Let the imagination run wild!

My 6 year old sister's imagination is about as big and as full as a rainforest. ( I couldn't think of anything else to put here and rainforest seemed to fit the part.)

She doesn't always realize her capacity for creativity.

For the past two weeks I have watched her strut around the house with an old scarf tied to her little, slightly red haired head.  But of course, it's not meant to simply be a dull and lifeless scarf, it's supposed to be hair.  And it doesn't end there (Literally..) Attached to this scarf lies several more multi-colored, differently shaped scarves.  I suppose it can be considered a helpful asset to her tiny figure.  I always know where she's at,  Just follow the "hair"..

I must confess, there have been times when I have tried to deliberately halt her moving forward by stepping on her 'hair.'  She has not been pleased with this.  "Ow.. OW! You're hurting my hair!" Of course it is not my intention to bring her dreams crashing down and so I reply, "Oh! My goodness..  I'm so sorry!".  She is young, therefore, she can get away with such cuteness.  However, as she get's older there will come a time when tying 4 scarves to your head will no longer be socially acceptable and the world will begin to judge her 'sanity'.  But until that rather depressing day comes, I will watch in humorous delight as she exercises her little mind and let's her never ending imagination take flight!

Being able to imagine is an important tool.  It opens up new doors and allows for blissful reverie.  I remember when my imagination was as unharnessed and free as hers is now.  I remember ever so clearly watching Pinnochio and then immediately trying to mimic Jiminy Cricket's boat (umbrella) sailing experience.  I went to my parents bathroom, filled the tub up with water and attempted to sit in my own umbrella.  Unfortunately, this excursion only left my little 5 year old self in sheer disenchantment.  Well, until about 5 minutes later when I would subconsciously stumble onto something else to attempt.  My imagination made the world seem like a brighter place than I could have ever dreamed at that age.  Along with creating some fantastic memories that I still occasionally smile about today. With that said, don't hinder that imagination of yours.. let it run free!! Well, maybe with a retractable leash. 

Imagination disposes of everything; it creates beauty, justice, and happiness, which are everything in this world. 

-Blaise Pascal

To move forward, we mustn't look back

Let me be honest here, I have a hard time letting the past go.  I hold on to it like my 12 year old sister so adamantly cherishes her iTouch.  Sure, I can forgive, but I struggle with the concept of letting go.  I don't enjoy talking about the past either.  I feel as if I discuss it with others they will see me as I was, broken and confused, not as I am now.  I'm not proud of who I was, but I'm excited of who I have become and where I'm going. 

 The other day some past bitterness leaked into a chat and before I knew it I was telling my story.  Normally when I convey this rather depressing story I leave lots of parts out.  I fear if I tell too much I will find myself in the same position I was before, alone.  There have only been a select few people that I have chosen to tell this to.  Frankly, I don't see the benefit of telling everyone I meet.  It's not relevant to today.  Today is today and yesterday is the past. But this time was different.  I felt safe.  I felt as if I could just talk, without the fear of being judged.  I told my story with confidence and complete honesty. 

While I have had a great life, there have been a few times when life had not been good.  There was a time in my life when I felt lost, lonely and hurt.  My family has always been supportive, but I was not always very good at talking with them.  I developed a knack for keeping all my feelings inside.  As far as other people were concerned, I was okay, but inside I was miserable.  I realize that it's hard to anticipate the future when you still have a death grip on the past.  I've let most of it go and I have forgiven those who hurt me, but I find myself occasionally reminded of these past experiences.  And all at once they all come flooding back.  But then I look at myself today.  The differences are numerous.  I've learned to step out of my comfort zone and walk forward.  But not without an occasional backwards glance.  I look at myself and see someone who has been saved, redeemed and renewed.  And now, there is only one thing left to do.. stop looking back.  I'm sure most of you have seen a horse, clad with blinders on his face.  The horse has no choice but to look forward and keep walking, regardless of what is behind him.  I need to make the choice to move forward at a quick pace, and to never even think of looking back.  The past is the past for a reason.  God has blessed me with my own testimony that I can use to further his kingdom.  I have come to the realization that these experiences were only to make me stronger in my faith, and they did.  I hope that I can let go of the past and happily walk forward in anticipation of what is yet to come.  I am happy with where I'm at, but the credit can go to no one but my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Jesus Christ took hold of me.  Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.  But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
      -Philippians 3:13-14


Thanks for listening :)

Who's first? God or football?

Kids really do say the darndest things.  While sometimes it's just plain funny, other times it conveys a sort of thought provoking meaning without the realization of it.

For example,

In our family it is our goal and our duty to feed a love and a fear of God, above all else.  As humans, our selfish desires can sometimes become a barrier between us and this goal. But we must keep forward, fighting back these desires with the word of God.  Remember that he comes first and foremost in all things. Jordan is sometimes my biggest reminder of this.  There have been a few times where I have approached my sister with an "I love you" and in turn, she replies with, "I love God more".  At these specific moments I always find myself laughing at her sheer innocence and again replying to her with, "good, I'm glad, but I still love you." I didn't really think much about it until yesterday when the underlying meaning of this statement popped out at me.  Why was I randomly thinking of this? I'm not entirely sure; thoughts buzz through my head at high speeds everyday.  But this is what came to mind.. Do we really always put God first? 

I often have to remind myself of my priorities, mainly because life has it's own special way of..well.. getting in the way.  God is always first, my duty to him as a servant and a fisher of men.  Next comes my undying duty to my family, always loving, serving and defending them.  Then comes my friends.  Next, my education and so on.  While all these things rate high on my list of importance, nothing should come higher than God.  Keeping God first all the time is certainly not an easy task; it requires perseverance, faith and trust.  The world will barge in and try to convince you of it's necessity or it's importance.  What will you do?  Give in and give it the highest spot?  Or push it aside?  Because Christ died for us, it is our duty to in turn, give our lives to him.  And we don't do this by disregarding him for other things that only seem more important at the time. We do this with the realization that He is the Lord our God, above him there is no other.   While we can't be perfect, we must try.  We are called to be like Jesus. 

Remind yourself daily, and even numerous times throughout the day that God comes first.