I don't know if there is any irony to all this. Perhaps, I have chose not to come to terms with the irony....
However, I have learned a lot from my sister's boyfriend..
My sister got her wisdom teeth pulled out the other day. She came home in pain, she was woozy, and was not coherent at all. (So glad, I was born with no wisdom teeth.. true story).
So my sister sat in pain and embarked on her journey of movies galore. But her boyfriend was there for every minute of this exciting adventure. So for countless hours he sat and watched movie after movie, not to mention countless TV shows (brutal). But I observed his every move. He was patient with her, made sure she got her medicine. The guy did everything! And more importantly out of love. The guy was there all day for at least three days.
The guys was flawless. His example of his love for my sister made me think. If he was not there, would I do what he did for my sister? Granted she is my sister.. would I sit there and take the boredom better know as watching marathons of women shows?
Honestly, I would not... I would be lying if I said yes. Which only shows my selfishness. But how many love ones in our life would we endure three days of TV just to make sure they are comfortable? Think about it, go deep with this thought.
How do you treat the people you say you love? My sister's boyfriend treated her like royalty.
I thank him for that. I admire how he showed her, he loved her by sitting on the couch for hours on in. I believe we all are put in situations that allow us, to gage how far and hard would we go for someone.
That my sister's boyfriend did nothing but sit there with her. But that meant the world to her. He did nothing flashy or elaborate. Many times people who need help, just want the simple, yet typical elements of helping someone.
Imagine that.....
Needless to say the main thought here is....
What would you do for a love one family, friend.....?
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Blessed We Are
Often times, Christmas leads us to a retrospective state of mind. Last week, I was confronted with this. We all need reminders and they seem to come in the most subtle of ways...
It came in the form 4 girls and 4 grandparents. As I sat down and they ripped open their presents. They all smiled and were content with what had been received.
In short, our bible study was able to provide four girls Christmas presents. The girls ranged from 4-15 and the whole thing was brilliant. The girls have at least one parent in prison and the other no where to be found. Yet the girls seemed to be content with what life has dealt them.
Especially, the older ones, they knew God had a plan.
That night I could not help, but tear up. That these girls have gone through a lot. That on Christmas day they will be "parentless". But it was a somber reminder that I am blessed and so are they. We all have our blessings and not one is better than the other. The girls grandparents have stepped up to insure the girls have a bright future. That in itself is a blessing.
The underline point we all are blessed. This Christmas I encourage you to count your blessings. And to go out of your way to be a blessing for others. That night I walked into those homes bringing presents to girls in tough situations. But they ended blessing me, more then they know.
Blessings surround us all.....
It came in the form 4 girls and 4 grandparents. As I sat down and they ripped open their presents. They all smiled and were content with what had been received.
In short, our bible study was able to provide four girls Christmas presents. The girls ranged from 4-15 and the whole thing was brilliant. The girls have at least one parent in prison and the other no where to be found. Yet the girls seemed to be content with what life has dealt them.
Especially, the older ones, they knew God had a plan.
That night I could not help, but tear up. That these girls have gone through a lot. That on Christmas day they will be "parentless". But it was a somber reminder that I am blessed and so are they. We all have our blessings and not one is better than the other. The girls grandparents have stepped up to insure the girls have a bright future. That in itself is a blessing.
The underline point we all are blessed. This Christmas I encourage you to count your blessings. And to go out of your way to be a blessing for others. That night I walked into those homes bringing presents to girls in tough situations. But they ended blessing me, more then they know.
Blessings surround us all.....
Monday, December 6, 2010
Mariela
As Christmas nears, I found myself once again reflecting. This year, feels different then most. But my thoughts led me, to people who work tirelessly for others. But never receive enough credit.
This leads me, to Mariela. She is from Panama. She is in many ways my grandma's saving grace. She cooks, drives, and maintains the house for my grandma. My grandma lives in a very rural city outside of Panama City. Mariela lives with her and makes her live easier. My Grandma has had multiple surgeries on her legs and hips. Which makes walking a laboring task.
On top of helping my grandma. She teaches at a center in one of the roughest neighborhoods in Panama, for free. On the side she makes pastries for some extra money. She is always working, never a day off and she always has a smile on her face. She loves to serve others. Every time, I visit I am overwhelmed by her selflessness. She never thinks about herself.
When we go on our annual mission trip to Panama. She is always cooks for us. She makes the calls to our contacts, she does a lot of the foot work.
What Mariela does has impacted me. In many ways, humbled me too. She has helped my only living grandparent. The only grandparent I have gotten to know personally. As she gets older I know her time is running out. So, knowing she is helping my Grandma is very reassuring. I consider Mariela family, my mom does as well. Our famliy knows the importance of what she is doing. She just does it. Never asks, complains.... that is powerful!
Which leads me to this. Is there a Mariela in your life? Someone who is always doing the small, yet very powerful things of life. Is there someone who never gets credit for what they do?
Mariela this if for you. May God Bless you for your honest example.
This leads me, to Mariela. She is from Panama. She is in many ways my grandma's saving grace. She cooks, drives, and maintains the house for my grandma. My grandma lives in a very rural city outside of Panama City. Mariela lives with her and makes her live easier. My Grandma has had multiple surgeries on her legs and hips. Which makes walking a laboring task.
On top of helping my grandma. She teaches at a center in one of the roughest neighborhoods in Panama, for free. On the side she makes pastries for some extra money. She is always working, never a day off and she always has a smile on her face. She loves to serve others. Every time, I visit I am overwhelmed by her selflessness. She never thinks about herself.
When we go on our annual mission trip to Panama. She is always cooks for us. She makes the calls to our contacts, she does a lot of the foot work.
What Mariela does has impacted me. In many ways, humbled me too. She has helped my only living grandparent. The only grandparent I have gotten to know personally. As she gets older I know her time is running out. So, knowing she is helping my Grandma is very reassuring. I consider Mariela family, my mom does as well. Our famliy knows the importance of what she is doing. She just does it. Never asks, complains.... that is powerful!
Which leads me to this. Is there a Mariela in your life? Someone who is always doing the small, yet very powerful things of life. Is there someone who never gets credit for what they do?
Mariela this if for you. May God Bless you for your honest example.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Judgement From A Distance
This morning I entered my Spanish class. I was sitting there waiting for class to start.
In class I sit in the back surrounded by girls, there's only five guys in the class. Three of those fives girls sit behind me. So they started to talking about parties and boys etc... These girls are from Mexico, they are part of the rich class of Mexico. Their families have a lot of dough. Has I heard them talk about designer clothes, what they wanted for Christmas, or what they should wear to the party tonight.
Quietly, I became angry at them. I've gotten to know these girls, but I could not help but be disgusted. I thought to myself, how selfish. I distanced myself from the conversation.
After class, I started to think, why was I so angry? I dove deeper, I thought I knew how they thought. They were not hard to figure out. But the reality was my heart and mind were in the wrong spot.
Recently, I have been overly critical of people, who I hardly know. We usually judge people we hardly know harshly and swiftly.
Why?
What stranger are you judging?
In class I sit in the back surrounded by girls, there's only five guys in the class. Three of those fives girls sit behind me. So they started to talking about parties and boys etc... These girls are from Mexico, they are part of the rich class of Mexico. Their families have a lot of dough. Has I heard them talk about designer clothes, what they wanted for Christmas, or what they should wear to the party tonight.
Quietly, I became angry at them. I've gotten to know these girls, but I could not help but be disgusted. I thought to myself, how selfish. I distanced myself from the conversation.
After class, I started to think, why was I so angry? I dove deeper, I thought I knew how they thought. They were not hard to figure out. But the reality was my heart and mind were in the wrong spot.
Recently, I have been overly critical of people, who I hardly know. We usually judge people we hardly know harshly and swiftly.
Why?
What stranger are you judging?
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