise living we must be willing to yield; Wisdom from above is willing to yield! What does that even mean?

“The original term [willing to yield] described someone who was teachable, compliant, easily persuaded, and who willingly submitted to military discipline or moral and legal standards. For believers, it defines obedience to God’s standards.”₁

There is wisdom in yielding to God’s standards rather than driving by our own rules. Christ gave His life that we could live. He yielded His own rights for the sake of others. Are you living life completely oblivious to those who are around you or are you considerate and willing to yield? Are you willing to yield both on the roads and in life?

Photo: “Man Behind A Window” by graur razvan ionut/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

₁John MacArthur Study Bible; commentary on page 1931

What a disappointment!

Ever feel disappointed? I had three significant disappointments all within a short period of time. Things didn’t work out the way I had hoped. It was a real set back and I was somewhat caught off guard and surprised at the overwhelming emotions of disappointment.

“¹²Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.” Proverbs 13:12 (NKJV)

Reading my own experience right there on the pages of my Bible gave me great comfort! The very thing I had hoped for did not come. My hope had been deferred; “put off (an action or event) to a later time; postpone” and I was most definitely experiencing a sick heart.

I wrote the verse on a slip of paper and carried it in my pocket for days. Every time I felt the disappointment I pulled out the verse to remind myself not to lose hope because when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.

We are going to experience disappointments as part of life. We must continually examine our hope to be sure it is in full harmony with God’s Word. Is my hope in a relationship, a person, material things, career, money, status, fame or certain circumstance? When our hope is placed in the Lord Jesus Christ we can be sure He will see it through to the end for our good. Our desire may not come at the time we expect but when that desire is out of the overflow of our delight in the Lord, He shall give us the desires of our heart. (Ps. 37:4) And when that desire comes, it is a tree of life.

What is the desire of your heart and in Whom is your hope placed?

Photo: “closeup shot of stressed out lady” by stockimages

Don’t JUMP out of the Canoe!

After launching our canoes down the Elkhorn Creek we didn’t make it 20 feet before we were cruising down the creek BACKWARDS. I had pictured us leisurely drifting down the winding creek and was not expecting a “challenge to the marriage” type of experience.

It was my understanding the person in the back was responsible for steering the canoe. Of course my husband, (the one in the back) was expressing a few words about how I needed to help out from the front. We maneuvered our canoe back in the frontward position and what started out as a frustrating moment turned into a delightful morning. It was a true picture of our marriage over the past 26 years. Sometimes we’ve gotten turned around and it felt like we were drifting down the creek backwards. Jumping out of the canoe has never been an option for either of us. Tonight, out of the blue my husband said, “You are my lady; 100%; Lifelong!” He is a committed sternman and I am his committed bowman.

As he has steered our marriage over the years, my paddle was not meant to be responsible for the main steering. There have been times when he could not see the imminent obstacle ahead and I’ve had the responsibility & privilege of using my paddle of influence; adding my wisdom and insight, and complementing his already existing leadership from the back of the canoe.

This has taken incredible discipline on my part since I’m convinced there have been times I may have been able to lead better in particular situations. Yet I chose to submit to his leadership even if it meant floating down the creek backwards for a period of time. I admit I have misused my paddle. I may have intentionally knocked him in the head or the back side or splashed unnecessary water his way. In the end, his leadership has proven best.

If your marriage is floating down the creek backwards, DON’T JUMP! Perhaps you need to pull your paddle out of the creek and allow your husband to steer the canoe. Or perhaps your paddle is needed to assist in maneuvering the vessel into the corrected position. Maybe that means you saying “I’m sorry” or “I forgive you” or “You lead and I’ll follow.” There can only be one sternman in the canoe!

How are your paddling skills?

Photo: “Boat Silhouette” by Gualberto107/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

A Homeless Man Walked into Our House

A homeless man and his 6 children showed up at my door. Rather than knocking they allowed themselves into my house and proceeded to the kitchen. In shock, I followed behind them where the man pulled a drink out of the refrigerator. Since I did not recognize the drink container I suddenly realized – they had been here before! This was not the first time they had allowed themselves into my home.

While we awkwardly discussed their story at length his children were incredibly well behaved. They sat with great expectation to my response to their need for shelter. He was working hard to save enough money to afford housing for his family. In the meantime, he was depending upon the kindness of others.

My heart was heavy with desire and I desperately wanted to help! I knew I did not have the beds or bath to host such a large family without causing great sacrifice to my own family. My head was swimming with ideas of how to respond. How could I make a difference?

I noticed the door that leads into the attic was open. We keep the door locked at all times. We hardly use the attic other than storage. Why was the door open? Curiously, I walked up the stairs to investigate. To my utter shock there were six beautifully made beds. They looked like something out of a magazine. How did those beds get into my attic? Who made them look so beautiful? The Lord had sent another to come and help me help others!

I woke from my dream confused! For a long time I contemplated the details of the dream of the homeless family and how closely it related to my own life.

My heart desperately longs to help others through my speaking ministry. I dream of opportunities to present God’s word. I study and diligently work on goals and spiritual disciplines. Yet, the door appears locked and I am limited to what I can accomplish on my own. That very week I had approached an organization to request consideration as a speaker for their weekly devotional. I was discouraged because it appeared as though I may not meet all qualifications. Sometimes the door is locked and we must rely on the help of the Lord to send others.

That morning I prayed and asked the Lord to specifically send another to open an attic door of opportunity. I was bold in asking specifically that He would move on my behalf that very week!

Today, I received a speaking invitation! When I read the invitation I began to sob. Immediately, the Lord reminded me of my previous prayer. He did not just send anyone – He sent a very dear friend whom I greatly respect and admire. As an early believer I sat under her teaching for years. I once asked the Lord to give me the heart she had for His word and the ability to present it with such passion and sincere desire. The invitation was incredibly humbling! My God cares about the desire of my heart to help others!

He cares about the desires of your heart too! Do you have a dream or desire? I hope you dream big dreams; dreams that are greater than you can accomplish on your own. Go after those dreams! We must do everything we you can to accomplish our dreams and be sure to have faith that the Lord will send others to help open the attic doors!

What is your dream?

Photo by “Family” by Graur Codrin/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image courtesy of “Baby Feet” by tuelekza at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

James 3:17New King James Version (NKJV)

17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. (Emphasis added)

¹⁷But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. (Emphasis added)