Selfless
Having, exhibiting, or motivated by no concern for oneself; unselfish.
Having little concern for one's own interests.
I witnessed a small example of this at our Christmas Eve service and it warmed me to the core. Why it touched me so much I am not all together sure but it did and it got me to thinking. What if we were ALL like this ALL.THE.TIME.
The Miller's are a super sweet couple at my church. To watch them from the outside you would think that they had it all together. They agree on most things and when they don't they just kinda agree to disagree. You would never think that their home would ever hear a raised voice and they would NEVER argue to the point of anger. However, I really know them. I know K enough to know that she has her own opinion and expresses it when she feels strongly about something. I know that she is her father's daughter and can be stubborn and headstrong. I also know J. He is THE man. He is the head of his house. He is strong and just as expressive when it comes to his opinion.
Behind the scenes this couple really isn't PERFECT :) I know it was a shocker to me too.
Anyway, in the middle of a special they were singing during the Christmas Eve service J somehow dropped his guitar. I think maybe his guitar strap came loose. Anyway, with her voice still singing beautifully, K walked right over and fixed the strap for him. He continued to play. He never missed a chord. She never got off key. Truth is, this probably had no impact on either of them. Not like the impact it had on me.
To me, it was the sweetest thing. She didn't care that she was in the middle of singing. She didn't care that the whole church was watching. All she saw was that her fellow human, her husband, a person needed help and she didn't hesitate.
She was selfless.
How many would have stood their oblivious to the need?
How many of us would have been so focused on us that we wouldn't have even noticed?
How many would have worried that if they stepped out of place on stage someone would notice? The song wouldn't be perfect?
How many would have left it up to him to fix it on his own?
Phillipians 2:4 says this "Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."
Who's interest are you looking out for?
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Monday, December 17, 2012
Fear
Today at 12:03 I sit at my desk full of mixed emotions about the tragedy that happened at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
For the parents of the victims I feel sorrow and grief. I cannot imagine the pain they must be feeling. The anger toward a man they have never met. The confusion about why this happened to their family.
For the parents of the survivors I feel absolute JOY. Joy that they were able to snuggle up to their little ones on Friday night and smell their little kid scent. They were able to brush their hair back from their faces while they slept or while they comforted them after waking from nightmares that remind them of their day. I imagine the relief that they felt when they arrived at the school to find their children alive and well. The overwhelming feeling of LOVE that wrapped around their heart when they picked them up and held them in their arms.
For the surviving students and teachers I am sure there is unspoken guilt because they survived. They have a chance to live their life as God intended but with a cloud of fear. The fear of going back to the place it all happened. The constant wonder of what if's. What if it had been me instead of my brother or sister. What if my teacher had been a coward instead of a hero? Was I saved for a purpose? What if I was given a chance to do great things and fail? The pressure to take this chance at life and make it all that God intended.
Then I think about the rest of America waking up to send their kids into the world today. Parents, like myself, sending my kids into this world of uncertainty, insanity and meanness. A world full of confusion that would prefer to believe in Santa Claus than Jesus.
That world is scary. That world is full of hate. That world is full of derangement, hatred and lies.
That world is also full of love. That world is full of hope. That world was created by our father in heaven. The one that loved the WORLD so much that he sent his son as a sacrifice for it. A sacrifice that could save them all. The ignorant ones that posted this sign in Times Square. A sacrifice that loves the shooter in Sandy Hook. A sacrifice that will live on forever no matter what fearful things this world may hold.
I choose the world full of hope. I refuse to let fear rule my life. I will NOT allow the man that went into Sandy Hook Elementary control my world. My children will know that I love them everyday. Not because they may never come home. Not because my world was shaken due to tragedy but because it is truth and one they need to know daily! My children will go to school and receive the education that they desire. They will not be kept at home out of a fearful gesture. They will walk out the door and into AMS, UHS and SPS with a prayer of protection surrounding them, the holy spirit guiding them and prayers of wisdom. Wisdom to take cover if something should happen. Supernatural wisdom to guide them through anything.
God forbid anyone that I know should have to endure such tragedy. God forbid my children lose their life to something so tragic as a school shooting, car accident or an illness but if they do, I just hope that I can carry on with my life knowing that they are in the presence of their father. They are home and I will be reunited with them someday.
My daughter had a childhood friend that lost her battle with cancer this weekend at 15years old. That is so unfair. She had so much life to live. I am struggling today because her earthly father and stepmother will miss her dearly. However, I found out that her biological mother is in heaven. They are reunited right now. They are together worshipping Jesus. While I still grieve for her earthly parents, it's a little harder now. I mean come on...meeting Jesus and your momma in heaven...what a welcome that was for her.
Don't let fear rule life. Don't let this or any other tragedy cripple you. Let love win this battle. Let good conquer. Never forget that Jesus reigns in this place, this place we live in!
For the parents of the victims I feel sorrow and grief. I cannot imagine the pain they must be feeling. The anger toward a man they have never met. The confusion about why this happened to their family.
For the parents of the survivors I feel absolute JOY. Joy that they were able to snuggle up to their little ones on Friday night and smell their little kid scent. They were able to brush their hair back from their faces while they slept or while they comforted them after waking from nightmares that remind them of their day. I imagine the relief that they felt when they arrived at the school to find their children alive and well. The overwhelming feeling of LOVE that wrapped around their heart when they picked them up and held them in their arms.
For the surviving students and teachers I am sure there is unspoken guilt because they survived. They have a chance to live their life as God intended but with a cloud of fear. The fear of going back to the place it all happened. The constant wonder of what if's. What if it had been me instead of my brother or sister. What if my teacher had been a coward instead of a hero? Was I saved for a purpose? What if I was given a chance to do great things and fail? The pressure to take this chance at life and make it all that God intended.
Then I think about the rest of America waking up to send their kids into the world today. Parents, like myself, sending my kids into this world of uncertainty, insanity and meanness. A world full of confusion that would prefer to believe in Santa Claus than Jesus.
That world is scary. That world is full of hate. That world is full of derangement, hatred and lies.
That world is also full of love. That world is full of hope. That world was created by our father in heaven. The one that loved the WORLD so much that he sent his son as a sacrifice for it. A sacrifice that could save them all. The ignorant ones that posted this sign in Times Square. A sacrifice that loves the shooter in Sandy Hook. A sacrifice that will live on forever no matter what fearful things this world may hold.
I choose the world full of hope. I refuse to let fear rule my life. I will NOT allow the man that went into Sandy Hook Elementary control my world. My children will know that I love them everyday. Not because they may never come home. Not because my world was shaken due to tragedy but because it is truth and one they need to know daily! My children will go to school and receive the education that they desire. They will not be kept at home out of a fearful gesture. They will walk out the door and into AMS, UHS and SPS with a prayer of protection surrounding them, the holy spirit guiding them and prayers of wisdom. Wisdom to take cover if something should happen. Supernatural wisdom to guide them through anything.
God forbid anyone that I know should have to endure such tragedy. God forbid my children lose their life to something so tragic as a school shooting, car accident or an illness but if they do, I just hope that I can carry on with my life knowing that they are in the presence of their father. They are home and I will be reunited with them someday.
My daughter had a childhood friend that lost her battle with cancer this weekend at 15years old. That is so unfair. She had so much life to live. I am struggling today because her earthly father and stepmother will miss her dearly. However, I found out that her biological mother is in heaven. They are reunited right now. They are together worshipping Jesus. While I still grieve for her earthly parents, it's a little harder now. I mean come on...meeting Jesus and your momma in heaven...what a welcome that was for her.
Don't let fear rule life. Don't let this or any other tragedy cripple you. Let love win this battle. Let good conquer. Never forget that Jesus reigns in this place, this place we live in!
Friday, December 7, 2012
"A man's home is castle"...Let's repurpose that quote!!
I read this quote today from the little lady over at Touch of Serendipity and it made me sit back and think about my own home! The quote was this "Be grateful for the home you have, knowing that at this moment, all you have is all you need." -Sarah Ban Breathnach.
We are moving this week and I get to redecorate. It has been on my mind and creating butterflies for a couple of days. I get to start over. I get a re-do. I am so excited. Just when I thought I LOVED my house; the opportunity to do something different hits me and I am like....YIIIPPPEEEE
A part of me screams that what my house looks like on the inside isn't as important as the way my family feels inside my home.
However, a part of me screams that what my house looks like on the inside is a HUGE part of me and is JUST AS IMPORTANT as the way my family feels inside my home. Let's face it, every child wants to bring their friends to a homey, clean, organized house right?
It seems strange to me because the old saying goes "A man's home is his castle" but isn't the woman the one that gets all bent outta shape about decorating the castle? Isn't she the one that gets the "credit" for it being b.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l.? Isn't she the one that meditates on "Home and Garden", "Martha Stewart Living" or wonders aimlessly around Hobby Lobby searching for just the right picture frame. Isn't she the one that gets her girlfriends together so they can all travel for hours to get to a vintage festival to buy someone else's junk or take a million pictures of things "We can make ourselves"? Clearly, that quote is incorrect :)
I, on the other hand, don't get so much bent outta shape about decorating as I do get giddy, excited, elated and travel around on cloud 9 when I know that I get to decorate. I love it. It is for sure a passion, a stress reliever and a part of me that I have just recently fell in love with.
I just know that Lucy just found out that her and Ethel are headed to Hobby Lobby with Ricky's credit card.
So, friends....my style is Vintage/Rustic/Repurposed Junk :) I love it. I love chalk paint. I love rustic letters. I love repurposed furniture.
Let's redecorate my living room, kitchen and bathroom together!!! I want lots of input. I am going to ask for lots of opinions and when my house is done....
WE ARE HAVING A PARTY!!
We are moving this week and I get to redecorate. It has been on my mind and creating butterflies for a couple of days. I get to start over. I get a re-do. I am so excited. Just when I thought I LOVED my house; the opportunity to do something different hits me and I am like....YIIIPPPEEEE
A part of me screams that what my house looks like on the inside isn't as important as the way my family feels inside my home.
However, a part of me screams that what my house looks like on the inside is a HUGE part of me and is JUST AS IMPORTANT as the way my family feels inside my home. Let's face it, every child wants to bring their friends to a homey, clean, organized house right?
It seems strange to me because the old saying goes "A man's home is his castle" but isn't the woman the one that gets all bent outta shape about decorating the castle? Isn't she the one that gets the "credit" for it being b.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l.? Isn't she the one that meditates on "Home and Garden", "Martha Stewart Living" or wonders aimlessly around Hobby Lobby searching for just the right picture frame. Isn't she the one that gets her girlfriends together so they can all travel for hours to get to a vintage festival to buy someone else's junk or take a million pictures of things "We can make ourselves"? Clearly, that quote is incorrect :)
I, on the other hand, don't get so much bent outta shape about decorating as I do get giddy, excited, elated and travel around on cloud 9 when I know that I get to decorate. I love it. It is for sure a passion, a stress reliever and a part of me that I have just recently fell in love with.
I just know that Lucy just found out that her and Ethel are headed to Hobby Lobby with Ricky's credit card.
So, friends....my style is Vintage/Rustic/Repurposed Junk :) I love it. I love chalk paint. I love rustic letters. I love repurposed furniture.
Let's redecorate my living room, kitchen and bathroom together!!! I want lots of input. I am going to ask for lots of opinions and when my house is done....
WE ARE HAVING A PARTY!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)