AUGUST 2010 FAMILY BEACH VACATION
IN CAROLINA BEACH, NC
ONLY ONE MISSING MY OLDEST SON

MY HUBBY AND OUR FAMILY DOG ANGEL
ANSWER TO MY DAUGHTERS PRAYER OF TWO
YEARS FOR A DOG...SHE'S BEEN WITH US
FOR 6 YRS. NOW




VIEW OF OCEAN



LYNN (MY SWEETIE) AND ME WATCHING THE MOON AND CLOUDS OVER THE OCEAN

VIEW FROM PRIVATE WALKWAY

OnePrayer - Francis Chan

Cheering From the Sidelines: Lessons Learned Through Volleyball Part 3

1 Corinthians 12:26 - If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

Sunday Mikayla my 11 yr. old broke her wrist while playing with a friend in the yard. This is her first year playing volleyball with our local home school team the Lighthouse Eagles so, needless to say she was very disappointed. She has been practicing harder and getting better at her serves and returns. Her eyes filled with tears as she knew she would not be able to finish out the season. After the tears stopped flowing she asked me if we could still go to the games, she would wear her uniform and sit with her team to cheer them on. What a great attitude, even though she is on the "sidelines" she is still willing to go and support her team!

This experience has really made me ask myself some pretty hard questions. For the past several years I was part of an awesome ministry. Through this ministry I was privileged to go into the women's prison and lead a small group, teaching them how to dig into God's word and apply His truth to their lives. I also had the opportunity to be part of the prayer team, where I made some life long friends and prayer partners. God pulled me out of this ministry for a season and I am missing it. My intentions were to continue praying for them diligently, even though I was on the "sidelines". To my shame, I have dropped the ball of prayer more times than I would like to admit. Even though, I am on the sidelines my heart should be like that of my daughter's. My attitude should be to cheer them on, even if it is "from the bench", for now.

God has used my daughter's attitude of commitment from the sidelines to encourage me to get back "into the game" of praying for my sweet sisters in Christ and also for those they are ministering to. We've all had seasons in our "game of life" when we were benched either by sickness, finances, our own choices or God just said, "no".

What about you? When was the last time you were let down by circumstances beyond your control. Maybe, like Mikayla you have been working hard, practicing your "serve" and preparing for your game, but someone else is called to teach that class, lead that bible study, sing that solo. Maybe it is a work situation, you have put in long hours, done extra work, taken on more responsibility, yet someone else gets the promotion you were hoping for. How will you respond? Will you be wiling to cheer your team on from the "sidelines" or will you choose to give up on the game all together.

The church needs a few more cheerleaders today. We are not competing with one another to be the star player. We are the family of God! A family supports one another. God's word tells believers in Romans 12:15 - to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. There is no room for pouting, doubting or giving up on God's team.

So, a challenge to all us "adults"..the next time you are disappointed, let down or looked over. Remember Mikayla's response and "Cheer from the sidelines"!

A Friend Loves at All Times or Do They?

Do you have "friends" that call you when they need prayer or someone to vent to? I guess we all do maybe more than one. God's word tells us in Proverbs that, "A friend loves at all times". That's hard! Sometimes I know it may seem childish, but truthfully there are times when you wonder if they are really your friend or not! They never ask about your family, how you are doing, what you've been up to. It's always about them! You never get invited to any celebrations or outings, yet when they need a "listening ear" you are the one they call. Maybe not the only one they call but still they do call.

Sometimes it just hurts, makes you feel used. I've had a relationship like that...well, if you can even call it a relationship! Someone I prayed for a long time about a particular situation, we talked on the phone and would even meet for coffee from time to time. I really thought we were building a good friendship. God answered our prayers and boy did He deliver! I understand how busy life can get...after all, I am a mother of four children myself BUSY is my middle name. Things just stopped with this "friend". No phone calls, no comments on my fb page. Not even a quick chat when we are both on.

I can't help but feel hurt by it all. It's perplexing! I don't know if I did or said something that offended her? I am bewildered by the whole thing really. My friends like my family are very important to me. Women were made for relationships. Men are too, but they don't seem to have so much of their selves invested in their "buddies". I tried talking to her (not wanting to seem "needy"), but her response is always "adjusting has been hard";yet I would see her going with other friends and doing things. Inviting others out on special occasions. I fervently prayed for her and her family during the time when they were waiting on God to deliver. Doesn't that mean anything now?

Proverbs - "A friend loves at all times" is a two-sided thing. Would it hurt to just send a note or pick up the phone once in awhile? I have other friends who are just as busy...but somehow, we manage to make time for one another, not often as we would like after all we all have families and commitments. But, we are there for each other when it counts and do try to get together once in awhile. Maybe there is a reason why this friendship hasn't grown....

In the meantime, God has called me to be a true friend no matter how the other person responds. So hard as it may be it is another chance to die to self, to love by His grace and His power, to know when to let go of something that is not producing fruit.

Several years back I lost a very "good" friend. We had been friends for 10 years. It was over something that should have been fixable. It was very painful. I grieved over that friendship for a while. It was like a death! It was so hard I would see her out and it was as if she had just met a stranger and was being polite, how odd? Someone, I spent lots of time laughing, crying, praying and sharing life with all of a sudden was no longer there. They were cold and far away. God helped me to recover from the blow, even being sweet enough to show me some of the "why" behind it. He is so good!

Maybe I just care too much? I don't know. I know I think too much and at times can over analyze things. Just wish people would be honest in their relationships and not leave people hanging. To speak truth with your neighbor is more than just speaking the truth of the gospel..it is in everyday dealings. God has called us to be truthful in our relationships.

All this has made me ask myself a few questions: What kind of friend am I? Am I a self-centered friend? Am I consumed with me and mine? Do I care about things that are going on in my friends lives? Am I willing to die to self in order to let them know I am thinking and praying for them? Do I make time for them? Will I make time to build healthy relationships? Or, do I like surface, shallow relationships that the world or the carnal christian offers? Or do I desire to be like Proverbs says - "A friend that loves at all times"?

Something to think about.

Learning to "love at all times"...even when I don't "feel" loved back.

Following His Lead,