I just finished reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan. What a great book. I am not too vocal about my beliefs in God, and I think everyone has their own decision to make, although I would hope it would be one that involved a love for God, I am not one to push religion on someone, so I will tell you, this post is about me, opening up my heart and sharing some lessons from the book I learned about my amazing God. :)
"God is holy. In heaven exists a Being who decides whether or not I take another breath. This holy God deserves excellence, the very best I have.'
Note to self: Give God the very best I have.
Each morning when I hear Silas pitter patter into my room to wake me up, I thank God. When Siara wakes up and walks out to brother and I, hair going each way, sleepy eyes, smiles at me and says Morning Mama. I thank God. When Sean arrives safely home from work after a long day, I thank God. Having the ability to do the things I do, the family I have, the places I get to go and see because of God, I am alive and able to experience this life He has given me. We always hear, live each day like its your last. Do we? I know somedays I dont. But maybe I do? Looking back at a day the kids and I spent in our PJs watching movies, I surely didnt 'make the most of it' to some people's standards, but in my own, I would rather sit on my couch and watch movies with my babies cuddled in my arms than worry about my house being absolutely spotless. Dont get me wrong, I like things cleaned up and organized, and try my best everyday to make sure things get done. But, for my babes, I will leave dishes in the sink while we watch A Bugs Life.
God has done so much in my life, but have I been as thankful to Him as I should be? This I believe will be a life-long task at hand. :)
"If one hundred people represented the world's population, 53 of those would live on less than $2 a day. Do you realize that if you make $4000 a month, you automatically make 100 times more than the average person on this planet? Simply by purchasing this book, you spent what a majority of people in the world will make in a week's time. Which is more messed up--that we have so much compared to everyone else, or that we dont think were rich? That on any given day we might flippantly call ourselves 'broke' or 'poor'? We are neither of those things. We are rich. Filthy rich.'
When my brother got back from his Mission trip in Honduras last year, this is something he talked about. The average family in Honduras makes less than $700 a year. He went to a remote region that needed to hear the gospel, he got to help build a church, and watched a group of children be saved, ultimatley leaving a part of his heart in that country. I hope that I can go with them on the next trip. I think I need that slap in the face. Im trying myself to think twice about purchases, and really hard to seperate my wants and needs. It's so sad to think that I can go to the store and buy my kids a new pair of socks, pretty much whenever I want, when there are children and adults in Ethiopia who are suffering from this debilitating disease. (
www.mossyfoot.com) By the way, watch that video, and if your heart doesnt break for them..well..you must not have a heart! haha, just kidding..maybe ;-)
We have SO much here in America. And we are taught to want, want want. I do it too, how nice it would be to have a new Mac Book, or the new iPhone, or a new fridge because the one I have isnt the exact style I'd like. (Side note: owning or wanting these things isnt a
bad thing, Im just using examples, and Im sure you get the point im getting at :) Do I have to
have those to enjoy my life? No.
I do think that some people, they may be poor by choice. For whatever reason, they just dont want to get out and work, instead they would rather sit and complain they are poor. But if they knew, that with their food stamps and welfare, they were rich. So rich compared to some, even in their poorest days.
(I get so angry when I see people cheating the system. I know there are people out there that do need these services, and its so unfortunate when I see women with their high designer fashion paying for their groceries, which most times is junk food, with food stamps. Priorities are not in check.)
When Sean told me he wanted to have another child, I told him we needed to really talk about it. I wanted to make sure he understood, as our sole provider what that meant. Maybe not so much 'entertainment' And maybe more hours at work. When he said, 'Ok, I can do that' I think I fell in love all over again. Here he is, telling me, I dont need the material, I need the love. I love that man. Maybe he will go for a fourth? hehe. Just kidding. :) Actually, we even talked about that..what if we had twins? His answer? 'We may have to move' haha. I love our little house, and I know it is bigger than some have, and will ever have. I think we will learn to make things work inside our 1400sq ft just fine. :)
"Have you ever said, 'I was made for this moment?' Do you believe you were crafted for specific good works, things that God knew before you even existed? Or do you compare your life to others and lament what you have been given? We have a God who is a Creator, not a duplicator. He's never made a Francis Chan before, Paul tells us, There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7"
I did have a moment like that, and it was the first moment I laid eyes on my daughter. My whole life I have wanted to be a Mom. I would rather babysit my little cousin after school while my Mom and Grama worked in her shop that go play sports. Although, I did do that too. :) I have my daily struggles with my children, of course. Keeping my house clean, laundry kept up, time for myself- which usually comes last, and Im ok with that. But it isnt easy, but I truly cannot imagine myself doing anything else. I am so content being a mother/housewife. I think this may be one thing God laid heavily on my heart. Children. I write this as my 2 year old is running around singing to me, 'Poopy Poopy' and patting his butt. Hahaha. My work is never done. :)
When he says, 'He's never made a Francis Chan' I thought, wow..what truth. Out of the billions of people to have walked the earth, there has never been a ME. How amazing. (And I do understand Twins, my Dad is one, can be very similar, even identical, but each has their own calling in life :) )
I was watching American Idol and there is a contestant named Colton Dixon. He is a very outspoken Christian. Always thanking God, asking God to use him, singing his favorite worship song during 'Idol Week'
Everything by Lifehouse, which when this song first came out, I looooved it, well I still do. But I never connected it with being a worship song until I really listened to it. I was thinking when watching, I wonder how many young people he might turn to God? How many think, 'I want a relationship with God because Colton does.' And hopefully in that, they
truly find a relationship with God, and not just an interest because Colton talks about Him. Was this his calling? Is this what God created him for? How do we know? I dont want to get into too much, but I have wondered this about abortions. What was that person to do in this world? People who get pregnant while on birth control, that little baby has more purpose than they know at the time Im sure. My cousin is a perfect example, she got pregnant at 19, was going down the wrong path before hand, and after having her daughter, changed her life, faught her way through school and now has a great paying and stable job as dental hygentist. If she would have had an abortion? Who knows where she would be.
Or what about my little boy who survived the True Knot, what is he going to do? Be a loving husband and father? Work a blue collar job and do his best at life. Im not saying necessarily we are all supposed to be superstars. We all have our purpose. Just after reading this part of the book, I was left with a question mark in my head and a bunch of 'Hmm's, and I wonder If's..' One thing I want to teach my kids, reach for the stars. Put your minds, hearts and soul into it, and you'll get there.
In another part of this book, Francis talks about donating 50% of his income to his church. Holy moly! Who would do that? How could he do that? Those were my first thoughts. The answer is simple, someone who is, Crazy in Love with God!
But, I also believe that if we are all giving our part, it doesnt matter that he gave 50%, God knows our
hearts, and even if you dont give 50%, doesnt mean you love God any less than Francis Chan. God doesnt ask for 50% of our income, he asks for 100% of our hearts.
Overall this book is one big reality check. About many things in life, but mostly on making the most out of your relationship with God. I dont want to say that my brain hurts after reading it, but I feel like I've been given so much information, that I probably could write four or five more blog posts about this book. But, I do have things to get to..kids into pj's, bible study, laundry. I suggest if you want to grow in your relationship with God you read this book. Some of it may be 'hard to read', but its the 'harsh reality'. (Like the chapter about Lukewarm Christians..aah yes, too many things did I see in myself) But, its the Truth told. And, sometimes we need that. :)
