What would you say?

If you could send one message to the whole world- a message that would be megaphoned into every home- what would it be?  I can't help thinking about the simple phrase- "Jesus Loves You"...  And what would our world look like if everyone actually knew that?  Obviously not everyone understands His Love when they hear about it- my whole life I have been learning new sides of His Love.  "Jesus Loves You" seems like a modern day cultural tag line in America, but it is more than that!  It is truth.  Truth sets us free!  The reality is that many people still have no idea about the simple and yet profound "I love you" message that Jesus brings.

How has Jesus' message of "I love you" changed my own life?  In every possible way!  Love changes everything you know ;) 

For example:

I actually want to live and to live to the fullest when I remember that I am loved fully with a purposeful and undying love from my Creator...

Hate dissipates when I remember that I am loved and that I am loved in such an all consuming way that my God would come and die for me just to prove His forgiveness over my selfish sins...

When I remember I am loved by the Savior who I wounded by my sins, I am filled with hope- hope that redeems the time, moving past my failures and making it possible by His strength to live successfully in His righteousness, in His grace alone.

Truth is found in the Love of God, truth that opens doors to a reality that I would overlook without Him!  There is a spiritual world past our flesh... Our souls were made for God... and without Him, there is empty pleasure.  My soul will never know it's full meaning- in this life or eternity- if I don't realize His Love and desire to love Him in return!

Jesus Loves You!

What will you say?

...

25 versus 15

Being 25 isn't really all that different from being 15.  I'm still falling in love all the time with Jeremy and I still want to read through the Bible every year.  My voice still loves to sing and my heart longs to travel the world.  No, 15 and 25 just don't seem to be all that different inside.

The difference only begins to take form as I look around me.  Married for three years with two precious children now, living in Oregon, and our own cozy home.    Bills, menus, calendar to-do's, along with extra laundry and dishes.  This doesn't look like 15 anymore!  My clothes are a little bit bigger too ;p but that's normal right?  Lol.

Inside though, I still want to just read and write, then read and write some more.  I still dream of being an amazing cook and a clear communicator.  My thoughts are never too far from chocolate and new adventures.  Facing fears is something I want to do every day.  I want to explore and learn and grow.  Laugh and jump and dance!  25 just doesn't sound right for how young I still feel.  

Where has the time gone?  And where will it go?  It's crazy to think that the next 25 years of my life may feel even faster than these first 25.  How does it feel to be outside of time?  To be timeless?!  And then, shouldn't I feel that way now, timeless?  Won't we all live for eternity, one way or another?!

I'm thinking yes ;) 

Doing What is Important...

How is it that with two kiddos I still have moments of peace and quiet?  Even with the laundry loaded and the dishes running in the dishwasher.  It kind of feels like a miracle!

What a blessing to be able to rest.  I don't want to make you busy people feel tired, lol, but you probably know as well as I do that rest is a serious blessing.  Sometimes it's hard for me to take advantage of the quiet and peace in front of me, but I want to thank The Lord when it's crazy and when it's still!  Truly He is my refuge whatever moment I am in...