What's In A Song?

**Photography by Melissa Talbot**

Have you ever been driving to a destination and your favorite song comes on? You turn it up and even though you have heard the tune many times, this particular time on this particular day is...extraordinary.

Yes, the words are the same as the last time it was played but they, inexplicably, pierce your indifferent heart. That's exactly what happened to me last week as I drove to work one morning.

The said ditty spoke about the reckless love of God. How God pursues and fights for those He loves - you and I. I was struck with the truth, in a split second, that God fought for me. I began to weep.

If it were not for God placing a certain person in my life to tell me about Jesus, to break down the walls built around my cold, dark heart - I would be dead. If it were not for God thwarting every single suicide attempt I had planned so long ago - this blog would not exist to encourage you that there is more.

Sweet girl, if you find your road is long and overwhelming, you need to know someone is in pursuit of you and He will not stop until He drowns you in His love.

God has a reckless love for you that means He will enter into whatever hell you find yourself in and He will not stop until you see Him and welcome Him.

He will break down every lie. He will tear apart every abusive word spoken to and about you. He will go to the ends of this earth to have you as His own. That is the awesome God that I know and love.

He pursued me and won me when I no longer saw myself as worthwhile to be pursued. Let me tell you this truth - you are priceless. A Man named Jesus died on the Cross because you are valuable. He loved you more than His own life so that you could be free.

That is the purest love you will never find in an earthly man, chat room, or Netflix binge watch. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." - John 3: 16-17

Encouragement for the week:

If you are a Christian reading this, continue to live in the truth that God pursued you with a reckless love. Be in awe and thank Him for rescuing you.

If you are not a Christian reading this, you can look for Jesus and you will find Him. He died for you and will pursue you no matter what. Love is after you. Real and pure love that you have never known. It's worth opening your heart to it.

Jumping Through Hoops

What does frozen fish head hockey, chicken salad, and cow tongue tag have in common? Nothing. I just wanted to see if you were paying attention. It worked, didn't it?

Being young and free, like I was in the above picture, pales in comparison to anything else. As you can see from the look on my face, I took a certain amount of joy from jumping. It didn't matter that I wasn't getting anywhere, it was just fun.

I could jump as high, often, or crazily as I wanted - as long as I stayed in the middle of the doorway. Provided I was kept entertained by this simple invention, life was good and, I'm guessing, Mom would be grateful to get some things done.

While I may not remember those days of bouncing with glee while attached to the stationary contraption, just looking at the photo speaks for itself, or more appropriately, myself. There was no coercion involved, just pure fun.

Wouldn't we always like to be in a situation like that. Doing something while never being told you had to do it. Moreover, never having to be manipulated or threatened into doing it.

Sadly, there are those in the world who, through no fault of their own, are manipulated into doing things - horrible things. They are even threatened to go along with a scenario, or suffer serious consequences.

In a past post, I mentioned that I had been abused. While I knew the offender, it wasn't that easy to report him. Though the crime was played out in public, a threat involving my mother's life guaranteed my silence and time went on.

That was wrong. What happened to me was wrong and it took a long time to get through the worst of the event. I was petrified to go to school and even more so to ride on the bus that took me there. Even though the criminal lived nearby, I was able to move on and heal. Yet, to this day, I wish I had the courage to lay the justice smack down on my abuser.

Intimidation and threats have no place in a young girl's life. She should have the opportunity to be heard and protected at any cost by those around her, no matter what.

Encouragement for the week:

Jumping through hoops for someone else's gain is really no gain at all. Live a life of joy, sweet girl, and always exercise caution when being approached by someone who doesn't have a mindset of protection or respect for you.

If you are a Christian reading this, you know that God is your protector and strong tower in every situation. Be cautious and wise when being met with a, possibly, threatening or manipulative situation.

If you are not a Christian reading this, you can look for Jesus and you will find Him. He is a fortress and protection from all things, menacing, that can appear in your life. You can trust this Man who died for you to help in every uncertain situation in your life.

A Brief Departure

Last week was a departure from the everyday as I stepped into a role that excites me - speaker. One had cancelled at Gull Lake camp and I was asked if I could fill in. I was elated to accept.

I knew I would have to set a precedent for the week in order to get and hold my audience's attention - 7 to 10 years old. It was within 24 hours that I became the, 'lady with the smarties'. Hey, you gotta do what you gotta do.

I would be under-selling my success by saying they just liked it. Instead, I had captured the enthusiasm and willingness of a young group which I thought would be difficult to harness. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

The jumping up and down motion followed by the occasional, "Pick me! Pick me!" was a clear giveaway that the kids were more than happy to be there. By Wednesday morning, I had already received a random hug from a little boy and buckets of smiles to fill my own bucket.

My heart was filling up with love faster than I knew what to do with that love. So, I smiled back, gave high fives, and engaged in all kinds of conversations that only a 7 to 10 year old would appreciate.

By Thursday, I was getting a bit nervous, because even though I had been presenting object lessons in line with my teachings (the fruit of the Spirit) and getting kids to read the paired Scripture, I had never revealed the telling of the Gospel through a visual picture story.

Yet, the desire to tell these children about the incredible man of Jesus, blew every nervous cell clear out of me, being replaced by excitement. My moment came. I began with a fun activity that had everyone reciting the fruit of the Spirit and their respective hand signals, with three precocious volunteers leading the charge. Their reward for participating? You guessed it - smarties.

On to the story board. I wanted the message to penetrate deeply into each heart, whether Christian or not, so I spoke slowly and deliberately. At some points came comments of disbelief to what I was saying. I thanked God for the response.

By the time I was done, it felt as though forever had passed and I closed with an invitation for anyone to receive Jesus by praying the salvation prayer - whether out loud or in their hearts. I never thought any more about it until I closed the session.

Little ones came to me. Most of them little girls. One saying she knew Jesus and others just wanting a hug. However, the tone of the interactions changed with two particular girls. I have changed their names due to not securing their parent's permission prior to sharing this. Sally came first.  She walked confidently up to me and said, "I prayed the prayer!", while a glowing smile now adorned her face. I shook her hand and welcomed her to the family, followed by a hug.

Jane came next and she had a concerned look on her face. She said that she had a 'trouble' and was wondering if I might be able to help her with it. "Of course!", I replied. She continued, saying,"If I'm to pray with all my heart, how do I know I have?"

I asked her if she meant every word she said of the prayer and after a couple seconds she confirmed, "I think so." I told her that she now had Jesus in her heart. Words could not describe the relief now painted all over her face as she smiled, excitedly, and threw her arms around me in the best hug I have ever received. As she hugged me she said,"Thank you!"

I then prayed that she would quickly leave the building, which she did. I held it together for a few seconds before falling to pieces. Every doubt I had of my ability as a speaker last week, every second guess I displayed about my material, all erased as I watched a sweet little girl bound out of the chapel having Jesus firmly planted in her heart. Each incompetency I had listed about myself earlier in the week - gone.

I had just witnessed the movement of a perfect and loving God in a precious young girl, through the power of the Holy Spirit. I could have died right then, on the cold and dirty floor of that chapel, knowing absolute perfection.

Encouragement for the week:

If you ever question your abilities, stop right now, because there are moments in time, that you least expect, will set your heart on a new trajectory. Do whatever it is you're doing with all your heart's love, expecting nothing in return. You may just taste perfection.

If you are a Christian reading this, God has given us each gifts and talents He desires us to implement for His glory. Never underestimate the power of obedience in executing those gifts and talents.

If you are not a Christian reading this, you can look for Jesus and you will find Him. He can do anything, at any time, in anyone. If you think He doesn't know where you're at, think again and leave the door of your heart unlocked and ajar.

Monkey See, Monkey Do

Ah, my sistie. She was my idol. I would follow her around, doing the things she did and saying the things she said. She had a significant 'influence' on me growing up.

I wanted to be everywhere she was because I wanted to be like her. Sometimes when other people know how much you adore them, there is the possibility that they will use that knowledge to their advantage and your detriment.

While my loyalty may have been tested by way of cat food and peanut butter (not together), there came a time when my sister's influence wore off and I became a separate entity.

There is an intrinsic truth to doing unto others what you would have done unto you. Yet, when it comes to the early years as siblings, that truth can't and won't be appreciated or exercised until much later. Until then, parents brace themselves for what their little girls may say or do to each other.

Today, I definitely take that truth, above, to heart and display it as much as possible. Nowadays, the only ammo my sister sprays me with are words of encouragement and inspiration.

I have seen her go through a lot of struggles in her life and come out the other side as a kind, loving, and compassionate human being. She endeavors to make things right when a wrong has been committed and she would give her life for her kids.

I may have wanted to get even with her countless times, growing up, for all the things she manipulated me to do but that has faded with the passing years.

The only thing this monkey wants is see the best in others, treat them with respect, and do my utmost for God's highest. To ensure others know they are loved and monkey around whenever possible. Life is too short not to.

If you find you're doing more battle than beauty in your life, stop and take a break, sweet girl. You might have a relentless sibling you deal with who tries to persuade your ways but don't let it get you down.

Love them as you endeavor to be the right person who will come out ahead as a girl who is on track to be of great and positive influence to others.

Encouragement for the week:

Living a young life beside siblings isn't easy especially if you are receiving some heavy stuff. Know that you are loved in the midst of it all by a perfect God who sees you for who you truly are - beautiful.

If you are a Christian reading this, you know that God has your name engraved on the palm of His hand. There's no way for it to leave. Walk in the light of that truth and continue to do unto others as you would have done unto you.

If you are not a Christian reading this, you can look for Jesus and you will find Him. He sees your difficulties in life and waits, patiently, at the door of your heart. Be not afraid to open the door and let Him in.