A Good Cry Makes It Better

Ever wondered why a good cry can make you feel so much better? (Some of you may be less emotional and have no idea what I am talking about--but bear with me, you might like where this is going). Sometimes I need a good cry for things to seem right with the world again. Whether I am feeling empathy for a friend or going through something myself, I cry. Granted, this freaks out my less emotional husband. Usually, when the tears start flowing, he slowly begins to back away as I melt into a puddle into the floor. He just doesn't get it and says he has no idea what to say or do when he sees tears. 

Today, I started thinking about the chemical makeup of tears. I know that tears contain water and salt as I have tasted many on my lips. 

So, I did a little informal research (Google search, of course) and learned that the tears we shed based on emotions have a different chemical makeup than tears we shed due to allergies or eye irritants. Isn't that interesting? I thought so. 

So, what are our emotional tears made of, you ask? Maybe you didn't ask, but I am going to tell you. 

According to Wikipedia, " Emotional tears are composed of more protein-based hormones, such as prolactin, andrenocorticotropic and leucine enkephalin (a natural pain killer), which is suggested to be the mechanism behind the experience of crying from emotion making an individual feel better."

In  my limited research of Googling, I learned that too much prolactin can lead to a multitude of health issues. I learned that andrenocorticotropic stimulates the secretion of the stress hormone, cortisol, and that leucine enkephalin is a natural pain killer. 

My thoughts turned Psalm 139: 14, "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."  Aren't we wonderfully made? God gave us all the ability to cry and release the harmful build up of hormones while also allowing us to release a natural pain reliever in our tears to calm our souls. 

I don't know about you, but that makes me stand in awe. When God created us, He didn't leave out a single detail. So go ahead, don't hold back....have a good cry! Even cry the ugly cry, if you want! I won't judge. It will be good for you! 

Canning My Bucket List

Do you ever have so many things you want to do but don't know where to begin? Maybe you want to write a book, learn another language, start a business or travel the world. You begin to think of all the things you want to accomplish only to come to the crashing realization that there's not enough hours in the day to get it all done, especially if you have real life responsibilities such as work and a family.

Some days, I grow weary when making my mental wish list of things I want to do, places I want to go, sights I want to see, and things I want to experience. I have to sit down, breathe in, breathe out, and coach myself through the panic. I'm reminded of my husband's words, "Who needs a bucket list? What does all that stuff really mean in the grand scheme of things?"

I remind myself that he's right. It doesn't matter.  I'm then comforted by the same verse, John 4:14, that can create panic if not careful, "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." What? I'm just a vapor? (insert hyperventilation here). Just kidding...sort of.

It's during those moments of self-reflection that I remember what really matters and it's nothing on my bucket list. What really matters is the question,  am I being Jesus to others? Am I a good representation of Him, and do people see Him in me? Does that mean we give up on our dreams? Does that mean we don't live life to the fullest and make the best of  our time on earth? Absolutely not. God puts desires in our heart for His glory; however it does mean that if we're not careful, we can get too world-like and world-centered. 

I find peace in 1 John 2:15-17: "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world--the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions--is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."

As of today, I have a new bucket list. It's a list of things that matter and a list of things that are manageable and attainable. For example, instead of seeing the world, I want to see my sons grow into responsible men who treat their wives and children with love and respect. Instead of writing a book, I want to inscribe the words of God on their hearts by showing them Jesus every day. Instead of learning a new language, I want to speak the language of the Lord and love and encourage others all the days of my life.

The Devil Had My Song For Too Long

I remember with great detail listening to my Dad practice a Randy Travis song at our kitchen table accompanying himself on a black flat top guitar when I was five years old. He was a self-taught guitar picker and singer who never read a lick of music, and he had an old time rock/country band from the time I was born until a traumatic head injury took his talents at the age of 47.

Music was his first love. He practiced every day and was playing a gig about every weekend. At the age of five, I started singing with him. I loved it. I sang in a lot of churches where I grew up in Tennessee. I think I even sang at my eighth grade prom (ha) In 2002, my Dad had a terrible car accident which left him unable to talk, let along sing, and he lost use of his strumming hand.  One side of his body was left paralyzed, and his first love was taken away within seconds.

It made me sad for so long. I still have difficulty listening to some of the songs he used to sing. Sadness is stirred within me, and I am sad for him. After he had his accident, I couldn't really think about singing anymore. On some level, I lost my desire. Most people in my life today don't even know about my love for music. I have kept that part of my life buried and forgotten. Obviously, I am not the best singer in the world. I make mistakes and am far from perfect.  But just as our worship pastor said, "God isn't looking for perfection. He just wants you to worship with your heart."

One Sunday night at an event at church, a lady shared her testimony of how she used to dance, but that she went through some depression and the devil took her dance. She told of how she had recently started dancing again and it felt wonderful. Her story touched me and I felt the Lord speak to my spirit and say, "You've let the devil have your song." It hit me like a ton of bricks. I let my circumstances snuff out the fire inside of me to praise the Lord with my voice.

Today, for the first time in twelve years, I took the stage at church and sang in an ensemble with two wonderful ladies and our worship pastor. I learned that I could sing soprano (I never thought I could), and that trying to anoint your vocal chords with oil by drinking oil is never a good idea. Ha I know I don't have a future career in the music industry, and I don't want one, but it felt good to get my song back and give it to the Lord.

The reason I am sharing this story tonight is in hopes of encouraging someone else. Has the devil taken your song? Whether it be an actual song or something else in your life that you used to enjoy doing but you got discouraged and gave up. If so, it's time to reclaim it! Give it your best, and God will bless you for it.

When It Rains, It Pours

Here in Alabama, it has been raining. A lot. For the past four days I have felt like I live in Washington state, except here, it's 70 degrees one day and 25 degrees the next. Short sleeves one day, bulky sweaters the next.

Outside, people are sporting rain jackets, boots, and umbrellas. You can't take a step without splashing in a mud puddle. The sky is a solid layer of white. Not a tint of blue to be found. Just cold, wet, and what some would call miserable outside.

I was looking at the forecast earlier and finally saw hope. Friday, the sun is supposed to pop out and make a grand appearance and actually stay around a few days. Everyone I talk to seems to be sick of the rain and will welcome the sunshine with open arms and closed umbrellas. The count down is on...just a few more days.

The weather outside has made me think about the weather changes that go on within our hearts. I'd be rich if I had a dollar for every time I heard or read the statement about proverbial rain,  "When it rains it pours."

Isn't that how things can happen in life? In Alabama we say, "If it ain't one thing, it's another" or one that makes me giggle, "If it ain't one thing, it's your mother."  Seems like if your car breaks down, you also have a leaky roof on the same week you gained five pounds AND to top things off, you got an unexpeted bill in the mail or had a confrontation with a friend or family member.  It's not just raining, it's pouring.

But, just as we have hope that the sun will shine on Friday of this week, we can have hope that God will one day reign again on this earth. And those of us who know Him will be with Him where every day will be perfect. No pain, no sorrow, no strife, no clouds. We know not the day nor the hour, but we can rest in peace knowing that He is coming (Matthew 24:42)

Until He comes to us or we go to Him, we can protect ourselves from the elements of this world by covering ourselves with and living under the umbrella of the Holy Spirit. We can clothe ourselves in a jacket of faith and trust in God's goodness, grace, and mercy. We  can slide our feet into the rain boots of the Word to repel the enemy's plan and walk out our destiny and purpose rain or shine.  And we can have hope that the Son is coming. The countdown is on.

She was a Heifer: An Unexpected Friendship

There is a lot of truth to the old saying, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression." When people look at us, they begin to process us through various stereotypes and experiences to make a decision about who they think we are regardless of whether that is right or wrong. It's natural. It happens.

About thirteen years ago, I began a new job at an insurance company. I met a girl there who was a few years older than me, dish water blond hair and a major attitude. Since I am typically the warm and fuzzy type, it was hard for me to work with her. She was blunt, abrupt, and hurt my feelings on a regular basis.

To protect the innocent, I will call her Wanda.

One day she made a rude comment along with a rude gesture to me. I snapped, and it was the beginnings of a beautiful friendship. I think I earned her respect that day, and I realized she wasn't as rough and tough as she might portray.

You see, I try and get along with everyone, and most importantly, I try and understand people and where they might be coming from in life. Everyone has a story. Everyone has walked in a different set of shoes. Where their shoes have traveled can ultimately shape them into the person they become.

My first impression of Wanda, you ask? Heifer.

For you northerners, that doesn't mean a lady with fat ankles. You southerners need no explanation of what makes a heifer a heifer. A heifer is someone you see as, well, unpleasant to put it nicely.

I spent some time getting to know Wanda. I got to know her story. I inquired about her life, and low and behold, she grew on me. I appreciated how she didn't beat around the bush. I appreciated how she put it all on the table and would honestly tell me her thoughts without adding extra sugar to soften the blow.

Don't get me wrong, we all need a friend who can be comforting when we need them to be, but we also need a friend who will tell us, in love, how it is. I know if I want honesty, I can ask her. And she trusts that I will receive her words in love and not bite back. I value her role in my life.

I am so glad I gave Wanda a second chance and spent some time getting to know her. She is one of my closest friends.

Psalms 44:21 says,  "Would not God search this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart."

No, we are not God. We can't completely know another person's heart, but we can emulate Jesus and spend some time trying.

God puts us in the path of people. People that can inspire us. People we can inspire. Is there anyone you need to give a second chance? They might make an unexpected difference in your life.

Have You Slept with the Maidservant?

Most are familiar with Abraham and Sarah's story in Genesis. God promised them an heir, a son, and after waiting and waiting, both doubted God. Sarah even laughed at him. After all, Abraham was 100 and Sarah was 90. How on earth could Sarah bear a son at her age?

As the story goes, they took matters into their hands. Sarah convinced Abraham to sleep with their maidservant, Hagar, who did, indeed, become pregnant and bore a son for Abraham. This impulsive sin led to a multitude of problems, including Hagar becoming unmanageable, Sarah becoming bitter and resentful, and direct disobedience to God by both Abraham and Sarah.

How many times have we put God on our timeline instead of following His? It's so easy to get worried, troubled, distressed, depressed and anxious about tomorrow even when we have the everlasting promise of the Creator that He holds tomorrow and us in the palms of His mighty hands.

In a "microwave world" of instant gratification and impatience, we want it now. We don't want to wait. In fact, most of us hate to wait....for anything. When times are at their bleakest, hope is nowhere to be found, and pain runs deep, be encouraged!

What God has in store for you is worth the wait and better than anything you can imagine. He will make good on His promises.

Has there been a time you have taken matters into your own hands when God has promised you He would deliver? What "maidservant" did you sleep with to get your way and in your own time instead of in God's?

Have you bread something not of God? Just like God was able to bless Abraham and Sarah after disobedience, He is still able to bless us and clean up our messes. We just have to allow him in.

"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; will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

"God, help us to be patient and wait upon You. Help us to trust your timing and never doubt You when we things feel overwhelming. Forgive us for times of doubt and unbelief. We thank You for being our dependable provider, comforter, and friend. Thank You for always being right on time. Not a second too late or too soon. Amen"

Letting God Write the Music to Your Life

I discovered a couple of verses recently that I have read before, but I received new revelation when I read them this time around. Both are found in 1 Corinthians where Paul is talking about how to set up the church. Even though these verses are speaking mostly about the church, I think they carry every day application.

The first is:

"For God is not a God of disorder but a God of peace." 1 Corinthians 14:33

The second and, perhaps, the most captivating to me is:

"Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will any one know what tune is being played unless there's a distinction in the notes." 1 Corinthians 14:7

As I meditate on each of these verses I think about music. I am definitely not a trained muscian or professional; however, I do love music, always have, always will. As I thought about the flute and the harp and the distinct sounds they make, I started wondering what a song about my life would say. What types of notes would be played? What words would frequent the song? Is there a distinction in the notes I play that separates me from the world?

Here are the questions I asked myself:

1. Am I singing what I am playing? In other words, do I practice what I preach? Do my actions speak louder than my words. Do I live out Christ? In music, some lyrics just don't go with some music. Same in life, acting one way and speaking another is very confusing to the watcher/listener.  No one ends up enjoying it. Easy enough.

2. Does the music I play draw people to me or repel them away? Is my life song inviting? Do others want to be around me or stay away from me? Do the notes I play make people want to hear more or do they wish I had a volume button so they could turn me down or mute me all together? Of course, we all hit wrong notes now and again, but am I living consistently?

3. Am I uplifting or destructive? Most of us have been moved by a song. Songs hold the power to control our emotions and make people feel good, bad, ugly, indifferent, sad, moody and so forth. I want to make sure that I am uplifting to people. I want to edify the spirits of others not tear them down.

4. Do I help get Jesus stuck in the heads of others? We have all had a song stuck in our head for some reason or another. Sometimes, we wish we didn't, but we just can't stop singing it. So I ask myself, does my life emulate the life of Jesus? Does my presence make them think of Him? If they are around me enough, will they get to know my Jesus?

5. Am I a peaceful song or am I singing out of key? As the verse above states, God is a God of peace and order not a God of chaos and disorder. Any good piece of music has order. It flows flawlessly from one note to the next. Am I able to remain calm in the heart of the storm? Do I let my life get chaotic and out of control? Or am I able to remind others of the wonderful peace of our Savior by exuding peace, joy, mercy and grace myself?

Let God write the sheet music to your life. He will put every note in the perfect place. He never misses a beat. Practice the music. Become the music.

By the way:

Here's a song worth getting stuck in your head.