Praise Archives - The Ultimate Gift

May 9, 2023

Exceeded Expectations

Now that my daughter’s wedding is in the rearview mirror, I’ve been pondering just what to write about it. The title came to me this morning while I was walking and talking with God and sums the day up pretty perfectly—exceeded expectations.

Read the following passage about a lame man who experienced a result that far exceeded his expectations:

“Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.”

Acts 3:2-8 NIV

The lame man expected coins, but instead, he gained the ability to walk. That turned out better than he ever expected. That’s how I felt on my daughter’s wedding day!

The Hurdles Fell

If you follow my blog, then you already know that my mother and the father of the bride both had to clear some significant hurdles with their health to even get to the wedding. Then there was the weather! With an outdoor ceremony planned, we were watching the forecast closely. Three days beforehand, the wedding day forecast for our part of the Sunshine State did NOT include sunshine. In fact, it looked more like a total washout. But then it changed…and for the better! It improved to the point that it became worth the risk to hold the ceremony outdoors as planned. I’m so glad we did as the rain stayed just to our north and we made it through the whole day without a drop of rain. Yes, even the weather exceeded expectations!

A Day to Behold

Since this was my first (and last) rodeo as mother-of-the-bride, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Multiple people encouraged me to soak up every minute and I took that advice to heart. It was the most amazing day, from start to finish! I find it hard to put into words. You may remember “Love is in the Air,” a song from the 70s by John Paul Young. Indeed it was! I think every square inch of Cross Creek Ranch was saturated with love. Naturally, it oozed from the bride and groom, but it didn’t stop there. To share that sacred day with so many who are near and dear to my heart was incredibly special. I’m still flying high nearly two months later! It was everything I could have hoped for and more. Like the lame man, I am praising God for an outcome that far exceeded my expectations.

In Other News

And while I’m on the subject of exceeding expectations, how about those 1st place Pittsburgh Pirates? The Buccos gave their fans an April to remember winning 20 of their first 29 games. (Let’s not talk about May)

Praise the Lord

God is in the business of exceeding expectations. Exhibit A – Jesus!

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

Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV

March 17, 2023

Looking Back

So as not to keep you hanging, I wanted to finish the rest of the story before the wedding festivities kick off. Part II is less about timing and more about God’s faithfulness. As I mentioned yesterday, I chose to believe that God’s timing was perfect when it seemed anything but. I was able to do that by looking back at God’s faithfulness in the past. He has a perfect track record! When our faith is shaken and nothing makes sense, it’s helpful to look in the rearview mirror. Looking back may be just what it takes to move forward.

Remembering His Faithfulness

When the Israelites supernaturally crossed the Jordan River to enter into the Promised Land, God commanded them to take twelve stones from the middle of the river and build a monument. This stone monument would serve as a permanent national reminder of the miraculous river crossing. Building this memorial would allow future generations of Israelites to look back into the past to feed their faith for the future.

Update

As I mentioned in my last post, I’ve struggled to understand God’s timing with these recent family health issues but made a conscious decision to trust that it was perfect. I am delighted to report that the father of the bride had THREE kidney stones removed yesterday morning while I was finishing off my last post. He has a stent in place for the next 5 days, but this timing should allow for him to enjoy our daughter’s wedding without incident. Thank you, Lord.

Looking in the Rearview Mirror

God is faithful! How do we know? By looking back. Just ask the Israelites!

“Not a single one of all the good promises the Lord had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything he had spoken came true.”

Joshua 21:45 NLT

I can look back to yesterday with Todd. Or I can look back to His hand in my mom’s story over the past month. The truth is I have countless “stones” (not kidney) from which I could choose to remember God’s faithfulness. This morning, I’m choosing to reflect on the stone that has impacted my life more than any other. That stone is none other than the bride herself. Fittingly, this stone is marrying a geologist!

Milestones

I don’t need to rehash the miracle that is Hillary here with you this morning. I’m guessing that if you are reading this, you already know her story and have even lived it with me. Each time she arrives at a milestone I am especially reflective of God’s faithfulness in bringing her THIS far. And then I have a good cry! As I mentioned at her bridal shower, it is because of her story that these milestones hit me so hard. Thankfully, the bride knows all this and gave me a very special hanky for tomorrow. God knows I’m going to need it!

Let the celebration begin!!

March 16, 2023

Perfect Timing

I’m writing this post while sitting in the ER with my husband who is trying desperately to pass a kidney stone. This is our second trip here for this issue in 6 days. He will be the father of the bride in THREE short days. We’ve been looking forward to this wedding for over a year. Why now? This isn’t the first time I’ve asked myself that question this year. What about God’s perfect timing?

Are You Sure, God?

Last month my mom landed in the ER and was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Upon further investigation, we found out she was in need of a new heart valve. She, too, has been looking forward to the wedding. In fact, it’s been her goal to be here for it since my dad passed last year. When I thought all hope of her meeting that goal was lost, I had that same question— “Why now?”

An Exercise in Faith

My faith is getting quite a workout lately! When I reached out to my amazing support system last month with news of my mom, I said in my text that, though I did not understand the timing, I was choosing to trust that it was perfect. Then I had to talk myself into believing it!

Yes, He’s Sure

While I was trusting His perfect timing, God was confirming it with each test result. My mom was indeed a candidate for a less invasive procedure to replace her valve. And it happened in short order! Some people wait months for one and she got hers the very next week, leaving a trip to FL on the radar.

The Results

I am beyond thrilled to tell you that nine days after having her valve replaced, my mom was cleared to come to FL for the wedding. And with a heart that is functioning far better than it was a month ago! This is a true testament to God’s perfect timing. It wasn’t at all how I would have drawn it up though!

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”

Isaiah 55:8-9 NLT

I asked my “people” to pray for a wedding miracle for my mom just three short weeks ago. Tomorrow she will be boarding a plane for FL. I think that qualifies!

Now we need another one. Stay tuned for the rest of the story….

(I’m finishing this post in the OR waiting room–TWO days before the wedding)

August 9, 2022August 9, 2022

Custom-Made

The Dress

Once we got the bride outfitted for the big day, it was my turn to find just the right attire for the mother-of-the-bride. That was a tall task, but eventually there was agreement on the best option for me. Mind you, we did all this online. I went to place my order and asked for some help by clicking “What size am I?”. That took me to a chart of measurements for the various sizes of the dress. I took my measurements and found them to be ALL over that chart. I think it may have been best to toss the dice to figure out which size to order! As a result, I ended up ordering a “try on” dress to determine if I liked it enough to have it made specifically for me. There is no turning back with a custom-made dress. If you order one, it’s yours—like it or not!

The Comparison Trap

This dress experience could be a metaphor for my life. I never did fit into the box very well! Being the youngest of my parents’ three daughters, I naturally looked up to and followed the lead of my older sisters. I still do! We grew up on a dairy farm and they both won the title of Somerset County Dairy Princess when they were 16. I succumbed to self-induced pressure to enter the contest when I got to that magical age as well. As it turned out, I crashed and burned during the pageant, completely freezing during the onstage interview. I can laugh about it now, but it was humiliating at the time. What was I thinking? I don’t even like milk!

Living Outside the Box

Whether it was my sisters, my classmates, or other peers along life’s journey, I always seemed to be comparing myself to others and coming to the conclusion that I just don’t fit into the box. There were times I was thrilled by that, like when I was the only girl on my Little League and Junior Legion baseball teams. But, more often than not, I felt like I just didn’t measure up. To me, it seemed like I was always living outside the box where I thought the “normal” people resided. Well, guess who constructed that box? Me! I was my own worst enemy.

The Impact of Two Books

You may have picked up on my use of the past tense in the preceding paragraph and are wondering what changed? And when? It was a book that was written 20 years ago AND a book that was written some 2000 years ago that changed my whole perspective.

Twenty years ago, Rick Warren wrote The Purpose Driven Life, and I participated in a church-wide study of it shortly thereafter. There were 40 readings, one for each day of the study. It was Day #2 that changed everything for me. The title of that reading is “You Are Not an Accident.” Perhaps you need to hear that today just as I did back then. Your parents may or may not have planned you, but God certainly did.

“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.”

Psalms 139:13 NLT

We are custom-made by God. He made each one of us ON purpose, FOR a purpose. And guess what? God doesn’t make mistakes! That was a game-changer for me. My parents and yours possessed exactly the DNA God needed to create us.

“I am your Creator. You were in my care even before you were born.”

Isaiah 44:2a CEV

Let that sink in. We were custom-made BY God and FOR God before we even took our first breath. Our purpose for being here is to bring glory to God, but that will look different for each of us because we have been uniquely created by Him. Once that truth settled into my heart, I felt several pounds lighter. There was no longer a need to drag around my personal “measurement” box to see if I fit. I started living into who He created me to be, and that freedom refreshed my soul.

No Box Necessary

From the words of Christian artist, Francesca Battistelli, “I’m free to be me; And you’re free to be you.” God wouldn’t want it any other way.

The Perfect Fit

I entered my measurements and placed an order for that mother-of-the-bride dress that I tried on earlier. My custom-made dress should arrive in another month or so. No alterations necessary—I’m counting on it!