Perception means this; “The process of using the senses to acquire in formation about a surrounding environment of situations.
Do we really know because we perceive? I have found in my adult life, and I have lived a little while and I can tell you this that it is not actually what you observe it to be. Trial an err has taught me the fact.
It is not until we have walked in someone else’s shoes that we should ever judge the surroundings of someone else.
I have judged/perceived and I have been judged. In evaluation of others I have learned that NOTHING is what you might perceive it to be. Unless you live in the situation, you are not correct in what is really going on. A lesson I am learning every time I have either been judged or heard judgment of others or have judged others. Only God knows first hand the dynamics of people’s pain or life. Really, we are just suppose to love and if we think we should correct what we see, then I encourage you to hesitate before you do, as you just might find yourself facing the pain of someone’s perception on your own life and those repercussions hurt. I know.
If I have judged or perceived something about someone else, I am sorry. Since being crushed by perception, I relent in this action and only hope that I remember just how much it has hurt me.
Perception: an attitude or understanding based on what is observed or thought.
Think before you judge—it might just come back and judge you.
IT was Friday--January 6, 2012. Although I am retired from doing hair, I still keep my hands in 4 little ladies hair, every week, on Friday. (Wish sometimes that wasn’t so, but I am here to serve the widows.) The simple joy of doing these women is ONLY that they keep me entertained at their idiosyncrasies. They are all in their late 70’s and one of them is 81 and I have done her hair for 20 years. I got to admit, I don’t love the fact that they dominate every single Friday that I am in town, but that is my fault. When I spoil, I do it well. And they are also good to me.
Yesterday was a Friday, and I sit writing this on Saturday morning after looking down at my calendar of events since the week is over. Not sure why I am writing about these women, but it’s on my mind so I thought it was the perfect scenario seeing that I am all alone in my office and it’s too cold to walk my dog, I am reminded for whatever reason, that I had a full week with “people”. My joy, my ministry, my love and my life…..people.
A funeral was brought up in our conversation with two of the ladies who were in my “Steal Magnolia fashioned” Salon, located in my basement. One of the ladies had just been to the funeral the day prior. The other lady, who also knew the deceased, expressed her intolerance for funerals and opted to go to the viewing instead.
This is where the conversation got cleverly awkward and tricky.
“Well, I just can’t do funerals.” One said. She continues; “I cannot even stand the thought of people starring at me, and what about all that horrible makeup “they” put on her, it was AWEFUL!”
“I didn’t think she looked that bad;” the one in my styling chair said while rolling her eyes at me in the mirror.
“She looked dark and dreary; she didn’t even look like herself, it was so bad.” the other said.
“She looked like Sherri to me.” The one in my chair said.
“Well, all I know is this; I do not want people looking at me when I die, I mean it.” she said
I thought to myself; you aren’t going to have a choice when you are dead. I almost voiced it, but kept it to myself and let them have this conversation.
They continued talking about FUNERALS. The one sitting behind me says; “Holly, all I could think about while I was viewing Sherri, was how good you made Jo look. Remember when I went with you to do her hair and makeup for her funeral?” She asked. I nodded. “She looked so pretty.” She adds. “But I still don’t want people looking at me!” the opinionated goes on to say.
The other one says; “It’s closure for most people.”
“Well, I don’t care, I am going to tell my daughter she better not allow people to look at me, and I mean it! She better just leave the casket closed and then just bury me!” She profoundly expressed.
I finally said; “And why are we having this conversation about death?”
This went on for a few more minutes, the one sitting behind me wouldn’t stop, while I was styling the other, she just kept expressing negative and contrary comments and I cannot even form the verbiage to explain those dynamics. But I felt it was now my turn to pipe in.
I said; “Can I tell you a story about my sister Mary Ellen, when my daddy died?” They both got quiet and the one that was in my styling chair said; “sure, go ahead.”
I looked at the one behind me, through the mirror to make sure she was done speaking. She was not sure she was done with her words, but she saw my sincerity and became still long enough to hear what I had to say. I began to talk.
I pulled away from the styling chair for a few seconds and I began to tell them that when my daddy was very sick and dying, things began to get chaotic and hectic during the end of his sickness and ultimate death. The abolishing feeling after his death was so horrific that there was little peace for my sisters and for me, although I handle death and sicknesses very differently than they do. I became strong during this time, very resilient.
I stepped back toward the chair to continue styling and said; "It was my mom and I along side daddy in his final hours. Mary Ellen could barely visit ICU. Though very reluctant she did. I felt the last of his dying pulse and I was also there at the morgue to make sure he looked good and most of all, looked like himself, for the viewing."
Devastated at the loss of Mary Ellen’s sole employer and best friend for more than 26 years, she silently could not pull it together during this horrific time. Rhonda was a complete wreck too, and Dawne, the oldest, recluses from it all until she knew to come out. People just handle things differently. I am the youngest of us four girls and I'm different and particularly during daddy's death.
So, I was at the church for the wake/viewing, waiting for my sisters and my mom to get there. I had just walked away from the casket for the countless number of times. I just adjusted daddy's jacket and took notice of every detail while he lay there. I even re-combed his hair, one more time. I stared at our empty vessel that we all loved and adored.
There was Mary Ellen standing reluctant, at the doorway of the entrance to the church's auditorium. This venue was the place where she had spent countless hours with our preacher daddy, and she just stood there, waiting. Though I knew she would appear to be the strongest outwardly, she was completely torn up on the inside. (She is a year older than me, but I was always her confidant, as if our ages were reversed.)
I met her at the threshold. She expressed to me with fearless anxiety and with her hand up by her mouth she whispers; “I have been such a wreck and then I looked down there and saw daddy and I thought; oh, good, daddy’s here.”
Those are words I will never forget as long as I live.
The very presence of daddy's physical form was waiting to say good bye to his little girls, and waiting for us to say good-bye to him.
Funerals are not for the dead, they are for the living. "Though our pagan ways are not always acceptable to everyone, it is profoundly a way to let go, once and for all"-- as I spoke with passion to my two ladies, who were now staring at me.
I went on to say my daddy always said; “Put me in a box and put me in the ground, because he didn’t care about all the hoopla. But the hoopla is not for the dead, but for us."
I wouldn’t ever have wanted my sister Mary Ellen to miss the opportunity to feel the peace she felt when the entire world around her as she knew it was completely catastrophic, and yet, there his peaceful body lay. It eased her."
“We’ve got to allow people to say good-bye. It might actually be the only way for others to let go.” I said.
The one in my styling chair said;"I agree"..... with subtle tears in her eyes.”
I found a prophecy written (and typed) dated October 21, 1996 by my daddy. The very first line of the verbiage says this: “For surely I am raising up a people who will stand in this generation.”
Monday night, January 2, I hosted yet another “Tribal Bible Study” in my home. The words which I kept using during my time with these 13 women was this; “Bridge the Gap between the past and the present.” What does that mean, you might ask? Well, all I can tell you is that during my preparation and time of study, I know I heard deep in my Spirit this voice which kept telling me; ENTER IN. Enter into what I thought? Enter in and bridge the gap.
There are symbolic numbers in the Bible which are defined various ways, like the number for God is 1 and the number for man is 6 and the number for Entering in is 12. I believe this ‘voice’ I heard, was not simply for me, but for you the reader. ENTER into that place that you have always talked about going, but never did and Enter into that step of faith that keeps calling you and stop listening to the doubt that has so dominated your life for so long.
Where are you supposed to go? What are you suppose to do? Only you can and will know the answer to that question. My question to you is this; “Will you fall back on that desire or challenge, or will you press forward and accomplish the very thing that has haunted you for too long?” This is 2012, a time to Enter In.
When I found the piece of paper from my daddy, written 10 years and 6 months and 15 days prior to his death (I’m not that great at math, so I could be off a little—he died May 9th 2006) I noticed the same nudge I am challenging you with, was also challenging me. The very next line of his written prophecy was this; “A people who will be called by my name, who will stand in marriage, in the home and church, through the good times and the bad.” I thought, well that doesn’t apply to Entering In, that applies to personal ministry and personal behavior. Well then I must tell you what the very next line says; “And I am calling for a people that will be a bold witness and will tell the World that Jesus Christ is Lord in every situation!”
It applies. It applies to all who desire to be used mightily in their lives, this year.
Entering In for 2012 truly means to Enter In to the place that will bring glory and honor to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. “For I say, that a covenant must be kept,” was another line of his written words. I began to feel a little more certain now, about this being applicable to my life, today. In fact, prophecy is always applicable or the Word of God is void. Isaiah the prophet is still a guide. I love to read and acknowledge his words and they are thousands and thousands of years old. This prophetic Word from my anointed preacher daddy is as vital to my life as Isaiah saying I am a sharp sword ready to be taken from Gods quiver. (Emphasis mine Isaiah 49:2) I never doubted those words almost 4 years ago when I began teaching in my home. Why would I think that the ‘nudge’ in my Spirit is any different today than the nudge I felt when I read Isaiah’s words to begin to teach and become a sharp arrow which will pierce into the hearts of many who will be brought into my home? I won’t. I will not doubt what I know the voice of my prophetic daddy will say to me, though the words are dated now sixteen years later. I won’t. “And those who refuse to be covenant keepers will not embrace the move of My Spirit.” Wow, now those words pierced me. I want more than anything to be covenant keeper to God, as He is a greater covenant keeper to me. Eight years ago, I found myself standing in a NEW ENTRANCE. I had just walked away from a life of surviving solely on what my natural ability was able to produce through being a hairdresser and I was three months newly married. Many of my former 23 years I wanted to change the course of my life, but knew I could not do so because the bills still had to be paid. The last 10 of those years I was single after my marriage of 9 years ended. So, here I stood at a bridge, now gapped. All during my ‘single life’ I kept asking God to please allow me to enter into another marriage. He ultimately answered my plea, possibly when HE knew I would keep the covenant I promised. I know this to be true for me personally; I cannot speak for others who have been divorced. I know that He asked me to truly consider HIS covenant with me and this time to make it more about HIM. I have kept that promise now for eight years. (moving into 9) He is keeping his covenant with me—He always does, even when in my past I did not. “Bridge the Gap.” At the ENTRANCE of that eight years ago threshold, I determined to live this life of marriage and ministry and covenant differently than I ever challenged myself before. I could share my accolades of various things which I have accomplished, but that would only give glory to me, not God, and bore you. But I will say this, I wrote and published two books and only God could know that was a life long desire. Two more lines of daddy’s words said this; “For they will find that there is no one to be married to in the earth. And there is no one to be yoked with in the earth. And my example was sent from heaven unto the earth, I made a covenant with PEOPLE.” I thought to myself; you sure did, God. And then I kept reading; “I did not discriminate, I chose to take all.” And now, I am very certain He is not only talking to me, but to YOU. What is He asking you to do? Deeper—further lines in the prophecy, still; “And you have heard it said and it is truth, it is not the words that you say, it’s the life that you live that is lasting example.” Oh, God, you really are talking to us!
What is God asking you to do this year? Fourteen lines from the bottom of the prophecy of my daddy’s say this; “And I say to you, determine that you are going to keep a covenant. For a covenant is Holy in the house of God. And if you do not keep covenant in the house of God, how can you expect to receive the benefits of the covenant that the Lord your God has given unto you when you refuse the example of covenant that has been given?” I told my husband, 8 years ago that I was supposed to do ministry for the Lord and for the sake of the call which is to declare that Jesus Christ did in fact die for me and for you. You might ask; what is the ministry or the call? It is the very thing that NUDGES you every single day that you have yet to yield to. I know you hear it. I know I heard it daily while living single and on my own. For me, marriage was the first ministry God entrusted me with and second was the church. I am faithful to both. Thirdly and definitely not last and not least, he is calling me to “be a bold witness that will tell the world that Jesus Christ is Lord in every situation.” I wonder daily what that might be comprised of, but I cannot question the details, only ENTER IN to the doors that are before me. The last line of this prophecy is this; “and they shall walk with boldness through the earth, and they will do signs and wonders and miracles and nothing good will be withheld from them! For, they shall say that my God is Jesus and He is my Lord. Hallelujah!” Joshua 1:6 says; Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." I’m going, will you?
The Lord spoke to me very simple and yet complex today. I was digging through my desk and searching through books and found an old add for Cashmere cologne, which was stuck in the back of the book. Then I began to think of the word which defines Cashmere.
Cashmere is very expensive wool which is found in sweaters and also pants and jackets. I looked up the word Cashmere and what caught my attention was the fact that it is wool from a Himalayan goat. This began to penetrate into my thoughts. Himalayan goats; I thought, “what Lord?”
This is where the Holy Spirit began to speak to me and this is what I would like to share with you:
Every month I support a Nepali pastor and I have for a very long time; possibly 7 years. My sister Rhonda and brother in law David are missionaries to the 'armpit' of Nepal, which is Nepalgung, Nepal. I know that through the stories of my sister Rhonda and especially the story of her making history, by stepping foot on uncharted territory back several years ago, while in particular tribe in Nepal, my sister saw and experienced the value a goat. (A cashmere hind footed treasure--is the way I see them.)
After visiting this village and then returning a year later, Rhonda saw a little girl with mud all over her face and body and she was walking toward my sister. Because of the language barrier the little girl and her ‘cute’ little goat led my sister back around this small child's shack house. In a cage, she points to show my sister. In the cage were many more baby goats. (In Nepal this is very rare and quite a gift)
The little girl was talking to her, but only because of the interpreter she heard these words. “Every since you came for the first time and walked into our village, our goats have been giving birth to triplets!” I thought, now that is CASHMERE! (My sister along with many supporters have purchased many goats for the people of Nepalgung and various poverty stricken places in Nepal.)
We might need cologne and or want it, but the voice of the Lord will be heard many ways and I know that this morning he told me that "somebody on the other side of the World needs resources and provision, from you Holly."
With that story in my mind, I saw two things through the voice of the Lord. First of all I am not going to question God about the complexity of finding the old Cashmere cologne advertisement (which I have never bought) and simply see it as a ‘hint’ from the Lord as to what I am going to purchase for Christmas. No, I am not going to buy Cashmere Cologne which is possibly $85.00 for a 3.4 oz spray; I am going to buy a Cashmere goat.
There are many needs and desires and ideas for so many things this Christmas and I believe with my whole heart that the Lord is nudging me to keep in mind what HE sees as important. It’s the need which is important, whatever the need may be. Much like the words of my daddy; “See the need do the deed”—I hear the same voice, only this time it came through a Cashmere advertisement. I hear.
A goat is $150.00 and much like the CASHMERE wool, that is a high price, but I figured the Lord wants me to see this cashmere gift as one that will provide a family with milk and or meat for food on their table and if they are fortunate a female that can provide babies to sell which will aid in other families provision as well as just one. I am not plugging GOATS FOR NEPAL, though I am sure they would not be turned down, I am only stating the fact that if you have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying, you will hear what He is saying!
Jesus said; “Those who have ears to hear let him hear.” Mark 4:9
Keep your ears open this season and remember that though it seems “high priced” what does it actually cost you.
How much is a STARBUCKS coffee? Just give up a few coffees and see what it could buy someone else who needs possibly………a goat or even a coat…and it doesn’t have to be cashmere!
Just food for thought as we go into Christmas! Christ is the reason for the season! You could actually make this a Cashmere Christmas--for someone else!
I look forward to sharing this Holiday season with all of you as we face many events—parties—challenges—studies—gift ideas and so much more. But, whatever is on your calendar as we finish out this year, remember you could be the deed for a very important need. Be blessed—bless others and remember you are A GIFT!
This is what happened last night at my personal home Bible study prayer group.
I just thought I would give you an ‘after’ the prayer-- report. Sort of like how after the “rain”—it can make everything feel fresh and rejuvenated? A time with 5 sweet gals and a candle lit room with no one but the presence of the Holy Spirit and Us. It was what I call a “SPA” experience. (I will explain in more detail at our TBS Bible study November 7)
Prayer, as awkward as it can be, is actually a rejuvenating and refreshing experience. All you have to do is enter in to His Rest.
Well, tonight was different in the fact that everybody held a prayer for each one in attendance. Let me explain.
On a piece of paper I requested that we each write down ONE prayer request, and place it in the bowl. We did that.
Later in the session after we prayed for missionaries—Whales and the Philippines, were the choice missionaries to pray for this week, we then dipped into the bowl for the prayer request written by each girl at the opening of the evening.
There was silence, and then I first began to pray over my piece of paper. Taking the focus off our own request, we each prayed over the request we held in our hands, out loud, one at a time. It was like someone was discerning your need and it was being spoken before a private group who determined to see this need met.
I have found that when you pray out loud for someone else it strengthens your prayer life into a whole other way of praying-thinking-speaking, especially when you are praying for someone else. Solely concentrating on someone else’s need in a moment is in fact, refreshing and rewarding.
Everybody’s prayer request has been prayed over—specifically and profoundly.
There was no extravagance in the prayers, they were simply sweet words of agreement to the Father about the request we each held in our hands.
It was powerful in the moment and much like a SPA experience, we all left the circle rejuvenated. You can never explain the presence of the Holy Spirit; you just have to enter into a place with Him. Have you?
Oh, and those ‘request’ now belong to the prayer giver to take home and keep praying over through out the rest of the Weeks ahead. (Along with the many request I have taken from individuals throughout the weeks prior) Only God knows what He will do with that prayer seed we planted last night. But I am certain He heard us and we will see the manifestations of those needs.
See, PRAYER is special and prayer is only for the ones who choose to enter into a New Experience with the Holy Spirit.
It is much like a SPA. Have you ever been to one, or had a massage? It’s the unknown and its uncertainty is exciting and though it can seem even a little creepy to think that someone is “getting into your space” in order to make you feel better, well, it’s worth the ache. So, I ask you personally, have you entered into prayer for an hour? Then I invite you and encourage you to come when you receive the invitation to do so. Not for me or anyone else but for you.
I love the SPA treatment. I look forward to the refreshing.
I will explain more about the word SPA, at our next T. B. S.
I PRAY you have a WONDERFULLY BLESSED AND PROSPEROUS DAY!
I pray you find a place of rest!
May I, if you would for a moment allow me to teach: Open your heart?
The Holy Spirit is a full fledge experience of entering into REST. Not the rest that many think about, like slumber, or laziness or sleep but rather it is an actual rest as in Isaiah 28:12 “To whom He said, “This is the rest with which you may cause the weary to rest, and this is the refreshing, yet they would not hear.”
The scripture above that one, in verse 11 it says; “With stammering lips and other tongues, He will speak to his people.”
Isaiah was prophesying that the REST was actually the tongues and stammering lips, which is “the SPEAKING.”
Don’t miss being filled greater with the Holy Spirit, written in the book of Hebrews --Hebrews 4:1. The REST which Paul is speaking about is the same Rest that ISAIAH prophesied about in the verse above. Only Paul says; “since a promise remains of entering into HIS REST, let us FEAR, lest any of you seem to have come short of it.” (This is the written Word, not mine.)
I do not want you to miss any of this WORD, and be absent of HIS presence toward our life. Like a luxurious SPA, the Holy Spirit is asking you to come in and take a place with Him.
Enter into HIS REST! Pray—Pray fervently---Pray in the understanding and Pray in the Spirit. Pray in the REST! Enter into HIS REST! Pray—Pray fervently---Pray in the understanding and Pray in the Spirit. Pray in the REST! Like my daddy used to always say; "SHAUNDI!!" A stammered word from the LIP of His people. When you pray, you just don't know what may come out of your mouth. I prompt and encourage you to take time to communicate with HIM!
All I want for your life is to be encouraged in your WALK.
It’s Monday. I have already written a lengthy email to my Tribal Bible study group and I even included some other friends in the email, pertaining to my first ever Mission Trip to Tegucigalpa, Honduras. However, not thinking at this point I will ‘revisit’ those thoughts I simply want to just say; “I am here to blog about this present moment.”
The sound of September is incredible today. I have so much on my mind and very little time to capture all that is transpiring into my heart as I have thought about the absolute beauty this day has brought to me.
An occasional pounding of some tool, of my neighbor working in the distance is a reminder of how quiet and spectacular this 85 degree weather is outside. All my windows are open and I cherish this moment in time. The hush of the slightest breeze is amazing. If this was Spring I wouldn’t be sitting in this chair relishing in my thoughts I would be pulling the stale remembrance of winter off my sprouting buds, because they would be trying desperately to reach the surface of the earth, to the light of this beautiful temperature. But no, I am inside contemplating all that is coming my way in the months ahead and enjoying every moment of this solace, here in my office.
A small airplane just flew over my house. I can only imagine the view from up there. The parallel comparison of my husband sitting downstairs in his recliner is just simply beyond my comprehension when we have two recliners on the back porch of our home. He’s retired, why isn’t he out in the beauty of his retirement? Who knows? The view is my remembrance of California and the rush of feelings I got every time I was favored to visit that part of the country. Out in the back yard today as the golfers approach the green after the fairway on number 7, I smiled at the scenery. I love my house, I am blessed beyond measure, and we live very moderately. I can’t even imagine more. It was surreal imagining home, while I was visiting the country of Honduras.
Beauty—wonder—fulfillment—desire and sheer strength of blessing is all around me at this very moment. Now, I can take a minute and compare where I was just seven days ago. Dirty dusty roads, dogs and goats and even horses walking along side of the road where there is no sidewalks. I saw a horse dead on the side of the road. He was hit by a car, a car that has not limits in speed or vehicular offense. The noise of the horns and the anxious drivers changing lanes without a moments notice was so completely appalling. If you decide to drive a vehicle in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, you enter at your own risk. Roads with no boundaries of the officials. If your car is tagged, then you can drive and you can drive however you wish. I love America. I can actually say, “I love law” it helps to keep others safe, assumingly so.
But allow me to take you to my inmost secret and sacred thoughts of my first ever missions trip. The invitation alone was quite memorable. First, the flash back was the month of April and Bro. Roberto Ventura along with his sweet daughter Emma Rachel heard words come from my mouth as I spoke passionately about the written Word of God which I love so much, while at the Harvesters Convention in Grove, Okla. They heard a combination of two people, they told me. They heard my mother and my daddy, in my voice. With that combination and the oracle that God has created me to be, this ignited a flame that became a burning fire which landed me in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. I did not see it coming.
I was content to keep landing in my spot every Monday night to teach the written Word of God to my Tribal Bible sisters. And like the very first teaching I ever did in my home on September 15, 2008 I had officially became “The face of an arrow” and I was sent out to the country my daddy and mother had been accustomed to for 32 years. (I never considered going—not until I was ready to go)I stood where my daddy once stood. I was standing with a different passion than He did I am certain, but I had also never anticipated loving the people like I know my daddy once did. I began to understand his missionary heart. I’m 49 years old and since I can remember my parents have supported, traveled and endlessly devoted their lives to missions. Daddy always said; “A church who does not support missions is not a church.”
However as I looked up and saw the roof over my head and realizing it was not the TENT which my daddy personally carried over to the people many years ago, I could actually feel the love of my father, both eternal and natural.
Daddy planted a seed and I was standing in the midst of His deed accomplished. My mother who was there with me and she watched as I declared the message of the Lord to these precious people and I watched her cry. I too shed many tears as the Joy of knowing I was doing a simple act of TESTIFYING about my Savior, and this was clearly coming from my lips. Daddy would have been proud.
I spoke and knew that what I was speaking was only the GRACE of God.
Though Tegucigalpa is only a five hour travel day, we are worlds apart as far as the characteristics of simple and fascinating living that we are offered here in America. Tegucigalpa is the capital of Honduras and as far as a Capital city; it looks very much like a typical poor uncultured place with a whole 8 million population waiting for what? Raid, violence and poverty are everywhere. Walls upon walls upon walls divide the housing only hoping that they will not be tampered. They are trapped between Guatemala and El Salvador and Nicaragua. Only the waters of the De La Bahia would give them any sign of escape, but then they face illegal entrance to a whole other world. Only the few rich and the Ambassador of the US and the President of Honduras grace such luxury that only few will ever possess. I looked around. I never stopped looking around. They are at least 40 years behind the US and most likely they will never see the destiny I have been able to enjoy in my short span of life. No wonder daddy saw the need and determined to do the deed. But this is what I do know. Daddy saw a deeper need which was to give the people hope. The hope that is found in Jesus Christ is the greatest riches they could ever possess.
In the children’s faces, they know no different. Except that Americans are rich and blessed and we resemble Hollywood in the fashion sense of the Word! When I got out of the car to transfer to the bus where the kids were going, because it was “The day of the Children,”(celebration of the children) two little girls standing side by side, tugged on the sleeve of the other and said; “Look” or Ver in Spanish. I was the blonde American about ready to invade their space. Though they were uncertain of my arrival or what I was about to do and say, they eventually warmed up to me and I got smiles later and even was offered pieces of really bad tasting candy. But I kept it in my mouth until she couldn’t see me and I spit it in my Kleenex.
As I said, my parents have been coming to Honduras for years. My mom was sheer delight to watch in the country she calls home. She also says that Honduras is a place of restoration for her and a place of restitution. When we were to visit the Valley of The Angels (which is a simple yet quaint tourist spot) her face lit up. It was in the Valley that God restored her soul, she said. She tells this story to all who will listen, and many listened as we did much ministry while we were there. After my dad died in 2006 my mothers’ life changed as she knew it for more than 50 years. But it was in the Valley 3 years after his death that God met my mother in the Valley of the Angels and God in fact restored her soul. My mother impressed me with her ability to communicate to the Spanish speaking people though she knows no Spanish. My mother has a language which speaks of its own brogue; it’s one of laughter and the sound of enthusiasm. Who wouldn’t understand that? It’s boundless, it’s much like love.
Though I slept like a baby and arose like a trained farmer, it was in the church of Gerizim (pronounced Hair-o-seam) that I found my solace. Every morning before the sun came out to shine over the mountain and into the church’s east side window, I was there, walking, praying, and contemplating. The concrete floors surface was perfect for my morning exercise, but the heavenly language that waited for me every day refreshed me and awakened me to a new idea of living out the rest of my life. Let me explain.
It was 5:05 am on the Sunday morning of September 11, 2011 that I laid in bed asking God to tell me what He wanted me to say to his people of Gerizim church. The moment I asked, He answered in a vision. I heard thunder and I saw horses. The horses were wild and they were coming out of the mountain with furry. Suddenly I was in the church in this vision and I was standing in the church and I could see them coming from the mountains of the eastern sky. (If you look up from the windows of the back side of the church of Gerizim you can see the tips of mountains and if you are there early enough, which I was, you will see the sun bust through and the rays of its splendor touches the first window of the east side of the church.) So, in this vision I saw them coming fast and furious! I saw the first horse, white with fire in his eyes and the dust was billowing along side the hoofs of these incredible beasts. They came rushing inside the church without a thought and without a missing step and as they exited the ‘entrance’ of the church they scattered within the compound of the property. (These horses were much like the horses in Rev. 6, they were not righteous horses until they were trained by God!) But as they scattered they began to graze and they became at peace and when I asked the Lord what happened to their furry, He said to me this; “They will come from the mountains wild and full of furry but it is here that they will be taught and they will be trained and they will be loved.” I began to see the purpose of the church.
When I asked Brother Roberto if he positioned the church’s windows to face the east, and if that was a plan? He answered no. But I said, “I believe it was Gods plan.” He agreed after I shared with him my yearning to go to the church everyday I was there. It called me so to speak.
This vision was not taken lightly when I shared it with the 3 services I spoke in that day on September 11, and I will always cherish the instant vision I got from the Lord at that very moment when I asked. It was 5:15 when I arose to enter into the backside of the church building where I would only wish to revisit this vision. I saw the confirmation in the multitude of faces that day and then I remembered the horses became tame, and that brought me a peace I can only give praise to God for. It was amazing to stand where the heart of my father once stood. Maybe, just maybe I was a horse, trained.
In my home now, I am looking out my office window which faces the North and I have a 5 ft. butterfly bush that’s planted just outside of my window and all around this purple flowering bush are monarchs tasking the purple pollen. Gracefully they enjoy and graciously I enjoy them. One, two, three and four they land lightly on the flowers and soon, very soon this will pass, but certain it will be a part of my complete solitude and gratitude once more. I am completely undone by the wonders and actions of my God.
Why wouldn’t I leave my comforts to see the strength of Who God really is in another place? I will. Though peace may not be apparent in places with less comfort, there is one thing for certain. He is my peace and He goes with me every where He sends me.
My Doctor walks into the waiting area, where an assembly line of women gathers to change their top and wipe off their deodorant and sit nervously, till their name is called.
I get my usual yearly mammograms for the past 10 years. But never has a Doctor came in to speak my name, in the dressing room, only the Tech’s. I waited intently, and then I heard her speak my name.
This was my first call back to ‘re-take’ and examine my left breast. I was sickened with fear when I got the call, the day prior, but I persevered my fear by the faith which I was trained to have, yet, this ‘call back’ caused me to almost doubt my positive nature of faith. WE are still a mortal body even though we live by faith—“news” of any sort from a Doctor is always hesitancy in your soul. But we must live by faith. Believe for the best.
I noticed two things about my Doctor, immediately. She had on RED and she was wearing two “Lady Bug” Pins on her fine linen jacket.
I recall a lady bug represented “Good luck” and for me at that very moment she in fact brought to me, good words. Was it luck? I think it was an answer to prayer!
Though my sweet little 5 ft. something, 69 year old Doctor, came with good news, I however fell on her with a hug as I shed many tears of joy when I heard her good report!
She encouraged me with the wisdom about ‘boobs’—She told me about the density of some boobs, even if they are small or large, she described them as the ‘busy’ ones and the not so dense, were considered not so busy ones. Strange I know, but this was her sentiments, not mine.
She put mine in the ‘busy’ boobs category, which was why I was there for the return photo shots! They didn’t get a clear picture. (It’s not a good sign when they see too much density in the photo, they want to see LIGHT.) I thought that was pretty powerful…once again, Light is a good thing! Light is good!
I was secretly laughing as she told me she was young with boobs that were ‘busy’. She said that her breast being dense as they were, she could have had horses running through them and she would have never known it. Again, strange words, but my eyes kept falling to her “Lady Bugs” and I was tickled and content, so I didn’t care if she told me Elephants were running through her boobs! I only wanted good news!
After consoling my weary soul and taking the time to talk to me right in the dressing room where she pulled the curtain, I was relieved with her words of humanitarian compassion. I am sure other women sitting in the unusual setting for consolation were getting the education because of my fatigued mind. They too found her words, like I did, soothing!
I believe God sent the Two Lady bugs to remind me of how precious and yet how comical life can be in such a serious situation. GOD HAS EVERYTHING IN HIS CONTROL, yet we panic in the time of crisis and suddenly He brings two lady bugs!
Was it good luck…..I don’t really think so, but God knows exactly what will encourage your faith when you feel fear? Trust that He will always bring you the smile that you need, right when you need it.
I am cancer free.
I get my regular breast Exams!
I encourage you to do the same.
“Good luck!”
Baseline exam is 35 years old.
After 40 every year!
Here’s to your health Women---“Good luck” ……….nah, GOD LOVES. Trust Him.
