Proverbs 11:25

"A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed."
-Proverbs 11:25

My homepage on my laptop is set to http://www.verseoftheday.com/. It's a way I incorporate a little more of the bible into my daily life. In honesty, most of the time I skim over this opening page, quickly accessing my email. I'm glad I didn't today, because God wanted me to see Proverbs 11:25 today.

I'm not a fan of complaining or whining about how difficult my life is. I've learned over the years that no matter how bad I may think my situation is, someone else has it worse, and I'm really blessed. However, life gets the best of me at times, and I'll admit, this summer hasn't been one of my favorites. I'll try to fill you in as best as possible without pitying myself. I decided not to go home and stay on campus for the summer to work. I work around 30-35 weeks in the admissions office on campus. Then, after that, I put in another 30-40 hours waitressing at a restaurant in a neighboring town, about 25 miles away. I'm working close to 70 hours a week and spend around an hour on the road every day. I'm away from my family and have neglected my old friends. My two jobs require that I remain mentally "in the game," if you will. My office job has me doing favors for people here and there, giving tours and making sure potential students have a great time on campus. They need my best attitude. Then, without missing a beat, I need to be at my waitressing job, and providing a friendly dining experience there. Human relations has been my middle name, and I'm starting to get burnt out. Negativity has gotten the best of me, and to put it bluntly, I'm tired of having to be in a great mood all the time. I'm tired of bending over backwards for people, and when someone turns to me and says, "Could I get another drink, please?" I've been close to snapping back, "No, you can't," and walking away. That was the moment I realized I needed to have a spiritual refresher.

I've claimed that my ultimate goal is to make life easier for those around me. I've taken it upon myself to serve and love others. Isn't that what we're called to do. Well, that's come to bite me, and I need to remind myself why I do what I do for others. Lucky for us, God has all the answers. "A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." I've noticed the more I try to hoard my time to myself and the more I grab for, the harder things get and the more unhappy I become. When I feel like I can't give anymore of myself, the answer if that I need to give more. I need to let go. The more I try to hang on to it, the harder things will become. God has promised us that those who give until they can't will be rewarded. By helping others, we will be helped in return. It's a beautiful cycle. However, we just fail to see it at times.

He died on a cross for me. How little it is which I have to give for others.

Proverbs 20:24

"Man's steps are from the Lord;
     how, then, can a man understand his way?"
- Proverbs 20:24

This verse if very simliar to my previous post, but I saw it, and it hit me like a train. Just let it sink in. Let it be. Don't worry about the future. Do what you can today. God has plans for you, and they're magnificent. Just let him show you.

The Passion

This past Sunday was Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week leading up to Easter. This week, we read the account of the Passion of our Lord in the Gospels. During the Homily, the priest stressed how the Passion is not just a story. It is real.

I tried envisioning something to grasp the pain Mary felt or those around Jesus felt while he was being crucified on the cross. They weren't pretty, happy thoughts, but it definitely helped me better understand Jesus's death. I envisioned my best friend being condemned to death. I envisioned my father being scourged. I pictured my brother, hanging on the cross, covered in blood. I pictured them dying for me, for my sins. I pictured them suffering so I could live eternally. The truth is Jesus lives in each of those people. Jesus is the stranger we meet. He is my best friend, my father, my brother. We died on the cross with Jesus, and we will rise with him.

Then I immediately thought back to our childhood. If Jesus lives in my brother, have I been a good role model for him? Have I ever done anything that led my brother into sin?  Have I respected my father like Jesus was living inside him? Did I support my friend in living for Jesus? Are we treating the people around us with the idea that Jesus lives in them?

God spoke to me during mass, and I wanted to share. If we listen, He speaks.

Proverbs19:20

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the decision of the Lord that endures." -Proverbs 19:20

When life becomes busy, we tend to start looking ahead. We schedule and plan. If something goes wrong, it potentially becomes an obstacle for our plans. However, our plans are never guaranteed. It's what we think or want that matters. It's what God wants and has planned. He may not let you in on his plan initially, but it will initially work out because "God's will be done." I take complete comfort in knowing the Lord has plans that he will eventually reveal to me. Until then, I just have to pray and listen. I may make plans for my future, to marry, become a doctor, etc., but God may have other plans, and I trust that when I am doing what God has planned for me, that is when I will be happiest. I may be able to avoid his plans, not listen for awhile, and do what I want, but "it is the decision of the Lord that endures." In the end, God will have the final say.

I want everyone to shrug it off if things don't go their way, or be calm if they're not exactly sure what they want to do or should do, because God has it figured out for you. Pray to him, and he will give you the best answer.

Colossians 2:3

"in whom are hidden all the treasure of wisdom and knowledge." -Colossians 2:3

All knowledge and wisdom comes from Jesus Christ. If you wish to be wise, if you wish to do good, it is a work of Jesus Christ. I tend to look elsewhere for answers, but this is the advice I have for you and for myself. When you're trying to make a decision, or when you need advice, instead of running your problem or your thoughts by your friends, parents, siblings, run your ideas by Jesus Christ first. He wants to hear it. He wants to know everything about you. Listen to what he has to say, because he always answers, and he is "the treasure of wisdom and knowledge."

Many Churches - One God

Being baptized and raised in a Catholic church, my religious life has always been very structured and focused. This seemed to work well for me, because I worked well with strict structure, rules, and guidelines. I followed instructions well, and I appreciated all the traditions within the church. I've always been skeptical of other churches and denominations, and wondered what they did at Sunday morning service. I just knew they did not do the same things as a Catholic mass.

This morning, instead of attending regular mass, I turned on Sunday Mass on Channel 11 (to fufill my Catholic Sunday obligation), as I got ready to instead, to attend Sunday worship at the United Church of Christ in town. All my life, I've never strayed from the Catholic Mass, and if I had attended another church's service, I don't remember.

I really enjoyed the UCC Sunday worship. As a Catholic, I had been successful in staying faithful to the Catholic church. As a Christian, however, I had failed to accept other denominations. I was always trying to figure out who was "right" and who was "wrong" in religion. However, this morning confirmed that as Christians, we're all very similar. We love the same God, and are all called to love each other. We all live by the Bible. The reading at Sunday worship was actually the same as the Gospel reading in the Catholic Mass. The message at Sunday worship delivered the same moral as the homily in the Catholic Mass. Though they were different churches (UCC & Catholic), the people in both churches were all Christians, hearing the same message. We're all united under one God. I would like to continue to more worship services, outside of the Catholic church, to expand my faith & understanding. In the Catholic Mass, I could feel myself falling into "going through the motions." By switching it up, I think it will help me refocus on why we really go to church - to grow closer to God and worship & pray together. It will help me focus less on structured religion (which of course, can be a wonderful thing too), and more on a relationship with God.

The Sword - Matthew 10:34

"Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have com to bring not peace but the sword."

Earth is a battlefied, a war between good and evil. Each day, we feel the tug between serving God and falling into temptation. We have that choice, that distinction to make in our everday lives. God loved us so much that he set us free, gave us free will, and the choice to return or not. God also makes it completely possible to live a life for Him. Yes, it's difficult. Yes, it's rare and probably out of the norm, but God is all-powerful. He created everything. He knows how everything ticks. And he loves you. He's on your side. He won't let you down. Jesus did not come to fix everything for us. He didn't come to "bring peace upon the earth." He brought the "sword." God has given us all the tools we need. He will give us the strenght and perseverance. We just need to ask. I know I've failed to ask because I'm scared. I know it's going to be difficult. Sometimes I'm not sure I want to right my ways. So I don't ask. But when I have, God has never failed to answer in the most perfect way possible.

I don't usually share personal stories, but this one blew my mind and is a perfect example of God's power and love. He can do anything.

The weekend of my birthday was approaching. My friends were just as excited as I was. Maybe a little more. They had decided they wanted to drink that weekend...a lot. And being the birthday girl, they were going to buy me alcohol as well. I enthusiacticly agreed, played along, and part of me really did want to give it a try that weekend. However, the majority of me was reluctant. I knew I really shouldn't. I was scared to ask God, scared that it would put me a tough postion. I already decided that I couldn't say "no" to my friends. They were set on this. I couldn't avoid them. So I asked God. I was even a little doubtful, but I asked him to help me out. I said, "I don't know how you're going to do this or what you want me to do, but I trust you can make something work."

The plan was for me to go home Friday and spend time with my family. I'd come back Saturday and then hang out with my friends. And then we'd party. I really had no way out.

Saturday morning, we received a call. My sister, who was pregnant, was in labor. She wasn't due for another 2 1/2 weeks! But she went into labor and everything was going fine. My family loaded up in our van and drove 5 hours to go see her. There was no way I'd make it back to see my friends that night. My sister had a healthy, 7 lb baby girl, 2 1/2 weeks early and all.

I asked and God provided. I never had to say no to my friends about the alcohol. They were more than happy for me that I was a new aunt. It was a perfect excuse. Not only did God provide me with a way out, but he gave me the best birthday present I could ask for, a niece. He answered my prayer, and so much more. God's love and generousity will continue to amaze me. And it's not because I did anything right to deserve this. It's because God loves us.