A story from Africa

 Last night I was thinking back to some of the mission trips I have been on over the years.

One of the most memorable moments from one of my trips was to a little village in Africa. I went with an Organization called Maisha International. This was my first time to Africa and at the onset of the trip I was really not nervous. I was thankfully provided with complete peace from the Lord before leaving.
I went with some amazing people that I am so unbelievably blessed to know and honored to serve with on that trip.
After arriving everything seemed so crazy and rushed...and I lost sense of time. The trip was planned perfectly, but I felt overwhelmed by everything my eyes were witnessing. It take a heavy toll on a person to see others suffering.
Children were walking in slums with no shoes....
Women were dying from diseases that could be easily cured if they lived here...
Nothing was so overwhelming for my heart as the time me and a couple other people from the group went out on home visits.
I can remember each moment of that day...
The sun was shining down so hot that afternoon. I was ill prepared for this day because I had forgotten my sunscreen. As we drove along the bumpy dirt road in our van my mind started to think of what I was getting ready to witness. I started to pray to God for strength and for the words to say in moments I knew would be tough. As our van came to a stop I felt my heart begin to race as I stepped out into the warm sunlight.
All I could see for miles was a sun scorched land. In the distance there were little mud huts.  As we began to walk towards the huts I noticed several of the village people coming towards us.
A small woman, probably in her late 60s with skin so beautifully dark and hands worn from working in the fields came towards me with her hands extended towards heaven. At first I thought she was crying. To be honest, I was unsure how respond at first. As she came closer to me I realized she was calling out praises to God in her language for our arrival.
Before I knew what was happening she got down on her knees and bowed at my feet and grasped my hand and kissed it with such a deep sincere affection. In that moment I could not contain the emotion and tears that began to warmly cascade down my face. I grasped her hand in return and kneeled down beside her to meet her gaze. I knew not how to speak her language and she did not know mine...but in that moment our eyes told so much of what our hearts wanted to say. I reached across to hug this beautiful woman and she pulled me close and said something in my ear that I did not understand. As we stood to our feet she pointed towards a little mud hut that was about 50 yards away from where we stood. Everyone in our group began to walk towards the hut. As I turned away from her to follow the group I felt my heart ache in a way I had never felt before. What did she say to me  in my ear I wondered...
What was her story...
Why was she pointing to this little hut that we were headed towards...
I turned back towards her to gain a final look into her eyes before we were too far away and my heart melted as she gave me the sweetest smile and waved my onward.
Her strength and humility gave me strength to march on towards our next stop.
God had ordained that meeting with that sweet woman to prepare my heart for who I would meet next.
As I caught up with the group they were all standing outside of the little mud hut.
Who would I find inside?
With a prayerful heart, a new found sense of strength and tear filled eyes I stepped into the tiny hut ready to see who the lady was pointing us toward.
I could not have been prepared for who I would meet next...

Wisdom from the Kardashians!

So I was flipping through the channels today while dealing with a sore throat and I landed on Keeping Up with the Kardashians. I have never really watched the show and I decided to watch it to see why everyone likes it so much.
They have a super extravagant lifestyle, very expensive taste and LOADS of drama. I am not gonna lie...for some reason I was really intrigued and couldn't change the darn channel!
I mean seriously, I would love to have someone fix my hair and be able to take my girlfriends on a fun trip at anytime.
On this particular show the family was on a vacation in Greece and they spared no expense to have a good time. The girls were dressed in a different outfit for almost every camera shot and they were spending money on everything! That was not the reason I couldn't change the channel though. I couldn't change the channel because I kept hearing them say that they couldn't seem to find their happiness. One of the daughters was talking to her mom and she said that she was sad for her sister because she knew she wouldn't find her happiness until she had her baby. The mother agreed and said that she hoped each of her children would find their happiness in something in life.
The sad part of that to me was not that they lived crazy lifestyles...I was saddened because with all that they have it still was not enough. They felt as if they needed to find happiness in a relationship, a child, expensive trips and things that won't last.
I began to realize why this show resonates with so many viewers now days. We all want so much in this life.
We think if we just had that job we would be happy...
We think if we could just get our hair done like that celebrity we would be happy...
We think that if we could just lose that 10 pounds someone would like us better...or maybe we would like ourselves better...
We think that if we could just get married to that "perfect person and have that perfect family" that we would be happy...
We think__________________________ <-------- fill in your "happy" here.
The thing about thinking all of this will make us happy is that nothing in this life lasts forever. It is great to have goals and dreams, but if your life can't be complete and happy without achieving some those things...you might end up living a pretty miserable life.
So how do you do you find happiness when you don't have exactly what you want in life?
Well, for me I have learned that life is not always going to be happy. Circumstances in life will get difficult and there will be times that things just don't go the way that you planned. This has taught me that you will never find lasting happiness in "things" or even people. You have to find JOY in your life in something that is lasting!
The only thing that is lasting is God's love for you! The relationship that you develop with Him will not only bring you happiness, it will bring you peace, joy and fulfillment as you walk through this life. That does not mean that life will always be easy, but it does mean that you can have confidence that even in the hard times you will still be able to have joy after the trials. Love your life and appreciate what God has given you. There is nothing wrong with loving a fabulous pair of shoes or going on a trip with your family. Just remember that things don't last forever...but His love is never ending!

Oh how He loves you and me!

Hard to Explain

Today at work we played Bible trivia. (It was during a break okay!)
Anyways, I started asking some questions from the Bible that you might have learned in Sunday School or Bible School as a child. The game went on for several minutes as we tried to stump each other on questions like, " can you name the 12 disciples" and, "how many years were there between the New and Old Testaments?"  The game was fun and reminded me of my childhood.
On my drive home tonight I started to think about how many people might really enjoy or appreciate the Word if they could understand the Bible and its rich history. I know that before I really started studying the Scriptures I didn't feel connected to the Bible because it was full of stories that did not really make sense. It was deep and confusing and at times overwhelmed me! I mean, seriously, how could I take stories from Scripture and apply them to my life now!?! I could listen to pastors explain the Bible....but I didn't know how to study the Bible on my own. I wanted to understand the Bible, since I said I believed it, but I found it very difficult. (I hope I am not the only one)
Because of my determined and competitive spirit I decided to get a Bible that included a commentary, which helped me to understand things better and also made all the stories finally connect and make sense!
I believe that most of us have a deep desire to understand, question and learn about what we believe. I also believe that sometimes life gets busy and crazy with work, family, friends and stresses that we often don't have the time or if we are honest, make the time, to invest in learning. I am not perfect and I have struggled in my consistency with studying and spending time just getting to know God. As I have studied His Word there have been things that confuse me and make me question. As I walk through this life and see innocent people treated like trash, loved ones die, and held the hands to pray with suffering people my heart cries out to God.."WHY??".  I want answers to the difficult questions so I seek them out in His Word. I have learned that there are no definite answers to some of the hard questions in this life. However, as I have studied the one thing that God reminds me is that this world will have trouble...but in the midst of all of that He will provide us with a peace that can't be explained. He uses the history in Scripture to remind us that in our pain He is a God that never gives up on His people. He is gentle and merciful and full of grace to those who are mad at Him and question Him.
Will we ever receive all the answers to our questions? No. The one thing I can promise you though is that as you seek the answers to your questions He will comfort, heal and provide you with all you need.
That sounds like a children's Sunday School answer I know...but then, what is so wrong with having childlike faith??

Are you angry at God about something that has happened to you in this life?
Are you confused and unsure how to study the Scriptures?
Are you anxious about the future and what will happen to you and your family?

Whatever you are facing my friend I promise that as you take the first step in seeking to know the Lord, He will reveal Himself to you. You might not gain the answers to the questions you seek, but I promise you will receive something even better!


If anyone reads this and would like some good books to read or suggestions on commentaries to help you study...PLEASE let me know in an email! I would love to help!

Oh how He loves you and me!
Jeremiah 33:3

Friends

I came to Barnes and Noble tonight prepared to write a blog on a topic that is very deep and thought provoking. I gathered my books on the topic, I ordered a Venti Latte with 3 shots and nestled myself into a back corner of the cafe ready to deliver a blog that would excite my audience! ( I know...I know I am being dramatic) Anyways, as I was sitting here preparing, two ladies, probably in their mid-seventies sat down next to me. They were both dressed in floral print sweaters and had their hair styled perfectly. Their faces were soft and gentle and they smelled like roses and Christmas all in one! They were drinking tea and shared an oatmeal cookie as they talked about their day. As I listened to them talk I found out that they had been friends for years. They talked about the past and laughed sweetly at memories and "the good old days". I tried not to be a creeper, but I was so interested in the details I kept hearing in their stories every once in a while. They went from laughing, to crying and they even reached across the table to hug each other. I found myself smiling at the sweetness of their friendship.
I came to the bookstore tonight to read books and gather some insight into a deep topic and instead I was pleasantly surprised at the inspiration I received from two ladies and their friendship.
Friendship is such an important thing to have with people. I have learned as a single woman that without some of my amazing friends I would never be able to make it each day. I am lucky enough to have several girlfriends in my life that I know no matter how long we go without talking that we can always come back to each other as strong as ever. These women from the bookstore reminded me tonight that you have to take time and invest in the people you love. There is nothing more important in this life than building relationships and showing care and concern for people. Take the time out of your schedule and spend it with someone you love. It can be as simple as going to the bookstore and sharing an oatmeal cookie over a cup of tea!
Never take moments for granted!

Oh how He loves you and me!
Jeremiah 33:3