When we look at society today, it doesn’t take a magnifying glass to see the problems. My generation and the one coming up behind us are walking into a world that is a mess. A world without order. Take a look at the news tonight. Utter chaos. The morals that used to guide our nation are now seen as offensive. Standing up for belief in God and in the absolute truths of His word is becoming increasingly difficult. The culture in America is changing, has changed. And it’s not looking so good. Look at the latest Hollywood flick, and you’ll see enough perversion to hopefully convince you that I’m right. |
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To the girl struggling daily to live up to all of her father’s demands. Wondering if what she does will ever be enough.
-“I see you. I know the pain you feel. I love you. You matter. You are worth it.” To the man standing in an empty room. Pieces of his life with her left to haunt him like the ring on the table. -“I see you. I know the pain you feel. I love you. You matter. You are worth it.” When something dies, you get rid of it. It is as simple as that in the physical world.
If it’s a plant, it goes in the trash. If it is a pet, you bury it. If your dog dies, you don’t just leave him on the rug. You don’t put him in a box in the closet so you can go back and remember him later. If he is dead, you bury him. It was a cold December day six years ago. I was a college freshman trying to earn some money by working as a part time nanny. My charge was a five-year-old girl who tended to drive my 19-year-old self crazy. I don’t have a lot of detailed memories from those months with her, but one memory stands out very clearly.
This past week, I discovered that one of my kids had left a bottle of McDonald’s chocolate milk on the top shelf of his locker. I have no idea how long it had been there… but… long enough, if you know what I mean! It was tipped over on its side, and because of the souring effect, it had leaked. The smell was enough to make me nauseous. I had smelled something all week whenever the kids were at their lockers, but the times I smelled it, I just assumed that one of the kids’ coats or backpacks had a strange odor. I couldn’t ever pinpoint the smell, and never really took the time to look! The poor kid wasn’t tall enough to see it up there on the shelf where he had stashed it some morning past…
This morning I woke up determined to give thanks in any and all circumstances of my day. It was my goal to be in a constant mindset of thanksgiving. I have been reading Ann Voskamp’s 1000 Gifts this week. It has really been a reminder to me of how important it is to be thankful. It is so powerful in changing our attitudes, and thus our lives. And when it comes down to it, we are commanded to give thanks to God. In everything.
I’ve lost my balance. I fell from the trapeze. This act isn’t easy.
I’ve been under water. This storm has been raging. These nights are not sleeping. My dreams are now strangers to me. The last few weeks have been tough. I’ve really been struggling, not something I’m quick to admit. The details aren't as important; it's just been one of those hard months. On the way to school this morning, "Forever Reign" was playing on the radio. It was totally what I needed to hear and a perfect reminder of what Pastor Tom was talking about in church yesterday. God is the "I Am." I have heard this all of my life, and it has always kind of confused me...
This morning I woke up and was completely out of sorts. Totally not in hero mode. I haven't been sleeping well, I was stressed with the mile-long list in front of me, and the sun simply was not shining in my house when I woke up! Metaphorically speaking, of course, since it was 5:30 AM....
I don't know about you, but music is one of those things that really just speaks to me. This morning was no different. As soon as I started my car this morning, I heard a song playing on the radio that immediately had me stop and listen. I knew that God was trying to get my attention. In the middle of an early and rushed Monday morning, God had a message for me. I believe this message is for you as well. |
AuthorHannah is a 1st grade teacher, health and fitness nut, favorite auntie to 3 Archives
November 2015
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