Unlikely Blooms ~ Enduring Love

A couple weeks ago, Timothy and I spent the morning with my friend Dawn and her husband Steven, from Marshall Photography. We stood on the golf course as he swung with natural rhythm and posed every once in awhile. Later, we walked down alleys in the midst of midday downtown busyness...alleys with stories untold and chipped paint from years of standing silent. Tim played his guitar as Dawn's camera clicked away, and I stood in awe that my oldest son has grown into a man that can create such beauty as his fingers glide across guitar strings. I was glad he couldn't see my eyes filling with tears under my  big brown leopard-print sunglasses. 

But more on all that later. 

Right now, I wanted to talk about the picture at the top of this post. I snapped it when we were walking down one of the time-worn alleys. God often works in themes, as I've mentioned before. And the lovely white petunia sprouting up from the concrete-covered ground, against the brick building reminded me of one of those recent themes He has been revealing to my heart. 

The kind of love that suffers long and is kind. The kind of love that never fails. The dying to yourself, laying it all down kind of love. The kind of love that always hopes, always endures. The kind of love that is full of gentleness, yet strong and determined enough to push up through concrete and bloom, shining forth beauty and life where there was none.

I have spent some time at the bedside of those in the twilight hours of their earthly lives, watching the valley of the shadow of death pass over. And, there is one thing that is certain. 

All that matters in that moment, is the love we share. 

It isn't the running to and fro, the fretting over schedules and bills, the daily tasks of keeping order, the petty things that drive us crazy, the gray hairs and extra padding  we carry around, the way we are perceived by others, our successes, our failures, our careers or lack of. It isn't a decision weighing on our minds, our checkbook balances, our last names, our abilities, or the size of our waistline. It isn't even the hurts or the arguments. It isn't the words we can't take back or those we left unsaid. 

All that matters...all that remains when we lie stripped of all earthly glory and gray from death's shadow...all that matters is love. 

Nitty gritty, soul laid bare...love. 

Every circumstance in life, no matter how crooked and

 distorted and ugly it appears to be, if it is reacted to in love

 and forgiveness and obedience to Your (God's) will can be 

transformed...." 

From the book: Hinds' Feet on High Places.

That's the kind of love that God wants from us. The kind that blooms despite impossible odds. Transforming, 

redeeming, life-giving, grace-filled love. 

The way that He loves us...the kind of love that never stops and never gives up. The kind of love that covers a 

multitude of wrongs. The kind of love that means we are never separated from Him.

Because of His love, I am like that petunia, growing against all odds in a place I never should have grown. 

The impossible, made possible. Blooming when I should have shriveled and died.

 Living instead. Thriving even. 

Many of you are like that petunia, as well. 

Because of His great, life-giving love.

And, since love is all that matters...

I will be driving to Chicago later this week, with my kids (Tim has to work) to see my father. It has been a few years since we've seen him, and I have never been to his house. While I am, in general, a big chicken when it comes to driving, I made a promise to Tim, myself, our boys, and most of all to the Lord that I would not let another summer pass without making the trip. So, even though Tim is unable to join us due to work demands, after much prayer, we have decided to take a leap and go. After all, God has not given us a spirit of fear! I will also be taking some time to meet with the amazing staff from The Haven Network while we're there. Please keep our travel and the meeting in prayer! 

Warrior Prayers for Our Boys

                                     

I'm always late to the party. But, I wanted to share something really great with all of you. My dear bloggy friend, September is asking moms to join her in committing to praying for our boys for 21 days using the ebook Warrior Prayers, which can be downloaded here. You can also download it for your Kindle on Amazon.

I believe September began the journey a couple days ago, but I just started and caught up (I think). This is a great book, encouraging moms to do the most they can for their boys to help them become godly men: PRAY. And, the technique the author uses is especially effective: praying scripture, something we have done for years in our Moms in Touch prayer groups. This book is full of scripture to pray specifically for boys. I love it!! And highly recommend it. Hope you will click over and read sweet September's blog and join in. It will be well worth your time!

Have a beautiful day! And, don't forget there's still time to enter to win a copy of another great book: Hinds' Feet on High Places.

Time to do Some Rejoicing!!! (Tug Update)

There is a part of me that struggles still with those who are only apt to praise God when prayers are answered in a way we can see with our eyes...when healing takes place on this earth. Not because I think it's wrong to praise God. On the contrary, His praise should be shouted from the rooftops. But, He is to be praised in whatever way our prayers are answered. Praising God has nothing to do with our circumstances or even what He does for us, but everything to do with Who He is! I spent many years repelled at the insinuation that the righteous get their prayers answered always in the ways they hoped...because of their faith, their loved one was physically healed. I learned, of course, that there are all types of healing. Sometimes God heals on this earth. Sometimes He heals by taking us Home to heaven. Sometimes He restores a broken body and sometimes He mends a broken soul. In all of it, He is faithful. In all of it, He is worthy of our praise. And, none of it has to do with our worthiness or a measure of His love for us. I learned a lot about surrendering what I thought healing looked like...surrendering my will as I prayed. Believing and trusting no matter what. It is an interesting walk...knowing that we serve a God who can do anything...heal and restore anything...and trusting His way to do it, even if it isn't the way we hoped or expected.

Many times I have talked about weeping with those who weep...and we do a lot of that here. We weep often for mothers with empty arms, hurting and aching alongside so many as we lift understanding prayers of comfort on their behalf. But, we also embrace the second part of the verse...

Rejoice with those who rejoice...


Ginny and I learned about weeping and rejoicing many years ago, as we both carried children in our wombs. My twin daughters and later our son Thomas were born into the arms of Jesus, and her sweet son came home to fill her house with life.  It was my time to weep and hers to rejoice, and yet she graciously set aside her rejoicing often....to weep with me. I tried to reciprocate, to set aside my weeping and rejoice, but I'm sure my efforts were less successful. In fact, I was barely able to lift my head, let alone fully rejoice with her.

But, today...after spending weeks on our knees on behalf of Ginny's son Tug. After weeping and weeping before the Lord, pleading for the kind of miracle that we can see with our eyes this side of heaven...even as we trust and surrender. Today, we rejoice with all of our might. Today, we dance and sing with tears of joy and laughter on our lips. We rejoice with a family that never stopped praising and trusting...even in this storm.

Tug is not only awake from his coma, but he has been transferred to another hospital where he is having intense rehabilitation. He is working so hard and can now talk, eat, and walk...things that just days ago were not possible for him. And, just to give you a window into this boy's precious heart...one of the things he said in these first days of talking (other than stuff about playing and soccer!):


To his mom: "Thank you for doing everything for me."

Thank you for praying for this family. Thank you for weeping...and for rejoicing with us. Please continue to pray as Tug works toward full recovery.

Our God is an awesome God!!!

Hinds' Feet on High Places (Giveaway)...And Some Precious God-Whispers of Truth

CONTEST CLOSED: WINNERS TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON!

Many of you have probably heard of the classic, Hinds' Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard. Dinah always wanted me to read it. We would chat for hours about the spiritual lessons that God was teaching us and the mysterious ways that he would weave His truth and grace into the tapestry of our lives.

When I talked of the ways that God brings beauty from suffering and restoration out of brokenness, strength from weakness, and grace that is always sufficient...as I walked through grief and pain and found sweet healing, Dinah would say: "You really need to read Hinds' Feet on High Places".

Dinah went home to heaven this past February, and a month or two or three (I'm not really good with time these days) later, when I was in the thick of "the missing", my friend Joyce handed me the book. (Joyce is also one of our faithful, hard-working Comfort Bear ladies.) O.K....o.k., I conceded. Obviously this is a book God wanted me to read! I could just picture Dinah nudging the Lord..."Tell Joyce to have Kelly read this book...she really needs to read it." Now I'm not sure if that's how it works in heaven, but down here on Earth, Dinah's constant suggestions and persistence were quite effective. I wouldn't put it past her, that's for sure.

Anyway, I started to read the book, and sat astounded at the parallels in my Christian walk as I related to little Much-Afraid with all of her flaws and weaknesses as she struggled to resist her Fearful relatives. Some of the truths that spoke to my heart in this book are the very truths God has revealed to me over the years, as I walked my own path toward the high places, resisting the tools of The Enemy, desperate to know the kind of love that never leaves, embarking on the journey holding the Shepherd's hand, learning about acceptance with joy in my own desolate Valley of Loss, embracing the surrender that comes from having Sorrow and Suffering (who later became Peace and Joy) as companions, realizing that such journeys lead to the transformation from Much-Afraid to Grace and Glory.

All of the truths I have clung to and battled deception with...the very truths I have claimed as my own...truths that defined my walk over the past seventeen years of clinging to God... painted in word pictures by a woman years ago. Even the place I am in now of learning about the love that lays it all down...it's in there. I thought how silly to think that it is just my walk she is describing, even as the words resonated with my inner core. This is the walk for all who choose to follow Him. Our paths may not look exactly the same, but the truths...the lessons...are all the same. This is one of the most beautiful and perfect descriptions I have read of the ways God works in our lives. Of course, I'm sure it only scratches the surface of His deep mysterious ways.

I just want to share an excerpt that depicts the essence of the lessons that God has taught and is teaching me. I have spoken of this same truth over the course of my life, but never as eloquently or perfectly as the author shares in this incredible book:

"First," said she, "I learnt that I must accept with joy all that You allowed to happen to me on the way and everything to which the path led me! That I was never to try to evade it but to accept it and lay down my own will on the altar and say, "Behold me I am Thy handmaiden Acceptance-with-Joy."


"Then I learnt that I must bear all that others were allowed to do against me and to forgive with no trace of bitterness and to say to Thee, 'Behold me - I am Thy little handmaiden Bearing-with-Love', that I may receive  power to bring good out of this evil."


"The third thing that I learnt was that You, my Lord, never regarded me as I actually was, lame and weak and crooked and cowardly. You saw me as I would be when you brought me to the High Places, when it could be truly said, 'There is none that walks with such queenly ease, nor with such grace, as she.'
..."My Lord, I cannot tell You how greatly I want to regard others in the same way."

O.K....I just have to interrupt Much-Afraid's commentary for a moment and say...Do you realize that is the very essence of what God wants for us...to love others and see others as He does? He doesn't want us to look on them the way they are...but the way they will be when they are made perfect one day in heaven's glory, without the muck and sin in this world. Oh Lord, put that love into our hearts. O.K....back to Much-Afraid and what she learned. (Even though the author likes to say "learnt", which I must admit pains me to type.)

"The fourth thing," said she with a radiant face, "was really the first I learnt up here. Every circumstance in life, no matter how crooked and distorted and ugly it appears to be, if it is reacted to in love and forgiveness and obedience to Your will can be transformed...."


It may seem like I gave the most precious nuggets of this book away, but believe me when I say that you must take the entire journey of reading this book to fully grasp it's meaning...to fully experience the truth God is whispering about this journey.

For this is the story of every Christian's journey...the one we are meant to walk. The love God pours into our lives is meant to overflow into the lives of those around us. And, everything we experience has a purpose in leading us to being the person He created us to be.

Thank you, Dinah and thank you Joyce for sharing this book with me. I'm sure I should have read it years ago, but I was busy living it. I have ordered a few copies to share with others, because it really is a precious picture of the way God works in our hearts to transform us. Truly one of the best books I've ever read...and that's saying a lot!

So, of course, I want to give a few copies of this treasure away on this post. Just leave a comment to enter.


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In other news...for those praying for Tug, there is a VERY important update at the bottom of this post....click over and join us in rejoicing for all God is doing. And, please keep praying as the journey isn't over!! Thank you so much!

A Hodge Podge of Updates, Links, and Other Random Stuff

My friend Mattie is hosting a fun online auction to help "Bring Hope Home". Click on over and check out the items up for bid. Your support will help their family's quest to adopt a child.


I've been meaning to share that a couple sweet friends from our church family have started blogging. One is our assistant pastor, Rene. He blogs about faith and running. Check out his blog: RunFight and tell him I sent you!

Also, Rene's cute wife, Shannon blogs at: Strength and Courage. Shannon makes really cute cards for various occasions. She has such a precious heart for the Lord, and is a beautiful wife and mama with the sweetest spirit of encouragement. Rene and Shannon have a really neat testimony and a great love story. I hope they will share it sometime. And, I hope you will take a minute to pop over and welcome them to blogland!

We've been busy as ever with golf, baseball, and SGM work. Our band One Way is working on a couple upcoming music events. And, we continue to receive and distribute Dreams of You orders for bereaved parents all over the country and beyond. Our friend Dave will be hosting the annual Ride4Grace motorcycle run event on Sunday August 21, 2011.

Thank you to those of you who have been praying for Tug, the son of my dear friend, who was recently in a car accident. You can keep on on Tug's progress by reading the original post...updates will be at the bottom. Also, due to the mounting medical expenses and time off work for the parents, friends are taking a collection to help support this family. Those who feel led to donate in this way can use the SGM donate button on the right sidebar and write "For Tug" in the notes/message section of the paypal donation form. Please keep praying for this family and for Tug to have a full recovery and healing.

We are going to be doing a major blog/website overhaul soon and switching to Wordpress. I would really like to get the word out about SGM. So many times we hear from families that say they wish they would have known we were here when they were walking through their losses. That is so discouraging...to know that we could have helped someone and missed the opportunity. So, I would love to find ways to spread the word that we are here and continue to be more effective in supporting grieving families.

You can help by answering a few questions.

1. What kinds of posts are most relevant to you as a reader?

entertaining/funny
bereavement support
biblical encouragement/bible study
heartfelt stories
everyday random stuff

2. We began Walking With You a couple years ago in an effort to make sure that families could feel supported on this journey. As time goes on, many families have moved to a different place in their walk, but there are new families out there in need of support. Does anyone have an idea of how we can continue to reach out and support one another in the various places each is on this walk? What was most helpful to you in working through your grief...as far as finding support in the blogging community?

3. How can we better serve families? What are some of the resources you have found most helpful in your grief?

4. In an effort to help more families have access to the Dreams of You materials, what do you think about having people in each state willing to donate materials to local hospitals?

Traveling Food Fest 2011 - The Quest for the Best Strawberry Frozen Lemonade

We are knee deep in vacation bible school week, and it's a hot one. Going to surpass 100 degrees this week...and we are feeling every sticky inch of it. HOT TAMALES!

So, I thought it was a good time to report some recent findings...after, ahem, some extensive research (that may or may not have included some lunch eating with my Tracy-girl). The matter at hand: Who has the best strawberry frozen lemonade? I know, it's a really important question. Bet you are just sitting on the edge of your seat, desperate to know my findings. Hee hee.

(Sorry that I don't have pictures to entice you further, as you await this incredibly pertinent information.)

O.k., here's what we know...

I have been having a summer fling, an outright love affair if you will, with McDonalds Frozen strawberry lemonade. Now, I am hoping this doesn't cause an uproar. Because, I mentioned this on facebook, and it turns out that people had some strong feelings about this subject...and did not share my love for the sweet and sour nectar that is the McDonald's strawberry frozen lemonade. It's a forbidden love, perhaps. But, if loving my lemonade is wrong...then, I don't want to be right!

I wasn't even deterred when a dear facebook friend said that she couldn't finish hers and that it tasted like cleaner. Nope, I enjoyed both the consistency and the taste of my lemonade and returned time and time again for this summertime treat.

To further my quest, I tried the frozen strawberry lemonade at Applebees. I have to admit, although it pains me a bit to say, that the Applebees lemonade did edge out McDonalds on taste. It was the perfect blend of strawberry sweetness and lemonade sour. Not even a hint of the aforementioned "cleaner" taste. But, the problem came when I slurped away, struggling to get the lemony goodness into the straw. I sat thirstily waiting for the drink to melt enough for me to be able to slurp it up. It was frustrating and, quite frankly not worth the effort. The consistency was all wrong. So, I would have to say that McDonalds frozen lemonade wins, because I can't have frustration interrupting my bliss when spending quality time with a frozen summer drink.

The third test was held at Panera. I LOVE Panera's regular lemonade, so I may have set the bar too high. Definitely should have lowered my expectations, because when I took a couple sips of Panera's version of the strawberry lemonade, my face wrinkled up, and I shook my head. This was no frozen strawberry lemonade. It was all kinds of wrong.

I looked at it and declared aloud, "You call yourself a frozen strawberry lemonade? You are not!!"

You see, I expect my summery lemonade treats to be fruity, not creamy. This drink was a little lemonade with a milky strawberry smoothie type concoction. Blech. I'm not even sure what they were thinking, but it certainly wasn't what I expected. I generally love everything about Panera. Good lemonade. Delicious breads, soups, and sandwiches. Most of the time, I am all kinds of happy and satisfied by Panera. But, their frozen strawberry lemonade...not so much. Not at all. Two thumbs down and a big toe.

So...that leaves McDonalds as the current reigning winner of the best strawberry frozen lemonade. I know many of you may have strong opinions on these controversial findings...and that's o.k. However, I can't help but think that the search isn't over. It seems there has to be a better option out there somewhere. If you have a suggestion, I'm open. You don't have to ask me twice. It's a tough job...researching frozen strawberry lemonades...but I'm willing to take one for the team.

If you agree or disagree with my findings, I'd love to hear your thoughts! What are your favorite summer "cool-me-down" drinks?
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P.S. Please keep praying for Tug. I will continue to post updates on his condition on this post.

UPDATE: A Whole Lot of Heavy...Please Pray

Huge update:

Tug is not only awake from his coma, but he has been transferred to another hospital where he is having intense rehabilitation. He is working so hard and can now talk, eat, and walk...things that just days ago were not possible for him. And, just to give you a window into this boy's precious heart...one of the things he said in these first days of talking (other than stuff about playing and soccer!):

To his mom: "Thank you for doing everything for me."

Original post:
I was going to post something fun today...a Traveling Food Fest 2011 Post. Something light and happy..but it will have to wait.

Life is full of a whole lot of heavy.

So, I'm here instead asking for your prayers for an old friend...a fellow mother and sister in Christ. She is the first person I told when I was expecting our oldest son, Timothy. She is the one who re-introduced me to Jesus, leading me to the Lord, when my family was young and new and I was floundering. She led me to my church family. She walked with me early in marriage, so that we could learn how do this wife/mother thing together. Together is always better than alone. She is the only person I wanted (other than my mom) in the hospital room when I could barely lift my head during the difficult pregnancy with Faith and Grace. She sat with me in the weeks after their passing, answering my door, my phone, running my errands...while I curled into a ball and cried. She listened endlessly and loved my children as her own. And, I felt the same about hers. She walked with me again while we waited for our Thomas...eating seven layer chocolate cake at Cooker's to dull the pain of those hard days of planning a funeral while we prayed for a miracle. She was one of the few people on this earth that held our Thomas, not shying away...looking on his beauty with me...enjoying his pinky toe, sharing his special gift to us. She and Dinah held a baby shower for our now 10 year old miracle, James...hoping with me...embracing joy with me...walking with me.

She laid her life down for me over and over again. It was a special friendship...one you don't see everyday. But, our lives changed and our paths changed. We still love each other, although we have rarely talked in recent years. She is a beautiful mother...a beautiful woman...a beautiful friend, with the voice of an angel and a compassionate servant's heart.

But, today she is sitting by the hospital bed of her son. Her oldest daughter (16) and youngest son (middle school age) were in a car accident yesterday. Her son sustained extensive injuries, and this family needs our urgent...on our knees...heartfelt prayers. Please join your prayers with ours for this family...for this mother...and for her sweet boy and beautiful daughter. Please walk with the friend who spent so much time in the valley walking with me.

UPDATE as of Saturday July 17th:
 The daughter (16) was released from the hospital on Friday. The son (age 11), nicknamed Tug, remains in a coma with several injuries. He has opened his eyes briefly, but remains unconscious. PLEASE continue to pray during these critical first days. Pray for complete healing...for comfort and strength...and for peace for his family.

Family and friends are also taking a collection locally to help this family with all of the expenses involved with the hospital stay and recovery. If you feel led to support in this way, you can use the donate button on our page (normally reserved for Sufficient Grace Ministries donations) and just list "For Tug" in the note section, so the funds are properly dispersed.

Thank you so much for your prayers, and please keep them coming. God is faithful. He is our refuge and our strength. We continue to cling to Him and trust Him to carry Tug and his family through this time...

I heard that Tug's favorite Psalm is Psalm 91 and one good idea was to pray that Psalm with his name inserted in. It would be wonderful if we could pray God's powerful word for this sweet boy!! James and I did so tonight. Hope many of you will take the time to do the same. However you are led, PLEASE PRAY!

Update as of Monday evening: Although still in a coma, Tug is showing some reactions to those around him...growing agitated...and even sitting up a bit and trying to open his eyes to see people. We are standing with this family in prayer and believe God is working to heal Tug. Please keep praying! Go God...and Go Tug!

Update Tuesday and Wednesday: Tug responded to a command today with a thumbs up!! That is the first time he has been able to do that, and it is a good sign!! Also, please continue to pray for Tug that he will have peace and clarity of mind as he continues the journey toward awakening fully from this coma. We are looking forward with great hope to that day, and believe it will happen soon. Thank you so much for praying...and please keep it up!!

Update Sunday July 24, 2011: Tug is now breathing on his own (for the past several days) and showing some progress each day. While he is still not completely awake from the coma, he has been from the bed to a chair with help and even was wheeled around the hospital in a wheelchair. He continues to work hard each day. Please keep praying! Tug's family is so grateful for all the prayers and encouragement!

Update as of July 29, 2011:

Tug is awake!!!! 


He is making progress each day and working very hard! While no longer in a coma, he does have a long road of recovery ahead of him, and will be in rehab as he works to fully recover. Please keep praying! Our God is BIG and faithful!!