Apr
10

When I Close My Eyes

Sometimes I watch movies with my eyes closed.

No, I’m not sleeping. Truly, I’m listening – with my eyes squeezed tight. You see, my hubby and I don’t always have the same taste in cinema. While he likes zombies and realistic gruesomeness, I prefer singing and sliding down rainbows. My version of scary is in the opening credits of Little House when Laura and Carrie are skipping down the hill of daisies, and Carrie trips and falls. I gasp every time. I’m thinking sprained ankles, scratched knees, and grass stains. Scary stuff.

So when my honey and I watch TV, I often turn my head and close my eyes at the bad parts. I’d prefer not to look.

I’ve never felt bad about it. It’s just how I roll.

But recently God has been whispering to me. “Carol, are you closing your eyes?”

And my answer is yes. There are things in life I’d rather not see. If I don’t see them, they don’t seem real. They aren’t so scary.

I’d prefer to close my eyes to young girls being trafficked for sex. I turned my head away from the estimated 643,067 people who experienced homelessness in the U.S. last year. I hum quietly to myself when I hear talk of the MILLIONS of people who starve to DEATH each year. And I’m squeezing my peeps tight to the 163,000,000 orphans who need a mommy to wipe their tears and kiss their boo-boos.

But closing my eyes doesn’t change the facts. All of these things exist. If I acknowledge them and do nothing, well – I’d prefer to close my eyes to that, too.

If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. James 4:17 NIV

Now what?

Edward Everett Hale shared this wisdom.

“I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything; but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.”

So, what’s the one thing I can do? Well, for starters I can open my eyes.

Are you with me? Leave me a comment simply stating, “I’m opening my eyes.” Then join me tomorrow as I open my eyes to orphans.

Carol

3 Comments

Apr
6

When You Can’t See God’s Plan

Do you ever stop and ask yourself, “How did I get here?” Sometimes the situations and circumstances in our lives are a lot to bear. I’ll admit to questioning God at times, wondering if He hears me when I pray, not understanding how He could allow me to endure such pain.

But sometimes the plan IS the pain. Through the pain He teaches me where to draw strength. I learn who I am. I discover the I AM.

The plan for Christ was pain, too. Through His pain and ultimate death, we can have life. Today, as I reflect on the cross – the blood, the anguish, the tears, the holes – I am strengthened. Because even when we can’t see it, God ALWAYS has a plan.

It may be Friday in your life, but Beloved hold on because Sunday is coming.

It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining.

And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.

Luke 23:44-46 NIV

Happy Easter to from my family to yours!

Carol

Apr
2

When Friendship Can Save a Life {free downloadable service calendar}

“You saved my life.”

I heard her say the words but the weight of them didn’t sink in until she spoke the next. “I was going to commit suicide the next day, but you were nice to me. You guys were my friends.”

Jen and I cut our eyes at each other and trying desperately to communicate via ESP. What?! Did she just say suicide? My brain was short-circuiting while my mouth was silent. I had no idea. Neither of us could wrap our hair-sprayed bangs around that thought.

Our youth group was having a share session, but no one expected a confession like that to come spilling forth. I’ll admit I knew there were people in our youth who were mean to this girl, but never had I imagined it affected her that much. Sadly, I probably didn’t put that much thought into it at all. I mean it didn’t affect me, right?

My mother taught me to be nice to everyone, and if anyone was left out – if there was a girl who stood in the corner – go get her. So I did. It honestly wasn’t hard. I’d like to brag and tell you I did something awesome, like I went home and weaved her a special friendship bracelet to match my own or made her a pair of ribbon barrettes with hanging beads. But I didn’t. I just asked her to join our group. And I spoke to her. Jen did the same. She was somewhat of a shy person herself, familiar with the corners of a room. So she noticed when someone else was in them.

When I think back to this time, I’m flooded with questions. Why didn’t I do more? Why didn’t I ask her to spend the night? And why was she treated so poorly in youth group? Isn’t everyone supposed to be accepted in church?

The words come back to me from time to time – “You saved my life.”

And when I think about it, what I’d really like to say to that sweet girl from long ago is, “No. You saved mine.”

Learning as a teenager that my actions have an effect on people changed the way I lived. It made me search the corners, offer a smile, and reach out my hand more often. It shaped me.

And for that, sweet childhood friend of long ago, I thank you.

Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. Matthew 25:40 NIV

I hope you’ve been printing and using the service calendars each month. I’d love to hear feedback from you. Please help me get the word out by Facebook sharing, emailing and Tweeting this post.

Click HERE to download the April Service Calendar.

Carol

4 Comments

Apr
1

Palm Sunday

The sound was deafening. Eager bodies pushed past to get a closer glimpse. Some threw palm branches down in the road – an ancient custom to honor one so great. Others laid their own garments in the dusty path.

As He approached on a borrowed donkey, those in the crowd shouted with jubilance, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

All who were near felt the presence of the Lord. One couldn’t help but shout praises and join in the joyful celebration.

But the political climate was unsteady. Jesus’ presence made others nervous. Some Pharisees made their way to Christ and thought they would admonish him and tame the crowds.

“Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” (Luke 19:39 NIV) They hissed, hoping to keep control.

“I tell you,” [Jesus] replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” (v.40)

As you begin this Holy Week, take time to reflect on the Christ’s great sacrifice. Read the Easter story with your family.

Here is a link to a fun cooking activity to do with kids. Who ever thought you could tell the Easter story while making cookies? Click HERE to give it a try.

Have a blessed week!

*This was originally posted on 3/28/10. But I found it as I was thinking about Palm Sunday today. I hope you enjoy it again! Don’t forget to come back tomorrow for the April Service Calendar!!

Photo credit

Carol

Mar
20

When God has a Plan in the Unfamiliar

I walked in with an attitude every day. Every. Single. Day. I hated the class. None of my friends were in it. Not one person from my circle of comrades. The class next door had Kim and Cassie. Why wasn’t I placed in there?

I dreaded my 11^th grade first period class so much I drug my feet each morning, often being tardy to school. My grandmother would always write me an excuse saying I wasn’t feeling well. She’d follow it up with, “Well, you weren’t feeling well when you realized you were going to be late for school, were you…

Join me today at 5 Minutes for Faith to find out how God had a plan for my Trig class. Click HERE to read the devotion.

Be Blessed!