Tuesday, May 1, 2012
What do you look to?
"So many times we look to the gifts instead of the Giver to fill us and fulfill us with lasting security and significance." Renee Swope-A Confident Heart
As I sit here reviewing the events of the past few days and weeks I am left in awe of the mass majority of individuals including myself whom seek self-worth and significance. Our culture has trained us as women to be independent and successful without relying on a soul. The downfall and flaw to this reality is that we still feel empty at the end of the day. As women we desire a sense of significance and value approval through our accomplishments. Once one success has faded with the seasons we slip right back into the self worthless empty place that we have filled with materialistic items and affairs.
Being a secondary teacher I am becoming more and more aware of the struggle for acceptance and existance within a younger generation. I have spent a few days in the classroom observing self-esteem and self worth among both young men and women on a day to day basis. I was blessed with an eye opening opportunity to experience outside of the classroom a few nights ago too and was caught off guard how quickly someones self righteousness, selfishness, and self humility can affect so many around you.
God did not call us to be self righteous individuals, but to be servants diligently serving one another and seeking him. His love is unfailing and unconditional with no strings attached, no harsh words to send your self esteem six feet under, no shallow comments made about you, no judgemental dagers shot in your direction, no discussions of you behind your back, and no letting go of you ever. He never leaves or forsakes you, his love never fails even when you do, but he is a God of love and of grace. So in the moment when all the hurtful glares, words, texts, eyes rolling, or actions continue to hold your head high with dignity, humility, and Christ like love never letting your self worth and significance slip away.
Do not compare your success to your past, do not compare your success to your present, but remember to be thankful for the blessings and opportunities the Giver has given you. Be thankful instead of always hungering for more measurable materialistic items and the "what ifs" or "what are you going to do for me" or the "what are you getting me" situations. Allow yourself to be saved and satisfied by setting your prideful self-righteous attitude aside and giving God the satisfaction of pouring himself into you and your life style. Look to the Giver for fulfillment, self-worth, and significance instead of the gifts of this world.
"There's a girl in the corner with tears stains on her eyes from the places she's wandered and the shame she cant hide. She says how did I get here? I'm not who I once was and I'm crippled by the fear that I have fallen to far to love....You are more the choices that you've made, you are more than the sum of your past mistakes, you are more than the problems you create, YOU'VE BEEN REMADE." Tenth Avenue North
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
A bitter sweet goodbye
As I sat here trying to decide what I wanted my blog to be named I frantically opened my Bible.The pages began to blow in the wind and then instantly stopped on pages 472-473, this would be Psalm 44-47. I look down and there the name was revealed in the only text underlined on the entire page. Psalm 44:26 states, "Rise up and help us; redeem us because of your unfailing love."
As the world has continued to spin on it's axis the lives in Joplin, Missouri continue to sift through remains of destruction and memories. I was blessed with the opportunity to not only serve in a time of need, but also to be served. The community and members of Webb City Baptist Church were so gracious and grateful to provide all 39+ with three meals a day, a WARM shower, and anything that we might request.
"Sunset Drive" will always hold a special place in heart. A place where grace, humility, hard work, equality, devastation, destruction, serving, and the power of God were all intermingled and intimately intertwined together. "Sunset Drive" is the house/neighborhood our group worked day in and day out. Whether we were picking up debri, sawing trees, moving walls/wood, collecting memorable items, delivering water, or praying there was always work being done.
In a Samaritans Purse safety meeting we were informed that it would be a rarity for any of us to meet the home owners of any work project. I was overjoyed to meet both John and Katherine Sweeney, as well as Elizabeth Kent.
The opportunity to work side by side not only with the five month pregnant woman and mother of Sophia and Emmi was presented, but I also worked with another girl from the church. Her and I were able to work side by side with the home owner loading cherishable items into her vehicle while listening to her stories and testimonies. There is not a way to describe the powerful movement her testimony and story will play on both of our lives. We listened in awe and humility while she rejoiced our Heavenly Father for sparing her and her family's life. We listened intently to her soft voice and stories for there was no devastation but always a praise to our Lord and for the items retrieved. I could have spent several more days listening to her tell her stories of childhood, college, and current life, and yet never be able to explain the powerful moment and impact it will play in life.
Joplin, Missouri is a town of hope, belief, and faith. The attitudes and spirits are high and the town is uprising through the destruction. Every drop of sweat, tears, and ounce of energy excerted was worth it all.
I was blessed with an opportunity to serve and it was my priviledge to serve with many wonderful men and woman including the families day in and day out.
Psalm 44:26
KLa
As the world has continued to spin on it's axis the lives in Joplin, Missouri continue to sift through remains of destruction and memories. I was blessed with the opportunity to not only serve in a time of need, but also to be served. The community and members of Webb City Baptist Church were so gracious and grateful to provide all 39+ with three meals a day, a WARM shower, and anything that we might request.
"Sunset Drive" will always hold a special place in heart. A place where grace, humility, hard work, equality, devastation, destruction, serving, and the power of God were all intermingled and intimately intertwined together. "Sunset Drive" is the house/neighborhood our group worked day in and day out. Whether we were picking up debri, sawing trees, moving walls/wood, collecting memorable items, delivering water, or praying there was always work being done.
In a Samaritans Purse safety meeting we were informed that it would be a rarity for any of us to meet the home owners of any work project. I was overjoyed to meet both John and Katherine Sweeney, as well as Elizabeth Kent.
The opportunity to work side by side not only with the five month pregnant woman and mother of Sophia and Emmi was presented, but I also worked with another girl from the church. Her and I were able to work side by side with the home owner loading cherishable items into her vehicle while listening to her stories and testimonies. There is not a way to describe the powerful movement her testimony and story will play on both of our lives. We listened in awe and humility while she rejoiced our Heavenly Father for sparing her and her family's life. We listened intently to her soft voice and stories for there was no devastation but always a praise to our Lord and for the items retrieved. I could have spent several more days listening to her tell her stories of childhood, college, and current life, and yet never be able to explain the powerful moment and impact it will play in life.
Joplin, Missouri is a town of hope, belief, and faith. The attitudes and spirits are high and the town is uprising through the destruction. Every drop of sweat, tears, and ounce of energy excerted was worth it all.
I was blessed with an opportunity to serve and it was my priviledge to serve with many wonderful men and woman including the families day in and day out.
Psalm 44:26
KLa
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