what a week

Wow, this week has been rough... so many deaths, first Megan's grandmother, then Ryan's uncle, then Mike's grandfather.... Granted the only one we really knew was Grandpa but so many deaths so close to each other is rough... a funeral after a funeral. UGH! Today we went shopping for outfits to wear to Grandpa's funeral.

It's sad but we didn't have anything to wear to a funeral that was somber and respectful looking, and that actually fit. Yes, we do go to church every Sunday so you would think that we had dress clothes. Nope, we didn't. You see our church doesn't "require" us to "dress up" in our "Sunday's best". If you wish to you are more then welcome to but not everyone does. Of course we do look nice and we are clean and presentable each time we go to church for any type of service, but we don't "dress up" in dresses, suit and ties all the time... No matter what we wear God still loves us the same. You know the old saying, a rose by any other name would still smell the same? We that is the way it is with God. No matter how we change our outward appearance it doesn't affect how God looks at us. He looks on the inside, not the outside... He sees the truth behind the masks we all wear. Yes, we all wear masks whether we believe it or not... We all take time, conscientiously or subconsciously, to give society the appearance they are looking for or the appearance we want them to see of us. Do we do that with God? Do we stop and think how God would react to how we look on the outside? And the inside? I wish I did more then I do. I wish I did it a lot more then I do. It seems that since we don't physically see God that we don't think of how He looks at us most of the time. We get so wrapped up in the world's view that we forget about God's view. I for one want to change that. I NEED to change that. It's not the world's view that will have a long lasting effect on me. It's not the world's view that will stay with me for eternity. We will not stay with the world forever, but only a short time span. If these recent deaths have taught me anything it is life is fleeting....

So, anyhow, back to the outfit shopping... we went to our local Wal-Mart. Yup, that's right - Wally's, lol Mike says we practically live at Wal-Mart! I am always surprised at the nice style of clothing Wal-Mart has. Now we are simple folk and are not up on the trendiest attire nor the hottest fashions, but we do like to look nice. Wal-Mart fills that desire quite nicely. It also fits into our budget which is important too! (Don't get me started on the amount of debt people have! UGH That is another blog for another day!) Anyhow, we bought dress pants and dress shirts for both boys, a skirt for me wiht a nice blouse. I was shocked when we arrived home and found out that the pants I chose for Daniel were way too small!!!! I forget how much that boys has grown in the last 6 months or so! so, anyhow, we have to go back to Wal-Mart tomorrow to exchange Daniel's pants for a larger size. (At least I know he is growing. for a long time there he stayed so small!)

Thursday is the funeral service for Grandpa. It will be a sad day. today I was thinking of this porcelain doll
Mike's grandmother, Ida, made. The family thought Ida had given the doll a name but no one could remember it. I was looking at the doll to see if a name was etched into her anywhere. Nope, no name. I htought to myself, why don't I jsut cal Grandpa? He'll know. Then it hit me. There will never be anymore calling Grandpa. Oh how I wish that weren't true though.

It makes me stop and think about how little time we actually have here on Earth. Before we know it we will be dead and buried, or cremated and put on someone's fireplace mantle. I for one, could care less what happens to my body after I die. It will no longer have a soul, as my soul will be with Christ in Paradise. One day, I know that will happen. What type of impact will we leave behind for those who remain? What will we be remembered for? I only want to be remembered for one thing, and one thing only. I wish to be remembered for how I let God use me and shine through me. That in the end is the only thing that matters anyhow. Why worry about the rest? I'm not.

Well, it is late, 12:39 am, and I have a busy day tomorrow ahead of me. I am off to bed soon. I have a few things to finish up before heading there though. No matter what tomorrow may bring may you live your life the way Christ desires and may the impact you leave on this world bless God. Sweet dreams everyone!

why I do not hate Osama...

You know I have all these verse typed up and ready to post here. They all talk about not letting anger control you. But then I came across these +verses and wow! it changed my whole mind set....

2 Timothy 2:23-26  

But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,  In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

So, although I had planned to blog today about my reasons for not hating Osama I have decided against it. For why should I argue about how God directs me to feel when the Scriptures says not to quarrel? So enough said I guess..  

Have a great day....