The Bandaids

Sorry, guys. This story is one that only women can relate to!

Gracie is at that age where she asks alot of questions. She and Will both love to play in my bathroom vanity drawers. They pull out old makeup, bottles, lotions, and anything else they can find and have fun. She recently pulled out some panty liners and asked me what they were. I told Gracie they were like big bandaids (no need to explain what they are REALLY for!). So when Gracie would find a cut or open scratch on her body, she would immediately fetch one of my large "bandaids". I had to break the news to her--we don't use those kind of "bandaids" when we hurt ourself--we use the smaller, real bandaids. She understood and didn't seem to mind.

While I was cleaning up the house, I noticed Gracie and Will had disappeared. I figured they had found something to play with and were keeping each other company. Then Gracie yells, "Mommy, baby Will has your bandaids on!" I walked into my bathroom only to find Will had pulled back most of the adhesive sheets of the panty liners and stuck them all over himself. He was smiling from ear to ear.

Then I remembered Ecclesiastes 3:4, "There is a time to weep and a time to laugh." I just didn't know which one to do first....

When Bad Things Happen..

Do you ever wonder where God is when bad things happen to you or to someone you love? Rest assured God is not the Creator who brought you into this world and then abandoned you. Deuteronomy 31:8 says, "The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you. He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." God does not stand on the sidelines and refuse to get involved in your life because it's none of His business. It is just the opposite. Everything that concerns you IS His business! Nor does he beat up on his children. He disciplines us, but it is always for our good.

So when we wonder where God is when bad things happen, don't forget, God is in control. There is a purpose in what He's doing, whether we see it or not. We have His promise on that. What happens to use may not be good, but because He is God, He'll cause it to work together for our good as Romans 8:28 says.

Special Purchases

I had to take my car for the 30,000 mile maintenance yesterday. I don't mind giving up my car all day, but I always shudder when I have to pay for it. Its never fun writing a check for several hundred dollars. But, I love my car.

I always knew I wanted wanted my car. After we got married, I immediately started saving my money every month so I could pay for my car with cash, or at least a large chunk of it. It took me 5 years to save the money. It drives smooth, it is quiet, and the heated leather seats are a joy in the winter. Maybe I love my car so much because it is paid for. To keep it running in tip top shape, I don't mind spending hundreds of dollars every few months to keep it safely running for me and the kids.

I John 4:19 says, "My love for Him comes as a result of His loving me first." When you put your blood, sweat and tears into something you want to buy, it is much more special. You treat it differently than you would if someone just gave it to you. When you have a vested interest in something, it has a special place in your heart. Ever thought that is why we are so special to Jesus? He bought us with a price--the price of his life when he died on the cross.

So look at yourself today as a valuable prize bought with the ultimate price. See yourself as extra special because God chose to buy YOU!

Looks Can Be Deceiving

This past Sunday, I was asked to speak and sing for the congregation at Wynndale Baptist Church in Terry. The pastor specifically asked that I prepare my speech based on 1 Peter 3:1-7. The pastor wanted me to concentrate on the importance of inner beauty which is outlined in that scripture.

Afterwards, an older gentleman came up to me to thank me for coming and speaking to his church. "After meeting you, hearing you speech and hearing your heart, I'm not gonna believe all those things I've heard about you," he said. Surprised, I asked him what had he heard about me? He proceeded to say, "I've heard you control everything down there at WLBT--you control the news, the weather, the sports, the commercials, you even hire and fire folks!" I had to laugh and assured him I was there to only be the chief meteorologist and we have many other people in place to direct the other aspects of the television station (after all, if I was going to be the boss, shouldn't I get the boss's salary?!).

Yesterday, I received this email from someone in the church:

I am not good at words, but I just want to say THANKS for coming to Wynndale Baptist Church yesterday. I really enjoyed what you had to say and it really made me think about my life. Plus I have to confess I have been guilty about saying things about how you look sometimes on the TV. I am sorry and I hope that what you said yesterday I will try really hard to apply it to my life. THANKS AGAIN!!!! Signed D.T.

Isn't it funny how we can have preconceived ideas about people? When you see someone dressed sloppily or someone who doesn't have the best hygiene, we immediately think "homeless". When the prophet Samuel was sent to find a king, God chastised him for not looking at the whole person. 2 Samuel 16:7 says, "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." The chapter ends with Samuel anointing the boy David to be the next king.

Judging people on their outer appearance or believing what we're told about someone before we know the truth is human nature. Next time you're tempted to do so, remember "The Lord looks at the heart."

Ministry Through Hurt

The weekend was busy! Saturday I had the honor of being the guest speaker at Zion Hill Baptist Church's ladies tea in Wesson. The sold out crowd wore hats of all different shapes and sizes, sang songs of worship and we all ate in the fellowship hall after I spoke. I had a fabulous time (thanks, ladies!).

While sitting at the table eating lunch, Janet (one of the organizers and frequent blog reader) asked me a question: do I think the negative, critical emails I receive are so hurtful because I grew up as an unattractive, overweight child? My answer was simple--yes! Most of the negative emails I receive are based on superficial things--my hair, makeup, clothes, etc. As a child, I was always made fun of because of the way I looked. However, I believe God allowed me to go through those years of mockery so I could possibly deal with it alittle easier as an adult in the vocation He has called me to do.

Even more important, I don't think God ever wastes a hurt. I've learned over the years that our greatest ministry will sometimes come from our greatest hurt, if we let God lead us. Look at the story of Paul in the Bible. The man was beaten, abandoned on an island and imprisoned and even given a "thorn in the flesh" to contend with for the rest of his life. He pressed on to minister to thousands in other countries and helped them through their trials in life.

What has God allowed you to experience in you past, or present, that you could use to minister to others? Psalm 30:7 says it best, "By Your favor, O Lord, You have established me as a strong mountain." Be the one who encourages others in their time of need. Don't allow Satan to waste your hurt!

Snapshot in Time

A viewer sent me an email this week:

"Better have the doctor check you out again. When you turn to the side, looks like you've got twins in that belly!" Signed Peg

Interestingly enough, I had a sonogram done this week. He/she was doing gymnastics, but slowed

down enough for the tech to snap a picture. Double check with me---nope, only one in there (boy, was my husband relieved!).

To be honest, this is the point at which I become anxious. At 11 weeks, I lost a baby in 2004. I find worry creep in until the next appointment and sonogram to be sure the baby is still alive. If you've been there before, you know exactly what I'm talking about.

Yes, even though there is only 1 in there, I just look a bit bigger. And remember, the cameras add 10-15 pounds. Let's hope I only cover up Texas and Louisiana and not the whole eastern seaboard...

"I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you." Ephesians 1:16-18

Eternity

Every comment that is posted on this blog, I read. "Judy" posted a comment yesterday on my August 10 entry entitled "Address in Heaven" which entails my brother's after death experience and I don't think she would mind me posting it here.

Barbie, I know I have a home in Heaven with all my loved ones already there because of Jesus telling us he was going to prepare a place for us. Still, your brother's words are so comforting to me. You see, I have stage 4 cancer in both lungs and don't know how much longer I have. I am in a win/win situation, either I'll be with my loved ones here or my loved ones there. I don't want to go and leave my son though as he started college in August and he needs me, even though he thinks he doesn't. I'd also love to see and play with my grandchildren some day. It is all in God's hands and His will be done. Thank your brother for sharing this beautiful experience as it has brought me great comfort and joy.

Revelation 7:11 says, "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." My brother's experience answered many questions for me: when we die, we are immediately in the presence of God (there is no "waiting room"), there is complete peace and tranquility, we are reunited with loved ones and we immediately know who is in heaven waiting on us, and we won't be sad to be away from our loved ones here on earth. Granted, there is still more to heaven than this as the Bible says we will worship and praise God and heaven will offer rewards for those who have overcome in this life.

I have dreams just like Judy. I want to see my children grow up, I want to see them have children of their own and live fulfilled lives, I want to continue in my career and calling, I want to build my dream house, I want to enjoy retirement...and the list goes on and on. But knowing there is so much more to eternal life is much more comforting to me now than it ever was. I know everything and everyone I leave behind will be in God's hands. And I look forward to seeing them in heaven and sharing my heavenly address with them.

God's Voice

Some questions are just hard to answer. Last night at the dinner table, Gracie asked, "What does God's voice sound like?" Trying to swallow my food, I wondered how I would answer this one. "I thought you said you hear God talking to your heart sometimes?" I asked. "I do, but what does His voice sound like?" Gracie questioned. For a four year old, she can sure come up with some spiritually probing questions!

Psalm 95:7-8 says, "Today I will hear His voice and harden not my heart." I believe we hear God's voice first by wanting to hear His voice. The most likely way we'll hear God speak is through His written Word. But He can communicate with us in other ways, too--circumstances, the counsel of trusted Christians or by His Holy Spirit prompting our spirit. If we question whether or not we hear God's voice or our own thoughts, we can check the message against scripture because God never contradicts Himself.

So what does God's voice sound like? Perhaps a newborn baby's cry, the wind whistling through the trees or the thunder in a quiet storm. How sweet it is to hear His voice...

Objects May Appear Larger Than They Are

Yesterday as I was sitting in the weather lab preparing my forecast, something on our downtown skycam caught my eye. I noticed what looked to be a gigantic bug of dinosauric proportions. From the view I had, it looked as if the downtown Jackson skyline was about to be swallowed by this monstrous bug. When I looked again, I could finally make it out--the bug was on the camera lens which made it look tremendous in size. In reality, the bug was small. Then I had a flashback to when I was a kid and would watch those old Japanese monster movies on Saturday mornings. You know, the ones where the lizards were magnified times 10,000 and made to look like they roamed the earth? When I was a child, those movies could scare the beegeebees out of me!

Sometimes our problems look much bigger than they really are only because we are looking at them with human eyes. Elisha's servant had that problem, too. In 2 Kings, the king of Aram was at war with Israel and decided to attack Israel. The king summoned his officers to find out where Elisha was hiding out and was told Elisha was in the city of Dothan. The king sent horses, chariots and a strong force there to surround the city. Elisha's servant woke up and saw an army of horses and chariots had encamped them. "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" the servant asked Elisha. In 2 Kings 6:16, Elisha tells his servant, "'Don't be afraid. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.' And Elisha prayed, 'O, Lord, open his eyes so that he may see.' Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha."

In our life, our circumstances may seem much bigger than they really are at the moment. Isn't it good to know they are but dust to God and He puts a hedge of protection around us while He fights for us?

Angels in Strangers

Saturday night I was honored to emcee the fundraising dinner for the Brain Injury Association of Mississippi at the Jackson Country Club. I sat at the table with several doctors and speech therapists who specialize in brain injuries. All of the guests at my table were from out of state. They all knew each other, but they didn't know me. They asked questions about what I do and so forth. Shortly after, someone read my bio to the audience and called me to the platform to begin the evening. After my part was through and I returned to my table, one of the guests leaned over and said, "I didn't know I was sitting next to someone who is such a celebrity! I would've acted better!"

How do you act when you are around others? Are you kind, gracious, friendly, hospitable, and a witness for Christ? Can others around you see the light of Christ in you? In Hebrews 13:2 says, "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." The Bible is referring to Abraham and Sarah in Genesis 18:1-15 and Lot in Genesis 19:1-13.

There are strangers who sit at your life's table every day. Treat them as though they were angels.

A Rainy Night

It seemed like the flood gates opened yesterday when the remnants of Hurricane Humberto moved over the state. Take a look at some of these rainfall amounts:

Vicksburg 2.33"
Greenville 3.04"
Greenwood 3.62"
Yazoo City 2.45"
Carthage 1.78"
Natchez 1.68"
Bude 1.80"
Jackson 2.79"

At times, I found myself looking for animals lining up 2 by 2! The rain was desperately needed and now we can dry out for the weekend. Look for a pleasant weekend with plenty of sunshine. Enjoy!

Praying About Everything

When I can't sleep at night, I find myself lying in bed trying to solve the world's problems. Do you do that? I think about the things I need to do, the issues I'm facing, challenges going on in my life and then I really can't sleep! Then a quiet voice will say, "Why do you just pray about it?"

Prayers aren't answered if we do not pray. James 4:2 says, "You do not have because you do not ask." We have to ask for what we want and need. Sometimes we work on situations in our minds or talk about them with our friends or wish and hope, but we do not pray. Thinking, wishing, hoping and talking is not prayer; only prayer is prayer. When we have a need or concern, we are only praying when we talk to God about it. God is waiting for us to make requests of Him. Matthew 7:7 and Isaiah 65:1-2 tells us He is ready to act for us if we will only pray.

Solving the world's problems (or my own) is not my responsibility. Don't let the lack of prayer hinder God from working in your life and the lives of your loved ones.

Blessing Your Enemies

One of the things I most admire about my mother is her willingness to pray for her enemies. I think the most powerful prayer we can pray is for those who like to hate us and make our lives miserable. If you want to see someone who is mighty in prayer, look for someone who will intercede for those people. God blesses us tremendously when we pray for those who have offended or betrayed us.

Job chose to pray for his friends after they had really hurt and disappointed him and immediately after he prayed, the Bible says God began to restore Job's life. In Job 42:10, the Bible says God gave him back twice as much as he had lost! Praying for someone who has hurt us is powerful because we are obeying the Word of God.

Matthew 5:44 says, "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." When you think about people who have used, abused and harassed you, pray for them. God knows blessing your enemies isn't easy and you may not feel like doing it. But you don't do it because you feel like it--you do it as unto the Lord. God will do great things in our life as a result of it!

The Secret Is Out...Literally

If you were able to tune in last night at 6pm, you know the secret is out--and so is my belly. We are expecting our third child in April 2008. And this one has been a tough one to keep. Several weeks ago when we went to the doctor for confirmation (at 6 weeks), my husband and I sat in the waiting room reading magazines waiting until our name was called. Two older ladies were sitting across from us.

"Is that Barbie Bassett?"
"No, it can't be."
"Yes, it is. Look again!"
"You're right. It IS her! Who is that with her?"
"Must be her husband. Wonder why she's here?"
"I bet she's pregnant. She looks like it. Look at her stomach."
"You know she already has 2 children. I can't wait to tell my husband I saw her here."

We kept our head in the magazines and acted like we were reading. I was relieved to get in the exam room and knew it would be a matter of minutes before the secret would be out all over Jackson. I was not aware of this, but the television station has been inundated with calls every day as to whether or not I was expecting. Our sweet receptionist and several producers had been keeping this to themselves and didn't share it with me until last night after the announcement. I must have hid it pretty good at work because everyone was shocked. Only the public "knew" about it before my co-workers.

So now I must go ahead and apologize to the gentleman who has called me over the last two pregnancies and complained, "You need to go home. Your belly is covering up Texas and Louisiana and I can't see where the weather is coming from!"

Get ready to miss seeing Texas, Louisiana and possibly even the whole western half of the country....

Update on My Brother

The blog entry I wrote on August 10 ("Address in Heaven") has made its way literally around the world. Blog readers copied and pasted the email and it has seen its share of readers. Almost every day, I receive several emails asking if my brothers near death experience is really true. Many have replied as to how much peace this has brought them in knowing more about what their loved ones are experiencing now in heaven and what we have to look forward to one day. So with that said, I thought I'd give you an update on Doug's progress.

Doug is still prohibited from driving on the highways until six months have passed because of his defibrillator. However, last week the doctors gave him permission to drive the back roads (if you know the Mississippi Delta well enough, you know there are plenty of back roads!). Doug has been able to farm several hours a day, which the doctors said he would never do again. He must rest frequently until his strength is back up to speed. Otherwise, he is walking one hour a day for exercise and enjoying life.

A few days before his heart attack in July, Doug found himself sitting on the tractor in the middle of the field. While sitting there waiting on a tractor part to be delivered, he noticed a couple of small birds pecking around in his field. He thought to himself, "You poor little things. There is nothing out here for you. The ground in dry, its hot and its all you can do to survive." After thinking that, he noticed a pile of seed that had fallen out of the planter. The birds immediately made a feast of the seed. Doug said he heard God tell him, "See, I take care of the birds. I'll take care of you, too." Within a couple of day, Doug had his heart attack. We have all witnessed how God has provided for him. When the doctors told us 99% of the patients they see in Doug's condition never make it, we knew it would be a blessing if he lived.

I don't know why Doug wasn't one of those 99%. I believe God heard the prayers of everyone and responded to that. More importantly, I believe our faith has been a witness to those around us, hopefully giving others faith to face the obstacles in their life. Isaiah 40:29 says, "God gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength." All of our strength in God has been increased.

Speaking of blessings, I will make a personal announcement tonight at 6pm during my weather cast. I hope you'll join me in this special bit of news.

Viewer Emails

Every Friday during football season, I travel to a local game and do the weather on location. Its always fun to meet the students and see high school stadiums that I've never been to before. WLBT did a commercial with me and some football players promoting the football forecasts. The kicker is, I am wearing a cheerleader uniform in the commercial (yes, scary thought, I know). When we recorded the promo, I asked our crew to "not show too much". They did as I asked and let me keep the pom poms at my waist. (After all, my daddy always hated watching me wear the cheerleader outfit in high school. He still wanted us to wear the uniforms with the long skirts from the 50s & 60s.) So I wanted the commercial to be done in good taste so I wouldn't have to hear any complaints from daddy. Yesterday, I received this email:
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Hey Barbie, when will you all be coming to do your weather cast at a Provine game? I graduated from Provine 5 years ago but still go to all games. All of us think you are the hottest, hippest chick at WLBT and would enjoy seeing you at our game night, hoping you wear that hot cheerleader outfit and cheer the rams on! How bout it? Signed, Tyrone
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I don't know if that was a compliment or not. Then I received this email from a viewer:
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Barbie, my wife and I think you're terrific at your job. However, we both think you need to change your style. You have a great personality but you need an extreme makeover. We think you need an updated hairstyle and you would look super in some Ann Taylor tailored clothes. Please don't take this as criticism as we really enjoy watching you every day. Signed Bob & Kris in Madison
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"Extreme Makeover"? Maybe I can get a makeover while wearing my cheerleader outfit......

Grace Through Life

Tuesday night I traveled to Starkville to speak to the Mississippi State University Baptist Student Union (BSU). With a packed house of nearly 500, I scanned the crowd and thought to myself, "These students don't know what lies ahead of them." Don't get me wrong, I have fond memories of high school, college and grad school. But you couldn't pay me a million dollars to go back and do it all over again. The stress, the uncertainty, and trying to find my way was not an experience I want to re-live. God gave me the grace to make it.

Think back on the years of your life and all of the hard times (and good times) you've experienced. I don't know how, but God sees us through all of it. It may be rough and tumble for a while, but He brings us out the other side many times with a different perspective than when we went in. I love 2 Corinthians 12:9, "God's grace is enough for me; for God's strength and power are made perfect and show themselves most effective in my weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ may rest upon me!" Through it all, God is still sovereign and He will be glorified in every circumstance in our life...if we let Him.

Striving to be Stress Free

While I was doing some house work in the back yesterday, I heard Gracie yelling for me. "Mommy, baby Will is making a mess!" she said. I walked in the living room to see Will holding a large piece of Gracie's sidewalk chalk in his hand. He was practicing being a Picasso on the back of the couch. Will had a look on his face that said, "Who? Me?" I grabbed the chalk out of his hand and got a wet rag and began cleaning up his lovely artwork on the back of the couch. Gracie stood there shaking her head. "See, mom," she said. "Having a baby brother is a lot more work than I expected!"

It was obvious Will's actions stressed Gracie out. She can usually control Will's mischievous ways, but when she can't, she yells for me to come to the rescue. Philippians 4:6 says, "I will not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, continue to make my wants known to God." It is hard not to worry. It seems as if we are wired to be anxious even about the tiniest of things. But when we define our requests and make our wants known to God, He is the one responsible for answering--not us.

Taking a Break

Barbie is taking a break on this Labor Day and will be speaking at Mississippi State University's Baptist Student Union (BSU) gathering Tuesday night in Starkville. Feel free to browse the blog archive while she's away.