Saturday, March 19, 2011

Mountain Pinks

This is a beautiful flower that is native to our area. It is called the "Mountain Pink". Pinks can live in very harsh and very dry conditions. They can survive drought, rocky soil and scorching heat. Even in these harsh conditions they thrive. Even in these harsh conditions they are beautiful.
I have decided that I will be like a Mountain Pink. Lately, we have been going through a time of difficulty. What we thought was going to be our future does not look like it will be. We have been sad and discouraged and feel like we are walking around in the dark. In some instances we have felt betrayed and brushed aside. It seems like we are thriving anyway. We still love the Lord, we will always serve Him and know that He is in control. We will forgive and grow from this. We will get up and dust ourselves off and move on. We will continue doing what God puts in front of us to do. We will live through these harsh conditions and grow anyway. May God help you to be like the Mountain Pink in your time of trouble. May you bloom and be beautiful in the hardest of times. photograph: Handprints on the Window

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Building


Tonight I was talking with a friend about how it is so nice to receive encouraging words from those that we look up to in the faith. You know, when you are just walking along and minding your own business and someone pats you on the back and says, " hey, you are just a great person! I know you will do great things someday!" You walk away feeling lighter. You walk away taller.
For so many of us this edification does not come natural. I know for me that I have to make myself say thank you to people sometimes because I am in my own head a lot. We have so much going on around us that we do not stop to tell those around us how great we think they are.
I also know that we all desire to be affirmed. Whether it is affirmation for our work or how we sang a song. That we have grown up and become the person that so and so always thought we'd be or that it is amazing that you are the way you are because everything around you should have made you dive off a cliff. Yet, you haven't. You are a miracle!
We seem to use kind and affirming words sparingly in this society. Maybe we are jealous of the person that we feel needs the affirming word. We don't feel like they deserve and affirming word because they have sat on their butt for an entire year and have done nothing with their life. Or the opposite, so and so probably does not need to hear how great she is, she probably hears it all the time. Maybe she does. Maybe she doesn't.
I am making a challenge to myself. I am challenging me to not hold back on encouragement. I think God needs more cheerleaders out there for his kids. I am going to try to listen more closely to what He is saying about Susy 123 who has been working 24-7 who is going through a horrible divorce but doesn't want anyone to know. Or about Chad, who doesn't have a mom and just desperately needs to hear how his would have been so proud of the person he has become.
Did you know that affirmation is Biblical? My friend that I was talking to earlier sent me a Scripture text. It says, " Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11
I have a warning though. This does not mean to tickle someones ear with flattery. Flattery is lying and it is flat out wrong. This Scripture is a great filter for how we must affirm. Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoeverthings are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
I will update you on the affirmation project soon. I hope all of you know how much God loves you and so enjoys you. There, my first affirmation! Blessing!