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

It Was All For His Glory

Yesterday was an emotional day for me. All through the day, my emotions swung back and forth, like a steady pendulum on a classic grandfather's clock. From one extreme to another, I was filled with tears of joy, tears of sorrow and sadness and thankfully back to tears of great joy and gratefulness. Three gut wrenching episodes that I don't think I can share with you. Well, at least not today. That would be like asking for trouble. If I cried anymore, I would be drowning in the proverbial "river of tears". But one story touched my heart so much, well, I would be a fool not to share the beauty of it.

Most of you know, we lost our beloved Britt at seventeen, almost three years ago. (I sit amazed that so much time has past...and the Lord has allowed me to keep my sanity. God is so good!) When I found out that she had secondary leukemia after struggling with neuroblastoma, I was devastated. But when you are in the battle against cancer, you can't give up. You continue to press on ahead, searching for every little victory.

As a result, we had to abandon her treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering in NY and start the transplant process all over again at Duke University Hospital. Before we departed for Duke, our immediate family was tested to see if we were a match. Sadly, none of us were. God had other plans.

Our church family led many bone marrow drives throughout the community with the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP). Because of their love for Brittany and their love for us, they too, gave blood to see if they were a match. All were entered in the Bone Marrow Registry along with all the other volunteers who gave their blood, their time and their prayers.

I didn't think much of it when a church member said they were contacted by the Registry the latter part of last year. Most families who encounter cancer know, that even if you get "a hit" from the registry so many things can go wrong. So although you are hopeful and prayerful, you know that the excitement may not last long.

So I put it out of my mind and completely forgot about it. Until yesterday.

Yesterday, the spouse of that church member called and we were talking about the rest of our summer plans, family and the onset of a new school year. Then on the turn of a dime, she begin to share how her husband was preparing to go through the transplant process for a young man that they did not know. What?

As she shared all the medical procedures he had endured, I found myself filling in medical details that she didn't know and was amazed how it all came back to me. But the shock of it didn't hit me until she began to share a recent incident.

As she spoke, she told how her husband had gone through all preliminary testing. They had made several trips to the hospital where the young man was waiting for the necessary transplant. Nurses were coming to the house to take blood and to continue his necessary workup on several occasions. He had begun his series of Filgrastim (G-CSF), a medication that helps you build up your white blood cells) and was now preparing for the actual harvest of not only stems cells BUT bone marrow too. He was such of a great candidate that he had received another hit on the registry as well.

He is doing WHAT? Preparing to give bone marrow and stem cells?!

I was in a state of shock! They had been going through all this and I didn't have a clue. How could I have forgotten that he had been contacted by the NMDP registry?

Because he was such of an enigma, the nurse at the hospital sat down with them and asked him about his history. She wanted to know who was this young man who had two hits on the bone marrow registry and just how did he get on it? It was at that point that the couple began to share Brittany's story and the nurse asked, "well, how is she doing?" They shared of Britt's passing and said the inquisitive nurse just cried.

Well, although the dear wife of this man continued talking, it was then that I just lost it!!!

I sobbed in the phone and told her that I had to go. Softly, breaking through my muffled sobs, she quietly said, "we love you, Rev. Mel."

After I hug up the phone, the shock of what was just shared begin to answer some of the questions that every mother of a dead child has locked away in her spirit. "Why?"

We often ask God why when bad things happen to us. We often question His plan, His purpose for our lives. But I often thought about Britt's death being in vain. Why did she have to go through what she did? As a mother, no matter who shared a testimony about how she touched their lives, I still didn't find peace when it came to why God allowed her to die.

But as I listen to this story, I realize that the Lord was gently telling me that her life had more impact than I could ever imagine. Because of her illness, a young family will be blessed to have options.

Here is a young man, touched by Britt's sickness and her struggle, who selflessly gave of himself to help save another. ( The story sounds familiar....doesn't it?) Now we have a twenty year old man who will probably beat the enemy of cancer, because this man decided to sacrifice his time to be a blessing and to give the gift of life.

Well, I tell you, I just sobbed as the Holy Spirit ministered to me. For a moment the spirit of illumination came over me and allowed me to see just how precious my baby girl's life was as was her fight with cancer. It was all for a purpose. More importantly, it was all for His (Christ's)glory.

My tears flowed as I reconciled the fact that Britt went through all that she did because it had a purpose. Someone (that we don't even know) will have an abundant, prosperous life because a friend said yes to bone marrow donation. Britt's struggle opened up a door that would touch the heart of a man. He allowed himself to be tested and God, in His infinite wisdom, allowed him to be a near perfect match.

He is a near perfect match! How awesome is that?! What an awesome gift from God. Just imagine how the young patient's family must be feeling. On next week, this young man will get the blessing of a lifetime. I know that this family's heart is filled with unspeakable joy and gratitude.

And so is mine. So I can't clost this blog without making the appeal. Be a donor! Contact the National Marrow Donor Program TODAY and get tested. You could save a life and give a blessing of a lifetime.
For more information contact NMDP at www.marrow.org.

The Need to Reconnect

Yesterday I spoke with an old friend. Hearing her over the phone, brought me to such a place of remembrance. I reflected back to when we were in high school and how we were literally glued at the hip. My days were brightened by her contagious laugh, (and even yesterday I couldn't help but bend over with tears streaming down my face...she just cracks me up...) and things are no different now.

I missed her. Her friendship, her humor, her ability to make me feel better when an old boyfriend broke my heart or I was feeling bad about a poor test grade. When we were in high school, she was a bright spot in what I thought was a pretty mediocre existence.

As we talked yesterday, I realized that I would never allow this much time to pass again. We were both married now with kids. We talked about our adventures with our families. We promise to spend a day together in the very near future. "Just call me and I will be there", she said in the phone as we ended our conversation.

This is one date that I won't miss.

In times past, I would hear a comment like that and not see its value. The reunion date would come and go, buried under a pile of to do lists, "important" appointments and a day filled with "other things".

But I promise, I'm going to keep this appointment because old friends like her are NOT a dime a dozen. She is someone that I can sit down with and it will be just like "yesterday". Two girlfriends, laughing, joking and talking about our lives and seeing who is going to laugh the hardest. It's probably going to be me because she just cracks me up.

Friendship like this is what I call, "a safe place". A safe place to be yourself, share your secrets and even cry if you have to. And because she is the woman that I know she is, it wouldn't shock me if she began to cry with me.

Old friends like her are hard to come by. If you have one, treasure her (or him).
I didn't realize how important it was for me to reconnect with someone (that I haven't seen in years) that I truly missed until I heard her laughter on yesterday.

It is true...laughter does make the best medicine. Just listening to her, helped me put a lot of stuff in perspective. Loved ones die. Some things don't get done. Sad days come and go but things do get better. After talking to her yesterday, I felt a whole lot better.

Reach out and reconnect with someone you haven't seen or heard from...in years.
Laugh with them as you reminisce and I guarantee, your day will be better after doing so.
Blessings,
Melodie

Moving Forward

It is amazing when God pushes you in the back and tells you to move on. He has been pushing really hard in my life recently. As I face a new day, I see my to-do list and immediately I am overwhelmed because I am a master procrastinator. I view everything that needs to get done in my life and I often want to put my head under a blanket and hide. But God said...not so.


I recently shared with some dear friends, that I haven't even grieved my father's passing. We won't even mention that Britt continues to drop in my spirit and the memories continue to flood my heart and my mind. I have two book proposals that need tweaking; I have a few church ministries to oversee; a summer schedule that I need to coordinate with my boys and some day trips that I need to muster up for me and my Mom. Did I forget to mention that my bedroom needs cleaning and my office is a disaster? We will just add them to the list...


But God reminded me that I have to move forward. Stop dwelling on the to-do list that never quite gets done. I need to wake up each morning with a plan and execute it with the tenacity and courage. By doing so, it will push me toward my daily goals as I force those areas of doubt and being overburdened to be placed under my feet.


Moving forward takes that strength to let some things go. If I need to I'll hire some folk to help. I'll do those things that only I can do...like spend some precious moments with my 87 year old Mom.


Moving forward will force me to choose those things that are doable and drop those things that waste my time. (I do have a sixteen year old and a ten year old that can help with the bedroom clean up. There is no need to stress over that...)


God, in His awesomeness, will help me if I let him. He will direct me to those paths that He wants me to travel. He will equip me with whatever I need when I get to where he wants me to go.


Moving forward means leaving some things (and some people) behind even when you see them as a crutch that you have leaned on for awhile. Let those things (and/or people) go and move forward with faith.


Scripture states that I need to press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. That alone seems overwhelming. But that is exactly what I am going to do. Moving forward, placing one foot in front of the other, standing in faith and covered in prayer.


But first, I need to clean up my office...

Just A Few Simple Words...

My Dad died three weeks ago. It was the strangest thing. I took him to the hospital, only because I was concerned about his not eating. He had lost interest in food and it was a struggle to get him to eat like he should. But each day, we would coax him to eat a little of this and a little of that. I was so concerned that I took him to the doctor.

"We have to get you to eat, Mr. Powell", the doctor shouted since Dad refused to wear his hearing aids. So in the hospital he went, only to be told that he was fine, just old. He charmed the nurses with his wit and his songs. He sang for everyone who was willing to listen.

Dad came home and began to sleep - all day and all night. I know that it was a sign. But a sign that I REFUSED to accept.

Then Dad started to wet through his clothes. Another sign...but I pretended that it was just another accident.

Then Dad decided that he not only wanted to sleep all the time but now he refused to walk.

Another sign, but my thought was, the man is 91 and if he is tired - he is tired.

But when he didn't get up from his nap and I had to spoon feed him his dinner well, I just thought he was recouperating from the UTI that they found while we were in the hospital.

But God had other plans. My Dad was dying...

Unlike the days and months before, my Dad laid down, went to sleep and woke up in glory.

The strangest thing was, grief didn't overwhelm me this time. I miss him, yes, but my Dad had a full life of baseball, women, friendship, laughter and song. And at age 70, he accepted the Lord as his personal Savior. What more could you have asked for?

So there was acceptance on my part. My Dad was gone after a life that was later filled with a intense love for the Word of God, gospel music and family.

BUT all I could remember were just a few simple words that he graced my life with over my 47 years.

Words like, "I love you", "you're just the sweetest thing" "you're so sweet" and "don't worry about me cause when I leave here, I'm going to be with the Lord". These words he said to me at least once a day for as long as I can remember.

These precious words will keep me as I try to take care of my greiving mother. A woman who loved in spite of betrayal and heartbreak. A woman who stood by her man's side, when she should have divorced him. A woman who is the classic example of a love that is never ending, patient and kind.

Since he passed she wears his watch. When she's not wearing it, she is holding it close. A keepsake, a gentle reminder of a love that stood the test of time of 58 years.

When I will think of him in the days to come, other words will spring to mind. Words like baseball, robin, wallet and hat. These four words came to be such a part of my Dad's daily existence; well, without them, he wouldn't be Dad.

So as we closed the coffin that clear Friday in May, I placed his wallet and his hat in with him. His coffin was adorned with a red breasted robin that was embroidered on the casket's sheath. The robin will always be his moniker, like the song he sung faithfully in the church. It is commonly known as "The Robin Song". And will always be remembered as my Dad's song from hundreds of people that heard him perform it.

These a just a few simple words that will sustain me as I face each day without my Dad. In spite of everything, he loved me. In spite of everything else, he cherished me. For that, I will always be grateful.

Another four words spring to my mind as I close out this post:

I Love You, Daddy.

Ulus Powell May 29, 1917 - May 16, 2009