If when I die all people can say about me is, "she loved Jesus", then I have accomplished my mission here on earth.
If when I die and no one remembers my name, but remembers Jesus, then I have lived well.
If when I die I have not a penny to my name, but have pointed everyone I met to Jesus, then I have accomplished my purpose.
My worth is not found in money or things, it's not found in people or places I've been. I find my worth through the blood of Jesus.
My hope is not in things of today, tomorrow or yesterday, nor does my hope rest in the comforts this world has to offer, it's Jesus.
If when I die and the only thing left behind is the handprint of God, then and only then I have truly lived.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Monday, June 25, 2012
The Mom Thing
When I was in 8th grade I made the mistake of going out for track and field. I thought I might be good since both of my sisters were decent. I was wrong. I can remember the exact moment I realized how terrible I really was, and I even have a picture of that exact moment taken by one of my friend's dads, which I think I glanced at once and put it away to never be seen again!
I was all lined up for my first ever 100 meter race. I heard the gun go off and before I even took my first step off the blocks I felt this WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH. I look up and I see the backs of every single one of my competition already half way to the finish line. Talk about a horrible and embarrassing moment. I did finish the race, but it was during that race that I realized that I was NOT built for track and field.
During that time of my life, I had a friend who told me that with every step she took in her races she would recite, "Jesus Christ will give me strength, Jesus Christ will give me strength" and that's how she would race. I thought that was a pretty great idea, so that's how I finished my one miserable season in track and field.
As a mom, there have been many times where I have felt like I am not cut out to do this whole mom thing. I don't have it all together. I tend to loose my temper more often than I'd like, my house is not the cleanest on the block, nor do my kids always have their hair combed or their teeth brushed. Sometimes I'll get to the store and realize I forgot someone's shoes or my wallet. I have been one of those moms who have grocery shopped with a screaming child in the cart. It's the times I begin to count all the ways that I'm "not good enough" that those words flood into my very soul and lift me up. I may not feel "good enough" sometimes, but God has entrusted me with 4 precious children whom I love more than anything in the world. He knew what He was doing when He gave them to me, and in that I can find peace and trust that God knows what He is doing.
"Jesus Christ will give me strength. Jesus Christ will give me strength. Jesus Christ will give me strength."
I was all lined up for my first ever 100 meter race. I heard the gun go off and before I even took my first step off the blocks I felt this WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH. I look up and I see the backs of every single one of my competition already half way to the finish line. Talk about a horrible and embarrassing moment. I did finish the race, but it was during that race that I realized that I was NOT built for track and field.
During that time of my life, I had a friend who told me that with every step she took in her races she would recite, "Jesus Christ will give me strength, Jesus Christ will give me strength" and that's how she would race. I thought that was a pretty great idea, so that's how I finished my one miserable season in track and field.
As a mom, there have been many times where I have felt like I am not cut out to do this whole mom thing. I don't have it all together. I tend to loose my temper more often than I'd like, my house is not the cleanest on the block, nor do my kids always have their hair combed or their teeth brushed. Sometimes I'll get to the store and realize I forgot someone's shoes or my wallet. I have been one of those moms who have grocery shopped with a screaming child in the cart. It's the times I begin to count all the ways that I'm "not good enough" that those words flood into my very soul and lift me up. I may not feel "good enough" sometimes, but God has entrusted me with 4 precious children whom I love more than anything in the world. He knew what He was doing when He gave them to me, and in that I can find peace and trust that God knows what He is doing.
"Jesus Christ will give me strength. Jesus Christ will give me strength. Jesus Christ will give me strength."
Friday, June 15, 2012
To All You Single Parents
I want to give a shout out to all you single parents out there. You who get your kids dressed, fed, transported, taught, disciplined, and loved all by yourself. You who change the diapers, clean up the throw up, change the clothes, and pick up the toys all by yourself. You who keep up the house, break up the fights, keep the bills organized, and tuck the kids into bed all by yourself. You who wipe away those tears, cuddle, tickle, and bathe your kids all by yourself. I have a HUGE appreciation and respect for you. You are amazing. Your kids are so blessed to have such a hard working and loving parent in their lives. May God give you the strength to persevere. You are AMAZING!
Friday, June 8, 2012
Please Don't Judge
Please don't judge me for allowing my 2-year old to throw a temper tantrum right in the middle of the store. Please don't glare at me while I carry her out kicking and screaming to the car. What you see is not the whole story. You see, yes she is 2, but she has also had a whole lot of things going on around her that you don't know about.
You see the kicking and screaming, but what you don't know is that we just moved across the country a week ago. She has also been getting over a bad cold and hasn't been sleeping very well the last few nights, and her dad has been out of town this week. What you see is not the whole story. You see a 2-year old kicking and screaming, yelling and bawling, ruining your trip to the grocery store. You see a horrible mom allowing her child to act out THAT way.
What I know is that my beautiful daughter is tired and hurting and doesn't have the ability to express how she's feeling in an adult way. What I also know is that I love my daughter very very much. So, please have some grace today and stop glaring and judging, pointing and shaking your head. Say a little prayer for me, for I really am trying to do my best.
You see the kicking and screaming, but what you don't know is that we just moved across the country a week ago. She has also been getting over a bad cold and hasn't been sleeping very well the last few nights, and her dad has been out of town this week. What you see is not the whole story. You see a 2-year old kicking and screaming, yelling and bawling, ruining your trip to the grocery store. You see a horrible mom allowing her child to act out THAT way.
What I know is that my beautiful daughter is tired and hurting and doesn't have the ability to express how she's feeling in an adult way. What I also know is that I love my daughter very very much. So, please have some grace today and stop glaring and judging, pointing and shaking your head. Say a little prayer for me, for I really am trying to do my best.
Monday, May 21, 2012
The Calling of Every Believer
This morning I ready Proverbs 31. As I came across verses 8 & 9, I stopped. I read those verses over and over again and they've been with me all day:
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.
You see, my husband and I have been praying diligently and preparing ourselves for our move back home. Our desire to open up a shelter for victims of human trafficking has been growing steadily and we have never been more excited. We know it's going to be really really tough. We are not looking for fame or money or human recognition. We really believe that this is what we are supposed to do. We believe that it is EVERY believer's calling.
We must speak up for those who do not have a voice. Yes, it's easier to turn a blind eye and ignore the human trafficking epidemic around us, but that is NOT what we as Christian brothers and sisters are called to do. We have a responsibility and a duty to speak out against the horrific slavery that is around us.
We are just beginning to scratch the surface. Look around you. Everywhere you drive, everywhere you walk it's there. We are so used to seeing the advertisements and wording, that we've grown immune to it. Those are PEOPLE. Those are mothers, daughters, dads and sons. All of them being used and disposed of like they're worthless garbage.
They are crying out for someone to save them. They are crying out for anyone to help them. They are hoping that YOU will see them and HELP them. Why can't we see that? Why am I so engrossed in my own worthless problems that I can't look around for one minute and see them for who they really are? They are human beings just like me, but they are not free. They are enslaved by society, slave-masters and pimps. They have been beaten, tortured, raped, drugged, abused. It's so easy to turn a blind eye. It's easier to pretend it's not there. What a shame. Shame on us. Shame on me.
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. Proverbs 31: 8&9
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.
You see, my husband and I have been praying diligently and preparing ourselves for our move back home. Our desire to open up a shelter for victims of human trafficking has been growing steadily and we have never been more excited. We know it's going to be really really tough. We are not looking for fame or money or human recognition. We really believe that this is what we are supposed to do. We believe that it is EVERY believer's calling.
We must speak up for those who do not have a voice. Yes, it's easier to turn a blind eye and ignore the human trafficking epidemic around us, but that is NOT what we as Christian brothers and sisters are called to do. We have a responsibility and a duty to speak out against the horrific slavery that is around us.
We are just beginning to scratch the surface. Look around you. Everywhere you drive, everywhere you walk it's there. We are so used to seeing the advertisements and wording, that we've grown immune to it. Those are PEOPLE. Those are mothers, daughters, dads and sons. All of them being used and disposed of like they're worthless garbage.
They are crying out for someone to save them. They are crying out for anyone to help them. They are hoping that YOU will see them and HELP them. Why can't we see that? Why am I so engrossed in my own worthless problems that I can't look around for one minute and see them for who they really are? They are human beings just like me, but they are not free. They are enslaved by society, slave-masters and pimps. They have been beaten, tortured, raped, drugged, abused. It's so easy to turn a blind eye. It's easier to pretend it's not there. What a shame. Shame on us. Shame on me.
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. Proverbs 31: 8&9
Monday, March 26, 2012
Things I never thought I would ever say
Kids and their bodies. That's all I have to say. They are curious little ones, always wondering about how things work. Recently, I began making a list of things I have said to my children. Things I never in a million years imagined I would ever need to say to anyone. I'm becoming more and more convinced that God allows us to go through parenting not only to keep us humble and to grow us, but to remind us that we cannot do it without Him.
"Go back upstairs and pick up the booger you wiped on the carpet and throw it away."
"Stop sticking your fingers in the light socket."
"Bugs belong outside, not in the house. Don't bring that bug in the house."
"We use shoes to kill bugs, not the brush."
"Where's your diaper? Not this new one you used to pick up your brother's poo, the original one he pooped in.
"Please keep your diaper on after you poop."
"Don't sit down! You'll squish your poo!"
"Don't try to dump your poo into the toilet from your diaper."
"What is that all over you?!? Is that poo?!?"
(Why does it always have to be poo?!?)
"If you're going to pee in the grass, please take off your clothes next time."
"No, I am not going to open up your diaper again so you can see your poop. That's disgusting!"
Oh Lord, help us to see ourselves in our children and know that we need You more than anything. Give us wisdom in how we raise our children and patience as we respond to their different behaviors. Give us a sense of humor as we try to raise our kids to know the difference between right and wrong. Help us survive and praise You in all circumstances!
"Go back upstairs and pick up the booger you wiped on the carpet and throw it away."
"Stop sticking your fingers in the light socket."
"Bugs belong outside, not in the house. Don't bring that bug in the house."
"We use shoes to kill bugs, not the brush."
"Where's your diaper? Not this new one you used to pick up your brother's poo, the original one he pooped in.
"Please keep your diaper on after you poop."
"Don't sit down! You'll squish your poo!"
"Don't try to dump your poo into the toilet from your diaper."
"What is that all over you?!? Is that poo?!?"
(Why does it always have to be poo?!?)
"If you're going to pee in the grass, please take off your clothes next time."
"No, I am not going to open up your diaper again so you can see your poop. That's disgusting!"
Oh Lord, help us to see ourselves in our children and know that we need You more than anything. Give us wisdom in how we raise our children and patience as we respond to their different behaviors. Give us a sense of humor as we try to raise our kids to know the difference between right and wrong. Help us survive and praise You in all circumstances!
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Bigger than a Mustard Seed
Why is it that the focus of faith seems to be taken from Matthew 17:20...and stop there?
"You don't have enough faith," Jesus told them. "I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it would move. Nothing would be impossible."
That's where we stop. We "encourage" each other to have faith the size of one of the tinniest seeds on earth and say we can move mountains with it just because that's what Jesus said we should strive for. I believe that Jesus wanted so much MORE for His disciples than the smallest faith. I believe He desired them to have the faith of what that seed turned into...a full blown mustard tree!
Picture a small pearl inside of an oyster. It is beautiful and worth some money. You can pick it out of that oyster and keep it, or sell it for a sum of money. Or you can allow that oyster to continue to mold it and shape it, and make it bigger and even more beautiful and it will be worth more. That is a lot like how our faith is. God wants our faith to be the largest pearl ever known to man. He wants to shape us and grow us and use us to further His Kingdom. A lot of times we get impatient with God's timing and grab that small tiny pearl of our faith and call it good before that pearl is really ready. Unfortunately God is still in the process of molding and shaping our faith. Growing it and perfecting it. The only thing standing in His way of doing that is ourselves.
Think of all the work, pain and discomfort it takes for the oyster to create the pearl from that small irritating granular of sand. Following Jesus is definitely NOT the "easy" or most "comfortable" way of life, as far as this world-view is concerned. It definitely is the best way to live though. The oyster would probably be a lot happier without a big bulge under its tongue, but then you wouldn't have a beautiful and perfect pearl as the end result.
"You don't have enough faith," Jesus told them. "I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it would move. Nothing would be impossible."
That's where we stop. We "encourage" each other to have faith the size of one of the tinniest seeds on earth and say we can move mountains with it just because that's what Jesus said we should strive for. I believe that Jesus wanted so much MORE for His disciples than the smallest faith. I believe He desired them to have the faith of what that seed turned into...a full blown mustard tree!
Picture a small pearl inside of an oyster. It is beautiful and worth some money. You can pick it out of that oyster and keep it, or sell it for a sum of money. Or you can allow that oyster to continue to mold it and shape it, and make it bigger and even more beautiful and it will be worth more. That is a lot like how our faith is. God wants our faith to be the largest pearl ever known to man. He wants to shape us and grow us and use us to further His Kingdom. A lot of times we get impatient with God's timing and grab that small tiny pearl of our faith and call it good before that pearl is really ready. Unfortunately God is still in the process of molding and shaping our faith. Growing it and perfecting it. The only thing standing in His way of doing that is ourselves.
Think of all the work, pain and discomfort it takes for the oyster to create the pearl from that small irritating granular of sand. Following Jesus is definitely NOT the "easy" or most "comfortable" way of life, as far as this world-view is concerned. It definitely is the best way to live though. The oyster would probably be a lot happier without a big bulge under its tongue, but then you wouldn't have a beautiful and perfect pearl as the end result.
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