A year ago today, my family and friends were having Thanksgiving dinner in the hospital.We were there to share the holiday with Roberta Carman. She had been in serious condition since the summer and it was a miracle that she was sitting right in front of us. In June Roberta became very ill. After several surgeries, things were getting worse. In August 2010, Roberta was taken off life support and we all thought she would be heading back home to God. Then, all of a sudden she surprised everyone. Since the doctors had taken her off life support, she had improved. Little by little, she got better. She started talking. Then walking. Later she was moved out of the hospital and into an assisted living center. Then, she was allowed to go home.
Today, we are going to share Thanksgiving with the whole gang at the Carman house! :)
Simply put: I am thankful for miracles.
Me.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
FITS 2010-Padre Rescued (flashback)
I wrote this a long time ago when I was away at my church Summer camp. I recently found it in a journal and thought I would share it because this is something I struggle with constantly.
Working at the church nursery, I have the privilege to take care of toddlers. One of my favorite times to experience is when a child has painted a picture and they want to show you. "Look teacher, look", they say(they always have trouble remembering Ms.Alex). I take their picture from their small hands. I smile. Even though most of the time, I have no idea what I am looking at, I look down at them and say,"That's wonderful! The best painting I have ever seen." The child's face lights up and he/she continues to create other works of art.
During the few weeks leading up to this trip, I would simply find time to stare into my reflection in my bathroom mirror. I would just stand there looking at myself. I wish my eyes were prettier. I hate my thighs. I need to do some sit-ups. My ears are so weird. I really need braces. I wish my skin was clear. I could just stand there putting myself down over and over. I don't exactly know why but everyone does it. Females do it all the time. It doesn't help or make anything better. I simply feel that everything about me is just not good enough.
So...what if I took a painting from a little boy and instead of positive feedback, I say, "Oh gosh, this is horrible! Too much red here. You need more color over there...and what is that random blob in the middle? This is the worst painting." Imagine his crushed self-esteem.
Now, think of God being the young boy. I am his painting. He created me. He thinks I'm beautiful and he is proud of his work. By, putting myself down, I am putting my Lord down. I'm insulting his most beautiful creation. I am his masterpiece and I don't want to be insulting his work.
Thanks to my week at my camp and everything God is doing inside of me, I have realized something. I should always be striving to make God's face light up. I can easily do that by praising his creations. I am beautiful and perfect to my father. I am his little girl.He loves me and that's really all that matters. I need to look in the mirror only to thank God for all that I am and for what I will become. I should also be telling my friends how amazing they are and that I am happy God created them. They are also his creations. I hope to bring this all back home in my daily life. I hope that I will continue to light up God's face.
Working at the church nursery, I have the privilege to take care of toddlers. One of my favorite times to experience is when a child has painted a picture and they want to show you. "Look teacher, look", they say(they always have trouble remembering Ms.Alex). I take their picture from their small hands. I smile. Even though most of the time, I have no idea what I am looking at, I look down at them and say,"That's wonderful! The best painting I have ever seen." The child's face lights up and he/she continues to create other works of art.
During the few weeks leading up to this trip, I would simply find time to stare into my reflection in my bathroom mirror. I would just stand there looking at myself. I wish my eyes were prettier. I hate my thighs. I need to do some sit-ups. My ears are so weird. I really need braces. I wish my skin was clear. I could just stand there putting myself down over and over. I don't exactly know why but everyone does it. Females do it all the time. It doesn't help or make anything better. I simply feel that everything about me is just not good enough.
So...what if I took a painting from a little boy and instead of positive feedback, I say, "Oh gosh, this is horrible! Too much red here. You need more color over there...and what is that random blob in the middle? This is the worst painting." Imagine his crushed self-esteem.
Now, think of God being the young boy. I am his painting. He created me. He thinks I'm beautiful and he is proud of his work. By, putting myself down, I am putting my Lord down. I'm insulting his most beautiful creation. I am his masterpiece and I don't want to be insulting his work.
Thanks to my week at my camp and everything God is doing inside of me, I have realized something. I should always be striving to make God's face light up. I can easily do that by praising his creations. I am beautiful and perfect to my father. I am his little girl.He loves me and that's really all that matters. I need to look in the mirror only to thank God for all that I am and for what I will become. I should also be telling my friends how amazing they are and that I am happy God created them. They are also his creations. I hope to bring this all back home in my daily life. I hope that I will continue to light up God's face.
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