FAMOUS PEOPLE

Who do you think you are?

Well, here they go again! Paris may be headed back to jail. Lindsay may be headed back to jail. The Hoff is dancing on TV (if you can call it dancing - more like dancing with the MOUTH). Tiger is back on the course. But "back" may not be what we think it is. Obama and the Democrats are getting hit hard and Madonna, of all people, is teaming with her 13 year old daughter to start a clothing line (THIS I gotta see! Wonder if it will include underwear?) The news goes on and on about "famous" people. In fact, some are called "famous" and making news just because they are from "famous" families or doing stupid things.

Have you ever felt all excited about meeting a "famous" person? Just being in the presence of a "famous" person makes us all tingly inside. Famous people can walk into a room and people go nuts! Magazines are sold because their pictures are on the front. Everyone wants to know them and know all about them. People even stalk them. Some people become famous because they crash parties (reeeeeeealy...the Salahis!) - they even get TV reality shows because of it or because they were once married to someone famous. Even multiple "children" get reality shows and become "famous."

These are the kind of people we consider "famous" today. The kind of people we look to, to emulate. No wonder we are such a messed up group of people.

I had a wonderful day yesterday. After Bible study, I went to meet my mother and friends at lunch. I wasn't sure who would be there, but I thought I would join them for a little while, even though I knew I would be late arriving. WOW, was I in for a surprise! It wasn't until the end of the lunch, we were all visiting, that I discovered just WHO I was lunching with! No, their names are none that would be recognized by the world today. No, they did not do anything terrible to be discovered for or earth shattering by our world's standards. I had lunch with 7 women who I would consider "famous" people. Between the 8 of us, we accumulated approximately 227 years of service in this one area of serving our Lord. Some of these women were "biggies" in my book. Yet, I sat through the entire lunch, not knowing for much time, who they were, except their names. Then, I asked one question, and suddenly I realized the magnitude of "nobility" I was lunching with.

These were not rich, wealthy women. Not women who made the news. Not woman who would boast of their deeds or even presume to be known by anyone. These were humble, unassuming "servants", who I knew were known by the most important King in all the earth. Woman who had the ear of their King, always sitting at His feet, asking His advice and carrying out His will.

You know the thrill I spoke of when in the presence of someone famous? It ran all through me. These women, I knew, were famous for their reliance on their King and their dedication and passion in their service to Him. They were famous for the lives they touched all across the earth, just moving in and out, from place to place as their King directed.

If they knew I was calling them famous or bragging on them, they would poo-poo me. They would only point to their King and give Him all the credit. They want no glory, no recognition for their service. They put on no airs. They are just these non assuming, beautiful servants who want nothing more than to joyfully serve their king with excellence.

I've known several of these woman (from afar) for many years. Held them in high regard. Look at them in awe for the work they have done and continue to do. And today, look at them with even greater awe. These incredible women are of such character that many would look to them as role models for their standard of living. Yet they themselves would only point to their King as the standard by which to follow.

When I got home, I was so excited about my lunch. I was so grateful to have the privilege to sit "at their feet", listening to their stories and wisdom. Yet, in it all, they gave glory and honor to their King. I had to ask...who gets my attention? Who am I most in awe of? By who's standard do I purpose to live? Who's feet do I wish to sit at the feet of? To whom do I give the glory for all good things? You see, their King is the Lord God. Their standard is that of their King, the Lord God. Their attention is captivated by their King, the Lord God. It is their King, the Lord God's, who's feet they sit at, to whom they give all glory and honor.

What do my family and friends see in me? How will they see me and will they see me pointing to me, or to my King - the Lord God?

Today, I am thankful for the opportunity to lunch with such beautiful, incredible women of God. Women, known by many of a certain group, not by much of the world, but truly known by their King. And women who point all of whom they know to Him and Him alone. What an example they provide for the rest of us to point all others to God and not ourselves. Point others to THE "famous One"!

Do you want to be "known" by the world or do you want to be "known" by the Lamb of God and have your name written in His book for eternity?

Ladies.....thanks for including me!

SWEETHEART DEAL

View from their living room window of Lake Michigan



View from their living room window of Lake Michigan

Dinner with Dave, Graham and Whitney

This past week, I had the opportunity to be in Chicago to visit Graham and Whitney. I had a great trip - loads of fun. During my time there, they asked if I would help pick out paint colors for the new apartment they found and were soon to move into. Their new landlord was in town and wanted me to go with them to meet "Dave", look around the apartment, do a little measuring and possible room arrangement.

We met Dave at his place, previously occupied by a med student for three years. The apartment was in a beautiful location in Chicago proper, with a view to die for! Looking out the living/dining combination, the entire wall faced Lake Michigan. There was nothing blocking their view. It was truly stunning. Though the apartment is old, a little worn (in fact, it still had metal kitchen cabinets with mismatch appliances, pink tile bathroom and baseboards that had been painted a dozen times without being scraped or caulked), the amenities of the building far made up for interior beauty needs. There is underground valet parking with many interior amenities for each apartment owner. We met many neighbors who own their place and all were gracious and hospitable.

After getting to know Dave a little better, he sat down with the kids and worked out the lease. In fact...he gave them a "sweetheart" deal. As we talked, Dave asked my opinion on some design details he wanted to do to improve the kitchen. We aren't talking just a little paint here, we are talking new kitchen cabinets, new appliances, granite counter tops, hardwood floors (the real thing) and more. He asked if we would accompany him to Lowes to pick out the improvements he had in mind. He wanted help to make this apartment warm and inviting - but something of his taste, and something the kids would like.

We had a ball...in fact, we worked at Lowes all the way through lunch. Dave chose only from the best cabinet line, best wooden floors, granite counter tops, beautiful paint color, and beautiful stainless appliances. The kitchen will be wonderful once it is done. We talked about permission for Graham and Whit to take down old vertical blinds and replace with a different window treatment. Ideas were flowing and fun was had by all as each of us envisioned the potential and reality of what the place would look like.

After the full day of picking, choosing, imagining, getting excited over choices, we went to dinner and had a wonderful time visiting and getting to know each other better. We told Dave we had adopted him as a member of our family. It seemed that Dave thought it odd we would welcome him so quickly into the fold. He asked me why I felt that way. My answer was simple...He had welcomed my children, was taking care of their needs, being their friend, watching after them and was interested in them. Anyone who unconditionally accepts my family the way Dave did, is certainly welcomed and considered "family" to us.

You see, Dave was riding a bike and stopped at a light when he heard Whit speaking to someone and mentioned she was looking for a new apartment. Things don't just happen - God has a plan, and we are in His plan. Graham and Whitney took to Dave and Dave to them. They bonded and Dave had a place for them...just the size, in just the right location, at just the right price, with wonderful amenities, wonderful neighbors, and he welcomed them to come and stay at his place.

Now doesn't that remind you of what our Father does? Our Father always knows our needs. He is right where we are. He hears our needs, He offers us what is right for us, with the best view (HIS) of what He has for us, providing all our needs and even more. He not only has what we need, but He provides the best of what we need, His best, without reservation, and at a sweetheart deal - one He has already paid for.

So today, I am thankful for our new friend Dave. For Dave reminding me of our generous Father who provides all my needs. Not just my needs, but in the right time, with the very best of everything, at a price that is already paid for by Him - my sweetheart deal. And the view - "Heavenly!!!!"

Hmmmm...what's reeeeeealy cool....I'm not the only one who gets this deal! Anyone can have it - you just have to accept it. What a Sweetheart deal!!!