A night that may never be topped

Tonight was just such a fun memory. I think that it's very important to note that I am writing a summation of this epic night at 8:50 pm. Meemaw status secured.

My most favorite blogger ever, BooMama, just released her first book "A little Salty to cut the Sweet." When I tell you it's fantastic that is no lie. And I would know as I have read 10 whole books in my lifetime. But let me tell you it's truly great. If you have family, you can relate. But if you have a Southern family, you not only can relate but you will think to yourself oh thank goodness my family is normal. She has a delightful way of finding the Holy in the everyday. The blessings in the people around you.

Well, being from Mississippi, she did a book signing in Jackson and we went! Y'all. It was just delightful. Between my nervous talking and Whitney's high adrenaline, hot flashes, I am quite positive we were one crazy sentence away from security being called and a short trip for an evaluation at the mental institute. I totally kid. BooMama or Sophie Hudson her real name was absolutely delightful and I hope everyone I know reads her stories because I promise you your heart will be blessed. In fact, you can order it here. And you should.

After we thoroughly met and got books signed, it was time for the early bird special at Bravo because we are high rollers like that. We sat and talked and chatted and greatly enjoyed the company. Lifelong friends just can't be beat. They are the cheapest form of therapy there is. We had a ball and laughed till it hurt.

I think it's appropriate to end this post with my favorite quote from the book because it says so beautiful how I feel about a good fellowship with friends, family, friends who are family, and food.

"For the first half of my life, probably, I thought that the whole point of the table was the food....But now that I am older, I know better. And it's comforting, somehow, to recognize that while the food may be what brings us to the table, it's not the main course by a long shot. More than anything, I think, the food is an invitation to see what the Lord is doing, 'to taste and see that the Lord is good' (Psalm 34:8). Because when people gather round the table to break bread, the Lord gets to work. He knits together our hearts, strengthens our bonds, and connects our narratives. The table is where He links the generations, where he prompts us to join hands and now heads and remember and laugh and pass our stories back and forth to each other." A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet by Sophie Hudson.

I sure did appreciate the table tonight. And while the food was great, the company was better. The Lord used a couple hours with best friends to strengthen the heart and soul. And that my friends can't be beat. So thank you Sophie for reminding us of just that little nugget of truth!

It's only Friday, but Sunday's Coming

I wish that every day I felt the weight of Friday. Not just any Friday, but a special Friday. Perhaps, no definitely, the most significant, most special, most defining, most fulfilling, and every other most word Friday. The Friday that my sin held Him there. The Friday that hope seemed lost. The Friday that for a moment seemed that death had won and all that everyone believed would happened simply didn't.

I am thankful that I live on the other side of that Friday. The side that knows that although Friday was dark, Sunday was Light. Hope. Peace. Love. Life. I don't know what I would have thought if I lived on the front side of the Friday. Would I have been denying like Peter? Distraught like Mary? Gambling for his clothes? Scoffing from the crowd? My guess is probably the last. Because really is that any different from times in my life now? Times when I say prove yourself. Show me you say you are who you are. This is just a guess.

But, thankfully He knew to put be on the other side of that Friday. There is an old sermon that to me describes the weight of the Friday and the wait to the Sunday in the best words ever. 

It's Friday...
Jesus is praying, Peter is asleep. Judas is betraying...
... but Sunday's a Comin'.

It's Friday...
Pilate is struggling, the Sanhedrin is conspiring, the crowd is vilified...
they don't even know that...Sunday's a Comin'.

It's Friday...
The disciples are running in every direction like sheep
without a shepherd, Mary's crying, Peter's denying
...but they don't know...that Sunday's a Comin'.

It's Friday...
the Romans beat my Jesus, they robe him in scarlet,
they crown him with thorns,
...but they don't know, Sunday's a Comin'!

See Jesus walking to Calvary, his blood dripping,
his body's stumbling, and his spirit's burdened,
but see it's only Friday, Sunday's a Comin!

It's Friday...
The world's winning, people are sinning
and evil's grinning...it's Friday

The soldiers nail my Savior's hands to the cross...
They nail my Savior's feet to the cross...
Then they raise him up next to criminals...
it's Friday, but let me tell you something...

Sunday's a Comin'!

It's Friday...
The disciples are questioning, "What has happened to our King?"
and the Pharisees are celebrating that their scheming has been achieved...
but they don't know...it's only Friday.
Sunday's a Comin'!

It's Friday...
He's hanging on the cross, feeling forsaken by his Father,
left alone and doubting, can nobody save him?
Oh...it's Friday...but...
Sunday's a Comin'!

It's Friday...
The temple veil ripped from top to bottom - the earth
shook - the rocks split and tombs opened.
The centurion screamed in fear 'Truly He was the Son of
God!'
... Sunday's a Coming

It's Friday...
the Earth Trembles, the sky grows dark,
my King yields his spirit...
it's Friday...hope is lost...death has won,
sin has conquered...and Satan's just a laughin'

It's Friday...
Jesus is buried, a soldier stands guard,
and a rock is rolled into place...
but it's Friday...it is only Friday...
Sunday is a Comin!

People are saying 'As things have been, so they shall
always be. You can't change anything in this world'
... but Sunday's a Coming!

It's Friday...
Satan's doing a little jig saying 'I control the whole
world'
... but Sunday's a Coming!

It's Sunday!!!
The angel like dazzling lightning, rolled the stone
away, exclaiming, 'He is not here! He is risen!'
It's Sunday!!!! It's Sunday!!!! It's Sunday!!!!

--Tony Campolo

Thank God that Sunday is Coming. Let's praise the Redeemer.

When Darkness seems to hide His face

I like everyone in America am so saddened by terrible events that happened on Friday. I obviously don't have children, but I am an aunt, friend, babysitter, and human, and I think every single one of those titles made me feel such a depth of sadness for all of those families.  That whole community is experiencing such a loss and tragedy that I pray wholeheartedly never comes near my family or anyone that I love.  I cannot go on Facebook or Yahoo or watch the news without tears welling up in my eyes and getting a huge lump in my throat. This is a time of year that joy is supposed to abound. I do not understand this.

Yet, in all of this sadness, I do have hope and peace. In church on Sunday, I was reminded of the peace and hope and yes even joy in the midst of sadness and pain that my Savior brings. I couldn't help, but cry. Some of my tears were shed for all those families that are affected, but some were tears of gratitude that I worship a Savior who is Lord of all.  I do not understand how or why that terrible thing happened, other than the fact that we live in a fallen and broken world. But, in all of that I know that death has been defeated.

"Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die,this Scripture will be fulfilled:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.
 O death, where is your victory?
    O death, where is your sting?”

For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power."  

1 Corinthians 15:54-56

I think that this truth is all that I can focus on because all the other what ifs and whys are simply too complex for me to comprehend.  I think in some ways that the best thing we can do to honor all of those children who lost their lives in a terrible way is to reach deep down and find our childlike faith. And trust that although darkness is out there and evil exists and terrible things have happened that we have a God who is bigger and stronger.  I hope and pray that all those families find peace and comfort. I hope that they know that their sweet babies are with a loving Savior who has defeated their death.

We sang this at church yesterday. I have always loved the hymn that these words come from, but for some reason yesterday it said what my heart was feeling.

Christ alone; cornerstone
Weak made strong; in the Saviour's love
Through the storm, He is Lord
Lord of all

When Darkness seems to hide His face 
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil
My anchor holds within the veil

I pray that this week and into Christmas, we don't allow Darkness to hide His face. Peace and Joy to you this week. I hope that you all have a great week filled with all the Christmas goodness you can muster.  We did find time this weekend to have a Christmas date with three of our favorite girls.

Carriage ride with her Bubba. Love that girl.

For that, I am very thankful.

Focus

"Energy and time are precious, limited entities. Therefore, you need to use them wisely, focusing on what is truly important. As you walk close to Me, saturating your mind with Scripture, I will show you how to spend your time and energy. My Word is a lamp to your feet; My Presence is a Light for your path."

-Excerpt of Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

I read this, and it seemed to smoke me in the face. Yes, this is deep and theological and I used the word smoke. I seem to always try and cram as many moments into a day as I can. I am ashamed to admit how often I push the Lord to the back burner. I'm too quick to put my own thoughts on how to spend my time and energy in action, rather than focusing on how the Lord has called me to use those precious gifts.

At the risk of sounding 75, the days really do seem to fly by, and I am already amazed at the point in life which I am. The thought of intentional living has been on my mind frequently over the past few months. Reading the phrase today that "time and energy are precious, limited entities" put in to words so eloquently the quiet feelings of my heart.

My prayer is that I will search deeply and focus my time and energy in areas where the Lord has shown me. I am over being busy for the sake of busy-ness. I choose not to live in a way that would cause me to look back and regret loving shallowly, connecting with people in a tired and stretched too thin way, and not enjoying all the blessings the Lord daily gives.

I pray Scripture guides how I spend my limited time and energy. This truly seems like a crazy thought in a Pinterest world where image seems to dictate the use of time and tends to make everyone perceive that your time should be spent making a homemade artistic masterpiece while baking gluten free bread from scratch wearing your knitted scarf. I just don't want to waste the time the Lord blesses me with each and everyday. And so often I do.

Here's to loving others today. Cherishing relationships. Glorifying our Savior.

A Sweet Little Girl

For many months, I have read a blog about an amazing little girl named Lucy Krull.  You can read her story here.  She is a tough fighter, who unfortunately appears to be losing her battle with an aggressive form of cancer. First, I wanted to share her story so that as many people could be praying for her as possible. I recognize that my readership is about four people, but that is four more prayers that this child deserves.

Second, I wanted to remember this for years to come.  You see, Lucy's mother has such an honest way of describing her faith and her love for her family.  Even at times when she is at an ultimate low in circumstances, one that quite honestly and selfishly I pray I never have to experience, her love and faith is so clear. I have learned so much by reading this lady's profound words.  The following is an excerpt from Kate, Lucy's mom:

"Thank you for your continued prayers.  I have to admit to all of you that your faith is so much greater than mine.  I have been shamed and humbled by how thousands of  people around the world never stopped praying for a miracle for my Lucy.  I, however, was only able to pray for mercy and no suffering.  Why wasn't I praying for a miracle?  Had I really stopped believing God could provide one?  I'm not sure.  But if I ever had doubts I have been reminded that the child I was ready to bury 4 days ago looked at me today and told me she loved me.  Unsolicited.  Because she does. 

I have faith.  I believe in miracles.  I serve an awesome God.  I will never, ever stop praying for Lucy's miracle."

I will continue to pray for Lucy.  And you should too.  I know there are so many children and people out there suffering, but today Lucy is on my heart.