Tag Archives: Life
Just blame God.
Sure, just blame God.
Isn’t it funny how some people question the words “Under God” on currency or complain of a sculpture that has scripture on it, but those same people have no problem taking Christian holidays off from work?
Is it not weird that we are barred from saying the Pledge of Allegiance or having open prayer in schools, but when something terrible happens and the world becomes more and more callous, those same people wonder why? The further we push God from our everyday lives, the worse people seem to be to each other… coincidence? Probably not.
My personal favorite – is when natural disasters happen and your insurance company can call it “an Act of God” and not cover it.
Sure, just blame God. It must be His fault. We have become so desensitized to shutting up when it inconveniences someone else, but those same people telling Christians to hush get to blame God for every other little thing gone wrong. It’s easy to blame God when something goes wrong. Have you recently thought of all of the things that have gone right? All of the good in your life?
If there were a God, people would not suffer. If there were a God, there would not be cancer. If there were a God, people would not kill each other. Just blame God – it is so easy, isn’t it? I do not have answers for all of these things. I know God, but I do not know all of his plans. I know God, but I also know that there is pure evil in this world and there has been since the beginning of time as referenced in the Bible. I know God, but I know He gives us all choices. We are free to choose, but we are not always free of the consequences of those choices.
Until I became a parent myself, I don’t think I ever could fathom the enormous amounts of love that not only my own parents had for me, but that God had for me.
On this Good Friday, remember that Jesus died for us. Why would anyone who loves us so much that He would send His only son to die for us and for our sins want to inflict pain upon us? He wouldn’t. Christianity isn’t convenient. Forgiving someone is hard. Forgiving someone who isn’t sorry is harder. Having to ask for forgiveness is often the hardest.
God is love and love always wins. Have a wonderful Easter rejoicing that we GET to forgive people and ask for forgiveness because of the Man on the Cross.
Much love.
It is a Matter of Time
When was the last time you took a deep breath and took the time to feel the air fill your lungs? In through your nose, out through your mouth – felt your chest rise and fall – allowed yourself to truly relax in the vessel that carries your soul.
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Recently, I was listening to a college classmate give a speech. In the beginning of his speech he said,
“Time is the most precious gift.”
– Jordan McCormick
The moment these words left his mouth – I had chills. Instantly, my life was in review.
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I often think about how life seems to get faster and faster. I reflect on my ability to just ‘go through the motions.’ How often do I allow myself to truly live in the moment? How often do I allow myself to feel emotions in their truest form? How often do I take the time to listen – truly listen to other people… my nieces and nephew, my husband, my colleagues, my friends? How often do I sit and allow myself to happily exist in my own presence, in the presence of my Maker? Rushing through the shower in the morning, being bogged down through work, making supper, tending to other people’s needs, sleeping – repeat. Eat, Shower, Work, Drive, Cook, Clean, Sleep, Repeat. How many times in a day did I take to breath, be thankful, be grateful, be happy?
Time is the one thing that we cannot get back. Money can always be made. We are torn on a pendulum between getting as much done in a day and wasting endless amounts of time. We trick ourselves into feeling like we are busy and we trick ourselves into thinking that we were incredibly productive. Of course, feeling productive is positive and who doesn’t love getting a bunch of things crossed of the list? But, when it comes to the value of life, productivity is relative. We convince ourselves that these are the most important things to get done. Shouldn’t we add to the list: to smile, to hug, to breathe?
We cannot rewind time, can only review it. When you look back, will you be happy with your decisions? Will you be happy with what you accomplished, with the relationships you made – maintained – lost, will you be happy with how you spent every minute of your time. Will you wish that you had more time?
If you knew that you were going to die within one year, would you live differently today? If you knew that this was your last day with your significant other, would you treat him/her differently? Would all the little things bother you or would you start to appreciate the quirks and the uniqueness? I challenge you to make the most of time, appreciate each moment and show others as much love while you can.
bottlingthesunshine 