She's Got Everything

Matthew 6:19-21Amplified Bible (AMP)

19 “Do not store up for yourselves [material] treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart [your wishes, your desires; that on which your life centers] will be also.

As some of you know my husband and I have been working to become minimalists for about a year now.  We've been slowly trudging through "our" stuff and getting rid of things. Mostly my things. We've been rearranging our lives to start actually thinking about what we have, why we have it, and what purpose it serves.  It made me realize that I had a strong emotional connection to clutter in my life and yet I was not happy.

My favorite movie growing up was The Little Mermaid.  I remember singing the "Part of This World"song over and over again.  My parents bought me the cassette tape and I'd play it over and over. The words started "Look at this stuff. Isn't it neat? wouldn't you say my collections complete? wouldn't you say I'm a girl, girl who has everything?"  It continued to reveal that Ariel wanted more than things in her life she wanted love, she wanted adventure, she wanted to experience something she had never seen before or never been part of.

We can surround ourselves as much as we want with things and with possessions that we feel bring us joy.  However, if you realize that you still feel empty inside your cluttered house perhaps you are longing for more.  I began to realize I'd rather spend money on meaningful things like experiences with my family.  Like investing time into helping my family grow spiritually and closer together. More importantly, it helped me realized that if I had lost everything I would still be okay and God would supply all my needs.  I realized that what I had were not needs but wants. The most important things in life were not bought.  The most important things in life were provided to me by a gracious God who loved me.  The most important things in my life such as my family were God's gift and I could never have done anything to earn them.

When we realize as Christians that we are just "travelers passing through", it makes me think perhaps I should have the bare minimum while I'm down here.  Do we travel light?  What is important for this journey in life? Is it the things we carry on our backs? or the things we carry in our hearts?

Sarcasm Chasm

Ephesians 4:15Amplified Bible (AMP)

15 But speaking the truth in love [in all things—both our speech and our lives expressing His truth], let us grow up in all things into Him [following His example] who is the Head—Christ.

So many times... I've opened my mouth and I've said things I've regretted.  Many times people need to remind me that I'm being sarcastic and rude.  The sad part is most of the time I don't even realize I'm doing it. Most of the time I do it when I'm feeling like someone is up my neck or judging me.  I guess what I need to realize is how it makes people feel.  The words we speak the things we do are impacting the people around us... we need to realize when we speak we represent Christ.  People don't want a God who is sarcastic they want a God who is a God of love.

Do you know how sometimes you don't need to say anything? Sometimes our body language is enough to reveal how we are feeling about things?  It is REALLY hard for me to show up to work sometimes in a good mood.  Most days I go in I see that one student who is really a challenge for my patience and I think oh great... this is going to be a fun day. My attitude is displayed through my body language and sooner or later my boss picks up on it and tells me.  I'm like NO what do you mean?  then I realize what she's saying is true! I need to welcome every child into my classroom with love.  In my words, in my actions, and deep in my heart I have to get to the root of my bitterness to realize... these are the children I'm put here to serve with God's love.  This is my ministry... if I'm bitter, if I'm sarcastic, if I'm "not in the mood to deal with it" then what kind of a testimony am I giving?

This also impacts my relationships with others. So many times it is easiest to say to people you love ... nasty things.  Things that you don't think but you just say them because perhaps you didn't drink enough coffee in the morning... perhaps you are bitter at something else which causes you to lash out on people you love the most.  I'm not saying coffee keeps me from saying stupid things... I actually think coffee causes my motor mouth to run off more. I avoid caffeine. When we realize just about everything we say impacts people we realize how we can make our mark on the world.  God wants us to take our sarcasm and turn it around into love.  He wants us to model how God would talk to others.  We need to remember in our stressful moments that God is in control.  Not just of the situation but of our tongues.  We need to surrender fully to Him and allow Him to speak through us.

In this day, my challenge is to you to speak from love.  Watch the sarcasm chasm... do not get into that pit of despair. Speak words that will cause others to realize they are loved, cherished, and worthy.

F.I.G.H.T. Back

Psalm 96:3 ESV 

Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!

It is come to my realization just how important it is to make an impact in the world. My husband and I were talking last night about how literacy can survive through ages.  When an author dies they leave a sort of legacy.  I was beginning to think I'd love to be an author.  Then I realized  I am an author.  I would like to catch you up on some great things God has done in my life recently because I feel it will help you see my perspective now as I take on this blog again;

I have welcomed my daughter into my life.  I was told most of my life since about 1997 to 2001 that I was not able to have children because I had a brain aneurysm. In 2012 I married the love of my life who was willing to adopt and foster with me.  When I realized that in order to be a foster parent in our state we were suppose to tell our youth that it was okay to be gay we realized that the red tape was just not very friendly for our biblical lifestyle.  Then a good friend of the family passed away and in her dying breath revealed to my mother her one regret in life was never having children.  This sent chills down my spine and hubby and I sat down with doctors and asked if by some miracle the brain aneurysm was indeed gone.  It was there was nothing but scar tissue.  I had many tests and many doctors opinions and I was cleared to have kids... as long as I got my A1C down and I did. Last year I gave birth to a healthy baby girl.  She was born premature.  I had almost died after having preclampsia and losing over half my blood. Thanks to people who donate blood I was able to receive three blood transfusions that saved my life. My life now has taken on a new role as a mom, as a wife, yes I do not find it easy to find time to write.  However, I feel it is important to get the messages that God puts in my heart across to the world.

So here I am.  I'm back! I'm ready to live life and F.I.G.H.T.