At a table in the breakfast room of an Arkansas motel, three-year-old Madison squeezed my hand and prayed, “Thank you God, for my Meema and my bagel.” I thought, Oh God, protect this precious, little girl. I struggled to surrender my granddaughter’s future to Him, as my son’s marriage crumbled.

 In the middle of Madison’s chatter about orange juice and butterflies and when would we get to Texas to meet her baby cousin, a breakfast attendant approached us. Her nametag told me she was Patricia. Tall and slender with shoulder length, blonde-silver hair, she wore wire-rimmed glasses that framed her blue eyes. “How ya’ll doin?’” Then she thanked us for praying because “it’s a rare sight these days.” What she said next spoke straight to my struggle.

“I want you to know God’s hand is on this child. She is set apart for Him. Don’t you worry. She’s gonna be okay. I won’t forget your face and when the Spirit brings it to mind, I will pray for you.”

Tears trickled down my cheeks. “How did you know?” Patricia just smiled and hugged me. “Ya’ll have a safe trip now.”

On our way out of the breakfast room, I stuck my head into the kitchen. “Thank you, ladies.”  Drying her hands on her apron, my Arkansas angel walked toward us. “Hey sugar, before you go, God gave me something for you, ‘God did not give you a spirit of fear, but of power, of love and of a sound mind.’”

I got goose bumps or as some say—glory bumps. I’d memorized and remembered Second Timothy 1:7 countless times through the years. Especially in those recent months that Madison and her parents lived with us. It gave me courage when fear told me to worry. It strengthened my mind and reminded me my emotions are not to manage my life. After big smiles and good-bye hugs, I took Madison’s little hand with renewed courage to trust God with her future.

Within a year and a half, my son and his wife divorced. But, God provided for Madison in a way I never imagined. At six-years-old, she got a new mom. In July, they celebrated the two-year anniversary of her adoption.

Life doesn’t wrap up nice and neat like we envision. We don’t know the outcome to our challenges but God does. He’s here and He’s already there. When our emotions scream and all we see is worse case scenario, we can trust His presence and promises.

When worry wants to steal our trust, may we hear the promise again, in that sweet southern drawl, “It’s gonna be okay, sugar.” No matter the outcome, we will be okay. God’s got us.

“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go,” Joshua 1:9. Peace and courage for your journey, my friends.

As much as I enjoy laidback pool parties and vacations, I look forward to getting back into a regular routine. Fall is a perfect time to reevaluate my calendar and to-do lists.

I plan to have my book’s first draft done in January. That means more time in my schedule for writing. Since Hannah will continue college, my workdays will shift a bit to accommodate Alexander. Remembering my limits, I’ll be careful not to become his full-time sitter.

That requires self-control and saying, “No.” There are times when our needs and plans have to come first. But, it’s not always easy. Why is that?

Perhaps “No” is tricky because it’s contrary to a habit. When raising our children, our time was spent feeding, bathing, and clothing. We mopped spills, refereed fights, and scrubbed grass stains. It was natural to put them first.

But, now they’re grown and need independence. “No” will teach them to be self-sufficient. If it’s important, they’ll figure it out. In their own time, in their own way. And if they don’t, perhaps they will learn to step up next time. They don’t need Mom and Pop rescuing them. It’s time to rewire that habit.

Sometimes we say yes when we want to say no because we fear, “That’s not fair.” If my adult children can’t trust my heart and my limits, it really is their problem. I don’t play favorites and I can’t always give equal time, attention, or resources. Even if I choose to recline on the deck and eat chocolate, my time is just as valuable as theirs. They can’t manipulate me with false guilt.

“No” may also be complicated by our history. Did you know those raised with an alcoholic in the home tend to have an inflated sense of responsibility? If it’s gonna get done and done right, the adult child of an alcoholic has to do it. A plan or project will fall apart if we don’t take charge. There’s a need to fix and manage, to have a sense of control and security.

Along with our history, come other harmful mindsets. Perhaps, we’re people-pleasers. We fear conflict because we want everyone happy or we want everyone to like us. Ain’t gonna happen, folks.

Usually we struggle to say no because we simply want to help. We may even have the gift of helping. In 1 Corinthians 12:28 and Romans 12:6-8 we find qualities like helping, serving, and kindness. To these virtues, we’re all called, but some of us are given an extra grace gift in these areas. But, it’s important to see when help isn’t really helping anymore. When someone depends on us too much, even lending a hand has its limits.

Yes, saying no is difficult. As we learn to do it, let’s ask God to reveal our purpose in this season. His main plan for us is to love and serve others, to draw them to Him. Our calling hasn’t changed but perhaps it’s time to express it in a new way.

So, whether it’s a request from clergy, kids, or co-workers—just because we can, doesn’t mean we should. We want to give our best for His glory. Courage for your journey, my friends.

 

Photo by Jeff Melvin

 

 

They came, they conquered, they left me beyond exhausted.

Four of our grandbabies were here for a week. My husband and I tag-teamed a newborn, a five-year-old, a six-year-old, and a ten-year-old.

Now, I’m rethinking my limits. Full time care of young children is no joke. And at this stage in my life, I’m just not wired for it.

Words from our oldest, Madison, proved my need to rethink my limits. As we all headed home from a forest preserve, she rode shotgun. . “Meema, I prayed for you. I prayed you won’t be stressed out.”

Oof. Kids have a way of calling us out.

Madison hasn’t always seen my best. But this visit was extra difficult for me and they all saw it. There were great moments like our backyard camp out with S’mores and hot dogs. Ashley at the bathroom door waiting to share a blueberry with me. Braden drawing a picture of Alex and, of course, Madison praying.

I think they’ll remember the fun more than my impatience. But I was stressed more than usual and did not cope well. So, at least for now, something’s gotta change.

New life seasons require setting new boundaries. Without them, we become overwhelmed. I stepped away from my church responsibilities because my mind couldn’t handle one more thing to remember and plan. Sometimes too much of a good thing is simply too much. I wanted more time and brain space to pursue my passion for writing.

Years ago, I chatted with a mid-sixty-year-old man as we waited outside a J.C. Penney dressing room. His wife was inside with a wailing four-year-old and a toddler crawling in and out under the door. Giving up on corralling the kids, he sighed and slumped into a chair. Poor grandpa was exhausted and grandma just wanted a new bra.

They babysat those darlings six days a week. I was tired just talking to him. At least twenty years younger, I already limited my babysitting to twice a week and still do.

I sensed grandpa was motivated by guilt as if our kids are entitled to our time. As though we owe it to them. I know there are seasons when we dig deep, put some things aside, and help raise our grandchildren. Been there, done that. And, I’m doing it again. But if we feel locked-in, obligated day after day, always putting them first, we may become burned out and resentful.

Did we work all those years, raising our children to keep putting our well-being and interests aside? Are we still adjusting our lives to accommodate everyone else?

Putting ourselves first seems opposite to what scripture teaches. But, we also see Jesus stepping away. Crowds followed Him everywhere. Drained by whiners, demands, and even fans, He needed time to Himself, with the Father. He wanted to give His best for others. If the Son of God, the Creator of galaxies needed to set limits, so do we.

I’ve learned to put myself in time-out and reset my attitude. Physical exhaustion depletes my mind and drains my spirit. Grumpy dumps out of the bucket instead of grace. So, for now, my grandbabies will visit one or two at a time.

My friend, where do you need to re-assess your limits? Perhaps, it’s at work or in your friendships.

Author Anne Lamott writes, “No is a complete sentence.” We can say it without apology or lengthy explanation.

So, if you’re stressed, have courage. Set boundaries, and say “No.” Say yes to rest and doing that thing you’ve set aside. They will survive and you will thrive.

 

 

I typed away on chapter three of my book project, excited to make progress. A few hours later, I stared at the computer screen, asking, “Why am I doing this?”

News of shootings in Chicago and terror in Orlando made me consider better ways to use my time. My writing project seemed trivial and I wanted to quit. “God, give me perspective. Bring me back to my why. It’s a tad lost at the moment.”

He reminded me that hope for our world lies in changing hearts. That’s how I met Jesus. He flowed from the hearts of two men and my life was changed forever. Thanks to a realtor’s persistent invites to church and a preacher’s witty one-liners, I met Him for the first time.

Pastor Mike, a.k.a. Brother Mike, was a converted boilermaker from Pekin and my first pastor. I connected with him right away because our history has these in common: Illinois, bars, and beer.

As he led the congregation in that little Arkansas church, he had a way with words. Twenty-six years later, I still remember:

“What goes down in the well comes up in the bucket.” 

Profound truth, simply put. It helps me understand Matthew 12:34, “Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.”

And I’m reminded of the power of words.

How many compliments do you remember? How many harsh comments or put-downs replay in your mind? We all know words can heal or hurt. They are influenced by the good or bad we allow into our hearts. We have a choice. Will our words help or harm? It depends on what we put in the well.

Wisdom from Proverbs warns us, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

In one of my favorites passages, Jesus invites us: “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” I want to speak life-giving words.

So, I ask myself: Am I drawing from fresh water? Or am I stagnate in old teachings and attitudes?

When I don’t read my Bible and meditate on its message, my heart gets selfish and shallow, grumpy and cynical. If I disconnect from God and His people, my well becomes contaminated and scum eventually oozes out. And it ain’t pretty. People aren’t meant to be the punch line of our jokes or the target of our put downs.

Don’t we all just want some good news? A drink of fresh water?

We may not keep violence out of the headlines. But, like Brother Mike, whose words changed me, we may turn a heart away from hate and anger and give someone hope.

And that reminds me why I write. My darkness-to-Light story shows what God does in a heart that chooses Living Water. Only Jesus, flowing from us to others, will create world change. One heart at a time.

So, what’s in your bucket? May we experience the change we want to see. Peace for your journey, my friends.

 

Photo from  https://pixabay.com