Five Minute Friday: Gift

"Life's a gift, and I don't intend to waste it."  Those are the words spoken by Jack Dawson as he dined with the first class passengers in Titantic.

What great words those are!

God's Word says that every good and perfect gift is from above and that's exactly what life is.  A good and perfect gift.

Not everything about our lives is good and perfect.  I know this from my own life and especially from the lives of those that I love that are struggling.

My sweet friend who is battling brain cancer sent me a text the other night.  Although she was at low place at that moment, our conversation was a gift.  She will never realize what a special person she is to me.  A true gift from God.

I love her. I admire her. I am blessed by her. I am thankful for her.

Although she is struggling, fighting this fight that no young mother should ever have to fight, I just have to believe, and encourage her to believe, that this difficult journey is also a gift in itself.  We may never truly understand or see the goodness in her journey, but I do know that she is changing lives.  Mine included.

When I look back on my life, I want to know that I didn't waste it.  During those mountaintop moments and in my darkest valleys, I want to take advantage of the gift of life and live it to the fullest.  The Bible speaks of the Valley of Blessings. And I think that's what we have to do in order to get through our valleys, our struggles, is to see that all though they are difficult, they are also blessings.  Difficult, I know, but God's will, His plan....it's perfect.

"Here's to making it count!"

change for awareness

I have changed my background this month to bring awareness to Brain Cancer.  I have a coworker friend who was diagnosed with brain cancer last year.  She has remained strong and faithful to God during this time.

Thank you, Tiffany, for your strong faith in God and your determination to conquer this beast!

What is on my mind...

I would appreciate you being in prayer for my friend Tiffany.  I received a message from her that her brain tumor has grown bigger and chemo may be the next step.  She began blogging about her journey, but between surgery and wedding planning, that got put on the back burner.  Tiffany is a fighter, an amazing young woman.  Please, just pray for healing if that be God's will. 

I am thankful that it is Fall Break for us.  We are in much need of rest. These allergies are about to get me and now I think Carter has a touch of something.  This morning I thought we had a seal in the house. You moms know what that means!  So, I am home with a coughing seal/kid.

Jeff and I will celebrate our 13th anniversary on Tuesday.  I am so blessed to have him in my life. He is an amazing husband, a wonderful father, a remarkable man.  I can't believe how God has worked in his life these last few years.  I support him 100% in whatever God calls him to do.

Speaking of being called, we are in the midst of an Army roller coaster.  We are getting yes's and no's, and it is very exhausting.  When you get news and you prepare yourself for what is to come, and then you get other news that is the total opposite of what you were just told a week prior....well, it is frustrating and exhausting.  So please, pray for us and that God is in control of this situation.  We are open to what God wants us to do.  We knew what we were getting into when Jeff took his oath. I don't wish my husband away.  And I don't deny the fact that those called to the military know they have a mission, regardless of their rank or job.  I do know that my heart is for my husband and my job is to support him and what he is called to do. 

I have found out recently (or realized) that I secretly like being a leader.  So please dont' tell anyone!  I was asked to fill in for someone who couldn't attend a training and enjoyed the new stuff I learned and started brainstorming ways to use it and share it (Emily is probably thinking "I told you so!"). 

And on the subject of leading, I volunteered to be one of the new coaches for the Robotics team.  Like I needed one more thing to do! But it is for the kids.  It will be worth it.  I am also considering leading a new Bible study.  Has anyone ever heard of the Coffee Cup Bible Studies?  I would love to hear your thoughts on them if you have.  I read a friendship post on (in)courage once that gave me a great idea for a prayer group, but never did it. I think I can incorporate that idea with this Bible study series.

Here's to a fabulous fall Sunday. Hope the weather is nice where you are.  Get out and enjoy it with someone you love!

Storms and Rainbows

I snapped this picture at the ballpark the other night, and I am reminded of the people in my life that are going through storms right now. 

My mom will find out tomorrow about a mass that she has.  My coworker/friend Tiffany is fighting a brain tumor, and my father in law is in surgery as I type. 

I think of my dearest friends who battle the storms in their marriages and other family relationships, the storms of drug and alcohol use, and the soldier whom our cousin is visiting with today because of depression.

We often wonder why bad things happen to good people. We ask, "Why me?"  We get so upset and wrapped up in sorrow that we forget about that rainbow.

The original rainbow came after God flooded the earth. It was his promise that he would never do that again.  But you know what? He promises so much more that that. 

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Matthew 11:28-29

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

2 Corinthians 4:8-9
We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.

Psalm 103:10-12
He has not dealt with us according to our sins,

Psalm 147:3

Nor punished us according to our iniquities.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

The list goes on.

The fact of the matter is.....life is not perfect. It is not fair.  Things happen that we have no control over. But God is still the same.  He never changes. He loves us...me...you...everyone.  He wants us to fall into his arms. He wants us to cry out to him.  He is there for us.

If you are going through a storm right now, look for your rainbow....your promise from God. He never breaks his promise!