Gratitude Archive

All I can say is the last four months have been scary, confusing, controversial, difficult and uncertain.  At least these are the emotions and feelings I have been having.  I look at the things we have been through in these last few months, lockdown, rising COVID numbers, protests and riots, changes in public like wearing masks and social distancing.  The general public that I come in contact with says they are doing alright.  Let’s look at the word alright.

Now alright is a subjective word. Alright, adjective meaning satisfactory but not especially good; acceptable.  I don’t want to be alright, I want to be normal!  Actually, I want to be fantastic but I will take normal.

We have seen such constant change recently that I think people are just shutting down and trying to function on autopilot.  You know going through the motions without much thought.  Living day to day until this all goes away.  I have taken a different look at this time, season, valley or whatever you are calling it.  Because of my faith, I am calling it a season in the valley.

Early in this valley, say mid-April I became very down.  I felt controlled and almost tortured that my life was taken away.  My job was pretty much gone, my ministry was halted because I couldn’t be near people that didn’t live in my house and I was getting more and more confused.  I was not alright or okay for that matter.  I was just trying to exist.  No one reached out to me to see if I was alright (outside of my husband of course).  Everyone I knew was dealing with the same things I was dealing with.  They had their own struggles.  I needed to get back to normal.

Well, there isn’t going to be my normal (or yours for that matter) again.  I look back at the events of 911 and how it changed travel forever.  No more sitting at the gate with family members until their plane boarded.  No more bringing your food and water through security.  Bags scanned for explosives and weapons.  Flight crews trained to look for terrorists instead of focusing on customer service.  This was the first huge change in policies I remember.  I look at these times the same way.  This is another huge change in how things will be handled in the future.

I am digressing away from my topic and for that, I apologize.  I worked hard to move through the first few months of this change by digging deeper into the Bible and practicing more gratitude than I normally do.  Yes, things are changing but what do I have?  I have a loving and supportive husband.  He smiles daily and tells me he loves me.  I am close to my daughter and her family and my parents so we can check on each other often.  I still have people asking to get hearts from my ministry to share with people needing hope even though I am not handing out the hearts, they are still being shared.  We had plenty of food and never ran out of toilet paper, hand sanitizer, soap, or cleansers.  Best of all was that I knew Jesus was walking with all of us to calm anxiety and worry if we allowed Him to.  I felt that I was finally in check with my emotions and feelings and I knew it was time to check on others.

1 John 3:17-18 But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

The one good thing about social media is I feel you can read a person’s mental wellbeing through their posts.  For example, I had a friend that I could tell was suffering from depression.  She had lost her job, the family was moving into her house and her world truly went upside down overnight.  I know all of ours did too but I could tell she felt like she was the only one.  She was struggling so I reached out to her.

We met for breakfast (masked and distanced) and she did reveal she was clinically depressed and was having a tough time.  She looked about 10 years older than her age because she wasn’t sleeping and was wrought with exhaustion and worry.  We talked for over an hour and I kept nudging her to talk about her blessings instead of riots and COVID 19 which were ongoing in Dallas where we live.  Lack of sleep makes it difficult to see the brighter side of life but I needed for her to see it.  I talked to her over and over about the things she did still have and how God takes us through valleys to bring us out better and we have to walk the path He lays out in front of us.  After an hour and a half, I saw her face change.  Her eyes lit up and the color came back into her face.  She saw that hope at least for a minute.

Now, this friend is still struggling but now I know to touch base with her to continue to pray for her and let her know I am her friend and truly care.  You can’t snap your fingers and have depression gone.  You have to work daily at keeping yourself lifted which I feel is prayer.  I pray with her through text so she can keep the text to read it over and over if need be.

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

I am making a point of texting other friends to ask if they are doing okay and if I can pray for them.  Last week I texted several friends and everyone said they needed prayers.  Prayers for anxiety was the number one request, health was second and normalcy was third.  I think I offered more prayers of intercession last week than during this whole life situation.

I think one of the most touching things last week was that one of the people that follow my Facebook page, Grateful gratitude reached out to me to ask me to pray for him, his family, and another special friend.  My heart just shined out love when I was able to pray for him on a Facebook post reply.  He was from Mexico which connected me to someone miles away that chose me to pray for them.  Can you hear my heart beating loudly?

I also posted on my Facebook inspirational page that I wanted to pray for anyone that needed prayers.  Again I got several requests to pray for our leaders, our community, more anxious thoughts and employees, and business opportunities for protection.  I answered each request online in a Facebook reply.  Again I wanted to bare myself in prayer publically so others could maybe see God working through me.  I don’t want to shy away from my faith in public even though I do get some negative posts.  That’s just Satan try to slow me down and it’s not happening!

I am asking you today,  if you’re not okay, message me so I may pray for you.  If you are doing great then please reach out to others to make sure they are okay.  Prayer is so powerful and God wants us to care for our brothers and sister like Jesus cares for all of us.  I will be praying for you, please pray for others.-LoLo

John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

It took me many years and honestly until just a few years ago for me to ask someone, “May I pray for you?”.  It felt awkward asking someone if they needed prayers.  I was worried I may bring up a topic (religion) that was to be kept to myself and out of the public.   I would hear people say someone in their family was sick or they were struggling to pay bills and instead of asking if I could pray for them I would respond, “I am so sorry to hear this.”  What a dud answer.

I think I found a pat answer several years ago that I would tell someone I would keep them in my prayers and then walk away.  I think maybe once or twice out of twenty opportunities I actually prayed in private for them.  I wasn’t a very good prayer warrior if I never lifted my shield or sword for others when I said I would pray and didn’t.  I think I was saying what others wanted to hear but not what God wanted to hear.  I was breaking promises constantly.  I think I didn’t understand the power of prayer.  I now do!

Galatians 6:2 “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

Our Heavenly Father has commanded each of us to pray for others.  That’s right, commanded.  There is no squirming out of a commandment.  Especially from God.

When we pray for others, it is called intercessory prayer. Praying for others strengthens our bond with them, and it also strengthens our relationship with God.   He asks us to help others in their suffering by praying for them with a genuine heart for healing in all situations.  When we carry the burden of others, we are walking through their journey with them and better understanding what they are going through.

Miracle (n.) a surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency.  I always have to look at a word’s definition to make sure I have a true concept of it’s meaning.  Miracles are something that can be overlooked easily in our busy lives.  I intend to have you think differently about miracles today.

I am confident that we all take miracles too lightly and begin to think of them as just part of life and are expected.  For example, waking up every morning and taking a deep breath is a miracle.  Think about it; God created our bodies as miraculous wonders.  How does the brain know to think?  How does the heart know to beat?  How do our eyes know how to focus and see?  I could go on and on just on the body alone.  Our bodies are miracles wrapped in the skin!

I know that a simple cut on my finger may be a quick and simple wound but it’s more than that.  Once I wasn’t paying attention when removing a can lid and oops I cut myself.  My body instantly sends out a message to rush platelets to the wound to form a clot and stop bleeding.  White blood cells rush in to prevent infection as red blood cells arrive to build new tissue and heal the wound.  The amazing thing is this miraculously happens without much thought, besides of course saying, “Ouch!”.

I know that is a very simple example of something miraculous that we take for granted and we overlook except when we bump that wound and are reminded of the pain.  Let’s look at other miracles God has blessed my family with.

Over the past 5 years, I have asked God to perform miracles for my family.  We have had three major cancer diagnoses that would require much prayer and trust in God for miracles.  If you have read some of my blogs you know the specifics of these cases.

So five years ago; a family member was diagnosed with bladder cancer.   My family member was told they would have to have their bladder removed immediately and the quality of life may not be optimal.  This was not an acceptable answer to my family so the one diagnosed chose to seek a second opinion at MD Anderson.

After arriving at the cancer center and completing many tests the doctors said there was no need to remove the bladder but to remove the whole bladder.  They said the plan would be to remove the spot (tumor)  from the bladder, start immunotherapy and scan the whole body every three to six months to watch for cancer to reappear.  It has been five years with no reoccurrence.  Truly a miracle.

Another family member eighteen months ago was diagnosed with melanoma cancer.  Again, we were told this was a very aggressive cancer and had a guarded prognosis.  This family member went to MD Anderson as well and was told that surgery, some staging, and immunotherapy would need to be done and that was scheduled immediately. The family member followed up with all the monitoring scans and treatment. Two weeks ago the scans were done as part of the follow-up and she still remains clear of cancer after that original surgery and treatment.  Truly a miracle.

Lastly, two weeks ago a family member was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  Oh no, here we go again.  I sobbed for a period of time but then wiped my eyes and looked up toward my Heavenly Father.  “Father,” I prayed, “We have been sitting together discussing cancer before.  But again I ask for your guidance and if it is Your Will then another miracle would be appreciated.  I trust You Father and stand in faith.”.   I released the prayer and took a deep breath.  A peace came over me.

Luke 18:27 Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.

The original doctor was very guarded about the prognosis to the point of being depressing.  He thought it was a very rare cancer and he had only seen five cases and was not encouraged about the outcome but more scans were needed for the oncologist to make a decision about treatment.

In the past two weeks, follow up scans and discussions with an oncologist have been completed. The tumor seems to be one that can offer a surgical removal option after a stint of chemotherapy as well as no metastasis was seen.  The chemo and even the surgery could be done near my family member because of their location to UT Southwestern and the advances and success they have shown in pancreatic cancer treatments.  Now, this isn’t an easy journey by any means but our heads are now held higher than before.   This also turned into another blessing and in my opinion, a miracle from God!  The miracle is not complete healing as you may expect but positive means to treat this cancer.  Complete healing will come later down the road like happened in the other cases.

God has blessed each of us with our own miraculous body.  We will get sick and injured but we have a miracle to live in.  A body that has many systems, cells, and functions that work in sync without our conscious guidance.  It is the temple for the Holy Spirit.  He is always working in us not only to have a grateful and loving spirit but to also heal and comfort us.  We need to tune into Him within us when we need a miracle no matter what type.

I do want to talk about as I stand in my faith for Our Father to handle issues, I also practice gratitude in the situation.  Let me explain this.

When the family member was diagnosed this last time, I thanked God for allowing me to have this family member in my life for as long as I had.  I didn’t want a negative outcome but if it wasn’t the answer we had prayed for then I wanted God to know I was still grateful.  I shared that I was grateful that the family member was strong enough to travel to MD Anderson and had the financial means to go.  I was grateful he still has their spouse to lean on.  I was grateful that I was able to talk end of life with them and see that they were comforted by God’s will but would do everything medically that was needed for success.  I was grateful that I could share small crosses made of soapstone for his family to hold and comfort them if they became anxious (pictured above).  I was grateful God had brought us through this two other times and we knew God is good.

 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

I’m not sure what miracle you are needing today but I am praying you to receive it.  Our Heavenly Father loves us and grants miracles no matter where you are in your journey.  Remember to ask, believe, and receive.  My love and gratitude-LoLo

Matthew 7:7-8Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Why is it we feel that asking for help is a sign of weakness?  Why do we feel like we have to handle everything ourselves in private?  Why do we feel that if I can’t figure it out then I will just give up?

I know as I have grown older the one thing I find that has not changed is the ability for us to ask for help.  It doesn’t matter if I was a young girl in fifth grade in a new school or an adult grandmother like I am now.  We turn to our own thinking and knowledge to solve our problems in life or worse yet, the internet.  Why do this when we have God and the Bible?

John 14:13 ESV 
Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

I pray if you are suffering as you read this know that I pray for each of you daily.  I pray for you to feel the Holy Spirit within you and to never fear asking God for help.  I pray you understand and feel the peace I do every day because I am walking with God and trust in Him.  Blessing, love and gratitude-LoLo

I haven’t blogged in a bit because I needed to stay silent and try to understand.  There have been so many things happen this year in such a short period of time.  These things have all happened so far in 2020,  a presidential impeachment,  Australian bush fires, the death of Kobe Bryant,  royalty ditching their royal duties (Harry and Meghan), the United Kingdom withdrew from the European Union, the summer Olympics are postponed, a worldwide pandemic occurs and George Floyd is murdered by police officers.  This is a lot to take in.

There are so many things swirling in my brain as I try to make sense and understand what is happening in my day to day life.  The news and social media are no help to any of us as the news they report or post is so slighted that it appears everyone is out for shock value or to get a rise in others.  Truth is not the purpose in these settings.

Things that seemed normal were no longer normal.  Things were moving at a beautiful pace for me and now day by day another thing impacted my life.  I don’t speak of my political opinions because those views can’t be seen in a fair light anymore.  I see others fiercely fight for what they think is right and I find it better to sit and listen.  I will say that I always lean on the side of what Jesus taught us about being kind, patient and understanding recognizing we are all children of God.  NO EXCEPTIONS!  No color, no ethnicity, no sex, no anything excludes us from being God’s child.

The first thing we must all realize is we are conditioned by our experiences.  What I mean is every single person walks a different walk.  Because of that walk, you have different opinions and views of what is right and wrong.  There are three sides to every event; what you see, what I see and what really happened.  My mind will jump to conclusions because of what I know from my walk.  I want to show you an example of the minds of two five year old white kids.

When I was five years old my family took a vacation to Charleston, South Carolina.  This was in the early ’70s when times were not very social friendly.  I walked down  the streets holding my mother’s hand as a older African American woman looked down on me and frowned with a very disturbing face.  It almost stopped me in my tracks as a mere child.  After the woman passed I said to my mom, “Why did that lady look at me like that?”  My mom’s only response was , “They don’t like us.”  What did that mean?  I carried this for about 50 years never forgetting that woman.

A few years back my husband and I were planning to take a vacation and I asked him if he would mind going to Charleston because there was so much history there.  My husband being the giving man and history buff  said he would like to go.  I never mentioned to him that I needed to go back to understand what happened on that day long, long ago.

We arrived in Charleston a few months later as planned.  We had a full itinerary of things to do and see.  As we walked one day in Charleston I was stopped dead in my tracks.  Something came over me that made me stop and take a deep breath.  I had a flash back to the day in the ’70s.  I turned around and my husband and I were standing in front of the Old Slave Mart Museum.  This was no coincidence.  This was God helping me understand.

http://www.oldslavemartmuseum.com/

Please take a moment to look at this website.

God stopped me there to go into that particular museum. My husband and I walked through the museum, looked at every picture and artifact.  We read each placard telling the history of the slave markets and the selling of humans. Recounting how families were broken up and sold by worth.  It told when a slave ran from the plantation owner (master), that the slave would be hunted down and beaten for trying to have a better existence. I cried when I more understood that this group human beings were not treated as humans but as objects because of the color of their skin.  It still sickens me as I write this blog.  I will never fully understand the pain and injustice they felt.

Later that evening I told my husband why I wanted to come to Charleston and my almost 50 year old memory.  I explained to him how I wanted to be better by attempting to understand that woman’s hatred towards me.  I felt that if I returned to Charleston there may be something there that would piece things together for me.  I knew about segregation but there was something deeper eating at me about this experience.  He then told me a story.

My husband was raised in Nashville in an affluent family.  He was the last child and much younger than his brother and sisters so he was home while his siblings attended school.  He told me that when he was five years old as a white child his family had an African American maid named Hattie. This would have been in the late ’60s. He told me that he didn’t remember much about her but what he did remember was that she was kind to him and smiled a lot.  She was a part of their family to him.  He hadn’t experienced the same experience I had a five on that hot summer day in Charleston. He has a sweet childhood memory.  Two separate stories from two separate five year olds.  They are night and day opposite from each other.  I felt God so strongly as my husband spoke and told his story.  God was showing me to never judge by my experience but to be open to hear what others have experienced.

There are so many hot topics today that inflame and ignite people.  I would ask you to please know that your experiences are only one view of the world and the people in it.  Jesus taught us to listen and to heal others.  He never taught us to force our ideas onto others but to be gentle.

1 Corinthians 1:10,

 “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.”

My love and God’s blessings for each of you. LoLo