Tis the Season

I have been meaning to post a new blog entry for a while, but I just haven't seemed to find the words to get out what I have wanted to say. So, if this seems all jumbled, forgive me. Here goes...

My facebook status currently states: "Elizabeth is wondering why this "Season of Giving" is only for Christmas...what happens to those people in February, even June - why not have a year long "season of giving"." If you have read any of my recent blogs, you know that Ed and I have been relying on God for daily sustenance for spiritual food and regular food. So, I have a taste of what it's like to be in need. Anyway, I listen to the radio on the way to work, and they are talking about Angel Tree, and Operation Christmas Child, and it got me thinking about my status. Why do we spend so much time and money making sure that these "needy" people's needs are met during the Christmas season. Why not have a year round season of giving?!?! Sometimes I think we as Christians feel that if we give to the poor and needy at Christmas, that it gives us our "quota" so to speak for the year. But I am here to testify that without those Christians helping us in September, October and November...where would we be right now. When is the last time that you gave selflessly of your time, your money, YOU, without expecting ANYTHING in return. I finished reading a book entitled "Field of the Fatherless" loaned to us by Sara Beth from ISF. (Ed and I have been praying about adoption for our future and Sara Beth recommended reading this book). Let me just tell you, this book changed my outlook on LIFE! In the Bible it says: “Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2Cor 1:3-4) What He has done for us is what He requires that we do for others. There isn't a single person out there that can tell me that GOD hasn't "comforted" you in your tribulation. Even when Ed and I felt at our lowest point these past couple of months...God was STILL there in that valley and HE was still in control. As I said, I have a new outlook on life. I want my heart, soul, spirit, countenance to REFLECT the Lord Jesus Christ! I want people to look at me and see something different. I want them to see my precious Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ who came to this earth to die for ME. For my sins. I deserve Hell...but HE SAVED ME! That in and of itself should be enough to make you jump for joy...we have the awesome privilege of spending eternity with the King of Kings!!! AMAZING!!!

I want to challenge each and everyone of you to do something... are you ready.... here it is....

When you do anything...think of others.

Sounds easy doesn't it. It wasn't easy for me at first, but now it's becoming what I do. For example...Road Rage...yep, I used to have Road Rage. I got SO frustrated when people would ride my bumper and then swoop over to a different lane at the last minute. I would get so mad when people would drive slow in the fast lane. I would get frustrated when people wouldn't let me over when I had my turn signal on or wouldn't let me turn left out of a street. But I heard a song on the radio by Brandon Heath called "Give Me Your Eyes". Let me just tell you...you won't have Road Rage for long listening to that song. The chorus goes like this:

Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see

How many times have we looked at someone the way JESUS looks at someone. With the same compassion that HE does. So, I started changing my heart...I started changing my mind...I started making a conscious effort to think of others...I started looking at all of those drivers in those cars in Atlanta, GA with the eyes of Jesus. So, when I am sitting in traffic at the end of a work day, and I go 6 miles in 30 minutes...I let people in front of me....I hold up traffic on a busy two lane road to allow someone needing to turn left to turn left...I don't get angry at the driver who practically takes my bumper off when he swoops over to a new lane...I just smile and keep driving. And this is just in driving....when I go through the drive thru at McDonalds to get that morning cup of Joe...I smile at the cashiers and say, "Have a great day"...who knows...maybe they needed that...maybe they had a rude customer earlier that ruined their day. You never know who you are going to bless by seeing like Jesus, loving like Jesus, and living FOR Jesus.

I am not saying all of this to toot my own horn. I am not saying that I am by any means perfect (because my husband and kids can tell you I'm not). I am just challenging you to do something in your life to make a difference in someone else's life, that will ultimately change yours and give you the HEART of Jesus!

Because you never know....you may be the one that needs to turn left one day!