Bearing Burdens

There are two major "events" that have majorly impacted and changed my life. One of those I will not go into much detail and one I will. Life is not guaranteed to any of us- yes, He has a plan and we must live each day shouting His praises. Dying to our selves- we are selfish in nature- some way more than others- and we must die to ourselves getting rid of ourselves to replace us with Christ, His light, His ways, His love, His Glory. We will fail, but that is when we ask God for help and stop for a pit-stop and refill with His awesomeness.

A few weeks ago I was upset about something (in all reality here on Earth it comes down to a material thing)- stressed, a common stresser no doubt but even though we let God "handle things" sometimes we still stress about things. The very next day my world came to a crumbling halt. One of my dear friends whom I love with an unexplainable love received an unexpected test result. I had no idea what to do- of course I prayed like nothing else but at that point you realize those stressers from the day before did not matter ONE BIT! They were just back-burner issues even if they were "significant". They just did not matter. Well, after crying for days and at every song on the radio and all during work, so on and so forth a wise pastor person said that (in so many words) I was being selfish. I agree. As much as it hurts, if something ever were to happen to this person, they will be with our Heavenly Father, our Creator! That is the most amazing blessing to rejoice over! The Bible says in Galatians 6:2 to "bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ" Isn't that so beautiful? I love it! I believe we are to be there, loving one another, helping one another, lifting one another up to the Lord. Not just saying "I'm praying for you" or "I'm thinking of you" but if we really are in someone else's lives and loving on them and know them have a heart for them, you don't have to say those things. What did mama always say, "actions speak louder than words"... Not that saying those things are bad, but having a heart behind them is what truly matters.

Which brings me to my second love... The Steven Curtis Chapman Family. Not a day goes by that I do not think of them and pray for them. I am not saying that because I am awesome and pray for them but I have such a burden in my heart and bear their burden and pray fervently to God for their family. In 2008, they lost their daughter- but not only that, their 18 year old son accidentally hit her. Most of us cannot even imagine the loss of a child, but to have to also console your other child for what happened as well. I also love this family because they are over-the-hills for adoption. Not only adoption in general but specifically girls from China. Which is my love and passion and with God's great love, blessing and guidance, will be our blessing as well one day. Most people have no idea what goes on in China, especially with girl babies/ children. If we could adopt 80 of these baby girls we would. My heart hurts so bad for them, these moms and the families that have to live over there. Praise God for the missionaries that are in this country spreading the Glorious Gospel of our Savior to them so they know this is not how life should be. The huge problem is that adoption in China is one of the most expensive and they (the Chinese Government) make it very difficult - which is quite ironic seeing as they are so willing to kill all these children. (Or stick them in an orphanage where they will suffer, get diseases and die). Steven Curtis Chapman and his family have several organizations set up, one being Show Hope which is an organization that helps families with grants for adoption and provides medical care for orphans with special needs. They also have set up special care centers called Maria's Big House of Hope to provide life-giving care for at-risk orphans and to bring the hope of healing and a forever family. If you want to learn more you can google China's war on babies, etc. and it will bring up many articles. Also you can go on youtube and watch many interviews on the Chapman family speaking on the loss of their child and how they go on. Their faith is astonishing. Mary Beth, his wife, is an angel as well. Bearing one another's burdens in not only what we are instructed to do in the Bible, but it will change your life, as it has done mine. We are to die to ourselves and our selfishness so that we can be filled with Him and His Christ-likeness  Only then will we be able to love like Him, teach like Him, reach others like Him, and speak to others like He did. All the other "junk" and "things- material or other" in our lives are insignificant. None of it matters. We have no idea when He will call us home to meet His glorious face, so let's spend each day shouting His praises, dying to ourselves and loving each other!