Forgive

A parent's love is unconditional. As little kids we used and abused the right to cry when things didn't go our way. We threw temper tantrums in the middle of grocery stores, at home when we didn't like the food, and especially at night when we knew we weren't ready for bed. Saturday mornings we woke up extra early, making sure to wake our parents so that they could make us breakfast. As teens we slammed doors, screamed at them and occasionally even used the word, "hate". We questioned their motives and challenged their rules. As adults we continue to believe that they don't understand what we are going through, though they have been through it all before. Yet, they always love us. They are patient and understanding, and always quick to forgive. They let us make mistakes, challenge them, abuse them, and even run away from them. Yet, they are always waiting with open arms for us to return. They forgive and forget. A parent's love is unconditional. We have a Father in Heaven who sacrificed his only son so that we may live. Our sins were placed on the cross. We will fall and fail may times in life, but God is always waiting with open arms to forgive. His love is never ending. God doesn't let our sins define us, don't let someone else's mistakes define them. If you are holding on to a past hurt, it is time to let it go and forgive, as you too have been forgiven.

"And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32

Waves

A few years ago some friends and I took a road trip from Oregon down to San Diego. We drove through all the major cities in California and made our way to the beach. Once in San Diego we relaxed by the beach. This was August 2004. Weeks before I had said goodbye to my crazy life in New York and was enjoying just being a teenager on a summer break. My new life in Los Angeles was about to begin. As the sun grew hotter, my friends and I made our way out into the ocean. With no surfboards of our own we decided to make the best of the waves and body surf. After riding each wave I grew more and more confident. I swam further and further out into the ocean to catch the bigger waves. Confident in my skills I took on an enormous wave. This wave swallowed me up. For seconds that felt like hours I tumbled around in the wave unable to breath. The fear of drowning overcame me and I wondered if I should just give up. Was this how I was supposed to go? We are all given the chance to fight or to give up. Life is like an ocean. Hard times come in waves. Some waves we can ride out while others feel like they are bringing us down. We have a God who can calm a storm with a word. Do you trust him enough to save you from a wave?
DAILY VERSE"I will walk among you; I will be your God, and you will be my people." -Leviticus 26:12 / (NLT) DEVOTIONALWhat deep waters of tragedy and sorrow do you face? You are not alone--God is with you, and he will not let you go under. What fire licks at your heels? Keep walking--God will shield you from the flames.

Heaven

Monday I had a redeye flight from Los Angeles to Jackson, Mississippi. It has been four long months since I have felt the warmth of my loves arms wrapped around me. Four months, since I have felt his gentle kiss, and had his hands to wipe away my tears. I have been battling with the flu since last week and was dreading being "that girl" on the flight who couldn't stop coughing. To add insult to injury, people on the redeye don't seem to be big fans of yappy Chihuahuas in the middle of the night. I was 'that girl". The coughing, Buttercups barking…It was a disaster. My first flight left at 12:50am and landed in Houston at 5:40am. Buttercup and I weren't the most popular ones on the flight. Once in Houston, I had an hour layover. While sitting at my gate daydreaming about my love, three little boys caught my eye. They were spread out across four or five chairs. They ranged in age from about five to maybe nine years old. They looked so cute cuddled up on one another. Once onboard, I realized they were seated directly across from me. I couldn't wait for the plane to take off so that I could try to sleep for the remainder of the flight. Once the flight attendants voice silenced from the intercom, I closed my eyes at last to sleep. Just then, I heard shouting from across the aisle. People on the flight gave dirty looks to the boys across from me. This was their first time on a plane. They shouted with excitement as the plane went faster and faster down the runway. Once we lifted off the ground, they shouted with joy and stared out the window with amazement. I smiled at them and rejoiced silently with their enthusiasm. I slowly closed my eyes again attempting to sleep. I could still hear the little boys whispering to one another about all the amazing things they had just experienced. I sat wondering where their parents were during the flight. Our plane broke through the clouds and we were soaring high above the clouds. One of the little boys shouted, "We did it! We're in Heaven!" This comment tickled my heart. I was sick, tired and frustrated by my barking little dog, and these boys across from me were in Heaven. What has happened to our childlike innocence? After I got off the flight and was waiting for my bags, an exhausted woman standing next to me looked over at me and gave a tired smile. With a voice of desperation, she explained to me how she was worried about what she was going to do with her nephews. They had just been dropped into her life without warning and she was overwhelmed. Her nephews were the boys from the plane. I stood in silence wondering what tragedy had taken these boys away from their parents and carried them into the arms of an unexpected family member. She was tired and scared. She was now a mother of three. As I walked away, I was reminded of the boys comments about Heaven. I can't help but wonder how many special moments these boys will bring to this woman's life. Sometimes, when tragedy hits, we become overwhelmed by circumstances. Don't let circumstances prevent you from seeing little pieces of Heaven. I think God sends us little glimpses of it now and again. Don't miss your moment because your eyes are closed.
Matthew 19:14, 15
Jesus said, "Let the little ones come to me, and don't prevent them. For of such is the Kingdom of Heaven. And he put his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left."

Baby Ruth

When I was a kid, I was the first girl to play on an all boys baseball team in my little league. Because little boys aren't the biggest fans of little girls, I became a human target every time I was up to bat. After being hit a few times, it should come as no surprise that I became afraid of the ball. I remember actually crying while waiting to bat. I would get yelled at by the umpire to step inside the box. I was so scared that I would often close my eyes or jump out of the box as the pitcher threw the ball. If I was lucky enough to not strike out, and was walked, or hit, I would smile big as I made my way to first base. I was a fast little kid and my revenge was stolen bases. I would tease the pitchers and catchers and steal bases every chance I got. My team actually won a few games because I stole home. On the last game of the season I begged my Dad to let me pitch. I was the shortstop and had never stepped foot on the pitchers mound. My dad said I could pitch if I got a hit. I was determined to hit the ball. I used my fear to feed my adrenaline. I made my way to the plate and look hard into the eyes of the pitcher. I gripped my bat tight and waited for the pitch. What happened next I still don't quite remember. Next thing I knew I was rounding first and then passing second. The third base coach put his hands up motioning for me to stop but I kept running to third and made my way to home. I hit a homerun. Babe Ruth once said, "Don't let the fear of striking hold you back". Life is like a baseball game. Step up to bat and swing big!

Fun Fact: Babe Ruth struck out 1330. We don't remember him for his strike outs. It is his 714 homeruns that we celebrate!

Joshua 1:9"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

Barbie

Most little girls go through the early stages of their life with one friend who can never be replaced. She is tall, beautiful, and nothing short of inspirational. She has the clothes, the car, the house, even the perfect guy. She is Barbie. As I've grown older the image she portrayed when I was a child seems unrealistic and a little shallow, however, she did teach an important lesson at a young age, to dream. Anything was possible for her. She was a doctor, a rock star, a princess, a movie star, and a friend. She had the world at her fingertips. She reflected the dreams of a child and till this day serves as a reminder that anything is possible. Though she is just a doll, she is also an image of innocence. Inside each of us lies a dream. We all have set goals, though years of rejection, or even just the harsh realities we face, have faded away into nothing more then a distant thought. God has planted desires in our heart for a reason. Those desires serve as a road map to our lives. And though not all of us are meant to be rock stars or princesses, it is important to never let the dreams we have inside fade away. On the path way to your dreams you may find a life that is beyond your wildest imagination.
"Success is to be measurednot so much by the position that one has reached in life as by theobstacles which he has overcomewhile trying to succeed." Booker T. Washington
Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

Somethin' Out of Nothin'

Today I was driving up Fairfax toward 3rd in Los Angeles. Just before the corner of the streets, I noticed a huge cardboard sign taped to a light post. It was a dirty piece of what looked to be the side of an old box. Scribbled writing in permanent marker read, "Hello my name is Robert. I am trying to get off the streets. I am selling ice cold water for 75 cents. Thank you." As I got closer to 3rd street I noticed another sign from Robert reading the exact same thing. While waiting at the stoplight I reached in my pocket and pulled out a dollar bill. I rolled down my window and waited for Robert to make his way over to my car. Almost every car at that intersection had their window down as well. With water bottles practically falling out of his hands he graciously made his way to each car. Just as the light was turning green he approached my car with a friendly smile. I took a second to look into the eyes of a stranger and for a moment felt as if I had been touched by an angel. He thanked me for the money and continued to bring water to the other people that waited patiently in their cars. As I humbly drove away, I was as reminded of all the great things God can do. I look at my life sometimes and see areas that I need to change. I make excuses for everything. I never have the money, the time, or the resources. Today, a man who literally had nothing thought," What can I do with what I have?" He used what little money he had to buy a marker, some ice, and a case of bottled water. If a man can make something out of nothing, imagine what God can do.
Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated, as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." - John 6:11-12
Take time this week to make the most of what you have. Don't let any gifts, or resources be wasted.

Love Notes From God

Have you ever hopped into your car on a bad day and turned on the radio to discover your favorite song? Or maybe received a phone call from a friend just before you had a break down? Sometimes for me it is something as simple as the smell of fresh cut grass, or walking into a sunray of a cool day. For each person these love notes are different, none the less they all come from the same God. My friend Abby love when she comes across crunchy leaves, my boyfriend is in Heaven when he passes Crispy Cream and the red light is on (That means the doughnuts are fresh). In any case these love notes come at the perfect moments. I wonder how often we get so caught up in the chaos of this world that we miss these special moments. Surrounded by women yesterday, I experienced a love note. I think that those around me missed it. I was at work at a jewelry store and we were having an event for stylist and editors. I was bored and lost in a daydream when a gentleman walked in from the street. He was dressed in jeans and a blue blazer, and carried with him a small green notebook.He entered our store and with his smile demanded everyone's attention. In a fake English accent he told stories of truth. Pretending to be a modern day prince he bowed before all of us in the store. He went on to talk about how paper (Money) was nothing more then paper and that people should stop worrying about it. He spoke of truths masked behind stories. Though most people in the store found him crazy and out of place, I found him interesting and entertaining. He wasn't crazy. I could see the light in his smile, and found a child inside his blue eyes. His overwhelming theme was that people take life too seriously. We worry about things that are beyond our control and we judge others for being different. Just before he left the store he turned to me and asked me a question. He said, "What is your favorite thing inside this store?" I smiled and said, "Today, the chocolate covered strawberries". (We had them for yesterday event) He looked at me and said, "You've got it. Don't lose that light in your eyes." With that said we walked out the door and was gone. The other women were shocked and offended by this "crazy" stranger. I on the other hand was grinning from ear to ear. Growing up my parents would often tell me to never lose the light in my eyes. It is so easy to get jaded and discouraged. Yesterday, God found a special messenger just for me. And though he may have been crazy, he carried with him a love note that touched my heart. Take time this week to notice the love noted God is sending you. It may be as simple as a sunset, or as random as a crazy stranger. Look around and you will see God is revealing himself to you in small ways. You just need to take time to acknowledge the love notes that are already there.
Numbers 6:24-26"The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace."