Thank you so much for visiting my blog! My name is Bee, and I hope you are encouraged, inspired, and blessed after visiting farbetterthingsahead, which is inspired by a quote from C.S. Lewis above.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Bubbles:)
How often do we only see what is in front of us?
Seriously.
When we go to a national park or someone's house or a fantastic event, where are we?
Behind our phones or an expensive camera, taking a picture.
Our eyes are only looking through a very small lens to see a very small part of an enormous fantastic experience or place or moment.
It is a curious thought, but sometimes we become so obsessed with what is happening RIGHT NOW that we can see nothing around us, nothing beyond this moment, nothing further than "Oh look, a bird." "Oh look, someone tripped and landed in a puddle." "Oh look, my cat is sleeping." It sounds shallow, but it is true: not just when it comes to fleeting moments in time, but moments in our actual lifetime.
How often do we only see the tragedy in our life as everything in our life?
We see the sickness or the disappointment or the failure, and become so overwhelmed. "Woe is me! Why is this happening to me? Why why why why why, me me me me me..." On and on we go. Our Facebook and Twitter becomes all about our low spot in life. Everywhere we go we wear a frown, begging people to ask us what's wrong. Everything that happens following that instance or that event is overshadowed by our frustration. I am guilty of it myself. "Why would you let this happen, God?" I've pled. "Everything was going right, and then THIS hits me!" We become selfish, and dark, and turn inward. But, all the while, there is a still small voice.
"My child. My precious one. Come to me."
"Oh Lord! You don't love me any more!"
"I am here. Come to me. Let me carry your burdens."
"My life is ruined. I don't know how this could ever be resolved."
"Trust me. You can only see part of the story.
Listen to me, dear one. Look up."
Sometimes that is all we need. Look up. Look beyond your present circumstances. Look past the hurt and the confusion.
I work at a daycare. Some days my two-year-olds grow bored with the toys in the room, so I pull out the bubbles. Oh the joy that fills their little faces! Oh the weird way the say "Bubbbbuzzz!" It's precious. They enjoy the bubbles that float right down to their level, that land on the ground or on their arms, easily accessible. But when they can't see the bubbles that are right in front of them, they throw a fit. The bubbles are gone! Why? Why would the teacher stop? Whenever they start to wail and throw themselves on the ground, all I have to say is, "Look up, guys! Look!" The bubbles are still there, just floating above them. And sometimes, if I haven't blown them yet, they see me getting ready to bless them with more soapy goodness.
Get the picture? It's simple, really. But God is up there, just waiting for us to look up and realize that He is in control. There are brighter skies and blessings on the way. There is more to life than the tragedy before us. Sometimes all we have to do is look up and see the bubbles.
Looking to far better things ahead,
Bee
Want some music on this topic? Go to ---> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjmZ2v0niCI
I am in no way affiliated with Francesca Battistelli.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
A Story of Forgiveness.
"Have you ever been irrationally angry?"
I glance up from my lite pumpkin latte. "Yes." I blow some of the steam away.
Allison bites her lip thoughtfully, and sips some of her passion-lemonade iced Tazo tea. When she says nothing else, I clear my throat. "You know, most normal people don't randomly ask questions like that."
She chuckles. "I like a dramatic start to a conversation."
"Kind of like the one we had a few months ago at the mall?" I tease.
To my surprise, she sobers. "Yeah. Actually, it sort of has to do with that."
"Oh?" I sit up straighter. "What's up, girl?"
"Well--you were wrong."
"I was wrong." I lift an eyebrow.
"You were wrong. You said it would never go away. The pain. The anger. Remember you telling me that, at the spa? You said that
She picks up the plastic cup and swirls the now-watery liquid around. "I told you that you were right. Remember?"
"Yes, I remember. How was I wrong?" I'm really curious now.
Allison takes a deep breath. "Well, I've put it behind me."
I tilt my head. "Really?"
"Yeah. For good."
"Whoa. That's big stuff, Alli."
She takes another deep breath. "Yeah."
"When was that?" I have to ask. "We had that talk almost two months ago. And we've even talked about it since then."
"I know. But--actually, I really don't know WHEN exactly it happened."
She sets the cup down firmly. "There was this one place," she explains. "For some reason, every time I was at this intersection on my way home from school, I always thought of her--of the situation. And it hurt. Irrationally. That's why I asked that at the beginning."
"Alli--" I start.
"I know what you would say!" she bursts out. "I know it's normal to be mad at someone and to even have a hard time trying to forgive. But it was getting ridiculous. It was irrational because I had no real reason to be mad at her still. It's over. Past. LONG gone. It doesn't affect me any more."
There's a pause. My latte is cold, but I sip it anyway.
Allison looks me in the eye. "I drive through that intersection every week, usually multiple times. But the last few times, I haven't thought about it.
It's crazy, Maddie! The feelings of animosity are just gone."
"But how?" I practically explode. "How can you possibly get over it so COMPLETELY that you don't even think about it?"
Alli smiles gently. "You just do," she answers simply. "I can't explain it really. You just forgive. And forget. Sure, convincing yourself that the person is lower than you or worse off than you helps you feel better about yourself for a little while, but that's just feeding the bitterness. Trust me--I know. You think it's working, but it's not. It's making it worse."
I bite my lip. "But how?" I beg.
Allison's smile broadens. "Put it behind you. Give it to Jesus.
I look at my friend again. She did seem different. Maybe forgiveness is worth a shot.
"I don't know," I argue with myself aloud. "Is it worth it? It's easier to be angry! And--it's hard to change."
"Tell me about it. But it is worth it." She reaches across the table and takes my hand. "Can you just try it, Maddie?"
I give her a sideways glance. "Fine. I'll try. And Alli . . . thanks for proving me wrong."
~*~
While the above story is not a true happening, as in these actions did not occur exactly like this, it is based on a true experience. I just find it easiest to convey a message through a story rather than preaching at you "FORGIVE! LET IT GO!" although that is the message of Maddie and Allison.
Over the past year, I have heard something new. Contemporary Christian artists have been writing songs on forgiveness. Matthew West, Sanctus Real, and Tenth Avenue North are just a few examples. I have been listening to Contemporary Christian music since I was born, and I don't recall ever hearing a song about forgiveness. But all of sudden, these several songs came into my life, and it felt like God was just spelling it out in front of me. Forgiveness is hard. H A R D. But like Allison said, it is worth it. You cannot grow closer to God if you have an unforgiving spirit. He wants to use you to fulfill His purposes and live out an incredible life for him, but not if you harbour bitterness in your heart.
Looking to far better things ahead,
Bee
~*~
Want to hear more?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1Lu5udXEZI <-- Matthew West: "Forgiveness"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3F9z54g30Eo <-- Sanctus Real: "Forgiven"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpe6Q-QVsoQ <-- Tenth Avenue North: "Losing"
DISCLAIMER: I am in no way affiliated with Matthew West, Sanctus Real, or Tenth Avenue North.
I glance up from my lite pumpkin latte. "Yes." I blow some of the steam away.
Allison bites her lip thoughtfully, and sips some of her passion-lemonade iced Tazo tea. When she says nothing else, I clear my throat. "You know, most normal people don't randomly ask questions like that."
She chuckles. "I like a dramatic start to a conversation."
"Kind of like the one we had a few months ago at the mall?" I tease.
To my surprise, she sobers. "Yeah. Actually, it sort of has to do with that."
"Oh?" I sit up straighter. "What's up, girl?"
"Well--you were wrong."
"I was wrong." I lift an eyebrow.
"You were wrong. You said it would never go away. The pain. The anger. Remember you telling me that, at the spa? You said that
it's possible to forgive, but the hurt doesn't go away."
She picks up the plastic cup and swirls the now-watery liquid around. "I told you that you were right. Remember?"
"Yes, I remember. How was I wrong?" I'm really curious now.
Allison takes a deep breath. "Well, I've put it behind me."
I tilt my head. "Really?"
"Yeah. For good."
"Whoa. That's big stuff, Alli."
She takes another deep breath. "Yeah."
"When was that?" I have to ask. "We had that talk almost two months ago. And we've even talked about it since then."
"I know. But--actually, I really don't know WHEN exactly it happened."
She sets the cup down firmly. "There was this one place," she explains. "For some reason, every time I was at this intersection on my way home from school, I always thought of her--of the situation. And it hurt. Irrationally. That's why I asked that at the beginning."
"Alli--" I start.
"I know what you would say!" she bursts out. "I know it's normal to be mad at someone and to even have a hard time trying to forgive. But it was getting ridiculous. It was irrational because I had no real reason to be mad at her still. It's over. Past. LONG gone. It doesn't affect me any more."
There's a pause. My latte is cold, but I sip it anyway.
Allison looks me in the eye. "I drive through that intersection every week, usually multiple times. But the last few times, I haven't thought about it.
It's just gone.
I don't hate her anymore.
It's crazy, Maddie! The feelings of animosity are just gone."
"But how?" I practically explode. "How can you possibly get over it so COMPLETELY that you don't even think about it?"
Alli smiles gently. "You just do," she answers simply. "I can't explain it really. You just forgive. And forget. Sure, convincing yourself that the person is lower than you or worse off than you helps you feel better about yourself for a little while, but that's just feeding the bitterness. Trust me--I know. You think it's working, but it's not. It's making it worse."
I bite my lip. "But how?" I beg.
Allison's smile broadens. "Put it behind you. Give it to Jesus.
He didn't design us to carry our burdens on our own anyway."
I look at my friend again. She did seem different. Maybe forgiveness is worth a shot.
"I don't know," I argue with myself aloud. "Is it worth it? It's easier to be angry! And--it's hard to change."
"Tell me about it. But it is worth it." She reaches across the table and takes my hand. "Can you just try it, Maddie?"
I give her a sideways glance. "Fine. I'll try. And Alli . . . thanks for proving me wrong."
~*~
While the above story is not a true happening, as in these actions did not occur exactly like this, it is based on a true experience. I just find it easiest to convey a message through a story rather than preaching at you "FORGIVE! LET IT GO!" although that is the message of Maddie and Allison.
Over the past year, I have heard something new. Contemporary Christian artists have been writing songs on forgiveness. Matthew West, Sanctus Real, and Tenth Avenue North are just a few examples. I have been listening to Contemporary Christian music since I was born, and I don't recall ever hearing a song about forgiveness. But all of sudden, these several songs came into my life, and it felt like God was just spelling it out in front of me. Forgiveness is hard. H A R D. But like Allison said, it is worth it. You cannot grow closer to God if you have an unforgiving spirit. He wants to use you to fulfill His purposes and live out an incredible life for him, but not if you harbour bitterness in your heart.
Looking to far better things ahead,
Bee
~*~
Want to hear more?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1Lu5udXEZI <-- Matthew West: "Forgiveness"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3F9z54g30Eo <-- Sanctus Real: "Forgiven"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpe6Q-QVsoQ <-- Tenth Avenue North: "Losing"
DISCLAIMER: I am in no way affiliated with Matthew West, Sanctus Real, or Tenth Avenue North.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Change.
Not too many people LIKE change.
I am weird (duh) because I do.
Tomorrow I turn 19. That's a change. (Of course.) Birthdays are marks of change in our life. Another year has gone by. For me, a tremendous amount of change took place in my life since my last birthday.
I got a haircut, just about 15 minutes ago. I am guilty of making decisions on the fly when I walk into a hair salon because I always want to do something different. One of the hardest things in the world for me to do is sit down in one of those cool chairs and tell them, "Just a trim," because I always want to add on "but can you do some short layers," or "how about full bangs this time," or even "I want six inches off (or more)".
And I love new experiences. New people, new places, new things, new situations. I love love love it. College has been enjoyable for me mostly for this reason. I see change as a turn in my life-story. (I told you I view everything as a story.) A twist in plot, a conflict that has to be resolved, or simply a new facet of the storyline that I simply did not notice before.
However, no matter how much I or anyone else likes or dislikes change, there is one area we guard closely: something we refuse to let go, even those of us who profess to love and know God as our Saviour. Ourselves. Don't turn me off just yet. I know that sounds pretty broad, but let me explain.
Last night at youth group, my youth pastor taught out of the book of Romans, using Paul as an example for us. Paul completely changed when he met God. My youth pastor said that Paul's belief, behaviour, and belonging changed. Although I was trying to stay awake and keep an eye on chatty young people (and trying NOT to think about homework), my youth pastor's words really affected me. How much in my lifehave I let God change since I accepted Him into my heart? I've grown up in a Christian home; I had a very sheltered childhood, was homeschooled, didn't really have any friends outside of church. So, it wasn't as if I've struggled with drugs or inappropriate relationships or alcohol or any of the "really bad sins." For a while this bothered me. "How do I know I've changed," I wondered, "if I haven't done anything different since I got saved?"
Well, the more I thought about it, and heard preachers and teachers talk about it, I realized that I HAD changed. God is the Creator of all things. When God enters, there is change. That's a simple fact. He makes things better. My pastor talked about that on Sunday morning.
Christ. Is. Better.
End of story.
Look at your life. Not just the outward things, but what has happened inside you. How have YOU, the very heart and mind of you yourself, changed since God came into your heart and life? If you accepted Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection paying for your sin, God has changed you, is changing you, somehow.
That being said, what are you holding back? What part of your life, past, present, or future, are you keeping from God? A sum of money? A family member or significant other? Your job? A hobby--good or bad? What do you cling to thinking, whether consciously or subconsciously,
"This is mine.
I love God! 'O how I love Jesus! O how I'--
but this is mine. "
I've heard preachers say, "It's all God's anyway--you might as well give it back!" While there is a lot of truth in that, God wants us to do it willingly. He gave us the choice to love Him or not. When you love someone, you give yourself to them: literally and figuratively. You subject yourself to them, how they will change you. You've done so for a spouse or loved one; why not do it for the One who gave everything for you?
God wants to do something incredible with your life. He WILL, if you give Him every part of you. It will be difficult. Paul wrote "I die DAILY" (1st Corinthians 15:31; caps added for emphasis); he had to sacrifice himself every day. Give up. Let go of everything that is yours. If God takes it from you, it was never meant to be yours, and you will be better with it gone. Do not be afraid. Let God change you into the person He wants you to be.
Looking to far better things ahead,
Bee
Thursday, January 24, 2013
from the spirit of the Free.
In case you don't know this, Steven Curtis Chapman is my hands-down, all-time favorite musician/artist EVER.
Today, on my way home from college and errands, I popped in one of his old CDs: "Signs of Life". It's from the 90's, but I was just in the mood. I listened absently to the first couple songs, humming along and tapping my hand against the steering wheel. I came to track 6, and as the slow music started I hit the fast-forward button to skip to the next song. But then I thought, "Oh whatever, I haven't listened to this in a while," and went back to the beginning of the song. The song is called Free. It's not on any of his "greatest hits" albums, it's not really a song you'd find in a worship songbook, but today it hit me hard. Before I go any further, here are the lyrics that touched my heart this afternoon:
'The sun was beating down inside
The walls of stone and razor wire
As we made our way across the prison yard
I felt my heart begin to race
As we drew nearer to the place
Where they say that death is waiting in the dark
The slamming doors of iron echoed through the halls
Where despair holds life within its cruel claws
But then I met a man who's face
Seemed so strangely out of place
A blinding light of hope was shining in his eyes
And with repentance in his voice
He told me of his tragic choice
That led him to this place where he must pay the price
But then his voice grew strong as he began to tell
About the One he said had rescued him from hell, he said
I'm free, yeah, oh, I have been forgiven
God's love has taken off my chains and given me these wings
And I'm free, yeah, yeah, and the freedom I've been given
Is something that not even death can take away from me
Because I'm free
Jesus set me free
We said a prayer and said goodbye
And tears began to fill my eyes
As I stepped back out into the blinding sun
And even as I drove away
I found that I could not escape
The way he spoke of what the grace of God had done
I thought about how sin had sentenced us to die
And how God gave His only Son so you and I could say
We're free, yeah, oh, we have been forgiven
God's love has taken off our chains and given us these wings
And we're free, yeah, yeah, and the freedom we've been given
Is something that not even death can take from you and me
Because we're free
And if the Son has set you free,
Oh, if the Son has set you free
Then you are free indeed,
Oh, you are really free
If the Son has set you free,
Oh, if the Son has set you free
Then you are free, really, really free
Oh, we're free, yeah, oh, we have been forgiven
God's grace has broken every chain and given us these wings
And we're free, yeah, yeah, and the freedom we've been given
Is something that not even death can take from you and me
Because we're free, yeah, the freedom we've been given
Is something that not even death can take from you and me
Because we're free, oh, we're free
We are free, we are free
The Son has set us free'
This song was written after SCC actually visited a prison. He paints an incredible picture; as I listened to this song, tears began to roll down my cheeks: not only because of the moving lyrics but also because I can so clearly imagine the darkness of the prison, the despair, the hopelessness.
Being free has kind of become cliche for me. My family and close friends say I have a "free spirit;" that I'm whimsical, like to go go go, like to do my own thing. But the fact that GOD--the Creator of the entire world and the lover of my soul--sent His dear Son to DIE, to set ME free, is sobering, to say the least.
I view everything as a story. I guess that's par for the course, as I am a writer at heart. The Almighty LORD of all sending His one and only Son, the pure and loving Saviour, to sacrifice His life for me, the unworthy scoundrel, is the greatest story of all time. Imagine yourself as nothing but a dirty, stinking, rotten, disgusting, repulsive creature. Your hair is knotted, your skin is grimy, you are naked and worthless, a slave to the devil. I know that sounds awful and nobody wants to think of him or herself that way. That is how we were in our sin. But God loved us so much, He wanted us to be free. FREE.
FREE.
Say it. It's an indescribable feeling, a perfect thought, wondrous knowledge that you are--or can be--completely free. No longer in bondage, no longer a servant to your own sin, no longer living in hopelessness. All we had to look forward to was death. No more do we have that hanging over us.
The story of God is one of freedom, and love. Two things everybody wants. The best part? It's not just a story.
I hope you know this freedom. If you don't, I pray you will accept it. If you do, I pray you share it, and enjoy it at its fullest. "How do I do that?" you may ask. It's simple. Live for the One who made you free, and tell others who still dwell in darkness and despair.
"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." ~ John 8:36
Looking to far better things ahead,
Bee
(Note: This is in no way a promotion or advertisement for Steven Curtis Chapman. I am in no way affiliated with him or his company.)
Today, on my way home from college and errands, I popped in one of his old CDs: "Signs of Life". It's from the 90's, but I was just in the mood. I listened absently to the first couple songs, humming along and tapping my hand against the steering wheel. I came to track 6, and as the slow music started I hit the fast-forward button to skip to the next song. But then I thought, "Oh whatever, I haven't listened to this in a while," and went back to the beginning of the song. The song is called Free. It's not on any of his "greatest hits" albums, it's not really a song you'd find in a worship songbook, but today it hit me hard. Before I go any further, here are the lyrics that touched my heart this afternoon:
'The sun was beating down inside
The walls of stone and razor wire
As we made our way across the prison yard
I felt my heart begin to race
As we drew nearer to the place
Where they say that death is waiting in the dark
The slamming doors of iron echoed through the halls
Where despair holds life within its cruel claws
But then I met a man who's face
Seemed so strangely out of place
A blinding light of hope was shining in his eyes
And with repentance in his voice
He told me of his tragic choice
That led him to this place where he must pay the price
But then his voice grew strong as he began to tell
About the One he said had rescued him from hell, he said
I'm free, yeah, oh, I have been forgiven
God's love has taken off my chains and given me these wings
And I'm free, yeah, yeah, and the freedom I've been given
Is something that not even death can take away from me
Because I'm free
Jesus set me free
We said a prayer and said goodbye
And tears began to fill my eyes
As I stepped back out into the blinding sun
And even as I drove away
I found that I could not escape
The way he spoke of what the grace of God had done
I thought about how sin had sentenced us to die
And how God gave His only Son so you and I could say
We're free, yeah, oh, we have been forgiven
God's love has taken off our chains and given us these wings
And we're free, yeah, yeah, and the freedom we've been given
Is something that not even death can take from you and me
Because we're free
And if the Son has set you free,
Oh, if the Son has set you free
Then you are free indeed,
Oh, you are really free
If the Son has set you free,
Oh, if the Son has set you free
Then you are free, really, really free
Oh, we're free, yeah, oh, we have been forgiven
God's grace has broken every chain and given us these wings
And we're free, yeah, yeah, and the freedom we've been given
Is something that not even death can take from you and me
Because we're free, yeah, the freedom we've been given
Is something that not even death can take from you and me
Because we're free, oh, we're free
We are free, we are free
The Son has set us free'
This song was written after SCC actually visited a prison. He paints an incredible picture; as I listened to this song, tears began to roll down my cheeks: not only because of the moving lyrics but also because I can so clearly imagine the darkness of the prison, the despair, the hopelessness.
Being free has kind of become cliche for me. My family and close friends say I have a "free spirit;" that I'm whimsical, like to go go go, like to do my own thing. But the fact that GOD--the Creator of the entire world and the lover of my soul--sent His dear Son to DIE, to set ME free, is sobering, to say the least.
I view everything as a story. I guess that's par for the course, as I am a writer at heart. The Almighty LORD of all sending His one and only Son, the pure and loving Saviour, to sacrifice His life for me, the unworthy scoundrel, is the greatest story of all time. Imagine yourself as nothing but a dirty, stinking, rotten, disgusting, repulsive creature. Your hair is knotted, your skin is grimy, you are naked and worthless, a slave to the devil. I know that sounds awful and nobody wants to think of him or herself that way. That is how we were in our sin. But God loved us so much, He wanted us to be free. FREE.
FREE.
Say it. It's an indescribable feeling, a perfect thought, wondrous knowledge that you are--or can be--completely free. No longer in bondage, no longer a servant to your own sin, no longer living in hopelessness. All we had to look forward to was death. No more do we have that hanging over us.
The story of God is one of freedom, and love. Two things everybody wants. The best part? It's not just a story.
I hope you know this freedom. If you don't, I pray you will accept it. If you do, I pray you share it, and enjoy it at its fullest. "How do I do that?" you may ask. It's simple. Live for the One who made you free, and tell others who still dwell in darkness and despair.
"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." ~ John 8:36
Looking to far better things ahead,
Bee
(Note: This is in no way a promotion or advertisement for Steven Curtis Chapman. I am in no way affiliated with him or his company.)
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