Choosing

I chose something.

I chose to love. I decided not to hate.

Even though it's harder. Even though it's what everyone else is not doing. Even though it would be completely understandable to keep hating.

Why choose, then?

Because, once, Someone else chose the same thing.

Except it was even harder.

You think it's hard to love your enemy?

Imagine loving the person who hates you, tramples on you, cheats on you, lies to you, ignores you; imagine loving them so much, you would die for them.

And then they lie, cheat, and trample on you again.

Would you not chose to hate them? It's what they deserve, right?

Well let me tell you something.

You are loved. 

It is the most undeserved love, and it is the greatest love in the world. It's ours! Ours to receive, and ours to give. No, they won't deserve it, but what we don't deserve to have we shouldn't be reluctant to give.

Give love. Choose love.

currently #5

dreading... 

Another seven day work week. I see more and more why God created a day of rest. We need the Spiritual refreshment, but our bodies need to rest from work as well. However, sin came in, and so people have heart issues and babies and accidents on Sunday too...

anticipating... 

Literally everything else. Incoming parcels. De-bonding of the ol' braces. Movie night. Planes. Prairies. Brothers. Road trips. Friends. Family. Wedding times.

packing... 

A dozen days in advance.

hearing...

Dad outside on the tractor doing... I'm not really sure. Something with dirt and steel and the new deck. I think.

craving...

Apple crisp and vanilla ice cream. And cinnamon buns.

waiting... 

For the hockey season to start. Yes, I'm one of those Canadian Girls.

Busy?

A small word. Much used. Much misused.

I have pondered many a time on the use of this word. I have judged people who have used it. I have justified myself to use it.

I think the biggest problem is this word has a selfish, and an ungrateful notation to it. It has become a self-gaining, self-pitying word. It is used to make people praise the busy one. It is used to make people pity the busy one.

But. Is busy bad? Is busy about self?

Busy should be 'the time I have been given by God is utterly consumed in Kingdom work. There's none left for my own self endeavors. And He is good. He will provide.'

So how do you know if you are truly busy, or if you just are using your time unwisely?

I would ask myself these questions.

Did I choose my busy? If so, that's not busy, that's doing as you please.

Do I have time to think about or talk about my busy? If so, think again, my friend.

Do I glorify my busy? If so... Need I say more?

The person who is truly selflessly and humbly busy is the last person you will hear use the word. They do not care that they are busy, they may not even know it. Their time is not their own.

Also, do not be so proud as to never use the word. If you are too busy, and if your priorities are starting to get out of order, seek help. In Exodus 18, Moses' father-in-law observed that Moses had too much on his plate and said 'it is not good', and that he and the people would wear themselves out. His solution was to seek help, from 'abled men'. See? It's not even about being busy here, it's about the good of the people and the serving and obeying of God.

And that's what your day should be. Whether every hour is filled or whether you have time enough on your hands to complete your tasks easily, your time is His. It is doubly His. Because He made you, and he bought you. With His life, and in His time.

Every Lady Loves a Gentleman

gen-tle-man: loves and obeys the Lord; strong and a leader, yet gentle; keeps his word; teachable; compassionate; humble; selfless; courteous; shows respect and is respected; does the right thing even when no one is looking; chivalrous; conducts himself at a high standard; noble.

And remember ladies, chivalry isn't dead, it just followed wherever being lady-like went....

Happy Saturday.

have courage and be kind

Simply so. 

I need courage to love the unkind. 

I need kindness to love the weak. 

When they bring you down to raise themselves up. Have courage and be kind. 

When you face unwanted memories coming back in persons. Have courage and be kind. 

When the every day becomes monotonous and dreary. Have courage and be kind. 

When they think the world revolves around them. Have courage and be kind. 

And just when you think, I can't - remember, He had courage. He was kind. To those like them. To those like you. 

Father's Day

I always have mixed emotions about this day. And Mother's Day.

In one sense, it can be fun. And special.

But mostly I think "I love my dad every day."

This year, however, I have very, VERY different emotions about this day.

I see it when I go on Facebook. I think about it when I see pictures. Or when someone's thoughts come out loud. It's in the hearts of my friends and my family.

This Father's Day, not I, but dear loved ones will hurt. They are without a father, they are a father to one less. There will be loud reminders from every corner in the world to them, that they are in grief. That this day is missing something.

The cycle is always going, and now the hard hurt comes around. Floods of thoughts, memories, moments, and the darkest life changing moment ever. These days of incredible joy and celebration turn into the longest and hardest of days.

The questions don't really stop. But neither does His grace. He says "Blessed are those who mourn." He says "My grace is sufficient for you." He says "As your days, so shall your strength be." He says "All things work together for good."

Because, He is our Heavenly Father.

smiling in the rain

On this rather dreary day, when it is not only wet, but cold and slushy, when there is death but not dying, when there is a longing for home, when there is anxious and fear of the unknown, when there is far more than a bit of damp... 

I am not smiling. 

Opposites attract... I suppose. 

No excuses, missy. 

But there is a fellow across the café, an elderly and weathered man. He smiles, faintly. And I like it. Content with his coffee and paper.

And here I am unsmiling with a coffee and computer and phone and chocolate and Dickens...

Discontent.

To smile right now is humble, is grateful, and is content. To smile when it's raining is trust. The storms will pass, the storm is for good, and our Father in Heaven will see to that.

And don't forget... rain makes things grow...