The Gift
Thank you for joining us today as my very dear friend, Tamela, shares her heart and thoughts on this past Easter weekend. It’s sure to inspire you.
Meet Tamela!
Tamela Hyatt Jasmann was born in Rhode Island and traveled the Eastern Seaboard extensively as the young child of a Naval Intelligence Pilot. From Rhode Island to Key West, FL with forays into the Mid-West and upstate-New York as her father served two tours in Vietnam, Tamela has been blessed to see much of the country to which she is deeply committed. Her father perished in a plane crash months prior to Tamela turning 13 and this pivotal memory has guided most of her life; making sure her father/guardian angel in heaven would be proud of the daughter he brought into this world. Tamela is now a very active volunteer with the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars; something she believes honors the memory of her beloved father. The cycle back to Dad is complete. Her devotion to veterans is so deep that she is her auxiliary’s president-elect for 2014-2015 and has been appointed to serve as the Legislative State Chairman for Arizona as well. Working with veterans, serving veterans – this is her life’s goal now; whether that be through promoting scholarships for our youth or working to pass veteran-beneficial legislation at the state and federal levels or bringing smiles to our veterans in the VA hospitals, treatment centers and homes, yes, home has been fully found again!
I awoke today feeling refreshed, renewed. For me, because of disabilities, waking with a “glass half full” attitude isn’t always possible and so today, especially, I found the ease and comfort of the morning more than enjoyable – it was heart-opening. It felt as if God said to me – or I finally was able to hear Him in the stillness – “It’s time to know the truth,” while handing me The Gift. I need to share my joy if you’ll permit me!
It is my habit upon waking to prepare a pot of coffee, grab the phone and head to my backyard where I am most often greeted by birdsong, blue skies and a sense of peace and quiet that, considering I live in a big city, is remarkable. The time it takes for the coffee to be made is usually spent in spiritual introspection and having my morning chat with God, asking for His guidance throughout the day and to beam bright white light on those I love for protection, love, safety and their well-being. For me, my God does not reside in any one church or religion, He is all around me if only I pay attention. I also talk with Him about me and helping me but none of the above makes me too very different that anyone else praying or talking with God.
This morning as I sat outside and began my meditations with God, I felt an ease and lightness I had not experienced before. What I was aware of this morning is how I seem to take my troubles to God but forget to thank Him for all He does and has done for me other than my standard opening of, “Thank for your another day of travel on this path called Life.” This is not to say that I do not thank God regularly for the many blessings in my life but rather an acknowledgement that during that morning time, I seem to come from a negative space instead of being positive about His love, His light, and all the many gifts, small and large, that God leads me to and through. What I have come to realize is that God is in my head and not so much my heart. I intellectualize God and His Love as something to be examined and taken apart like I know better than He how life should run. I question Him when I could be more loving and accepting of what simply is…His Love.
At the ripe age of 53 (yes, I can be a bit stubborn!), I saw this morning ever so clearly The Gift of today, The Gift of Easter! It is not a day of solitude and reflection but one of righteous joy for on this day His Son, who died so my sins would be forgiven, was resurrected so that I may have eternal life! I finally see His Gift!! It’s like the very words, “For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting LIFE!,” have come alive in my heart and I sing from a place I’ve never known before! And that life is in the Kingdom of God and the pain and sorrow of being human will be shed and only love and forgiveness will surround me! It is God who gives me life and breathe and love…and ultimately forgiveness for someone like I who took so long to see. There truly are “none so blind as those who will not see.”
Today I am renewed, cleansed, thanking God for all HIs many Gifts, not the least of which is the gift of living long enough to finally see and feel The One True Light…beaming on me! “I was blind but now I see.” Today I know in my heart that each day is a gift to be celebrated, each moment a chance for gratitude and renewal, peace and forgiveness! It is not my job to seek out what is bad or wrong around me but to seek God and all the many ways He gives me life and ability. Today I know that I AM because HE IS!!
Enjoy the gift of today, the Gift of God’s Son in our lives, the joy of living each day basking in His Love. Seek love and gratitude. That is my hope and gift for today, I hope yours is equally as large and wondrous!
Thank you, Tamela, for these beautiful words! You ARE a world changer. I am proud to call you my friend and sister of the heart!
The Trip That Was Never Supposed To Happen
We have a special contributing writer on the blog today. Please help us welcome Susan Lawrence Choate! I first met Susan in our (in)courage group, Parenting Teens & Thriving. She inspired me with her posts, and I felt a real connection to her from the start. When she talked of her recent trip, I asked if she would share with my readers. Much to my delight, she agreed! I am thrilled to have her with us and hope she will join us again soon to share her beautiful words with the world. She gives God all of the praise, glory, and honor!
Meet Susan!
A beautiful child of God!
-Anais Nin
We set our mind on things we will and will not do in life … and then life happens.
My husband was recently sent to Europe for a business conference, and I was grateful to go with him; but this was never supposed to happen, because Europe was not on the grid for us. Our life plan or bucket list didn’t call for a European trip. Many other trips, maybe, but not this one.
When we returned, Shirley asked me to write about my adventure; thus, the quote above from Anais Nin. I’d be overjoyed to live this trip again … because it was never supposed to happen.
In Psalm 37:4 we read:
“Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
This trip was a gift from God that I didn’t ask for and my question time and again during my trip was:
“God, what am I supposed to do with this?”
From the moment we boarded the plane, the life lessons began.
Less is more.
I’m not an amateur at flying, but there are just some things an airline should not divulge to their passengers. When traveling at 644 mph at 6.25 miles high, the air temperature becomes -57 degrees F. Upon learning this news from the onboard television, my relationship with our Lord deepened significantly, and I began to nervously eye the emergency exit THAT IS DIRECTLY TO MY RIGHT for the next eight hours. Less is more when it comes to this kind of information.
Really, God, what was I supposed to do with that?
Don’t forget to look back and remember.
Amsterdam Central Station
To my pleasant surprise, my husband’s boss, Naomi, asked me to sightsee with her while the others were beginning their meetings. I was excited about this because I was the only spouse that came along and I knew the rest of the week I would be sightseeing all by myself. As we started out on foot from the majestic Amsterdam Central Station, she startled me as she suddenly stopped, turned around and said:
“Wait! When I’m in a foreign land, I always turn around and look back so that I don’t get lost and I’m reminded from where I came. That way, I’ll always be able to find my way back when I need to.”
Yes, Naomi, some times we just need to look back and remember how far God has brought us, and sometimes we need to backtrack to get on the right footing again. Yes, Lord, thanks for the reminder. I know what to do with that one.
Look for the “i”.
Naomi, being a wealth of information, also told me (as we were in need of information):
“Look for the ‘i’.”
Universally, when traveling and in need of help, you look for the “i” and there should be someone there who can assist you. I likened this to the Word of God. Read the directions. It will save you so much trouble when you seek it out. Yes, Lord, I’m listening and continually looking to the “i”.
Relish every moment and then pay it forward.
As I walked into buildings older than my country, I was in awe at the number of people who may have walked this path before me. At home, I take so much in life for granted; things I think of as mundane or mediocre. I’ll do it tomorrow … I’ll see to it later. On this journey, I knew ‘later’ would not happen, so I relished every moment.
In the Cathedral of Our Lady, which took 169 years to build and was completed in 1521 A.D., I found myself touching the columns and bannisters, wondering who had passed this way before me. How many families had made it their life goal to see this church completed so that I could stand here today? What if the builders had not considered the importance of solid construction of this building (or their faith) to be passed down many generations? We are so very small in this big world. I especially sense this when standing somewhere that generations of families worked together to build and in which people have worshipped for almost 600 years before me. This was a reminder for me to take a deep breath and relish each God-given moment — and then share my faith with the next generation.
“Be still and know that I am God.”
Psalm 46:10 NIV.
Praise you, Father, that I’m learning to be still in your presence and relish every moment. Give me the building blocks (words and actions) to share Jesus with the generations to come.
Write like Anne.
Anne Frank received a diary for her 13th birthday, and on the first page dated June 12, 1942, she writes:
“I hope I will be able to confide everything to you, as I have never been able to confide in anyone, and I hope you will be a great source of comfort and support.”
Visiting Anne Frank’s House was the highlight of my trip. Unlike most American museums, you could personally touch the walls, doors, and yes, even the book case that hid the secret annex. I cannot fathom why the Holocaust had to happen, but I’m so grateful Anne had the foresight to write about it. I know it helped to keep her sane in an insane world. I have to agree with Anne as she writes on March 15, 1944:
“Yet, what’s nicest of all is that at least I can still write down my thoughts and feelings, otherwise I’d just totally suffocate.”
God gifts us with thoughts, feelings and words. He wants us to share them and to pass them on to generations, whether they be happy, painful or just mediocre.
Yes, Lord, yes! That’s what you want me to do with this!
Standing in front of the original entrance to the Anne Frank House
Oh, Susan! This post was absolutely beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, your heart, and God’s love as you re-lived this wonderful trip of a lifetime!
Arise, My Love
This is one of my most favorite Easter songs. The lyrics are below. Click here to view the video on Youtube.
Arise My Love
By Newsong
Not a word was heard
At the tomb that day.
Just shuffling of soldier’s feet
As they guarded the grave.
One day, two days,
Three days had past.
Could it be that Jesus
Breathed His last?
Could it be that His Father
Had forsaken him?
Turned his back on his son
Despising our sin.
All hell seemed to whisper
“Just forget Him, He’s dead.”
Then the Father looked down
On His son and said:
Arise, My love.
Arise, My love.
The grave no longer
Has a hold on you
No more death’s sting
No more suffering
Arise… Arise… my love.
The Earth trembled
And the tomb began to shake,
And like lightening from Heaven
The stone was rolled away.
And as dead man, the guards
They all stood there in fright
As the power of love
Displayed its might
Then suddenly a melody
Filled the air
Riding wings of wind,
It was everywhere
The words all creation
Had been longing to hear
The sweet sound of victory,
So loud and clear.
Arise, my love.
Arise, my love.
The grave no longer has a hold on you.
No more death’s sting
no more suffering
Arise… arise…
Sin, where are your shackles?
Death, where is your sting?
Hell has been defeated.
THE GRAVE COULD NOT HOLD THE KING!
Arise, My love.
Arise, My love.
The grave no longer
Has a hold on you
No more death’s sting
No more suffering
Arise…
Arise…
Arise
Praise God, Almighty for sending His Son to die on the cross … He rose on the third day! Jesus bore all of our sins. We have been set free and promised the gift of eternal life, if only we believe in Him.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
