Faith Tested

Patience is my cousin, who three years blogged about her first born, Issac's complications during delivery and in his short life that lasted 24 weeks. Her passage is worth reading. Although not everyone goes through the same tragedies, those with faith can relate to the trying times of believing and living in their faith.

http://leinolife.wordpress.com/2010/11/01/he-saw-me/#comment-911

She writes so beautifully. She is humble and honest with her struggles and revelations with the Lord. Like all of her readers for this particular blog, I am wiping away the tears from my eyes. I am crying for the darkness that she and her husband fight often, followed by tears of joy when she realizes the Jesus is with her and loves her. I am also crying because I frequently feel that lost and doubt about my relationship with the Lord. But today, her words gave me a gift and reminded me "He did not judge or condemn my weakness but rather met me in it. He saw me as I was and loved me in the midst of it" (because I could not have said it better myself).

Profound Words from a Stranger

I stumbled across this woman's blogspot in my unguided attempts to find my brothers. Her husband had been diagnosed with cancer with a life expectancy of "not long". How does one respond when you are told that death is just around the corner? The doctor said in a matter-of-fact way, "None of us have tomorrow. This is it. Today is all we have, and today you are alive. Today you can hold your wife's hand, and tell your children you love them. You're going to have good days, and you're going to have bad ones. Make a list, and on the good days, do those things you want to do. Live your life". (http://nikibs.blogspot.com/?expref=next-blog)

I am being convinced more and more that things in this life happen for a reason. Words or actions are said and done because they are supposed to and because God has a plan for us.
I often do not realize His plan because it is not my plan. I could have chosen not to read that blog. But sometimes I am drawn to something, be it a song, letter or blog, or tune in to a conversation, not knowing what I am meant to get out of it. I believe that this is God's way of getting my attention. I am not going through nearly the same experience as this woman, but I needed to read her words at this moment in my life. My problems and my worries about my life are minuscule in comparison. The message is the same for us both. We have one chance at this life and we can't take it for granted.

Live each day as if it were your last and have no regrets of the past.

Love Abundently

You know the saying: Everything in Moderation. That's a great way to live life, especially when it comes to eating healthy, exercising, partying, working, etc. But I have a secret and insight into something you can do everyday of your life that does NOT require moderation. Love. It is the one thing you can over do. Love the persons in your life with ALL that you have, with your mercy, patience, humility, and unwavering kindness. Do not love with expectations of how it should be returned to you. You will be disappointed. It can be simple if you let it in to your heart. Love is the greatest gift you can give to another person and to yourself.