Tis' The Season In Being Thankful... (part II)

"What have I done? Because I am eternally thankful for what He has done to make us worthy of Him. We are nothing, and He gives us EVERYTHING!"  -Andie Camp

 I encourage everyone to pick up a journal and begin writing. I have had a journal since I could write... For me, who tends to internalize much, I have found my journal as an outlet..a place where my heart & thoughts feel safe. A place where I can be me... bare, holding nothing back, and it is okay. The pages of my journal are filled with every gift of emotion, all in response to different experiences.. they are the emotion of memories written down. They are filled with quotes and prayers, concerns, hopes and dreams, to one word of "help"... You know the greatest thing about filling the pages of a journal? You have those pages with you to remind you of grace, of joy, of hope, of redemption, of waiting...its all memory and we go back to those journals to remember.

When Jesus was reclining at the table, sharing the last meal with his beloved disciples, He gave thanks then broke the bread, passed it around, poured the wine and did the same.. this meal was the meal that Jesus was "eagerly" waiting to share with these men he loved..deeply.  As Jesus broke bread He said  "This is my body given to you; do this in remembrance of me." (Luke 22v20)

He's saying remember Me. The one who you have followed for years. The one who performed miracles right in front of your eyes. The one who cast out demons. The one who brought back life. The one who gave sight to the blind! The one you have been waiting for.. Don't forget ME! Remember Me! I am who I say I am! Remember.

I can only imagine being a disciple at that table and feeling the emotions that were there...They experienced Jesus in the flesh and still forgot...I can relate. Can you? 

For me I have experienced Jesus through a transformed life when I began following Him...yet I still forget. I have experienced Jesus in healing my son..and I still forget. I have experienced Jesus in His constant grace and mercy...and I still continue to forget. Yet His love reminds us that we are His and He is ours. Nothing could ever separate this.   

Our God, He is the same yesterday, the same today and forever... 

Let us remember that we are nothing and He gives us EVERYTHING.

There is life in remembering.

 

Tis' The Season In Being Thankful... (part I)

We serve our one day in the local food pantry, bring coats to a family in need. Set a baked good at the doorstep of our neighbor with a note attached reading " God Bless
you this holiday season" or something similar...We may even go as far as inviting one without family in our home for a meal...Yet it stops after that one time..

What is it about this time of year that we are more aware of those in need and do our part to serve them that one time? Why just that one time? As a follower of Christ shouldn't that be a part of our daily breath? Being so aware of those in need that we are serving & loving until we feel like we having nothing left and then we still keep going...

And then it goes beyond that. What is a need? I am sure the first thing that comes to mind is everything we all need: food,clothing,shelter... but what about something deeper? What about the depths of a soul that hurts because the lack of love and what about those who are wandering through life feeling lost & alone.  Mother Teresa once said,

"Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat. "

So, the question I am asking myself and I will ask you, "Has the awareness of need become a part of my, of your, daily life?"


...just journeying & processing out loud...

Writing is placing words on paper as a brush's stroke on canvas

"It's okay to hold your breath when you leap.Just don't look down."

...a friend of mine has a blog and she calls it her "paper canvas" I am obsessed with the whole idea... Isn't it so true... writing is placing words on paper as a brush's stroke on canvas...I am not a painter, yet I am inspired by it... I am not musically inclined but it brings life to me...I am not a dancer yet I am intrigued by the grace and beauty of it.. I am not a photographer but love the life that it captures...You see the painters, the musicians, the dancers, the photographers and so on...their gifts bring freedom...freedom to their own hearts and freedom to others in such unique ways to each. I love that... if you think of that, how we are all inspired in all different ways.. ha! I think of it as a giant mosaic... some pieces broken, some rough...some discolored and many looking like misfits but all having a place... and in that place bringing their piece of beauty.
As I write, One Sparrow's voice, I hope to bring my piece of beauty...so in that said, I'm holding my breath as I leap onto this writing journey. And trust me, I'm not looking down.