Oh lately, life has been overwhelming, easy-peasy, love filled, frustrated, crazy, stressed out, filled with joy, little ones screaming and bouncing off the walls, and so so much more. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything. You know why. I can only do this life once. In every moment of chaos, frustrations, fear, and all the other things that can show up, the one things that always comes to mind is love. Especially after I did that thing again I so wished I never would. Stuff like lose my patience with my hubby because he isn’t helping me exactly like I needed wanted. Raise my voice at my kids thinking that will get their attention and they will listen to mommy, finally. Just these sins of mine I struggle with.
The beauty of all it all lies right where I need it to though. In the hands of Jesus. He is always with me even through the ugly mess of my sins. He is always with me never giving up on me and showing me buckets full of grace, kindness and love just to name a few.
I had this awesome experience of attending a leadership conference at our home church this summer and I am so glad I did. I confess though when I was invited to go, the first thought that went through my mind was why me? Leadership? I am not a leader. I then read this quote I have posted on our fridge:
“if your actions inspire others, to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are leader.” – John Quincy Adams
That is when I knew I needed to be at that leadership conference. May be just to lead my children in my home.
I am a leader. You are a leader.
I always try to see the good in everyone and everything. I want others to feel loved and KNOW that they are loved. I enjoyed all the speakers that day but the one that set a fire in my soul top thirst more for Jesus, to be a leader, to enjoy the awesomeness of life and love others was Bob Goff. I am currently reading his book Love Does and if you are looking for an authentic book that makes you laugh and leaves you thirsty for more, this book is for you.
I don’t want to be just a good bible study girl reading and memorizing scripture. Please don’t take that the wrong way. I’m not saying to stop reading your bibles and stop hiding the scriptures in your heart. I am saying I want to do something with God’s words in my heart. I want to live in this world just as his disciples did taking all the faith I have and the scriptures I know and doing something with it. Like Bob Goff says continue to meet with your friends for bible study and call it bible doing instead of bible study.
We are all fearfully and wonderfully made in the makers eyes. We all have different personalities, gifts, talents, and more. We all have our own unique sense of awesomeness and we need to use it. God has provided unique things about each of us that need to be used in this world but the one thing we all have in common is that will involve loving others. This is why I was so struck by hearing him speak. he spoke directly to my soul and what I want to be as a follower of Jesus. Now I just need to do something about it. (Oh and he uses two of my favorite words awesome and awesomeness too)
I want to know more of Jesus by doing things. I want to love others near and far. I’m not always good at it. I get wrapped up in this world. The distractions the busyness of schedules and commitments and somehow I end up at the end of day scraping by to give Jesus my left overs. That my friend is not what he wants nor deserves. My goodness he created me and you for great things. Don’t miss the opportunity to love others.
I want my children to learn how to love others how I love others. If I am not loving how Jesus wants me to love, then my kids won’t either. We are going to love in unique ways just like our gifts. I don’t believe we can love the same way. Loving like Jesus may include adoption in your family but it may not be on the hearts of another. Loving like Jesus may include spending one afternoon each week with a young Christian who is learning all about Jesus. Use your God-given gifts to love more like him. Call me crazy but I have found when I love others more and more I stop thinking about me.
So don’t just read and memorize the bible. Don’t stop your bible studies either but let it change what you do and not just what you think. Love Does.
Bob says, “God asks what it is He’s made us to love, what it
is that captures our attention, what feeds that deep indescribable
need of our souls to experience the richness of the world
He made. And then, leaning over us, He whispers, “Let’s go do
that together.”
My thoughts always go back to loving others. Even when we feel they don’t deserve it. My heart always breaks for someone who doesn’t feel loved or someone people don’t feel deserves the love. Especially in this fallen world. Every time I am reminded Love not because they deserve it but because Jesus loved us first. Even if they don’t agree with me.
What captures your attention? What do you want to do with God?
Go do it together!
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