Mixed Up

My 8 year old made this bracelet for me. She strung each bead and presented it to me with pride. Of course, I love it! 

My 13 year old however later whispered to me, "Some of the letters are mixed up. You should take it apart after she goes to sleep and redo it." The funny thing about her comment, is that I too suffer from perfectionism and not too long ago may have entertained that same thought.

But not anymore. My younger daughter worked very hard on this gift for me. It is not perfect, but it is by her own hands. And when I see it, I am filled with love and I smile at her imperfections, because I know how hard she worked and that she did this for me. Even with the mix ups, you can clearly see what it was meant to be. "Kelly."

I believe that is how my Heavenly Father sees me. I try to do things for Him, but more often that not I end up mixed up. I might submit a devotional for publication that is rejected. I might tell someone the gospel, but they reject it. I might try to be godly, but gossip. I'm not perfect.

But because of Jesus, God knows I work very hard on my gifts for Him. They are not perfect, but they are by my own hands. And I believe, when He sees them, He is filled with love for me and smiles, because He knows I work for Him.

What failures are holding you back from working for God's glory today? He loves you even with your imperfections. You are more special to Him, that this bracelet is to me. You are His, and He made you! He forgives our mixed up messes, and sees what we were meant to be.

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com

I Am...Gabriel - Movie Review

From the DVD: "Promise, Texas is no place to raise a family: the fields are dry, businesses are failing, and kids can't wait to grow up and move away. Some folks say the town is cursed. Just when things are at their darkest, a mysterious boy wanders out of the wilderness with nothing but the clothes on his back and a strange mat tucked under his arm. He has a message of hope for the people of Promise, but it's hard for some to receive. The slow death of this small town reflects the condition of their own parches souls. When the boy demonstrates the love of God through signs and wonders, they begin to discover the power of prayer. Still, not everyone in town sees his presence as a gift, and the Sheriff is on a mission to expose who the boy really is. In the end, with his back against the wall - surrounded by skeptics - the boy is forced to reveal his true identity."

My review: I was excited to watch I Am...Gabriel,  produced by EchoLight Studies, if for no other reason that the star power attached to it. Directed by Mike Norris (Walker Texas Ranger - his dad is Chuck Norris), and starring John Schneider (the movie credits him with Smallville, but he will forever be known to me as Bo Duke from Dukes of Hazzard,) and Dean Cain (Superman in Lois & Clark), the movie has recognizable names that you often don't find in Christian productions. The movie and star power didn't disappoint! I Am...Gabriel makes several important points. 

First, "if you lose hope, you lose everything." The town is hopeless, filled with brokenness, emptiness, guilt, anger and sadness. The young boy, "Gabe," has the ability to speak truth to the town people's heart and give them hope.

Second, prayer is critically important. When Gabe asks a woman, "Do you talk to God?" she answers, "I go to church." "But do you talk to God?" he presses. The woman admits she really doesn't. He encourages her to pray, and make a prayer mat like his, not only for herself but for everyone in the town of Promise. Like many "good Christians," she sets to work making the mats and shares with Gabe in great excitement the number of mats the women in town have made. He gently reminders her, "Making the prayer mats is one thing. Using them is the most important."  As a Christian who often gets wrapped up in "works" and misses the relationship with God, I related to this interaction.

The Dove Foundation gave this movie a 5 out of 5 rating, and I couldn't agree more. If you are looking for an uplifting, inspiring, feel good movie for the entire family, I highly recommend I Am...Gabriel. It will become a family favorite that you're sure to watch again and again.

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Here is a video trailer for the movie. (If you are receiving this post via email, you may have to visit my blog to see the trailer.

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com

I received a free copy of this movie to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations.