footprints

As I think about my title and description, I can't help but wonder....who has left the lasting footprints on your life and what would you say to them today? Have they made you a better person or a bitter one?

. ...to be continued...

Different

It has been a little over a month now, but a few of my friends and I went to "Paint and Pour" up in Brentwood for a ladies night. We all painted the same picture, but they are all so different. It is interesting how we can do the exact same things, but because of our distinctly unique personalities the overall effect of each one is different. My picture is shown at the top.

Now I have to tell you that she would intermittently pick up our pictures and show them to everyone to show our progress. When she picked up my friend's next to me she said it was dainty, which Lacie then shared how that was how her husband picked her engagement ring. He said it was dainty like her....

So, she picks up my painting (and just to let you know, the flowers are designed the way she had them in her painting, and before I started texturing my tree) and what word did she use? Different...

Now is that a polite way of saying weird or ugly, or just a compliment in and of itself? I don't know, but I do know it is a common word used to describe me, from ppl who know me well and from those who have just met me. I hope that is not their way of saying something is wrong with me and they just tolerate me...

No, I am kidding. I take it as a compliment. I am different, unique if you will--always have been. Sometimes I wonder if I am in the wrong century though...

I went out this weekend and as I am sitting at dinner with these three ppl (one friend I met here who has moved away, his best friend who I only hang out with through him, and another friend of theirs I just met--thank goodness she was there) I am realizing how out of touch I really am. They all have their high tech phones out (I had left mine in the car and it is so far behind all theirs), facebook profiles...the list goes on.

As the night goes on, we go to meet up with some others who are out bowling. Now keep in mind I am the only one who going into this night knew two ppl present. As we are hanging out bowling and speaking to another girl whom we all had just met, she asks me if I am involved in a group (which is how they--about 7 more ppl--are all friends) As I answer with a negative, one of the guys I was with is sitting across from me and we are both laughing at how obviously out of place I have been all night.

Why the long story? It is just another example of how different I am....don't worry, i took none of this in a negative light and I had a great time meeting new ppl. It was just an interesting night that reminded me that I tend to stand out in odd ways sometimes. Maybe I should join this century and start watching tv, upgrade my phone and join the facebook world, but liklihood being, I will not.

Living Sacrifice

My life is not my own
I surrender all
Make me a living sacrifice

I give You
the desires of my heart
I surrender all

Let my flesh
be buried in Your forgiveness
Make me a living sacrifice

I give You
my attempts to stand on my own
I surrender all

Turn my independence
into dependency upon You
Make me a living sacrifice

My life is not my own
I surrender all
Make me a living sacrifice

I give You
my need to feel important
I surrender all

Let my pride
be turned to humility
Make me a living sacrifice

I give You
Control of thoughts, words and deeds
I surrender all

Let my brokenness
draw me closer to You
Make me a living sacrifice

My life is not my own
I surrender all
Make me a living sacrifice

Everything

Today, as we were prayer walking for our upcoming egg hunt and Easter service, a friend recalled something she said to our 3rd-5th graders last week. She told them God is everything. All day I have been thinking this phrase, so this is what has come to mind, and yes, it could easily go on forever....

When Darkness surrounds me
You are the light that chases it away
You are everything

When the burden brings me to the ground
You take the weight and help me stand
You are everything

When my heart is breaking
Your Spirit fills the gap
You are everything

When my tears seem ceaseless
You wipe them away
You are everything

When I feel all alon
You hold me in Your arms
You are everything

When laughter fills my heart
You are smiling with me
You are everything

When music fills my soul
You are my dance partner
You are everything

I am nothing without You
You bring meaning to my life
You are everything

I am learning daily what it means for Christ to be everything. He makes it possible to "be content whatever state I am in." There is no hope outside of Him. It is so easy to fill my life with things other than Him, yet I am never satisfied when I do. My desire is to truly allow Christ to be my everything.