Persevering Rangers

When the perseverance pays off

Okay, I’m gonna start out and say I know a lot of you aren’t baseball fans but stick with me today for this lesson on perseverance. K? Thanks.

“Rangers are World Series champions!” The announcer on TV proclaims. My husband, kids, and I are whooping and hollering and screaming exclamations of joy and excitement. Our team FINALLY won! (Side note: during all the loud noises we were making my dog was in the middle of having puppies so we were sitting by her in her birthing pool and clapping for the Rangers. More on the puppies in a future post).

The Rangers are my favorite baseball team and my all time favorite sports team in general. I grew up as a child watching every game and recording stats in my stat book. Yes, every ball, strike, out, error, etc. 6-4-3 double play. I had that recorded in my book as a nine year old. To watch them make history by winning the World Series this year is surreal.

The Texas Rangers (until now) were the oldest Major League Baseball team that had never won a World Series. Over 60 years. That’s a long time. But each year, the players and coaches would still suit up and go out on the baseball diamond and try again. As the song goes, “If at first you don’t succeed, dust yourself off and try again.” (Credit to singer Aaliyah). The fans would come season after season to watch their beloved team. Players, coaches, and fans….they all persevered.

Perseverance. It’s what happens when we never give up. Is it easy? NO! Is it worth it? Absolutely, just ask the Texas Rangers and their fans. How do we persevere in life?

“So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6:9-10‬ ‭MSG‬‬

In other words, don’t give up. You will be rewarded for persevering. You may not see it in this lifetime, but there will be a reward. God sees you working, not giving up. Keep going one small step (or one swing of the bat) at a time. Persevere.

Unmasked

“Who is that?” I wondered as I saw someone completely dressed up including a costume mask walking around on Halloween. There were so many people, kids and adults, in a variety of interesting costumes. Some people might have acted differently than they usually do, simply because they were masked in costume and others didn’t know who they were.

Seeing all the different costumes made me think. How often do we go around with invisible costumes on pretending to be something we are not? How often do we try to please others by straying from ourselves?

In my life, I have found myself trying to please others by doing activities or events that I don’t feel I should actually do. This is especially true when I was in my high school and college days and I just wanted to fit in. I would like to say this mask went away when I got older, but it did not and I found myself trying to fit in with others so I wouldn’t feel left out even as an adult. I would say what people wanted to hear.

Have you ever pasted a smile on your face and told people everything was fine, but deep down you were struggling? Now to be clear, not everyone needs to know your problems, but it is important to take the mask off around trusted people and let them see the real you, struggles and all.

Why do we wear these invisible masks? Is it because we are afraid of being rejected, unloved or unliked? God knows and He will never reject us. He is our safe hiding place so we don’t have to hide behind a false self.

“For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory.” Psalms‬ ‭32:7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I told my middle school Bible study campaigners group the other day we must be who God made us and not try to keep a mask on pretending to be someone else. God made each of us unique and we need to step into that.

In what ways have you been wearing a costume mask? What is a small step you can take to slowly take off the mask? Maybe it’s asking for prayer? I would love to pray for you if that’s the case. Let’s be real.

Cool breeze – Thursday thought #2

My Thursday thought is a short thought or inspiration to help you through the day. Enjoy!

Can you feel it? The slightly cool breeze the past few mornings? Fall is coming! The cool breeze is also a reminder of God’s Spirit moving. God’s Spirit will blow in and give us relief on a hot day when maybe life feels too overwhelming. Know God is with you in the breeze today friends!

Are you longing for water?

Okay, y’all. Did anyone go dance in the rain when we finally got a bit in our dry, dry area?

Water is precious. My 9 year old has been praying for rain everyday for months. She is absolutely consistent in her prayers for rain. Where we live in the Texas Hill Country, we absolutely need rain. We are in a long drought and the Guadalupe river in our town is drying up. We are desperate for rain.

There’s another type of water that’s not physical and it’s even more important than actual H2O because it goes beyond our life here on earth. What is this water?

Living water….Jesus. The Holy Spirit.

Are we desperate for Jesus like we are desperate for rain on our drought-stricken land?

Do we long for and thirst for this eternal water like we do for actual water when we are dehydrated?

Y’all, I haven’t been as spiritually thirsty as I should. I haven’t been desperate for this living water like I should.

“But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.””
‭‭John‬ ‭4:14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him”.
‭‭John‬ ‭7:37-39‬NLT

How can we bath in this living water? What does it look like to be desperate for it? For me, it’s turning my trust and control over to Him on a daily basis. I have to repeat it and dwell on it for this release to happen.

What is it that works for you to remind you to seek the living water daily? Are you longing for this water that can bring you back to life?

Man’s best friend

“She was the first animal I really cared about,” my daughter said through tears. I sat holding her even though it was past bedtime and we were both beyond tired.

Our dog, Dixie, passed away yesterday. She was old and had been sick so no real shock, but it is still surreal. I know I am not unique in the loss of a pet. Many of us have lost pets and to that I say “You are not alone. I am here with you.” Some people don’t fully understand when someone is grieving a pet because they weren’t human. True it may not be the same kind of grief, but grief is still grief.

We can also grieve life changes – job losses, illnesses, failed relationships, etc. Life isn’t always easy. It’s not always sunshine and sangria. Sometimes it’s hurricanes and sour vinegar.

As I navigate the death of our beloved Dixie girl with my children, we cry and we pray and we share memories. We make time to sit together and hug, wipe tears, and just be together. Dixie had been around for their whole lives, so now there is a void. What had caused a void in your life?

What has caused a void in your life?

People deal with the voids in their lives in many different ways, both good and bad. But the first thing we should do is not something of this world, but someone out of this world. We should look to God, who will always be there when we grieve, when there is a void in our lives.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34:18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Remember, friends, that God is close to us when we grieve or struggle through a void that’s been left in our lives. He is near and we can turn and sit in His lap while He comforts us. I’m praying for you!

Traffic

Mid-week miracles - how God shows up for us in the mess

Traffic. Most of us don’t like it. Now I’m sure there are a few of you out there who don’t mind being stuck on the road with a super long line of cars in front of you, but I feel the vast majority of us want to get to our destination in a timely manner. Today, as I pulled out of work onto the busy main street here in Kerrville, I pondered my driving. Some days I drive fast, tense, and impatient to get where I am going. Other days like today I am more laid back, relaxed, and not feeling like I have to push the limits to get there (I may or may not be talking about speed limits here 😉).

On my fast days I am wound up tight like a spring ready to bounce, but on the days where I purposely drive slower and relaxed I am much more calm. I don’t drive slow and still am close to the speed limit, but my reactions to things and people are different on these days. I am a much more pleasant person when I am calm and this gives me a chance to invite Jesus in. When I am rushed and driving fast, I don’t often invite Jesus in (except maybe to part the waters, or traffic in my case, so I can get on with my day).

How do you go through life? Is it fast and furious always trying to get to the next thing? Or maybe it’s more relaxed, where you can remain calm and enjoy the drive?

“With tender humility and quiet patience, always demonstrate gentleness and generous love toward one another, especially toward those who may try your patience.”‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:2‬ ‭TPT‬‬

God showed me today that my attitude while driving affects how I deal with people and affects my spiritual life for the whole day, not just the time I’m in the car. God wants us to be patient and gentle towards other, remaining calm and level headed instead of having road rage. Maybe it’s not snapping at the coworker who annoys you. Maybe it’s controlling your temper when your children disobey you for the 4,000th time that day.

How will you go through your day? What kind of driver of your life will you be? Let’s not let a little “traffic” in our lives ruin our day.

Does what I do matter?

Mid-week miracles – your weekly encouragement for daily life – how has God shown up this week?

I sighed deeply and looked out the bedroom window. My husband was pushing my daughters on the swing and they all were laughing. I was stuck inside quarantining away from everyone. My husband and my parents had been taking care of everything while I was stuck sick in quarantine. They did everything so wonderfully and I am so deeply grateful. As the days drug on and on, I began to lose focus on my goals and my purpose. I began to question every aspect of my life, questioning if my normal daily activities were of significance, making a difference in the world. I was stuck in a rut. Can you relate?

When you are staying at home to raise your kids and you feel forgotten or insignificant, like nothing you do makes a difference, God sees you.

When you work at a job that is not fulfilling and you wonder if you even matter, God sees you.

When you are sick at home quarantining all alone and the world is still going on, passing you by, God sees you.

Do you ever feel that what you do in your day to day life doesn’t seem significant? Doesn’t seem like you have a purpose or meaning?

As I sat in quarantine, I pondered these questions and it got me thinking about what I view as significant and meaningful. After feeling down on myself for a bit, I came to realize through prayer and reading God’s Word that even the little things I don’t think matter can really make a difference in God’s kingdom. When I am at home doing never ending laundry for the 5000th day in a row (or so it seems), that is actually serving my family and making a big difference. I mean, it would probably be frowned upon if we went out in public without clothes. When I sit at work and wonder if all the typing in spreadsheets is making a difference in the world, I can know I am helping keep the business running smoothly so the other employees can help people sleep better and therefore have a better quality of life.

Side note: Don’t compare yourself and what you are doing to other people, especially what you see on social media! That is a whole separate post, but know what you are made to do is different than someone else and neither one is any less important than the other. Okay, back to the main point for today.

“Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.” Psalms 37:5

I can do everyday things faithfully and that might be God’s plan for me that day. God sees you in every moment, big or small. Don’t feel forgotten because what you do matters (and I’m not just saying that as a cliche!) Will you look for Him in each moment of the day?

Up in flames

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It’s fall and bonfire season!! Have you ever seen a bonfire? Like a really big, meticulously built bonfire? Last weekend, my hubby and I took our kids to our college homecoming festivities, one of the highlights being the bonfire. The Tarleton Plowboys are a spirit organization in charge of building the bonfire. For 2 weeks prior, the Plowboys spend many hours assembling the massive wooden and brush structure. There is careful planning and execution to get the bonfire as big as it is. Last Friday, our group of friends stood in front of the bonfire before it was lit admiring it and then watched in awe as a few key university people carried lit torches up to the structure and lit it. It took a few minutes to get started, but soon the whole bonfire was engulfed in flames. “That’s the biggest fire I’ve ever seen!” my kids exclaimed, “And it was started with those sticks (torches).”

Can’t life be like that sometimes? Maybe we’ve carefully built our schedule, house, meal prep, business, relationships, etc. We think all is well, but then a little spark comes in and burns it all up. That spark could be a lot of things….health setback, financial strain, disruption in normal schedule, anxiety, hurtful words. Whatever it is, it can come out of nowhere to quickly engulf us.

The little spark can also be a good thing. We get a spark from a new idea, new business venture, unexpected good news, help from a friend, etc. Our personal life can change with just a small spark. For me, whether the spark is supposedly negative or positive, I want to use it to draw closer to God. Will I let a negative spark burn my life up and send me spiraling? Or will I let it purify me and mold me into someone stronger, more reliant on God?

“These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold-though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” 1 Peter 1:7 NLT

Our words can also be sparks used to either build up or tear down. One little lie can cause your world to go up in smoke. Or an encouraging word can spark a host of joyful emotions. We must be aware of our words, what we are saying and how we are saying it.

“Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.” James 3:5 NLT

What kind of fire are we sparking? Are our words building up or tearing down?

When a fire does come into your life, will you turn to God and lean on Him, or rely on yourself and be burned up?

Happy November!

Circle of Life

“You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.” Psalm 139:16

When you read the title did you immediately start singing the song from Lion King? I know I did. The circle of life involves new life, death, and growing up in between. When I think too long about it I get tears in my eyes and can easily become overwhelmed.

My daughter turned 9 yesterday. I won’t get all sentimental here but geez, shouldn’t she still be a baby learning to walk? Time sure does fly by. Also, this week we lost my husband’s uncle quite unexpectedly to a massive heart attack. He seemed so vibrant and healthy and we never would have guessed it was his time to be called home.

Both of these events this week have caused me to think about how fragile life is.

You see, I’m a control person who likes to have things planned out. Unfortunately (or actually maybe fortunately), we don’t know what’s going to happen in our lives. Most definitely there will be things happen we could never have imagined, both good and bad. How are we to deal with everything? How do we gracefully grow older and experience the circle of life in our families?

As my husband and I sat in my daughter’s room at bedtime last night we read Psalm 139. The whole chapter is about how God is with us and goes before us. The verses that stood out to us as we read were these: “O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.” (verses 1-2, 5-6, 16).

We talked about how God is in control. She worries and I told her I get anxious also, but it helps me to know no matter what happens God’s got me. And this is my encouragement to you also, my friend reading this post today. I know life is hard and there are no easy answers. I struggle with anxiety, so severe sometimes I break out in hives and have panic attacks. I am not speaking to you as someone who has it all together and has conquered my fears. No, I am speaking to you as a friend who is in the trenches with you. I am not in control, but I know Who is and even in death, new life, and growing older God will be with us and knows all our days. He knows every moment of our lives and everything about us. Let’s turn to Him in our grief and helplessness over situations and lean on Him.