Makarios

This evening, I had the privilege of helping a lately depressed boy with his math lesson. God had given me a love for this boy. He usually goes to after-school care, and one of the lady who runs it asked me if I could help God's special created being with his math homework. I readily agreed. There was some stuff that was hard for me to explain to him, but we pushed through. He had been assigned 2-48 even, and we got the problems done before 5:00 (when school gets out at 3:20, and I probably didn't start helping him until 3:35 or so)! I had such an awesome feeling afterwards. I felt so privileged to be able to help this young man, even with something as simple as helping him with his homework. I don't know for sure, but I don't know if he knows Christ. Hopefully I planted a seed tonight. And hopefully things will keep looking up, as they are right now (at least, I think they are). Hopefully I showed this boy Christ's love. I felt blessed afterward. I wonder if this is what "makarios" is. If so, then I am makarios. What a wonderful way to spend my time. I don't regret it at all!

There is no randomness; God is sovereign

Tonight, I ran into a woman, whom I just went on a mission trip with, and her son at Dunkin' Donuts/Baskin Robbins. It amazes me to think of all that went into that happening. It certainly did not happen by accident. First of all, Hannah had basketball practice. Hannah decided to check her email at school before we left. Then as we were getting ready to arrive home, I stated, "I need to get gas after I drop you off. Or maybe you can come with me." So Hannah decided to come with me. Perhaps if I had pulled into our driveway to drop her off, I wouldn't have run into my friends. Then, Hannah decided to run in the money. I had been thinking about it, and I gave her an additional $6 for ice cream from Baskin Robbins for the two of us. She would pay for the gas, then get her and me ice cream, and I would just stay outside the whole time. Now I always go to the same gas station because it stops the thing for you. This time it didn't. I went over by $0.42, so I had to go in and pay it. I was done getting gas, so I moved my car up to a parking spot. I didn't have a small bill in my wallet, so I needed to get money from Hannah. As I walked in, I saw this little black boy and his white mom with their backs turned. I thought to myself, "That sort of looks like Josiah. I wonder if that's Mrs. Mavin." I came up behind Hannah and pointed them out to her. Then they turned around, and I knew for sure that it was them. Again, I am amazed by the sovereign role that God took in this situation. There is nothing random that happens.

The Power of Words

Words are powerful. The words that we use either encourage and uplift people, or they bring them down. I myself have experienced both situations, and dished out both kind and not-so-kind words. I've called people "fat" to their face. On the contrast, I've also said encouraging words to people, like, "Good job," or "I like your outfit." On the flip side, others have said both kind and mean words to me. I often get called a "nun" by my brother; I take it as a compliment even though he says it in a derogatory manner. Just yesterday, someone said some encouraging words to me. This person rarely gives out compliments (at least, not that I know of), and I think he used to hate me at one point (I don't know, maybe he still does). But yesterday, he pointed out that something I had done, was the second thing that day he was proud of me for. Those kind, encouraging words from him have made me want to stay in his good graces. (Before, I had been thinking about hiding his markers again, but now I don't think I will.) Oh, the power of words. Again, I will say it- words are powerful. Will you use your words today to uplift or to bring down?

What would you take?

Imagine this...

Your house catches on fire during the middle of the night. You are allowed to grab one thing. What would you take?

This is something I was thinking about this morning when I read the parable of the rich fool. Luke 12:15 says, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

My first thought was that I would take my laptop, since it was expensive, and I wouldn't want to lose something so valuable (money-wise). Then I started thinking of some other items I might take as well: my afghan, a photo of my grandma and grandpa, etc. Then, I realized how selfish I was being. The first thing I would do would be to make sure my laptop got saved. And yet, there are other people who live in my house. Shouldn't I make sure they get out before I even think about saving my laptop? How much more valuable is a human life than a laptop! (Matthew 6:26)

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21)