How Will They Remember Me?

There are countless incredible women who have touched my life, ministered to my heart, handed me tissue after tissue, loved me, prayed for me, laughed with me, and shared memory after memory with me. Today I chose four of those women to celebrate.

My Mom
My mom is the first woman to hug me, the first to pet my hair, the first to comfort me, the first to laugh with me and the first to love me. My mom was the woman who told me that the Easter Bunny didn't exist. She told me that friends would come and go. She also taught me that talking on the phone wasn't such a bad thing and that you can cry at any movie you want to. She fought the school when I couldn't hold my pencil correctly and came to every class party...as the room mother. She probably tried to embarrass me in front of my friends, but I can't remember it. She taught me how to cook, how to sew, and how to clean house before going on vacation. She taught me to forgive easily and love deeply. She also taught me that love truly does cover a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). When I leave her I cry a deep cry no matter how old I am. I love you Mom.



My Sister
My sister is the woman who taught me that if you don't want pulled around the house on a rope you better learn to walk. She taught me that gum doesn't come out of long blond hair. She taught me that no matter how hard you try you can't roll down a hill in somersault fashion and that if you are told to ride a bike down a big hill without training wheels and without knowing how to use the brake, you probably shouldn't do it-- no matter how much you want in the bike club. She taught me that worms do survive in books and that no matter how mad you are you shouldn't swing trash. She organized my first surprise party. She watched every scary movie ever filmed with me and she ate Doritos and drank Pepsi with me every New Year's Eve for years. She played dolls with me, passed me notes under my bedroom door, and rode bikes with me until our legs turned to jello. My sister also taught me that family matters and that giving from the heart gives the most joy. She taught me that distance can make a relationship stronger and that she makes the best aunt to our dog Dixie and would make an even better aunt if we were ever to have a baby. I love you Helen!



My College Roommate
I had countless college roommates, some more like me than others. Cynthia moved in with me after telling me I had split ends and that she had RATS living with her in her apartment...uninvited I should add. She taught me that no matter how poor you are you should always keep your hair healthy. She taught me that it is OK to drive a sherbet-orange Pinto with brown stains on the hood...especially when it is pouring rain outside. She taught me that you shouldn't mix gold an silver...even though this is no longer a fashion error. She taught me that belts are accessories and they should match your shoes. She taught me that friends share their last dollar and buy two tacos for $1. She taught me that friends pet friend's hair the way my mom used to. She taught me that sweat pants should not be worn to class unless you are sick, or have planned the outfit to look like you have been up all night...even if you hadn't. She taught me that no matter what you do true friends never leave you, but will correct your stupid mistakes. She taught me that no man is worth giving up who you are, what you believe in, or your pride. I love you Cynthia!



The Friend Who Knows My Heart
Not a college roommate, or a cousin, or sister, or co-worker, it is Lisa Smith who is the final woman I celebrate today. Lisa taught me that weight has nothing to do with being beautiful and that even women at their ideal weight can still battle weight issues. She taught me that I have worth in the Lord and that He delights in me (Psalms 147:11). She taught me that true beauty comes from loving and serving a Risen Lord and that there truly is nothing greater than being in the presence of Jesus. She stood beside me and worshipped with me, held my head up when I couldn't, and sang with me on the worship team...even thought we couldn't keep the beat. She lifted me in prayer time and time again when I was weary. She taught me that a Godly woman truly is to be praised (Proverbs 31:30). She cried with me when Mark left to do ministry in Branson, she cried with me when we realized a season was ending in our friendship, and she cried with me when the Lord allowed us to enter a new season. She taught me that there are friends who know your heart without uttering a word. I love you Lisa!

You can learn all about Lisa at:
http://www.lifeoflisasmith.blogspot.com/
She was my inspiration for starting my blog!

How Great Is Our God

I admit, I am a problem solver. If someone has a problem, I want to fix it. If I think someone is making a decision that I think may not be the best, I tell them how I think they should fix it.
I was sitting in church on Sunday morning...telling a friend how I think she should change things in her life, giving examples of other couples that have made choices that haven't always turned out for the best. I thought I was doing a great job, but I am worrying that my words are falling on deaf ears.
Worship started and I was singing along, thinking about all of the "things" going on in my life...my dad is waiting for biopsy results, I have two friends in relationships that I am worried about, we are still not pregnant, even if we were pregnant we would be broke, we need a fence, we need a new couch, ....insert your favorite worry here.
Then, we started singing the song, "How Great Is Our God." It was familiar, we sang it at our previous church.
As I sing the words, the Lord starts impressing upon me just how great He is. The chorus reads:

How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God

We sing this over and over and the Lord kept reminding me over and over that all of the "things" I was worrying about will be taken care of so that all will truly see what an incredible God He is.
I don't need to try to solve all of the problems of the world, God is great enough to take care of them all. I do not need to worry about the decisions of my friends, God is great enough to take care of them. I don't need to worry about our finances, God is great enough to take care of them, I don't need to worry about the health of loved ones, God is great enough to take care of them.

"Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself." Matthew 6:34

Dirty Paws

Yesterday we forgot about the time change. We just didn't forget, we really forgot and missed church. I told myself that this was the Lord's plan for us so that we could have the day to rest. Dixie, our dog, had other plans. The weather has finally warmed up a little here in Missouri and she wanted to spend time outside. When I let her back inside I checked her paws. They weren't just dirty, they were packed with mud.

As Mark warmed the water in the tub and covered the floors with towels I carried Dixie into the bathroom. She cowered, she tried to hide, she wouldn't look at me, but instead, hid her head under my arm. She knew she had done something wrong and was wanting to let us know she was sorry.
Even with her muddy paws, Mark and I still loved Dixie...and she is only a dog. We used gentle voices, we affirmed our love for her, we tenderly bathed her and dried her, and then rewarded her with a treat.
How much more is God's love for us.

For God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8