I Get a Little Bit Stronger

Wow, can you believe that it is already January 15? Where does the time go? Well, we are two plus weeks into the New Year, so how are your resolutions going?

As I type tonight, my thoughts wander to a young lady that I know. After car accident,hurting, and needing prayer. In the fight of her life. Our previous pastor's daughter is in dire need of our prayer. Karissa, know that all who read are praying for you and your family.

Makes me think about life in general. What struggles that we face, and how individually we can either make them into blessings, or turn them in to struggles for us and all around us.

Each of us in this two short weeks of 2011 have been attacked. Some are small attacks, a dead car battery, flat tire, trouble in the return line at Walmart. Some are bigger, lost job, car accident, medical bills, family problems, marital problems, teenagers going wild at college (lol). But seriously, I got to thinking.

What kind of problem could I face that would make me truly feel that I had hit my bottom. Not just for a moment, but.......make me miserable and make me make those around me miserable??

The only answer that I could come up with is if I did not know Christ as my Lord and Saviour. I mean, come on man, what else could come against you? I am not speaking of anyone in my life other than myself.

We were going through Gander Mountain last night and we saw the section dedicated to helping the Breast Cancer Cause. Jaque turned and said to me, "man mom, our family is so lucky. I mean, we are so fortunate. I cannot imagine anything every bad happening to any of us." I had a smile as big as you can dream of, and then said "yea, we are pretty lucky. You have only broken one little bone." (duh, your back silly) She laughed and said, "and cracked a few ribs."

How amazing. She really has no limits on her life. She understands that nothing is impossible with God.

Jaque and her long time boyfriend parted ways this week. She was hurt, and really just in shock about the deal. She is, in true Jaque form, hanging tough. One of her girlfriends came over and was having boy trouble. After a week, she and her man had cut ties. She was very upset and Jaque said to not let anyone make her feel like dirt. That she deserved better. Her friend said, well I am just not as strong as you Jaq.

What a compliment. I am not stupid. I know it must still really hurt, and I know that Jaque will end up with who God has intended. But faith and hope must be kept!

My New Years resolution is to make sure that my family and friends know how much they mean to me. To make sure that they are #2 only behind God. I am not sure how I am doing, but I know that I will try to accomplish this everyday for the rest of my life.

See, when all is against you, God is the first one there. But he must rush in quickly or your friends and family might beat him there. Not really, but my point is our legacy is those around us.....not a job, a school, a sport, a bank account, car, etc.

As Jaque was ready to have surgery, it was Jan 17. Our friends and family gathered. Many came to the hospital that day. Those that could not, prayed for her. And Presley Byington played Amazing Grace on his flute. I remember that we asked the staff. They looked at us kind of weird. Chris told them that there was a chance that she might not make it out of surgery. IF that was God's will, we wanted to ensure that she heard that sweet sound. They said ok, and as he started playing silence moved over the entire floor of ICU rooms in Children's at Little Rock. Mothers, fathers, grandparents..came out of their rooms. Those in the waiting room that were restless paused in a silence like I had never experienced. And Presley played. We wept. We all wept.

As we went with Jaque to the holding pin, they told us that she was completely out. No chance of waking up. I said, I sure would like to talk to her, to just tell her I love her. Chris said, she can hear us. So we prayed with her, held her hand and in they came to get her.

As they were wheeling her away, my grip faded.....and she opened her eyes and looked right at me. She looked as though to say, "mom, I good." "mom, I will see you in a bit." In true Jaque form, she was not afraid. And she was settling me, taking my fear and replacing it with Hope.

Dr McCarthy later confided in Chris and me that at one point in surgery, they thought they would lose her. And then as quickly as she got into trouble, she just improved. He was a God fearing man. He knew that God was with her. He said over and over that although he had never spoken to her, he admired the determination in her eyes and saw the love she had for life through her family and friends. He said he just knew that Jaque was going to surprise everyone and have a great recovery.

This last year at her check up, he said do not be discouraged with slow progress, as slow and steady wins the race. And, he said, Jaque nothing about you is ordinary.

Today, will you be ordinary in the life of those around you? Or will you choose to try and be the extra in someones life. When your light shines, will it be a short burst of light, or will it be an ongoing beacon for all to see.

Do those around you know that you are a Christian? Remember that no matter what the strength of your light, Jesus is the way to recharge and strengthen. And it is true that just a little bit of light and smile will improve the life of those around you.

I wish you all the best in 2011. I will try and get the skiing video from AngelFire, NM. Believe me, it will be worth your time. If you need motivation to conquer a fear, Jaque is your Gal.

God Bless, and pray for Karissa and family.