Yesterday, I sent my 14 year old son Davis to school for the "first time." Having been home schooled all his life, this was a big deal for him, andfor his momma. And now today, I'm packing up my oldest daughter's belongings so that she can soon begin her new adventure at Auburn University. Wow... where did the time go? (That was typed through deep loving tears and a mountain of memories).

As a mom, more than anything, my heart's desire for my kids is for them to remember who they are, especially as they move into a public place. My daily prayer is that they will be able to independently stand on the Truth that was taught in our home. With this in mind, I wrote them a definition of who they are in Christ, hoping to challenge each of them to be His light in this dark world. This is also for you, my believing friend:

By the grace of God, I am who I am.

I am a Christian. I am living for the One who died for me. I am what the world calls a "Jesus freak," but what I call "saved by grace."

I salt the earth with His kindness; I light the world with His love.

I choose to walk by faith and not by sight, and to dance to the beat of a different drum.

I am the one who has Power beyond my own strength, Peace beyond my own understanding, and Purpose beyond the ideals of this world.

I am the one who answers to the God of the Universe; and yet, I am also calmed by His Spirit that lives in me.

Because of Christ Jesus, I am living Life to the fullest--yesterday, today, and FOREVER.

I am changed; I am more than I am; I am a vessel that holds a treasure, a lamp that shines a light, and a well that springs a fountain.

And, I am the one who is pursuing YOU, the way He has passionately pursued me.

By the grace of God, I am who I am.

I am a Christian. I am free.

Sweet friend (as well as my dear children), remember who you are. The world needs you.

This past April I presented Mac with a simple 20th anniversary gift. In the presence of our children, I read him my list entitled "Twenty Reasons I love my Husband." When I happened to come across it this morning, I was reminded of the many things he does "right"...

BUT... (Mac often refers this term to the "big but(t)")... there are times he seems to miss the mark COMPLETELY, especially when it comes to understanding me. (Can any of you relate?) When this happens, I have learned to pour out my heart to the One Who knows me, from the inside-out. From sitting in this place of sadness only a few days ago, I have added to my collection of devotional prayers, all of which begin with "God, You are...". Feel free to pray this over any relationship issue that you might be experiencing right now:

God, You are the One who knows me. I feel at times, no one "gets me," not even the ones who love me most. What a sorrow it is for my heart to seemingly be unheard or even pushed aside. I am hurting, dear Lord... but I will sit with You... and I will pour out my heart to You... and I will remember... You are the understanding One. Yes, You You know me, O Lord... and all my desire is before You. And with this truth, You know my motives, whether they are selfish or pure, "over the top" or "right on". Therefore, I will trust You with all of my heart. And I will trust You to plead my case if I am in line with You, or to set me straight if I am not. And I will trust You to meet my every need according to the riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Thank You. I will wait for You. Indeed, I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. I will wait for the Lord; I will be strong, and my heart will take courage. I will wait for the Lord. Yes, today, right now, I choose to peacefully rest in the arms of the One who knows me, from the inside-out.

Ps. 62:8; Jeremiah 12:3; Psalm 38:9; Proverbs 3:5; Jeremiah 51:36; Philippians 4:19; Psalm 27:13-14

The 21st reason (and then some) that I love my husband is that he allowed me send this post to you. Mac knows from 2 decades of living with me that when I turn to the Lord, he is relieved of the unattainable ability to get it "right" all the time. However, when I take this approach, it causes Mac to be more inclined to work things through, and possibly... with the help of our Savior... understand a little more of my heart today than he did yesterday. How thankful I am for the One who knows me!

Wow, I'll tell you what, it's really hot this summer, isn't it? The only way to beat the heat is by finding the nearest shady tree, or a cold swimming pool.

This reminds me of another sweltering summer day many years ago when my children were very young... Our summer swim team decided to take a fun (a relative word) trip to Nashville Shores for the day. Since water parks give me the he-be-gee-bee's, I had no intention of getting wet; I was fully clothed, and my flip-flops were not coming off my feet. My mission for this hot day was to keep track of my four children amongst the rest of the hundreds of kids that had descended upon Nashville Shores.

I stationed my "post" by a small shallow pool where I could visibly see my younger two, Davis and Emmy, while Maggie and Bink were to check-in frequently. The attraction to this little pool was not only the water they were playing in, but also the anticipation of the water above them. Steadily and repeatedly, a HUGE bucket would fill to the brim, high above the children (and some grown-up kids). Once the bucket was full, it would then topple to it's side, and pour out all over those standing underneath. When this happened, the little children would scream with delight, their bodies would do jumping jacks, and then they would splash each other with glee. Sheer jubilation was experienced by all who were drenched from above. And, as I watched from my slither of shade that I found underneath a tall slide that was dripping luke-warm water down my neck, I became rather envious of my children's position...

Water--refreshing, rejuvenating, replenishing water--pouring out onto these children--anticipating, hoping, expecting children. Whenever I think of this scene, I hear the Lord say to my heart, "That's joy, my child." Now, listen to this truth about Jesus, our Living Water:

God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us... (Romans 5:8). And because of His death,

...the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us (Romans 5:5).

Just like the water saturated my children that day, the true Living Water can also drench you and me--with joy! All we need is a child-like faith in Christ Jesus. Then, through His word, we can be replenished on a daily basis. Don't stand on the perimeter spiritually, like I was physically, on that more-than-hot day at Nashville Shores. The only thing I was drenched in was my own miserable sweat. Joy belonged to the children in the Water, not me.

Hear Jesus say to you today: "... The water that I shall give you shall become in you a well of water springing up to eternal life." (John 4:14)

The Living Water has been poured out. Join me, "grown-up child," let's beat life's continual heat, and get joyfully drenched.

A few mornings ago, I set out for a long walk on the country roads near my home; I had a lot of thinking/praying to do about life and its "stuff." Not too far into my walk, however, I noticed everything was a little blurry. I cleaned my sunglasses, but to no avail. It was then that I realized that I had forgotten to put in my contacts.

Wow, what a deficiently far-sighted walk this was going to be: "Is that a rabbit or a squirrel... a butterfly or a leaf... a stick or a snake?" The trees were even making me a little dizzy due to their wind-blown massive movement.

These swaying trees made me think of this Scripture passage:

And they came to Bethsaida. And they brought a blind man to Him, and entreated Him to touch him. And taking the blind man by the hand, He brought him out of the village; and after spitting on his eyes, and laying His hands upon him, He asked him, "Do you see anything?"

And he looked up and said, "I see men, for I am seeing them like trees, walking about." Then again He laid His hands upon his eyes; and he looked intently and was restored, and began to see everything clearly. Mark 8:22-26

Ok, first of all, what's up with the "spitting"? I guess we have to remember that Jesus is fully God and fully man, and men like to spit. I'm sure this kept the attention of all the tough guys in the crowd watching this restoration process. And secondly, what's this: "I see men... like trees walking about?" What an odd line of scripture to decipher.

I think this peculiar encounter with Christ teaches us about faith. First, we read that the blind man was brought to Jesus by friends. Then the blind man was willing to be led by Jesus Himself to an appointed place. Consequently, Jesus began His wonderful work, in His time and in His way. As the blind man waited on the Lord, his faith grew in the Lord. He didn't waver or run half-way through the process. He simply trusted the hands that held him.

What about you? Are you wondering what in the world God is doing in your faith walk? Do things just not add up, almost to the point you are dizzily confused? Be willing to be led, my friend, and believe He is always at work for your good and for His glory. And as you wait on Him, do not waver in the truths of His word. Because God's word to you, is just like Jesus' hands were to that blind man long ago.

The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130

How thankful I am for His word as I journey through this chaotic world with a simple faith. Likewise, how thankful I was to put my contacts in my eyes after that confusing country walk. Because I can see clearly now, they are one and the same.

Photographs have such a wonderful way of capturing a cherished memory. In the same way, my mind has recently taken in small "snip-its" of people that have crossed my path only briefly. These short encounters, however, have left me with long-lasting impressions. I would like to share three of these with you:

1. I have been trudging through the P90X workout program with my highly intense and determined daughter Maggie. In one of the videos (labeled "the mother of all P90X workouts"), a young man is exercising in extreme fashion... with a prosthetic leg! His ferver as he jumps up, down, and all around, and the overjoyed expression on his face is incredibly inspirational.

2. A few days after the tragic flood in Nashville, I was in Home Depot, standing in the check out line behind a country-guy wearing ragged jeans, a cut-off t-shirt, and unlaced work boots. He was filthy! I overheard him talking to the check-out man: "Yea, my house was flooded, but I am so thankful because it could have been so much worse... and I'm so glad I know how to make the repairs... and I am so thankful that I can help others who had more damage...". And then, with a smile and a nod, he hobbled out on his bum-ankle.

3. I was in San Francisco for a few days with my husband Mac. At one point, we sat in a taxi and listened to a Filipino driver tell us about his life. The fun part of it was that every other sentence, he burst out in bubbling contagious laughter. "I love my wife of 40 years... ha ha ha... we have four grown children, two are married... ha ha ha... one daughter has MS, but she lives with us and my wife cares for the children... ha ha ha... I love my yellow taxi; it is the best... ha ha ha!" I loved how he loved life!

As these "snip-its" come and go throughout my days, I realize that God Himself has put these people in my path to teach me something-- perseverance and joy in trial, thankfulness in all things, and contentment in every circumstance.

And then this thought occurred to me: I am somebody's snip-it. Wow, that's humbling. In a brief encounter with a stranger, what impression am I leaving with them? Do they see Christ in me? Am I an encourager or discourager, gentle or rude, becoming or bitter, kind-hearted or cruel?

The apostle Paul put it well when he said, "And they were glorifying God because of me." Galatians 1:24

Yes, these three strangers, whether they knew it or not, pointed me to an aspect and character of Christ. May you and I be the same as we are somebody's "snip-it" today.

I love the lines of this old song that I learned growing up:

"There is a Redeemer, Jesus, God's own Son; precious lamb of God, Messiah, h...o...l...y One."

In this short tune, the Good News is beautifully told: on the cross, Jesus, the Redeemer, exchanged His life for mine. God judged His perfect Son instead of me.

From the cross, my Redeemer was put in the tomb---crucified, dead, and buried. But the rest of the Good News is: the third day He rose again, conquering both sin and death! Yes, this I know, my Redeemer lives (Job 19:25). And I also know, my Redeemer is strong; the Lord of Hosts is His name; He will vigorously plead my case (Jeremiah 50:34). Indeed, He fought for me then, and He fights for me now. In Him, I now have eternal life instead of certain death.

After Jesus rose from the grave, He ascended into heaven, yet not without promising to send you and me a Helper. Another line in the same old song is: "Thank You, O my Father, for sending us Your Son, and leaving us Your Spirit 'til the work on earth is done." Because of my Redeemer, God has begun a new work in me, and I can now daily live the "instead of" life. My soul now possesses:

a garland instead of ashes,

the oil of gladness instead of mourning,

the mantle of praise instead of a sprit of fainting...

a double portion instead of my shame...

and everlasting joy instead of humiliation. Isaiah 61:3,7

What an amazing exchange from my gracious Redeemer. And it doesn't stop there. He offers you and me peace instead of confusion, courage instead of fear, rest instead of weariness, hope instead of despondency... on and on and on.

Dear Jesus, precious lamb of God, Messiah... REDEEMER... how I do thank You for purchasing the "instead of" life for me.