Quotable quotes

"If there is no struggle, there is no progress."

Fredrick Douglass, abolisionist

Interesting International Facts: toddlers in jail

Did you know?

In Bolivia, when a mother is put in jail for any reason the children go with her. They are not provided food and are free to leave for school and such.

Discouraged!

I was recently in Bolivia at a conference for pastors and church leaders. The keynote speaker asked a question. They asked the group to bow their heads and close their eyes (for privacy reasons), then they asked those who are weary or discouraged to lift their hands. I violated the privacy expectation and looked. I was curious about the response. Approximately half the room had their hands up stating they are overwhelmed and discouraged in their work.

I can relate. Since taking this job I have had more moments of feeling overwhelmed and discouraged than I can think of previously. What causes that discouragement? I believe it is my own human limitations. I am keenly aware of my limitiations. I am limited in time, energy and resources. I am limited in knowledge and insight. I am limited...those limitations often cause me frustration and can bring discouragement. I cannot help everyone. I am only capable of giving so much. I do not have an endless supply of resources and, thus, have to make many difficult decisions.

There are a couple of verses related the topic of discouragement.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ~ Galatians 6:9

...but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. ~ Isaiah 40:31

I am currently not in a season of discouragement, but a season of hope. When I feel discouraged I cling to truths like these until my perspective changes and I'm able to embrace my humanity and persevere in spite of struggle.

What brings you comfort in times of discouragement?

Me and God

I don't normally listen to country music. In fact, when I'm the car and have control of the radio (which only happens when I'm alone) I choose to listen to NPR or some other news related program so I can keep up on the events of the world.

I was recently driving in a rural area and the only station I could get was a country station...you know what I'm talking about, I'm sure it's happened to you before. That is when I heard this amazing song by Josh Turner. The song spoke to my soul. If you have known me a while, you should know by now that my faith and belief in God cannot be seperated from who I am. God has been so much a part of my life from a young age that my belief in Him shapes my worldview and the decisions I make daily. This song is about that relationship; leaning on God in times of need, having that relationship being such an intregal part of life that nothing can compromise it...me and God. I've discovered that to be the most important relationship of my life, it seems that Josh Turner has too.

I found an amateur video online to accompany the lyrics: take a look.

Better to give...

It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35

So, this is the year of greater love. Which basically means I am working on developing deeper characteristics of love in my life. I realized something that I thought was worth sharing.

I like to receive gifts. I like when someone serves me. I'm human, who doesn't like these things? But, what I realized recently in my relationship with my husband is that I feel deeper love for him when I am giving and not receiving. When I am making a special meal for him that I think he might like, I feel love. When I assume responsibility for a household chore (not because I was asked to do it, but because I think it will be helpful to my husband), I feel love. When I am shopping for a gift for him and looking for just the right thing that he might like, I feel love. Doing these things for him, I feel more love than when I am on the receiving end. I'm starting to believe that Acts 20 is on to something...isn't that just like God to turn things upside down like that?

The world would say, "find someone who meets your emotional needs. Get all you can out of life and love."

God says, "give."

What I'm discovering is the giving is more satisfying.

Have you learned anything surprising about love or relationships lately?