Reflection in the Mirror

One of my favorite memories with my nephew is when he recognized his reflection in the mirror.  He smiled at himself, giggled, and cooed for quite some time.  He absolutely LOVED seeing himself in the mirror!  I later thought about this encounter and wondered at what point in our lives do we go from loving our reflection to hating it?

We have all looked in the mirror at some point and obsessed over a pimple, a bad hair day, grey hairs, bald spots, weight gain, and other imperfections.  Humans become so obsessed with outward appearances  and will go to extremes to "fix" their appearance.  The sad truth is that many people find their self worth in the mirror. They define who they are and place value on themselves based on what they see in the reflection of themselves.  

To be honest, for many years, I hated my reflection in the mirror.  When I looked in the mirror, I not only saw all the little imperfections listed above, but I also saw a disabled/broken body, and viewed myself as damaged goods.  There was no amount of money, surgery, or a type of makeup that would "fix" my reflection. I hated that I was different and didn't look "normal" like everyone else.   I was looking at myself though a worldly lens and not through God's eyes.

Scripture (which is God's word to us) says,  "Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God." (1 Peter 3:3-4, NLT)  

As I have spent time with God, he has revealed to me who I am in Him. He has transformed me into the person I was created to be.  Today, as I look at my reflection in the mirror, I LOVE what I see.  I still have extra pounds, grey hairs, and a body that doesn't cooperate, but that is not what I see in the reflection any more (or it's not my focus) .  My reflection now reveals to me my compassion for others, my love for others, my desire to help others, my longing for others to experience God's amazing love, and my burning desire to please God by ministering to his people.  God created me for a specific purpose - to share my heart and God's love with others.  That my friends is where I have found the true beauty in life!   

The true beauty of a person is found in the heart  of who they are, not in the way they look! Have you looked in the mirror today?  What do you see?  I pray you will see the masterpiece that God created within your heart!

The Greatest Love of All

John 3:16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life".

This is a scripture I think everyone knows. It is the first scripture we learn as a child and one we can recite if asked, but have we let it take root in our heart and soul? For God LOVED the world SO much. I think the world's concept of love is conditional. People love and care for others as long as they meet certain expectations. "I love you if you will do this, or if you believe that, or if you prove yourself worthy". In this sense, it's impossible to say that there is such a thing as love, but God's love is different. His love is unconditional. He says "I love you even if you don't do this, or if you don't believe in me, or if you are unworthy". His love is given without selfish motives.

Think about it. God loved the WORLD so much that he GAVE his son. What about the love that he had for his Son? He watched His Son suffer and turned His back on his Son, in order that His son could take on the SIN of the WORLD!  People say that the hardest thing to do is to watch a child suffer and/or die. God did just that on PURPOSE. He chose to endure the heartache so that we may be saved and connected to Him.

If I can't trust and feel loved in a physical sense, how can I understand the concept of God's love?  I think that I may have it backwards. Maybe we aren't able to love or feel loved UNTIL we understand and experience God's unconditional love. "We love because He FIRST loved us." (1 John 4:19) If we seek and experience the love of God, then we are able to give and receive love on a whole other level with people. A deeper connection with God means a deeper connection with his children.

For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that.....

EVERYONE who BELIEVES in Him. What does it mean to believe in God? The Amplified Bible says that believing in God means that we trust him, cling to him, and rely on him.

I don't think that is human nature. I know that I struggle with trust. In my past, I put my trust in people, and then those people hurt me, so I stopped trusting. I have been in situations where I have relied on others and they have let me down, so I just learned to do everything myself and forget asking for help. Then, I have clung to certain relationships or ideas to fill the emptiness inside, but then things don't work out and I am left a broken mess. People (like me) trust, cling, and rely on worldly relationships, ideas, and possessions, and when it leaves them (me) broken, we say how can we rely, trust, and cling to God after being hurt so much?!

The more of our lives we are able to give and trust God with, the more we are able to trust that we can rely on him. God never let's us down!! When we cling to the Lord to meet our needs and fill our emptiness, then we are left feeling content and loved in a way that transforms us into who we are meant to be IN CHRIST.

For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him.......will NOT perish but have ETERNAL life. So, if we trust, cling, and rely on the Lord, he will take care of us on earth and then walk with us into eternity with God our creator. The one who loved us so much with an unconditional love that lasts FOREVER!

This truth brings me to tears. This is exactly what he did for my Grandfather four years ago. My Grandfather had suffered a long illness and his body shut down. I felt totally and completely helpless! In those last few days, there is nothing in the world that could help me with the pain I felt as I watched the ONE person I trusted and who loved and accepted me leave this world. Still today, there is nothing in this world that can help me as I grieve the loss of my Grandfather. I learned the day that my Grandfather died that Jesus was our only hope and the only thing I had to cling to as I watched the most important person in my life take his last breath.

I believe (trust, cling, and rely) in God's word where he says "to be absent in the body is to be present with the Lord". (2 Corinthians 5:8)  God loved my Grandfather, us, and the world so much that he gave His son so that everyone who believes, trusts, relies, and clings to him will not perish (come to destruction or be lost), but have eternal life with Jesus!

May we never let John 3:16 lose the meaning of how much we are worth and loved by God!

AMEN!! THANK YOU JESUS!!

A Father's Love

When you talk about technology, many people have various opinions.  Some people believe that it has made our world better and more efficient.  Others will tell you that technology has taken the human element out of the world in which we live. For me personally, technology provides me with a great gift-  this gift is to live independently in the world and live a normal life.  Without the use of my wheelchair, the adaptations in my van, or my cell phone, I would not be able to function normally in this world.  I thank God every day for the way He has provided for me so that I can serve Him through teaching and mentoring young people.  God will supply and equip His people to do what He has called them to do.  For me, He supplies me with technology.

 Now, if you have ever been working on a report or playing a game on the computer and it freezes up or shuts down, then you know the feelings of frustration that comes from it.  For me, those feelings are intensified when my wheelchair or van breaks down.  I cannot function or live independently without them. Two weeks ago, my wheelchair died and I was literally stranded in one spot until I got a hold of my dad (with my cell phone).  For hours, I never moved and waited until I could get another wheelchair.

This would be a very scary feeling without the comfort and security of my amazing father who will drop everything to come to his daughter's rescue.  He has never left me or abandoned me in times of need. Now, my dad and I have a great relationship on a daily basis.  I became a teacher and followed in his footsteps.  There were times that I wasn't sure if I could accomplish my goal because of the many normal obstacles, as well as abnormal obstacles I faced.  My dad has always believed in me and has supported me in ,all my times of need.  My dad and I have a special bond that I have never taken for granted, or so I thought.

Last week, I became ill with a severe kidney infection. I have had a very high fever and severe back pain.  I have struggled, to yet again, be independent.  I needed help again, so I called the one person who has always been there for me, my dad.  But, this time, he couldn't come to my rescue. He had not shared with me, but he was having a procedure at the hospital.  This information stabbed me in the heart.  First, my dad, my rock, the one person who I call on couldn't come to my rescue for the first time.  Second, my heart was overwhelmed because, the time that my dad needed me, I was weak and couldn't be there with him. I cannot imagine my life without my father.  To be honest, the thought of anything happening to him, brings the feeling of fear.  In losing my father, I would not just lose my relationship, but my security in knowing that I always had someone to help me when I am stranded.

This fear became very real last Thursday. My kidney infection is still an issue.  I had 103 fever and was completely drained.  I have not wanted to bother my parents due to the struggles they are facing.  I was weak, but I thought I could handle it.  I was headed to bed and fell.  I could not reach my phone and was trapped with no physical strength to get up.  For over two hours, I laid on my floor and cried like I have never cried before. I was alone, stranded, with no one able to come to my rescue. After I calmed down, the quiet still voice spoke these words, ”So be strong and courageous! "Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)

It took me awhile, but I managed to gain enough strength to get up.  I don't know what the future holds.  I have realized that we are never promised tomorrow. I am grateful for every day that God gives me and my dad.  I am learning to put my total trust in God! One day, in reality, I will probably have to say bye to my dad. I am learning to stand on my faith and know that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me and will NEVER leave me.  My Heavenly Father will take care of me and my dad.

The same Heavenly Father will take care of you, too!

 

         

The Importance of A To Do List- Part Eight

I have been sharing with you the insights of what God has personally revealed to me about my life's To Do List.  “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’"  “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!” (Luke 10:25-28)

To Do List:

1. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.

2. Love your neighbor as yourself.

Loving others is difficult for many people due to their idea of love. Many people attach conditions and expectations to their own selfish idea of love.  God's definition of love is completely different from the worlds. God gives us a vivid picture of how we are to love others:

Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. Love doesn't strut, Doesn't have a swelled head, Doesn't force itself on others, Isn't always "me first," Doesn't fly off the handle, Doesn't keep score of the sins of others, Doesn't revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end.( 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7)

Now, how do we as Christians go about loving others in a world that is full of people who view the meaning of love in unrealistic and unhealthy ways? Here are some tips that I believe might help all of us to putting love into action in the way God intended.

# 1 - Accept others mistakes.  Every human makes mistakes. When someone makes a mistake, be quick to love instead of quick to point it out. 

#2-  Put others before self- This is not natural, but very rewarding when it actually is done..  What does this look like?  Listening more talking less, looking for needs of others and reaching out, be slow to react, make time for others.....

#3-Be thankful- Be thankful for the people in your life.  It is easy to be thankful for those who love us and make us feel good.  Real love is shown when we can put up with others who judge us, put us down, and persecute us and still show kindness and compassion.

#4-Practice Positive Thinking- Always look for the best in others.  Every person was created in the imagine of God.  Every person fails to reflect that imagine at one point or another.  Instead of focusing on the failures/weakness in others, look for the best in others. 

The Importance of A To Do List- Part Seven

When our To Do List becomes overwhelming, it is time to let go of control.  As Christians, we are to focus on things eternal.  That does not mean that we let go of all our responsibilities in the world, but our lives and our priories should reflect our eternal perspective first and foremost.  God has been speaking to me through Luke10:25-28. He has revealed to me the importance of my To Do List.  Based on the Scripture in Luke, there are two things that should be on the list:

To Do List:

1. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.

2. Love your neighbor as yourself.

In my last post, (The Importance of A To Do List- Part Six), I shared some of my thoughts and insights about how to check #1 off the list.

The second item on the list is to love your neighbor as yourself. I think this is extremely difficult for many people due to their idea of love.  Society has created its own definition of love which is to meet selfish demands. Many people attach conditions and expectations to their own selfish idea of love.

I sought after the real definition of love.  I looked it up in the one place I knew would give me the real definition- the Bible. I found the meaning of real love in 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 (The Message says it best.) Remember, I got the definition from the Bible- God's Word.  So, the following is the way God Himself designed for us to be loved, and more importantly, how He wants us to love others.

Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. Love doesn't strut, Doesn't have a swelled head, Doesn't force itself on others, Isn't always "me first," Doesn't fly off the handle, Doesn't keep score of the sins of others, Doesn't revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end.(1 Corinthians 13: 4-7, The Message)

If you are honest with yourself, this way of loving others is not in your natural human instinct.  But imagine if society began to love others and were loved by others in this manner.  It would change lives completely. In my last post on this topic, I will share with you practical ways to put real love into action.  As I have been able to practice loving others, I have been able to check #2 off my list and have found total peace and fulfillment.

The Importance of A To Do List- Part Six

It has been awhile since my last post.  I was in the middle of posting insights on what God has been revealing to me about To Do Lists.  In the middle of journaling, God wanted to provide an opportunity for me put into practice what He was teaching me.  I am still processing what I have learned.  Here are my thoughts so far.

So many of us get frustrated and overwhelmed by our own To Do Lists.  We spend countless hours working to scratch things off the list just to add to it again. In my last posts [Click here to read my previous posts], I shared what I believe God would want our To Do List to look like based on [Luke 10:25-28].

To Do List:

1. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.

2. Love your neighbor as yourself.

Let's look at how we could check the first thing off the list.

First,  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul...  Think about it. What is in your heart? You hold the most precious and valuable things in your heart. You hold your desires, wishes, dreams, relationships, and hopes. We tend to get worked up the most when it comes to things of the heart.  We get impatient, frustrated, overwhelmed, and angry when the things we hold so close to our hearts don't go as planned. When we release matters of our heart to God, we can begin to scratch #1 off our list by loving the Lord by trusting in His ultimate plan for our lives.  He truly has our best interest at heart ! Giving All of our soul means that we give God our will. Not My will but YOUR will be done. I believe that my will (what I want) is not necessarily bad so it must be connected to God's will. The truth is a good opportunity may not be a God opportunity. God's vision and purpose for our life is eternal, so we need to trust Him.

Second, you are to love with all your strength, and all your mind.  I remember one Wed. night hearing a message that said "Our thoughts control our life". We really need God's help with this....when we surrender our hearts to God, then we are saying we give control of our life to him. I believe our thoughts reflect our heart. If we have surrendered our heart to God, then our thoughts will follow, but there is one thing to remember. Satan likes to play with our minds and try to get us away from thoughts of God's will and promises. So, I have learned the importance of spending time daily in God's word. God's word gives us strength and power over Satan and his lies.

Simply put, we are to love God with our whole being before we love anything else in this world!!! Nothing we are given in this world could compare to the love, promises, and plan that God has for our lives. So, if loving God can be crossed off the list, then we can live in peace.

Insights on crossing off #2 in my next posts. 

The Importance of A To Do List- Part Five

To Do Lists are good for those of us who are organized.  Lists are a great way to prioritize and keep us on track.  For those anal retentive people like myself, scratching off an item on our list gives us complete fulfillment, but only for a second, because within five minutes, new items have been added or a new list has been made.   

So, how can someone with a To Do List find fulfillment with a never ending list? The key is to be able to cross off two items.  If you can cross two items off your list each day, then everything else will fall into place. I learned this by having a meltdown from being overwhelmed of my To Do List.  I gave up and sought strength from God.  He revealed to me the importance of my To Do List. What are the two most important items on a To Do List?

The answer is found in the scripture.

 One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?  Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?”  The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’"  “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!” (Luke 10:25-28)

To Do List:

1. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.

2. Love your neighbor as yourself.

Let me say here, I understand people have responsibilities  that have to be done at work and home.  For that reason, to do lists are positive and very helpful.  It is when we let our To Do List control our lives that it becomes dangerous.  Our lists usually contain things related to the world in which we live, but for Christians, our focus should be on eternal things.  Now, does that mean that we should not do anything on our list that pertain to the world?  No, it just means that our priories should reflect our eternal perspective first and foremost. If we put any task on the list before loving God or loving our neighbor, then our lives will become overwhelming because we have not been obedient to God's commandments.

Now that you know the two most important items to have on your list, the next step is crossing them off.