"A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver."
Proverbs 25:11
Sometimes I take undue pride in my ability
to speak succinctly and frankly.
Yesterday however, I was stopped short as I listened to someone share their reasons for holding their tongue and not saying what was on their mind to someone they knew. They wanted to treat that person with a certain gentleness that they needed. They knew the person well enough, to know what they could handle—and what could possibly harm.
I realized that my readiness to speak out is often done without consideration —without that pause, to think first of the other person.
I need to learn to carry my words carefully —to give them out slowly.
Learn to listen more. Speak less.
I need to learn to hold my words for necessary moments
So, I realize that this is another "gushy" post, but I couldn't help showing you the fun photos my sister took over spring break! We all set out on a drizzly day to have some fun, camera in hand - and she captured some great photos for us...despite the rain!
I was a little unsure about this! - but it's a good thing he's strong!
I like him.
There has to be at least one completely cheesy one!
I love the Springtime flowers.
Don't be deceived by the smile, by this point I was wet...and cold.
Ice-cream is always a great addition to any day.
On another note, this month I will be tackling moving houses and changing jobs! It's going to be a busy April!
God has been teaching me more about himself, and oh my is it astounding.
Phil Vischer (creator of Veggie Tales) came and spoke on our college campus and the words he had to say only further drove home the point God has been making to me. His message was summed up in this - "No matter what your dream is, God is bigger."
He is more satisfying than the fulfillment of any dream. No matter how well-intended, impacting, or "godly".
Nothing can add additional worth to simply knowing Jesus, there is absolutely nothing greater, grander, or more life-giving.
Our whole life is about him and us. That's it. Everything else is bonus.
If anything, whether dream or failure begins to threaten your relationship with God, you can be sure he will do some re-arranging to recapture your heart.
There is freedom found in the realization that life is not about achievement - it's about relationship.
This begs the question, is he worth more to me than my wildest dreams?
Am I in love with him, or am I in love with my dreams?
This week I have felt honored to read the thoughts of a gentle old man who journaled and shared his thoughts while going through the painful process of watching his wife die (this after many years of her struggling with intense sickness). Today was his final letter, as she slipped away to be with Jesus. Being a part of the stories he has shared, I've absorbed it all, and my heart feels a deep sorrow - and also a deep hope. His writing has been honest and the emotions he has shared - raw.
To see a love that withstood so much pain in this life, and a devoted love like none I've ever seen - is inspiring.
What rings truer than true, is where Jesus is so obvious and bright.
It's something different than what most marriages display, sadly.
I want a truth-saturated-love like that, a real and lasting love.
I'm beginning to realize that the first step is a crucial mind-shift,
beginning with the belief that - happiness is only a by-product of holiness - happiness, does not beget holiness.
Marriage is about our sanctification...happiness - is one of those
beautiful bonuses that comes along with it.
Life is a lot less about us than we ever grow up believing it is.
These words find a place I cannot explain. Alive and painful all in one, they are strikingly beautiful. And their incapability to be explained, is what only makes them only more beautiful.
That's the way I'd like to write.
We’re all born to broken people on their most honest day of living
and since that first breath... We’ll need grace that we’ve never given
I've been haunted by standard red devils and white ghosts
and it's not only when these eyes are closed
these lies are ropes that I tie down in my stomach,
but they hold this ship together tossed like leaves in this weather
and my dreams are sails that I point towards my true north,
stretched thin over my rib bones, and pray that it gets better
but it won’t won’t, at least I don’t believe it will...
so I've built a wooden heart inside this iron ship,
to sail these blood red seas and find your coasts.
don’t let these waves wash away your hopes
this war-ship is sinking, and I still believe in anchors
pulling fist fulls of rotten wood from my heart, I still believe in saviors
but I know that we are all made out of shipwrecks, every single board
washed and bound like crooked teeth on these rocky shores
so come on and let’s wash each other with tears of joy and tears of grief
and fold our lives like crashing waves and run up on this beach
come on and sew us together, tattered rags stained forever
we only have what we remember
I am the barely living son of a woman and man who barely made it
but we’re making it taped together on borrowed crutches and new starts
we all have the same holes in our hearts...
everything falls apart at the exact same time
that it all comes together perfectly for the next step
but my fear is this prison... that I keep locked below the main deck
I keep a key under my pillow, it’s quiet and it’s hidden
and my hopes are weapons that I’m still learning how to use right
but they’re heavy and I’m awkward...always running out of fight
so I’ve carved a wooden heart, put it in this sinking ship
hoping it would help me float for just a few more weeks
because I am made out of shipwrecks, every twisted beam
lost and found like you and me scattered out on the sea
so come on let’s wash each other with tears of joy and tears of grief
and fold our lives like crashing waves and run up on this beach
come on and sew us together, just some tattered rags stained forever
we only have what we remember
My throat it still tastes like house fire and salt water
I wear this tide like loose skin, rock me to sea
if we hold on tight we’ll hold each other together
and not just be some fools rushing to die in our sleep
all these machines will rust I promise, but we'll still be electric
shocking each other back to life
Your hand in mine, my fingers in your veins connected
our bones grown together inside
our hands entwined, your fingers in my veins braided
our spines grown stronger in time
because are church is made out of shipwrecks
from every hull these rocks have claimed
but we pick ourselves up, and try and grow better through the change
so come on y'all and let’s wash each other with tears of joy and
tears of grief
and fold our lives like crashing waves and run up on this beach
come on and sew us together, were just tattered rags stained forever
I am in love, with love and the One who is Love. Beauty, truth, and creativity light up my eyes. I write to think. & I long to forever be in a state of learning.
without Jesus my life would mean nothing. with Him it means everything.
"Christ died for men precisely because men are not worth dying for; to make them worth it." {C.S. Lewis}
