Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Trust Me

You know those days when nothing seems to go right? When no matter how hard you try to make something work it just doesn't? Those days that seem to be jam packed with discouragement? That leave you sitting on a back staircase in the school of music talking to your mom on the phone, as tears stream down your face? Ya... today was one of "those" days for me.

I left the university tonight feeling utterly confused, disappointed and discouraged. Not about school work or midterms, but about life. About all the concerns, big and small, that filled my day. I began my walk home with thoughts still bouncing around in my head.  Suddenly I was jolted back to reality... it was as if God whispered gently into my ear, "Sara, do you trust me?"

It seems silly to think that anyone would ever STOP trusting God, yet there I was, just moments before, drowning in my own confusion and worries. I had allowed the unexpected trials, failed plans, and discouraging words of others distract me from God's truth. Thankfully God took my hand and lead me back to His promises.

As I continued my walk home, pondering the question "Do you trust me?" this verse came to mind:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight."  Proverbs 3:5,6


No matter how many times I've written, recited, read this verse, it's beauty always takes my breath away. What great joy and peace fills my heart when I trust in the Lord. My worries seem to float away when I'm reminded to lean on Him and not on myself.

As I finished my short walk home, that's exactly what happened. My discouragement, worry, confusion and disappointment were swept away in the breeze as I refocused my eyes on Christ.

Next time you have one of "those" days, think of this verse, let it linger in the air and take a second to listen to his voice as He whispers...

"Trust me."







Saturday, February 11, 2012

thinking about love

I've been thinking about love lately...  
(no, that doesn't mean day dreaming about prince charming
and more precisely, what love looks like.

In a world filled with selfish ambition, jealousy,
deception and hatred, it is easy to lose
sight of what true love is and what it looks like.

Perhaps this is why my heart was so refreshed
as I glanced through old pictures the other day.
In these pictures I saw more than just
people and memories... I saw love.

Let me show you what I mean...


Love looks like my mom and dad...
Who never once let their own trials and struggles prevent 
them from loving and serving others.  



Love looks like my Oma and Opa...
who have nurtured and loved many foster children
back to health, constantly living
selfless and humble lives. 


Love looks like neighbours...
who have been there through thick and thin, 
loving you no matter how silly you are.


Love looks like Camp Brereton...
The camp that was graciously provided this past year
for CNIB to use, in order to bless children who are blind
or visually impaired. The camp that made one little boy
exclaim in pure joy, "I've never felt like
 I belong, until I came to this camp." 


Love looks like this beautiful lady...
Who lives in a mud house in Uganda, with no bed, 
no running water and no light bulbs, 
yet kindly invited me into her home,
fed me a feast, and willingly gave away 
one of her only posessions, a mat she had weaved out of grass. 


Love looks like the church body...
A church that has stood by my family's side through 
the countless ups and downs of cancer.
A church that put on a social to raise funds
for my family when my dad needed to 
receive treatments in Pittsburgh.


Love looks like this little boy...
who always had an endless supply of smiles, hugs, 
and blessings for me, every time I walked into the room. 



I hope that your heart was also refreshed by these stories as mine was.

After thinking about these people and their lives, I am left
feeling challenged and inspired to radiate love in all I do.

So let it be my goal and hopefully yours too,
that with each passing day we show more love 
than we did the day before.


When people see a picture of you are they 
reminded of what love looks like? 

"Do everything in love. " - 1 Corinthians 16:14