Thursday, August 27, 2009

A Moment of Thanks

I haven't been posting on here for a good bit now because of all the chaos that is taking up my time, but I felt the need to take a moment and be thankful for some of the blessings in my life....

  • My lab results did not show any abnormalities
  • Though my husband's car broke down and it is costing a small fortune to fix, we are just coming into some money, so we can pay for it.
  • My son is healthy and able to run around, speak, see, and hear.
  • My son is well behaved, loving, smart, and polite.
  • My husband is a good, loving father.
  • I have a family that loves me.
  • I have wonderful friends who honestly care and are there when I need to be consoled, or just to vent.
  • I am alive and walking, talking, seeing, and listening.
  • We have a roof over our heads, food in our bellies, and clothes on our backs.
  • My husband and I have jobs.
These are just a few of the wonderful blessing that God has given me. These past couple weeks have been extremely tough on me and I felt the need to take a step back, not complain about the tough times, and be thankful for the many blessings He bestows upon me. Thank you Lord for all you have given me and thank you for never giving up on me!

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Epiphany

This week is the busiest week in my area, as the Masters Golf Tournament is in town. I manage some properties behind the course and some of them rent out for this week, so I cater to them and make sure they have fresh towels, paper products, empty trash...etc.

On my way by the course today, I saw the usual crowds of people moving about to get wherever they were going for more Masters Tournament excitement, and 2 people caught my attention. A young man was standing in the middle of this mob with a sign that said "Trust Jesus" and in front of him was a young lady in a "Trust Jesus" t-shirt attempting to pass out something. Now, because I was in the car, I was unable to approach them, but I was able to observe the behaviors of those passing by. People would actually speed up as they approached the young couple and during the whole 5 minutes or so that I sat in traffic, I saw not one person take the paper she was trying to hand out. They avoided this couple as if they were the plague. I could see the dedication this couple had to what they were trying to do, but they looked hurt and cast away.

Seeing the behaviors of these "Christians" really brought stinging tears to my eyes and a shot of pain hit my heart. How can someone proclaim to be a christian and then behave that way in front of the unashamed Christians who are trying to promote awareness of God's word? As I drove by them, I said a prayer for them and for all those that bypassed them. I think what really got to me was the fact that Easter is tomorrow and I'm not referring to baskets with candy, eggs, and Peter Cottontail. I'm referring to the true meaning of Easter...Jesus's crucifixion and resurrection for all of us and our sins, including all those avoiding that couple today.

I know that I am not perfect, nor do I claim to be. There have been many times in my life where I have not behaved as a true Christian should. I just felt so stongly about what I witnessed today, that I had to write it out. Next time you see someone standing on a corner or in front of a store with a flyer, don't be ashamed to speak to them and take that flyer. If you say you are a Christian, then be a proud one!

Friday, April 3, 2009

In the Beginning....

Well...here I go! I know that a lot of people blog on a variety of topics, and I've read a few, but I've never taken the time to actually do one myself. When do I have time to do anything? I work, go to school, run a household and care for my family. Always seemed like time was slower when I was younger. Now I blink and years have passed, or so it seems! Time...it just passes so quickly... there's just not enough of it!

I guess I have to truly thank Dana for her inspiring blog. She's the whole reason I even signed on here in the first place. She has tons of inserts on her beautiful family and the speacial moments of their lives. She has inspired me to so something similar, or at least get back into writing.

When I was in high school, I started writing a book, titled "For Those Who Smile" and thought it would be a fitting name for this blog. The title came from my smile and the reasons behind it. Anyone who knows me will tell you that I smile..a lot, but for a while, that smile was a permanent mask. Many would never guess the chaotic childhood I had because of that smile. That smile was so big, who could smile that big if life wasn't wonderful? (Guess I missed my calling into the acting world, huh?) I thought the title would be a tribute to those who smile on the outside while things are dark and painful on the inside.

My childhood was not horrible from day one. Born in 1981, I had a pretty regular childhood until my parents divorce in 1990. That marked the time in my life that things would change, and quickly. Again time, as I mentioned before, is an interesting thing. Over a 2 year period, which seems to pass me in the blink of an eye now, my life changed forever. Funny how after almost 20 years, you never quite shake it 100%.

I won't go into details, but I spent the next few years trying to figure out who I really was, not who I was told to be, and come to grips with the past and my inability to change it. Hard for a kid to do, but I did it. I remember being upset with God and having my faith falter. I could not understand how he would let bad things happen.

After the birth of my son in 2003, is when I think I really found myself and my way back to God. All of my past memories helped me be the person I am today and I am stronger for it. I have my own beliefs and have had my faith restored in God. I made a promise to myself and God that my child (or children if I have any more) would never feel the way I felt as a kid and never have to wear a smile that wasn't real.

OK...I guess that will do for my intro to blogging. Sometimes you just need to pound it out on the computer and get it all out. I feel better already!