Moving Out of My Comfort Zone

This Christmas, as I was mourning the third Christmas without my beloved husband and the sweet times we shared together, God decided to take me totally out of my comfort zone. A friend of mine whom I have not seen or spoken with for a few years called me to ask a favor.

Her husband has been involved with a non-profit, called Flight to the North Pole for the last 37 years. Each year they strive to make Christmas extra special for children who are terminally ill or disabled and their families. This Christmas, they needed a Mrs. Claus to help with their efforts, and she thought of me. Given that it was for something so special, I agreed. I was truly blessed by the experience. Please click on or copy and past the link below to see a news clip about it.

The following week she called and requested that I help out in her neighborhood, as Santa is pulled in a carriage and makes stops throughout the neighborhood to visit all the children. They needed a Mrs. Claus to help. I accepted and was happy that I did because of some of the special connections with people I met along the way.

I am grateful for having had the opportunities and grateful that God loves me enough to not let me sit at home and be sad. Instead, I feel like He used me to bring a little of His joy into people's lives, and by doing so, I was able to experience His joy also.

Merry Christmas everyone

The Peace of God

I had been asking God what would be best to write about this week, as we approach Christmas, and I thought about peace.

Christ is called the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) In Thessalonians 3:16, Scripture says, “Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” (NIV) In John 14:27, Jesus is speaking and He says, “Peace I leave with you: My peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled. Do not be afraid.” (NIV) And here is the Scripture that I have been given over and over again, since I first began seeking the Lord. Provers 3:5,6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, submit to Him and He will make your ways straight.” (NIV) There are over 100 Scriptures about God’s peace. Search them out for yourself and be encouraged. “In the song, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, are the words, “Peace on earth and mercy mild. God and sinners reconciled. Glory to the newborn King.”

When I first received the peace of God, I was in the midst of a very hard place in my life. Before this, I believed that I could control people and situations in my life. This resulted in a great deal of turmoil, stress, and what is now called “drama”.

I was new at learning about the Lord and was still leaning on my own understanding about life. Then I experienced a very dark situation. I was afraid, out of control, and fearful for my children. I didn’t know what to do. I decided to call someone who was anchored in the Lord and was a great prayer warrior. She listened to my dilemma and began to pray for me over the phone. As she prayed, I began to feel a peace that I had never felt before. It calmed my fears and strengthened me to go forward for another day.

Once I experienced that peace, that goes beyond understanding, I vowed to never return to the person I was. I vowed to trust in the Lord in all things. I embraced that peace and never wanted to lose it. I first received God’s peace over 30 years ago. By God’s grace, He has kept me in His peace, no matter what the circumstance, and I rejoice in that.

My latest challenge was in Sept. 2020, when my husband died. I was in a very dark place of despair. My best friend and part of me had gone to be with the Lord, and I was here, without him. But no matter how deep the pit, and how great the despair and loneliness, God’s peace was with me. He has brought me out of the pit, and continues to nurture me through His peace and the people He has brought into my life to encourage me and lift me up.

So, my word to you is this: Choose to receive God’s peace and rest in it. When you do, no matter what the trial or dark place you experience, God’s peace will help you get through it.

"So If The Son Sets You Free, You Will Be Free Indeed" John 8:36

It was 1993, a year before I married John. I was a fairly new born-again Christian, but knew enough to know that there are spiritual battles that go on within us. I was at work in my kiosk and felt a tremendous burden all day. I tried positive affirmations, thinking positive thoughts and anything else to ease the burden. When nothing worked, I told my friend that I thought it must be a spiritual battle, because I couldn’t shake off this burden. It was with me all day.

Then John called to tell be about a women’s meeting that was going on at Christian Retreat that night and suggested that I go to hear from a speaker we had both wanted to hear. I thanked him and I told him I was busy. After I hung up the phone, I started thinking, “I haven’t spoken with John in a couple of weeks (it was one of our butting heads and going apart times), I have this heavy burden, and he calls me now.” I reconsidered, canceled my plans for the night and went to the meeting.

I thought it was going to be some small meeting, but when I arrived, I discovered that it was a huge all weekend conference and it cost money to attend. Since I didn’t have much money, I asked if I could pay for just the Friday night meeting. I was told that I had to pay for the whole weekend. I thought to myself, “Well, I am here now, and I did deposit my child support check this morning, so I know that I have money today.” So, I registered. Matthew 6:21 “For where your treasure is, there will be your heart also.” I didn’t know what was in store for me, but I knew that if I put God first in my life, He would put everything else in order. Matthew 6:33 – my interpretation.

After paying, as I was walking toward the sanctuary, a woman ran up to me and said, “Isn’t this exciting!” I replied, “I don’t even know what this is.” I continued in and sat down. Praise and worship music started. I stood up and opened my mouth to sing, and the strangest thing happened. The voice coming out of me was so beautiful, I never wanted to stop! Then a woman next to me said, “That’s the most beautiful voice I have ever heard!” I replied, “It’s not mine!” If that would have been all that happened that night, it would have been amazing, but there was still more to come.

After the service, the speaker invited everyone that needed a healing to come forward. I thought that since I needed a healing in my spirit, I should go up, so I did. We were all lined up across the front of the room. The speaker was going from person to person, telling them weird things that only that person could understand. When she got to me, she sang a song: “Precious Frances, Satan has come to pull you down, but I say My word is sound. Return to the joy of your salvation.” She touched my head lightly and WHAM! I was totally energized! I felt like it looks on Star Trek, when a person disintegrates and then becomes whole again. I was totally set free of the burden!

I was so excited, that I wanted to stay all weekend, but I was scheduled to work at the kiosk on Saturday and Sunday and it was 11 p.m. on Friday night. Since nothing is impossible with God, I prayed that God would help me find workers for my shifts – and He did.

I was able to attend all the meetings and came home with this message. “Stay home, read the Bible and take care of your kids.” I was involved in a few different things beside my regular business, so I went to each one, told them the message and did what I was instructed to do. I was transformed that day and have never been the same. I remember it as if it was yesterday even though it has been almost 30 years.

That night I realized that although all the counseling I had undergone through my divorce helped in some way, one touch from God can set you free and on the right path instantly. I hope that this story will encourage you to seek God in all that you do so that He can heal you, set you free, and empower you to follow the great plan that He has for your life. 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.”