Truly, crazy love

I hear the question asked, "If you saw Jesus on the side of the road- hungry and cold, would you help him?  Would you give him food?  A blanket?  Offer him shelter?"

My answer to this question is OF COURSE!  Its Jesus!  He can have all the food I have.  Take all my blankets and coats.  Here's the keys to my house and car!  What else can I do for you Father?

I always thought this question was a little ridiculous.

Until I got to thinking about it.  We are supposed to love our neighbors as Jesus loves us.  We should give freely unto others as Jesus has given freely unto us.  If I see someone suffering and I have plenty, it is my responsibility to share my wealth among others.  By doing this I am in turn giving to Jesus.

So why is it so hard to give to other people?  I mean sure, if I saw Jesus and I had no doubt it was the Almighty Father...I would have no problem.  Take everything!  But if I see a man, suffering, hungry, cold...why is it so hard not to share with him?  In fact, sometimes its easier to turn away!  Why is this?

Jesus has a truly, crazy kind of a love for us.  He died so that we may live.  We sin and he forgives us and continues to love us in spite of us.  His love strong, runs deep and is faithful.  He does not give up on us and he does not waver.  All he says in return is to love Him with all our heart, mind and soul and to love our neighbors as ourselves.  Treat others as he treat us; as we would want others to treat us.

I desperately want to love like that!  I want to love and see people as Jesus looks at us.  If we could all love one another, be there for one another and do for one another what we can't do for ourselves, there would be peace.  It is simply that simple.

So I pray that we all seek this kind of love!  To be truly, crazy in love with Jesus and to be in love with our neighbors.  Isn't that what heaven is going to be like?  Surrounded by love?  I would like to think so!

Happy Holidays?

So the season is upon us and just like every year its got me thinking.  This is the time of year hwere holids and traditions are shared my namy.  Some celebrate Christmas (we fall into that category).  Some celebrate Hanukah and others celebrate Kwanzaa. And then there are those that choose not to celebrate at all.
My thing is why say Happy Holidays?  I know it's just generic and this way we don't offend someone but why not say the greeting for holiday or tradition?  I would not be any way offended if someone told me 'Happy Hanukah' or 'Happy Kwanzaa'.  I would take it as a blessing and be appreciative.  It's the same of someone telling you 'have a great day'.  Its a form of a blessing.

Please don't misunderstand me.  I don't get offended when someone tells me 'Happy Holidays'.  But my response to them is 'Merry Christmas'. 

It just seems people are really looking for things to complain about more and more these days.  Like they want a unifom type society where we all believe the same, dress the same, talk the same....etc.  Its like we all want control.
The truth is we were no created to be the same.  no matter whoe your Higher Power may be (or if you even choose to believe in one) its pretty obvious we are all defferent.  As such we should celebrate that!
So I say please share your beliefs and traditions by saying your celebrations blessing to everyone.  This is what makes us all so special.  All esle fails just wish someone a dreat day.  Putting smiles on faces and spreading love is waht is important. 
So from our family to yours, Merry Christams and many blessings to ya'll this season and in the New Year!

Thanksgiving

I love this holiday!  It is such a great time to get with family and friends and just enjoy being together.  Thanksgiving is right in the middle of the season of fall so the leaves are beautiful colors and filling up the ground.  People gather around a table for a feast and talk about how thankful we all are for the people and things we have on our lives.  But this time of year always leaves me with a question and a prayer.
First the question.  Why does Thanksgiving get overlooked?  It seems like right after Halloween (or in some cases Halloween hasn't even past yet) and Christmas decorations are already going up.  Not even in just department stores but homes as well.  People start making plans for 'black friday' shopping and figuring out who and where will have the best deals for gifts.  Radio stations start playing Christmas music and venues start promoting Christmas specials.  I really feel like Thanksgiving gets that shaft and it just doesn't seem fair.  This is such a great holiday about blessings and gratitude.
Which leads me into my prayer.  My prayer is that everyone not only celebrates Thanksgiving for the great holiday and tradition it is for this country this time of year but all year long.  We shouldn't just be thankful once a year.  Gratitude should be seen and shown all the time.  Gratitude is an action word and doesn't only exist at the end of November.  So I hope everyone continues to be thankful for not just the blessings in our lives but the blessings yet to come.


Just a little side note: I applaud Nordstroms for not putting up Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving.  They sent out a statement right after Halloween stating they prefer to celebrate each holiday individually.  I know they received a lot of scorn from customers over this decision but I completely agree with them!  Thank you Nordstorms for setting a standard!

A Life Unfinished

It is times like this my heart is so full and yet so broken.  I found out that an old friend of mine, Katy, was killed earlier this year.  When I found this out I immediately broke down and began to cry.
Flashes of memories of our friendship came to mind.  Many good times and laughs, life changing moments shared and tears shed together over the years.  And even though it had been years since we spoke, I still love and miss her.
To find out she is gone and I never really got to say goodbye just causes me emotional and frankly, a little bit of physical pain.  There are many moments we missed in each others lives.  Moments we can now not get back.  Someone chose to cut her life short unexpectedly and because of that things will be left unfinished, until the day comes we will meet again in heaven.
Katy there are so many things I wish I could have said to you.  I am sorry I didn't keep in better contact with you.  Seems like our lives went in separate directions after we finished school.  I have thought about you often and always wanted to best for you.  I have definitely missed your smile and your laughter.  I have missed our talks and our adventures.  And knowing I won't get that back in this life hurts but I do know I will be seeing you again.  Some of my best memories of us are in Yellowstone National Park.  Being wranglers and being able to ride together through some awesome landscape was a dream come true for both of us.  I know though you have the best landscape to ride in now.  You will always hold a special place in my heart-my wrangler in the sky!  I love you babe!  And I am sorry I didn't get to say this before.  Save a ride for me!  I will be looking for you when I come home!

Jasmine

When God created her up in heaven He pulled her aside and said, "Child, I have a special purpose for you."  And she said, "Yes Father."
He sent her to this earth to be with us.  He chose a special family to help Jasmine fulfill her special purpose.
Through her short 2 1/2 years on this earth Jasmine went through much pain and suffering.  And yet this angel did it with love and a smile on her face.  She brought so many people together and showed us all something unique.  She taught me love, thankfulness and faith.  Lessons I continue to learn over and over.
She left us and went home to heaven, where she was met with love.  God said to her, "Well done good and faithful servant."

I know we don't always understand why He does what He does.  I know for me I have so many questions. But I am learning to listen closely and to pay attention.  He will answer all questions in time.
Thank you to God and Jasmine for teaching me love, thankfulness, and faith.  Just when I think I am going strong in these areas of my life, I am shown I can do better.
Thank you to her parents for sharing her to the world.  Such a precious and beautiful gift you were given.  And even though she is home now, she will be seen again.  Through all of us that were touched by her short life and when we enter the gates to heaven.  I know she will be waiting for us!

Photo taken by Jessica V. of Jessica V Photography

Inconvenient

This is something that has been coming up a lot lately for me. Probably has something to do with our series right now in church but also because I am about to make some life changing decisions, including going back to school.

I am very excited about this venture. I know this is what God wants me to do and pursue but when I stop and think about what all it is going to entail, it really starts to feel like an inconvenience. I have so much going on already with life and I really don't need to add one more thing. Especially something big like school.

I have done the 'school thing' before and I know how much work this is truly going to be. I got my Bachelors before I had children and a life that involves more than just me. Now to add that kind of work load on top of my life now is truly an overwhelming thought.

So I have been praying about this and asking God how exactly am I supposed to do this. And basically it comes down to I am going to have to give some things up. Ok...what do I give up? How can I make this change more convenient for me?

The truth is this is going to be inconvenient to my life. Period. Yes I am going to give up doing a few things for a while but there are many things I simply can not just give up.

So I started thinking if Jesus ever felt this way. Was He every overwhelmed with life and what that all entails? Did He ever say we are too inconvenient to pursue and love because His life is just too hectic at the moment? Picture the soldiers coming to take him away to go before Pontius Pilate and Jesus saying, "Ya know this isn't really going to work for me today. I have so much going on right now. Check back with me in about 3 months." (In case you are wondering, that didn't happen.)

The truth is this new adventure is only going to bring me closer to Him. It will be inconvenient in some ways but the rewards far out weigh all the troubles. He gave His all just show how much he loves and believes in me. He created me for a purpose and he has a plan. And I don't want to have the attitude of inconvenience when it comes to His great plan for me.

God's Plan

I know we have all heard that God has a plan but what exactly does that mean? I am sure it means something different for everyone.

I have been going back and forth about what His plan is for me. What should I be doing with my life? For quite sometime now He has been telling me to sit still and wait. Of course I was just reluctant to do this, but after must resistance on my part I did indeed sit still and wait.

After a few months I brought up the topic again to God. I asked Him again what I should be doing with my life. He lead to talk with friends and family to help me. He helped me keep my ears and my mind open (and my mouth shut) so I could listen to what He had to tell me.

Well last night I had a good conversation with God. I was journalling and I remembered (or you could say He nudged me) to take some tests my church and a good friend of mine have been telling me about.

I took these tests online and both of tests showed my spiritual gifts, my personality type, and some jobs I would best be suited for. One of the top jobs is counseling. This is a topic that has been brought up to me many times over the last several years. I have always been interested in this line of work.

So I asked Him if this is what He really wanted me to do. Is this what I am supposed to do? In my heart I believe He said yes.

Then I asked Him "What if I am not very good at it?"

You know what he said? He said, "Why would I design you for something you wouldn't be good at?"

He has a good point!

So I am looking into schooling to get my education and certifications under me. I feel like I am ready to start this journey. If this is where He is leading me, I will follow!