Thank You!

I hope you have had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend.  It occurred to me that I didn't say "Happy Thanksgiving" on my blog this year as I usually do, so this is a few days late, but still heart-felt.  I want to say "Thank You!" to all of YOU.  I appreciate my blog readers and am thankful for your encouragement by comments on here, Facebook, email, and in person.

"Shine Like Stars" has thousands of visitors a month and hundreds of daily subscribers.  Some of you I know personally, but many I do not know at all.  So I thank you for visiting.  I thank you for reading.  I pray that you are always blessed by visiting "Shine Like Stars" and that it encourages you to SHINE wherever you are - each and every day!

Our First Broken Bone - Wonderfully Made!

Around 9:15 p.m. last night, our 14 year old son, Jacob, was playing basketball and giving 100%, but trailing by over 40 points.  There were just a few minutes left in the game, so it wasn't a close game, but our team continued to play hard.  The opposing team shot and Jacob tried to steal the ball or interrupt the play going full speed.

(Jacob giving me a silly face so I could send a pic to his siblings at home.)

A mat covering a brick wall a few feet behind the goal, didn't do much to protect Jacob's arm as he went full speed into the mat - putting his arm out to help him slow down.  The speed and force broke Jacob's arm immediately.  He dropped to the ground.  My husband saw him drop, but thought it was his knees (Osgood Schlatter).  He said to me, "Jacob just got hurt!".  When we looked down the court we could see Jacob lying on the ground, holding up his right arm.  But the arm wasn't shaped like a regular arm.  The bottom of it was an "S" shape.  My husband and I jumped up, raced down the bleachers and across the court to Jacob.  The game was stopped and actually just called.  Everyone knew immediately that Jacob's break was pretty bad.  Arms aren't supposed to be "S" shaped!

The first thing Jacob said to me when I went to him was,  "Mom, don't look."  I said, "I already did," trying to stay calm, pray, and keep Jacob from worrying.  He was fine the whole time.  Our youngest boy (Biscuit) was with us.  He was crying.  He didn't like seeing his brother in pain or on the ground like that.  The first thing he said to Jacob was, "How are we going to play football?"  Sympathy came later.  The important thing at the time (to Biscuit) was the fact that Jacob's ball playing was over for a while.

The opposing team called nurses in their small town and the school officials called the ambulance.  The nurses did their best to immobilize Jacob's arm.  Jacob was transported to the nearest hospital where he was evaluated.   After x-rays, it was determined that Jacob needed more than just a cast, but would need surgery.  We wanted Jacob taken on to the hospital where my husband's orthopedic doctor was and where their pediatrician is located.  However, after talking with the doctor there, he felt like Jacob should be taken to a pediatric hospital in Oklahoma City.  That hospital was full with trauma patients (so sad) so he was taken to a different hospital in the City. My husband rode with him in the ambulance while I took Biscuit home to stay with his older siblings.  By then it was 12:30 a.m.

The ambulance arrived at the hospital about 3:15 a.m. and I got there at 3:45 a.m.  New x-rays were taken to compare with earlier ones.  I could tell when I walked in a saw Jacob's arm that it wasn't a bad "S" shape.  In fact, it didn't look very bad at all.  The x-ray showed the same thing - that the bones had naturally moved back into their natural position.  Still broken, but now no surgery was needed!  Praise God!  Isn't it amazing how He created our bodies so wonderfully?!?

Jacob's arm was splinted and around 5:00 a.m., we headed towards home....stopped to fill pain medicine prescriptions and to eat.  None of us had slept in almost 24 hours at that time.  Jacob would need to get a cast on within a week and sees the orthopedic doctor tomorrow.

It was amazing to watch Jacob.  He was never scared....never worried....never upset the whole time.  It was the first broken bone in our 18 years with our children. (My husband had a few - his first broken bones - several years ago.)  We've been very fortunate.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful,  I know that full well.

Psalm 139:14

Jacob wanted to go to school for a little while when he got home.  He wanted to take the test that he needed to, but also wanted to show his teammates and other kids, who had been at the game, that he was okay.  They were so glad to see him and hear about his interesting night.  

As Biscuit and I left the hospital last night, I told him I needed to cry for a few minutes.  He said okay.  Before that I had stayed totally calm, even though the site of the arm made my stomach turn.  I just didn't like leaving Jacob and knowing I wouldn't see him for several hours....and not sure if he would go right into surgery or what.  I also was sad that it was Thanksgiving week - a huge, tradition-filled week for our family.  I didn't want Jacob to have to miss any of it.  And now he won't.  Prayers were answered through those few moments of tears.

I didn't take a picture of Jacob right after he got hurt...with his "S" shaped arm and a swarm of people all around.  I thought that might make me look like a weird/strange/sad mom!  But now I really wish I had!  I think he'll wish I had too, someday.  So....if you EVER see something weird and think, "Should I take a picture?"  Do it!  You'll probably regret it if you don't!

We are so very thankful for all of the friends and fans of our team and the other team...plus the school officials, coaches, nurses, EMT's, and doctors that helped care for Jacob.  But God is the ultimate healer, and I believe that He worked in Jacob's life last night....and still is...to heal his arm.  And for that I am extremely thankful.  Prayers aren't always answered immediately.  Last night they were.  Thank you, God!

The Race Set Before You

Last night my family (excluding me....I'm the photographer, not a runner) ran in a race with several others from our church family. Typically this race is held on a Saturday night.  We were all disappointed that it was changed to a Sunday night, but quickly realized that many wanted to run, so we got together and had an afternoon devotional before heading to the race.  I always think it is a good idea to show children (and adults, but especially children) that you don't have to be in a certain building to worship God.  We can worship ANYWHERE!  Isn't that a great thing?!?

His devotional had to do with the race that is set before us, as Christians. 

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.  Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

1 Corinthians 9:24-25

I thought I got a picture of my husband with the kids, but I guess not!  My kiddos did very well in their races!  Two ran the 1 mile and placed 1st in their age groups.  Two ran the 5K and one finished 3rd in his age group.  The other one didn't finish the race. He's been having knee trouble and he didn't want to mess up anything for his basketball game Monday night!   But, all is well because he won a door prize!! 

My husband did the 5K as well.  He figured out that if he runs long enough, he'll eventually win the "oldest runner" award! :)

You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.

Galatians 5:7-8

My husband's sister and our brother-in-law serve as houseparents at Tipton Home (a children's home).  These are their sweet little girls.  They've gotten them active and interested in running!  One of them placed 3rd in her age division.  Another girl won a door prize!

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

2 Timothy 4:7-8

This is one of my favorite pictures from last night.  It's my sister-in-law running across the finish line holding hands with one of her little ones.  How sweet!  And, my sister-in-law placed 3rd in her age division, as well!

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Hebrews 12:1-3

(Grinch giving hugs...:)

MARY POPPINS DIDN'T COME

For the past five days I've been trying to get my Christmas decorations up.  I realize five days sounds like plenty of time to get it all up, but the problem is that those five days just ended up being parts of five days - and sometimes small parts of five days.  And it also could be that I have boo-coos of Christmas decorations.  Yes, that is probably a big part of the problem.

So last night I went to bed thinking about how neat it would be if Mary Poppins showed up and finished my decorating for me.  I awoke this morning knowing everything would be done and in place - just like I wanted it.  But you know what?  She didn't come!  What do you think about that?!  I know.  I was disappointed, too.

Of course I knew Mary Poppins wouldn't come and just snap her fingers or wave her hand and get everything 'spit spot'.  I know I'll have to get it into shape myself.  But I can dream, can't I? :)

Sometimes we treat God like He is a Mary Poppins type of 'character'.  We ask for this or that....hope and wish for this and that.....but are disappointed when He doesn't do the quick fix we want Him to do. But God may want us to pray about something diligently before He grants the request.  Maybe He wants us to rely on Him and His power and strength, instead of thinking about Him as just being some fairy-tale character, or a genie in a bottle who wants to grant all of our wishes.  Or maybe He is saying no....or wait.

The Bible tells us God is real.  When we look around at our world - it's beauty everywhere - it is easy for most of us to see that He is real.  Most of us acknowledge His awesome power and His magnificent creation as being made solely by Him and not some strange explosion.  But though we know He is real, sometimes our shallow faith doesn't show to the world that we believe He is real.  When we treat Him like Mary Poppins, we're not showing the world that we believe He is real.  True faith will not waver when He doesn't grant requests overnight.  True faith will not give up when God says no. True faith doesn't believe in a Mary Poppins-type of God.

No, Mary Poppins didn't show up last night.  It's doubtful she will tonight either...or the next night....or the next.  Someone is going to have to get to work.  Someone is going to have to find the time to finish the Christmas decorating.  I think that someone is me!

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his powerthat is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21

Take Time to be Thankful

I'm participating on the "30 Days of Thankfulness" on Facebook.  Maybe you are, too.  During the whole month of November, I - and others - post about one thing we are thankful for on that particular day. We'll be doing it every day in November.

Of course, it is easy to find something to be thankful for every day.  Or is it?  It should be, but maybe it's not.  Maybe we're struggling to be thankful.  Maybe all we see is bills that need to be paid or hurting people who need help.  Maybe we're overwhelmed with obligations - family, friends, work, school, extra-curricular activities, busy schedules.  Maybe we don't have time to stop and think about being thankful.  But maybe we should.  Maybe we should stop.  Maybe we should be still and think about all God has done for us.  Everything we have has been given to us by Him, so we should be thankful for it all - shouldn't we?

Being thankful is an attitude of the heart.  Recognizing God in everything - big or small.  Recognizing Him in the busy times and the quiet times.  It's finding a way to be thankful during the trials and hardships of life.  It's trusting Him enough that, even in the bad things, the good things shine through. 

 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2

The "30 Days of Thankfulness" is great.  It's wonderful!  It's great to see so many posts from so many people expressing their thankfulness.  But our thankfulness shouldn't be limited to 30 days or to just November.  We should be thankful each and every day - 365 days a year.