THIS being a demotion at work, a tragedy you never could have prepared for, a broken relationship with no mending in sight, a disease, or even a little bundle of joy, like a new baby when you feel over the hill.

Sometimes in life things fall neatly into place and other times things simply do not make sense one bit.  All one can do is to simply shake their heads and wonder to themselves” What do I do with THIS one Lord”. REALLY? Lord, What do I do with THIS?

Have you ever asked God the same questions or had the same thoughts flood through your mind?

THIS  happened to be the question of the week for some of my really good friends … several of the Sacred Few called and we began to discuss God’s purpose for our lives.  We continued to talk this about this soul-searching time in our lives and trying to see the big picture.

They all tossed out questions, as they reflected on their lives and their purpose.  ”How does this fit into God’s purpose for my life?”  

One of my friend’s husband had a great career and the company started layoffs and he is now in a job that he is way overqualified for but that was where the company placed him after the layoffs and a re-hire.  He could probably do the job in his sleep, no, he could do this job in his sleep.  At their house she said there is often a lot of head shaking and questions about the purpose of this season in their life and how in the world is God going to ever use this.

But we agreed there is a pay check and we agreed the job is a blessing, no doubt.  Truly a blessing.

I am sure you too have often asked yourselves how does this fit into my purpose Lord?  The Lord says in Psalms 138:8 that you will fulfill your purpose in me.  But you might be thinking Lord, It looks like I am a bit off track and not by my own doing. Sometimes it is our own doing and sometimes it is not.

But we continue with “But Lord, I can’t possibly see how this can be part of the plan for my life”?

Then we might add “Hello are you there, God”?  This really feels all to familiar to me even as I am typing.

You’re starting over in your career, you may have prayed for a strong marriage but your spouse left you anyway.  You prayed for favor at work and for promotion, but you were overlooked and let go anyway, or maybe you want to be running city hall but you are changing diapers and you have been given children and not a city to run right now.

But again, we really reach out to HIM with all our might and ask ,”Lord how does this fit into my life’s purpose?”

Sometimes you must simply shake your head and look to the cross of Jesus. And also recognize this:

Sometimes our purpose is affected by bad choices of others.

Others can have an impact on our life purpose, but that does not have to ultimately influence our purpose.  Our purpose remains steadfast.

Sometimes our life purpose is affected by the bad choices we make. And we have to deal with the impact of that negative choice on our future and life purpose.

Then sometimes life is just life. A storm comes, a flood, earthquake and even tornadoes whip out the life you once had.  Life just happens.

But this is what I know about the Lord:

God sees the Big Picture!

He sees how this is going to somehow work together for my good if I let Him!

He uses everything … The good the bad and the ugly to fulfill His purpose in us and through us!

And when things do not make sense we need to press into Him and not away from Him!

And we need to ask God to use all of that occurs in our lives to fulfill His purpose in you and in me!

And one day, whether it is here on earth or as we stand before the Lord in Glory, we will know how that thing fit into our purpose and we will see clearly.

Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.”

He also say in His word, “For my ways are not your ways and my thoughts are not your thoughts.”

So continue sweet sisters to surrender your lives to Him just like my dear Sacred Few! Each day we have a choice to trust God!  To seek Him and ask for His guidance and direction.

Be blessed and encouraged abundantly on this Thankful Thursday and remember that you are not alone and that God will no doubt fulfill His purpose in your life  if you let Him.

You can read more about stepping into your purpose at a previous blog I wrote. Please click here.

The very first Mother’s Day without my Mom we were living in Oklahoma.  The thought of going to church on Mother’s Day was just a bit too much for me to wrap my head around.  The focus on a mother’s love and roses being given out or something special just made me want to cry at the thought of it.

So I came up with a plan that seemed like a win win for all of us.  We piled in the suburban and headed to Joplin, Missouri, a 45 minute drive to hit Chuck E. Cheese.

Yes, you read that right!

We went to Chuck E. Cheese and it was down right fabulous.  I think it was truly one of my best mother’s days I have ever had but that was at least until today

Last year we once again skip church but is was a bad idea.  A really a bad idea.  I ended up doing laundry and cleaning house because well I was home and it needed to be done. So I did what most mom usually do, I cleaned.  The SONs did make me breakfast in bed and Winters did order a great meal that night and things ended on a wonderful note.

But this year I vowed thing would be different …

I told the SONs that I want to go to church for Mother’s Day this year.  We had missed about 5 Sundays in row between sickness, camping and travel.  We we had been MIA at our church for weeks and it was time to get back with the people we love and we adore.

So it was settled.

We made it to church and it was a message that was no doubt was  meant for me.  God wanted me in church on Mother’s Day and I bet my mom did too.

A great word and great worship and great friends!

Then great fellowship afterward the service.  I just love that part!!!

We ate a great meal and life is good on Mother’s Day at the Winter’s Villa, Casa or home.  What ever you want to call it.  It is a home of dreams.

So on this Mother’s Day Sweet friends, remember that life is short, savor the moment and never stop dreaming!

Just a little wisdom and wit for a wonderful Mother’s Day from the Little Black Dress!

With Mother’s Day fast approaching, I went to purchase Mother’s Day cards.

One for Winters’ mom and one for my dear friend, Carol, who is like a  mother.

I also gathered a few extras for some amazing women in my life who have never had any trouble telling me how much they love me. They are the kind who’ve been there through thick and thin.  Those cards have now been sent out too.

I read many cards, trying to find the right ones. I finally turned to the lady next to me and said “I  have had enough, I am getting out of here. This is making me want to cry.” And I did shed some tears a few minutes later.

I have found many perfect cards in my lifetime, but my favorite by far are by Papyrus.  They are lovely and worth every penny.  They are simply exquisite.  Definitely worth sending on Mother’s Day.

There was one card that stood out among the rest and it had my mom’s name written all over it! But there was a problem, she was no longer here.

It read” Only a mother as Fabulous as you … Could have had a daughter as Fabulous as me … Happy Mother’s Day!”    

It just put a smile on my face.  Miss Eddi would have loved it.

There was nowhere to mail so I simply brought it home.  And as it sat on the counter, the youngest Son of Thunder inquired  about the card and I explained the dilemma.  That we couldn’t really mail it, not knowing the address of heaven so I thought we would just hang onto it and remember what a Fabulous Mother my mom was!

He agreed it was a great idea.

With mom and dad both gone, questions often run through my mind. Questions like …

When your parents pass away, are you still a daughter?

Are you now an orphan?

Who will worry about me  if something happens to me?

Who will encourage me when I need encouragement?

Who will love me like my mom and dad?

I ponder those question once in a while …not often but yes once in awhile since I am new with whole thing.

And so on this Thankful Thursday I am reminded that God is faithful … He has and will fill your life with women and friends that will love you like a daughter; those that encourage and support and believe in you.  Those who believe in your very being and the very essence of who you are.

And most of all I remember there are no orphans in the Kingdom of God. We are all His children for eternity.

That’s true whether we have parents or not; whether we are separated by hurt or separated by death.

Remember, we are never separated from the love of Christ when we are in Him!

So on this Thankful Thursday be blessed and encouraged abundantly today that God will send people into your life to love you like their own!

Remember you were loved; remember you are loved.

And most of all, remember you are loved by the Creator of the Universe and it doesn’t get any better than that!

I am also especially thankful to have been raised in a home where prayer was so important.  I was raised by the first Power Prayer Girl I ever knew, my Mother.

I wanted to share a bit from my Handbook, The Power Prayer Girls, that will soon be in the hands of an editor…  I find that I keep adding to the handbook because I continually see God moving in my life and the lives of others through prayer.  I think that just means I will have to write part 2 and part 3!

I am passionate about prayer and helping women grow strong and courageous in this critical area of their life in Christ.  My Mom  inspired me in my faith to want a deeper relationship with God through prayer!  The kinds of prayers Power Prayer Girls pray are not for the faint of heart. No! A Power Prayer Girl has a heart of fearlessness!

Power Prayer Girls also always have the right ammunition, powerful prayers and God’s Holy Word, perfect to fight the enemy.

In fact, I want you to think of Stormie Omartian  meets Braveheart with a bit of Wonder Women, Mother Teresa,  Beth Moore, Laura Croft with a dash of  Ruth Graham.  A wild combo, yes, but in my mind that is what most Power Prayer Girl look and act like.  Ok, minus Laura Croft’s short shorts.

But it is attitude that I will not give in or give up! The passion for prayer is simply unshakable, unstoppable and unbanned!  

It is my desire to help you have the most committed powerful prayer life you could ever dream possible. Through the power of prayer, God works mightily in you and through you, changing lives forever.

We as women will see that mighty hand of God when we step into a committed and dedicated prayer life. My prayer is that we raise up a generation of powerful and mighty intercessors for Christ. Power Prayer Girls that will be a beacon of light in a dark and lost world.

If you want to see change, then get to praying!  This is not outside of your grasp. If you want to see God work in your life, the best way is through developing a committed prayer life. Power Prayers Girls are brave, confident and bold women of faith!

One of the greatest lessons my mom taught ever me is that a great prayer life doesn’t just happen overnight. It takes discipline, courage and bravery.  And those are words not always associated with prayer.

True Power Prayer Girls must have the discipline to pray when they simply do not feel like it.  They need courage to pray when all hope seems lost and bravery to stand up in confidence in the midst of the darkest storms, deepest pains and terrible news.  They need to stand even if they are the only one standing and praying!  In Ephesians we read “When you have done all else, stand.”

These are the qualities to pursue if you wish to be a true Power Prayer Girl!

It also takes a heart that seeks to be holy and righteous before the Lord. Yes, we as believers must strive to be holy. We must be willing to lay down those things of the world that are holding us back from having a more holy life. We will most likely fall short and often, but it is the heart that God looks intently into!

As it says in James 5:16 “The Prayer of a righteous man are powerful and effective.”

And so, Power Prayer Girls:

Go out into the world

Have courage.

Hold on to the things that are good.

Don’t return anyone evil for evil.

But give strength to those who are fainthearted,

Helping those who are afflicted,

Giving honor to all of God’s creation.

Go and love the Lord,

Rejoicing in the power and the presence of  Holy Spirit.

Go in peace.

So on this Thankful Thursday and National Day of Prayer may I suggest that you do what any great Power Prayer Girl does, you get busy praying!  Remember you are a conduit for Christ and there is no better way to change the world through prayer at a time.

Be blessed and encouraged abundantly today as you become a disciplined , compassionate, courageous, fearless and brave Power Prayer Girl!

So I was already to share my message, We are all broken Pots, a post I wrote and it is also in the Power Prayer Girls Handbook I am writing.

I love the story and in the nutshell it is about this fabulous french vase that I bought and it was broken in the garage before we ever had the joy of enjoying it in the house.  The Eldest and I painstakingly glued it back together.

From the front it was beautiful but not so from the back.  I knew that story would preach as we say, down in Georgia.  I love the story because it is just like us.  We are better broken and our message gives more glory to God when others see our flaws.  Often the world looks at us and thinks we have it all together but when they look close and we are willing to be transparent with others they then see our true humanity, our frailty, our brokenness.

My dear friends our n  is what truly what gives glory to God and to His majesty, in the very fact that  He is the one that restore us to wholeness!

I was already to share that  message but God had something else he wanted me to add.   I awoke in the night several times and I knew God wanted me to add the story of  Winters Red 1964 Christmas ornament, However, I because we are on a tight schedule at jobSeekers and so I talked to God about it a bit quite a bit and then basically said, Ok, God, you win!!

I added the story of  Winters sacred Red 1964 Christmas ornament  that was shattered several years back into a million and one pieces.   I shared it from my perspective to the men and women.   It was shattered along with several of the ones my mother had painted with our names on them, hers was broken too. My heart was broken into as many pieces as these  ornaments.  They were truly one of  a kind treasures.

I shared the story of restoration of shattered treasures and the miracle of Winters Red 1964 ornament.  And my words for the men and women yesterday is that God wants us to use our brokenness even in our marriages well especially in our marriages. We are called to help each other, stand by each other and if need be help our spouse put the pieces of  their shattered lives or dreams back together again.

Today I was compelled to re-read once again the story Winters wrote about the Little read ornament.  Each time I read it I cry, especially the last several lines at the bottom.

But here is why I believe God nudged me the other night and urged me to add the story of the ornament.  Because I believe  you and I sweet friends are to be the kind of spouses and friends that can help those we love experience the healing touch of Christ and that God want so to use us to help restore broken lives, shattered dreams and even small precious things that mean so much to another.

Below is Winters story from his perspective and I hope it blesses you too!

Our clan thoroughly enjoys “The Princess Bride,” so much so even the SONs of Thunder can recite every line – even down to the “Hello, my name is Indigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.”

And they will even put up with the whole “true love” and kissing nonsense themes that play a secondary role behind fighting the giants, climbing the Cliffs of Insanity, escaping the Fire Swamp with Rodents of Unusual Size and helping Montoya avenge his father by killing the six-fingered man.

Here’s my “Princess Bride” version:

Nineteen years ago this past week, the Little Black Dress wore pink and said “I do.”

She moved up with me to Washington, D.C., and for our first Thanksgiving and Christmas, she agreed with me to celebrate the holidays alone. She had always been with her family. A year later, I asked her how she felt about moving to Alaska after I was offered a promotion. She said “yes.”

Her friends thought she was crazy. Some suggested we “commute.” Some of her friends meant well, but they don’t know that when The Dress says “I do,” she means it.

A couple of years later we were just driving around and decided to check out a high-end stereo store. The guy only sold top-end stuff and his biggest customers were the mostly foreign crews from cruise ships who would come into Juneau and clear him out on the best stereo equipment because it wasn’t available in their countries. Pre Internet, mind you.

So the owner is showing off his latest speakers. Very nice, about 3 feet tall, and black. So you know The Dress is happy. And then she goes, “Do you have any bigger ones?”

And the owner and I both kind of drop our jaws. So he shows her the “bigger ones,” about four-and-a-half feet tall. These she likes. And so we bought the speakers, using money we set aside for new baby stuff (yes, she was quite pregnant) and bought the speakers. We did wonder how our families would react when they saw new speakers and no crib.

I should say something about those speakers, which we still have. Every now and then I’ll walk into some big stereo store and they immediately know I’m an electronic guinea pig and are hitting me up on the latest, greatest speakers.

And I go, “well, I’ve got these old Definitive Technology speakers, you know the bipolar version with built in subwoofers.” And they just look at me and say something like “dude” and give up trying to sell me speakers. These babies push out sound from both ends, weigh about 60 pounds each, and you have to plug them into a wall socket to power the subwoofer. I can blow your roof off at half volume.

If you are into cars, think classic Mustang. Some things never go out of style.

So fast forward a decade or so and it’s Christmas. The LBD’s mom died a few months before. The Dress is putting up her extra special ornaments on one of her special Christmas trees, which sits atop one of the speakers. Ornaments from her childhood, her parents’ ornaments, the SONs’ favorite ornaments, and John’s Red Ornament.

And as her habit, she turns on some music and walks away. Unfortunately, however, one of the SONs had played with the master switch, which not only controls the volume, but the subwoofers as well. And within a few seconds, the tree was jumping up and down and a second or two after that, literally flew up like a helicopter and then crashed down onto the floor. And with it, shattered glass everywhere.

Including some of her parents’ ornaments, including John’s Red Ornament.

Said ornament was made by yours truly, or rather decorated shall we say. On one side is glued on glitter saying “John.” On the other side with the same glitter was “1965.” And it was red. Thus the name, John’s Red Ornament. Don’t ever say I can’t be descriptive when needed.

Had that ornament since kindergarten. It was the first thing we unpacked every year because my parents knew I’d be crazy with worry wondering if something had happened to it during the off season. I always hung it dead center. And we brought it from Oklahoma to Georgia to Alaska to Nebraska and back to Georgia. And now it was in more pieces than I could count.

And The Dress cried. And I was a little upset when I got home and she showed me.

But it was glass, and stuff, even if we’ve had it forever, it is still stuff. And sometimes stuff breaks.

And so, we moved on from that. And we also moved on as in from Oklahoma back to Georgia. Christmas came and the SONs destroyed painstakingly wrapped presents with complete glee and managed to not kill each other with whatever the latest mechanism of death that Santa, for some bizarre reason, had given them.

But for the first time in more than four decades, there was no John’s Red Ornament.

Four days later, The Dress threw a birthday party for me. Friends gave me cookbooks and Moleskins and I was very happy. And then the Dress gave me her gift. It was in a small, square white box. Inside, was John’s Red Ornament.

Intact. She had brought the pieces from Oklahoma and took a year to figure out how to fix it.

The reason all the king’s horses and all the king’s men couldn’t put Humpty Dumpty together again is simply because they did not have The Dress.

And so, John’s Red Ornament hangs again. And only because of true love.

I spent much of  the last several weeks sick and much time was spent in bed so I did what I  love to  do, I prayed and prayed and prayed some more.  I worked on my Life Coaching business, my new Facebook page Corby Winters Pure EmPowerment for Women and Teens, my LinkedIn page, my book the Power Prayer Girls and the Miss Oklahoma devotional. It is amazing how much you get done when you have to stay in bed.

But as I prayed the last several weeks much of my focus was on Winters and today my focus is once again on John Winters as well.

Today it appeared in our local newspaper that Winters has been named General Manager for The Newnan Times-Herald.

I could not be more proud of him.  I have always said, ” that the newspaper industry and writing  is in his blood.”  I am also pretty certain that ink is in his veins!

Those who  know Winters know he is a rather reserved guy.  His blog header says, speak only to improve the silence and he believes that whole heartily.  He chooses he words carefully and he celebrates moments of success and joy with much for reservation than I.

But when Winters talks newspapers, writing, and  great investigative pieces, bring others to justice and providing a great product, well then he gets excited.  A joy, enthusiasm and most of  all passion fills his entire being.

He said in the article That “He could not be more honored to lead his hometown paper and that it is what every journalist dreams of doing.”  Winters is in his element!  And friends when you  see your spouse and those you love in their purpose there is no greater feeling of satisfaction, pride and joy.

So on this Thankful Thursday it is quit easy for me to find something to give thanks.  I am thrilled  for this wonderful opportunity for my husband, John A. Winters, General Manger.

We are grateful to the Lord  that He is faithful and that He loves us and uses us to impact the world or this case our community.  God takes our talents, our gifts and our passions and uses them to bless others and that my friend is a great thing.

We could not be more grateful to Mr. and Mrs.  Thomasson’s as well for this opportunity for Winters!

On this Thankful Thursday I wanted to celebrate this wonderful new with all of you!  I am also believing that God will lead and guide all of  you my dear friends into your gifting and your purpose.  May God place your feet on solid ground and may He use you in a mighty way to change the world even it is one person at a time.  I pray God will fulfill His purpose in us and through us in  the mighty name of  Jesus!

Be blessed  and encouraged my dear friends!

And now go and follow your dreams and passion!

I spent most of yesterday and all of today trying to decide what to share on this Thankful Thursday.

I started several different posts, but they just weren’t quite right.

So I kept praying.  I would sing a bit, then pray a bit more, then I would talk to God out loud and sing a bit more.  It was a long afternoon and a long day today.

God and I had a long talk.

There were many thoughts spinning in my head.

One thing I know for certain is when others hurt, it hurts me.  Seeing our brokenness reminds me that God can put us together again, but we must want God to restore our broken hearts and lives.  We have a choice in our healing.  Yes, we have to choose …

Choosing “help” means admitting we have a problem and that is usually never easy.  God is a God of restoration – I am positive of that too – but what if restoration does not come?  What if others don’t want it.  What then, I ask?

Sometimes life is just plain hard.  You may find yourself in a place you never thought you would be. You may even come to a place where the streets are not marked, well that is how Dr. Seuss so eloquently put it.  And worse yet, you may be anything but the person you set out to be and you look in the mirror on this Thankful Thursday asking, Who am I?

Now that my mom and dad are gone, there are times I ask myself who would I turn to in a time of crisis.  Who could I count on to help me through my time of unmarked streets.  I must then pause and remember I have a Savior who will never leave me or forsake me.  I take great comfort in that and I hope you do too.  But it still would be nice to my mom and dad’s help sometimes.

But my dear friends, it is never to late to ask for God’s help.  He is the mighty healer.  He is the one who can heal our broken hearts and get us back from our broken or unmarked road.  I am certain we can never get too far from God’s love and our hearts can never be so hard that they cannot be softened up by a gentle t touch of our loving Savior.

Today’s Thankful Thursday is a reminder to ask God to touch our broken and even hardened hearts.

Yesterday I kept singing this verse from one of my favorite songs, What can be done for an old heart like mine, soften it up with oil and wine.

Yes, Lord on this Thankful Thursday soften up this old heart of mine, Lord, and allow me to feel your gentle touch. Lord, heal my brokenness and use my flawed and imperfect life to give honor and glory to you.  Because I know Lord in our brokenness we are more beautiful.

Dear sweet friends, if you have found yourself with a bit of a harden heart, I pray you will ask God to soften you up!  I pray you will give thanks for your brokenness.

And on this Thankful Thursday let’s lift up in prayer all those who have suffered much and then thank God for His sufficiency of Grace for us.

Thank God we can have a heart of compassion and not one of stone!

And if your heart is a bit hardened by this old world, may I suggest that you ask God to help you out.

This is a beautiful song by Keith Green that I just absolutely love, called My Eyes Are Dry, and below are the lyrics.

Be blessed and encouraged today as you read these lyrics and especially if you need a little softening up.  You can count on God.  He will soften up your old heart, dear friend, if you will just let Him.  Simply ask Him for help.  He will restore your life and take your broken life and put it back together again.

My eyes are dry                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             My faith is old                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                My heart is hard

My prayers are cold
And I know how I ought to be
Alive to You and dead to me

But what can be done
For an old heart like mine
Soften it up
With oil and wine
The oil is You, Your Spirit of love
Please wash me anew                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   In the light of your love ~ (I made up that verse)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     With the wine of Your Blood

Praise God for a renewed, restored heart in Jesus Christ!

It is a great thing to do when life gets crazy.

And the funniest thing happens on a play ground.  In just a matter of seconds one can be transcended to another place in time and the child in us is beckoned to come out and play.  It may brief but none the less we can for a moment recapture and feeling of an easier time.  For me there is nothing more wonderful than to fly though the air on a swing.

Well, at least I think it is pretty wonderful.

As a child we had a huge rope swing in our backyard, and I mean it felt like you could fly all the way to heaven.

The breeze in your face, the wind in your hair and pure freedom in the sky – like a bird!  My brother and I would swing for hours.  I think he pushed me more than he actually got to enjoy the ride himself.  Sometimes we have to do that in life!

As I was swinging several weeks ago, I was once again transported to another place in time …

A place where the cares of this world were far behind me and gravity did not exist.  For a brief moment I was free. Like a child again, free to dream and believe in the impossible.

So today why not try to bring that freedom into your everyday life.  That feeling of being free to dream and be inspired by the sights and sounds of this beautiful life around us.

What a treasure to be loved and to love.  To be free.  To be safe in the arms of Jesus no matter what we face.

So whether you can run out and jump on a swing or simply stop for a moment and remember what it was like to be a child again.  May you let all the cares of this world fall off of you as you fly effortlessly through the air. Take a deep breath… let go… and feel the breeze…

I say, be free sister and fly!

We all know, that sometimes we look at others’ lives and think they look so much different from our own.  They seem so perfect and to have it all together.

In reality, however, they are much the same as ours. Their life is full of love, sadness, stress, joy and happiness, debt, grief, friendship, pain, fear and so much more.

To Winters and other friends I am “The Little Black Dress,” but I am also a mom to the SONs of Thunder, a friend, a teacher, a speaker, a life coach, a power prayer girl, a nurse, a wife, a taxi driver, lover of fashion, a child and woman of God.

The reality is my friends that our lives are much the same. That is why I write, speak and coach – to empower, equip and encourage women of God of all ages and teens to fulfill their dreams, their passion and their purpose and to never give up on the call God has on your life!

Even when the odds may seem stacked against you, remember, You are a gift!

Living the Empowered life does necessarily mean your life will be easy.  There may be many times you will not feel powerful!  But I am confident that when you seek God for His strength and His power to walk through whatever you have to face, He will empower you to face it with His Pure Empowerment. For God is our Source and everything that comes from God is Pure!

Be Blessed my Dear Sweet Friends and May We Celebrate a Life of Pure Empowerment in Jesus!