Happy Monday dear Friends!
What did you get up to this weekend?
We had a fun Friday night out with the C's and went to a college volleyball game and then out for pizza.
Saturday we went to church and then out for a fancy dinner for our 1st Anniversary!! It was so delish and romantic. :) Thank you so much for all the kind well wishes on my last post. 💗
And then yesterday (our actual anniversary) we ran some errands. Went out for brunch. Watched some football (our Packers didn't play though). And then we watched our wedding video which was so fun because we'd never fully watched it before. Our wedding weekend was so perfect and I remember never wanting it to end. So it was fun to watch and remember how truly special that day was (Matt & I even teared up watching it!)
I'm so grateful for my husband and this special time in my life.
❤️❤️❤️
THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:
ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:
some coffee with almond creamer
ON MY TO DO LIST THIS WEEK:
dinner with my Dad & step Mom we changed from last week, going to my gf's daughter volleyball game again this week, I think I will be going out to the Downton movie with my Mom & SIL, errands to run, hospice work
THINKING ABOUT:
I'm thinking about the wonderful homily at church this past weekend. We go to a Catholic church and our priest - Fr. Andrew - does such a good job of putting forth a message in such a positive and hopeful way.
He shared how is heart was hurting from all of the shootings that have become more prevalent. From the Democratic Senator and other democratic representatives that were shot.. to the kids and faculty at the Annunciation school/church...all the way up to Charlie Kirk.
He talked about how evil is out there and loving this chaos. (I completely agree). And how we continue to become more derisive in this country and will dig in and judge others, and how evil loves that too.
He talked about how there are so many of us hurting and needing answers. He talked about Jesus as a living example of how love, kindness and compassion are always the answers.
He brought up 3 points of focus.
The first was Humility. That no one has the right to be self righteous. He talked about how we all need to take our own look in the mirror at our own lives. We are all sinners and Jesus loved and forgave us all. He even loved and forgave those who betrayed Him and put Him on that cross. Because in our own ways we all put Him there.
The next point was Charity. He said if your heart is hurting from this world go give of yourself and be an example of the good. I believe so fully in this. To take action to put out His Good News with love, kindness and compassion. To live as an example of what you believe and think of others before yourself. I can think of no better way to live as a true Christian. In my own life giving in Hospice work has helped give me a deeper understanding of this.
And his last point was Faith. To lean on our faith and the belief that we know Jesus knows what's going on. That He sees us, our lives, our hearts and is their for us always. I feel such comfort in that. That He is holding us in His hands so we don't need to fear. One of the most often used of His phrases in the bible is Be Not Afraid. When I put my pain and worries there - I find immeasurable comfort. That we will have eternal life because of how much He loves us and is for us.
This is what has been burdening me and my heart.
I have seen and heard a lot from all sides of life over these most recent days especially. And what hurts my heart the most is the critical judgement everywhere. Do I believe evil is out there and should be stood up against - absolutely. I think evil is real and loving this chaos and trying to use it. To divide us instead of unite us.
But, do I believe overgeneralizing whole populations of people based on having different beliefs or views is right? Absolutely not. When we put people into boxes I believe that is self righteous and the opposite of Jesus. And trust me - I've struggled in my own life with this. I had to face the immorality of a cheater in someone I loved a lot. So of course during that time I judged a lot. But in my heart I knew that wasn't my place. If I'm a true Christian, I am to leave that in the Lord's hands. My job is to forgive, have compassion, and be loving and kind. Do I still need to remind myself of that at times. Of course, I am human. But I do work to do my best and live with a "what would Jesus do" mentality. I go to my bible and devotionals every day with the intent to do better in each day and live as an example.
And so I also believe it's closed minded to look at someone's political party or other "box" etc and judge or shut them out for it. I think the measure of a person is in their heart and every person is complex and can have so much more to their story than we can know.
I don't consider myself a political person. I am a Jesus person. I care about issues. And I judge a person based on their heart. And it hurts my heart that someone would judge my son's partner, Jill (or my son) - because Jill uses a different pronoun. Jill is one of the sweetest, kindest people I know and lives their life in ways that to me seem more Christian than some people I know that call themselves Christians. Even if I may not fully understand - it doesn't change how I love and care about Jill (and my son's happiness). I don't think there are simple black and white answers. That's why I believe compassion and understanding are so important.
I'm not looking to judge anyone or debate them .... but just to understand and ask questions. And to share from my heart. I believe Jesus is the Way the Truth and the Life. I want everyone to know and love Him and have Him as foundation in their life. If I were to exclude and discount how someone else feels or believes - do I think that will make them want to hear what I have to say about Jesus? Do I think judging a person in any way is going to help me bring them closer to the Lord? Of course not. What's that old expression.... You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar? But you know what I mean.
I think to be a true Christian means to want to live and act like Jesus. To be that living example too. And Jesus would never be cruel, or hateful, or non-inclusive. He would never write anyone off - but would reach out to them in compassion and want to understand. And would guide with pure love.
I have worked in hospice for many years now. And at the end of someone's life they aren't worrying about what political party they belonged to or that they stood their ground on an issue etc.
Most of the time they are trying to heal their own regrets, seek forgiveness, and put out love with the time they have left.
Sorry this is so lengthy - but my heart has been hurting too and I truly believe if we all lived by the Golden Rule and loved our neighbors as ourselves...that we would live in a far more peaceful and loving world. And I think at the end of the day that's what we all want, don't we? And I think that's why Jesus gave us that as His top rule. To put out His hope for us all. So I just needed to share that from my heart and with the most loving of intentions. 🙏🏻💗
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY:
doing devotional time and getting emotional because I feel the love and light in Scripture so deeply
CURRENTLY READING
Almost done with my Dream Harbor series and I have a stack of books I want to dive into next.
ON THE TV TODAY:
Americas Got Talent, Jeopardy, The Office, Football, Big Brother, Dancing with the Stars starts tonight, The Last Kingdom, I think we may both watch the House of Guiness when it comes out later this month (I think on Netflix)
ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:
MONDAY - having a BBQ with my Dad & step Mom over
TUESDAY - need to thaw an egg bake I have in the freezer and we'll have it with fruit and leftover salads
WEDNESDAY - ?
THURSDAY - ?
FRIDAY - maybe out for dinner?
TO RELAX THIS WEEK I WILL:
scrapbook, read
TIPS OR SOMETHING TO SHARE:
FROM THE CAMERA:
out for a volleyball night with the C's and their daughter
ready for church and anniversary dinner
Ruby loving her favorite nature show
still have bears passing through sometimes :)
PRAYER LIST:
For an end to the conflicts all over the world and anyone living in war & fear. For peace and unity in this country, especially from hate and shootings or violence. For anyone sick, suffering, in pain, fear, loneliness etc ... that God bring them comfort and peace. For the Lord to help me be a living example in the best ways I am able and share God's love and hope.
For Christ's Light and Love to cast out the darkness everywhere and help the world find its way. 🙏🏻