My sister Peggy lives in Texas. I cherish the few times a year that we see each other. One of our favorite activities is taking long walks together. We have happily chosen to walk side by side from the time we were teenagers until now in our forties. Many many miles have passed between the two of us!

At Christmas last year, Peggy casually mentioned that two of her friends had made an adventurous goal of walking a marathon in every state. This immediately sparked something in me, and I said to my sister, "Where do we start?". She 100% agreed and we began planning. (If we do one a year in every state, I will finish my last marathon when I am 94. Now that's a "feat"...no pun intended.)

I must admit, I had a few valid concerns about marathon-walking with my sister. First of all, Peggy's last name is Lively, and the name fits her disposition to a tee. Her energy level far surpasses mine. Also, Peggy and I are built very differently; she was blessed with long legs, mine, well, not so long at all. I (fretfully) kept these differences in mind while I trained for the Country Music Marathon (April 3oth)...

And so, we begin...walking and occasionally jogging...mile 1, mile 2, mile 3...uh oh...wow, she's speedy....mile 4, mile 5, mile 6....what in the world have I gotten myself into?!!....mile 7, 8, 9...and why did we not choose basket-weaving or pottery-painting once a year?! It was obvious to me that I needed to make some adjustments if I wanted to stay at this pace. I always knew I could not walk fast; but I also know I possess the "gift" of running real slow. So while Peggy lengthened her lovely stride, I shortened mine and shuffled along right by her side. We were quite a sight. (While her last name is Lively, my last name Baxter means tenacious; and this is what I needed to be in to finish this race!). I am delighted to say, many many many miles later, we crossed the finish line, holding hands.

What did God teach me through this exhausting yet exhilarating experience? I now understand in a deeper level that we as Christians are all in the same "race"... life. And while racing, our eyes should be looking straight ahead at our one common goal Jesus Christ:

...let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith... (Hebrews 12:1-2)

If we look to the right or the left, we begin to compare. We find ourselves saying things like, "I should be doing life the way my neighbor, friend, sibling, or parent is." Or, "I'll never measure up." And even, "I can't, so I quit." Look at the shepherd boy David. He used his wiring, a sling and a stone, to slay the giant, not the wiring of King Saul who offered David his personal armor.

My friend, keep your eyes on Christ alone. How has He wired you from within? Are you walking in the way He created you, or are you struggling to be like the person by your side?

My sister and I have the same heart; we share the same Savior. Ironically, we started a ministry together a couple of years ago that we "happened to" name Walking with Hope. Our unified desire is to share Jesus Christ, the only living hope, with those that need an encouraging Word throughout life's journey. You can check out her website at www.livinlively.com. But we are also different. She must walk her way, and I must walk mine. And with joy, we will continue to encourage each other all along the way.

One more bit of information about the marathon, if you have attended any one of the Walking with Hope functions in my home, Peggy and I "took you with us." In my runner's pouch, was a notecard of about 100 names. And as we walked, jogged, and shuffled through the marathon together, we prayed for you... to walk in your wonderful wiring, with your eyes fixed on Christ alone.

A snapshot from several years ago, but the good new is still the same...The beautiful conclusion of the Easter story is summed up with this familiar verse: He is not here, but He has risen (Luke 24:6). What an awesome and fundamental truth of the Christian faith:

He is not here. Jesus is no longer in the grave--His mercy, His wisdom, His righteousness was not bound in a tomb. Death, darkness, and the devil could not keep Him strapped down. The only thing He left behind was our sin.

He has risen. Jesus is living and active. Jesus is all powerful. Jesus is the Loving God. Jesus is the Pursuing God.

And what does this resurrected Jesus desire most? He longs for each of us to also experience a resurrected life. When we trust Him as the One true God, who came and died and rose again, we too can walk in newness of life with His Spirit working in and through us. Our sins have been nailed to the cross and left behind. Now, He asks us to rise up:

Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. Ephesians 4:14

My friend, are you a believer in Christ but still in the tomb... of fear, of doubt, of dismay? Or are you someone who has never trusted Jesus fully, but you just keep feeling a tug in your heart? Wake up to His wonder this day. Let Him pull you out of your tomb into His glorious light. He is longing for you to come and follow Him. Hear and receive His words:

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. Isaiah 60:12

Yes, arise my sisters and brothers, let each of us live in the all powerful presence of our resurrected Lord and Savior. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8).

Take a few seconds, and think... what are some things that you "delight in"? Off the top of my head, and without getting too spiritual, here's my list: a good book, an impactful movie, chocolate of any kind, a hearty laugh with a friend, a date with my husband, and sweet family time.

Have you ever wondered what God delights in? Here are a few verses that catch His heartbeat:

"I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things." Jeremiah 9:24

And how does the Lord exercise His pleasures on the earth? Through His Son:

"Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights." Isaiah 42:1

And what did God's perfect Son, Jesus, do when He came to earth?

He rescued me because He delighted in me. Psalm 18:19

Isn't it a wonderful truth to know that God sent His Son to you and me not because He had to, but because He wanted to? And isn't it just as beautiful to understand that Jesus died for you and me, not out of duty, but out of sheer love? And then, isn't it even more astounding that the Spirit longs to live in us, not only because it's His purpose, but also because it's His pleasure? To think, He wants to be with me, the same way that I want to be with my family--and even more so.

He jealously desires the Spirit which He made to dwell in us. James 4:5

Because of His Spirit in us, we have the privilege of experiencing God's delight each new day. But sometimes I think we miss it because we don't sit still enough to receive it. For example, when my now 14 year old was a toddler, she used to throw some giant-sized fits; they were so large that I could not hold her due to the thrashing and kicking (tough times for ole mom here). My love was ever-present, but she could not be wrapped up in it. Likewise, I know I can throw some major fits--"busy fits, life's-not-fair fits, self-centered fits," and then completely miss an opportunity to receive His sweet embrace.

So today remember this truth: He delights in unchanging love (Micah 7:18). Meaning, no matter how many fits I throw, He will always be waiting to embrace me. Hopefully, like my daughter, I will continue to grow up, so I can receive what He longs to daily give.

I know this for sure, when I do experience Him fully, His divine embrace goes to the very very top of my delight list.

I have come across the word "abundant" many times lately in God's word. Its definition is: existing or available in large quantities; plentiful, ample, profuse, bountiful.

One way in which I can visualize the meaning of "abundant" is by seeing someone walk into a grocery store, and then from there, this person assumes that all the products are theirs to take home--every item on every aisle... every cereal box, every ketchup bottle, every piece of fruit. Wow, now that's a profuse amount of food for one person! With this in mind, hear these words:

Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and delight yourself in abundance. Isaiah 55:2

In this verse, we both know that the phrase eat what is good and delight yourself in abundance is not referring to a bountiful trip to our local grocery store. We find more of the meaning in the first phrase: listen carefully to Me. The abundant life that the Lord is speaking of here is about our spiritual life. It cannot be found in a physical sense; this is where many get confused, thinking that we deserve a comfortable living and a trial free existence. But even Christ suffered, so why do we think we should be void of it? Abundant living refers to the the spiritual richness that the Lord desires to lavish on us in the midst of suffering, in the midst of waiting, in the midst of the unknown. In essence, He wants to give us a piece of heaven while we are walking on this earth.

And, we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. Eph 1:3

So what are the spiritual blessings that are lavished on us from on high? And what will we find "on the aisles of His warehouse" that costs us nothing, and yet cost Him His Son?

forgiveness of sins

mercies that are new every morning

wisdom that is pure

love that never fails

joy that overflows

peace that passes all understanding...

On and on, on and on. I pray that you will delight yourselves in abundance in Him today. Nothing on this earth compares to what He has to offer. And as you and I enter His presence and stand in the midst of His spiritual blessings, may we declare with thanksgiving, we have more than enough.

One early Friday Morning not too long ago, the day started uneventfully. I got Bink out of the bed and the house by 5:20 for football practice; and then, while Emmy and Davis slept a little longer, I sat down for coffee and some quiet. The morning was peaceful as I sat...

At 6:50ish, it was time to get dressed and ready for a morning appointment, so I did just that. And then, around 7:02, my husband Mac casually asked, "How's Davis getting to school?" It was at this moment and not one second sooner, that I realized I had completely forgotten about Davis! He needed to be at school at 7:25 am. (Emmy is home-schooled so she was fine where she lay). Mac could not take Davis due to his schedule, so it was up to me...

At 7:06, a wet-moppy-headed mom and a dazed bed-headed son could be seen flying down Wilson Pike towards Ravenwood High School. I wonder, is there any graceful way to say to your child, "I'm so sorry, I forgot about you?" Thankfully, he made it, with a couple of minutes to spare.

As I drove home, full of motherly guilt, I asked the Lord for some encouraging words concerning my poor parenting. The verse that came to my mind immediately was:

Can a woman forget her child, and have no compassion on the son of her womb?

My already discouraged heart responded, "Well, gee thanks God; that was not quite what I was after." But then my mind settled on the next line of this particular verse:

Even these may forget, but I will not forget you. (Isaiah 49:15)

God wanted to teach me through my mistake that morning; He doesn't waste anything. He was saying to me (and to you): "I will never forget my children". Yes, He knows when we sit down and when we rise up...He scrutinizes our paths... and is intimately acquainted with all our ways. (Psalm 139:1-2) He does this for each one of us; and there is no partiality with Him.

If your heart is crying, "Forget-me-not!!" Rest assured, your God cannot! He knows your heartbeat, your thumbprint, and the hairs on your head. Talk to Him, and let Him talk to you. He knows the plans He has for you...today.

Interestingly, only a few days after I forgot to wake Davis, I then forgot to pick Emmy and her carpool buddies up from their tutorial... Hmm, should I be worried about myself? I guess God wanted to teach me a double lesson, and also to show my middle-child Davis that my "forgetting" was not a personal thing. (In a sad way, I didn't show partiality either.)

Hopefully, my children will also learn the lesson God taught me: that they have a wonderful Heavenly Father who will forget-them-not, in spite of their blonde-headed earthly mother who sometimes does.

Since my primary love-language falls in the category of "encouraging words", I cherish receiving love notes. As a matter of fact, I have kept Mac's first note he ever wrote me in my wallet(s) for the last 20 plus years. It is a keepsake of our new love then, and our continued love now.

I know on Valentine's Day, many love notes will be shared nation-wide. "I love you's" will be declared, promises will be penned, and if you're real lucky, chocolate will be delivered.

On this day set aside for proclaiming one's adoration, I wanted to remind you of some love notes that you have already received. I could pick many beautiful vows, but I will limit it to 3. As you read these words, cherish them as your very own, because they are. Read them again and hold on to them; believe them, and then hold onto them tighter.

1. "For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, but My lovingkindness will not be removed from you, and my covenant of peace will not be shaken," says the Lord who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10

2. "And I will betroth you to Me forever; yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and in justice, in lovingkindness and in compassion, and I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness. Then you will know the Lord." Hosea 2:19-20

3. The Lord appeared to him from afar, saying, "I have loved you wih an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness." Jeremiah 31:3

I know that each of us can think of times when words in certain love notes simply were not kept, leaving us confused and broken. Some may still be in the process of healing from unmet promises. Let me encourage you to read these "love notes" above one more time. Maybe even tuck them in your wallet for the next 20 plus years. These words are written by a God who cannot lie, Who gives a love that will not fail.

As you think on this, and cherish these promises, have a Happy Valentine's Day.