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

Behind The Line Of Fire

**Warning...this post is not a light-hearted one!!**

"Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." 2 Timothy 3:12

Here are some facts about persecution....

Each month:
-322 Christians are killed for their faith
-214 Churches and Christian properties are destroyed
-772 Forms of violence are committed against Christians (such as beatings, abductions, rapes, arrests, and forced marriages) 

(opendoorsusa.com)

So, from these statistics...I think we can gather that Christian persecution still exists today!

No, it is not just an old biblical thing.

The thing that really sparked the idea for this post actually happened about a month an a half ago! Oh well, I needed time to really think and pray about this one!


Well...my wonderful grandmother, knowing how much I love the World War 2 era and any kind of spy...thing, took me to a presentation about Female spies during WWII! It was amazing!
I got to hear about all of these strong women, dedicated to their country and their mission!
I think I aspire to be like them after hearing some of their stories!

What really hit me was the fact that these women carried out their mission to the very end! Even if it meant having to sacrifice their life!

I was just so inspired by that! The fact that they kept going, even if their cover was blown!

I was thinking about this in relation to my own life...How does what they did apply to me? Right now...in the 21st century....for a 17 year old...or for anyone for that matter!

Well...I began to think....this could really relate to persecution!

I began to think of all the people in the various countries being held in prison, tortured, and the such, all because they refuse to denounce Jesus Christ as their Savior and turn their back on Him! They are the true heroes in my opinion!

They are there, never swaying from what they believe in, fighting the good fight! These Christians are dedicating their life to sharing the Gospel.

I have read stories of persecuted Christians that actually witness to their persecutors! They are that in love with Jesus that they want EVERYONE to know about His love, and grace!

We all face some kind f persecution in one way or another! Sure, in America we are not publicly persecuted, but we can be in little ways!

So what can we do with our persecutions?

Well we can start by praying for faith and perseverance just like our brothers and sisters in the other countries!
Christ will give us strength to get through anything! No matter the struggle!

What can we do about our brothers and sisters that are getting tortured and imprisoned for their beliefs?  

There is this amazing website called Voice of the Martyrs that is helping these people in tangible ways! Not to mention they give you personal things that you can pray for!

http://www.persecution.com/

Well that's it folks! Sorry for taking so long to get this out!! I kept rewriting it because it never sounded right! So...here is the 4th Edition!!

Love,
Cait

Neverland

 This afternoon I was helping my younger brother clean up and tidy our woods garden, aka the large open space in our woods that butts right up against our yard...don't ask me why it's called garden...nothing grows in there- hence the large open space!

There is a large tree house right in the middle of it with a collection of old broken toys and furniture that has all been used for a multitude of things; pirate ship, house, farm, hospital, etc! Things, meaning toys and furniture, had gotten a little out of hand recently, and since my graduation party is this weekend, I decided that the stuff must get cleaned up!

Now, I'm 17 years old and have not played out there for several years.

As we were cleaning things up I would pick up an old toy and old memories would flood into my mind. I remembered the carefree, and somewhat child I was, up in that tree house being whoever I wanted to be!

I stood there for a moment letting the sweet memories sweep over me.

I suddenly felt a longing to be 10 again pretending to be a nurse. Not having to think about the grades or long years of studying it would take for me to become one!

I wanted to be young, innocent, and without all the stress that life has bogged me down with.  I don't want to have to worry about school, grades, money, relationships, time, etc!

Why, oh why did I wish those years away to get to where I am now? There is nothing glorious about it!

And then I realized...I didn't wish those years away...it happened naturally and over time. I was bound to turn 17-18 eventually! And I had a fun childhood! I wouldn't really change it at all!

And being a teenager has many blessings that as a child, I didn't have!

Like having more freedom, being able to drive ( that's a big one!), having more responsibility, having more say over your life, making decisions YOU want to make, being old enough to be in relationships, and so many more things!

So, I guess my main point in this is...be content in the stage of life you are in! They all have their pro's and con's! It's just what you choose to focus on! 

Well that's it folks!! I'm working on a big post right now...I've been struggling with it, but hope to have it out soon! 

Love, 

Cait

15 Words of Wisdom

So I asked on my personal Facebook page if some people would impart some words of wisdom to the younger generation and for everybody else!!

Here are some of the responses I got!

1)  The choices and habits that you make now will not magically disappear once you reach adulthood! As the saying goes..."Old habits, die hard!"


2) This is sort of related to #1....get in the habit of reading your Bible! It doesn't get any easier as an adult! And it is one of the most important things in your life

3) Sometimes , the most valuable lessons aren't taught within the walls of a classroom!


4) "Always speak up for those who can't speak for themselves, always stand up for those weaker than you, and all it takes for evil to prosper is for a good man to do nothing!" Thank you Edmund Burke for some inspiring words!

5) You will learn and observe many things in life...especially in the college years....so make sure to constantly analyze and reevaluate everything and to take it back to the Bible to evaluate it's truth!

6) Travel now and see as much as you can!! The older you get...the busier you get! So do it now when you have the time AND the energy!

7) Start saving for retirement now! A $100 or two each month starting as soon as possible will cause you to be able to live comfortably later on when you retire!

8) Read history!I can't tell you how many times history has repeated itself! You would think that if it happened once already we would learn from our mistakes...but no! "You can never make the same mistake twice, because the second time you make it, it's not a mistake...it's a choice."






9) Make time to serve others every week! No matter how small the act of service is to someone, it can still make a difference!

10) You can't change a person!!! I can't tell you how many times I have heard people say that! It is impossible to change a person...there is only one who can change a person's heart and the is Christ! He can change their hearts, causing them to change the way the view life act!

11) Be Authentic and be yourself! Nuff said!

12) Eliminate 'friends' who tear you down, don't respect you, and are all around a bad influence! The people you hangout with is the they type of person you will eventually become! Surround yourself with people who constantly build you up, encourage you, respect you, want to love life with you, and will constantly push you past your limits!

13) People are always watching and listening to what you say and do so make sure that you are always speaking what is true and good and acting like a true follower of Christ!

14) Challenge yourself!

15) Step Out Of Your Comfort Zone: The comfort zone is...well...comfortable! We like to stay there because when we step outside of it we feel scared and insecure and I don't know if there is a single person who likes to feel awkward or scared! I know I don't! However, God speaks to us and reveals things to us when we are most scared or insecure! I know that when I grew most, spiritually, it was when I was fully outside of my comfort zone! I was scared and had to fully rely on Christ, which allowed him to show me things up close and personal!

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