Loving versus being right

A topic that has been close to my heart lately is how to love people in a world that is so constantly divided, constantly at war with each other.  Black versus white.  Rich versus poor.  Right versus left.  Toilet paper over versus under.  Everyone has something to prove, to make sure the world knows what is the "right" way to live (clearly over).  I can find any article and post it on social media that obviously proves that my way of thinking is the right way.

But where is the love?

Lets look at Jesus.  How he interacted with people around Him. I am by no means a Bible expert but I don't recall Him preaching at people too often that didn't want to be preached at. In fact, Zaccheus, by all Jewish standards was a horrible man.  And Jesus said- let's go eat! Niccodemus?  He desired to know more so interviewed Jesus.  When Jesus attempted to go off in solitude? People followed him.  Asked Him to teach more.  And Jesus loved them, so He did.

My job as a Christian is not to decide who is right and who is wrong.  Jesus is much more than that.  If people have questions about my beliefs I would love to talk and share.  My job is to love.  As Christians we spend so much time pointing out what people are doing wrong that all we are doing is driving people away from God.  I wish we could all stop throwing stones and realize that if we truly loved like God loved us, we could pull so many more people toward the God that gives more grace than we will ever deserve.

Home tour

As many of you know, we have recently moved. We bought an older home in one of our favorite areas of town and (with the help of an amazing contractor) have been renovating since April. 

We love the house- but it was built in 1968 and has had the same owners the whole time, so it needed a little...updating. Several people asked to see some before and after pics, so here goes!

Entry:

We thought about keeping the brick here, but it was crumbling and would have cost more to restore it so out it went. 

Living area:

Added some built ins to change the flow a bit, stained the floors a little darker to match the beautiful mahogany beams on the ceiling.

Another view: 

Kitchen (definitely my favorite):

The back room used to have a built in bar, but we liked the idea of a big open dining area not as closed off. Plus the windows give a lot of great light. 

The entry off the garage had some great storage space but the cabinets were falling apart so we converted it into a mudroom. 

The last thing we really updated was the master bath. We changed the configuration a bit to fit 2 sinks and got rid of the awesome saloon doors (don't worry, they are still present in other areas)

We did a lot up front, but like with any older home there's always a list of more. For instance, the upstairs bath...

Complete with pink dressing room (and saloon doors!) and full bath with avocado fixtures and carpet (which I hear should be awesome with potty training a boy). 

We love our new home, love walking to school, spending time around the table with our friends and family. So come join us any time!

Being content

Recently in our Sunday School class we did a study called "Too Busy Not to Pray," by Bill Hybels. In his book he talks about the importance of close prayer time and outlines a lot of clear cut examples of how to deepen your relationship with God. I don't know about you, but I'm not the best at remembering to really pray.  Oh, I can shoot the occasional "God, please be with so and so," or "Lord help me with..." But really praying? Not my forte. 

Reading through this book came at a time where we were tackling a major life decision as a family. Whether I would continue to work. I only work one day a week as a nurse practitioner, but for the last several months I felt like it had been a major tax on our family and that it was time to move on. My husband felt that in the future when kids are older I would want this job, so it was important to keep my toe in the door. 

So we decided to not talk and just pray about it for 3 days. Like really pray. Multiple times a day. And spend time listening. That's the hardest part for me. Before really practicing, I would start off trying to listen to God's word and end up making a mental to do list of the day's activities.  Through the practice and discipline of prayer I finally felt like I heard God's voice. Be content. I am sufficient. My husband heard God speaking to just support me 100% in whatever I heard.  

So I left my job. I had a great job, but I am confident that right now, I need to put my all in my family.  And periodically I have those doubts creep into my head.  Is it enough? Am I enough? Should I be doing more? I have dreams about the future, should I start to work toward them now?  For the first time in my life I have no 5 year plan, no idea what the future holds.  But again and again I hear God's voice. Be content. I am sufficient. I only hope I can continue to listen. 

Honoring all moms

I wanted to take a moment this weekend to wish you all a happy Mother's Day.  

To the mama celebrating her first baby, happy Mother's Day. 

To the newly pregnant mom, anticipating a new season in life, happy Mother's Day.

To the busy moms of little ones that are constantly in need leaving you weary at times, happy Mother's Day.

To the busy moms of older kids who are beginning to resist their parents guidance, happy Mother's Day.

To those who want to be moms desperately but life hasn't worked out the way they planned, happy Mother's Day.

To those who have lost their little ones too soon and are aching through their whole body this weekend, happy Mother's Day.

To the foster mamas that give all their love to a child that they know may not be theirs forever just so that child can know what love is, happy Mother's Day.

To the first mamas, the birth mothers who for whatever reason made the choice to place their children for adoption. Happy Mother's Day. This weekend we will light a candle and pray for our son's first mother and his foster mother. Women who are a vital part of our son's story, who will shape who he is.  His life is not ideal but we hope to honor all the women that loved him and pray for them always.

Praying for all you mamas out there this weekend!

Freely, Freely

Sunday, a day of rest. Coming to church this morning thinking of all the unrest and brokenness in this world. Baltimore. Nepal. Division and need everywhere we turn. And instead of rest for a weary soul, our pastor Shyloe this morning reminded us of these words at the end of Jesus's life.  

‘Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28: 19-20, NASB

Um, that's not the rest I was hoping for. In fact that's the opposite. I am reminded that by giving my heart and soul to Jesus that means that I have to then follow through. Now that looks very different for each person but it implies a serious action and decision in our part to go. To teach. To do. Following Jesus means taking an action on our part. Loving as He loves. Every person. Showing up, even when we don't want to. Can you imagine for a minute what it would be like if we Christians actually followed the great commission? All of us. To every person. 

We sang one of my favorite hymns today that just resonates so well with Jesus's message:

'Freely, freely you have received;, freely, freely give. 
Go in my name, and because you believe others will know that I live.' (by Carol Owens)

We received God's amazing gift of Jesus without price. Free. And I hope I can live with that desire to freely give. To go. And the good news, at the end of His commission Jesus reminded us "I am with you always."

Living in the center of obedience

Hey friends, hope you're having a great week! So glad to have a return to sunny weather.  

Our family is packing- for my hubby to go to Haiti and to get ready to put our house in the market. Seeing big changes ahead.

Ever since Hope Spoken, I have been restless, feeling God's call but still trying to decipher what that is. So friends, I would love your prayer. Someone told me this week that when thinking about 

the future, about dreams, that there's no better place to be than the center of God's obedience. I would ask your prayer for guidance to be in that spot. 

Where Do You Abide?

Happy Friday everyone, hope you all are gearing up for a great weekend!

So most of you know that it's been a pretty busy year for us. New kiddo, sick family member, our son had surgery. Oh and we just bought a house that is a total fixer and my husband is going to Haiti next week.  So it's become very easy to get wrapped up in all the stuff of life. 

This image has been on the screen of my phone the last couple weeks (from She Reads Truth).  It comes from John 15:9- "Just as the Father has loved Me, I have loved you; abide in My love."  I looked up the definition of abide.  To accept or act in accordance with (a rule, decision, or recommendation).  

His love is there. We just have to choose to live in it. What do you abide in daily?

Somedays it looks like I choose to abide in stress. Abide in fear. In selfishness. I love this daily reminder to live in His love. His grace. I don't deserve it by any means. But His love is there. It's the rule. I just have to choose to live my life in it.