Sometime Christians

Image of handmade valentine cards 2014 jencdesigns

Favorite moment of the day(2009):  Seeing old friends at the post office.

                  God places each person in our lives for a reason.   Maybe he/she crossed our path to teach us a lesson.  Maybe we are still connected to that person every day.  What is most important is that each person we encounter should be able to see how full of the spirit we are on a daily basis.  We can’t be “sometime Christians”.  We are called to be Christians every day, with every move we make and every word we say.  Sometimes, you are the only Bible someone will read.  If you are having a bad day and act less than Christian, you may have just tripped someone who might have been searching for the Way, the Truth, and the Light.  Friends, acquaintances, co-workers, strangers, even enemies – we are called to love each and every one like our neighbor and brother.  We can't just pick and choose when to be a Christian.  We never know who God will place in our path each day - an old acquaintance, a treasured friend, or someone looking for answers.

Letting you go

 Favorite moment of the day(2009):  enjoying time with my kids.

I've said it before but this life is only temporary.  I enjoy spending time with my kids while we are all together, here on this earth.  I have enjoyed watching them grow up.  A painting I created recently has a personal quote that I told my students one time in class.  "I'm letting you go so you can grow."  As we spend time with my children, it's hard to let go.  It's hard to let them fall when they are learning to walk, but that's how they learn to get back up and keep trying.  Letting go of that bicycle seat so they can ride down the street all on their own, without training wheels, is scary but the reward is a big smile of accomplishment.  I don't like making lists of friends and family to send graduation invitations in a few months but I am confident that I have done the best I could and that he has grown because I have let him go.   God let His only son go to live an earthly life, growing along the way into a man who showed love and compassion to the least likely.  God let His only son go to die on a cross so that an entire world could grow from His teachings, His passion, and His truth.  Even as an adult, I still find myself letting things go - worry, doubt, fear - which results in spiritual growth.

Getting excited about reading the Bible

Okay, so I misread my own document file and apparently I did have a favorite moment for the 15th but I posted it on social media a day late.  Oh, well.  I needed an excuse to throw in my Christmas song anyway!

December 16 (2009)

Yesterday’s favorite moment:  having lunch with my hubby and finished up the kids’ shopping!

Favorite moment of the day:  actually getting on the home computer tonight!

I wish I was as excited about reading my Bible as I was about getting on the computer.  In this busy life we live, I don't take the time I should to read His word and grow closer to Him.  Yet, I will find time to sit on the computer and waste hours watching silly videos, catching up on social media, creating virtual bulletin boards, or reading blogs.  I need to do a better job of spending that time reading my Bible and studying what it says.  After all, that is what He wants us to do.  Not only would my relationship with Him grow stronger, but my faith would move mountains.  I know I'm probably not alone.  I am going to take small steps to read my Bible more so I can do better at practicing its principles and living the type of life God wants me to live.

He created all things

I vividly remember this event!  It was quite comical.

I know my post isn't about a camel but it is one of God's creatures!

December 14 (2009)

Favorite moment of the day:  screaming this morning when I went into the laundry room and walked in on a mouse trying to get into the dog food.  Archer and I were both a little freaked out but it was hilarious!  I’m gonna get that little critter tonight, though.

I did get that mouse.  To me, they are nasty little critters that eat my dog food and carry diseases, but God created them all, just like He created each one of us.  The difference is, He made each of us in His image.  He created each of us with special talents, skills, and spiritual gifts to use for building a life and building His kingdom.  The mouse has its specific place in the food chain and the circle of life for other animals, but God created us with the ability to think, learn, and grow spiritually in His word.  What an amazing Creator we have - he created the heavens, the Earth, the animals, the plants, and mankind!  Such an awesome God.

God's plan

I can't believe I forgot to post a story yesterday.  I'm so upset with myself.  Oh well.  I'm not going to let it stop me.

Today I'm going to write about yesterday's experience.  There's a story here, I promise.

     I took Jessalyn to Atlanta to audition for a part in a national Broadway production.  She was pretty excited, and so was I, at the possibility of traveling across the U.S. and home-schooling.  She had it all planned out too.  She was going to save her money (it was a paying job) until she had saved $10,000.  She was going to put half of that amount toward an RV for the family and give half to her school.  Then, she was going to save up another $10,000 and give half to our church and put the rest toward the RV.  Then, the next $10,000 would be split evenly between the family RV and helping the family with bills.  It really was a great plan.

     We arrived in Atlanta at the audition site.  I didn't think she seemed nervous at all but she said she was a little.  She and another girl started talking about their nerves just before the children were walked into the audition room.  She was gone for about an hour.  I have been praying about this audition and for her future for a while.  My prayer was that if it were God's will, she would get a call back.  If it was not part of his plan for her, then He would show that to us as well.

     When the children came back into the waiting room to find their parents, one of the assistants came in to call out the numbers of the children who would be staying for the next round of auditions.  Her number was not called.  She immediately put her face into my chest and began to cry.  Her new little friend was upset, too.  I told both girls as we were leaving that God has a plan for them both that is so much bigger and better than this part.  It didn't mean they weren't good actresses; they just weren't what the director was looking for at this time.

     Sometimes God sneaks better things into our lives without us realizing it.  Sometimes it takes a while for that to happen but other times it happens almost immediately.  We are patiently waiting.  As I told Jessalyn on the way home, God has the plan for us.  He draws our path.  I am truly amazed at the confidence and talent my daughter has at such a young age and I know, I've seen it for years, that she will do something amazing and wonderful with what God has given her.  I am so proud of her and I told her all the way home yesterday.  There will be other auditions and the perfect part will be there.

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans for a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

copyright 2014 Jennifer Charles

My prayer for you

Goodnight, sweetheart.
For you I pray
that tomorrow will be
another great day.

I pray that you smile
and get hugs from friends,
and laugh so much that 
it never ends.

Goodnight, darling.
This prayer for you
is that you show others
what is good and true.

I pray you show kindness
to everyone around
and show the world that
love can be found.

Goodnight, my dear.
For you I pray
that tomorrow will be
another great day.

Copyright 2014 Jennifer Charles

This Little Seed

Mom said this little seed I found today
will grow up big, like me, someday.

We found a place and dug a hole
and put the seed inside to grow.

Mom said that God did the same with me
before I was born as a little baby.

We shoveled the soil and covered the seed
and gave it the water that it will need.

Mom said she has to cover and protect me
and give me water when I am thirsty.

Small leaves and a stem poked through the dirt.
The plant was now doing most of the work.

Mom said I am working hard every day,
learning new things, even while I play.

The plant soaks in the sunshine all day long
and I still give it water to keep it growing strong.

Mom said God's Word is our water and light
that helps teach us the difference between wrong and right.

The tree is starting to grow big and tall.
It seems impossible that it started so small.
 
Mom said with God all things are possible if you just believe,
even raising a child or a growing a tree from a tiny seed.

Copyright 2014 Jennifer Charles