Jesus did not say....

Jesus said give all you have to the poor.
Jesus did not say give all you have to the poor only if they would be willing to work.
Jesus did not say give all you have to the poor if they deserve it.
Jesus did not say give all you have to the poor if they are Caucasian.

Jesus said to love your neighbor.
Jesus did not say to love the neighbor who thinks like you do.
Jesus did not say to love the neighbor who treats you right.
Jesus did not say to love the neighbor who loves you back.

Jesus said to seek justice.
Jesus did not say to only seek justice for issues that will benefit you.
Jesus did not say to seek justice for those who deserve it.
Jesus did not say to seek partial justice.

Jesus said to care for the widows and orphans.
Jesus did not say to care for the widows and orphans in your own country first.
Jesus did not say he cared how they got in their situation.
Jesus did not say to isolate single/young moms into a stigma impossible to escape.

Jesus expects us, as Christians, to be him on earth. And that is a lot more radical than signing a check, attending a church, or having a bumper sticker. Today with my youth we talked about being the body of Christ. They started to see that God has placed them where they are with a purpose, and they are all needed. every. last. one. Jesus did not say that only the people who deserve health care, are the people who work for it. Jesus did not say that the only people to deserve to eat, are the people willing to work. Jesus did not tell us that our focus needed to be on politics, social programs, or broad issues. Maybe if the church would step up and do what Jesus said we wouldn't need things like Food Stamps, WIC, or Medicare. Jesus did not say that issues about people are more important than actual people. Jesus did not say we should treat someone different because of the color of their skin, their sexual orientation, or their life choices. Jesus was not a Republican. More importantly, Jesus was not an American.

Who are we really trying to please?  Who is really benefiting from what we do? Who are we really trying to be?

i'm trusting you.

God.

in this world of injustice and pain, there is so much i do not understand. when people are broken and crying out for answers, i have nothing to say. i hurt for those who are hurting. i long for answers right a long with them. somethings are not fair. they do not make sense. when families are broken. siblings are torn apart. lies are told. the truth is hard to hear. is creates bitterness. it creates anger. it creates resentment. in this world it is so easily to become lost. to find ourselves alone. i do not know what to do but, i'm trusting you.

rain dance

I've heard the saying 'when it rains, it pours' a lot lately. I think I have come to realize that life is just one big storm and you only make it if you learn to dance in the rain.

I wish for things. My wish comes true. I wish for something else. A cycle. It is always something, and I am not talking about material things. I believe finding a sense of personal peace in this day and age is more difficult than almost anything else. I'm not even striving for happiness any more, I would settle for contentment. Settle for contentment, that sounds funny. I often wonder if I will ever live in a place where people are uplifting...encouraging. I feel like I am constantly fighting a battle for people I haven't even met. A harder battle for people I have. Why are we so mean? So judgemental? Who do we think we are? As if we are smart enough to have all the answers...to know how it is suppose to be. Who am I to say you are wrong? We are just different. The differences in us today is what the historians will write about later. Embrace the beauty of it. Let go of what cannot be changed. Myself is all I can control.

and I just want to dance.

Seasons Change

Though here in Mississippi it has felt like summer since April, today is the official first day of summer and the longest day of the year. As I watch the seasons change I am reminded of the ways that God changes us.

Last week I took the youth from my church to Eureka Springs, AR on a mission trip. We did some exterior painting on an artist's house. He had the most beautiful assortment of Earth toned colors, and I honestly have no idea how he knew they would look so well together. As the youth worked hard and they got to know the home owner, I could start to see some changes in them. Worship each night was focused on baggage, and letting go of the sin and things that hold us down so that we can run the race that God has set out for us. We were taught to see each person equal to the next. There was a focus on material baggage, pride, and the hurtful things people say about us and the hurtful things we say about people. Eyes were opened and each person  was given an opportunity to look within themselves and realize the types of baggage they were holding on to. God provided relief to those who were weight down and comfort for those who afraid to move forward. It was a truly amazing experience, and great reminder of how blessed I am to have my job.

control

The only person you have any type of control over is yourself. You can not change a person. They have to choose to be different. I will not deny the power of influence, but regardless it is still a choice to change. You choose to worry. You choose to let someone/thing bother you. You choose to be angry. You choose to forgive. You choose to love. You choose to believe. You choose to pray. You choose to set a positive example. Your life is a series of choices.

I am going to choose what is right regardless of what everyone else decides to do. I can not determine what is important to someone else, but I can choose to fight for what is important to me. Again, I do not have control over anyone by myself. Why waist so much effort getting someone else to change.... to see things the way I see them? What would happen if I stopped looking at what is wrong with everyone else and started look at myself? (the only person I can actually do something about) Just because I am one person does not mean that I cannot make a difference.  Just because people do not do things the way I would do them, does not make them wrong. It makes them different. This world is made up of about 7 billion different people. Welcome. Explore. Change you to make it better.

i 'bought' into it

Somehow we have convinced ourselves that buying things for a 'good cause' is justified regardless if we need it or not. I might buy a t-shirt or get a bracelet, and who knows if the people for that 'cause' are actually ever going to see any benefit from my purchase. This is not a post to talk bad about non-profit organizations. I believe most of them are out there working for/with issues that have touched their lives. They are getting our money the only way that seems to actually work. They get us to buy things.

What if we stopped feeling the need to get something for what we give? What if we just gave without the expectation of even a thank you? As a Christian, my mindset is that what I have is not mine anyway. Why do I feel so entitled? We shouldn't have to have 'fair trade' merchandise, but instead we should trade fairly. Non-profit organizations shouldn't have to sell shoes, t-shirts, or whatever else to meet the needs of people around the world. I should see that need and be compelled to meet it myself.

An organization buys merchandise (usually from 3rd world country) and then that merchandise gets shipped to the United States. The organization will send out emails, visit college campuses, and travel to different fair trade stores to sell the merchandise. Then, I drive to the store to purchase it. OR I will get online and order the merchandise and have it shipped directly to my house. (wow I'm lazy) I get my new product and use it. The organization eventually gets my money from a purchase order or through their website. Then the organization takes that money (after cost of the original item) buys more merchandise and then gives it to the people who actually need it. Talk about a middle man.

I don't want to buy things for 'a good cause,' I want to be out in the world and cause good. 

God, teach me a life of simplicity. Show me opportunities to truly make a difference.

oh how time flies

I can't believe it's been nearly 2 months since I have made an update. I'm seriously going to have to start doing better at this. Once I start, I really enjoy it. (mental note made)

Two months. I've turned 24. Had an amazing surprise b-day party. Experienced the first Gray family Easter. Wrapped up my third semester of graduate school. Moved into the next phase of life. Started to think about some long term goals. I graduate this time next year. I've been planning the youth trip to OK. Ready to see the things God is going to do while we are there. I preached last Sunday. Everyone keeps telling me that I've missed my calling, and I've been told that for years. I hope I'm making the right life choices. The next few weeks are going to be really busy, and honestly I'm ready for a few weeks of nothing. Can't wait to go and visit my grandmother this summer at the beach! Life is good. Stress is starting to decrease and I'm finding myself at a place of peace. Well, more often than usual.

I have noticed recently, however, that there are a lot of little things that get on my nerves. I've really been trying to work on it. Just to let things go. I think the more I pray for patience, the more God gives me opportunities to be patient. And let me tell you...It's been a struggle.

Last final tonight, and then strawberry picking tomorrow with Jazzie! Oh sweet summertime, welcome!