Trust

And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:19-21 ESV)

And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." (Luke 1:30-33 ESV)

 The house is insanely quiet.  The kids are gone to the grandparents, and Troy still at work.  I'm finally getting around to wrapping presents and kicked all the furry kids out of the room.  Quiet...no tv, no radio.  Just me and a pile of gifts.

Gifts for family, gifts for friends.  Gifts which celebrate the birth of our Savior.

I find it completely amazing that after 38 Christmases, the story of Jesus' birth unfolds something new for me each year.  Born of a virgin, his first bed a cattle feeder.  A husband who trusted God enough to marry bride already with child.  A young mother who knew her difficult right of passage was the best for an entire world of people she didn't even know.  Mary and Joseph...they trusted God in the midst of circumstances they could have never imagined themselves in.  They trusted even though things weren't easy and the way they would have done things isn't how it was to unfold, God knew what was best.

I've spent quite a bit of time asking "Why, God?" and "Why not God?" lately.  Seems the straightest, easiest paths laid before my eyes are not those for which he has chosen me to pursue.  Yet through this He has taught me to have a stronger faith by keeping my eyes on him and not on the path ahead of me.

Today, I celebrate the precious season and the tiny king who gave us such a remarkable gift.  I also celebrate the growing faith he has placed in me to know I don't have to see the path ahead to know I'm going in the right direction.

May each of you have a blessed Christmas season, focused on the reason why we celebrate.

Goodbye my friend

I really don't know where I am going with this post, except to say my heart is broken clean into.  Yesterday, we buried Elvis, Noah's cat that has aways had more personality than his body would hold.  A Pit Bull shook him to death in seconds underneath our trees.  Thankfully none of us were around to hear or see what happened. 

He added so much life to our family.  He belonged to both our son Noah, with whom Elivs fished and swam.  He also belonged to our cocker spaniel Jasmine, who slept by his side.  And yes, I was quite fond of him too.  More than I am willing to admit.

I held my eight-year-old son as he sobbed himself to sleep last night, and I sobbed right along with him.

And in the big scheme of life, this is just one more thing on the pile of disappointments and disasters that I've seemed to fall into lately.  Its seems the harder I try, the harder I fall.  As if I am climing up a hill of solid ice, gaining hold for only a second, then slipping farther down.

Yeah, I'm a bit discouraged right now.  However I am holding to a verse from John 16:33 NIV I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

We know the end of the story, and that is what is important.  Victory is ours.  While we let Satan get a hold of us and drag us down, we know who the winner of the battle will be. 

My friends, whatever trials and struggles are weighing you down today, take heart.  Jesus overcame this world, and we will too!  Please pray for me that I can be the example for my children of how to have victory in the storms of life.

Allow me to pray with you about your disappointments and concerns.  You may email me at taylorandnoahsmom@yahoo.com. 

Writer's Block

Writer's Block.  For the past couple of weeks I've been wanting to get a post in this journal of mine, and yet nothing would come.  My posts usually come freely from things God has spoken to my heart.  My anxiety has grown daily because I haven't had that word to share.

Social media guidelines for blogging tell you to post regularly in order to encourage readership.  I've got to admit I watch my viewing numbers.  There's a little pride there to see a "following," but more importantly the opportunity to share my Jesus with others.  So when the posts get far between, I start to panic.  Am I not listening closely enough?

When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour.  Matthew 10:19 ESV

God boldly prepares us for the time to share our message.  Have you ever been afraid to share your faith with someone, afraid you won't have the words to say?  This verse from Matthew is that reminder in the appropriate time, we will have the words to share.

I also believe there are times he wants us to say nothing.  A hug, a smile, they speak to the heart in ways that words just won't reach sometimes.  Not only does he give us the ability to speak when called to do so, but the ability to know when silence will mean so much more.

And I dare not leave out the "in that hour" part.  We will have the words to speak when he is ready for us to do so...not every time I need to sit down and write to satisfy my heart's desire.  So until the spirit speaks to my heart again with a message to share, know that I am here, silently lifting each of you in prayer. 

I welcome your comments, notes of encouragement or prayer requests by commenting below or by email to taylorandnoahsmom@yahoo.com.  Thank you taking time to read and share this blog.  Pray for God's direction for this site and how it will be used to encourage others. 

Hummers

I sat mesmerized last night.  A storm blowing in, the breeze tickling my face.  A rare moment with no one around and I could slow down long enough to focus on the beauty around me.  A high-pitched chirp, then a buzz past my ear...a tiny hummingbird.  I call them my humbabies.  Four of them did what appeared to be a well choreographed dance around the feeder, pausing long enough to take a quick drink.  They darted into the trees.  The process repeated itself again and again.

This time of year my humbabies are extremely active.  I can't keep a feeder full of food.  Their tiny bodies tank up on the sweet nectar to help them fuel their nonstop, 18-22 hour journey across the Gulf.  Their main diet is insects, and nectar is the fuel that gives them energy to do their work.

These little creatures buzzed and swirled about, and in my mind all I could think about were how they, weighing less than one ounce,  could cross a great big ocean in the coming weeks.  It seems like such an impossible task.  But twice a year they do it.  I bet they don't have too many who complain because its too much work or too far to travel.

Matthew 6:26 (HCSB) Look at the birds of the sky: they don't sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you worth more than they? 

Doesn't is seem sometimes like our challenges are greater than we can handle?  I've have stood many times, looking ahead with great fear at what seems like an impossible task placed before me, and reached my hands toward my heavenly father to say "I can't do this, its too hard."  In my back yard last night He reminded me with a beautiful song and dance that he has promised to take care of us every step of the way.  Just as he feeds my tiny humbabies and takes them safely across the Gulf, he will carry us across our ocean waves too. 

 
Humbabies, have a safe journey.  Thank you for that gentle reminder that we can do all things because we have a God who takes care of us.  The impossible becomes the possible when God is behind it.

An amazing journey

I've tried to not let my work life spill over into my personal blog, but today I am making an exception.  Today marks my four year anniversary with the American Cancer Society.  The past four years have shaped me in so many ways.  This is not a job, its the purpose in my life to which I have been called. Here's just a few of the lessons I have learned.

• You can't control everything.  This detailed, type A kind of girl quickly learned that when your great plans don't work, fly by the seat of your pants and pray.  Outdoor events rely more on prayer than plans!  So should the rest of our life.

• Being up all night can be tremendously rewarding.  Those silly games at 3 a.m. have left tons of memories, and laughing during crazy ice breakers have melted a glacier's worth of stress.  Driving home at 7 a.m. while fighting to say awake have yielded some of my best heart to hearts with God.
• Cancer doesn't discriminate by race, age, or social status.  Losing volunteers to the disease for which we stood together and fought against has been one of the hardest parts of this journey.  Seeing loved ones make a survivor lap at Relay for the first time, one of the most rewarding.
• Birthdays are a BIG reason to celebrate!  Every birthday is a precious opportunity to enjoy another year with family and friends.  I will never take another birthday for granted or complain about the number of candles on my cake.  Bring them on!
• When you are juggling to many balls, don't forget to ask for help.  There is always a friend nearby willing to share the load.

I want to say a special thank you to the volunteers with which I have had the privilege to serve beside during the past four years.  Your dedication to this mission never ceases to amaze me!  Through wind and rain, scorching heat or family crisis, you are there. You've given vacation days and family time to help give to others.  I'm glad to have shared the journey with each of you.


Until we are able to find the cure...here's to the fight!

Feeling Inadequate

The first week back to school. Maybe its trying to get back into routine. Maybe is the mounting tasks of year end with my job. Maybe its that way-to-deeply ingrained need for perfection. Maybe its just me.

I've just felt so inadequate this week. Unable to get things where I wanted them, insecure about things to come. Not qualified for the challenges I must face.

Sometimes its not learning something new, its being reminded of something you already are. This morning, God took me back to Jeremiah 1, which details a conversation between God and Jeremiah. Jeremiah is feeling inadequate to accomplish the tasks he has been called to do. He makes excuses, and each time, God tells him he has that taken care of and he already has provided. He has called him for great things and has provided the tools Jeremiah needs.

Borrowing from my 1/1 post, here are the three "resolutions" God gave me this year:

1. Trust: If you will listen and follow...I will take care of you.
2. Don't make excuses: I have taken care of you...see resolution number 1.
3. Sew seeds with no fear. I have prepared you. You are more than adequate for the tasks I give you.

Let us go forth today boldly accepting the challenges we will face.  We are prepared!

May I pray for you today and for your personal challenges?

Win Free Tickets to Women of Faith Conference, Atlanta, GA, August 12-13

Hey Ladies...how would you like the opportunity to see Laura Story, Angie Smith, Luci Swindoll, Sheila Walsh, Lisa Harper and Natalie Grant live and worship with thousands of other women this weekend in Atlanta? You can win two tickets to the Women of Faith Event this weekend in Atlanta, GA, by simply commenting below on why you would like to attend, and liking this entry on your Facebook page. Winner will be announced Tuesday evening and selected by random number draw. 

If you have never attended an event like this, I can promise it will be one you will never forget. Check out the lineup at http://www.womenoffaith.com/events/2011-events/atlanta/

Tickets are for the event only and do not include hotel or transportation.