Today is special

because it is my husband's birthday.

There are so many words to describe how I feel about my husband. But, I will simply write it as this: He is my soulmate. Webster's Dictionary offers this description:1 : a person who is perfectly suited to another in temperament2 : a person who strongly resembles another in attitudes or beliefs .

I believe that God designed us for each other. So, today I am reminded of just how wonderful it is to know God and to serve Him. I am thankful that He loves me soo much that He would take the time to create someone so perfect for me.

To Greg: my love, I am honored to be your wife and to share yet another birthday with you. I pray that this will be your best birthday yet but only a fraction of what God has in store for you. And, wherever that journey takes you, I hope that God's love will sustain us so that we will be together to share that journey. My prayer is that you will have many many more birthdays to come and that God will richly bless you in all that you do. Celebrate this day that God has given you!

Give and Take

There are two kinds of people in this world: the givers and the takers.
I've heard this said often enough now that I'm not sure where I first heard it.
What's important about this statement is that it only provides you with two options--either or. The givers of the world could easily identify themselves as such.
They are constantly giving; even when they get tired of it they will continue to give.

The takers have a harder time with this because they can't truly accept that they are really just users.
They take, take and take some more.
They are like the grave-- they are never satisfied.
They are very inconsiderate and selfish because they are only out for numero uno.
They have no problem asking because they like to take.
They readily accept any offer but they always want more.
They are never around when it's time for them to give.
And if they do give, beware: there will be some kind of condition.

To the takers: no-one can stand being around a taker for too long. Eventually you will be found out for what you truly are.
To the givers: Don't let people walk all over you, use you and take advantage of you. Know when to say no. You are precious child of God; He loves you and want you to give to others but trust me, He wouldn't want you to go crazy with giving too much of yourself to people who are just using you. Enough is enough!

Because I Have To...

I cannot tell how many times I feel like I am doing something because I have to. Sometimes that thought alone makes it overwhelming. But, then I think of Jesus and I wonder how He must have felt on that cross. Did He think, "I'm only doing this because I have to?"

As much as I am saddened when I think of Jesus on the cross, it also motivates and encourages me. It motivates me to work harder and never give up because I would never want Jesus dying on the cross for me to be in vain. It encourages me because I know that Jesus has been at the lowest of low and He came through it. It reminds me that "I can do anything through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13.

From time to time, we all struggle with things. That's the way the journey of life is. Nobody ever wants to do things that they have to do. We all want to do things that we want to do. Life is never that easy. And that is why we must always remember to lean on Jesus. I am thankful that I know Him and I trust Him. I am leaning on his everlasting arm. Can you say the same?