Happy Father's Day!!

Happy Father's Day, Men of Valor!!!

I am SO blessed to have a Godly Father!!  I am grateful for a Dad that sees me through Godly eyes, and loves me with a Godly heart!!

I am equally grateful to love a man that chooses to be a Godly Father to our children!!

I am also grateful for numerous Godly men that have spoken and continue to speak powerfully into my life!!

May you continue to be blessed as you lead our families as God has equipped you!

All My Love and Gratitude!!

Take Off Your Shoes and Show Me Your Soul...

"Do not draw near this place.  Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground."

- Exodus 3:5

Recently, I decided to pause and consider the life and legacy of Moses; and to my delight, I am learning MUCH about my life and the legacy I choose to leave.  

One moment that has had a profound effect on me is Moses' encounter with God in a burning bush.  First of all, I can totally imagine Moses' surprise and wonder as he happens upon a burning bush while going about his business.  I can recall several times in my life when I too, have been so focused on "MY" business that God has had to intervene in a magnificent way in order to get my attention (how loving and willing He is to do just that if need be!!!).  Secondly, I consider God's intent to share His vision for Moses, yet before He outlines His plan, He instructs Moses to remove his sandals.  Now, one could easily argue the significance of removing his sandals as a sign of respect for God.  One could even suggest that the necessity for Moses to remove his sandals was to maximize his ability to connect with and draw on the power of God's presence.  I would agree with both of these thoughts, however, let's consider another.  

Why do we where shoes?  To protect our feet as we walk through life.  Is it safe to suggest then, that our shoes could represent our past, and all that we've journeyed through?  Likewise, why does God refer to the spot where Moses stood as Holy Ground?  Webster defines Holy as "exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness".  Not only was Moses standing before the most Holy God, he was about to receive a word of knowledge that would be worthy of complete devotion.  Therefore, let us also consider that God requested Moses remove his sandals as a means of letting go of his past so he could most effectively move into his future.  

Several years ago, I encountered a "burning bush" moment in my life.  An opportunity to let go of my past and move forward into ALL that God had for me.  Perhaps had I considered this lesson sooner, the process of letting go might have been as easy as removing a pair of sandals.  I, however, chose the longer more painful journey - more like the people of Egypt.  In all of this internal battle to let go, I have noticed that as I surrender my will to God's, I find my heart and soul.  This exposure enables an open and teachable heart - isn't that all God asks and desires of us?  How faithful God is to fill us with His love, peace and joy as we choose to be vulnerable.  Not once does God say this process would be easy, however, He does promise it will be worth it!!  I am beginning to notice just how true this promise is.  I am also clear that in many ways, this process is a journey, not a destination.  I am also beginning to notice that the longer I choose to walk by faith, the more comfortable I am on Holy Ground.  

I am confident that God's plan and vision for our life is worthy of complete devotion!  I am grateful for God's invitation to Take Off Our Shoes and Show Him Our Souls!! I encourage you to join me in this walk with bare feet and open hearts.  May we be like Moses as we let go of the past (including all fear and doubt) and enter into a life of walking by faith, I pray in Jesus' Name, Amen!!

And Her Children Shall Rise Up and Call Her Blessed...

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

I am SO blessed to be a mother!!  I cherish this season of growing and learning together with my amazing children!!  It is my deep desire to leave a legacy of love that will bring honor to God and my mother!  So, remember to tell that one, You Are Loved!!!

For Such A Time As This...

"For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise from another place...Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"

- Esther 4:14 (paraphrase)

Have you ever wondered how and even when your "mission" would be made clear?  Have you found yourself at war with reality, running here and there feeling like a chicken with her head cut off?  I'm open to the possibility that these questions only apply to me, however, it is my experience that I am not alone in my search for purpose and a mission driven life.  

Jeff, my darling husband and I have been seeking God on this very subject - desiring to be about His business.  We had begun to understand the necessity of "surrendering ALL" of our thoughts and plans in order to truly see God's direction and purpose for our lives.  This process of surrender has not been easy, nor is it over; I have, however, begun to identify areas of letting go that I can choose in addition to the areas chosen for me.  This matter of laying down my will and allowing God's will for me I imagine is similar to that which Jesus underwent in the Garden of Gethsemane when he plead, "Not my will, but thine be done".  I am confident that ultimate peace and life more abundant is found when we can consistently align our will to our Heavenly Father.  

So, here I am seeking God, believing for opportunities to be a blessing; all the while limiting the big picture to only what I could imagine.  It was in this place, that Jeff reminded me of the possibility of expanding my vision to encompass more.  What a concept!  In "The Prayer of Jabez" he asks God to "enlarge his territory".  I began pondering what it means to enlarge my territory.  After surrendering my initial thoughts and beliefs, what I've learned is that God's desire is to increase us, bless us!  Enlarging our territory is NOT a process of taking on more things to do, becoming unbalanced.  It is, however, an opportunity to allow God and the Holy Spirit to move through us more freely and thereby giving us a greater capacity and opportunity to serve.

As I become aware of this opportunity, and choose to lay down my agendas, I notice numerous opportunities to encourage and uplift others.  I also find joy in my journey - my children and husband become more of a delight to me.  I've also been blessed with a place to mentor in Performing Arts - talents I am passionate about, however, wondered if this was a selfish desire.

This is where I see Heavenly Father's tender heart and great love!!!  I have been training for nearly 30 years in the areas of piano and voice.  I have had numerous opportunities to perform in various venues.  This is a talent and skill that has so richly blessed my life, however, as a wife and mother, where do these skills apply.  Well, I could justify sharing them with my children, and in various church assignments, but felt that much more would move me from sharing to selfish.  As I've taken on the intention to surrender my will, Heavenly Father has shown me how talents are given for a reason.  The things we are passionate about, He can use and wants to access for His glory.  I finally began to receive permission to BE and express my gifts in a new way.  The moment I considered God had a bigger vision for me, an opportunity opened immediately for me to play keyboard with a Contemporary Christian Worship Band, The Bridge Effect.  Now this seemed WAY too cool for me, however, God said you can do it!!  Shortly after I took on this assignment, I began feeling more confident in God's ability to maximize my passions, desires, and skills in fulfilling my mission.  I've also learned that in the place of surrender, God's Favor begins flowing more freely, and Mission Moments (as I'm calling them) find us!!!

So, I'm out there sewing seeds of time and talent into The Bridge Effect, and very quickly, and opportunity shows up for me to take on mentoring adults and children in Performing Arts through an incredibly, well established local Dance Studio, Wagner Dance Arts!!  This new assignment puts me in position to be Mission driven!!  What an awesome place to be!!  Now, this does not take away my mission as a wife, mother, and daughter of God.  It simply adds to it, which creates a full, deep experience for me!!

Now, I'm not suggesting that in any way I've arrived.  I'm simply recording the process of letting go, so I can receive....choosing to sift through the business to clearly identify my passions and desires, and then being willing to receive a larger context for my life!  My heart is FULL of joy (like giddy delight) and peace in being about my business - God's Mission Moments for me!!!  It is my prayer that like Esther, we too will choose to rise up in courage and wisdom to be about our Father's business; and then enjoy the blessings that comes when we step up For Such A Time As This!!