You've Got Favor

You’ve Got Favor!

“It is winter in Narnia,” said Mr. Tumnus, “and has been forever so long…. always winter, but never Christmas.”

(The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe)

That is how it feels right now where I live. Though the weather app on my phone says the sun is coming soon, actually the day I will hit publish on this note to you, it feels like this season of cold and gray has dragged on and on and on………and on this year.   

Have you ever had a season in your life like that? Have you faced challenge after challenge and just when you think it is over, the cold and gray come back again?

I have good news my friend, even when the season of gray seems to be dragging on in your life, you have God’s favor.  You have the favor of The King.

Imagine meeting someone royal, like Queen Elizabeth. If you had her “favor”, it would mean she is particularly fond of you. She would enjoy your presence. She would like doing things for you. I know it is hard to imagine. Her grandsons are much less intimidating.

Do you know what is even better? The King of Kings favors you.

As I was thinking about how hard this is to grasp, it reminded me of Joseph from the book of Genesis.  Even if you are not that into the Bible, you may know a version of his story through the Broadway musical or animated film.  

Even when Joseph faced overwhelmingly painful circumstances, he had the favor of God. He was rejected by his ten brothers and sold to be a slave, naked and beaten. I'm sure he was not feeling God's favor at the time.  There are so many times we don't feel it, either.  Though he remained a slave for many years, God had favor on him. This gave him the favor of those in charge of him, first his owner, Potiphar, then the head of the prison.  I'm sure Joseph was not “feeling” God’s favor when Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him of hitting on her (that is putting it lightly). He was then sent to prison because of her lies. But even in prison, the favor of God could be seen in the details of his life. Though he remained a prisoner, he ended up being “head inmate”.

I know, it still does not sound that great. But God was definitely acting in Joseph’s favor when He gave Joseph the gift of interpreting dreams which eventually got him out of prison and into the position as second in command of the entire country of Egypt.  

Genesis 39:19-23  Potiphar was furious when he heard his wife’s story about how Joseph had treated her.So he took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king’s prisoners were held, and there he remained.But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the Lord made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden. Before long, the warden put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners and over everything that happened in the prison.The warden had no more worries, because Joseph took care of everything. The Lord was with him and caused everything he did to succeed.

It was approximately thirteen years from the time Joseph was sold by his brothers until he was second in command.  Despite his many struggles, he ALWAYS had the favor of God.  This is true for you, too.

So, look for God’s favor in your life today.  It often shows up in the little details because God cares about the details of your life.  It can be seen in circumstances we are tempted to call “a coincidence” or “lucky”.  It is not luck, friend. God is particularly fond of you.

Never forget the Truth, you have the favor of the one and only God of the universe.

Because You Can

This article was originally written a decade ago. It speaks of a time frame that absolutely changed my life. As I revised it a little to share with you, I can tell the truths found in this are even more true to me today. Though it is longer than most of my posts, I hope you find it encouraging.

Because You Can

For many years, I would struggle in the month of November finding myself in various stages of discontent or self pity.  Because it was my birthday month, I would struggle with unmet expectations and dissatisfaction  with various circumstances.  But I will never forget the year God gave me a wonderful birthday gift - freedom from the dissatisfaction.  Through a variety of circumstances, I was shown that He had truly “redeemed my life from the pit” (Psalms 103), the self-pity pit.  The funny thing is, I did not realize I suffered from self pity.

Our circumstances had been tough for about three years.  

The first year, there was a six-week span when my mom had heart surgery. My husband lost his sister. Then he had a serious car accident and two emergency room visits.

The second year, we were dealing with my health, extensive medical testing and loss of vision in my right eye for a few months.  

The third year, I started treatment for MS the same day my closest friend from childhood was killed in a car accident.  Six days later my brother almost died. We spent two months traveling back and forth between Columbus, Ohio and the Cleveland Clinic.  My father-in-law also had to have serious heart surgery a few weeks after my brother. 

By June of that year, I had hit a wall.  I was having a serious faith crisis.  To me, a faith crisis was more depressing than any of the circumstances we had faced.  If I could not trust God, who could I trust?  I found it hard to believe that God loved me or that I could trust him.  He was the only one that could have changed any of these circumstances.  He knew they were coming one on top of the other, yet he allowed it.  I had never struggled like I did that June.  There was no other place to go, but I could barely do it.  One day as I was crying out for Him to lift this cloud of distrust and depression from me, I was reminded of Elijah.  In I Kings 19, Elijah was so depressed he wished he was never born.  God sent an angel to feed him and encourage him to get up.  It took the angel more than one try to help him out of that state.  So, I asked God to come get me just like he did Elijah. I knew all the “right” answers.  I knew all the things I “should” do.  But, I could not.    I could not even crawl to God.  He HAD to come get me.

It took a few months for me to realize God had answered my plea. He not only pulled me out of that state of despair but He gave me a joy I would not have known if I had walked a different journey.  

I would not have known that tears are actually a blessing or that you can have an inner joy and peace even when you are mourning or in pain.  I would not have known in my heart as well as my head that God truly can be trusted. He has a good plan for each of us even in the moments we cannot see or understand it.  Most of all I would not have had the joy of embracing today because I can. (I know the Truth of this even more today than I did a decade ago when I originally wrote those words)

A Birthday to Remember

So what happened on my birthday that year?  My husband had to work very late that night.  I was truly fine with that and thankful God had blessed his business. I took my three kids to see the lights at the local zoo.  They really wanted to ice skate for the first time.  What kind of a crazy woman takes an 8, 7 and 3 year old skating for the first time without any assistance?  One who is extremely thankful that she can.  My legs were strong that day. I was able to see their sweet, happy faces.  They were hanging on walls and hanging on me.  But we had a great time.  I saw a family there that went to my church.  Their teenage daughter immediately helped with my three year old so I could skate with the other two. I am sure she had no idea how she was blessing me that evening.  I will always remember on that birthday I ice skated with my children just because I could.

As Thanksgiving approached a week later, we were changing plans daily because my brother’s condition had taken a turn for the worse. I left Wednesday for the Cleveland Clinic in a rush.  My brother and my mom were both having a rough day. Nothing was happening the way we anticipated. Thursday (Thanksgiving) was another tough day for my brother.  The doctor gave us a variety of scenarios that could happen the following day.  But on Thanksgiving, he not only had an infection and some pending serious possibilities but they had to put in an NG tube (It pumps your stomach content out through your nose.  It is as painful as it sounds).  In the meantime my husband found out as he was driving our three kids to his sister’s for Thanksgiving, she had a very sick child.  He turned around an hour into the drive and had no idea what he was going to do with the kids on this holiday, especially with mom out of town. All these circumstances could have sent me into some type of pity party. But God is good.  He changes our hearts and teaches us to have joy in all circumstances.  My husband took my kids to our local grocery store to pick out whatever they wanted.  They chose hot dogs, potato chips and soda.  The kids thought it was hilarious.  He even pulled out a new Wii game that we had purchased for a Christmas present. They all had a great time together.  My mom and I went to a Latino restaurant in the warehouse district in Cleveland.  As our waiter told us the specials, including a traditional Turkey dinner, I decided on the goat.  Why eat goat for Thanksgiving?  Why not?!  I have never had it. I decided “today I can”.  Much like my birthday, it is a Thanksgiving I will never forget.  The next day the kids and I returned to Kroger with a list that would allow them to make dinner.  It certainly was not a Food Network special.  It included Stove Top, mashed potatoes from a bag and other prepared foods.  But, we had a great time.  My oldest son said it was his best Thanksgiving ever.  He was absolutely right. 

 
As I reflect on all that I have to be thankful for, my heart is overwhelmed.  Since that very important birthday, I have found myself dancing in the living room with my kids, because we can ( Ok - They are all teens now so “mom dancing” is forbidden in their presence) reading even more, because I can; and counting the tiniest blessings daily because God has opened the eyes of my heart in a new way, so that I can.

If you are going through a hard time yourself, just ask God to come get you.  I promise, and more importantly, He promises that He will.
Matt 6:25 Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes.  

Shine! Shine! Shine!

Shine! Shine! Shine!









There is nothing like sunshine. Anyone from the Midwest can tell you, it is a source of great joy when it follows a series of gray winter days or extended spring showers.

(I wanted to say, "It is a ray of light". But that is exactly my point).

 Light makes us feel better. It is comforting. It shows us what is around us and exposes things for what they truly are. It makes us feel warmth. It makes a child feel safe. Light changes the atmosphere. 

So, of course, that reminds me of you.  You are light, my friend. All of those things I just mentioned - changing the atmosphere, warmth, comfort, etc. ..... that's you.  If you have asked Christ to be a part of your life, you shine. 

Did you ever notice, the first recorded words of God are "Let there be light"? Clearly, light is important. It is essential for all life.  Jesus was called "the light of all mankind" in John 1:4- also, essential to experience true life.  

Then, in the famous Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:14, Jesus tells his followers, "You are the light of the world." He goes on to tell them not to hide but to shine 😀. (I may have paraphrased that a bit).

Do you understand your importance? 

1. God's first words to us, "light" 
2. Jesus, "light" 
3. YOU, "light"

All three are light. All three are essential.  

Being light is not dependent on how you feel.  It's just who you are. 

Just as the sun is still shining even if you can only see clouds above you, you are still light even if you think something is blocking your radiance.



This cute little girl is light, just like YOU,
even if she does not realize it. 

I know this is hard to grasp on days when you are feeling defeated. But, we are still light, even if our emotions or behavior are the gray clouds blocking us from seeing it.  We are still light, no matter what others say about us.  

If you investigate the lives of Martin Luther or Mother Teresa, you will find that even these amazing world changers struggled to see there own light and both had great bouts of discouragement.

Please listen, my precious friend, there is only One who can tell you who you truly are. There is only One who helps you understand this truth.  You cannot listen to any other "voice" except the One who loves you more than you can imagine. The One who made you light.  

I'm really glad you are meeting me here today because two lights are brighter than one.  

I'm not going to suggest you "do" anything. 

Just "be".  

You already are light.  

I'm just praying  that you will remember the Truth of who you really are. 

Never forget the truth - You are the light of the world. 

Sent from my iPad

The Perfect Place to Live

The Perfect Place to Live

Have you ever watched one of those tiny house programs on TV?  An entire episode will feature a person or couple looking for a house that ranges from 100- 400 square feet. Though I enjoy the space saving and organization tips offered on these shows, I think, "Bless your sweet, young hearts" when the prospective tiny house buyers are newlyweds.

I could probably live in a tiny house - alone - with my own "stuff". However, adding my husband of 22 yrs & all of his "stuff" into the mix, would pose a bit of a problem.  I imagine the potential for volatile interaction is very high.  Seriously, I am getting annoyed just thinking about it.

Home is the central point for life and family. It is the place we rest, the place we feel safe, eat meals, relax and the place where we keep our "stuff", both important and valuable things, as well as unimportant, even silly things.

This young man is very valuable.

He is displaying a few samples of his silly hat collection.

Whether you have a tiny house, an apartment or maybe a mansion, you need a place to hold your things, feel safe and to rest.

Of course, my friend, you know I don't just mean physically.  Your heart and mind need rest. Your soul needs a place for your "stuff”.

Psalm 91:1 (NLT)
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

When we don't make the Most High our "home", we have to find other places for our "stuff". We have to build our own protection and make our own types of rest.
This self-made "protection" is not gentle and secure.  
This "rest" cannot truly rejuvenate your soul.
And our stuff?  
Where are we going to put it?  
What can we do with pain, hardship, frustration? As well as our daily details and dreams for the future?
Without God as our dwelling place, the best we can do with our stuff is a lot like putting things in a messy closet or a junk drawer.  Everything looks fine on the outside. But, nobody wants their clutter revealed. Plus, it is incredibly frustrating when you eventually have to deal with those messy areas.  

Even though I understand what it means to live in God's shelter, if I'm being perfectly honest, I have a few "junk drawers" where things fly out sometimes.  There are situations I have tried to ignore or attitudes I don't actually want to talk over with God.  There are some things I just don't want to bring into my “living space” with God.  For example, I tend to judge the judgmental. Ha - Do you see what I'm doing?  Seriously, I think I am so much more enlightened than them.  I ignore my own pride and judgment.  I am not even going to mention the things that show up in my thought bubble. They pass through my mind before I realize it. Perhaps since they don't come out of my mouth, they don't count. I'm pretty sure I should get credit for not saying everything that pops into my head. Ugh - Now that I have written this, I'm going to have to take it to the One who loves me. I am going to have to bring it into my “living space” and discuss the cause of my pride with my loving Father.  The "shelter of the Most High" is clutter free.  He will gladly help me find a place for my stuff and help me get rid of the things I should not keep.

Friend, your Father wants you to rest and not live in fear. He wants you to give Him your "stuff". He wants to laugh with you because He delights in you.  He wants to give you peace when you are hurting and security when you don't understand.  He wants to be the place where you truly live.

How do you "live in the shelter of the Most High"?  - Draw near to God. He will always draw near to you.
Stay close to Him. Continually talk to Him. Be still, listen and rest.  Pour out your heart to Him. Tell Him what you love, what scares you and even what annoys you (like the judgmental people😜) Listen to worship music or scripture on a Bible app. Read the words and advice your Father has given you. Tell God you want Him to be your dwelling place. He will show you just what to do.  

If you have a Bible or a Bible app on your phone, go ahead and read all of Psalm 91.

The chapter goes on to give other benefits to making God, Most High, your home - refuge, trust, security and comfort.  

Look at vs 4. He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wing.  His faithful promises are your armor and protection

That place a baby bird dwells, right up next to it's mama, surrounded by her feathers, is a place of comfort and safety.  It is soft, warm and cozy. This is where God wants you to live, right up next to Him. You are his precious child. There is no better place for you.


My prayer for you today is that you will
Never Forget the Truth - You already have the perfect place to truly "live".

Child of God

Dear Friend,
I am writing you this note after I have completed the blog below.  Something was pressing on my heart throughout the night. So, I knew I wanted to write you personally.
I haven't yet shared any of the deep hurts or struggles in my life on this blog.
I meet you here to encourage you.  To help you remember your importance and the great things God says about you.
After praying about this through the night, I want to tell you - This is my issue.  If you have been meeting me here regularly, you know God has blessed me with an amazing mother - seriously - You need to meet her.  You will absolutely love her..... & she will love you.
However, my father died of heart failure when I was in kindergarten.  Of course, it affected everything about me.  I did not realize it until I was in my 30s.  By then, I could look back and begin to understand certain behaviors and insecurities caused by being fatherless.  I was 36 before I ever saw the verse in Psalm that says God is Father to the fatherless.  It was another year before I would pray to God as Father.  Clearly, it has been an issue.
After the sudden death of my sister, one might expect me to say, "She is with Jesus". Of course, I did think that....second.  But if I'm honest, I thought, "She is so lucky. She gets to see our dad..... & Jesus."
I know I am not the only one to struggle with father issues.  Mother issues are just as painful.
So, my friend, please be encouraged by the things I wrote for you below.  It was hard for me to write.  But, I know it is true.  You are perfectly loved by the perfect Father.  I pray you will be able to rest in that and grasp the truth.

Love,
Kathy


 

I have really good news for you. 

Whether you have a great dad, an average one, a terrible one or one who is not around at all, the perfect Father's love is available to you.  

It is a love that completes you.  It is a love that heals your heart and refreshes the deepest parts of you.  As I type this note, I'm praying for you.  I am asking God to make this truth penetrate deep into every part of your being.  

The Father, God, chose you to be his child (Eph. 1:4). All he asks you to do is believe Him.

John 1:12-13 (NLT)  But to all who believed him(Jesus) and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God (13) They are reborn - not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

Sometimes our wounds and scars prevent us from understanding this amazing privilege.  If you know you are having trouble "getting it", ask God to make this truth real for you, deep in your heart.  

As God's child, you are blessed with privilege and perspective.  

The news about being a child of God gets even better. 

Did you know you have a perfect parent who not only loves you, but delights in you? 

Yes - He delights in you!

He will calm all your fears during times that seem uncertain.  He even sings a joyful song over you.  

"For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17 NLT

It reminds me of this viral video from last year. Check out how much this father and daughter enjoy singing together.  

Daddy & daughter duet

Adorable! 

But God's love for you, his precious child, is even greater.  He enjoys you even more than this. It gave Him pleasure to make you His child. (Eph 1:5) 

I want to challenge you this week.  Every time you see a parent and child (maybe even you and your own child), remind yourself that God loves YOU and delights in YOU even more than what you are witnessing.   I'm telling you, friend, it is hard to truly understand.  So, ask God to show you.  As this truth works its way into your heart, your entire perspective will change. 

I John 3:1a (NLT) 

See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! 

Your Father delights in you.  

Never Forget the Truth - You are a child of God. 

Here's Your Sword

If I could have a logo, this would be it.


This is the list I referred to in my last blog.  It is also an example of turning  scriptures into personal prayers

sWords for Electronics

In our home, may we be careful to live blameless lives and lead with integrity. (from Psalm 101:2)

Hebrews 12:1b  Lord, I pray that ______ will strip off every weight that slows him down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. Let him run with endurance the race God set before him.

Colossians 3:2 Lord, I pray that ______ will think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.

Philippians 3:2 Lord, may ______ fix her thoughts on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely and admirable.  May she think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Psalm 101:3a  Lord, I pray that ______ will refuse to look at anything vile or vulgar.

Psalm 101:3a (NASB) May ______ set no worthless thing before his eyes.

Psalm 101:4 Lord, may ______ reject perverse ideas and stay away from every evil.

I Corinthians 10:13b When ______ is tempted may she remember the promise that You, Lord, are faithful and will show her a way out so she can endure.

Ephesians 4:29b. Let everything that is said on _______’s electronics be good and helpful. May her words always be an encouragement to those who hear or read them.

James 1:27b (NIV) Father, may ______ keep himself from being polluted by the world.

Proverbs 4:27 Lord, may ______ not get sidetracked; keep her feet from following evil.

I John 5:21 Oh God, keep ______ away from anything that might take Your place in his heart.

II Thessalonians 3:3 Lord we praise You that You are faithful, You will strengthen ______ and guard her from the evil one. 

James 1:5 May _____ ask You for wisdom, God, because you are generous and will give it to her.

Proverbs 2:5 Lord, Your wisdom will save ______ from evil people and from those whose words are twisted.

Proverbs 2:4 May ______ make wise choices, for they will watch over him. Understanding will keep him safe.

Ephesians 5:17 Lord, I pray that ______ will not act thoughtlessly, but will do what you want her to do.

We ask all of these things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

*All the scriptures above are based on the New Living Translation of the Bible before turning them in to a personal prayer unless otherwise indicated.