Category Archives: Life in the Key of G

Emotions – You’re Not the Boss of Me

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Last Saturday I went for a run in the park near my home. I had been running about a mile and a half when I stopped at the restroom near the playground. Several families were in the picnic and playground area. Through the open window of the ladies room, I overheard a little boy loudly voicing his opinion on not wanting to leave the park.

In an authoritative tone, his father responded, “You will NOT dictate what we do.”

I thought, “You go, Dad!” When the mother  backed up her husband, I added, “Good for you, Mama!”

I heard no more whining and complaining from their young son. He found out who was boss!

As I bent over the sink to splash water on my face, it  occurred to me that I had just heard a message my own heart needed at that precise moment.

You see, I had been worrying over how many people would show up for my Bible study taping the next afternoon. I had only confirmed the date a week earlier and had not given myself a lot of time to get the word out and invite folks to come out.

In an effort to calm my anxiety I had taken a break from my preparations and gone for a run to clear my head and seek the Lord on the matter. I really didn’t want to be anxious and knew that a run with God was exactly what I needed. He spoke through the voices of a whiny child and his dad.

Exiting the restroom I resumed my run and had a little talk with myself.

“Scaredy Cat emotions, you will NOT dictate to me what I do.”

I continued, “Whether there are 8 or 80, you will give of your best for those who are there. You will do this because of what God has done for you. How can you do less when God has done so much?”

And then I prayed, “Father, I’m stepping out in faith and I trust that You will bring people who will be blessed by what You’ve given me to say.”

Talking to the audience pre-taping ~

I did. He did. And I trust they were.

Our emotions are indicators but they should not be our dictators.

Are your emotions pitching a fit? Show them who’s boss!

 

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Our Shield and Reward

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In May I was invited to teach my Bible study, “Life in the Key of G – Grace & Glory” at a women’s retreat in Rehoboth Beach, DE. Below is a one minute excerpt from the first session. I taught 5 sessions over 3 days and it was a joy!

 

 

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A Good Team

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“I thought you might not want to walk across the pavement in your heels,” Dad explained as we drove from his grassy drive to the church across the street – in less than sixty seconds.

Monday I ran four miles in the park near my home in Florida. Wednesday we drove across the railroad tracks to the church in rural Mississippi where Dad is a member. The pastor introduced me and I sang and then I made a joke and then I taught the Sanctuary Bible Class.

I taught in the sanctuary where Papaw once was pastor and where Mamaw always carried a “lady hanky” and inserted her “amens” from a pew up front.

I remember summer vacation visits and sitting next to Mamaw during the Sunday morning sermon. By “point 2″ I’d lean in and ask her for a piece of gum. She’d take out a piece of Dentyne from her black patent purse and whisper, “Just don’t chew it.” It took a lot of will power to hold a piece of gum in my mouth and not chew. But I did it – pretty much.  I didn’t want to disappoint Mamaw. Throughout the years her “amens” and her sideline commentary were heard by many preachers who would come to stand on the platform.

Wednesday night I stood on the platform. No matter how nervous I may feel before I rise to the podium, when I begin to speak about the Word of God, I feel at home.

I stood in my black heels with turquoise toenails showing and clothes acquired from Mother’s closet and I spoke on a “sufficient grace.” I stood before church members and relatives who had prayed for a miracle and hosted a fund raising benefit for our son Andrew. I stood in a borrowed skirt and a borrowed blouse and wore my heart on my mother’s sleeve as I told them how I’d had to surrender to God’s grace in my grief.

“Why do we find it so difficult to surrender?” I asked.

And then I answered my question, “Because surrender means giving up control. To surrender leads to more change. To surrender is a sacrifice of self.”

In my parents’ home, my husband helped me deep clean the kitchen. I made meals for Dad and put them in quart sized bags for the freezer. My husband worked for hours in the yard. He trimmed hedges, mowed the yard and cut down a tree as I shook Comet into toilets and tubs and mopped floors. We made a good team.

Mother is no longer able to keep house or cook or eat or even swallow more than a teaspoon or two of water. She is attached to a feeding tube for eight or more hours a day. We often discuss a change in living arrangements but she is not ready to leave her home for mine.

One day there will be no discussion, there will only be change.

For now I continue to drive out every few weeks and do what I can. For now Dad takes care of Mother as best he can. They watch the Rays and the Braves play ball and he shares with her the news he hears out and about. They make a good team.

Some platforms are found in front of a crowd. Other platforms are found at the side of a bed…standing at a stove…listening to a memory told…swishing out a toilet…

On any kind of platform where our service is our worship, grace is found. Grace for the giver and grace for the receiver. To realize grace in either role requires a kind of surrender. And it is there – in the surrendering – that you will find a most sufficient kind of grace.

A Surrender to Grace and a Sufficiency of Grace; they make a good team.

© 2012 Melanie Dorsey

Is there something you need to surrender in order to realize a sufficient kind of grace?

My friend, Elaine Olsen, has written on a different subject but along the same theme of surrender, grace and doing the right thing. You see  surrendering so we might realize the sufficiency of His Grace is often hard but always right. You’ll enjoy her writing.

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It May Be Wrong But It Feels Right – Why I Changed My Tag Line

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{photo by Laurie Mitchell}

“A funny thing happened on my way to Heaven…Lessons from the Deep End of Life”

I may have it all wrong – but it feels so right! Last week I wrote a new tag line – of sorts. The experts say to keep it short, succinct and to start with a verb: leading, inspiring, writing, discovering, living…You get the idea. The problem is I just couldn’t make it work.

For nearly two years my tag line was, “A Faith that Endures.” (Even then I didn’t have it “expert” right!) In grieving over the loss of my precious twelve year old son, Andrew, the message of enduring faith strengthened my hurting heart.

In the spring of 2012, I finished writing my Bible study, “Life in the Key of G ~ Grace & Glory.” I was startled when I saw how many of its pieces – what I viewed as remnants and fragments – were divinely interwoven.

For a blink or two I used the Bible study subtitle as a tag line: “Living by God’s Grace for His Glory.” While this is precious to me after having spent hours researching and writing, I felt the theme of “grace” is one I often see on many blogs and websites. No wonder, as “grace” is such a beautiful and life giving gift. How divine is the connection of faith and grace! “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8 NIV).

As I pondered and prayed about what changes to make on my website, I did a couple of things. First of all I considered who I am at my core. I thought about how I approach tasks and creative projects and the answer was easy. I am a teacher. It is my primary gift. Whenever I learn something I immediately want to teach others whether it’s a new recipe, a fitness tip, or a spiritual application from an unlikely source.

I enjoy learning new things – deep things about God and His Holy Word and simple things like what kind of turtles swim in the park’s pond where I run. I’ve learned surprising things about my family and me since my son was diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer in August 2009. I have also unlearned things about who God is and what God does.

Before our family was faced with the terrible news and sudden loss of our Andrew, I thought I had lots of answers. I thought I needed them. I was afraid that if I didn’t know the answers to the hard questions of life that I would be ineffective as a Christian. As a Bible teacher I felt I should know the answers to most any question about Scripture that might arise. I thought my lack of knowledge would be a hindrance to living a successful Christian life and being a powerful influence in the world.

But I was wrong.

Turns out I only need one “Answer” – the one I’ve known for many years. Everything I need to know can be found in the life of Christ. The rest doesn’t matter. Not really.

One day last week I sat and thought about the changes in me. I thought of who I have become and then the words came – like a breeze through an open window. A “funny” thing happened on my way to Heaven. The “funny” thing? I lost my need to know. The Bible Teacher became a remedial student of the Word.

In tempest waters lessons learned. I’ve been in the dark of the deep but I glimpsed the horizon. Tossed about by waves, Faith pressed me on to endure the storm and survive.  At last, exhausted on the shore, Grace whispered words that sustained me.

This morning while in a strength class, thoughts on faith and grace helped distract me from the burn! Somewhere between the tricep dips and the reverse crunches, I had an epiphany.

Faith and grace are the needle and thread of the believer’s life. Grace is threaded through the eye of the needle of faith. Each needs the other for the weaving of color and pattern – the intricate design of a life hemmed in by God.

“You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me” (Psalm 139:5 ESV).

It seems that God has done it again! Pieces of my life that I’ve viewed as disconnected fragments and discarded remnants, He’s shown me are the colors and design of my spiritual dress. On my way to Heaven, He will not leave me helpless nor hopeless for He has hemmed me in. Faith leads me forward and Grace bids me come. Join me here as I teach and tell my stories from the deep end of life.

Wade in with me. I like the company.

© 2012 Melanie Dorsey

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Grace Upon Grace

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GRACE at the beach retreat ~

What a beautiful time filled with God’s grace and sisterly fellowship at the women’s retreat in Rehoboth Beach, DE, last week. I taught my new Bible study, “Life in the Key of G ~ Grace & Glory.” The setting was lovely and it was all coordinated to a “T” – delicious food, desserts, special touches and spring décor.

Each woman used her unique gifting to knit hearts to one another and glorify God. It demonstrates so well a picture of each drawing from the depths of God’s grace in her own life and sharing it  so that grace upon grace abounds.

I enjoyed connecting with women with whom I have a spiritual bond because they were a part of the body of Christ who prayed for Andrew and our family. It was such a delight to get to know some of the women a little bit better. And when I got home, I missed my new sister friends! I also missed having every meal prepared and no cleaning to do! The good news is I get to go back! They have asked me to “write another Bible study” and come back next spring!

Highlights:

  • Hearing the volume of talk grow louder and louder during the Discussion Question time!
  • Walking around the meeting area and praying for each woman Thursday night
  • The presence of the Holy Spirit during our Friday night prayer time as some of the women stepped up for specific prayer
  • Feedback at the retreat, and since arriving home, that lives were changed as the teaching on God’s grace and glory went forth

If you are interested in having me teach “Life in the Key of G ~ Grace & Glory,” at your weekend event or retreat, please feel free to click on the “Contact” link above. You can use the form to tell me about your event and also ask for more  information on booking.

Encouraging Comments from those who attended the retreat:

“Your study on “Life in the Key of G ~ Grace & Glory” was Holy Spirit inspired and spoke to each of us in a real, intimate way. The guide was easy to follow and something we can refer to often, when we need to remind ourselves to walk in grace. Thank you for using your experiences to write a study that is relevant and fresh. Looking forward to spring 2013.” ~ LaDon H., (Pastor’s Wife)

“What an amazing retreat. I cannot put into words how God spoke to my heart. You opened my eyes to some new things in God’s word. I pray many doors open for ladies to hear this study. It’s so exciting to hear from so many ladies how they have been changed by this study. Thank you, God, for the anointing on your life to share with others.” ~ Joan B., (Coordinator of Women’s Ministries)

“Melanie, what a joy to see you after so much time has gone by. The Lord is truly working through you to so many in broken places. Thanks for making yourself available. The impact of what you shared this past week, will ripple on and on in our lives because Grace is freeing and as it frees us, we release it and it will free so many others. It’s soooo God!!! We love you and all God is doing through your life is both profound and eternal. A true forever treasure!” ~ Jacqueline S., retreat attendee

“Thank you for making the Retreat a special blessing for us. Praying for God to continue to bless you and all you do and grateful to learn so much from you. Your glory shines through to others.” ~ Mary C., retreat attendee

“Thank you for sharing the treasures you have found in God’s Word with us. I am inspired to keep digging deeper to ‘live in God’s grace for His glory.’” ~ Althea W., retreat attendee

“Thank you so much for this weekend and for all that you shared. I learned so much about myself and about the Lord. Thank you for allowing yourself to be vulnerable and to be used by God for His glory.” ~ Brandy C., retreat attendee

“I had an amazing time with you this weekend! You touched me so much by what you spoke about! Thank you so much for opening up your heart and sharing things I know you hold dear to your heart. It was wonderful.” ~ Amy U., retreat attendee

“I will never be able to fully express my thankfulness to you for opening your heart to us. You spoke to my heart. You have helped me understand where I am at, it’s okay to be where I’m at, and that God’s Grace covers me through it all. I love you!” ~ Charnelle P., retreat attendee

Final Note ~ I truly believe that God has given me this message of “living by His grace for His glory” and I would love to share it wherever and whenever doors open. Please pray on my behalf that this happens in due season.

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