My Life Verse

Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not undo your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

Monday, December 17, 2012

Remembering Connecticut....


"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13 


I have not blogged in a while but God has laid this on my heart this morning heavier than anything in a long time. I pray the families of the teachers, families children that have passed, for the children that survived and the responders as well as their families.  Please know that as a country we have prayed, currently praying, and will continue to pray for you and your family for many years to come. 

As I laid in bed this morning I turned on the TV to Good Morning America to watch the latest news.  You see this is so out of character for me as I usually get up go to my craft work and work.  My morning ritual is to turn on the computer,  get K-love streaming through my computer, turn on my machine and open my blinds in the work room. Routine done...off to work I go.  In our house we very rarely turn on the TV ever as we are busy, but today was different for me. 

Today was not a typical day.  I remember feeling that I have not had a day like this is a long time.   It then hit me as I watched the coverage on Good Morning America today.  When all those families woke up they did not know it would be a non typical day.  They had no idea what was about to happen. No idea how their lives would change in a instant. Now how every day will be different from here on out. Please don't let the what happen have you live in fear the rest of your lives.  God never put fear in us...that is strictly from Satan. Fear robs us of the rest of the moments of joy and that is the bondage Satan wants us to live in.  When we fear we miss every moment big or small.  Be guarded yes, be fearful NO. Cling to these verses of truth.
The LORD is my light and my salvation-- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life-- of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13

To step back a little bit to end of August, beginning of  September. My friend Chantel and myself had a great hour to hour and a half conversation on the phone about what God had and had continued to do in her life.  She asked me to make her a certain sign (the one pictured above) to represent and remind her that in all the good and back to always remember to thank God.  No matter what good or bad ALWAYS thank God.  On September 28th she went to the hospital to have another operation and she passed away on the operating table leaving her two kids special needs kids 17 and 15 behind.  She had a passion for God like so many people.  I know that in that moment when she stood in front of God, He was able to look at her and said this to her. His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' Matthew 25:23.  This has played a huge role in my life since then.  I ask myself in the mornings almost everyday...if I was to pass away today would God say that about my very day?  When she passed the family sent this sign back to me to hang in my office as a memory of her.  I share this story as I hope this sign and what it reads helps you get through every day good and bad moments. 

So back to the Connecticut news. First of all let me say for all the teachers out there THANK YOU.  Teaching is a job that is underpaid, over demanding but the impact you get to have on the children because you are with them 8+ hours a day is PRICELESS.  You get to be the very person to help shape, mold, impact kids in a way that God put you on this earth to do.  On behalf of a son that is almost 20...hearing the stories of certain teachers that have impacted his life...MAN do I thank you.  Keep doing what you do as you NEVER know what seeds you will be planting for years to come.  You may never see the harvest but you bet you are planting a seed. 

As I watched it this morning and watched the interviews for the first time of the families, police officers, and so many more tears streamed down my face. My heart broke for them.  They all have seen and are going through things we as humans should never have to see or go through.  So many young lives taken so fast....as I saw on a sign no footprint is to small to make a imprint on this world.  WOW that is so true.  How would we know that 20 kids...40 footprints would leave such a HUGE impact on this world.  I hear people say they did not have a lot of time to live and experience this world.  They are so right but I see them impact those 40 feet have left and I am in awe of how God will use it.  I think of the name of the city..NEWTOWN...how God will use this very name and they will have to pull together to become a town that has had a tragedy but he will use the aftermath to bring families together in a way that we could never imagine thus it becoming a Newtown.  I saw the faces of those precious children that passed away that day and think why like any other American but I also say thank you to God because of these children, even though their lives where cut short in what we are humans think, YOU will use this for your Glory.  It may not be now or for many years to come but you will.  I can't help but think about these sweet children got to see the sweet faces of God and Jesus. Even thought they were on this earth for a mere vapor in the world of God,  I KNOW they  told them the very same thing that they told my friend..."well done, good and faithful servants."  You sent these kids to this earth for a very specific reason when you created them...to bring joy, hope, happiness and the list goes on...even thought right now what feels like such a dark time, they then, and now will continue to bring joy, hope, happiness etc.  To all the parents of the children, my heart as a mom, wife and a daughter goes out to you and though I can't tell you I understand your emotions, feelings, etc as I have not been through it.  I can't even imagine the emotions you are walking through....my prayers are with you.

To Precious Charlotte, Precious Daniel, Precious Olivia Rose, Precious Josephine, Precious Dylan, Precious Madeleine, Precious Catherine, Precious Chase, Precious JessePrecious Ana, Precious James, Precious Grace, Precious Emilie, Precious Jack, Precious Noah, Precious Caroline, Precious Jessica, Precious Avielle,Precious Benjamin, and Precious Allison,  I want you to know this.  Many of us never knew your personally but I know you were put on this earth for a very reason by our sweet God.  You are 20 children with 40 sets of footprints that you will never know how those 40 sets of feet have impacted the lives of millions all over this world.  We will never forget you precious children. May you rest in peace. 

For the family members of those teachers that gave the ultimate gift for the children of sacrifice that day my prayers are with you. I say to you thank you.  You raised incredible people.  I don't know any of you but what they did for those kids...shows it without a shadow of a doubt.

For the teachers that paid the ultimate price that day.  Thank you is not near enough.. You sacrificed your life for those babies.   I can't imagine what you were feeling during that time but I know you were the hands and feet of Jesus in that very moment. I say that because I am reminded in the bible that this verse you took to heart "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13.  Oh precious teachers, Rachel Davino, Dawn Hocksprung, Anne Marie Murphy, Lauren Rousseau, Mary Sherlach,  and Victoria Soto, you paid the ultimate price but you are hero's in my book.   You are the example of being the hands and feet of Jesus.  We will NEVER forget your sacrifice and may you rest in peace.

For the other teachers that are having to get up and go back to work.   I am sure so many questions loom through your minds.  Why them, why not me, where do I go from here, how do I teach after this etc....what I have to say to you is hold your head up, look to God, he WILL guide you through it. In scripture is says this...And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus Philippians 4:7.  Just like those other children needed the teachers as the protectors in that very moment....the kids left behind need that more now than ever.   You have a chance to be the biggest impact on those kids in a time when they are suffering right along side you.   May God give you a peace that passes any understanding.  Thank you for doing what you did, what you do and what you will continue to do for the children that you have taught in the past, the ones you are teaching in the present, and the ones you will be teaching in the future.

For the first responders on the scene. I don't really know what to say but thank you for your sacrifice.  You are trained in this, you are trained to respond to this very thing but I am sure as a police officer, EMT, fireman as so many more you pray you never have to.  I know you saw things that no one should ever see.  I have no words other that thank you for your service.  You are the first ones that had to walk into this tragedy, tell parents and coworkers news that you should not have had to.  No words but thank you.  You my friends are hero's in my book.

Finally, For the entire family of Adam Lanza.  I am so sorry that you  to are walking through this.  This is a terrible event and we as a society are so quick to judge others and point fingers.  Instead I want people to come along side you and love you with no malice, anger, hatred, and many other emotions people have.  I say that to you from a mother, wife, daughter's stand point. I am truly sorry you all as a family have to walk through this.  I want people to FORGIVE Adam for his actions just as God forgave us.  He put his son on the cross for all of us...he did not pick and choose their fore we don't get to pick and choose who we forgive or if we do.  We are called to forgive.  It may be instant for some and longer for others but that is what we are called to do and that is my prayer for all of us to include the families that lost the kids, the teachers that gave the ultimate price,  the responders,  the kids that have survived, and the teachers that have to get up and continue teaching.  Then Peter came to him and asked, "Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?" "No, not seven times," Jesus replied, "but seventy time seven!" Matthew 18:21-22

As I close this today remember this is what is laid on MY heart by God. You don't have to agree 100% or even at all. However,  I will cling to the truth of His word though and his word is very clear.  

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love each other because he loved us first. 1 John 4:18-19

We are called to love on another and in this very unfortunate event now is a good time for so many of us to take that step to truly love one another.

Tiffany Kalin







Tuesday, July 24, 2012

My heart behind my business...

I wanted to take a minute and share with everyone the story behind my business Blessed by Stitches and Sticky Buisness Vinyl letter. I do love seeing the numbers go up and it just makes me so excited to give another thing away but more importantly it is a way to just give people another link to God. Recently, Aug of 2011 we moved to DC with the military...move number 7..but this time was different. We moved without our son and it was a tough road...the very job God have given me was done for the most part. I am a wife and a mom...but now not to a full time level like I was. I prayed forever to God to give me something to do...well our God almighty did...he gave me this opportunity to open blessed by stitches and sticky business vinyl and it has taken off. God laid on my heart that this could be a way to mentor to other women in the military community since we have been in 20 years. Well he saw the bigger picture...it was not to mentor to just military women but whoever came along and truthfully not to always mentor but to just be there. To share in a thing we call sisterhood as women. We are wired so different then men and sometimes we just need someone to hear us, be there, or like this past weekend have divine chosen apppointments to share His word. I feel so lucky..people always say you do such a great job, I love it, you have a great eye and the list goes on...I say it is all God's work that HE is allowing me to do. I frequently put on my page how can I pray for you... As the numbers go up and the page spreads out you never know who will read that and need to see that. To know someone is out there praying for them. When I am doing these projects for my customers...please know that I pray for you, your family etc while doing them. Anyways I wanted you to know what God laid on my heart two months ago and what the heart behind this business is... on my left wrist I have tatted my life verse..Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto you own understanding... have a super blessed day
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Blessed-by-Stitches-Tiffany-Kalin/184019611721174?ref=hl#!/notes/blessed-by-stitches-tiffany-kalin/

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

A day in the life of a short person...snicker snicker

As a friend of mine and I were talking last week about her being so tall and me being so short the differences where funny. So I thought I would share some humor of the ways of this world via a short persons view.  They are true things we deal with as anyone does although some may be exagerated some but a sense of humor just  makes it that much more funny...Disclaimer I would never trade my size for anything...lol


Dear  Department Store Retailers, I love how you use every space possible to have stuff stocked up to the brim with products we need. However at five foot tall I can never reach any of those...so you sit there look up and watch several people walk by not offereing to help...then we go walking and searching any isle for the next tallest person.  Hey sir, can you please help me (mind you as I get a look like I have three eyes).  Uhm okay what do you need. Well I am trying to get this product down, obviously I can't so thank you for helping me.  Usually the next comment from the helpful person wow they should not put things up this tall because people can't reach them...my thought...thank you as that was not obvious in this situation...lol

As a person of 5 feet tall in crowds we get to smell things most people don't. If you have ever hugged me you know I go to most people arm pits...so in a crowd I walk through getting to smell armpit odors that most people don't smell...or if you try to pull of the fart and go...guess what..yep you guessed that green cloud goes right in my face...really that's fabulous.  I think I have decided to be armed with spray deodorant for one and a fart extinguisher for the other....so beware if you do that around me I will track you down and help out with those issues..just a warning

As a person of 5 feet tall...riding the metro is so fabulous I can't even express the excitement (disclaimer here I despise the metro).  It is so fun at peak time when we have to use it to get downtown cause there is not parking or if you find it, it is so expesive you should just give them your first born.  Anyways...the best part is all the poles running from ceiling to floor always taken to hold onto.  The ones on the ceiling not so much...okay news flash I cant even reach those on my tippy toes...hows that for safety...next my favorite is when someone has on a backpack...omgosh I love it when you turn so fast that you cold cock me with it in the face and you never even knew.  So from this day foward I plan on hitting back..I will carry my backpack full of bricks as well....just a forwarning...lol

Go to the docs office this past Monday.  Check in all is well.. have a seat we will call you.  I think perfect...go to sit on the couch in the lobby and the couch was so far back that my knees caps where on the cushion thus leaving very little of my legs free and no way possible to touch the floor..if I sit back.  If I sit on the edge all is well but I look like by body posture that I am out to kill the world on a anger streak. lol   So as I sit back the feet might tend to start tingling as they have no blood supply from dangling free..lol   Tiffany as they call me back...my first thought well with no circulation will I stand up and fall from lack of feeling...lol

Driving a new car these days...bought a mini cooper covertible...cute fun small car...however when the top is down and I am driving...from behind you can't see me cause the fronts seats are so tall.  I can imagine what that must look like....hey is this car remote control seeing that no one is in it...lol.  It is a small car...why do we have such tall seats...just wondering..

As you can see in the picture...if your brother is 6'4"ish this is what happens to you...not only this but the good morning wake up call when we are visiting is to hold me down and fart on me...there are no words to express my love for him when he does that but JIMMMMMMMMMYYYYYYYY!  Gotta love brothers...(disclaimer here I love my brothers very much but boys are just gross just sayin lol)

Yesterday while getting Cold Stone with Jay...we walk out of the store with a Fed Ex truck passing right by us in the street...He gives it gas and yep you guessed it diesel exhaust all in my face the first reaction is to say something like wow that stinks...so what doest that mean..just inhaled a whole lot of polution....So not is the world poluted so are my lungs. lol

Anyways just some short humor for the day...

until next time..

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Praising God even in the if nots....

We can let our circumstances frame what we know about God's character...or we can let God's character frame our circumstances. ~Heather Zempel

So this has been on my heart for a couple of weeks since the last sermon.  Our church has been doing a sermon on the "IF's" in the bible. Oh man you want to talk about some good stuff.  Two weeks ago Heather was preaching on "if" not faith.  Let me shed some light on what that if not faith looks like to me...We are so easy to praise God in the good times but sadly never during the bad times.  As a society when we get in the bad times should we really praise him? I mean after all why would be praise someone who created us, who knows us from every hair on our body, who knows are thoughts, knows our hearts, provides for us etc...you get the picture. Reading the last two statements seem so obvious OF COURSE we should praise Him seems like a no brainer.  Well I ask you why don't we in all things.  Why is it that our God only get the glory while good things are happening?  Why do we not thank Him for the bad things and thank God as one day that bad will be used for His glory?  Because we (and I am so guilty of this) are so self absorbed in the why me? Why does this happen to me?

Perfect example...we live in DC (as most of you know) and recently moved from Oklahoma.  Oh man let me give a shout out to one of the bible belt states.  I love and miss the freedom of true
"Jesus" talks.  We have been here for the last eight months and man has it been a fight, challenge, depression and lots of tears shed.  In my experience when you pull into DC and start mingling you can feel the oppression here.  People are driven to the next task, blinders full force, and how can I get to know you for who you know.  It is very political here.  People here are not friendly (again this is my opinion)...you generally won't get a hi out of people and most of the time you don't even get eye contact.  It is so super sad.  It is a place of no joy, no peace, and just sadness.  I used to be that girl that would walk into a room and just be like man who can I love on today....people have told me when you walk in you light up the room with that smile etc.  Well for the last several months I have felt so robbed of that joy. That love to share with others, the love to do for others, or the love to even smile. I have always asked God what is my place when we move...always have found that in some nitch or in what I was doing.  For the last 8 months I have been questioning God on that.  I have lost that sense of who I am in God, what I am supposed to be doing for Him etc. I have felt so bound by satan and this oppression.  I have felt very little joy in things and when I mean joy I mean God's joy.  As most of you know I am very tatted with song lyrics, scripture, my foot tatt etc.  Usually that is a means of opening the door for some Jesus talk...not here.  Most people don't notice if you even walk by.  The past two weeks have been very hard in some serious soul searching.  What truly brings me joy? Is it loving on people, doing for others, sewing etc....Well the only answer I know is the joy that God brings me.  I keep hearing for the joy of our Lord is our strength...Have you ever felt weak because of no joy?  Well that is where I have been sitting for a while. After this sermon it hit me like a ton of bricks and has been wrestling with my spirit for a bit.  Why am I not feeling joy? 

Well the answer is simple.  I am choosing to live in the why me state.  The why did you bring me here...God you have to show me...really me telling God he has to do something...now that my friends is funny stuff.  I am sure he is going to jump right up out of that throne and show me because Tiffany Kalin said he has to. Ugh really who am I to tell God what he has to do?  What I do know is this...in scripture is say very clearly....Be careful then how you live-not unwise but wise, making the most out of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be fools, but understand what the Lord's will is.. Ephesians 5:15-17.  I also know that Satan is out to get us...he is out to steal, kill and destroy..John 10:10 tells us that very clearly.  Lately I have been living unwise. I will not let Satan steal, kill or destroy anything anymore.

I have come to the conclusion (although I have known this in my head but heart knowledge and applying it is two different things) that in some hard times I will praise God but it is of my picking and choosing.  I will praise Him in the bad things as I see fit.  Oh man does that break my heart.  I have a God that sees fit everyday that I get to wake up to see a new day, a God that loves me enough that has sent me a man who is a very Godly man, a wonderful loving husband and father that I have had the blessing to be married to him for 20 years, God loved me enough to entrust me with his creation, our son Hunter...to raise as it now 19 and a God fearing young man almost done with his freshman year of college, I could go on all day with the accounts of how God loves me and what do I do to show him thanks?  I don't praise Him in everything..only what I see fit to. How selfish.  Thankfully God is not that kind of God because with my behavior I deserve nothing more than death.  Oh and a reminder it took God giving his son to die for ME so I don't have death and would
I do that by giving my son for others...ugh utter disgust at the moment with myself.  Thank God for his grace that is for sure.

IF God chooses not to deliver me from this walking aimlessly here in DC not knowing what I am supposed to do then so what, right? I will praise Him continually.  What other choice do I have and why would I want another choice.  What I do know I want is to be God's light again.  To feel His true joy by delighting in Him, by seeking Him, hearing what He has to tell me not what this world has to say, by having joy because of Him and Him alone.  So my choice.... I choose to praise through the if not...will you?

Until next time...

Monday, April 9, 2012

How about your prayer journal....do you have one?

Prayer has the power to resurrect dead dreams and give them new life....eternal life. ~Mark Batterson (Circle Maker)

So it was a challenge to a group of ladies that I have on a prayer page about keeping a prayer journal. I explained to importance of it as it was shared through our pastor Mark Batterson a few months ago.  During a series Mark pulled out his prayer journals from sometime ago when he was praying through different things.  As he read out of them etc it was so cool to see the outcome months or even years later. So that really got me thinking that we all are so excited to see what happens in others lives but sometimes we forget that we have those same stories in our own lives.

I think as we journal our prayers we are able to go back, look through them and see the bigger picture.  When we go back through them I think that is when we get to see God really work at His best.  I think that we pray prayers it may take God two days, two years, ten years etc but we tend to forget we even prayed for it when he does answer them.  When God does answer them and we have forgot we prayed for it then HE never gets the glory.  We never realize how blessed we have been by his answers so therefore he gets shorted the glory again. Most of the time we are so enthralled with the hustle and bustle of life.  When we do have good things happen to us and we don't give him the glory that usually turns into pride.  We know how God feels about pride.

So what I have learned to do (which I must say I don't do it as much as I should)...is I find a place by a window where the sun is coming in (I love sitting in the warm rays peering in) or sit outside and just write my prayers to God.  It is so funny how God uses that time to speak to me.  How I can go back through the journal and see how he answered that prayer rather it was the way I thought it would turn out or the way God has intended for it to.  Which truly and thankfully HIS way that is turns out is obviously the best way.  That old saying hindsight is 20/20...well that is what your prayer journal is...

I am now challenging people that read this blog to start one.  It is simple as you just write your prayers to God in a journal and just watch what happens.  Watch how those prayers are answered you will be amazed and you will be praising HIM in no time.  After all you are always only one prayer from a miracle.

Until next time....

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Enter and Exiting...same dignity...

Well does this title leave you wondering what is going on in my brain...well I am sure you are not the only one..I often wonder that myself... So this past weekend has really convicted my heart on something that has always been dear to me but recent events confirmed it.

The second Saturday at our church we have what is called Second Saturday serve.  In a nutshell that is where a couple campuses in that area come together to go do things into the community on a regular basis.  Everything to working at a women's shelter, food pantry, loading semis with stuff to ship over seas, painting nails at a assisted living home etc...the list goes on.  We get the chance to go spread out and show Christs love to the community with several different avenues or to what fits our calling.

What I have always said is we come into this world as a baby and we often go out that way. Not able to take care of ourselves and depending on others to meet our staple of needs..to be fed, bathed, changed etc....most of the time as a baby we get that care as we age to become elderly they don't.

I have always loved elderly people.  They just make me happy.  Sure they come with certain smells such as flowery perfume and well there is others lol, but the knowledge and life lessons they have is pretty amazing. When I heard what pretty in polish was yep right up my alley.  We go to a assisted living home and we give them manicures...very simple ones.  They include a hand massage, filing nails, and painting them.  When we get there they are literally lined up in the foyer waiting for 10:00 to get there.  Some of them are younger ladies that have minor issues that they need assisting and can't live by themselves, others have more severe ones that need all sorts of care.  What I know is this rather big or little cares what they need is hands on interaction and just for people to listen to them.  My first thing I do is set my stuff down and go hug and kiss a couple of those precious ladies that I have formed a bond with. We have one that is 94 years old...Her name is Mami and she is adorable.  Her stories she tells us over and over but man just to make it to 94...seriously.  Another on named Betty is honory as the day is long.  Her mindset is as a child so she tends to go on tyrants yelling at others to shut up or leave her alone but seeing she can't help it, it is something we would not tolerate from someone who knows better but with her it is understandable.  You just chuckle as they correct her and think how precious she is. 

The list could go on about all of them but I have one lady that I am particularly fond of, Cecelia.  She is just so precious.  She has the most beautiful gray hair, ocean blue eyes and a striking smile that will knock your socks off.  We have formed a bond that is usually just me talking. I know I hear your thoughts...if you know me you are going I am shocked..lol  Well truthfully she can barely talk.  She had a stroke some years back.  Don't know for sure how long but her whole right side from her shoulder to her foot is paralyzed thus having to use a stroke cane.   She has very limited speech but her eyes say it all.  They say all I need to know.  When I first started going she was randomly next in line so I got her.  It was my first time so I was nervous.  I am by NO MEANS in a place to do manis...for crying out loud I can't keep from biting my own nails much less be qualified to do anyone elses but with them they don't care plus I knew their eyesight would not be so up to par that I could get away with small imperfections...sad to say but yep I thought that.  So as she came up to my spot I was so excited.  To back track some well lots of years ago we had a family friend name Cecil, he passed away some years ago.  He too had had a stroke with very very limited communication.  If you got something right....he would said right right and shake his head up and down....if it was wrong he would say boop boop and the guessing game started all over again. Seeing Cecelia brought back the times with Cecil.  It seems to me that stroke victims that lose there ability to talk vocally but they use the same common language..not just vocally yes and no but with there eyes. When you guess right the thought of them being understood makes an excitement come out of their face I can't even begin to explain.  As I grabbed different lotions to massage her hands I let her smell all of them to see what she wanted on her hands.  Well the Sheer Freesia was the winner.  I remember doing her left hand first since it has not been the one affected by the stroke.  I remember asking her if it felt good or did it hurt...she said yes it felt good...so I proceeded.  Obviously I did not want to hurt her very fragile hands.  As I got to the other side I wanted to be very mindful to be easy...not knowing how much feeling she had in it and did not want to hurt her or bruise her as they do so easy.  So as I started massaging her other hand the look on her face was so priceless but so heartbreaking at the same time.  I asked her if it that felt okay....she said yes and kind of rolled her eyes in that way of I have not been touched like that in a while.  I said is this to hard on your hands...she said no...and took a big sigh.  It made me so thankful to be there but so sad to know that the elderly go along in there lives and they may never have anyone just touch them, hug them, or hold there hand while they are telling a story.  Not in a romantic way but a way that just says to them someone cares. Someone here just really loves you and wants to focus/listen to you.  I often ask her questions just chatting as I do her hands...I know to ask questions that have short yes/no answers but if longer than that she spells it out on the table...that makes for a fun time so sometimes I ask her those so we can giggle as we play guess that letter...lol.  When I am finished I come around pull her chair out from under the table help her up, get Cecelia her cane...walk her across the other side of the room get her settled... hug and kiss her cheek and tell her see her next time. I learned after a couple times of going that it may be the last time as one passed away while in surgery...the next month we came back Mazi was no longer there.

Truthfully not sure why this blog was laid on my heart to share but what I know is this...we all as humans, elderly or not go through our day without being touched, hugged, someone to hold our hand, or just be on the other end of the phone and listen.  You NEVER know what a impact you have on that person old or young or in my case the impact and lesson that Cecil and Cecelia have had and taught me.  To sit still and listen...or in there case to talk to them but listen through there eyes...to just be there.  To love others the way that Jesus loves us..no matter how we smell, what we look like or what WE as humans think are acceptable....just love others as Christ loves us...

Until next time....


Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Praying for real this time...

So here I am....back again finally putting some thoughts on virtual paper.  This past weekend our campus pastor preached on a sermon about love.  It has so many awesome avenues but the prayer part hit me right between the eyes.  As I type please know this is something that I deal with too so the you's in here are meant for me too...just a disclaimer..lol

I love to pray with and for people but it has not always been that way for fear of not doing it right etc. Sometimes though we talk the talk and never walk the walk.  Basically I mean that we are so quick to say I will pray for you but then as you carry on the convo etc we tend to let that thought slip right out of our head. How sad it that....we get so busy in this world with everything anyways but we tell someone we will do that and we don't.  That is one area as christian we can NOT fall short in.  Sometimes people are in a place where their faith is being tested, they are questioning God,  or are in a place where they can't even pray they are so broken.  Do you realize what that means...you might be there intercessor to God for that time being....what I mean is that you many be that only person that prays on there behalf.  For some reason they chose you, what a honor but how are we honoring them by not praying or praying half way.  How a simple prayer could change their life as well as our own by obeying.

What if, just what if in the very middle of the convo they said hey can you pray for me....and well at that very time no matter where you are you say lets go to prayer now.   Or when they ask us that we actually write it down to pray fervently over that paper etc.  I had a dear friend Kelly, that we were stationed with...we have since reconnected but we had so many memories but one that sticks out that I loved about her is one day she was out walking her new baby and she carried a small piece of paper that had names on it...as she walked around the block she would pray for the people on the list...seriously to this day I can still remember it as plain as day.  I knew at that very moment when I would ask her to pray for me she would...it was very comforting to know that I would make "the list" and I was so thankful for her.  She prayed on my behalf when I was in a place not feeling worthy of prayer. What would that look like and how could that change that persons life, requests, and thoughts.

Well here is my opinion
A.  I think that would look like this to this person...Hey I want you to know that I hear you, that I am listening, that I care about you.
B.  Taking that very request at that very time to God may be the very exact timing that God has for this person.  You could change the outcome for praying on there behalf in a time that they did not feel like they could, or wanted someone to pray in agreement with them.
C.  The thoughts of that very person could be all over the spectrum...but I seem to think to have someone willing to stop everything and pray for their very need at that moment in life.  Especially if they are broken and need someone to just listen and step up and in for them.  How comforting to know that someone....just someone cares enough to do that for them not worrying what the world around them thinks as they are praying in the middle of the store etc.

Some people struggle with praying.  They feel I can't do that right, I don't know what to say or even how to say it.  The simple truth is God knows our hearts but He needs to hear our desires of our hearts.  Imagine the volumes it speaks to someone or the volumes to God.  Imagine when that person comes back to you and says remember when you prayed for me....XYZ happened.....what a true blessing that comes back to you for obeying and wow God gets the glory.

Proverbs 15:8 Tells us this..The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him. 

Romans 10:1 Brothers and sisters, my heart's desire and prayers to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.

Those are just a couple of scriptures out of many about prayer but I love them.   What if at that very time someone asks can you pray for me you pray with them and that becomes there very day of salvation...the day that the ask Jesus to come into their heart or they rededicate there life again....How about the one day we will have to look God in the face and he says what about that time XYZ asked for prayer and you agreed to pray for them but you never did.  I don't know about you but I have so many things I have to answer to and I don't want that to be one..

So just my thought on what hit me this weekend.  If that means you carry a small journal to write down that request to pray for them fully later then carry it, if that means take notes on your phone for later.... take them.  People we can NOT afford to fall short in this area.  We must be prayer warriors but serious ones...we need to fight for, on behalf of, or for ourselves with prayers...We need not to worry about what "others" think or "where" we are, we just need to care that we answer that calling when God tells us to rather we pray at that very time or later in private....but pray and pray fervently.

Until next time.....

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Ahh.....so excited this girl is ready to get her blogging back on....