T Minus 24 Hours and Waiting

“So how do you feel?” Grab a cup of coffee and I’ll share my answer.

In less than 24 hours, anyone who chooses can open a cover and read a copy of my soul. Friday, May 11, 2018 The Leader’s Wife, Living With Eternal Intentionality launches.

“Now that your book is published, how do you feel?”

Looking back—well, if only I had known…

Five long years ago, a Friday in December 2012, I wrote the last sentence to this manuscript; I experienced the exhilaration of pounding out The End. Lifting my head from the keyboard, I breathed a deep sigh of relief, and savored a sweet sense of joy. Dashing outdoors into the late afternoon sun, I shoved my hands heavenward, threw my head back, and shouted to the top of my lungs, “ YES! I am FINISHED! Thank You, God. I am FINISHED!”

But, the rocky road from then until now has been a road without a map, a road without a GPS. At least for me, that is.

Thankfully, the journey began with crystal clear guidance from The Lord: “God, if You want me to write a book, I must know this is definitely from You. I do not want any part of lighting my own fires (Isaiah 50:11 NLT). His Word contained my answer, The things I have said to you, put in a book (Jeremiah 30:1).

So, when the nuances of the publishing world remained shrouded in mystery for this neophyte, God’s encouragement kept me plodding ahead. Ongoing rejections of my manuscript provided rich fertile soil for life lessons:

“God is always working while we are waiting.” (Alistair Begg)

“Waiting is not the same as inactivity. Waiting is a commitment to continue in obedience until God speaks.” (Priscilla Shirer)

“While we are waiting for a publisher, you need to be blogging.” (Les Stobbe, my sage-of-an-agent) I am glad I obeyed.

Now, while waiting for the first copies to be delivered to my front door, I bow in worship of the One Who brought this book to pass; the only One Who deserves the praise. Not to us oh Lord, not to us, but to You be all the glory (Psalm 115:1).

So, how do I feel? I am overwhelmed with gratitude, I am weak with humility, and I am silly with excitement. It seems as though I am standing under a waterfall of God’s love and grace. In a supernatural way, I am lost in wonder, love, and praise. It is true: A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul (Proverbs 13:19).

Living With Eternal Intentionality™

Oh God, may this be a book with a mission!

Which Way Do I Go?

Friday afternoon, heavy traffic, pouring rain, and…hesitation. Oh my! Which way do I go?

The options are:

• Soar ahead in order to prevent an accident
• Take the wrong turn knowingly, and deal with the consequences later
• Go precisely the correct way in confidence

Busy intersections are not limited to streets, honking horns, blinking lights, and vehicles. Busy intersections regularly occur in our lives. You and I live in a day resplendent with options; in the milieu, clarity can elude us. Knowing the right direction, the correct turn, the best route requires the most accurate information. Here are three data entries that have stood the test of time and will help you answer the question: Which way should I go?

First data entry: which way do I go?

Choose life

I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to him For the Lord is your life...(Deuteronomy 30: 19-20).

Second data entry: which way do I go?

Choose the ancient way

This is what the Lord says; Stand at the crossroads and look: ask for the ancient paths ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls (Jeremiah 6:16a).

Third data entry: which way do I go?

Choose the narrow way     

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it (Matthew 7: 13-14).

Envision applying these three data entries to questions like: 

Where do I attend university?

Do I even go to university?

How can I decide if my child is spending too much time on his/her device?

Should I marry this person?

Should I even continue dating this person?

Which church is right for our family at this season of life?

Will this insurance plan provide the best benefits?

What if we don't like our daughter's choice of friends?

Is this option a wise investment of resources?

Will this business venture provide more or less family time in our calendar?

Data entries one, two and three stand as Priceless Consultants to help you move ahead with confidence through the intersection you face. Have a great road trip!

Living with Eternal Intentionality™

What intersection do you face today?

How will you decide which road to take?

Codename: Tranquility

                First Lady of the Greatest Generation

Barbara Bush

1925 - 2018

Over the course of this past week, I have kept a list of comments made about Barbara Bush. A collection of some of the finest tributes follows:

Barbara Pierce met her husband-to-be at a Christmas dance when she was sixteen. She never kissed another man. Their love story—theirs was an extraordinarily successful marriage—was one for the ages.

During World War II, she volunteered in a nuts and bolts factory.

Bar (her nickname) made 29 moves to 17 cities in 73 years of marriage.

Barbara operated with a foot in the family and a foot in the world of politics, and was known for teaching her children, "Don't get caught up in the big me."

Her favorite book was Pride and Prejudice. Her own life was a consummate good read.

"The home is the child's first school, the parent is the child's first teacher, and reading is the child's first subject." -Barbara Bush

In her commencement address to the graduating class of Wellesley in 1990, Mrs. Bush said, "At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, winning one more verdict. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a child, a friend, or a parent."

During her life alongside the Secret Service, she once stated, “I am old and fat and have gray hair; no one will be threatened by me.”

At her death, the Secret Service said of her, “She was the epitome of class and grace both during and after her service to our country as First Lady of the United States.”

She lived a life of purpose. 

Tenderly, Jenna Bush Hagar on Today penned an emotional tribute to Barbara Bush, Remembering Ganny: We called you 'the enforcer.' It was because, of course, you were a force and you wrote the rules and your rules were simple. Treat everyone equally; don't look down on anyone, use your voices for good, read all the great books...Humor, wit, and grace are the best accessories; words matter, kindness matters, looks fade.

And most amazing of all were her words shared by her son Jeb at her funeral:

“I believe in Jesus; He is my Savior. I am ready to go.”

The content for this blog is compiled from the following sources:

Fox News

CNN News

NBC News

Today Show

Barbara Bush: A Memoir

Destiny and Power by John Meacham