Never Alone

Do you ever feel alone in the world? As a Christian, there are two ways we can feel alone. The first is when you are surrounded by unbelievers. Sometimes it can seem very isolating to be the lone-Christian, the lone person who disagrees with the status-quo or who refuses to go along. People think you are "holier than thou" when truthfully, you just do what God is calling you to do.

But there is another way Christians can feel very alone. And that is in comparison to other Christians. You see Christians often put on the "I'm perfect" image to the world. "Jesus saved me and now I'm so good." To other Christians who are still experiencing worldly struggles that "perfect" Christian makes the imperfect one feel like maybe they missed something, or maybe they aren't really a Christian at all.

Being a Christian means accepting Jesus as Lord of your life and acknowledging he died for your sins, he is your savior. It doesn't mean your life is perfect. Christians experience death, disease, and divorce just like non-believers. So sometimes when you see that "perfect" family, it can be very isolating.

But you know what? You're never alone. Jesus promised to be with us forever. He is perfect, but he embraces us inspite of imperfections, and in fact died for us because we couldn't get it right.

Are you struggling today, feeling like you're all alone? You're not. Jesus is with you, now and forever. He loves you just as you are...but He loves you too much to let you stay that way.

Deuteronomy 31:6 -- for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

Matthew 28:20 -- {Jesus said} And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Romans 5:8 -- But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Thankful Thursday - 8/26

Things I am thankful for this week:

1. I am thankful that I had the opportunity to know Sonya's dad, a wonderful man who left a huge legacy of faith to his family. He will be missed so much, but what an incredible man of honor. It was a pleasure to have known him.

2. I am thankful for the pastor who said "We can't bring him back, but we can make sure we go where he is." I know where I'm going when I die. I'm so thankful that Jesus paid the price for my sin, so I can be in Heaven.

3. I'm thankful for a friend who gave me a big pile of clothes that don't fit her after baby #3. Woo! Thanks, Gwen.

4. I'm thankful that Gigi got to help her 5th grade teacher set up the classroom. She had the best time, and it was great relationship building with her new teacher.

5. I'm thankful for these last 2 weeks before school starts to love up on my kids. My little Cici starts kindergarten, and while she is ready, and I am ready, it will still be a big deal!!!

It's Not Fair!

If you have kids, you might hear the phrase "It's not fair!" quite a bit. If things are not equal, kids think they're not fair. A wise mom of 6 once told me, however, the difference between fair & equal. Fair literally means "free from bias, dishonesty, or injustice." So when she gave each child a handful of goldfish at snack time, the children may not have had equal amounts, but it was indeed fair.

Honestly, sometimes I feel like life isn't fair too. When playing the comparison game it can look like I come out a loser...and that's not fair! Whether comparing income, family members, or (ahem) published works, I can think it's not fair when someone gets something seemingly more than I got.

I need to look at the example of Jesus, who was God, yet didn't try to be equal with God. Instead he took on a servants role, which wasn't fair at all. But he did it, so that I could get something I didn't deserve. As unfair as it is, Jesus died so that I may live with his Father in spite of my sinful nature.

In life we can't compare things on the terms of equality. Everyone gets a different handful of gifts, and a different handful of problems. God may not be doling everything out equally. He is, however, fair.

Colossians 4:1 -- Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

Philippians 2:5-7 -- Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.


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