DAY 63 - CHRISTMAS IN HEAVEN

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The past few days my husband and I have been talking of how it doesn’t seem like Christmas this year.  Yes, the past couple of months have been hard on the Briley FAITH journey and then seeing her, our own little angel swept up to heaven.  But, just yesterday while thinking about how it just seems different, I realized the journey had a greater impact on this Christmas than what I thought. 

The busy begins… A mad rush on “Black Friday” to get the best deal causes more pain than saving ten dollars.  Selfishness raises its head as the grabbing begins.  Horns of impatience honk in the parking lots.  The store lines are filled with customers who are breathing fire from their noses because they didn’t get what they wanted or their purchase wasn’t keyed in right!  This madness continues as people rush out the sliding glass doors passing the lady with the red bucket ringing a bell.  “Merry Christmas and God bless you!” she says without receiving an acknowledgement.  But, the bell still rings…

Christmas season to the world is getting the tree and lights up at least by the day after Thanksgiving.   Stores don’t really even acknowledge Thanksgiving anymore for fear of losing a day of sales.  Parents are stressing themselves trying to find the latest “toy craze” for the kids… running out of steam and money.  Groceries bought and aprons on, many are busy baking cookies and all other kinds of goodies; getting the ham or turkey just right.  Co-workers all look forward to their “Christmas” celebration.  Everyone is frantically trying to schedule all of the disarray into those few days.  Some attend church that one time a year thinking that will make everyone happy; when it’s them that’s unhappy.  Many, me included, make sure the Christmas story is shared prior to the busyness of opening gifts; such a short time of thanks for the greatest gift compared to the time spent excited over our worldly gifts. 

Now, don’t get me wrong.  I love the traditions of Christmas and spending time with family.  I love it all!  It’s just there is something different about this year.  Yesterday I realized what it is…

During the time the world would call the “season” we were not at the stores or putting up the tree, we were at the hospital with a wonderful gift to our lives, Briley FAITH.  She was like a “joy magnet”!  We just wanted to be around her, look into her eyes and love on her!  Our focus started shifting to glorifying God.  Prayers became bolder.  We lifted our hands and hearts in praise more freely!  There was an urgency to get God's message out!  Also, like many of you, we did not have the funds to buy presents like the norm and I discovered what we can do with nothing!  Then suddenly I realized my mind was not on my “normal” preparations for Christmas, according to “me”, a part of the world.  That was the difference!  That’s why it doesn’t feel like the Christmases I have had before!  I wasn’t in the “norm”!  Finally, I am at the place of… the REASON for my season!  My season of struggles sheds light on the reason for living.  It is to display my gift of eternal life I received in 1983!  As many say but few understand, “Jesus is the Reason for the Season”.  The season is not just in December, it is all year long!  I get it!  I really get it now!

Oh my, that's another thought that leads me to Briley FAITH.  I wish I could type without crying...

Thoughts of how Briley might describe Christmas in heaven, a different kind of busy…

Never being a part of Christmas on earth, never knowing greed, hate, selfishness, impatience, loneliness, depression, rudeness and other “world stuff”, I’ve never experienced what kind of Christmas you are having.  

There is a feeling I do understand and that is love.  Daddy, mommy and brother showed me more love than any earthly family could.  Daddy wiped my tears many times, caressed me and said “It’s going be alright.”  You know, like Jesus does.  When mommy sang I never realized until now how much she sounded like the angels here.  My brother, Jude held me… well, that is hard to explain; he held me in a way no earthly mind can comprehend.  Although I do miss them and I miss you, I would rather have Christmas all year long!  That is how it is in heaven!  I will describe it to you the best I can…

Christmas is all the time!!!  Bright, beautiful colors dance throughout the heavens!  Angels sing with joy continually!  Since Jesus is the greatest gift of all there is no need for stores; there is no need to shop!  He died on the perfect tree that became the cross, so there is no need to put up a tree!  Smiles line the streets of gold as one by one we bring our gifts of exaltation to Jesus!  The busyness here is uninterrupted praise!  Oh, how I wish you could see!

From heaven I can look down and see all the busyness of the world and displacement of Christmas.  If you were here with me, my great granddad, great grandmother and everyone else, you would know time is short.  Quit honking the horns, quit pushing and shoving; get busy loving each other.  Go to church more than once a year and stop spending money you don’t have; get busy spending time praising Jesus.  Children, family and friends may not remember next year what gift you gave them.  But, whether they are looking down from heaven like me, or looking up from hell, they will remember whether or not it was you who shared or didn’t share with them, Jesus Christ, the greatest gift of all. 

Because someone told my mommy and daddy and many others I love about that gift, I will see them again!  They received that gift of eternal life from Jesus!  I think there are many who really don’t understand how much love Jesus has to go around!  It is a love that must be shared!  One by one you must line the streets of greed, hate, cruelty, loneliness and heartbreak with love and smiles telling about the greatest gift that wipes it all away.  Then one day like me, they also, can have Christmas in heaven.

By embracing situations that have derailed my normal, I have unwrapped my gift again.   As I try my best to share this gift of salvation, I look forward to our paths crossing on the way to heaven.

Merry Christmas to all!

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for bringing me to this point of praise!  I lay down my heart to You in exaltation!

You say there is a season for everything.  Thank You for my season, for where I am in life right now.  You see, my heart is all You and anyone really want.  Thank You for helping me to slow down and understand Your reason for my season.

I come to You through the blood of the greatest gift of all, Jesus Christ.  AMEN!

If you would like to know Jesus Christ, our only answer, our only hope, please email me at kfogarty02@gmail.com and I will be glad to share the story.  It's my FAITH ASSIGNMENT.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

DAY 62 - LIFE'S BOOKSHELF

Psalm 27:4

One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple.

 

Overwhelming joy opened my floodgates today as I think of God’s goodness!  So, how can it not be shared?  How could I not sit at my keyboard and tell the story?  There is no time for silence!  We are the voice.  The story must go on…

Standing in front of my life’s bookshelf I ponder… what will I read today?  Or will I write?  Probably both.

Dust is on the volume I pull off this shelf of life.  It is called “The Past”.  Every chapter and really every page includes the word “joy”.  As I read, it doesn’t seem I understood the full concept at that time of the joy God gave me.  When I read it today, I understand it more than in the yesterdays.  Which leads me to ask myself why is my joy seen more than His glory?

I look and look and so few times do I see Him glorified!  Turning page after page… it’s got to be there somewhere!  Oh why?  I’m so sorry, my Lord and Savior!  You deserved so much more than what I gave!  This is hard to face, but, I must read on. 

What if I had not had a wonderful Christian home to grow up in?  I would not have heard of this loving God at such a young age.  What if He had not sent His son, Jesus Christ, to die for us all?  There would not have been that Sunday night I went down the isle, fell into my daddy’s arms and accepted Christ as my Savior; chapter after chapter would not reveal the hand that is guiding my steps; there would be no arms holding me in those valleys; I would not know the joy I see on every page.  If I did not have my Savior, I would not have hope for my todays and tomorrows.  “Oh, Father, I have failed.  Please forgive me. I pray I can reflect your glory from the joy of my past today.”

Yes, I have more thankfulness today than I did in my yesterdays.  It might be spiritual maturity, it might be letting down the wall of pride, or it could be a number of reasons.  All I know is He must be glorified more than a forward or a footnote in my life.

Tears rolling down my face I set the book back on the shelf, exchanging it for “Today”…

In this volume of my life there are some days one would call a person’s past that are still my today.  My today will forever include my granddaughter, Briley FAITH.  God used her to help me see Him more clearly.  She became my eyeglasses to His glory.  So, now, I read life with those on. 

In my hands I hold “Today” and open up to tear-stained pages.  There are also pages earmarked as to represent the “bend” of our will and accepting God’s will for Briley FAITH.  Even in the hardest, darkest times when most would give up, lose hope and quit writing, her story continued.  Every page reflects His glory! As I turn the pages in these chapters, I am noticing as His glory becomes greater the tear stains become less.  Her life being a part of my story has helped me to focus on how my life should be written and read.

“Today” continually creates characters and a story line.  The pages are constantly turning as the writing continues with each breath that I take.  Oh how I pray that with each breath God is glorified!  There is a difference between a “lifeless” book and my life’s book.  In my life’s book, whatever is written cannot be edited; the ink is permanent.  Every word and every action is irrevocable.  Yes, I can ask  for forgiveness and write differently today, but the words of the past remain.  As I read on I see that this volume is open-ended; the break of the dawn begins the next chapter.  

While putting “Today” back in its place on the shelf I notice there is another volume called “Tomorrow”.  Curiosity reaches for it.  Can I really read about my tomorrows?  This could be very interesting.  In fact, I possibly could avoid a few tear stains on these pages if I just knew…

With a cup of coffee in hand I relax in my chair with “Tomorrow”.   Excitement builds as the book falls open… wow… such truth.  From reading the other volumes I assumed there would be details of my life I could read and prepare for by reading "Tomorrow".  It’s not there.  I am so thankful I know the Author of my life…

The “Tomorrow” storyline is unseen and the pages are not numbered. 

The only way to prepare for tomorrow, is to know Jesus Christ today.  I highly suggest reading THE book, the Bible.  There you will find He is the only one that can wipe away our pasts, get us through today and give hope for tomorrow. 

JESUS CHRIST  IS THE ONLY AUTHOR WHO CAN REWRITE YOUR LIFE’S STORY.

Someone said to me yesterday, “You know, Christ really hasn’t been in Christmas for years.”  Although it is true and very sad to me, it breaks my heart more knowing it is not just from Christmas He has been removed.  If we all read our life; the storyline, characters, our words, our actions...  we will find that the one who should always be the main character, Jesus Christ, isn’t always there.  He's been left out.

Do you know that even though my life does not always reflect God’s glory, He has my name written in the Book of Life to never be erased?(Revelation 3:5)  In the readings on my life's bookshelf, I also noticed that even though I have not always included Him in my daily walk He always included me.

Together let’s reflect His glory not only at Christmas, but every day of our lives.

Heavenly Father,

In everything I do, I pray Your name is glorified!  At the break of dawn tomorrow I want to read that today I gave You glory in every word and action of my life!

Thank You for Your forgiveness!  You forgave my past!  You will forgive anyone’s past!  We are all sinners and all we have to do is come to You!  If there are lost who are reading this blog that don’t know You, I pray they ask forgiveness and receive You today.

None of us are promised our next breath and that is why it is important to know You, the Author of Life, right now, today.

In Jesus’ name I pray.  AMEN!

If you would like to know this Savior, our only answer, our only hope, please email me at k.fogarty02@gmail.com and I will be glad to share the story.  It's my FAITH ASSIGNMENT.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Christmas Break

After today's post, Day 61, BRILEY'S DAILY DOSE blog will be taking a little break during Christmas and New Years.  If God lays something on my heart that must be shared during that time, I will definitely be blogging!  Thank you all for your encouragement and love! 

I pray during the holidays and actually every day, you take time with your heart's treasures; your family and friends.  Remind them of your love for them.  Not through gifts, but by sharing the story of Jesus Christ, the greatest gift of all!

Merry Christmas, my friends.

If you would like to know this Savior, our only answer, our only hope, please email me at k.fogarty02@gmail.com and I will be glad to share the story.  It's my FAITH ASSIGNMENT.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

DAY 61 - FLOWERS AND A ROCK

Proverbs 3:5

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding.”

This blog has been in existance for 61 days.  The same number of days my granddaughter, Briley FAITH celebrated her life.  For several days I had wondered what today would bring for the blog.  This morning after my quiet time, I planned on doing my bills first and was pleasantly interrupted.

Sitting at my desk reality tries to slip through the cracks of my mind…

Paying bills is a reminder to trust God.  Especially during this time of year when our hearts want to do so much more than the budget allows. 

The numbers in my check register almost evaporate as the adding machine subtracts.  Hmmm… what is that I hear?  Is that a “poor, pitiful me”?  Yes, I opened the door to a moment of self pity.  Is that okay?  I am by myself and no one saw me.  Rewind… God did.  He lives within my heart and doesn’t miss a thing.  That is why He reminds me with happy moments that He is still there.

Within seconds of my quiet whining, the phone rings.  “Mrs. Fogarty, I am from Letta’s Flowers.  I have a delivery for you and wanted to make sure you will be home.”  Tears whelp up in my eyes and I say, “Oh wow, yes, I will be home.  Thank you!”  After I hang up the phone I glance down at something I have not noticed in a while.  It is a small rock with a scripture on it that sits under my computer monitor.  The imprint reads, “Lean not on your own understanding.”  Proverbs 3:5. 

Immediately, I close the door to self-pity and open it to a beautiful, bright bouquet of flowers that have arrived.  Lifting out the card that was hidden amongst red Gerbera Daisies (my favorite) and yellow Roses, I find it is from friends of mine that God has used over the years to send a card or word of encouragement in perfect timing for my need or redirection.  The message on the card is Thinking of you-- We love you.  Thank you, Ann, Bill and Tracianne!  I love you!

An extension of Briley FAITH’s story, God's faithfulness; love comes in the form of flowers and a rock.  What a blessing!  Oh, oh, here comes an epiphany!  Unlike what happened earlier in my checkbook register I'm reminded BLESSINGS ARE NOT A SUBTRACTION!  They are additions to our life from a FAITHful God!  I had to lean on Him and see through His eyes to truly understand.

God used flowers and a rock to help me to realize I am rich! I end this post reflecting on a few of the additions to my life.

This will be the best Christmas ever because of the addition to my life God gave me on October 11, 2012; my granddaughter, Briley FAITH.  Yes, it will be the best Christmas ever because of the addition to my life God gave me on January 13, 2010; my grandson, Jude.  It will be the best Christmas ever because of the addition to my life God gave me on August 4, 2007; my daughter-in-love, Crystal.  It will be the best Christmas ever because of the addition to my life God gave me on March 16, 2002; my husband, David and his family.  It will be the best Christmas ever because of the addition to my life God gave me on July 1, 1986; my daughter, Kristen.  It will be the best Christmas ever because of the addition to my life God gave me on October 11, 1983; my son, Josh.  It will be the best Christmas ever because of the addition to my life on April 25, 1961; God gave me my loving mom, dad and amazing family.  Throughout the years there have been many friends added; the list could go on and on.  But, the main reason I will have the best Christmas ever is because of what occurred at church one Sunday night in August of 1984; I receive the gift of eternal life! Jesus, the greatest addition of all!

 Heavenly Father,

Thank You for being the constant in my life!  Thank You for true joy!  Thank You for Your perfect way!  Thank You for the additions to my life You have given me!

Thank you for the reminders You still give me in my moments of doubt and discouragement.  You really are still FAITHful when I am faithless.

Thank you for the additions to my life, my bouquet of flowers.  Thank You that You are the Rock on which I can stand!

I pray if there are others out there who are having their moments, days, even years of discouragement, that they will pause and see they have flowers, too.  I pray if someone, just one, who feels there is no hope, will find that hope in You, their Rock to stand on.

In the name of Jesus, I come asking forgiveness of all my sin and praising as I am cleansed by that precious blood!  AMEN!

If you would like to know this Savior, our only answer, our only hope, please email me at k.fogarty02@gmail.com and I will be glad to share the story.  It's my FAITH ASSIGNMENT.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

DAY 60 - THE CALL

Mark 8:34

When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

December 11, 2012 at 8:08 p.m. my cell phone rang.  It was the call I knew would be coming, but still, I hesitantly answered for fear of the news on the other end.  The call was from Josh, Briley FAITH’s daddy, my son.  Through tears of faith I heard, “Mom, Briley is now walking with God on those streets of gold!”  Though in pain, not just at that moment, but for 61 days Josh’s faith remained.  The faith was still there.  God was still there.  He will always be. 

Tears escaped that I had held captive for so long in trying to be strength I thought others might need.  Finally, like balloons released to the sky, I released my tears to God.  After taking a deep breath, I said, “I am so sorry.  God has been faithful throughout all of this and I know He will not stop now!  He will give us everything we need!  Okay, son, with God we can do this!  You have said all along that God’s got this!  He still does.  I love you!”  Josh, “Yes, He does.  I love you!” 

We hang up to the beginning of a new journey.  An extension of the old.  Another branch extending from The Vine.  THE CALL.

Along with me, many of you are wondering what’s next.  As I seek and pray, my questions of placement and purpose are laid at His feet awaiting the answers.   

I also have questions for myself...  Since Briley FAITH is ultimately healed, will I get on my knees as often?  Can I be as focused on Him as I was during this journey?  Will I continue to seek the lost and boldly speak of God’s grace?  How do I keep this urgency within my soul to share the gospel truth?  Will life resume to constant noise and busyness that I won't be able to hear Him when He calls?

You, also may ask yourself a few questions...  Will I continue to have faith to pursue feeding the hungry?  Will I walk the streets and share the gospel with boldness?  Can I be focused enough to remember that whatever I am going through, I must lean on God?  Can I continue to be the mommy I know God wants me to be?  Can I continue to be the daddy that leads his family with total trust in what God can do?  Without the updates to read on Briley FAITH, will I continue to be as strong in the faith?  God used her story to help me; will I tell the story of God’s FAITHfulness and goodness to help others?  Will I answer His call?

Some will answer immediately and continue what God started.  With hesitancy, others will answer, take a deep breath and finally follow God’s lead.  Then, there will be some of you who will still say “No.”

He can and will use you!  Throughout my years I have heard many people say they don’t think God can use them and they are still trying to find their purpose.  Let me tell you, God equips the called!  Look at Briley FAITH!  Our little missionary answered the call and without one word God used her to reach thousands!  All you have to do is say yes!

Those who answer the call will find more joy in the journey, strength to stand, blessings beyond and grace to continue the walk of FAITH. 

He is calling you.  Please answer.

 Heavenly Father,

How thankful I am that Jesus Christ answered Your call to come to this earth and leave it as our Savior, our Messiah, our Answer!  All glory to You!

Thank You that we all have felt Your presence and a change in our lives.  Help us to take these feelings to heart and keep walking on the road You paved specifically for each of us through Briley FAITH’s journey.

I pray that the faith and strength we have gained from the testimonies of Josh and Crystal remain within us to be shared outwardly, as they have.  We all have a story to tell.  Help us to stay focused on You and in Your word as we strive to fulfill the purpose You have created us for.

Replace any doubts and fears we may have with assurance in You alone.  Through You, I know we are able.  You got this!

I look forward to hearing Your voice each time You call.

Through Jesus’ precious blood I come.  AMEN!

If you would like to know this Savior, our only answer, our only hope, please email me at k.fogarty02@gmail.com and I will be glad to share the story.  It's my FAITH ASSIGNMENT.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

DAY 59 - GO TO SLEEP, WAKE UP!

 1 Thessalonians 5:10

Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever.

It is no surprise to me that this would be my hardest post on the blog I have ever done.  For more than thirty minutes I sat here at my desk before I could even pull out the keyboard and start typing.  Praying… seeking… praying…  emptying…  What do I say now?  The story hasn’t changed and I must let God speak, once again.  My heart then gives my fingers permission to touch the keys.  I now type with a greater urgency.  This new direction of boldness came because God used Briley FAITH to get me to this point in my life.  In honor of her, I continue…

“Go to sleep, wake up!” is what I have said many times to my children, grandson, Jude, and then a few times to  my granddaughter, Briley FAITH.  With excitement I would repeat those words times the number of days it would be before I would see them again!  So, if it were two days, I would say, “Go to sleep, wake up!  Go to sleep, wake up!”  I always longed for the last “wake up” day!

Briley FAITH had her last “wake up” day on December 11, 2012 when she closed her eyes and woke up in heaven.   Until now, I never thought of death as a last “wake up”…

At Briley FAITH’s celebration of life yesterday, her Pops read a poem entitled “The Dash”.  In this poem the dash refers to the hyphen that appears on almost every tombstone; the hyphen that is placed between the person’s date of birth and the date of their death.  The dash represents our life and how we have spent our time here on earth. 

We celebrated Briley FAITH’s “purpose fulfilled” life in a beautiful church sanctuary.   With all the colorful flowers and garden of bows her Idgie said she thought it looked like a stained glass cathedral!  She was right!  The music bounced off the stained glass with each note bowing in praise!  Hands were lifted high to the One to whom all glory is given!  Words that were spoken were healing ointment for the brokenhearted and hope for the lost.  The family sat boldly in the pews resting on a foundation of faith.  God was with us.

When the worship service came to an end, friends, co-workers, many prayer warriors and family formed the condolatory line.  One by one gifts of heartfelt expressions of sympathy and tears adorned with a bow were left with Briley FAITH’s mommy and daddy as they stood at her side.  It was the next person in line whose words paused the procession… “I want Jesus!”  While Briley’s mommy was holding and ministering to this hungry soul, behind her I could see daddy praying.  When Briley FAITH’s Great Aunt Kathy raised her head, just by looking I could tell Christ now lived within her heart!  I praised, I pondered… hmmm… wow… she is a significant part of Briley FAITH’s dash!  A dash that is full of changed lives because she shared the story of God’s grace and faithfulness with thousands!  What a legacy to leave behind at 61 days old!

Although this poem, “The Dash” was a magnifying glass on my life in the “now”, it was what Pops added to it that is brought back to my mind today.  He said, "We have our date of birth, the dash, then our date of death.  I want to add to that a dot, dot, dot.” 

Wow!  Dot, dot, dot leads into “what’s next?”.  You see, our own personal journey does not stop when we close our eyes for the last time on this earth.  We will wake up somewhere.  It will be either heaven or hell.  The message is clear and the ending is plain and simple. 

I have several loved ones who have gone on before me, including my loving father.  But, this one, my granddaughter, my angel eyes, Briley FAITH really does get to me.  I never ever thought my grandchild would leave this earth before me.  But, she did.  Oh how I wanted so many more
“Go to sleep, wake up!” times!

Jesus came to this earth, died and rose again for you and for me! He left behind the greatest gift of all!  It's the gift of eternal life!  Since I received His gift, it guarantees  I will one day see Briley FAITH again!  I don’t know when, but there will be one last “Go to sleep, wake up!”  That day will be when I close my eyes and wake up in heaven.

Death is reality.  Eternal life is a choice.  Where will you wake up?

Heavenly Father,

How great is Your faithfulness!  How real is Your love!  All glory goes to You for the souls that have been saved and lives changed by using Briley FAITH.

Thank You that when Jesus Christ fulfilled His purpose, You gave us all a purpose like Briley FAITH.  That purpose is to continue to tell Your story of repentance and grace. 

I pray that my eyes are opened to those opportunities I receive daily to speak Your name; to take time with the ones who might be in line just trying to say “I want Jesus!”.   Help me to fill in my "dash" by fulfilling the purpose You have for me so others will know their dot, dot, dot.

Heaven is much sweeter now that my “angel eyes” is there.  How I look forward to my last “Go to sleep, wake up!”.

Through Your only begotten Son’s precious blood I come, asking forgiveness for all of my sins.  AMEN!

JUST LIKE BRILEY FAITH, YOU CAN WAKE UP IN HEAVEN! 

If you would like to know this Savior, our only answer, our only hope, please email me at k.fogarty02@gmail.com and I will be glad to share the story.  It's my FAITH ASSIGNMENT.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

DAYS 57 & 58 - IN REMEMBERANCE

Today and tomorrow will be posts of silence in memory of my granddaughter, Briley FAITH.

Although, I'm not doing the normal post, she would want not one moment or one breath used without sharing God's Word...

John 14:6
Jesus said to him, "I am the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE.  No one comes to the Father except through ME."

God says, "Come to me." Briley FAITH says, "Run to Him, now!"

The good news she brought to us all in such a short time will continue to resound; echoes of God's grace through faith.

Briley FAITH, Granna loves you real big and will miss you forever!  It won't be long before I, too, will go to sleep and wake up in the arms of Jesus.  Together we will dance around His throne.

The messages of hope on this blog will resume Sunday, December 16, 2012.

DAY 56 - YAHWEH! YAHWEH!

Psalm 66:8-9

Oh, bless our God, you peoples!  And make the voice of His praise to be heard,  Who keeps our soul among the living, And does not allow our feet to be moved.

Those eyes!  Big, beautiful, perfectly round eyes!  Oh how Briley FAITH’s eyes could talk.   Every day her message was the same; about God's grace.  But each day there was a newness in the story.  Like the dawn of the day...  We know the sun will rise, but each day brings us a new painting.  
I know as she laid in her little hospital bed she anxiously awaited for someone to show up so she could tell them what was on her mind!  Always, always talking with those eyes!  She was either, whispering, smiling, laughing, and I even think when her eyebrows raised it showed she could speak with boldness!  Those little angel eyes were going ninety to nothin’, always having something to say!  

I smile and chuckle as the vision of her in heaven plays in my mind...  Here she comes popping up out of nowhere, running here and there;  then talking to everyone along the way just like she did to us with her eyes!  On streets of gold, dashing around this one and that one, full of energy!  But, her main focus, as it has always been, is to bring honor and glory to God.  So, today, right now, I have no doubt she is running full speed ahead around the throne of God; shouting His name in Hebrew from the top of her lungs as loud as she can, now in full voice…

“Yahweh!  Yahweh!  All glory to You for what You have done for me!  Thank You for always being the strength I needed and the air I breathed! Thank You that Your love for me never changed!  Thank You for my complete healing!” 

With the same excitement she shouts again, “Yahweh!  Yahweh!  Thank You for giving me a mommy and daddy whose love kept me warm!  Thank You for their understanding when I couldn’t do more than I wanted!  Thank You that through the fire You gave them the strength to stand!  Thank You for a mommy and daddy that is not afraid to praise You!  Thank You for the many nights of them reminding me of Your sweet peace before they left the room.  Thank You that the last night was not the last night!”

Again… “Yahweh!  Yahweh!  Thank You for my big brother and his gentle spirit!  Thank You for our laughs together!  Thank You for the times he held my hand and cupped me in his arms!  Thank You that he loves me the way he does!” 

She raises her arms in praise and shouts again, “Yahweh!  Yahweh!  Thank You for my family who knows what family is!  My beautiful bouquet of flowers!  Thank You that I have so many!!”

“Oh, yes!  Yahweh!  Yahweh!  Thank You for the ones who might call themselves strangers to me, but, I really do know them!  We got acquainted through their prayers!! 

Now her praises include an urgency, “Yahweh!  Yahweh!  If everyone would just see!  If everyone would just hear!  I know they would understand Your greatness, Your power, and Your glory!  Then the whispering of Your name would become shouting!  Oh, if they only knew what I know now, the life they’ve been given would be so different!  There would be change and an urgency to bring glory to Your name!   They would receive who You, Yahweh, really are.” 

Our little angel continues to run, around and around the throne she goes shouting, “Yahweh!  Yahweh!”

I can hear Briley FAITH singing this now...

YAHWEH - Kari Jobe

Heavenly Father,

Yahweh!  I AM!  All glory to You for the gift of life You have given me here on earth!  Thank You that again, one day, I will see those beautiful big eyes of Briley FAITH! Thank You that You don’t give up on me!  There are so many details of my life that are not a surprise to You and You still love me.  I come through the blood that covers all sin and approach Your throne running… I need You.  I always need You.

As long as I am here I need to be running and shouting with urgency Your message that all must repent and receive Your grace through their faith.  I pray that all I do brings You glory!

I want to truly understand everything about You!  I want to see Your glory as I run the race; not as a bystander looking on.  THE ONLY WAY I CAN SEE WHO YOU ARE IS TO STEP AWAY FROM WHO I AM-- my trust is in You alone.  The finish line is getting closer; help me to run until...

In Your precious name I pray.  AMEN!

DAY 55 - LEAVES OF CHANGE

Isaiah 44:23

Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done this wondrous thing.  Shout for joy, O depths of the earth!  Break into song, O mountains and forests and every tree!  For the 

Lord has redeemed Jacob and is glorified in Israel.

Last night, my granddaughter, Briley FAITH left this world and all the tubes and monitors behind!  A cloud of peace carried her up to the heavens where she received her miracle, her healing.  But, oh how Granna misses her!

So, today I was not sure there would be a posting to the blog.  Just silence.  But, as the day went on and night entered in I started feeling this stirring in my soul.  Was it God?  Was it me missing Briley FAITH?  The words must always come directly through my Lord and Savior.  If it’s just me, all I can do is give the words a place to land on paper without meaning.  When they are from God the words come alive and have purpose; if not for someone else, at least for me.  I must make sure.  So, I wait.

Valuable moments were spent with family.  We looked at pictures that no words can tell of their beauty.  There are glances across the room to each other as if to say, “Are you doing okay?”.  Hugs came in all day through the front door and over the phone.  Blessed, we are blessed.

Heading home the stirring in my soul becomes greater.  I knew I would never stop this blog, I just was not sure if I would be writing today until now…

Yesterday, I watched a wonderful Hallmark movie about a well known artist who lost the love of his life and then lost his desire to paint.  He struggles with what he could paint in memory of his wife.  Many years went by without one stroke of the brush because he didn’t want the dark and gloom he felt inside to end up on the canvas.  He had been painting leaves in the cold that fall painfully off the tree, reflecting his broken heart.  But then finally realizes it is actually the light behind the leaves he was to paint!  Of course, it turns out to be a beautiful painting.  A good movie and thought provoking.   

There is this tree near where I live that my grandson, Jude, and I had labeled “the golden tree”.  It was dressed in the most beautiful golden leaves I had ever seen.  Like Briley FAITH, like her life; dressed in God’s beauty. 

Although Briley’s body was frail, her story stood strong and tall in faith, dressed in leaves of change.  Each leaf that drops means she touched that life, a life that had changed because of her story.  A life that now on their own had faith enough to take the next step, to fall into the arms of God.  One by one they fall.   The more leaves that fall the greater the light can be seen through the branches of her struggles.  Some lives hold on longer to see what her faith will do next.  The winds of hopelessness come time after time for 61 days. Those wanting to continue to hold on see in amazement she is still standing!  Seeing her strength and faith they are no longer afraid!  Now shouting in freedom, “Watch me!  I can do this!  I have that kind of faith!  I know the One who will catch me!”  Many detach and peacefully fall, knowing God has a purpose for them, just like Briley FAITH.

Our little “golden tree” continues to hold on until the last leaf falls.  December 11, 2012 the last leaf must have fallen because here on earth her purpose was fulfilled.   Briley FAITH’s story of God’s amazing grace has been heard; life after life has been changed and God’s light has been seen throughout the world. 

One of those golden leaves is me.  Today I wish I were still attached because that would mean she would still be here trying to get me to see the light, the truth in my purpose.  It would have been so much easier to just keep holding on.  But, I, too, had to let go.  It was time to fall into the arms of the One who always catches me when I fall. 

Just because Briley FAITH is not here with us does not mean the story ends.  Those of us who are one of those leaves of change must continue to reveal God’s light.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for holding me right now.  Thank You for what You have given our entire family.  I never realized the magnitude of Your grace and strength for us all!  I’m so amazed and thankful.  Praise You!  Praise You!  Praise You!

Continue to use us all, Lord, as we march on in boldness keeping alive what Briley FAITH started.  One by one we fall into Your plan for our lives.

Thank You for those beautiful eyes that spoke to us all.  Thank You that I got to hold her.  Thank You for giving her to us.  Thank You, that we will see her again.

In the precious name of Jesus, I come.  AMEN!

THE GOLDEN TREE