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Thursday, August 30, 2012

I Know a Man Who Loves Me


I know a man who loves me. 
He loves me more than any other man ever has. 
He holds my hand and helps me through the worst of times. 
He continually showers blessings upon me, and helps me see why life is worth living. 
For a long time, too long, him and I were separated, due to my own ignorance. 
But now he is here with me, and I'm realizing that he never left me. 
I left him. 
He forgives me of all my wrongs and mistakes.
He forgives me of the sins that I find hard to forgive myself for. 
He is the strongest and kindest man I have ever known. 
As I look up to him, he guides my steps. 
I am his and he is mine. 
His name is Jesus.

Friday, August 17, 2012

Choices and Something Better


We all go through life making decisions.  Everyday we make thousands of choices.  Some of them we are aware of, and some of them we make without even noticing.  Some of them we sit and contemplate and do our best to make the best ones possible.  Others we make and only afterwards are we left with the opportunity to contemplate whether they were the right ones to make.

Many times, we are also effected by the choices of others.  Either way, the choices that we make as well as those made by other people always either positively or negatively impact our lives.  I have noticed lately that no matter how meaningless some choices may seem, that even the small ones should be contemplated upon.  Small choices often lead to larger ones having to be made.  Ones that have more significance.  Ones that impact our lives on a large level. 

Choices should never be made out of anger or be made when we are upset or hurt.  When we make choices during these types of situations, we are not making them rationally, nor do we tend to make the ones we prefer we would have.  Even if a circumstance arises in which we think that a choice needs to be made instantaneously, chances are, the choice can wait.  It can wait for some time to pass by so that a rational choice can be made. 

One of the most advantageous things a person can do in life is realize that choices are what we make of them.  Even in rough circumstances, choices are our liberation.  That define who we are.  What we are.  And where we are going in life.  They give us the opportunity to decide for ourselves how our lives are to be. 

It is also beneficial for us to remember that bad choices will be made at one time or another, or if you are anything like me, sometimes they will be made quite frequently.  But even amidst a sea of bad choices, good possibilities can arise.  And it is our responsibility and choice to take the initiative to realize that good can come from bad.  No matter how many bad choices we make, opportunities to make good choices always make themselves present.  One bad choice does not always have to lead to another bad choice being made.  One good choice does not always mean that another good one will follow, but the more good choices we make, the better habit we will form at making them. 

Good choices.  Bad choices.  We all make both of them.  Let's try to do better at making better ones.  Even the good choices we make, we can make them better.  So instead of focusing on making good choices, simply focus on making better ones.  Making good choices doesn't always mean we will lead a good life.  In fact, some people that make good choices get taken advantage of and lead a life of suffering.  But, if we all strive to make better choices, only thing that can happen is we all live better lives.  Might not necessarily mean a good life, but a better one than we are currently living.  That's what I'm going for.  Something better.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Going Up and Down and Around Mountains



We should always do our best to take one step at a time when it comes to getting though this life on earth.  In fact, this is all that God requires of us.  Through each step, he guides our motions and directs us where to go. 

We often see large mountains looming before us, and we become fearful as to how we can ever reach the top of them.  And even when we do reach the top, we once again become fearful as to how we are supposed to scale ourselves back down.  Due to this fear that we build up, we do not look at where we are currently at in our life, and it becomes very easy for us to stumble even when walking down an easy pathway. 

We must remember that God is always here to help us as we stumble.  As he helps us, we should do our best not to worry about the mountains ahead.  We don't know what is going to happen today, much less tomorrow.  Tomorrow or even today, our path may take such an abrupt turn that we no longer have to face the mountains ahead of us.  When this occurs, we quickly realize all of our worrying was for nothing, and even if we do have to climb a mountain, worrying does not make the process any simpler. 

If we keep our eyes open to what God is doing, we can find hope in that he often makes out an easy pathway for us to make it up the mountains that we must climb.  Anytime God makes us climb a mountain, we can rest assured that he will provide us with the strength to make it not only up one side but down the other side as well, and many times, he provides us with enough strength that there is some to spare once the endeavor is over with. 

We should always do our best to keep our mind on the present journey we are on.  Not the ones that we believe we will be going on in the future.  If we focus on the present, we gain the ability to accept the wonderful gifts God is currently blessing us with. 

The above thoughts are my paraphrasing of Sarah Young's Jesus Calling--Feb. 1.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Fools Believe in Fate


The word fate by definition is something that unavoidably befalls upon a person. Something that cannot in any manner, fashion or form be prevented from taking place. To believe in fate, one would have to believe that God (higher power) is not in control and that He does not have the power to change unavoidable circumstances that at times take place in our life.

There are too many circumstances in my life that have only been avoided due to the grace of God, so no I do not believe in fate. My fate has been replaced by unconditional love…which can transform the unknown, the past, present, and future. It can transform a life…it can avoid the unavoidable.

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

We're Both Living



I haven't posted anything over the past several days.  I don't really have a reason for not posting.  I just haven't felt like it to be quite honest.  It's been a stressful week for me, but nothing worth complaining about.  I know that others in this world have far more stress than I have and for far better reasons. 

My stress in only related to my own poor choices.  I know there are people out there who have sick children in a hospital.  These people have far more better reasons than I do to be stressed out and exhausted.  Yet, sometimes I still feel like giving up, but the good thing is that I don't.  I still press on. 

I try everyday to focus on the good in life.  Life isn't about getting to go to the County Fair.  Not about getting to go for a ride on a bike.  Not about getting to spend every waking moment just as we please.  It's about being with our loved ones.  It's about watching small children finally reach 40 inches in height.  It's about getting to a point in life in which we can be thankful for things even when we are suffering. 

There are so many freedoms that I have lost lately.  I can't do this and I can't do that.  But, what I can do is watch my son grow into a young man.  Watch my younger brother and sister come home from school everyday.  Watch my mother and father show me how to properly fill the role of both mother and father within my own son's life. 

If you have lost something lately, don't forget that there is still much that you do have.  For starters, you have life.  And life is all about living.  That's what you and I are both doing.  We're living.  So life can't be all that bad, right?  Also, just remember...it could be much worse!