To Serve and Protect

According to the Concerns Of Police Survivors website:  "Each year, between 140 and 160 officers are killed in the line of duty."  As of the writing of this post, there have been 58 line-of-duty officer deaths so far this year.  We are currently on day 115, so if we do the math we see that on average an officer has been killed every two days so far this year.

Can you imagine going to your job every single day, not knowing if it is going to be you next on that list?

There are so many people who bad-mouth the cops.  They see a news report of an officer injured or killed and they celebrate.  Maybe they even participate in the violent protests against officers. 

A saw a video on Facebook of three officers chasing down a crazy fan that was interrupting a soccer game.  The video shows the officers tackling the man and then fighting with him.  Shortly thereafter, hundreds of spectators descend on the officers, attacking them.  The comments that were made in regards to this video sickened me.  People saying the officers got what they deserved. 

Really?  Three officers doing their job, taking care of the crazed fan who chose to fight them and resist arrest...they really deserved to be attacked by hundreds of people all at once?  Yeah, that sounds fair.

People are so quick to complain about the police.  I am fully aware that cops are human.  All humans make poor choices from time to time...some more frequently than others.  I also believe that those in authority should be held to a higher standard.  However, to make blanket judgments regarding an entire profession is ludicrous.  Are all officers brutal and over-the-top?  No.  Are all officers crooked?  No.  Most actually are not.  Unfortunately, as our society loves to gawk at the negative rather than applaud the positive, all that is brought to our attention are the "bad apples". 

And even then, when we look at the various videos out there that show us the "police brutality", we are watching one short clip from a silent film!  Can you really determine the entire story from such little information? 

How about you put yourself in their shoes:  You have to fight for your life on a daily basis.  You frequently encounter people who hate you and want to seriously harm you and/or kill you.  And you never know at the onset if this particular person approaching you belongs in that category or not.  You always have to be on your guard.  You cannot assume that the person you are contacting is a rational, kind human being who just wants to live in a peaceful society.  Because as soon as you let your guard down, you could lose your life.  When others are running away from the gunshots and the fights, you run towards them.  You work long hours, dealing with people on the worst days of their lives.  You are constantly using yourself as a shield to protect others from danger.  You are regularly making split-second life-and-death decisions.  You rarely have a day that is not utterly draining physically, mentally and emotionally.  You see things that you wish you could erase from your memory:  the young family that was plowed down in a hit-and-run, the woman who was brutally raped and left to die, the man murdered and stuffed in a barrel, the mother sobbing uncontrollably at the news that her son who just graduated college and had a promising future ahead of him died in a tragic accident...just to name a few. 

Does this really sound like a job you would want?  Most of us would say absolutely not.  And yet there are so many people who are quick to criticize the men and women who do willingly take on this job. 

Thousands of men and women get up each and every morning, noon and night to face yet another shift full of catastrophic events.  Nobody calls the cops to celebrate a fantastic day in their lives!  They call when their world is falling apart and exploding all around them, and they expect the officers to come take care of the situation, then complain that the officers did just that.

What does your average work-day look like?  What is your job?  What constitutes a bad day at work for you?  I am picturing the work-safety signs that are found in most factory-type settings such as this one:

Now imagine having this poster in your workplace...and the number never gets above 2...and that's just for the fatal accidents.

I know some may feel that I am being a bit dramatic.  I wish it were only that.  Unfortunately, I have sat through numerous police officer funerals.  I have witnessed the pain and sorrow and devastation and shock.  I have also seen the honor and bravery and respect shown to those officers by their brothers and sisters in blue.  I have sat through those funerals full of the knowledge that I could be the one in the front row tomorrow.  I have dealt with the gripping fear that comes from that realization.  And it causes me to get very angry when I hear people spewing hatred towards officers.

These officers are husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, best friends.  When you celebrate an officer being beaten, shot or killed you are celebrating a child losing her father, a wife losing her soul-mate, a father losing his son.  That sickens me.

Four years ago, I sat next to my childhood best friend as she received the news of her husband's death.  I spent every moment with her that week as she faced her new reality of being a widow at 30.  I watched her twin daughters' 3 year old faces as they tried to comprehend the fact that Daddy was never coming home.  My heart physically ached as I watched the officer hand her the folded flag that had been draped over her husband's casket during the funeral.  So many tears shed.  That week is forever burned into my memory.  How painful it was to watch my dear friend go through that!  Every wife's worst nightmare.  Emotions I cannot even begin to describe.

So yes, I get a little worked up when people bash cops.  I have seen it during large-scale protests here.  Hundreds of people who want to kill my husband just because of the uniform he wears.  Many others who would stand by watching and not feel the least bit sad.  And that angers me. 

I want my husband to come home...each and every day.  I want us to grow old together and live to see our great-grandkids.  I pray that we get to.  But I am also painfully aware of the other possibility. 

For my husband, the risk comes with the job.  He knew what he was signing up for.  For me, the risk comes with the man.  I knew what I was getting as well. 

It is truly a noble deed to die serving and protecting others.  And I honor that fully.  But, it does get a little personal when others are wishing harm and death upon your loved one just because he is doing his job defending their rights.

So, please, next time you see an officer or hear the sirens, take a minute to pray that God would protect them and let them go home to their family unscathed.

On behalf of all the wives and families out there, I thank you.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes....

Life seems to have expoded these last two weeks.  So many things around me are changing.  Dear sister-friends are moving far away.  My "circle" is changing dynamics.  God is moving and shaking our lives in many ways. 

It is exciting.
And it is terrifying.

You see, the future I thought was before me has changed considerably, unexpectedly.  I trust God's plan...I do.  But I mourn the future I thought I was going to have.  I am intrigued by new prospects, and deeply saddened at the thought of saying goodbye to what has become so much a part of who I am.

I have taken these last two weeks off from writing anything for various reasons.  My emotions are so jumbled right now...My entire house has been horribly sick...My mental capacity has been greatly diminished.  All in all, I just haven't felt clear about much of anything. 

So much change.
So much still up in the air.

My heart still aches for those sweet children around the world who just want to be loved.  My heart still aches for the children here in America who are abused and neglected.  My heart still aches for the little ones who are fighting for their lives, battling cancers and other life-threatening illnesses.  My heart still aches for the babies who are never given a chance at life.  My heart still aches for the believers around the world who are tortured and harassed and killed because of their faith in Jesus Christ.  My heart still aches for those who do not know Him and His love.  My heart still aches.

And I am still trying to figure out how I can make a difference.  Don't get me wrong; I am fully committed to teaching and caring for my children.  I feel that is certainly what God wants me to be doing...using my life to raise Godly men to send off into this world so that they can make a difference.  We are in training mode, I am the teacher/trainer and this is absolutely a noble call. 

But, how do I teach my boys to live boldly for the Lord when our daily lives are filled with meeting our own needs and living in such comfort?  How do we live out our faith in a way that really changes something and someone?  If my goal is to raise men who will be bold and strong in Jesus Christ, who will serve Him whole-heartedly, who will affect those around them, then what should I be doing now that teaches them how to do that?  I can read them great stories about amazing servants and missionaries every day, but is that enough? 

Children do retain what they hear.  But what they see and live is what shapes who they are and will become.

These are all the things I have had swirling around in my mind and heart lately.   

Heavy questions.  
Heavy emotions.

As God is completely shaking my world around me--taking treasured things away, giving me new and exciting paths to pursue--I am trying to sort out what it all means in our daily lives.  What steps of obedience do we need to be taking?  When do we need to be still?  When do we need to step out of our "comfort-zone"? 

And to top it all off, with each step of obedience, the enemy is there, attacking us on all sides...trying to distract us and discourage us from living boldly for the Lord.  The enemy does not want us to change our comfortable, ineffective lives.

God is truly moving.  In BIG ways.  In many lives.  All around us.

As my world is changing considerably, I strive to cling to the One who never changes.  

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.
Rescue me from my enemies, O LORD, for I hide myself in you.
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground."
Psalm 143:8-10

Renewal

Day to day, my world stays pretty much the same:   

Wake up.
Drink LARGE cup of coffee.

Check emails.

Make breakfast.

Clean-up.

                                Educate my children.

                                Make lunch.

                                Clean-up.

Laundry.

A little quiet-time for everyone.

More educating.                                                   

                          More cleaning.

                          Make dinner.
                          Read out loud to kids.
                          Clean-up.

Bed-time routine.
Tuck kids in.

                            Watch a little tv.

                            Hang out with hubby.





Read my book.
Go to sleep.




Repeat.

Of course, there are the days we have piano lessons, Community Bible Study, homeschool co-op group, Mom's Night Out, church, grocery shopping, library trips, doctors and dentist appointments and other unplanned interruptions.  But for the most part, that is what my days have looked like for the past few years.  And I am pretty sure that is what my days will continue to look like for quite some time. 

And I LOVE it.  I truly wouldn't trade it for anything.  I enjoy the routine we have settled into. I love my life.  I love my family.  I love my friends.  I love where God has put me.

Sometimes I just sit back and think about where I was 10 years ago, and where I am now.  From uncertainty, confusion, loneliness, depression, and self-centeredness to faith, purpose, love, contentment, joy and service.  God is truly amazing!  And yet, He is so far from being done with me....thankfully.

I am going through another growth-spurt right now.  Do you remember how much growing-pains hurt?  I often have to massage my kids' legs when they are having growing pains.  I will sit next to them on their bed, rub their legs, tell them that there is a good reason for the aches, and pray that God would relieve the pain soon.  They eventually drift off to sleep and are better in the morning.

I am waiting for the morning. 

God is working in me.  He is doing something big in my heart and soul.  It is fantastic.  And it is painful. 

He is reviving my passion for Him, returning me to that first love spoken of in Revelation 2.  God commends the church at Ephesus:

"I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.  You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.  Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.   Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place."

I want to be a light in this world.  I want God's light to shine through me.  Jesus tells us that we are the light of this world:

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."  Matthew 5:14-16

How many times have we as believers read that portion of scripture and taken it to mean we need to lead good lives, free of profanity and excess alcohol, full of smiles and helping little old ladies across the street?  I know I have.  Let your light shine.  Almost makes me want to break out in song... "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine..."

But, let's take a minute to view that scripture in light of the Revelation passage.  Here God acknowledges the good deeds you do, but says they are worthless without an all-consuming passion for Him.  He actually says that He will "remove the lampstand from its place."  If our hearts are not overwhelmed with love for Him, He will remove the light!  Ouch!

Do you remember when you first accepted Jesus Christ as your Saviour?  Do you remember how full of passion and love you were?  How much you wanted to shout to the world and tell everyone about His amazing love and forgiveness?  You actually spent a good deal of time reading His Word and praising Him?  Prayer time was not an obligation, but something you looked forward to?

How long has it been since you felt that way?  Life got in the way.  Schedules got busy.  Kids got sick.  Laundry piled up.  Traffic happened.  People made you angry.  Sleep eluded you.  TV shows got you hooked.  That third glass of wine called your name. 

Little by little, you abandoned that first love...you became lukewarm.

God makes it very clear how he feels about that.

"So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth."  Revelation 3:16

That is where I have been residing for quite some time.  In the comfortable, cozy lukewarm-ness.  It is safe here.  It is not too challenging.  Here there is no fear of rejection from those around me.  Here there is no urgency to spread God's Word.  Here there is no sorrow over the millions of people who are mistreated, abandoned, starving and on death's doorstep.  Here I can happily pick out new window coverings and get regular pedicures.  In this lukewarm-ness, I don't have to stress myself out with the worries of the others.  Here I can go to church, do all the right things, but never have my heart involved.

Thankfully, He doesn't leave us there with no escape.  

"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."  Revelation 3:20

I recently opened that door.  Thus the growing pains.  He is pulling me out of this lukewarm state and setting me on fire again.  And in the process, I am finding my heart is so full of love and sorrow.  Love for Him and His creation.  Sorrow at how we treat Him and His creation.  Those two emotions together are so overwhelming. 

I know this process is necessary.  I know this is growing me spiritually, emotionally, personally.  I am still praying that God would relieve the pain soon, but I wouldn't opt out of this experience for anything in this world.  I feel the fire.  I feel the love.  I feel the passion.  They are building in me day by day.  And I pray that I am never the same.

We know that God makes all things new.  I am learning that this is not a one time deal.  He continues to renew us time and again.  Little by little, growth-spurt after growth-spurt, we are becoming more like Him. 

And I am oh so grateful.

So, while my day-to-day routine hasn't changed for quite some time, I am completely different. 

I know that morning will come.  I also know that there will be other nights.  But if I have learned anything, I have learned that our God is faithful and He will bring me yet another new and glorious morning.

Above all, I know that God is drawing me nearer to Him. 

That makes all the growing pains worth it.

What if it were your child?

God is so faithful to answer prayers that are in His will.  Over the past couple years I have read alot of books with heart-breaking stories, some biographies, some historical fiction.  About a year ago, while reading some of the historical fiction and sobbing my eyes out, I cried out to God.  I asked Him to open my eyes to see what He sees...to break my heart for the things that break His heart.  Boy, has He ever answered that prayer! 

These days it feels as if my heart is going to literally burst.  Do you know that feeling?  My chest actually physically aches.  Both last night and this morning, I felt like it took every ounce of my strength and concentration to not break down into the ugly cry.  Oh, how heavy my heart feels!

Today, I got to spend my morning snuggling precious babies.  I helped out in the nursery at our Bible Study.  We had four sweet little ones, and four of us adults to care for them.  While I thoroughly enjoyed playing with them, watching them giggle and rocking them to sleep...I could not stop thinking about all the children who never experience this.  All those precious babies in orphanages around the globe who never giggle at their caregiver, who don't get rocked to sleep, who don't get cereal-o's to snack on just because.  The thousands of beautiful children who spend their days laying or sitting in a crib crying because there is no one to pick them up, who don't know what it is to play, who don't get their diaper changed but maybe once a day.  The children who don't know what a loving embrace feels like, who don't know what safety and peace and joy and warmth and love feel like.  All because they are not "perfect". 

I want you to take a minute and picture your own children.  Whether they are little now or were long ago, picture your child as a toddler.  Now imagine that someone took that child away from you and put them into one of these orphanages where they were not hugged and not loved and not cared for, but rather neglected and ignored and abused and forgotten.  They were forced to stay in their crib all day long...in a room full of cribs with crying children who were never attended to...a room that smelled horrendously from all the children made to sit in their own filth...  A place where they barely got enough food to sustain them, and no one ever picked them up to cuddle them.  Endless days of dreadful existence. 

And your child is there, crying out for Mommy and Daddy to come...crying out for nothing more than to feel loved and secure and safe.

Could you turn your back on your child?  Leave them there?  Say it is not your problem?  It is not your "calling" to go rescue them?  Someone else needs to do it?

No?  Then why do you turn your back on the ones that are there? 

You may not have been the one who abandoned them.  But you are the one who is ignoring and neglecting them.

If that were your child over there, you would stop at nothing to save them.  No one and no thing would stop you from getting there as fast as you could to rescue them.  Your thoughts and actions would be consumed with trying to get them back into your loving arms and safe home.  You would be appalled and disgusted by what you saw there.  You would be angry that anyone could do that to a child.

So why don't you feel that way now?  Are those children any less deserving of love than the ones in your home?   Is it ok that they are treated that way?  Should you just leave them there and do nothing because they are not your responsibility?  Of course not!

It is your responsibility!  It is your calling! 

"Defend the cause of the fatherless..."  Isaiah 1:17

Doing nothing is not an option.  God says clearly in many places in the Bible that we are to take care of the fatherless.  In the book of Deuteronomy, He gave the Israelites many laws and instructions on how to live.  In there He repeated many times how they were to provide for the fatherless.  Does He care about the orphans less now, in today's society?  I'm pretty sure the answer to that is absolutely not!  He loves them and wants them taken care of just as much today as ever. 

"If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered."  Proverbs 21:13

So why do we go about our lives thinking that it is someone else's problem to deal with?  We live in a nice, suburban bubble here in America.  Even if we "struggle" a little financially, we still have no idea what much of the world's "struggling" looks like.  And instead of reaching out and trying to educate ourselves on the matter and figure out a way we can help, we gladly put on our blinders so that we can fully concentrate on our own lives.

"Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves!"  Ezekiel 34:2

You need to prayerfully consider what you can do to help.  As I said before, doing nothing is not an option.  Can you financially support a family who is adopting?  Can you babysit for a family who needs to take the training classes?  Can you make meals for the family who just brought their child home?  Can you donate $10 or $25 a month to an adoption grant, such as the ones on Reece's Rainbow?  Could you use your tax return to help a child get a home?  Can you forward this post to others?  Can you educate and encourage others to take off their blinders?

Could you open your heart and home to another child?

No matter what it is, trust God to help you...financially, emotionally, physically.  He is faithful!  You won't have to do it on your own.  Whatever it is.

Just do something!

And, may I make one more suggestion?  Don't pray, "Lord, let my heart be broken with the things that break your heart" unless you are really prepared for it to happen in a big way!

Praising Our Weaknesses?

Here is another old "note" that I posted on Facebook a while back.  This note came about because I was watching a lot of "House Hunters" episodes at the time and had noticed a trend with the women on the program.  I was struck by how many of them were looking for a large closet to fill with shoes and clothes.  At the same time, they really didn't care about the kitchen, as they had no plans to use it anyway.  It just bothered me, and I said so in a status update on my page, which quickly turned into a debate on gender roles.  So, I attempted to explain my frustrations better in this note.

I don't believe that the woman must always cook.  My husband is a wonderful cook, and I thoroughly enjoy the times he prepares our meals!  I don't believe it is wrong to indulge yourself occasionally.  I certainly do from time to time.  What bothers me is the attitude that is so prevalent in today's culture...the message we are being fed as women: 

"It is all about you.  You need more things.  You should pamper yourself as much as possible.  Don't waste your life at home taking care of your husband and children...there are more important things, more exciting things you could be doing, you should be doing.  Cooking, washing dishes, doing laundry, cleaning your house, teaching your children...these things are beneath you.  These things aren't your strong-suit.  You would be wasting your talents and your life if you spent your time doing these.  If you don't enjoy it, don't do it!  Pay someone else to do it.  Get a job.  Climb that corporate ladder.  Then you will have the money to buy all the stuff you want.  Because that's what matters in life.  The more you have, the happier you will be!"

Really?

Is that why we continue to see the news reports of people who seem to "have it all" committing suicide?  What about the normalcy of being on antidepressants or antianxiety medication?  An article on CNNhealth from July of 2007 states, "The use of antidepressants and other psychotropic drugs -- those that affect brain chemistry -- has skyrocketed over the last decade.  Adult use of antidepressants almost tripled between the periods 1988-1994 and 1999-2000.  Between 1995 and 2002, the most recent year for which statistics are available, the use of these drugs rose 48 percent, the CDC reported."  Today, we have way more "stuff" than our grandparents had.  As women, we have more "opportunities" than ever before. 

So why are we so miserable? 

I would have to agree with Dr. Ronald Dworkin, a Maryland anesthesiologist and senior fellow at Washington's Hudson Institute who was quoted in this article, "Doctors are now medicating unhappiness," said Dworkin. "Too many people take drugs when they really need to be making changes in their lives."  And what changes do they need to make?  I would suggest eliminating the materialism, to start.   The message of 'more is better' is a lie.  When you try to fill the emptiness with more "accomplishments" and material possessions, all you find is more emptiness.

So, what will fill that void?  The answer is God. 

"O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you." Psalm 84:12 

"Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway." Proverbs 8:34 

The books of Psalms and Proverbs are filled with statements like these.  God fills our emptiness with Himself, His ways and His blessings.  Children are included in that: "Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him...Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them." Psalm 127:3,5  Our children are a blessing from God...not a burden.  Jesus shows us how He views children in Mark chapters 9 and 10.  Mark 9:37 goes so far as to say, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me." 

Are we valuing our children this much?  Do we see them in this light?  When we serve our children and give our lives for them, we are serving and giving our lives for Jesus!  That is NOT a waste of our lives!  That is the most meaningful and wonderful thing we could possibly do!

Matthew 20:26 shows us that Jesus identifies greatness with serving: "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant."  But it is not just the act of serving one another that is important.  In Ephesians 6:7, Paul addresses the issue of our attitudes, telling us to "serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men."   Again, Paul says in Galatians 5:13 to "serve one another in love."  Don't serve begrudgingly.  Don't cook and clean and care for your family because that's what you're "supposed" to do.  Do it because you value them.  Do it because you love them.  Do it because you love God and trust that He knows what is best for you!

God didn't just put us here and say, "Good luck!"  He has given us guidelines to follow for a good life.  Titus 2:3-5  says "Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God."  This is God's Word to us women, which is considerably different than the world's message to us. 

Who are we listening to, God or society?  Whose voice guides our daily choices?

All that being said, do I enjoy an occasional pedicure, Starbucks coffee, and shopping trip?  Yes, I do.  Do I feel that indulging in these on a regular, frequent basis is a good use of my time and money?  Absolutely not.  Am I always a good steward of my time and money?  Definately not.  Do I always enjoy cooking and cleaning?  Certainly not.  Do I think doing the laundry is fun?  HA! That's funny.  Is my house a fine specimen of housekeeping abilities?  If you think so, you obviously have never stepped foot in my home!  Am I always excited and happy to spend every waking hour with my perfectly well-behaved children?  Ummm, no.  My children are certainly not always well-behaved, and neither am I!  (Have you ever spent 24/7 with someone?  It gets ugly sometimes!  Am I right?!) 

But shouldn't we be making a constant effort to improve ourselves, our choices and our attitudes?  Why have we become content as a society to accept our weaknesses?  Shouldn't we be trying to turn those into strengths?   When did our flaws become accepted, expected, and even promoted?

Let me take a minute to emphasize here that we are saved by grace through faith, not by works. (Eph. 2:8-9)  It is not through our "traditional gender roles" that we are saved.  It is God's grace.  We are not bound by a long list of "rules" that we must follow.  But God also tells us in Titus 2:12 that the grace of God "teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age." 

Again, are we living our lives according to worldly passions?  Galatians 5:13 says, "You...were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love."   Verse 20 lists "selfish ambition" as an act of the sinful nature.  Don't use your freedom to persue selfish ambition...use it to serve!  That is how we find fulfillment in this life.

But, serving can be a very difficult, overwhelming, and sometimes all-consuming task, right?  Do it anyway.   Romans 5:4 tells us that perseverance produces character.  The word used here for perseverance is the Greek word "hypomone", which means "steadfastness, constancy, endurance".   When you are doing a task you don't want to do, do it with perseverance.  When you feel like you are being stretched beyond your abilities, don't give up!  When the days are long and difficult, persevere! 

God is improving you, refining you.  The Greek word for character here is "dokime", meaning "approved, tried character".  Through our obedience in serving with love, even when it is difficult and/or unappealing, God is shaping our character. 

"For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver."  Psalm 66:10  

I want to be refined.  I NEED to be refined.  I am a very different person than I was 10 years ago, and, LORD willing, 10 years from now I will be a much different person than I am now!

Louisa May Alcott said it well:

"I do not ask for any crown
     But that which all may win;
 Nor try to conquer any world
     Except the one within."  

May we see our materialism and selfishness for what they are:  flaws.  And may we not be content to let them flourish.

Refine us, LORD!

Double-digits

I am in denial.

Serious denial.

How can my sweet life-raft be 10 years old?!  It seems like yesterday and life-times ago, all at once:

The moment my doctor said, "It's positive." 

The months of uncertainty and confusion and attempts at figuring out this "life" thing. 

The first few days of looking at this tiny person, not really knowing what to do or think. 

The moment a few days later, when that precious bundle yawned the cutest little newborn yawn...causing me to yawn. 

What a silly thing!  But it was that moment that I got it. 

This was MY baby. 

This little human was at that moment woven into the very fibers of my being. 



He completely changed me.  He is what prompted me to seek out God.

 

Through him, God pulled me out of my self-distructive behavior.

Through him, God first showed me what true love and joy looked like.

He was my life-raft; he led me to my Saviour.

When he was a baby, I always said he looked like an old man who knew all the secrets of heaven and earth.  I can still see that wisdom and Godliness in his eyes now as he grows into adulthood.

 

 What a heart he has! 

What a passion for God! 

What kindness and love! 

He has made me a better person.   He makes me want to be better still.

And he's only 10! 

Imagine what he will be like in 10 more years.... 

It makes my heart smile.

So, happy double-digits, baby.  What an amazing young man you are becoming.  I am honored to know you and have you as a part of my life.

Happy Love Day

I know it's a day late by our calendar's standards, but I firmly believe we should be going all out to show our loved ones how much they mean to us and sharing God's love with all people each and every day.  So, how are you going to show love today? 

Reach out and help someone... 

Give a hug...

Be kind and considerate...

Open your eyes and heart to the needs of someone...

Smile at a stranger...

And if you are going to do something special for someone you love, do it the right way:  randomly and regularly!!!

Don't leave the celebration of love for next Valentine's Day.  Go share God's love with someone today and tomorrow and every day!


(Now, tell me this song doesn't make you want to stand up and dance!)