How Many "Likes" Can I Get?

I have this love/hate relationship with social media.  I love blogging. I love connecting with others.  I love to spread encouragement, laughter, and the message of Jesus through technology.

But I hate the anger that is spread through social media. I hate the negativity.  I hate the finger pointing and blaming.

Most of all.....

I hate how sometimes I forget why I click post.

Way back when I started this blog, I wanted it to honor and glorify Christ.  That was the deal I made with God (Quit laughing. I know I'm not the only one who makes deals with God.)

I try to be real.

Like the time I ruined my witness during Pee Wee baseball.

Do you remember the time I defended public schools?

Or when I was feeling vulnerable and left out after returning to work after maternity leave?

Oh, and there was that time I experienced my first deployment as a military wife.

And let's not forget about my miscarriage.

I wrote those posts and clicked Publish to share, to encourage, to mend the soul.  Many times, my posts are for me and no one else.  If they are helpful, wonderful. I'm glad I was a blessing to you.  But for me, writing is an escape, a release.  It soothes me. It calms me. It brings me back to reality.

Reality.

In reality....life is hard. People are mean. There is sin and and hatred. There's so much "stuff" going on and spreading like wildfire that so many Christians cry out, "Jesus! Please come back now!'

And in all this reality, so many people click that post button wanting to see how many "Likes" they can get.

I admit it.

Sometimes I do too. I don't do it at anyone else's expense. I don't do it to humiliate or discourage. I don't do it to spread hatred and anger.  Sometimes I just want people to like what I have to say. Sometimes I want people to like my picture I am sharing.

Sometimes I forget that it isn't about me, but about Christ.

This all really built up when I wrote a post recently about my frustrations about how Christians are badmouthed simply because they disagree with the beliefs or lifestyles of others.  Honestly, I thought it was a really good post and that people would share it if they were too afraid to speak up for Christ.  I did the dirty work so to speak.  All they had to do was click "Like" and "Share."

Here are my stats on that post:

According to Blogger,  52 people read the post. There were no comments.

According to Facebook, there was 1 Share (2 if you count the one I shared from the blog Facebook page) and 2 Likes and 2 Comments (from the people that Liked it).

I'll admit it.

I was a bit disappointed.  After all, so many things that spread hatred, anger, and negativity are spreading like wildfire on social media.  And what???? I stood up for Christians who are tired of being pushed around for simply saying, "I don't agree," and it basically spread to a few folks.

I thought that was pretty sad.

But honestly, why did I click Publish?  Was it to get a million Likes or to stand up for Jesus?

Hard question.  It shouldn't be, but it is.

I was standing up for Jesus, but I also wanted to get a bunch of Likes and Shares too.  Hypocritical, I know.

So where is that happy medium.  Can't I do both?  I think for me, I have to realize and understand that it doesn't matter how many Likes and Shares I get. What matters is that I spread the message for Christ.  That even though one person might read my post, that one person was hopefully touched.


And as I write these words, I am telling myself the same thing I told Jeff.  He was frustrated about having to attend AT.  He told me that he felt like it didn't matter if he was there or not, that he wouldn't be missed.  His commanders don't even put Chapel on the schedule during battle assembly, and when he does get to have one, no more than 6-8 Soldiers show up.  I told him that was ok. That was 6-8 Soldiers that heard the message of Christ.  It's not about quantity. It's about quality.

So, in essence, that is what I am reminding myself.  It isn't about how many Likes and Shares I get on social media. It's about reaching at least one person....encouraging that person or showing the love of Christ to that person.  Sometimes that person might be me. Sometimes it might be you.  I have to remember.....It isn't about quantity. It's about quality.

In Which I Admit I Don't Witness Like I Should

I don't witness like I should.

I'm not like Paul at all.

During our Sunday School class, we talked about how Paul took the time to get to know the Athenians (he found their statue in honor of an unknown god).  He went to where they were, the synagogues and the marketplace.  And he confronted them, flat out called them ignorant.

We can talk about how Paul was an amazing man, but really, he was nothing without God.

Why then do I fear witnessing to others?

I too am nothing without God.  He tells us that He has not given us a spirit of fear. Why then be afraid to witness?

You know, there are people that live on my street that I have never spoken too. I would be willing to bet that my family is the only family in my neighborhood that goes to church.  Why then have I not reached out to them?

Fear.

I can come up with excuses. 

Fear.
I don't trust my neighbors enough to let them know when we will be out of our home. When I can almost bet that 3 of the 9 houses on my dead in street are up to no good, why would I let them know I will be out of the house 3 times a week during the same amount of time?
They don't talk to us and we don't talk to them.
Fear.

Excuse after excuse. 

The last conversation I had with a neighbor was when I carried her toddler son back to her after he wandered into our yard with no adult supervision. Not a pleasant conversation.

I wave at my neighbors, even the ones I know are up to no good.  We have neighbors that have never even onced waved or nodded to acknowledge us.

At work, I know that most of the people I work with were raised in church, go to church regularly, or went to church once.  I know that one coworker is of a totally different faith, the Bahia faith. I have invited my coworkers to church.  Some of us have had deep meaningful conversations, yet, I couldn't tell you if some of my closest coworkers are actually saved.

Its sad. I know. 

I like to think that I am really good at this writing thing, that my words may bring someone out their in cyperland closer to God. I like to think that I am a good encourager, that my words and actions would show the love of Jesus.  But I know it is my witnessing that needs the work. 

Is teaching Sunday School enough?
Is teaching VBS enough?
Is donating to missions enough?
Is taking my children to church when the doors are open enough?
Is praying for others enough?
Is Bible study enough?

I think I can do more.
I want to do more.

I love God.
Deeply, more than anything.
I love God.

I want to live my life in a way that everyone knows that I love God.
I want to live my life in a way that everyone knows what I stand for.

I stand for Jesus Christ.

I owe everything to Him.

He deserves my very best. Yet, I knowingly don't give Him my very best.

They Need Us

If you haven't noticed, I've been experiencing some really strong emotions about Christians and lost souls.

You see, last week, I got to spend some time with a lost mother.  She loves her 3 little girls so much, wants only the best for them.  They do live across the street from our church. Two of her girls go to school with two of my boys.  Now they are in the same classes at church.  I love her girls so much. Now, I have come to love this mom as well.

She is so scared.  She admitted it. 

Her life is in a spot she never wanted.  She doesn't know any other way. 

She wants better. She wants hope. She wants Jesus.

She's just scared.

Scared of what He might make of her.

Scared of how her husband might react.

Just scared.

It was so difficult for her to admit this....in front of me, my husband, an elderly couple, and a widow from our church....in the parking lot after Father's Day service. 

But when she did admit it, her whole demeanor changed.  You could see and feel the power when she cried, "Y'all, I'm just so scared!" 

She was letting go.

She was accepting.

She was changing.

It was a big step for her.

"Now take little steps," we encouraged her.

You see, she, like so many others, believe that when you do decide to let go and let God, that everything will change....fast.

It doesn't.

Little steps.

Baby steps.

They need us.

They need us to let them now that this walk we are on, this journey, it is daily, it is difficult, it is not one we do along.

They need us to love them, to hold them, to pray from them.

They need us to admit our faults, proving that just because we are called Christians, we are not perfect. We are the hypocrits that fill the pews. That is why we are there.  I shared with her how I struggle with my temper and being in control.  Mr. Will shared his struggle with losing his home (which was hit by a tornado).  She saw it in us.  She struggles, like me, being the mom she wants to be.  She, like Mr. Will, lost her home too.

She told me and Hilarie, "You girls got you a project now."  She wants us to lead her, to guide, her, to show her Jesus.  She told us she doesn't have anybody like us in her life. 

She needs us.

We don't see her as a project.

We see her as we are....a sister...a mother....a friend....a woman who wants to be loved.....to have people she can really and truly trust and depend on.

She needs us. 

She told us that she felt stuck.  Stuck in this trailer park.

Jeff told her, "If you weren't in this trailer park, you wouldn't be here right now.  Your girls wouldn't have this." 

She knew he was right.

Our lives don't always turn out the way we plan.  We make decisions; they lead us places.  God is the master planner. He takes what we've done to ourselves and offers us a way out.

I guess the point of all of this....

Jesus died for us.  ALL OF US. Not just the rich, the fancy clothes wearing, Cadillac driving, mansion living people.  He died for ALL OF US. The rich, the poor, those with no cars, those in trailers.  EVERY ONE OF US.

We can't keep Him to ourselves.  We have to share Him. They need us to.

Did you know

Across the street from your church there is a lost mother.

She is spiritually lost.

She has been beaten.

She has been addicted.

She has been raped.

She has been left for dead by those she trusted.

She has never known another life.

Pregnant at seventeen.

High school drop out.

No job.

No car.

She sits at home everyday and takes whatever is dished out by her family and "friends."

She needs love.

She needs acceptance.

She needs hope.

She needs Jesus Christ.

Who will show her?

Who will teach her?

Who will let her know that there is hope, and that hope is found in Jesus Christ?


Did you know that there is a man across the street from your church?

He is a product of his environment.

His dad beat his mom. So he beat his wife.

He works to pay the necessary bills and have a little food for his kids. 

His friends are bad influences.  He's pretty much a follower.

He came to church once. 

He didn't feel welcome so he never came back.

He is lost.  Spiritually lost.

His wife, his children...they need a man of God leading them.

Who will lead him?

Will you wave at him and smile at him when you drive your nice car into the church parking lot as he is working on his broken down junker?

Will you walk over there in your Khakis and button down shirt and talk with a greasy, dirty young man in ripped clothes?

Will you invite him to come to church?

If he shows, will you greet him?

Will you introduce him to your friends?

Will you make a point to find him after the service and invite him back?

When you arrive at church each week, will you look for him in his yard or will you look away?


Did you know there are little children across the street from your church?

They are precious.

They have little to nothing.

They watch your kids get out of your nice car wearing their Sunday best. They look at their dirty, illfitting hand me downs.

They watch you and your husband holding hands across the parking lot.

They probably never saw their parents hold hands.

They wonder what goes on behind that door, in that building.

They ask their parents to go.

Parents say no.  Those people are hypocrites.

They watch each week. They ask each week.

Finally, they are allowed to go to your church.

Without their parents.

They see love. They hear love. They get love.

They ask their parents to go.

They say no.

The children continue to go.  They love this place called church.

Their hungry little bellies are fed.

Their hungry little souls are fed.

No doubt they are different than most of the children their, but they are just as loved.

These children come every Sunday morning, every Sunday night, and every Wednesday night.

Without their parents.


Did you know there is a family across the street from your church?

They are lost.

They are dying.

They need Jesus.

Will you introduce them to Him?

Whom Should I Fear?

The other night, Colin brought a book to me and asked, "Mama, sometime soon can you and I have a private book club and read this together?"

"Sure," I replied. "What book is it?" 

He turned it toward me and the title was Share Jesus Without Fear. He then added, "Sometimes I don't talk to people about Jesus because I am afraid they will make fun of me."

As my heart began to melt, I admitted, "Me too, Colin."

I was surprised that Colin came with me out of nowwhere with that.  However, I am not surprised by what he said.

I think his admission is true for so many of us.

But why is that? Why are we so afraid to share Jesus?  Our pastor has asked, "What part of Hell are you afraid you'll offend them to?" Seriously, that is the worst that can happen, that we share the Good News of Jesus and the person rejects it. The person is then responsible for his/her decision. It has nothing to do with us.  We would have done our part, but we don't.  We take their reaction personally.

Psalm 34:4 says I sought the LORD, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 56:4 says In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?

His Word tells me that if I seek Him, the Lord will hear me and my fears will be relieved. When I trust Him, there is no need to fear anything beause He will take care of me.  I will do my best to remember that, to remember Psalm 118:6, The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?

I will prayerfully begin to share Jesus without out fear.  Colin, will you join me?

Lately

Lately.....
I am enjoying my time home with my precious Carter. It seems like only yesterday Colin was a newborn. I can't believe he will be 8 years old this summer and Carson will be 4 in a matter of weeks. I got tickled at the bank yesterday. One of the workers, who also lives behind us, asked when the baby was coming. I said, "He came on the 12th!" I still can't believe he is here and he's ours. What a blessing! I am thankful everyday that God has chosen me to be the mom of these wonderful children. Carson has stayed home with me for a few days. We've tried to get him back into the swing of things, but his stomach has been yucky. I'm missing Colin while he is at school. I do like being able to pick him up after school now.



Lately....
I am feeling well. Carter is sleeping pretty good at night. He is eating every 3 - 4 hours. So the rest is good! I am not a night person. I like to be in bed around nine and sleep until morning. I am so grateful that Carter is not up all hours of the night. I did NOT have a C-section. Not sure where that started, but we are doing great!



Lately....
The boys have started baseball. Colin is being coached by "Coach Jeff" again this year. It will be his second year of Pee Wee and from what Coach Jeff says, Colin is doing quite well. Carson has "started" T-ball. Started is in quotes because the first practice was last week. However, Carson didn't make it. We thought he broke his little toe. OUCH! He was playing at the kitchen table and when he got out of the chair, it fell on his foot. Totally scared us. Jeffrey took him to see Dr. Chris Friday, who then sent him for x-rays. Toe is fine, just bruised. Hopefully, he will be able to go to practice this week. I am getting excited about seeing them play soon.



Lately,
I have been fed well by some Christian women. After coming home from the hospital, Jeffrey's mom had us a pot of potato soup and his aunt Mary had us some of her famous ham and cheese sandwhiches. We worked on those a few days. Then Millie from church brought us some KFC- YUMMY - and a cake she had made. Tonight, I had a visit from Mrs. June from church. She brought some ham, green beans, slaw, and mashed potatoes, and brownies. We are so appreciative of the food. It has made my life so much easier!


Lately,
I am saddened by some news. Our church lost a dear friend this morning. Joe Smith passed away after battling cancer. He and his wife Jackie have been so good to us. Since the first day we attended Calvary, they have shown us nothing but love. Joe and Jackie both loved us and our children. When the traveling Wall came to Franklin a few years ago, I was blessed to have Joe and some other veterans visit my class. The last time I saw Joe, probably two months ago, he hugged me and thanked me for that day. We love Joe and will miss him very much. He has been such a blessing to our family and church.



Lately,
I have watched a couple of good movies. There are certain parts of those movies that have stuck out to me. There is a movie called Taking Chance (if you haven't watched it, do!) It is a true story of a marine (played by Kevin Bacon) who escorts fallen soldier Chance Phelps home. During the movie, a veteran told Kevin Bacon's character that he was Chance's witness. He should share his story. It got me to thinking about our witness to Jesus. In the movie, as he looked back on this journey, Kevin Bacon's character said that he felt like as long as the body was moving, that Chance was still alive. You know, we are what reminds everyone that Jesus is still alive. We are to be His witness each day by telling others about Him and allowing them to see Him in us. Unfortunately, many of us don't do all we can do to be a witness to Jesus Christ. Personally, I know that I can do more and that is something I strive to do. There is another movie that I watched the other night. It was called Henry Poole is Here. Luke Wilson's character has found out that he is dying and nothing can be done. He has lost faith and moved into a house to die alone. His neighbor discovers a miracle and it draws him closer to others and to finding his faith once again. One of the lines that really struck me was said by Patience, the cashier at the grocery store. She told him that she "chose to believe" and that's the miracle. When we are at the crossroads of becoming Christians, we make a choice. Do we choose to believe or not? When we choose to believe in the miracle of Jesus, our lives are forever changed. Like Patience, I can proudly say that, "I have chosen to believe." Six years ago, God touched my heart. He showed me His love and I chose to believe in what His son, Jesus Christ did for me. Have you chosen to believe?

Lately,
We are waiting to find out where Jeffrey will be doing his monthly drills. He received a message last Wednesday that he was supposed to be in South Carolina last weekend for drill. However, since it was so far for him and such late notice, he was dismissed from drill for March. He was told that they would try to find somewhere closer to home for the next drill. I am thankful that he does not have to go the first week of April like we thought. Now, Jeffrey can be home for Carson's 4th birthday.

Lately,
I am trying to find a Super Mario Bros. cake pan for Carson's birthday. He is wanting a Mario party, so I am working on it.

So, for now, I will continue to enjoy my time at home with my family, being a stay at home mom for now.

Preparations

We were eager to get out this weekend and shop for our new little one. One of the items we were wanting is pictured below.

It has been unbelievably difficult to find this. We thought we had scored when we found it at Babies R Us in Nashville. However, all they had was the display. Sue and I called stores (all the way to Evansville) and looked online in search of this. However, I have come to the conclusion that since we can't get our hands on it without ordering it from Amazon, we don't really need it.

We did have luck in purchasing a baby book. I love filling out the books for Colin and Carson. When I found this book at Barnes and Noble, I had to get it. Carson absolutely loves the Guess How Much I Love You book. I couldn't pass it up.

Tuesday is my shower at work and Saturday is my shower at church. I'm looking forward to "playing" with all the cool stuff we will be blessed with. After that, we will go buy other necessities that we didn't recieve as gifts. We are grateful to have so many wonderful friends and family member who are eager to help us out.

Today has been a day of relaxation. My left foot has been swollen for two days. This morning when I was getting ready for church, I realized that my black shoes wouldn't fit. I searched under the bed, but none of the black shoes would work. So I had to wear my comfy, stretchy brown shoes I wear to work daily. Jeffrey told me to just wear my houseshoes. I should try that at work tomorrow. Wonder what my principal would say? By husband's orders, I have been on the couch with feet elevated. The swelling hasn't gone down much. I guess it is just that time. While resting here, I have enjoyed watching the boys play Wii and being just plain silly. I'm waiting for Colin to smack the TV or his little brother with the Wii remote as he plays ping pong and sword fights. Its quite hilarious actually. I keep reminding him to scoot back.

Speaking of Colin, he finished up his Winter Super Saturdays class at WKU. He must have thanked me a dozen times for signing him up. In the fall, we will try a different type of class since he has taken two technology classes. Now it is time to get ready for baseball. He will play Pee Wee again this year (Go Cubs!) and Carson will play T-Ball. I was really hoping that Jeffrey or I could coach Carson's team, but that isn't going to be possible. I would love to coach soccer again for his team this fall, but not sure how that will go with a new baby! We will just wait and see. I'm glad that the boys get interested in all sorts of activities. I want them to be well rounded.

My next doctor's appointment is Wednesday. I am curious to find out how "things" are progressing. I do love being pregnant, but I'm so excited to be getting closer to meeting our new little one. I have been vivid dreams of what he looks like and getting to bring him home from the hospital. I think Colin and Carson are getting excited too. I'm cracking up at the fact that I'm still steadily gaining weight. Its got to be mostly baby and water retention. I have no real appetite. Usually I don't eat all my food. I drink a lot (water, juice, sweet peach tea). My favorite things to eat are eggs, toast, butterscotch or chocolate pudding, and salads.

I really appreciate everyone who is keeping up with this blog. I hope I am able to bless you in some way by whatever my thoughts are for the moment. That's the whole point anyway. Be sure to leave a comment to let me know that I'm keeping that promise. I like to see what you have to say.

If you haven't been to Angie Smith's blog, you have to read her post titled Ministry and Grocery Carts. I loved it! It makes me think of the opportunities we have to minister to people, but rarely take advantage of. My dear friend Glenda is really good at taking advantage of those opportunities (gas stations, check out line, gym). Right now, she has a guest in her home for two weeks who has never given any thought to life after death. I pray that she will be able to minister to him for the remainder of his time here. I would like to be more comfortable with taking advantage of the opportunities as well.