Sharing The Love

This morning I awoke to pure joy, perfection in the heart of a mother.  All my kids under my roof for a weekend filled with all that is family, all that is Christmas, all that is complete in my life. 

Here’s a glimpse of this Christmas Eve:

And of course, Kenny G playing in the background!

We are headed to Church later on and then ice skating and dinner, the fun never ends.

What does your Christmas Eve look like?

Today, I am thinking about the many times I have moved and the many people I have met.  It’s interesting to me how as part of God’s plan, we have lived in so many great places and been involved in some dynamic churches.  

I believe when you are walking in the center of His will, God has His hand on every little thing as well as every big thing!!

Here is an example of that:

About ten years ago, we were living in Las Cruces, NM.  We had just built the home of our dreams and I was involved in a wonderful church that was filled with people that I still call “family” today.  There was a group of Spirit filled women who I became friends with.  We had so much in common and I knew these relationships would last through eternity.  We had kids the same ages, we had so much in common.  I remember thinking how awesome it was going to be to raise our then preteens into adulthood together.  We all believed the same things for our children, so it was perfect and comfortable.  Comfortable- when you get comfortable, it is then that God moves you!

The move came.  Even when you know it is God’s will for you to do something, it can still be difficult.  However knowing it’s what you need to do, you move forward.  So we packed up, sold our house, said some tearful goodbyes and moved to Georgia.  We moved to a beautiful island where the people were so friendly.  Immediately my children started looking for a church, as they will not miss a Wednesday or Sunday or any other meeting day!!  We found one and connected immediately.  I prayed for good friends as I was missing my old ones.  The first three people we met had some connection to New Mexico, or at least new where it was!!  That warmed my heart and I thanked God for that blessing.

After being in Georgia for a few year (and meeting some of the most influential and genuine people in my life) God sent us back to New Mexico, but this time to Albuquerque.  This, I later realized, would be a learning experience for me like no other.  Again I missed my Georgia friends, we had become so close.  The first three people I met in Albuquerque had ties to Georgia, in particular the area where I had moved from!  I felt like God was whispering a hug just for me!  

Leaving New Mexico was not difficult for me because the next move was to another country, the adventure of my lifetime!  I was excited and ready.  Living in a beautiful city and like royalty was living like heaven on earth!  The hardest thing to learn on this move was how to live in two worlds.  On the one hand, we lived in a community surrounded by wealth, celebrities and luxury.  On the other hand, we had the opportunity to reach those in some of the poorest areas of the city. 

Yes, in another country I met people who were from New Mexico and even a couple who grew up just a few miles from the small town I grew up in!  That was wild!  Again, a God-hug!

Leaving Colombia was bittersweet.  I knew God had yet another place where he needed us to be.  So He sent us to Houston, TX.  I had to keep repeating “I trust you God” for a few weeks!  We found an incredible church and attended membership class.   What I am about to tell you is unbelievable for me and I was there, so I know what you must be thinking.  But it’s true:  the couple that sat next to us at the class-and by the way there were over 150 people in this class as this is an enormous church-were from the same city that we had just moved from in Colombia, South America!!!!  

To know that the Creator of the universe cares for each of us so deeply and so richly, makes me want to love others as He has loved me.

 With whispers of love and genuine sincerity.

Thanking God for putting His arms around me!

Reflecting on the weekend, here are some key things I found valuable and thought you might too!

~Most Christ followers experience only about 5%  of what God has for them. Get deeper with the Lord through Bible-living!  Do what the Bible says, it was written to change our lives. We should not only read the Bible we should apply to our lives all that it says-it gives direction on every matter in our lives.

~Not yet believers and believers alike should know you are a Christ follower by your life.  The words you choose to say, the level of honesty and integrity that your daily life reflects and the love you show others, speaks for itself.

~Colossians 1:25-27

~Remember it’s not Christ and you, it is Christ IN you!  

~We serve an all-powerful God who lives in us and gives us His power to live like He would!

Share what you gleaned from your Church this weekend!

Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.  Hebrews 13:1-2

This is one of my favorite passages because it reminds us to treat everyone with love and respect and grace and mercy all the time.  What if we lived this verse, hiding it in our hearts with every encounter every day?  

You are God’s Ambassador on this earth!  

Don’t let Him down.

~You already have EVERYTHING in your life together.

~Your life is perfect.

~You have the perfect family.

~You have the perfect job, the perfect co-workers and the perfect boss.

~You never worry, are anxious, depressed, sad or heartbroken.

~You never argue, disagree, or fight with anyone.

~You are never sick or don’t have friends or family who get sick.

Easter is for the broken, the needy, those who are desperately seeking something. 

Jesus died to set us free

from sin

from hell

from guilt

from worry

from control

from anxiety

from depression

from ourselves!

Life Lesson #5

Treat others the way you want to be treated.

Notice I didn’t say, treat others the way they treat you!  

In living a life of love, it’s imperative to treat others (all others) with extravagant love. Because we know that when they hurt us, talk bad about us, or for some reason, dislike us God will take care of it.  No need for us to get defensive, upset or angry (I have learned that for some reason, this leaves the person surprised-this could be your segue to talk to them about Jesus!) for we reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7).

In your everyday life, treat those that you work with, live with, go to school or church with and others you encounter each day with respect, integrity and love. Be careful what you say to them and what you say about them.  Keep it positive, keep it heartfelt.

It all comes back to you!

To be happy, all you have to do is give up your judgements.

Often, when we hear something that may make us uncomfortable, we do not know how to respond and at times say nothing.  

Sometimes, silence is the answer but more often words are needed.

Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it.  

Allow the Jesus in you to react, instead of your flesh!

Reflection:  an image given back by a reflecting surface.

                   an effect produced by an influence.

You are a reflection of someone or something.

I strive to be a reflection of God’s love, His grace and His mercy.

There are days when I miss the mark entirely, and there are days when I get close enough to Him that I feel it deeply.

What does your life reflect?