Liz's Letters

A few years ago, one of my co-workers gave me one of those daily flip devotional calendars. I am very grateful for her and for the calendar since often times, God uses the calendar to help me remember Him through out the day. Occasionally a work related situation becomes easier to handle, or I am reminded that I represent God in my office as well as in my home and with my outside relationships. Today, however; was a reminder for my current attitude about life in general. Today, I am aware that my thinking is negative and am having a difficult time seeing all persons through the eyes of God. Too often my behavior has not been reflective of Christ in my life, nor has been the way other's have behaved toward me. God planted a beautiful reminder in front of me today as I read the thoughts that are on today's calendar. Joyfully and with all desire to do good, I share the words of Anne Graham Lotz. When God "breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a li...

Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church , the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms...Eph. 3 8-10 He is truly amazing. Even in my cynicism, in my sinful attitude, God is faithful to me. My family and I attended the weekend service at our church home last night. We sat with friends of ours (funny...both of the relationships were formed through the recovery program...but they are also "church" friends nonetheless.) And once again, God's word was loud and gentle and true and exactly what He wanted me to hear. Matt's message was on the church. God's message was on the church. My hope is renewed, my heart is swollen with the am...

Today's meditation: Before coming into Al-Anon, I spent most of my life having expectations of, and making unrealistic demands on, everyone around me. Anyone who didn't follow through on those demands invited my wrath. However, of all those I placed under my jurisdiction, the person I was hardest on was myself. It felt strange, therefore, to come through the doors of Al-Anon to a place not governed by cruel dictators who gave harsh commands. Instead, I heard things like "Keep It Simple" and "Easy Does It." It was like entering a new and different world where I was taught to love myself and to treat myself with dignity and respect. Luckily, I didn't have to learn these difficult lessons alone. Rather, I learned by watching other Al-Anon members treat themselves - and me - with love, dignity, and respect. As other members modeled these approaches in relating to me, I was eager to use each one, right away! Quite often I stumbled while trying to imple...

Oh how it feels good to be home. The time I had in Virginia was fun and relaxing for the most part. I totally enjoyed spending time with my friends and most certainly, my son and his girlfriend. My daughter was able to see people and places that have been near to her heart and learn that things do change and God has her where He wants her right now. And I was able to accomplish what I hoped and prayed would happen. I discovered truth and lies. I have been waiting for years for particular words to be spoken and they finally were said. What a relief. I no longer have to wonder what is true and what is not. Intuitively I knew some things and they were confirmed. It feels good to know that I am not totally crazy, that I have been lied to, and to finally know the truth. I now walk ahead, knowing who I am, living with what God will accomplish in my life as He has lead me through the season in my life that has come to an end. Even though I have wandered off the path He was leading m...

A fire burns behind me I run to keep ahead Those who I once cared for becoming cold and dead Red and black the flames grow high Smoke rises in the air The pain of my unworthiness Seems more than I can bear In front of me I see the sun I long to feel it's heat The iciness inside my heart has paralyzed my feet I see the moon, I see the stars They swirl and dance for me I see the hole, the big dark hole Where one star used to be

In just a few hours I will be on an airplane to start the highly anticipated trip to Virginia. I covet your prayers for safety, but more importantly that I will follow God as He leads me into closure and healing while I am there. Much pain is associated with this trip that I have worked on letting go of since my relocation to Texas. In fact, the pain had almost clouded my memories enough to cause me forget the wonderful and beautiful things that happened while I lived there. I look forward to rejoicing over the wonderful friends that have remained loyal, loving, and supportive and they walked with me on this journey. I look forward SO MUCH to the beach time with my family and close friend, Tina, who will join me there. I am eager and excited to enjoy the rides at Busch Gardens, where we spent day after day for many years, remembering many lovely memories with many different friends as we screamed, and ran, and roller-coastered our way through fun times together. I pray for the m...

My husband, daughter, and I are in Oklahoma visiting family this weekend. One of our stops was to have breakfast at a little diner in Claremore, Oklahoma where my husband grew up. It is a little place that is hidden away, family owned, and has big country breakfasts. We were enjoying good hot coffee, biscuits and gravy, french toast and eggs and the company of Fred's mom and her husband when Fred's mom said, "Hey, there's Garth." We looked at the doorway and sure enough, there he was. The diner went on with business as usual...Garth and his family eat there often. He could have been any old Joe (see his shirt), but for us, it was a treat. We asked our waitress if we could approach him and she said, "Yes. He is very nice. Plus, he was just in here yesterday and was mobbed by some visitors from California." So, we took our camera and paper and pen to meet Garth Brooks. We approached and he stood and removed his hat. He complimented my daughter o...

The other day, one of my employees shared something with me that I have been thinking about. She was having a conversation with a co-worker, not in our department, and was asked who her supervisor was. My friend (and employee) spent a few minutes trying to describe me when finally the other employee said, "Oh! You work for that happy little lady!" I had to laugh at the how I was described. My friend went on to tell me how she agreed that I was a happy little lady and that I was as fun to work for as it seemed. I was touched. I thought about this for a few days as I really do want to be a person who is pleasing to work for. Sometimes the decisions that I make are not easy and sometimes I have to be tough. For example today I told the department that if we were not able to meet a deadline, that we would have to work sometime over the July 4th weekend. However, most of the time, it is good news that I get to share, coaching and encouraging that I get to do, and relation...

There are just some things in life that a person just won't forget. Certain people, places, and experiences have the capability of sticking in my heart and mind with an amount of adhesiveness much like Superglue. Recently, it seems that I am experiencing an increase in unforgettables, or possibly my awareness has just increased. Either way, I feel that I have had barely enough time to process one memorable moment before my life journey carries me on to the next. This past week has been packed with people, words spoken, time spent, and celebrations that I will likely not forget. Arriving in Tulsa to be with my mom during her surgery last week, I was given another opportunity to participate in one of the major reasons that I am certain that God brought me to Texas. Texas is fairly close to my family home - only a few hours drive - and I have made that trip many, many times in the last two and a half years to be with my mother during many surgeries since her motorcycle wreck. I ca...

-I am grateful for physicians and good medical caregivers. -I am grateful for friends who care and help. -I am grateful for God's peace and control over my life and the lives of those I love. -I am grateful for the freedom, with my job, my family responsibilities, and the finances, to be able to be with my mom as she is recovering from her surgery. -I am grateful for good weather. -I am grateful for soothing music. -I am grateful for healthy food. -I am grateful for good books. -I am grateful for computers. -I am grateful for my mom's great attitude. -I am grateful for my own health. -I am grateful for my husband who calls me daily while I am gone to tell me that he loves me. (and I know he means it.) What a blessing it is to have so much to be grateful for. What a great life. What a great God. Amen.

The month has arrived - it is June. I love the month of June. For those of us in Texas, school will be finished in a couple of days. The official start of summer, when school lets out as well as the calendar acknowledges "First Day of Summer" on the 21st. Students and parents anticipate this part of the year and when it arrives there seems to be great relief. My mother celebrates her birthday in June. Now both of my son's celebrate their birthdays in June as well; in fact, the oldest one shares his grandmother's birthday and the middle one is the following day. Three years ago, my sister gave birth to the only niece on my side of the family. Celebrating the births of all of these very special people in my life make June almost as fun as Christmas and certainly as expensive. Our family spends a fair amount of time anticipating and planning for these birthdays. I am very happy that June falls six months after Christmas, it gives me time to save up again. Howe...