Learning From My Sister's Boyfriend

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.....?

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.....

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.

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?

Through The Eyes Of A Father

About a week ago I met a father of ten children. He was tired, afraid, and searching. But in the midst of this chaos.... He said God knows what he is doing.

Back story, this father is a refugee from Somalia. His sister was shot to death for handing out Bibles. This father lived in a country where being a Christian is not safe,but in many ways a death wish. He was also a pastor of an underground church in Somalia. But once his sister was shot, his and his family lives were in jeopardy.

They moved to Kenya to escape the danger. But were soon sent to San Antonio, Texas. They now live in a apartment only equipped for maybe five, but ten live there. As I sat with my mission pastor, he was explaining his next obstacle. He had just landed a job, serving as a translator. He was also receiving funds from nearby churches.

But he sat down he explained his situation and how he felt that more could be done. He looked tired, beat, but he was able to muster a smile. Since, he's been in San Antonio other Somali's have arrived, because of the unrest in Somalia.

He has used this as an opportunity to present the Gospel to the Muslims of Somalia in San Antonio. With his efforts, he has been excluded and fears some might do more. With all these around him, he still remained at peace to let Jesus work.

We left the cramped apartment. I was taken back, in many ways I heard a story of a man who knows his God delivers. Yet, many of us who are much more fortune, always find room to not let God take control. We feel uneasy about not knowing.

That one day I met this father I saw God work through a extraordinary human being, a father. His example spoke to me.

I wrestled with this notion that night. Why do I fear not knowing? Many of us love to have a game plan for our life or future. But the reality is with God he wants full control. Many times the people in dire needs seek this reckless abandon attitude. This attitude that God has a plan.

God knows the desires of my heart. Although, I try to get in the way. I must realize He alone is good.

Through the eyes of a father......

Do not fear the unknown, for God knows what is in store.

The Art Of Tough Love

Tough love is an art, that I believe we all try to master. Some of us, are good and others, well have good intentions, but bad execution. Needless, to say we all require, that someone give us tough love.

However, tough love is an art. There is a time a place for it. Tough love can take on, several different shapes. For example, tough love maybe letting some hitting the bottom. Or getting very serious and intervening for some, standing the gap. Tough love is different for each person, based on their experience. Regardless, its what allows a friendship to become much more richer. To me, tough love is the difference between a shallow friendship, to one that is built on being completely real.

At times, its hard to hear. Many times its talked about, but never put into action. That is the key, to take the initiative and display tough love.

Are you taking action?
Or are you sitting around, not wanting to dig any deeper? No doubt, it can be a messy proposition, but if done properly, it could change your life.

The Angry Kid Inside Us

During the summer I was a school age teacher at my church's daycare. The kids varied from kinder - 5th grade. For the most part the kids were a enjoy to be around. However, some were particularly hard to manage.

For example, I had a kid in my class who had a huge temper. Anything could set him off, into his rage. Well, it happened and he was going off on other kids. So I had to grab him and call for help. I took him to another room, gave him one of those soft balls that can't hurt no one. He started to throw it, against the wall. Then he started to grab the books and threw them around.

As he kept throwing stuff, he yelled out why am I so, mad? He broke down and started to cry. I sat there, not knowing what to do. But this kid was not a bad kid. He was a great kid, one of my favorites. He knew all the answers, he was a really sharp kid.

He went to the corner he was ashamed of what he had done.

It got me thinking, don't we have angry kid moments? When we get mad and lash out at people we love. What about, getting angry at God and taking it out on him?

Are we any different than the kids who act up and lose their temper? We have our moments, right?

I couldn't help, but see the angry kid as a angry person wailing on someone. I think, at times we find someone, something to blame. But we reach a point of brokenness, a realization of what we are doing, cannot continue.



So..... are you angry kid right now? Are you blaming, wailing on others for things they have nothing to do with?

We have our moments..... what's the response?