Faye Bryant

What is Independence Day?

When you hear the word "independence" what do you think of? Does a picture of the signing of the Declaration of Independence come to mind? 

Or is there something else you think of? Independence can mean so many things. A baby finds independence when he can walk instead of crawl and feed himself instead of depending on someone else. An adolescent finds independence when his or her parents allows them to go out with friends. Some of us love the independence we find when we reach age 18 -- and get to make our own decisions.

I wonder sometimes how many people understand now realize what Independence Day is all about. Way back when I was in school, we spend a good deal of time learning about the oppression that motivated our American ancestors to make the dangerous journey to the North American continent and the trials our forefathers faced when they began living here. Now I'm not sure what is taught. 

What about you? Is Independence Day about picnics and fireworks? A day off from work? Or is there some deeper meaning? 

rescue

I've spent the last nine weeks going through the Beth Moore Bible study, Esther, It's Tough Being a Woman. To be perfectly honest, I started it because our usual Thursday morning breakfast bunch was going to go through it and ... well, I had to do it, too. Now, I'm so glad that I did! 

I've gone through several of the studies written by Beth Moore. I've enjoyed some and others I've scratched my head and tried to figure out what in the world was being said. 

Beth has been writing these studies for several years now and I have to say, she's reached her prime. In this study, one can see her honest transparency and truly "hear" her heart. I can honestly say that of all the studies I've read and worked through, this is the best. 

There's so much I could share, but then, I want you to get this study and enjoy it with friends. There's something about being with other women when studying this that makes it that much richer. And just a note: the videos and audio of the sessions are available on the Lifeway website. 

The one thing I will share is from the last week. Beth encourages the reader to write Psalm 30:1-3, 11-12 with their own story in it. This was one of those things I'm normally not great at, because I tend to keep this stuff tucked away beyond even my own conscious memory. This day, however, I wrote and I wept, and I worshiped. I hope you'll read this and fill in your own blanks. The italicized words are mine.

I will exalt You, O LORD, for You 

rescued me from my ex-husband and from cancer 

and did not let my enemies gloat over me. O LORD, my God, I called to You for help and

You restored my health mentally and emotionally from abuse and physically from cancer. 

O LORD, You brought me up from the grave; You spared me from 

death and destruction by loathsome abuse and death by melanoma.

You turned my wailing into dancing, You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with 

joy and life and purpose 

that my heart may sing to You and not be silent. 

O Lord, my God, I will give You praise forever.

Thank You, God for giving Beth Moore the words to write, for prompting our group to go through it and for not letting me quit. As always, You knew what I needed and You provided it. 

healing

I was wakened this morning with the thought that just one short week ago, I was getting up and spending some time with God before going to visit with my friend Rich Willis and meet his wife Connie. I had gone to bed the night before, tired but excited about the meeting the next morning. 

Now, just a week later, when I went to bed last night, I knew that Rich's time was near. I felt it deep inside me, and all reports were that he was home from the hospital, on morphine and resting comfortably with family and friends at his side. Then, this morning, when I got up, preparing to go spend that time with God, I stopped by the computer, because Rich's family and friends have been so good to keep posting updates on his Facebook page. There I learned that at about 2:55 a.m., Rich left. 

The term "passed away" is just too tame for a man who lived life to the fullest every moment. I think that when God opened that door, Rich ran through it, shucking the aching, diseased body like his old Goofy costume. 

Even last week, I noted that though his body was dying, but Rich was not. He was still living, loving, laughing and striving to help others see the purpose God has for them. 

From a wheelchair. 

Oxygen tank in tow. 

Relying on God completely.

Still using the breaths he had to share truth and life with those around him. 

Michelle Knoll spoke about this just yesterday in her blog.

After tears for myself and Connie and their children subsided, I went to my special chair, basically climbing into the lap of my Abba Father, seeking solace. 

"I don't understand, Lord." 

"You don't have to understand, Child, just trust." 

Still grieving, still seeking, I opened my Bible and my study guide for Esther: It's Tough Being a Woman by Beth Moore. I just love how God knows before we can even begin to consider what it is we'll need on any given day! As I read through the text of this book, I read the instruction to look at Psalm 16:5-6. Beth Moore brought out the understanding that "lot" here means "destiny". She further brought out that even though Satan might try to destroy us along our life's path, God alone holds our lot, our destiny. He forever guards His plan for us. 

I realized then that regardless of a broken marriage, betrayal of friends, death of loved one, or whatever else comes along that might derail me or overwhelm me, my destiny is not in my hands. It's in God's and HE alone protects my inheritance. 

God used Rich to help me through some of those rough places that threatened to overwhelm me. See that story here. Even before I got to those situations, God knew the plan He had for me and He protected it. Then, when I least expected it, He gave me the privilege to share with Rich just what God had done with him and the words he'd written. It's wonderful to see that I'm not the only one who can tell those kinds of stories. 

I will miss Rich, but I will remember him and the things that he taught me. As others share their stories, I will learn from them as well. 

Thank you, Abba. Your love and Your timing are always perfect. 

death

There are days when life seems so wonderful and nothing bothers us. Then there are days like yesterday. As I drove to my Bible study group, I heard on the news about a 16-month-old baby who had gotten away from his grandmother and into her neighbor's pool had died just moments before. 

Just a couple hours later, I heard the news that Farrah Fawcett, the actress, had lost her long battle with breast cancer. I recalled having watched her in TV shows and movies, growing from merely a sex-symbol actress into one who carried some very dramatic roles with grace and expertise. 

Not long after that, I learned that my buddy Rich, just four days after we were able to visit with him, is in the hospital again, with problems breathing. Now, we've been here before, but this time the plan is to send him home with hospice care. This news by far affected me the most, simply because I know Rich and Connie and while I haven't met Aimee and Trek, my heart aches for them. 

As I headed out to our E.S.C.A.P.E. camp at church last night, I heard the news that Michael Jackson had been rushed to the hospital, suffering from a cardiac arrest. Later I learned that he died. 

On the way to church, I heard on the radio about a bad wreck right on the highway between me and church. I was keeping an eye out for it, when I saw the helicopter from the University of Tennessee Medical Center landing right in the highway. That means major trauma. I have no idea what the condition of that person was or is now. 

Yesterday seems like it was filled with death and despair. The Truth, however, is that death does not win. I don't know if Farrah or Michael or the person on the motorcycle in the wreck had a relationship with Christ or not. I do know that Rich does. A very healthy one. And that means, when he leaves this world, in the next one he'll be sitting and chatting with Jesus. I can just imagine the conversations! They will just be continuations of the ongoing ones started here. I can hear Rich saying, "Yay!" when he hears something he likes. 

Life is going on all around us. So is death. Rather than wallow in the inevitability of death, I choose to live and share my life with others. I choose to live before them hope and joy. 

laughter

Proverbs 17:22 tells us a cheerful or merry heart is good medicine. I share with you a video that I hope will be good medicine for your heart. Every time I see it, I cannot help but laugh. Enjoy.

home

What an amazing weekend! Jack and I, along with friend Michelle Knoll, flew to Orlando to visit with Rich and Connie Willis, of incredible fame on this very blog. Just last week I shared that we were making the trip and some of the things I expected. So now, if you'll bear with me, I'll share the events of this weekend.

The flight down was fine, actually landing in Orlando a little ahead of schedule. Once we got our rental car, I drove, striking out for Lake Buena Vista where we'd reserved rooms for this trip. Upon arriving at the hotel Jack and I were going to stay at, I learned that while I had a confirmed reservation, the hotel did not have a room for us! Because of a group staying over more nights, and other circumstances, our reservation was changed to the Rosen Centre Hotel on International Drive, basically bumping us from a 2.5 star hotel to a 4 star! 

We got Michelle settled in her hotel and drove to ours. Upon checking in, I checked my email to find that another friend from high school wanted to get together. When I go to the Kissimmee/St. Cloud area, there's a couple places to eat that are just must-do things. One of those is The Catfish Place in St. Cloud. Memory told me that Friday night at that place meant B-U-S-Y and waiting on a table, so my friend arrived before we did and secured a table for us. What an enjoyable time, visiting with her and sharing memories of the past and updates of the current!