Random Check In

I've scheduled in three different blog times over the past six days and not ONE of them actually happened.

I did, however:

• survive the government delay of all air travel during my trip to Mississippi and back.
• meet many new friends at THE POINT in Columbus, MS.
• preach through a migraine headache on Sunday.
• meet two amazing ladies on two of the flights and share my love for Jesus with them.
• RUN through the Atlanta airport to successfully make a connection.  (Where's America's Funniest Videos when you need them?!)
• drink deeply of the hot tea Frank brought to Tampa International when he picked me up.

 I have to write about the wonderful people I met in Columbus.  I have to write about all the people- watching available to me while waiting and waiting and waiting in Atlanta.  I have to write about Abby's surgery day.  I have to write about how much I love the month of April and how sad I am that it's over.  I have to write about getting to hear the heartbeat of our grand baby due in October!  I have to write about my time with Spencer.  ("I see cows o' dere!" Yes, that is a five word sentence from a two year old!)

But for tonight, I could not lay my head down without a quick "Hi There!" And because of all the things I've listed above, I'm going to lay my head down pretty quickly.  And will HOPEFULLY write a true post tomorrow!

Strength for the Day

When I don't post for an extended time, it's usually because I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed.

My objective is to write at least once every seven days.  That's what I work toward.  That's what I hope for.  That's what could happen in a perfect world.

But my world, just like yours, is anything but perfect.

Each day is filled to the brim with planned work and meetings and calls/emails and other communications.  Then throw in a couple of UN-planned things and my neatly scheduled, tightly buttoned-up day can begin to unravel pretty quickly.

(That's why I keep listening to Deanna Shrodes teach on time organization.  Eventually, I WILL get it!)

Actually, my calling and my job are about the unplanned moments more than about the planned ones.

When someone calls with an illness or a crisis, I'm there to listen.  To share words of comfort and hope.  To pray with them.  I've never known a crisis yet that politely called to schedule itself!

When we hear of atrocities like the bombing in Boston, Frank and I have to process it personally while trying to offer comfort and prayers for those around us.  (Kind of like "Emotional" emergency responders.)

When we face family struggles/changes/illnesses we're forced to wrestle through our own questions and fears.

And some days, although I want to write, I'm afraid that my own emotions are too dangerously near the surface.  Opening the reservoir to draw out words would allow for a flood of tears that wouldn't be pretty for anyone!

So if you click on Embrace the Grace and don't see a new post for several days, it's safe to assume that the author could use some prayer herself.

Tomorrow, the little family Schreck will head back to Shriner's hospital in Tampa for another surgery.  This time it's Abigail who will need your prayers.  She will have both legs in casts for three weeks following the surgery.

We know God's grace will be sufficient!

This great bit of scripture has been my comfort through many difficult times.  "When I am overwhelmed, I run to the Rock that is higher than I......"  HIS vantage point offers better perspective.  And even if the view is still obscured to me, I at least know my prayers are effective for those in need!

And that's where we ALL find courage!











 

Small Problem - Big God!

I love praying with other people!         

Especially with people who believe that God is listening

AND that He cares

AND that He is willing

AND that He’s able to intervene in our circumstances!

Just this morning I called John’s mom, Linda, so we could pray together.  The Schreck portion of my family has a special need.  And I knew that no one else was praying for them the way Linda and I were.  So, why not call and just pray together?!

(As the under 30’s would say, “Duh!”)

Because we don’t chat often on the phone, I immediately said, “Everything is alright!  I’m not calling because of a problem.” 

Linda breathed a sigh of relief and said simply, “Oh, good.”

(Mentor moment for the under 30’s – Mothers WILL panic!  Don’t scold us for this.  God equipped us to panic so we could have the strength to lift cars off you when you run out in front of them even though we told you not to!  Every mother reading this right now is nodding her head and thinking, “True!  That’s so true!”)

So I explained to Linda that while I was praying, the thought occurred to me that she and I could pray together.  Scripture does say there is additional power in “the prayer of agreement”. 

Linda said sure and began the praying while I did the agreeing.

In the middle of her prayer she said, “This is a small problem for a big God!”    

Profound, right?!

A small problem for a BIG God!

Since the end of our phone visit I’ve pondered that phrase again and again.  It applies to so many issues in my life.  Actually, it applies to every issue in my life!

• When I feel overwhelmed. 
• When I see no possible way. 
• When I think it’s too much. 
• When I question His timing. 
• When I wonder if He has forgotten.   

I should simply rehearse the phrase – “This is a small problem for a Big God!”

Scripture is filled with examples proving the truth of this.  And if we pause long enough, we realize that even our lives are filled with examples that He is a Big God who cares very much for His children.

Looking at His greatness causes problems to diminish.

There’s really not a need to elaborate on that today.  I’m just finding such comfort in this simple phrase and thought you would as well.  Practice it for yourself today:

               

THIS IS A SMALL PROBLEM FOR A BIG GOD!!

 

Better Than Zero!

I'm adopting a "Better Than Zero" mindset!

When Frank introduced this to me today I knew right away that it was a blog post.

An article in his cycling magazine told about a young man who developed this philosophy.  The cyclist started out severely obese - 430 pounds, obese!  He made a decision to change. And bike riding became his exercise of choice.

These two sentences from the article are the centerpiece of this post:
"Adopt a 'better than zero' mindset.  Say you set out for 20 miles, if you get tired after 15, you can stop - 15 is still better than zero."

To Luke's credit, this mindset has aided him in losing 230 pounds! 

I could immediately see how that thought process would impact so many areas of my life.    

• No time to clean out every draw in my house.  But cleaning the junk drawer in the kitchen is better than zero!
• Can't take an hour for the gym each day.  But walking a couple of miles three times a week is better than zero!
• Wanted to call everyone who's missed church in the past month.  But calling the ones who've been sick is better than zero!
• Not sure how to write a book (which I'd love to do.)  But writing a blog post each week is better than zero!
• Don't have the means to impact the entire world with the Good News.  But encouraging/praying with my neighbor is better than zero!   
• Wish I could devote long hours to study.  But thirty minutes of quiet time each morning is better than zero! 

The list is unlimited!  What would be included on your list?

When you have a tendency to be an over-achiever as so many of us do in our world today, life can become frustrating very quickly.  We find ourselves constantly looking at what should have been done - what could have been done - instead of celebrating what has been accomplished.

Now, I'm not suggesting the better than zero mindset as an excuse mechanism for not giving it our best effort.  Not at all!  But what I am suggesting is that we remember to celebrate small beginnings, the way Scripture instructs.

Someone told me once that I was waiting until I had the entire "loaf of bread" to celebrate.  ("Give us this day our daily bread.....")  When actually, our Father sees it as a point of faith if we willingly express gratitude for even a  slice of bread.  The slice says that more is on the way!

That's how Luke lost 230 pounds!

At 430 pounds, the task seemed impossible.  But he learned to celebrate and be grateful for the first mile.  Five miles.  Fifteen miles.  Each additional mile was better than zero!

I'd love to know where you would like to apply the "Better than Zero" philosophy in your life.  Get started - I'll cheer with you!

 

NEWS!

Read on for the latest Embrace the Grace news report!

Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Smith now have an accurate due date for young baby Smith.  October 21, 2013!

They went for the first ultra-sound yesterday then kept us in stitches at family dinner as they relayed the stories from the afternoon!  I can't share details on such a public forum. 

But suffice it to say that in addition to doctor offices and ultra-sound techs there were full bladders, dancing feet, strong heart beats (from ONE baby) and two smiling faces!

Meagan was a bit disappointed that they aren't having twins.  She had her head all set for a set.  (Nathan did not seem to share her disappointment.  And I can understand why!)

If anyone was ever meant to be a Mommy, it's Meagan Elizabeth Smith.

Fortunately, Nathan knew before proposing marriage that his beautiful bride was also known as "The Baby Whisperer."  He DOES share her excitement about the little one that will soon be in their arms.

We're all hoping that the Smith off-spring will have Dad's curly hair.  Terms like "poker straight" and "stick straight" have been the description of Hawley hair all these years.  Some natural curl will be a delightful change!

It was sweet to watch Nathan keeping an eye on  Meagan as the evening grew late.  He must have sensed the moment she started getting tired.

"Ready to go?" he asked it quietly but pointedly.

"Yeah, I guess so."  Meagan responded.

She got up and began gathering her things.  No protests about being on spring break or wanting to stay with her sisters a little longer.  She knew that Nathan knew she needed rest.

He took her hand as they walked down the drive to their car.  She patted her tummy as she often does these days.

The smile on my lips filled my entire heart.

Excellent mommy-to-be!  Protective dad-to-be!  Blessed baby-to-be!! 

Travel Joys

"Sometimes it is a great joy just to listen to someone we love talking." - Vincent McNabb

A perfect quote for the week I've just experienced!

Last Wednesday, Kristin and I flew into Springfield, MO for the purpose of sharing with ministry students on the campus of Central Bible College.  Such an honor to be given that opportunity!

We started with a class designed to teach young preachers to preach.  16 men; 1 woman.  Kristin and I did a team teaching for about 30 minutes then opened the floor for questions.  And great questions they were!

The students saw the chance to glean information from two perspectives at once - the employer and the employee.  Each one hopes to land a position in a church or faith-based organization upon graduation.  So the questions came with serious overtones.

They asked what employers would be looking for.  They asked Kristin how it felt to lead people older than oneself.  How do you develop a team?  What is it really like to be a woman in ministry - typically a male position?  Our time with them flew by!

And so it went with each mentoring group; each team we met; each individual encounter!  They plied us for information, took notes, studied our faces, nodded in understanding/appreciation.  We loved every minute!

Seeing ones we've known for years like Rachel, Jada and Chelle who now live in MO, was a bonus.  Our hosts, Alan, Tricia and Allison Baker are life-time friends.  So being with them was just the frosting on the cake for us!

I had the privilege of preaching in chapel on Friday.  As the students came to the altar following the sermon, I had tears in my eyes just watching the passion they were expressing for following God. 

May I submit that our world is NOT going to hell in a hand basket.  Not while young people like that are coming on the scene.  Just Sayin'!

Why the quote?

Because as I listened to Kristin teach, my heart swelled with gratitude and joy!  Some may wonder why one so young would be given such a platform.  I think God put her there because of all her years of behind the scenes service.

At 14, Kristin became a helper for children's church.  She has served missionaries and ministers as a nanny.  She just completed her tenth year working with the children of Garden Grove church.  (Yes, she got here before we did.)

Every Sunday, she makes sure teams are in place for toddlers and Kidz Zone.  Every Wednesday night, she walks part way with her "neighborhood babies" seeing them back home safely.  Every summer she plans, preaches and directs Vacation Bible School.

So to stand back and listen to her share HER heart for ministry was such an honor! 

Many spend a lifetime seeking the spotlight and never find it.  Others spend their lives searching for opportunities to serve and are surprised when the spotlight of God's affirmation shines on them brightly.

Deep contented sigh!

Thanks to the Bakers for opening their home and their ministry venue to Team Hawley!  To borrow a favorite quote from Frank's hometown newspaper, "A lovely time was had by all!"

Trials of a Woman Minister

“OUCH!”  Let me tell you, I yelled it loudly and fervently!

For many women, having their eyebrows waxed is a minor issue.  No big deal at all.  A part of personal grooming that must be attended to routinely.

But I dread having my eyebrows waxed more than…....more than…....more than I dread a mammogram! 

(Apology to all men reading today.  Sorry, fellas, but that’s the truth!)

I must have extra sensitive skin around my eyebrows or something.  This normal procedure that’s so simple for others, causes the area around my eyes to swell and turn a deep purplish red.  

The disfiguration is so severe that people have questioned whether I might be of Clingon descendent.  (You remember those people/creatures from Star Trek?) 

Yeah, it’s that bad!

I’m embarrassed to admit that I have not waxed my eyebrows since Meagan and Nathan’s wedding! 

The one good thing is that they tend to grow back in very slowly.  And if I’m careful, a pair of tweezers keeps me from becoming an embarrassment to my family and congregation.

But I’ll be in Springfield, MO later this week.  Speaking to young college students.  

College girls tend to take personal grooming to the highest level attainable.  And I refuse to allow neglected eyebrows to overshadow any message the Lord may be wanting me to deliver. 

                                           

“Wasn’t the chapel speaker GREAT yesterday?!”  says College Student A.

“I’m sure she was but I couldn’t concentrate because all I could see were her shaggy eyebrows!  Can you believe women let themselves go like that?!!”  replies College Student B.

When we first arrived in Central FL, I worked at Southeastern University.  One afternoon, a couple of adorable girls waltzed into my office.  The giggling, twittering, and hair-flipping of most girls their age flowed in with them.

“Oh, Mrs. Hawley,”  exuded Girl A.  “I love what you’re wearing!  You always look so cute!!”

“Well, thank you, Sweetie!”  I responded with a heart that began to lift on the wave of her enthusiasm.  I did happen to have on an okay outfit that day.

The perky little teen-aged voice went on, “I saw you walk across the cafeteria the other day and I said to my friend, ‘Mrs. Hawley is always so cute!  I hope I look good when I get old!’”  (You can’t make up this stuff!)

So, off to the salon I went yesterday. 

I paid a woman $8.00 to rip eyebrows from their intended place of abode!  I willingly submitted to action akin to torture!  Smiled weakly and even tipped her for causing me great pain!  Went back to the office and found ice for the swelling that immediately ensued!

Oh, what women preachers must endure in order to share the good news!