A Lesson from the Elderly

It truly is amazing that God hasn't given up on me yet. I fail, I fall, I stumble. I live selfishly, I waste time on worldly things and I turn my back on Him. Thankfully God, in all His glory and majesty, won't give up on me. He slowly takes my hand and leads me step by step through this journey of life. He teaches me lessons (sometimes in not so easy ways), opens my eyes and molds me into the woman He desires. Day by day He works at my heart, stripping away the ugly to make room for more of Him.   

Lately God has been using a group of seniors to open my eyes and work at my heart. Every Tuesday I volunteer at Misericordia Hospital doing spiritual care in the mornings and recreation activities in the evenings. The group of elderly people that I interact with are a wonderful bunch. They not only make me laugh, but they make me think about my life - how I spend my time, how I treat others and ultimately how I live: selfishly or selflessly. 

When time does its thing, and I become a senior, I hope to look back at my life and find glimpses of humility, kind words and selfless deeds, not just a trail of selfish actions. I know it will be a daily struggle to put others' needs above my own, but I must try, with the help of God. Will you try with me? 

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these." Mark 12:30-31

In Memory Of

On November 7th, 2012 my Opa passed away. After battling cancer to the bitter end he left this earth and joined His Maker in heaven. His life was a testament of love, hard work, determination and generosity.

For the second time I decided to sit down and watch the picture video that was played at my Opa's funeral. As the tears poured down and memories rushed back, I was overwhelmed with a sense of awe and wonder. This one man's life has blessed so many people. His actions are forever remembered by foster children (over 100), neighbours, family, and friends.

Do you ever wonder what YOU will leave behind when you go? Will people look at your pictures and wonder how you were always so positive? Or generous? Or helpful? Will they be inspired by your love and your actions? Will they smile at all the memories you created with them, or laugh at your silly antics? Will the people around you be motivated to do more good and smile more? Will they be encouraged in their faith by how you chose to live your life?

We too often forget how greatly our lives can impact others for better or worse. A small act of kindness can change someone's entire life or simply brighten their day. An outburst of hatred can shatter self esteem or tear apart a heart looking for love.

Let us spend our time and our lives blessing those around us, helping the lost and broken, giving to those in need, loving those who only know loneliness and caring for each other. When all is said and done, and our time comes, what will people say of you? What will you leave behind? 

My Opa has left a print of love on many hearts. And it is my prayer that I (and you) will do the same.

Love You Opa.

a heart full of you

As I was doing the dishes this evening I stumbled upon a song that touched my heart and challenged me as a Christian. The lyrics that stuck out to me are as follows, "Empty my hands, fill up my heart, capture my mind with you." I began to think about my day to day life and what it is that typically fills my hands, heart and mind. My short comings became clear to me as the command to love the Lord with all my heart, soul, mind and strength echoed in my mind.

I don't know about you, but in my life this command is not easy to follow. We are surrounded by hatred, gossip, lust, impurity and selfishness on a daily basis. The media tells us lies about our self worth and meaning and our busy schedules act as our excuse to be rude or unthoughtful. These things are so polar opposite of what we should be filling our lives with. God's Word says, "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." (Phillipians 4:8)

It is not easy to purge our lives of the "ugly" things of this world but will you try with me? Will you pursue what is pure, lovely, noble and right? Will you let the Lord transform your heart, soul and mind to be filled with His love?

What a radiant and marvelous sight it is to see someone so consumed by the Lord that every aspect of their life reflects His beauty - even the parts that nobody sees or will ever acknowledge. 

Seek to love the Lord with ALL your heart, ALL your soul, ALL your mind and ALL your strength. And let us not grow weary for I'm certain our Lord smiles with every small area of our lives we surrender to Him.

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." (Mark 12:30)