When You Want Something, You Get It.

Matthew 19:26

 

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

 

 * * * * *

 

 

Before the saying in the picture is taken out of context, I would like to explain where this saying has brought me this far in my life. These are just some of the instances. There's too many to list.

The first time I told myself, "When you want something, you get it!" I was 14-years-old. It was the cheerleader in me and the Christian in me coming together to create the perfect pep-talk for where I wanted my life to go. 

I focused on journalism in high school and even as a young teenager knew I was destined for that career path. I was incredibly intimidated by college, but I still wanted to do more. Something different. Another challenge. So I decided to take it one step further and leave town. I wanted to be the first of the six kids to continue my education at a different university, in a different city. The thing was, I had never been away from my tight-nit family before. I didn't have a car and I wasn't financially stable enough to be on my own at 18-years-old. But I promised myself I would stick to my short term goals in high school, so I could see that long term goal materialize. 

In my final years in high school, with the helpful advising from my journalism teacher, I told her and others that  I wanted to focus on sports broadcasting and one day work for ESPN. To some it sounded crazy, to those that knew me very well...it sounded like something I would say. To me -- consider it done. And not in the materialistic, bratty type of way. I'm talking hard work, long hours, tough days and an elbow-greasing work ethic. Because ultimately, what you think about you bring about.

Time flew by. "When you want something, you get it!" Was written on my text books, scribbled on notepads,  lip-lined on my mirrors and posted on my bulletin boards in my dorms. The most inspiring was when I would fall victim to the tough days, and my own words were thrown back at me by my family and friends. So I kept going and going. I interned at about every TV and radio station in that town.

 

 

 

It was tough relying on my roommates to drive me around. I decided  I wanted a car. It didn't make much sense considering I was a broke college kid. But it was too late. I said I wanted it. I was determined to get one.

 

The Lord answered, "I can do anything! Watch and you'll see my words come true." -Numbers 11:23

 

One day during summer break, I went to New Mexico with my parents to visit my sister. We drove a couple hours away to Santa Fe. I stared at the miraculous spiral steps that were made of wood, water and pegs. I was at the Loretto Chapel. No one knew the man who built the steps, but it is said Saint Joseph did it himself. The structure and design was beyond it's time and is still to this day considered a magnificent display, which in a way, floats up without any support. I stared. Those Sisters of the Chapel were in need of a staircase. But the church was to small to fit one to reach up to the space intended for the choir above. It just didn't make sense and wasn't going to work. But those Sisters, they didn't give up. They made a novena to St. Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters. Out of nowhere, a man came with minimal tools, created it and left, unpaid. This is where I believe, when you want something so badly and you place your prayers and petitions in front of the Lord, He will bless you inline with the desires of your heart and as He sees fit.

 

 

"Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you." -Matthew 7:7

 

 

We prayed together and asked God to hear our prayers. To give us a sign. We went to the gift shop and I just wondered around, ready to make the trip back to Albuquerque. I came across this green, beaded rosary that hung right in front of me. It caught my attention. So I decided to buy it. When my sister saw what I was getting, she said, "Did you even read this? It's for a car's rearview mirror! Why don't you get a different one?" 

 

I looked down at it. I was shocked. I had no idea. But He did. I felt a strange amount of joy and hope. I smiled and confidently said, "I know. It's because I'm going to get a car in a couple of months. This is for my car."

 

She raised her eyebrows, tried to cover up a confused chuckle when she saw I was serious and then shook her head as to say okay, okay whatever.

 

A couple months later, I hung that green, beaded rosary in my red, 1999 Dodge Neon that I found on my own in great condition and paid in cash. Today, two cars later, this rosary still reminds me...

 

 

 

 

  * * * * *

My time in college away from home, was one of the biggest learning experiences of my life outside of the classroom. It toughened me up. Made me independent and molded me into who I am today.

 

And. Just. Like. That. 

 

I looked up at my entire family in the arena and walked across the stage in they city of Lubbock. I received my degree in Broadcast Journalism with a minor in Exercise and Sport Sciences from Texas Tech University. It worked. I got what I wanted.

 

A couple months later was my first TV gig in Amarillo. Then El Paso. Then I was hired by ESPN Dallas, and at the time it was owned and operated by Disney. In a huge sports city. The real deal. An amazing experience.

 

 

Then it was ESPN El Paso. Today, It's ESPN San Antonio. With a whole lot of little goals met in between. All because of that saying.

 

And now...

Whatever I pray, want, need, hope for and work hard for...

well, that's next.

 

;)

"Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart." -Psalm 37:4

 

 

 

#crystalscorner

 

A Sign From God

A friend called me while I was driving on a busy highway in Dallas. I pulled over and parked near a gas station because I could tell she was not doing well based on the tone in her voice. She said they found a lump in her breast. Her whole life flooded into her thoughts both past and future. What if I die?

She's young and never thought she could be dealing with a potential fight with cancer. She... told me they were going to test her the following day to see if it was benign or not. The anxiety in her voice was thick. I usually can talk and talk, but I was at a loss for words. I didn't know how to comfort her. I didn't want silence between us.

I stared at the digital sign that displayed gas prices. It read,"3.17."

Please God give me the words! At that very moment the price changed in front of my eyes and so did the silence.  It now read,"3.16." Literally, He gave me a sign. Wow. 

It all came to me. John 3:16. I told her God gave His only begotten son so that we may have eternal life. ETERNAL LIFE. Why must we be so scared when disease and illness come knocking at our door? Young or old. He tells us not to fear. He won't give us anything we can't handle. I understand our human flesh falls victim to negative thoughts, anxiety and we fear the unknown. It is frightening to think we might have a serious disease that could lead to death. But...We will not perish. I didn't tell her, "Don't worry you don't have cancer." Because that's not something I knew. But I do know our God is bigger than all of that and has already conquered our battles. So I did tell her no matter what happens, it's going to be okay. Jesus died so that we would live. I was reminded of the bigger picture through John 3:16. 

 My message wasn't about the possibility of death based on her circumstance. It was about the opportunity of life no matter what. That next day she told me it was benign. I was happy for her. That was a couple months ago. Today she has another appointment. She asked me to pray for her. I did. But no matter what -- she WILL be okay. 

It's a strange way to see things. But when you look at the bigger picture, it all becomes so clear. Why do we fear death? I recognize we don't want to lose people here on Earth that we want with us. But I'd rather look at the glass half full. It's an invitation to Heaven and who am I to tell God when I'm coming Home? When you're going Home? Whether it's one breath and your newborn leaves your arms or 100 years and your parents time here is over, their lives have truly just begun. Life proceeds death and death proceeds -- the afterlife. 

I sat in my car. We both felt a amazing sense of comfort not just in what John 3:16 represents, but because God told us He was right there with us. Even in two different cities, He was a part of our conversation. He gave me the message to relay to her through a sign.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16