The Proof is in the Fruit

This time of year, the blueberry bushes in our backyard are bursting with fruit. They typically produce more than enough berries to last my sweet tooth for weeks, but something changed this year that's taken me a while to ponder.

Our blueberry bushes are strategically placed in our flower beds. They are not close to each other, but are mixed next to other varieties of shrubs. My favorite blueberry bush has always been the largest one. It towers four times higher than the others. This bush typically grows plenty of berries for several weeks. Its lush, green foliage makes it the prettiest of them all. Something changed this year: it only produced berries for one week. Although it's the most attractive, I was sorely disappointed in its lack of fruit.

The blueberry bush next to our bedroom porch produced large bowls of berries for several weeks, but this bush is one of the scrawniest bushes I've even seen! It's not loaded with leaves, but it's filled with sweetness.

In comparing the two bushes and trying to figure out what changed this season, I quickly noticed the differences. While one bush is the largest, it is surrounded by towering crepe myrtles and bay magnolia trees. It's protected from the thunderstorms, the winds, and the scorching hot sunshine. Indeed, it's beautiful on the outside, but lacks what it was designed to produce--fruit.

Meantime, the bush exposed to the rays of sunshine and severe winds, brought on by storms and hungry birds, has continued to make fruit for weeks.

I've read Mark 11:12-14 multiple times over the years, but seeing this scripture play out before my eyes in the backyard was something I couldn't ignore.

Jesus entered Jerusalem amid exultation from the masses gathered for Passover. In the morning, as he traveled from Bethany, he saw a fig tree “in leaf.” This particular tree draws Jesus’ attention because it has a full covering of leaves. Its foliage signals that it should have figs.

"On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” (Mark 11:12-14)

With that expectation, Jesus inspected the tree. He was immediately disappointed. All leaves, no fruit. All expectation, no satisfaction.

In a shocking turn, Jesus cursed the tree and made it wither from the roots, never to yield fruit again. 

I've spoken to several hurting people over the last year, and their stories are the same: there's nothing worse than being hungry for prayers from fellow Christians and not receiving them, or wanting a Christian sister or brother to help "bear your burden", but your load is overbearing instead. It hurts deeply when the card-carrying church friends avoid you based on what they've heard, instead of coming to your side and saying, "I'm with you regardless of what happened."

Our personal lives can look like they're “in leaf.” Our leaves may look like those of a supermom, a winner, a perfect family, an A-team Christian with an overstuffed schedule of ministry activities, but the roots may be withered. There may be no fruit of service and no intimacy with God. What’s worse—our leaves may even fool us.

I found it interesting the blueberry bush that's weathered the harshest conditions produced the most berries, while the covered, green bush made the least. 

If your YES becomes a NO when tested, it was always a NO. Every YES will be tested for authenticity; it's the testing of your faith that will produce fruit that lasts. 

Show up even when it hurts your reputation in the Christian world. Show up for someone just as much when they are at rock bottom as you would when they're on top of the world. It's the people who show up and walk through the fire with you who actually make a difference. It's the showing up that matters. This is how you know if you're producing fruit or being fooled by your own leaves. 

Barbie will be the guest speaker this Sunday at Agricola Baptist Church in Lucedale, MS.

The Wheel of Pain

Clicking through the channels on tv, I happened upon the Arnold Classic, a strongman competition. Just when I was about to change the channel, I heard the commentator mention the "wheel of pain" was coming up next. Curious, I had to see what it was and why in the world would someone want to compete on something called the "wheel of pain"?

The contraption looks like an old fashioned merry-go-round with one exception--it weighs 20,000 pounds. To win the event, the competitors had to make as many revolutions as possible.

Each strongman had their own unique strategy of pushing the 20,000 pounds around in a circle. Some used one shoulder to push it around. Some used both arms. But the one who took the prize maneuvered himself under one of the poles and used the back of his neck and his powerful legs to push the wheel around in a circle.

The winner of the "pain" contraption was the smallest of the competitors weighing in at 331 pounds. (Yes, you read that right). Most would assume the athlete with the most massive, bulging muscles would win. But the strongest people are not those who show strength in front of us, but those who win battles we know nothing about.

Isaiah 43:1-3 says, "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior."

There comes a point at which strength alone won't win the battle. It's the will to fight the battle ahead that determines the outcome. God is reminding us that our faith in Him is enough to get us through the rough moments that feel as if they're going to crush us. He didn't promise our difficult days or years will be easy, but He said they won't consume us. In fact, God says we are His. He called us to go through this hardship.

No one enjoys the pain and suffering of pressing through. Pain in the process is not a sign God is absent. It is a sign that God is doing something so divine, so marvelous, it's crushing the flesh because humanity has never been able to stand up under the weight of divinity. Just hold on! You're about to see God's Hand in your situation. In fact, God is always preparing you for the thing He has prepared for you. God has given you the strength and the weaponry to do what you've been anointed and called to do.

God is a restorer. The enemy will regret messing with you when you come out of what you are going through all while glorifying God, even if it's a wheel of pain. Our assignment isn't to show others how good we are. Our assignment is to show others how good God is.

(Barbie will be the guest speaker at the Grit & Grace Women's Conference on June 21 in Wesson, MS. For information, www.colin.edu/grit-grace )

Growing in the Dirt

I've been watching them for several weeks now. First the cold of winter, then the seemingly endless spring rains we've had. And don't forget those dramatic swings in temperatures from 35 degrees one day to 79 degrees the following day! My rose bushes have seen it all.

The bushes have been loaded with buds. Hundreds of them. The tight buds of each rose is so perfect, so intricate. And while my rose bushes are almost to the size of small trees, I checked out the bottom of each of the stems to see if there was any evidence damage from the weather extremes. Then it hit me: growth happens IN the dirt.

Have you found yourself in the "dirt" of life? Some challenges come and go. Others seem to linger for months or years on end. Hurt from friendships you once thought were solid, emotional turmoil, financial stress, unresolved sin and feeling defeated can all make us feel like we're swimming in the dirt. The hot sun lingers a little too long. The cold snap catch us off guard. The lack of rain leave us parched and wilted. And when it rains, it pours! You wonder if a better day is coming? But the dirt is where the REAL growth happens. It's not above ground. Sure, we all see the beautiful petals on display once the bud opens, but the growth happened in the deepest, darkest place for the flower. It's what you don't see...what's going on in the dirt.... that determines the strength and the color of the bloom.

This is how God often works His miracles in our lives. Some of the most spirit-filled, mature Christians I know are the ones who stayed in the dark places of hurt, mistreatment, addiction, lies, marital problems, betrayal, and everything in between. So much was going on underneath the surface and much of it was unknown to those around them. Yet through seeking God's face, His will and contending in prayer, they grew to glorify God through the mess. They may have some petals missing or a leaf or two out of place, but the growth they endured underground is what gave them a testimony no one can pluck.

1 Chronicles 16:11 says, "Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually."  Isaiah 30:15 goes a step farther: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength."

My friend, Perry Sorey, is a tomato growing expert. Anyone who has ever tasted Perry's tomatoes agrees.  I asked him what is his secret? I was shocked when he told me. It's the dirt he plants his tomatoes in. He uses a mixture of dirt, some fertilizer and even adds manure. (Talk about dirty DIRT!)

Rest assured friend, if you find yourself in the dirt right now when it seems like God is silent, He is going to show out not only to take you into your destiny but to prove to those around you that the Lord is on your side. What He's about to do in your life publicly is not going to leave any doubt. God allows the dirt so you will be spiritually developed. If God doesn't take you OUT of the dirt, He's equipping you to grow while IN the dirt. And what was assigned to take you out and block your blooms will end up blessing you because you've weathered it all while getting a little dirty.

Spiritual growth occurs in the dirt; not in the comfort of a vase on display.

(Barbie will be the guest speaker at the Senior Adult Mothers Day Luncheon in Richland on May 9)

Your Comeback Story is Being Written

Sitting on the plane with a window seat, I couldn't help but notice the big, burly man being squeezed in the middle seat next to me. The arm rest we were to share quickly became HIS as the muscles in his arms were larger than my thigh. He was enthralled as he watched the Masters golf tournament on the small tv screen on the seat in front of him. My seat mate had a hand towel draped over his lap which made me wonder if he anticipated sweating during our three-and-a half hour flight. 

As Tiger Woods' golf ball went into the hole to seal his 5th Masters championship, the man with a United States Air Force ring on his pinky finger collapsed next to me crying. He laid his face in his towel and wept alligator tears. Granted, I know nothing about golf, but I had to wonder why he was so crazy emotional about Tiger Woods' win? It was obvious Tiger's road to victory struck an all too familiar chord with him. It was a come back he could relate to.

After we landed, I began to read the commentaries regarding Tiger's win and what made it so special. Most of the articles explained his bouts with drunk driving which began when he crashed his car on Thanksgiving in 2009, leading to revelations of serial infidelity, the breakup of his marriage and years of struggling to overcome sex addiction and debilitating back pain. Tiger had been going through these challenges for 10 years and said as recently as two years ago at the Masters dinner for champions, "I'm done." 

If we were standing at the foot of the cross when Jesus was crucified, we would've thought he was "done", too. How could he save himself? How could his broken, bloodied, beat up body ever be put together again even though he told his disciples he would die and rise again? (Mark 9:31) I can tell you how: But God. There are numerous 'But God' verses in the Bible, but one of my favorites is Genesis 50:20 when Joseph tells his brothers, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done.." 

Reading the negative press about Woods got me thinking how I would feel if I were in his shoes? A crisis may have changed his life, but Tiger didn't let it ruin his life. If people can't kill your dreams, they will attempt to assassinate your character with the mistakes and choices you've made in the past. Don't even worry about it. God has you covered on all sides. 

"Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light." Micah 7:8

If we focus on the hurt, we will continue to suffer. Yet if we focus on the lessons learned, we continue to grow. Don't waste your suffering. Allow God to make you rise above it as He intends it for good. Yes, even your failed, good intentions  and decisions. Failure in your past doesn't negate the purpose in your future.

Your comeback story is being written!

The Power of Thank You

Last week I was asked to speak at the President's Inaugural Delegate Luncheon at Mississippi College as they installed their 20th President, Dr. Blake Thompson. Being an MC alum, of course I said YES to the invitation!

While lunch was being served, I told my friend Beth that I wanted to walk around the banquet room and speak to people I once knew in my years as a student there. One of the people I spotted at a table was Dr. Bettye Coward.

Most MC students had Dr. Coward for Child Psychology. It was one of the "core" classes that nearly everyone HAD to take no matter their major. I pulled a chair next to her and sat down. I introduced myself to Dr. Coward and told her I wasn't sure if she remembered me, but I took two classes from her in my years at MC: Child Psychology and Family Life. She put her fork down and smiled back at me.

"Of course I remember you, Barbie!" she said.

"Well, I just want to say thank you for being such a powerful voice in my life years ago," I told her. "You made those classes interesting and you were always so very, very kind. I've never forgotten that about you."

She smiled and we exchanged a few more pleasantries as to where she's living now and how wonderful retirement has been for her.

I left to go back to my seat to be ready for my part in the program. Afterwards, I was standing around talking with several college friends when Dr. Coward walked up to me. She grabbed my hand and looked me in the eye.

"I just wanted to say thank you for coming to speak to me," she said. "Those my age and at this stage in their life could use some acknowledgement in knowing we made a difference in someone else's life."

Proverbs 25:11 says, "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." Another translation says, "Like golden apples in silver settings, so is a word spoken at the right time."

As I sat in my car driving away from campus, it made me think about her words. How many times have I been guilty of assuming someone knows how much they mean to me or the influence they've had on my life? The answer is too many times I'm afraid. What encouragement we could be to someone today if we just took one minute out of our schedule to send them a note, a call, or a spoken word of thanks for how they treated us in the past or a sweet memory we have of them. Telling those who have influenced you NOW brings a sense of fulfillment to their heart and may spur them on to continue blessing others in the same way they blessed you. The right words may refresh, but no words are as effective as thank you.

I may never see Dr. Coward again this side of heaven, but I could tell she still wanted to feel like she "mattered" to someone else, even in retirement.

Excuse me now as I have my marching orders for today!

Grace Wins

One of Gracie's teachers in youth group at church caught me in the hallway after the service.

"I just HAVE to share this with you," she said. "The girls were talking about different challenges they're going through at school and one girl mentioned someone who's being very ugly to her. She went on to share how hurtful it is and she's having a hard time being nice to her," she explained. With her eyes watering, she explained. "Gracie said, 'Look at her as a child of God, too, just like you. That changes everything,'" 

Momma brag alert: My heart smiled.

We almost always see what's wrong with other people and not what's wrong with us. And while it may be human nature to do so, the Bible said it's still sin (Matthew 6:14-15).

Colossians 4:6 says, "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." Luke 6:36 says, "Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful."

God's grace is forgiving. Grace is also for giving. And we always have a choice to give it to others or hold back in judgment of them instead.

Be the person who makes others feel special. Be known for your kindness and grace. Do you have enough Jesus in your heart to show grace and share grace with other?

(Barbie will be the guest speaker Friday, March 29, at Mississippi College's Delegate Luncheon for the instillation of MC's 20th President, Dr. Blake Thompson)

When You've Had Your Bell Rung

I was sitting on my bed reading when I heard a loud THUD. I looked thru the glass doors on the bedroom porch to see if the dog was playing in my rose bushes, but he wasn't there. Curiosity got the best of me. I got up to look out the windows when I saw it--a beautiful warbler (yellow bird) lying on the porch, beak up. My heart melted. The bird must've flown into our second story window only to fall flat on the concrete. I noticed it's eyes were closed half way and it's wings were slightly fluttering; almost pulsing. There was no way I was going to let it lie on the concrete by itself so I put my shoes on and went outside.

It looked so helpless lying there. I cupped it in my hands and began gently petting it's head and speaking softly to it, but the blessed bird was limp as could be. It's eyes still closed slightly. I couldn't feel it breathing at all. When all of a sudden, I stopped talking to it and noticed sounds coming from all around me. My ears were filled with chirping sounds of other birds as if they were in stereo, surround sound. I looked in the bay magnolia tree and in the crepe myrtle to see a few birds sitting on the branches chattering about. I looked down at the lifeless bird and said, "Not today, birdie."

I kept petting the top of it's head, then I'd pet it on either side of it's beak. A couple of small, down feathers fell out. (Must've been some kind of hard knock against the window!)

"Do you hear that?" I spoke. "That's your friends talking. They're waiting on you to come back." I began to feel the claws on it's feet move. I moved my hands from a lying position to holding the bird upright. No blood, nothing looked broken and all of it's flight feathers were still in tact. There's still hope. I slowly moved my right hand away that was holding it down to keep it from falling, and it lifted it's head. I don't know if the THUD "rang it's bell" or knocked it out, but the bird started to come to itself. While cupping it with my left hand and stroking it's head with my right hand, the bird chirping all around began to intensify as a few birds around us flew from one tree to another bush.  "They're waiting on you," I said petting it. "You've got to get up and fly again."

By this time, William and the kids noticed me through the windows holding the bird and came out to watch. Everyone got a chance to pet it's soft, feathered head as the bird became more aware of it's surroundings. (It was almost as if it was enjoying the attention by this point.) The claws moved on the palm of my hand and I could feel it's confidence coming back. After a few more strokes and pep talk, it was wide awake and flew to the nearby rose bush. Mission accomplished!

I began to think: How in the world could the bird NOT see the window? Not paying attention, not looking forward, careless maybe? When the blows of life hit, we begin to rationalize what just happened or even point fingers with "what were you thinking?!"

Matthew 6:26-27 says, "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"

In those moments, I noted several observations.

• The other birds knew this bird had fallen and seemed to stay close by.
• The fallen bird could've easily given up. But with a little bit of attention in the form of holding, petting and soft words, it came back.

Isn't that how our Heavenly Father approaches us? He provides everything we need according to Matthew 6:26-27, stays close by even if we don't feel Him, and speaks affirming words to us softly.

Rest in knowing God will provide when you've had your "bell rung". And may we all be as those birds sticking close by in the trees above our fallen birds to encourage them so they can get up to fly another day. Most people don't need reminded of how much they screwed up. They need to be reminded of how much we still care.