Love, Love, Love

I am totally stealing today's blog from my churches blog, but I loved it so much I think it is worth sharing. Our church is starting a "Love Revolution." What is that you ask? Basically is you (or me) showing Gods love through simple, random acts of kindness. These are some of the verses that we have used during this love revolution.

“Love your neighbor as yourself." – Matt 22:39 (NLT) This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. – 1 John 4:10-11 (NLT)

The thing I want to share with you is this: 100 Creative Ideas to Love Others:

1. Return your grocery cart.
2. Clean up your local park.
3. Send an encouraging text to a friend.
4. Send someone a letter in the mail.
5. Ask your waiter how their day is going.
6. Randomly choose people to give some of your tax refund money to.
7. Take out your neighbor’s trash.
8. Organize a benefit.
9. Give what you’ve got, even if it is just a dollar.
10. Smile at a stranger.
11. Leave a note of encouragement.
12. Give a meal to a beggar.
13. Eat lunch with someone who doesn’t have many friends.
14. Give someone a hug.
15. Surprise someone by sending a care package or gift for no reason.
16. Take an elderly person shopping.
17. Pay for the person’s meal behind you in the drive-thru line.
18. Adopt a child.
19. Leave an encouraging post on a friend’s Facebook.
20. Mow your neighbor’s lawn.
21. Buy school supplies for your neighbor’s kids.
22. Help someone struggling to lift something heavy.
23. Discover a person’s potential and encourage them.
24. Let someone go in front of you in line.
25. Keep a “gift closet” and give someone that comes to visit you a gift.
26. Let someone else have the last sale item.
27. Forgive a loan.
28. Leave a few quarters at the Laundromat for a stranger’s load of laundry.
29. Tell your boss when a coworker does a great job.
30. Make amends with family members.
31. Fulfill someone else’s need (i.e. buy lunch for someone struggling with debt.)
32. Leave a gift for your mailman.
33. Plant flowers in a public place.
34. Pay someone’s electric bill.
35. Clean the house when your parents are out.
36. Open a door for someone.
37. Throw a surprise party just because.
38. Call a friend and encourage them.
39. Visit someone in the hospital.
40. Befriend someone outside your usual group.
41. Pay for someone else’s fuel at the gas station.
42. Give extra money to your child’s classroom for the children who don’t have money for treats anytime they take a field trip.
43. Generously tip your waiter or waitress.
44. Partner with a humanitarian aid group.
45. Spend quality time with your family.
46. Buy birthday gifts for a family in need.
47. Get to know the cashier at the grocery store.
48. Volunteer somewhere new.
49. Bake cookies for a neighbor.
50. Give blood.
51. Join a walk for a cause.
52. Pay someone a compliment.
53. Shave your head to support a friend going through cancer treatment.
54. Call a friend or loved one that you haven’t talked to in a while.
55. Cover a struggling friend’s rent.
56. Help someone load groceries in their car.
57. Invite someone for coffee.
58. Give a homeless person some bus money.
59. Invite people over for dinner.
60. Be a courteous driver.
61. Lead a parent support group.
62. Pay for someone’s groceries at the market.
63. Bake someone a cake.
64. Clean/Mow an elderly or widow’s yard.
65. Pick up trash you didn’t drop.
66. Call someone to chat.
67. Pay for another table’s meal at a restaurant.
68. Pray for someone while you walk.
69. Refold or rehang the clothes in the store.
70. Give up a parking spot.
71. Donate your clothes.
72. Give up your seat.
73. Invite someone to church.
74. Keep items in your car to give away to those in need.
75. Babysit for free.
76. Give a piece of jewelry.
77. Get to know a neighbor.
78. Write someone a poem.
79. Volunteer at a crisis facility and befriend an individual you volunteer for.
80. Give someone a gift you know they’ve wanted for a while.
81. Be nice to a telemarketer.
82. Write a personal note sharing God’s promises from the Bible to a friend or relative in need of a pick-me-up.
83. Donate books to your local library.
84. Listen to someone who needs to talk.
85. Help the waiter or busboy clean off your table at a restaurant.
86. Share your groceries with those in need.
87. Clean a friend’s house.
88. Encourage or be friendly with other patients in your doctor’s waiting room.
89. Share your umbrella.
90. Give out bottles of water.
91. Send out an inspirational, encouraging, or uplifting email.
92. Talk with a homeless person.
93. Tell the janitor “thank you”.
94. Leave chocolate on your coworkers’ desks.
95. Help someone else with their child’s school fees.
96. Give someone directions.
97. Read to a child.
98. Say “thank you” to your local policemen, firemen, and other service men.
99. Pick up your neighbor’s mail and newspaper when they are out of town.
100. Share the gospel with someone.

I highlighted a 'few' that really stood out to me. I love this list because some of them really are a simple simple task.

Yesterday I had an emergency dentist appointment for a chip tooth and I have to say that I was 'LOVED' by my neighbor who took Ashlee right in and watched her while I took care of my tooth. I am so thankful for her being my neighbor and for her showing love in that way. She took away a huge burden that I was trying to figure out how to deal with.

Each day I try to remember that I have no idea what other people are going through in life. So, when someone does something that is not so 'loving' I try to remember that they could be having a bad day. I have had bad days and done things that were not nice. That person who is having a bad day may be the person behind you in the drive through and when you bought their lunch you turned their day around. Random act of kindness can do wonders from someone! I am excited to be apart of the Love Revolution at Keystone Church!

Reflection

I hope that you all had a wonderful Easter. We had a great, fun filled weekend. Our church had an amazing weekend with 55 baptisms and 83 people who came to Christ for the first time. I would say that is pretty awesome!

I grew up in the Church of Christ singing hymns, so when we decided to become members of Keystone, it was a big change for me. We sing very modern (yet powerful!) songs. Sunday our worship leader busted out with "I Stand Amazed in the Presence." I don't know what hit me, but the tears started flowing. The arrangement of the song was very powerful and for some reason my grandpa popped straight into my head. I thought about him the entire song and about how much I miss him. Needless to say I as very moved.

Our kids had so much fun this weekend. We talked a little to Jayme about the meaning of Easter, but without getting into great detail because the word "dead" is still a little hard for her to understand. I do have to say that Jayme's sweet prayers are getting sweeter by the day. So proud of her.

This weekend I really felt a lot of love for my kiddos. I know that is kind of weird to say because I always love them, but I guess this weekend my love "overflowed." I am so proud of who they are (tantrums and all) and who they will be. I just love how God shows me all these things in His perfect timing.

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter celebration too. Our God has risen!!!

ps - check out Chris Tomlin's version of I Stand Amazed in the Presence.

pps - This is going to be a short week for me because I am going on vacation :)

Good Friday

I am sure this passage will be read many times this weekend, but it is worth reading it one more time with me.

It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. When he learned from the centurion that is was so, he gave the body of Joseph. So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid. Mark 15:42-47

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?"

But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

"Don't be alarmed," he said "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you."

Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of who he had driven seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it.

Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the county. These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either.

Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.

He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creations.

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe; In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get will.

After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompany it. Mark 16:1-20

I hope that you all have a very blessed Easter with your families!

We've been set free!

Ephesians 4:31-32

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

I got a new Bible a few weeks ago and this was the first verse that I underlined. This verse spoke right to me because I get mad easily and am very capable of hanging on to that anger for a long time. I have been praying since the first of the year to be able to handle situations differently and not be so quick to angry and have bitterness. I think God has worked in me and answered some of those prayers for sure.

I just reread that verse to look for spelling mistakes and as I am reading it I am thinking of people who I have bitterness towards, who I need to be kind and compassionate towards, or I need to forgive (whether they want to be forgiven or not!).

In the past few months God has reviled to me that anger does not solve anything. Yes, if feels so good to get angry, want to take revenge, make sure they get what they deserve, etc., but at the end of the day it didn't make me feel any better about any situation I was in. Most of these people who I had these feelings towards, needs my forgiveness (again, whether they want it or not) so I can have compassion and start to pray for them and for the issues they have.

When I let go of the bitterness like Ephesians 4:31-32 says, I saw a difference. It isn't fun to live angry at someone. It stresses me out. So, let go, forgive and give it to God. He will take care of the rest.

Wow God Wednesday

So, I think God knew that I complained a little bit last Wednesday, so He decided to put a few people in my life this week to let me know He was still there and still in control and still has perfect timing.

I love writing this blog. Sometimes I wake up in the morning and I'd rather stay in bed than get up and write, so I get a little lazy and feel like this is "too much." But I know it isn't. This last week I had more than 2 people talk to me and tell me how much they enjoy reading my blog and how it is an encouragement to them.

That was all I needed to continue typing away. Thank you God for your perfect timing.

How has God wowed you this past week?

Psalm 139

We sing this song at church and I really like it. I didn't make the connection between this song and Psalm 139 until a few months ago.

I am not going to type out all of Psalm 139 for you, but I do encourage you to go and read it all the way through.

This chapter in the Bible is very encouraging to me. Like yesterday when I talked about my own insecurities with self confidence, these verses remind me that God made me, just for me. He gives me my own blue eyes, my own crazy thoughts, my own love handles that my kids fit just perfectly on when I hold them, and my own broken, but hopeful heart.

Sometimes I wonder, "if God knows my words completely before I say them, then why did He let me say that stupid thing, or yell like that at my kids." I got a pretty good answer a few weeks ago in church when I was listening to a sermon. My preacher was talking about how we are all a little messed. He even joked that Mother Teresa was messed up. In the garden of Eden, sin entered our lives and forever "messed us up." That sin is a distance between us and God. Between saying what you wanted to say or saying what you should have said.

Each day I strive to ask God to work through me, but after my first few waking moments, I have probably sinned (I did this morning when I got mad at my daughter for being awake at 6:20am!) and I have put distance between God and I. LUCKILY, I have a very forgiving God!!!

That was a tangent that I wasn't planning going off on. Back to Pslam 139. Read it. You won't regret the 5 minutes (or less) it will take you. When you look in the mirror, or look at your kids or look at your husband, know that God knows your every breath better than you do. Pray to God to guide you and them, to nourish and take care of you and them and YOU love them (and yourself) as God loves you.

Reaching Potential

Finally, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Romans 4:8-9

I have never been a person that has had very high self confidence. I think that has hindered me from reaching my full potential. Instead of thinking how awesome I was at something I always thought (and still do) that I should be better. I am completely shocked with myself that I have started a photography business, sew and sell those clothes on etsy, and write this blog. I would have never envisioned putting myself out there like that. I still have the self doubts in all that I do, but I feel that I am slowing gaining the confidence I need to continue to do this.

Helping other's reach their full potential is something that I believe will make a world of difference in someones life. Just like Romans 4:8-9 says, if ANYTHING is excellent of praiseworthy, think of those things. If you have a friend struggling right now and you see one tiny thing that is excellent or praiseworthy, let them know. If a friend is trying something new and wants your input, encourage them.

I got an email just the other day from a person that I met right after we moved back to Texas. She works with my husband but is an excellent photographer on the side. She wrote just to say hi and tell me that I have really grown as a photographer. That email couldn't have come at a better time. I was sitting in my chair editing photos and feeling very uninspired. That email gave me the confidence I needed to snap out of the lull that I was in and make those photos look beautiful. That short email has helped me in my journey of reaching my full potential as a photographer.

Helping someone else reach their potential, just might help you too. Encourage someone today as God has designed us to.

I am not just a....

I am so much more!

There are different kind of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the sam Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kind of tongues. All these are the work of one and the sam Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11

I don't know about your ladies, but most days I feel just a mom. Someone who feeds kids 3 meals a day, a husband 1 meal a day. Someone who does the dishes, laundry, picks up toys, changes diapers, and so on and so on.

But this verse is so comforting to me because it tells me that God is working through me in a specific way that he has determined for me. If my calling is to be a mom and minister to my kids and my kids friends and their families, then that is what I will try to do. If God wants to use my photography or sewing to minister, than I am all for it.

In the midst of tantrum throwing, whining, begging and all the works that a 3 & 1 year old can dish out it is hard to remember that I am not just a mommy. In the eyes of God (and probably others!) I am more than that.

Have a great weekend!

JAMES 1:19-20

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

That verse just slapped me in the face. 2 days ago when I talked about my ministry and where I want to see victory I said that my family was where I wanted to see it. So, how can I so that if I don't obey these two verses?

A break down of this verse as I act towards my kids:

I am slow and impatient to listen, quick to count to three, quick to get frustrated and irritated.

I think God knew that I needed a gut check on this subject this morning because I am thinking about all the times that I am NOT quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. Just yesterday a few times come to mind. I want to show my kids the righteous life that God desires. I need to teach them patience through having patience with them.

This is such a difficult thing to do, but God has instructed us to be this way in all our relationships.

Next time you are about to lose it try to remember this verse.

WOW GOD WEDNESDAY

If I am going to stick to my gun and be extremely honest on this blog, then I have to say I don't really have a WOW God moment to give you.

Now, that doesn't mean that life is terrible in the Van Reet household. My kids and I had a really fun day today that wore me out, my hubby still has a job, life is still good. Truthfully, I am just run down. Exhausted. Stressed. Tired. Needing a break. Sometimes Irritated. Have a headache. Pooped out.

If I wake up in the morning and I am full of life and energy and can get through the day without wanting to pull my hair out, then I will rewrite this post and give you a WOW God moment. So, I think that is what I will pray for tonight.

Today is one of those days that I would love to mooch off of you and your good mood and energy and faith, so please share how God has wowed you in the last week!

VICTORY & MINISTRY

A few post ago I talked about “deep water.” About how when you are in your deepest water you have more opportunities to experience God’s miracles. This kind of goes along with it.....kind of.

“The area of sensitivity and tenderness in your life is probably the area where God wants you to experience the most victory. Where He wants the biggest ministry to come from your life.”

That is what my notes said in my notebook. As I have said before, my kids are my everything. I am most certain yours are too. I feel that right now my sensitivity and tenderness is focused on my family. I want the best for my family. I want my victory in my family. I want people to look at me and know that my devotion is my family and my God.

All that being said, I feel that God is calling me to minister to my kids and to my husband. I have taken on that calling with all I have and with help God, I believe that I have started that ministry. My husband has seen a change in me and asked me where this change came from. My patience with my kids has increased (ever so slightly, but still). My happiness is happier.

Where is your ministry?

FOLLOW UP/THOUGHTS

Today has been 31 days since I challenged you to pray for your kids? How did you do? I started off strong, finished off weak. I am going to try again for another 31 days to pray the specific prayers that were on that calendar. Please share with us if you prayed those prayers each day for your kids! If you didn't stay strong (or didn't do it at all) and want to try again here is the link:

31 Days to Pray

So sorry that I didn't have a post Thursday or Friday. It had been one of this weeks where all you want to do is just survive the day and move on to the next hoping it is a better day!!!

Yesterday at church we had our regular service in the morning and then that evening we had a communion gathering. I was very excited for communion gather because it only happens about once a quarter. That isn't very often when you come from a church that communes on a weekly basis. Unfortunately during the day my good mood gave way to frustration and on the way to church last night I was doing everything to change my attitude and get in a good mood to take communion and be in a time of worship. My attitude wasn't changed by the time I got there and it was slightly changed when I left there. I am just amazed how my OWN attitude hinders my relationship with God. In a time where I usually feel very close to Him, because I had my own reason to be grumpy, I was so very far from Him.

I think that is the case in most relationships. Because I was grumpy last night, I was short with my kids and my husband. My attitude affected my relationship all 3 of them.

Today I am going to do all that I can to choose to be in a good mood and choose to be close to God, my kids and my husband.

WOW GOD WEDNESDAY

This morning I woke up and was thinking about this blog and thinking about the past week and what has really made my heart smile. I know that is silly to say, but I believe that when my heart smiles then something good happened. 2 things came to mind.

1. God has impeccable timing. He really never ceases to amaze me with his timing. It seems that when I am struggling with something He puts someone in my life that is either struggling with the same thing or someone who has just the words that I need to hear.

2. My cousin Melanie has 10 times the obedience to God that I wish I had. She recently shared what has been going on in her life with us via email and then just this morning I saw that she had posted it on her blog. You can read it here. I am amazed at how God is actively working through her and she is following and obeying our God. So proud of her!

How has God WOWED you today?

FIRST COMES LOVE, THEN COMES....

....marriage, then comes the baby in the baby carriage.

Such a silly song, but such meaning.

1st comes love - finding your soul mate.

2nd comes marriage - that wonderful beautiful wedding day that you and your man become ONE.

3rd comes babies - making a beautiful family!

Now, I ask you a question: Are you a wife or mother first?

The very first thing that comes to my mind when I answer that question about myself is that I am a mother first. My priority is my girls. My day revolves around them from the time they wake up, but I am learning that priority is wrong. Remember, 1st comes LOVE, then comes MARRIAGE, THEN comes the babies. My husband is supposed to come before my kids.

I don’t know about you, but that is HARD for me. I am sure as the kids get older that it will become easier, but right now putting Alan before the kids and before my exhausted self is so challenging. But that is God’s design. And it is a design that I am trying so hard to obey.

I would love to be encouraged by you and how you are able to put your husband first and kids second. Do you struggle with this too?