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…

DAY 73 - A COMMON THREAD

The events that happened one year ago today to some would seem a day of tragedy, a dark day...  But, how could it be dark when Briley FAITH was so bright?

It was as if it were yesterday I was looking into those big, beautiful eyes; "Bright Eyes", I called her.  Boy, how she could tell a story with those eyes!  Though every story unique, they had a common thread; sharing the thread of hope, the thread of grace, the thread of love, the thread of peace, the thread of joy,  the thread of FAITHfulness... all entwined forming one, the ONE; the Light of the World, the Scarlet Thread, Jesus Christ!

Yes, tears still fall in remembrance of Briley Faith.   Every teardrop unique for that moment yet each one is caught by the same loving hands, therefore, having a common thread; the Savior of all, Jesus Christ.

Our darkest hour will never come close to what Jesus Christ did for us.  By taking on the dark of the world He gives us light; a way out of darkness... a way out of sin... His grace through faith.  Without Him there is no life, there is no light, darkness remains.  Though sins are different, if you have Him as your Savior, there is a common thread;  His blood covers each and every individual sin.

I must say, as soon as we got the news of Briley Faith's diagnosis, for a brief moment it stopped me in my steps, it took my breath away and pain penetrated my heart.  Then came Jesus... my steadfast, sure foundation and carried me the rest of the way.  Over and over He is faithful to His promises!

If you feel hopeless, helpless, and have run out of tears, just say yes to Jesus and change will come.  It is then you will truly live and have a Savior, Provider, Healer, Peacemaker, a Strong Tower to hold on to; a not so common, common thread.

"For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.". John 3:16

Briley FAITH, "Bright Eyes"