Is The Value of Their Soul Worth My Pride?

by | Apr 6, 2017 | Writings | 2 comments

Is the value of their soul worth the laying down of my pride?



Jesus wasn’t worried about what people thought about him or even what they accused him of.

He only cared about binding the wounds of the broken hearts and shattered souls.

He feasted with the hungry and gave of himself to the lonely. He spent precious time of his earthly life among sinners and outcasts because he knew that’s where he was needed most.

Aren’t we called to be like God and to live in the way that he lived? If he came to give his time, his life and his reputation to the sick and the sinner, then how should we give our lives?

He was not embarrassed to be seen with, and to recline with many tax collectors and sinners. Therefore, we should not be embarrassed of those who we are called to lay down our pride for.

For me, it is my children, they have embarrassed me more than I could dream up.  They need love, they need affection, they need stability and they need parents who will take them as they are and fight for their needs. Is the value of their lives and their souls worth the laying down of my pride? Yes it is. A million times over, yes! They have caused me embarrassment (what kids don’t?), but more than that they have brought me joy and taught me what truly matters in life.

On many occasions, I have wished I could wear a shirt that says “they are foster children” so people wouldn’t judge me and blame me for their misbehavior. There have been too many times I’ve almost been kicked out of Hobby Lobby or been given dirty looks by people who can’t believe how “bad” of a parent I am.

It is incredibly ugly that my heart and pride would think that, but it’s the truth and I still must fight my pride each day.
I constantly have to remind myself to follow the example of Jesus.

He embraced those whom the world rejected. When questioned about those he placed around him, he didn’t make excuses, he spoke from a place of wisdom and authority.


“But when he heard it, he said, “ Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:12)

He heard what others were saying, yet Jesus knew the cost of his reputation was worth the saving of the needy. He loved him with a love that covered over insignificant things like what others thought about him.

Lord forgive me for every time I was more concerned about the thought others have had about my  parenting than what I knew my children needed from me. I am sorry that I was embarrassed, when I should have been honored.  I never need my pride anyway, so it is a double-blessing what you have done in my life. I pray that as you take what I never needed, and trade it for something meaningful that I would see what truly matters and live out of that place. May my actions and thoughts reflect yours, God. Thank you for the blessings of my children, for they have taught me many lessons and have showed me how to truly love as you do.

Where is your feasting table? Who are your people? Go and love them well. 

Positive Influence

by | Apr 17, 2014 | Writings

I’ve been thinking this morning about community and how important it is to surround ourselves with positively influencing people.

I pulled out these encouraging hand-written notes from all of my friends (who are more like family) in Guatemala.

notess

These are the people who we lived with day-in and day-out for the past six months.

We shared a roof, meals, our workloads, our struggles, our victories, and so many memories together.

We encouraged one another every day.

We spoke truth into each other lives.

We saw each other through eyes of grace.

Because we all know,  the real ‘us’ comes out when we spend every day with people for stretched amounts of time. There ain’t no hiding it.

I’m so thankful for for these friends.

hike

Thankful for their love and for their desire to see me grow.

It’s beautiful to have relationships where you are investing into each others lives.

Are you surrounding yourself with people of positive influence?

What Happened in Guatemala, Doesn’t Stay in Guatemala

by | Apr 11, 2014 | Writings | 1 comment

 

veronica

The past six months that I lived in Guatemala felt like a lifetime.

(In a good way)

I’ve been blessed to have met women like Veronica.

She has a beautiful heart and a radiant smile that always left me laughing.

She began as my Spanish teacher and quickly became a dear friend.

Since being back in the States,

(I’d like to say back home, but I’m still confused where home truly is)

I’ve come to the awakening of the gaping hole in my chest.

It’s difficult to leave your heart in another country with people who became apart of your story.

When your lives collide and you realize that you are more alike than you could’ve ever imagined.

That despite cultural differences, and sometimes (a lot of times) language barriers, we are human.

We all possess the deep longing to be seen and to be loved.

I came back to Florida and knew that the wild world outside had changed me.

My eyes couldn’t see things the same, though at times, they tried.

I longed for the warm embrace of a beautiful Mayan friend that I’ve met on the street.

The woman named Thomasa that I’ve adopted as my abuelita (little grandma).

She sells mangoes, papaya, and watermelon every day at the age of eighty-seven.

thomasa

It’s these kinds of people who leave a lasting impact on the heart.

The ones who are content with the little they have, and encourage you to share in their joy.

They are the ones who changed my eyes, and I’ll forever be grateful to them.

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