Do not let life pass us by...

Do not let life pass us by without:

Taking the time to breathe before words escape our mouth in anger. The awareness of our emotions as they run so close to our skin can become our greatest strength. A valued relationship can be destroyed with one word.

Realizing when we are at our worst, God is at His best. Remember the Footprints poem?

Kissing every baby we meet. More than once.

Reaching out a hand to help someone when we can. We all experience opportunities to give of ourselves. Fear of rejection is simply not a good excuse anymore. Christ faced rejection the entire time He was on earth. He even faces it in Heaven. Hmm... We won't have to worry about rejection in Heaven, will we?

Understanding there are so many things that we cannot control. As soon as these situations become present in our lives, let us focus on our adaptability. The ability to adapt has kept mankind in existence.

In addition to the above, we should realize certain issues allow for no compromise. When we face our convictions, let us stand firm. When presenting our convictions, let us not pass judgement.

Opening our own hearts whenever there is a tug. A cold heart dies a lonely heart.

Praising God every opportunity we have. We all have a hard time understanding God's holiness. This means He is whole. He is the only one of us who will ever be complete. And let us praise Him for being a God of grace.

I mean.... What Im trying to say is... I pray we all reach a point when today doesn't matter as much as eternity does. I pray we all focus on the big picture and not what our neighbors are doing. Judgement is so easy. I'm guilty and I am sure at one point you have judged me. I expect it. Why else would I ask your opinion?

At some point, we all see a beautiful sunset. Or a butterfly land on a flower. Or a rainstorm in the middle of a drought. Or a baby smile. Or a friend after it has been years. Perhaps we experience a peace among chaos or a good day among a hundred days of torture.

Every person walking among us has a gift. EVERY person. Let us embrace those gifts and not shun what we perceive as flaws.

Every person has an opinion. Let us listen to it and if we do not agree, at least respect it.

Every person has worth. Even if we do not see it, let us understand it is there. Furthermore, if we do not see it, let us not question our God by doubting our neighbor's worth. God is especially fond of them.

When we open our eyes to the world, what do we see? The headlines in our news? The images flashing across the news? The destruction and the chaos and the hate and the sin that floats into our lives like poison in a stream???

When we open our eyes to our communities, what do we see?? The drugs and sex and violence and apparent hopelessness within our generation? I tell you this, people usually become what is expected of them.

The images I have just described are a lot of what I see. I don't like it. At times, I have played the role of the culprit. We all have. Action and inaction are both damaging. Do we beat the crowd, join it, or ignore it?

When the day becomes the worst day ever, it usually begins that way. Wake up, thank God you woke up, praise God for His greatness, and don't stop talking to Him until the day has gone. While you communicate with Him, however that may be (there is no wrong way) try to find things to smile about.

Let us allow change within us. Let us become a catalyst for a friend in need. Let us offer ourselves as hands and feet to God. We can make a difference. I believe that- I have too many AMAZING friends on facebook who have impacted my life in ways they don't even realize. If you are reading this, you are probably one of them. I thank you for that, until you are better paid ;-)

Much love in Christ!