Hope: Pass It On

Are you familiar with the old camp song, "Pass It On"? Well, there are many things in life that we shouldn't keep to ourselves, they were meant to pass on. If you pass something on to someone else and they pass it on to another person, then many people will be affected by your one action. Just like in the movie, "Pay It Forward", where lives were changed because one person decided to pass on acts of kindness so someone else, God calls us to pass on good things. There are many things that you can pass on to others, such as faith, love, money, information and this website, but I want to talk about passing on hope. When someone is going through a hard time, just a kind word, card or scripture helps encourage someone enough to help them to know that they can make it through that day. For my birthday, I received an "e-card" from a friend. That spurred me to send a bunch of e-cards to my friends and maybe, just maybe, it spurred them to send cards to their friends. You just don't know who you might be affecting by spreading hope to others. Also, when you are going through a hard time, it helps it you talk to someone about it. Somehow just passing on the fact that you are hurting makes you feel better. You don't need to hold it inside and pretend to be strong when you are really struggling. That doesn't help anybody. You need to be honest about your struggles, so that others will know that they can share their struggles too. So that we don't have to bear our burdens alone. The Bible tells us to bear each other's burdens. But when we are struggling, the very first step should be to take it to God. Talk to him about it. He will give you a hope and a future. We have a tendency to go to others about out problems before we go to God. And then we wonder why we don't feel any better. Humans will disappoint us and let us down, but God never will. He is always there, always listening and always bearing your burdens. That is why He died on the cross for us. So, please remember to pass on the hope of Jesus Christ to others. Following is an e-mail I received that demonstrates a great way to pass on hope to others.

Hope: Give it Away

This is from an e-mail I received and thought it was very touching. It reminds us all to give the hope of Jesus as well as the hope for the future to others.

Three years ago, a little boy and his grandmother came to see Santa at >Mayfair Mall in Wisconsin. The child climbed up on his lap, holding a >picture of a little girl.>>"Who is this?" asked Santa, smiling. "Your friend? Your sister?">>"Yes, Santa," he replied. "My sister, Sarah, who is very sick," he said >sadly.>>Santa glanced over at the grandmother who was waiting nearby, and saw her >dabbing her eyes with a tissue.>>"She wanted to come with me to see you, oh, so very much, Santa!" the child >exclaimed. "She misses you," he added softly. Santa tried to be cheerful >and encouraged a smile to the boy's face, asking him what he wanted Santa >to bring him for Christmas.>>When they finished their visit, the Grandmother came over to help the child >off his lap, and started to say something to Santa, but halted.>>"What is it?" Santa asked warmly. "Well, I know it's really too much to ask >you, Santa, but ...." the old woman began, shooing her grandson over to one >of Santa's elves to collect the little gift which Santa gave all his young >visitors. "The girl in the photograph ... my granddaughter ..well, you see >... she has leukemia and isn't expected to make it even through the >holidays," she said through tear-filled eyes. "Is there any way, Santa ... >any possible way that you could come see Sarah? That's all she's asked for, >for Christmas, is to see Santa.">>Santa blinked and swallowed hard and told the woman to leave information >with his elves as to where Sarah was, and he would see what he could do. >Santa thought of little else the rest of that afternoon. He knew what he >had to do. "What if it were MY child lying in that hospital bed, dying,">he thought with a sinking heart, "this is the least I can do.">>When Santa finished visiting with all the boys and girls that evening, he >retrieved from his helper the name of the hospital where Sarah was staying. >He asked the assistant location manager how to get to Children's Hospital. >"Why?" Rick asked, with a puzzled look on his face. Santa relayed to him >the conversation with Sarah's grandmother earlier that day. "C'mon .... >I'll take you there," Rick said softly.>>Rick drove them to the hospital and came inside with Santa. They found out >which room Sarah was in. A pale Rick said he would wait out in the hall. >Santa quietly peeked into the room through the half-closed door and saw >little Sarah on the bed. The room was full of what appeared to>be her family; there was the Grandmother and the girl's brother he had met >earlier that day. A woman whom he guessed was Sarah's mother stood by the >bed, gently pushing Sarah's thin hair off her forehead. And another woman >who he discovered later was Sarah's aunt, sat in a chair>near the bed with weary, sad look on her face. They were talking quietly, >and Santa could sense the warmth and closeness of the family, and their >love and concern for Sarah.>>Taking a deep breath, and forcing a smile on his face, Santa entered the >room, bellowing a hearty, "Ho, ho, ho!" "Santa!" shrieked little Sarah >weakly, as she tried to escape her bed to run to him, IV tubes in tact.>>Santa rushed to her side and gave her a warm hug. A child the tender age of >his own son -- 9 years old -- gazed up at him with wonder and excitement. >Her skin was pale and her short tresses bore telltale bald patches from the >effects of chemotherapy. But all he saw when he looked>at her was a pair of huge, blue eyes. His heart melted, and he had to force >himself to choke back tears. Though his eyes were riveted upon Sarah's >face, he could hear the gasps and quiet sobbing of the women in the room. >As he and Sarah began talking, the family crept quietly to the>bedside one by one, squeezing Santa's shoulder or his hand gratefully, >whispering "thank you" as they gazed sincerely at him with shining eyes. >Santa and Sarah talked and talked, and she told him excitedly all the toys >she wanted for Christmas, assuring him she'd been a very good girl that >year.>>As their time together dwindled, Santa felt led in his spirit to pray for >Sarah, and asked for permission from the girl's mother. She nodded in >agreement and the entire family circled around Sarah's bed, holding hands. >Santa looked intensely at Sarah and asked her if she believed in angels. >"Oh, yes, Santa ... I do!" she exclaimed. "Well, I'm going to ask that >angels watch over you,"he said. Laying one hand on the child's head, Santa >closed his eyes and prayed. He asked that God touch little Sarah, and heal >her body from this disease. He asked that angels minister to her, watch and >keep her. And when he finished praying, still with eyes closed, he started >singing softly, "Silent Night, Holy Night .... all is calm, all is bright." >The family joined in, still holding hands, smiling at Sarah, and crying >tears of hope, tears of joy for this moment, as Sarah beamed at them all. >When the song ended, Santa sat on the side of t he bed again and held >Sarah's frail, small>hands in his own. "Now, Sarah," he said authoritatively, "you have a job to >do, and that is to concentrate on getting well. I want you to have fun >playing with your friends this summer, and I expect to see you at my house >at Mayfair Mall this time next year!" He knew it was risky proclaiming >that, to this little girl who had terminal cancer, but he "had" to. He had >to give her the greatest gift he could -- not dolls or games or toys -- but >the gift of HOPE. "Yes, Santa!" Sarah exclaimed, her eyes bright. He leaned >down and kissed her on the forehead and left the room. Out in the hall, the >minute Santa's eyes met Rick's, a look passed between them and they wept >unashamed. Sarah's mother and grandmother slipped out of the room quickly >and rushed to Santa's side to thank him.>>"My only child is the same age as Sarah," he explained quietly. "This is >the least I could do." They nodded with understanding and hugged him.><>One year later, Santa Mark was again back on the set in Milwaukee for >his six-week, seasonal job which he so loves to do. Several weeks went by >and then one day a child came up to sit on his lap. "Hi, Santa! Remember >me?!">>"Of course, I do," Santa proclaimed (as he always does), smiling down at >her. After all, the secret to being a "good" Santa is to always make each >child feel as if they are the "only" child in the world at that moment.>>"You came to see me in the hospital last year!">>Santa's jaw dropped. Tears immediately sprang in his eyes, and he grabbed >this little miracle and held her to his chest. "Sarah!" he exclaimed. He >scarcely recognized her, for her hair was long and silky and her cheeks >were rosy -- much different from the little girl he had visited just a year >before. He looked over and saw Sarah's mother and grandmother in the >sidelines smiling and waving and wiping their eyes.>>That was the best Christmas ever for Santa Claus. He had witnessed -- and >been blessed to be instrumental in bringing about -- this miracle of hope. >This precious little child was healed. Cancer-free. Alive and well. He >silently looked up to Heaven and humbly whispered, "Thank you,>Father. 'Tis a very, Merry Christmas!'>

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Hope: You Don't Have To Be Depressed

It is said that there are more suicide attempts around this time of year than in any other. I am reminded of the movie “It’s A Wonderful Life”, where George Bailey thinks that life would be better off without him, so he jumps off of a bridge. Well, God has different plans. He sends an angel to rescue him and show him what life would be like if he had never existed. To his surprise, he had made quite a remarkable difference in the life of his town. So, if you are depressed or feeling that you don’t make a difference, there is hope. First of all, God created you unlike any other human being and He has a purpose and a reason for you being on this earth. Secondly, happiness is a choice and it is all in the way that you look at things. We don’t get the opportunity to see what a difference we have made in the lives of others, but there are things you can do that will make a difference. You can give yourself to others. No matter where you are in life, you always have something to give. I have found that giving of my time, love and money to others, not only brightens someone else’s day, but brightens mine as well. When I have been depressed, it is because I have been focusing on what I don’t have, instead of all the blessings God has given me. When I start to focus on God and what He has done in my life, I begin to see clearly and have hope that I can make it through the day. Some people have chemical imbalances in the brain and need treatment. If you are one of those people, or are considering suicide, please seek help. But please know that you are loved and your life is worth something to me and to God. You can make a difference and do something positive with your life. Volunteer at a shelter. Participate in an angel tree program. Babysit for someone’s child so they can go Christmas shopping. There are a million little things you can do that will help someone to feel the love of God today. The easiest thing you can do is give someone a smile. And remember, the next time the weather man says we have a 40% chance of snow tonight, that means we have a 60% chance that it won’t snow! It is all in your perspective and God will help you to see clearly through the blizzard of life. All you have to do is ask. “Ask and it will be given to you. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened to you,” (Matthew 7:7). Jesus is there waiting to help you. Call on Him and He will answer you. You are never alone and you don’t have to be depressed. Choose happiness and choose life and have a Merry Christmas!

A Poem by Emily Dickinson

If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool the pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.

This is what I want for my life. I hope that is what you want for yours too. The best way that we can give people this hope, is by pointing them to Jesus in every situation that comes up. According to "The Purpose Driven Life"- one of our purposes here on earth is to get others to know Christ. If we care about them and their needs and are pointing them towards Jesus, then their lives will be changed if they allow God to work. But we can't make that choice for them. All we can do is help them in every way possible by loving them and showing them what God is doing in our own lives. If there is someone you are trying to witness too. Don't give up. Keep working hard and remember George Bailey from the movie, "It's A Wonderful Life". You may not think that you are making a difference in anyone's life, but what would it be like if you had never existed? Have a Merry Christmas, and don't forget to point others toward that sweet little baby born in Bethlehem. It's worth it!

Faith: A Big Temper Tantrum!

Is there something in your life that you are upset about because you are not getting your way? That is how I have been feeling a lot lately. When I was younger, I had all these dreams and plans of what my life would be like someday. Well, now those days are here and I have not yet achieved many of the goals I had set. Not for lack of trying though. Many of them just haven’t worked out. I am learning that “God’s ways are not my own”. His plan is not the same as mine and I have been grieving my losses. I think it is okay to grieve when something doesn’t go the way you had hoped. But at some point you have to accept it and move on. Today, God showed me some powerful Scripture that helped me take a step farther in giving up my dreams for what God wants. They are found in Psalm 37. Verse 4 and 5 say, “Enjoy serving the Lord, and he will give you what you want. Depend on the Lord; trust him, and he will take care of you.” If God was all you had in life and nothing else ever happened that you planned on, would you be okay with that? I think this verse is telling us that unless God is all you need, then you still have some dreams to give up. Verse 7 and 8 says, “Wait and trust the Lord. Don’t be upset when others get rich or when someone else’s plans succeed. Don’t get angry. Don’t be upset; it only leads to trouble.” When we don’t get exactly what we want when we want it, we need to have patience and trust God enough to know that his timing is perfect. Don’t compare yourself to others. And don’t get angry with God for not giving you what you want. Just like a toddler, if we throw tantrums when we don’t get our way, we are never going to get what we want and we aren’t going to learn as much. Verse 16 says, ”It is better to have little and be right than to have much and be wrong.” Maybe if you got what you wanted, you would turn away from God or depend on other things instead of Him. Verses 23 and 24 say, “When a person’s steps follow the Lord, God is pleased with his ways. If he stumbles, he will not fall, because the Lord holds his hand.” This gives me great comfort. God is with you whether you are getting what you want out of life or not. He will never leave you or make you suffer so much that you fall. Follow God and His will for your life and He will be with you every step that you take holding your hand. You are never alone! Verse 34 says, “Wait for the Lord’s help and follow him. He will honor you and give you the land, and you will see the wicked sent away.” He may not give you what you want, but if you wait for what He wants to happen instead of taking the matter into your own hands, then He will honor you and bless you in ways you could not imagine. Verse39 says, “The Lord saves good people; he is their strength in times of trouble.” When we are weak, then He is strong. I have a prayer journal where I write down my prayers and then record how they have been answered. As I looked through them today, I realized that even though I may not be getting the main thing that I want (another baby), I am getting several answered prayers. My prayers may even be getting answered by me not getting what I want. Either way, I realized that whatever reason God has for not giving me what I want, it is for the best. I may never know why, but I see now how all the other areas of my life are being strengthened through not getting my way. My marriage is getting better. I appreciate what I do have much more than before, especially my precious child. That’s how much God loves us. Just like a mother who won’t let her child play with matches. She doesn’t want him to get burnt. God doesn’t want us to get burnt either. If we do get burnt, it is usually because we didn’t listen to that sweet voice guiding us through the journey of life. Is there a dream or two that you are struggling to let go of? Give them up today and trust that God’s plan is even better than those dreams. If you give them up, it won’t seem so bad when they don’t happen.

Love: "Aye, Aye, Captain!"

Being a wife is like being the first mate and your husband is the captain. Your family is a big ship sailing through the sea of life. Sometimes there are storms and sometimes there are calm seas. The captain is in charge of the ship, but you as the first mate have to work just as hard for the ship to make it to your destination. The captain watches out for potential problems, such as icebergs, and then directs the others to steer around those problems. That is what the husband should be doing in our families. Watching out for spiritual, financial and other problems and then guiding the other members of the family around those hazards. Both jobs are equally important in running a tight ship. We as wives, need to make sure that we don't become the captain of the ship. We are to be the first mate, according to 1 Corinthians 11:3. We do all the work necessary to keep the ship running and take measures according to what the captain says. Not that our husbands boss us around or take advantage of us. They are to love us as Christ loved the church and gave up his life for it. The captain is to put the safety of the whole entire ship into first priority in every decision he makes. Not just looking out for his own needs, but the needs of the entire ship. A lot of times, women, including myself, hate to let the captain be in charge. But God has put them in charge and in order to honor God in our lives and our marriages, we need to allow our husbands to be the captain. We must proudly and humbly accept the position of first mate. According to the Life Application Bible Notes, submission is not giving up or being less important, because we all were created in the image of God equally. Instead, it is mutual cooperation and commitment. Husbands and wives should work together as a team, putting the others needs in front of their own, just as the captain and first mate work together to keep the ship going. For the wife, that means willingly following her husband’s leadership in Christ. It is not binding or oppressive, but rather one of service and humility. If the first mate on a ship did not follow the instructions of the captain, that would be called mutiny and the ships safety would be in jeopardy. When our husbands try to make a decision based upon what he thinks is best for our family, we need to allow him that privilege no matter how much we don't want to. If we don't then our family will be in jeopardy of hitting an iceberg and becoming the next "Titanic". We have to stop complaining about this, and accept that God knows more than we do, so if He says this is the way it should be then there must be a reason for it. That is just the way that God intended it to be and there is no getting around it, no matter how much we women want to think that we should be in charge too. Now don't go thinking that I'm a poor lost little women who is stuck back in the prairie days. I have a college degree and have worked outside the home. I like to make decisions as much as anybody, but as much as I don’t want to admit it, I am convinced that is what the Bible says. It takes a lot of the pressure off of us women knowing that our husbands are taking care of our family so that we don't have to as much. Then we can be free to make our homes a place of retreat and encouragement for our husbands and children. Our homes should be a place where people are drawn to, especially those who live there. That begins with us women, and our attitudes. Think about it and pray and ask God if there is a decision that your husband is trying to make and you are hindering him from doing so. Sometimes we have to let our husbands make mistakes so that they can learn from them and become better leaders. Sometimes they might be right even when we think they are wrong. Either way, God has called us to support them in whatever they do and He will guide us and help us to know when we need to let them make a mistake or when to speak up. If we seek God in all that we do and know that He is in control, then we will not be hesitant to say, “Aye, aye captain!”