Trisha Kennedy - Hoolaray!

Don’t Be Surprised

Once you make a commitment to do something big for God, things begin to happen. It doesn’t matter if it is a big project at home, a new ministry opportunity, a big mission trip, or whatever. If God has called you to do something meaningful and life-changing, it will do just that. You may think at the beginning that you are going to do this thing, whatever it is, to help other people. But what you will discover is that when God is in the middle of it, it becomes something that has tremendous meaning for you too and is sometimes even life-changing for you.

However, it is not uncommon to face all types of obstacles as you prepare for your new adventure. Be on guard. Here are some true, and common, examples of situations that have happened to me and others.

Your car breaks down and is need of expensive repair
Your boss wants you to change your vacation time off during the time you have scheduled a mission trip (with his permission)
Your family suggests you are not a “good parent” because you have committed to this time-consuming task
You, or a family member, is diagnosed with a new medical condition
Your washer/dryer/refrigerator goes out
Your family/spouse was initially enthusiastic about your project or trip, but is now saying things like “If you weren’t going to be so busy with that, we could…”.
Your friends at church have said things like “Wow, that is a lot of money for a week trip. Is it worth it?”.

Remember that the deceiver is busy doing what he does best: deceive. He wants to fill you with fear and discouragement before you even get started! He wants you to second-guess your decision to take on this project or go on this mission trip. He wants to keep you so busy and distracted that you cannot properly prepare or pray. He wants you to fail.

But, don’t forget God has a different plan for your life. He prompted you to accept this challenge and He will equip you and provide for you. Don’t ever begin to think that it is you doing it. We do sometimes try to do things in our own strength, but that is not when we are successful. He alone will guide you if you ask him. He alone will strengthen you and prepare you. And He alone has given you the gifts and talents to prepare you for such a time as this. He knows you and loves you and is working in your life, all day and every day, whether you acknowledge it or not. Hopefully, you do take a step back and acknowledge Him and thank Him. We have never produced any fruit by our own righteousness or our own strength. There is nothing that we ourselves can actually take credit for. In fact, there is nothing good that we have or that we have done in our life that we have not received from God’s loving and gracious hand.

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Has it Happened to You Yet?

If so, don’t panic. He will hold you steady. Remember your resilience comes from the Lord, not yourself. If it hasn’t happened yet, it probably will.

Success?

Do you want to be successful? I think we are constantly trying to reach for our own success and also to teach our kids and grandkids and others over whom we may have some amount of influence. We talk to them about ways to be successful. We talk to them about hindrances to that success.

I was thinking about my own life and my own “success”. I have had people tell me that I could have been more successful if I had gone to work in the private sector. I still have people tell me that my “success” is behind me and now is the time to relax and enjoy.

As I was contemplating these things this week, I spoke to a teen who is struggling. Then it hit me, you know, sort of between the eyes. My desire once was probably just to be plain successful in general terms. But I realized that, over time, my desires changed as I drew closer to the Lord. My desire to be successful really morphed into more of a desire for my life to have significance, to have purpose, in God’s economy. He has a special plan for each of us and he wants us to have that purpose and significance that only he can bring to the equation.

Join me in encouraging those around me to desire that which is greater than just plain success. Encourage them to desire God’s best and to find God’s plan for them so they will experience the amazing, incredible, unique purpose and significance he has designed just for them.

I, the Lord, tell you this: I have decided what I will do for you. I have plans to help you to do well. I do not want to hurt you. I want to give you hope for a good life in the future. Jeremiah 29:11

ANOTHER BONUS YEAR

Well, I’m a little late in wishing you a Happy New Year, aren’t I? So, finally, here it is: Happy New Year!

But I actually delayed writing on purpose because I wanted to give it a little time so that I could ponder. With all the hubbub of the holidays, I think taking time to ponder gets a little lost.

Did you make any resolutions? There are the typical be kind, lose weight, have more fun, get a new haircut, etc. So, here’s my question for you? How’s that working out for you? Have you kept your resolutions or have you, like most people by now, even forgotten what they were if you made any.

Well, I didn’t make any but I did make some decisions and commitments regarding the new year. I hope you will take a second stab at your resolutions or commitments. Just take a moment to think about where you were this time last year or the year before. For me, and for Jody, that is REALLY easy to do. We pretty much measure everything these days as “before Jody got sick” and “after he got to come back to Texas”. The middle is still sort of in no man’s land–not much there I want to remember and for Jody there aren’t many memories during that time period at all.

Anyway, take a look at your life, in an honest way. Are you a better person than you were? Have you tackled some of those projects you said you wanted to tackle? Have you grown spiritually? Have you tried to accomplish something that God has opened the door for you to do? Pause what you’re doing and take a minute and consider. All of us are here because God left us here to accomplish things as part of his plan for our lives and for our part in his plan for the kingdom. If you are like me, you fall short in many areas, but I hope that you are ready to set the reset button and try again to make some spiritual commitments for this year, some resolutions.

Jody and I are so looking forward to another bonus year. We feel so blessed to have every single bonus day together and as we serve the Lord together. You know what they say about life-changing events…You are never the same after them. Your perspective on life is altered. We know that none of us is promised tomorrow. It’s true for each of us, not just those who have been through something life-changing. We hope that we live like that. We discuss it often. Jody and I pray that we never forget that each day, each minute are gifts from God-bonus gifts.

This time of year is especially emotional for me because of the timing of Jody’s hospitalization. Even now, some time later, I get a bit shaky and teary-eyed when I think about those painful, lonely, frightening days. They weren’t really divided into days back then. They were divided into minutes at best. Now, after some time has past, I can divide the time into days and sometimes even weeks.

As we move smack into our busy spring, I want to make more time for Jesus. I want to do a better job of Loving One Another–not just those people whom I already love but also those I have nothing in common with and those that just are not very loveable. (See John 13:35) I want to set a good example for those around me, especially those I know that are not believers. I have some amazing family and friends whom I love dearly. I want them to be in heaven with me one day. I want them to see Jesus in me and to want what I’ve got. Jesus loves me and you so much. He has a special plan for each of us. (See Jeremiah 29:11) I so want them to grasp hold of that special gift.

Jody and I may have more bonus days ahead. I certainly pray so. I plan to share each of those bonus day gifts with my precious husband, but I also want to be spending those bonus days serving God. I know His desire is for me to grow closer to Him this year more than last year and to align myself with him. I want him to continue to work on making me the person he created me to be. That’s definitely a full-time job! I’m glad God doesn’t give up on me, even when it seems like it takes a long, long time.

Will you join me in reconsidering your resolutions for this year? Will you reflect on the bonus days that you have been given?

Be blessed. Trisha

Grasshopper

Ridiculous Questions

People ask ridiculous questions sometimes, don’t they? I walked into a building trying to close my wet umbrella and someone asked, “Is it raining?” I was with someone who was on crutches and a stranger asked if he hurt his leg. I overheard a person ask a very pregnant woman, “so you haven’t had that baby yet?” A man was wearing a Dallas Cowboys jersey and ball cap. Someone nearby asked if he was a Cowboy’s fan.

You know what I mean. People mindlessly ask things even though they know the answer. But Jesus didn’t ask mindless questions, did he? His questions always had a point. Think about these situations where Jesus asked a question:
-“Who touched me?” Jesus asked in Luke 8:45. He was in a crowded place. Because he is all-knowing, he knew who touched him, but he wanted others to see and hear her story.
-“What do you want me to do for you? Matthew 20:29-34
-“Do you want to get well?” John 5:1-15
-“Do you love me?” Jesus asked Peter in John 21:15-17. Jesus asked Peter three times.

Have you, like Peter, blown it with Jesus? Do you ever think about this question in terms of your own life? Let it sink in right now. We are constantly faced with choices that boil down to whether or not we will follow Him or the world. Do you want to get well? Do you want to move forward spiritually?

Lord, open my eyes to be able to see you. Let me hear you speak to me and guide me each day. Forgive me when I question you and your ways when it seems to me things are out of control. Help me understand that things are never out of your control. Remind me to tell the story of how you have changed my life whenever you prompt me to do so. Lord, help me choose you over the things this world offers. Forgive me when I have let my schedule, my finances, my job, my family, and my hobbies squeeze you out.

Which Word Is Next to Your Picture In The Dictionary?

We were recently travelling quite a bit, zigzagging around the country. I am sort of a people-watcher. My Uncle Pete always said, “Idiots come in swarms!” I believe it. Some people are a delight, and others are a fright.

We meet a lot of different people in our various ministry endeavors. Some people crack me up with their forwardness. And then, there are people who are comical to watch as they interact with others. So many people seem to be lost in spirit with no purpose in life. We have met people who are so loud and obnoxious in public places that it makes me cringe to think of how they interact with their families at home. Some cannot have a conversation without spewing four-letter words. You know the type – they have no filter and say whatever pops into their pea brain. Yikes.

Occasionally I see people who seem to be on vacation but look as though they could have never found their way without help. I often glance at Jody and ask, “Where are their keepers?”

Recently, I glanced at Jody and gave him the “where is his keeper?” look while we were walking behind an elderly man at an airport as the man stumbled and bumbled. We soon met Bill when he fell as he exited the airport. Bill ended up staying in the same hotel and also went on the same tours as us. Bill was 89 years old and his wife had died not long before this trip. He wanted to take the trip that the two of them had planned. Apparently, his children don’t live near him but spoke to him on the phone. He seemed to be doing fine as far as they could tell, and so they encouraged him to go on the trip rather than just sit home and mope. Oh, my stars, Bill had no business travelling alone. Bill is a precious, grieving man whose picture in the dictionary is next to the words “lost as a goose” and “needs a keeper.”

So that brings us to the question. Which word or phrase is near your picture? When people think of you, what pops into their mind?

When I think about which word or phrase pops into people’s minds when they think of me, I’m challenged to do better! My goal is for words like caring, dependable, honest, forgiving, patient, kind, thoughtful, considerate, and humble to come to mind, but I’m afraid that there are times when selfish, unforgiving, judgmental, impatient, inconsiderate, and gripey are the words that others think first about me because of things I’ve done or said. I have made many mistakes in my life, but I am trying to live a mindful life now, as Christ intended. He is transforming me into the person he created me to be…sometimes with little help on my part.

Join me in examining your life, your words, your actions. No, it’s not so much about what other people think–it’s about what God thinks. But, sometimes, when we closely examine and consider what others think, like me, it might challenge you to draw closer to the Lord so that he can continue that transforming work. Let him continue to shape your life.

Lord, thank you for giving me a separate, distinct, and unique personality. I am special because you say so. It’s not because of anything I have done, but because of who you are and how you are working in my life to make me into the person you created me to be. Lord, help me when I resist you. Fill me with your love so that I can reflect it to others. Help me lean in to the changes you are making in me. Sharpen in me the qualities that honor you and guide me to move away from those that don’t.

Just a Flicker

So, I am this detail-oriented person who is always observing the miniscule things of life. One day I was thinking about the personalities of various people I encounter in my life. I have had interactions recently with some truly extraordinary people and interactions with some less than extraordinary people. Here is a list of a few with whom I have crossed paths:

. a stern, rigid person who later turned out to be kind and friendly when stress and responsibilities lowered somewhat

. a smart-alec person who irritated everyone in his path

. a joyful person who was in the middle of a serious family situation but did not dwell on the negative

. a person who was not self-aware and was condescending, argumentative, and hurtful to those closest family and friends

. a know-it-all person who would argue or one-up every single person encountered

. a caring person who cares so much that people take advantage

. a loving, generous person who treated everyone with kindness

. a gripey person who I eventually discovered was in the middle of a personal trauma that they kept very private

. a happy, laughing person who was actually hurting on the inside

. an arrogant person who was always right (even when it was not true)

. a quiet, but thoughtful person, whose countenance glowed

Today, God reminded me, again, yes, again, that I also have personality traits that maybe reflect exactly who I am but maybe don’t reflect who I think I am or whose I say I am. Hmmm. Who I am…Who I think I am…Whose I say I am—just a few letters are different in those phrases, but those few letters really change the meaning of the phrases, don’t they?

Do my encounters with people leave a positive impression or a negative impression? Do I even care? Am I so entrenched in my way of thinking that I have become indifferent to others? Now, to be clear, I am not saying that we should elevate other people’s opinions over the voice of God. But sometimes, if I prayerfully inspect myself and how I interact with others, God can reveal things about my personality. Do I reflect the love of Jesus as I meander through my life or do I just meander doing my own thing without a thought of whose I am. Someone is always watching. What am I reflecting? Is my life just barely a flicker of light or does it shine for Jesus?

Lord, help me be a learner as you work in my life. Help me not to resist the efforts to smooth off the rough spots in my personality. Make me more like you. Continue your work in my life, helping me grow closer to you. Remind me that growing closer and closer to you is necessary to become more like you. Gently guide me to consider how I am seen by others. I want to reflect your love in everything I do and say. I don’t want to just occasionally flicker.

Memories and Tears and More Tears

Today is the birthday of my baby sister, Lisa.

Well, it would have been today, I should say. She went to be with the Lord in 2023 almost exactly 1 year ago. Yesterday was the anniversary of the birthday of my mom. It has been a tough week. Lisa was an April Fool child. My mom was a jokester and so, growing up we always had funny or silly April Fool’s jokes for Lisa. You know what I mean…iced Styrofoam “cake”, etc. Of course, the jokes faded as she got older, but I can’t help but think of that today. Lisa had a great, sort of crooked smile any time she was caught off-guard. I miss her.

Live your life with no regrets. I know people say it all the time, but it is true so I will repeat it: You don’t know how long you have on this earth. Don’t wait to say “I love you’s” or bake some cookies or go out for a coffee or send a card (a card??) or text. You will wake up one day and wish you could do it one more time. Make sure that you take time to focus on the Lord. Share your faith. Invite your loved ones to church. Pray for them. I did all these things with Lisa and my mom and others, but I could have always done more.

And so, I move forward, knowing that Lisa is healed from her physical limitations and is happy and making some new friends and visiting with some old friends on her birthday. Will we celebrate birthdays? I don’t know. But I hope if someone plays a trick on Lisa because it is April 1, I hope she gets a real cake with sprinkles too.

As I move forward, I am more focused on my remaining family and friends. I want to be more intentional in showing my love. I want to save time in my schedule for God to guide me to the person I need to encourage or help in some way.

My heart truly feels shattered when I think of those that I love so much who are far from God. I spoke to a lady at church yesterday about the same topic. She had invited her kids to church and hoped that since it was Easter that maybe they would come. But they didn’t.

My job (and hers) is to fully trust that God is working, even when I don’t see much happening. In the meantime, I pray, I follow God’s guidance, and I love the best way I know how. I try to be a good example and witness in all that I do. Of course I cannot do that on my own, but only with the help of Jesus working through me.

Lord, help me to remember the good times with Lisa, my mom, and my other family members. But help me to point the still living people in my life towards you. Prompt me to pray for them and with them. Guide me. Show me when I should challenge them and when I should leave it to you. I want to work with you, Lord, not against you. Prompt me with questions like: Do you forgo praying at meals when you are with non-believers? Do your friends and family see your priorities or do you “hide them under a bush?” Do the people in your circle see you read your Bible? Do you tell them about God-moments? Challenge me as well as them. Lord, I love you. Make me more like you.

Which Word Is Your Picture Near In The Dictionary?

We were recently travelling quite a bit zigzagging around the country. I am sort of a people watcher. My Uncle Pete always said, “Idiots come in swarms!” I believe it. Some people are a delight and others are a fright.

We meet a lot of different people in our various ministry endeavors. Some people crack me up with their forwardness. And there are people who are comical to watch as they interact with others. So many people seem to be lost in spirit without any purpose in life. We have met people who are so loud and obnoxious in public places that it makes me cringe to think of how they interact with their families at home. Some cannot have a conversation without spewing four-letter words. You know the type – they have no filter and say whatever pops into their pea brain. Yikes.

Occasionally I see people who seem to be on vacation but look as though they could have never found their way without help. On those occasions, I glance at Jody and ask, “Where are their keepers?”

Recently, I keeper-glanced at Jody while we were walking behind an elderly man at an airport as he stumbled and bumbled. We met Bill when he fell as he exited the airport. Bill ended up staying in the same hotel and also went on the same tours. Bill is 89 years old and his wife had died not long before this trip. He wanted to take the trip that the two of them had planned, in her memory. Apparently, his children don’t live near him but stayed connected to him by telephone. He seemed to be doing fine as far as they could tell and so they encouraged him to go on the trip rather than just sit home and mope. Oh my stars, Bill had no business travelling alone. Bill is a precious, grieving man whose picture in the dictionary is next to the words “lost as a goose” and “needs a keeper.”

So that brings us to the question. Which word or phrase would be near your picture in a dictionary? When people think of you, what pops into their mind?

When I think about which word or phrase pops into people’s minds when they think of me, I’m challenged to do better! My goal is for words like caring, dependable, joyful, honest, forgiving, patient, kind, humble to come to mind, but I’m afraid that there are times when selfish, unforgiving, judgmental, impatient, and gripey are the words that others think first about me because of things I’ve done or said. I have made many mistakes in my life, but I am trying to live a mindful life now, as Christ intended. He is transforming me into the person he created me to be.

Join me in examining your life, your words, your actions. No, it’s not so much about what other people think – it’s about what God thinks. But, sometimes, when we examine closely and consider what others think, like me, you might be challenged to draw closer to the Lord so that he can continue that transforming work.

Lord, thank you for giving me a separate, distinct, and unique personality. I am special because you say so. It’s not because of anything I have done, but because of who you are and how you are working in my life to make me into the person you created me to be. Help me to lean in to the changes you are making. Give me the qualities that honor you and help me move away from those that don’t.

— We need your help! —

The book “Keep Your Hands in the Air When You’re on a Roller Coaster” is available on Amazon. It is available in print but also now as an e-book. If you find that this book is recommendable, please help us by telling your friends and by posting it on your social media. We don’t use social media ourselves for reasons that go back to our time living overseas. So, those of you that do use it can help by posting information about the book. Also, please leave a review on Amazon. Reviews help with where the book falls in the list of books available.

The End of 2023

Here we are on the final day of the year. The final minutes of 2023. It was a bumpy year. It wasn’t as bad as the roller coaster years of 2020 and 2021, but it still had some bumps. I lost my sister, Lisa, this year. We also lost some precious friends this year. Lost, as in we don’t have them with us, but not lost lost…because we know where they are. They are not lost at all. Each of these dear ones I believe are in heaven now, possibly getting to know one another, but for sure they are rejoicing with the King of Kings. All of these, I know for sure, had asked Jesus in their heart, to change them, guide them, and forgive them during years long past.

Still, knowing that, with confidence, I struggled with the emotions around the holidays. If you know what I mean, you know what I mean. And if you don’t know what I mean, you haven’t been there yet. You haven’t had the emotions of missing someone deeply, the regrets of things left unsaid or undone, the sweet old memories that bring tears to your eyes, the emptiness at the dinner table, the embroidered stocking sitting empty, the awkwardness at a meal with three close friends suddenly instead of four.

So, it has been both sweet and bittersweet with the emotions swirling and with my red, puffy eyes. The sweetness comes from the fact that I know that they are happy where they are, without pain for the first time in a long time for many of them, and fully complete. They wouldn’t want to come back to this world. That doesn’t mean that they didn’t love or care for their family and friends, it just means that heaven is so glorious that finally feel “at home.” But, I guarantee that each of these would want each of us to know that Jesus loves them and wants to forgive them and to change their life and that they prayed that for us.

As we close the books on 2023 and look towards 2024, may be each take an assessment of our lives. Join me as I evaluate what I need to focus on in 2024. If you have never invited Jesus into your life, now is the time. Start the new year afresh. It’s not enough to pray occasionally, or read your Bible or a Verse-of-the-Day from time to time. It is not enough to go to church off and on. Jesus wants a relationship with you. He won’t force you, though. He waits for you to reach out to Him, to invite Him to come in to your life, to guide you, to forgive you of the things that you’ve done that are against God’s plan for you. Invite him to change any part of you that doesn’t match the way He created you to be. Ask Him to help you be consistent with the things you are trying to change. Ask Him to lead you to a Bible-believing church. Ask Him to help you guide your family in the right way.

You can do hard things…with His help.

Pray about all these things. Then watch what He does. God is in the business of making crummy things sparkly and new.

Happy New Year!