Look Up, Look In, Love Out

They will know you are Christians by your love.

There are so many hurting in the world all around you. Look up from your feet, from your business, and look into the eyes of those you pass. See their pain and feel what they feel.

Each of them is not their political stance, their cause, or opinion. No, they are each a divine creation of God's making...one that He treasures and yearns for. 

No matter how despicable someone may be to you, to the Father, they are precious, valuable beyond what you can understand. 

And so are you.

You can begin this new year with the confident assurance of His immeasurable love for you. He rejoices over you with singing, and His thoughts toward you outnumber the grains of sand in the earth.

How great is His love for you! Out of that love should flow your love to others and that is how the world will know we are His.

Do a love evaluation today. Look at 1 Corinthians 13 and see what true love is and put yourself in those verses. Are you patient? Are you kind? Do you keep a record of wrongs? Are you boastful?

Allow the light of the Word to illuminate and open the eyes of your heart today. There's a whole world that needs the love of Christ. It starts with each of us individually realizing by the Holy Spirit how much we are deeply loved by the Father through the Son.

God bless you and keep you today :)

My Friend Tori

This is my little friend Tori.

Well, actually, she isn't so little anymore. But, when I met her, I fell in love with her.

As my friendship with her family grew, she and I formed a bond that I truly believe is devinely orchestrated.

I got to spend a special day with her. We ate and shopped and talked! We had so much fun.

I honestly found myself just riveted by her knowledge, wisdom and insight! I felt like I was just hanging out with a good girlfriend.

And why can't she be that? I'm amazed at how many people think you can't be friends with people of other ages! Some have called it weird.

To me, though, what's weird is seeing someone's value through the eyes of age.

I'm so thankful that Tom's grandmother, Ina doesn't treat me that way because I dearly treasure her friendship to me.

We need to do better in the family of God. We need to pull down the barriers and be Titus Women! All of us have someone we can be a friend too.

And don't get confused that I only mean chronological age! Someone can be older than you and be just a baby in the faith that needs help growing.

Give some thought to those in your sphere. Ask God to show you who needs YOU! Then, don't be afraid to step out. :)

Pass It On

Titus 2:3-5New Living Translation (NLT)

3 Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers.[a] Instead, they should teach others what is good. 4 These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, 5 to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes,[b] to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.

I've loved this portion of Scripture since I read it when I was newly married in my early 20's!

Then, I was part of the "younger women," but now, exactly three months away from turning 40, I'm stretching into the "older women" category.

That's okay though because, honestly, I really love to teach and train younger women in the Lord. I love to help them see who they are and how much they are valued!

It's so amazing just to spend time with tweens, teens, and young adults who just want to learn from me and be loved on. :) How I wish I would've had someone like that as I grew and changed. So, I've kinda made it a life mission to make sure I am that to others.

Today, I've been texting with these three cuties! I like keeping in contact, and I miss them so much. We had a challenge to take pics of stuff we did all day long and share them. So fun to me! It can seem like everyday little things are insignificant, but it's all those little things that come together to make something beautiful. Make the most of your little moments girls. They shape you into who you become and what you know.

Too many young ladies don't know who they are and Whose they are. Too many are lonely and hurting. Look for the mean ones...they are the ones hurting the most usually. Determine not to be moved by their actions and reactions; choose love because they need it.

Remember to take time to find joy in those little moments of your day. Take time to do something special for someone else. Look for ways to bless others and encourage them. It will make you feel good about yourself too. You are special. You are salt and light to a hard world. Go out of your way to give to others and do everything as if you are doing it for the Lord.

Don't be annoyed by those younger than you...remember, you were them not too long ago!  See people as individuals, not groups. Spend time listening, really listening to little ones. Encourage them. Build them up. Make it a practice in your life now and you'll always do it as you grow and mature. Then you will become a Titus Woman. 

I have a favorite quote:  "In a world where you can be anything, be yourself." Don't compare yourself to others or strive to be like them unless you see Jesus in them. Pick out the good things and then put your own spin on it. Nobody has your fingerprints or DNA. God did that for a reason! He likes different. Be different. Stand out. Don't blend in and fade away. Make your sweet mark on this world! It needs strong women who know who they are!

When you feel insignificant because you are only one person, remember that Jesus was only one person...as well as Moses, Ruth, Esther, David... All of them were one person depending on one HUGE God. 

xoxo