Lovin When I Don't Wanna

Awhile ago, I wrote a post about loving when it's hard....(you can read it here...http://catydidgirl.blogspot.com/2015/06/loving-when-its-hard.html) but what about those times when you just straight out don't want to love them and plain hate them (maybe hate is too strong of a word...or maybe not..)???

Be honest with yourself...I think we all have a person that we just down right refuse to love!

Don't worry....I'm not judging you!! Trust me!! I have people in my life that I just hate!! This post is as much for me as it is for you!!



Whether this person gave you reason to hate them or you just flat out want to hate them, it doesn't matter! It doesn't matter who they are, or why do have this level of dislike for them, you just do, and you kind of want to!

I uh, hate to break it to you though, (myself included) that this 'emotion' (ha, you got that right!!) towards this human being (are they even human?) is sin...(darn it!!) Yeah, God says to love everybody (maybe this person won't count, maybe, just maybe there will be a legitimate reason for me to be allowed to hate them...please!!)



Nope!!! God says in the Ten Commandments, to love your neighbor as much as yourself. Unless you completely despise and hate yourself, which I'm pretty sure you don't, since we are selfish human beings, who sometimes love ourselves too much...you have to love this person (it's okay, get red in the face, scream, and throw the nearest object next to you across the room...I did that already!)

I don't want to love the person I detest either! They have done so much to bother me and torment me...( I may have twisted their words a little bit, but hey, it's probably what they mean...right?)

However, if we are truly followers of Christ, we should desire to do what is right and love this person. But sometimes, I honestly, really, really, don't want to, despite what God says!!!

But here are somethings that help me take a step in the right direction.

1) Start viewing them as human beings with a soul: I know that sounds weird, but I think it's true!! Sometime when we hate somebody our emotions get in the way and we unconsciously (or consciously) view them monster-like and think that every word they say or everything they do is pure evil (maybe a bit of an exaggeration).

If none of you feel this way then...I'm going to delete this blog, shut my laptop, and personally admit myself to a psychiatric hospital because I clearly need help!!

If you do feel the same way, then GREAT!!! Well... okay maybe not great...but hey, at least I'm not crazy!

In all seriousness, when you start looking at this person and viewing them as a person with a soul and as someone who could either be going to heaven or hell, it creates a tenderness and compassion towards that person!

Again...a step in the right direction!

2) Stop twisting their words and actions!!! I know it's hard to break old habits, but really, it only strengthens your hate and feeds the emotion!

3) Put yourself in their shoes: A classic, might I add!!

4) Let it go: Right now I'm singing that song...and since you can't hear me...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0MK7qz13bU
You can thank me later!!!



Stopping this emotion won't happen over night, it will take LOTS of prayer, dedication, and patience! But trust me, it will be worth it! Hating someone is so straining and is a weight on your shoulders!



So there you are! it won't be easy, but with God's help you can do it!! We will all be trying to love the people we hat together! And dare I say...we might actually like them??? Who knows!!

Love you all!!!
Good Luck!!
~Cait

What is Our Purpose in Life?

What is our purpose in life?



That is the million dollar question...one that people have been asking themselves for centuries! Philosophers and teachers have been arguing and debating this one question coming up with many different answers!



So what is our purpose here? We have to be breathing for a reason...right?? I sure hope so!

Is it to have the coolest job? Have the most money? Have many fans and friends? Have the best kids? Or is it to find true love?

Is our purpose in life to have great success???



Many people believe that success is our sole purpose in life! Wow....I would definitely be failing in life then...just saying!!

But once you get to the end of your life does money, love, jobs, house, etc really matter?

As believers we live for something so, so much more!

We live for Christ!!

Which, can I just say, is the greatest honor given to mankind?!?

God created us in the very beginning of time to glorify and praise Him!

We live for something greater than ourselves! Sure, we think that we are pretty great and that living for ourselves wouldn't be so bad, but it is so pointless!!!

Can you take success, money, fame, friends, and family with you once to die? We would like to think we could...but we can't!

So glorifying God is the number one purpose of life!!

It honestly just makes sense that we should worship and glorify the very being that created and brought us to life!!!!

Spreading the gospel to unbelievers is another one of our purposes in life!!



God commanded us to share the gospel!!! And why wouldn't we want to??

If you know something exciting and it has drastically changed your life don't you want to share it with everyone?? Sure!! It is something exciting and important to you and you just want everyone else to share in the excitement!!
For example...you found your soul-mate...the love of your life!!! You are so excited and happy that you just want everyone else around you happy too... so you try to match up your friends and make them happy!!!

How is that any different than wanting to share God's love and redemption story with everyone around? Except for the fact that a person's eternal salvation is on the line, while match-making friends isn't!!

Our purpose in life is to glorify God and share the gospel!!! Not too hard right?? Hahaha... if only our own selfish desires didn't get in the way... right?

Loving When It's Hard

Love is hard!

Love is patient
Love is kind
Love does not envy or boast
Love is not arrogant
Love is not rude
Love does not insist on its own way
Love doesn't rejoice at the wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
LOVE NEVER ENDS!!!
(paraphrased from 1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

When we say the word 'love' what is the image that comes to your mind?

Typically we see something like this....




A romantic relationship between two people.

Just to be clear, I'm not talking about romantic interests in this post! That shall be for a different post one day!
No, this post is about loving when it's hard (in case you didn't catch that from the title!!) like...loving your enemies; the people that dislike you and bully you!

Now, I have never been bullied before...like ever! In fact I have pretty much always been the more popular kid...or at least liked by the majority of the group!

So when I started working I fully expected to be liked...or at the very least...tolerated! Well, one of my co-workers in particular absolutely hated me...and still does! She  gossiped behind my back (not very well though...because I could normally hear this person), said nasty things to my face, tried to make me fail and make things harder for me, etc! It was extremely eye opening and extremely hurtful! Thankfully friends at work told me to brush it off and not let it get to me! They continued to build me up and encourage me, which really helped!

When this person started bullying me, I was angry (I still am sometimes)! I wanted to retaliate ( I still do sometimes!)! When I told my parents just how nasty this person was being, they encouraged me to love her and befriend her because she is clearly hurting and feels insecure in herself. I realized that God has placed her in my life for a reason. And since my sole purpose on this earth is to glorify god and share the gospel....I'm thinking that showing Christ's love is my answer! I felt inspired...I thought, "I'm going to love her, just like Christ loved(s) me! When she says hateful things , I'm going to respond with encouragement!" I went into work the next day feeling ready for whatever this girl might throw at me! And then it happened...she said something very hurtful....and I messed up, it was something small...I can't really remember, but that mistake lead to a string of nasty words and hateful looks! Without a second thought, adrenaline and anger running thorough my veins...I responded...perfectly, I might add if my goal was to be just as nasty as this girl!

Right after I said those words, I wished I could take them back, I remembered my goal and mission....to love her and show her Christ's love! Yeah I blew that one! I debated on whether or not to apologize, after all my response was totally justifiable and I had a right to feel that way! However, I started to feel guilty so I had to put my pride aside and apologize.

After apologizing and trying to purposefully treat her with kindness...it still hasn't changed her attitude or ways, but one day I pray that God will use this very messed up sacrifice of love to bring her to Himself!

I certainly don't do things perfectly! I could certainly treat her with more love and kindness! Her words still hurt and sting, but this is where God has me right now and He will give me the strength and patience and love to get through it!

View your bullies and enemies as your mission-field! Show Christ's love to them even when it's hard and trust me...it will be VERY hard!

Hope this encouraged you guys!!
I love you all!
Keep walking the straight and narrow!
Love,
Cait

A Life Changer

There have been many things in my life that have caused me to grow spiritually and have literally changed my life.

But there is one thing that has changed me in  a HUGE way!

That thing was my mission trips to Chihuahua, Mexico.

The first time I visited Mexico it was in September in the year 2009. I was 11 years old.

Experiencing a new country and culture is amazing, but as an 11 year old it was a little scary. Even though I was with my family and some of our closest friends, being 1,000s of miles away from home, meeting new people, and having to use my very little Spanish, was just a little out of my comfort zone.

My first trip was a lot of site seeing and working with a children's program that my church sponsors called Light Shine.

I'll tell you a little bit about Light Shine since I will talk about it a lot throughout this post!

Light Shine was started more than 7 years ago by some of the missionaries that work down. Light Shine is a children's program for the Native Indians called the Tarahumara that live in Chihuahua City. Most of them have come from the Sierra Mountains to find better work and try to live better lives.

(Both of the above pictures show the Sierra Madre Mountains. It is truly breathtaking and no picture can do it justice)

 Light Shine tries to get these kids off the streets, gives them a good meal, plays games with them, teach them how to take care of themselves, and most importantly teach them about the love, grace, and forgiveness of out Lord Jesus Christ.

Since going in 2009 I have gone back to my home away from home and second family twice. I went back in 2011 and then in 2013.

I have watched these kids in Light Shine grow up! I have also seen these kids accept Christ into their lives, become baptized, and lead the younger kids in Bible lessons and worship.

I have watched these kids share the gospel with the Mexicans. *(Back story) The Mexicans treat the Tarahuamara Indians kinda like how we treat Hispanics in the U.S. They give them the crappy jobs and look down on them*

It brought tears to my eyes (and for those who don't know me...that is a VERY rare occasion. I don't cry) as I watched these kids share the gospel and love on the people who dislike them and look down on them.

God has used each of these trips to:

 1) Push me further and further out of my comfort zone. I still hate getting out of my comfort zone because, well...it's uncomfortable and the inside of my bubble is very comfortable. I have learned, however, that some of the coolest things I have experienced were outside of my comfort zone. I have also found that I have grown closer to Christ outside of my comfort zone more times than I have inside of my bubble. I think the reason for this is that, when I'm comfortable I don't really NEED to rely on Christ. But when I'm scared, alone, and uncomfortable it forces me to rely on Him!

2)With each of my trips, God has shown me that I don't truly understand the extent of God's love and forgiveness. Each trip I come home completely overwhelmed with the love that God has for me and the lost. After each trip my desire to share the gospel and help people has strengthened and my fear lessened. Now of course, I'm not perfect and often shy away from a perfect opportunity to share the love of Christ with someone, but God is showing me that there is no need to be afraid because He is speaking through me...

I actually read this in my devotions a couple days ago;

In Matthew 10: 19-20

 "...do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."

I don't know about you, but that relieves a lot of my fear, because I don't have to worry about messing this up, because it isn't really me speaking...but Christ, speaking through me.

3)  After each trip, especially after the last one I was on in 2013, God has created a passion and love for the lost and hurting. Now I have always wanted to help people on a medical level, but He gave me a desire to help people on a spiritual level as well. I desire to build relationships with people, mentor people younger than me, etc.

I feel like I could go on forever about Mexico and the millions of things that God has shown me, but that would take WAY too long!

If you have considered going on a missions trip and feel like God is telling you to go, but fear, money, etc are keeping you from actually going... drop everything and GO!!!!

If you haven't considered a missions trip I would encourage you to prayerfully think about it! It is an amazing experience!

Here are some pictures from my last two trips!

Hanging out with the local church's youth group before we lead worship in the community

Leading worship in the community

My best friend! They were missionaries in Chihuahua, but just recently came back to the States

My pen pal and her family. I haven't seen here since my first trip in 2009 so it was an extremely sweet time

Sunrise + worship+ Sierra Madre Mountains= Indescribable amazingness

Last night in Mexico. My family sponsors this sweet girl and it was a very emotional time having to say goodbye

I tutor here in the states and got the incredible opportunity to tutor in Mexico.

This was back in 2011 and this not so little boy is now 11years old! My family also sponsors this spunky kid

Nothing more amazing than listening to the local pastor preach in the Tarahumara community...in Spanish of course!

Hope you guys enjoyed this post!!
Love you guys!!

~Cait

What Has Happened to Community?

I know, I know! I said that my next post would be about missions and my mission trip experiences, but....................................

I got distracted!

It happens a lot....maybe I have ADD.....see there it goes again!

Oh boy...

Okay, well, I have been thinking about this lately with the Baltimore Riots happening and all that.

I asked myself..."Why did this happen? What started this?" Yes I know...

Ferguson happened

and then

Freddie Gray happened

but I'm trying to think deeper! What is the underlying problem here?

Now....I was hesitant to write this post due to the controversy of this particular subject, but I just shrugged my shoulders and said "Ehhh, who cares?" I'm a rebel like that!

Anyway, the underlying problem....what is it?

I had a discussion with some of my family members recently and kinda answered my question.

The underlying problem is (I think, in my limited 17 years of observation)

The church.

I know! A shock! We Christians are supposed to be the ones who promote peace and help people!

We are the GODLY people! We don't start these kind of things!

Or do we?

Jesus talks a lot about community and loving each other.

For example:

Hebrews 10:24-25
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another- and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Mark 12:31
"The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."

Last one;

Romans 13:10
"Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

But honestly...

We as a church body are pretty bad at this.

We are not in our community like we should be! We focus so much on the structure of the building, the 'ministries', the various activities that are provided for church people and their 'friends', but you don't see people outside of the church in their community! Sure, you do sometimes, but it isn't common.

Maybe the actual 'church' building is a hindrance for us...maybe we go there on Sundays, and for that one activity that you do weekly, etc.

Maybe we shouldn't even have a building! Okay that might be taking it a little far, but the point is that I think we get so wrapped up in the building and the various ministries that we forget the people outside of those walls! 

I work for a secular nonprofit that does almost exactly what we should be doing!

They are out there providing for people's needs and truly loving on people. People feel safe as soon as they walk through those doors! There are workers that go out into the community just helping out a family that lost a loved one, or a family that just had a baby, or even just a listening ear!

Why don't we do that?

It is the church's job to be providing for people's needs, both physical and spiritual, but why is that not happening?

Why are these secular programs and the government having to step up and do that?

I mean, the government is setting up all this welfare stuff to 'help' people with poverty.

But isn't that our job? To help people, build relationships, and share the gospel?

Why don't we start doing what Christ told us to do! Stop being SO singly focused on what is happening INSIDE the building and start focusing on the people OUTSIDE of the building.


Well guys, this was kind of a harder post, a little less carefree! I just had that conversation and just felt like I needed to share!

Hope you guys enjoyed it! Love you all!!

~ Cait

Valentines Day Twist

I know, I know...I'm a day late. The love holiday was yesterday....in my defense I wrote this yesterday, but just didn't finish editing until today! Sorry!

I was thinking about a good Valentines Day topic that wasn't all mushy or that wasn't about how to be single and survive February 14th! I have been reading this book called "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers and it is a fictional, more modern version of the Old Testament Bible story about the prophet Hosea and his love story with a prostitute named Gomer. I also just finished reading Jefferson Bethke's book, "Jesus> Religion" and he used the same analogy that I thought of when I read "Redeeming Love"!

I think this Bible story is one of the greatest love stories....except for one (we will talk about this later)! (The book of Hosea)

*********Here is a narrative story about Hosea and Gomer told by yours truly! ***********
Here is a well to-do, man of God. He was a prophet, which meant God used him to reach His people, whether it was to encourage them or correct them! Either way, this man was extremely important!
God told him, Hosea to marry a prostitute woman named Gomer. I think I'm safe to think that Hosea was probably in shock....who wouldn't be? A good, righteous man, marry a prostitute? Come on! Is this how God rewards His faithful followers? But, this upstanding man did what God told him to do...he married her!

But....this story doesn't end like you would think! Hosea and Gomer didn't have a happily ever after!

Gomer continued to run back into prostitution, away from a man who loved her and could give her what she wanted and needed!

Hosea even bought his wife back from slavery! He pursued her even when he was humiliated, and angry.

Why?

Because God told him to! (A good enough reason, I think...God can see the big picture!) I'm sure it was hard to love her, but because God told him to do this.... Hosea obeyed!

You see.... it think this love story is so great because it is real....it isn't a fairytale, it doesn't sugar coat the whole 'love' thing! 

I don't know if Gomer ever remains with Hosea, of if she kept running away, the Bible doesn't really say.

*****************

Remember I said that there was a greater love story than even this one? Here it is....it is God's relationship with us! No, it isn't weird that a great, heavenly being loves us....

 Guess who we are though....we are Gomer. Startling I know! I will give you some time to process this.....( confession...I need time to process this so I can write it....)

.....................................................................................

Okay, now that we are ready to move on, here we go! 

Think of God as Hosea (granted, Hosea wasn't God , but bear with me!) and think of us...human beings, as Gomer- the prostitute. 

Just as Hosea pursued Gomer even after she kept going back into prostitution, so does God keep pursing us, loving us, and wanting us to be with him eternally! 

Hosea wasn't perfect. I'm sure he got tired of chasing after her; I'm sure he hated her; I'm sure he got angry that she couldn't just be thankful that she had all her needs taken care of; and I'm sure he questioned God on why He was making his faithful servant go through all this pain and hurt! 

But imagine being loved and pursued by a someone who is ultimately perfect! 

So here is my Valentines day post!!

Love you all!! 

~Cait