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“With upright heart, the shepherd led them and guided them with his skillful hand.”  Psalm 78:72

As we celebrate the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday today and look to the inauguration of our 45th President at the end of this week, my mind turns to what it means to lead and what makes a good leader.

Webster defines leading as, “to go before or with; to show the way.”  Since Randy is such a cowboy fan, I equate this definition to the “scout or point rider” in the Old West. This person would go ahead of the others to look for trouble, find the best path to take, find the best stopping places, look for water, etc.  The rest of the wagon train, cattle drive, or whoever was following could go no faster or make no more progress than he allowed.

I liken Martin Luther King and many others in our past history to a scout. These leaders see the dream, the vision, and they inspire others to follow, but they lead through example.  You would always see Dr. King right in there with his followers not expecting them to do something he wouldn’t do.  That makes all the difference to me.  If a leader can’t stand tall and stick his or her neck out, then why should the followers be expected to do so?

I know many great leaders in our world, country, state, county, city, church, and the list goes on.  The ones I will follow are the ones who lead with courage, conviction, perseverance, strength, faith, and example.

Our grandson, Mason, is a perfect example to me of what it means to be a leader.  He has so much energy, laughter, willingness to dream, and vision. He might be 8, but he is already leading.  If you need him for a project, he is there – ready to help and even offer suggestions as to how it should be done.  He leads with no complaints and gets it done!  Sometimes I am sure his teachers wish he would not lead with such enthusiasm!

As we begin this new phase in our country, I can’t say what kind of leader we have for sure, but I can say that he doesn’t mind putting himself out there.  I can only pray for our nation and our world as I support our country.  We certainly need leaders who don’t lead from behind but by example.

As Lewis Grizzard once said, “If you ain’t the lead dog, the scenery never changes.”

“Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.  Practice hospitality.”  Romans 12:13

In 1974, Randy was assigned to his first “job” in the ministry as the associate pastor of Dalton First United Methodist Church.  We moved into a darling parsonage on Dug Gap Road and began ministry there.

The house was nestled at the bottom of a steep, curvy hill with a huge tree near the road by the mailbox and a creek running through the front yard. There was an ugly chain link fence around the side of the house by the road, and a gate which you could close once your car was in the open air garage.  I remember wondering why on earth that would be necessary? That little tidbit of information would become clear to us.

One night a few weeks after we moved in as we were sitting in our little den, we heard the screeching of tires, saw lights coming fast, and a huge crash!  We looked at each other in horror and ran to the garage door!  A car had hit the huge tree, the hood was crushed and smoking, and two people were struggling to get out.  Randy was the first there, and as he brought the two into the kitchen, I dialed (yes dialed) for help.  The gentleman was bleeding from his head, and the woman’s arm had an unusual bend at the wrist.  They were both in shock, so when the man pulled back his hair and asked Randy if it was bad, I almost fainted!  It was very bad!

Thus began the Mickler first aid station!  This event happened every time it rained, sleeted, someone took the hill too fast, or anything in between. We stocked the house with first aid supplies, had the wrecker and EMT service on stand by, and prepared ourselves for the inevitable.  It got to be such an event that soon our neighbors and friends would come down to spend the evening and help out. Several times the men helped to pull a car out of the creek in front of the house, and I learned to never clean the house if rain was predicted.  We became the first area of care these people received, and we wanted it to be as positive as it could be.

As we met all kinds of different people, we had a chance to minister to them in a small way.  Some joined our church, some came back by with a thank you, and some did nothing.  How they reacted didn’t matter, it was how WE felt.  From this small experience, we learned the value of reaching out to those in need, and a heart for Missions began.  I think that’s what Jesus meant when He said, “practice hospitality.”

“Others may do a greater work, but you have your part to do; And no one in all God’s heritage can do it so well as you.”  Streams in the Desert

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by; and that has made all the difference.”  Robert Frost

I had the chance to visit Gibbs Gardens in Ball Ground a while ago.  It is truly a beautiful place. There are many paths which lead all around the property, and you may choose yours.  As my friends and I stood in front of the divergent paths, it was easy to see the ones most frequently traveled.  The ground in these paths was packed down and easy to walk, the foliage along the path was trimmed but a little beaten down, and people were along the way taking photos and talking.  All the paths would wind up leading to the same place (the gift shop), but you were free to choose yours.

As I pack up Christmas decorations and ponder the new year that is upon us, I find myself thinking of the path I should take this year.  It is not my habit to make resolutions because I usually wind up breaking them pretty quickly, so this year, I am taking a new approach.  I am looking at different paths for the year.

My first path will be one of staying positive because with “God all things are possible.”  It’s easy these days to take the highly traveled negative path, but it is much healthier to take the positive one.  I’ve heard it said that you should always take the path less traveled because it is not crowded.

My second path will be one of purpose.  Each day needs to have a purpose, and it is up to me to make sure that not a day goes by that I don’t accomplish something good in a positive way.

Gratitude will be the third path.  As I thank God for each blessing in my life, I unconsciously give up negative thoughts and things which are beyond my control.

As I quote David, “make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths” (Ps. 25:4), I will believe the promise that the Lord will continually guide me.

Happy New Year!

“Beginnings are mostly scary, endings are usually sad, but it’s what in the middle that counts.”  Hope Floats

My youngest grandson, Reese, had an experience in his kindergarten class a couple of weeks ago which reflects my feelings exactly as we enter this new year.  His teacher was calling out vocabulary words to the class – easy ones. In the expertise of a teacher, she then challenged the class by saying, “Ya’ll are so smart, I am going to have to give you some really hard words now.” Reese threw up his hands and loudly exclaimed, “Oh Lord Jesus help us all!”

As I reflect on the year two thousand and sixteen, I realize that you never know what a year will bring!  This year has had its share of changes for me…Randy’s retirement, my adjustment to that, Mama’s sudden death…our adjustment to that, and countless other things that are out of my control. I was thinking that this was the worst year, and I find myself repeating, Lord Jesus, help us all!

We were all at Mama’s this week loading furniture, cleaning out, and just generally tying up some loose ends.  We had rented a dumpster, and we were methodically filling it up with 70 years of things!  We put her nicer things in front of the dumpster hoping some one would need them.  We put her computer monitor in front.  As I was walking to the dumpster, yet again, a car pulled over and a little boy got out.  He walked tentatively toward the monitor while looking at me.  Randy and I saw him at the same time, and both of us waved him over.  His mom got out of the car and came over to join us.  She asked if he might have the monitor, and we happily gave it to him.  As they thanked us and turned to walk away, she said to him, “See, son, Santa Claus did come this year after all.”

As we enter this new year, I am thinking that last year was really a good one.  Randy is getting to enjoy the fruits of a job well done, my mama died exactly the way she wanted, and I can’t control everything!  Just like that little boy, Santa did come this year after all.  Lord Jesus help us all.

Happy New Year!

“Jesus said, I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  John 8:12

I have so many Christmas decorations which have as their major component the small white lights of Christmas.  I love lights at this time of year.  They truly brighten those dark places and give the house and my soul that warm Christmas glow.

Last week I had painstakingly put out all the decorations, carefully placed the fragile items, spent hours on the ladder, and finally felt ready to plug it all in and relax in the glow of Christmas decorations!  As I prepared to plug all the lights into their respective extension cords, I suddenly had this feeling of dread come over me.  I didn’t check the lights beforehand to make sure they worked!

Sure enough, as I began plugging them in, one string after another failed to light!  I felt a bit like Clark Griswald in his famous scene from “Christmas Vacation”.  One little light in each of these strings was not working, but which one of the hundreds could it be?

I had vowed this year not to let the small things bother me, but this one thing was ruining my Christmas spirit.  Instead of the total light I was expecting, only a small portion of the expected light shone into the room. The dark spaces were still there.

So many people in this world are living in the darkness of their situation. Children around the world are living in war zones, hungry and facing death each day; trucks with explosives are killing innocent people; homeless brothers and sisters are enduring the elements without the proper shelter or food; families are facing losing loved ones; children are enduring treatment for cancer; and our servicemen are away from their homes and families as they seek to protect us.

As I restrung new lights over the old ones, the lights began to glow with the warmth and joy which represents Christmas to me.  Each dark space became aglow with new light.  I had replaced darkness with light.  That’s how I see Christmas.  The light of the world, Jesus, comes into our hearts and lives and drives the darkness away.

Merry Christmas!!

“It’s okay to feel shame for something and take it to the Lord for forgiveness.  But, to walk around in shame is basically saying that God’s grace isn’t enough for you.  God’s grace is either big enough for all of us or none of us.”  Denise Hildreth Jones

I had a friend in water aerobics class named Hardy.  Hardy was an older gentleman, very friendly and extremely nice. He lived in assisted living, was divorced, and took a taxi to exercise every day.   One day last year around this time of year, I was in a conversation with him.  I asked him if he had a church, and he replied “no”.  I invited him to our Christmas Eve service at Mt. Bethel.  He said, “No, thank you.  On Christmas Eve I always sit alone in a dark room and remember the night I killed that young man. I would not be worthy to go into a church.”

As he told me his story, I could tell it was one that he had told countless times before, but it was also obvious that he had never felt forgiveness for his mistake.  Hardy was an alcoholic, and on that Christmas Eve over 60 years ago, he was driving home drunk.  A young man stepped off a curb, and he struck and killed him.  Hardy went to prison for that mistake, served his time, and when he got out, he joined AA.  Through that organization, he had mentored or sponsored many men over the years and helped them avoid the pain with which he had lived.  He changed lives for the better although he never let himself take any credit.

Hardy died this year, and now on these days before Christmas, I miss him, and find myself wondering if he ever felt God’s grace and forgiveness before the end of his life here on earth.  I know God was leading him and using him as a witness to help others, but I’m not sure that Hardy ever knew how special he was!

I hope this Christmas Eve, Hardy is finally receiving the forgiveness he sought and feeling God’s grace.  There was only one perfect man, and that was Jesus. My friend spent many years of his life trying to attain the grace that God so freely gives.  I pray that the darkness he felt is now replaced by light and joy.

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of Life.”  John 8:12

Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me?  Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”  John 20:29

Last night, Randy and I took our two youngest grandsons to see Peter Pan. I don’t think they quite knew what to expect at a stage production, but they were excited!  The story progressed, and they watched intently. Tinkerbell in the production is portrayed as a small light which flits around and shines brightly.  She isn’t portrayed as a person, only a being which protects and defends Peter Pan.  Even though we couldn’t see her, we believed she was there.

There is a part in the story where Captain Hook poisons Peter Pan’s medicine.  Tinkerbell takes the lethal dose in Peter’s place.  As her light dims, the audience is asked to save her by clapping if you believe in fairies.  It was quite an exciting moment as the theater began to clap softly at first, then louder and louder as Tinkerbell’s light began to glow stronger and stronger. We were chanting, “I believe, I believe.”   As I looked down our row, it was amazing to see the faces of children and adults alike as they clapped and cheered to save the fairy.

My mind wandered to a child born long ago with the purpose of saving each of us who believe.  I thought how exciting it would be if we as followers of Jesus began to  “clap” collectively to save and spread the Christian faith around the world this Christmas.  We have a Savior who did much more for us than Tinkerbell did for Peter Pan, yet sometimes we forget and let His light grow dim.

As we celebrate Christmas this year, remember God has always applauded loudly for our Savior.  The star that shines so brightly leads us to His manger so we can believe and live.

I believe, I believe.

“When Joseph awoke from his sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary as his wife.”  Matthew 1:24

I have three special nativity sets that I put out each Christmas.  One of them is a LLadro set which I purchased in Spain years ago, one is a Waterford set which I purchased in Ireland, and one is a white Lenox set which a member of the church gave us years ago.  I love them all, but the Lenox set has always been my favorite.

Several years ago, as I was placing the Lenox set lovingly on the mantle, Joseph took a nasty fall and broke into pieces.  I was devastated.  Ashley was home, and she tried to smooth over the situation by saying, “Mom, don’t get so upset, Joseph didn’t really do anything anyway.”

Joseph is mentioned in the Bible only in respect to the events surrounding Jesus’ birth, flight to Egypt and return to Galilee.  He was the husband of Mary, a carpenter, and the man who adopted Jesus and became his earthly father.  He was also a man who obeyed the Lord without question.

I’ve had the joy of working with the foster ministry in a very small part as a sitter for adoptive families.  I so admire the families, but like Joseph, the fathers in these families are so unselfish in their love for these children.  Men can sire children, but that doesn’t make them a father or daddy.  Love and commitment does.  I admire Joseph for the way he raised Jesus and loved his family.

Christmas to me is this kind of love.  In a sweet footnote to my Joseph nativity story, I must share the real meaning of Christmas and love.  When rumors of my lost Joseph circulated among my friends, Jeanne, a sweet friend presented me with a wrapped package.  When I opened it, there was another Lenox Joseph.  I was so excited, but I never thought to ask her where she got it – I assumed ebay, Craig’s list, etc.  It wasn’t until a year ago that I found out the real story.  She had that same set, and she gave me her Joseph.  She gave of her possessions out of love for me.  That’s Christmas to me!  Love you, Jeanne.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11

The Thanksgiving memories are still so fresh, and I am always grateful for family and times together!  What organized chaos!  I wouldn’t trade it for anything.  As I am counting my blessings, I know there are those who are facing some uncertain times right now.  I am especially thinking of Grace, Grace, and Wyatt.

My Daddy used to have a very peculiar habit of pouring his coffee from his cup into his saucer every morning at breakfast.  When I asked him why, he always said, “because my cup keeps overflowing.”  I feel that way this Thanksgiving, and I pray that these families and others are filled to overflowing with God’s blessings.

I’ve had this poem for years, but I am afraid the author is unidentified to me.  It pretty much sums up Thanksgiving.

“I’ve never made a fortune, and it’s probably too late now,
But I don’t worry about that much, I’m happy anyhow.
And as I go along life’s way, I’m reaping better than I sowed.
I’m drinking from my saucer cause my cup has overflowed.
Haven’t got a lot of riches, and sometimes the going’s tough,
But I’ve got loving ones around me, and that makes me rich enough. Thank God for His blessings, and the mercies He’s bestowed.
I’m drinking from my saucer cause my cup has overflowed.
I remember times when things went wrong, my faith wore pretty thin,
But all at once, the dark clouds broke and sun peeped through again.
So Lord, help me not to gripe about the tough rows that I’ve hoed.
I’m drinking from my saucer cause my cup has overflowed.
If God gives me strength and courage when the way goes steep and rough,
I’ll not ask for other blessings, I’m already blessed enough.”

I’m praying that all our cups will overflow.

“I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.”   Psalm 9:1

This Thanksgiving is bittersweet for our family because we are without our Mama, Mimi, Dump and Mi.  As we celebrate, we are thankful for all the memories that we have shared and will continue to share.

Our youngest grandson, Reese, played the part of the minister this week in the Thanksgiving play, and true to his personality, he gave the words, “praise the Lord” a new spin.  He proudly proclaimed, “Raise the Lord!” Pondering this twist, I decided that “raising the Lord” this Thanksgiving is exactly what we all need to do.  True to that proclamation, Randy is writing his Thanksgiving list for me as it wouldn’t be right without it!!

I’m thankful for this special time of year when we can reflect and take stock of God’s many blessings.
I’m thankful for the little things in life that make a difference like crisp mornings, autumn leaves, fresh coffee, rain, smiles, hugs, handshakes and kisses.  For “I love yous.”
I’m thankful for friends on the staff who remember and laugh.  Who, after years of accommodating my ‘quirks’ see me at church and ask, “have you adjusted the thermostats yet?”
I’m thankful for faithful fans and spirited rivalries, tail gating on the deck with great friends and fans!  For defeated Tigers who say, ‘It matters!’ For Gators who are kind in their victory – again.  For my Tech friend.
I’m thankful for God’s assurance that life continues even in the midst of death.  For glad reunions which regularly occur in the Father’s House.  For new life experienced in relationships that persevere together through grief.
I’m thankful for powerful tributes given by dear, respected friends.  For UGA caps coming down the center aisle.  For “Glory, Glory to Old Georgia” even in church!
I’m thankful for a crackling fire on a crisp morning watching steam rise off Lake Burton.  For Alaska cruises where propellers don’t break.  For the road trips through Colorado with old and new friends. For beautiful aspens.  For the river walks with my sidekick, the chick magnet.
I’m thankful for the finest, best looking truck ever built.  For anonymous friends.  For an over the top love offering, most undeserved, but most appreciated.  For my new orange tractor.
I’m thankful for the one place where we all gather as equals in God’s love – the altar.  For good reports at the doctor and at the altar .For opportunities to visit other churches and realize anew just how special Mt. Bethel really is!
I’m thankful for a family that loves like friends and for friends who are my family.  For the love of my life, her beautiful green eyes, soft kisses and cold feet.  For the pure joy God has provided through our love for each other – Rob, Ashley, Susie, Lee, Drew, Cooper, Mason and Reese!  Wow! My cup runneth over.

Randy, I am thankful for you!

God Bless you and yours this Thanksgiving!  Raise the Lord!