Never let my prayin’ knees get lazy.

Missy Robertson posted on Instagram saying: “I’ve prayed for this girl for 21 years, even though I didn’t know her name until the last 5.” I immediately sent that to a couple of friends. That woman has been praying for her son’s future wife. Not only is praying for her son, but she’s praying for his future wife too. Ohhh sweet Jesus, I hope I pray like that. I hope I have an open conversation with You for as long as I possibly can. And I hope I’m always praying for somebody.

I’ve prayed for my future husband for as long as I can remember and I hope I never stop praying for him. I hope I’ve prayed so much for him that You hear prayers for his name more than my own. I’ve definitely prayed for friends and family. My mama taught me to pray for people in accidents when we pass them or when we hear those ambulance sirens. My daddy taught me to pray for leaders in the community, country, school, and churches. My sister taught me to pray for kids. Her future ones, my future ones, and every single one we meet in children’s church. My bubba taught me to pray for him. Little stinker stole my heart back in 1996. I’ve prayed for teachers and principals and everyone in my schools growing up. I’ve prayed for professors and university faculty and staff. I’ve prayed for my peers and now that I’m graduated I’m praying for the next generation of students. If I worked with someone for even 5 minutes, I was praying for them. And good golly miss molly, I sure did pray for my Alpha Gams. (I’m still praying for them too.)

I hope no matter what stage I’m at in life or where I am, that I’m always praying. Whether it’s for my coworkers or my neighbors in my first home or my future kid’s spouses or my nurse at the nursing home. I hope I never stop bringing people to You. I hope I keep laying everyone I know at Your feet. Lord, if there is one thing I’m known for, I hope it’s praying. My little ole prayers might not change the whole world, but they just might so I’ll keep shouting Your name until I’m all out of breath. I believe in the power in the prayer. I’ve seen it, I’ve seen Your work. I’ve seen miracles happen because somebody prayed. After all I’ve seen and I’ve been given, how could I not believe?

So, here is my prayer today. I pray I keep singing Lee Brice’s song and take the words to heart. I pray that I am a best friend. I pray that I tell the truth. I pray that I overuse, “I love you.” I pray that I go to work and do my best. I pray that I don’t outsmart my common sense. I pray I never let my prayin’ knees get lazy. I pray that I love like crazy. I pray that I continue to grow that spirit of a wife. I pray that I keep praying for those around me. I pray that I take what I learned from everyone around me and apply it to my life. I pray that you keep teaching me and guiding me. Lord, my heart is yours, just keep talking to me. And as always I pray for my family and sorority sisters. I pray for my university. I pray for guidance for our government, church, and school leaders. I pray for protection for our troops. I pray for all of those that need you now and for those that haven’t met you yet. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

Tell her we love her and tell her she’s wanted.

There is an article going around Facebook called: “8 Reasons Why America Needs More Sadie And Less Miley.” I’m all for good role models and trying to live in a way that pleases You, Lord. I think Sadie is doing a great job sticking to her values, but doesn’t anyone remember just a few years ago when Miley was the “good girl?” I think that Sadie should be rewarded for efforts and I think she is a smart young woman. America totally deserves more good role models, but I don’t think that holding Sadie to an impossible standard or condemning Miley is the way to do it. That’s not fair to her or to Miley. Yes, she is doing great so far, but what happens if she messes up once or twice? Are we going to send her to the wolves too?

That is way too much pressure. That’s the kind of pressure that we put Miley under and Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, and The Jonas Brothers. We’re human. We make mistakes and we try to make up for those mistakes and learn from them. It makes it even harder to do that when everyone in your small town is watching you, much less the entire world watching.

I am very proud of Sadie and the level of grace she is carrying. I hope and pray for her only the best. I think she is starting a beautiful legacy about modesty and staying true to your family and faith. I have been watching her on Dancing with the Stars and I watched her on Duck Dynasty. She is certainly using the talents and gifts You gave her to make a positive difference and I admire that so much! I hope she continues to thrive and bring glory to You. I think she really shines a wonderful light for You, Lord.

I think Miley is a lost young woman that wants attention and that’s exactly what they are giving her. She is still a human being. Doesn’t anyone remember the story of the prodigal son? Aren’t we called as Christians to love like Jesus does; like You do? Yes, I know we are also called to hold each other accountable, but I think we confuse and blur the lines a little. We think holding them accountable means condemning and shaming. I remembered this song.

When I was in middle school, a friend of mine, at the time, literally rooted for Miley for fail. She couldn’t believe someone was that much of a “good girl.” I never understood why people did that. When someone does something good, they want them to fail. When someone does something bad, they shame them out of existence. There is no winning. Barlow Girl has another song called Pedestal about role models that I think fits.

“Add you to my fallen list
One more has hit the ground
The fault was mine
Held you too high
Your only what was down”

Instead of more Sadie or less Miley, I think America needs more of You. Billy Graham said: “It’s the Holy Spirit’s job to convict. God’s job to judge, and my job to love.”

So, that is my prayer today. I pray for Sadie. I pray that she continues to shine for you. I pray for her family too. I pray for Miley. I pray for her and her family. I pray that she finds her way home. I pray for Selena, Demi, Joe, Nick, and Kevin. I pray they all know they are loved and wanted by you. I pray you put a hand on their lives and guide them. I pray that you protect them. Lord, I pray for more of you. Lord, I want to be consumed by you. And as always I pray for my family and sorority sisters. I pray for my university. I pray for guidance for our government, church, and school leaders. I pray for protection for our troops. I pray for all of those that need you now and for those that haven’t met you yet. In Jesus’ name, Amen.