Something to Say

I just started reading a new book called Paperdoll: When an Ordinary Girl Meets an Extraordinary God by Natalie Lloyd. It's about image and how the media and the world tell women what we need to be successful and happy, but that all we really need is God. So far, it's been great.

One of the things that really caught my eye last night was this quote: "When God speaks, He always has a purpose to accomplish."

Matthew 12:36-37 says, "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shall be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned."

That's a pretty scary scripture to a girl like me. My mouth is moving every minute that I'm awake. I'm one of those people that talks just to hear my own voice. And I'll have to account for every idle word that I say? Ouch...

What if we never spoke without having a purpose to accomplish? Think about all the great work we could do if we used our mouths to build each other up instead of tearing others down. Imagine all the great and wonderful things we could talk about and tell people if we truly surrendered and gave our words to God...

What if we REALLY had something worthwhile to say? Guess what...we do! All of us have a story, and your story can save a life. When we open up and say what God leads us to say, and share our stories of triumph over tragedy, or loss and redemption, or defeat and victory, then we are shining for Christ. He gives us the words we need, IF we're willing to speak them.

What about you? Do you have something to say?

Through the eyes of a child

"The LORD has done GREAT things for us and our HEARTS are filled with JOY!"

Psalm 126:3 (NIV)

Every Wednesday night, before we begin class, I line up all the kids (usually between 30-40 from 2 years to 5th grade) and let them tell me prayer requests and praise items.

They always amaze me! They can't wait to share stories about the things that are happening in their lives, and they give God credit for every little thing that they enjoy - from playing a baseball game with their mom that afternoon to getting to go to the mall and have a cookie for snack.

Kids are so wonderful. They are completely honest and they find beauty and wonder in the simplest things. I wish that I was still that innocent and that open to seeing God working around me.

Jesus instructed us to keep a childlike faith in Mark 10:14-15. "But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein." (Also see Matthew 18:2-4)

Think about what life could be like if you looked through the eyes of a child...they see past the piles of laundry and stacks of mail and scattered toys on the carpet. They see wonder in the clouds and hear music when the birds sing. They see love in the tiniest actions. They see joy in a lollipop and adventure in a walk through the woods.

Take some time to see your life through the eyes of a child. God has done great things for you, and He wants to show you all that He's done.

Will you open your eyes and let joy fill your heart?