Saturday, June 28, 2014

A Home Isn't Always a House

This painting is by 4-year-old Mesa Toft.
She named it "Valley of the Paint."
There is banana gook on the makeshift high chair; a fleece ladybug blanket on the couch; children’s books everywhere; paintbrushes in the sink; toy trucks on the coffee table; and sippy cups still in the fridge. A sticky mystery resides on my iPhone, and the TV isn't working quite right. These are all telltale signs of a week spent with lively, button pushing, curious, and adorable 2 and 4-year-olds who are now back home in Texas. I’m not quite ready to pick everything up or clean. I kind of like basking in the afterglow of their "happy."

On another note, I drove by our former home in the mountains yesterday. My vintage Oriental Poppies were blooming and two horses now reside in the pasture our own beloved horses used to frolic in. The scene was a picture postcard as rain (and tears) gently fell.

Now, I could choose to deal with both these things with more tears--missing the children and remorse over the loss of the home our family built with our own hands. The "sads" could come quite easily if I let them. But I just can't host regret. I do have a choice on how I let these things affect me. I choose to be thankful and that changes the way I think - which changes the way I feel.

I am thankful for the week the kids were here and the fun we had. I appreciate the happy memories we made in our old family home. I feel blessed with the life we now lead in the beautiful high desert of Colorado. And I am so excited for the things ahead that are coming and that are good and that I don’t even know about yet.


Yes - I will and do live in this place of promise and hope. I choose to make that my home now.

Yup. It's time to pick up the toys and wipe off the stickies.


For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

My book - Tapestry - The Divine Design for Your Life - will change the way you think and unlock God's amazing plans and promises over your life. Click to order at Amazon.com.

Friday, June 20, 2014

Speak To That Storm! (Or God Loves James Taylor)

There's a new album out by Bethel Music called "You Make Me Brave," and I love the lyrics of one of the songs that says "The waves and wind still know Your Name." Remember those times in the Bible when Jesus spoke to the weather and everything calmed down? The sea calmed. The wind stopped. He even tells us we could move mountains. What kind of power and authority has He given us?

Check out this post I wrote on my Facebook and then read the rest of the story right after:

"The storm ceased, the clouds parted, and rainbows abounded - literally - as the concert began. It was a wonderful experience - touched ALL my senses - made me weep a bit just to be there with my daughter, Bess, in such a beautiful place with a beautiful sound.... When James Taylor sang "Fire and Rain," he picked up his old guitar and with his beautiful playing and his amazing voice filled Red Rocks Amphitheater. Later, when we were heading to our car, we could still hear his final encore song bouncing off the rocks near the parking area. Everyone just stood silently, facing that rock, and listened to "Shower the People You Love with Love." No wonder Rick and I fell in love during all those 70s concerts at Red Rocks!"

So what is the rest of the story?

Five minutes prior to those clouds parting, it was storming with a vengeance. Dark clouds, heavy rain, wind, thunder, and lightning pummeled the park. Bess and I sat in her car wondering if the concert would be cancelled. I remembered the words in that song - remembered the promises of what happens when we speak out loud to our storms. I shouted: "Storm stop; go away; rain stop; blue sky come! In Jesus' Name!" I texted my husband to pray. I swear, within two minutes I saw white clouds moving over the tall red rock walls. Soon Bess looked out her driver's window and declared there were two rainbows. The rain stopped abruptly. Everyone got out of their cars and began to ascend the hundreds of steps into the theater God made when He created the earth. Soon the sun was shining over us. The storm was over Denver in the distance. We saw more rainbows, more lightning over the city in the distant view from where we sat. But the weather over us was perfect. I think God loves James Taylor, too. What an amazing experience! The next day Jamie, Bess's roommate, told me the rain never stopped that night at their apartment which is about 10 miles away.


So. Remember my story next time a storm tries to thwart your plans - whether it's a weather storm or one of those storms of life. Speak out loud to it. Tell it to go. Expect a miracle! (And if it doesn't happen the first time, keep trying...keep hoping!)

I would love to hear your testimonies of speaking to your storms!