Dying? Tomorrow?

My online classes always make me think. Sometimes more than other classes…Maybe because I actually have time to think about the material! Anyway, the prompt asked us to discuss what our emotions and actions would be like if we knew we were going to die soon. This is what I wrote:

“I would be sort of frightened at first and maybe disappointed that my time on earth was coming to a close. I would be excited too though, too.
I would be so very overjoyed to see Jesus and never be separated from His presence. I would be glad that I would soon no longer have to struggle with sin and pain, too.

Yet, like Jesse mentioned in his post, I would be saddened to leave others behind. I would want to make sure that I cleared up any disagreements an said things that I needed to say. I would also want to make sure that I wrote to and spoke to anyone who I believed needed to hear the gospel. And yes, I’m sure I would have some regrets; we all do.  

I would make sure that I got rid of most of my stuff before I died. I would try to make it easier for my family, since going through stuff after folks pass away can be difficult. Plus, I’m a pack-rat, so it would be a bit of a headache anyway!

I think I’d have a goodbye party for myself, too. Maybe even make up a program for my funeral and get stuff ready. Of course, that might freak folks out…

Thinking about this is a good reminder that any minute God could call me home. It’s best to be responsible now with relationships, possessions, and time. Today really could be my last…you never know.”

Do you miss Him?

A number of times, I’ve had this thought come to my mind, “I miss Jesus.” Sometimes, I thought that perhaps it was my desire to be closer to Him or become like Him…or even that my walk wasn’t doing so good lately. Yet, today I realized that it was a bit different. That feeling I get when “I miss Jesus” is a wanting for the physical presence of Christ.

I miss His arms around me even though He’s never hugged me.
I miss His voice, even though I’ve never heard Him out loud.
I miss being in His company, even though I’ve never sat next to Him.
I miss being able to talk to Him and see His face as He listens-but I never have been able to.
I miss running from a million miles and having Him catch me, although He never has.
I miss being able to cry for hours and have Him wipe away every tear that falls from my face with the perfect assurance that He’s there loving me regardless of life.
And I miss His laughter. It’s beautiful you know…

Someday that missing feeling will go away and never come back.

Multi-tasking!

OHH boy! Today was a long day. Tomorrow will be too. Sheesh, not looking forward to all I have to do. But it can be done!! To God be the glory! I pray He gives me the strength to multitask and get my work done. He is amazing!! What a Great God I serve! SO BLESSED! <3

Again?

So, we just said bye to one fellow missionary family last week. Now this week, another.

I really don’t like this goodbye business. Yet, missionaries have to do it over and over again. It’s a reminder in a way…not to cling to tightly to this world I guess.

Glad for Facebook though. I could not have survived as an Mk twenty years ago. Snail mail would have killed off all my friendships. I’ve been quite blessed to have been born to this generation! I’m also even more glad I serve a God who is sovereign and gives us only as much as we can take. He is so AMAZING!

I Told You So

Why do we do stupid things?

For years, I’ve been drinking the Mexican tap water (well using it) when I brush my teeth. Mama has always warned me about it. Don’t use the “bug water” to brush your teeth!! But, I did it anyway.

Fool. Haha…Now, I’m sick. That’s what I get for drinking “white man water” for the last two years at college! No…that’s what I get for not obeying mama.

How many times do we do what we know is foolish because we want our own way? How many times does it lead to pain or failure?

Why do we walk into traps when the Lord has so easily given us a way out? Why do we ignore the advice of others selfishly and end up regretting it…

Stubborn independence brings pain, suffering, broken promises, hurt, anger, regret and more. What does it take to say, “yes, You know better than I?”

Cleaning Up

Today, I took apart the family PC keyboard. It was filthy; I can’t remember the last time we cleaned it out.

Dirty, dusty, and just plain old nasty.

Makes me think of lives. My life, your life, and ours. How much hidden dirt and grime do we have hidden in our hearts? We try to function and move on with it, but it only hinders. Like the sticky keys which keep the words from being typed out clean and easy, the secret sins of our lives keep us from living clean and joyful lives. What will it take for you to allow your Maker to enter the recesses of your heart and mind to clear out the darkness which hinders your walk?

Are there people you have not forgiven? Habits you cling to which are stunting to your growth? Sins are sometimes as blatant as the sun in the sky, but other times only the Son of God can uncover them to the Light.

Swirling

Sometimes, when you are stressed and overworked, your brain goes crazy! Millions of things to do, and your brain goes round and round, from subject to subject!

They say women are generally like that, we spaghetti from one thing to another. Supposedly, men can shut stuff off and only concentrate on one thing at a time, or none at all! Right now, my brain is chaos. I wish I was a man sometimes. Women frustrate me in general, and I am at times ashamed to be one. But if I were a man, I’d think the same of men.

My brother said there is at least one good thing about being a woman. You don’t have to marry one!  HAHA! Goodness, to have to deal with a woman every day of my life! Poor men.

Maybe, I’m just tired of evil old sin. Yup, that’s it. Sin makes people mess up, and sometimes, the sins of women are so much more LOUD. Not only loud, but public, and chaotic. Men’s flaws are a bit more quieter…but then that can be disastrous, too…

Conclusion: Sin is bad. Humans are messed up.

But, then we knew that already, didn’t we! ;) Praise the Father who sent His Son to liberate us from sin and lead us in a path to righteousness and holiness! One day, we shall be complete in glory with HIM! Isn’t that the most beautiful thing EVER!

Anne with an “E”

I love Anne from Green Gables. She’s like me in so many ways…especially her desire for things to always be the same!

“Why do people have to grow up and marry, change?”

Everyone and their mother is getting married. It makes me feel old, please stop. I guess it ruffles me because everyone seems to think they must marry. I generally always thought it as another option!

Anne always seeks to be herself, even if it threatens to get her into a scrape.  I’m not quite like that…I always want to be myself, but am constantly trying to be what I think others want me to be. And then I can’t help myself and the “me” inside pops out. It’s rather awkward.

I think I need to read the series again. Its a good dose of cheerful life with a sprinkling of reality. Not sure I’m into reading much reality right now.

Funny how fiction can make you focus on someone else’ problems and not your own. It draws us into the issues of another instead of the worries at hand. It can be therapeutic, yet stunting. It’s good to “get away”…but not too far.  You’re needed here too!

A good dose of fiction can fog the trouble away for a bit, but taking the trouble to Jesus is a much better antidote!