PART II-BAD BEHAVIOR CONCLUSION

We entered in, moving quickly to arrive first. As we secured our spots...Mandy came in. I placed my mat farther back leaving room for her, but my son Elijah must not have remembered and put his mat down right where I'd promised Mandy (during my last week's "Bad Behavior-Part I Episode.") I asked him to move to the outside spot so I could keep my word. He gladly pulled his mat over. She was so happy to see that we were looking out for her. She joined in on our conversations and after class happily said, "See you all next week!"

We have a new friend!

It was a much different scenario than last week. I felt better. I kept my word and took the spot behind her. Less of me and more Christ-like love showing up in my everyday life.

I LOVE the best and I'm bold enough to push to the front to secure what "I want." But at what cost? I never used to ponder these things. How do my actions make others feel? When I decide to bulldoze into a position at any cost...it affects others. They see "me" in all my selfishness. If I'm truly letting the Lord change me, renew, restore and make "all" things new in my life, then my everyday actions should reflect this. When I feel that pang of guilt, the truth being revealed about my actions, am I willing to do something about it? Do I ask the Lord to help me make better choices...better decisions? I want more of Jesus in my life and less of myself. I've proven over and over again that I make poor choices when left to my own devices. I need my Savior to step into each and every area of my life. No holding back. No keeping certain areas for me to try to handle alone.

Being a Christian doesn't make me perfect. Being a Christian is my profession that I am broken and need a Savior, Jesus Christ, in my life. He is changing my heart and mind daily. He began with the big obvious areas and as He cleaned house, He moved toward the nooks and cranny's that aren't as obvious; always with love; always with gentleness. He wants more for me and my life...a true reflection of His heart in my everyday. 

Today if the Lord is revealing truth to areas of your life that need change...don't close the door. Fling it open. Say, "Here's my mess LORD, come inside and help me. I can't do it without YOU anymore." Let Jesus enter in and make ALL things new today. It's a simple prayer of letting go and asking your Savior Jesus Christ to enter in.

Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”~Revelations 21:5

"Behold, I will do a new thing,
Now it shall spring forth;
Shall you not know it?
I will even make a road in the wilderness
And rivers in the desert."~Isaiah 43:19

"So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."~Matthew 21:21-22

A DEVASTATING LESSON

 Daul Kim-Swarovski Campaign by Sofia and Mauro

On November 19th, 2009 I awoke to something devastating. It began a year prior, when I started following Daul, a famous Korean Fashion Model's Blog. She was not only beautiful, but very intelligent, honest, witty, sarcastic & artistic. All the qualities that make for an interesting read, not to mention, I loved her catch phrase, "Say hi to..." As time went by, her posts took a darker turn. She talked about depression and insomnia. I often left upbeat comments and felt a "tug at my heart" to 'talk' to her about the Lord, but I didn't want to seem too "preachy."

On November 18, 2009, I clicked on her post, "Say hi to...Forever." It was a You Tube techno video of her favorite band. I started to leave a comment, but then erased it...I wasn't sure what to say. The next day I saw a news post, she was found dead in her Paris apartment. I felt like I'd been punched in the stomach. I cried. In her anguish & despair she'd taken her life at only 20 years old.

I vowed never again to waste an opportunity to share the healing power of my Savior's love with someone. To never let the fear of rejection or the opinion of others stand in the way of sharing Christ's life saving, life changing, gift. The Lord put it on my heart & I'd ignored the prompting. It was a heart wrenching lesson for me.

Several months later, a young girl from Malaysia began following my Blog via...Daul's Blog. When I clicked on her site, the title read, "I often think of suicide." I couldn't believe I was getting another chance to share! Her posts talked of her deep depression. I began to pray for the Lord's words and not mine before responding to her. I added her to our church prayer list. Over the past year we have become very close & she calls me her, "American Mama." Through Heavenly Father's Restorative Love, she no longer talks about suicide, and is able to see purpose in her life. Her Blog title now reads, "A difficult time can be more readily endured if we retain the conviction that our existence holds a purpose, a cause to pursue, a person to love, a goal to achieve." 

Don't waste an opportunity that Heavenly Father puts before you due to fear or rejection. Trust in the Lord. Ask for His words & guidance in the situation. Be willing to allow Him to use you!

"And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though the briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious house. You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious. But you son of man, listen to what I say to you. do not rebel like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you."

Ezekiel 2:6-8

And it will be said: "Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people." For this is what the high and lofty One says-he who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite."

Isaiah 57:14-15

But the Lord said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you. Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, 
"Now, I have put my words in your mouth." 
Jeremiah 1:7-9


"Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them."
Jeremiah 1:17