Category Archives: making an impact

July 31, 2009 · 7:26 am

The Bell Rings Again.

I was a teacher once.  It’s true.  I taught eighth grade my last four years of teaching.  Some think teaching middle schoolers would be hell.  Honestly, I loved my kids.  Some were funny.  Some were troubled.  And, quite frankly, some just pulled on my heart strings. 

And, most of them listened to me. 

What an opportunity teachers have that they can impart to young minds and hearts.  Even beyond academia. 

Thank you, thank you educators for giving up going out to lunch, high-paying salaries, and your own cash buying supplies for our children.

You are the real world changers. 

“A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.”  – Henry Brooks Adams

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July 6, 2009 · 7:45 am

The Night the Lights Went Out In Georgia.

I’m a little late getting started this morning.  Our power went out last night for a better part of the evening, and well, you can’t exactly go to bed when it’s so dark can you?  That would just be odd.  So, I stayed up in the family room with, well, my family.  And, I’m not sure why I keep using, well, “well.”  I’ll stop it now.

When the electricity goes out, there are no distractions.  Ever notice that?  Of course, the tree falling into my parents’ backyard crushing a part of their fence caused a slight commotion, but there was no blaring of a television or surfing of a browser that turned our heads from one another.

Instead, we took turns trying to remember as many Reba McIntyre songs as we could.  That game appropriately started with none other than “The Night the Lights Went Out In Georgia.”  Oh, and me belting it out like the red-headed diva herself, all sans the red head and ultra skinny waste.  And, great vocals.  Perhaps, it was my vocals that led to John Henry insisting on playing some 38 Special.  That and the fact that he’s never heard any Reba.  How did my parenting go so wrong?

Before we mustered up the courage to go to bed in the dark, we sat around and talked about our friend, Phil.  Phil stood in the presence of His Creator, the object of his affection, only a few days ago.  We talked about how there was no age discrimination in the lives he touched.  He touched the old, the young, and the really, really young.  I watched a 16 year old girl with uncontrolled tears covering her beautiful, young face, because one 63 year old man touched her life.

Phil Purser didn’t pastor a large church.  He wasn’t a missionary to some foreign land.  But, he was a pastor and missionary wherever he was to whomever he was with.  And, he was the greatest encourager I have ever known. 

May we power off more often, so our heads do not turn from one another.  And, may we all grow up to be a Phil Purser.

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June 4, 2009 · 6:00 am

Praying This One.

Both of my kids love the Mathew West song, “The Motions.”  I’m pretty sure they can sing every word.  The chorus says:

“I don’t wanna go through the motions
I don’t wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me.
I don’t wanna spend my whole life asking,
“What if I had given everything,
instead of going through the motions?”

I cannot tell you how much I pray this very thing over my children.  How much I don’t just want them to go through the motions of life.  But to go through them intentionally. 

Intentionally.

With purpose.

With resolve to do life in a way that makes a difference.

Where they live beyond themselves.

And, quite possibly, change the world.

My Dad begins a new series this Sunday called “Intentional.”  Intentional in our pursuit after Christ.  Intentional in our marriage.  Intentional in how we parent our children.  Intentional with one another.

I’m pretty excited about it.  As a matter of fact, I’m building my life on it.

Are you doing life intentionally?

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May 18, 2009 · 6:00 am

Legacy.

Well, Bigmama’s 90th birthday did not go unnoticed.  I was sad to miss all the hoopla, although I did talk to Aunt Kate, Bigmama’s 94 year old sister, on the phone for the better part of my Friday evening. 

She enjoys talking on the phone.

Aunt Kate, who spent Friday evening at my parents’ house celebrating Bigmama , always makes me laugh.  And, she never fails to tell me or anyone else exactly what’s on her mind.

“Your daddy is drivin’ me crazy.  I understand now why you live so far way,” she told me.  If you’ll recall, Aunt Kate is the rebel of the family, and she’ll gladly give you a Dixie cup for your snuff.  Heck, she’ll even share her snuff. 

Here are the two sisters here. 

Bigmama - Kate wp

And, here they are laughing.  Really hard.  {Notice the Dixie cup.}

Bigmama - Kate 2 wp

I’m blessed to have the Godly heritage that I have.  I’m blessed that I can call Bigmama any time of day, and if I ask her, she’ll pray the most powerful prayer FULL of faith over my life.  My own heritage has me thinking about the legacy I will leave my children’s children.  This means I have to parent intentionally.  I think I’ll share a few of those thoughts over the next couple of days. 

Or, I might share on my new love for yard sales.  Or, how I spend the extra money for the real maple syrup, because it’s healthier, but also buy Pringles potato chips.  Or, how Anna likes to sleep in her swimsuit underneath her gown these days.  I could be wrong, but I think she’s ready for summer.

Happy Monday, Y’all.

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May 14, 2009 · 6:00 am

What Do You Do With Your Loss?

First of all, I can hardly believe Danny Gokey is no longer a contender to be the next American Idol.  How-EVAH, it is certain that he will find success.  And, I guarantee that he will bring glory to God.  How do I know this? 

Because, he has already endured a much greater loss – losing his wife to complications from a surgery four weeks before he auditioned for Idol last year. 

Urged by his wife’s prodding, he not only went on to audition for Idol, but he also set up a foundation in his wife’s name which provides musical instruments to children.  My friend, Cindy Beall, would call this “turning his loss into a contribution.”

Danny’s favorite quote?  “Unshakable faith is faith that has been shaken.”

Some people become bitter.  Others become better.

I think we know which one Danny will become.

How do you handle loss?

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February 16, 2009 · 6:00 am

Extreme President Make-Over


I’m coming down from a sugar high from the massive amounts of Valentine treats collected by my children.  So, y’all bear with me.  I’m going to pretend the Christmas holidays are just now ending and make a resolution to eat healthier; forsaking all sugars until pounds I do part.  Selah and Amen.

It’s President’s Day.

What better way to honor our presidents than these completely respectable, life-like crafts?

presidents-day-wp2

I had to take a second look at George Washington there.  It’s hard to distinguish if it’s Washington I’m seeing or my great-aunt Kate with rollers in her hair.  In any case, I cannot tell a lie.  I love those kids.  I love this country. 

Abraham Lincoln said, “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count.  It’s the life in your years.”  While you or I may never be president of the United States, we can choose to live a life that is beyond ourselves.  A life that is rich in service.  A life that is rich in love.  I would hate to know that I lived my life only concerned for my own needs and wants. 

I pray the same prayer over my children every night.  In part of that prayer, I ask God that they “may always be a blessing to people.”  Because, I know that in living a life that is life-giving, that there will be life in their years. 

 

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January 30, 2009 · 6:00 am

What am I modeling for my children?


I FINALLY started reading Nancy Beach’s book, Gifted to Lead.  This should make Judy really happy who bought me this book a few months back.  The gurl even signed it!  No.  Not Nancy.  Judy.

There aren’t a ton of revelations that scream at me in the book.  It is still a wonderful read for women called to lead.  But, one thing – one voice – has been gently whispering in my ear while I’ve been reading Nancy’s words. 

“That’s you.  Go lead.”

Over the past several months, I’ve been as careful as I know how to be in listening to those whispers.  Now, the only way I know to answer is to ask Him, “What do You want me to do?”  “Where do You want me to go?”

For a long time, I’ve considered my role as a mother my primary ministry.  And, it is.  But, that is not my “fundamental identity.”  Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend write in their book, Boundaries with Kids, “Parents who do not have a life apart from their kids teach the kids that the universe revolves around them.”  They continue saying, “Meet the child’s needs, then require him to meet his own while you meet yours.”

Throughout my childhood, my parents modeled this same theory.  They nurtured me.  But, they also gave of themselves to so many.  Granted, they were in ministry.  However, seeing them minister in our home, seeing them minister beyond the home – in the church, amongst the broken-hearted, in third world countries – those are things that stay with me.  Those are things that clued me into the fact that the world does not revolve around me.  What a gift my parents gave me. 

This doesn’t mean that a parent must work outside the home to model these things.  Nancy writes, “I believe when a child recognizes that Mom or Dad is crazy about them, but also has some other interests passions, and responsibilities, that child is well served….Rather than assuming Mom and Dad will always be there exclusively for them, kids understand that other people and their needs matter as well.”

Dang.  That’s good stuff.  And, what’s even greater is when our children begin serving along side of us.  Giving WITH us.  For me, I’m going to start by choosing an activity – a service – that my children can do with me.  I hope that in doing so, I will give to them the gift my parents gave to me.  For realz.

Are you asking God what HE wants you to do?

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January 22, 2009 · 6:00 am

I’m hearin’ ya, God.


I have tried to think of any other post than this one to write.  I thought I could write on how my roots are now a brilliantly colored blonde….or just less disturbing to the natural eye.  Or, I could write about how I saved my family money once again by shopping at Crest Foods.   Or, how Anna is learning not to respond to adults with “Isn’t there someone else you can go talk to?” 

But, I just can’t write about any of those things.  Not today.

Let’s start with honesty.

I’ve lived in Oklahoma for a little over five years now.  Some days I do it kicking and screaming.  Other days, I am okay.  Reality is….I miss Georgia.  Not really the state itself, although we do have trees there.  I miss my family.  I miss the covenant relationships I have with so many wonderful friends.  I miss Eagles Way Church.   I miss ministering there.

I do well most days.  But, then I struggle immensely other days. 

My sweet friend, Cindy Beall, posted this blog the other day.  I haven’t been able to shake these words from her blog since:

GROW WHERE YOU’RE PLANTED.

How can Dusty Takle fulfill the call of God on her life when she isn’t allowing herself to grow where she is planted?

And, why is she speaking in third person?

Well, I’ve made a decision to do just that.  To grow wherever I am.  In whatever situation I’m in.  In whatever climate I’m dressing for. 

Because, I don’t want to miss God.

That’s how I feel today.  Tomorrow, I might need a pep talk.  Today, I’m okay.

Grow where you’re planted.  Cindy writes, “I am confident that God will meet you where you are.” 

And, He just might use you to do great things. 

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January 19, 2009 · 6:00 am

In the name of love.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that”.  – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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July 15, 2008 · 6:00 am

One act of random kindness.


I watched Evan Almighty again a couple of weekends ago.  You know, you know – I think Steve Carell is fabulous.  Blah, blah, blah.  Remember how I said I would probably always promote Carell movies?  I wasn’t lyin’.  Not only is he a brilliant actor, he has this touchable quality about him.  I think he really does put his pants on one leg at a time just like the rest of us.  Unlike the Brad Pitts of the world.  No doubt, he doesn’t. 

In the movie, Morgan Freeman, who plays the Almighty himself, appears to Evan (Carell), telling him that the way to change the world is by doing one Act of Random Kindness (“ARK”) at a time; the film’s central message.

When I look at the vast poverty that exists in our local community and around the world, it can be overwhelming.  So overwhelming that I sometimes think that unless I can eliminate the entire epidemic in one fail swoop, doing what I can is useless. 

The key is to not close our eyes and deem it overwhelming.  Then, we become blind to even help just the one…..then the two….and so on and so forth. 

God has called you and I to be hope, to be refuge and bring healing to a hurting society – one at a time. 

But, so often we ignore cries for help.  We look at the mass destruction of a Katrina and become….overwhelmed.  We get too busy with our own Christmas lists that we overlook the children on the Salvation Army’s radar who will go without. 

That’s why the story of the widow’s mite is so touching.  The Pharisees mocked her giving – one mite.  But Jesus explained, “This poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.  They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything -all she had to live on.”  Mark 12:43-44

Want to change the world?  Want to live beyond yourself?  We can.  One act of random kindness at a time. 

“Since you cannot do good to all, you are to pay special attention to those who, by the accidents of time, or place, or circumstances, are brought into closer connection with you.”   – St. Augustine of Hippo

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