Sunday's Inspiration

Inspiration comes to me today from the Big Man Himself. Every time I go to God in prayer or in scripture, He is telling me the same thing. "Give." I feel such a strong desire to give that it is hard to breathe!

I am troubled. Everywhere I go, I see people around me that are not giving, or they feel they have nothing left to give. I even see this in myself. All I want to see is how I can give and what needs are around me. Yet, I don't know where God wants me to give or how. I am amateur at just about everything I do; what do I have that can bring greatness to God's Kingdom?

So, I went to the library the other day, and I started checking out crochet books because I am looking for a border design for an afghan I am making. I saw two books of interest that had nothing to do with designs. Instead, they both were about knitting for peace. I cracked open the books and found tons of charities that collect items that have been knitted or crocheted. I then remembered my mom telling me about a project she is in the middle of that involves making hats out of her leftover yarn for an organization near her.

It has hit me. I may not be great at anything, but I can give everything. I am certainly not an expert at needle work, and by this I mean, I am a NOVICE in all ways. That doesn't mean I can't give what I make. Afghans still keep others warm, and hats that may be way too large for the head I was meaning to fit may fit another's. I just began making soap, and all the leftover practice soaps I make can cleanse another person for free.

I am encouraged, yet still troubled that all of this takes time to make. I want to give now! I am afraid that if I wait, I will grow lazy or give up on a project for another one (my track record hasn't been so great with this). So, back to scripture and prayer I go to continue my quest to praise my Creator...

Another Sunday Inspiration

Welcome back to my Sunday inspirations! In the spirit of Valentine's Day, my inspiration comes from my husband today. I could never have come up with a more suitable companion as he. He and our marriage are living proof that God's plans are best, even if we don't think so at the moment.

When I first met my man, I did not think of him as husband material. I was a freshman in college, and I just wanted to hang out and have fun. We met at a party that a mutual friend invited us both to (I did not want to go). We had so much fun together that first year that we dated. By the time I was a junior, I knew that this man was the one for me. We waited until we finished our Master's degrees to get married. It took us long enough! Now, 6 and 1/2 years after getting married, we are just getting started!

Here is a cute story...when I was in junior high, I prayed for a husband that was tall and dark hair and blue eyes. I specifically remember that strange, selfish little prayer. Low and behold, my love of my life is tall, has dark hair and the most beautiful blue eyes I have ever seen!

He's my inspiration today because of despite all our differences, he has committed himself in our relationship and our family. That may not seem like much, but in this day and age, that means something. I see so much family trauma in our youth at school, and if you don't think this family trauma is affecting our youth, you are walking around with blindfolds.

Last year was the hardest year for our tiny little family. We had our first child, and a month later a tragic death of a very close relative. We struggled to communicate in our transition to being parents as well as our grief. I started a new job, and for some reason, I am struggling to stay healthy (still trying to figure that one out).

But through all of these changes in our lives, my hunky husband always reminds me that we are okay. He tells me through his actions as well as his words. He is my rock when I think I cannot get up in the morning. Even when I am mad at him, or he is mad at me, we know that this is only temporary. Our marriage is stronger than the circumstances around us at the moment. Thank God for that and for the fact that my hubby feels the same way.

Sunday Inspirations

Welcome to the first edition of Sunday Inspirations! My goal is to inspire you, give you hope, make you think, and bring encouragement.

My inspiration today comes from so many people who, despite facing adversity, are taking huge risks to better their situations and others around them. The following people are true accounts of how God is truly working in their lives:

• Frances: A recently divorced mother who has struggled to keep her home, pay off debtors and lawyer fees has decided to put all hope in God and go back to school. She got a full scholarship, quit her job, and should have her degree as a Physician's Assistant within the year.
• Francis Chan: The author of Crazy Love, and Forgotten God, after coming back from a trip to Africa, sold his house to live in one half the size of the first one just to be able to have more money to give away, not to keep.
• Abby and Nate: A married couple who tried for years to have a child finally decided to adopt. Years after that, they finally were able to adopt Noah internationally. Before picking Noah up, Abby became pregnant and lost the baby and almost lost her life. A couple of weeks after finally meeting Noah and taking him home, Abby found out that she was 14 weeks pregnant. Surprise! Abby gave birth to Eli in December. When Noah's social worker came to meet Eli, she told the couple that Noah has a brother, born 3 days away from Eli and asked them to adopt his brother as well. Talk about a roller coaster!

Praise God today!!! He is GOOD!

Go Colts!