Precious Moments, Precious People

Last week my goddaughter was visiting and one night I was up with her at least three different times because she was crying. I would comfort her and she would go pack to sleep. A couple of times I didn't even pick her up, I just laid in bed, listening, making sure she was all right.
This week my nieces were visiting. They're 4 and 1 and last night I was up at 2 a.m. with the little one and it wasn't until three that I finally gave her to her parents so she wouldn't wake up the house.

I was tired, very tired, and more then once I just prayed they'd go back to sleep because I wanted to go back to sleep. But you know what God kept reminding me?

Don't wish these moments away Kattarin. These moments, these kids, they're precious and you need to savor this time because soon it'll be gone.

Now if you're a parent with a little one you might be wishing these moments would be gone sooner rather then later but here's the thing. Those moments, when you're up with them in the middle of the night, or you're drinking imaginary tea, talking on a fake phone, flying them like an airplane down the hall, dancing in the living room or just listening to them chatter these moments aren't for nothing! These moments are building a foundation.
A foundation that will give you an insight into how to speak to them when they're older, how to comfort them when they cry and how to help them make decisions as they grow up.

So whether it's parents who care enough to give you advice (even when you don't want it). Kids who get you up in the night. Friends who talk forever (even when you're busy). Or someone else in your life that is giving you one of "those moments" don't wish it away. Those moment are precious and those people are precious and God has a plan for each and every one of them and how He will use you to work in your life.

Jericho

Who's ever heard the Bible story of the town of Jericho?

I'll sum it up. The Israelites, led by Joshua and commanded by God, were told to take all the armed men and march around the city of Jericho with out saying a word. They were suppose to march around the city just once, with the trumpets blowing, then head back to camp and they did this for six days! The seventh day they marched around the city seven times and on the seventh time when the priests blew the trumpets they shouted for the Lord had given them they city. The walls fell in  and only Rahab, who had helped the Israelites, and her family were spared. The Israelites never had to throw stones or scale walls, God delivered the city into their hands.

But let's back up, say you're one of the armed men and following Joshua you're told to march around this city. If that was me I'd probably be thinking "Okay Joshua this desert heat has finally gotten to you. What are you thinking?" Or maybe you have more faith then that so you're thinking, "Okay God this is some sort of test right? Before the real battle begins?" Whatever it is you're thinking you're not seeing the whole picture.

So how does this compare to our lives today? I mean this was a few thousand years ago right?

Well it was but how many times have you felt like you were walking in proverbial circles? Dealing with the same issues over and over again? Praying and feeling like you're talking to thin air because God doesn't seem to be answering you.
Maybe you're just not to the seventh day yet.

Beauty Tip

Want a beauty tip? I've been using vinegar in my hair, sounds random right? But it works. Two tablespoons of white vinegar and 1cup of water, I dump it in my hair and try to make sure it gets all the way through then rinse it out. Then I put a little of it in a spray bottle and spray it in my hair while it's still wet and that makes it tons easier to brush out.

So here's the benefits, the vinegar makes my hair less oily, it makes it shinier and my favorite, it cuts back on the frizz. Plus, like I said, it helps detangle it when I leave some of the vinegar in.

Anything you want to know about this you can look up online but there's my beauty tip for the day. Maybe you'll give it a try.

Geese

The other day I walked outside and saw a flock of geese flying in "V" formation. At first it caught my attention because I rarely see geese actually flying in formation but the next thing that caught my eye was another bird flying behind them, flapping it's wings and trying desperately to catch up. For a moment I wondered why the other birds had left this one behind and then I realized, the bird trailing behind wasn't a goose, it was a crow.

This crow didn't belong with the geese but it was trying so hard to fly with them, and I have to wonder how often do we do the same thing?

How often do we get so caught up in trying to fit in and be something that we're not that we end up falling behind, trying desperately to catch up even knowing it will never work?

Embrace being the crow, don't worry about flying with the geese.

As Christians we are called to be in the world but not of the world, sometimes that means embracing who we are in Christ and not trying to be someone we're not.

His Words

So well watching Criminal Minds Beyond Borders today on CBS I heard a quote that I just have to share. I'm paraphrasing but you'll get the idea.

God writes His words on our hearts so that when our hearts break His words fall in.