Why Am I Here?

I would like to share my short story with you. I wasn't suppose to be born actually. I was scheduled to be aborted. It was 1970 and my mom was having a lot of difficulties with her pregnancy. After some tests the doctor determined that I was an ectopic pregnancy. I was in the fallopian tubes instead of the womb. My mom had to make a decision of whether to risk her life or take mine. She was devastated because she had already experienced an earlier miscarriage. She did not want to lose another baby. She began to pray. She did not believe in abortion, however the doctor expressed to her that was the only option, unless she wanted to die.

She continued to put the decision aside while praying for God to give her a miracle. The pregnancy progressed into the 5th month and her doctor told her there was no more waiting. The procedure had to be done now. So it was scheduled and she went home brokenhearted. The abortion would be done on Monday morning of the following week. The church where she attended was in revival that week so she made herself go one night despite the pain and discomfort she was feeling. She went up for prayer one last time. Nothing happened. The weekend came and she began to prepare for the hospital stay. Dad drove her into town to get her a new gown. Upon leaving the store, she got back in the car and just doubled over in terrible pain. Something was wrong for sure. A few minutes later mom felt me moving and knew I was alive. After arriving at the hospital, the doctor examined mom and discovered to his amazement that I had moved into the womb. It was a miracle! My moving had ripped her tubes and she would no longer be able to conceive but I was not going to be aborted. The doctor was then concerned that I would not be healthy and warned her and my dad that I would probably be handicapped. There was a high probability that I would not have all of my extremities. She continued to pray and carried me the full term. Upon birth, I was announced their baby girl and to the doctor's amazement again, I was perfect in form and very healthy. I weighed in at 6 lbs. and 10 ounces...mom says I smiled at her. She said that was her confirmation that I was indeed okay and all my mental capacities were normal. She said she had asked God to let me just smile at her if all was normal.

And I have been smiling since! I am SO grateful to God for the chance to live this life. It has been some of the hardest times to endure and some of the most wonderful times to experience. This life is definitely worth living! God does care about us before we ever greet this world. And He has a plan for each one of us that only He can deliver. Why then am I here?
To smile...

Nothing But The Truth

"You can't handle the truth!"...words made famous by Jack Nicholson.

But can you? Seriously, can you handle the truth? We say we want people to be honest with us yet we feel our blood pressure rising when faced with statements that contradict the picture we've painted of ourselves. God desires truth in our innermost parts. He wants us to have an undivided heart. The world says do what you have to and say what you must to get to the top. But the Word clearly tells us that Kings take pleasure in honest lips, they value a person who speaks the truth. The world is trying to get to the top while the King is already at the top. I believe I'd rather walk in the path the King is taking. God's eyes are looking for those who speak truth.

Although the truth is hard to chew up and swallow at times, it is very freeing to our spirit. When we humbly accept truth and allow God to lovingly caress it into our hearts, then we can begin to experience changes that cause Kings to take notice. It is an admirable trait. Truth is progressive. It doesn't take steps backward. Yet, it is hardly to be found anymore. It is certainly not the norm. Why do we coward to integrity? Why do we stare blankly in another direction and allow truth to go unspoken yet again? Do you find it too difficult to walk this path? I encourage you to pray for the Lord to send forth His light and truth to guide you. They are sure to bring you to the place where He is. It might be the road less traveled but it doesn't have to remain that way. Just think...we could all be arm in arm, bringing strength to one another and going in the same direction toward the finish line. It can become a crowded street with the Banner of Truth guiding our every step forward.

Where Are the Leaders?

The question remains whether leaders are born or if individuals can be trained for that role...

I have had so many experiences with both types of individuals which leaves me with one lasting opinion. Leaders are definitely born. Yes individuals can be trained for a leadership position, however, a true leader possesses a different caliber of spirit. There are those individuals who will boldly step out from among their peers and initiate a plan to carry forth vision. And if there is no vision (you can usually tell pretty quickly by the faces of every person there...ya know, the perishing faces), well, the true leader will create a vision that is worth putting into focus. That individual can find themselves in the back corners of a deep pit, in the bleakest of situations, and yet they will be the one others automatically gravitate towards for guidance. Remember Joseph? How about Daniel? I believe it is a special gift given from God himself. He decides what we are gifted with, and we decide what to do with it. True leaders are rare these days. They possess certain qualities that enable them to operate on a different level than the rest of us. How many people do you know that will rock the boat in order to break the status quo? How many individuals come to mind when confrontation is needed yet everyone around you is red faced and trying so hard to avoid it?

Leadership is not for the weak at heart. It is not for the prideful mind. It is for those that are strong in spirit, those that care when no one is looking. It is for the humble, the one that goes about everyday life operating with integrity and honesty. There are great leaders among us. Do you know them? Are you one of them? True leaders will outshine the rest of us when the day is over. Their excellent spirit will prevail in the end. Don't be caught with your head in the sand. Arise to the occasion. Call forth that person of valour that you are and get busy making a difference in your corner. It worked for Daniel. It worked for Joseph. And it will work for you.