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Thursday, August 26, 2010

Purpose

As I think back on all the hard times my parents have been through, I remember how often I questioned why they had to go through them. They are such amazing, loyal, hard working, loving, devoted, godly people. Watching my dad work two and three jobs just to get by, seeing my mom make an amazing home for us kids, selflessly. Catching mom crying over dad when his health became something we needed to worry about and yet he still worked two jobs just to make ends meet.
As a child I didn't exactly understand it all. As I started getting a little older, I started seeing the worry, the tired and weary countenances. I started understanding that things were changing and that it wouldn't always be the way it used to be. I started wondering why, mom and dad being the two most amazing people I have had the honor of knowing, they had to go through the struggles and hardships they went through and still go through.
Now that I'm older, I've seen my share of ups and downs, I understand a little better why. As I look back on those same hardships now, I don't see as much negative but more the strength, wisdom, character and devotion they had. In all my years of remembrance of my parents and what they had to go through, I never once saw them waver in their faith and love for God. I saw it grow and start rubbing off on us kids. I saw some of my siblings start going through some of the same things they had to go through and understood that God chose to put them through it because He knew they could take it and use it for good.
My parents aren't perfect and they'll be the first to tell you that, but my parents are the greatest example of Christians, parents and husband and wife that I could ever hope to have in my life. They've taught me so many things and I'm happily still learning! They've stayed strong through it all and praised God in the highs and the lows. They've taken good out of everything that's come into their lives. No, they weren't always happy about it, but they never blamed God for their misfortunes. My parents have been able to help so many people throughout their lives that may not have gotten help if they hadn't been tested and molded by God. I can only hope to God that I can take that same attitude from my parents and apply it to my own life.
I'm so thankful for my whole family, but I'm extremely grateful for two godly parents who gave me a firm foundation for life. I'm so thankful they stayed strong through everything and pulled closer to God when things got tough. My parents are, by far, two of the greatest people I know. I believe anyone who knows them feels the same way. I don't know what I'd do or where I'd be without them. Words can't explain the love I have for them or how much I appreciate them. But I'm going to do everything in my power to prove it with my life and future family. They deserve so much from the people they've given their lives for.
There is none other like my family and I'm so proud of that fact. My family is the most important "thing" to me! You don't have to understand us or like us, we love and understand each other and that's all that has ever mattered to us. We have each other and that means more to us than anything else. It's always been like that, it always will be! I don't really know why God chose to bless our family as He has, but I can't thank Him enough for putting us together.
We don't always understand why we go through things or why "bad" things come into our lives, but if we'd just give it some time and give ourselves time to get through them, we'd see and understand why. My parents have been great examples of this and they've passed it on to each one of us kids and I see my siblings passing it on to their kids. It's amazing to watch! I love every one of my family members with all my heart. They are my world, there's nothing better than family! We're just a group of friends who were lucky enough to have been placed in the same family.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

My God of Anger


Throughout our Book we read about
A God Who took a stand.
And showing strength, destroying lands
Just by His upraised hand.

But as we take a closer look
At our great, mighty God,
We may not see the anger; fierce,
But the heart upon we've trod.

I think if we could stand up close
And see Him face to face,
We'd see the tears stream down His cheeks;
Across His skin they'd trace.

I think we'd see those nail pierced hands
Raised up in Holy rage.
We'd see them tremble e'er so light
In torment for this race.

I think we'd find a broken heart
So torn with love and pain.
We'd hear it's pounding rhythmic pulse
As punishment beats in vain.

And when He's through, I think we'd feel
Those strong, magnificent arms
Wrap so securely 'round our being,
Protecting us from harm.