he.

is…

Anointed

Blessed

Caring

Devoted

Efficient

Funny

Gorgeous

Helpful

Interesting

Joyful

Kind

Loving

Mannerly

Nice

Obedient

Patient

Quirky

Resourceful

Strong

Talented

Unique

Vulnerable

Wise

Xtra-special

Youthful

Zealous

These are the ABC’s of him.

One day, lord willing, he will be revealed!

Death

It is a part of life.

The moment you are born, you begin to die.

My mother taught me this concept very early on – I had to have been in high school or even younger.

I was so concerned about the thought of loosing my mother when I left for college, it was really my only concern about being so far away. Not entering college. Not making new friends. But, rather, what if I get that call while I am away?

I have been experiencing death that has impacted me directly since I was 13. It was then that our close family friend and my big brother was crushed to death by a piece of landscaping equipment. He lived with us and was like my brother. I was devastated.

When I turned 26, my father died after a bout with Stage 4 prostate cancer. Watching someone literally die before your eyes while enduring such pain is awful. I took care of him for 4 months every day while also going to work. When the end was near, I thanked God for reconnecting us and allowing us to spend such quality time together. I then prayed for Him to put my father out of his misery because watching him suffer was becoming too much for me to bare. Several weeks after moving him to his hometown of Springfield, OH and into a VA hospice, he passed away.

Most recently, my aunt went into the hospital with one, fairly common ailment, suffered a massive seizure and then was pronounced brain dead. In what seemed like an instant – she was gone. 10 days after removing the life support, once again, I watched someone literally die before my eyes. My aunt also passed in the hospice.

Today, while talking to my mother, I received a call that my manager’s mother was tragically killed in a freak accident. I could barely leave my manager a message and I was all choked up as I spoke. My soul was instantly convicted thinking of all the times I snapped at my mother or yelled at her. My manager would give her right arm and leg to have that chance once more.

Death. It is the only sure thing in this world after birth. The old saying goes - the only two things that are certain in life are death and taxes. As some of us know better than others (smile), you can avoid paying taxes (even though eventually, it does catch up!). But death? Yeah. About that. No escaping it when your number is pulled.

Life is a many splendid thing. We should enjoy every moment. Pain and sorrow are but for a night, but joy – we are told, cometh in the morning. Life is really too short. Period.

Grudges. Revenge. Loosing sleep. Crying over spilled milk? Plotting and scheming to get someone back who doesn’t even deserve ANYMORE of your time?

Forget about it.

Vengeance is not ours, says our Heavenly Father. God has blessed us with WAY more important things to do, amen?

Here’s list of what we need to focus on…

Honor God first and more sincerely.

Love more truly.

Express more freely.

Live and grow.

Never be afraid.

Speak from the heart.

Apologize more authentically.

Forgive more often.

Have NO regrets.

Take no one and nothing for granted.

Tomorrow is not guaranteed.

Death is.

Expectations

We all have them. Wouldn’t be human if we didn’t. They show up in very interesting ways in our lives and how we handle them (or don’t) is totally up to us.

You expected a promotion and didn’t get it. Did you pout and pitch one? Or, did you praise God for holding off on your behalf until the absolute right opportunity presented itself to ensure your personal and professional success?

You thought that because you were raised by a woman who was the pillar of strength she would never, ever have a break down.

The friends whose bond you knew would never be broken because of your vow of friendship has ended. Suddenly. Abruptly. Or was it that you just refused to see the inevitable coming? And you are left thinking, were we ever even really friends to begin with?

How about the relationships that involve feelings beyond friendship. You just KNEW that because there was a connection – whether instant or over time, that you were bound to be together in some form or fashion. You “promised” you would never break the other person’s heart. You would always have each others backs. Your word to each other was your bond, among others ”bonds” shared. Then, the cloud you are on dissipates, reality sets in and you can see clearly now. The person’s true colors start to shine through and you think – man, this is NOT AT ALL what I expected?!?

How many times have you said THAT phrase in your lifetime? Let me repeat it one more time…

THIS IS NOT AT ALL WHAT I EXPECTED!

I deserved that promotion!

My mom was my rock!

Those were my brothers/sisters FOR LIFE!

BUT I LOVED HIM (or her for my male readers!)

Here’s where I challenge you and myself as well to be strong in the Lord and not only have faith but be patient in the Lord as well.

The opportunity? It wasn’t yours.

Everyone has their moment – maybe it’s YOUR turn to be the rock.

Friends come and go. True friends come and go and come back again.

Love – ahhhh, love. It feels so good when it begins and can feel absolutely awful when it ends. But like EVERYTHING else…this too shall pass. Think of the demise as God looking out for you when you didn’t have the strength enough to end it on your own even though you KNEW you should.

What are you hoping for? What do you expect?

Again I say, the Lord has 20/20 vision at ALL times. He knows what we need, when we need it. How do I know? Consider this….

…the phone call you got from a friend you hadn’t heard from in ages, just checking in for no other reason but to say hello! Little did they know, you had been down for days!

…the person you randomly met on a plane has a lead on a job opportunity that you need.

…love finds you when you STOP looking for it and let it happen. On God’s watch, not yours.

These are all examples of us managing our expectations, letting God do HIS thang and letting life unfold like it is supposed to. Naturally. Easily. With pleasant surprises (God looking out for us) verses heart ache and heartbreak (again, oddly enough – God usually looking out for us because we didn’t listen to him to begin with!)

Be attuned to the word and the sweet, soft sound of God’s voice. Hear it with your soul and keep it in your heart. He will never steer you wrong and will always guide you if you just listen, set down your expectations and allow God’s will to manifest itself in your life instead of expecting yours to.

Expect nothing but the blessings promised in the Word and you will rarely be disappointed.