An "A-HA" Moment

The topic that I was asked to speak on at the Women of Valor Conference was, “Women, Teachers of Good Things.” All I could think about as former teacher myself with a degree in Elementary Education was what elements made me a good teacher? As we can all agree, we’ve both had good and bad ones. Of course, I mentioned obvious things like: a good teacher studies, memorizes material, sees herself as a role model, etc etc, but one thing that cut deeper was this: A great teacher is a good test taker.

Made me think of God’s instruction to Moses: Exodus 16:24 – Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may TEST them, whether or not they will walk in My instruction."

That puts a new perspective on something I’m struggling with that keeps popping up. I love “a-ha” moments from God. Hope I pass it next time it rears its little head.

Pam's Washington, DC, HIGHLIGHT!

As many of you know, Arise Ministries was invited to Washington, DC, to do a Congressional briefing for select Congress members on the Survive ‘N Thrive, Oklahoma statewide single mothers’ conference. I took many impressive pictures: Congressmen and Congresswomen, the Capitol Building, the White House. I even strolled down the halls of the Smithsonian Institute and found delight in Dorothy's red shoes from the Wizard of Oz. And then I gazed upon Martha Washington’s inaugural gown and President Lincoln’s top hat. No kidding! And yes, got a kick out of looking at Archie Bunker’s chair from All in the Family. Saw lots of historical markers, uniforms of famous people, and C-3P0’s costume from Star Wars. Loved it all… but here’s what thrilled my socks off the most:

Yip, getting back to the hotel and crawling into bed at 7:00pm to watch movies and the Olympics. Ain't life grand!

Anything Can Happen at the Pharmacy

I’m convinced we need to lighten up and put on a more playful perspective to this thing called life. I recently read an article about the benefits of laughter. God made us to laugh because He laughs. God laughing? How often do you think of God sitting on His throne giggling? Well, He does. Psalm 2:4 – “He who sits in the heavens laughs.”

I read an article yesterday. "Humor-Laughter: It’s Good For Us." It reduces the level of stress hormones and builds the immune system. It increases the level of health-enhancing hormones like endorphins that strengthen the heart. Laughter - it:

· Provides physical release: There’s a cleansing feeling after a good laugh.
· Grants a good internal workout: A good belly laugh exercises the diaphragm.
· Allows a distraction: Laughter brings the focus away from negative emotions.
· Increases social benefits: It connects us with others because it’s contagious.

There are 42 references in the Bible to laughter along with much admonition for us to look toward the witty side of our day. Humor, it’s all around. Sometimes you have to look hard to find it. Other times, it’s right under your nose, like yesterday when I walked into the pharmacy... no kidding...

Proverbs 17:22 – Laughter: it produces a merry heart. Try it. It’s good medicine!

My Backyard Cross

Ten years ago I was given a precious gift. When I stepped down from teaching my Bible Class, Blended Blessings, a friend of mine cut down two trees from her father’s property and made me this Cross as a thank you from the class for my years of service.

It remains the focal point of my backyard, a spot where others in town have asked to come and just meditate or pray. Indeed sitting beside it in the chair or just kneeling on the ground swells with the very reminder that God is near. Often people have written prayer requests on paper and placed it in the dirt.

I did that this morning. Have you ever had something really bothering your heart and it just would not go away? What a visual picture it is for me in times like that to give the concern to Jesus and literally bury it under that Cross. Then, when I turn around and walk off, I’m reminded that it’s not mine to carry any longer because I have given the concern and the results to Jesus.

But that’s not all. When I’m tempted to go back to the Cross and dig up that issue so that I can stew over it all over again, I see that God’s left me a message as a physical reminder that it’s not mine to worry about any longer. It reads: NO TRESPASSING!

I love the assurance God’s Word gives me at the Cross. Indeed, God wrote Psalm 41:5 just for me: “Pam, your times are in My hands.”

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Siamese Sisters' Love

What is self sacrificing love? I read a story this week defining it poignantly.

In the world they made for themselves, Siamese twins Margaret and Mary Gibb were not only accustomed to their affliction, but they came to prefer it. As adults they refused even to discuss the possibility of separation. To them, such a move would have seemed no less than amputation of a major limb. In recent weeks their condition haunted their physician because though Mary seemed entirely healthy, Margaret was suffering from rapidly spreading cancer. But the sisters did not change their view, and last week when Margaret’s cancer spread to her lungs and heart, it also spread to Mary’s. They died together at 54 within two minutes of each other, arm and arm, committed to self giving love.

My Talking Leopard Stool

The other day I was in Ross Department Store for a brief swirl through the store. As I was leaving, I heard this tiny voice, “Buy me! Buy me!” I turned around and there was this precious leopard stool with a tag around its leg marked $6.39. I picked it up and it continued, “I would be the perfect accent piece at the top of your stairs next to that chest.” So I strapped it in my front seat and home we went.

Wow of Wow! It’s just a petite little piece of furniture, nothing spectacular but it livens up that dreary upstairs corner. I can’t get over how much that insignificant yet significant stool has brought me delight!

When I glance upstairs and barely see its face peeking through the rails, I hear it whisper, “See, Pam. I’m such a miniscule thing, but I immensely brighten up your day.” Made me think of how my miniscule acts of kindness can profoundly brighten up someone else’s dreary corner.

I’ve never seen myself as a talking leopard stool before, but maybe I should. Funny how God speaks to me.

My Inside Alarm Clock

Something wonderfully strange happened today. As I driving down the road I thought, ‘What’s the date today?” Then I thought. “Hmmm… January 25th.” But nothing significant came to mind. But my pondering didn’t stop there. I kept feeling like I was about to miss a big appointment or felt like something had slipped my mind. But soon realized all was well.

I imagine I had not driven down the road very far when a light bulb went off in my head: “JANAURY 25TH!!!!” I thought. “Today is the fifth year anniversary of when my mother saw Jesus.”

I wanted to laugh; I wanted to cry. Laugh, because the Holy Spirit, my inside alarm clock, had reminded me of mother’s entrance into glory, and cry, because…well, I still miss her.

So cheers to my earthly life tour guide, the Holy Spirit, the One who comes alongside my journey, bringing things to remembrance, and cheers to my beloved mother: MELBA ABELL MARTIN, the one who continues to bring a smile to my heart.

I love you, mama!