Schemes or Dreams

"Is it okay to live together before we get married? You know, just for awhile to see if we're compatible and to share expenses."

"Why is it good for some to marry and not others? I don't want to land in a divorce with a broken heart. The odds are stacked against me."

"I'm scared to get married. Especially to the wrong guy. How can I ever find someone to trust?"

As dating online, gender confusion, active sexuality and divorce statistics rise, questions and fears are increasing in every age group from preteens to senior citizens.

A thousand years from now what legacy will you leave behind to the generations that follow? Will peace rule your heart if you seek after selfish gains? Are you serious about dying to self and living God's best dream for your life?

Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. Run this life race keeping in step with the Spirit, training for the calling God has given you. Then look beside you to see who is running alongside, encouraging you, challenging you, prodding you toward faithfulness in finishing your race.

The only reason to marry or to stay single is because you are able to more efficiently and passionately take heed of your calling from God, to complete it.

So what is it you are called to do? What is the legacy you want to leave? Stop scheming to achieve self focused goals. You can begin today to achieve the adventure, freedom and God-focused calling given uniquely to you!

My Grandma and the President

My friend recently returned home from a foreign country. While at her local market she was reminded that American workers have a cheerful welcome, a kind greeting and helpful smiles. It's not like that where she lived across the ocean.

Yesterday during an hour of errands, I was asked for help from people who spoke with accents from four different countries. They were hard to understand because they were new in America.

They asked me for help and it was an honor. They trusted that I would be helpful, patient and aware so they were comfortable approaching me. It's what we do in America. We help one another, even strangers.

I like living in a country where people say, "Happy ThanksGiving!" and "Happy Turkey Day!"

I like it that people can go to work and earn an income or go shopping with family on the holiday. I like it when people stay home to watch football and eat pizza together instead of shopping.

And I like it that families can choose to neither shop or watch football, instead boycotting those choices they disapprove.

I like living in a country where people say "God bless you, ma'am" and "Merry Christmas!". A place where people can say "Happy Holidays" and celebrate the season even if they don't believe the Messiah has come.

I like living in a country where I can eat watermelon in July, caramel apples in Autumn and candy canes in December.

I like living in a country where people stop at a stop sign in the middle of the night even when nobody else is watching,.

I like living in a country where people pay their taxes because they would never cheat millions of fellow citizens. I like living in a country where I can respect and trust my government, my judicial system and decide for myself if I want to vote. I can hang my flag whenever or wherever I choose.

As a child, I once repeated something unkind I had heard about the president.

My gentle Christian grandma, who did not upset easily, said with snapping angry eyes and tense voice, "He is your president and he has been elected by the people of America. Whether you agree with him or not, you do not speak disrespectfully of the President of the United States. You are an American. You will respect the office of the president even if you don't respect something a president does."

She felt so strongly because she was honored to be a citizen of the United States of America. She liked living here. So do I.

Dangerous Women

"Aren't you afraid to be in the prison with all those dangerous women?" my neighbor asked.  "Do you have to be around any serial killers?"

The truth is that I am safer behind prison walls than I am on the highway or walking around downtown. My movements are on security video. I carry a body alarm. My husband carries a two-way radio. Armed prison guards would immediately be available if a situation was dangerous.

Prisoners we meet in the chapel have murder, child abuse, prostitution, rape and drug crimes in their pasts.  But they look like any other group of women, except for the way they're dressed. With hands clapping and feet dancing as they sing, they sound like any other group of women praising God. Leaning in to hear my teaching, they take notes and ask questions, diligent in their study of God's Word.

They are not dangerous women because of their crimes. They are dangerous women because they are Jesus Followers, because they are becoming women after God's own heart.  They dare to be the hands and feet of Jesus in a fallen world.

Sierra, a Jesus Follower in prison, grips my hand as she tells me her story. She will die inside the prison walls. Society has rightly sentenced her to multiple life sentences. She smiles through tears of compassion for her fellow prisoners, women who live in darkness, slaves to their sins and wrong choices.

"There is so much power in God's love! I'm much more dangerous with a Bible than I ever was with a gun. Satan should be afraid. Very, Very afraid."

And Satan is indeed afraid. He knows his time is almost up. He holds no power over the truly dangerous woman, the princess-soldier who lives courage, gives wise counsel and goes about doing good. His name is defeat and the battle belongs to the Lord.

The most dangerous women in the world write Bible verses on the hearts of children. They act out Bible stories, making it fun to be in Sunday School. Pots of vegetable soup and loaves of fresh baked bread sit on their counters ready to be taken to the sick and weary. They have time to listen, to bind up the brokenhearted, to stretch loving arms to the needy and to change the course of history with their prayers.

They wage war on selfishness, divorce, abortion and cruelty. Dangerous women send notes to young wives encouraging them to love their husbands and children.  They babysit for young moms when rest becomes long overdue. They care for the widows, the orphans, the homeless. Dangerous women counsel alongside the Holy Spirit. They love people deeply from their hearts, changing the world one step at a time.

Just how dangerous are you?

Princess of Quite A Lot

Each January, the ladies in my life group spend an evening discussing our personal goals for the coming year. We share one thing we have resolved to change, and we share our inspirational word.


By sharing our goal and inspirational word we receive accountability, prayers and encouragement. It's one of our favorite Girls' Nights of the year. The practice is teaching us humility, transparency and commitment to one another.

"My 2013 word is 'stewardship'," one friend has decided. "God is a God of order. I want to see stewardship in my finances, my housekeeping and my time."

Stewardship. An old word for a new goal.

The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof. Everything belongs to God. My marriage, my children, my body, my job, my pain, my disease, my suffering. When our hands are open to what God lays in them, it's all grace.  It's all gifts that we are given to manage. We are stewards, caretakers.

As Mary Englebreit so creatively puts it, I am a "princess of quite of lot".

How we care for whatever we are given matters to Him.  It should matter to us.

What hinders you from being a good steward of the gifts God has given?

Obedience is not a Bad Word

Photo by Peter Hopper (flickr.com)

Spiritual mothering. When I first spoke those words and accepted it as my calling, I had never heard the term. It was a new thought, fresh from my study of Paul's relationship to Timothy.  But, it's an old idea that's been around since, well, Paul and Timothy.

There is nothing new under the sun. 

For a writer seeking fresh topics it can be humbling, even frustrating. Frequently I get enthusiastic about new insights, new ministry, new creative possibility. Just as I hit my stride, ready to change the world with my ideas, I learn that someone else has made the same discovery. Someone else has already written the book, taught the class, made the t-shirt. The air leaves my balloon and the excitement I feel shrivels up. Focus turns on self and disappointment turns to discouragement.

Getting sidetracked? Losing focus? Those have been problems since Eve met evil face to face in the garden. Yet, all these centuries later, I struggle just as she did. Satan flashes bright lofty thoughts before me. I turn my eyes away from Jesus for a split second, and my heart is pulled back to my own desires.

Humility is rugged, tested-and-tried obedience. Humility is fighting with a faith that is emptied of self, filled to overflowing with the power of God. Humility is seeing the big picture through the eyes of a God who has a plan for each of His people, for His world. Humility brings focus.

What hinders you today? Are you sidetracked by putting self first? Is there always that one thing that you can't give up, even for Him?  That one thing Satan dangles before you that you do not resist? 

Obedience opens the door to humility.  When humility shines a bright light on God's plans, powerful world-wide change becomes possible.  

Under Construction

Walls are crooked and need repair. Paint colors are being chosen. I am unsure, insecure, about change. Finding focus in the blur of activity drains energy. Creative ideas spin around my head.  Fears and doubts about even writing a blog are as loud as a jack hammer. Like my life, my blog is under construction.

Discipline and change for the purpose of godliness make the difference in success or failure. In the middle of the confusion and doubt, pick up the instruction manual, your Bible, and begin. Take a step toward change.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path." -Proverbs 3:5, 6

Take God at His word and begin. Guidance comes while you're walking by faith.  A still small voice will speak to you gently in your heart. "This is the right direction" or "This is a wrong step!".  Follow through with your God-directed decision. Trust Him to keep His word.  He will work harder to finish your faith, than you will! Psalm 32 promises that He will "counsel you with His eye on you".

His word is a light for our path. Step by step He leads us through any darkness, any wilderness, any confusion, any grief, any exhaustion, any fear. He knows the way. Follow Him. Take a step. Ignite hope. Live courage.

Martin Luther King, Jr. knew about building a dream. He said, "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." He knew about walking faith down a dark road.  He trusted God to keep His Word so he took a step. He lived courage and ignited the hope of an entire nation.

Wake me up, Father

For years I have chosen one thing in my life I want to change each year. The whole "make a list of resolutions and fail by February thing" just didn't work for me. 

I choose one positive challenge. Discipline for the purpose of  godliness has brought about amazing changes. I work alongside God to be available for His purposes and He changes me from the inside out while I'm focused on Him instead of me.

Photo by Elyce Feliz (flicker.com)

Awake. My inspirational word choice for 2013. My goal? Live fully awake to His presence.

On the second day in January 2013, truth settled at home in my heart. Bible-on-lap, heart-opened-wide, tears streaming down. I ached with disappointment. The day had been filled with accomplishments, products of my discipline and determination, wonderful accomplishments. 

The problem was I had gotten sidetracked from my goal. I slept through the day. I was not awake to God's presence like I want to be, like I resolved to be. It's a thin line, isn't it? The line between awake and asleep. One can accomplish the very same things either way. I had worked hard all day. I had made big strides toward accomplishing important tasks, good tasks. 

But, what had I missed? I missed one-of-a-kind, precious moments lived fully awake to the presence of God. I missed it. Like the family of Jesus watching Him run and play, laugh and pray. The Face of God, Emmanuel, the with-them-God living under the same roof. And they missed it.

~Father, I'm sorry when I get sidetracked from being fully awake to Your presence all around me! You keep Your side of our covenant. You did a mighty work inside of me while I remained blind to Your presence. How faithful You are, even when I am faithless! Create in me a heart that is fully awake. Wake. Me. Up. To the beautiful, amazing reality of Your presence in me, before me, beside me and behind me. Wake. Me. UP!

[For more on choosing ONE THING for your year, see One Road for Katie]

Child-size Resolutions

"Sparkle"

A new year resolution is an excellent forum for teaching a child obedience, discernment and promise keeping.

Even a preschooler gets excited about making life better. Do not look down on small beginnings. Your child is never too little to learn that a focus on God's purposes makes life easier. Make it fun to learn discipline for the purpose of godliness.

Establish hope. Discuss living life with excellence and honor.Set aside a specific time to talk with your child about the importance of goals and planning. Share one thing you want to change in your own life. Brainstorm about goals he might like to make. Ask your child to choose one thing he will resolve to do this year.  

Pray with your child. We all have a lot to learn, but family accountability makes it easier to change. With God all things are possible! Find a Bible verse or passage with your child that speaks directly to the change. Keep it before him as a verse to memorize and study. He needs his very own collection of Bible verses.

Effect change. Use positive words. "Speak encouraging words" is more positive than "Stop arguing with my sister". Have the child choose one word to be their 2013 inspiration word for the year. "Encourage" would work well with this example. 

Frame a drawing of the word, paint it on a rock, color it on the wall, or write it in lipstick across the mirror. Go out for ice cream to celebrate. Children love doing something that creates an event from a decision.

Encourage action. Teach your child to focus on discipline for the purpose of godliness. Learning to work on a change that benefits others will allow God room to change the child from the inside out.  Right actions produce right feelings.

In our example, you might choose encouraging others at the grocery store, visiting a nursing home, writing encouraging notes to practice speaking encouragement. Collect God's encouraging words. Talk about people in the Bible and in your world that are good encouragers.

As you teach your child to live intentionally, he will learn that life is joyful and exciting when we work alongside God to change our world. And in the process, we change ourselves.

Abby decided that she would stop sneaking candy and chips from the pantry. "Eat healthy food" became her goal.  Her word was "Honesty". At bedtime, exhausted from working in the food pantry with her dad, Abby prayed, "Dear God, Thank you that it's so much fun to take care of hungry people."  

Let Faith Arise

Even with a joyful heart and a mind set on things above, you can find yourself in the midst of a life storm. 

Tossed about in disappointments  you scramble for balance. Circumstances overwhelm. Fear takes a hold. Suddenly you begin to sink into the dark waves that are pulling you down.


It is when we are bruised by failure and loss that the good stuff happens. We look upward for wisdom and help. We cannot save ourselves. To overcome disappointing loss, we have to fight for a faith that overcomes our circumstances.

Peter was new to a relationship with the God who walked on earth, the God who walked on water. The Bible tells us that God called him out of the safety of a boat and into the storm to walk alongside Him on the water. God called and Peter courageously followed Him into a wild world where storms rage high and darkness overwhelms. 

"The secret to surviving the storm is Christ in me, " Elisabeth Eliot writes, "not me in a different set of circumstances."  


When Peter glanced at his circumstances, he began to sink. When He grabbed on to the hand of God, he was able to rise above the dark raging waters. Joy and opportunity waited for Peter if only he would grasp the hand of God, rise above his circumstances and walk by faith not by sight. 

Girlfriend Grace

"We're learning to be so much more transparent and honest with one another, " Kerri observed.  "We all make mistakes. We all get frustrated. But it's so great to know we aren't alone. It really helps when we open up and share the hard stuff."

Girl's Night starts with candles and chocolate and craziness.  It ends with talking and tissues and transparency. We are discovering that being honest and open teaches us to be brave and bold. It encourages consistent prayer on a deep level. Dark secrets we once would have kept hidden are becoming bonds that unite us and spur us on to love and good works.

Someday all we have done, both good and bad, will be called into judgment. Because we are learning to be transparent now, future judgment no longer holds fear. For every sin, every loss in life, we long to hear someone say, "Yes. That happened. She told me about it. Let me share how her sin and loss was a teaching tool in my life."

The evil one wants to use sin to cause shame, death, despair.  He wants my sin to break intimacy with God, block my prayers for others and weigh me down with worry.  He does not like for my prayer life to stay active in changing the world. He wants me isolated and alone.

God uses my very worst self to bring glory to His purposes, to bless my marriage, friendships and His church. Not only is God made strong in my weakness, but so am I!  Everyone who learns from me shares in my triumph over sin and death.

Nothing need be hidden.  All of my heart, even the ugly parts, can be available for counseling, teaching and encouraging.  My sinful choices used for good. Now that's proof positive of wondrous grace. 

Sunshine Through the Door

"We never have people over," Sheila said, surprising me because her house is much bigger and fancier than my own. "I'm too tired and busy and it's too expensive anyway. There's never enough babysitting and I get so completely bored listening to people whine and complain about life. Or just drinking and talking about stupid stuff."

Sunbeams stream through the open door. Simple but nutritious gingerbread steams on the counter alongside the fruit bowl. The full teapot is steeping. Coffee is brewing. Letters to be delivered by hand lay waiting on the table.  Flowers picked in the yard by children offer a cheery welcome. Guitars are tuning up, Legos are being dumped, games are being carted upstairs. My heart leaps with joy. It's Sunday night.

Weekly the friends who are my deepest relationships, my first line of defense in times of trouble stream into my house bringing sunshine and delight into my life.We choose to stay accountable to one another, to walk alongside one another as life witnesses, to enjoy one another and hurt with one another. Being tired and busy makes me want them more not less. It's not expensive and babysitting is not necessary. Sometimes we get out the good china and the cloth napkins. Once in awhile someone makes a fancy dessert. Usually we drink out of mason jars or coffee mugs and sprawl around the living room.

I thought about Sheila last night as I snuggled newborn Johnathan, blessed and cuddled a parade of small children stopping by my recliner to memorize his face, to love him...to memorize my face, to love me. For an evening we shut out the fast paced world. Conversation moseyed a trail through deep and spiritual to silly and whimsical to peaceful contentment. Out of nothingness God weekly creates energy, strength, fortitude, joy and abundance in my home, in our hearts.

 Does your church have life groups? If not, you could start one easily. It's light years away from boring.

The Better Gift

My husband knows that I sometimes clean chocolate out of the clothes dryer and scrub really nasty toilets. He knows I have fished dead worms and baby mice out of pants pockets. Having had five foster sons, he knows I have figured out by now how to duck snowballs, pitch a curve ball and shoot a basket. The presence of a mouse requires his immediate assistance, though I can dissect a deer heart or deliver a baby lamb without a problem. He knows more about me than anyone on the planet, self included.

Most women expect flowers, candy, restaurants or at least a token card on a holiday.  My husband's parting words this morning were to remind me he is at the low end of the scale in gift giving. I drove away laughing and headed to the market.  In the flower, card and candy aisle, two men grumbled to one another about the craziness of this holiday. One actually said his wife didn't deserve anything but "the boot".  And he didn't mean cute boots either!

No, my husband is not a great spender on cheap momentary gifts easily picked up on the way to work of a morning. His gifts are much more costly, permanent and difficult to find. He provides for me, teaches me, honors me and cherishes me every day. He says my weaknesses and faults make me human so it's okay when I fail. No, we don't do very well with holidays, but we are learning excellence in daily marriage.

Walking by faith not sight is an adventure that changes people. God has walked alongside molding us into His image one day at a time. The closer we each get to God, the closer we get to one another. A better gift would be hard to find.

Decisions, Decisions

As a young mom I stood at a garage sale deciding between buying the Fisher Price dial phone or the discarded real phone for a prop to teach prayer to preschoolers. Now I help parents decide whether their preschooler should have a cell phone for safety when away from a parent.

Discernment has taken a giant leap in difficulty. Minds are tired, bodies are hurried and decisions are complicated by too many choices. People want to make right decisions, but fear and worry can easily overwhelm. Instead, we can rest easy. God has given us everything we need for life and godliness.

"I shall run the way of Your commandments for You will enlarge my heart." -Psalm 119:32

Decision making is meant to bring joy and strength, not to cripple. Your understanding will broaden with right choices. Your heart will increase its capacity for joy and praise. Discern your next step, be it ever so small or humble. Maybe the next step in your big decision making is to eat lunch, to pause for a glass of water, to make a phone call, to change a diaper or study for a test.

Spiritual maturity brings easier discernment. Seek wisdom from others when you need it. And give God a phone call.

"Call to Me and I will answer you and I will tell you great and mighty things which you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3

I'm Running to Win!

My spiritual daughter, Lindsey, tells me that to run a race you focus on one mile, one quarter mile or one more step rather than the whole marathon. She coaches teenage girls by running alongside of them until their bodies are trained and their pace is strong. She tells them over and over again that they are winners until they believe her. I love to hear her tell of their progress. Starting at the back of the pack, they soon discover that training builds them into leaders.

The spiritual race you are running is not an impossible obstacle course. It is a race that you can win. You have a Coach who will train you and make you strong. He knows you can be a winner and is willing to help you make that dream come true.

Focus on your next step. There is always enough time, enough light, enough knowledge for the step you are on.  Fix your eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of your faith. Run in such a way as to win the prize. Use the spiritual disciplines to train yourself daily.  God promises an easy yoke and a burden that is light. He promises everything we need for life and godliness. He coaches and trains us with our qualifications and limitations in mind.

God expects progress, not perfection. Spiritual maturity brings a peaceful rhythm of graceful steps much like a well trained runner's stride. You will be a winner if you do not give up. Are you running to win?

Make My Lifesong Sing

Make My Lifesong Sing.

That's my "One Thing" for 2012. It fills me with hope and excitement. What might God do in my life this year?

Billy Graham's excellent new book, Nearing Home was written when he was 92 years old.  It was a delight to read a book about being elderly written by such a trustworthy elderly Christian.  He offers the challenge to live a well-ordered life and to finish the life race strong.

I will be 55 years young in April.  I am enthusiastic about getting older and becoming the woman God is creating me to be.  But I have not adequately prepared myself spiritually for old age.  This year with much help from God, I will change that fact.

There are entire industries and hundreds of books dedicated to preparing ourselves for our senior years.  We get plenty of advice on how to prepare financially, medically and legally.   We plan ahead to ensure adequate housing and to provide for our families.

But are we devoting as much attention to preparing ourselves spiritually for old age?  Why is it we seldom hear sermons or read books with specific advice on how to prepare for a faith that will sustain us through our elderly years?

It's January now, and I'm thinking and planning and brainstorming ideas on how to train myself to sustain my song of praise through all the seasons of my life.  By December I will have a year of training behind me and be much better prepared for the years ahead, whether they be few or many. 

Losing my hearing doesn't mean I need to stop listening to God's Words.  Losing my eyesight doesn't have to take away my spiritual vision. Losing my independence doesn't have to be overwhelming if I am depending on Him.

Let my lifesong sing to You

I want to sign Your name to the end of this day

Knowing that my heart was true

Let my lifesong sing to You

Lifesong, Casting Crowns

My Father's Apprentice

I have been  doing a lot of rubbing elbows with the Creator of the universe lately. In His ongoing challenge to mold me into His likeness one day at a time, there is an increase of His activity. I am being wooed into His presence and becoming enthralled with Him in new exciting ways.

He is the Author and the Finisher of my faith. It is no surprise to me that He is changing me. Indeed, I have asked Him to do that very thing. What surprises me is discovering how much I am allowed to be aware of the process.

Joy constantly overflows from the heart of God and it is splashing onto me. He works in my heart showing me how to love more fervently. My brain is being challenged to dig deeper into His Words for wisdom, insights and knowledge of His ways.  My hearing becomes more acute and I find myself hanging on His every word. As I ponder what He is teaching me lately, my vision of the world is becoming more clearly focused.

The harder He works, the better I feel! I am increasingly intrigued by His love for me and how personal it is to Him. His merciful patience in changing me shows a God who is willing to finish what He starts. I am His apprentice and it is a marvel to watch Him work.

I love that God is an action God. This is my Father's world and He is out to change it.

Pray First. Dream Big. Live Joy. Work Hard. Finish Strong.

The Grandma Person



Love them to Jesus.


Look at your mom's face when she picks up that old ornament you made in kindergarten. Watch her eyes, her smile, as her mind relives memories of your life that you have long since forgotten. You remember the faded construction paper ornament because it's on the tree every year. She remembers the day you proudly presented it to her.

Encouraging young mothers during the season to be jolly is one of my favorite things. Somehow they seem to discover the energy to trim the tree, make ornaments with toddlers, plan parties, bake cookies with six year olds and enjoy Christmas movies anew. God is able to bless mothers with supernatural energy, joy and creativity.

Don't forget to encourage them as well as pray for them. Cut out some sugar cookies for them to decorate, pick up a Christmas CD to surprise them, read Christmas stories to their children, play a board game, put together a puzzle.  Share your own holiday memories. 

It may be old fashioned in an age of video games and rental movies, but the best babysitter for a child, is still a"Grandma Person", as my little Lydia once called me. And no child can have too many of those.

Through It All

"I sure hope today is better than yesterday," shared my friend, Pam. "I'm so tired of climbing this mountain and getting almost to the top, then falling right back down. A friend said to get right back up and start over again. That's what I try to do, but sometimes it's very hard. Sometimes it's easier said than done."

"This crazy shower was supposed to be repaired two weeks ago. It's turning into an exhausting project," said my friend, Lynn. "But having nearly died this past summer, it really doesn't seem like such a big deal to me."

"I woke up this morning ready to have the best future ever!" confided Lindsey. "I have some exciting thoughts we should chat about because you know things."

Emotions. Some days we jump up ready to tackle the world. Some days we are overwhelmed before we even get out of bed. I don't know about you, but I'm never sure until my eyes open each day what emotion will greet me.

When I get up early, filled with energy, bubbling over with zest for my life, I have discovered that nobody understands but Jesus, Wellspring of Life, my fascinating Joyride. When pat answers sound empty and platitudes annoy, I have discovered that nobody understands my disappointments like Jesus, Man of Sorrows, so acquainted with grief.

When I am wandering lost in the foothills and the mountain is too steep to climb, His arms carry me. When I am soaring on wings like eagles enjoying life and my blessings, He is the wind that carries me. Life is hard, but it's also good. It is worth everything to share it with the God who sees me.

Step by Step

You're walking along, thinking everything is as normal as possible, then, "POW!" Out of the blue comes a blow that knocks you down and leaves you shaking in your shoes. Maybe it's a death or illness, maybe it's a betrayal or a job loss. Maybe the money just won't stretch to the end of the month or your child is having a rough time in a new school.

Over a cup of tea, Andrea choked back tears and confided softly, "I'm bitter and I hate it! Where is God when my heart is breaking?I know God is real. I know He keeps His promises. He sees and knows everything. Why does He make life hurt so much? Does He love me? Did he forget about me?"

A lifetime of walking with Jesus has taught me that we don't have all the answers any more than Job did when his life got hard. Being a Jesus follower does not entitle us to a life free from disappointments. We are not entitled to health, wealth, good marriages or successful careers. In spite of our pain and loss, our disappointments, it is still worth everything to follow Jesus.

Andrea is learning that God's heart breaks with her when bad things happen. He loves her perfectly, personally, protectively with the heart of a father. She doesn't have to know all the answers to know He is a trustworthy provider and a strong fortress. Though she is shaken and afraid, angry and discouraged, God is an ever present help in her time of trouble. He is a steadfast Rock for her to stand on. His work is perfect and all His ways are just.

Step by step, He leads, refining us and changing us from the inside out. Down the road we are not as surprised by the unexpected blow that comes at us out of the blue. Later on we are more surprised by the joy and peace that are available even when we are down for the count.

A Story for Lindsey

Lindsey and Renee stopped by this morning for tea. Snuggled in antique quilts by the fire place, we warmed our hands around big mugs decorated with snowmen. We warmed our hearts talking about praying to the God who answers us.

"Will you tell us prayer stories?" Lindsey asked as she snuggled deeper into her quilt with a contented sigh. "I love that our God is an action God and prayer stories motivate me to pray more."

She's right, isn't she? Hearing that God is answering prayers hones our faith, stirs our emotions and prods us to pray more fervently. Our shared prayer stories remind us that God protects, provides and plans for His people.

After we shared stories, I encouraged them to collect stories of answered prayers from their own prayer adventures. It's easy to get sidetracked and even disheartened by someone else's life. It's so tempting to wonder if anything spectacular could ever happen to plain old us.

Jesus lived the ultimate true life adventure. What a lot of stories we know about His answered prayers! But, have you ever pondered those hours Jesus spent alone in prayer with Father? Those would have been the most amazing answered prayer stories of all! I hope Jesus shares those stories some day, but He may not. Some stories belong only to the Father and the child.

The God who answered prayers in the true life adventures of Moses, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is still answering prayers. The God who captivates our attention with the answered prayer adventures of Hannah, Phoebe, Anna and Tabitha is still writing stories.

But, the best prayer story you will ever hear is the one you and God write together as you live your own true life adventure filled with answered prayers. What's happening in your story today?