Life Is A Gift

It never fails- being sick reminds me of my humanity, that I'm far from perfect. It never fails to show the little blessings and comforts I can find in the midst of being physically weak. And it never fails to show the magnitude of which I was created- of which we were all created.

We were created in the image of the One who created it all. Every hair on our head is counted. Every finger and toe unique to each one of us. And every heartbeat, a rhythm & reminder of life that is continually breathed into us.

Every life is precious to Him- even in the imperfections, sicknesses, & sins.

And so should every precious life be to me. 

Today, don't forget to show people His love & compassion. Don't forget to give His grace & encouragement.

Even in brokenness.

Treat people as a gift. Not because of who they are, but because of who created them & because of who He is. 

{Matthew 10:30}

To Be Known

One of the deepest desires in life is to be known- to be loved. Sadly, love tends to be commercialized- distant or completely misunderstood.

For some people, love is a distant dream, harsh words, or a fist to their flesh. 

One of the deepest desires of my heart, is for every living, breathing soul (animals included!) to feel unconditionally loved.

I seriously have a “love detector” (for lack of what to call it!). I’m keenly aware of hearts around me. 

Sometimes it’s a blessing.

Sometimes it’s weighty.

And yet, I know the weight He felt on the cross was a million times heavier.

Conviction- So often, I don’t listen to what the sweet, saving, prompting Spirit is leading me to do.

Confession- I often don’t know what to do or feel capable! So, I do nothing.

But, thankfully, there’s grace. There’s always grace.
And in that grace, people still need love. People still need Jesus.

There are ways to move past awkward moments, schedules, and not knowing what to do.  

And I’m determined. 

To be intentional. 

To take the time time. 
To incorporate.

To encourage. 

To show people, real, true, unconditional love.

Love that doesn't have expectations. Love that doesn't come with a "schedule". Love that doesn't make people feel like a project. 

We all can.

And even though our love is imperfect, we are capable- only because His love is perfect, only because He makes us capable.

And even though this world is broken, even though it will never be perfect- we can make a difference. 

So where do you start?

Start with your neighbors- your surroundings! 

Thanks to a thoughtful friend, I was reminded to take this holiday season as an opportunity to connect with our new neighbors! She made little bags of homemade candy, but because I've been sick (and never made candy before), I decided on a few of my favorite, simple things- a note, and an inexpensive ornament.

I’m not placing expectations. I’m simply praying for opportunities, and taking them. 

And that’s what I want to continually do. 

Because we are known by Him. Because He first loved us. {1 John 4:19}

Unseen Gifts

After starting a full-time job again, I began to realize how selfish I became with my time. I began to realize how little I had left to give at the end of the day. Everyday chores that I loved to do for my little family became dreaded tasks that I didn't have time for. Even blogging became one huge writer’s block. I became somewhat bitter- I wanted to find joy in everything, but I felt like I didn't have enough time or energy. Ultimately, I started to realize I was shutting down and sinning in my own, somewhat secret way. And one evening a few weeks ago, my soul woke up and surrendered in a BI-LO parking lot.

Have you ever gone grocery shopping in the after-everyone-gets-off-work time? Gosh. It’s like a fight-for-your-life-down-every-aisle type of experience. Honestly, I felt like I was risking my life by crossing the aisle for a can of peanuts. I even found myself huffing and puffing when I grabbed a gallon of milk and a bag of frozen green-beans (I mean, who does that!?).  In a way, it’s comical, but more than anything, it’s sad. It’s sad that people can act so inhumane- like others around them don’t even exist. A simple smile or polite “excuse me” didn't even phase them. I felt invisible.

After leaving the store with a huge pity-party going on in my heart (I’m talking party-hats and the whole shebang) - I paused:

How many times have I been that inhumane person?

How many times have I ignored people around me?

How many times have I given nothing to someone that needed anything?

Truth: more times than I can count. 

Loving others can be exhausting. Being relational can be exhausting.

But, that’s what we were created to do. That’s what we were created to be.

And when I selfishly hoard time that isn’t even mine (it's His!), make relationships about me, and allow myself to relationally shutdown- I not only create selfishness and exhaustion,  I create a kingdom that serves me, instead of a kingdom that serves Him.

Praise the Lord, His grace and love still abounds in it all.

Loving others doesn't require you to have a part-time job instead of a full-time job- it doesn’t require you to add a billion things to your schedule- it doesn’t require a huge scene with recognition- loving others is simply this: taking your eyes off of yourself, and giving moments of selflessness- moments that show love…moments that reveal Jesus, even when His name isn’t spoken.

Little moments can make big impacts.

A smile, letter in the mail, breakfast or coffee date where Truth is spoken, or even a soggy, wet note on a car from a friend on a rainy day, can be impactful- it can become a part of their healing process, a part of their story. And it can become a part of yours too. 

So look past the grumpiness, look past the smiles- we have no idea what their hearts are facing in that moment.

Give to others anyway.  

Even the unseen gifts are just as important to give. 

Galatians 5:13-15