Tag Archive | love

The Room With a View

Being a true Southern Gal, I’ve always dreamed of having a huge colonial home with the enormous white columns out front, the rear of the home overlooking a river, and huge oak trees in the yard. All, viewed through a wall of solid windows across the back of the house while sitting in my favorite overstuffed chair.

My current home is large and does have white columns but they are far from enormous. And, while I do have huge oak trees in my yard, our home is not situated on a river. I never met the person that designed the house plans for this 1960’s ranch style home but I know it had to be a man!

There are many windows in our home but there is only one where I can sit and look out the window…The location is quiet, cozy, and secluded. While seated, it is through this small window I can see the tops of the oaks in the yard, the beautiful skies and the shrubs with purple flowers. The purple flowers that attract some of the most beautiful butterflies I have ever seen. On occasion I have the pleasure of watching the squirels playing chase in the trees. It is from this room I have some of my most intimate conversations with God and even spend time in His word. It is a place where I hear God Whisper and where I can whisper back and He hears me.

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:6

I don’t have a closet large enough to sit in but I do have my room with a view. While you may not have a view you have this room you can go to also the room where you can talk with God…

It is the Bathroom!

You can improve your prayer life if you will make it a point to talk with your Heavenly Father each time you enter the bathroom.

So, have you been to the bathroom today?

Love Lee ♥

Thanksgiving 2010

Nov27

I so love getting together with family and friends and this Thanksgiving was no exception! I am so blessed to have such a warm and loving family. We live, love, and laugh a lot!

The day started off very peaceful. I enjoyed my quiet time with the Lord; reading my Bible and praying. Then, it was time to get the turkey in the oven. Martha and I teamed up and got the dressing started. The meal was planned to start at 1pm and things were going as planned.

The first to arrive was my precious granddaughter Cheyenne. She was carrying a plate of homemade treats she had made all by herself. She chose a recipe from her cookbook, and purchased all the ingredients with her own money. She did such a wonderful job…I am so proud of her!

Second to walk through the door was Cheryl, Ken, and Shawn with awesome treats in hand and was wearing some of the most beautiful smiles. Shawn has gotten so big I have to look up at him now.

As I continued to putter around in the kitchen, family and friends continued to stream through the door and I quickly lost track of who came when. I could tell when another person would arrive when I heard the volume rise and squeals of excitement could be heard throughout the house.

Soon after my dear friends the Cannans arrived, Alisha made her way to the kitchen, washed her hands, and began helping me de-bone the turkey. A concern Alisha had voiced to her mother about Thanksgiving was the turkey. She was worried it might be dry. Thank goodness I soaked the turkey in a brine for over 24 hours…Her concerns were quickly put to rest when she took her first bite.

As everyone began to arrive, the buffet table began to fill up. My family has always been good to pitch in and bring sides and desserts. One thing for sure is God had blessed each member of our family with the ability to cook. The food was phenomenal and as always there was more than enough for everyone to eat.

As is our custom once everyone arrived we circled around the table and each person voiced what they were thankful for. There is seldom a dry eye in the room when we are through and this Thanksgiving was not different. One of the most tender moments was watching my sister and her husband embrace after the blessing. I was blessed to be a witness to it. God is so good and has richly blessed my sister and her husband.

Soon after the meal was over Susan ran to the store and picked up a couple of newspapers end the hunt was on. Everyone was in pursuit of an item they were going to purchase on “Black Friday”. Who would have believed the newspaper would provide the whole family with hours of entertainment.

Oh, and speaking of entertainment…We had piano playing, ballet, and hand slapping games, and of course FOOTBALL…Activities of different sorts in every room. Priceless times!!!

There were some who were not with us this Thanksgiving and they were missed terribly. Both Richard and Smokey had to work, Lindsey spent the holiday with her dad, Rayfard and Evelyn were celebrating a family member’s birthday, Debbie and Greg were in Arkansas with their grandkids…Our oldest daughter Tori lives out-of-town and was not able to come home but called to wish everyone “A Happy Thanksgiving”. To each of you…”You Were Missed”

What fun memories we made, what great food we ate, and what incredible thanks we gave to our Father in heaven for blessing us!

We are family…

Love Lee ♥

To God Be The Glory

Nov25

Preparations for a day of food, family and fun are well underway. Thanksgiving Day with all its excitement is here! As I sit sipping my morning coffee in my favorite chair, I find myself pondering all I am thankful for in my life.

I am thankful for:

My mom for giving birth to me and loving me even when I am not loveable.
My Grandparents for loving me rotten (Our Nanny Miller)
My Sisters and Brother for looking up to me as their big sister
My precious husband for wrapping his loving arms around me and saying I do…and still does
My daughters Tori and Brandi who I adore and cherish with all my heart
My Grandchildren Cheyenne, Mike, and Brandon who rock my world
My precious friends for loving me in spite of my warts
All who are willing put aside their own lives to fight for our freedom

Above all other, I am so incredibly thankful for the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…without them my being would be void of life!

Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. Psalms 95:2 which is what Andrae Crouch has done in the song “To God Be The Glory”

To God Be The Glory

How Can I Say Thanks
for The Things You Have Done For Me
things So Undeserved
yet You Give To Prove Your Love For Me
the Voices Of A Million Angels
cannot Express My Gratitude
all That I Am Or Ever Hope To Be
I Owe It All To Thee

(Chorus)
to God Be The Glory
to God Be The Glory
to God Be The Glory
for The Things He Has Done
with His Blood, He Has Saved Me
by His Power, He Has Raised Me.
to God Be The Glory
for The Things He Has Done

(Bridge)
just Let Me Live My Life
and Let It Be Pleasing, Lord To Thee
and Should I Gain Any Praise,
let It Go To Calvary.

with His Blood, He Has Saved Me
by His Power, He Has Raised Me.
to God Be The Glory
for The Things He Has Done.

While you are thankful…Have you given Him the Glory?

Love Lee ♥

She is Wonderfully and Marvelously Made

Nov21

It was a normal day for me…nothing out of the ordinary going on when the phone rang. It was my dear friend Jennifer Cannan and she was crying. Through her sobs I heard, “Can John and I come over? We’ve been at the doctor’s office today and we need to talk to someone.”

Within 15 minutes John and Jennifer were walking through the door. Both looked like they had been hit by a mac truck! Before she spoke, I grabbed her and held her while she sobbed on my shoulder. After a minute she was able to speak, “The doctor says Alisha is autistic.”

Because Alisha’s speech was delayed, we knew something was wrong…but Autism???? How do you wrap your head around that diagnosis???

Jennifer, being the take charge kind of person she is, immediately began to read everything she could get her hands on about Autism. She reached out to anyone with knowledge of Autism or anyone who knew of available resources for Autistic children. It wasn’t long after Alisha was diagnosed, she was enrolled in school and immediately the work began.

Within a very short period of time Alisha began to interact verbally with others. In fact her vocabulary grew to the point she was utilizing “big” words typically used only by adults. She began to laugh and interact with others on an emotional level as well.

Alisha was at my home for Halloween this year. She did not come for candy…She came to visit me and to give my candy away because in addition to Autism, Alisha has been diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes. So, since she couldn’t have the candy she was elated to stand in my doorway and pass out candy to the trick or treaters who could. Then when my brother reached for a piece of candy, she provided him with a lecture on the perils of eating candy causing him to sneak his bites of candy when she was not looking.

Alisha is an adorable little girl who loves deeply everyone she encounters. She finds great pleasures in the most simple things. She is funny and witty making those around her laugh even when they aren’t in the mood to laugh. She says the cutest things and her mother is good to share them with us on Facebook. A couple posts by Jennifer I especially love…

“Mama, Can you come rub my back? I think there is a bone in it and it is really starting to hurt me.” How does she come up with these things?!?!?! Going to put on my masseuse hat….brb…a mother’s job is never done! LOL
“Alisha just informed me that she was “filthy, stinkin’ rich.” She then proceeded to show me that her change purse was full of coins plus she had 6 dollar bills. LOL”
“Alisha just told me that I needed to get bigger, uglier glasses since I am getting older. Nice! ROFL”

Today I was reminded of Alisha and her struggles and challenges in life when I read a post on Facebook by Alisha’s mom, Jennifer Cannan. It read…

“Kids with special needs aren’t sick or gross or stupid, and their handicaps not contagious. They only want what we all want: to be accepted and loved. Can I make a request: is anyone willing to post this and leave it as your status for at least an hour to spread the awareness? It is Special Education Week, and this is …in honor of ALL the children who were wonderfully and marvelously made.”

Do you know a child that is wonderfully and marvelously made? If so please honor them today!

I would like to take this opportunity honor my precious little friend Alisha Cannan…Alisha, your Aunt Lee Lee loves you Doll ♥

Love Lee ♥

Do You Have Something To Give?

Nov16

I love Extreme Make Over Home Edition…To see someone who is down on their luck receive a hand up from a community is so touching! I am sure it is such a rush for the people involved too. Not only do they get to participate in the outpouring of love on a good and deserving person but they also get to be in the spotlight surrounded by the cameras and glam of TV. It is such a great cause and some very giving people are highlighted.

But…what happens when the lights go out, the cameras go off, and everyone goes home?

Unfortunately, it is human nature to do for others only when people are watching but it takes a special and obedient person to give when no one is watching. In Matthew we are taught we will be blessed when we give in private.

“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:1-4

One of mine and Richard’s favorite ways to give is to go out to eat and pick up the tab for total strangers and to do it anonymously. Or to lean over and whisper to the grocery clerk “put it on my tab” for a person standing in the grocery line having to put food items back because they don’t have the money to pay.

Do you know someone in need and if so what are you doing about it? As Thanksgiving approaches, I encourage you to open your eyes and heart and give to those who are less fortunate than you. Share your hearts and homes with them or have food delivered to them anonymously. If you do not know anyone in need then ask God to place that person in your path so you can bless them. You can also contact your local church as they have knowledge of people in need.

Do you have something to give?

Love Lee ♥

Recently I was the recipient of a gift given in private. I have no idea where it came from or who gave it but I am very grateful to the giver and appreciated the gift very much! I pray God will bless that special person richly for giving as instructed in His word.

The Ultimate Choice

Nov10

Every day you make choices about how you will behave, how you will relate to other people, what your actions and reactions will be.

For a Christian the choice should be living for Jesus. Nothing should be more important than showing others what Christ is like.

IT IS A CHOICE…

“For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.” 1Thessalonians 4:7

We are called to live a holy life; one of honor which would magnifiy the Lord. A life that puts Him first by bringing Him honor and glory; a living testimony of His love and acceptance.

Life is so incredibly fragile! Here today and gone tomorrow therefore, it is so critical we choose to live life in such a way others crave what we have; that others see Jesus in and through us! We can do this by living our lives as instructed in 1Thessalonians 4:11

“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.”

Living your life while Striving for Excellence in your daily walk!

Sonic Flood has a song which says it perfectly…

Holiness

Holiness, holiness is what I long for
Holiness is what I need
Holiness, holiness is what You want from me
Holiness, holiness is what I long for
Holiness is what I need
Holiness, holiness is what You want from me

So, take my heart and form it
Take my mind and transform it
Take my will and conform it To Yours, to Yours, oh, Lord

Do you long for His holiness?

Only Jesus can provide you with the holiness you long for and need.

Love Lee ♥

The Value of Recognition

Nov5

I will never forget playing the role of Widow Carney in the musical “Oliver”, it was both challenging and fun. I like all my other classmates worked hard to ensure the production was a success. What I never expected was to receive the award for “Best Supporting Actress”.

Wow.. I didn’t even know there was one but it was such an honor to receive the award. In fact, I still have the trophy today.

What I learned from receiving this honor was…

It Is So Important To Recognize People For What They Do!

Today this concept was reinforced when I attended Stephen F. Austin Elementary’s Awards Ceremony. Watching my Granddaughter Cheyenne receive awards for “A” Honor Roll, Perfect Attendance, and the coveted Gator Award was priceless. Cheyenne beam as she looked around the room and realized everyone she had invited was there. While receiving the award was very important to her, it was more important for those she loves to witness her receive the awards.

I am so very proud of Cheyenne…She worked very hard for her awards. I would also like to thank the teachers and administrators at SFA Elementary for recognizing the children for their hard work!

Recognition is vital for the well-being of an individual. So, I ask you…

Have You Recognized Someone’s Efforts Today?

Love Lee ♥

What If There Is Not Another Side

Oct28

Recently we spent a couple of weeks at Quintana Park on the beach and to travel back and forth to work , I had to cross a couple of really high bridges. Now for those who do not know me very well may not realize I have dealt with the fear of driving over bridges all my life. It begins at the base of the bridge and as I begin to ascend I begin to hyperventilate, my heart begins to pound, my palms get sweaty and as I approach the top of the bridge my teeth are clenched so tightly my head begins to hurt. Then this thought goes through my mind…

“What if there is not another side”

I was on my way to work one morning and I began to ascend the monster bridge over the Brazos River it was like fireworks went off in my mind…Just as I would ask myself “what if there is not another side”, I realized I continue to drive over that bridge because I have to believe it is going to be there. Common sense, Right?….WRONG!!! It is FAITH!

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

I had faith the other side of the bridge was going to be there.

Have you ever wondered, “What if there is not another side” meaning heaven? Well, let me ask you …WHAT IF THERE IS? Are you prepared?

For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

There you have it…you just have to believe in him…just like you have to believe there is going to be another side of the bridge!!! He loves you, He cares for you, He wants to rescue you!!!

HE IS THE BRIDGE TO THE OTHER SIDE!!!

I am now able to drive over the bridge without hyperventilating and sweating because KNOW there is another side!!!

Love Lee ♥

Who Are You Trying To Please

Oct25

Often times we spend so much of our energy doing what is expected by others, bend over backwards to try to please them, and work so desperately to gain their approval. Have you ever asked yourself, “Why?’.

Early in life children learn by doing as “expected” they gain the approval and praise of their parents.

It happens every day…children seek the approval and blessing of their parents and learn by acting, performing, reacting, or believing a certain they get that approval. They also learn that approval is withheld if those expectations are not met. Then as the child grows older and attend school or become more social it is not just the parents placing these expectations on a child but also their teachers and friends. In time this leads to those children that are “over achievers”. Their only focus is gaining approval of others…

Growing up I was one of those kids…Always felt I had to perform to everyone else’s expectations. Then one day while reading my Bible I read a scripture that changed my life…

“Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10

WOW… What a revelation!

SUDDENLY I AM FREE!!!

Free from the burden of trying to please the world…Fee from trying to gain approval of others…Free to please my Father!

Today, I live to please Him, I walk in His love and acceptance, and I KNOW I AM LOVED!!!

I ask you…WHO ARE YOU TRYING TO PLEASE???

Love Lee ♥

Because I Said So…

Oct13

I am sure as you were growing up you heard your Mom say…”Because I said so”. It is such a popular saying they even made a movie with that title. That is what a parent says when they said it, meant it, and do not want to discuss it…

In much the same way our Heavenly Father says it, means it, and does not want to discuss it. One of those subjects is Love. He told us to “Love one Another and So fulfil the law of Christ. Never but never is there an exception!

Jesus reiterated his Father’s instructions when He said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34. This is one time “Please and Thank You” was not used…He commanded it! Now, I don’t know about you but when my parents told me to do something, I did as I was told because I loved them so much and desperately wanted to please them. Hmmm I ask, “Are we obedient in following His command?”

How to Love Others

Have you ever thought about how to extend love to others; those you know as well as those you don’t? Well, it is quite easy if you see others through the eyes of their Father. God so adores us and He loves us despite our behaviors. Think about the person you love most in this world. Now, I ask why do you love them? It is because you know them. There is a bond there because there are commonalities in your lives. So, to learn to love those you don’t know Take the time to get to know them.

Learn their likes and dislikes
Accept their uniqueness
Listen to their hearts when they speak
Welcome them into your circle of friends
Ask about their passions
Allow them to talk freely

How to Express Love

Dr. Gary Chapman does an excellent job of teaching us how to love in his book “The Five Love Languages”. By learning a person’s love language you can more easily obey His command. Below is a summary of “The Five Love Languages”

Words of Affirmation

Actions don’t always speak louder than words. If this is your love language, unsolicited compliments mean the world to you. Hearing the words, “I love you,” are important—hearing the reasons behind that love sends your spirits skyward. Insults can leave you shattered and are not easily forgotten.

Quality Time

In the vernacular of Quality Time, nothing says, “I love you,” like full, undivided attention. Being there for this type of person is critical, but really being there—with the TV off, fork and knife down, and all chores and tasks on standby—makes your significant other feel truly special and loved. Distractions, postponed dates, or the failure to listen can be especially hurtful.

Receiving Gifts

Don’t mistake this love language for materialism; the receiver of gifts thrives on the love, thoughtfulness, and effort behind the gift. If you speak this language, the perfect gift or gesture shows that you are known, you are cared for, and you are prized above whatever was sacrificed to bring the gift to you. A missed birthday, anniversary, or a hasty, thoughtless gift would be disastrous—so would the absence of everyday gestures.

Acts of Service

Can vacuuming the floors really be an expression of love? Absolutely! Anything you do to ease the burden of responsibilities weighing on an “Acts of Service” person will speak volumes. The words he or she most want to hear: “Let me do that for you.” Laziness, broken commitments, and making more work for them tell speakers of this language their feelings don’t matter.

Physical Touch

This language isn’t all about the bedroom. A person whose primary language is Physical Touch is, not surprisingly, very touchy. Hugs, pats on the back, holding hands, and thoughtful touches on the arm, shoulder, or face—they can all be ways to show excitement, concern, care, and love. Physical presence and accessibility are crucial, while neglect or abuse can be unforgivable and destructive.

By learning characteristics of each of the above Five Love Languages you will be able to discern other’s Love Language and in turn how best to demonstrate love towards them. I challenge you to open your heart, make people your priority, and learn to love…To learn your Love Language take the The Love Language Test.

The PERFECT example of love…For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Love Lee ♥