Love like a child

For this spring break I've been working in the wellness center and specifically in Child Care. Parents can bring their kids and I will babysit while they go and workout on the fitness floor. Normally I'm a floor worker however this was a nice break and change of pace from standing around in the weight room so I was enjoying my time to relax in there. I haven't had many kids stop in so I was not prepared for a brother and sister to come bouncing in to the room with their parents close at foot. They were real lively kids and kept me on my toes for the hour that their parents were gone. The boy wanted to watch 3,2,1, Penguins however he didn't want to watch the whole thing. He kept rewinding the last 2 minutes of it and watched it over and over and over and over probably about 15 times. The little girls always wanted me to do what she was doing. If she was coloring she wanted to me color. If she was playing with blocks she wanted me playing with blocks. If she wanted to play firetruck well I was the house on fire for her. To say the lest they were fun kids. As they got ready to go we cleaned up the room and put the toys away. They showed their parents their drawings and were excited to go swimming next as their parents had promised them. On the way out the little girl latched on my leg squeezing for all she was worth. I bent down to her level and gave her a hug. She pulled back and puckered up her lips so I gave her my cheeck and she planted a wet one right on my face. It was so cute. "buh bies" she whispered and quickly she ran off after her brother and mom heading out to the swimming pool. I just kind of stayed squatted and took it all in. What complete trust that little girl had. To her I was a complete stranger just 45min ago and now she takes me in her little arms in a big hug and to her I'm a friend. How many of us can say thats how we treat those around us. With complete trust and LOVE. Love like Jesus loved. It made me stop and think of how I treat strangers I meet. Do I stereotype the minute I see them and judge them based on appearance. Unfortunately I can't say I don't. We created an opinion on someone before becoming their friend or getting to know them. To this girl I was her best friend the moment I began to color with her. She has no bias against me, no preconceived ideas but just was happy to have a friend and to ultimately love my like Jesus. No faults. If I could love the way a child loves. Does not keep track of wrongs but simply loves. I learned my lesson today. Lord Help me love like a child, to Love like YOU DID.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91

Little Faith

That was scary!

in a situation where there is absolutely nothing you can do but pray.
FAITH seems to kick in big time all of a sudden.

"my best friend is a student missonary in the Marshal Islands, Majuro and yesterday while I was at my boss's house for lunch he recieved a text message from this girl's parents. It said to pray for Nicole and the other SM's because the massive 8.8 Earthquake that hit Chile that morning had caused a Tsunami warning for her area. And the Island she is on is tiny, like a little sand bar in the ocean."

I immediately began to pray. All day I prayed in my head.
It was suppose to hit the island around 8pm. I was watching a movie with my friend but I couldn't enjoy it. I couldn't concentrate.
All I could think about how little I could do to help.
I knew there were people all over the globe (friends, family) praying and I know there is power in prayer but i was still worried.


WHY?!?!
why was I worried.
Oh ye of LITTLE FAITH!!
Its like I could have done something myself!
But I got a text from a friend that said "Don't worry, The man upstairs has got it all under control"
He is so right.
What did I have to worry??
WHATEVER happens God's got the whole world in His hands. Just like the song I use to sing when I was little.

"He's got the whole world in his hands, He's got the whole world in His hands, He's got the whole wide world in His hands. He's got you and me sister, brother IN HIS HANDS!"
so as a reminder to me, my little faith still needs to grow.
to a mustard seed faith, a faith that can move mountains
and to give me a calm in trouble.

Matthew 17:20
He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you

p.s. she's fine lol. I got a funny voice mail from her this morning:) all the SM's on the Marshal Islands are okay:)

Fear

I've always seemed to have a fear of something...

when I was little it was the dark
as I grew it turned into growing up, leaving, college, ect...


I've feared what other people think of me
I'm afraid of a roundoff back handspring on the floor
I've had a fear of something under my bed
I'm afraid of failure
I'm afraid of big spiders
I've had a fear of being kidnapped lol
I'm afraid of letting people down
I've had a fear of heights

everyone has fears but...

I look around and I see so many people who don't seem afraid
They don't care what others think so they are just themselves
God did not create fear but He is the only one who can help us with our fears,
Doesn't mean we'll never be afraid but it does mean He'll ALWAYS be by our sides when things get scary (like my maman who never left my bedside when I was afraid:)

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah. Psalm 46:1-3,7

How Deep the Fathers Love for Us!

This song really spoke to me this morning (at 4am!)

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocing voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that helf Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I knoww that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast inJesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

Listen to this song :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjD0lv8hx5o

God Listens

I was flipping through my bible this morning and stopped at a green highlighted box. I read from the women's devotional bible and there are sections of important verses that are put into boxes and highlighted. For some reason this one caught my attention.
The verse is Deuteronomy 4:7

"What other nation is so great as to have their god near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to Him?'

How true and sweet is this? What other nation or religion has God as such a personal, loving saviour?
Many other worldly religions hold their God at arms length away afraid he will punish them with fire or brimstone if they make one mistake or wrong move. But our God, the God of everyone was willing to sacrifice everything for just one of us to be saved. He takes the time to listen to our everyday problems and come near to us when we pray. What an amazing God we have! Have you talked to Him lately.

This is a reminder to me as well. He's there, waiting, ready to listen, have we talked to him lately??
Try applying the Lord's prayer to yourself. It works.

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed by they name. (Praise Him)
They kingdom come, they will be done as on earth as it is in heaven. (What do you need help with deciding today?)
Give us this day our daily bread (Thank Him for provisions)
and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors, (need help with a sin?)
and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one, (He's got your back, what do you need help overcoming? Who do you need to forgive?)
for thine is the kingdom and the glory and the power forever and ever amen. (Praise Him again)

Go ahead. He can't wait to hear from ya. He's all ears:)

Your Name

I love to hear people call me by name.

When a person knows your name, in essence they know you. A name tells a lot about a person. It can depict a strong national heritage or reflect on past loved ones. Its a very sweet sound to hear your own name.
Being here at Southern I have learned the effect that knowing somones name can have on them. It can be pretty embarrasing to be joyfully greeted in the hall way or on the prominade by someone but you just can't seem to remember their name. You may make up some generic term for them such as "hi friend" or simply move on to "how are you doing?" trying to avoid the fact that you have no idea or recollection of what their name is. It's just as hard to be on the recieving end of this dead end "oh shoot! I can't remember their name" look from someone else. We want people to know us, for them to remember us. Carrie Unerwood sings a song entitled "Don't forget to Remember Me." Everyone wants to be remembered by their name.
Ever since I can remember my maman has gotten my uncles and my brothers name mixed up constantly. She's not the only one. Numerous people in my family will call my uncle - Eric or my brother - Remy and we've all just gotten use to it. We'll correct them and give a little chuckle. Friends will do it to. Call you by someone elses name or just plain have a mind blank and forget yours altogether. It happens to everyone at some point.

But Jesus will NEVER forget your name. He has it written on the palms of His hands. In the scars.
It's written in his books.
John tells us in John 10:3 "The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep BY NAME and leads them out." How sweet is it to hear Jesus call your name.


So next time you hear someone call you by name think of Christ, He's calling you by name, go to Him. But now thus says the Isaiah 43:1 Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.

BUT God

Have you ever read a text and it's listing all these tragedies, hard times, sorrows, pains and death? Did you continue reading and see the next sentence..."but God"
I heard a sermon on this one text; Ephesians 2:4 It depicts in the previous verse how sinful and hateful our actions are and there we see it! Verse 4 BUT GOD who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with christ and by grace ye are saved.
Isn't that amazing?


You're a sinner - BUT GOD saved you [John 3:16]
You're confused - BUT GOD's grace is sufficient for you [2Cor. 12:9]
You feel lost -BUT GOD found you [Hebrews 13:5]
You're worried BUT GOD has not given you a spirit of fear [2Timothy 1:7]
You can't do it BUT GOD is able [2 Cor. 9:8]
You're too tired BUT GOD will give you rest [Matthew 11:28-30]
You can't forgive yourself BUT GOD has already forgiven you [1 John 1:9]
You're hurting BUT GOD hurts with you!

So next time you go through pain or you're feeling lost and alone remember "BUT GOD"
BUT GOD has already gone through it all. He's taken our sin and thrown them into the deepest part of the deepest ocean never to be brought up again. Pain on this earth is REAL BUT GOD IS COMING SOON! He will come to take us home, away from this pain and suffering we see all around us. So keep the faith.

Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and i will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matt. 11:28-30