Gratitude Archive

I was listening to a message the other day and the pastor said, It is wise to understand.” Oddly enough I heard it as, “It is whys to understand.” meaning to question everything before understanding. I had no idea why my brain interpreted wise to whys until I thought about it. People many times ask why before understanding instead of being wise and just understanding on faith. Let’s explore this a bit further.

I am a gratitude coach and I hear many people question things in their life. Why did I get a divorce, why don’t my children believe in God, or sometimes it’s why am I so anxious. All of these whys are indications of not being in faith. Let me explain. When we question things that are happening in our lives we are telling God we don’t trust in Him. We are saying I need to figure this out on my own instead of turning to God. Questioning equals disbelief. Now I know that sounds harsh but it true. When we stand in our faith we begin to omit the whys and start saying, “I understand this is a season I must walk through and stand in faith and trust God. He is WISE!””

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

We must stop asking ourselves why something is happening or why it has happened and know that God is wise and has a purpose. I have had many things in my life that in past days I asked why. Why was my first husband addicted to alcohol and drugs, why was I so poor as a single mom that I could barely feed my daughter or pay my bills, why did a man verbally and publicly attack me in front of 65 people, and the list goes on. Now as my parents have moved through and still are presently moving through bouts of cancer I know now I am WISE in God’s plan and not living in the whys. I am not questioning but I am trusting. The situations aren’t any easier, my obedience and patience has become clearer.

Acts 1:7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.

I am not here to say it is easy not asking why, but I am here to say it is possible with obedience and faith. I think back to when I asked why these situations happened to me in the past (my first husband, poverty, humiliation) all I received was anxiety and confusion. That is until I trusted God. I had to walk through the season of a bad marriage to be wise to know God had a new husband waiting for me. A godly and grace filled man. I had to publicly be humiliated to see the wisdom God was showing me. He was teaching me to love my enemies and find good in everyone, I see the WISE now, not the why’s.

Psalm 37:7-9 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.  For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.

As you move through the rest of this year, no matter what life throws at you remember God has a plan. He is WISE and we do not need to ask why but instead breathe and say, “I know God is at work and I will be better moving through this season.” Become WISE yourself. All my love and gratitude-LoLo

2 Thessalonians 1:4-5 Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.  All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.

You know, I didn’t think there could be another surge to this storm of a year. We started 2020 saying, this is the year of perfect vision since 20/20 refers to perfect vision on an eye chart. Yet, every day seems to bring another storm we need to focus our eyes on.

Storms are not new to humans. They come in all types, hurricanes, tornadoes, wind storms, ice storms, snow storms, and I could continue listing. The hurricane is the Covid-19 virus swirling round and round and sucking up innocent people in it’s wake. The tornado is the election that still twists out of control dividing a country even further. The winds are the peoples’ jobs being swept away because they are in industries that can’t be opened because they cater to large groups of people. Can we stand another storm?

I know that it is my place as someone with a ministry and strong faith to say, “Yes, we can weather any storm that hits us.” Yes, we can pull together and help each other out if we only see the perfect vision that is Jesus Christ.

Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.

I decided to look at these storms and see how God is working instead of focusing on all the change and so called doom. What is the good in all these storms. What is good is that God is sovereign and almighty and handles every situation is we join Him in focusing on good and defeating the enemy.

You see, Satan wants nothing but chaos and unrest in our lives. He is relishing in our world today. We need to join hands tightly and repeat, “Our God is good. He is all powerful. No one can come close to God’s strength and love for us. God’s undying love will prevail.” Satan hates it when we speak favorably of our Father and this is our strongest weapon against the evil one.

Ephesians 6:10-11 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”

I will have to say many of these storms seem out of our control but God gives us ways to improve the storms for good. Covid-19 is contagious and can spread asymptomatically, meaning when you feel fine yet are carrying the virus. We can be diligent in wearing approved masks and constantly washing our hands to prevent spread. Let me ask you this. If you would receive $10,000 a month just if you were strict about wearing a mask and washing your hands would you comply? Most people would say yes. If you are one of those people then please think of the $10,000 (or the reward in a broken world) as your good health and protecting others. Let that be your motivation.

Philippians 2:4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Now let’s talk about the election. We need to halt this tornado. Tornadoes need things to keep them stable and moving like heat and/or moisture this is the same with the momentum of these politicians of this recent election. They are not accepting of the results and calling voter fraud. I am not condemning or condoning these claims or positions but as long as they have the stability to keep moving like the media, general population screaming and others contributing to the unrest this tornado won’t be stopped. We need to sit quietly and obediently to see the outcome without adding to the chaos.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

Wind carries moisture into an atmosphere, as well as hot or cold air into a climate which affects weather patterns. Therefore, a change in wind results in a change of weather. Lets look at this with unemployment. My income has been cut dramatically because my biggest client is a large university that is not buying any promotional giveaways. This is primarily because no one is on campus so no one needs giveaways. How am I going to change this wind pattern that is out of my control? I am going to turn to the Holiest Wind I know, the Holy Spirit.

I am turning to prayer and understanding. I know that God takes things away from us so we will turn to Him and grow closer in our faith and trust. I have to emphasize that when God shuts down something for me I need to be obedient and silent in order to focus and try to hear His guidance. God took my yearly income but provided for my ministry. He has helped me understand how He provides for me when I am patient and not panicked on paying bills or adding to earthly goods I don’t need. He has humbled me and I pray if you have lost your job you are looking for the good, not the loss. We worry and get anxious when we don’t know the future. This is the most important time to breathe and remember what God has already done for you in the tough times. I have had the most faith when I have had the least amount of money. Ask yourself what this wind is pushing you towards that is sure to be better.

Hebrews 13:5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

My friend, we will always have storms and we will always have God to calm them if we trust in Him. Always remember Jesus calming the storm for the disciples. Visualize this passage when you are nervous in a storm. All my love and gratitude-LoLo

Luke 8:22-25 One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they set out, and as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?”

It seems that over the last few months God has made me a prayer warrior. A prayer warrior is one who is connected to God intimately and consistently seeks to learn more about Him, from His word and uses their prayer time as a battleground for change. (Pray with Confidence website)

Recently someone called me a prayer warrior and I didn’t realize that others looked at me in that way. I thought I prayed just like others when the need arose but it dawned on me that I am doing more than that. I do study a lot about how to become more Christlike and to be a kinder Christian unknowingly becoming a prayer warrior. I found my self developing in prayer, my faith and seeing the needs of others more clearly. I wanted to pinpoint when this change occurred in me.

It was obvious. It was when my dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in June. I found my self praying all day long for my dad, his doctors, my mom, our family and then for other pancreatic cancer patients, their doctors, their families. Living in my dad’s diagnosis made me realize others were walking this same walk and needed prayers. I recognized that not all of their patients and their families are believers and I needed to intercede for them in prayer. It opened my eyes to see others in their journey without even knowing them. I wanted to pray for them, to take from my day to say I care about humanity and their suffering.

I have seen my dad’s struggles with chemotherapy. His weakness, loss of taste for foods he once loved, pain, and poor quality of life while being treated. I knew he was not alone so I said this prayer,” Heavenly Father, I understand this is a family journey that not only my family is going through. I pray you comfort not only my dad in his struggles but other cancer patients on this walk. May you keep my mother strong emotionally and physically. May mom and dad both feel your peace like I do through Your grace. Father, please touch the hearts of those being treated currently with Your peace and for them to know You are always with them. Ease them of their pain, weakness and fear. Let them feel Your presence each day. Allow their caregivers to smile at them in confidence for healing and use kind words when they are down. Love each and every one of us Father as You always do and let us not forget that love. May you place Your healing hands on all that are suffering. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.” I still continue to pray for my family and those families I don’t know. Don’t worry, I am praying for you!

I also stepped into my warrior shoes when my good friend and producer of my podcast was on life support for 31 days. In case you are wondering, it was not Covid. He had about 12 tests in the hospital. I started my day in prayer for my father as well as Mark. Mark’s situation was dire. He had a laundry list of ailments that needed to be addresses. He had a team of doctors that were superb but it seemed every day one blood test would look better yet another one declined. A group of us met every night at 6pm in the same location to pray for Mark. We would take turns offering a prayer each night. Some of us said the same prayer but it was okay because it was what was on our hearts. When we gathered nightly our prayers sounded something like this. “Father we stand here today asking for healing for Mark. He is struggling to stay here with us and we all know Father that Mark has so much more work to do here on earth. We ask for his lungs to clear, his kidneys to start working, his heart to stay strong and to breathe on his own. Father there are hundreds if not thousands praying for Mark and we are begging you to hear all these prayers. We are here for Mark and will stand strong in prayers until he stands praying alongside us. We love you Father, in Jesus name we pray.”

This was a true statement about the number of people praying for Mark. He belongs to a large church, worked for ESPN, coached Special Olympics, was on several board of directors and made friends with everyone he met. I do want to you to know Mark is still in the hospital on Day 76 in ICU. We all hope he will be moved soon to a rehabilitation center where we can all visit him, even if it’s through a window.

As I attribute my new career as a prayer warrior to my dad and Mark, I know it is God that placed this desire in my heart. I am confident my dad and Mark will both be healed by the hand of Jesus. My love for Him allows me to put others first in prayer because I know my Heavenly Father will take care of me. I want to make sure that if someone has no faith or they have no family that they will receive my prayers. You too, as a reader of my blog receive my prayers. I am blessed with a large following on Facebook and with many readers of my blog. I am grateful for everyone’s’ time that reads the scripture I post daily on Facebook or to take ten minutes to read one of my blogs. Here is my prayer for you.

“Heavenly Father, I come to you today in prayer for those that have read my blog, heard my podcast or read my Facebook posts. Bless them Father. I don’t know their fears or troubles but I know You do. I ask you Father to shelter and protect them from this world. Show them kindness as they move through their day. Comfort them as anxiety creeps into their mind and if they are in a good place, continue to bless them. They are my brothers and sisters Father and I love each of them. Thank you for the sacrifice Jesus made for each and everyone of us in forgiveness of our sins and in His precious and holy name I pray. Amen.”

Don’t worry, I am praying for you! LoLo

1 Timothy 2:1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 

Faith/fāTH/ noun strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof. I understand the definition of believing without seeing and knowing that God exists and is our Creator but can I think further than that?

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

I posed a question last week to a class I teach weekly that’s purpose is to think and reflect on something, anything. My questions was, “Are you able to paint an actual picture of your faith?” They of course looked at me quizzically so I explained further. “If I handed you a sketch pad and a pencil as asked you to represent faith as a visual drawing, what would you draw?”

I let them think a minute before I proceeded. “I think the first thing that will come to our minds may be a drawing of a cross or Jesus face.” I again paused for a minute as they still continued to look at each other still a bit confused. I decided I would help them out. “Let me tell you why I chose this topic today. I posed this same question to myself earlier this week and it took me quite a bit of thinking and reflection on what I would draw.” Then when God stepped into my thoughts and my heart when a light went off and it was all clear.

The pictures starting flooding my mind of what I could represent visually as my faith. The first picture would be of a beautiful baby that came out of an alcohol and drug riddled marriage. My first husband was a victim of alcoholism and deep drug abuse. It was a dark and hopeless time for me until God blessed me with my baby girl. As I tried to help my husband release his demons, God knew I would have to leave him to have a better life. God knew I needed my daughter to stay strong and have the drive to create a better life for us. My faith at the time was not in the traditional way since I didn’t understand how to have a relationship with Our Father but he showed me faith through Lexie, my daughter. This was also about the time I decided to attend church, become baptized and accept Jesus.

Another picture would be of my parents. In the last six years, my dad was diagnosed with bladder cancer and my mom with melanoma. These both were opportunities for me to stand in faith and trust God for His will and plan. Although the treatment for both types of cancer were tough on my parents they are both free of those two cancers. God showed me how trust and be patient for the outcome without anxiety and worry. He was training me how to be faithful and be obedient to know He would bring us all out better.

Mark 11:22-24 And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Now if you have read my blogs the last few months you know our family is facing cancer again. My dad again has cancer and this time it is pancreatic cancer. This is a very deadly and scary cancer. When we received the diagnosis and prognosis we were saddened. I sat in my car and cried but then I stopped and said to myself, “Why am I crying? That’s a lack of faith and we have God handling this. I have faith and faith has brought us through treatments before with both my parents.” I wiped my tears and felt peace in my heart. I prayed, “Father I am sorry for that anxiety and worry I just showed you. I trust You Father and I know Your plan is best for all of us. If this is when You have decided to take my dad then I know and accept this. I am grateful for the opportunity to be here for my dad and comfort him in Your name. I will be obedient and walk this path with my dad with You leading the way. I know You are going before us so I am faithful and trusting in You. In Jesus name I offer this prayer.”

I took a deep breath as I drove away from my parents house, again felt peace in my heart. Shortly after this news my dad decided to be treated here in Dallas instead of at MD Anderson in Houston primarily because of the logistics. We had a telemedicine call a pancreatic surgeon at UT Southwestern and the first things out of the doctor’s mouth was, “Mr. Butler you are functionally healthy and this is a walk we take together. I am always here for you, if you need me do not hesitate to call.” Wait, who does that sound like? My Father in heaven always walks with us and is always available when we need Him. Thank you Father, I caught that comforting message. I again would draw a picture of my dad to visualize faith.

Isaiah 30:21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

Another picture I would draw is a picture of my husband. Wes is a man of grace, kindness, support, and a quiet faith. God blessed me with Wes in a away only God could. See I was moving from Illinois to Texas and the moving van was coming in a few days. I had everything pretty much boxed up and ready to go when two of my girlfriends asked me to show them what online dating was. This was at the beginning of online dating so since I was divorced for a few years I was trying it. My computer was packed so I unpacked it, reconnected it and logged into the dating site. I showed my girlfriends a full screen of potential guys matched to me. “Pick one and I’ll show you how it works!” One of my friends closed her eyes and pointed to a picture. “Talk to this one.” Well I probably don’t have to tell you that this guy is now my husband. Unhooked and packed computer, random closed eyes pick that became my soulmate. May I just say, “Thank you GOD!” God placed Wes in my life because I had faith after my divorce that He would bring me someone special. Another picture I can paint visually of faith.

1 Peter 3:14-15 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

I think you get the picture and I hope that you will visualize your faith on paper. We can draw many pictures when we begin thinking of how God blesses us and gives us good reason to always stand in faith. Be thankful for whatever you are going through and find gratitude in each situation and you will see God at work. My love and gratitude for you-LoLo

Coordinating podcast-

https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/gratefulgratitude

I talk, preach and practice gratitude every day of my life. I will say some days I have to really rev myself up to be grateful if I fall prey to the media and it’s negativity but overall YES I can be grateful in every situation. Grateful for something even if it’s tiny!

This has been a very challenging year for all of us and I hope that 2021 it the exact opposite of 2020. Peace, good health, financial stability, more people praying and overall more kindness and acceptance of others.

The pandemic has devastated us in so many ways. I am going to talk about the things I found to be grateful for BUT with that being said I don’t want you to think I am making light of any of these topics or don’t understand the severity of each of them.

The pandemic has moved us apart from each other due to the spread of COVID-19 and the need for social distancing, I greatly miss my friends but I have noticed that God has removed a few people from my life that were dragging me down. I love these people but where they were headed in their life and choices was so off track from where I was walking. Trying to love and understand others made it difficult for me to not see their negative involvement in my life at times. I would see these folks at weekly events and sometimes multiple times in a week. The pandemic hit and social events were stopped. The few people God knew were not growing me positively He removed.

2 Timothy 3:1-6  But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.   For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,   heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good,   treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,   having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 

Now God probably would have removed these people in normal times but this was a good time for it to happen. Social distancing as tough as it is does benefit people in other ways besides preventing the spread of disease. God knows this.

I have said before that my father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year. A very aggressive and frightening cancer. The first thing you feel is fear of losing your dad but then I opened my eyes in gratitude. Yes, my dad was sick but my Heavenly Father was caring for him. He provided my dad with outstanding doctors in a close facility and an opportunity to talk to my dad about his faith which we have never talked about before. God also showed me how to appreciate the blessing of still having my parents alive when many of my friends didn’t. I live close so I can help care for my dad as he goes through chemotherapy and surgery. My love and faith in God allows me to see the good in cancer as odd as that sounds.

Exodus 20:12 Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

You probably say that you can’t find gratitude in riots and protests but I disagree. As horrible and frustrating as riots can be, it showed me that I needed to understand the journeys other people have come on to feel this pain and angst. I had my head buried in the sand and absorbed in my own life while people were hurting around me. The riots opened up conversations with friends of different races and ethnic backgrounds for me to hear their stories. I would have never asked in casual conversation about their struggles. Our friendships would have remained superficial. I listened without speaking which was difficult for me but I actually heard words I had never heard before. I took this opportunity to teach a class on hearing others with a clear mind and not prejudging. I am grateful for these talks even through it came with unrest, death and division because it is opening the eyes of many to hearing others.

Proverbs 31:9 “Speak up for the people who have no voice,  for the rights of all the down-and-outers. Speak out for justice! Stand up for the poor and destitute!”

Also during the pandemic a close friend and my podcast producer fell ill and was immediately put on life support for 31 days. He did not have COVID (he was tested 12 times….) but his situation was dire and his Living Will had been activated. Oh my gosh, how was I going to find gratitude in this situation? It seemed I was going to lose my friend which was weird because we had just recorded podcasts a few days earlier. This clip is of my friend Mark who still remains in the hospital on Day 49. This video about defying the odds is so appropriate for Mark right now as he battles to regain his health.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvqF1UDMb28

Now as I said, Mark is still in the hospital doing all types of therapy to regain strength and speak again because of being on a ventilator for 31 days. But you know what? I know the power of prayer and God brought a group of us together to stand and pray at 6pm every night that Mark was on the ventilator asking God to heal him. I would have never stood one day to pray with this group of people is God hadn’t given us a reason to pray together in community. I’m am definitely not grateful for Mark’s illness and his ongoing struggles but I am grateful to know how many people are willing to interrupt their day to pray for someone else. Hundreds if not thousands were praying for Mark as we saw the post on social media of friends, family and acquaintances posting daily about their prayers.

I know and am confident that God is in control of every situation and because of that I can find something to be grateful for in every circumstance. If you are struggling I ask you to find one thing to be grateful for no matter how small. Gratitude changes your heart and makes Our Father smile. My love and gratitude-LoLo

Isaiah 40:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”