Smile!

Today started off very differently from most other days. My husband had to catch a flight that was to leave at 6:00 this morning. For some reason his alarm did not go off and he awoke in a panic. He was going to take himself to the airport, but since he was running late, he would not have had time to park and pay and all of that. So, he told me to get ready as soon as possible to take him. Have I told you that I am not a morning person? Ya. On my way back from the airport, I stopped to get some doughnut holes that I have literally been dreaming about for the past two nights now. I don't think any of that is really relevant to what I am about to say, but there it is anyway!

When I got home, I ate my doughnuts, played a bit on the guitar, and then was suddenly overcome with sleepiness. I took an hour nap (more or less) and then made a list of the things that I must get accomplished today. 

I was leaving the parking lot of my first stop of the day, and was pleasantly surprised by the homeless man that was standing on the corner. He was smiling as big as he could to everyone who passed by and was holding this sign (pictured). I smiled at him, and I thought that was all I could give him, until I looked down and saw a dollar. I told him he he had encouraged me, thanked him, and handed him the dollar. 

I drove off with the most blessed and humbled feeling. How often have I driven past those less fortunate and tried to ignore that they were there? This guy was giving what he could to those who passed- his smile. If we have nothing else in the world to give to someone, remember, we can always give a smile. It is such a small thing, but you never know how powerful it can be. It certainly brightened my day!

Forgiven!

I AM NOT A MORNING PERSON. Usually, I do not fully awaken until 11:00 a.m. or 12:00 p.m. Before then, I am a walking, semi-functional zombie-esque person. Really, I hate mornings. Anyway, today I was up with the sunrise. And for some rather odd reason, I feel fully awake and cognizant, and it is only 8:00. What is going on?! (By the way, happy Friday the 13th!)

So, I had my coffee and God time, and I was reading in Leviticus (one of my LEAST favorite books in the Bible). If you have read it, you know why. So don't judge me! :) All I have to say is, I am SO EXTREMELY thankful that I live in this time period. As crazy as the world is now, I cannot imagine the stress that the children of Israel went through on a daily basis just thinking about whether or not they had sinned in some area. And then, when they realized they had sinned, the method of sacrifice was so specific! Depending on the sin, you had to sacrifice a specific animal in a specific location, and they had to be divided a certain way... I would have certainly messed it all up. And I would have run out of livestock rather quickly, I'm afraid! 

I am so thankful that Christ became the ultimate sacrifice for my sins. His work on the cross was perfect. There is nothing that I can do to make my atonement any more complete! I can enjoy the fact that all of my wrongs have been made right through his blood. I can enjoy getting to know the Lord for myself without having to worry about going through a priest or having to pay for my sins. I do not have to worry about my standing with God because I know I am his child and he loves me unconditionally. 

If nothing else goes right today, it will still be a wonderful day because I am reminded how great a gift I have been given! And not just me, but ANYONE who believes and accepts Christ as the payment for their sin can have this confidence as well!

Persevere

I was in my church small group the other day, and the lesson was on our mountains. The scripture that was used was Joshua 14:12a, "Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day." 

The application was that each of us have a mountain (or purpose) that God has intended for us. To some, their purpose is clear and others are on a journey toward figuring out that purpose. I personally, feel that I am on a journey toward finding and fulfilling that purpose. And that is okay! Sometimes the purpose is the journey itself. So whether you know your purpose or you are like me, on the journey, persevere! Keep going! Strive to be your best you every day! Know that wherever you are in life, God knows you are there. 

The little plant in the picture seems the most unlikely to break its way through the cement to the surface. But it did it! One day at a time, one small millimeter at a time, it broke through! Don't get discouraged! Be patient! Keep going! If this tiny, fragile plant can break through something as tough as cement, you can make it to your goal! And if you don't yet have a goal, keep going! Enjoy the journey! You never know where the journey will lead you!