I am constantly impressed with our kids in the youth group. Each time I'm around them, I find more and more good things to be proud of them for. One thing happened at Bible study the other night that just had my heart overflowing with pride.
Four of our middle schoolers were in the kitchen at "the house" making grape Kool-Aid. Britton, who just so happened to be the only boy in the bunch, was the one who was making the drink. Of course, as all women do, the other three girls were giving him specific instructions on how to make it just right. Keep in mind, I was sitting at the dining room table outside of the kitchen listening to all of this going on. As I heard them bickering back and forth, I couldn't help but laugh at the girls "bossing" him around and couldn't wait to see how this all played out. Once the Kool-Aid had been made, all of the girls tried it, and almost in unison all said, "This is so nasty!" Britton spoke up and said, "Well, it's better than nothing!" Bless his heart, he had tried so hard and couldn't please those girls! They kept going on and on about how bad it tasted and how they should have just let them fix it the right way. As quickly as they were dishing it out, he dished it right back and said, "You should just be thankful you have something to drink. There are people out there who are probably really thirsty." As soon as he said that, I called him into the dining room and gave him the biggest hug possible. What he said had brought me to tears. Something else to keep in mind is these kids all get along great. They were just giving each other a hard time and no one's feelings were hurt in the process! I would have stopped it if it had gotten that far.
For the longest time that night I kept replaying Britton's words in my head..."Just be thankful you have something...". As a society, people want the things that are better than what they have. Some people aren't satisfied until they get their specific wants. Now don't get me wrong. It's not a bad thing to want something. But it is a bad thing when that is the only thing a person focuses on. Some people aren't content with the things they have. As Christians, being content is one thing that we need to strive for. Philippians 4:11 says, "Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content." We need to take a step back sometimes and realize that God will take care of all of our needs. He may not take care of the wants, but we can be content in knowing that we have a loving God who wants what is best for us and will provide it in His time. I speak from experience when I say it is definitely hard to wait and be patient. But I have also come to realize that if I do what God wants me to do and obey Him, everything else will fall into place.
Our kids amaze me so much. What a blessing it is to get to see them grow and mature in the Lord. It is also an amazing thing when they say just the right things that put everything else into perspective.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Putting Things Into Perspective
Life is funny sometimes. And God always has a way of bringing us down to earth and making us see things the way He wants us to see them. Several things have happened to me recently that made me put my life into perspective. I wanted to share these things with you in hopes that maybe you will stop and take the time to put things into perspective.
This past Friday, Steven and I were preparing for our Valentine's Mystery dinner for our youth group. We had so much to do and not a whole lot of time to do it all in. On our way to the church, we made a stop at the dollar store to pick up some Valentine supplies. When we walked inside, we saw Mrs. Donna, a fabulous lady that we go to church with. She had two of her grandchildren with her and they were each holding on tightly to a balloon. I squatted down to say hello to Ava, who is probably around 3 years old. As soon as I said hello, she ran to me and gave me the biggest hug her little body could give. At that moment, nothing else mattered. I was no longer in a hurry to buy our supplies and leave. I was no longer worried if we were going to have enough time to decorate. I was just so wrapped up in the fact that this precious little girl wanted to hug me and tell me all about the balloon she had and about the little ceramic puppy dog that was in her hand. For the rest of the day, I thought about our two minute conversation and about the smile on her face. God took that opportunity to show me the love of a child and to just breathe for one second. What an incredible way to bring me back down.
The following Saturday, I went to a ladies day in Chattanooga with our preacher's wife, Mrs. Beverly, and her daughter, Grace. I love going to ladies days because I always leave feeling so great! I was blessed just to be going with these two special ladies in my life, but I was definitely blessed to hear such a wonderful speaker. The speaker for the day was originally from Pakistan. She went into detail about her country and told us that 97% of the people in Pakistan all believe in the Muslim faith. That means that only 3% are Christians. She showed pictures of their church building and when I looked a little closer, I saw a man standing in the background of the picture. This man was holding a gun. Each time that congregation met to worship, guards were put at all entrances and on the roof so they could protect the people inside. It made me incredibly thankful to live in a country where we are free to worship. We are able to attend church, Bible studies, ladies days and any other form of worship whenever we choose and without fear that something will happen to us. It is so sad to know that people have to worry about being harmed while they are worshiping God. It is also sad to think that this happens so often, every single day all around the world. Talk about putting things into perspective!
Another event that made me put things into perspective happened tonight. I stayed home from work today because I have been sick for the past few days. I had to miss our weekly Bible study with out youth group tonight and was already feeling pretty bummed out because of that. My sweet sweet husband called me after Bible study and told me he was going to pick up some supper and some Kleenex and would soon be on his way home. About 15 minutes after the first call, he called again and the first words were, "I need you to come get me." My first thought was, "His old car broke down again." Then he told me that he was okay, but he had just had a wreck. A man was coming off of the interstate and cut out in front of Steven. Steven t-boned him. I immediately jumped off the couch, changed out of my pajamas and raced out the door. I no longer cared that I was sick and feeling bad. My main concern was getting to my husband and making sure he was alright. The whole way there I prayed that no one was hurt and was so thankful when I found out everyone involved was alright. I was also very thankful that our preacher, Tom, came to stay with us while the police took care of things.
I am so thankful that God reminds me daily of the blessings in my life. I know I don't always thank Him like I should. And even though I tend to get wrapped up on the things that keep our life so busy, sometimes it's nice to be reminded, in God's own special way, just exactly what we need to put into perspective.
This past Friday, Steven and I were preparing for our Valentine's Mystery dinner for our youth group. We had so much to do and not a whole lot of time to do it all in. On our way to the church, we made a stop at the dollar store to pick up some Valentine supplies. When we walked inside, we saw Mrs. Donna, a fabulous lady that we go to church with. She had two of her grandchildren with her and they were each holding on tightly to a balloon. I squatted down to say hello to Ava, who is probably around 3 years old. As soon as I said hello, she ran to me and gave me the biggest hug her little body could give. At that moment, nothing else mattered. I was no longer in a hurry to buy our supplies and leave. I was no longer worried if we were going to have enough time to decorate. I was just so wrapped up in the fact that this precious little girl wanted to hug me and tell me all about the balloon she had and about the little ceramic puppy dog that was in her hand. For the rest of the day, I thought about our two minute conversation and about the smile on her face. God took that opportunity to show me the love of a child and to just breathe for one second. What an incredible way to bring me back down.
The following Saturday, I went to a ladies day in Chattanooga with our preacher's wife, Mrs. Beverly, and her daughter, Grace. I love going to ladies days because I always leave feeling so great! I was blessed just to be going with these two special ladies in my life, but I was definitely blessed to hear such a wonderful speaker. The speaker for the day was originally from Pakistan. She went into detail about her country and told us that 97% of the people in Pakistan all believe in the Muslim faith. That means that only 3% are Christians. She showed pictures of their church building and when I looked a little closer, I saw a man standing in the background of the picture. This man was holding a gun. Each time that congregation met to worship, guards were put at all entrances and on the roof so they could protect the people inside. It made me incredibly thankful to live in a country where we are free to worship. We are able to attend church, Bible studies, ladies days and any other form of worship whenever we choose and without fear that something will happen to us. It is so sad to know that people have to worry about being harmed while they are worshiping God. It is also sad to think that this happens so often, every single day all around the world. Talk about putting things into perspective!
Another event that made me put things into perspective happened tonight. I stayed home from work today because I have been sick for the past few days. I had to miss our weekly Bible study with out youth group tonight and was already feeling pretty bummed out because of that. My sweet sweet husband called me after Bible study and told me he was going to pick up some supper and some Kleenex and would soon be on his way home. About 15 minutes after the first call, he called again and the first words were, "I need you to come get me." My first thought was, "His old car broke down again." Then he told me that he was okay, but he had just had a wreck. A man was coming off of the interstate and cut out in front of Steven. Steven t-boned him. I immediately jumped off the couch, changed out of my pajamas and raced out the door. I no longer cared that I was sick and feeling bad. My main concern was getting to my husband and making sure he was alright. The whole way there I prayed that no one was hurt and was so thankful when I found out everyone involved was alright. I was also very thankful that our preacher, Tom, came to stay with us while the police took care of things.
I am so thankful that God reminds me daily of the blessings in my life. I know I don't always thank Him like I should. And even though I tend to get wrapped up on the things that keep our life so busy, sometimes it's nice to be reminded, in God's own special way, just exactly what we need to put into perspective.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
God's Waiting Room
Waiting is such a hard thing to do. It's even harder if you aren't very patient. When Steven and I lived in Pensacola, FL, I began working a temorary job. Since the job was not permanent, I was waiting on one that was. I vented my frustrations one night to a very special friend at church about how I was tired of waiting around for a job and tired of waiting to be called in for an interview somewhere. Mrs. Anna, who is definitely wise beyond her years, told me that although I was waiting, I was waiting in the best possible place...God's waiting room. I stopped to think for just a second about what she actually meant. If I was in God's waiting room, then that had to mean God was going to take care of me. He was going to see to it that something worked out where I would not have to be so impatient for much longer.
It's been two years since that conversation and I still think about it a lot, especially since I am in God's waiting room once again. I feel so frustrated waiting for a job. Since our move to Cleveland, TN, I have been searching and applying for jobs for the past four months. I know God has a plan for me. But why is it so hard to be patient and wait on God's timing? I think the reason for this might be because we live in an instant society. People are so used to getting what they want when they want it. The thing that most people don't realize though is that everything happens in God's timing, not their own. This is something that even I struggle with a lot. I feel that things have to be done right away and that they can't get done soon enough.
Last night I was humbly reminded why it is so important to wait. On Tuesday nights, we have a Bible study with our youth group. One of our guys had a bookmark stuck in his Bible and it had the following verse on it, "But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31. I told him how much I liked that verse and how much it meant to me. Later on that night he told me he wanted me to have the bookmark. As I read the passage again, I couldn't help but realize just how much I needed that. It was also a loving remidner that I am still in God's waiting room. I'm not there just because I'm waiting on a job. I'm there for lots of reasons, many of which I don't know about yet. Even though it's hard sometimes to be patient and wait, it is important that we wait on God's timing for everything. I couldn't think of a more perfect place to wait than God's waiting room.
It's been two years since that conversation and I still think about it a lot, especially since I am in God's waiting room once again. I feel so frustrated waiting for a job. Since our move to Cleveland, TN, I have been searching and applying for jobs for the past four months. I know God has a plan for me. But why is it so hard to be patient and wait on God's timing? I think the reason for this might be because we live in an instant society. People are so used to getting what they want when they want it. The thing that most people don't realize though is that everything happens in God's timing, not their own. This is something that even I struggle with a lot. I feel that things have to be done right away and that they can't get done soon enough.
Last night I was humbly reminded why it is so important to wait. On Tuesday nights, we have a Bible study with our youth group. One of our guys had a bookmark stuck in his Bible and it had the following verse on it, "But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31. I told him how much I liked that verse and how much it meant to me. Later on that night he told me he wanted me to have the bookmark. As I read the passage again, I couldn't help but realize just how much I needed that. It was also a loving remidner that I am still in God's waiting room. I'm not there just because I'm waiting on a job. I'm there for lots of reasons, many of which I don't know about yet. Even though it's hard sometimes to be patient and wait, it is important that we wait on God's timing for everything. I couldn't think of a more perfect place to wait than God's waiting room.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep
In the movie "White Christmas", Bing Crosby sings a song entitled "Couunt Your Blessings Instead of Sheep". Here are the lyrics to the song:
When I'm worried and I can't sleep
I count my blessings instead of sheep
And I fall asleep counting my blessings
When my bankroll is getting small
I think of when I had none at all
And I fall asleep counting my blessings
I think about a nursery and I picture curly heads
And one by one I count them as they slumber in their beds
If you're worried and you can't sleep
Just count your blessings instead of sheep
And you'll fall asleep counting your blessings
After hearing this song and reading the lyrics, I couldn't help but think that ol' Bing's got the right idea. How many times have you been so worried about something that you forget to think of all of the blessings that are in your life? Have you ever thought that your blessings certainly outweigh the all of the burdens that creep into our daily lives? It is so easy to dwell on the things that bring us down that we ultimately forget to thank the One who has blessed us far beyond our comprehension. In Ephesians 1:3, Paul writes, "Blessed be the God and Father our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ." There are times that I am overwhelmed at how awesome scripture is. This verse is one of those verses that just makes me think, "Wow!" How amazing is that?! Since it is so important to count our blessings, I want to list a few of mine right now.
1. I am so blessed to be a Christian. Becoming a Christian was the most important decision I ever made and I have never once regretted it. Because of that decision, I know I have a hope of Heaven one day.
2. I am so blessed to have a faithful, Christian husband. Steven is the most amazing man I have ever met in my entire life. Each day he encourages me and loves me unconditionally. I fall more and more in love with him each day.
3. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful parents who love me and support me in everything I do.
4. I am so blessed to be working beside Steven with the most amazing youth group ever. I have never seen such a group of young people want to do so many good things. They all have a love for the Lord that shines through them in everything that they do. My cups is so full because of these special people.
5. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful church family. Our Central family means so much to us and provides us with endless encouragement and love.
6. I am so blessed to have the friends that I have. Although I don't get to see many of my close friends very often, it is so nice to know that they are always there when I need them.
7. I am so blessed to be able to teach a wonderful group of middle school and high school girls during our Sunday morning Bible class. I enjoy hearing their stories and teaching them the way the Bible says to live and not how the world wants them to live.
I know this list isn't very long, but these are just a few blessings that are very special to me. I encourage all of you to make a list of your own blessings. Keep it in your Bible or in a place where you can read it often. Also, don't forget what Bing Crosby said, "Just count your blessings instead of sheep!"
With love,
Kaycee
When I'm worried and I can't sleep
I count my blessings instead of sheep
And I fall asleep counting my blessings
When my bankroll is getting small
I think of when I had none at all
And I fall asleep counting my blessings
I think about a nursery and I picture curly heads
And one by one I count them as they slumber in their beds
If you're worried and you can't sleep
Just count your blessings instead of sheep
And you'll fall asleep counting your blessings
After hearing this song and reading the lyrics, I couldn't help but think that ol' Bing's got the right idea. How many times have you been so worried about something that you forget to think of all of the blessings that are in your life? Have you ever thought that your blessings certainly outweigh the all of the burdens that creep into our daily lives? It is so easy to dwell on the things that bring us down that we ultimately forget to thank the One who has blessed us far beyond our comprehension. In Ephesians 1:3, Paul writes, "Blessed be the God and Father our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ." There are times that I am overwhelmed at how awesome scripture is. This verse is one of those verses that just makes me think, "Wow!" How amazing is that?! Since it is so important to count our blessings, I want to list a few of mine right now.
1. I am so blessed to be a Christian. Becoming a Christian was the most important decision I ever made and I have never once regretted it. Because of that decision, I know I have a hope of Heaven one day.
2. I am so blessed to have a faithful, Christian husband. Steven is the most amazing man I have ever met in my entire life. Each day he encourages me and loves me unconditionally. I fall more and more in love with him each day.
3. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful parents who love me and support me in everything I do.
4. I am so blessed to be working beside Steven with the most amazing youth group ever. I have never seen such a group of young people want to do so many good things. They all have a love for the Lord that shines through them in everything that they do. My cups is so full because of these special people.
5. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful church family. Our Central family means so much to us and provides us with endless encouragement and love.
6. I am so blessed to have the friends that I have. Although I don't get to see many of my close friends very often, it is so nice to know that they are always there when I need them.
7. I am so blessed to be able to teach a wonderful group of middle school and high school girls during our Sunday morning Bible class. I enjoy hearing their stories and teaching them the way the Bible says to live and not how the world wants them to live.
I know this list isn't very long, but these are just a few blessings that are very special to me. I encourage all of you to make a list of your own blessings. Keep it in your Bible or in a place where you can read it often. Also, don't forget what Bing Crosby said, "Just count your blessings instead of sheep!"
With love,
Kaycee
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