When we were little, it seemed as if getting bigger would never come. We longed to do some of the things the grown-ups did....or at least what the "big kids" did. However, the older I get, the more I realize how simple and wonderful those single digit years were.
Oh, yes, growing up has brought about some really nice things. It is so cool to finally cast your first ballot (like I did on Tuesday!!!) It is enjoyable to have a whole new world of food available to you (and not just chicken strips and French fries) Getting to stay up late is fantastic. Yet....included with these wonderful changes, the difficulties come too. The hormonal issues, the friendship problems, making difficult decisions, walking the less traveled path...sometimes it can be enough to make us want to turn back around. Or we can look ahead and go, "Parents only have to worry about money. Life is easier for them. I cannot wait for that stage of life."
And yet, this past week my eyes have been opened to the pain that comes with being a parent. In the midst of the first steps and first words, watching the spiritual maturity, the laughs and smiles, there can also be found tears, doubts, and pain. There is the watching your child struggle with health issues....and yet, you do not have the answers or the ability to make him better. Or there is the even greater pain of having a memorial service for your daughter who died before she should have.
These pains have been felt by some friends of ours this week....and also in the lives of the Chapman family, as everyone knows. My heart has broken especially for the latter, for I cannot begin to imagine what it is like to lose a child at such a young age. Steven Curtis Chapman's music has been of such healing for many--now it is his turn to need the healing.
Pain and hardship can cause us to turn tail and run. Watching parents go through these issues can make us question if we want to run the risk of experiencing them ourselves. We think that avoiding is the best answer there is. Yet, I can tell you that nothing has changed with me. Just as I know that Steven and Mary Beth Chapman do not regret one minute they had with Maria, I will not regret what happens as a result of being a wife and mother.
It is the same as with anything. The painful times are only a part, but an essential part, of the bigger picture. Without the one, the other would not give such a testimony to God. That doesn't mean it hurts less, by any means! Yet, prayer will see us through all things that God brings to us; it doesn't matter if they are stupid issues or heartbreaking issues. Christ wants us to cling to Him with it all.
I would ask that you all continue to pray for the Chapman family. Faith is tested under struggle. In the end, we are either refined or we collapse. Lert's pray that for them, and all struggling parents, that they would be refined by the Father's fire...that they would feel carried to Jesus. And that we might learn from their testimony.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
May We Never Forget
She walked to the mailboxOn that bright summers day
Found a letter from her son
In a war far away
He spoke of the weather
And the friends that he'd
said "I'd been thinking about dad
And the life that he had
That's why I'm here today"
That at the end, he said
"You know what I'm fighting for"
It was the first of the letters from war
She started wrting
"You're good and you're brave
What a father that you'll make someday
Make it home
Make it safe"
She wrote every night as she prayed
Late in December
A day she'll not forget
Oh her tears stained the paper
With every word that she read
It said "I was up on a hill
I was out there alone
When the shots all rang out
And bomb were exploding
That's when I saw him
He came back for me
And though he was captrued
A man set me free
That man was your son
He asked me to write to you
I told him I would, oh, I swore."
It was the last of the letters from war.
And she prayed he was living
Kept on believing
And wrote every night just to say
"You're good, and you're brave
What a father that you'll make someday
Make it home
Make it safe"
Still she kept writing each day
Then two years later
Autumn leaves all around
A car pulled in the driveway
And she fell to the ground
And out stepped a captain
Where her boy used to stand
He said, "Mom I'm following orders
From all of your letters
And I've come home again."
He ran in to hold her
Dropped all his bags on the floor
Holding all of her letters from war.
Make it home
Make it home
Make it home!
~~Mark Shultz, of his album "Letters From War"
May we never forget the sacrifice of those who have fought and died for our freedom. no matter what you may think of the wars past and present, our soldiers deserve our honor, respect, and prayers. Without their willingness, this nation could be a whole lot different. I choose to thank them this day, Memorial Day, 2008.
~~I didn't take either of these pictures. Trust me, if I ever make it to Washington D.C. and Arlington, you will hear about it!~~
Friday, May 23, 2008
One of the Deep Questions
Jasmine had asked me: what is your opinion of the atomic bomb in '45? I had asked her the same question. So, if you haven't read my "fun" answers, click here. If you have, feel free to read this paper I wrote on the subject of the atomic bomb. I would like to know you girl's imput!
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In leadership, one is often called upon to make decisions. They must decide whether or not to sign or veto a bill; with whom they should have diplomatic relations; how they should respond to a crisis. Each decision made has lasting repercussions. You cannot change the course once the order has been given, the duty being fulfilled. You cannot go back in history (having the privilege of hindsight) and redo errors. Thus, every decision, every order, every decree, should be given much deliberation. The pros and cons should be weighed over and over again before word is pronounced.
However, even the most careful planning and thinking has room for fault and disaster. Man is human; only the Lord is above mistakes. A president has only so many resources open to him. Whereas God has the past, present, and future available to His knowledge, a president can only act on the here and now. What he sees is what he gets.
In the course of history, Presidents have been called upon to make some very weighty decisions. One is not more important than the other. Yet, the subject of using the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August, 1945, had to have been one of the most difficult. President Harry Truman was given the pleasure of making the call.
Civilian life is a precious blessing from God. Each human being, be they white or black, perfect or handicapped, has intrinsic value. While society might deny that fact, it is engrained in the Bible. Thus, the decision of killing innocent lives is not one to be taken lightly. Unnecessary bloodshed can stain the hands, and the annals of history, forever. With this in mind, one must ask the question, “Did wanting to bring about the end of World War II warrant the use of atomic warfare?”
Until 1945, atomic bombs were not used. In fact, the first wars were fought with swords, shields, cannons, and fists. When the twentieth century dawned, however, a new era of combat was at hand. Mustard gases, hand grenades, machine guns, tanks, bombers—all made appearances in the first two world wars. Yet the atomic bomb ushered in something even more new; once it was first used, nuclear war would become just as ordinary as fighting with guns are. Nuclear war would also bring war to the home front. Thousands upon thousands would no longer be thrust into battle’s grip via factories and rationing; they would be killed by radiation fallout and all of the other ramifications of the atomic bomb.
That side of the atomic bomb was a weighty one to consider. The powers that be knew what would happen to those cities that would receive the “punishment.” They would be destroyed with effects that would last longer than the initial hit. However, there was the other side to ponder. The United States wasn’t the only country that had the atomic bomb. Yes, we were farther along than anybody, but that doesn’t mean somebody else wouldn’t have figured it out. What would have happened if on that fateful August day we had not used ours—but the enemy later did?
One’s first obligation is to protect their own. The United States had already been hit on December 7, 1941; Pearl Harbor had taken a surprise hit from the Japanese. Another such disaster would not have been welcome to the American people. A nuclear attack would have been far worse upon the geographical, psychological, and emotional state of the nation. It certainly would have crippled the most powerful nation in the world. With this in mind, the leadership in Washington had to consider the fact that if we didn’t drop the bomb first, someone else would be dropping it on us, our loved ones, and our way of life.
President Harry S. Truman decided that using the atomic bomb on Japan had less drastic of consequences on us if we used it first. So, we did. We bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing many, many lives. By doing so, we brought Japan to its knees. Within days, the devastated nation surrendered and World War II ended. American boys came home, the world was left to rebuild, and Japan had to rise among the ashes.
When one just glances briefly at history now, the atomic bomb almost appears to have no significance. It has its place in our textbooks, but no one has used it since. Japan is one of the most technological, powerful, affluent nations is the world. It can seem as if all is well. And yet, is it? The bad parts are recorded right along with the “good” parts.
One should never envy a president; his decisions lay on his shoulders. He is responsible for a nation. He, not us, has to make the important calls. And while we might have a problem with nuclear war and the atomic bomb, we have to ask ourselves if we would do anything differently than they. I, for one, will say that I do not know. I do not like atomic bombs; the threat of their future use lies heavily upon the world. Yet, I love my home and should it be threaten….it puts things in an entirely different light.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In leadership, one is often called upon to make decisions. They must decide whether or not to sign or veto a bill; with whom they should have diplomatic relations; how they should respond to a crisis. Each decision made has lasting repercussions. You cannot change the course once the order has been given, the duty being fulfilled. You cannot go back in history (having the privilege of hindsight) and redo errors. Thus, every decision, every order, every decree, should be given much deliberation. The pros and cons should be weighed over and over again before word is pronounced.
However, even the most careful planning and thinking has room for fault and disaster. Man is human; only the Lord is above mistakes. A president has only so many resources open to him. Whereas God has the past, present, and future available to His knowledge, a president can only act on the here and now. What he sees is what he gets.
In the course of history, Presidents have been called upon to make some very weighty decisions. One is not more important than the other. Yet, the subject of using the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August, 1945, had to have been one of the most difficult. President Harry Truman was given the pleasure of making the call.
Civilian life is a precious blessing from God. Each human being, be they white or black, perfect or handicapped, has intrinsic value. While society might deny that fact, it is engrained in the Bible. Thus, the decision of killing innocent lives is not one to be taken lightly. Unnecessary bloodshed can stain the hands, and the annals of history, forever. With this in mind, one must ask the question, “Did wanting to bring about the end of World War II warrant the use of atomic warfare?”
Until 1945, atomic bombs were not used. In fact, the first wars were fought with swords, shields, cannons, and fists. When the twentieth century dawned, however, a new era of combat was at hand. Mustard gases, hand grenades, machine guns, tanks, bombers—all made appearances in the first two world wars. Yet the atomic bomb ushered in something even more new; once it was first used, nuclear war would become just as ordinary as fighting with guns are. Nuclear war would also bring war to the home front. Thousands upon thousands would no longer be thrust into battle’s grip via factories and rationing; they would be killed by radiation fallout and all of the other ramifications of the atomic bomb.
That side of the atomic bomb was a weighty one to consider. The powers that be knew what would happen to those cities that would receive the “punishment.” They would be destroyed with effects that would last longer than the initial hit. However, there was the other side to ponder. The United States wasn’t the only country that had the atomic bomb. Yes, we were farther along than anybody, but that doesn’t mean somebody else wouldn’t have figured it out. What would have happened if on that fateful August day we had not used ours—but the enemy later did?
One’s first obligation is to protect their own. The United States had already been hit on December 7, 1941; Pearl Harbor had taken a surprise hit from the Japanese. Another such disaster would not have been welcome to the American people. A nuclear attack would have been far worse upon the geographical, psychological, and emotional state of the nation. It certainly would have crippled the most powerful nation in the world. With this in mind, the leadership in Washington had to consider the fact that if we didn’t drop the bomb first, someone else would be dropping it on us, our loved ones, and our way of life.
President Harry S. Truman decided that using the atomic bomb on Japan had less drastic of consequences on us if we used it first. So, we did. We bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing many, many lives. By doing so, we brought Japan to its knees. Within days, the devastated nation surrendered and World War II ended. American boys came home, the world was left to rebuild, and Japan had to rise among the ashes.
When one just glances briefly at history now, the atomic bomb almost appears to have no significance. It has its place in our textbooks, but no one has used it since. Japan is one of the most technological, powerful, affluent nations is the world. It can seem as if all is well. And yet, is it? The bad parts are recorded right along with the “good” parts.
One should never envy a president; his decisions lay on his shoulders. He is responsible for a nation. He, not us, has to make the important calls. And while we might have a problem with nuclear war and the atomic bomb, we have to ask ourselves if we would do anything differently than they. I, for one, will say that I do not know. I do not like atomic bombs; the threat of their future use lies heavily upon the world. Yet, I love my home and should it be threaten….it puts things in an entirely different light.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Answers to Questions--First Edition
Okay, so four gals asked me some questions. Miss S., Anna, Jasmine, and Bonnie....you asked some good ones! The "deep" questions will be answered in posts of their own, but I thought I would do the fun ones now. I appreciate y'all starting this off.
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Miss S. wanted to know: How often do I eat a hotdog? The answer is never. I cannot stand hotdogs! I can't get past the whole "eating parts" thing. I occasionally eat a chicken corndog; those are more standable. At sporting events, I do not care if hotdogs are culture and tradition...give me a burger anyday!
Do I like sunny days or cloudy days better? Why? I would say sunny days, with an average temperature in the 70's. The sunshine makes me happy and it benefits my skin a great deal!
If a teapot fell from the sky and onto my head, what would I do? I would duck! I freak out when baseballs, volleyballs, ANYTHING seem to be coming near my face =)
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Jasmine asked me: What is your favorite movie? How can I be limited to one??!! I love almosst every single movie I watch. I love black and white films, girly films, musicals, some new (but decent) movies... so I cannot say. One that I could easily add to my list would be The Inheritance. If you all haven't seen it, you should!
What is your favorite soundtrack? Hands down, it would be Emma. I love that one; it is so soothing. But when I am dusting, Pirates of the Caribbean is great.
What is your favorite song to play on the piano? I absolutely love Gershwin's Prelude #2. I had to play that this year at my festival. Pachabel's Canon in D is great too.
What color are my eyes? My eyes are blue...but at times, it certainly doesn't seem so! They change with every color I wear.
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Anna asked me: Which do I enjoy wearing more: skirts and shirts or dresses? I would have to say skirts and shirts. It is much harder for me to find dresses that look good on me than it is to locate skirts. However, I have two summer dresses that I want to make soon.
What is my favorite color to wear? That would be blues of all shades--especially turquoise. I am a "summer" when it comes to colring tones. I also like red and believe it or not, brown.
What is my favorite way to fix my hair? I really enjoy having a hair style. I keep it at shoulder length (or a little below) and I use curling irons to flip it up at parts and down in some parts. It only takes about 8 minutes to do and it isn't "overboard."
What is my favorite quote on womanhood/femininity? I absolutely love what Peter Marshall says on the subject. My favorite quote you can all read here, as it is rather long for me to write it all.
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Miss S. wanted to know: How often do I eat a hotdog? The answer is never. I cannot stand hotdogs! I can't get past the whole "eating parts" thing. I occasionally eat a chicken corndog; those are more standable. At sporting events, I do not care if hotdogs are culture and tradition...give me a burger anyday!
Do I like sunny days or cloudy days better? Why? I would say sunny days, with an average temperature in the 70's. The sunshine makes me happy and it benefits my skin a great deal!
If a teapot fell from the sky and onto my head, what would I do? I would duck! I freak out when baseballs, volleyballs, ANYTHING seem to be coming near my face =)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jasmine asked me: What is your favorite movie? How can I be limited to one??!! I love almosst every single movie I watch. I love black and white films, girly films, musicals, some new (but decent) movies... so I cannot say. One that I could easily add to my list would be The Inheritance. If you all haven't seen it, you should!
What is your favorite soundtrack? Hands down, it would be Emma. I love that one; it is so soothing. But when I am dusting, Pirates of the Caribbean is great.
What is your favorite song to play on the piano? I absolutely love Gershwin's Prelude #2. I had to play that this year at my festival. Pachabel's Canon in D is great too.
What color are my eyes? My eyes are blue...but at times, it certainly doesn't seem so! They change with every color I wear.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Anna asked me: Which do I enjoy wearing more: skirts and shirts or dresses? I would have to say skirts and shirts. It is much harder for me to find dresses that look good on me than it is to locate skirts. However, I have two summer dresses that I want to make soon.
What is my favorite color to wear? That would be blues of all shades--especially turquoise. I am a "summer" when it comes to colring tones. I also like red and believe it or not, brown.
What is my favorite way to fix my hair? I really enjoy having a hair style. I keep it at shoulder length (or a little below) and I use curling irons to flip it up at parts and down in some parts. It only takes about 8 minutes to do and it isn't "overboard."
What is my favorite quote on womanhood/femininity? I absolutely love what Peter Marshall says on the subject. My favorite quote you can all read here, as it is rather long for me to write it all.
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Bonnie asked: Have you ever traveled outside your home country? The answer is yes, I have. But only for an hour. We were up in northern Idaho on vacation just a few miles from Canada. We decided to make a detour and go. However, we had to make it snappy. (Garrett and I didn't have passports or anything and the guy said the only way there wouldn't be a problem if he let us back in.....and we had only an hour. We nearly bought gas (not realizing it was the metric system) but we made it make to the U.S.A without any issue! =)
What is your favorite food treat? HARD!!! Right now, I haven't had sweets or French bread in a long time so both sound really good!! But probably cheesecake; I only get it twice, maybe three times, a year.
What is something you'd love to do, even though people would think you crazy? That is also difficult. I would say following politics. I do it already; most teens my age can't stand them. I am one who stays up until 2 in the morning watching election returns!
That was fun, y'all. If you girls have any more, please let me know. And I will do the deep ones in the next day or two!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
You got Questions....I Will Try and Give You Answers
My good friend, Jasmine, has been doing this over on her blog. And has been after me to do it also. I thought it would be a good way for you all to get to know me in some capacity.
So, comment me some questions. They can range anywhere from my favorite things, to my stances on political and Biblical issues, whatever. Please know that I won't answer anything that is offensive or rude. But otherwise.....ask away! I look forward to seeing what kinds of things my readers are wondering about. =) I definitely want a good response!
In the meantime, I want to leave you with words to one of my favorite songs. I pray they minister to you, that they encourage you and remind you of the amazing God we serve. I have had to have them playing over and over in my mind....and they have refreshed me. I hope it is the same with you!
So, comment me some questions. They can range anywhere from my favorite things, to my stances on political and Biblical issues, whatever. Please know that I won't answer anything that is offensive or rude. But otherwise.....ask away! I look forward to seeing what kinds of things my readers are wondering about. =) I definitely want a good response!
In the meantime, I want to leave you with words to one of my favorite songs. I pray they minister to you, that they encourage you and remind you of the amazing God we serve. I have had to have them playing over and over in my mind....and they have refreshed me. I hope it is the same with you!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
One Day....It's Spring
Weeping may go on all night, but joy comes with the morning. ~Psalms 30:5
"The grass withers and the flower fades, but the Word of our God stands forever." ~~Isaiah 40:8
"Who sends the rain that satisfies the parched ground and makes the grass spring up?" Job 38:27
"For the winter is past, and the rain is over and gone. The flowers are springing up, and the time of singing birds has come, even the cooing of turtledoves. The fig trees are budding, and the grapevines are in blossom. How delicious they smell! Yes, spring is here!"~~Song of Songs 2:11-13Yes, it is spring! Praise the Lord! I fear it shall not be here long; indeed, it is going to be in the 90's this Saturday! But I shall enjoy it while it lasts...even for a few days.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Trusting in the Midst of Disappointment
Having dreams are a wonderful thing. Provided we don't let them consume us, they can be such blessings. It is even better when dreams come true. We are shocked, excited....we praise the Lord. But then, there are the times when dreams appear to come true...only to have it be not right now.
The past 72 hours have been such for me. For quite a while, I was entertaining a strong probability of going down to Alabama to meet my dear friends, Anna and Miriam. In my family, when one doesn't get an outright "no," you really get excited! So, it was basically decided that my mother and I were going to fly down there, spend time with them, and do some sightseeing in the South. All of today was spent looking at plane fare, hotels, car rentals, etc.
Doing so made things not so probable after all. In fact, things became a "no go." Costs seemed to get higher and higher (every time you hit a button), dates didn't compute with our schedule...and the clock struck midnight; my coach turned into a pumpkin.
But believe it or not, I am not crying. I am GREATLY disappointed!! To finally have met two of my close e-friends would have been incredible. However, the Lord has given me a sense of peace that can only have come from Him. I firmly believe that I shall meet these two (and my other "sisters") one day. I can't say when; I have learned that God's timetable and mine aren't the same.
Things like friendships, desires for marriages and babies....all of it is of God. They are talked about in the Bible often enough! Therefore, I believe they are more likely than not to be accomplished. The Lord gives us desires and sometimes a yellow light...but that doesn't mean it will never turn green. For now, a red light is what I have regarding Alabama. Yet like with driving around town, it doesn't stay that forever! He calls us to trust, though. It is easier to give up and say, "yeah right, it's always going to stay red." But it isn't what I want to do;I don't want to have a defeatist attitude. That gives Satan the victory.
I hope that in the midst of whatever disappointment you are facing, you trust the Lord. He makes a way where there seems to be no way!
The past 72 hours have been such for me. For quite a while, I was entertaining a strong probability of going down to Alabama to meet my dear friends, Anna and Miriam. In my family, when one doesn't get an outright "no," you really get excited! So, it was basically decided that my mother and I were going to fly down there, spend time with them, and do some sightseeing in the South. All of today was spent looking at plane fare, hotels, car rentals, etc.
Doing so made things not so probable after all. In fact, things became a "no go." Costs seemed to get higher and higher (every time you hit a button), dates didn't compute with our schedule...and the clock struck midnight; my coach turned into a pumpkin.
But believe it or not, I am not crying. I am GREATLY disappointed!! To finally have met two of my close e-friends would have been incredible. However, the Lord has given me a sense of peace that can only have come from Him. I firmly believe that I shall meet these two (and my other "sisters") one day. I can't say when; I have learned that God's timetable and mine aren't the same.
Things like friendships, desires for marriages and babies....all of it is of God. They are talked about in the Bible often enough! Therefore, I believe they are more likely than not to be accomplished. The Lord gives us desires and sometimes a yellow light...but that doesn't mean it will never turn green. For now, a red light is what I have regarding Alabama. Yet like with driving around town, it doesn't stay that forever! He calls us to trust, though. It is easier to give up and say, "yeah right, it's always going to stay red." But it isn't what I want to do;I don't want to have a defeatist attitude. That gives Satan the victory.
I hope that in the midst of whatever disappointment you are facing, you trust the Lord. He makes a way where there seems to be no way!
Sunday, May 11, 2008
A Mother's Love
Mothers are one of the most wonderful blessings from the Lord. They are the women who willingly sacrifice their desires and dreams in order to fulfill ours. They do the little mundane things that never get recognized. Far too often, we take these precious moms for granted....and that's stinks!
My mom is one of those wonderful people. She sacrificed some precious sleep last night to comfort me in the midst of stomach cramps. I felt bad about waking her up; she has trouble sleeping anyway. But she didn't turn me off and say, "I do not have time for you." She did quite the opposite.
In today's society, being a mother and a servant is something looked down upon. No one seems to have a problem with a girl whose desire is first and foremost be a doctor, lawyer, politican....even a chef. But a MOTHER??!! That's ridiculous, unimportant.....right? Well, for the record, that is my greatest desire.
By watching my mom take care of me, she has given me great source material for my future. I am so thankful for her today!! And I love her dearly!
Thursday, May 08, 2008
A Silly Post For Once
I haven't posted something silly and ordinary for a while. So I thought I would today. You shall find out what is going on in my head at this moment....or immediately comes to it......scary! =)
I am: a great sinner who has been saved by a Great Savior
I think: a lot--and sometimes out loud
I know: that I don't know all the answers
I want: to meet my on-line friends one day
I have: the best family in the whole world
I wish: I was doing something for my graduation (long story)
I hate: being stereotyped by the news media
I miss: my grandparents down in Florida
I fear: stairs with holes in them
I feel: extremely blessed
I hear: Celtic Woman singing "You Raise Me Up."
I smell: the mango scent burner from upstairs
I crave: bagels, french bread, sweets.....junk food. Bad girl!
I search: the scriptures, books, and God's creation for the bulk of my writing inspiration
I wonder: how God will write my love story.
I regret: that far too often, I hurt those closest to me
I love: but it pales in comparison to God's love
I ache: in the stomach sometimes.
I care: about lots of things. My family, friends, country, etc.
I always: feel like my opinion needs to be known
I am not: into the High School Musical rage
I believe: that God's grace is all sufficient; that His faithfulness is great; He is more than enough
I dance: in the privacy of my room. I can't dance...or at least, I don't think I can. I have imaginary partners
I sing: all the time. And I don't care what I sound like!
I cry: in almist every movie....even Big Bird once
I don't always: clean the kitchen counter the greatest
I fight: not with fists, but sadly, with words
I write: because I love it and God has put it on my heart
I never: thought my life would be the way it is now
I listen: to music a lot
I need: to finsih up Mom's mother's day present
I am happy about: having this blog and the opportunities it brings to glorify the Lord
I am: a great sinner who has been saved by a Great Savior
I think: a lot--and sometimes out loud
I know: that I don't know all the answers
I want: to meet my on-line friends one day
I have: the best family in the whole world
I wish: I was doing something for my graduation (long story)
I hate: being stereotyped by the news media
I miss: my grandparents down in Florida
I fear: stairs with holes in them
I feel: extremely blessed
I hear: Celtic Woman singing "You Raise Me Up."
I smell: the mango scent burner from upstairs
I crave: bagels, french bread, sweets.....junk food. Bad girl!
I search: the scriptures, books, and God's creation for the bulk of my writing inspiration
I wonder: how God will write my love story.
I regret: that far too often, I hurt those closest to me
I love: but it pales in comparison to God's love
I ache: in the stomach sometimes.
I care: about lots of things. My family, friends, country, etc.
I always: feel like my opinion needs to be known
I am not: into the High School Musical rage
I believe: that God's grace is all sufficient; that His faithfulness is great; He is more than enough
I dance: in the privacy of my room. I can't dance...or at least, I don't think I can. I have imaginary partners
I sing: all the time. And I don't care what I sound like!
I cry: in almist every movie....even Big Bird once
I don't always: clean the kitchen counter the greatest
I fight: not with fists, but sadly, with words
I write: because I love it and God has put it on my heart
I never: thought my life would be the way it is now
I listen: to music a lot
I need: to finsih up Mom's mother's day present
I am happy about: having this blog and the opportunities it brings to glorify the Lord
Monday, May 05, 2008
A Rebelution Poster Child
If there was ever a poster child for The Rebelution and Do Hard Things, I know who it would be. Why don’t you take a guess…His name is mentioned in the book (though he isn’t alive now.) He lived over in the Old World and was the equivalent to a Senator _____ of today. I am talking about William Wilberforce.
Amazing Grace is one of my favorite movies. I was one who saw it opening week at the theatre; I pre-bought it (only to have to wait an additional six months for it to arrive.) It can be a typical Sunday night movie at our house. Well, when you have just finished Alex and Brett’s book, “hard things” and “character, collaboration, and competence” are going to jump out at you. Even though I have studied Wilberforce to a very small degree, my recent viewing of the film made me more conscious of this amazing man’s life.
William Wilberforce was the leading advocate in England for abolishing the salve trade. It was one of his life’s goals. And it certainly didn’t come easily to him! Twenty years went by before he saw the fruits of his labors pay off. He questioned, he doubted…was the effort and cause worth all the defeat?
It is hard to wait for something you really want or feel passionate about. When we were little, the presents under the trees were torturous! As we get older, we can wonder about marriage and that “special someone” that doesn’t seem to be arriving. Yet these things pale in comparison to wanting something heinous to end (like slavery, abortion, etc.) and nothing seems to be happening. Even when we have the “character” of wanting to see a God-appointed task through, the competence to do it (Wilberforce was a good public speaker and politician), and the collaboration of many people helping us, sometimes it takes more than just snapping your fingers. Anything that is good and worth accomplishing takes time….years if need be. But, oh, how hard it is NOT to give up!
It’s like two football teams in the Super Bowl or BCS National Championship. One has it all: the 17-0 record, the quarterback, the coach, a winning tradition…the other team is constantly under fire for even running “with the big dog.” Suppose they said, “Aw, let’s go home. There is no chance of us winning—no one expects it anyway.” If certain teams I know of took that attitude, the sports annals would not have some amazing games in its archives. So, what if William Wilberforce had said, “my foes are against me. I have kept this up for so many years and I am not getting anywhere. Let someone else take up the fight—I am tired….” William would not be as praised if he had that attitude.
The world loves underdog stories. God does too. Gideon had far less soldiers than his foes; David was a shrimp compared to the giant Goliath. But neither of them abandoned the job God had for them to do. Wilberforce didn’t either and nor can I. We do have odds in our favor; countless people have had to fight and they have won.
William Wilberforce knew “Do Hard Things” very well. And actually, if it had been “Do Easy Things,” his story wouldn’t have been as inspiring. We should take that to heart. Hard is good…it gives God LOTS of room to show His awesome glory and power…but we cannot give up! Press on!
Amazing Grace is one of my favorite movies. I was one who saw it opening week at the theatre; I pre-bought it (only to have to wait an additional six months for it to arrive.) It can be a typical Sunday night movie at our house. Well, when you have just finished Alex and Brett’s book, “hard things” and “character, collaboration, and competence” are going to jump out at you. Even though I have studied Wilberforce to a very small degree, my recent viewing of the film made me more conscious of this amazing man’s life.
William Wilberforce was the leading advocate in England for abolishing the salve trade. It was one of his life’s goals. And it certainly didn’t come easily to him! Twenty years went by before he saw the fruits of his labors pay off. He questioned, he doubted…was the effort and cause worth all the defeat?
It is hard to wait for something you really want or feel passionate about. When we were little, the presents under the trees were torturous! As we get older, we can wonder about marriage and that “special someone” that doesn’t seem to be arriving. Yet these things pale in comparison to wanting something heinous to end (like slavery, abortion, etc.) and nothing seems to be happening. Even when we have the “character” of wanting to see a God-appointed task through, the competence to do it (Wilberforce was a good public speaker and politician), and the collaboration of many people helping us, sometimes it takes more than just snapping your fingers. Anything that is good and worth accomplishing takes time….years if need be. But, oh, how hard it is NOT to give up!
It’s like two football teams in the Super Bowl or BCS National Championship. One has it all: the 17-0 record, the quarterback, the coach, a winning tradition…the other team is constantly under fire for even running “with the big dog.” Suppose they said, “Aw, let’s go home. There is no chance of us winning—no one expects it anyway.” If certain teams I know of took that attitude, the sports annals would not have some amazing games in its archives. So, what if William Wilberforce had said, “my foes are against me. I have kept this up for so many years and I am not getting anywhere. Let someone else take up the fight—I am tired….” William would not be as praised if he had that attitude.
The world loves underdog stories. God does too. Gideon had far less soldiers than his foes; David was a shrimp compared to the giant Goliath. But neither of them abandoned the job God had for them to do. Wilberforce didn’t either and nor can I. We do have odds in our favor; countless people have had to fight and they have won.
William Wilberforce knew “Do Hard Things” very well. And actually, if it had been “Do Easy Things,” his story wouldn’t have been as inspiring. We should take that to heart. Hard is good…it gives God LOTS of room to show His awesome glory and power…but we cannot give up! Press on!
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