God Remembers

The goal was to write and produce shows that were full of discovery and warmed the heart. And traveling the world....well that was the ice cream on top of the cake.

As a teenager that was my dream, until reality set in. All too soon I found out those opportunities were reserved for journalists with loads of experience ... which I didn’t have.

So I put the dream on the shelf and started a different yet similar path. Years passed. And life, as it does, piled in. I’m not sure when it happened but, somewhere along the way I forgot about what was once my heart's desire.

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Not too long ago, one of my clients asked if I’d be interested in working on a new project. They needed someone to write and produce content for an uplifting informative thirty minute talk show. I asked her to give me a few days to pray about it.

During my prayer time, the Lord’s response was “Isn’t this what you asked me for?” At first I was a little confused and then he reminded me of what I’d asked for seemingly a life time ago. I’d forgotten, but He remembered.

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"God remembered..." I absolutely love this little phrase.

Like a treasure hidden in plain sight, these two words introduce us to Rachel's miraculous news in Genesis 30:22 and they activate the long awaited deliverance for Noah in Genesis 8:1.

Interesting enough, when the scripture tells us that God remembered, it has nothing to do with forgetting. God doesn't have to be reminded of our existence, our pain or our struggles. He's aware of it all.

According to compelling truth.org, "When the Bible says God "remembered," the original Hebrew verb is zakar. Zakar does mean "to remember," but it also means "to bring someone to mind and then act upon that person's behalf." The Hebrew idea of remembering always includes acting on behalf of the one brought to mind."

You might want to read this again .... "remembering always includes acting on behalf of the one brought to mind." Now, if this doesn't make you want to break out in a dance, I don't know what will.

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I'm not sure how long you've prayed for your unsaved loved ones. I don't know how many times you've asked God to give you a child or end your financial struggles? And only you know the years you've begged God to heal your body, fill your life with love or restore a relationship. But I do know that God remembers. He remembered Noah, Abraham, Rachel and Hannah. And, I'm trusting that he will remember you.

As I'm writing I'm thinking of you. I'm praying that God will act on your behalf. I'm praying that he will give you beauty for ashes and joy instead of sorrow. - Isaiah 61: 3

Would you join me? Just drop your first name in the comment section. I will pray for you. And, I'm asking you to pray for the sister friend whose name is directly above yours. Let’s do this together and trust the God who remembers.

Your Sister Friend,

Loving Blu

Meet our son Blu. Well actually he's our 7 year old, 60lb Pitbull who thinks that he's a little boy. Every time November 21st rolls around his birthday we contemplate telling him that he's not human but, ultimately decide against it. We don’t think he would take the news very well. Boy or canine Blu is loved more than he could ever imagine. But, it didn't start out that way.

My husband called and said that he was going to pick up Bayley from school so considerate. My schedule was overloaded like a suitcase packed an hour before a red eye flight. I had no idea this good deed was actually a setup. Frank and his 8 year old co-conspirator were about to completely traumatize me.

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When they finally came home after dark side eye. Frank burst in the door with a dog crate, food and a myriad of other things confused side eye. Then Bayley came in with a black and white creature that had one brown eye and one bright blue eye. Enthusiastically she held him out to me saying "Look what we got Mommy. His name is Blu, Here hold him." crazy wide eyed mama

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Now I would like to say that my sanctified self said, "Praise God, we get the opportunity to care for one of God's wonderful creations." But, since I know that lying makes me a prime candidate for hell you can read it for yourself - Revelations 21:8

"Get that mutant dog away from me!" were my exact words as I walked away. Now if you're wondering if I'm Cruella Deville’s long lost sister, I am not. But I was a worn out wife, Pastor's wife, Mom, business owner and daughter who had been traipsing up and down I-75 from Building A to C at Emory meeting with my parents' oncologists.

That night I could tell that Blu wanted my affection. But, I was conducting a serious “no pet protest“ and being sweet to him was not a part of the plan. I went to bed only to be awakened by high pitched nonstop yapping and wimpering sleepy eyed mama.

The next day it was just the two of us. He was so little. I had to pick him up to help navigate the stairs. It was cold outside, so I held him close. Somewhere in the midst of going to the potty countless times, we developed a bond. And then I knew that God was teaching me something I didn’t even realize I needed to learn.

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There’s more room - I just knew that I couldn’t add anything or anyone else to my plate. Do you ever feel that way? It was already overflowing. And, I was positive that my reasons for not wanting a dog were more than valid...until I allowed myself to see things differently. Blu was a little eight week old puppy separated from his Mama in a strange place. He was the runt of a large litter and now he didn't even know where any of his brothers and sisters were. Whew! that grabbed me

He needed to feel loved not abandoned...accepted not forsaken. He needed all the things God so generously provides for me every day. - Lamentations 3:22-23

I had the capacity to care for Blu and God knew it. I had room to love more.

Blessings are often disguised

Blu’s unexpected arrival could be accurately described as an inconvenience. It stretched me and completely rearranged my schedule. But at the same time, he made Bayley’s face light up when she came home from her new school.

And I’ll admit that watching him scamper around with his toys was the cutest thing. I was rejecting what God was using to bless me. What I thought I didn’t want or need brought loads of happiness to our home. He came at the right time.

Loving Blu made our family complete and honestly I wouldn’t have it any other way.

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Are you rejecting what God is using to mature, push or bless you? Ask God to give you his perspective. You might find that you are missing out on something really precious.

Your Sister Friend,

Sandra

Focus Please

Matching dates, places and people was at the bottom of my priority list. However as time passes, I’m becoming more of a history lover. who knew?

So the opportunity to produce videos for historical landmarks around our city was right on so many levels.

Thirty one. That was the total number of videos that we needed to complete. As we were wrapping up number 29, I stepped on what I thought was pavement. But actually, my foot landed in a break in the sidewalk. And yeah, that crackling sound had nothing to do with the pebbled surface. It was my right ankle.

Within 90 minutes, I had an X-ray, was fitted for a boot not the cute kind and was at home in the bed in a lot of pain. Did I mention that it was painful?

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We all have those hurry and get it done kind of days...right? And this particular day was definitely one of them. I checked the gym off my to do list and was heading to an appointment for Daddy.

As my friend and I were making our way down the stairs, I missed a step. When I landed, my ankle twisted and all of a sudden I felt something painfully familiar.

And just like a re-enactment from the Groundhog Day Movie, there I was again ... getting X-rays, being fitted for a boot it was still ugly and in bed with nauseating pain.

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Why was I repeating painful experiences? Well, it didn’t take long for the Lord to reveal that both times I was distracted. I wasn’t paying attention. I was juggling too many things. And, the main thing was no longer the main thing.

Proverbs 4:25 - 27 gives us really clear directions. “Set your gaze on the path before you. With fixed purpose, looking straight ahead, ignore life’s distractions.[a] Watch where you’re going! Stick to the path of truth, and the road will be safe and smooth before you.”- The Passion Translation

I know life screams and demands that we pay attention. And even though our motives are right, too many “Yes’s” coupled with unhealthy boundaries cause us to stumble and fall.

While I was recovering I had a lot of time to reprioritize and refocus. And to make sure I remembered what God was teaching me, He gave me an acroymn that you might want to keep in mind as well.

F - Don’t allow fear to paralyze you

O - Organize

C - Keep Christ at the center

U - Don’t under estimate yourself or your God

S - Remain steady

Sometimes life becomes a little too much. And just maybe .... you’re trying to be everything to everybody. But remember, you have the power to choose who and what receives your attention. So take a moment to breathe, redirect your gaze and .....focus.

Your Sister Friend,

Sandra