if wezi could speak now......

A short time ago Luis and I attended a funeral for Wezi Nkana.

Wezi was an incredible, tiny little ball of fire and energy.  She stood 5'2" in stilettos, but what she lacked in height she made up for in spunk.

She was a strong independent career woman.  She was well educated and made much of her time on earth.  By Zambian cultural standards Wezi was a trail blazer.  She proved that women here have moxi and can do what ever they set their minds to.  

She loved God deeply and that made a mark on those who were around her.  She loved EVERYONE well.  She gave all she had and trusted God for everything.

You get the picture.....Wezi ROCKED!!!!  

At her funeral I observed something that struck a chord in me.  Those who spoke of her life didn't speak of her earthly accomplishments.   It was mentioned, but it wasn't the focal point.  No pomp was given to the fact that she had a good job at a prestigious bank.  Brief mention was given to the education that Wezi received growing up.  HOWEVER!  Much was talked about in regards to her character and her ability to love and her devotion to Jesus Christ.  

Wezi lived a life for Jesus and the legacy she has left is a beautiful one!    On earth we should make the most of the opportunities we have to do the best we can!  With hard work and determination you can do anything you set your mind to.   Wezi lived that and defied cultural odds set against women.  

The hard work and determination you give in life should REFLECT a life well lived with and for Jesus Christ!!!!!!  Wezi did all she could for the glory of Jesus and for the honor of His name!  She lived well and she lived huge because she understood that it would "echo in eternity" (quote from GLADIATOR)    

Wezi lived well because she KNEW the promises of Jesus to be true!  She knew that her hope in God wouldn't let her down and that one day her pain, her trials, her heartache would be over and she would hear WELL DONE GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT!!    

Wezi is living now at the throne of Jesus, rejoicing and full of life and love!!  She had hope and that hope was fulfilled!!! 

I ask you now.....  Do you have hope?  Do you know the One who loves you deeper and wider than anyone or anything ever could?  Do you have an anchor in the storms of life that will see you through?  

If Wezi could tell us now what she sees, what she feels and what she understands she would say DON"T GIVE UP!!!  KEEEP RUNNING FOR EJSSU!!!!

a hot mess

I just had my birthday this past thursday and it got me thinking......What I wish my 43 year old self could tell my 23 year old self......

1.  BE COMFORTABLE WITH WHO YOU ARE!
           I was SO insecure as a 23 year old.  I was uncomfortable in my own skin, so unsure of myself and desperate for approval.  I wasn't content to simply be Myranda and enjoy that time of my life.  I let everyone think I was sure and confident, but inside I was scared someone would figure me out and call me out as a fraud.  Little did I know that no one was actually paying that much attention.  Others had lives and issues of their own they were working out.

2.   ITS OK TO BE A HOT MESS
             Because I was desperate for approval and recognition I wasn't ok to let folks see my warts and bumps.  I wanted to portray the perfect Christian image, not understanding that no one was expecting that from me.....What folks want to see is TRUE and SINCERE transparency.  Honesty about the condition of my heart and the journey that God has me on is what encourages others around me and forges bonds.  I mean, for realz Nacho, doesn't it make you feel better when you realize NO ONE KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING!?   NO ONE HAS IT TOGETHER!!!!!  WE ARE ALL A HOT MESS!!!  But for the Grace of God I go!


I would actually go on and on but I think these two point hit the high lights.    Here I am.....20 years later....a husband....a dog....three kids.....

I am a hot mess most of the time,  I hate baking, I can't sew and I suck at house work......BBBUUUTTTT  Jesus sees me as I am, Jesus rescued me from myself and delivered me from my sin and made me new and fresh and clean!    Jesus has taken my hot mess and has made something beautiful out of it that brings honor to Him and the beauty of it is this.....I DIDN'T EARN IT!  I DON'T DESERVE IT!  My sin kept me separate from Jesus, but His grace made me worthy!  His blood shed on the cross has given me a fresh clean bright future!  I have Hope because of Jesus!  I have purpose because of Jesus!  

If you don't know Jesus yet WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!!!!!!!!!!  Give up the fight and let Him take over!!!

LOVE YOU ALL SO VERY VERY MUCH!



         

a hero of the faith

Meet Eileen Bender.   Eileen is a 90 year old dynamo.  She body surfs, plays squash and enjoys life and everyone in it.  She is one of the purest hearts I have ever met and I wanna be her when I grow up!

I met Eileen about 7 years ago when I was feel very fragile and exhausted.   Life was feeling very shaky and uncertain and I was dangerously close to a break down.  I heard about a ladies bible study that meets weekly here in Lusaka so I decided to attend.   I sat next to Eileen and she was asked to pray to end the study.    She didn't pray with great Pentecostal fire, but there was confidence and peace and authority oozing out of her.  I don't remember what she prayed for, but I do remember that for the first time in a long time I felt safe.  The extreme lack of anxiety and the surety in the fact that God was hearing her every word made me ugly cry all over the couch we were sitting on.   Eileen simply reached over and patted me on the leg and let me boohoo.  She didn't try to fix it for me, she didn't expect anything out of me, she just sat there and loved me and that was all I needed.

My daughters and I were privileged to be a part of her 90th birthday celebration last week, and what a celebration it was.  It wasn't big and flashy at all, that wouldn't be Eileen.  It was a simple, kind,  gentle affair that honored an amazing woman!   I watched Eileen go around to all the guests and offer a kind, personal word and a hug to each one.  I was touched and humbled by this "seemingly" slight woman.  Eileen has learned to see people and God sees them.  Eileen LOVES everyone around her because she KNOWS that she is loved by a God who sees her deepest heart.

One thing I am certain of when it comes to Eileen Bender........
                               Heaven knows her and Hell is scared of her!

She is a hero of the faith!!!!   HAPPY BIRTHDAY EILEEN!