On Your Mark...Get Set...WAIT!

“Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time.” – Ecclesiastes 3:11a

Four years ago when I was coming back to the States from my first mission trip to Hong Kong, I arrived at the Newark airport after the looooooong 15 hour, international flight.  When we got off the plane, we discovered that weather had delayed and cancelled many flights.  I went to the domestic terminal to discover that my flight back to Tennessee had been delayed…10, yes T-E-N, hours.  Talk about a long time to wait in an airport after already waiting 15 hours to get home…and crazy enough, that story doesn’t even compare to the wait time the other person on my team had to endure in order to get back home.

Waiting is never fun.  Whether it be in a doctor’s office or on hold with the phone company or for a delayed flight…we all have stories of times when waiting caused frustration to the max.  In life we have things that we may want to do or see happen immediately, but for some reason known only to God, we are having to wait upon the Lord for those things to come to fruition.  Even we as believers can get frustrated during these times of waiting because things aren’t happening on our timetable.  There’s the kicker, though… it’s not our timetable.  It’s God’s.

A couple of blogs ago, I talked about how God is doing a new thing in our lives and how we need to be patient and wait upon the Lord to reveal it in His time.  I wanted to expand upon that thought, but wasn’t led to go that far in that particular post.  It’s such a “God-thing” that this was what my pastor’s sermon was on this past week.  I wrote down some really encouraging thoughts that he presented and wanted to share them with you as a follow-up to my previous blog.  If you haven’t read it, click this link: A New Thing.

One thought my pastor shared was that “we are bound by time, but God is bound by eternity.”  He went on to say “God may be slow, but He’s never been late.”  Those two quotes spoke volumes to me when I thought about how strongly they connected with the topics I’ve been writing about lately.  Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.”  God is all-knowing, we are not.  He has seen both the ending and the beginning.  He knows when and where the things we are waiting for will happen and is weaving our story together as a part of His beautiful master plan for our lives.  He’s not late…He’s in control.

Who am I to question the timetable of God?  As a believer, I surrendered my life to Him.  My life is His.  Romans 14:8 says, “We belong to the Lord.”  As I think about the truths and attributes of God and add to that the knowledge that I belong to the Lord, I come to the realization that I can’t be frustrated or aggravated when things aren’t happening when I want them to happen because I am God's to lead and direct.  This leads me to a challenge for each of us…when we are waiting on God to do something in our life, let’s choose not to wait with discouragement and frustration but instead anticipation!  God has promised plans to prosper and plans for a future (Jeremiah 29:11) so let’s choose to look forward...as we wait...to the great things God has planned for us!

So what do we do when we’re waiting on God?  My pastor offered three principles for those having to wait:

1. Wait with patience.   I know.  Patience is easier said than done.  I work with kids…so I know that patience can be pushed and pulled in more ways than you ever thought possible.  Psalm 40:1 says, “I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry.”  What better testimony to waiting with patience than this short verse from David?  When we wait with patience…God will hear us and reveal His plan to us.
2. Accept God’s timing.  His time is always the right time.  Remember Ecclesiastes 3:11?  God has made everything beautiful in His time.  We may not understand it, but we should trust and accept it.
3. Learn to rely on God.  When I was a kid, I had a bracelet that said “FROG” and it stood for “Fully Rely On God.”  This is a great little acronym to help us remember who we can lean on when times get tough or when we think we can’t wait any longer.  My life verse is always one that helps me rely on God during times of waiting.  Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” 

I’m right there with ya…waiting with anticipation to see the things God has for me next.  Rest in the fact that God loves you, has a plan for you and will reveal that plan to you when that chapter of your life is ready.  He’s constantly preparing us in different ways for the different portions of our lives so that we can thrive.  If we aren’t ready to be in that environment and we enter that door before it’s ready to be open, we could be insanely miserable.  God’s timing is perfect, so don’t rush it.

So…on your mark, get set, WAIT!

"Memory Monday" - Joe the Jokester

“A joyful heart is good medicine.” – Proverbs 17:22 

 

Back a couple of months ago, I instituted “Memory Monday,” where I could talk about some favorite memories that came to mind and that I wanted to share with you, my blog readers.   These past couple of months has been one of remembering many, many memories of my grandfather who passed away last month.  I’m always remembering funny times and sayings that we had with him.  All of these memories constantly bring a smile to my face and, let me just say, there was never a dull moment :)

When I close my eyes and remember him, I immediately remember the huge smile and laugh that he had.  He loved to be funny and play jokes on people.  He also loved to laugh…even when things weren’t laughable. 

For example, I think about a story my dad told us from when he got his driver’s license.  My dad was driving for the first time with a driver’s license and his mom was in the car with him.  He stopped at a red light and then was hit (not too hard, though) from the car behind him.  Terrified as this was his first “car accident,” my dad pulled over to the shoulder of the road and the car behind him did the same.  My dad gets out of the car and turns around to see who this person was that had rear-ended him.  Out from the other car steps my grandfather (his dad) laughing uncontrollably!!  My dad said, “DAD!  Why did you do that!?!?!” My grandfather says, “I just wanted to see what would happen!”

After Lauren was born, he and my grandmother picked me & Meredith up from the hospital to take us home.  The hospital was in downtown Louisville and our house was in the suburbs of Louisville.  After not hearing from him in the time that it should’ve taken us to get home, my dad and mom became a bit worried...and these were the days before cell phones.  A couple of hours later, they get a phone call from my grandfather.  He says, “Son, I turned the wrong direction and I’m not sure the right way to your house.”  My dad says, “Well, where are you and I’ll help you get back.”  My grandfather says, laughing, “Well, I saw a sign a few minutes ago that said, ‘Welcome to Indiana.”  Fun times, fun times. :)

A little eccentric is a memorable way to describe him too.  I’ll never forget the time we heard that he had hit roadkill while driving down the road.  He simply got out, threw it in the back of his truck, and took it home to have for dinner.  Like who does that??!?!  He loved visiting the homebound or people who hadn’t been to church in a while, but when he would visit them and they wouldn’t be home, he’d just walk in their house and sit and wait on them until they got back!!  Home invader! :)

He had a huge assortment of sayings that made us burst out laughing.  We shared some of those on his celebration service program.  For those of you who didn’t get one, I’ll share a few here…

• Old age is pit-e-ful.
• How do you feel?  I feel with my fingers!
• Are you tired?  Tired of what…livin’?
• Hey!  Fodder.
• Well…that’s a deep subject.
• Guess what?  Rabbit squats.
• The best part of a chicken is the skin, of course!

The past 6 years that he lived in the same town as us was for me & my sisters, the most memorable out of all the years we’ve known him.  There are SO many memories and funny times…too many to share here.  I’m so grateful that he was able to come live in Tennessee near us.  I wouldn’t trade the past six years for anything.  Many of the funny moments we remembered, we were able to capture on video.  We compiled a bunch of the funny ones and showed them at his celebration service.  He was a hoot and we love to re-watch these videos.  If you haven’t already seen this video, I hope you’ll watch it so you can see his funny side too!

Proverbs 17:22 says, “A joyful heart is good medicine.”  My grandfather definitely had a joyful heart!  In fact, “J.O.Y.” was his initials, Joseph O. Young!  So I guess joy was just in his DNA! :)  I’m so thankful for his joyful heart.  His joy brought such joy to our hearts and I will never forget these moments. 

A New Thing

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. – Isaiah 43:19

Talk about a new thing!  As you can see by visiting the blog today, things have most definitely changed!  After a couple of years or so of the previous design, I felt it was time to change things up.  Remember, I’m part graphic designer so I can’t stay with the monotony of a design for too long…it’s just not my nature...ha ha!  I’d say this qualifies as a drastic change in scenery!  I hope you like it…I felt it was very representative of me :)

There are so many NEW things that God is doing in my life and in those around me.  People are moving into new phases of life…school, new jobs, marriage, kids, and the list goes on and on.  My church is moving into new phases of ministry, one being our brand new children’s building that will be opening very soon.  Finally, I am beginning to see God open new doors of service to Him.  It’s truly an exciting time! 

Isaiah 43:19 says, "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." I love this verse because it shows us as believers that no matter what is going on in our wilderness or wasteland, God is will make all things work together for our good (Romans 8:28).  It shows us He will provide and that there will be a light at the end of our long, dark tunnel.  What a relief that He promises to bring us out of our wilderness! 

That brings to mind my pastor’s summer-long sermon series called Finding Your Way in the Wilderness.  This series has focused on the life of David and his time in the wilderness fleeing from Saul.  It’s been really eye-opening to connect the experiences of David to things that are going on in my own life.  Look at this time of David’s life…he spent so many years on the run from Saul.  To David, his wilderness had to seem so vast.  There were times that he lost his sanity, hope, and trust.  Yet God had a NEW thing prepared for him!  How could David have ever dreamed that he would be the King of Israel after being chased and almost killed by Saul?  How could he have ever fathomed that he would be an ancestor of the Messiah, Jesus Christ?  See, God did a new thing!  He made all things work together for David’s good and provided a way through his wilderness. 

If you are interested in hearing these sermons, please visit my church’s media webpage by clicking here.

Stuck in the wilderness?  Spending time in a wasteland?  Take heart!  God has a new thing ready for you and He will make it clear to you…in His time.  Spend time in the Word, talk to God continuously, and seek His Will.  All of these are ways that God will make this NEW thing known to you.  Maybe you’ve waited your whole life for this new thing.  Maybe this new thing isn’t what you will expect it will be.  Maybe this new thing is out of your comfort zone.  Maybe this new thing will call you someplace else.  Whatever the case, God is going to provide for you…bank on it. 

God will make a way where there seems to be no way, He works in ways we cannot see, He will make a way for me.  He will be my guide, hold me closely to His side, with love and strength for each new day, He will make a way.  God will make a way!

He is With Us...One Year Later

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” - Joshua 1:9

So this blog is a little different.  Recently a new group called The Love & the Outcome came out with a song called “He is With Us.”  I absolutely love this song!  I’m pretty sure it will be one of my song anthems :)  Anyway…I have put the lyrics as part of this blog and have put some personal reflections about this day one year ago in between.  At the end of the blog will be a link to the YouTube video of the song.  Please listen to it and pray that these words will touch the hearts of the Lynam and Winstead families today.  Be blessed. 

 

Remember when your hope is lost and faith is shaken
Remember when you wonder if you're gonna make it
There's a hand stretched out through your deepest doubt
We can't pretend to see the ending or what's coming up ahead
To know the story of tomorrow
But we can stay close to the One who knows

One year ago.  I remember.  Two friends of mine lost their sons on this day one year ago.  Two boys full of life, love, and spunk.  Two boys who were pretty close buds.  Two friends who were celebrating a birthday and a fun holiday.  Lives cut short in the blink of an eye.  I’ll never forget the phone call I got from another mutual friend who told me what all had happened – I didn’t believe it, in fact, I had her repeat it twice just in case I wasn’t hearing it right.  It was a surreal phone call, one I hope I never hear again.  That pales in comparison, however, to the reality of what my friends went through one year ago day.  Over the that next week and throughout this past year, I have watched as my friends and their families grieved the loss of these boys.  One year ago it was hard.  One year ago we did wonder if we would make it. 

We can trust our God
He knows what He's doing
Though it might hurt now
We won't be ruined
It might seem there's an ocean in between
But He's holding on to you and me
And He's never gonna leave, no
He is with us, He is with us
Always, always
He is with us, He is with us
Always

I have never seen people live out the chorus of this song than the families of these boys.  To have your boys taken from you in such a tragic way and to come out from it stronger in your faith and love – that takes courage and so much trust in God.  It has been so inspiring over the past year to see these families grow in their faith in Jesus.  They are true testaments to placing your trust fully and solely in God and letting Him guide your life.  Yes, there have been days that were harder than others, but the families made it through them.  I’ll never forget hearing Joshua 1:9 prayed over these families before the boys’ funeral began.  It says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  These families have taken this verse to heart.  They have exuded strength and courageousness this past year, even in the midst of so much loss and God has been/continues to be with them every single step of the way.

We believe there is purpose, there is meaning in everything
We surrender to His leading
He wants nothing more than to have us close

 I miss Nate and Noah.  When I’m teaching missions in AWANA, I half expect them to be sitting in the back of the room, one of them listening intently and the other one cutting up :)  Noah’s mom and I have a desk next to each other at work and so I would often see him there.  In fact the last time I saw him was at work making a paper clip chain (of which I now keep on the wall next to my desk).  I have such sweet memories of the boys and I’m so thankful for that.  One of the verses of this song says “We believe there is purpose, there is meaning in everything.”  How in the world can there be purpose and meaning in the loss of these boys?  I can’t answer that – only God can, but I’ve seen kids come to know Jesus through this situation.  I’ve seen people recommit their lives to Him because of this.  Many around the world watched their funeral and heard the Truth.  I’ve also seen individuals be inspired to “Live Like That” and they have.  Nate and Noah have inspired so many…they have truly left a legacy that will never be forgotten!

Our faith is sealed
Our hope is real
Come what may
We're not afraid
Our faith is sealed
Our hope is real
Come what may
We're not afraid
We're not afraid

I think for many of us, our faith and hope has grown as a result of what happened.  What Satan intended for hurt and anger, God intended for us to grow in our hope and trust in Him.  I wish beyond wish that it didn’t have to be through this situation, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned through this it’s that God is God and I am not.  I pray for many of you that your faith is sealed.  That’s definitely what Nate & Noah would have wanted for you…to know that Jesus loves you, died for you, and wants you to have His gift of everlasting life.  Following Jesus is really as easy as “ABC.”  A- Admit to God that you are a sinner.  B- Believe that Jesus is your Savior and that He died for your sins.  C- Confess to others that Jesus is the Lord of your life.  Live Like That!  Give Jesus all your life!  Surrender it all to HIM!  Even though they were little boys, Nate and Noah made this extremely important decision to believe in and accept Christ and because of that, we as believers will get to rejoice with them and Jesus in heaven when God calls us there.

We can trust our God
Always, always
We can trust our God
Always, always

I am so proud of you Lynam and Winstead families.  Your lives, through this loss, have shown such strength and trust in God.  I pray these lyrics will be the lyrics of your entire lives and I know they are – “We can trust our God – Always.”  I’m so blessed to have known your boys.  I’m so thankful to know you guys.  Each day you are covered in prayer by so many.  Each day the boys are always remembered.  Each day, because of them, people are inspired to live their lives to the fullest, trust God, and never give up.

We can trust our God
He knows what He's doing
Though it might hurt now
We won't be ruined
It might seem there's an ocean in between
But He's holding on to you and me
And He's never gonna leave, no
He is with us, He is with us
Always, always
He is with us, He is with us
Always, always
He is with us, He is with us
Always, always
He is with us, He is with us
Always
Our God is with us

God was with us one year ago today, He is with us today, and He will be with us each day from here on out.  We can trust Him, ALWAYS.  Listen to this song below and pray these words for the families today.  Remembering, Praying, and Trusting…

An Unforgettable VBS

“When I am afraid, I will trust in You.” – Psalm 56:3

Words can’t describe how much I love Vacation Bible School.  Whether it be at my local church…at the Pregnancy Crisis Center Backyard Bible Club…or in my heart city of Hong Kong, each VBS I am/have been a part of brings such joy, excitement, and so much fun to my heart.

Last year when I found out the theme of this year’s Lifeway VBS, I thought the Biblical truth that the kids would be learning was brilliant.  “Facing Fear!  Trusting God!”  I can’t think of a better truth for children to learn at an early age than the truth of trusting God no matter the circumstance.  I wish I could travel to Hong Kong this summer and teach the Chinese kids this same truth…they so greatly need to hear it too!!!  Verses like Isaiah 41:10 “Do not fear for I am with you” or Psalm 56:3 “when I am afraid, I will trust in you”…what terrific truths that our kids can carry with them through their childhood years, into their teen years and beyond!  Most definitely for our church kids here at FBC Morristown, learning this truth after the events of last year was extra-specially important.  No matter what happens in our lives, we can ALWAYS trust that God is and will be with us.  I must tell you, hearing the kids sing the songs and recite the verses from this year’s VBS was especially uplifting.  These kids can now carry the truths in the tunes and remember them for years to come!

FBC Morristown's AWESOME VBS 2013 kids!!!

When I began planning for VBS, I kind of thought that this year’s theme would be more of a reinforcement theme for me.  Yes, I know that I can trust God in any circumstance.  Yes, I know that God will never leave or forsake me...I’ve even written a bunch of blogs about this theme.  When we finally got to VBS week, however, the truths I had been learning about through my planning would never be more prevalent than they were that particular week.  You see, VBS week was the week my grandfather began going significantly downhill, health-wise.  I must admit, it was hard to put on a brave face every day and teach the kids about truths that I was having to strongly depend on myself.   In fact, one night I was getting something ready in the VBS worship rally room (sanctuary) and I just burst into tears over everything.  I knew God was with me, I knew he was taking care of me, but I was sad…so sad…that my grandfather was suffering.

Then Friday night at the Family Concert, the 300+ VBS kids sang the Day 5 song for their families and the words they sang couldn’t have been more poignant.  My eyes filled with tears as the kids sang these words:

I’m not afraid, afraid to let go.

I know you’re holding me.

You are the One I’m leaning on.  You are my hope and my strength.

For every breath I breathe, and the ground beneath my feet, I will trust You. 
I will trust You.

In every circumstance, no matter where I am, I will trust You.

I will trust in You.

I knew as they sang that song that everything would be okay.  I wasn’t afraid to let go of my grandfather.  I knew God was holding not only me, but my grandfather too.  I knew I could lean on God.  I knew I could trust Him with this situation.  Period. 

Literally 24 hours later from the time the kids sung that song, my grandfather passed away and entered into heaven.  Ever since that night, after hearing that song, I’ve had such a peace about everything.  Oh, yes, I miss my grandfather, but I’m at peace with his passing.  I know I will see him again and I can’t wait for that day!

This past week, I taught music at the Pregnancy Crisis Center Vacation Bible School/Backyard Bible Club.  On the last night, I taught the kids the Day 5 song.  I just smiled to myself as we sang through the words - smiling because I fully, wholeheartedly knew these words.  I lived them. 

I pray that all the kids who learned this particular song this year remember it for the rest of their life.  I pray they also remember this year’s verse and theme.  They all have life-changing implications. 

Thank you God for your promise and for allowing me to place my trust in You.  I wouldn't be a sane person without it! :)  Thank you Lifeway for developing a theme this year that so many of us can relate to.  I didn’t think I’d be relating to it like I did, but God knew I would.  You have changed so many kid’s lives through this theme…that I know.  Thank you to my sweet VBS leadership team.  Your encouragement and help during our VBS week brought so much relief and peace to my heart.  Finally, thank you to all the precious kids that sang that night at the Family VBS concert.  Many of you I know, some of you I don’t, but each one of you changed my heart and I will never forget that.  Ever.