Thursday, May 28, 2009

Being Blessed...

These last few weeks... I think the past four weeks to be exact... I've been helping out with a ministry in Detroit called Lifebuilders, more specifically their children's ministry called KidBuilders. Anyway, I went down there with every intention of serving and loving on these kids. I got to do that, but... I don't know. You ever get that feeling that you know you're going to be a blessing and instead you end up the one who's blessed? These kids are amazing. I was so blessed by their love and even by their rambunctious spirits :-)

And then there's the leaders. These men and women give up every (or almost every) Tuesday night to spread Jesus' love to these kids. They have such a passion for them and for sharing their faith. It's rather humbling and convicting to be honest. How often do I live out my faith by giving of my time? How often is my time more precious to me than those sweet kids?

They sorely need more leaders. I am so grateful that next semester I was able to arrange my schedule to be down there every week. These kids have a passion for Jesus that can put mine to shame... maybe I'll learn from them. Wait. Scratch that maybe... I know I'll learn from them.

So, here's to learning how to give of my time and how to love these kids and my Jesus better!

Prayer and Mosquitoes

Last night, I got together with some people from Lighthouse. Most of these people I had seen at Lighthouse, but never really met. Anyway, we all got together for one purpose: lifting up Lighthouse and our leaders in prayer. We had such an amazing time of prayer and then worship. Our group was there for three hours! It was so sweet and refreshing to be around young adults who love Jesus. The fellowship and the time we spent together was so incredible that I don't even really mind the massive amounts of mosquito bites I now have or the fact that I can't get the smell of bonfire smoke out of my hair. Okay, so maybe I mind a little, but not as much as if I had just been sitting outside doing nothing last night.

Anyways, today my heart is just overflowing with love for my Jesus.

Oh! And one of the coolest things.... Jesus sent bats to eat the mosquitoes!! How cool is that! I serve a God who cares enough about me to send bats to eat pesky little creatures so I can spend time with Him without distractions!!

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Being still...

Recently I quit working at Hallmark. I really needed some time to rest and just be quiet. As I've had the past week to reflect on no longer working at Hallmark and the semester being over, I realized something. I don't know how to be still and relax.

I used to be very good at this. When I was younger, i prided myself in not allowing too many things in my schedule. Even my first year of college I tried to limit my activities outside of work and school. Then school and work took over my life, but I still wanted to have a life with friends so I added that too. That lead to this past semester of 15 credit hours, 3 jobs, and not being home most nights. Then all of the sudden all that stopped.

Now I don't spend enough time doing what matters in life. Instead I spend my time frivolously on the computer or doing other mindless menial tasks. Instead of spending time with the awesome, amazing, beyond understanding creator of the universe who loved me enough to die for, I go get on Facebook to read my friends status updates. I love spending time with my Jesus, I just forget how much I love spending time with him when I'm involved in something else. How many precious, sweet, tender moments have I missed in the arms of my Jesus because I've been too busy doing nothing of importance? What changes might have been made in my life by spending that time with him?

The way I've been spending time with my Jesus lately, you sure wouldn't know that I love to do it. And frankly, I have no excuse. I mean really, "Sorry Jesus, Facebook was calling my name tonight." That's not going to fly... with him or me.

So here's to the journey of learning how to spend time being quiet and still with my Jesus. Letting him hold me in his arms. Allowing my heart to be challenged and changed. Will you join me??