Well,

It's official.

Me and the other 3 people in my immediate family are all sick with colds. It's sure not fun having to be the caretaker and be fighting off a minor fever at the same time. UGH!

But, as a parent, you do what you have to, and maybe even suffer later because of that. For example....it'll probably take me longer to get over this silly cold.

It doesn't help that life seems to be picking up speed with the fast approach of the Christmas season. Concerts, parties, and other commitments seem to be filling up our calendar with record speed this year.

I just hope I can keep up.

I don't like being.....

sick. yuck.

I'm Back!!!

I'm thrilled! I am offically back online with regular internet access.

The Blanket

I sit here looking outside at the freshly fallen snow. As much as I appreciate the beauty of this image, I can't help but feel a little frustrated by the appearance of this crystallized water. It only serves to make life a little more difficult as I try to accomplish my daily tasks. Driving on the icy roads, pushing a stroller down the icy sidewalk, walking so carefully so that I don't take a fall. All of these things contribute to my dislike of winter.

However, I like that the snow covers up the ugly browns of late fall. It's fresh and appealing. It's similar to how God's love and forgiveness can cover up the ugliness of my heart. It still doesn't mean things will be easy but they will have improved. Just as there is beauty in the midst of a fresh snowfall, there can be beauty within if only we allow the one who created us to cover us with his blanket of white.

What do I care?

It seems that in this world, every single person I know has their own battle to fight.

Some are deeply hurting due to choices they've made. Others are suffering as a result of another's actions.

It's guaranteed that people are going to experience pain in this life. Grief over losing a loved one. Heartache over the break up of a family. Frustration and an urge to fix things as we watch others make bad choices who then continue on to suffer the consequences of those choices.

I'm trying to discipline myself to go beyond the cursory "how are you" as I talk with others. I really do care about what's happening in their lives but even I am prone to ask the age old question only expecting the usual answer of "fine."

I am sometimes surprised by what people have to say if their answer isn't "fine."

I asked someone that today. He first said "it could be better, but do you really wanna know?" Of course I wanted to know so I encouraged him to share. This guy and 4 of his buddies had flown here to Saskatchewan from Maine for a hunting trip. The only luggage that arrived with them 2 days ago were their rifles. The other 8 bags of luggage between them had not yet made it to Saskatoon. They arrived at the airport with no luggage and then proceeded to the budget booth where they had booked a vehicle over 6 months ago. Budget did not have the promised vehicle so this group of guys wound up having to pay another 1100 dollars in order to get 2 smaller vehicles than the original larger one that was requested. As a result of having to wait for their luggage, these guys have had to book motel rooms for 2 or 3 nights which was yet another unexpected cost to them. Then, one of their vehicles got a flat tire. They drove all over Saskatoon looking for a place who would be willing to fix their tire. They went to 5 or 6 places and finally came to my place of work. We were able to do this for them. I'm sure they'll never come to Saskatchewan again after this terrible start to their hunting trip. I felt terrible for them.

The whole point of me explaining this is that it really does matter when you ask someone how they are doing. These guys weren't having a very good go of it but they were glad to have someone to vent to a little bit. I sure didn't mind listening. I know that sharing things can help relieve the frustration levels, even if it's just a little bit.

Here's a few questions for you to think about:

Have we become blind to what's happening in the lives of those around us?

Would we rather be ignorant to the needs of others so that we don't feel the pressure to care?

Are we so wrapped up in ourselves that we have lost all desire to focus on anyone else?

Are we scared that people might ask us how we are truly doing and we would prefer to keep that secret?

Do we know how to respond to someone who doesn't answer "fine"?

Where are you at?

Think about it.

I'll be back......Soon

So, here's the verdict. My computer had to be completely wiped and I'm having to start over from scratch. I'll be getting my computer back on the 23rd of the month so I'll have regular internet access again after that. I've been going through withdrawel by not having my internet.

I hope to be back blogging on a regular basis sooner than later I hope.

Viruses

I am sorry to report that my computer contracted a virus and has subsequentally stopped allowing me to even access the desktop on my computer. I'm assuming that this will be my last post here for awhile.

I hope to still be around and check things out as I find internet access at other people's houses.

I will be bringing my computer in to the "Doctor" soon and I will hopefully have this situation resolved within the next few weeks.

Someday I'll have a computer that works properly.....

So long for now everyone.....

Unloved

Without love, no one gets hurt
Hearts aren't broken
Lives aren't shattered

Without Love, being alone is okay
No yearning for what once was
No yearning for what will never be

Without Love, people can't get hurt
There is no room for disappointment
Tears aren't shed for another's actions

Without Love, there is no void needing fulfillment
No emptyness to cope with
No longings for more

Without Love, there is no need for others
It's all about self-sufficiency
The strongest will survive

Without Love, there is no life.

What's the point in living a life devoid of love?

You want me to do what????

What does it mean to love unconditionally?

The group I was discussing this with the other night came to a consensus.

To love a person unconditionally, one would be willing to die for someone else.
To love a person unconditionally, one would have the ability to forgive after being wronged in the worst way imaginable.

We were imagining what it would be like to be the parents of a murdered child and being able to forgive the murderer and even love them. As a parent to two young children myself, the thought of being in that kind of situation absolutely terrifies me.

Would I have the capacity to love and forgive on such a drastic scale?

We then changed the names of the people in that particular situation.

Murdered child- Jesus
Parent of the murdered child- God
Murderer- all of humanity

John 3:16- For God so loved the world (unconditionally), that He gave his one and only son. That whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

Jesus gave His life that we might live.
Could I sacrifice my life for someone who I knew would not fully appreciate what I'd done for them?

Are we as mankind even able to embrace what it truly means to love unconditionally?

Now that I'm a parent, I believe I'm a little bit closer to grasping this concept.

However, I know that I am no where near comprehending the fullness of it nor am I sure that I am even capable of it.

After all, I'm human.

This was running through my head today....

I CAN ONLY IMAGINE
Artist: MercyMe


I can only imagine
What it will be like
When I walk
By Your side
I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When Your face
Is before me
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

[Chorus]:
Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for You Jesus or in awe of You be still?
Will I stand in Your presence, to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

I can only imagine
When that day comes
When I find myself
Standing in the Son
I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever
Forever worship You
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for You Jesus or in awe of You be still?
Will I stand in Your presence, to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine, yeahh
I can only imagine, yeaahhh

Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for You Jesus or in awe of You be still?
Will I stand in Your presence, to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine, yeahhh
I can only imagine, yeah
I can only imagine, yeah
I can only imagine
I can only imagine, yeahh
I can only imagine

I can only imagine
When all i will do
Is forever
Forever worship you
I can only imagine...


There's lots of hidden meaning to this song. I've been to 2 funerals in the past few years of people who were my age. This song was performed at both. Both of those people were Christians, so I know that they are no longer imagining things...they know....

Here's something to make you think

"If you were arrested for being a Christian, would they find enough evidence to prove you guilty of being one?"

Think about it.