Prayers

I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayers for mercy. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath! (Psalm 116: 1-2 HCSB)


This may be the most impromptu thought I have every had and it certainly it the most unrehearsed idea that has come to me. Anyone that knows me well, knows that I'm a planner. I don't like surprises and I try to think over an idea before I act upon it. I am not one to step up to be seen and I certainly would never want to cause embarrassment to another person.

With that being said, as I was getting ready for work this morning I began to wonder about this prayer idea. I don't know about you, but sometimes I have a hard time praying. Of course Satan loves that idea. Whatever you are forgetting to do, it will certainly come to you once you sit down, determined to spend a few moments with God. Every thought, every distraction will fill your mind. You begin with best intentions, but before you know it, the mind has wondered off to the laundry or what bill has to be paid. It strays to the movie you watched the night before and try to guess how many times hearing the 'f' word is enough? Satan is tricky like that. He draws you away. He puts ill and ugly thoughts in your mind, keeping you from talking to your Father.

I know this happens to me. So, as I was getting my things prepared this morning and thinking about what the day will entail, I also had this thought: What if when I set out to pray, I had direct and certain prayers to keep me on track, so that my mind wouldn't wonder and be distracted? I began thinking about all those that I know and perhaps don't know that could use a little extra prayer sent up on their behalf.

I began thinking about anyone that has ever been hurt, mentally, physically or sexually abused and can't seem to shake the memories and go forward. I began to think about the families that may be suffering financially and are the verge of having a utility turned off or even loosing their home. I thought about the single moms that is either holding down a job or furthering her education to better things for herself and children. I thought about the man that has disability and feels unworthy because he can not provide for his wife and children as he once could. I think about the student that wonders if she will make it through course and actually graduate. I think about the family that is going through personal struggles that stays behind closed doors, wondering if it will ever get any better? I think about the parent that has lost a child and the sting of pain never seems to go away. I think about person that lost a spouse and now has to carry on alone, without the companion he or she shared so much. I think about that loved one struggling with an addiction and we just don't know how to help. I think about the person that has questions and wants to know more about Jesus, but doesn't know who or how to go about getting the answers. I think about those that don't know Him at all and would rather be in a pit of rattlesnakes than to be interesting in a Savior.


God doesn't want us to stay in a pit. God wants us to be joyful people, rejoicing in His word, living every moment that we can with a smile on our hearts and on our face.

I don't know what all to pray for or who needs them, but God does. So, this is my pledge. I WILL pray for you! I am not in the embarrassing business, so no matter what you choose to share, I promise it will remain between you and God. I will pray for you and I hope that you will feel and receive the prayers.

If you want to email me with any thing specific, I welcome you to and again I promise I will not embarrass or reveal anything that you share.

You can send me a personal email through Facebook or to my personal email at taxzcab@gmail.com.

I am your friend. I am here. I will pray for you. I don't have the answers, but God does. Sometimes it just takes that first step in handing it over to Him, letting go of whatever you are holding so tightly too and allow the creator of our world and universe to do His thing. He is there, ready, able and willing. We just have to be able to recognize that no matter how strong or special we are, God has the ultimate control. He loves you and wants the best for you and your everyday life.

Know that without a doubt that even if you don't know Him, He knows you.

My prayer for you today is relax in that thought. Relax in knowing that nothing is bigger than God. Relax and be assured that you are here because God wants you be and no matter what you are facing, you never have to go about it alone.

Let Me Tell You About My Friend

A Friend Loves At All Times – (Proverbs 17:17 HCSB)

February 12, 2011



“A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are.”

She is there, waiting in the wings for that, ‘just in case’ moment. She is only a phone call away. She shares your joy. She is offers spontaneous surprises. She provides wisdom. She has a great laugh. She enjoys life. She is there to offer assistance, with an open mind and giving heart. She is rare and loyal. She is a friend, through thick and thin. She is constant. It gives me great pleasure to recognize my friend. Every now and then, we get the opportunity to reflect and be thankful for our friends. I am certainly thankful for mine.

Let me tell you about my friend, Paula. Thirty years ago, Paula and I met. Actually, at the time, I don’t believe either one of us realized the significance it would bring to our lives. Paula is a rare treasure; the type that increase in value over time. As each year passes, the time spent together, moments shared and the bond we have developed has only improved. Over time, we have gained maturity and wisdom. We appreciate each other’s unique attributes. We believe that our journey as friends has been God directed and God led.

I consider Paula more than just my friend. She is my sister. We didn’t come from the same bloodlines and no common family background. We didn’t grow up together. In fact, we didn’t meet until we were in our late teens. Maybe that is what made our meeting so special. Neither one of us was expecting it, yet it came just at the right time

All those years ago when we first me, I needed a friend. I believe she needed one too. Maybe that is why we jelled right away. February 7 marks my younger sister’s birthday. It is a time of year, when I would reflect on Tina. Her life, the short time we got to be sisters. It also reminded me to celebrate her eternal LIFE in Heaven. Of course I missed her. I missed the moments we created and what it meant to have that one person on earth that had the same interests, the same sense of humor, the quiet tenderness only a sister could share. It wasn’t the same year of my sister’s death, that I met Paula. It was actually several years later, although, I’ve always found it astounding that God saw fit for us to meet in February. At a time when I would truly miss my own sister, God brought Paula into my life to become my sister.

Paula quickly stepped into that role to help create a new beginning, a new hope that I certainly needed. Paula wasn’t there to replace my sister or her memory. She added to it; the reassurance that I wouldn’t have to face the world alone. Paula became the one person that I learned to trust with my questions and uncertainties. She became that person that I began to entertain life with again. We did a lot of sister things. We giggled. We talked. We cried. We grew up together.

Paula became my confidant. At times, she has been my Christian mentor. She shared her endearing mother with me that carried a very strong FAITH. Being the young women we were, we often needed a Christian mother's influence. There were times when Paula became my rock, when I felt desperate or uncertain. She has remained steadfast, never faltering, always being a good friend.

Paula is the real deal. She is generous, loyal and trustworthy. She is funny, crafty and can be competitive. She is brilliant when it comes to her occupation as a Registered Nurse. It suits her very well. She is patient and compassionate. She is smart and very qualified. She is wise and at the same time, doesn’t second-guess the hard decisions.

Paula is my family. Not only has she become my sister, she is the Aunt to my two daughters. Shannon and Rachel identify no other family as they do their Aunt Paula. Even though, we live far apart, we seize every opportunity to insure our girls grow knowing each other as family. We often joke about how our children take after us. April, Paula’s daughter and I share similar qualities, as do Paula and Shannon, my oldest daughter. Shannon can be very much like Paula when it comes to having a die-hard shopper mentality. They are also equally crafty. When it comes to shopping, well for April and I, not so much. Rachel, my youngest daughter, has a special bond with her Aunt Paula. They connected very quickly in Rachel’s newborn life. When she was born three months pre mature, Paula was there, helping Rachel's fragile beginning strengthen.

There is no one else in this world that I can ever imagine being my best friend and sister. God certainly answered my prayer when He brought her into my life. We have been through many seasons together. Some joyous, some difficult, and yet thirty years feels we're just getting started. We have many more adventures ahead of us.

Paula, I adore you. I appreciate you with every ounce of my being. I thank you for sticking around and sharing this journey with me. Get your flip-flops ready because you and I have date, with a sandy beach, a cool breeze and many more memories to make.

Paula, you are my dearest friend. You are my sister. You’re my family. Here is to thirty years of great times, memorable times, and most defiantly cherished times. I am excited to see what the next thirty will bring. I hope you are too.