PRECIOUS ONE

Precious in the sight of the LORD

is the death of His saints.

Psalm 116:15

For the life of me, I don't know where this last year has gone. It started very slow that early Thursday morning, February 24 when Brian drew his last earthly breath while in my arms. I couldn't even have imagined such an event had taken place with me, Beverly and Johnny in that hospital room. The months seemed to just drag at first but soon sped up, but my feeling of loss didn't let up in the least.

God has blessed me and mine in this time. We still hurt and wish it away or that we might wake up to find we were only dreaming. However, reality is what it is that Brian is in Heaven with the Lord he loves and faithfully served. Wish I could say that I'm not a little jealous at times, but am more at one time than others.

I've so wanted to honor that my dear man in some way and prayed for the Lord's guidance. About a month ago, after receiving my usual Decision Magazine from the Billy Graham Association, I received the answer. On the inside of the back cover was a feature regarding the Billy Graham Library. We often visited that place once or twice a year in Charlotte, North Carolina. We loved it there...it's a fascinating place that is such a blessing. Billy Graham's life and ministry are remembered there in so many ways. He and his wife Ruth are also buried there. It's such an inspiring place.

The magazine presented a wonderful opportunity. The walkways around the library and grounds are made up of brick pacers. We used to walk on them reading the names of folks alive or in Heaven who had been honored by family or friends, who arranged for a brick in one's honor. As we would walk on those bricks, we often looked down and read names of dear ones being honored.

THAT'S IT!! I almost immediately contacted the BGEA to see how to go about having such a gift placed in a walkway honoring Brian. I asked if it could be finished for February 24. They weren't sure but did arrange it so that I could go view it on Brian's first Homegoing day. Not only did they put a brick in place, but I was sent a duplicate brick for my own keeping. So this last Friday, I, with Bev and Johnny, traveled there to see the brick, that is such a small thing for remembering such a great man. On the brick, I chose to say:

GOD'S MAN

FAMILY MAN

BRIAN LANOUE

Thank You Father for bringing Brian into my life. Thank You for the mutual love you granted us that only You can bring about. I learned so much from him in so many ways, especially about You. I learned as much through observing his life as things he spoke of. I miss him more than words can say, but You have been my constant in every way. Thank You for all You mean to me and our children. Thank You for always listening. In Jesus sweet and precious name....Amen 

 

“I'M NOT ANGRY!!!”

He who is slow to anger is better

than the mighty, and he who rules

his spirit than he who takes a city.

Proverbs 6:32

Like it or not, we live in angry times and it doesn't take much anymore for most folks to “pop a cork.” A problem for us is that we can become angry just because someone else is angry, that may have nothing to do with us. Anger is contagious. We see this as we view our country with people and their causes revealing only angry spirits. It's all around us and an easy trap to fall into.

Having been a case manger with abused or mistreated children (teens included), they often had anger issues they couldn't even give a title to. After several sessions with such precious ones, I would pose the question, “Why are you angry?” I knew the answer to the question, but wanted to hear it expressed in their own words. Many didn't seem to know what anger was because it had been such a part of their lives.

For we believers who love Jesus, there is no room for on-going anger. Anger never stays in it's state because anger grows. Like a small fire that can be extinguished in it's early stages, we too must regard anger in the same way. However, we know what happens to a fire that goes unattended. That fire will grow and spread and the results we see on the evening news. Our anger extinguisher is the Holy Spirit who always desires to quell such emotions.

The above verse can no way be misunderstood. The meaning is clear that we are to put a stop to any anger we may be harboring. Anger out of control can often lead to unfortunate negative actions. As upset as I might become with the ranting and raving of others, the fact is that I can't solve their problems. I have to handle whatever anger there might be brewing inside of me, allowing the Holy Spirit to empower me in being an over-comer in that area.

God says in His Word to STOP IT and we can only do that with the power of the Holy Spirit...we can't do it on our own. We must let Him handle what we don't have the ability to defeat on our own. Only God's peace can quench the fire-like anger that can grip one's spirit.

Father, keep us calm and concerned about those things of importance that concerns You. May we realize over and over again that You are in charge and always knows what You're doing. As usual, You will always be looking out for our good. May we find the rest in You we so desperately need in our lives. In Jesus' precious name...Amen

 

WHAT A TRIP

And if I go and prepare a

place for you, I will come again

and receive you to Myself;

that where I am, there you

may be also.

John 14:3

Brian was so good in planning family trips from A to Z. First, we knew where we were going. For many years, that was not a decision that had to be made on the spot. Our children pretty much knew that our destination would be somewhere in the Smoky Mountain National Park. But all the other details still had to be taken care of.

Brian always had a time to depart from the house....usually 6:00 AM if not earlier. We knew we would stop for breakfast at a certain city. Driving on eastward, we knew where we would stop for the evening. He knew the eating places and most things between the house and the mountains. On my end, I saw to the washing and packing of clothes, snacks for the car and things to entertain children during the trip. If they had been available, there would never be a computer or I pad in the hands of our children so other things sufficed.

We all knew about the place we were going. In the beginning, booklets and ads were read that would interest us in certain areas of the national park to search out. Through the years, those places came to be very familiar to all of us. Some of the same places became of more interest and physical ability friendly as children grew. Through those years, so much became lovingly familiar to each of us. Even when Brian and I retired to this area, we recalled trips, streams and the unhurried atmosphere of this place.

I love the book of John and often feast on chapters 14-17. I have often referred to these chapters as “Jesus' Famous Last Words.” What He teaches are by far not last words by any means. But right up front, Jesus promises that a trip is in our futures. He went back to Heaven to get things ready for us. Brian didn't have to plan at thing for his trip to Heaven. He had a personal Escort to take him there and show him around. Our info regarding Heaven is limited, but can see many reasons for God's limitation in that area. For each of us, He doesn't want us to be so heavenly minded that we are no earthly good. Jesus said He'll return and take us unto Himself. This won't be just an ordinary venture. It will be more that we can ever imagine. The Smoky Mountains will fade into nothingness compared to our final destination.

Father, thank You for Your every provision for us as we live our lives here, Thank You for Jesus Who came and left to prepare a place for those of us who are in sweetrelationship with You. We look forward to our trips even though we don't have a time line to go by. Come Lord Jesus...Amen

NEVER WALKING ALONE

Be strong and of a good courage,

fear not, nor be afraid of them:

for the Lord thy God, he it is

that doth go with thee;

he will not fail thee, nor

forsake thee.

Deuteronomy 31:6

Every thing regarding our wedding ceremony had been planned for some weeks. Brian and I had gone over everything from attendants, placement on the church platform of participants, soloists and the songs that would be sung. However, breaking with some tradition, we decided to not leave the platform in a rousing hurry. I had a favorite song I loved and Brian knew of it and liked it too. That song was entitled “You'll Never Walk Alone.”

At the end of the ceremony, we moved to the edge of the platform facing one another, holding hands while the soloist began singing:

When you walk through a storm

Hold your head up high

And don't be afraid of the dark.

At the end of a storm

There's a golden sky

And the sweet silver song of a lark.

The song wasn't finished. We then turned, walked back down the aisle, hand in hand, while the soloist finished the song.

Walk on through the wind

Walk on through the rain

Tho your dreams be tossed and blown.

Walk on, walk on

With hope in your heart

And you'll never walk alone

You'll never walk alone.

...Rodgers/Hammerstein

I guess it was a bit of a dramatic exit but through the years, we have often recalled those moments and words, especially in difficult times.

That evening we walked together, but it dawned on me this week that even as Brian is with the Lord and I linger here, the simple fact is that I still don't walk alone even though it seems like it at times. God has promised that He will be an ever-present Person in my remaining years. I'm so grateful for His blessings, guidance, warmth, touching my life through others and still giving me opportunities to serve Him. Yes, it's all very different but I still know I'm not walking alone. My heart misses my groom of that evening but Heaven is right around the corner. Until then I'll keep walking, serving and loving my Lord in every way God sees fit as I am not alone...then or now.

Thank You Father for Your presence in my life. I'm so grateful for Your indwelling Holy Spirit who never leaves me but always guides, teaches and loves me. You are too wonderful for words for me to know how to express my gratitude. I love You. In Jesus precious name...Amen