"I have Jesus in my heart. Everyone does"

Oh the mind of an almost 5 yr old!

I have been horrible at blogging! I love it, wish I was better at it, and at times like this, I know why it was created, yet still horrible at it! Anyway, on to the point...

The other night we had friends over after going out to dinner. Candy (friend) and I were on the floor in Callie's room talking and playing with the kids. Candy was explaining that her husband's grandpa passed away and was tiptoeing (sp?) around how to say it. I told her go ahead and say it, we're pretty honest about things around here. She she was telling Felicity he died and was in heaven, then asked Felicity if she understood that? Which of course Felicity does as she politely replied "well, yeah" as if to say "Duh!" We continued talking a little about Heaven and that not everyone gets to go there; you have to have Jesus in your heart. Praise God for wonderful friends...Candy then asked Felicity "do you have Jesus in your heart?" to which Felicity says "of course I have Jesus in my heart, everyone does" again, as if to say "DUH!" We quickly corrected her and explained to her that you have to make that decision for yourself, etc. Anyway, long story told longer....the conversation went on a few minutes and then Felicity lost interest.

A couple days later I wanted to follow up with Felicity on it, so I of course took her to Starbucks...where else would girls go to chat? :) I brought the topic back up and we discussed it for a few minutes. We brainstormed why Jesus is important (she asked "Is Jesus God's son?" I said yes. She said "Is Jesus God??" I said "that can be hard to understand but yes He is God as well, you can ask about that as you learn more") My Gosh....this girl has got some good questions!! She was asking GREAT questions and we discussed them together, like how we show God we love Him, how and why we pray to Him, etc. Then we got to the part where I explained in detail how you ask Jesus in to your heart and what it entails. I made it seem pretty easy but important and special at the same time, or at least I tried. She said she understood and wanted to do that. "SO, do you want to pray that prayer Felicity?" "Yeah, I Do". "Okay, do you want to do it with me here?" I asked her. "How about we go home after our drinks and go to our own bedrooms and pray by ourselves?" HAHAHA!! She cracks me up. I said we can do it later and to think of more questions if she has them. Then she says "how about we talk about our yummy drinks now?"

So, that is the beginning of Felicity's journey w/ Jesus :) Just had to share b/c I'd like to remember this conversation with her, and again, she just cracks me up!

Lessons being learned (Part II)

(Written in November; not sure why it never published)

Why do we matter? What is our focus in life? It is so easy to be consumed by the enticing things of the world...but, are they truly enticing? And if so, why? I am constantly perplexed why I do some of the things I do, or why I spend money on certain things...did you know it really is possible to walk out of Target spending under $10! I'm not often successful at that, but it CAN happen! And, I did it this week...twice (oops!)

God has been challenging me lately, stretching me, to go beyond what I know - to listen to his spirit within me to wonder what am I doing with it? Where am I living out the love that is inside me? There's plenty of opportunity but what do we do with it? Am I seizing every chance I can to grow, to grow others, to just shine for Him? The girls are LOVING this cd we have which has the song "This little light of mine" on it. It is a great opportunity to explain God's love and how we can try to "shine" for Him. Every time I explain it, which is basically every time it plays, I'm challenged on how I'm shining for Him. I'm excited about the opportunities that lie ahead, and I'm stepping out in faith asking Him to give them to me! Did you know that if you ask God to give you those opportunities, He will...it's a scary thing walking through your day wondering what they are, or if I've already failed at missing one...I'm sure I do every day, but He continues giving them to me. And His grace is amazing!

So, I'm reading this book which has taken this lesson a little bit further. I love the book, and just started reading it, but am learning so much from it already. Of course I hate paraphrasing when what she writes is so perfect. Susie Larson writes "The Uncommon Woman - making an ordinary life extraordinary" and says this

When we understand that we were created for His beautiful purpose, our eyes become more focused on what matters. We become enveloped in His relentless love for us, and we get passionate about where He is taking us. We expect to encounter a few bumps along the way, but we finally believe that bumps, bruises, and deep valleys are not defining factors for us. Yes, they mark our journey and shape us into beautiful women, but they do not have the power to diminish our value

Wow...I love how she writes about His relentless love for us...yes, I want to be passionate and consumed by THAT!! Not Target! Don't get me wrong, there have been plenty of stretching moments and opportunities to shine for Christ at Target, but why not be passionate about where He is taking me and wants me to go! And why do I let so many silly things get in the way? She continues

We are nothing without Him, and everything to Him!...The uncommon woman refuses to let her mistakes and weaknesses define her because she is defined by His strengths alone.

And His strenth is absolutely sufficient. It will help us rise above anything that gets us down. Isaiah 40:31 says "but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strenth. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."