For the week of: Monday, January 28th 2008

"Press On"

I cannot possibly fall head over heels in love with this new year until I have appropriately thanked the last one for being so wonderful. And it was, it so was. (And yes, I know, because some of you have reminded me, that I completely missed the last quarter of the year on this website and I know that and all I can say is, why did the Lord not find something else to create on day 7 and rest on day 8 so I could have another day in there somewhere in my week? I think He just gave me the disapproving Father look.)

Do not interpret my exuberance for 2007 as an indication that it was flawless. Actually, there were some pretty significantly hard, hard things that happened in our world this past year and you know what, God stayed on the throne. Firmly on the throne mind you. He didn’t budge, didn’t cave, didn’t throw up His celestial hands and didn’t bail.

How about you? Were there some times this past year that were nose-in-the-shag-carpet moments? Did you desperately want to give up your parent badge or torch your marriage certificate or rip out the book of Job in the Word because surely no one could possibly expect you to have patience and immovable faith considering your circumstances? Some of you are shaking your heads right off your sweet little necks. I’m sorry, I truly am sorry for the pain and the nights when your pillow became waterlogged from the tears and the mornings when your heart was bleak and gray regardless of the brilliant sunshine outside the window.

But you know what? You survived it. You’re sitting there reading this and your devastation may still be turning your insides out but you are still going on and you are still searching and, may I say dear one, you are still faithful. You know when you log onto this website that we’ll talk about God and you came here anyway. You still want to believe; you still want to hope. And well you should.

I went back and looked at my notes from every speaking event this past year and if you and I shared some time of study this past year, perhaps at a Ladies’ Day, a Retreat, a Conference or Bible Class, at some point we talked about a God who does not desert His children and children who choose to believe their God. And we talked about the urgency of being IN the Word and allowing our hearts to be saturated in Truth.

To my dear sisters:
In Columbiana – What a delightful spot for a retreat! Desire Him, Invite the Spirit and Stand Firm! I so enjoyed you, thank you for the privilege.

In Lake Tarpon – See you in a few days for our next time of study; I can’t wait! In the meantime, I’m making up a test on Gods Covenant, better brush up on last years notes!

At Cornerstone Gospel in Vienna – Some of the hometown gals! How I love the way you always come expecting to learn! I pray you are still delighting in a deeper understanding of the robes of righteousness and the lesson we learned from Elijah.

In Cleveland Heights – Your theme was straight from the pages of the Word: “I Purpose In My Heart.” I trust you have purposed to fight with faith this past year and have witnessed God’s faithfulness to your tenacity!

At Paulding: Nothing dearer to the heart of God than the study of love. What a Holy Task He has given us…to be His radiant love in earthen vessels to the world…shine on sisters!

In Beallsville: I really did see a peacock on the side of the road on the way to the church building! How appropriate that you wanted to look into God’s Word for teaching on being His lovely lady. I have no doubt you’ve worn the reputation of our God beautifully!

The Ravenswood First Baptist Church: You have no idea how tremendously humbled and honored I was to be asked to preach on ABWM Sunday! You were such gracious listeners that I fully expect to drive thru your town and hear people hail each other with, ‘Glory!”

At 36th Street Church of Christ: It’s just plain kind when the people that live near you still ask you to share study time with them! I so loved your theme of the Quilt of Life (I can see my wall hanging from where I’m sitting now!). Remember dear ones, you were made “to declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

In Little Hocking: Oh now this was a sweet day cause you worked so hard to make it special and it was! And we got to open the Word to the Jehosophat story of God’s tremendous faithfulness to His people and I do love a good Old Testament story!

The Circle City Doo-Wop Girls! Now if you want to praise God with rhythm and soul, you just have to meet my friends in Indianapolis! And I could teach all day to this group of encouraging sisters with their “Ummm-hmmm”, “Preach it”, “Right”, Keep it real girl” urgings. Can I just record ya’ll doing that and listen to it every once in awhile!

The Alliance Gals: You girls rock! I love coming to Alliance and this time we looked each other straight in the eyes and got honest about some things and I want you to know you blessed me with your genuineness. We will NOT compromise for the things of this world and we WILL wait for the riches of heaven!

My new Rochester Friends: Now this was a road trip extraordinaire cause I got to take some of my very, very favorite heart gals in the world with me on this trip and we made some memories that will go into eternity…sweet, sweet, sweet. And when I say the women in attendance were attentive to the Word, I mean they sat up and took notice of what the Lord had to say. It was a wonderful day followed by a blessed day of worship with the body. I could live that worship assembly over and over and never grow weary.

The Bellevue Ladies: Spoiled…that’s what happens when I go to Bellevue, you spoil me (and you don’t point out my fashion flaws!) You graciously invited Rick to join me again this year and we had a great time, thank you. I have tried over and over to describe to people how incredible the CVI is and just can’t do it justice.

Women of Purpose: If I live to be 100, I don’t believe I’ll ever tire of standing up on that stage every October and looking over the sea of hundreds of your faces and witness your passion for your God. You honor Him, you delight Him and I happen to think He’s looking forward to October 4, 2008!

It was a grand year and you made it so in so many ways. Thank you for the incredible privilege of looking into God’s precious Word with you and soaking in the Truth of it.

The Christmas tree is down. Rick said I could leave it up as long as I wanted but truth be told, that would be ‘til at least June for me and I just don’t think the needles would have held on quite that long. I still have my snowmen out though. (It’s my hopeful wishing for one grand snow that keeps us in our pj’s all day with a fire in the fireplace and hot chocolate!)

The Christmas presents are all exchanged or part of the normalcy of life by now. (Except for one of mine. Rick was far too extravagant this year and presented me with a gorgeous diamond and silver bracelet and let me tell you, I’ll wear it most days. Matter of fact, I have it on right now with my hoodie and sweatpants, getting ready to get on that tool of torture, the treadmill, when I finish up here.) I’m treated like a queen, anyone who knows us knows that. That’s not meant as a prideful statement. Rick would be the first to tell you it wasn’t always so and I would be the first to tell you I’m far from behaving like royalty most days but we’ve chosen to do this marriage more like God’s way than Rick and Kay’s way and it’s amazing how much better that works out.

So it’s a new year. So what?

I beg you, I really do and if you were here in my room and we were cuddled up together in this big old wingback chair I’d beg you right in your ear to press on. Listen my friends, this isn’t home. Never was meant to be. It’s a battlefield and victory is assured but battles are still imminent. The King is on His throne. You are His child. He will not leave you or forsake you. This year…press on. Press on.

From my captured heart straight to yours,
Kay

Comment Here