Heart Choices: 2018-06-24 -->

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Five Minute Friday: IF


It's Five Minute Friday when I join with a tribe of writers. We are given a one-word prompt and get to write for five minutes flat.

START

If only I hadn't ...
I would be doing great, if only ...
If I had _____, then life would be fantastic.
If only this happened, I would be happy.

Oh, that word if. So many phrases enter my mind.

LIfe doesn't go the way I plan. People don't act the way I wish they would. Circumstances happen that are beyond my control.  God doesn't always answer my prayers the way I anticipate.

But God is in control. I believe that. He has a plan for my life, and He can use the circumstances in my life for His purposes.

" . . . if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” ~ 2 Chronicles 7:14

If only, I would seek God's face and trust His plans for my life.  I learn from my mistakes. I realize I have a choice in the way I respond when circumstances don't go my way. And I thank Him for His continued presence in my life.

STOP

Blessings and love,

QuickEdit

What the World Needs Now is Love




I walked into my preschool classroom. It is summer camp time, so things looked different. Scattered across the tables were arts and crafts, glue sticks, cotton, cut out headbands. Most of the campers were in the pool outside, but two of my students were sitting in their seats as they attempted to assemble their project for Star Wars week.

Her dark eyes spotted me, and she squealed, "Miss Debbie!" and there was that magical smile. Her arms extended, I couldn't help but pick her up to hug her tightly. After the past week of worrying about my dad, this was the best medicine. My return smile was genuine.

"But Jesus said, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children." Matthew 19:14 (NLT)

Oh, to truly love like a child. No expectation; just delight.

I sat with my little student as she took her glue stick and began to place pieces of cotton on her headband. She dropped it and then said, "upsadaisy." Looking up at me, she smiled again. I had to laugh as she learned that expression from me during the school year. It indeed reminded me how little ones imitate what we say.

O be careful little ears what you hear.
O be careful little ears what you hear.
There's a Father up above
And He's looking down in love.
So, be careful little ears what you hear.

The lyrics to a song I sang as a child reverberated through my head. Oh parents, remember that they repeat so many of the expressions you say each day. So, be careful with your words (note to self too).

Love like a child. Can we open up our hearts and love with no expectations?

There's so much hatred I hear from the news on TV. People with differing opinions shouting at each other.

This past Sunday, my pastor preached a sermon that I am still digesting. He encouraged us to pray for our government leaders, even if we disagree with them. That is Biblical.

"I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity." 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NLT) 
The apostle Paul wrote this to his protege Timothy during the time of Emperor Nero who was persecuting the Christians and throwing them to the lions in Rome.

I pray for my students each school year. It is not a Christian school, so there are representatives of many different faiths. But I love each one of them; no matter what their background or color of their skin.

Jesus loves the little children.
All the children of the world.
Red and yellow, black and white.
They are precious in his sight.
Jesus loves the little children of the world.

Another childhood song repeats itself in my head.

The world needs a little more love.

"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” John 13:35 (NIV)

Do you love people who are different from you? It's easy to gravitate towards others who share similar values and beliefs.


It's time for me to leave. My student's arms extend towards me for the last hug. I quickly snap a selfie of the two of us and send it to her mom. She quickly responds with "OMG! IM SURE SHE WAS IN HEAVEN. SHE ASKS ABOUT YOU DAILY."

This family shares a different faith from mine. But I silently thank God for His love. I can love because He loves me.

What the world needs now is love, sweet love. (Can you hear that song in your head?)

Blessings and love,

QuickEdit
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