Jesus on Facebook

Its late... and usually when its late, and this quiet, my mind begins to wander, and begins to ponder what I generally try to block out during the day.  Tonight, I'm sitting here editing some images... the door to my office is open, and the light is on.  I figure, for once, not to bother anyone with music playing... I'll just edit to my own tune... whatever that tune may be.

I think of stuff which as of lately has really been heavy on my heart, and it becomes a bit overwhelming.  I mean, you know, as women, when we think about one thing, we thing about a thousand things that tie to that one thing, and then we just dig ourselves into a hole of "what if's" or "should'a could'a would'a", and only God knows what else. 

These past few weeks, I have been trying to remind myself that He sees all, and what HE thinks is really all that matters. His approval is all I need. And this picture has spoken to me so so much since then.  I've posted it on 2 separate blog posts.  It just seems so very fitting.

Tonight, while on good 'ol Facebook, and while thinking of everything weighing on my heart, I receive a notification. I once commented on this picture in a friend's photo album. Something, I had completely forgot about, as it was quite bit ago.

The notification?

That very same picture...

His loving embrace.  The ONE who we can run to in any situation; in any circumstance... He is always, and forever will be there... with a smile on His face, love in His heart, and surrounded by grace.

As tears fill my eyes, joy and peace fill my heart.

Thank you Lord! I needed to see you... I needed a reminder, and there you were... on Facebook. ha!

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 

-- 1 Peter 5:7

Faith and Love,
Casey

An angel?

 

Sometimes, things play out perfectly, and then you meet someone, and often wonder, "If things played out so perfectly for you to meet them, could they possibly be an angel?"

 Tonight's blog was supposed to be about my moving day jitters, but instead its about a 13 year old boy who just happened to show up at my drive way at 11:30pm, seconds before Jr and I went to unlock our front door to our very new house for the very first time. 

About an hour before, we had just came from dinner with the family. I won't lie, I drove like a bat outta you know where to get to that house, unlock that lock box, and unlock the new chapter in our life.  On the way, I had my worship music blaring with windows down singing at the top of my lungs. I was def in my happy place, and all I could think was how much this house has been a blessing, and we haven't even moved in yet.  

I pulled up to the drive way, and my husband along side of me (I met him after work). We both stood outside of the house, and glanced up the 2 story building and then back at each other, like.... is this for real?  And then moments later, a boy showed up asking to use our cell phone.  Hesitant? um yes.  But then I looked down at his shoes, and he was wearing big chunky sandals, and I immediately thought to myself I can chase after him should he decide to bolt with my phone... and then I thought again... ehhh, I can't stand that phone anyway. And then I thought... what the heck?? I have a husband, who used to run cross country in high school and bolted up and down the basketball court.  Okay, yeah, sure... you can use our phone. But I'm watching youuuuuuuu! Mmhmmm.

He made some phone calls, and I could tell he was embarrassed, scared, hurt, and just completely lost. 

He finally told us what was going on, and that basically he just got back from juvi, and his mother wanted nothing to do with him. (she was bunking at her boyfriend's house down the street)

He then asked if we could drive him over to so and so street and drop him off.  After much hesitation on Jr's part, he said yes.  We drove, and I sat in the back seat as he and Jr talked.  Jr told him he used to be a detention officer, and he's met all kinds of kids with all kinds of problems, and so on and so forth. 

After their conversation, the boy made some more calls, and finally his last call was to his mother... I couldn't make out what she was saying, but I could see it written all over his face. Hurt. I can't think of any other word... My heart cried for him, as he said and repeated, "Don't worry mom. You don't ever have to worry about me coming home... Don't worry." His head buried in his hand.

He got out of the car and grabbed his stuff.  I slipped him a $20 and a daily devotional card I picked up at the Christian Book Store.  It noted that whatever problem he was facing, God was bigger than it... to look to Him, and He will be his comfort.  The boy looked at me, and said, "oh. wow. for real."  I wanted to throw my arms around him, and tell him it was going to be okay.  I told him, "Take care of yourself."  He nodded, and walked away. 

I got in the car, and all the excitement about the house was no where to be found.  Instead, my heart and soul were aching.  Why? Why is this 13 year old boy out on the streets?  Why was he in juvi in the first place? Supposedly he had a temper problem, but yet his grandmother pleaded her heart to get him back out of there.  His younger siblings weren't even living with his mother, but instead with their grandmother.  And then Jr mentioned, "This is how kids start walking down the wrong road.. the wrong path in life... It all starts at home.  I've heard the same story..."

I wanted to march right over there to that boyfriend's house, and give that lady a piece of my mind. WHYYYY???   Do you know how BLESSED you are to have 3 beautiful children???  WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU??? And even then... if things were wrong with her son, he's 13 for crying out loud. 13!! Its not like he's 20+ out on the streets doped up on meth, and you're enabling him by bringing him back into your home. This kid is 13! Thirteen! 1-3!

It all just made me think... the ugliness in this world.  Its so clear.... so clear that HE is what we need.  There's no other option or alternative. He is the answer. The way, the truth, and the LIFE. 

I can't help but to think he was put in our path for a reason.  Aislynn went to her cousin's house for the night, and we were the last to leave the restaurant after getting caught up in conversation with Jr's uncle. And then Jr having a detention officer background. Last week's sermon at church about relationships with people... people we know and don't know.  About judging, and being prejudice.  This week my mom purchasing me a book about angels. And then just yesterday, me wondering when I was going to be able to pass out one of those devotional cards I had safely tucked in my wallet.  It truly makes me wonder if this kid was an angel, and was sent by God on a mission. 

I hope and pray he is alright, and I hope and pray I see him again...

What do YOU think?

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. -- Hebrews 13:2

Faith and love, 

Casey

My Deliverer.

Okay, just last night, on my photography blog, I decided to announce this blog (post will go live on Friday), and as you can see, it isn't nearly finished as I'd like it to be, but I received this in my inbox this morning, and as tears filled my eyes, I felt the need to share.  Still, I am speechless.  I guess when you put things into "dummy" terms, or make it into a story book, its that much more clear.  And its clear on which tool I, myself, have purchased. 

Discouragement.  

Mean little bugger, I tell you!

"Friend to Friend
It was advertised that the devil was putting his tools up for sale. When the day of the sale came, each tool was priced and laid out for public inspection. And what a collection it was. Hatred, envy, jealousy, deceit, pride, and lying ... the inventory was treacherous. Off to one side was a harmless-looking tool priced higher than all the rest, even though it was obviously more worn than any other tool the devil owned. "What's the name of this tool?" asked one of the customers. "That," the devil replied, "is discouragement." The customer asked, "But why have you priced it so high?" The devil smiled and explained, "Because discouragement is more useful to me than all the others. I can pry open and get inside a man's heart with that tool when I can't get near him with any other. It's badly worn because I use it on almost everyone, since so few people know it belongs to me."  "

-- The Tool of Discouragement
Mary Southerland

 For more on this article as well as other Godly goodness, check out  http://www.girlfriendsingod.com/

 Although, we have an empty house waiting to be loved, shared with precious memories, and lit up with the light of Jesus, I can't help but feel discouraged by other events. Past and present. And it seems that during this time of what should be JOY, I am discouraged.  Its like the devil has stuck a knife in that joy, and is slowly turning it, so the pain will be that much more devastating and that much more hurtful. And when I read this above, I guess I never realized just how powerful this tool of discouragement really is. Its scary, really. Its frightening. Just to think of how easily he can prowl around and devour our God-given joy and happiness. (1 Peter 5:8) That joy and happiness, which we so much deserve! 

And then I think... hmph... well MY GOD is STRONGER.  And just as easily as the devil came, he can leave, and he will leave, because my God said so. Because I have faith. Because there is no place in my heart for the devil to reign. He's not wanted nor needed.  But my God is, and He shall be. My rock. My salvation. My retreat. My hope. My JOY. He is my alpha and my omega.  Nothing else matters, and nothing else can compare. 

Times are hard, and I'm positive, somebody somewhere out there has it a whole lot worse. But whether your problem is a big one or a little one, He is bigger; bigger than it all.  And He is with you, and He will see you through it.


The image below stands out in my mind so so much. His arms are open, we just need to run to them. We can  be rest assured that His loving embrace will always be a warm one.

Doubt creates mountains; faith moves them.

 

Faith and love, 

Casey