I AM SMILING

“Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the Lord his God.”  Psalm 146:5

You know how they say that nothing surprises God?  Well, that is so true!  To tell you the truth, I think I had a hunch God was up to something at the close of my journey; and boy, I knew it was going to be good!  A smile was on the way!

I had closed my eyes many times within my 61 days before my departure to this indescribable palace of peace where worship is a constant and all is well!  But, when I closed my eyes on December 11, 2012 it was different; deliverance, a healing.  Although I was so excited to leave the monitors, tubes and all behind, I didn’t want to leave behind a sad mommy, daddy and big brother.  What made it easier is I knew God had something great coming their way!  Oh how I wanted to tell them!  So, God gave them comfort through the smile in my eyes.  Not only did He have a healing for me, but, for them, also.

 These last two years has been non-stop activity for me!  The beauty to see!  I've always loved big bows and bling but let me tell you, up here it is ridiculously amaaazing!  The rubies, the emeralds, the crystal sea!  I get to run on streets of gold and hear Gigi laughing as she watches Grandad Hunt dancing!  So much fun getting to see all those I didn’t get to meet there!  The incredible beauty makes me feel sometimes like I need to close my eyes; how could I be worthy of this AND eternal life?  So, with all of this before me, I’m looking here, looking there, dashing around every corner not to miss a thing!  Boy, it sure is good that around here we don’t run out of energy because with continual, “sincere-automatic” worship and checking out every detail of Heaven… the vast beauty… well, even Granna can’t describe it!  It’s just beauty beyond that keeps me busy!

I still love the girly stuff my mommy showered me with.  The precious jewels remind me of her and the angels singing, yeah that reminds me of her, too.  Anything I see that is red I think of my big brother, Jude cause he let me play with his little red truck and he played with the yellow one.  It was the perfect color; the blood of Jesus.  Jude is such a thinker with a deep love for Jesus and Jesus sure likes that!  Every time Jesus speaks it reminds me of daddy reading the Bible to me.  Here I am right here with the One daddy told me about!  How awesome is that?  Since I was gently carried here to my first and only home two years ago today, I have to say my home is perfect and all is well.  So, smile, cause I am.

As soon as I was let in on what my faithful Heavenly Father was up to, I jumped and shouted with excitement, “I’m going to have a baby brother!”  But, it wasn’t overwhelming joy for me, it was that I was so happy for my family!  Of course, I knew that little fella wouldn’t be as cute as me and there is NO WAY daddy would let him wear a bow, even pretending!  So, I will always be the bow princess in the Turner house!  My eyes twinkled with happiness like you’ve never seen on October 29, 2013 when my baby brother, Reid Silas Turner arrived, also in an “unknown”; a gift, a healing he will understand one day.  The way God gave him to us was without any doubt, with a peace, a transfer to arms of love; a home built where love shouts “God is our foundation, security and joy!”… a home built for my baby brother.

Daddy said it best when he said, “Faith is seeing God’s promises behind His commands.”  So you see, there has been healing for all of us; fulfilled promises!

I do want to thank you for remembering me.  Each time you speak my name, each time your heart breaks, each time I see you look to the sky with your hand held high and say “We love you, Briley Faith!”… I hear.  I see.

I am smiling and so should you.

AWAKENED

Morning came early.  4 a.m.  I must pray for Briley Faith.  I will storm the gates of heaven and lay requests for her healing at the feet of Jesus.  Daily.

Two years ago today that was my daily.  I was awakened to the calling of prayer for my granddaughter every morning around the same time for 7 consecutive days.  My soul stirred until I could rest no more; until the words my Heavenly Father spoke rested on paper.  Awakened to instruction.

Some of you know about the 61-day journey Briley Faith tarried on this earth.  You know she never breathed on her own and never got to come home from the hospital.  But, today, as I have many times before, I reflect on her affect.  She never breathed on her own but God used her to give hope to others; a hope that helped them breathe once again and trust the hand of God!  The breath she never took was sacrificed for others.  What an effect!  God-breathed.  Awakened to hope.

The other night, I took my son out to eat for his birthday which he and Briley Faith share.   He says she is the best birthday present he has ever received!  Again, together reflecting on times prior to and after Briley’s birth, reminded us of the grandeur of God’s love!  You see, my husband and I lived in another state.  But, by God’s gentle orchestration He guided us to where we could be close to her and family before she was ever born; before any of us knew there would be complications.  What great love!  What great faithfulness!  I’m awakened once again.

I long to be awakened daily again.  But, I have realized it is by choice.  I must choose to follow instruction, I must choose to walk in hope, I must choose to lean into His love and I must choose faith over fear.

Happy Heavenly Birthday, Briley Faith!  Thank you again for continuing to give your Granna a daily dose; an awakening.  I love you so very much and miss you to extremes!  Thank you for the smiles you have given us all!  Before long we will see you again because I do believe the day of the GREAT AWAKENING is soon to come!

Don't be one of the many who are still asleep to God's grace, hope and love. Right now, this moment is not too late.  Confess your sins and receive His grace!  Contact me and I can help:  www.kfogarty02@gmail.com.  Just please remember there will be a day when ALL will be awakened; a day too late for some.

Romans 14:11-12   For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God.”   So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.

KITCHEN TALK

There are so many “recipes” for a happy home out there.  But, a recipe is no good if it is never used or we leave out ingredients.  Besides that, having a happy home or happy heart is so much more than a recipe; it’s a choice.

Several years back, during a much needed quiet time, God spoke to my heart about a choice I was making.  Heartache and disappointment came my way and I had chosen to invite it in to stay.  A choice someone else made was heavy on my heart.  They say home is where the heart is and my heart was broken.

You know, for me, the kitchen, a reflection of the heart, always seems to be a place to go to find happy; food and smiles!  But, during this time it was different.  My life, my home, my “kitchen” became less on the happy daily.  Tears I cried weren’t from cutting onions, or laughing so hard I would cry; tears became more of like the steam from a stewing pot, never-ending.   Sleep became non-existent because I was always in that hot kitchen, by choice, hovering over that steam of debilitation; joy evaporating.

Exhausting all “recipes”, I finally realized there was not one self-ingredient, one perfect stir, or extra dash of advice I could add to that steaming pot that would become the tasteful, happy-making dish of choice I wanted it to be.  I needed the Head Chef; my Savior, my Redeemer, the One with the perfect recipe for me to have a happy home; happiness in my heart.  During my quiet time sitting at the kitchen table it was then I asked God, “How do I move from this place?  How can I be happy again?”  He spoke to my heart so loudly that I turned around to see if He was standing at the stove!  He said, “You can’t live in other people’s choices.  By doing so, you are taking away the joy I am trying to give you each day.”  Immediately, I had the key ingredient; choice!  The recipe was there all the time! Choose God’s word, His promises and words of life; the recipe for happy.

Since that awakening morning, I choose to live in joy daily.  Living happy is a choice in all situations.  It may be relational, financial, emotional, spiritual, or being thrown into an unknown valley that affects all those areas.  A very hard day of my life to choose to live in joy instead of sorrow was when Briley Faith was born, October 11, 2012; it was for all the family. So, you may ask, “How in the world did you awake in joy during a time of sadness with your granddaughter, Briley Faith?  Especially after she was diagnosed with SMA; you knew she would never get to leave the hospital.  You knew her life would be short.  How did you find happy at that extreme of hurt?”  We are not the “Super Hero” family on the block.  We all have heartaches and struggles; some have the key ingredient and some don’t.  Our happiness didn’t rely on Briley Faith being healed this side of heaven.  Our happiness was found in making a choice to receive God’s will.  His will is perfect; the perfect recipe for life.  Although we cried many tears, by accepting His will and then watching Him work throughout all of her 61 days here, the joys we shared far outweighed the sorrows.   Jesus Christ is the key ingredient for you to also have a happy heart.  Receive His gift of eternal life and then get out of the kitchen and let the Head Chef do His thing!  Talk to Him now. 

Romans 3:10  As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one.

Romans 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:12  Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. 

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through
Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 10:9-11 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt
believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 

Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved him shall not be ashamed.

Proverbs 16:20 He who heeds the word wisely will find good,

and whoever trusts in the Lord, HAPPY is he.

The “kitchen”, my heart, is happy because of my talks with Jesus and trusting in what He can do.  Can’t wait to see what He cooks up for tomorrow for I know it will have the sweetest aroma and the taste will be honey to my soul!

FAITH TO FLY

The majority of us are very familiar with this verse:  “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”  Isaiah 40:31.   Like many of you, that verse has given me strength and comfort when I thought I would never fly again.  Broken.

Today I read the entire chapter leading up to that wonderful verse that caps off even more assurance prefaced!  He assures us His word will stand FOREVER!  Over anything and anyone, His word is final and above all!  He assures us He has endured and overcame anything we would ever go through!  He assures us He will lift us!  He tells us to lift up our voice with strength and to not be afraid; lift up our eyes on high and see Who has created all things; my favorite is He tells us He calls us by name and not one of us is missing!!

On October 11, 2012 when my granddaughter, Briley Faith was born, life as we knew it changed.  But, the entire 61 days of her life Jesus was there and still is.  He assured us time and time again!  We had faith and knew even with a broken wing, in His strength we could fly!

GO. DAILY.

dai*ly 

adjective

:occurring, made, or acted upon EVERY DAY; issued EVERY DAY or weekday <daily needs>;

 of or providing for  EVERY DAY <daily schedule>

How could I have been so wrong about what a daily dose is?  Simple logic caught up in fear of rejection, doubt of capability, and just plain busyness.  Recently, I had a dose of God’s word that was my epiphany to this simplicity going the wrong direction; stifled in the mire of “every now and then” exactly where my adversary, Satan loves for God’s children to be.  STUCK.

 In Matthew 28 God says to “Go”!  He didn’t say work your purpose into your schedule, take a break or that can wait. 

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  

Go therefore  and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

God also tells us following Him is a daily; forgetting oneself, leaving the “to do” list blank; waking up every morning in full reservation to God; to His commands, to His list, to His “Go!”

Luke 9:23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

GO.  DAILY.

Here’s some great news!   Look at the end of Matthew 28:20!  He assures me, He assures you, “…I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  God is there, always, to the very end… helping fulfill purposes with daily doses for all.

There is a job to do with God’s perfect will that always includes a victory!   I have chosen to unstick myself; get out of the mire, the do nothing place!  Today I will heed to His command, put actions to the daily and share doses of God’s grace, faithfulness and love to souls within the path of my purpose.

Besides, that, God did not send my granddaughter, Briley Faith, here for the gospel to be shared only during her 61 days here; once truth introduces itself we must continue to introduce it to others; spread the good news throughout our neighborhood, people in our lives.  Though she is now in heaven, she is still in my heart; I see her eyes speaking God’s truth once again.  I must write because God said, “Go”; He said, “daily”.  So, I will seek God and find Him so He may guide me to the “where” and the “who” with the words to share with the lost.  There will be occasional new posts within this blog as I continue efforts in writing a book about the Briley Faith journey.

You might be like I had been and find yourself stuck in the yuck!  It’s your time to break loose!  Don’t fear it, face it; God is with you always!  Get out of that mire of “every now and then”.  Give daily doses of truth to the lost!  Tell somebody what His love is all about!  It’s your purpose!

Go.  Daily.

UNCOMMON MASTERPIECE

In Acts 10, God showed Peter in a vision, animals he was to kill and eat.  Peter said, “I can’t eat something that is unclean.”  Then an angel of the Lord said, “What God has cleansed, you must not call common.”  Wow!  Later Peter realized God was instructing him to preach the gospel to those he would normally not associate with.  Peter did what he was told, as we should.

But, this also got me to thinking, “We are God’s children cleansed by the blood of Jesus!  We are NOT common!”  Acts 10:15 “…What God has cleansed, you must not call common.”

In today’s neighborhood a large percentage of homes are built the same; one right after another; “cookie cutter”.  Life can be that way; trying to be someone we’re not; wanting to fit in to the neighborhood.  You know, live someone else’s life story.  It seems easier to be common and live a “cookie cutter” life especially when times are hard.  We become recluse, withdrawn and just want to blend in with the “neighborhood”.  Go unnoticed.

On October 11, 2012 our circumstances, our life, our home was not “cookie cutter”.  In fact, we had never heard of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), the muscular disease Briley Faith was later diagnosed with having.  Not only that, she had the most severe; type 0; an “uncommon”, at least to us.

Peter received an assignment from God to embrace what was uncommon.  He trusted God and lived his purpose.  We too, knew we could trust Him from faithfulness past.  So, together we embraced this “uncommon”.  At that time many viewed our life as dark and dilapidating because for 61 days “home” was knowing Briley Faith was very ill; “home” was tears; “home” was visiting my granddaughter who I knew would never go beyond the hospital room door I just entered.  But, when one puts faith in the Master Builder blessings outweigh the brokenness and we do not crumble for our foundation is firm.  So, through God’s hands that same hospital room became a park; another day the hospital atrium was transformed into a sanctuary of praise!  As we watched God use Briley Faith, she never lost focus on His purpose speaking hope to the world in view of His masterpiece.  Her journey, the “home” she was given stood out and as many passed by, they slowed down gazing in wonder how the life given could look so uncommonly beautiful.  Therefore, wanting the same God in their life; a home built by the Master Builder.

Replace your fear with faith and you, too, will receive that peculiar peace, wake up with joy, walk in light and be able to live in His hope, not the circumstance.  Embrace your pain, shattered dreams, your “uncommon” so others may see God’s glory; another masterpiece built from broken pieces!

BOY, DID SHE SHINE!

Briley FAITH's light shined throughout the world reflecting grace, mercy, hope and love; the gospel story.  Though she is now in heavenly light, lives continue to be changed; it might be yours.  Continue that gospel story by shining your light, your story.

No matter how dark our days were, Briley Faith quickly reminded us the Light of the world is Jesus and to trust Him in our darkest hour.

AUGUST IS SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy) AWARENESS month.  On Saturday, Aug. 9 we will be honoring our angel, BRILEY FAITH.  Please join and share your pictures of a candle lit for Briley and where you are from on Facebook page, "Prayers For Briley Faith".

PawPaw and Granna love and miss you precious Briley FAITH, our "Angel Eyes".

"HONOR SMA ANGELS"
Join with families around the country by lighting a candle at sunset on the second Saturday in August to remember and honor those who have lost their battle with SMA.

Thank you!

A FIRM FOUNDATION

Hebrews 11:1-3

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.   By faith we understand that the worlds were FRAMED by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

This morning, since I'm recovering from surgery and unable to go to church, I'm having my own; just me and Jesus!  As I was talking to Him and thumbing through my Bible I came across a piece of paper with a few words I had jotted down which led to this post; now an excerpt in a book I am writing, a word from God; church.

A wise woman, years ago who God placed in my life for a short period of time shared some words of wisdom I had written down and placed between the pages of my Bible. Though read many times today was the day I read them the way they were to have been received; given by the wise to be read with wisdom.  "IF I HAVE MY MIND FOCUSED ON MY PROBLEM, I'M NOT SEEKING GOD".  I get it.  Once again, I learn through my grandaughter, Briley Faith.

During Briley Faith’s 61 days of her time here and today, many would view our life, this "house" we live in, as unstable from the sudden shifts and cracks in the foundation, holes in the walls of our heart, and the many tears that leaked within.  But, as a family we realized if we focused on those things our house would crumble; be of no use, no value, no purpose.  By seeking God, the Master Builder, we knew this was in His plan; His plan is perfect; and so we stand.

The reason for peace is because of the place; the place we, you and I, choose to rest our mind, the place we choose to live.  On October 11, 2012, we chose His plan, not the pain.  Don't get me wrong, it hurt and still does.  But by taking God's trusting hand, He got us through the journey and still does to this day.

Not only did our family gain victory, but Briley Faith won the ultimate race; purpose to glory.  Victory comes from seeking God and a home built on faith.

Build your hope, your home on Jesus Christ and His faithfulness.  His way is sure.  He is the certain in your uncertainty; Your firm foundation.
Click on link to THE SOLID ROCK/MY HOPE IS BUILT ON NOTHING LESS hymn

Briley Faith resting on Christ; teaching us to stand.

WILD HORSES

“As soon as they hear of me
they obey me…”  Psalm 18:44

This is a description of Granna’s day today, May 7, 2014 with five children, two being my grandsons.

Since Mother’s Day is this Sunday, I thought the children might like to do a craft for their mommy.  The chosen craft is a bookmark.  Like most of the time, I’ve pre-readied; you have to, knowing the attention span of children!  Clear contact paper cut in shape of bookmark.  Check!  Decorations sorted. Check!  Children placed in seats.  Check!  Let’s have some fun!  Each child selects the decorations they want to use; around the table I go.  After I punch out the little centers of their selected flowers each child places it on the sticky contact paper.  My four year old grandson, Jude, asked if he could punch out his own and I said, “Sure!”  By the time I get around to help him he says, “Oh no!”  I asked, “What’s wrong?”  Putting his hand over his ear he said, “That piece of flower is stuck down in my ear!”   I go get the tweezers to do my first ear surgery!  With prayer and precision it was successful! 

That was the prelude to this wild and crazy, yet controlled, day!  Here comes the remaining…

Their part of the craft completed and left for me to do the final touches;  Jude is playing and runs into the door; I killed bumble bee to no longer be a threat to these precious darlins; Two mishaps outside with children having to learn to be nice; As children play I try to finish craft; Making lunch; Jude now slips on rug and hurts knee; Feed my 6-month old grandson, Reid; Call children in from outside and line them up to wash hands, give thanks to God for lunch and serve these hungry souls; in between serving them I try putting on my makeup (I normally don’t put makeup on but church is tonight) and feed myself a sandwich; finally sit down and our small dog lets me know he needs to go outside to do his business; the little ones finish lunch and downtime begins by watching the movie “Frozen”;  Let dog back in and almost have seated, when Reid, who had been playing while the others ate, begins to give me the tired cry.  I leave my lunch once again and rock the sleepy babe; after I have laid him down for his nap I return to find a princess who had fallen asleep in the chair while watching the movie.  So I pick her up and lay her in her bed of rest; Aahh… back to my lunch and only have mascara left to put on to complete the task of fixing my face.  As I twist the lid to the mascara open I wonder if an “I need attention” will interrupt once again…  Makeup.  Check!  Finally, the last two bites of that drawn out lunch are placed quickly into my mouth!  Lunch.  Check!

Because it has been an unusual day of a couple of visits to the corner, before nap, I have each child, one at a time sit in my lap for a little heart to heart.  There was a time a while back when the corners of the house were occupied that I had shared with them about how wild horses have to be trained to do what is right and best for them.  Each time they have to go to the corner it is to teach good.  So, as they sat in my lap I said, “You remember the story I told you about how wild horses have to be trained?  Well, Granna loves you and wants the best for you.  You need to mind so you can be your best.  We work as a team.  Okay?”  “Okay.”  “Granna loves you!”  “I love you!”  Next…

So, then to the potty stop, sing Jesus Loves Me, and down for naps.

Now in the quiet; I write, I listen for God’s direction in this stillness. Then wondering, “How can I ride in God’s pocket, fulfill purpose and serve Him within these four walls with five children?”  I can, I have and will continue.  You see, God spoke to my heart revealing that like the little ones who need to learn valuable lessons, I do too; a wild horse.  All along He was training me. For a long while now my prayer has been to really exhibit the fruits of the spirit; love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Although today seemed like a tossed fruit salad that never lands in the bowl, it actually did land!  God was present and never let go of the reins; the fruits displayed; a wild horse trained to victory!

These thoughts take me back to October 11, 2012; the day my granddaughter, Briley Faith was born.  Every day of her 61 days God was present amid the worldly chaos; tossed fruit salad; wild horses.  It was a time where I could have made “withdrawal to life” excusable, but didn’t.  Did Briley Faith’s mommy and daddy ever shake off the reins, give up?  You know, God does give us a choice.  They didn’t.  Throughout the prognosis, pain, long nights, lost sleep, tears, and hurt for their little girl who was born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 0, the most severe; the reins were evident with every turn.  Every step God was guiding, teaching, loving… guiding, teaching, loving… guiding, teaching, loving… The reins remained allowing God to reign.

It seems I feel His presence more when I write, maybe because it is my purpose, I don’t know; or better yet, it’s a love relationship time with my Savior.  So, still in the quiet I write; a wild horse yearning for His presence, my guide, my constant, my friend.

My little wild horses awake.  I go to the front door and remove the “Shhh… Children napping.  Please knock.” sign.  As I look out into the yard, I see a female cardinal gracefully land right below my doorstep with a reminder; God reigns here.

Beautiful Briley Faith continues to teach me as she looks back at me from a picture I have; her eyes speaking to me again.  I never thought of the tubing around her mouth and back over her ears as a representation of a rein expressing God’s guiding presence and her submission…