Social Diamonds

As humans in a modern world we are drawn to big and shiny things. The lights and glamour of fame and fortune captivate our minds. And when a shiny light goes out we make as big a deal as when they came in. We don't even have to have known those people for whom we grieve; their contribution to society could have been detrimental. Yet as long as they were shiny, we still act as if some personal injury has been done to us when they go. A diamond is the most precious gem: the most expensive, the shiniest, the most beautiful, and long-lasting. In life we are attracted to social gold and silver which is easily tarnished. "Diamonds in the rough" are all around us, and we ignore them. Children and families around the world, the most precious gems of all, are being tortured and killed in horrific circumstances, and we turn a blind eye. Why do we tolerate the inhumanity before us?

Quotes From The Week - "When the Spirit leads, the words flow like living water."

About Letting Down A Friend
"Letting someone down is part of friendship. It's sad because it shouldn't be, but we're human and we fail, so it is. The proof of real friendship is when you're willing to rise above the mistakes and the heartbreak, forgive, and grow stronger because you did." ~Lady Liz

About Being Afraid
"Call out to Him any time. He is always listening even if all you can say is 'oww' or 'I don't understand'. God hasn't given you a spirit of fear. Remember He is in complete control and loves you so so much. He is with you every step. He never slumbers or sleeps. Cling to Jesus with everything you have. When you are weak He is strong. It's not so much that people see you [being strong], it's that they see Jesus." ~Kerry

"We don't have to fight for His attention ever. He's right there with us all the time. And He loves to listen to us." ~Stephanie

"When you come to the end of yourself, you find the beginning of God." ~Unknown

"The thing is, if we're relying on God, focusing on his plan and purpose, and trying to align our hearts with his in everything we do, then we have nothing to be afraid of. Because even if things don't turn out the way we way we expected or wanted to in the beginning, we know that it's going to be better because His plans for us are of peace and prosper to us. We are beneficiaries of His perfect love, and "perfect love casts out fear." ~Lady Liz

"Let Go of the Reins"

God is the rider, the Holy Spirit is the reins, and we are the horse. Have you ever seen a horse try to turn around and ride itself? It doesn't work, obviously. The problem we are constantly running into as people is that we keep trying to turn around and ride ourselves, and take the reins from God in our lives, trying to jerk the leading of the Holy Spirit to bend to our own ways. We hold on to the reins and try going in our own direction, pulling pulling pulling, holding on, unwilling to yield in any small or large given area where we still want control. When all we're supposed to do is trust our rider, our master, let go of our grip on the reins, and trust that He will use the Holy  Spirit to direct us to the path that is best for us.

Shadowing Death

There was a girl that sat next to the hospital bed of the woman with cancer. She stared at the woman watching for a while, until the she finally asked the girl, "What are you thinking?" "Nothing really. It's just that suddenly I know all these people who have died or are dying. It seems like everyone around me is dying, and I don't know how to handle it." the girl answered. The woman thought quietly for a moment and then asked the girl another question. "What do you think the verse in Psalm 23 that says 'Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil' means?" "Well I think it means that when you're dying you don't have to be afraid because you know what's coming." "That's what I thought for a long time too." said the woman. "But now that I'm dying I realize the truth is that I'm facing death; you're the one shadowing it. I think the verse is saying I can be unafraid because I know where I'm going and what's coming, and you can be unafraid even though you don't know what's coming. With all your friends and family that are leaving you, you are shadowing death, but you don't have to be afraid and can lean on the Lord who is holding a rod and a staff of comfort, and will always be with you."

Anniversary

Yesterday is the one-year anniversary of the day my parents got divorced. Tomorrow is the one-year anniversary of the day I learned that my parents were finally divorced. It feels like it was forever ago, and yet I remember everything with perfect clarity as if it had been yesterday. Divorce is a terrible and horrible thing for anyone and everyone to go through, and I've definitely had my down moments, but looking back I see so much blessing in the change that God has brought to my life through the divorce. What Satan meant for evil, God turned into extreme good for me.

In these years of big and seemingly constant change, something like a divorce can seem like a lot to handle. Maybe even more than you can handle. I don't have a great lesson to share, since I'm still going through it and learning myself, so I'll just leave you with a few words of encouragement.

Firstly, remember that how you react to hardship and difficulty could be the testimony that draws someone else to Christ. We are supposed to display Him to others in all situations to bring others to Him. If the only purpose for you going through your trial was to lead someone else that direction, then your time dealing with it would have been well-spent.

Secondly, Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans of peace and not to harm you, but to give you a hope and a future." God has a plan for you - a perfect one. And He always has what's best in mind for you because He loves you. If you're going through something that seems like more than you can bare, turn to Him and He'll help you carry the load. Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-30, "Come unto me, all ye who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly of heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Wait for a little while longer. You may not see the reason or the purpose now, but blessing will follow where you patiently wait for the Lord to shine light in the darkness.

Hope on and hope strong, dear reader. Christ be with you.