“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2

  ~something to think about~

Love Eva

Now I realize that being a solo act I shouldn’t have much to say here, but since I brought it up…

There are a lot of things I really love about kids.  Everything is new: good and bad, joy and pain.  They get so excited about things.  Their emotions are completely unhindered.  They are so honest (unless, of course, they’ve done something they shouldn’t have, and then: “It wasn’t me!”).

I am biased enough to say that I think my nieces and nephews are the greatest kids in the world, but I am open minded enough to acknowledge that they have some really stiff competition out there.  And they certainly aren’t perfect.

That being said, they have given me such great examples of how I should be living my own life.

One of my nephews received a pirate ship jungle gym when he was about six.  He was so excited that he couldn’t finish a sentence before he was on to the next.  Eventually, he just stopped talking and raced from item to item until he wound down enough to talk, and then all he talked about was the pirate ship over and over again.  Such naked enthusiasm, unrestrained and uncensored.

One of my nieces would explain about horses; everything I wanted to know (and some things I didn’t) about horses.  Breeds, riding styles, horse care. She loved them and wanted everyone else to love them too.

I have watched them take large and small roles in plays because all the roles are important.  They have participated in competitions, and won some and lost some, but still tell me about all the fun they had, the mistakes made, and everything they learned.  They have made friends and lost friends, and learned to trust again.

I’ve also watched as some of this has been eroded away by time and experience.

But wouldn’t it be great to live our lives with the freedom of emotions, and the spirit that we had as kids. 

When was the last time we were so excited about God in our lives that we couldn’t finish a sentence?  How often do we talk about Christ with all the tiny details that we can fit into the conversation?

When I get to talk to someone about Jesus in my life, I like to think that even if I am not the one to bring them to the Lord, I am a rung in the ladder because all roles are important, large or small.

Parents brought their children to Jesus, and He rebuked the disciples when they tried to keep them away.  Jesus held them up as examples to us all.

And what great examples they are.

Peace!

Have you ever been touched by a random act of kindness?  I have, in a most particular way.

Yesterday my husband, my son and I went to the movies.  As we settled ourselves down and began to munch on our popcorn two young moms walked in with their children.  The theater had quickly filled up and they were obviously going to have a hard time sitting together.

I noticed that the three seats to our right and the three in front of us were still empty, so I asked these ladies if they wanted us to move so that they could seat together.  They thanked us profusely as we moved down one row.

We settled ourselves down once again, and once again we resumed munching on our popcorn.

As the lights dimmed down and the previews began, I was surprised by a tap on my shoulder.  It was one of the two young moms.  She handed me a bag of M&Ms and said, “This is for you.  I want you to know you made my day.”

I was so overwhelmed, I could barely focus on the screen.  I mean, I hadn’t done anything great or heroic.  Yet I had managed – in total random – to make this lady’s day!

I might have made her day, but the kindness she showed in return meant more to me than she’ll ever know.

As I enjoyed the movie and my M&Ms, I thought about a testimony I had heard earlier that day, during church service.  Ten years ago Alicia Manes, a young woman at our church, and the small group she lead began serving single women by putting together a “spa day”.  What began as a small act of kindness has evolved into a full-fledged yearly event.

I was touched by Alicia’s testimony, but what I especially appreciated was hearing that she and her group had made all kinds of mistakes along the way, had little resources, had felt overwhelmed,  yet they kept on going, showing kindness to single moms and being obedient – a word Alicia repeated over and over again as she spoke that morning.

Obedience…  Saying “yes” to the promptings of the Holy Spirit to display His love, His ways, and His kindness.  The Apostle Paul said it so well, “God’s kindness leads [us] to repentance.”  (Romans 2:4)  Alicia and her group had lead hundreds to experience the changing power of God’s love.

Thinking back on yesterday’s pleasant experience at the movies, I can surely say that a little bit of sweet kindness sure goes a long way.  How has kindness touched you?

I’m eager to hear,

Ana