Food For ... Thought.

In your marriage - or any relationship really. Especially your marriage though because, man, living with someone gets frustrating! Your spouse or friend, mother, brother, whoever, was not created to make you happy, to maintain your sense of well being, or to cheer you up.

You were not created even to BE happy. You were created to glorify God by becoming holy through a lifetime of trusting in God through all of your circumstances. God is not a magic genie that pops out to make our dreams and wishes come true. God is God. For us to adore, worship, fear, revere, trust, honor, glorify, and love.

So do not rely on your spouse to make your day brighter, make theirs brighter, don't wait for them to complement you, complement them, serve God by loving your spouse as God has loved us. Thoroughly, unconditionally, never ending(ly), always when you don't feel like it or don't want to, and especially when they don't deserve it, because we never have deserved Gods love, and we never will.

The Gift of Giving

Tonight we had a wrapping party which was such fun that I think we'll do it again very soon!
For one thing, I have lots of gifts yet to be delivered to my door so another round of wrapping is in the future. Another reason is that I'm not quite done shopping, though most of the people on my list have a nice (not naughty) check mark that says I know what they're getting! So the hard part is over and it's only December 4th!
Gift selecting, wrapping, and giving is really really really my favorite part about the non-spiritual traditions of our American Christmas holiday. I love looking for something special or hearing a little bird tweet the wishes of a friend or family member. It just feels so good to hit the spot with something personal. There is something more special than gifts though and I've posted a little, here and there, about the small group we're a part of at church.
We like to do volunteer opportunities when we find them so we've helped out at a Convoy of Hope outreach before, swept the floor at a local food donation site, handed out medals at a Special Olympics style event for children and older folks with special needs a few times, but what I think I have come to love the most is finding a local church that feeds the homeless and poverty stricken, every week. This is not only for the holidays or just in the wintertime but all year they serve food, supply groceries and clothing, and offer encouragement and prayer for their individual needs and circumstances.
One morning, I walked into their warehouse building and I was in a particularly grumpy mood, the special kind of grumpy that happens on days when I have had about 5 or 6 hours of sleep. I was thinking that I might just stay for a few minutes if I couldn't find it in me to have a single positive thought. I scolded myself about my selfishness and irritability when I was there, warmly dressed, with gas in my car, food on my table every single day, and a safe and warm home every night. My mood wasn't lightened but I pushed up my sleeves and walked through the door. Over the course of the next couple of hours I was greeted with faces that were filled with delight and gratitude. These were no grumpy people come to discuss their dire circumstances, these were people that were happily eating a warm meal, they could have enough, and then some more. I was immediately honored to bring each plate of hot food and my heart was bursting with love for these people whom I had never known. I could not do enough to serve them.
I wasn't growling when I walked in, I was nice and polite. When I left though, I was exuberant, filled with joy to over flowing. I had been smiled upon by beautiful people who had no reservations, no bone to pick, no homes and no attitude of self pity or despair. I had come to serve them but the reward was truly mine.
I tell you all of this not to brag, although to even speak of my small effort is the epitome of self exultation, but I am telling you, because I want you to do it too, not just at Christmastime but all year, every month, every week!
There are people in need all around us and what they need is you, but most of all; its you that needs them.

Convoy of Hope

Convoy of Hope had a local event that was held at five area schools on one Saturday morning last Fall.


A gal in our small group at church has been volunteering with her family for years. Her dad was heading up the groccery area and our group had the chance to volunteer with their family.



There had to be thousands of bags of groceries that had been packaged up into like groups and bagged into color coordinate bags. Each person who needed groceries was to be given at least one bag with red writing and one with green writing.



We unloaded many many bags of groceries that day, and needed a little help getting to the bottom of the boxes. Luckily, we had a little help on hand. My step-son Bailey was hard at work, hoppin into any box we needed him in.



And there were quite a few.



Convoy of Hope doesn't just provide groceries. At their community outreach events they offer free hair cuts, family portraits, medical and dental care, even a children's play area. We are a nation so blessed in so many way. It was a blessing to be a blessing.

For more information on who they are, what they do, where they go, or how to help, please visit their website.

Amy