Pressure Produces Strength in Your Life!

Over the weekend I traveled with Gracie and Lilly Faith to Atlanta for CheerSport Nationals. This is a massive cheerleading competition with screaming girls and guys doing flips you didn't know the human body could do! 

Both girls are bases, or back spots, on their squads. This means it's their responsibility to make sure the flyer (the cheerleader in the air) doesn't fall and to make sure the flyer gets in the air. No. Matter. What. 

Before each of them were released to their coaches to warm up for their performance, I looked at them in their eyes and reminded them. "YOU are the strong one. Whatever happens, don't let your flyer fall. Get her up, hold on to her, and get her feet back on the ground. If she falls, YOU fall under her." While I have these short pep talks with them before every competition, it's important to reminder them. The pressure to perform is one thing. The pressure to make sure your flyer gets up and stays up is another.

By the second day of competition, everyone was tired but excited. Gracie's squad was performing well in the beginning of their routine, but something was slightly off with the first stunt. Her flyer went up and began to wobble slightly. I was videoing all of this and in my mind shouting at the same time, "Get it together! Hold! Hold! And, YES!" Her stunt group pulled it together to make sure the flyer stayed up and didn't fall. They finished their performance to our cheers and applause and landed in 5th place at the competition. Her team and coaches were thrilled!

While making the long drive back home, we had plenty of chat time in the car. I asked Gracie what she was thinking when she saw her flyer wasn't stable and was at risk of falling. "I just kept telling myself, not on my watch! Nope. Nope. Nope. She will NOT fall," Gracie said. "And then I pushed with everything I had," 

The pressure is on us every single day. And the more you live the Christ-centered life, the pressure will only intensify. It's hard pushing through the tough times when everything else around you says to give in. 

Joshua 1:9 says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Notice where God will be with you...wherever. Wherever could be in your workplace with an unpleasant co-worker, in the middle of a difficult discussion, when you're wondering how you're going to pay the bills, or when you're waiting on the results from the doctor.

Just like Gracie discovered how the pressure to make sure her flyer didn't fall made her more determined than ever, the pressures you and I go through can do the same once we believe and embrace that God will be with us wherever we go. 

The enemy measures your life by how many times you've fallen. The enemy measures your life by how much gossip is said about you. The enemy will say, "That's it. You're done this time." But God looks for how many times you get back up. God has the last word. If the enemy knew what God was producing in you while you're under pressure, the enemy would leave you alone!

                              Gracie's squad after they performed

Pursuing the Heart of God

Valentines Day was last week. While I can always depend on my husband giving me roses and an overly, sweet card, our kids typically come up with a handmade card or a store version. Their words are kind, from the heart, and make me smile. They usually involve phrases like, "You're the best mom ever" or "You are fun to be with" and even the obligatory "I love you". Those make any mother's heart smile, but I believe my favorite happened this year.

Right there at the end, it struck me: "..you always love your enemies". My children are watching how I react to unkind people. Matthew 4:44 says, "I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

I'd like to think I don't have any enemies, but I know I'm not everyone's "cup of tea" for whatever reason. That doesn't bother me as I don't care for tea either, but I'm friends with many who enjoy tea!

Praying blessings and mercy on those who may see themselves as your adversary is a choice. (I didn't say it was fun and it doesn't make sense in the natural) While you've probably been taught the importance of praying and loving those who make it difficult to love, there is supernatural, God-sized power when we do. When our faith in doing what's right combines with the Word of God, that's where the power comes from. If you do something just a do it, it becomes a religious ritual that has no power. Always move with the Holy Spirit and the heart of God.

So when you find yourself tempted to speak negatively about the person who gets on your ever-lasting nerve or to make a passive aggressive comment...or as our society likes to do now, post on social media hoping the person who offends you the most will read it...pursue God's heart. When you do, it will make loving that person so freeing!

Thank You, Mississippi!

Just when you think your problems are too overwhelming, you read about someone else's battle. I received this email yesterday while on my way to Mississippi Blood Services to get ready for my LIVE shot for WLBT.

I have multiple myeloma blood cancer. I had a stem cell transplant on February 8, 2018. I'm now receiving IGIV infusions due to a very low immune system. This is created from blood plasma from thousands of donors. This is a 5 hour infusion once a month during the winter months. I just want to thank you for what you do for Mississippi Blood Services and other organizations. I stand to live a longer, healthier quality life from the knowledge of doctors at UMMC and Christian people who give and support me. -Sandra

I can tell you other stories of donors who came in and shared how they had received blood products to help them recover from an illness, a surgery or knew of someone who had received blood. One young lady told me she came to donate in memory of her grandfather who passed away earlier this month from leukemia. He had received blood transfusions throughout his treatments. With tears in her eyes she said, "I'll donate from here on out" because others gave him an extra day to live so she could have her grandfather.

Yesterday was the most blood donated in one day in 10 years for Mississippi Blood Services on Valentines! Sure, Marshall Ramsey and I were thrilled to lend a hand in getting people through the doors, but it's a fact Mississippians have a heart for others. Because 302 people showed up on Valentines, more people will have the opportunity to live. All of the credit goes to you, Mississippi!

Barbie with Marshall Ramsey