A Look Beyond the Suface

Today marks the 11th year anniversary of 9/11. As many Americans grieve the loss of their loved ones, it is a time of great sorrow. I cannot help but think of the countless lives that were taken that day and the lives of all the people affected. It reminds me that we never know the stories of the faces we pass every day. The woman in wal-mart who has screaming babies that she can't seem to keep under control, the cashier at Starbucks who was rude and short-tempered, the little girl that mistakenly latched onto your leg thinking it was her mom, the teenage boy on the street corner drowning his depression and lack of worth in another high. Many times we see these faces at a glance and never take the time to think below the surface of the hurts and the story behind the actions of their lives. That woman in wal-mart? She just found out her husband is leaving her and her screaming babies for another woman. The cashier at Starbucks who was rude and short-tempered? He just found out that his mother has cancer and a short time to live. The little girl who latched onto your leg? She just found out she was given up at birth by her mother who didn't want her.The teenage boy seeking another high? He was abused by his father as a child and is seeking any kind of escape to forget the horrid memories.

We all have a story. We all matter. Take time to look beyond the surface, to really see a person for more than they seem to be.

Never Underestimate

Have you ever received a word of encouragement, a gift, or an undeserved act of kindness that was unexpected? I know I can think of many times where this happened to me and it meant the world! Never underestimate the power that you have to brighten someone's day or even make their entire week better. Those unexpected times of love from others have stuck with me and still make me smile. Even when there isn't a response of thankfulness on their part, God may be creating opportunities for growth in your heart. Think of someone today that you could step out and touch with a word, a gift, or an act. You have the power to make a difference. Don't take it for granted.

Loving in the Midst

Don't you just love when you go out of your way to buy something, say something or do something for someone who doesn't appreciate it the way you'd like them to? Ok, I was a little bit sarcastic with that statement and that is what God has been working with me on. It is so hard to buy, say or do things for people who don't appreciate what you've done for them and on the other hand, it's so easy to want to do things for those that do appreciate whatever it was that was done. However, giving love isn't meant to be convenient for us. It's meant to be patient, forgiving, and persevering, which is extremely hard when the love you're giving isn't being reciprocated. God has called us to give and to love in the midst of difficult circumstances and trying situations. He loved in the midst of being crucified and in the midst of our sin and our failure, he still gives, he still loves. He's called us to that kind of living. Even when it's hard and it doesn't seem fruitful to do so, keep giving, keep loving those that you may not want to give to or love anymore. It's said, “Love me when I least deserve it, because that’s when I need it the most.”

Times of Transition

Transition is never easy. On the contrary, it's quite the opposite. For me there is always an amount of excitement, anticipation, nervousness, and anxiety. In the last two years I have been through a lot of transition. Leaving home, adjusting to a new place, new family, new friends, new school, and this year I have transitioned into a new position of involvement in the church I attend, and with that comes a new season of life. As I struggle to understand why transition is so hard, I realize that with difficult stretching comes rewarding growth that ends up being worth it in the end. It's difficult to see in the midst of being uncomfortable that there is a greater purpose for the pain and discomfort I experience. However, Isaiah 55:8 says, "I don't think the way you think. The way you work isn't the way I work." God's decree. I'm in the lifelong process of giving up control and letting God take over because ultimately he knows everything about me; my desires, dreams, needs and wants and he has my best in mind.

Transition is going on all around us. It's in the seasons of change for children, teens, and parents. It's in the change from fall to winter and winter to spring and spring to summer. God created us to change and transition in and out of the changes in life, allowing us opportunities to grow. Maybe you're in transition as you read this. Embrace the change and the process and allow God to work through it to teach you something new.

Peace of Your Heart

Labored breathing. Running thoughts. Pulsating heart. Worry causes all kinds of physical sypmtoms along with the emotional ones that are going on inside. It isn't comforing to feel the side effects of worry outwardly or inwardly as we struggle to understand life and all the ups and downs it offers. However, as I've been learning the hard way, God has it all figured out. He knows what's coming next when we're still stuck on the disappointment of the last thing that went wrong. He knows exactly how we're feeling and what is going on in the deepest parts of our heart even when the ones closest to us have no idea. Isaiah 26:3 says, "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are stayed on you because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal." Find peace in the One who made you and understands the troubles of your heart.

Beyond Blessed Part 2

As a continuation of my post yesterday, I want to share about our time in Wales, UK. It was also an amazing experience and opportunity. We were able to partner with a church over there called City Temple and participate in many ministry opportunities that touched the hearts of the people over there as well as our own team. Through this experience, God challenged me in areas of my life that I need to work on and grow in. Although it isn't the most fun, it was definitely needed. He also called me to step out into some ministry opportunities that stretched the boundaries of my comfort level but in the end were so worth the stretch. I am so thankful to have been able to go to both Africa and Wales. They were amazing experiences that will forever impact my life.

Beyond Blessed Part 1

This is my first blog since before I left for Swaziland, Africa. The experience is something that can't be captured with words because it goes so much deeper. Pictures of the kids and the people there continually run through my head reminding me of toothy smiles, sweet laughter and tears of sadness and joy. For me, God brought new perspective through this experience. He revealed to me the outpouring of blessing that has been flowing through my life as I saw kids caring for younger siblings as a result of no parental care, the poverty and lack of village people living out of small huts, the pure looks and touches of adoration towards our team as the kids received love and attention. The opportunities for God to show me the blessing in my life were endless. I sit here now, on the patio with my laptop knowing this luxury alone is more than they would ask for. I can't fully express the impact that was made in my life. Africa and the people there are engraved on my heart forever.