It's Too Soon To Quit

The bible tells us  "our enemy is roaring like a lion seeking whom he may devour and that his purpose is to steal, kill and destroy." These two texts are extremely important because as life happens, we can easily loose focus and get distracted blaming others or ourselves for most of the hardship we endure.

If you are alive and breathing it's probably safe to say you have experienced some type of an attack from the enemy. Whether through illness, disease, temptation, persecution, financial hardship, unemployment and the list goes on. Yet, these forms of attacks can, if not responded to carefully, set us off course and keep us focused on the wrong things; eventually distorting our view and perception of "the moment" God has us in.

It's very possible in 2011 you've experienced a few "moments" you wished never happened. Maybe you have regressed those back in your mind hoping they would disappear, but the divorce court papers keep showing up in the mail, the medical tests keep resulting in more treatment, the bills haven't yet been paid and you just can't seem to run far enough away from the temptation. Rest assured friend, God hasn't forgotten about you nor has He changed His mind about the promise He has given.

• It's in the moments that seem most insignificant that He is preparing you for the moments that are most significant.
• It's in the moments that seem most threatening that He is reminding you, He is Sovereign.
• It's in the moments that you are weak, that He can prove He is strong.
• It's in the moments that you don't have an answer, He is growing your faith! 

For ultimately it's about the journey and all of the moments in between where we see God, we hear God, and we EXPERIENCE GOD! If we never had a problem how could we know that God would solve them? How could we experience His love for us? Or His purpose through us?

Today, I ask the Holy Spirit to help me accurately convey to you that God is in control of where you are right now. You may not see the end result, you may not know all the answers, you may not believe in yourself, BUT HE DOES! He has good plans for you and His greatest desire is for you to fulfill that plan and through it, bring Him the glory.

In closing, let’s be encouraged by those in the scriptures who accomplished great things for God and fulfilled His purpose for their lives. Often their journey was uphill and the moments sometimes seemed unbearable, but they choose to trust in a God who is able.

It's way too soon to quit my friend. Don’t allow the enemy to distract you into thinking this is it, nothing is ever going to change, and that your situation is completely impossible, "for with God all things are possible." 

Be encouraged that He really is "working all things for your good" and encourage someone else with the same word. 

Blessings, Polly

Do It Anyway

"Do not grow weary in well doing for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."(Galations 6:9)

     It's easy to grow weary when pursuing to "do good" because of rejection, persecution, unappreciative people, insignificant results and our list of excuses could go on and on. Yet the motivation for us to continue can come from God's promise that, we will reap what we have sown. We may have yet to see our harvest but God can not lie; His word is final.
   I love this poem written by Mother Teresa  motivating us to continue "doing good" despite what others may do around us. Make your resolve to sow good seed my friend, I know we won't be disappointed. For God will keep His word.


 "Do It Anyway" by Mother Teresa:

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered; Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies, Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend your years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway.

If you find serenity, peace and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway.

The help you give someone today, will often be misused tomorrow; Help them anyway.

Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see in the final analysis on judgment day it will be between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway...it's all about Him.

Blessings,

Polly

I heard Pastor Chris Hill, preach a powerful message Monday night. He said, 

"EVERY ENEMY HAS AN EXPIRATION DATE!"' 

Oh yes, oh yes, oh yes!!!

The enemy of fear, addiction, sickness, persecution, deceit, divisiveness,

The enemy who threatens your marriage, your children, your finances. 

The enemy who has taken some things from you: time, joy, relationships, health, your good character, your security, your hope, your dreams!  

Watch out enemy, your time is limited!

 My bible says in Proverbs, "once you label a thief he must return all he has taken times seven"!

Get ready to pay enemy, get ready to pay!

Blessings, Polly

It's The Little Things In Life!

I once heard a story about a young and successful executive who was traveling down a neighborhood street on the way to a meeting he was late for. Frustrated, he drove his newly purchased jaguar too fast through the neighborhood, while  on the phone with his secretary trying to get the correct directions to his meeting.    His aggravation was escalated knowing now he would be significantly late to his meeting. Oblivious to anything going around him, he never noticed the boys on a corner lot a few yards ahead. As his car passed the location where the boys were standing, their movement caught his peripheral view, he thought it necessary to slow down making sure it was safe to continue forward. About that time he saw a large red brick flying in the air, it smashed right into the side of his Jaguar door. Completely shocked at what just happened, he slammed on the brakes and backed up the car to the spot where he first heard the thump. The now furious driver jumped out of the car, grabbed the nearest kid, lifting him up by his collar he pushed him against a parked car and started shouting, "Who just threw that brick at my car? Do you see the dent made? You think it's funny? That's a brand new car and that brick is going to cost you and your hoodlum friends a lot of money to fix. Was it worth to you? What kind of thrill do you boys get out of participating in such a vandalizing act?"  The boys looked on in fear, not one of them spoke. 

"Speak up!" the angered driver persisted. Picking up the brick he questioned the boys, "Who threw this?"

There was silence. No one was going to take the blame, or so it seemed. Then, from behind a parked van emerged a boy about eight who timidly folded his hands and spoke, "I'm sorry Sir....I, I (stuttering) I didn't know what else to do. I threw the brick at your car because I didn't know what else to do (he repeated) no one else would stop..." Tears erupted from the tanned boys face. They trickled down to his chin, as he motioned to a spot just around the side of the parked van, "It's my brother, he rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair. His head is bleeding and his face and chin are scratched. He is buckled into his wheelchair and we can't get him up. Please sir, could you help me? Please!!!!"

Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the swelling lump in his throat as he approached the hurting handicap boy strapped in his fallen wheelchair, laying helpless in the street. He managed to get the boy back up into his wheelchair, with some help from his brother. He grabbed for his linen monogramed handkerchief and dabbed at the fresh scrapes and cuts, pushing firmly on the wound above the boys eye, hopefully it would stop the bleeding. He grabbed for his cell phone and called 911. Within a few minutes the paramedics arrived. A quick evaluation of the boy told them he would be fine, only a few stitches were needed and maybe an x-ray on the collar bone.

The young executive patted the handicapped boy on the head and wished him well. Walking back to his dented car, the younger brother ran to catch him reaching up to hug him, "Thank you sir, Thank you sir for helping my brother. I will pay you back to fix your car. Here  do you want my address? I don't have a cell phone or a home phone number but I could give you my mother's work number. It may take me awhile to pay you for the damages I have done, but I promise I will." Tears flowed from the boys eyes, as he kept glancing back over his shoulder to watch the paramedics care for his handicapped brother.

The successful business man extended his hand to the boy and said, "No payment necessary young man, I'm glad I could help you."

It was a long slow walk back to the Jaguar. The damage was very noticeable but the driver never bothered to repair the dented side door. He kept the dent there to remind him of this message: "Don't go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention!"

Are you driving the road of life in the fast lane? Maybe it's time to slow down, or better yet pull off to the parking areas reserved for the scenic viewers. Don't miss the opportunities to help a neighbor in need, or make it a priority to attend your daughters music recital or your high school son's basketball game. Maybe it's time to plant that garden you've or use your culinary gifts to bake a cake for your elderly neighbor's anniversary.

It's the little things that matter, for one day we will look back and realize they were really the big things in life. Are you making time for the important things?

 Blessings, Polly

#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