hospitality.

"Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality." Romans 12.13

This verse came to mind this morning when my mom asked me if i was ready to work hard to clean the house for the guests that came tonight... my initial reaction in my head was, nooo... we keep having guests over and ive helped so much already since being home..

Yet its my parents joy to open our home to people... to bless them with a meal and a time to swim...ever since i can remember its always been their joy. I grew up asking "is anyone coming over for dinner tonight?" :) even though we had to work hard i still loved it!

Conclusion, hospitality takes work, yet it is still more blessed to give then to receive and i pray some day when i have my own home that i too would make that extra step, be okay with a longer 'to-do' list so that i can practice hospitality.  

(post that's been sitting as a draft for too long)

simple joys

Give Thanks, that is what the Lord tells us to do, no matter what...in all circumstances.

As i so easily slip into thoughts about me, my dreams and what i want, i loose sight of the the things my Father is blessing with me this very day. I'll call them simple joys. Those things i must not hold to closely but offer back up to my God who has showered me with so many blessings. He is the One to be thanked. He is the One to be praised. He is Sovereign to save, to bless, to draw lost to Himself, to comfort, to allow, to disciple those He loves, to answer prayer... this is a comfort.
to HIM, my beautiful Savior, i offer these simple joys:

gluten free muffins from my mum
making Thai curry with my dear brother
cleaning the house with wonderful music playing
spending time with my highschool Bible study leader
hearing my co-worker talk about Christ at work in Her life
children at vacation bible school with big genuine smiles
hugs
getting to see my niece's face on my phone background ALL the time:)
talking with my wise father
watching my brother and his girlfriend build a lizard cage in the back yard
absentmindedly almost putting laundry soap in the fridge! oops
vacation bible school songs that talk about the beautiful characteristics of my Lord
reading others blogs.. God's teaching so many
praying for my mom as she's with my grandparents
a bag of marshmallows..:)
a healing bee sting
driving in a hot car, for some reason i love absorbing the heat with the windows down
feeling the pain of so many hurting in this world and knowing He has a plan
12 days left at home sweet home.
sun setting
Pandora: Sovereign Grace Music radio station

stop.

looking here and there to those close and far
can even one of them meet my needs today
they love me yet i'm not satisfied, not yet
my mind occupies only thoughts of me
down down down...this spiral goes


patiently One is waiting yet to any other i would love to run
physical arms and audible words is what i'm looking for
His gentle hand is plucking away what i think i need
stop. He whispers.
that list you have and all your desires, i know them, He says
just stop.


for this day look to no other
the One who waits for my wondering heart
He is gentle, forgiving and kind
He is all satisfying
to those who cross my path, do they see Him
to those who i miss; they come and go
i entrust to Him


today i stop. listen and wait.
a master piece is what He calls me
to the One whom i belong i ask,
"prepare me for the desires of my heart,
for in this You are most glorified"

http://www.redletterwords.com

living in the moment

photo i look. i love it. its still ... and the shape reminds me of the Trinity.

living in the moment is something i struggle to do.
being home from school...loving being home..i love my family with all my heart...but knowing i'll be back to a busy schedule soon far away is hard.

today i went back to my home church. it was so fun seeing familiar faces that i love and hearing the word of God taught. yet something seemed so off...i realized i wasn't living in the moment. Instead of thanking the Lord for the opportunity to be back i became sad at seeing changes and feeling like an outsider in a place i had invested so much of my heart into. Instead of asking the Lord to bring opportunities to bless and be blessed by the body of Christ I just wanted to leave.... or i wanted to stay. but stay for good.

again and again it gives me such comfort to know this world is not our home.
Oh may the reality of eternity impact ever moment here...every choice. every reaction i have to any given situation the Lord puts me in.
being selfish causes me to miss out on so much.. God isn't limited by the fact that my focus is off...He continues to draw people to Himself..i just miss out on the blessing of being a part of my Father's Master piece.

it might not just be that i struggle to live in the moment, but i struggle to live in the moment with my eyes fixed on Jesus... yes this is what i long for.

This song was sung in church today and it always edifies my soul.
Before the throne of God Above: Charitie L. Bancroft, 1863.

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea.
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in Heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me.

Behold Him there the risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
The King of glory and of grace,
One in Himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ my Savior and my God!