"Trey Tuesday" - April 26, 2016

Joy!

"Count it all joy when you meet trials of various kinds"  James 1:2

This photo was Trey at one of his countless hospital appointments, Strawberry Shortcake tea set by side, computer game capturing his attention, colorful Fibber nose confidently in place....awaiting chemo, or a test or the results of one of his many scans.  Did Trey look worried?  Um, not one bit.  Why?  Why could he count it all joy?!?  (Well, almost all joy - he did have a few small fits here and there!)  :)

Trey could live a life of joy because he always had at least one of his parents by his side.  He trusted them.  He believed in their love and devotion.  He loved the attention of the doting staff.  He loved the love he gave and received wherever he went.  Trey looked for and expected joy.  How are you doing with that?

God's love, attention, and provision should enable us to "count it all joy" also, but as adults it is a lot more difficult to remember and process that concept.  Try and take one tiny little baby step today.  Look for the silver lining that God may be providing for you in your dismal circumstances.  Through prayer or time spent with a dear friend, crawl up in to your Heavenly Daddy's lap and tell Him all about your terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.  Sing a song of praise - out loud!  Go for a walk and thank God for this beautiful springtime.  And maybe, just maybe, for that brief moment, you may think like Trey and his colorful nose....and find joy!  :)

"Trey Tuesday" - April 19, 2016

1,000 Words are Worth a Picture?

If a picture is worth a thousand words, are a thousand words worth a picture?

It has been almost 18 months since we last saw Trey.  We still have photos to remind us of his silly, sweet, and sometimes sassy self.  These photos are worth a thousand thoughts, emotions and words!

But let's look at life a different way.  A thousand words....the many words we say and the way we treat others, leave a lasting impression.  When we move neighborhoods, switch jobs or graduate, or even leave the house or office for the day, we leave behind a picture.

What picture did your life paint today?

"Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

Ephesians 5:1,2

"Trey Tuesday" - April 12, 2016

The Rest

Typically my posts are about our sweet Trey.  Today I would like to highlight Jay and Rachel and their journey as Trey's parents.

Rest - ahhhhh what a refreshing concept, invoking images of a vacation to Cancun, a dreamy nap, or a peaceful walk in the summertime.  Not exactly the picture of surviving the loss of your son to cancer.  But I can see Rest all over Jay and Rachel:

Remain - Jesus said, "Remain in Me...No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine."  John 15:4

Endure - "If we endure, we will also reign with Him."  2 Timothy 2:12

Surrender - "Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me.  Nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done."  Luke 22:42

Tell - "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."  Galatians 6:2

Thank you, God, for showing us that it is possible to R.E.S.T. in the face of trauma, trial and every heartache!

"Trey Tuesday" - April 5, 2016

Branded

Are you a brand snob?  Let's check!

iPhone or Droid?

Starbucks or Dunkin?

Qtips or store brand?

It seems like the advertising and marketing worlds have learned exactly how to brand something, so much so that we don't even actively process what we are thinking about when we see certain images!

Take the pineapple.

My mom (Trey's sweet Grandma) just told me that Trey used to love when she bought a fresh pineapple.  He would beg and plead with her to cut (and serve!) the pineapple, regardless of the degree of ripeness.  My mom bought a pineapple yesterday.  She said that (more!) memories of Trey are now flooding her kitchen as she awaits the (appropriate!) day of cutting.  Images of Trey seem more vivid, simply because of that silly piece of fruit!

My walk through the produce aisle will never be the same.....

"Thus says The Lord:  'I will not forget you!

See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands"

Isaiah 49:15-16

"Trey Tuesday" - March 29, 2016

Sin

Wait!  Please don't keep scrolling!

May I have your attention for one minute, please?

Did you just celebrate Easter?

With enough chocolate to avoid the scale for a few weeks?

There is MUCH more to Easter than chocolate.  Yes, MORE than chocolate!!!

Jesus, that precious baby we remember at Christmastime, took the blame for the ugliest side of each and every one of us for all time!  He received the punishment from God for our sins.
He became sin.  Yes, Jesus, the Teacher, Healer, Shepherd, became ugly sin.

For you.

There's more than meets the eye to each one of us.  Would any of you ever believe that Trey was a stinker at times?!?  :)  Would you ever believe that Jesus Christ, the holiest one of all, loves you so much that He would die for you?  Believe it!  :)

"God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God."  2 Corinthians 5:21

"Trey Tuesday" - March 15, 2016

A Nap

Yes, another name for Jesus is, "Our Nap!"  :)

OK, OK, perhaps you may know the more Biblical terms of Selah or Sabbath, but....the concept is the same.  Just imagine:

A quick cat nap in the middle of a full day....

A long winter's nap on a Sunday afternoon...

A power nap moments before a big meeting...

A long blink while cuddling with your toddler...

Each of these delicious images evoke feelings of comfort, refreshment, refuge or relief.  Pretty good synonyms for what Jesus has to offer us, too! (except to the young and immature who may not appreciate the essence of "nap.")  :)

 God wants us to take time away from our every day race to abide in Him, spend time with Him, rest.  Even if you have to write it on your schedule, find time to rest with, "Our Nap!"

"Jesus said, 'Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."  Matthew 11:28

"Trey Tuesday" - March 8, 2016

Timeless

Wait a minute!

Just a second!

I'll be right back!

Quick, come here!

How many times a day do you say/hear these words?  In our fast paced world it seems that we are pressed for every precious second and minute!  But what about the not so precious time?  Mindless scrolling through posts, endless stacks of mail, miles of longgggg commutes.  Where does all the time go?!?

Here's a fun perspective:  Look back 1 year.  Consider your age/stage/phase of life.  Now fast forward 1 year.  Fascinating, isn't it?  Now do it looking back 10 years!  And ahead 10 years!  Today's minor annoyances seem to pale over time.

Grieving is a different story, though.  The death of a loved one, a shattered relationship, a lost job, a lengthy illness, addiction, a cross country move, mental illness, selling a home, etc. are painful and devastating day after day after day, year after year after year.  Time does not heal those wounds.  The cost of love that deep is huge!

God sent us His Son, Jesus, to eternally, forever, be with us to comfort us, guide us, and love us!  Every day!  Every hour!  Every minute!  Every second!  Every mood! :) He is Timeless! 

"Do you not know?  Have you not heard?  The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He will not grow tired or weary"  Isaiah 40:28