What God Did for Katanna

          Who is Katanna? She’s the sweet daughter of our youngest son’s fourth grade teacher. At that time, Katanna was a little girl, but now she’s all grown up!

          Two years ago, Katanna wanted to publicly profess her faith in Jesus Christ by being baptized. Reason for rejoicing in and of itself, but God did something amazing for her, although it would be two more years until that evidenced.

          I’ll turn this telling over to Katanna’s mom who shared this not too long ago:

          “My daughter never met my dad. He passed a few months before she was born.

          Katanna was baptized in the church where my parents and many of my family members on my dad’s side were baptized. She also wanted to be baptized with something that represented her papaw 
Stewart.

          I put a picture my dad in a sandwich bag, and she wore it in her pocket.

          She changed clothes after the ceremony in a back room and forgot to pick up the bag with the photo in it from the shelf where she laid it.

          I meant to go back and get the picture but kept forgetting.

          Then eastern Kentucky experienced extreme flooding, which almost destroyed the church."

(This video clip shows flooding in Neon, August 2022. The building with the reddish roof is the church mentioned above.)

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?mibextid=UalRPS&v=744724960137964&rdid=4meVqGcFMiDmcUzj

          "Everything inside the church had to be replaced. Many people helped rebuild the inside...

          It really hurt to see the pews my grandmother and her sisters sat in completely destroyed. I actually stood outside of the church and helped make grilled hot dogs and hamburgers to give to those who lost their homes after the devastation.

          I thought of the picture a few times and felt just awful that we hadn’t remembered to get it.

          A few weeks ago, however, a gentleman from the church, Frank Fleming, approached my mom after a Sunday service and handed her the picture still inside of the same sandwich bag—totally unharmed. He said it was found in the back. 

          I don’t know how it survived! I do know that faith, love, and hope can’t be destroyed when you hold onto it. It is with faith, love, and hope that—although Dad never got to meet Katanna—he is always with her and is so proud of her. Thank you, Frank, for this tremendous and timely blessing!

          I bought Katanna a music box when she graduated from college this year, and she has it in her first ever classroom. But instead of jewelry, her papaw Stewart’s picture in the sandwich bag has a new home inside of it!” 

                                                            –Sonya Breeding

 

          As it turns out, the school where Katanna begins her teaching career also flooded in the summer of 2022. The students she’ll teach well remember that school year’s opening being delayed by the massive clean-out required for them to return to their classrooms.

          And now, who will “join” them in their class under Katanna’s instruction? Papaw Stewart! For his image is in that jewelry box which has its very special place in her classroom—and in her heart.

 

Dear Lord God,

          Thank you for what you did for Katanna. Nothing is too hard for You!

          First of all, You saved her soul. And, because of that, she wanted to follow Your example by being baptized.

          Despite the devastation caused by the flood waters, You preserved a diamond for her to place in her musical jewelry box. What could have been more precious to her and her family than that gift!

          Thank You, dear Lord, for this very special gem of a young lady who will now be an influence to the young lives you bring to her through her teaching career.

          Lord, help her to know, when the waters of hard times seem like they may drown her, You are there to bring her out of them in the same way you preserved the priceless picture of her papaw.

          Thank You for what you will continue to do for Katanna.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

So precious is Jesus, my Savior, my King, His praise all the day long with rapture I sing;

To Him in my weakness for strength I can cling, for he is so precious to me.

 

(Chorus) For He is so precious to me, for He is so precious to me;

’Tis heaven below, my Redeemer to know, for He is so precious to me.

 

He stood at my heart’s door in sunshine and rain and patiently waited an entrance to gain;

What shame that so long He entreated in vain, for He is so precious to me. (Chorus)

 

I stand on the mountain of blessing at last, no cloud in the heavens a shadow to cast;

His smile is upon me, the valley is past, for He is so precious to me. (Chorus)

 

I praise Him because He appointed a place where, someday, through faith in His wonderful grace,

I know I shall see Him, shall look on His face, for He is so precious to me. (Chorus)

 

(from the hymn He Is So Precious to Me by Charles H. Gabriel, 1902, public domain)

#baptism #church #2022Kentuckyflood #devastation #papawsphoto #Godpreserved #teacher

 

Photo credits: Sonya Breeding, Cayden Fugate, Josh Howard (video)

Kids!

          During my growing up years, we attended an annual family reunion. We made our way around all the tables full of family, specially making sure we greeted the elderly.

          When we reached Great Uncle Dan? Same exchange year after year. He looked at my sister, smiled, and exclaimed as if heaven were shining on him, “Angel child!” Then he eyed me, shook his head, and said with a voice of doom, “Tsk-tsk! Born in the briar patch!”*

          (Our mom agreed with Great Uncle Dan. Our dad remained silent on the subject. Probably because he was also “born in the briar patch.”)

          Siblings (even identical twins) can be so different from one another—like night from day, as the saying goes.

          Our own children differed greatly too, as do their children.

          Let me share with you a little about two of our grandkids. Brothers.

          Not long ago, 5-year-old TJ and 3-year-old JC sent us some of their artwork. The subject matter actually reflected their personalities pretty well (smile). With these paintings, a note from their dad:

“We wanted to send you flowers…

TJ made a flower garden picture.

JC painted what looks like a compost pile!”

          The next time I talked with my sister via Facetime (video phone), I had to show her our grandboys’ artwork along with their dad’s comments. We had a good laugh as her mind went to the same place mine had.

          She piped up with, “Sounds just like Great Uncle Dan! I was the Angel Child!”

          “Yeah, I know,” I said. “And how can I ever forget where I was born!”

          No matter how different our kids are, we love them all dearly. Some require more time invested. You know, those “born in the briar patch.” Those who “create compost.” And sometimes these who challenge us more also wear us to the point of wanting to quit, not to mention exhaustion and tears.

          That’s why our kids, grandkids, great-grands need our commitment to aim them toward God, no matter how easy or difficult they are. Some seek God, some question, some walk away. Oh, how they need to know the love of the One Who created us all—unique every one!

          Parents of those “spirited” kids, though, surely must love them to “survive!”

          Let’s go a step further! How does the Heavenly Father view His children? He certainly knows our differences, gave us a road map to navigate life—His Word, the Bible, and loves us to the nth degree. Because of This Great Love, He never quits on the toughest cases and offers second chances, third, and more. What a Pure Example for us parents to follow when raising our families!

          I admit, I love the angel child’s garden very much, but I as much love the briar patch menace’s compost pile. After all, don’t kids need to bloom where they’re planted? And doesn’t a healthy garden require fertilizer? (Smile.)

I am so glad that our Father in heaven tells of His love in the Book He has given;

Wonderful things in the Bible I see, this is the dearest, that Jesus loves me.

 

(Refrain) I am so glad that Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me;

I am so glad that Jesus loves me, Jesus loves even me.

 

Though I forget Him and wander away, kindly He follows wherever I stray;

Back to His dear loving arms would I flee, when I remember that Jesus loves me. (Refrain)

 

O, if there’s only one song I can sing, when in His beauty I see the great King,

This shall my song in eternity be: O, what a wonder that Jesus loves me! (Refrain)

 

(from the hymn Jesus Loves Even Me by Emily S. Oakey—attributed—author, P.P. Bliss, 1871, public domain)

 

#kids #lovingourchildren #raisingkids #uniquepersonalities #strongwilledchildren #Godslove #Jesuslovesme

 

 

*reference to an Uncle Remus story, popularized by journalist, Joel Chandler Harris

 

Photo credit: M. Tripp for the initial image

Name That Tune!

          While shopping on eBay, I discovered a music box that caught my eye. Confession: I have a weakness for them, so any excuse to buy one works for me.

          Hmm, maybe my daughter-in-law would love this for Christmas! So, I read the ad to make sure this music box was in good working order and to find out what song it played because no title was listed.

          I never buy a music box without knowing what it plays. I mean, who wants the run-of-the-mill Memories, Happy Birthday, or Row Row Row Your Boat unless that’s actually what you’re after? Not this gal.

          I quickly jotted off a memo to the seller: “Can you please tell me what song this music box plays? Thank you. –Sarah”

          The next morning, I was pleased to find a response, although a tad unusual. It went like this: “Hi. Thank you for your interest in our item. Here’s the crazy thing: I recognize the song it plays, but I have no idea what it is. I feel like it’s a wedding song but not Here Comes the Bride. I will try to upload a video of the song for you tomorrow. Blessings! –Millie”

          …to which I replied: “OK. I’d be very interested in knowing. Thank you. –Sarah”

          The next day I received another note saying the seller couldn’t send me the video, so she’d upload it into the eBay ad, which could take up to 48 hours to appear. Included with this explanation was this: “Hi again, Sarah! I’m so embarrassed to do this, but if you pronounce it out loud the song goes:

DO-DO-DO-DO,

DO-DO-DO-DO,

DO-DO-DO-DO,

DOOOO-DA-DO!

 

…If that rings a bell. Not sure if that’s any help at all, or if I just sound like a moron. I just cringed at myself. Ugh! –Millie”

          I laughed so hard and had to read the conversation to my hubby. He too lost it! We were in hysterics, sitting here DO-DO-DOing and even trying to figure it out. Oh my!

          Well, that deserved a response: “Millie, yup, you do sound like a moron—or like ME! Maybe a little Twilight-Zonish! I’ll keep checking the eBay ad for the video.”

          Thankfully, eBay got with the program, and the video appeared. I played it so Brian could hear it too, thinking I might not recognize what DO-DO-DO-DO, etc. really meant. We were pleasantly surprised, recognizing it immediately.

          A win/win! I quickly clicked the BUY-IT-NOW button and finished checking out!

          Once more I received a note from the seller: “Thank you for your purchase! I hope you do know the song with my horrible effort to get the melody to you. Many blessings! –Millie”

          I wrote to thank the seller and let her know: “Millie, the song is PERFECT! It’s from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony but also the tune used for the hymn Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee. Hey, did we win the game show, Name That Tune? Is there a prize? Anyway, it will make a fantastic Christmas gift. Yeah, I’m coo-coo for shopping in July!”

          “Sarah, glad the song uploaded. I know about that game show, but unfortunately I don’t have a further prize. 😊 Maybe fast shipping??? Haha! It’s shipping out today. Thank you. –Millie”

          But Millie did give us a prize! You see, she didn’t know we needed to laugh the days these exchanges took place. We’d been burdened down with several hardships the previous week and leading up to that day. So, she totally made our day!

          Better yet, God knew we needed laughter—joy too! He gave us that, and the mail carrier will give us the package from Millie soon. In the meantime, here are the lyrics to the song this music box plays:

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love;

Hearts unfold like flow’rs before Thee, op’ning to the sun above.

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away;

Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!

 

All Thy works with joy surround Thee, Earth and heav’n reflect Thy rays,

Stars and angels sing around Thee, Center of unbroken praise;

Field and forest, vale and mountain, flow’ry meadow, flashing sea,

Chanting bird and flowing fountain praising Thee eternally!

 

Always giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blest,

Well-spring of the joy of living, ocean-depth of happy rest!

Loving Father, Christ our brother, let Thy light upon us shine;

Teach us how to love each other, lift us to the joy divine.

 

Mortals, join the mighty chorus, which the morning stars began;

God’s own love is reigning o’er us, joining people hand in hand.

Ever singing, march we onward, victors in the midst of strife;

Joyful music leads us sunward in the triumph song of life.*

OR…

DO-DO-DO-DO,

DO-DO-DO-DO,

DO-DO-DO-DO,

DOOOO-DA-DO!

😊

 

          Of course, we’ll have to wind the music box many times to get all those DO-DO and DOOOO, DA-DOs in there! After all, how can we expect such a little box to hold all that!

 

          “Awe, Sarah, you are awesome. We appreciate you. The real “prize” was the embarrassment of trying to ‘DO-DO-DO’ the song for you! Bahahahahaha. Ugh! 😊 The music box is in the mail. I hope you and your very lucky daughter-in-law just love it! –Millie”

          We will!

 

*from the hymn Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee, lyrics by Henry Van Dyke, 1907 and

music by Ludwig van Beethoven written between 1822 & 1824, public domain

 

#musicbox #ChristmasinJuly #eBay #laughter #Beethoven #NameThatTune #joy #Godthegiver

Photo credit: “Millie” of Maryland

My Tattoo

          Would you like to hear about my tattoo? Well, don’t hold your breath because I don’t have one, although I confess—I’ve considered the idea.

          Choice of design? Only one. Simple yet filled with meaning. For, you see, I learned of a people who bear the same tattoo on the inside of their wrists, all with very good reason.

          The Coptic Christians in northern Africa (primarily Egypt with Sudan coming in next). This group of believers, although differing from my foundation in doctrine and interpretation of sacraments, do love God, yet they live in an area of the world where they risk persecution—even unto death—by those of a different belief system. The history of this persecutions reaches back to 640 A.D.

          The Coptic Christians so revere God that they wished to be identified with Him—thus, a tattooed cross. A visible mark of their resilience. Not only did they desire this mark, constantly reminding them of their commitment, but they also use it as “backward insurance.” A death sentence.

          Can you imagine?

          You see, these people know they risk being persecuted, and many—when faced with “deny your faith or die”—wondered if they’d stand firm. With no mark inked into their arm (where the enemy would certainly look) they could falter and say, “I never knew Him.”

          But with the tattoo they could not deny the faith—because, even if their mouths failed to claim Christ, their marks would assure they’d be unable to. Yes, “backward insurance”—possible death if they wavered.

          So, that’s why I’ve considered taking the cross—in solidarity and also as a vow to hold firm to my faith, even under threat of death—like these persecuted Christians because I’ve also wondered if faced with denying my faith to preserve my life, would the mark assure my allegiance to Jesus?

          If I were ever asked to turn against Jesus Christ in exchange for my life, would I? I would say, “Unequivocally no!” Yet, just like the Copts (as they are called), do I know for certain I wouldn’t pull-a-Peter? How do I know unless the enemy shows up at our door and we’re put to the test?

          Do I need a tattoo to identify with Christ? No. Really, if my life doesn’t shine for Him each day, then how will those around me—friend or foe—know I bear His mark? The one that’s in my heart and the place where He lives within me?

          Here’s the rub: I love the Lord and want to be like Him. I want others to look at me and see Christ. I also want my actions to draw people to seek His Kingdom.

          If I keep growing closer to the Lord, then I believe I’ll be less likely to deny Him. But Peter didn’t think he would, and look what happened with him! He who was close to Jesus.

          So, getting a Coptic cross tattoo is still on the table in my thinking. But may I ever be mindful of what’s most important—that God has stamped His image in my heart.

 

Oh! To be like Thee, blessed Redeemer, this is my constant longing and prayer;

Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures, Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.

 

Refrain: Oh! To be like Thee. Oh! To be like Thee, blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art;

Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness; stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.

 

Oh! To be like Thee, full of compassion, loving, forgiving, tender and kind,

Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting, seeking the wand’ring sinner to find. (refrain)

 

Oh! To be like Thee, lowly in spirit, holy and harmless, patient and brave;

Meekly enduring cruel reproaches, willing to suffer, others to save. (refrain)

 

Oh! To be like Thee, Lord, I am coming, now to receive th’ anointing divine;

All that I am and have I am bringing, Lord, from this moment all shall be Thine. (refrain)

 

Oh! To be like Thee, while I am pleading, pour out Thy Spirit, fill with Thy love,

Make me a temple meet for Thy dwelling, fit me for life and Heaven above. (refrain)

 

(from the hymn Oh! To Be Like Thee by Thomas O. Chisholm, 1897, public domain)

 

#tattoos #CopticChristians #markedforChrist #identity #persecution #witness #testimony

 

 

Photo Credit: Reddit.com

When God-Whispers "Don't Make Sense"

 

          Do you ever wonder about the whispers God puts in your heart? I do. Sometimes I think this can’t be You, God because—well, it seems so bizarre.

          There’s one particular time in the past few years when I wondered 1) Is this God, indigestion, or a neurological breakdown? 2) If it is God, why in the world is He telling me this? 3) Doesn’t He realize this is way too hard for me? 4) Am I just totally whacked out of my mind?

          I’ve wrestled within myself and with the Almighty.

          Wrestled with the Almighty? Talk about being out of my mind! What sane person does that? Okay. Jacob did, and he took a wallop in the hip. Well, I’ve already got aching hips along with all my other joints, so I’ll skip that argument.

          I will tell you, though, I was brought to tears, laid low—literally falling prostrate across a table with my hands outstretched and turned upward, ready to receive whatever God told me. (No, I wasn’t stretched out on the floor because of—well, the aching-joint thing.)

          But I’ve cried hard tears over what God told me—if it’s Him. I’m still not 100% sure because, again, how could God whisper something so strange? I even went to the alter at church and prayed with our pastor, telling him, “God’s asking me to do something that seems beyond me. I need His help.”

          Here’s the thing: If God is the One whispering to me, then I’ve already told Him long ago I’d obey. And, to be honest, I tried to keep that commitment over the decades.

          IF God is nudging, can it not make sense?

          No. If God nudges, whispers, shouts—He always makes sense—even if what I’m seeing at my end seems totally impossible, loopy, too far out there to be real.

          When I was in my early 20s (and already asked Jesus into my life as Lord and Savior many years before that), I committed my life to serve God fully. Then and since I put on my “work clothes,” one item being the Mind of God.

          God’s Mind? I Corinthians 2:16 and Philippians 2:5 will help you understand. The Lord God Himself tells us to put on the Mind of Christ. In this way, we will know what is His good and perfect will. We’ll think like Him.

          So, when I’m seeking God, I actually imagine myself picking up that head-covering/mind wrap and wearing it. Because, without that, how do I know what He wants? Through His Word this directs me, as if there’s a headlamp brightly shining on a path I couldn’t see otherwise. 

          Now, I’ve contradicted myself. If I have God’s Mind-Cap on, then shouldn’t I know for sure Who is telling me to prepare for the “strange” thing I’ve heard?

          But I confess. I’m flawed. And, although I should know, I don’t. Or is it, instead, that I’m not wanting to know what He’s saying? Hmm.

          So, why am I sharing this with you? Because maybe you wrestle the same as I. Maybe you doubt at times who is speaking to your heart. Maybe you need to know it’s possible for God to ask you to do something big and be able to tell Him, “Speak, Lord, your servant hears you.”

          Ah! There it is! Servant.

          A true servant doesn’t question. A true servant obeys the master, even when the request doesn’t make sense.

          From God’s point-of-view, what He asks always makes sense. Consider these examples:

                        Take your only son Isaac and slay him.

                        Drench the alter of sacrifice before igniting the flames.

                        Build an ark.

                        Pick five smooth stones and go deal with a giant.

                        Break your pitchers, then charge the sleeping enemy.

                        Virgin, you will have a Son and name Him Jesus.

                        Dunk in the dirty Jordon River seven times.

…and the list goes on. No, none of those things “made sense,” but they all did. They were needful. All-important.

          This God of ours—Almighty, all-knowing, all-caring, all-powerful! Perhaps this sets us more in awe when we see the fruition of His not-making sense make perfect sense when the task is completed.

          So, should God whisper something that doesn’t make sense to you, after you’re sure you have no fever and don’t need an antacid, ready yourself to accept what’s to come.

          It might be good. It might seem bad. Whatever the case, He will be the Master of it and already knows the end since the beginning. You can rest in that.

Master, speak! Thy servant heareth, waiting for thy gracious word,

Longing for thy voice that cheereth, Master, let it now be heard.

I am list’ning, Lord, for thee; what hast thou to say to me?

 

Speak to me by name, O Master, let me know it is to me;

Speak, that I may follow faster, with a step more firm and free,

Where the Shepherd leads the flock, in the shadow of the Rock…

 

…Master, speak! And make me ready, when thy voice is truly heard,

With obedience glad and steady, still to follow ev’ry word.

I am listening, Lord, for thee: Master, speak, oh speak to me!

 

(from Master, Speak! Thy Servant Heareth by Frances Ridley Havergal, 1867, public domain)

#willofGod #prayer #obedience #servant