The Dream

Posted on February 7, 2016 by Vanna

I had a dream a few days ago and Justin (who is pictured above and  was at the tender age of 18 when he passed away) was in my dream and so was my oldest son, whom I had just spoken with before I went to sleep that night. My intention was to write it down and I didn’t.  Now, I feel like King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel chapter 2.  The thing has left me and I want to know what the dream was about.

Unlike the king, I will not call on the magicians, astrologers, etc. However, I will  call on the name of the Lord to continue to bless me with his peace, his strength and his right hand to lead me.  Also I will be more studious next time…be more deliberate about writing it down. 🙂

Has this ever happened to you? Where you had a dream,  that you really, really , really wanted to remember and just couldn’t?

 

1 Corinthians 13:12The Message (MSG)

12 We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!

 

 

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Do you ever wonder if God really is concerned?

Posted on August 30, 2015 by Vanna

No matter what challenge we face . We are not alone.  God is concerned about everything that concerns us; no matter how massive or how minute.  Knowing that and reading this scripture takes me to a place where the skies are clear, the air is crisp; I’m curled up in my favorite chair with a blanket and cup of tea and my enitre being just says….ahhhh

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
—Psalm 139:7–10

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My Baby Would Have Been 22 years old today

Posted on July 31, 2015 by Vanna

My Baby Would Have Been 22 years old today.

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My Baby Would Have Been 22 years old today

Posted on July 31, 2015 by Vanna
Thoughtful Reflections

Anticipating The Future

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Today would have been my baby’s 22nd birthday.  It’s natural to wonder…what would he have been doing today?  Would his hair be long or short? What career move would he be making right now?  Which of his friends would he be counseling today?  Would he like this picture of me wearing the shorts that he bought me for my birthday?

Life can sometimes seem like a maze; a myriad of pathways .  Some paths lead you to brick walls where you find yourself more confused than you were in the beginning. Some paths lead to other paths.   Ultimately, there’s the path that leads to peace in the midst of turbulence…peace in the midst of cyclonic disturbances  such as a job loss, a health challenge or an untimely death.

Many people find themselves asking, How do I find the path that leads to peace? My response is, here’s what  works for me.

  • Surrounding myself with positive people
  • Focusing more on the happy times
  • Using the power of my words: Vanessa you are an over-comer; you are resilient; your life has purpose
  • Trusting God daily to walk with me through the challenges of life and carry me when necessary.

The actual earthy birthdays for Justin have ended. It’s the new beginning  that 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 addresses that I’m looking forward to: For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

I am encouraged to stay focused on Christ and be ready to take my place in this stellar event in the sky! So, I’m not saying good bye to Justin but …sleep well…until then.

 

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Morning Light

Posted on July 8, 2015 by Vanna

It’s  been a long time since I’ve written on this blog.   As I look at the date of the last entry, WOW, it’s been almost a year.

Once I begin writing again, the experience feels like I never left.  The words and memories come flooding back to me.  So, it looks and feel just as it did…a year ago.  Nothing in the experience of writing on this blog has changed for me….except the time that has lapsed.

WOW…For those who sleep in Christ, this is how it will be BUT BETTER.  You go into a dreamless sleep and wake up to see the face of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!  In 1 Thessalonians 4: 16, 17, Paul tells us what will happen on that GREAT Day.  “For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a SHOUT, with the voice of the archangel, and with the TRUMP of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first; Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord.    It will be like waking up more refreshed than we’ve EVER been before in that Great Gettin’ Up Morning! Praise The Lord! Let’s anticipate and be ready!

For those who are local, I will be sharing a portion of my journey on the radio this morning at 10:30 on station 105.1.  Tune in!

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Death…the enemy

Posted on August 28, 2014 by Vanna

Today is a beautiful day. The sun is shining…it’s 75 degrees…purrr-fect! Then I get to work and before I enter the building, the news is received…a co-worker was killed in a motorcycle accident. Instantly, my heart sinks. I say…What? I can’t believe that! As soon as the words are spoken, immediately another thought comes which says, I ‘can’ believe. It happened with my son….my baby; suddenly…without warning. Death happens all of the time but neither the surprise nor the sting ever goes away. I look forward to the day when death will be swallowed up in victory.

Paul couldn’t have said it any better than he did in 1 Corinthians 15:55-58:

“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”i
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

Let’s be faithful and choose to live for Jesus everyday.

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Understanding Will Never Bring You Peace

Posted on August 12, 2014 by Vanna

Understanding Will Never Bring You Peace.

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Understanding Will Never Bring You Peace

Posted on August 12, 2014 by Vanna

Sometimes I’ve felt like if I could just understand WHY, I would be so much better.  Why did this have to happen?  Why did that happen?  Why couldn’t things have been different?  Why now?  Why him? If I just knew….why. it may be the loss of a child or other loved one.  it may be the loss of a job; a relationship; finances.

I was reading my devotional the other morning and it was truly enlightening and i’d like to share it with you.  Hopefully you will find it helpful as well.

Understanding will never bring you Peace. That’s why I have instructed you to trust in Me and not in your understanding  Human beings have a voracious appetite for trying to figure things out, in order to gain a sense of mastery over their lives.  But the world presents you with an endless series of problems,  As soon as you master one set, another pops up to challenge you.  the relief you had anticipated is short-lived. Soon you mind is gearing up again; searching for understanding (mastery) , instead of seeming Me (your Master).   (Excerpt from Jesus Calling) 

It’s so important not to stare too long at the closed door .Death, hurt and pain come because of sin; because of Satan, the evil one.   Allow yourself to grief the loss,  Know that God is with you and that He loves you.  Trust that He has a plan for your life and allow Him to move you forward; one step at a time.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 

Isaiah 41:10

 
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Today would have been my baby’s 21 birthday…

Posted on July 31, 2014 by Vanna

Today would have been my baby’s 21 birthday….

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Today would have been my baby’s 21 birthday…

Posted on July 31, 2014 by Vanna

Where does the time go? It’s been 2 years and 4 months since Justin…went to sleep. He is …away and so greatly missed…never forgotten.  I’m thinking back to the last birthday that we celebrated. He loved gymnastics so I had this cake made for him.

JEH 18TH Birthday cake

He was 18 and we went to North Carolina for the weekend. Here he was blowing out the candles on a cake that a special friend made for him.

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These are a few pictures taken during various years in or around Justin’s birthday.

Miscellaneous pics 331the crewAugust 2011

I’m including this one just because it’s one of my favorite.  It was taken in May 2011

Grad5

Anticipation is important. Justin was living and anticipating an even deeper life in Christ while also being passionate about his earthly life. There are many things that I’m anticipating. Some of those include… seeing Justin again and other loved ones, being in heaven someday along with family, friends and a host of others!  Anticipation is one of the spices of life. Let’s be sure to anticipate  something everyday and ultimately a more personal relationship with Christ. Our actions will follow whatever we truly anticipate.

Away…..but never forgotten

…and He (God) will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4

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