Lately I have been having some amazing dreams. When I wake up I can remember every detail and there are people that I love and know in them that causes me to reach out to them. I have even journaled about one of them, so I won’t forget about God’s faithfulness to speak and reveal Himself to me. Last night was no exception. I was in a deep sleep having another detailed dream when the sound of the fire alarm awoke me. Three loud beeps and then it stopped. “What was that” my husband asked. “I think it was the fire alarm.” He got up to check on the girls and the house. The girls were not even stirred awake. They were still in their deep realm of sleep snoozing away. There was no evidence of fire or distress in the house, so Ryan made his way back to bed. Both of us drifted back to sleep. We had probably been resting for 20 minutes and the fire alarm went off again. The same three loud beeps now had me awake and wondering what was going on. This was not the annoying little beep that goes off when your battery is low. It was the full blown fire alarm that set off all of the alarms in the house that went off three times and then stopped.
I began to pray and ask God to protect our home. I also asked Him to give me insight as to why it was going off. You’ll never believe what I felt Him speak over me. “Pay attention to the warnings I am giving you.” This was loud and bold and received. You see, I had been disobedient to the Holy Spirit right before going to bed. He had nudged me to go to bed and not speak the words that were in my head to my Ryan. My feelings were hurt over something ridiculous of course but instead of listening to the nudge to not speak, I chose to speak them anyways. This of course brought on more hurt instead of healing. Why do we insist at times to go our own way as if our way was better? It was fitting that the verse of the day yesterday from the YouVersion Bible App was from Proverbs 13:3:
“Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.”
Listen guys, I know this is out there for many of you and you may think that I am a little crazy, but our God speaks to us in many ways if we will pay attention. He can use dreams, he can use random fire alarms, he can nudge us to be quiet but if we aren’t willing to listen we can miss out on God’s very BEST for us. I don’t want to miss what He has for me. I am grateful that He continues to pursue me even when I am disobedient and wrong. I love how He continues to speak and reach out to me in love. Listen to what I read this morning in today’s Jesus Calling:
“I want My Body of believers to be radiant with the Light of My Presence. How I grieve when pockets of darkness increasingly dim the Love-Light. Return to Me, your FIRST LOVE! Gaze at Me in the splendor of holiness, and My Love will once again envelop you in Light.”
“Above all, love each other deeply; because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8
I was a jerk to my husband yesterday. A moment of darkness caused me to stumble. He didn’t deserve it and my faithful God tried to keep me from being a jerk. I didn’t listen. Even after I rebelled and went my own way, He continued to speak through a faulty fire alarm, “Pay attention to the warnings I give you.” He’s a GOOD GOOD FATHER! I hear Him. Maybe He’s trying to speak to you too. He’s gentle and kind and wants nothing but the BEST for you. Lean in and listen, trust Him and obey. Make your wrongs right by saying your sorry too! He is faithful to forgive! I will be saying I’m sorry today to Him and to my love. I will go back to loving deeply! I love that LOVE covers a multitude of sins. That’s AMAZING! Hugs to ALL! #truth #gloryup
Today is the LAST day of school! Our kids are beside themselves with excitement and so are the teachers, but there is another reason there is a sense of excitement in the air. This week I was honored with the opportunity to help deliver a new program to our Elementary schools that will start up in the fall. This project has been in the making for over a year and the perseverance of some very dedicated volunteers of the Fair Oaks Rotary Club has this dream becoming a reality. It all started when a student from Alamo Heights took his own life after being cyberbullied. Hearts were stirred from this tragedy to help bring about systematic change in how we treat each other. Our community came together for a night of fun to help raise money to bring these books into our schools for our children. The amount of support communicated to us that Boerne CARES!
As we get ready to close out a successful school year, may we all decide to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. “To clothe” means to “put on.” It’s something that we do! We need to wear it daily and share it with all. We need to forgive one another too. Let go of the hurt, set aside our pride and choose forgiveness. It frees you and your offender of the chains that entangles. LOVE binds all of these qualities together. When we are compassionate with each other we show LOVE. When we are kind to one another we show LOVE. When we put others first and us last we show LOVE. When we are gentle and patient with each other we show LOVE. When we forgive someone we show LOVE. Let’s be LOVE! I promise it will be the one thing you put on today that will help you radiate and SHINE! “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17 #truth #gloryup
What if I told you that today you can help save a life or even many lives. Would you do it? A month ago I participated in my high school’s blood drive. I gave blood for the very first time in my 39 years.In that hour of time I remember looking around at the many youth that were surrounding me. They were lined up and waiting outside of the three mobile units ready to donate their blood. Fearless! I have had the opportunity to give blood many times, but there was always an excuse as to why I did not do it. “I don’t have time today, I’ll do it next time.” “They have plenty of donors, they don’t need me.” I could go on and on with the list of reasons of why I didn’t but bottom line is I was selfish. It was time that I stopped thinking of myself and started thinking about others, so I did it. Did you know that every time you donate blood you have the potential to save 2 to 3 lives. WOW! Donating blood matters. It saves lives!
What if I told you that today you could save a life without leaving the comfort of your home still snuggled up on your couch in your PJ’s. You don’t even have to get poked by a needle. Would you do it? There is a little boy named Parker Robertson, 6 years old, that has stirred the hearts of many in his community. Parker has been diagnosed with ALD, a deadly genetic disease that affects 1 in 18,000 people. It most severely affects boys and men. It’s a brain disorder that destroys myelin, the protective sheath that surrounds the brain’s neurons- the nerve cells that allow us to think and to control our muscles. It knows no racial, ethnic or geographic barriers. Parker has the most devastating form of ALD. He was a normal, healthy boy just months ago that suddenly began to regress and has now lost his hearing and can no longer see. I can not even begin to understand the pain and suffering that Parker is going through nor understand the pain of his parents or his old brother, Tanner. Tanner is a Boerne High School student that allowed one of his friend’s to come into his home and make a documentary of his brother’s illness to help spread the message that we can help by signing a petition to pass “Aidan’s Law.” There is new scientific knowledge that offers hope for successful treatment and prevention of ALD. If it is caught early in childbirth the babies can be treated and can LIVE! Parker’s MOM wants everyone to be made aware so no other families have to suffer. Let’s help Parker and his family spread the word and bring awareness to this disease. By signing the petition we can help SAVE LIVES! These babies lives matter. While they are newborns they can be screened for the disease and be saved. I am all in!
It’s amazing what can happen in a week! I never grow tired of seeing God be faithful to rescue and save. It’s who He is and what He does. Last week I shared how we were faced with a trial that brought us to our knees. We did not try to solve the problem on our own, we turned to our God and asked for His help. He showed up. He gave us strength where we were weak. He went before us to soften hearts to hear. He gave courage to speak truth in love. Hearts were moved. The darkness that could have destroyed was moved out, and His light was ushered in. God WINS! We WIN! This is the redemption story of all of our lives. Do you know Him?
These words did not stop guiding me after nine months…they continue to guide me today. This 15 year old girl that I petitioned for before Him is now getting behind the wheel of a car with a learner’s license. Seat belt on…check! That same JOY and FEAR is here just like it was when she was in my womb. I return to the place that brought me peace. His word is a lamp unto my feet. It tells me NOT to worry. It tells me to take everything to Him in prayer with THANKSGIVING! Oh how I am thankful for all that He has given me. And this amazing and strange peace washes over me. I trust God’s plans for our Catherine. She belongs to Him. She has accepted Christ as her Savior. He lives inside of her beautiful heart, and He helps to guide her steps. He will not fail her. He has plans to prosper her, give her hope and a future and this future is for certain. There really is nothing to fear. I am learning to embrace each moment as the gift that it truly is, and I am grateful.
I was propped up on the couch with my feet in his lap with a soft blanket covering us as he shared the difficulty of his day. I listened intently as thoughts ran through my head as to how in the world this could happen AGAIN. You see, this is not the first time we have been faced with this difficulty. We lived through it before, and the flood of emotions were quick to return to surface as if it were yesterday. As he finished sharing the details he turned to ask me what I thought he should do. The old Gennie would have been quick to panic, shed some tears and grow angry with the circumstance. This time was different. This time I told him we needed to ask God that question. He was the one that saw us through the difficulties the first time, and He would be the one to see us through it again. I recalled God’s faithfulness. As we slipped into bed I asked for his hand. We gripped each other tight as I turned to our Heavenly Father and prayed. We laid it all down at his feet and God’s peace washed over me. He has us in the palm of His hands.
What a promise! We have a God that goes BEFORE us, before we have ever taken a step into our situation He is there. He promises to stay with us. He won’t leave. He won’t fail. At the end of that encouraging verse are two important commands; DO NOT BE AFRAID and DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED. That’s what He requires of us, so are you ready to LIVE COURAGEOUSLY? Do you want to know what I think is the bravest prayer to pray? Here it is…THY WILL BE DONE, LORD! Surrendering to His plans and ways above our own is hard to do but oh the JOY when we find ourselves right in the middle of God’s very BEST! There’s nowhere else I’d rather be. So join me! Lay your burdens at His feet. Trust Him. Do not be afraid. Surrender to His will and GO where He leads!!!
I remember the first time I became a mom. It was not the day I had hoped for and dreamed of my entire life. In fact it was my hardest day since my own birth. I knew before she even came into this world that she would not be breathing, yet I had to still go through with the delivery. The hospital staff were compassionate for me. They placed a single white rose on the door to symbolize the loss. The other doors on the hall were filled with wreaths with pink and blue bears. The Anesthesiologist on-call had been pulling a double shift. When it was time for him to come to my room the nurses had just woken him up from a two hour nap, and he walked through our door having missed seeing the single rose. As he prepared to give me the epidural he looked at my husband and asked, “What are you getting to take home with you…a little boy or a little girl?” The question took my breath away and tears began to fall. My husband graciously answered him, “Unfortunately, we’re not getting to take this one home.” The procedure was in the midst and the doctor had to carry on with his work but his voice grew soft and his touch was gentle. When he was finished he looked me in my eyes and asked if I was crying because of the pain of the needle. It hurt yes, but the pain of losing our little girl was so much more.
I remember our nurse. She was an angel sent from above to minister to us. She recommended that we hold her and spend as much time with her as we wanted in order for us to be able to find closure. It was too hard on the rest of our family, but Ryan and I said yes to the opportunity. We held her together and we cried together. We talked about her features and whose eyes and nose she had. We even dreamed of what she would have grown up to be. We finally had the courage to push the button and asked for the nurse to come and take her. It was the true moment of surrender. Even though she was born without breath she was still my baby and the one that first made me a mommy. As I gently placed her in the nurse’s arms it was as if I was giving her directly back into our Father’s arms. That moment in time I will never forget. I will cherish it always. Just this week, I stumbled on the verse that was read at our Taylor’s funeral: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” Job 1:21.
I am such a mess! For the second time within a few weeks I have left my cell phone on the back of my jeep tailgate. Both times I was distracted and not focused on what I was doing. Yesterday after coming home from the grocery store, I laid my phone down so I could grab a couple of bags of groceries. In my mind I was going to come back and get it after grabbing a few more bags, but I ended up staying inside and unloading the groceries while the rest of the crew brought the remaining bags in. My phone fell off the jeep as my husband went to pick up our oldest from tennis practice. There was a couple walking together that witnessed it fall off. They managed to find a way to reply to a group text I was included in to inform others that they had found it unharmed, and they wanted to return it to its owner. So very sweet of them and so very embarrassing for me! Our Coach called my husband to tell him that my phone had been found. Lucky for me this story ends well for the 2nd time, but the real story is that I NEED TO SLOW DOWN!
Can you hear Him whisper those words to you? “Come with me, 
I have been walking with someone that has been praying for months and does not see her prayers being answered. She actually shared with me that instead of anything getting better they seem to be getting worse. She wants to know why and asked me to teach her how to pray because obviously she is doing it wrong. Oh how my heart broke for her. I was without words to make her pain and struggles go away which broke my heart even more. I understand her fears and worries. I have been there. Sometimes in our lives we go through seasons when He seems distant. We can’t feel Him, we don’t see Him and we start to doubt and lose our way. We wonder if He is even listening or if He even cares. If you are in this season, allow me to speak life into you today…HANG IN THERE! Don’t lose heart and never stop praying. He does hear and He does care. He has not left you and He will never forsake you.
“Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the One who hears it and not in the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference.” Max Lucado
We really do not understand His ways. The words in Isaiah keep me focused in my prayer time with Him that I really do want His ways above my own; “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares The Lord. As the Heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 (His knowledge and wisdom are far greater than man’s. We are foolish to try to fit God into our mold – to make his plans and purposes conform to ours. Instead, we must strive to fit into His plans-NIV footnote).
TEENAGERS! I have three that I am raising, and I interact with over 1,000 of them on a daily basis. I SEE them, I HEAR them and I am compassionate for them. Their culture they are growing up in is drastically different than the one we were raised. It is important for us to understand the effects our current culture is having on them. They are overexposed to everything, information bombardment.
This week I have experienced Holy Week like never before. As a child that grew up in the church, I remember the Easter egg hunts, the treats that were left for me on Sunday morning, the matching dress and shoes that I would wear with my sister, and the overflow of the pews with the organ pipes bursting with beautiful sounds of Heaven REJOICING. It was always a celebration in my memory, but as I have matured in my faith there is a growing understanding of what Holy Week truly represents.
So how has this Holy Week been different for me than years past? I have spent it with Him each morning with a very heavy heart for my own sin and failures knowing that He had to stand alone because of me. I am Judas, I am Peter. I am guilty before a loving God that suffered the pain of nails being driven through his wrist and ankles to hang on a hollow tree shaped as a cross. It grieves me to know that I could cause someone that much pain, yet He did it because He loves me. This was all part of God’s plan of redeeming His broken children to put us back in a right relationship with Him. It truly overwhelms me.
Journey to the Hills 