The Playbook of Life

Many people have asked me to blog my experiences from China so over the next few weeks I will be doing just that! Dale Kinley Kay has been in our family now for one year. What an adventure. I have spent many hours in the last few months reflecting on all God has taught me. Wouldn't our lives be simpler with a playbook?

If only I knew all God would have in store for me throughout this year.  If only I could see myself through his eyes. Since we can't live our lives in the "If Only" field of dreams, the thing we need to really wrap our hearts around and embrace is this simple fact:  We really can count on the Lord. We cannot count on our circumstances, we cannot count on perfect lives, we cannot count on our health, we cannot count on having a clean house (glory - thank you Lord), we cannot count on our friends to always realize what we need, we cannot count on anyone or anything...except HIM. I'm grateful that HE taught me this lesson about 15 years ago.

However, how quickly I move into the game of life wanting to know HIS next move. Lord...where is my playbook? Of course, HE has given us HIS book and that is our playbook on our lives. This is what I am reflecting on today as I grieve for my friend who lost her husband to a sudden fall, my sisters in Christ who are losing their jobs, their husbands, their health, and sometimes, their joy. Let's embrace His playbook - get into who HE is and WHO he really wants us to be.

Big Day Tomorrow

I'M GOIN TO CHINA!!! I keep calling people and screeching that into their voicemail. Why you ask? Well, I finally feel some relief - I'm almost done packing. I guess it is just like that in life - we can always find "one more thing" to get done can't we?
I think I'll just go pack one more time.
Thank you Lord for the blessing of having an army of great friends and family who lift me up in prayer and support us. I am blessed as a mom, a friend, and wife.
That is all I have time for tonight. Very excited - but have a few more final touches to put on the trip. Gotta pack those creamers yet!

If only the butterflies...

I'm up at 4:30 again - completely freaking out. What is this Lord? You want me to open the bible right now and find scriptures? OK...off I go to make some coffee. I can't seem to catch a break on my sleep pattern and I've decided it is the Lord trying to prepare me for my new time zone perhaps...or just to sit quietly and really lean on Him. If only the butterflies in my tummy would stop flying around. If only....(my mind starts to wander). If only..hmmmm maybe I should add butterflies to her room. I bet she will love butterflies. If only I could know without a doubt that the moment I see her I'll know she is mine and that I'll love her eternally. If only I will know that even though my life will never be the same - it will be even more richly blessed. If only these butterflies would quit dancing in my stomach.

I suppose I'll get back to my task at hand to handwrite my scriptures to take on my journey.
Psalm 56:3
Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.

Heart Felt

My heart is poured out.

No Greater Strength

Have you ever considered what your greatest strength is or gifting?

Have you also considered that motherhood is actually a gift and a strength? This thought occurred to me this week as I read the Power of A Positive Mom by Karol Ladd.

Perhaps we shouldn't be focusing our energy on the strengths and/or weaknesses we believe we have (or don't have). I believe our lives would be much richer if we would just shift our focus towards Christ who IS our STRENGTH. In so doing, we would also realize that we have many strengths that are automatically "gifted" to us the moment that crying little heap of goo and love is laid in our arms.

As moms we all have the gift of encouragement, prayer, love and forgiveness.
What mom isn't quickly and easily ready to give their precious child a word of encouragement on a daily basis?
What about the gift of prayer? How many times have you said, "Lord, please give me PATIENCE!"? What about love and forgiveness? How many times have you looked your child right in the eyes and said, "Of course I forgive you" as tears ran down his face? You wrap your arms of love around him and forgive him 70 times 7. What a strength. What a gift!

My strength IS the precious gift of motherhood which comes straight from the Lord.
Thank you Lord for giving us the strengths that you bless us with as moms. Thank you for the gift of your children. Thank you for the blessing of being a mom.

Pass it along - Let's Love

I was listening to K-Love today and a man called in and told everyone that someone had bought his Starbucks coffee this morning. No more than 3 minutes later a female caller called in from CT and stated that she had bought coffee for someone and she wondered if it was the same person. She said, "Wouldn't it be neat if we were both listening to K-Love?".
I got all verklempt because I was reflecting on a time when I didn't even know where my next meal would come from. Many people bought me dinner during that time of my life simply...because. Why don't you look into the eyes of those around you this week. Really take a good, long, hard look and think to yourself, "What does the Lord have in store for this person?" If you see someone with sadness in their eyes, a child who is throwing a tantrum at their side, or a grumpy fellow; buy them lunch this week.
The Lord calls us to reach out to those who need HIS love. Let's Love

The Lord Knows the BIG Picture

The Lord has a plan for us and everyone around us. Don't miss it girls. He will use you, if you keep your eyes opened and your hearts turned torwards him.

He knows that when your dog poops in your neighbors yard; and that neighbor takes you to court; which sends you to the courthouse; only to get in an accident on the way; to then meet an officer who is simply amazed to see a Bible on your dashboard; who himself then goes home energized to see that there are still Christians in the word; and begins himself to read his Bible again; which results in a small neighborhood bible study; three people come to the Lord; which then turns into a church of 50; which leads 100's of people to the Lord……and HE is multiplied in the hearts of people.

Do you SEE that he can do this all because your dog pooped in the yard of your neighbor? Do you?

It is a good thing we do not have dogs like this one.