Priceless

This is one of those posts that I either am supposed to write or just keep in my own thoughts swimming around. I'm going to go for now that I need to write it, fair warning I am about to reference a lot of songs if this gets written like I think it may. Starting with Priceless by For King & Country....

Mirror, mirror. Mirror on the wall telling those lies, pointing out your flaws, that isn't who you are. That isn't who you are. It might be hard to hear, but let me tell you dear, if you could see what I can see I know you would believe that isn't who you are, there's more to who you are. So when it's late, you're wide awake, too much to take, don't you dare forget that in the pain, you can be brave, and safe.I see you dressed in white, every wrong made right, I see a rose in bloom, at the sight of you, oh so priceless, irreplaceable, unmistakable, incomparable...

First, love this song from the very first time I heard it. Second, if you don't know it inspired or was inspired by the movie of the same name (Priceless ---to save you a glance at the beginning of the post). The movie Priceless deals with human trafficking. Can I be honest? I think that is a very real and serious issue that does not get addressed or the attention that it very much should get. When I went to the theater to watch the movie and we was leaving my friend asked me if it made me uncomfortable and I said no but it does bother me that this is very much a real thing that happens more than I think people want to admit or think about. It's funny isn't it how we pick and choose what cause is worthy and who is worthy or not but I'm getting a bit ahead of myself. This song brings out a lot for me personally. Because you see I could be wrong but I think to many of us are currently or have had our houses (ourselves) built on the wrong foundation. Might not seem important but build on the wrong foundation and sooner or later what is a beautiful house (that'd be you) is lackluster, kind of hidden behind the grass and vines and stuff that have built up (the lies). I think all to often in ways that often times are of no fault of our own lies become our foundation and we believe those lies, sometimes can't those lies look so pretty wrapped up in what just has to be true. We build on societies lies that we have to be a certain size, wear certain clothes and in a certain way, think a certain way or you are wrong, have to be popular to be someone. Then to further add stability to the foundation of lies we're often told or over hear things about ourselves that just has to be true cause so and so said it. It all adds up to build a sturdy foundation that we was never meant to be standing on. Then our house gets full of mirrors that tell nothing but lies. Now I personally will avoid looking in a mirror, hate it, will not look at one if I can avoid it. But point is to many have heard and believed those lies now the amazing person that you are is hidden in this house that is built on nothing but lies and it's blocked all the windows, cracked and peeled the paint, and made the door to the truth seem impossible to open. Can I tell you something though, that is nothing but a mirage that the lies have built up and made you see, or made you think that is all there is. Because as the song says you are a rose in bloom. See your house is really built on the truth you just got to break a few mirrors and such to see it. The truth is you are priceless, irreplaceable, beautiful inside and out. To steal part of a quote from the movie The Help....You is important.

Now kind of back to that thought that it's funny how often we pick and choose what cause is worthy and even who is worthy. Don't get me wrong I think we all have a particular cause or person that resonates with maybe something we went through and have an area that we are better prepared and meant to help in. That's not what I'm trying to say, I'm hopefully getting across that it seems that to often people will say this group of people brought this on themselves they deserve to be where they are they could help themselves if they wanted to. To be honest I feel like we get so focused on arguing about what cause or who is more worth fighting for that we all lose. We lose focus on what really does matter, we let fear and hate further divide us, we start to lose hope and no one wins. But that's not where it should be or where it should end. Song reference #2 is Speak Life by TobyMac particularly this part of the song: Look into the eyes of the broken hearted. Watch them come alive as soon as you speak hope, you speak love, you speak, you speak life...Lift your head a little higher, spread the love like fire. Hope will fall like rain when you speak life with the words you say. Raise your thoughts a little higher, use your words to inspire. Joy will fall like rain when you speak life with the things you say.....See we somehow think, or I think, that one has to have a lot of money, speak eloquently, have influence and such to make a difference. Not true. You know the words we use can be weapons of destruction or help build and lift up others. That is even true with the words we use and hear concerning our house. We can easily rip someone to shreds or help them up just by the words we use alone. In a world that seems more than ready to tear you down, well it really may not make a difference to a lot of people, but I'm going to choose to speak life, speak hope, and speak love. Don't let fear, hate and division keep you so focused on the wrong thing that you end up I don't know discouraged and hopeless because there's always hope. Tiniest bit of shred sometimes, or it feels that way, but there is always hope. Obviously you should do what you feel you need to do. For me that is to not tear anyone down because everyone is a story and everyone's story deserves to be heard and their story matters and they deserve help. My help may be nothing more than trying to be an encourager, to help them up when they have fallen, etc. To often we'll see the the person that is on drugs on the streets or the homeless veteran, the prostitute on the street and say they don't deserve help they could help themselves but they do, they very much deserve help, they deserve to have their story heard.

I am one that always wonders if I am doing all that I can, am I making a difference, what is my purpose to do with the time that I am here type thing. Song reference #3 is a song I stumbled across called In The Time You Gave Me (I've heard it sung by Bradley Walker featuring Joey from Joey + Rory). In the time that you gave me Did I give all I could give? Did I love all I could love? Did I live all I could live? Was my faith in your grace strong enough to save me? Did I do all I could do in the time that you gave me? In the time that you gave me Did I face the devil down? Did I make him turn away every time I stood my ground? If today is the day you should decide to take me Did I do all I could do in the time that you gave?...I'm going to go with I could always improve on how and what I do with the time that I am given in how I help others and such. I realize I get stuck in my comfort zone a lot but I don't ever want to become complacent with anything I may accomplish but I also don't want to get so comfortable that I don't think I ever have room for improvement or could do better. Because I'm not perfect but I want to strive continuously to be not only a good person but to treat people the way they should be and to do all that I can to better me but to help those that I will be around in the time that I am given. This part really I guess has nothing to do with the song or anything but I got thinking about a butterfly today. I have always loved butterflies and have always been amazed by their transformation. I think a lot of people are like butterflies. They go through this world seemingly unnoticed, some think they are a nuisance (or they themselves think they are and that they are a bother and such). Some go through things that about destroys them, often times they believe it will destroy them. Time comes they build the cocoon (I daresay some build the cocoon and hide in it before they are supposed to and stay in it longer than they should). Cocoon starts to break (sometimes we need help in breaking the cocoon or realizing that it is okay to come out) and would you look at what emerges! It always amazes me that the butterfly never sees or knows just how amazingly beautiful it is. People are like that. Some don't see the wings they have, they don't see the beauty that is them - not just in their looks or what they have- but the beauty that is them that makes the designs on their wings one of a kind and this world is a little - no a lot better because they are in it. Sometimes we need help seeing our wings and getting out of the cocoon and well this world is difficult we just need to know we aren't alone and got someone with us in our corner and we'll be in their corner. Thank God for those people that help like that. I don't know but maybe it is time for me to fly. 

Last song quote and to end this post is A Little Closer by Group 1 Crew - 

 If you opened my heart you'd see I don't have it all together. If you took me apart you'd see the worst of me wants to get better but You're changing me, piece by piece into who You're really callin me to be. There's a beauty and beast inside of me who I am fighting who I wanna be but through the rise and falls the roller coaster I get a little closer.

Thank you for being a friend

Sometimes I have what I like to refer to as my song for the day/moment. Ever have that happen, just a line from a song just pop in your head and you sing it throughout the day whether you want to or not, or you just have to find the song to listen to the whole thing on repeat throughout the day? Today's song and this particular post is brought to you in part by Dottie Rambo and her song Tears Will Never Stain the Streets of That City. Additional points will also be brought to you thanks to the movie War Room and Jason Crabb and his song Home and shall we continue reading to find out who else! You know the disclaimer I've probably wrote about this in some way before but I'll write it again.

There's a video on YouTube of Dottie Rambo and Gerald Crabb singing the song Tears Will Never Stain... and I love what Dottie says before she starts singing just as much as the song itself. I got a couple of direct quotes from that video of what Dottie said that I want to share. First one she tells Gerald, 'Everybody that God ever did use in a great way the devil slapped in a great way.' Then she tells him, 'If you ever have a rough day you know how to get a hold of Dottie Rambo and we'll fight the fight out together. If I have a bad day I'll call you. Will that be alright?'  I love that one because as you watch that you can tell that she honest to goodness means that with every ounce of her being. Anyone can say they'll be there for you but to not only genuinely see it in their eyes that they mean it but for them to also genuinely show it. To me that means more than anything in this world. If you believe in God then you know God has got your back and He is in your corner. But if I can be honest with you sometimes circumstances happen and the noise of the lies and stuff can get so loud it can drown that truth out. Sometimes as weird as it may be and sound there are just sounds and even the volume of how loud people may be talking and it literally hurts me to hear. I'm fairly certain I have unintentionally cringed cause it is causing me pain. It's dumb I know. But in the same aspect so often in life the doubts, fears and lies have gotten so loud I forgot the truth and just sometimes in life I just need to talk. Of course I pray and talk to God but again some days it's just difficult to get that prayer out or you just need the assurance that yup God is still there and He's got your back and you know what so do I. Do you have those kind of people in your life? I hope you do, at least one person like that. I know a lot of people say and/or think I don't like to talk or talk a lot and stuff but contrary to that there are times that I can and do want to talk about all kinds of stuff but there are also moments where I just need to talk to someone and let them help me fight the fight that I may be going through. And I hope and try my best to be there to help anyone to fight the fight they may be going through.

There's also a video on YouTube of Jason Crabb singing a song called Home which is about someone passing away and going to heaven, or going home. And in a particular video he is talking, because the song is about his grandma who passed away, and he was talking about he was just having one of those days where you have maybe that one person that you just need to hear their voice. So he called his grandma and she said Jace is that you and he said yeah I just needed to hear your voice and she asked him what was wrong. Do you also have those kinds of people in your life? Again I hope you do. But those people that some how just hearing their voice, going to visit them if that's an option or in my case so often sending them a message on Facebook will calm you down and/or just say the truth that you have been repeating to yourself but it just is not sinking in but they say it and it like breaks the wall. I also have those people that see through the I'm fine and somehow know that I'm not entirely fine and so often in the simplest of ways just help me. I remember one time I was having a I am most definitely not fine moment but will try to act like I am and a friend called me. I was trying to hide and she calls me. But you know that phone call helped me so very much cause it got my mind off what was going on and helped me not focus on the lies and where I would so easily get lost in my head.

Lastly, I think, I don't know if you have ever seen the movie War Room or not but I absolutely adore the character Miss Clara. Seriously just watch the movie for her if you haven't seen it. Everyone needs a Miss Clara or two in their life. You know the motherly type figure that is there to help keep and get you back in line if need be but is also there to help guide you too when you need it. Who they may also threaten to use the mom card on you if you don't listen to them (I may or may not have had that happen). A few days ago I was texting a friend and the subject of hiding came up, in particular me trying to hide. And I went on to send a text that said to be honest I don't think (insert three particular people's names here) would let me get by with that. She sent a text back that said no and be glad we love you enough to care. To which I replied back with believe me I am forever grateful and appreciative of that. And I am. Perhaps more than they will ever know.

Sometimes maybe in the rush of this ride called life we maybe find ourselves taking for granted the people God has placed in our lives that are just there for us. That is that calming voice of reason that helps us remember the truth or that will just help us fight the fight. Or perhaps is that motherly (or fatherly) figure in your life. May we all know such people and appreciate them and may we all be that kind of person to someone.

To those people in my life I most sincerely appreciate and thank you for all you have done and do for me and helping me fight the fight.

Hurt by Hurt

First if you haven't realized by now I am a quote fanatic as well as music and will often reference both...a lot. The title of this post is actually a song, it's Hurt by Hurt by Sonya Isaacs Yeary. Fantastic song, will add a video of it at the end if you so choose to listen to it. I actually found the song by accident on YouTube and it really resonated with me. I say it quite often but I love it when I can find a song that just speaks what you may be going through, or gives you that bit of hope that circumstances tried its best to steal and those words encouraged you and reminded you that it's all going to be okay. Maybe it's the listener and observer in me or maybe I'm just really weird I don't know. But words are powerful. They can build you up and they can tear you down others words as well as your own. However, that's kind of getting off point for what I want to write about. Bare with me cause this is going to start out sounding hopeless but it's not going to end that way. Actually at the time it. or should I say I, was hopeless. There's a line in the song that goes like this: Wounds that were silent wordless and cruel tore me apart and nobody saw how I died. Died inch by inch on the inside. Hurt by hurt the painful memories waiting in line. Hurt by hurt I built a wall one hurt at a time....that was me, word for word it was me. I'm a crier try my best not to cry in front of people but I most definitely am a crier, happy, sad, mad I'll cry. Which is what I did when I heard this song and it got to that line and I thought oh my word that's it, dear God that's exactly what I have felt for well over half of my life. And I remember thinking, hoping, praying that someway somehow all these hurts could be taken away. The load I had been carrying from the hurts to be lifted because I'm not in good shape literally and figuratively and carrying hurts and loads can wear a body and spirit down and wear it down quickly if you ain't mighty careful. Even more so when you try to do it all on your own. Trust me I know I do it way to often. Now we got the let's be honest part about these hurts part from the song shall we go to another part of the song. This line goes like this: Gentle as raindrops, welcome as morning after the darkness. Without a warning love broke right through invading my hurt. You watered my heart through my past and melted the barriers at last. Hurt by hurt the painful memories waiting in line. Hurt by hurt you healed them all one hurt at a time...So first time I heard the song and you know how I felt with the first verse and then it gets to this verse and I remember thinking Lord if that's possible how very much I would love for that to happen. Because you know after you carry a burden or hurt for so long at least the way I carried it one starts to wonder if the barriers can be crossed. Now can I tell you about this morning. I happened to be listening to some music on my phone on shuffle and this song was the one that was ready to play. Was listening to it and it got to that second verse and it just hit me and I thought wow my life is more in the second verse now I'm no longer stuck in that first verse. I still have hurts and problems I'm dealing with sure but to go from where I was when I first heard this song and all that I was carrying all the walls I had built up to now it's a 180 degree turn or well on my way to being a 180. You remember those commercials with the Kool-Aid man breaking through the walls and stuff it's almost felt like that. This morning when I heard the song especially that verse I laughed not in a mocking or just heard a funny joke laugh but a joyful laugh if that makes sense. Odd how there are so many different kinds of laughs and tears isn't it? I know a person that sometimes will laugh what I guess would be called a spirit filled laugh. Oh I love to hear her laugh in those moments, well anytime but something about that kind of laugh you can't help but smile. Kind of like those people that has a laugh that you may have no idea what is going on but when you hear their laugh you can't help but smile. Then of course there are those times that you see someone that has gone through so much and they still have a smile on their face and then one day you see them with a laugh, a real laugh that reaches their eyes and comes from the belly and oh how happy you are for them. You laugh with them and you smile and are just so happy for them. Sometimes they get that laugh and they still have the hurt, still have the problem but they were given that laugh, maybe that reminder or hope that they needed. Songs aren't the only things that seem to help be a reminder and say what I need to but can't say or just need to hear but books do that to and stories. And good old Joseph and his story keeps popping up and boy am I glad it does. Each time I read or am sent something about his story I learn something new or am reminded of something. I recently decided to read it again and can I point out a few verses from his story. As I've said before I spent a good part of my life thinking God hated me and wondering where He was if He cared. Won't go into it again of how I figured out how that was a lie and stuff but I will share these verses that if one reads the story of Joseph you can easily read right past it and not get. I do that often just get reading and just kind of skim over some sentences and such. So while reading the story of Joseph he has now been sold into slavery by his brothers can you imagine what all was going through Joseph's mind and how he was feeling - I would guess hurt, betrayed and rejected. Then I got to this verse Genesis 39:2 -- The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian....then little later on in the chapter Joseph gets lied on and accused of something he didn't do and something that didn't even happen at least not the way it was told to Potiphar who in turn threw him in prison. Then you get to this verse: Genesis 39:21 -- But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison....maybe it was just me but reading those verses again and being reminded that just like with Joseph and during his times of betrayal, rejection, lies all of his hurts and setbacks God was with him. I know for me many times I have felt like God wasn't there but He was and after making it through I can look back and think oh yeah I can definitely see now how you was there God and how it's all worked or continuing to work out to take me somewhere (still not sure where all the stops and places I will go or things I will do but there's plenty of each for me to do I think). Last little thing about Joseph have you ever read to the part of his sons names? Actually if you have or haven't read the story you should just read the whole story of Joseph. If not or even if you have here's a reminder of those verses: Genesis 41:51-52 -- Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh:“For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father’s house.” ⁵² And the name of the second he called Ephraim: “For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.”....I'm probably weird but I always find it fascinating the meanings of names and such and I just love the meanings of these names. I ain't a preacher, teacher or speaker but just reading those verses if someone was there is some messages in that that would make the church mouse say amen! Again maybe it's just me but reading the meanings of the names, there's just something powerful about the meanings and no doubt the reminders for Joseph. He was shown and could finally see how God was putting all the pieces of his puzzle together all along. In all the set backs, rejections, lies and hurts all of it worked together and in all that time God hadn't forgotten Joseph or left him. God even made a way that Joseph was fruitful in the land of his affliction. I may be wrong in this but that's a wow how awesome moment to me because even in our afflictions good can come from it and many times in ways we can't even begin to fathom if we was writing the story and saw the big picture. So I'm not down playing any and all hurts you or I have or may be going through.But can I just say it may feel like there is no hope and God is no where in sight or maybe you feel like you're dying inside and those walls are impossible to be torn down or crossed. I sincerely mean this and hope if you are feeling like this that you know that you matter, there is hope and God is there and He cares no matter if you can't feel Him or whatever just hang on to the hope and truth that He will not leave or forsake you. I can't tell you how many times I have just had to repeat that line/verse to try to drown out the lies that God didn't care or wasn't there. I also hope that you remember that though there may be a storm right now or remnants of hurts there will be sun and growth and things that you or I can't even begin to imagine that will be in your story and in mine. 

Hope is faith holding out its hand in the dark - George Iles

Encouragers - may we all know one and be one...

I think I have about twenty tabs open in my brain with eight that has something I need to do or a handy dandy good reminder, four are not responding and the rest I wish would close or not respond. Hello, did you actually make it through that first sentence with just maybe a chuckle or SALT (smiled a little then stopped!). So here we are the first post for 2017. There really won't be anything new, I have probably wrote about this before but sometimes I just need reminding of things because I don't always read through the instructions the first time and get so far and realize that wasn't a good idea. Other times I just need to sit for a spell, drop the heavy load and rest. It is at this moment I realize I am carrying a load that isn't mine to carry. And finally there are just times you just need to visit with certain people, those people that you just smile as soon as you see them or have a memory of them randomly pop in your head. Onto what I meant to already be writing about. Yesterday as I was walking in to church an older lady was also walking in and she saw me and said 'I was praying for you this morning having to drive on those wet roads.' And I thanked her and said I could use all the prayers anyone wants to say for me. But you know that really did make me smile, I mean she gave a priceless gift of her time and consideration for me. I don't know maybe it's just me but it means more than words can convey when someone says that they have or will pray for you. Even at a time when I really wasn't sure I believed prayer did any good it still meant a lot that someone would pray for me. Because for me at least for someone to take the time to be there for me be it praying for me, listening to me or just getting to visit and make memories together, it means so much and are the best gifts you could give and/or receive. But it makes me wonder how many times does someone think of you or pray for you and you not even realize it. Have you ever had a moment where someone just came to mind seemingly no reason? I have, sometimes with a sense of urgency that I needed to talk to them, it's weird but I have started to say a prayer for that person and if possible send a text or message too. I've also had people say they had me on their mind so guess I am not the only one that happens to. It fascinates me though how or even why that happens. But point of all that is for me the best gifts I have ever gotten is those moments someone has prayed for me (whether I know it or not) and taking the time to just be there. And you know those encouragers you (hopefully) have in your life God bless y'all for real. I think maybe the encouragers go unappreciated or people just don't truly see what an important role they play. I don't think the encouragers are out for that pat on the back really but still sometimes maybe I need to make sure they know just how much I appreciate them and how much they have helped me. I have fortunately got some people in my life that not only encourage me but help me in so many ways but most importantly just knowing them and having them in my life has been a blessing. Funny isn't it sometimes people get a material item and say God blessed them (and not saying He didn't) but honestly I have to say I am blessed not by the material things I have (though I am truly grateful for them) but my biggest blessings are the people God placed in my life who have helped in ways they may never truly realize. I was reading the Bible the other day and it had a overview of Barnabas, which means Son of Encouragement. In the article it states a couple things that I thought I'd share. That is the value of encouragement is often missed but we all need it at one time or another. Because really encouragement is one of the most effective ways to help someone. I am a big actions speak louder than words person but in ways I think those encouragers do both because they are showing they care by taking time out to help you and I think it's safe to say if you have an encourager in your life they 100% mean what they say to you. Well I think that's enough of that quick someone make a joke! But seriously a huge thank you to the encouragers and people that take the time to just be there.