Difficult people are everywhere, and I do mean everywhere!  They are at home, work, church, restaurants, doctors’ offices,  schools – everywhere!    Difficult people can bring you to tears, make you want to pull your hair out, and suck the life out of you.  And, let’s be truthful, sometimes we ourselves have been the difficult person.

There was a time that I thought I could change people through reason and persuasion.  If I had a rational conversation with them, or if I was nice, they’d listen!  Well, occasionally that was successful, but generally we can’t change anyone.

When I was ready to leave for college, I was so excited.  I could hardly wait to start this new adventure in my life.  After growing up in a tough, dysfunctional environment, I would finally have a chance to be free.  Not so fast!  My father said, “You are not leaving to go anywhere.”  Fear came over me.  What would happen?  Would it be safe for me to leave? Even more, would it be safe for my mother if I left?  That night with tears wetting my pillow, I asked God to do something.

I got up the next morning and left for college.  As we drove away, the last thing I saw was my mother standing on the porch crying and smiling.  I was so worried about my mother.  What would happen!

After being at school a few days, I came up with enough money to call home for three minutes.  Pushing through the fear of what I might hear from my mother, I called anyway.  When I asked how were things after I left?  My mother’s response, “He never said a word!”  What?!  HE NEVER SAID A WORD!

As we celebrate this Christmas, my mind ponders Mary, the mother of Jesus.  She needed God to work on Joseph.   Think of the story she told him.  “Joseph, I am going to have a baby.  I know we are engaged, and we both know you are not the father.  I can explain!  It was God.  I was overcome by the Spirit of God, and in me has been birthed the Messiah.  Isn’t that exciting!”

Joseph wasn’t buying it.  The engagement was off.  At least he held his temper in check, and decided not to go public with the story, and instead just walked away.  Mary’s heart must have been broken as Joseph walked away.  Could Mary trust God?  Mary had to ask herself, “Can I trust God to work out every problem I encounter if I submit myself to His will?  Can he even deal with the person that I am incapable of changing?”

Conflict was raging in Joseph’s soul.  That night Joseph was restless on his bed as he contemplated that Mary had violated their engagement promise. “How could she betray me that way? I can’t go through with this marriage. I’ll be nice about it, but I am ending this thing!”

Mary must have felt hopeless that Joseph would feel this way, but she had to leave Joseph in God’s hands. No amount of talking, pleading and begging could change his mind. As Joseph lay upon his bed, God spoke to him. God changed Joseph’s heart, and he walked in the will of God and became the earthly father to Jesus Christ.

Who are you wrestling with? What’s troubling you, making you feel powerless? Talking and pleading might not be the answer. Talking to God and asking Him to change that which seems unchangeable is the answer. Leave it in God’s hands.

“I am the LORD, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?” – Jeremiah 32:27

Sexual abuse is in the headlines a lot.  Here is my story.  There is bad news and then wonderful news.  Read to the end!

My six-year-old heart was about to pound out of my chest.  There I was sitting in the middle of a field of kudzu vines, seen by no one and heard by no one.  My tears poured down my face as I recalled the trauma that I had just experienced.

It was a Saturday, and on this Saturday my mother had gone somewhere for a few hours.  My mom was a very caring woman, who had lived in a difficult marriage.  I don’t recall where Mom was that day, but I’m sure she walked there, because we didn’t own a car.  That left me home alone with my father for several hours.

As a sat on the floor of the bedroom playing, I could hear my drunk father snoring loudly as he napped.  After a few minutes, the snoring stopped.  My father stumbled to the room where I was playing and changed my life forever.   Sexual abuse began at age six.  I was robbed of my innocence, my security, and my safety.

Once I was out of his grasp, I ran out the door, and I ran and ran and ran.  I ended up in a field of kudzu, shaking and shaken.   My emotions were ransacked and strewn in a plethora of directions.  It was as if my very soul had been snatched from me.

For many years, I suffered through fear and anxiety.  I had nowhere to go.  Living under the same roof with a drunken abuser was my only choice.  For many, many years I lived with anger, anxiety, fear, and depression as I carried my childhood with me everywhere I went.  I tried to wish it away or act as if it never happened.   I failed miserably.

I accepted Jesus Christ at age seventeen, went to a Christian university, and married a wonderful man.  That did not fix my brokenness.  I was saved, but not healed.  Around age thirty, completely broken, filled with anger, and in a dark place, I called out to Jehovah Rapha, the God who heals.  The Lord heard my cry, and His Spirit swept over my crushed spirit.  That day began a healing journey in my life.  It has definitely been a journey and not an overnight trip.  It has been worth every step of the journey!  I am a testimony of the healing, life-changing power of Jesus Christ.

Let’s fast forward sixty years.  I am now a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a Bible teacher, and a healed person!  I was “used” by my father, but I am now used by my Father God.  I once sat in a field of tears.  I now sit in a field of dreams and hope.

Obviously in a short blog, I can’t give a lot of detail of the process God brought me through. I can’t promise everything will be healed instantaneously.   I do want to say, “God sees your pain.  God sees your isolation. God sees your dark place.”  I also want to say, “God has healing for you.  God has hope for you. God has a wonderful life for you.”

To the Church, I say, “Let’s become healing agents for those who have been wounded by sexual abuse.”   This subject is a big news topic today, and the Church should lead the way for healing.  Let there be a safe, non-judgmental place for healing to occur.  A sexually wounded person can’t just be told, “Get over it!”   They need patient healers to help them navigate the treacherous waters of walking from wound to healing. As a church, we must train people to help with the healing of sexual wounds.   If I had only had people who knew how to help me, I know healing would have come in a more timely fashion.  Offer healing to the sexually wounded.  Bring in speakers to address the healing power of Jesus Christ.  Church, rise up!

Jesus won the victory over all the sins we have committed, and all the sins that have been committed against us. The good news is that the wounds of life do not have to define us.  We can be defined by the new life that Jesus Christ offers us.

I repeat, “I am now a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a Bible teacher, and a healed person!  I was “used” by my father, but I am now used by my God.  I once sat in a field of tears.  I now sit in a field of dreams and hope.”

God has a field of healing for you!

“The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.”  Psalm 9:9-10

On September 25, 1951, a baby girl was born into an impoverished, dysfunctional environment.   She was the eighth child in the family, where the oldest was only twelve years old at the time.  The house only had running water in a sink on the back porch, and it only provided cold water.  I can’t even imagine living that way now, but I was that little baby.

Barbara Lynn Wells weighed in at a whopping eleven pounds and eight ounces.  I came home in a training bra and control top pamper, so all my life I have understood the battle of the bulge!  As I get older, I am noticing a lot of changes in the mirror!  I now see little jewels like crow’s feet, gray hair, a spare tire (or maybe a set of them), sagging body parts.  Hey, age takes a toll on this human body.

Life was very tough as a child, very tough.  There was abuse from a very harsh father, who had no idea how to care for or protect his children.  As a matter a fact, his children needed to be protected from him.  Many psychologists might say that little girl, born on September 25, never stood a chance in that harsh, abusive environment.  She would be scarred for life, and never realize her full potential.

BUT GOD!  This small two-word phrase communicates a tremendous message to all who will hear. It is God’s response to Satan’s challenge. It is the bottom line. It is the last word. It is all over but the shouting.  “But God” changes everything!

Today, on this my sixty-eighth birthday, I celebrate me!  I celebrate a God, who said, “This one will be wounded by the mess of life, but she will become my daughter.  She will be born again, and I will give her new life.”  I celebrate my first birth that was ordained by God, and I celebrate my second birth when I was born again in 1969.  Fifty years of new life has rewritten the story of my life

Today, I celebrate my birth!  I believe Heaven is shouting, “Happy birthday, girl!”  God handpicked the day that I/you would be born, and the world would forever be changed.   The day of my birth and yours was chosen on purpose, according to the will of God!

Yes, today is my birthday! On this day sixty-eight years ago, God chose that I would be born.  The older I get, the more I’m grateful to God for another year on earth as child of God, who is healed and whole.  I celebrate another year as His ambassador. My last day here may be tomorrow or twenty years from now—only the Lord knows. In the meantime, I want to make a big deal about another birthday, because it is truly a gift from my heavenly Father.

So, am I sad about being sixty-eight years old?  No, not at all.  I can say that the Lord has been gracious to me. Through His power, I am an overcomer!  I’ve overcome many hurdles in life, won many battles and overcame many fears.  Sixty-eight is a new year offering new destinies to be reached in God.  I can’t wait to see what He has in store.

When your next birthday rolls around, be grateful for that new year that has been given to you.  Celebrate that God wanted you to be born.  Heaven is singing happy birthday, and I love the song!

Thank You, Lord for creating me and giving me an incredible life filled with Your presence.  Thank You that I’ve been able to raise an amazing family that serves You.  My heart is full, and   I am blessed beyond measure!  Thank You, God for birthdays. Each day is a blessing from You.    I pray that this year I continue to grow in the things of the Spirit.   I do not want to be the same this time next year.  I give You this year, and I again surrender my life to the One who ordained that I would be born, and that I would be born again.  Amen

 “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” – Psalm 139:13

After a scarring childhood and painful upbringing, I gave my life to Jesus Christ and set out to attend a Christian college.  I certainly worked on obeying the “rules” of Christianity, and I was determined to be a strong Christian who walked with God.  I was saved and on my way to fulfilling my destiny.  I was definitely saved by the grace of God, busy for God, but not transformed by God!

Throughout life, God is transforming us to be increasingly like Jesus—His Spirit residing within helps us to combat sin and teaches us how to live.  An event one day revealed to me that I was saved but not transformed.  I came face-to-face with this truth through a friend.

Gaylon and I spent thirty-three years in pastoral ministry.  While serving at one of our churches, I became good friends  with “Alice” who was Gaylon’s secretary.  Alice was fun, encouraging, and very helpful.

Since I was very involved in the ministry of the church,  I often came into the office.  Alice never knew which Barbara would show up.  My mood swings were all too common, to others, but not to me.  All I saw was an “on-the-ball” woman doing the work of the Kingdom!  Oh, I did accomplish a lot of things, but I did not leave the sweet aroma of Christ in the process.  I was blind to it.

One day I was apparently “acting out” and Alice said, “Barbara, I am sorry for all you went through as a child or that others have hurt you, but do us all a favor and get over it.  You are destroying your ability to be effective.”

How dare she!  I left and went home.

I seethed for a good bit of the day.  “Doesn’t anyone appreciate all the hard work I do?  I can’t help the way I am sometimes, after all, look at all I have been through.”  In my mind, I had one of the greatest pity parties of all times, black balloons and all!

Later, I sat down to pray, and I reported Alice to God, telling Him all she had said to me.  Amidst all my feelings of self-pity, God broke through, and spoke into my soul.  I sensed Him saying, “She is right.”   No way, God!  Let me make sure You understand the story.  Let me repeat it for you.  Again, I sensed God say, “She is right.”

As I sat before the Lord that day, He began to show me that I desperately needed transformation.  I was saved but walking in the fruit of the flesh instead of the fruit of the Spirit.  I could no longer excuse myself when I was acting in a way that did not represent the goodness of God.

I was baptized in the Holy Spirit, but the fruit of the Spirit was not very evident in my life.  I decided that day, that I would yield to God, and allow the fruit of the Spirit to be developed in my life.

“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” – Galatians 5:22-23

The different characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit focus on how we respond to God, and how we respond to those around us.  I needed a lot of help with the latter.  The time for excuses was over.  It is a life-long journey to overcome self!  Though the process has seemed long at times, God has brought much-needed change to my life.  It is through submission to God, that God empowers me to be effective in the arena of life.

Today, there are so many excuses for misbehavior.  I can’t help my adultery, my temper outbursts, my spiritual laziness, my attitude, my ___________. Not true, child of God!  We have been made more than conquerors through Christ Jesus. I might have moods or trials, but they don’t have to dictate my actions. I want to honor God with my actions.  How about you?

“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – 2 Peter 1:6-8

Mother’s Day is here again, and it can have so many emotions.

First and foremost, there is the thanksgiving for our mothers. My mom had such a hard life, but she put up with a lot of stuff so her eight kids would have a roof over their heads. From her I learned what sacrificial love is. Though I did not understand it at the time, I totally get it now. She taught me so many things. After all she taught me to use a big-girl potty, and that is an invaluable tool in my life. She has been gone for almost thirty-seven years now, and how I wish I could hold her hand and kiss her sweet face.

There is the joy of being a mother. I feel so blessed to be the mother of Michael, Bryan and Stephen. I was about as imperfect a mother as could be found when my boys were young. I was still in the healing process of my own life. I wish I had known then what I know now about being a healed, whole person. It is worth it to you, and your family, to get as whole as possible, so you can enjoy the journey. Also, I was such a perfectionist, wanting everything perfectly clean. Moms, you don’t have to let it be a pig sty, but don’t worry about every little thing, and instead have fun with your children.

For some, Mother’s Day is as painful as it is joyful. Perhaps the relationship with their mother was never good. For some, this is the first year without Mother. Some are dealing with children who have gone down a dark path, and have alienated themselves from the family.  Others are dealing with barrenness, longing to have a child of their own to hold in their arms. Some have the pain of miscarriage. I know that pain all too well and can still remember how that felt. I am personally praying with young women who long to have a child. How I wish I could take away their sorrow!

Some mothers, like me, have mixed emotions. I have so much joy with my sons, their wives and those precious grandchildren. Yet,  some days  I still feel warm tears flow down my face wishing my son Bryan could call.  I know he is in heaven, and I will see him again, but I wish I could see him now. I recently had a conversation with a woman, who had lost a son. I did not know her, but we both stood and cried talking about our sons. We rejoiced over what we do have, but miss our sons very much.  On our prayer list, Gaylon and I currently have seven different families who have lost children.  Many will have their first Mother’s Day without that child.

In scripture, Hannah is always the mother to whom I am drawn. Her story is recorded in 1 Samuel chapter 1. Hannah is an example of a woman of faith. She endures years of silent suffering because of her barrenness and the cruel harassment at the hand of her rival, Penninah. She goes to the place of worship, knowing how painful it is. She faithfully worships, pouring out her tears and petitions. And when God answers her prayers, she not only keeps her promise, she explodes with praise.

As a woman, Hannah knew sorrow for many years, strife in her home, barrenness and pain. She never gave up on God. She poured her heart out year and year, and God miraculously turned her situation around, BUT only after years of getting up every day to the same set of circumstances. Hannah was a woman of faith, and it was a faith that gave her the strength to face the joys and sorrows of life.

As a woman, wherever you find yourself this Mother’s Day, don’t give up on God. I can promise you, God will NEVER give up on you! He hears the cries of your heart. He sees every tear that falls. He knows the depth of pain you feel. Be a woman of faith, for faith will see you through. He understands your sorrow and your pain and He’ll meet you right where you are.

While growing up I was poor, dysfunctional and very chubby! This awareness did not come to me until I entered first grade.  Even at age six, it did not take long to figure out others did not want to be around me so much.   It did not take long to figure out that I did not have clothes and shoes as good as the majority of kids in my school.  I learned first-hand the pain of feeling less than because I was overweight.   Often, I was the subject of many jokes especially from guys.

I was embarrassed at who I was and wanted to be anyone but me.   That thought process followed me around into high school, college and even into my married life and pastoral ministry.   I spent a good bit of time and energy trying to hide all my flaws and inadequacies, and over time it wore me out!   It stole any joy that I tried to have.  It ripped away all confidence that God actually wanted to use me.  I would compare myself to other pastors’ wives, speakers and leaders, and always came up short.  For years I never did anything in the church and hated going to social gatherings.  In my mind I was neither gifted nor a sought-after friend.

One day the light bulb came on for me.  If I was going to overcome this negative disposition, I had to believe what God said about me.  What did His Word declare about my life?  The following verses are just a few that revealed how God felt about me.

• I knew you before I formed you in the womb; I set you apart for me before you were born.  Jeremiah 1:5
• I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  Psalm 139:14
• For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. – Ephesians 2:10
• God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.  Ephesians 2:6

As I began to repeat and proclaim those verses, I realized that God did not ask me to be anyone but me transformed by His Spirit.  BUT, that must be accepted by faith.  (But the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. Hebrews 4:2)   I must choose to believe that God is, and that He made me and that He truly accepts me.   That can only be done through faith.  If you try to reason it out, you will not be able to accept it.  Faith must be mixed with the Word!  That which we receive from God is received by faith in God and His Word.

My heart is pained as I see how many people, women in particular, are losing the image of who they are in Christ.  As we walk down the toy aisle and see the skinny dolls, or as we stand in line at the checkout and see the airbrushed picture of a “star”, it is easy to feel inferior.  Or, if we see that gifted woman, who seems to have it together at home, church and work, it is so easy to sink emotionally when we look at ourselves.

As Christian women we answer to a higher calling than trivial pictures on a magazine. We look to the Lord for our worth, and our acceptance.  Here’s the great news: God loves us. He adores us! He created us to be wonderful, different, and nothing like the world’s call to be skinny and perfect.   God calls us to be His sons and daughters. The Almighty God loves us – loves you – just the way you are. And you are beautiful to Him!

So today, why not stop and thank God for you!  I thank God for me!

“Hello, God. It’s me again.  You know, your servant Barbara Benton.  I’m checking in again because it seems like you are not responding.”

Have you ever felt this way?  I have!  Recently, I had some heavy things on my mind and in my heart.  My “hot line” to God seemed barely lukewarm.  Yep, here I am, national speaker, counselor to many, and God seems silent.  I felt like a third sister to Lazarus.  Barbara, Mary and Martha.  Lord, where are you!

This morning my precious seven-year-old grandson Joseph is with me.  Joseph is on the autism spectrum, so there are things he doesn’t quite understand yet.  But, there is one thing Joseph gets very well – singing the praises of God.

My mind was on the heavy things of life, and silently I was crying out to God.  Suddenly Joseph began to sing aloud the words of a song.  I wasn’t familiar with the song, so I listened carefully and wrote down the words, so I could find the song.    The name of the song is Your Love Never Fails.

And when the oceans rage
I don’t have to be afraid
Because I know that you love me
Your love never fails

You stay the same through the ages
Your love never changes
There may be pain in the night
But joy comes in the morning

Joseph sang the song over and over and over.  He walked and sang.  He sat and sang.  He sang!  The words began to penetrate my heart.   God was singing to me through the words of a child, who doesn’t always understand things, but who does understand the joy of praise.

When God says that his ways are not our ways, he’s not kidding! (Isaiah 55:8)  I love the encounters with God where he breaks into my life with great power, fixes my situation and waters my garden of faith.  I love that experience!  Don’t you?

There are times we will also experience the season when life presses in on us, or when life leaves us shattered and darkness descends.  We cry out to the God who can change anything, the God who loves us, and yet he seems silent, even absent.

As I pondered the song and the seeming silence of God, he seemed to break through and say, “Just wait. I’m not finished with the conversation.”  Are oceans still raging around me?  Indeed, they are!  While God might seem silent in our pain, joy comes in the morning.   God might be silent, but he is not still!

“It is good that a man or woman should hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.” – Lamentations 3:26

Madison Benton will be fifteen years old in July.  Her birth brought much joy and ushered in a great era for us.  Being grandparents is something we enjoy beyond description.

After Madison was born, we bought a high chair to use during her visits.  Because Madison matured and grew, the chair eventually found its way to the attic.  It was almost eight years before other grandchildren began to arrive, so the chair eventually moved from the attic back to the kitchen.  Our young, immature grandchildren required a high chair.

It was funny to watch those boys and girls as they sat in the high chair.  In actuality, it was more like an “I” chair.  While in the “I” chair, those babies could be very demanding.  I remember feeding them, and all was well provided I gave them what they wanted.  I have watched them sit in the “I” the chair crying, mouth wide open, demanding food immediately!  If the child liked what I offered, all was pleasant.  If  I offered something the children did not like, they would try to swat it away.  My precious grandchildren demanded what they wanted, when they wanted it – and if they did not have their way, they let everyone know it.    Their behavior was understandable because they were just babies; however, the day had to come, and did come,  when the grandchildren matured beyond the “I” chair.

The most dangerous spiritual chair a person can sit in is the “I” chair.  It is the chair that negates the will and Word of God.  It is the chair that says I will serve and obey God when I choose.  It will be on my terms.  If I don’t like part of His Word, I’ll swat it away.  If God or the Church crosses me, I will scream unless I get my way.  I have a right to do whatever!  Yet, nothing could be farther from the truth of the Gospel.

There must come a point that we outgrow the “I” chair.  We are not our own. We were bought with a price. We belong to Jesus. We are His purchased possession.  When a person yields to the lordship of Jesus Christ, he or she acknowledges His ownership and gives up personal rights.

It’s time to put the “I” chair in the attic. 

^“And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” – Mark 8:34

I lost a child.  Now what?

When our son Bryan died, I thought I’d never feel joy again. At times, I thought I’d never sleep again, or get beyond the intense darkness and pain. We are about to come up on seven years, and there is never a day that I don’t think about him. We still miss Bryan so much.

Just last night, Gaylon caught a glimpse of a picture of Bryan and began to weep. There are moments like that. Notice I said moments, and sometimes there are days like that. But I can testify that God has given us the strength to walk through this, and we are continuing to walk through this.

Two things have helped us to have many days and moments of joy.

First, we never stopped walking with God, and God never stopped walking with us. There were many days when I could not even pray.  All I could do was weep.  There were days that my prayer was nothing more than, “God, please help me.”  God understood that.   God wasn’t up on His throne mad at me because I wasn’t dancing in praise.  I understood the God that I served, the God who wrote, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18 NIV).

Second, my husband and I made a pact that we would not let this drive a wedge between us.  We could feel the pain and weep any time we had a “Bryan” moment or a “Bryan” day.  Seven years later, we still allow that.   Perhaps you don’t have a spouse or someone with whom you can share those moments.  If needed, seek a friend and ask if you can share those moments when they come.

If you know someone who has lost a child, can you volunteer to be that person that shares their grief?  Grief is a heavy thing, especially the first months and years.   Just check on the person occasionally and ask, “How are you?”  Pray for them regularly and let them know from time-to-time that you are praying for them.

Don’t be afraid to mention the child’s name.  I can’t speak for everyone, but I can speak for myself and many with whom I have spoken.  I am not afraid for someone to mention Bryan.  I’m afraid that he will never be mentioned.  His name is Daniel Bryan Benton, our second born son, who was full of laughter and charm.

Something very important I learned was not to get hung up on, “Why?”   It’s normal to ask, “Why?”  God can handle you asking Him “why”, so ask Him.  But, at some point, one will realize that “why” might not get answered.  Even if it was answered, it wouldn’t lessen the grief.

I lost a child, now what?  Now, I will trust the God I serve.  Now, I will love that which remains for me to love while on earth.  Now, I will still grieve the loss of my child.  Now, I will wait with anticipation until the day I see Mr. Daniel Bryan Benton again.

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” – Revelation 2:14