In the sunny South, we are currently experiencing those unpredictable, summertime pop-up showers and thunderstorms. While we welcome the much needed rain, when the 10% chance turns to 100% without notice it often ruins our plans and drowns our spirits. Remember: You can’t control the weather but you can dance in the rain!

“God is our refuge and strength, ever-present help in trouble.”                   Psalm 46:1 (NIV)

Picture this: you – in a small boat. No land in sight. Just clear skies. Beautiful, peaceful water. A nice calm breeze. This scene lasts for awhile – long enough for you to get comfortable and at ease drifting in the sunshine. Then, when you least expect it, the sky suddenly darkens. The wind whips. The once calm water becomes violent. Large waves rock your once steady vessel. (Like a scene from the movie Castaway with you replacing Tom Hanks.)

No one wants to be that far away from shore and safety when the elements suddenly change …

… jeopardizing your stability …

… leaving you tossed, lost, and drifting. 

Just as you have no control over the weather when you are out in your little boat, you don’t have control over the winds of change in your life. When you least expect it, your once steady, calm world of family, friends, and community is violently rocked and you find yourself paddling with all of your might to keep your proverbial boat afloat. 

You are clearly not in control of the situation, but God is; your refuge, your strength, your ever-present help.

Consequently, the goal is to never lose sight of the safety and security of the shoreline:  our heavenly Father. The best part is no matter how far you drift off course you are never out of range to call for assistance or support. God will always hear your call. No matter how far you stray or drift. You are never off His radar.

So how are you feeling today? Is it smooth sailing or are you being tossed about? 

No matter where you are in your journey, be sure to include God in your safety plan. 

Whether you need a safe haven or to be reenergized, He is there for you – in calm and during the storm.

Happy Sailing!

(I hope you are finding time to unplug and unwind a bit this summer. I am finally taking some intentional time to relax and rejuvenate and I highly recommend it!)

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”                   Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)

I sat down in the meeting, opened my tablet to take notes, and the dreaded message popped up: Charge battery 10% remaining. Then, later in the day, I grabbed my cell phone to check in with my daughter and there were no signs of life at all, just a blank screen – not even one blinking bar. Nothing. Could it be? Did I forget to charge the phone overnight … again?

You may remember that old battery icon, the Energizer bunny. You know, the one who keeps going, and going, and going … Why can’t everything last like that? An endless supply of energy. Truth be told, even the Energizer bunny must run out eventually, regardless of what the marketing department would have you believe. I have yet to find a battery that does not have to be replaced or recharged.

We even talk about recharging our own mythical, personal batteries. People talk about the need to renew and recharge which sounds good. But, if I can’t even be trusted to remember to charge my cell phone overnight, do you think I can actually take care of recharging myself? 

When it is left up to me, I only voluntarily take ‘down time’ when I am at the point of extreme illness or exhaustion. Otherwise, I am convinced the world cannot go on without me. So I keep pushing myself. 

I ignore all of the personal signs: 10% remaining (I snapped at my spouse for no apparent reason), 5% remaining (I withdrew from my friends, too busy to touch base with them), 2% remaining (I impose unrealistic expectations on those around me and get upset when they don’t live up to the expectation), 0% remaining, blank screen (nothing left except that empty feeling – call it regret or disappointment).

What good are we to others when we let this happen? What kind of life is this for me or you? Miserable. 

When we live half charged, running on empty, we begin to trudge through each day merely checking off the items on our “to do” lists, running from one obligation to the next only to miss the joy which surrounds us each day.

So where is this miracle battery? The one we can use to keep us going, and going, and going? 

Actually, it is no battery at all. It is Jesus Christ. He will renew us each day and keep us full to overflowing.

Include Him as you begin each day and you will have exactly what you need to keep going, all day – every day.

No batteries required!

“Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

I am by no means an expert on Nascar or any other type of racing; however, I have watched and read enough to know about the pace car. Typically, the pace car is the lead car for the first lap of a race to set the pace. Then, the pace car comes out when there is an accident or other safety issue. When the pace car comes out, the other cars are not allowed to pass it. They are required to slow down and use caution. Some drivers take the opportunity for a much needed pit stop during this brief respite from the fast pace of the race. The pace car gives those involved in an accident time to clear the raceway and regroup while reminding the other drivers to take it slow for a bit.

Just like the fast pace of a Nascar race, our lives are fast and furious most of the time. We race around with little or no time to rest – or we don’t take the time to rest. I know I am often guilty of living life too fast. As if life will pass me by if I take a little time for myself or my family. Always wanting to be the one to cross the finish line first – to win. Yet, no one can keep up that pace without a break, a pit stop of sorts. We all need time to relax, rejuvenate, and reenergize. Sometimes we need a reminder to do this – a pace car to slow us down.

In the race of our lives we can be the ones who experience a collision, accident, or some other misfortune that forces us to slow down and regroup. Other times, we see what happens in the lives of others and it reminds us to be more appreciative of what we have and where we are in our life. Then in turn, we take a break and reevaluate what we are doing – and how fast we are living. 

God gives us that reminder. He slows us down – much like the pace car.

All you need to do is let the scriptures be your pace car – your reminder to slow down, proceed with caution, or take that much needed pit stop. When you study and become familiar with a variety of scriptures, they will come to mind just when you need them the most. Gentle reminders of how to live our lives. When to speed up and when to slow down. 

There are several scriptures you can use as reminders to rest and to not grow weary. Here are a few (just in case you need that reminder right now):

• Exodus 33:14 – The Lord replied, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
• Psalm 62:1 – Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from Him.
• Psalm 62:5 – Yes, my soul, finds rest in God; my hope comes from Him.
• Mark 6:31 – Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
• Hebrews 4:10 – For anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from His.
• Jeremiah 31:25 – I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.

Now as you prepare to speed off and start your day, take time to reflect on these scriptures and reevaluate where you are in this race called life. 

It can be a long and grueling race – Pace Yourself!

“Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.’”                                    Mark 10:42-44 (NIV)

Long before I gained a position of leadership, I was fortunate to be exposed to and work with a variety of people who I consider great leaders. They were successful in good times and bad. People were eager to be on their teams and follow their visions.

As I matured and began to seek positions of leadership within the church and in the work place, I tried to emulate the mannerisms of those successful leaders I had observed over the years. I learned rather quickly that I could not be what they had been. I could not be those people – a replica of someone I admired. I had to grow into my own person and become comfortable with myself in all the roles I play in my life. 

I have also worked in a business where it was dog eat dog to get ahead, a world where finding success meant stepping on others to move past them up the ladder. I have worked for people and in organizations where the leader ruled over the workers and made decisions just to flex their authoritarian muscles as a way to prove power over others. Some people will tell you the secret of success is gaining position, money, or status regardless of the sacrifice or the cost to those around you. You may be told to look out for yourself first, always. If you believe that now, one day you will wake up (probably all alone) and realize that those people were wrong.

After reading the passage in Mark of Jesus talking with the disciples, I realized there is a common thread in all of the great, successful leaders I have worked with and those I have read about: They all put others first.

When you stop focusing on your own advancement and promotion, you will start to experience greatness. This is difficult in our society which often promotes self first, others last. But it is true. 

Start focusing on others. Put their needs and wants before your own and then you will find success in your own life.

Rising above and being successful has little to do with ordering others around and everything to do with what you invest in those around you. This applies at home as well as the work place.

Success is not found in a title, the size of your office, or the size of your wallet. It is your reward for living as Jesus taught you to live. 

So, now you know. The true secret of success is another S word: Selflessness.

So stop stepping on others to climb the ladder of success and instead build a staircase for others. Follow Christ’s example – set out to serve, giving your life and yourself for others.

What can you change today to be great, to start living like Jesus? What can you do to start serving others and “become a slave to all?”

Choose just one thing. Maybe for you that one thing can be listening to others instead of talking about yourself or standing in the back while others stand in the spotlight or taking action to physically serve by doing a task for someone else unexpectedly. You choose – just one thing.

Start with one thing to make a change that will lead to a successful life focused on service instead of self.

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”      Mark 10:45

“In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.”   Proverbs 3:6 (NASB)

There is a popular poem by Robert Frost about a man who comes upon a fork in the road and must choose which path to take, “The Road Less Traveled.” You are probably familiar with it. The man chose his path. What a lucky guy. He got to choose. 

 Many of us aren’t so lucky. Sometimes a choice is made for us and we are left on a path that wasn’t on our original map.

I don’t know about you but when that happens to me, I can become upset, even bitter. I question why. I feel like the detour is an inconvenience. This feeling comes with small diversions like when a family matter arises and changes your weekend or vacation plans and then it also occurs on a larger scale when your life journey goes in a totally different direction due to a death of a loved one, a divorce, a job loss or change, or even an unexpected pregnancy (think of Mary and Joseph!).

This forced change is hard.

I can hear the voice of that nice lady on my navigation system saying, “rerouting.” I always hate when she says that! Rerouting??? How do I get back to the original route or to a more pleasant one? How did I get here? Rerouting … she makes it sound so easy. 

I have found myself, more than once in my life, being forced into a sudden change of paths. Each time thinking to myself: My choice of a path would have been straighter, better, smoother, and quicker. This new road I find myself on is crooked, longer, rougher, and slow going. 

Instead of quickly adapting to and coming to terms with the fact that there are some things I cannot control, I continue to look for the emergency stop button or a pause feature on my life so I can regroup and regain control – only to wake up down the road realizing life is not about control. It is not about always getting my way.

Life is not about getting your way. It is about finding your way.

If this hasn’t happened to you already, chances are it will.  You will be walking along the path you have chosen, enjoying the scenery, and then suddenly you are on a new road to a different destination – or so you think. 

We all need to realize we may end up on a different road, but the destination hasn’t changed.

Our purpose in life, our destination, remains the same. We are called to walk in His way. To serve your Lord and love your neighbor as yourself. 

That path that we think is so crooked and disjointed, so inconvenient, will be made straight for us. The Bible tells us that. All we have to do is acknowledge Him. Remember that He is in control.

Our responsibility along the path is to trust in God. To continue on in faith – even when it feels like you have been pushed into a maze and you panic because you can’t find your way out. You need to pray, regain your focus and press on until you find the light at the end of the dark tunnel. It is there. He is there.

God is right there walking with us when we make a pathway choice and when that choice is made for us. 

Remember this promise:

“I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Life’s journey is full of twists and turns. Detours and diversions. Stay focused on your destination – eternity with Christ – and your path will be made straight.

(Monday was Memorial Day – a time to reflect and remember those who gave their lives for us to live as free people in this great country. Today, let’s pause and reflect on someone else who sacrificed His life for us.)

“Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover up for evil; live as God’s slaves.” I Peter 2:16 (NIV)

“It’s a free country!”   

“I’m not your slave!”  

“I can do whatever I want.”

Or the ever-popular: “I pay taxes; I have the right to know/do/say … (you finish the sentence here).”

Familiar phrases. Maybe you have heard them from your child, your spouse, a friend, an acquaintance, or even a total stranger. Maybe you catch yourself saying these things. All of these statements are generally made in the heat of a moment – usually out of anger or frustration. Usually when someone isn’t getting what he/she wants. 

Why is it that people believe that since we are blessed to live in a “free country” that we can act carelessly or irresponsibly? Why do people feel entitled to demand things from others? 

Instead of acting grateful and living with a servant attitude for the purpose of giving back to a place that gives so much individual freedom, people tend to use the idea of freedom as a reason to be – well – unreasonable. 

The scripture directs us to “live as God’s slaves.” 

To be obedient and follow through with this instruction in those moments when we are tempted to say, “It’s a free country…” we must instead respond with love, humility, and understanding. 

Ouch! That’s painful. We must think before we speak.  

Sure we have the right to free speech but even that has its limits – morally, ethically, and legally.

In this “free” country, there are rules and laws. There is always someone to tell you what to do whether it is a boss, a community official or someone else with authority over you. 

It is a hard lesson to learn but possibly the most important one: Exercising our freedom is less about doing what we want to – whether it is right or wrong – and is more to do with being free to follow Jesus. 

Aren’t we all a slave to something? I believe so. 

What has you shackled? What is weighing you down? 

Is it your work? Your attitude? An Addiction? Face it – You are a slave to something.

Yet, you have a choice. It is a free country, you know. 

So choose God. Choose to be a slave to doing what God would have you to do. You will find that when you choose to live as a slave to God, you will become free in so many other ways. Free of worry. Free of anxiety. Free from fear.  

Don’t use your freedom to cover up your shortcomings or to get your way. Use your freedom to show others the Way … not to get your way.  

(Today is graduation day for our school district. I know many parents are proudly reflecting on the accomplishments of their children during this season and maybe you are too. Congratulations to all graduates everywhere!)

“Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you, were I to speak and tell of your deeds they would be too many to declare.”                                                                                                                                  Psalm 40:5 (NIV)

I sat silently on the floor in the closet carefully removing the lid of each box, taking a solemn stroll down memory lane. Box after box revealed a different period of each child’s life. I uncovered artifacts that included handmade tokens of affection, samples of academic progression, and certificates of accomplishments.

Proof of the past – times gone by. Each item jogging my memory. How could I have forgotten that medal or that talent show? The memories and moments of accolades came flooding back as I catalogued the accomplishments of my children. Each one important, big and small. Their successes are numerous, from writing a name for the first time to state wide academic recognition.

My kids have now entered adulthood. It is overwhelming and encouraging to look back and realize how God has worked in and through their young lives. 

Yes, life is good and God is great! 

My family is proof of God’s grace, mercy, and salvation. These boxes that tell our story and reflect our challenges and accomplishments are so small compared to the larger story and accomplishments of Christ. 

Each time I sit silently and carefully open the cover of my Bible I should be reminded of the amazing deeds and goodness of God. Just as I treasure the contents of the boxes tucked away in my closet, I am to treasure the teachings, life, and love found in the Bible. 

I love my children and if you have a minute, an hour, or more I can fill that time telling you their amazing stories. Similarly, I could go on even longer bragging about my God, whose deeds are too many to declare. 

Lord, as I take time to reflect and brag on the accomplishments of my children help me remember to brag on You, telling others about all that You have done and continue to do in our lives.

“I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”                                                                 John 14:27 (NLT)

It’s 5:30 a.m. and there is a calm throughout my home. Only the sound of the air blowing through the vent penetrates the silence around me. Peace. This is peace to me – the quiet time I enjoy before diving head first into the deep end of my day.

It’s 1:00 p.m. on a holiday and looking around the table at an extended family gathering I scan the smiling faces of the ones I dearly love. I enjoy their laughter and chatter as we set the world aside to focus on those closest to us. Peace. This is peace to me – protected time together, knowing those I love are safe and happy.

It’s 9 p.m. on a lazy weekend and after tackling a few small projects my husband and I quietly read and relax in each other’s company. Peace. This is peace to me – the comfort of nothing special … simplicity. 

Peaceful moments, large and small, dot the landscape of our lives much like the valleys scattered through the mountains. I try to remind myself to enjoy those moments, to take in that tranquility of mind and heart knowing those feelings are fleeting – temporary. 

That serenity is soon disturbed by tumultuous times, large and small. An angry email, a frantic phone call, a crying child, a sick relative, or a troubled friend enter our lives quickly and unexpectedly disturbing our peace, throwing us for a loop, providing an obstacle in our day. 

Why does this happen? Why do even the smallest disruptions throw us off kilter? 

The answer is simple. The peace we create for ourselves is circumstantial. 

We create our own peace by removing ourselves from the chaos of life, by creating Norman Rockwell picture perfect moments in our homes, by carving out quiet time. Although these moments are nice and needed, they don’t last. We leave home and return to work. We take our holiday snapshot and pick up our individual burdens at the door.  We enter society where our lives are intertwined with others we cannot control.  

Our homemade harmony spoils very quickly; however, there is a long lasting peace that is available to each one of us. We can take comfort knowing the peace given by Christ. He promises “the peace of God that transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 4:7)

This genuine peace of heart and mind allows us to remain calm in disturbing moments. It is this peace that makes it possible for us to look at a situation and know this too shall pass. This peace will not remove the pain and heartache we will most definitely encounter but it does give us the unexplainable, calm assurance that God is with us and He will walk us through that pain.

God gives us everything the world cannot give. 

Accept this gift of peace.

Replace your self- made substitute with the very real peace that comes from God which gives us hope for a better tomorrow.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”                                 Romans 15:13 (NIV)

“Let all that you do be done in love.”                                                 I Corinthians 16:14 (NASB)

(My Baby Girl turned 28 on May 10th~ This week I celebrate her life and all that she adds to mine!)

A little known fact about me: I am an expert at “The Back of Hair.” (as established and certified by my daughter)

How did I gain this illustrious title? Years of experience. 

It all started with pig tails and pony tails. Then, I moved on to more complicated things like braids and such. Later, over time, my primary role became the back of hair. I spent so much time on this task that I promised my daughter I would write a book with the same title. For now, this will have to do.

I know what you must be thinking, The back of hair  …  how lame. 

Let me explain.

There she sat, perched on a stool in front of the bathroom mirror. So small, innocent, wide-eyed, excited about the day ahead. There I stood – behind her. Carefully brushing her long, dark hair. Dividing it into equal parts to make the perfect pig tails – complete with ribbons to match her outfit. 

Later, she grew taller and began to mature. Changing hairstyles to suit her age and the times.  Trading her rubber bands and ribbons for a flat iron and headband. She still sat perched on that stool each day, eager to get going. I remained there – behind her – carefully brushing and straightening “The Back of Hair.”

During the many mornings we spent together, we shared time that I consider precious to this day. 

As she grew older and learned to do more and more on her own, she began to need me less and less. However, she always needed me and still does for – you guessed it – the back of hair! You know the part she can’t quite see. 

During her early, cranky years (not to be confused with her later, cranky years) at times I was called on and then forced to wait until the right time to serve my purpose in this task and firmly told my help was no longer needed in other aspects of her little life. I must admit I didn’t always do this with a happy heart. I felt put out. Like this small thing was no big deal. Yet, I tried to remind myself that it was important to her and that, somehow, it meant she still needed me in some small way. So I began to take pride in this job, this position. I began to boast of my expertise in “The Back of Hair.” 

I found the joy in just being with her. I began to do this job with love. This made all the difference. I told my daughter how important this job was for me because no one should underestimate the importance of the back of hair – especially if you are a leader. Those followers are going to notice how it looks back there!

My daughter understood at an early age the importance of the 360 degree view. It all matters – head to toe; but more importantly, inside and out. She often exclaims that people have to like her for who she is and if they don’t “oh, well.” She is fine with that. Yet, she remains consumed by the back of her hair and insists that it be perfect. 

In her doing this, she has taught me a couple of things. 1) Do everything with love, a happy heart. Take pride in all that you do. Even a small task is important. 2) Nothing is too small to dismiss – even the back of hair is important. 

For a while it hurt my feelings that my help wasn’t needed anymore. Then I realized this is the way it is suppose to be. From now on, she may only need me for small things and then occasionally the huge things that life throws our way when we least expect it; but day to day, she is self sufficient. That’s why those random calls on a normal day just to say hello are so special. 

I have come to realize my relationship with God is the same way. 

I think I can do it all myself until I encounter something I can’t quite grasp and then I need His help. I need Him for those things just out of my reach.

We need to remember to use God not as a selfish child but as a mature adult. Checking in just to say thanks. Asking for help on the little things. Including Him in our lives. 

I will be there for my daughter – always – whether it is for the back of hair or something much more serious. God does the same for me. 

When I pray each day, He listens and never fails to be there for me no matter how big or small my request may be. He calls me to do the same for those around me – for my family. I am called to do it all through love. This makes all the difference.

No matter what great titles this world may bestow on me, the one I received from my daughter will always mean the most.

(This one brings back a sweet memory of my mom, who loved me unconditionally and supported all of my “creative” ideas and projects through the years. She always saw the beauty in me. This will be our first Mother’s Day without her. If you are missing your mom like I miss mine, I pray you find peace and comfort this week when you celebrate her in your own way.)

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”                                                                                      Ephesians 2:10

A while ago, my two best friends and I discovered one of those painting places – you know the studio where you sign up for a class and an instructor leads you through painting your own masterpiece. We enjoyed our first class so much, we decided to go a second time. 

Armed with a basket of refreshments and set to enjoy our time together, we settled in for our lesson. The materials we were given to work with were different than the last time and it didn’t take long for us to realize this was a watercolor class … yikes! Not exactly what we had expected. 

In case you aren’t familiar with painting using watercolors, they are very difficult to work with as an amateur. The color spreads through the water you add to your paper – many times in very unpredictable ways. We didn’t let this dampen our spirits though. 

Being adventurous, we gave it our best shot. The instructor had already sketched out the design on our paper and each of us struggled to stay in the lines as we tried to mimic her developed technique.

I quickly learned less is more – a little watercolor goes a long way! I had to use towels to dab up the excess water until I began to develop more control over how much I was using. I also learned it was a messy process. The colors don’t stay neatly in the lines where you intend. They bleed into each other. Some areas became too light while others were too dark. 

My friends and I joked about how pitiful our paintings were. We also laughed about whether or not we would be able to display these works of art anywhere. These paintings were nowhere near the masterpiece of our first venture.

I remember laughing and telling everyone I would give mine to my mom just like when I was little. Certainly, the woman who gushed over a heart made of macaroni and construction paper would see the beauty in this pastel puddle in front of me. She’d love it no matter what.

I also remember how we encouraged one another. I looked at my work and saw only flaws, yet I looked at my friends’ work and they looked strikingly similar to the sample painting – just wonderful!

Afterward, I did share the painting with my mom. She loved it! I framed it for her to hang in her home. Only after completing it with a frame and hearing my mom’s approval did I recognize the beauty in my work.

This experience with watercolors and the lessons I learned that day parallel my life in many ways. It has taken me many years to understand that less is more and excess is not best. Also, life is messy. My life gets so messy that I can’t see the beauty close up. I look at the lives of others and wonder why mine isn’t as wonderful – oh, how deceiving that thought is. 

Just like my painting, in life it helps to step back, put a frame around it, and take it to the heavenly Father to realize the true beauty of it all.

You know … it is a masterpiece – life – as cluttered and messy as it gets. As long as you leave it in the hands of the Master, it all comes together: unique, colorful, beautiful.