Let's Be Real!

It can be so hard for us to be real.  To let people in and know the good and the bad.  It becomes too much of a habit for us to just "put on the smile" and pretend life is good.  But wait, isn't life good?  You are probably thinking...."NO, life isn't good."  I'm sure there were many thoughts that came into your mind when I said that life isn't good.  Maybe your marriage is on the rocks, maybe you have been on unemployment for a year, maybe you need a financial miracle, maybe someone dear to you has passed, maybe you or someone you love is dealing with an illness, maybe you don't know who you are, maybe there is a void in your life, maybe you are in need of a friend, maybe your child is going through difficult times, maybe you are consumed with fear, maybe you are unhappy, maybe you lost your direction....and I know the list goes on.

We all handle stress and circumstances differently.  I know in the last 2 years I have learned that life has it's bumps.  We might think that some ones situation is more challenging, but the fact of the matter is that a challenge is a challenge no matter who you are, and that it's going to take a lot for that person to get through their challenges.

For me, the challenges of my son going through cancer treatment, losing my dad so unexpectedly 9 months ago have been quite the challenge.  But that brings me to something that I want to share with you.  During these last 2 years, I have had to make a daily choice to see the positive, to find the blessings.  It can be so easy for us to get caught up in the negativity that we face on a daily basis.  I mean look around....there are so many things that could put us into a spiral down fall of depression, but we have to choose not to go there.  We have to chose to say "tough times will come, but God is so much bigger then any giant we may face".

I know you have all heard that old saying..."you are what you eat".  Well, if we surround our self with negativity, if we listen to negativity, we will put out negativity, and believe me there is enough of it out there, I don't want to add to it.  Does this mean that I am not being truthful of my emotions and feelings, does it mean my smile is fake, does it mean my words of thankfulness are a lie.  NO!!!!  I choose to live in the LIGHT.  I choose to not allow satan any foot hold in my life.  I choose to cling to the promises of God. 

If I could take my son's cancer away, I would.  If I could bring my Dad back, I would...but the fact of the matter is, life happens.  We live in a world of good and evil.  We live in a time where satan is on a mission to steal, kill and destroy.  We live in a world that is falling farther and farther away from it's creator.  Are there days when I wish cancer never entered our lives, yes.  Do I miss my Dad more then anything, yes.  But the fact of the matter is that these things have happened.  I may not know why, I may not fully understand, I may not agree, but I do know that His plan is always perfect.  I can choose to dwell on all the negative and have one big pity party, or I can choose to live in His hope, His peace, His guidance, His wisdom,  His direction, and be His light.

We were all called for one purpose...that is to have a personal relationship with our Maker.  While we are here in our temporary homes we are to be His love, His light in everything we are and do.  Are we real human beings, yes.  Do we struggle with our feelings and emotions, yes.  But we have a God who is right there with us every step of the way.  He is there to wipe our tears, He is there to wrap us in His arms to comfort us, to bring peace to our confusion, to bring hope to our devastation, to bring light to our darkness.  He is there in the good and the bad!

"But in all these things we have full victory through God who showed his love for us."
 Romans 8:37

"Praise the Lord, God our Savior, who helps us everyday."
Psalm 68:19

Heaven Rejoices!

Today's devotional was a perfect read.  There are so many wonderful things I remember about my Dad.  The one thing that I love most is that he LOVED people.  He knew God in a personal way.  It was more then a religion, thing, etc...it was a TRUE relationship with his Maker, a daily walk.  Was he perfect, no, but then again who is.  His heart pumped love, his heart pumped God and all that God is.  Out of all the times he would minister and reach out I can't think of a time that he didn't invite others to know the God that he knew.

"There is joy in the presence of the angels of God when one sinner changes his heart and life."
 Luke 15:10

Max Lucado stated it well..."Heaven is populated by those who let God change them.  Arguments will cease, for jealousy won't exist.  Suspicions won't surface, for there will be no secrets.  Every sin is gone.  Every insecurity is forgotten.  Every fear is past.  Pure wheat.  No weeds.  Pure gold.  No alloy.  Pure love.  No lust.  Pure hope.  No fear.  No wonder the angels rejoice when one sinner repents; they know another work of art will soon grace the gallery of God.  They know what heaven holds."

I know that Heaven rejoiced and welcomed my father with open arms the day he went home to be with the Lord.  He was a true servant of God.  He was a vessel who was ready and willing at all times to do the work of the Lord in everything he did and said. 

God blessed him with so many talents and abilities to reach people.  He believed in giving people the chance in becoming who God created them to be.  They might fail, but he was always there to encourage them to get back up and try again.  Some people are so quick to write off someone who has done wrong, but not him.  He was always willing to give a person a second chance, maybe even a third or fourth.  He never gave up on people.

God hasn't given up on us.  His love is never ending.  No matter what you face, no matter where you are on life's journey, no matter what choices you have made, God still loves you.  His arms are open wide ready and eagerly awaiting you.  Are you willing to be changed forever by the one who loves you more then anything?