Live, Laugh, Love and....PLAY!!

We went through the whole ordeal getting ready. We picked out clothes--making sure that we were all color-coordinated. We scheduled haircuts. I made sure to apply my miracle, wrinkle-removing, Mary Kay eye cream every night the week before (I know that's not exactly how it works!). I used my magic bottle to make sure my grays weren't glowing. We loaded into the car with a huge sigh, and off we went. It was family picture time.

Now these aren't the usual family pictures. These are the pictures that will appear on the cover of October's issue of the Proverbs 31 magazine. If you receive the magazine, you know that our speaker team members have been the cover models for the last year or so. It's so exciting and fun, but it's also nerve-racking. I should have been studying models' poses, because I always feel self-conscious and I'm truly not very photogenic.

Barry, Anson and Nolan were not thrilled to participate. Does anybody really look forward to pictures? You know the drill. Mom sits in the middle. Dad cuddles in close behind. The kids surround or kneel. Chins are raised. Hands are put into impossible positions. NOBODY is comfortable. I was kind of excited, but everybody else was dreading it. (I love those guys! They were doing it all for me!!)

This picture day proved to be different, though. Sally Ervin Mabry is a photographer who lives close to Charlotte, NC. Sally and I met years ago through a mutual close friend, and I've always felt like she's my friend, too. Anyway, Sally suggested playing miniature golf at a local park to take the photos. Instead of primping and posing, we played, and she took 750 pictures. Nolan, who really hates picture day, ended up being totally charmed by Sally and even danced for her. We had a blast!!!

It was such a great reminder for me. I feel like I've gotten overly serious as I've gotten older. I need to PLAY more with my kids, with my husband, with my extended family and with my friends. It also reminded me that playing doesn't have to mean that you're not getting the necessary tasks accomplished. I can include my kids in making dinner and make sure we laugh while we do it. I can give my husband and little squirt with the hose while we're doing yard work and take a few minutes to elude the chase. I can send silly jokes to my nieces and nephews by email to keep in touch.

Have you added a little PLAY to your life lately? I've always been better at implementation than the creative end. I'd love to hear your suggestions!

Next week my family is taking the week of spring break to play. You'll hear from me again after break is over. Have a great week and make sure to make time for some play!

A Woman's Eyes

I remember sitting in a small, primitive room surrounded by some of the most beautiful women and children that I had ever seen. Our team was in a camp in Calcutta that housed refugees from Bangladesh. My mind couldn't even comprehend the desperation that would cause people to flee to this city that had so much poverty and homelessness of its own. But here they were, sitting in a clean and quiet room that was a refuge from the devastating poverty and hopelessness outside.

I listened to my friends on the team tell Bible stories to the children. The children sat quietly and were engaged with an intensity that is rarely seen in American children. When it was my turn, I spoke to the beautiful women dressed in bright colors seated around me. Even using a translator didn't slow the flow of the words given by the Holy Spirit. God had kept me awake prayer and studying the whole night before in preparation for this time with these women. He had a message of love and forgiveness for them that flowed out of my weary, overwhelmed body.

In the sea of sadness and hungry eyes, there was one set of eyes that glowed with an inner fire. They were set in a luminous face and pierced me with the intensity of attentiveness. After the time with the group was over, I sought out that woman with an interpreter. "What is God doing in your heart?" I asked her. She replied, "I love Jesus and believe in Him already."

I should have known. This woman living in the midst of such squalor, despair and hopelessness displayed purity, joy and hope because of her relationship with her resurrected, very-alive, present and working Lord Jesus.

My pastor yesterday encouraged us to be surprised and delighted again by the resurrection. He reminded us that the disciples considered the women's words about Jesus' missing body as foolishness even though Jesus Himself had told them several times of His coming resurrection. Instead of looking expectantly ahead during the days after Jesus' death, they had fallen into their own despair.

I look into the eyes of women around me. I see despair that doesn't come from crippling poverty or extreme hunger. This is America. We're fat and sassy, after all. But the despair is still undeniable. Marriages are crumbling, children are straying, jobs are disappointing, lovers are leaving... These women, too, need to be surprised by the resurrection. They too need to run to a Living Lord. I hope that your prayer will be like mine. I want to be a carrier of the news of a risen Jesus just like Mary Magdalene on that first glorious day.

I also have friends who continue to carry Jesus' message and the Holy Spirit to those in literal physical despair. Encouraging Words, Inc. is a non-profit organization seeking to respond to the educational and physical needs of the world's children and their communities while giving each a chance to experience personal hope in Jesus. Because of their work in closed countries, they don't have a website that I can give you a link to, but I'm asking for each reader today to take a moment to pray for them. They are leaving in about a week, but many financial needs are unmet. Please pray that God in His riches would meet them all. If you feel moved to give after praying, please contact me directly, and I will put you in touch with this worthy ministry. I rejoice that they are going to surprise the needy with the resurrection of Jesus and His care for their lives!

The Simple Life

Isn't it funny how pleasurable the simple things can be when you haven't done them in a while? You know, things like laundry, cleaning the rings out of your toilets and picking up socks off your bedroom floor? I know I haven't blogged much this week, but I've been busy enjoying the simple things. I wrote earlier about quitting one of my three part-time jobs. Even though it was a job that I loved, everything in my home had gone to the dogs while I tried to keep my head above water with my work-life. It's just so nice to catch up on some domestic chores. Don't get me wrong, I'll probably be tired of those same chores again in a few weeks, but for now I'm cheerfully wiping out kitchen cabinets!

What are some of the chores that you don't mind? I actually find folding clothes theraputic (I do it sitting on my bed at night with the tv on). I don't mind cleaning the bathroom, because I love the results. Honestly, I really don't like to cook. I know some of you just gasped. I envy those of you who love cooking and see it as your creative outlet. I envy you, and I wish that my family and I could move in with you. I'm truly trying to change my outlook on cooking. I know it's a way to minister to my family that is so much deeper than meeting a physical need. For those of you who are lovers of the kitchen, please pray for me!

Anyway, what are the chores that you secretly love? Which ones do you hate? I'll be interested to read your posts!

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes

You know that life has just gotten too overwhelming when you are HAPPY about a sick day just so that you can stay in bed. Well, I had that kind of day last Wednesday. It turned out to be quite a bit more of a turning point than I thought, though, so I wanted to share.

In mid-freakout early last week, my husband followed my wild-eyed, yappin' self into the bedroom for a little couple time. Don't worry, you can keep reading. It wasn't that kind of time! My sweetie layed on the bed with me as I cried about not having enough time, and he began to list all my commitments. "You forgot some," I sniffled, and I listed a few more. At that point, after staring at me meaninfully for a minute, he said, "You would never let our kids live this way."

There really wasn't anything that would have stopped me in my tracks quite like that statement did. Over the years Barry and I have fought the good fight to keep our kids' activities in check and our family time priority. I think it's so important for kids to have time to work and play and dream at home as well as pursuing interests outside of home. Anyway, Barry's reminder that I had personally fallen far away from that set of values about time made me take a deep breath and consider--and pray.

On Wednesday, I called Janet, the editor of our local newspaper, from my sick bed. I was sick but happy, because I had decided to quit my job as correspondant for the newspaper. It was the funniest call. I explained to Janet that although I continued to love writing for the paper that I had too many balls in the air and that I was going to have to quit. After encouraging me about my writing (which meant the world to me!), she told me that she had been trying to figure out how to call me. Her budget for correspondants had been cut.... It was a God-thing! He allowed me to quit before my job was cut, AND I feel so happy to have a little more time in my life back. Yeah!!!!!!

I've learned a couple of lessons from my week:

• God speaks through my husband. Actually I've known this, but I was too busy to remember. Even as I prayed before I called to quit, God reassured my heart about my husband's leadership. Barry had suggested that I pray about ending my job at the paper, and then he just let that thought simmer for a few days. He's such a wise man, and I'm thankful for him.
• God's timing is perfect. I really believe that He provided the job with the paper initially. He gave me the grand opportunity for a time, and then He moved me on. I believe that He has something else in mind for my time, and I'm still waiting on that. In the meantime, I'll enjoy the time to clean out a few closets and to catch up at home.
• God wants me to glorify Him and work for Him in every job. My real "paying gig" with New Neighbor Welcome is truly a blessing. I've been breaking my neck to feel like I'm not neglecting it, and I still feel like I need to give it more. I'm thankful to have the time to give that job what it deserves.

I was purely giddy on Friday as I took the whole day to clean my house. It hasn't been clean from top to bottom in months. It only lasted until the kids walked in, but now we're enjoying a weekend as a family--working, playing and dreaming. I'm just glad to be hangin' with the boys!

I Want to Be You at 82!

Last weekend, I spent a wonderful time with the women of Keeping the Festival Retreat. This group began a friends' retreat three years ago, and Rachel Olsen was their speaker for the first two years. I had really big shoes to fill, but Barbara and her friends welcomed me with open arms. It was truly a blessings to seek the Lord through I Thessalonians with them.

One of my favorites (and I know that none of them will mind me naming her since she's one of everybody's favorites) was a woman named Miss Anne. What a remarkable woman! At 82, she is one of the most lively and encouraging people that I've ever met. She is a drummer, and her rendition of "When the Saints Come Marching In" on the spoons kept everybody clapping, smiling and singing. From the moment I walked into the room, she greeted me with encouragement and made me feel right at home. Usually I'm a little nervous at the beginning of a retreat weekend, but this time I just couldn't wait to get started!

One other thing that Miss Anne is known for is her passion for distributing tracts. She had story after story of lives changed by reading the gospel in her little booklets. In one story, she described being thrown out of Belks because of passing out tracts. She tried to evoke the First Ammendment, but it fell on deaf ears! It didn't stop her, though, and she gave me a gift of a whole stack to distribute myself. Miss Anne, I'll be faithful!

Her final gift to me was a "praise ball". Each year the group throws the ball from person to person. The woman who catches it, shares a praise with the group. This year each woman shared another woman's name who had "spread the light"and made a difference in her life. I'll carry the praise ball with me as I speak and carry on the tradition where I can. I think, though, that Miss Anne is truly a living praise ball. Wherever she goes, praise abounds both from her lips and from those whose fire is fanned through her life. Miss Anne, I want to be just like you when I grow up!

Joyfully Feminine

Genesis 1:27, “So God created people in his own image; God patterned them after himself; male and female he created them.” (NLT)

God has seen women as His precious creation since the beginning of time. He has displayed His character and traits through them and cherished them despite the way that various cultures in history have despised them. The gospel of Luke is most clear in its record of how Jesus took time to teach, heal and save women in a society that largely treated them as second class citizens. Even today, in cultures where the treatment of women is less than God’s ideal, women are regarded with much greater respect in Christian circles.

Women’s love of beauty, sensitive tenderness and desire for deep relationships all display God’s character. All it takes is one look at the spring-time blooms popping out all around us to know that God loves beauty. Instead of making creation simply utilitarian, God pulled out all the stops in adding color, detail and exquisite beauty all around us. Also, He is so sensitive and tender toward His children. This beautiful verse from Hosea brings to mind a mother caring for her young child. “It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them. I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love; I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them.” (Hosea 11:3-4 NIV)

A woman’s desire for deep friendships and relationships is one feminine quality that I believe most reflects God’s nature. I once read an article in which the writer explained that all teenage girls need to recount an event in their life to a friend to make it real. For example, before that first kiss is validated, it must be told to a friend. I don’t think I’ve ever grown out of that phase! I feel happiest and most secure when I am connected to close women friends.

God desires deep relationship with us—with you—even more than that. We are created to know Him, to love Him and to have friendship with Him. The perfect life, hideous death and glorious resurrection of His Son, Jesus, were all to have a relationship with man and woman-kind that could transcend the wall of sin. For anyone who accepts Jesus as Savior and turns away from sin, God gives this amazing promise, “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” (John 15:15 NIV)

It’s a mind-bending offer. God, the one who created this beautiful spring and the vast world around us and the one who created you in all your uniqueness, desires relationship with you. It’s a privilege to be a woman made in His image. It’s even a more exciting journey to know God and be in-process toward becoming more and more conformed to that image. Come join the adventure!

Respond:
God, I’m amazed that you say that I’m made in your image. I’m even more amazed that You desire friendship with me. I let go now of everything that I’ve valued in this world and all the sin that entraps me, and I reach out for You. Thank you for reaching back to me. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Apply:
Begin your friendship with God by getting to know Him through Bible study and prayer.

Reach out in friendship to someone in need today.

Waiting

I just read Lysa's blog about an amazing God-sized experience that she had in helping to connect a woman with ministry. I usually don't read all the comments, but I read every one to see how God had used it in women's hearts.

So many women were encouraged by Lysa's story. They saw it as a word directly to them that God sees them in that place of waiting and that their turn is coming. Some women, though, read it with an aching heart and wondered, "God, when is it my turn?"

I can so relate to that second reaction. I remember the struggle with waiting that I had when we moved to Holly Springs. Nobody here knew me or knew my vision. To my lonely heart, it even seemed like no one cared.

I want to share, though, how God used that time of waiting. I am such a "doer". I am so known by this trait that I earned the nickname "Action Amy" from one group of friends ("Praying Pam" was my cohort, and I think she had the more flattering nickname!) God, in His great love and mercy, has taken me through several times when I felt that my life had been forgotten. All of you moms of young children know that your personal life becomes very hidden during those baby and toddler years. I promise that when the layers of diapers and toys are peeled back that your life will still be there, richer than ever from the lessons you've learned and the love of your children!

God has used those times when I feel "useless" to remind me that my significance lies completely in Him. I've felt so GOOD when I'm doing and so BAD when I'm not. God uses those times of quiet to whisper, "Amy, you are not loved or valuable for the things that you do for me. You are loved and valuable because I made you. You are mine. Find sufficiency in Me. Everything else is fleeting." How that has ministered to my heart and how thankful I am for the times of waiting that God has provided. For me, it has kept ministry from becoming idolatrous.

For my friends who are waiting, I know that it's really, really hard. In our Sunday school class last week, my friend Carol said such a profound and encouraging thing as we talked about the lessons of waiting. I had just said that we need to hold on to hope that those times aren't forever. They do come to an end. Carol said, "Not only do they come to an end, but great blessings come at the end of waiting. Jacob wrestled with the angel until he received blessing. We can wrestle through waiting knowing that there is blessing at the end."

My prayers are with you sisters as you wait and wrestle. Blessings to you!

Unexpected Blessings

Today my poor Nolan is home sick. He had that stomach yuck that's going around, but now it's transitioned into a nasty cough. I'm nursing him the best I can until we can get to our second doctor's appointment in a week. Ugh! Don't you just love those medical bills coming in the mail?

Anyway, my schedule this week is so full. I'm at the point that I'm just trying to do one day at a time. When I peek ahead, I start feeling overwhelmed and anxious. It's hard for me, though, because I'm a planner by nature. Barry's struggle over the years to figure out my detailed plans in my head is another blog for another day.

I sort of started feeling overwhelmed this morning because of the sickness "monkeywrench", but it has turned out to be a wonderful day. I've had time at my desk to catch up on so many things in between carrying drinks to Nolan and patting his head. I'm actually feeling more caught up than I have for quite awhile. Ahhhhh!

God showed me again today how He can bring unexpected blessings into days with unplanned interruptions. I hope you all have a day full of blessings too! (And please pray that I don't get sick as I take care of Nolan...Barry is traveling!)