The Secret Ingredient

I know that Christmas has come and gone, and we all have five pounds to show for it. But I still feel it necessary to spend a few minutes bragging about the success of one of my Christmas cookies. Indulge me for a moment, if you would. Every year, I make biscotti dipped in white chocolate and peppermint candy. And, if I must say so myself, it is quite good. However, this year, it came better than ever before. The reason why? The addition of a new ingredient. A secret ingredient.

Now, I’m not one of those women who share a recipe and omit one ingredient to ensure that mine is better than yours. Although, I must admit that I have been the recipient of that shenanigan many times. So I will happily share with you what I did. This year, I simply added a few teaspoons of peppermint extract to the biscotti batter itself. It made the peppermint flavor spread throughout the whole cookie. The result – fabulous!

Some of you are reading this right now, scratching your head, and wondering where I am headed with this. Well, let me tell you. Have you ever seen a woman of God and wondered why she seems to have it all together and her faith is so steadfast? Or while reading through the Bible, are you curious as to why these mighty men and women were able to perform such amazing things for the Lord? The answer is in the secret ingredient.

There is no clearer example of an individual who recognized the importance of the secret ingredient than Paul. Paul wrote most of the New Testament and had faith that could not be shaken, even while facing persecution and death. Why? He was just an ordinary person just like you and me, but he was man of deep, committed prayer. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Paul instructs us to:

 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Prayer makes things happen. Paul understood this. Whether he was seeking God’s will or wisdom for a situation, or praising him in the midst of a trial, Paul prayed without ceasing. He desired to know God better and to have a life that pleased God. This could only be accomplished by spending time with God.

Ladies, we can’t be successful in life without a successful prayer life. We need to spend time in prayer with Jesus each day, talking to Him and allowing Him to build us up in His strength. You don’t need to be eloquent or super spiritual. He just desires an intimate relationship with you that is open and honest. He wants prayers that come from the heart, not those recited out of duty.

Spending time with Him will allow you to hear his voice clearly in any situation and will give you peace no matter what circumstance life brings. Want a successful life? Want a successful 2015? Forget the resolutions. Add the secret ingredient – PRAYER!

“Those persons who know the deep peace of God, the unfathomable peace that passeth all understanding, are always men and women of much prayer.”

R. A. Torrey

Finding Jesus Demands a Decision

Amidst the wrapping paper, cookies, parties and decorations, it is important to spend some time reading about the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

On coming to the house, they [the Wise Men] saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. - Matthew 2:11-12

After finding Jesus, the Wise Men changed their path home, avoiding Herod, because they were warned in a dream by God to take a different route. Herod had evil intentions and wanted this child, the Messiah, killed. Herod saw the potential threat Jesus would have to his power. But, because the Wise Men trusted God and were obedient, this evil scheme was thwarted.

Like these Wise Men, when we truly find Jesus, we experience a miracle in our lives. It’s life changing. This means that the path our life is headed on must change. It must change to one that is alignment with the perfect will of God. It should be a life that glorifies Him and flees from the sinful nature.

You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. – Colossians 3:7-10 

Ladies, if your life doesn’t look any different than it did before you found Jesus, then I can guarantee you that you are headed down a dangerous path, one that is filled with temptation, selfishness, and sin. The Christian life is not easy. It requires difficult choices each day, choices that set you apart for His holy purposes. Although there are sacrifices, I can guarantee you that staying on the straight and narrow path that Christ requires will be one full of blessings and peace.

We need to recognize that Jesus’ presence in our lives demands a decision – a decision that requires obedience. Stop listening to the lies the world spews, selling you a lifestyle that is contradictory to that of a “Wise Woman.” During this Christmas Season, you need to make a decision. Will you stay on the path the world offers, which is full of sin and disobedience? Or will you reroute your life to one that obeys Jesus fully?

May the presence of God fill your hearts and minds this Christmas and may your feet be on the path that God has planned for you. Merry Christmas!

No More Shame

When I read through the Old Testament, I am intrigued by the life of Elijah. He is probably one of the greatest prophets ever and had an intimate relationship with God. He predicted the beginning and the end to a three-year drought, allowed God to use him to raise a child from the dead, and defeated the prophets of Baal in a dramatic showdown at Mount Carmel. Interestingly, as incredible a man of God as Elijah was, he experienced suicidal thoughts right after the great victory at Mount Carmel. Jezebel heard of his triumph over the prophets of Baal and vowed to kill him. Elijah fled in fear.

He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life.” – 1 Kings 19:5

I don’t know about you, but I am comforted knowing that one of the greatest men of God suffered from depression. It seems that there is a stigma that attaches itself to all mental health issues today, and, as a result, shame accompanies the person that goes through it. The person struggles in secret for fear that people will judge her for this illness. And yet, a person dealing with cancer or diabetes receives the necessary love and support from friends and family.

Unfortunately, depression seems to be on the rise. I have been hearing almost weekly of a new person struggling with this, especially in the younger generation. People, just like Elijah, seem to have lost their purpose in the midst of these confusing times. Feelings of hopelessness have set in.

“But those whose hope is in the Lord, will not be disappointed” – Isaiah 49:23

If you are someone who struggles with depression, I have encouraging news for you. God delivered Elijah from his depressed state, and He can deliver you too. Elijah later went on to fulfill the purposes that God had planned for the rest of his life. His mental health didn’t define him. Elijah didn’t carry any shame for his depression, and neither should you.

“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 hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11

The Waiting Games

My mother has a knack for making things special, and holidays are no exception. My parents host Christmas Eve every year. When I was growing up, my entire family joined in on the festivities. If you are from an Italian family, you understand just how many people that actually is. The house was decorated beautifully in true Christmas spirit. Luminaras lined the driveway. The food was plentiful. Christmas carols echoed throughout the entire house, and laughter could be heard everywhere. I still remember the excitement I felt each Christmas Eve. The anticipation of what was to come overwhelmed me.

That night, we exchanged gifts with the extended family. But there was a catch. We had to wait until the grandfather clock in the foyer struck nine o’clock before we could open the gifts. Guests arrived at six, so you can imagine how long that wait seemed to a child.

To make the wait seem even more unbearable, my mother would line all the cousins up in a row with their presents in their laps about ten minutes before nine. Our little eyes were fixed on the big hand on the clock as the time ticked away. With ten seconds to go, my mother would begin the countdown:

10 – 9 – 8 – 7 – 6 – 5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1

You can imagine the scene that followed. Wrapping paper began to fly everywhere. It was a frenzy of tissue paper and bows. We were all so excited and thankful to open the long-awaited gift.

I know many of you are waiting patiently for the Lord to answer your prayers, and it seems like an eternity. Maybe you are asking God to restore your marriage or a broken relationship. Or perhaps you are waiting for a healing touch in your body or a financial breakthrough. I can assure you that God sees the situation you are in and hears your prayers.

“Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” - Psalm 27:14 

I recognize that nobody likes to wait. I certainly don’t. We live in a culture of instant gratification. Fast food . . . instant downloads . . . FastPass . . . to name just a few. But God often has a different plan in mind.

We look at the life of Abraham and see a man that received a tremendous promise from God. The Lord vowed to make Abraham the father of a great nation. He was 75 years old at the time he received this promise and yet, as of then, he didn’t have any children. It took 25 more years for Abraham to see the fulfillment of this promise through the birth of his son Isaac. Although Abraham went through seasons of doubt, God never changed His promise.

But why did God make Abraham wait? The character that is developed in God’s waiting room is significant: faith that can’t be shaken, awareness of God’s promises, the ability to hear God’s voice clearly, a dedicated prayer life, and, most importantly, an appreciation of His faithfulness.

Just like our waiting on Christmas Eve was never easy, waiting on God can be difficult. We need to recognize that the waiting can be a time of great growth and the development of a heart of appreciation for the answered prayer.

Ladies, we need to trust that God will do what His word says He will do. His timing is perfect. Don’t lose hope . . . the clock is just about to strike nine!

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." - Isaiah 40:31

Preparing For the Storm

New England weather is quite erratic. One morning you have the heat on and that same afternoon you need to turn on your air conditioning. So it is no surprise to us when a November snowstorm heads our way. When those newscasters start mentioning snow, we New Englanders know exactly what to do. Get gas for our snow blowers and generators, de-icer for the walkway, and of course, bread and milk, just in case we are stuck in our house for days, which incidentally never happens. Proper preparations are necessary for weathering any storm. Most of the time, like this recent storm, we get by quite easily. But every so often, we get clobbered with a doozy of storm, and we are very thankful that we took care of all the necessary preparations. It doesn’t matter if it’s an ice storm, blizzard or hurricane; those who are ready pass through them all with confidence and peace.

In the same way, the Christian life requires preparation. You can never know for sure when a storm will show up on your radar screen. Much like the weather in New England, life is unpredictable. I can assure each of you that storms will come and go. The question to ask yourself is how can you prepare properly for the ups and downs that life presents?

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”  - Matthew 7:24

The best way to prepare is to ensure that our foundation is on the rock. That is, our foundation is on Jesus. Ladies, we need to spend time in prayer and in the word of God every day. The Bible is full of testimonies of God’s faithfulness toward those who love Him. Time after time, we see God’s mighty hand deliver His people from all sorts of trying circumstances. He delivered Daniel from the lion’s den; He healed the woman with the issue of blood; and He rescued Paul from the shipwreck.

We need to learn how to meditate on His word so that we are steadfast and unshaken when a storm hits. His word tells us in Philippians 4:6-7 “do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Our hearts and minds need to be in alignment with God. This can’t be done while the storm is brewing. We need to spend time preparing before the storm arrives.

I received a phone call last week that could have shaken me. Instead, my heart was prepared and full of God’s promises, which combatted the effects of that news. I was able to see past that moment, and into the future, confident of what God has ahead of me. For you see, when you are aware of the fact that God is in control of your life and loves you, there is nothing that can shake you. The storms will not beat you down.

“ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” – Matthew 7:25-27

An Abundant Life

My favorite holiday, without a shadow of a doubt, is Thanksgiving. There are no gifts involved, excessive cookie baking to do, or elaborate decorations to hang. It is simply a day to come together with family and friends and celebrate God’s faithfulness. Every year, my entire family gathers around the dining room table with enough food to feed an entire football team. Some time after the salad and stuffed bread, but before the turkey, we participate in a beloved annual tradition – the passing of the talking stick. My kids made this feather-adorned stick during their preschool days. Whoever is holding the stick simply needs to state what he or she is thankful for.

It doesn’t sound like much, but it is my favorite part of the entire day. My heart overflows with joy as I hear the different blessings each person wants to thank God for. Some are recited through tears, others read from a prepared list, but all come from a heart of gratitude and contentment.

“They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness”

Psalm 145:7

In all our years of participating in this ritual, it’s interesting that not once did I ever hear anyone thank God for money, things, or prestige. Typical thanks include the love and support received from family and friends, for health and safety, and for special memories that were made. Because when it is all said and done, these are the only things that matter. These are the characteristics of an abundant life.

Ladies, we need to remember this truth as we “do life.” We need to stop looking for happiness in the acquisition of things. We need to invest more time in doing the things that we love with the people we love.

There is nothing wrong with having things, as long as we realize that true contentment comes from the things that don’t have a price tag. And those are the things that God graciously provides for an abundant life. And that is something to truly be thankful for.

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations." - Psalm 100:5-6

Happy Thanksgiving!

Eyes On You

Not that long ago, I had a lighthearted conversation with a friend of mine. We were both joking about our daughters and their “overachiever” attitude toward school. I quickly passed this perfectionist behavior on to my husband, clarifying that even though I was a good student, I never was that intense when I was her age. My daughter clearly must take after my husband. So I thought. Well, it was what came out of my friend’s mouth next that inspired today’s blog. She said without hesitation, “You might not have been like that when you were in sixth grade, but you are certainly like that now.”

Wait . . . what?

This got me thinking. Kids see and copy the behavior their parents demonstrate now, not when they were younger. Although we are telling our children one thing, what are we actually showing them?

I am constantly telling my daughter that there is no such thing as perfect, that an A minus is an acceptable grade, and that she need not take things so seriously. And yet, my actions are telling her something completely different. In fact, after some reflection, I do suppose my six-page Christmas Excel spreadsheet and my vacation fungenda spreadsheet are a bit intense.

We often hear the phrase “children learn what they live.” I think most parents understand that their children are watching them. Christian parents are careful to live a life of high moral character. So we don’t cheat, lie, or curse. But, it’s the little things that also shape our children’s character.

Ladies, how do you react when you are frustrated? Do you head to your knees in prayer, or do you complain and carry on. How do you respond to failure? Do you blame it on everyone else or do you accept responsibility, learn from it, and try again?

What happens when someone criticizes you or offends you? When you mess up, do you apologize? Do you respect your husband? Or do you make jokes at his expense?

That conversation with my friend has truly opened my eyes to be more aware that my kids are watching me all the time. So, what do I want them to see?

I want them to see a woman who is deeply in love with Jesus. I want them to see a woman who makes mistakes and knows how to admit she is wrong. I want them to see me get frustrated and offended and still do the right thing. I want them to see a woman who clearly doesn’t have it all together, but relies entirely on her Savior. Because with Him, she can do anything!

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”  Proverbs 22:6

And By His Stripes, We Are Healed

He was only six years old. Surgery!?! Like every mother, there was no way I wanted my son to go through this, even if it was only to put tubes in his ears. “It’s routine,” everyone kept telling me. Routine or not, I was refusing to accept this.

But He was wounded for our transgressions,

He was bruised for our iniquities;

The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,

And by His stripes we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5

Seven years ago, the doctor informed me that my son’s ears were a mess. He added that no medicine or amount of prayer was going to change the fact that his ears were covered in mucus, and his hearing was comparable to that of someone underwater. Surgery was a must. Anything short of a miracle would not suffice.

Fortunately for my son, I know a miracle worker who doesn’t have to obey the laws of nature. My doctor was headed off on vacation and when he returned in a week’s time, the surgery would be scheduled. I had one week. God had one week. My son was placed on several prayer lists, and I recruited every prayer warrior I knew to start praying for a miracle.

I must admit, that a week went by and I didn’t see any visible change in his hearing. The television still blared and numerous “what did you say” still echoed from his mouth. I never lost faith. But, I did remind God politely that my son's appointment was the next day, and that if He didn’t do something quickly, the surgery would be scheduled for that week. That night, I went to bed a little discouraged.

Fortunately, my prayer warrior sister-in-law did not. Her faith was not based on circumstance, but on the word of God and His promises. Unbeknownst to me, she woke several times during the night, declaring healing over my son, claiming the scriptures that God gave for his children. “Pop” she kept praying. “Pop, in the name of Jesus!”

And that is exactly what happened. My son woke the next morning, and the first words out of his mouth were, “Mommy, my ears are popping.” After a few minutes, I noticed that his hearing was improving. I kept adjusting the volume of my speech to see if he could hear, and miraculously, he could.

It was no surprise what happened that day. The doctor confirmed, to his amazement, that my son’s ears were completely healed. There was no evidence that he even had any prior ear issues. And to this day, he has had supernatural hearing.

We know that when Jesus walked the earth, He performed many healings, including the healing of the paralytic, Peter’s mother-in-law, the centurion’s servant, the woman with the issue of blood, and the ten lepers. Unfortunately, many people believe that these miracles were limited to the days when Jesus walked the earth, but I know differently.

The healing of my son’s ears is just one of the many times I’ve witnessed God’s miraculous healing power in my family and in those around me. All too often, we lose hope right before the miracle comes. I want to encourage you today – if you or someone you know needs a healing touch (physical or mental), Jesus is ready and willing for us to call upon him.

O LORD my God, I cried out to You, And You healed me.

Psalm 30:2

And You Are Mine

Have you ever had a song stuck in your head, replaying over and over and over again? Hillsong United’s Ocean (Where Feet May Fail) has been echoing in my mind from the moment I wake up until the moment I go to bed. I just love that song. The following verse especially touches my soul every time I hear it.

"For I am Yours, and You are mine"

What a beautiful illustration of a committed relationship with the Lord. We are His, and He is ours.

And yet, as beautiful as this verse is, it tugs at my heart. Many Christians today are so quick to call themselves children of God, reaping the benefits, blessings, and promises that come along with being His. But, at the same time, refuse to acknowledge that He is ours.

This type of declaration – He is Mine – comes at a price. Making God ours has a cost associated with. It requires us to flee from any sinful behavior that we may be holding on to. Sin is a serious issue. So serious that God sent His son to die for it, so that we may be reconciled with Him. Nevertheless, Christians often willfully choose to live a life contrary to what the word of God instructs, ignoring His call for us to flee from sin, and rationalizing sinful behavior as acceptable in God’s eyes.

Furthermore, it’s one thing to go to God when you need him; it’s quite another thing to be available when God needs us. Making Him ours doesn’t just require us to change, but it requires us to take a stand for Him when his name is misused, or when scripture is abused, or when morality is compromised.

What will people think of us? It is simply easier to stay quiet. We wouldn’t want to offend anyone, even though no one has a problem offending us. But He is ours. He is our God. If we won’t defend Him, who will?

Let me illustrate this another way. I’ve been married to my husband for over 16 years, and I am one hundred percent committed to him. He is mine. I proudly wear my wedding ring on my finger declaring my unconditional love and vow to him. Furthermore, if someone were to speak badly about my husband, I would, without hesitation, defend him at all cost. There would be no shame on my part.

Ladies, there will be times in our lives when we will be the only voice taking a stand for God. It can be lonely. People may mock us. Friendships may be lost. Family members may be offended. Will you recoil in fear of what people might say or will you proclaim and demonstrate, without shame – Jesus, you are mine!

    “I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine,”

Song of Solomon 6:3

Nobody Likes a Test

Certain words in the English language have the ability to trigger a strong emotional response. One of those words is TEST. Walk into an eighth grade Algebra classroom and announce that there is going to be a test on Friday, and watch the various reactions. No matter how knowledgeable you are, a test creates a level of anxiety because what you’ve learned is going to be challenged. According to dictionary.com, a common definition for test is “a set of questions, problems, or the like, used as a means of evaluating the abilities, aptitudes, skills, or performance of an individual or group.” Another definition, however, states that a test is “the means by which the presence, quality, or genuineness of anything is determined; a means of trial.” Unfortunately, Christians are all too familiar with this last definition.

“God left him to test him and to know everything that was in his heart.” 2 Chronicles 32:31

God is greatly interested in the condition of our hearts. Often, the only way God can determine the genuineness of our heart is to allow us to go through trials or testing. It is in the moments of pressing and squeezing that our true character and the authenticity of our faith shine through. This process is used to strengthen our beliefs and build a trail of God’s faithfulness in our life.

I love David’s prayer in Psalm 129 verses 23 and 24.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.”

This prayer made me reflect on what comes out of my own heart when I’m tested. Anyone could have a good attitude when things are going well. What offensive ways come out of me when things are tough or when life seems unfair?

When the trials come, and I promise you they will, what does your heart look like? Is it steadfast, trusting in the promises of God? Or do fear, bitterness, impatience, and anger flow out? Our desire should be to have a pure heart, one that is sold out to God. It should be full of love overflowing, not envy, strife, jealousy, pride, worry or insecurity. If that is what comes out, then it is time to do a heart examination.

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10

Do You Trust Me?

I don’t know about the rest of you, but one of my favorite Disney movie moments is when Aladdin extends his hand to Jasmine and asks, “Do you trust me?” In fact, this moment happens twice in the movie. The first time, the palace guards are chasing the two of them on the rooftop, and there is no way out. Aladdin offers her an unseen method of escape. The second time occurs when Aladdin offers to take Jasmine out of the palace and bring her on an extraordinary adventure by way of a magic carpet. This iconic movie moment has made a lasting impression on me. You see, when I am going through a trial in my life, or when I’m simply feeling fearful, I sometimes feel like I am being closed in on all sides, and there is no natural way out. It is in those moments when I hear the Lord whisper in my ear, “Do you trust me?” Or when God asks me to step outside my comfort zone and take a leap of faith, and I feel I’m not qualified or worthy to do what He’s asked me to do, He again whispers in my ear, “Do you trust me?”

For you see, a woman who makes God Lord of her life, and submits to Him completely, can experience peace in the midst of the most trying or fearful situations. David is a perfect example of this. He faced an unconquerable giant, was pursued by King Saul, and was placed in many other life threatening predicaments. Throughout all these trials, David remained a man of peace, one without fear. In Psalm 56 verses 3 and 4 we see why. When he experienced these trials, he declared to the Lord,

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid.

It didn’t matter what David encountered; he was confident the Lord was in control. It didn’t matter that a young, unqualified boy was anointed King of Israel without any training or support from his family. He knew that – qualified or not – God would equip him to do the work he was called to do. David was steadfast, trusting in the promises of God.

Feelings of fear, anxiety, and worry are so prevalent today. And it is understandably so. The times we are are living in are downright scary. Read the cover of the newspaper or just watch a few minutes of the news. Deadly viruses, terrorist plots, financial decline. Or get a phone call from the doctor that says they need to do a biopsy because your initial test shows some suspicious findings.

What do you do? What can you do? You have two choices. You can react in fear and entertain the “what ifs” basing every decision on the worse case scenario. Or, you can have peace knowing that the living God, the creator of the universe, the omniscient, omnipresent, all-powerful one, loves you and has your life under control. Scriptures say in Jeremiah 17:7-8,

But blessed is the man, who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.

So the next time you want to default to pure panic mode, listen to the still, small voice of God asking, “Do you trust me?” If your answer is yes, then God is able to take you on an adventure that makes a magic carpet ride seem boring.

Welcome to My Blog!

I had an opportunity to attend She Speaks 2014 in Concord, North Carolina this past summer. As you would imagine, there was a special anointing that fell on that event. It was awesome, overwhelming, and life giving, all at the same time. That first morning, almost 800 women and I eagerly walked into a huge banquet room filled with anticipation of what God was going to do in us and through us that weekend. As I made my way to the front of the room, to get the closest seat possible, I finally settled for a seat, secretly wishing I were just a little bit closer to the platform. But this seat would have to do.

Now some time into the conference, Lysa Terkeurst mentions that there is a scroll with a scripture verse placed at everyone’s seat. She continues that the staff at Proverbs 31 spent countless hours asking God for specific scriptures to include in these scrolls to bless the women attending. They prayed that the Holy Spirit would direct the right woman to the right scripture. See, as I was making my way through the crowded banquet room, I thought my seat was happenstance, but in fact, it was the result of the fervent prayer of some faithful women.

Well, as you would imagine, I eagerly tore the little ribbon off the scroll to find this verse:

Psalm 107:2, “Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story—those he redeemed from the hand of the foe.”

So as I launch my blog, I reflect on that scripture verse and realize, in perfect clarity, what God has called me to do. I am here to tell you my story. It’s time to get real!