From a First Responder's Daughter

Like every little girl growing up, my daddy was my hero.He still is. But as I grow older, I realized something: He's a hero to a lot of people. He and his crew are some of the most courageous men I have ever met. My dad is a First Responder, and he is willing to put his life on the line to save a stranger's.

 It's a strange concept knowing that when you kiss somebody goodbye when they leave for work, that you might not see them again. It's humbling watching a crew of people willingly get up at a moment's notice and drop everything to help someone in need. It's an incredible feeling knowing that your father is part of an elite group of men and women that are real life superheroes. 

Perhaps that is why my heart is so broken over the senseless and brutal murder of cops and military personnel recently throughout the United States. I'm horrified that this has become a trend. I'm appalled that more people aren't outraged by this. 

I understand that cops do make mistakes. I understand that some things in life aren't fair. Believe me, I know that police brutality is a thing, and I know that no cop is perfect. But that is no excuse for what is happening. There is absolutely no excuse for the hatred that is being thrown at cops. 

First Responders of all categories have an incredibly stressful job. Lives hang in the balance. But to target people that willingly risk their well being for a stranger is just unimaginable. First Responders are the backbone of this nation, and without them, we would fall apart. Their intention isn't to hurt anyone, but to help. They are doing their jobs to the best of their ability. 

Bottom line is this: First Responder lives matter. Cops lives matter. Medic and EMT lives matter. Military lives matter. Fire lives matter. All lives matter. 

Ashley Madison and Christians

         My heart has been heavy today. Burdened for the marriages and families being hurt and broken this week due to the Ashley Madison data breach. There has been so much negativity and judgement spewing from all angles toward those caught using the site. Some of the worst offenders are Christians. My concern in this post lies for the Christians using the website, and the Christians passing judgement on the company's members.
          The fact of the matter is this: sin is sin. Was the website disgusting and wrong? Yes. Was it wrong for people to sign up for it, especially with the intention of adultery? Of course. Was it wrong for people to be having affairs? Absolutely. I am in no way condoning, excusing, justifying or supporting the actions of anybody involved here.
          But when I look at myself, and remember every sin I have committed, and all of my wrongdoings, I know I have no room to speak. Am I free from sin? Nope. Are you sinless? No. Have we all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God? You bet. That's it. We are all sinners. We don't all sin in the same way. Not all our sins are made public like this. We are all guilty though. I don't believe that God sees one sin as being worse than another. All of them are what put Jesus on that cross. All of them are what killed Him, not just one specific one.
          So what on earth gives us the right to judge? Christ chose the cross, knowing full well that we were all going to sin and we needed a savior. He showed us unfathomable mercy and compassion. And now, we have an opportunity to reflect that for all the world to see. We aren't called to hate somebody. We can love them without agreeing with or supporting their choices. We don't need to be kicking people while they're down, and condemning them at their most vulnerable states. We can come alongside our fellow believers and help them up. We can love them and help them in their struggles.
          Bottom line: We can use this opportunity as a way to glorify God instead of a way to allow worldly influences to have control. Love like He did. Forgive like He did.


" To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God forgave the inexcusable in you." -C. S. Lewis
       

Forgiveness

"Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." - Ephesians 4:32


     I have a tendency to want to hold a grudge. I also have a bit of a temper. I like to blame it on our Scottish roots and my red hair. Regardless, it's a habit and issue I work daily to break. Basically, what I'm saying is this: I'm flawed. I mess up. Often. And Heaven knows God has forgiven me countless times, and I definitely don't deserve the grace and mercy He's shown to me. So, after having that level of compassion shown to me regardless of how much I broke God's heart, how could I not extend that same love, grace, mercy and forgiveness to the ones who hurt me?

    Recently, someone close to me hurt me pretty badly with some choice actions and words. I really don't believe they meant it, but that doesn't lessen the pain. And honestly? I didn't handle it as well as I could have and should have. My first instinct and reaction was anger. Then came resentment. Then the hurt that felt like someone tore a chunk of my heart out. Then to my least favorite, bitterness. Oh, and there was an abundance of tears. I couldn't remember a time I had been cut that deep. That night, I went to bed crying out to God. I desperately pleaded for a change of heart, and to see the one who hurt me as God sees them, through a lens of love, compassion, and grace. I begged for the ability to forgive because I knew I couldn't do it on my own. Then, it came as quite the shock to me, I felt led to pray FOR the one who caused me pain. Pray good things for them! Well, that went against every instinct I had. But that's how I knew God was in it, because it was contrary to the fleshly reactions I have. So I prayed. I bared my whole vulnerable heart to the Lord, and prayed for the person I least wanted to bless. I asked that they would know God and His love, and that His love would reach them right where they were,  and that He'd heal the heart and spirit that was hurt enough to need to cause my heart pain too.It wasn't easy, but it was necessary. But it was the only way I could get past the resentment, hurt, anger, and bitterness. Forgiveness is what is stronger than all those other feelings combined. It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do, to be honest. But we are told to forgive 7 times 70 times.

   So, friend, is there a hurt you're holding on to? A bitterness or resentment that's weighing you down? I don't know the kind of hurt you have, and I am not trying to diminish it in any way. I don't know what has been said or done to you. But I do know that God is good to meet you where you are and change your heart. How do I know? He changed the hardest heart I know... mine. So I'm asking you to pray for the offender. Just lift them up to the Lord. Forgiveness is difficult, not impossible. Start with a prayer, and go from there. It's time to heal YOUR broken heart in a powerful way. You are worth it. You can do this. God is right there with you every step of the way. I'm living proof of that. <3




PS. This song really touched me and helped me. I hope it can help you, too. Xoxo

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=WLPKY7NX

Extra Grace Required

If you know me at all, you know that I absolutely adore my momma. She is my favorite person in the world because she has stuck by me through good times and bad. Some of you guys may not believe it, but I wasn't the easiest child in the world. In fact, I was what you would call a "difficult child", or "a handful". The thing that impresses me to this day is that despite all that, my mother still had a tremendous amount of love and grace for me. 

She and I were talking about a week ago, and she told me something that really has stuck with me. She told me that God's timing isn't always convenient, and sometimes the most important things God has for you to do are the ones that you want to do the least.

That struck a chord. We live in a world where we are so self centered and focused on what we want that we put ourselves on a pedestal. Is something inconvenient? We don't do it. Hear that whisper in your heart to help someone but you'd rather do something else? We ignore the whisper. We put way too much emphasis on us and not enough emphasis on others. 

You might not wanna hear it, but at some point, you were one of the difficult people, just like me. And my bet is that someone gave you a little extra grace, and went out of their way to help you. It may have been bad timing or they had something they'd rather do, but they went and showed Christ's love to  you. Now it's your turn.

Galatians 6:9 instructs us to do what is right and bear one another's burdens without growing weary. I'm imploring you, look around. See who you can help. If you hear that whisper in your heart, or feel a nudge at your spirit, don't ignore it. Do what you are called to do. You never know what kind of impact you are making. Never miss an opportunity to further the Kingdom of God, or be His hands and feet here on Earth. Extend grace as He does. Show unconditional love like He does. Reach out to the hurting. I'm not saying it will be easy, but I am saying that it will be worth it. 

Surrender

*Hey, y'all! Hope 2015 has been blessed and wonderful for you and yours so far! Sorry I've been absent. Life's gotten a little hectic around my neck of the woods, but I do believe we are back on track for weekly posts. Thanks for sticking with me, friends!*


Life is crazy, plain and simple. Some times in life are smooth sailing, and that's wonderful. Some seasons in life are confusing and painful. Those times are less than wonderful.

If you are in a "smooth-sailing" season, I am so happy for you! Enjoy the great things that are happening, and praise God for what's going on in your world.

If you're in a "choppy-sea" time in your life, it's okay. I'm right there with you, friend. It's tough to keep fighting sometimes. Some days, you don't feel okay (and that is okay. Whatever you are feeling is okay.) and you struggle to make it through the day. Been there, done that. But, it will get better. It's hard to be hopeful with an uncertain future, isn't it? There is hope. Our hope is in Christ Jesus, who has overcome the world. He is stronger than sin, stronger than death, and stronger than whatever you are facing. Your future is in His hands.

God is for you, not against you. He is with you, and He will be your strength. He will not leave you. Not now, not ever. Even in your darkest time, He is faithful. You are His beloved child. He cares so deeply for you. He is all-knowing, all-sustaining, and loves you more than you can fathom.

I'll be completely honest with you: I don't have all the answers. I don't understand His plan right now. I don't know why I am facing these specific trials, and enduring this pain. I don't know your situation, or why you're enduring these struggles either. I don't know what's gonna happen next. But I earnestly believe that God has a plan, and His plan is perfect. I know He will work all things for our good and His glory.

It's okay to hurt. It's okay to be sad. It's okay to cry. It's okay to be mad, or confused. It's okay to feel. Just don't get stuck in the sadness, the pain, the tears, or the anger. They'll knock you down. You gotta get back up again. Don't stay down.

So, dear friend, I encourage you to keep strong in your faith, and lean on the Lord. Depend upon Him. He cares for you. He will sustain and provide. Give your worries, fears, and doubts to Him. Just surrender. Hold tight to His promises, and keep fighting a good fight. This situation is just temporary. It won't last forever. There's light at the end of the tunnel. Life isn't easy, and some times are tougher than others. But have faith. It'll get better.


"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." -James 1:2-4

Great is Thy Faithfulness: 2014 in Review

Hey, y'all! Hope you had a most joyous and blessed Christmas! :) It has been a whirlwind season for me! 2014 has been a crazy year. I won't bore you with the details of everything from this year. I just wanted to share some lessons I learned this year with you! Here we go:

• There's Beauty in Everything: This year has been simultaneously the best and worst year of my life, to be honest. The best in the aspect of my spiritual life. Worst in terms of it being an emotional roller coaster. With the loss of my grandfather, I felt so helpless. I was a mess. Like for real, if you saw me at all during that time, you know I reached a low point. But God was there to be my safe place, comforter, refuge, restorer of my weary heart, and the one to put my broken heart back together. I got to know God in a way I never had before. I had to completely rely on Him and hold nothing back, and He loved me so fiercely in a way I never deserved. He revealed a glimpse of His heart and undying and unfathomable love to me. He made beauty out of the ashes of my heart. 
• FOCUS: In the storms of life, you can focus on your problem, your fears, your anxieties, your flaws, or God. He is bigger than anything life throws at you, my friend. He is bigger than any fear or worry. Reset your sight on what matters most.
• I don't need to have control: I'm a planner. It's just what I do. If I'm stressed, I make lists. I like to know exactly what's gonna happen. The events of this year taught me that isn't the way to live. In reality, I can't plan for life. I can't know what's gonna happen. My life isn't gonna be tied up in a pretty bow. Life is gonna be messy. Life is gonna be chaotic. It's gonna hurt. It's gonna be incredible and wonderful. My life is not in my hands. It is in God's hands. He knows what will happen tomorrow, next week, next year. He knows every single detail about my life. All I need to do is trust that He has control, because I sure don't. 
• I am not alone: God's faithfulness is beyond words. Not for a second has He left me on my own, even when it feels like it. He has worked everything for good in my life this year, and He will continue to do so. He will never leave me nor forsake me, and I don't have to fear. He knows my heart like no other, and regardless of what I do, He will stay with me. He keeps His promises to me. 

I hope and pray great things for all of you in this coming year. Thank you so so so much for going on this journey with me. See y'all in 2015!

"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not grow faint." -Isaiah 40:31

"But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness". So I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." -2 Corinthians 12:9

Fix My Eyes Upon You

My life has been kind of a whirlwind lately. Between writing final essays, staying up cramming for finals, going to work, prepping for Christmas, unexpected bumps in the road, and fulfilling commitments, I feel stretched pretty thin.. You could say I'm a little stressed. Maybe overwhelmed is a better word.

I've let my priorities get all jumbled up. I find myself juggling more and more the closer it gets to Christmas. And that's just ridiculous.

The best way I can say it is that I feel like Peter on the ocean. At first my focus was all on Jesus. And slowly, my stress, doubts, fears, worries, and obligations started to pile up. And I fixed my eyes and mind on that instead of Jesus. And just like that, I started sinking. I just kept sinking as more worries and things piled up in front of me. I was letting temporary issues have too much control over me and become an anchor tied to my feet while I was trying to stay afloat. Honestly, I really don't like the feeling I have and the person I am when my focus isn't centered on Christ.

So I'm adjusting my gaze. Because Jesus is greater. He is bigger than my insecurities, worries, stressors, doubts, anxieties, conflicts and confusions. He is the only thing that is eternal, and the thing that matters most. He is my life source. I'm drained without Him.And I don't want to be a drained out, stretched thin, shadow of who I am meant to be. In fact, I refuse to be that anymore. It's time to get  back to balance.

 It's so easy to focus on the buildup to Christmas that we forget to meditate on the miracle of Christ. So, enjoy the season, enjoy the festivities, enjoy the baking, shopping and wrapping. Enjoy family and friends and the joy the time of year brings. Sing those Christmas carols loud. Snuggle up with a blanket and some hot chocolate and watch some Christmas movies.  But don't forget to keep your eyes fixed on the King of Kings and the reason for the season.