I didn't know her personally, but I call her name...

I didn't know her personally but she was only 41, a mother, a daughter, a dear friend to one of my best friends and, from what everyone has been saying, a joy to know and be around.  She died Monday afternoon in a robbery while working at the small grocery store she owned.  Apparently, she'd recently moved back home to Pensacola from Atlanta.  By all accounts, she wanted to take care of her terminally ill mother and start this new business venture in an effort to give back to her community.  To that end....she lost her life.  I keep thinking of all the people in my life who hopefully, but may not, know how special they are to me.  Then I say, well, the really special people know it and my closest friends surely know I'd miss them if they weren't there for me to talk to or bounce things off of or cry with and laugh with and....THEY KNOW, RIGHT?  Then, I keep thinking of how uncertain our next breath really is.  I get teary eyed when I think of not seeing my daughter grow up and go to school and prom and college and graduate and work and get married and have kids and all of the things in between those things.  I'll be here for all of that, right?  I don't believe this young woman's death is the way life was designed to be.  I don't believe that God designed it to be that a terminally ill woman and a 25 year old young man would be burying their daughter and mother this weekend.  I do believe that the world is so turned upside down and caught up in its ills (SIN)--- to the point that at 5 o'clock on a Monday afternoon, a would be robber walked into a grocery store with a gun, shot a woman who also shot back and killed him.  It wasn't designed to be that way.  Life happens, I know...but we have to figure out how to take action in our homes, communities and the world around us so that it doesn't happen like this.  I believe the sadness I feel is because she, though not literally, was me.  She ( a young woman trying to take care of herself and the people she loved)  wanted to do the good and right thing and in the end, lost her life.  Yes, I believe God knows all and has the final say.  I also know that it's okay for me to feel some kind of way when things like this happen.  I didn't know her personally, but I call her name because, but for the grace of God, go I.... Rest in Peace...TERRA FOUNTAIN-QUARLES...Rest in Peace.

There Really Is No Place Like Home...

Take Exit 13B and you're almost there! (a standard line in the directions to my home growing up)....From the huge and beautiful trees that seem to be everywhere in the neighborhood to the relatively small house that felt like a mansion when I was growing up, the trip home is filled with comfort.  The neighborhood looks different but the same....the yards aren't as plush as when I was growing up and everyone was competing for the coveted "Yard of the Week" sign, but most of the homes look good (especially considering the wrath of Hurricane Ivan and its 2004 season counterparts).   Coming home is always filled with poignant moments commanded by the absence of my parents as well as the other neighborhood parents who helped raise me (as in "Nita Williams, I'm going to make sure your parents know about this" :o).  Those moments are tempered by the excitement I feel from seeing Grace walk in the backyard where I played and jump in my childhood bed (yes, it's still standing).  Last night was just the sisters laughing and talking and having a good time.  The brothers are here now and will undoubtedly add to the celebration.  There's the beach and visits with old friends and service at the home church and the Sunday Bar B Q and more visits and....as much as I can pack into a few days.  It's good to be here....and for better or for worse, there really is no place like home! 

EXPECT MORE THAN YOU COULD EVER THINK OR IMAGINE!

Resurrection Sunday....

Happy Easter!  Thank God for Jesus.  I believe He would have died just for me, but I'm so glad he died and rose again for us all.  It's been a blessed day with family and church friends.  I'm grateful to God! Glory to God in the Highest!

Good Friday...

The alter is bare and He has done the ultimate for us....for me.  I'm tired as I sit and think and decompress.  My family is visiting from Texas and Georgia, and I'm just taking a moment...to say "thank you" and to trust that He would have done it even if I were the only one on earth. Say that again....and believe it...  It's a special weekend as we lead up to Easter.  But today, in this moment, I'm reflecting on Good Friday;  One of the hardest days (for me) on the Christian calendar.  A lot like life, the reality of the crucifixion (the hurt, the pain, the agony, the loss) must be felt....fortunately, we know Easter is coming.  But, in this moment....He is still in the grave....and He did it just for me (INSERT YOUR NAME)...What are the things I need to bury (past hurts, regrets, passing judgment, the will to gossip  ....) What are the things I look forward to resurrecting (more on that later)?  I want to bury (release) the things that need to be buried (released)...and today is as Good a Friday as any! 

EXPECT MORE THAN YOU COULD EVER THINK OR IMAGINE

Finish STRONG

Today is Palm Sunday and Christians all over the world commemorated Jesus' entry into Jerusalem (leading up to His death)....by passing out Palm fronds and Processing.  At church today, we sang "Were you there when they crucified my Lord", and we left it with....laid Him in a tomb...  In briefly chatting with my Pastor, he said Palm Sunday has mixed messages.  He made that statement in response to me saying that I felt a burden during today's Mass.  As we read the passion, I was reminded of what Jesus did for me.... (pause and reflect).  I was also reminded of the "me" He did (died) it for...(pause and reflect).  I've noticed myself wishing that this week would hurry and go by so I can get to Easter and celebrate and feast and....so on and so forth.  I have waned in my sacrificial living; I've slacked on reading my lessons for lent and the lectionary.  I've....(fill in the blank).  I am not worthy!  The beauty of Jesus is that I don't have to be... I just have to be willing...and I am. I encourage you to finish STRONG...


S-stay the course 
T- trust God to meet your needs (whatever they may be)
R- remember Who you are and Whose you are (even when you think nobody's watching)
O- obey God  (there is no other option)
N-never doubt that Jesus loves you and died for YOU (He calls you HIS OWN)
G- give your all to your relationship with God (He truly loves you....)


Hebrews 12: 1-3  Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

 EXPECT MORE THAN YOU COULD EVER THINK OR IMAGINE!