Give Honor To Whom Honor Is Due

Yesterday I forgot to mention anything about Martin Luther King, Jr.  How he changed a nation, because he had a dream of equality for all, and especially for those of African American descent who lived under a heavy burden.

It got me thinking of how there is probably not a nationality, that has not been enslaved at one time or another.  I think of St. Patrick, who was a slave to the Celts, before he came back to bring them to the Saving Grace of Christ.  Joseph, that great patriarch of the Israelites was a slave as well.  He, too, brought delivery to not only his own people, but to the people who had enslaved him, as well.  Daniel, another great prophet of the Old Testament gained high honors and helped the nations he served, but he too, started as a slave.

Slavery is an evil that robs the person of not only  their rights, but of their individuality and gifts.  But with God's help, those chains cannot keep the submitted soul from breaking free to greater heights in the spirit.  Martin Luther King, Jr. knew that even though African Americans were considered free, they were still bound by invisible chains.  They were not allowed to go to certain places or do certain things.  They were limited by the chains of racism and bigotry.  In spite of that limitation, he spoke loudly and often for those chains to be broken and true freedom to come..  Truly he deserves the honor that has come to him.  He has led a nation and brought insight and understanding to break the yoke of indifference, suffering, and shame.  What courage he and those who stood with him, had.  What a destiny God planned for him.  To change a nation, to stand up to what was wrong, and work for change, took a definite call from God.

I see that change at work in my own family.  Our diverse backgrounds brought together in unity and love.  "Our children are a heritage of the Lord."  He gives each one a path to follow.  He knows where it will lead, and because of the courage of men and women like Martin Luther King, Jr., and Queen Esther, and those like them, that stood up to what was wrong to make changes for the good of all, we live our lives in a better place.    My hope for the children who hold the future in their destinies, is that they will have the courage and strength to stand up for what is right, to not be afraid to speak up with faith and hope in the changes they see need to happen, and to not ever forget that it is God who is the One to shake the nations, and all that they do, must be under His Covering.

Even though yesterday was the day to celebrate and honor Martin Luther King, Jr., I wish to extend that honor not only to one day, but to challenge us to remember the men and women of faith who have gone before us and made changes for the good in each generation.  There is a host of them, that we should honor and applaud.  Martin Luther King, Jr. is honored on his birthday, for the life he lived in giving of himself totally to his cause.  Let us remember him and as we remember him, let us also add our thoughts of the others who made such a difference for the good.  Let freedom ring for all people everywhere.  Let us take what we have learned from Martin Luther King, Jr, and use it to go even further in the goal of equality.

Let us remember the greatest words of equality ever, "He whom the Son has set free is free indeed."  If Jesus has set you free, than you are a victor in life.  "You are more than a conqueror."  A conqueror?  More than a conqueror?  A conqueror is the complete victor in a battle.  There is no contest.  He gains it all.  You are more than that.  So, remember your heritage of faith.  Remember the saints that have gone before you.  Read the list of "mighty men and women" in God's Word.  Let the victories God led them in encourage your hearts, souls, and spirits.  May you feel God's Power flowing through you and giving you strength.  May you find the destiny God has called you to.  Make the changes in your world.  Make the difference around you.  Be the ONE.  Be the surrendered soul to God's plans.  Believe His Word.  Put His Word to action in your life.  A very dear friend gave me a precious gift recently.  It is a book by Beth Moore, on praying Gods Word, to overcome the strongholds in your life.  She mentions the spiritual armor, and then states, "There is only one weapon we fight with, in that armor, and that is the  Sword of the Spirit.".  Then, she says, "Along side of the Sword of the Spirit, I believe that prayer is your second weapon."  It is a weapon that works in sync with the Word of God.  You pray His Word, and watch what happens.  Apply that Word in prayer.  Apply that Word to your life in acting upon it.  Take the verses that God has leap out at you, and let those words become a strong tower for you.  Jesus IS the Word of God.  He is there for you.  Let Him lead you in this journey.  Let this Word, "be a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path."  God bless you.

Getting Started

Hello out there.  I have been thinking of doing a blog for so long, and two people I know are doing one, which encouraged me to put my hand to "paper" ur computer and begin to share my words.

Lisa," A Day In The Life...", and Kaylee "Kaylee's Adventures" are my two inspiring authors.  Lisa has such a way with words, and I am always looking forward to see what she will share.  Kaylee does a wonderful job of writing as well, and she has done some very fun things.

Today, I just want to say that holidays are hard for a lot of people, especially those who have lost a loved one in their lives.  This year we lost my husband's mom.  She was an amazing woman, who was also a sad and lonely one.  We communicated with love, as she only spoke Portuguese, and I only spoke American English, with each of us having a spattering of the other's language to help us along.  She came from the Azores, Portugal to America when she was in her late thirties, along with her husband and four children.  She spoke no English, and she was not a sophisticated woman, so all our advantages of American life, were truly beyond her understanding.

When my husband and I first began dating, she was not sure I was a good choice, because I was "American" and not "Portuguese".  When my brother-in-law chose his first wife, and his mom complained that she wasn't Portuguese, he said  "Well, neither is Laura".  Her response was, "Well, she is different."   That was the statement that let me know she had accepted me fully, as a choice worthy of her son, and was high praise coming from her lips.

Losing her this year was difficult and sad.  Even though it was definitely her time to go, it is never easy to lose someone you love.  It was amazing to see the family rally together and the love and support of each other was such a blessing to see.  Her priest said something so profound.  He said, "Our highest calling is to live our lives for God.  That is the purpose we were put on this earth, to live for Him.  To praise Him.  To love Him."

So, if you have lost someone this year, either through death, divorce, distance, or just growing apart, my heart is here for you.  I share your pain.  I understand what it means to feel bittersweet because you want to share in the joy, but then you remember someone is missing from your midst, that you really wanted to share this with.  Of course, I have felt this way already, through the years since 2002 when we lost our niece Desi to that awful cancer.  She, too, was in my thoughts this Christmas and missing her, brought tears to my eyes.  But joy to my heart knowing she had the best party seat ever in heaven.

So, you say, how is this encouraging to start with?  The encouragement is that our lives don't end with death.  The memories never stop.  Their lives will always have meaning, if we share them with others.  If they know Jesus, then their lives will never end.  The encouragement is that the lives we live now, are but a small part of our eternal destiny.  We are just beginning a journey that can be challenging at times, painful, or frustrating.  It can also be a choice we make, to go through our lives looking for the good things God promises us in the Bible.  A destiny that is to bless us and not to harm us.  I choose to see the good in this coming year.  That is the encouragement I share with you.  To join me in finding the positive and good things that happen each day, and to remember those we love through each  one of them.  Love and prayers to you all.