A New Determination and Just Another Year

This Friday I will be 48 years old. It is amazing to me because when I was a kid, 48 was old. Now this number represents a window of opportunity, a gate to taking more risks and a door open to dreams being claimed and fulfilled. It's strange when I should have been focused on accomplishing "things" I was focused on my children, their dreams and ministry. Nothing is wrong with any of those things, but somewhere along the way, I forgot about me. Forgetting about oneself is a common factor in the lives of women who are busy raising families, loving their spouses and helping the community. One day we simply wake up to a ticking clock reminding us that time is running out.

That clock has been going off for so long that many of us, have gotten use to hitting the snooze bar. We have snoozed so long, we now wake up panting and fretting that time is running out. I felt like that, guilty that I hadn't accomplished all that I wanted to do. Guilty, that I still haven't finished grad school and fifty is right about the corner. Guilty, that the book isn 't finished as I struggle everyday to block some time just to write. Guilty, because the CD isn't recorded and the contract isn't signed.

But God is loving, kind in His infinite wisdom and so patient with his weary children. When He said in the book of Ecclesiastes, to everything there is a season, I frequently excluded my dreams from that group. It was for everyone but me. But he gently reminded me that when I come into my season, there is nothing that I can't do. I only have myself to blame because I let my shortcomings and my lack of focus deter the dream that I had hidden in my heart. And yet God knew this and was patient with me as I got myself together.

Many times I lost focus because I was concerned about people's perception and acceptance. But I had to realize and accept that this was between me and God. And no one else.

God was going to do a great work in my life, but I had to change my perspective and prepare for the inevitable. God had a plan for my life and it was my responsiblity to engage in it. It was that simple.

So as I turn 48 at the end of the week, I have a new determination. To some it may be just another year but to me it is something entirely different. A doorway of possibilities is waiting for me to walk through it. A gate in a new field of dreams beacons for me to take bigger chances and greater risk. And finally there is a window longing for me to climb through it to a room with a view of favor, grace and purpose. It is going to be WONDERFUL.

Come on 48...

Getting My House In Order

Every January my husband declares the word for the year to our church. From Thanksgiving to the first Sunday of January, the congregation eagerly awaits the word that will sustain and empower us all year long. This year was no different. And as Tony stood flat-footed and declared that this was The Year of Divine Order, I was amazed as he inspired and instructed us to get our houses in order. He systematically itemized a list that made us question our motives, access our ambition and confront our laziness. I was convicted. When I thought of my to-do list, my list of aspirations and my wish list it seemed that I somehow allowed those things to be covered with the cobwebs of busyness and idleness. What a contradiction! I had a lot of work to do. My goals were attainable, but I readily allowed my schedule to be clouded with more stuff to do. I could be more productive but daily I walked a maze of indecisiveness and loss of focus. When I could be outlining a chapter or organizing my office, I easily would choose to watch a favorite program or take a very long nap. (Not that naps are bad...they can take up a lot of productive time.)



I have to admit that I tend to do too many things at once and my expectation of excellence is often short lived. When I look at the important things like taking care of my mother, my children, my home I often am disappointed because my wish list isn't being fulfilled. We won't even mention my perosnal time with God. But doing those things are very important. I have to do them with the acknowledgement that they must come first AND I can still be productive with just a little more organization. Isn't it funny, when you know what to do but you choose not to do it?



But this is the seaon of order, Divine Order, and we, as believers, must choose to pursue it. Even if it means reassessing our lifestyles, our habits and our secret idiosyncrasies. Order must be pursued if success is going to be obtained. For many it might be intimidating. But the good news is, it is still January. I have enough time to make this year more productive. I can reassess my goals and plan accordingly so I can accomplish those things that will make me feel productive and successful. One thing that I have to admit is that I am very busy. Mother, wife, daughter, minister, manager, writer, coordinator, teacher, preacher and administrator are the main things that I do. I have mastered the art of juggling a thousand balls at once but that isn't order. That is having too many options that don't meet my standard of excellence.



In getting my house in order I must strategize my day where I am more effective, more productive and I am taking better care of myself. Less stress, more discipline and more rest. Rest may mean a bubble bath instead of a short shower. Rest may mean a short nap when I feel frazzled or tense. Rest may mean a long ride with my husband just to exhale and destress. Then there is organization. I need to master the art of list making. I do this in my head daily, but I carry a planner that at year's end is full of clean pages. To me, it's really simple. Taking the time to make a daily list is one way to keep me structured and organzied. Planning is worthless when your task list is inconsistent and unclear. The next mandate is follow through. When I make the list, it is imperative that I follow through finishing at much as I can. Delegation must be expanded to more areas in my life. It will relieve me from the pressure of doing so much and I can then focus on my wish list. (My wish list is writing my book and getting it accepted by a publisher by the end of 2020!)



It seems like a lot but that what order is about. Order can be defined as "a standard or prescribed arrangements of component parts". In other words I need a "1, 2, 3 method" of doing things. A systematic viewpoint that will guide me through my daily decisions and responsibilities. The wonderful thing about it all is, IT CAN BE DONE! With focus, prayer and perserverance, it can be done. And I am just the woman to do it!!!

Is It Worth Waiting For?

He giveth power to the faint: and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary; and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:29-31

Have you ever felt faint? I'm not talking about that feeling where you are looking for that knight in shiny armor to catch you. I'm talking about that feeling of faintness where you can't move forward. You can't breathe because you're overcome by stress and worry. This is the type of faint feeling I'm speaking.

God gives us a solution and encourages us in the book of Isaiah. He promises to give us power when we feel this way. When there comes a point that we feel like we have no might, he promises to increase our strength. Sadly, he tries to do this and we often ignore it. We succumb to the pressure of stress and fretting. We allow ourselves to stay planted in a position that cripples us. We can't move forward nor can we see what is ahead...even when we have a clear picture of what is before us. Instead, we allow this feeling of spiritual lethargy to sap our strength. We ride around in spiritual wheelchairs waiting for someone to push us around. Our vision is often cloudy and our path is overcome by darkness.

As believers, we shouldn't be shocked when this happens. God tells us that even the youth shall faint (and aren't they the ones who are supposed to have all this energy?) And even young men shall fall. So we shouldn't be surprised. It happens to everyone.

But even when it happens, God implores us to WAIT. We are not to become weary. God wants us to WAIT. And yes, waiting is hard, particulary when you have already waited for a long time. But he still tells us to wait. Because in our waiting, God renews our strength. And that is easily said than done. Because as he renews our strength, we have to allow him to do whatever needs to be done in us to make us stronger. Many times, that includes going through rough patches of trials and tribulations, loss and grief, disappointment and despair. God uses whatever he needs to make us better.

And things do get better because now we have a different viewpoint because of the experience. That is what the prophet means when he writes "they shall mount up with wings as eagles". When we develop eagle wings, we now have been strengthened to see things from a different perspective. We see above the fray instead of in the midst of it. Therefore, we aren't "in" it. We have a totally different viewpoint. We can see other views instead of just our own. Isn't it wonderful when we can see someone else's point of view? It makes us more reasonable and we are able to see more clearly. As a result, we become empowered to make better decisions.

When we are "in" it, we tend to get worn out from the constant need to fix it, comment on it or even change it. We have to accept the fact that when we agree to do all of "that" we get exhausted spiritually. There may even be some who love getting in the fray; who mentally love the thrill of winning the argument. They get a turn-on by getting those points across. But spiritually, they become faint. They can't breathe nor can they find the energy to move forward. They become so encumbered by all of it, they often forget who they are and more importantly, they lose focus of their purpose. It is at that moment when they often need others to pick them up. We should all learn a valuable lesson from "them" and learn that there is power in waiting on God.

We should never need anyone to pick us up when God is waiting to do so. We need to learn to run to him and wait on the manifestation that he has already promised. He promises to give us power and strength when we have every right to feel weary and faint.

Walking out this life of faith can often overwhelm us. To most, life's trial can be very difficult. But God is so faithful. He promises, if we learn to wait on him, things won't be as bad as they could be. He will give us the ability to run and not get weary. Even as we walk out life, we don't have to accept faintness of heart. Instead, we need to expect strength to overtake us. We need to expect God to be there because he is never faint nor is he ever weary. When we realize who God really is, then we have to embrace the fact that with him, we can face anything.

Now that is worth waiting for.

Happy Birthday to the Love of My Life

Happy Birthday to my beloved Tony. I had to write and share with everyone how blessed I am to have you in my life. I watch you day after day and am amazed at how the Lord has blessed you. You're smart, anointed, gifted, an awesome lover, a wonderful father, generous, loving and the greatest thing...you still have me laughing after 25 years of marriage.

When I look at how far we have come, I want the world to know how grateful I am that you are in my life. Through all the ups and downs of life, you still complete me. You still excite me and there is no other place I would rather be than by your side. Sharing my life with you has been a joy and as we continue to face each day, I know that the Lord will continue to bless us.

You are such of a great preacher; a man of God who walks in integrity and honor. I see how you love the people of God and I know how blessed they are to be under your leadership. You are a testimony for the power of God and what God can do to your life when you are yielded. Keep on walking in faith, trusting and believing God for the miraculous. I know that my faith has gone to another level because of what you taught me and the great example you have set before me.

And let me give you a wifely shout out! Sweetie, you sure can you "hang a suit". I still get weak in the knees when I see you walk in a room. Even after 25 years, I still catch my breath, when I see you.

I admire you for your great strength and courage. You carried me when we lost our three children. You constantly spoke into my life when I wanted to give in to the spirit of grief. To Nicky and Alex, I wish you could have known your wonderful father and shared all the great things he helped our family to experience. You girls would have experienced a great life full of love, laughter, joy (and great purses!). I know that your sister Brittany is telling you all the stories of her life with her Dad. Their late night conversations, their secret shopping excursions and their shared stories on faith and endurance. They had a remarkable relationship. Today we will think of the three of you and how our lives will never be the same without you.

But we will still celebrate. Tony, you have blessed so many with your faith. May we all learn to walk like you with the spirit of favor and a zest for life. Our sons will become great men of God because you father them with a love and tenderness that can not be surpassed. They see the man that you are and I know they both want to be just like you.

Happy Birthday, my beloved boo! May this day find you walking in the grace and favor of God.

May God answer all of your prayers and may you continue to walk in the anointing that is on your life. I thank God for you and our life together. I love you...

Blessings,

Melodie

The Power of His Grace...and Management

God has this incredible way of assuring me that He is in charge. Just when I think that I lost the battle, He steps in and assures me that He has my back. I don't know what is so difficult about trusting Him. Time after time, I "choke" trying to do things on my own.

Just this morning, I was ready and willing to give up on a major project that just couldn't get past the starting point. I was ready to throw in the proverbial towel and say forget it. But God in his grace, whispered to me, "hold on...you may be ready to quit, but I'm not finished yet."

And just like that, he reminded me that when I try to do things in the power of my might, I fail every time.

So instead of quitting, I'm waiting. Waiting for more instructions, more impartation and more of his Diving grace.

With that, I'm bound to be more successful through Him compared to anything that I am capable of doing on my own.

Blessings,
Melodie

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 3:5,6

The Courage To Keep Fighting

Recently my husband and I visited an old friend. She went to college with my husband. It seems like they have been friends forever. (Well, to me they have). She and her husband were our first friends after we got married 25 years ago). She is extremely smart; an engineer by profession. She is confident and is the type of woman who has herself together. She is always willing to mentor, encourage and undergird you in anything that you attempt. That is how smart she is!

So it seems extremely unfair to me that she was diagnosed with colon cancer this past February.

We only recently found out because she didn't want to tell us. She didn't want us to go through it again since losing Brittany.

They caught it early, but she is undergoing preventive chemotheraphy.

And there is where we found her; in her beautiful home, receiving treatment through the port in her chest. The chemo was running through a small computerized pump whose strap had been slung over her shoulder like a small leather clutch big enough for a small wallet and maybe a driver's license.

Did I forget to mention that while she was hooked up, she was running her department at a government agency? (I told you she is extremely smart...) Laptop computer and cell phone hooked up, there she sat, answering emails, taking calls and attending meetings. The woman is AMAZING and is one of the strongest women I know.

Graciously sitting in her beautiful family room, she was doing the business of the day and taking a few minutes to visit with two old friends.

Now that is what I call walking in big shoes...

Accepting where you are, but not allowing it to take you under or out! Continuing to do your job with the best attitude although you have every right to have a stinky one...and doing it extremely well. Facing the challenges of a difficut disease, but not allowing it to wear you down.

But what I loved best was in spite of chemotherapy and a hectic schedule on the job, she took a few moments to be with friends. Friends who seemed to need the assurance that she was okay more than she did.

And after wonderful conversation, we had to get ready to catch our plane to return home. And as any good hostess would, she walked us to the door and saw us off.

Her courage and her strength helped me to remember that it's not what you go through...it's how you handle it.

Just another day in the life of a woman who has the courage to face any problem with her head ALWAYS looking up.

We should do the same.
Blessings,
Melodie

Too Many Irons in the Fire

As I review my Daytimer, I must admit that I have taken on more than I can do well. But taking one step at a time, I'm determined to keep looking ahead, plowing (and praying) as I go through this mountain of stuff that MUST get done.
Here's my to-do list. Would you please say a prayer?

1. Pray, study scripture and prepare a sermon.
2. Pack and visit family.
3. Arrive home and preach on Sunday afternoon.
4. Work and work hard on book projects.
5. Pack and go to airport.
6. Visit with Friends
7. Work even harder on book projects.
8. Prepare presentation and deliver it.
9. Pack and get ready for vacation. Can't wait.
10. Return home and visit family again.

And this is all in the next ten days. Please pray for me!
Whew...I am exhausted just thinking about it.

Blessings,
Melodie