Light in the Darkness

I have to be honest and tell you that my heart has been heavy lately. Sometimes living in this world is overwhelming. The past 2 weeks or so there have been multiple things that have saddened my heart: a death in the family, a health scare, a traumatic injury, an earthquake, a tsunami, learning of people starving, being treated as slaves, held captive...why do bad things happen?

When you start hearing of all the hurt in the world you can start to cave in and become depressed. But, we have to remind ourselves that this isn't ALL there is. There is life after this, and thank God for that! Thousands of years ago our sin tainted this world and now we have to live in that state until Jesus returns. And that is the Hope we should look to and SHARE!

If we ask for it, God will bless us with peace, comfort, joy, and the hope of eternity with Him.

Let's keep that truth alive in our hearts always and never cease to share it with others, even in the hard times.

Praise be to the God that gives and takes away!

Go, Go, Go

Now that Caden is mobile, he is always on the move! He never wants to stop to eat or to cuddle with mommy or anything. I sometimes wish that I had that kind of energy! By the end of the day I am always so beat and usually fall into bed by 9:30.

I feel like I always have a long check list of things to get done- so much so, that I sometimes forget to just enjoy the day.

How often as women do we base our value on how productive we are in the day? I know that I do a lot. And I like the feeling of accomplishing things, but sometimes I just need to tell myself 'no' and plop on the couch instead to take a breather.

Every once in awhile let's take time for ourselves- not only will we benefit from some down time, but it will help give us a better attitude when dealing with our family later in the day.

Broken

My heart is breaking.

God is breaking my heart for His people.

Every month at my church we learn about a different country and focus our prayers and giving to that country. This month is the DRC or the Congo. And my heart is BROKEN for these people!

The Congo is a war torn country. Rebel groups are everywhere causing the people to live in fear. Little boys are being taken by these groups and are forced to participate in the violence...little girls and women are raped, beaten, and killed. The people are dying of hunger and malnutrition. The number of displaced peoples and children is astounding...

I am begging you to come to the Almighty God that we serve and plead for these people! He is the only way that this country can be revived, freed, and at peace. Ask what can I do to help give some hope to the Congolese?

There are a few ways to start:

#1- PRAY. For peace, for their poverty, for their safety, and for a revival.

#2- GIVE. Here are a few genuine organizations trying to make a difference in the Congo. They need support to continue their efforts. Heal Africa, Women for Women, and the International Rescue Committee

#3- SPREAD the word of what is happening in Congo. Friends of the Congo has some very useful resources.

When I hear of the horrors that are going on in other countries, I can't help but think of the line from the song "Hosanna" by Hillsong. "Break my heart for what breaks Yours. Everything I am for Your kingdom's cause. As I walk from earth into eternity."

May this ring true in our hearts and be a mission for our lives as Christ Followers.

*Image from Kateholt.com*