Monday Morning Memo: Uncluttered and Focused

I was looking for something in my files the other day and came across a post I wrote several years ago on Memorial Day.  The words are even more pertinent today than they were then…and my thoughts haven’t changed.  So I decided I would share them again this year.

Memorial Day. This is the day when we remember the people who died while serving in our country's armed forces.  I so admire those who have been willing to serve our country so sacrificially.  They not only chose to start a life journey where they would have to leave friends and family, often placed in situations that were far from being comfortable, but then gave the ultimate sacrifice of their life so that you and I can have freedom. We are free because of those who have been brave.

What deeply saddens me is that so many have given their lives for our freedom…but we are now losing many of our freedoms, not because of those outside our country, but because of those inside our country.  Bit by bit…day by day…decisions and mandates are being forced on us that are jeopardizing our freedom to follow the Biblical truths that we hold so dear. Our country, which was started on Christian principles, is now so far from where it began, that it is almost unrecognizable.  The mantra that is now being shoved down our throats is that “everything goes” …as long as Christianity is not included.

The day is here my friends where it isn’t only the soldiers that serve our country who need to be brave, but we also, as Christians, need to be brave.  Our religious freedoms are being taken away, and we need to be willing to stand up for what we know to be the truths given to us by our Lord and Savior.  It will not be easy and it won’t be the popular thing to do, but it is what we have been called to do.  

I was reading this past week in I Chronicles 29 in the version The Message.  I came across these words of David:

“O God, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, keep this generous spirit alive forever in these people always, keep their hearts set firmly in you. And give my son Solomon an uncluttered and focused heart so that he can obey what you command, live by your directions and counsel, and carry through with building The Temple for which I have provided.”

David asked that God would give Solomon an uncluttered and focused heart so he would have the strength, wisdom and courage to do what God would call him to do. David recognized that it wouldn’t be an easy road but knew that as long as Solomon kept his eyes on His God and his heart pure, God would be with him every step of the way.

We serve the same God that Abraham, Isaac, Israel, David and Solomon served and what He did for them…He can and will do for us.  Our job is to make sure that our hearts are where they should be and that our eyes are focused on Him.  He will then give us the strength, wisdom and courage to do what God is now calling us to do. 

Today I want to remember those who were brave and gave their all for me.  I do not want their ultimate sacrifice to be wasted by not giving my all to make sure our nation returns to its Godly heritage.  Let’s make sure that those who are coming behind us will have their Christian freedoms…because we were brave.

Monday Morning Memo: Nicknames

My reading this past week took me to Mark 3, where the names of the twelve disciples are listed.  To be honest, I usually just skim through this section of scripture…because I never really thought their names were that big of a deal.  But when I read them this time, one of the verses really stood out to me. It was verse 17 where it says, “James and John (the sons of Zebedee, but Jesus nicknamed them ‘Sons of Thunder’).”  I don’t know about you…but I think it would have been awesome to have Jesus give me a nickname.  I mean, how cool would that be?

That is, as long as it referred to a positive attribute of mine.  I would have been thrilled if scripture would have listed my name, and then clarified that Jesus nicknamed me “Patient LuAnn”…or “Daughter of Peace”…or even the title of my first devotional book, Image Seeker. Any of those would have been amazing.

Unfortunately, many of my attributes aren’t so positive.  If you have read Image Seeker, you may remember that growing up my nickname was Walter Cronkite…yeah…not really what a young girl wanted to be called.  But the name was fitting…because I did talk a lot and I always wanted to beat my siblings in telling news to the world.  In other words…I received the nickname because I was a blabber-mouth!

That “label” is probably ok when you are 10, but it’s not so pretty at the age I am now. My lack of patience probably isn’t something I would want Jesus to refer to either if He gave me a nickname.  Moreover, neither is my sometimes cynical attitude very becoming.  What if scripture referred to me as “Impatient LuAnn” or “One Who Blabs” or “Skeptical One”. Maybe I should be thankful that Jesus didn’t list a nickname for me in scripture.

Of course, those around me probably have nicknames for me and I’m confident some of those aren’t real flattering either.  The sobering fact is that the world is watching me…and you…and will label us by what they see us doing and saying.   Will they see love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control?  Or will they hear us saying one thing…but living out something entirely different?

Now we know that we won’t always make others happy and our ultimate goal should be to please our Savior.  Each of us are a work in progress, and fortunately, Jesus loves us enough to keep chiseling away at those attributes that aren’t very pleasing to Him.  I think as we look more and more like Him, others are bound to see His reflection in us and will hopefully want what we have. Maybe then they will give you and me the nickname that we all should be striving to receive, “Christ-Follower”.

“Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, 

because my servants must be where I am. 

And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.”

John 12:26

Monday Morning Memo: Expectations

The word that has been rolling around in my head the last few days is “expectation”.  It seems to me that we spend much of our life in “expectation”.  When we are growing up, we live in expectation of becoming a teenager, of being able to drive, of graduating high school, and then going to college.

Many of us then live in expectation of finding a good job, finding a mate, getting married, having children, and then being blessed with grandchildren.  We now have five, amazing, adorable, multi-talented grandchildren and believe me…we waited in expectation for each of their births! 

Is there anything wrong with living with expectations?  Of course not.  I think it is good for us to have events to look forward to.  Sometimes it is those anticipated happenings that give us hope and a bright outlook and so it is often good for us to look forward.

But, and you knew there would be a “but”, the problem occurs when we are only living for future times and wasting today.  We can become so focused on our future “possibilities” that we miss the certainties of the present.  How many parents spend years just waiting with expectation for the day when their kids will be in school, only to miss the precious moments of today?   How many people can’t wait until they get that perfect job, and neglect the opportunities they have today to make a difference in the lives of others?  How many adults wait with expectation for the day when they can retire, grudgingly enduring today and making everyone around them miserable in the meantime?

I think we need to remember that there are short-term times that we should approach with expectation.  If I truly want to be more like Christ, I should begin each day in expectation of spending time with Him.  I should be excited.  I should be hungry to learn what He has to teach me.  And believe it or not…I should even have more expectation to meet with Him than I do to see what is posted on Facebook!  

If I desire to look more like Christ, I should also wait with expectation for the times when I gather in His house and hear from one of His messengers.  I believe that I should anticipate and look forward every day of the week to what He has to teach me during the next time of worship with my brothers and sisters in Christ.  That means that on Monday morning, I should already be praying for and looking forward to the next Sunday.  Now some of you may be thinking…are you crazy LuAnn?  I should spend the next 6 days in expectation of next Sunday…just because I’m going to church?  Well, if we can wait with expectation for months and even years for events that have no eternal significance...I happen to believe we can do it for 6 days J

I have a challenge for you this week.  Every morning when you wake up, approach your quiet time with the Lord with expectation. Enter into His presence expecting Him to work within you and through you.  Each day during your quiet time, tell the Lord that you are already looking forward to next Sunday.  Begin praying for your Pastor that the Lord would work in him or her throughout the week as he or she prepares their sermon.  Begin praying that during your time of worship, you will hear Him whispering in your ear and be open to His leading.

I believe that if we live today with expectation…God will begin to work within us in a mighty way.  I’m excited to hear how He is speaking to each of you and how your life is changing because of listening to Him.  He is expecting to meet with you today…will you be there? 

“I rise before dawn and cry for help;
I have put my hope in your word.
My eyes stay open through the watches of the night,
that I may meditate on your promises.”

Psalm 119:147-148

Monday Morning Memo: I Wonder...

I love to talk. That statement will not be a shock to those of you who know me personally.  I’m very rarely at a loss for words…whether they have meaning or not…I usually can think of something to say.  Sometimes this is a blessing and sometimes a curse, because too much talking can easily lead to putting my foot in my mouth by saying the wrong thing.

It probably doesn’t help that people actually pay me to talk.  Isn’t that crazy?  I am paid to stand in front of them and do what I love to do.  That just blows me away.  When I think about it, I feel humbled and incredibly blessed.

I was thinking about this last week when I read a section of scripture in the Bible. Matthew 17:1-5 says, “Six days later Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone.  As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light. Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus.  

Peter exclaimed, ‘Lord, it’s wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I’ll make three shelters as memorials – one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’

But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.  Listen to him.’”

You see, Peter and I have a lot in common.  I think he loved to talk too, and in this account, he couldn’t wait to jump in, take charge and tell Jesus his idea.  Yep, that would be me.  But did you catch what the scripture says right after Peter shares his thoughts? It says, “But even as he spoke”.  So, before Peter is even done talking, God interrupts him and tells him to be quiet and listen to what Jesus has to say. 

Wow.  I wonder how often God has tried to get across to me that I should shut up and listen because Jesus has something important to tell me…but I’m too preoccupied with trying to get my point across to Him. How often do I just keep rambling on and on and I neglect to hear what He has to say to me?  Maybe what I’m trying to tell Him…wouldn’t seem so urgent…if I was listening to what His thoughts were first. 

It makes me wonder what our world would be like, if more of us made a point to do more listening to our Heavenly Father.  I can’t help but think it would be a better place…a place with less stress because our thoughts and ways would be more in line with what He wants for us.  Maybe we wouldn’t get off course so easily, if we listened before we talked…listened before we acted. 

Today I’m going to try to talk less and listen more.  I really do want to know what Jesus is trying to tell me.  Plus, it just might give my husband a break too…so I’ll be killing two birds with one stone J

Monday Morning Memo: Attention to Details

I have been sharing the last few weeks about the six-week life detour that we were on recently. I realize that our “hiccup” lasted a relatively short time compared to many of your unexpected detours. I know that for some of you, the unexpected change in life plans turned into your new normal…and you may not see a resolution this side of heaven.  My heart grieves for you.

We were blessed that this particular episode was short-lived.  Erica is now back home in North Carolina and has returned to a relatively normal schedule.  She has been healing well and is gaining strength each day.  We realize that the outcome could have been much different, and we are thanking our Jesus for many answered prayers.

As many of you know, most of our life detours have centered around my health…not the health of one of our children.  So, this was a whole new “ballgame” for me, and I felt like God was whispering to me the entire time.  I have written before that I would have given about anything to have the pain be mine and not our daughter’s, but that wasn’t what He wanted for us and I knew we had lessons to be reminded of during this time.

I realized during those weeks that it is so good that we don’t know what tomorrow will bring. Of course, I have known that before, but in this particular situation it was just glaring to me.  If I would have been told ahead of time, what my schedule for those six weeks would be, I probably would have told you that it couldn’t be done.  It would be just too physically wearing on all of us and I would have been sure that my health couldn’t withstand the schedule. But, every single day, the strength, wisdom and power were given to us.  What wasn’t possible for us to do…God stepped in and gave us what was needed and more.  

I learned during this time how many prayer warriors there are in this world.  We had people all over the country, lifting us up to the Great Physician each and every day.    It amazed me how many times I would get a text or call from someone, at just the right time.  Someone checking on us and letting us know that they were praying.  A cousin of mine in Florida, told his church family about Erica and they began to pray.  His pastor even anointed him, as a representative for Erica, asking God to touch her in a powerful way.  Others put Erica on their prayer chains.  And many, many of you blessed us over and over again by your willingness to pray. There is no way we can adequately thank you.

I think the biggest take-away for me from this detour, was the fact that we serve a God of details. Nothing He does is haphazard. When things make absolutely no sense to us…it is often because He is working out every exact detail behind the scenes.  While we are waiting…He is working.  

When doors kept slamming shut for Erica to have her surgery in North Carolina, it made no sense to us.  But little did we know, that the surgeon who God wanted to do the operation was in the process of moving to Indianapolis from Texas.  She would arrive at IU Health for her first day in the clinic on the exact day Erica’s appointment was scheduled.

Could God have worked it all out to have the perfect surgeon for Erica be in North Carolina? Of course He could have…but I believe He knew we needed to work on our “trust” factor.  We needed to trust Him completely to shut doors and open doors. We needed to trust that His ways are always perfect and His timing is always on time J   Our job is to trust…to walk through open doors AND to not waste time trying to pry doors open that have been slammed shut. 

I don’t know what you are going through today but I do know that I’m glad you don’t know what tomorrow will bring.   Tomorrow may be the day you get your answers…or it may be the day you begin an unexpected life detour.  Regardless, I want to urge you to trust the Creator of the universe. He alone knows what is perfect for you and today He is working out the details for your tomorrow.  What you can’t see…He can…and trust me…His attention to details will blow you away when you least expect it.  

“The Lord directs the steps of the godly.
    He delights in every detail of their lives.”

Psalm 37:23

Monday Morning Memo: A Life Detour Part III

Our life detour continued as we arrived in Indianapolis on Wednesday, March 27^th for our daughter Erica’s appointment to see the Minimally Invasive OBGYN surgeon. She talked with Erica and confirmed that surgery was going to be needed ASAP.  The problem was that this surgeon’s schedule was full for the rest of the week and she was going to be on vacation the following week.   BUT, (and sometimes the word “but” brings good news!)…another surgeon had just started at IU Health who was also a Minimally Invasive OBGYN surgeon and she, more than likely, could do the surgery.  This was this surgeon’s first day in the clinic.  If Erica’s appointment there would have been on Monday or Tuesday, when we thought it should have been, this doctor wouldn’t have been there to see Erica. Once again…God’s timing is always perfect!

Dr. Oshinowo, or as she called herself Dr. O, walked into the room and immediately put us at ease.  She was amazing.  She examined Erica and looked through all of her test results.  She concurred that surgery was needed and she could do it. But, she brought that dreaded “C” word back into the picture.  She was not willing to rule out that Erica didn’t have cancer.  Her test results were way too high for her liking and she wanted us to realize the possibilities.

Dr. O said that it would probably take a few days to get surgery scheduled, since other surgeons would also have to be lined up to assist.  An oncologist because of the possibility of cancer and a urologist because of the involvement of the kidneys.  Finally, Erica received the phone call she had been waiting for…surgery was scheduled for the following Wednesday.

I’m not going to lie…those days of waiting were difficult.  Especially since we felt like we were dealing with a ticking time bomb. All we could do was trust in God’s power and in His timing.

Wednesday finally arrived and we checked in at the hospital in Indianapolis.  Since the surgeon didn’t know exactly what she would find when she looked inside, Erica had to sign papers giving her approval for every possible scenario that could happen.  Erica might come out of surgery with all of her organs intact…or…everything involved may have to be removed.  Dr. O went over all the different possibilities and then she inquired as to whether we had asked a chaplain to come in before surgery. Erica told her that we had not. Then her surgeon informed us that she had already been praying for Erica and for this surgery, along with her mother who was a very strong prayer warrior.  We were overwhelmed.  Not only did God lead us to an excellent surgeon…He led us to a very strong Christian surgeon who wasn’t afraid of sharing her faith with her patients!

The surgery was scheduled to last three hours.  Fortunately, a close friend of ours lives in the area and was kind enough to come and spend the time of waiting with us.  Having Mary with us was such a blessing and we just couldn’t thank her enough for her willingness to be Jesus with skin on for us that day.

We started to receive updates from the doctor after the first couple hours.  The word was that Erica’s condition was much worse than expected.  It was discovered that her entire abdomen was “frozen” together with endometriosis, and many organs were involved.  We learned in one update that a general surgeon had to be called in to remove her appendix.   Another update told us that one of the cysts had been painstakingly removed from a ureter…still another one to go.  And one update gave us information we had been waiting to hear…there was no cancer! Oh, that was music to this mama’s ears.

We approached the three-hour mark…and then the four-hour mark.  Five, six and seven hours went by and all we were hearing was that she was still in surgery and the doctor was still carefully working on repairing everything in Erica’s abdomen.  Finally, after eight, very long hours, we were told that surgery was over.

We soon met with Dr. O and her assistant as she shared with us all that had to be done. She shared that Erica’s condition was one of the worst she had ever seen and that was why it had taken so long. One of the cysts was the size of a grapefruit and the other the size of an apple.  These doctors were willing to spend eight hours, doing all they could do to save Erica’s organs and, in the end, the only thing removed besides the cysts, was her appendix.  All other organs had been preserved.  

What a miracle that was because we had been told by one of the doctors in North Carolina that it was a given that Erica would automatically lose one ovary and a very good chance both ovaries.  There was even the possibility that she would need a complete hysterectomy.  If the surgery would have taken place in North Carolina…where we thought it should have happened…more than likely that would have been the outcome.  But…because all doors were slammed shut there and the doors were opened in Indianapolis…she had a very positive outcome.

We thanked the doctors over and over again for all they did for Erica and I told them that we knew the Lord had led us to them.  Dr. O then told us that not only had she and her mother been praying…but her husband and brother had also been praying for Erica throughout the day. God is SO good!

Yesterday we celebrated Easter…the day when our Jesus rose from the dead.  I know there are those who don’t believe this happened and deny that there is a living, risen King to worship and serve.  I’m here to tell you my friends…I have seen our living Jesus intervening is such powerful ways these past six weeks, that there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that He is alive and well and still in the miracle business.  HE gets all the glory.  HE gets my complete trust.  HE is coming again so that we can spend eternity with Him.  Are you ready?

 “He alone is your God, the only one who is worthy of your praise, 

the one who has done these mighty miracles 

that you have seen with your own eyes.”

Deuteronomy 10:21

Monday Morning Memo: A Life Detour - Part II

Our life detour began on March 10^th, 2019, and as I shared last week, it has been a stressful time of waiting.  When we found out that the first surgeon consulted in North Carolina did not feel she was the right one to operate on my daughter, Erica, we were sent to a Minimally Invasive OBGYN.  But it would be almost another week until we could get in to see him.

Her appointment was at 2:00 p.m. and we arrived at 1:30 p.m.  Erica filled out the necessary paperwork and we began the “fun” of waiting for her to be called back.  We waited…waited…and waited some more.  Finally, at 2:30 p.m. they came out and told us that there was a problem with her insurance and since her appointment was to be 30 minutes prior, she had missed it and she would have to reschedule.  We sat there in disbelief.  This appointment had been on the books for almost a week, and it was their office that was to verify insurance, etc, ahead of time and they had dropped the ball. But, they were taking no blame…and my blood pressure was rising.  Remember, we had been told, a week and a half prior, that Erica’s surgery was urgent and she was to be very careful in the meantime, since her kidneys could suddenly shut down…or one of the cysts could burst which wouldn’t have good results. Again, surgery was needed ASAP…but no one else was in a hurry.

We asked to talk to someone dealing with the insurance, and they (Duke System of NC) told us that they were no longer taking Erica’s insurance.  Now the other doctors Erica had seen leading up to this had been in the Duke system and had accepted her insurance, but this doctor would not. 

We left with Erica in tears and me feeling somewhat desperate.  At that moment I realized I was experiencing just a small taste of what mothers must go through in third world countries.  Mothers who so desperately want medical care for their children and there is none to be found.  Our situation wasn’t nearly as difficult as theirs…but mothers everywhere can understand the love we have for our children…no matter what their age.  

Fortunately, as we were waiting for this appointment, we had also contacted my son-in-law, John, who is a doctor in our area of Indiana.  We asked him if he knew of any Minimally Invasive OBGYNs, just in case I needed to bring Erica back to Indiana for the surgery.  There weren’t any of these doctors in our immediate area, but he had a friend who is currently in residency in Indianapolis with an OBGYN.  John said he would contact her to see if she knew of any of these specialists in her area. Her answer?  The doctor she is currently working with is a Minimally Invasive OBGYN and was willing to see Erica.  Isn’t our God amazing?

For the next two days following our “missed” appointment in North Carolina, we worked on trying to get the doctor there to agree to see Erica so that she could stay in her area for surgery.  We were praying that God would slam doors shut and open doors wide so that we knew exactly what we were to do.  I didn’t want us to make any mistakes because I knew we needed the best surgeon out there, so I told God He had to make it crystal clear to us.  On Friday of that week, Erica received a call from the head of the Duke financial department, saying that it was definite…the surgeon in North Carolina would not see her.

I told Erica that we couldn’t get a harder slam on a door than that, so I was going to take her back to Indiana.  By the time the weekend was over, we were back in my home and we had an appointment scheduled for Wednesday in Indianapolis.  In our minds, we were disappointed that she couldn’t be seen Monday or Tuesday…but as only God can do…we would find out that God had a reason for the appointment to be on Wednesday and once again, we were blown away by His timing and His attention to details.

Watching your child suffer, is one of the hardest things a parent will go through. I would have given anything to trade with Erica during this time, but I couldn’t, so she was going to have to face it and endure through the suffering herself.  All I could do was be a support to her and pray like crazy.

This week we will observe the day when Jesus gave His all for us.  I honestly can’t imagine what it must have been like for Mary to watch her Son, being crucified on a cross, for you and for me.  He was spit on…whipped…and finally hung on a tree; not because He was guilty…but because we are guilty.  I can’t imagine her anguish…her sobs…her begging God to save her precious Son.  I’m sure she would have given anything to take this torture from him, but she could not. She knew He was going to have to endure unimaginable pain and suffering…for you and for me.  

What will you do with His sacrifice for you?  Will you turn your back on Him?  Will you make His suffering worthwhile, accepting Him as your Lord and Savior…or will you be one who joins in on the ridicule and torture of the One who loves you so?  No one can make the decision for you…no one else can reserve your spot in Heaven…make sure you accept Him as your Lord and Savior today. 

Until next week, when I will share with you about our God who is still in the miracle business…

P.S.  Many of you have inquired as to what is currently happening in Erica’s situation…and you really want “the rest of the story” before you know all the details that led up to today.  Erica has had her surgery and has been recovering in our home. Today I am driving her back to North Carolina and she will continue her recovery there.  It has been a very long five weeks…but God has been so faithful as you will discover when you read next week’s post J

“Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, 

and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), 

and Mary Magdalene.”

John 19:25

“He was beaten, he was tortured; but he didn’t say a word.
Like a lamb taken to be slaughtered and like a sheep being sheared,
    he took it all in silence.
Justice miscarried, and he was led off—
    and did anyone really know what was happening?
He died without a thought for his own welfare,
    beaten bloody for the sins of my people.
They buried him with the wicked, threw him in a grave with a rich man,
Even though he’d never hurt a soul or said one word that wasn’t true.

Still, it’s what God had in mind all along, to crush him with pain.
The plan was that he give himself as an offering for sin
    so that he’d see life come from it—life, life, and more life.
    And God’s plan will deeply prosper through him.”

Isaiah 53:7-10 (The Message)