LAURA LIFE LESSON #15 – Be branded, a giver

We all enjoy having people with a sincerely generous spirit in our lives. There are many reasons why people give and many reasons why they don’t. It is unnecessary to understand these reasons. What is important? Deciding if you desire to be this person and realizing, you can be. Giving is much more than financial. An act of generosity can include time, talents, and any resources at your disposal. What differs is our capacity, not our opportunities. Although, our capacity is irrelevant, for it is not the quantity of the gift, but the spirit and will supporting it.

It is simple to go on and on about Laura’s perpetually generous spirit. Instead of selecting one of many stories in which she demonstrated this quality, it is more effective to point out a couple realities. First, the stories all of you share on how much Laura has done for you are a much greater testimony than anything I could share. What Laura has given to you is evident through your spoken words. Secondly, Laura continues to give so much through her daily struggle. Who else would have this impact? Only one possessing a truly real spirit of selfless love and giving! Laura may be out of sight, but never out of mind.

Love seeks out the needs in others. It finds ways to meet those needs. In order to genuinely discern the needs of others in your life, you must be part of the solution.
Selfishness does not live within a generous character. You can obtain and maintain an openhanded spirit; be open for when God prompts you of other’s needs. He can lead you to become more generous in all areas of your life. But, you need to ask and be open to change. Opportunities to share your time, talents and other resources abound. Giving is the greatest gift. It yields the highest return, immeasurable!

AND I AM PRAYING THAT YOU WILL PUT INTO ACTION THE GENEROSITY THAT COMES FROM YOUR FAITH AS YOU UNDERSTAND AND EXPERIENCE ALL THE GOOD THINGS WE HAVE IN CHRIST. (Philemon 6)

We love you,
Jeff and Laura Laughlin

LAURA LIFE LESSON #14 – A spirit of thanks

It seems appropriate to borrow language from a true American patriot and icon, Abraham Lincoln, and his proclamation of Thanksgiving, "…announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations are blessed whose God is the Lord. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand, which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, by the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. It has seemed to me fit and proper that God should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people.”

As we use the season to reflect, what is there to be thankful for? There is the obvious: loving family, loyal friends, health and vitality, and countless blessings. For us, it goes much deeper. We are thankful for those following Laura’s story, aware of the reality, but choosing to focus on the beauty of her life and its message; a life with an indelible spirit of thanks and appreciation; a loving message needing to be shared; an empowering message that must be spread. As this message spreads and Christ becomes real for others, Laura’s dream marches toward fulfillment. It is the greatest gift we can ever receive. Our spirit of thanks runs deep and continues to grow with each passing day. We are thankful for you.

OH, THAT MEN WOULD GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD FOR HIS GOODNESS, AND FOR HIS WONDERFUL WORKS TO THE CHILDREN OF MEN! FOR HE SATISFIES THE LONGING SOUL, AND FILLS THE HUNGRY SOUL WITH GOODNESS. (Psalm 107: 8-9)

We love you,
Jeff and Laura Laughlin

LAURA LIFE LESSON #13 – Opening doors

It must not of been easy for God. He faced an infinite amount of tough decisions in creation. Should He provide us with a free will to choose? We know God is all-powerful, but giving us free will would transfer a great deal of power, at least initially, to us. To identify our love as pure and not obligatory, we would have to CHOOSE Him. There had to be both options. In essence, we own the door and the choice to either keep the door closed, or to open up and let Him in. Throughout history and presently, people have done many things with their doors.

Closed and locked doors – Not content solely in their disbelief, often these people are on a mission to criticize, judge, and condemn others and their beliefs. It is likely they believe “religion” is stupid (or not on par with their intelligence) or only for weak people.

Closed and unlocked doors – Possibly believers and usually willing to hear you out, their door remains closed. Usually, they’d rather this subject, as well as death and tragedy, didn’t exist. Likely to make excuses about being too busy, not being ready, or may be afraid God will take away their fun.

Cracked open doors – They are definitely believers, but mostly when it conveniences them. If God can benefit them at the moment, then full speed ahead. They must be careful of a common trap, claiming personal credit when things are well and blaming God when things are not.

Wide open doors – Not much explanation needed. These people are the first ones to drop everything and come to the aid of those in need. They live a life established on hope, faith, love, and positive behaviors. They know that to be an influence, they must be an example. Their relationships are usually deeper and based on respect, trust, and mutual understanding. And they love a God, who chose first to create and love them.

Those who know Laura and those following her plight know about an insatiable life purpose and goal of saving others and witnessing for Christ with a zest and a passion. Laura’s door was thrown open with maximum force and intensity many years ago. No restrictions! No strings! No hesitation! A spirit completely open and willing, void of indecision. A choice setting the course for a life lived on principle.

What is the position of your door? Are you stuck in your character development, refusing to open up? Maybe you keep it cracked open, creating a convenience buffet on your road through life. It is never too late to make a change. We are never too old, too tarnished, or too flawed to start. Turn the lock, grab the knob, and swing that baby wide open. Oh, and once yours is open, try helping out others with theirs.

FOR EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED. HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF MESSENGERS WHO BRING GOOD NEWS! (Romans 10: 13, 15)

We love you,
Jeff and Laura Laughlin

LAURA LIFE LESSON #12 – Believe for better, believe for more

Would you be considered a person full a belief or more consumed with doubt? Many of our battles can result from the struggle among these opposing forces. This fight can produce results or stagnate the growth of our journey. Forgetting our doubts is exceedingly difficult. We have all been hurt or let down. We battle insecurity and self-doubt. Our world is imperfect and perpetually so. We can’t make it perfect, but we can advance it through individual change. Is it really possible to be personally filled up with belief?

Laura is a person of strong beliefs; belief in who she is, belief in those she cares about, and belief for a God who loving created her. Laura does have doubts (who doesn’t?), but her doubts lose out to the ferocity of compelling belief. Laura chooses to see, not the past or the present, but the potential in those around her. By selecting this path, she continually lifts others to new levels. Laura has always been and will always be this person for me. Countless others can witness and testify to the power and reach of Laura living this principle.

We do have doubts, always will. The commitment to overcoming our fears and doubts for ourselves and for others is a trying process. We must focus on seeing someone for who they can be, not where they were, or even where they are. By believing for more and believing for better, you can aid all those striving to become the person God created them to be. Believing in the definitive destination is the first step in reaching it. Believe for more in yourself, believe for the best in others, and believe ultimately in the truths and life of Christ.

FOR WE LIVE BY BELIEVING AND NOT BY SEEING. (2 Corinthians 5: 7)

We love you,
Jeff and Laura Laughlin