Month: January 2017

[five minute friday – middle]

This week’s five minute Friday prompt is middle.  I have struggled with what to write but a couple of thoughts come to mind.  2017 brings my 50th birthday.  I can’t remember dreading a birthday as much as this one.  I’m not sure why.  Does 50 plunge me officially into middle age?  I definitely don’t feel 50 and my kids tell me I don’t look or act like it.  That scores them points.  Maybe 50 is the new 40…

But while I know that life isn’t defined by an age, I wonder how many times I sit in the middle of certain issues instead of taking a strong stance.  Sometimes it’s easier to sit in the middle than to make friends or enemies by taking a strong stance.  Social media, along with the internet in general, can do so much good by allowing us to keep up with friends and family, but it can be an ugly place when we share our beliefs, especially controversial ones.  My heart breaks when I see Christians demean and attack, not only other Christians, but non-believers and I wonder what God thinks and how it breaks his heart.  Yes, we have to be strong in our beliefs but must we share them in love.  We can not stay in the middle, we must stand firm in our beliefs, but in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and mission, we should heed his words…

 

[hello 2017]

New beginnings, a blank slate, a fresh new journal to document a life to be lived…

I’ve never been a resolution girl because unfortunately after about day 3 I’m done. This year I want to focus on making habits. Not a check off list of things to do each day, but habits that will develop me spiritually, physically, and emotionally. 

This is the year I turn 50. I know it’s hard to believe.  I can’t believe it. I have never dreaded a Birthday before, but this one…this one has me really thinking about my life and how I want to spend the next decade, Lord willing. 

I have been praying this last week over what my word for 2017 would be. God has been laying two words on my heart but He really solidified it during Church this morning. Not because of the sermon but because of the faithfulness of one family who has lived the worst nightmare that could ever happen to a parent…the loss of a child. She was in a devastating car accident on Christmas Day and her parents made the decision Friday to donate her organs.  She passed into the arms of Jesus yesterday. 

The faith that sustained them this week as her life hung in the balance and the decision to let her go was beyond amazing. Through it all they glorified God and surrendered to Him whatever the outcome. The father was in church this morning and I cried as we sang every song because I can’t imagine the pain and how their lives are changed forever. They impacted a community to unite in prayer for God’s will to be done and a heartfelt plea to put our faith in Jesus Christ. It was beautiful to watch. 

So God impressed upon my heart the word prayer.  To be more intentional in my prayer life, to keep a journal to record prayer requests and answered prayer. To pray harder for my husband, my children and unsaved family members. To spend more time getting to know my Savior and listening more to what He has to say to me.  

Life will be chaotic as I complete my Master’s degree, we help to build a new ministry, Basketball Church 23860, as well as building a ministry to internationals in our community. Throw in a trip to Africa for me and a trip to Pennsylvania for my husband and two of our kids to minister to inner city kids through basketball. 

Our lives are full and we are so blessed and grateful for the opportunities He has given us. 

 Blessings.