God knows what he is doing!

Why is it that I always think my way about situations instead of God’s way. I guess that is what makes him God.  Let me explain: Today I had an opportunity to do Chapel at a Family and Women’s Ministry Facility.  I have done this for about 9 months and usually have at least 7 to 10 women in the service.  Well my pride comes in at times and today was one of those days.  Only 2 ladies showed up and so I prayed and also texted a friend to pray for me as well.  Now I know that God has a plan, but for some reason I was about to make this about me and Jesus stopped that thought in its tracks and here is how.  I began with a prayer and started going into my sermon that was already changed by God during the previous weeks events.  Well as I start into my deal and talking about cherished moments, I started to discuss the loss of a beautiful young girl named Kaely Camacho.  Whose life was taken by a drunk driver.  I shared with the 2 ladies how I saw how Kaely was a Moment Maker, she didn’t wait for cherished moments to happen, rather she made every moment with her an opportunity to be cherished.  I then begin to share the scripture from John 10:10 and one of the ladies stops me and is crying.  She is at the facility because of drinking and she mentioned how many times she has been behind the wheel like that.  It was at that moment that I realized God set this appointment for this Sunday.  We stayed in the scripture and the truth of God and the more I spoke the more I realized the Holy Spirit was there for this woman today.  The even more amazing thing was the last scripture I had chosen to speak about, didn’t have much to do with Cherished Moments, but when I was studying something told me to add it. It was Philippians 4:6 – 7  which says “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Here is how awesome God is, the lady that was there, this was her last week, she was going back into the real world after 3 months of help.  She was so worried about what that meant for her and here was God the night before giving me this scripture to share and he already knew why!  I went on to share a poem with the 2 ladies and lifted my head after the prayer to see her crying, because she experienced what it means to be God’s Beloved.  He designed this weekend 4/22 for her.  The reason I was there was to relay this message of the Gospel to her, but also so the Holy Spirit could show her he is there for her.  Talk about a miracle, God used me today to be apart of one.  As we walked out, the same 2 ladies were headed to the Spanish service.  We had a chance to talk about that and it turns out the lady who does the Spanish service is someone who has been lifted by Christ out of abuse, prostitution, drinking and drugs and now shares the light of Christ with others.  God not only knows what he is doing but he Provides for us exactly what we NEED!!  I LOVE YOU, JESUS!!

Laughter Makes The Soul Smile

I have come to realize that as we grieve and remember the ones we have lost, it is always the happy memories that bring a smile to our face or a laugh to our cheeks.  I have also realized that when we are in our darkest places of our life, it is laughter that allows us to feel, even for a moment, that we are OK.  This is a picture of my mom, exactly how she was.

When I see it I feel exactly what the title of this devotional says.  My sisters mother-in-law was another woman that was amazing and when I think of her strength and her smile, especially her laugh, again I feel exactly what the title says.  These 2 women were incredible on Earth and must be without a doubt Ridiculously AWESOME in Heaven.  They have been joined by a young girl, in our eyes, way before her time.  I did not know her, but just from the words that family and friends said of her, when I saw her smiling picture, again I felt exactly as the title of this devotional says.  To see these ladies and to know how they LIVED life brings power to my choice in life, which is to live life to the full and Remember My Friends, Laughter Makes The Soul Smile!

In Heaven Now

Whether it has been five days for someone or almost four years like my mom, I am thinking of the song, I can only imagine.  I wonder how many hugs, laughs, kisses, jokes, songs and games those we know have passed have done with Jesus.  From the first embrace when we open our eyes there and see him, to the joy of spending every moment with him and those we love all around us.  I think of the book Heaven is for real and how that little boy described Heaven and it makes me long for it.  Today, I saw the family of beautiful Kaely release doves into the air as a symbol of her soul ascending to Heaven and OH!! How much Glorious it must have been to be escorted by Christ into Heaven.  The days that I think about my Mom the most are the ones that Jesus lets me know what she is able to do now and again I can only imagine what an Awesome pain in the butt she is being with him, and he must be like Yeah I created her!  I listened well to those who were closest to Kaely and as they spoke I realized she is giving Jesus the same poses, dances and funny faces she gave here on Earth.  What is amazing to me is the fact that one day we will be able to do as Kaely, my Mom and your loved ones passed have been doing in our futures.  Think of all your loved ones you have lost and know your grief is necessary, but then think how many Hugs, kisses, laughs, jokes, songs and games they have had a chance to experience with Jesus.  I know a pastor who always says at the end of his sermons Laugh, Play, Dance and Sing and that is exactly what Kaely, My Mom and all of your Loved Ones in Heaven are doing right Now!!

NOTE: This song was given to me when my Mom passed away!  Please take a moment to listen

Click Here: Heaven Holds the ones We Love