#1---- I Thank God For My Family

Today I am most thankful for my family!

I will start with my parents.

My parents with their six grandchildren. (Dad now has
 dementia which explains why his eyes are closed.)

If you would have asked me in 1985 what I thought about my parents you would have received the typical teenage answer, "I have the worst parents ever!" Yet since I have become a parent myself, and now a parent of teenagers, my opinions of my own parents have drastically changed, as most of my siblings would agree.

We weren't always privileged to have everything we wanted, nor did we vacation at luxurious resorts or dine in Maryland's finest restaurants. We sometimes had had to walk to school or take the bus in those winter snowy cold months while others were chauffeured. It was required we eat dinner as a family most evenings and we looked forward to those rare occasions when Mom would talk my Father into taking us to dinner after church on Sundays.  We never took our cars through a car wash, Dad taught us how to fill the bucket up with dish soap, grab the garden hose and wash it in the yard. We were sure to finish the final task of white-walling the tires and checking the oil stick.

It was expected that we secured part-time jobs at sixteen to pay for the unnecessary expenses of our teenage lives but we still had to keep up our chores around the home. I reminisce at my mother's response when I (the eldest of her children) one day asked her why we were the only family in the neighborhood who didn't have a dishwasher. Her response, "I have three of them, Polly, Shelley and Erik". She sure got her monies worth from those dishwashers.

Yet what I did have was a mother and father who worked diligently at keeping a roof over our heads, clothes on our bodies, shoes on our feet. I had a Mom who never (in the entire time I lived at home) treated herself to a manicure or pedicure but instead put the money aside to take us to the Zoo, or the Ice Capades, or down the street for a Kold Kiss snowball.

Yearly family vacations were a must, planned months in advance to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Deep Creek Lake or Chincoteague Virginia. Every year prior to our trip Mom would spend a few nights without sleep, preparing the food, bedding, clothes and all the other necessities needed to enjoy the vacation. We always had room for others to come with us and she made sure they were each treated like family.

Our home wasn't the fanciest, the front door was sometimes missing some paint and the back door squeaked when you closed it. Cold air drifted through the windows on those cold snowy nights, the carpet had a few stains and the furniture was usually outdated, scratched and torn. But inside everyone and anyone was welcome! It didn't matter your skin color, black, brown, red, pink, yellow or white, Mom sat you at the table, fed you and loved you!

Most importantly Dad and Mom raised us to fear the Lord, to abstain from sin, to honor God with our first fruits and to assemble together with like believers to worship our Lord. They lived it in front of us, not at all perfect lives, but committed to a PERFECT SAVIOR who could and would provide so much more than we could ever imagine. Thank you Dad & Mom for your commitment to the Lord, the unconditional love you have bestowed upon me and now my family and the continuous support you have given all the days of my life! I love you both.

I love this man!

Skipping forward a few years - I am very thankful for my husband: 


When I met my soul-mate at Lee University in Cleveland, TN. tall, dark and handsome were some of the first traits that caught my eye, but later I found most attractive was his love and commitment to the Lord. It has proven to be his greatest source of strength as he leads our family and still NOTHING is more attractive to me even twenty-three years later after our first date. I am blessed by his guidance when sometimes I can't find my way, I have been comforted by his forgiveness when I often didn't deserve it, I am amused by his company that never seems to get old and I am confident and secure in his faithful love. He soooooo completes me and for that I am eternally grateful to God, for this man I call my husband.

Finally, I thank God for my children. Only a mother can describe what it feels like to have a "part of you" walking around on the outside of your body. It's been my greatest gift thus far, to be their mother. My children keep me honest, they keep me busy, they keep me learning. They keep me amazed, they keep me humbled and they keep me tired. They keep me happy, they keep me motivated and giggling on the inside. They keep me grateful, they keep me loved and on my knees in prayer. The joys of motherhood can not be accurately expressed in words, its love in it's greatest form!

I love you both so much!

Noah and Karson I am so blessed to be your mother. I can not imagine life without you both. Your sweet smiles brighten my worst day, your voices I could detect in a crowded room of hundreds, it's music to my ears. Your hugs motivate me and on some occasions they have melted away my deepest pain. Your talents and gifts amaze me and I look forward to seeing how God will use you in the future. I, along with your Dad, will always be your biggest cheerleader. Don't every forget how much you are loved...

I love you!!!! --- Love, Mom

#2 ---I Thank God For His Protection

This is #2 in my elaboration of my list entitled "I Am Thankful For...".(The others can be located on my blog in numerical order.)

5.  God's Pruning

4.  Unanswered prayers

3.  Direction & Discernment

2.  Protection

1.  My Husband & Children

I am thankful for God's hand of protection over my life and the lives of my family and friends dating all the way back to the birth of my son who almost didn't make it. As a result of such a tragic birth it was confirmed that we name him Noah, which means "God keeps His promises".  

Later, I was involved in a huge car accident that could have taken my life, but I walked away with only a few scratches and minuscule neck pain. And again in 1996 we were faced with another car accident that could have taken the lives of Torrey & our friend Ray. I can't even imagine the other everyday incidents that we aren't even aware of, when God's Sovereign hand of protection allowed us to escape destruction. God is soooo amazing, I just can't praise Him enough.  He is Jehovah Nissi, the Lord my banner(protector) and Jehovah Shammah, He is always with me. 

Having the protection of a heavenly Father is a peaceful confidence that can't be purchased, nor can it be accurately described. Thank you Lord, Thank you Lord, Thank you Lord! 

Happy Thanksgiving,

Polly

#3- I Thank God for Detours & Delays!

This is #3 in my elaboration of my list entitled "I Am Thankful For...".(The others can be located on my blog in numerical order.)

5.  God's Pruning

4.  Unanswered prayers

3.  Direction & Discernment

2.  Protection

1.  My Husband & Children

One of my favorite scripture verses that I quote often is: "The steps of a righteous man(woman) are ordered by God." How true this has been in my life as I reflect on my #3 most Thankful gift this year, God's direction and discernment.

Many times over the course of my life God has directed my steps through prayer, fasting and seeking His revelation of things to come, all proving He is a Sovereign God who desires the best for His children. Yet I am also grateful for the times I didn't seek Him yet He still provided complete and accurate direction! In my life's journey there have been detours and even delays along the way, but through it all He has guided and directed every step.

In the past I may have begrudgingly resisted the many detours and long delays, but the older I become, the easier I recognize those detours & delays, initiated by the graceful hand of my Father, have always been for my own benefit.  He knows what's best for His children!

Modern Day Red Sea

A similar reaction came from the Israelites who resisted Moses when he was leading them to the promise land. In Exodus 13:17 & 8 it says, When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country which was shorter. No instead God said, "If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt." So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. Talk about a detour and then to the Red Sea? Imagine what they felt as the marched forward right into a physical roadblock. Where were they to go? What were they to do upon entering the Red Sea? I can imagine their conversations went something like this:

"Seriously Moses? You have lost your mind, leading us to the Red Sea? Do you expect us to swim across this vast body of water? We will surely drown! How can you be so confident that God is leading us? You are a foolish man and we are a foolish people to trust in you or your God! I'm turning around now."

But you and I know the rest of story! The Red Sea certainly was not a blockade in their progression; it was a MIRACLE in disguise. For when the armies of Pharaoh descended upon Moses and the Israelites, God already had a miracle in mind. He gave commands to Moses to stretch out his staff over the sea and instantly the waters parted for them to walk across dry ground to the other side. Behind them waters rushed forcefully back into place drowning the Egyptian army and all of Pharaoh's men. The bible states not one of them remained.

If Moses, for even a moment had refused to obey the Lord when it looked like He was taking Him on a detour, Pharaoh's army could have easily captured them and this story would have ended without a miracle.

Yet that is how my God operates. He may not take us on the "easiest" route to our destiny and many times, it may look as if He has directed our steps right into a lions den, a prison, a pit, a red sea or some other type of roadblock. When all the while He was preparing a MIRACLE, proving who He is and how in control He will always be.


So today I thank God for the mountains, I thank Him for the valleys, delays, the detours and the road blocks... no matter where He leads me or how He leads me, I will follow completely!

Love,
Polly

Thankful For.... (#4)

This is #4 in my elaboration of "I Am Thankful For".... (the others are located on my blog in order)

5.  God's Pruning

4.  Unanswered prayers

3.  Direction & Discernment

2.  Protection

1.  My Husband & Children

#4 - Unanswered Prayers -- I love that old country song that Garth Brooks use to sing entitled "Unanswered Prayers". The chorus went something like this:

(Made famous by Garth Brooks)

Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers 

Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs That just because he doesn't answer doesn't mean He doesn't care Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers

Are you singing along? My Daddy use to sing along to this song in his old pick up truck when I was just a kid. I remember thinking, why would anyone agree with these lyrics? To me, they seemed so depressing. Little did I know!

Now that I am a little older and wiser I can say, there have been many, many, many times I have been thankful that God chose NOT to answer my prayers. Let me share a few in particular that may help to invoke memories of your own gratitude for unanswered prayers.

• Growing up, I prayed earnestly that God would allow me to marry my high-school sweetheart. I was in LOVE!!!!! I would have married that boy in a second, but he cheated on me and left me with a broken heart. It's probable that his behavior of "cheating" would have continued in our marriage. I thank God He didn't answer that prayer.
• During high school I use to pray our family would relocate to Southern Maryland about an hour from my home in Baltimore.  We had a lot of family who lived there and I just loved visiting and always felt it would be a great place to call home. My parents at one time were considering moving there, but thank God  He never answered that prayer. In the end, I had wonderful and life enhancing experiences in High school.  Homecoming Court, School Spirit, I lettered in two sports, was selected for the lead in our musical productions three years in a row and elected to represent the Baltimore County Student Government at the national level both my junior and senior years. Those experiences afforded me privileges to develop my leadership skills I would have never had the opportunity to do, if we would have moved.
• My senior year of highschool I started asking God to provide a way for me to enter into the University of Maryland Dental program. Upon graduation I learned I would have to attend a community college first before enrolling in their program.  I took that as God closing the door and instead I enrolled at Lee University. Why is this so important? For three reasons: I met some amazing people at Lee University who still remain mentors in my life. I ended up getting my degree in Business Administration which allowed me to focus my career as a software trainer for many years; eventually that experience has become a stepping stone, in more ways than one, for the ministry I am currently involved in. Most importantly while at Lee, I met the most amazing man, my husband, my soul-mate!

There are numerous other prayers I could mention that God didn't answer along the way but now looking back I can see He certainly knew what He was doing. God is so good and His plans for us are excellent, don't doubt Him friend.

If God has yet to answer your prayer it could be, He has better plans for you. 

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future!'

Blessings, Polly

Thankful --- #5!

My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving!!!! It's hard to believe it's almost here. I might add, equally as important to me is celebrating the birth of my Savior at Christmas, but the sights, smells and sounds of Fall over excite me! It feels like the atmosphere changes, people seem to be more thankful and appreciative, they speak much kinder and are less negative. I don't know, maybe I'm giving too much credit to mankind and really it's just the weather change here in Florida provoking all this happiness. Regardless, I love the fall for all of the above mentioned reasons and in addition I get to spend time with family and friends, sharing, playing, having fun and creating lasting memories. No schedules, no cell phones......lots of uninterrupted time, just being together!

If you spend time at my dinner table on Thanksgiving Day, you will participate in a family tradition we call: "This year I am Thankful for..." Each guest at the table is given a chance to express the top three things they are most thankful for, specifically occurring within the year. It's amazing to note that rarely are the things my family and guests mention "monetary items" as you may consider might be, especially when children are seated at the table. I believe Solomon was accurate when he warned, "money and monetary things bring only temporary pleasures"! It's in fact those things felt with the heart that bring the most joy to our lives despite what age we may be.

I wanted to get a jump start on my family and guests, so I am taking the opportunity to list my Top Five Things I am Thankful For....on my blog.  It's a little different this year, so I plan on expounding on these bullets in future blogs for the month of November. So check back often and let me know what you think.

This year I am very Thankful for:

5.  God's Pruning

4.  Unanswered prayers

3.  Direction & Discernment

2.  Protection

1.  My Husband & Children

#5 - God's Pruning -- The bible says in John 15:2 "Every branch in me that does not bear fruit, He takes away and everyone that does bear fruit He prunes it, that it will bring forth more fruit." Notice John said God does the pruning. It's a blessing to know that I don't have to do the pruning myself. God is much better at recognizing a decaying branch or a rotted root.

Those of you who do any type of gardening know you can cut just about any bush back and within a few months (especially here in Florida) it will re-growth itself and produce more fruit or flowers.  We have several "bird of paradise" palm trees in our yard and one of the palms started decaying. My husband and I were debating whether to cut it back or dig it up because they are very expensive. He was  hesitant to let me do anything, but I knew that pruning it would get rid of the decay and the palm would eventually burst new growth again. So when he wasn't looking I pruned that thing all the way to the ground. (haa!) At first it looked like the poor palm would never make it back, but within a few months we began to see new growth and today it stands taller and more beautiful then it did before I got a hold of it and butchered it.

Like I butchered the palm tree, God definitely did some "pruning" in my life and in the lives of my family this year. Sometimes we don't recognize the "rotting decay" that has the potential to wreck havoc in our lives, until the damage is already done. Yet God in His omniscience is able to see in advance what has the potential to hurt us, kill us and ultimately destroy us and He comes in and prunes that branch away. It may hurt at first, but after we are able to recognize all the decay and rot buried deep in that branch, we are thankful He did protect us.

Friend if you are in a pruning process and God is removing materials, people, positions, titles, mindsets, etc from your life and you are having trouble figuring out why ------ TRUST HIM!!!!

You may not understand it now but you can be confident it's Him! He knows exactly what He is doing.

THANK YOU LORD,
for pruning our lives. You love me enough....

Blessings, Polly

HE IS MY EVERYTHING!

October has been an amazing month! God has answered some prayers that I know without a doubt could only be Him. My family has literally seen mountains move and miracles provided in the last three weeks that make me want to jump up and down and run right now, all over again. I wish I could give you the specifics, but I can't do that at this point.... In due time, I shall!

Some of these prayers we have prayed for months and some for years. What made the difference? I believe it was our memory verse for this month:

(Mark 11:24) Jesus said, "I tell you whatever you ask in prayer, BELIEVE that you have received it and it WILL be yours." 

Before I shared our memory verse with my family, I had to stop and re-read it over and over again. I have read Mark 11:24 a gazzillion(I made up that word) times before, but it was as if I was hearing it for the first time. What stuck out in my mind this time, was a revelation that changed my thinking. It was Jesus talking! I repeated the scripture verse again out loud adding my name in front as if Jesus were standing in front of me saying, "Polly I tell you whatever you ask in prayer BELIEVE that you have received it and it WILL be yours." Wow----(Put your name in front of that scripture and read it out loud!) That night my husband and I started challenging our children to not only agree with us in prayer about our needs, but to also BELIEVE that God would meet them. Oh my, does He keep His promise.

In closing I want to share with you my FB post on October 17, 2011. It says what I feel accurately:

As I continue to give God praise for answered prayers I want you to know that He is no respecter of persons, what He does for others He can do for you! I praise Him for HE IS MY EVERYTHING! He makes my crooked places straight, He orders my steps, covers me in protection all the while moving mountains! He is my strong tower, my redeemer, my adviser, my provider, my dream giver and my dream maker! His timing is perfect and His plans are flawless. Heaven and earth move on His command! He can't be measured, I can't ignore Him for His love is amazing, enticing, intoxicating, I just can't get enough of Him! I don't deserve Him, but I'm glad He's mine. Nothing is impossible for My God. 

I will bless the Lord at all times for His praise will continually be in my mouth.

Expecting Nothing In Return

A few weeks back our family spent an afternoon together in Downtown Disney in Orlando, Florida. It’s typical in most families to see the husband carrying the bags waiting patiently outside for the wife, repeatedly looking at his watch and counting the merchandise she gathers. Not my husband, he loves to shop! He takes his time browsing through the stores picking up every piece that catches his eye to sample it more closely. I on the other hand, would much rather be outside sitting on a bench-observing people. You could say, I enjoy “people watching”, if that is a correct description.

On this particular sunny day, a young boy captivated my attention. He was about fifteen years old and pushing middle aged woman in a wheel chair. It was obvious she was handicap, maybe Multiple Sclerosis, both her feet and hands curled under, she was unable to use either.  He made his way over towards the large oak trees where many of us were already seated, trying to find refuge from the scorching sun. In his hand he had an ice cream sundae and a few napkins.

I assumed the ice cream was for him, since there was only one. But my assumption was wrong.  For the next ten minutes I watched him feed this woman who obviously couldn’t feed herself. Each small scoop of ice cream he positioned just right into the handicapped woman’s mouth, being careful not drip any on her. After every bite he gently wiped her face with a napkin and from where I was sitting I could hear him ask her “Are you okay?” I alleged his concern was because she had trouble swallowing and he wanted to make sure she was ready to continue with the next bite. His pleasant gestures toward the young woman made her smile. You could tell he wasn’t there out of obligation or duty, his loving kindness towards her proved he was there willingly.

The sun was beating so hard even I was uncomfortable where I sat in the shade under the big oak tree. Sweat drops were dripping from the boy’s forehead as he continued to do his best to feed her, in the midst of hundreds of rude people bumping and pushing him. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t already thought of offering him my seat, so I got up and asked him to sit in my place, but he refused politely, “No thank you, I have to stand to feed her.”

What made this young boy so different? Why wasn’t he cruising around with his friends, or skateboarding down the middle of Down Town Disney like the other teenagers his age? What held him there, unselfishly giving to someone who couldn’t give anything in return?

The unselfishness and compassion of this young man to care for his handicapped friend touched me so deeply I quickly grabbed for my sunglasses to hide the tears streaming down my face. What about me? Would I be willing to do the same? Could I give unselfishly, expecting nothing in return? Not just today but everyday. Not just for a pat on the back or recognition, but when it’s unappreciated. Not just when others are watching, but when no one notices at all.

Matthew 25:40

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Reflection

Every day we are given opportunities, to help someone who cannot return the favor.  Not for recognition, or even a thank you, just because. Often I have had to ask God to forgive me for the motives behind my serve. To keep my heart pure and my mouth quieted from complaining. It’s easy to turn serving into a duty with the wrong attitude. Look for an opportunity to serve this week, it will be there. Just open your eyes and notice the need and then reach out and do something for someone without expecting anything in return.

My Prayer

Lord,

I am selfish, self-seeking, and lack compassion.  Please forgive me. I am blessed beyond measure by your goodness, yet I continue to serve myself more than I serve others. Open my eyes to see opportunities to help others. Give me a heart of compassion to serve not for public recognition or reward, but because you have already given me so much! May my life be more about You and less about Me.

I Love you Lord,

Polly

Nicaragua 2011

Imagine with me for a moment that you are standing deck-side on your boat, life preserver in hand attempting your best throw to the human being overboard paddling to save his/her life and they are screaming your name for help! As you quickly prepare to toss the Life Preserver to the wearisome helpless soul, you say a prayer asking God to direct your aim that it be good enough for the individual overboard to reach it and save their life!

Oscar & Rosibel (Directors of Sobre Las Alas Del Aguila)

I had the same feeling as I watched a courageous young man named Oscar Corea in his country of Nicaragua rescue thousands of children from empty stomachs. I wasn't observing deck-side from a boat, or shoreline from a peer, I was observing first hand at the feeding centers of Sobre Las Alas Del Aguila. I remember the second day of our trip seated on the bus approaching the next feeding center our driver blew the horn alerting the children to our arrival. They began to appear from the edges of the villages, overflowing into the bumpy dirt road. Hundreds of heads bopping up and down running as fast as their little legs could carry them toward our bus. Waving as they ran, you could see a glimmer of "hope" in their eyes. Hope of being rescued and the hope of a warm cooked meal...they knew we had Life Preservers on board and they weren't going to miss it!

Nicaragua

Kids running to meet our bus

We exited our bus and were greeted by the most precious smiles on the face of the earth. Every feeding center reflected a different scene, but one constant remained, there were hundreds of hungry children all needing our help. Their ages ranged from infants to teens and their smiles I shall never forget.

Marta! Oh she stole my heart.

Oscar and our team began to follow off the bus with the mission of "saving lives" on the forefront of our minds. Some on the team were assigned to play with the children while others like myself, were given the privilege to bless the feeding center volunteers with a much needed manicure and hand massage and as you can see from above, some of the little ones were excited to get their nails painted too.

Feeding Center - they were waiting on us!

Feeding Center one line of many...

The Team preparing meals.

Prepping the meals

On the opposite end of the center, others from our team prepped the food, chopped vegetables and gathered wood for the fire to prepare a nutritional meal for the hundreds who waited. Every day (several feeding centers per day) I was amazed how the single pot of rice and chicken would multiply, feeding every child in line. It reminded me of the story in Matthew when Jesus took the five loaves and two fish and fed the multitudes. I am still amazed at what God can do with "just a little". Life Preservers ------ I saw them everywhere!

Oscar giving kitchen utensils to the Pastor of this feeding center.

So thankful for a larger bowl and supplies which helps this Pastor feed more kids.

Life Preservers in the form of new cooking pots, plastic bowls, spoons and kitchen utensils which better equipped centers to feed more children from the community.  Life Preservers  in a hug, a handshake or a simple smile that extended from one mother to another. The language barrier could not and did not prevent the love of God's children one for another. A Life Preserver in the form of a warm bowl of chicken soup and rice, lovingly made, poured and distributed to everyone who came hungry. Saving lives, giving hope, filling empty stomachs ----the mission was being fulfilled.

Quickly I grabbed for my sunglasses to hide my tears. I was overwhelmed by the realization of knowing we held the Life Preservers in our hands and today we had the ability to save another life.

Chicken and rice meal

No kitchens, refrigerators, or stoves -- just some firewood a large pot and a few utensils!

A few days later our trip came to an end and we had to leave Leon, Nicaragua, the kids at the feeding center, Oscar, Rosibel and their team. We boarded the bus headed to the airport and arrived back in the USA within a few hours. After talking with my team-mates on the trip home, it's accurate to say we left a part of our hearts in Nicaragua. There is no way to experience such a fulfilling moment and not carry that experience with you forever. I guess that's what the Lord meant when he conveyed to his disciples that it was "more blessed to give then to receive."

Our American Team Nicaragua 2011!

Some feeding centers they are still without supplies. (Spoons, bowls, utensils, pots etc.)

Lining up the bowls.

I'll never forget these smiles!

Oscar's Team!

Empty stomachs!

What a monumental task one man and one women, feeding 10,000+ children a day! A burden carried by a courageous warrior named Oscar and his sweet wife Rosibel, who daily give of their lives to save others. Tears flow down my eyes and onto my cheeks even now as I type my blog, because I recognize their burden. Even with their vast efforts, still so many children in Nicaragua will go to bed tonight hungry, loosing hope that anyone will hear their cry to be rescued. God help us to recognize we hold the Life Preservers in our hands. We have the ability to save lives, to feed empty stomachs and empty hearts. May we stop trying to protect our own lives by holding so tightly to our Life Preserver, and instead may we be willing to toss them overboard to save another.

This experience has made me reflect on my own life and ministry. I must admit that I have repented on numerous occasions over the last week for my ungratefulness, my lack of compassion to the needs of others, my unwillingness to be concerned about the things the Lord is concerned about and most importantly my idea that what I do for the kingdom is enough. My mere sacrifices are small in comparison to what Oscar and Rosibel give on a daily basis and only heaven will accurately reflect the cost. They truly are heroes in the Kingdom.

Oscar and Rosibel -- True heroes of God's work. I love you both!

I am motivated by their sacrifices, for what matters to God should matter most to me. Lord I thank you for this experience, may I make it more about you and less about me.

If you are interested in giving to help Oscar and Rosibel continue their ministry in Nicaragua you can visit Honoringthefather.org for more details or you can connect with me on my website at www.moms4him.com  No amount is to small or insignificant. Every contribution helps! Thank you!!!!


Blessings, Polly