Are We Pushing People Away?

Today, while in the study area at school I overheard a conversation that has been troubling me. I wanted to share with you what I observed.

{I swear I was NOT listening to their conversation intentionally--I just could hear them because the area was supposed to be silent, so their chatter stood out.}

There was a young woman explaining to her friend the absolute horror of growing up in a Christian home where she was made to attend Church & believe certain, ridiculous truths. As she wove a tale of woe her friend gasped at the shocking, terrible way this young woman had been raised. How dare her parents make her attend Church, teach that gay marriage was not something to be applauded, and expect their children to cling true to certain teachings. 

It made me so sad. But, as the story went on I realized something. This young women's parents had the greatest of intentions. They wanted their children to be holy, kind, and good. They wanted them to want to have a faith. I know those parents did their best, and I am not blaming them. But, did they maybe do something wrong?

I think the answer may be yes. I know there are times in my life when I have been absolutely wrong when I have tried to lead people to God. I am human, so of course I will not be perfect all of the time. But, that is not an excuse. Not this time.

I think sometimes, as Christians, we are under-educated. In order to teach and lead others to God and faith we have to know & understand what they are being led to. People, especially youth, hate being told that they can't-- Tell a 16 year old they can't have sex, they can't get drunk, they can't watch porn and they are going to do it. We have to know they why behind the "you can'ts". And, more than just knowing the why, we have to be able to explain it in a way that is going to meet people where they are at, and help them to understand why the "you can't" isn't imposing or restricting, but beautiful and freeing.

This Lent I challenge you to choose one thing in your faith (an apologetic topic, maybe) that you believe but don't really understand. Educate yourself. Not knowing is not an excuse. If we want to bring people to faith we have to know it.

Emily xo

Impending Doom...

Lent began on Wednesday. I hope yours is going well so far. 

Today, I was thinking about how I feel about Lent. When I know Lent is approaching I feel my heart fill with impending doom... I suppose it's natural. I mean, I am human. I don't like to be uncomfortable. Who does? I like eating what I want, when I want it and to drink what I please and to do things that are excessive and fun. So, of course the thought of Lent is somewhat depressing... I am about to make choices about how I will be uncomfortable for, not an hour or two or even a week or two, but for 40 days. That's a long time.

Please, tell me I am not the only one who feels this way! Please!

Although it's human nature to enter Lent with these feelings it doesn't mean it is good for me. My goal this Lent is to view it with more joy. To just be altogether more joy-filled. So, how will I do this you ask?

1. I once had a priest who used to say that we should live this Lent as if it's our last. Now, that doesn't sound all that joyful. But, I need to start viewing this Lent as my last opportunity to re-shape my spirituality & to create the Emily that God intended. That should be a task that is delightful (hard- but amazing!)! 

2. Remind myself, ALL THE TIME, that my fasting from meat, cleaning the bathroom or waking up early are a wimpy little sacrifices in comparison to say, dying on a cross.

3. Viewing Lent as an opportunity, not a task. This is a chance to let God kick my spiritual butt & whip me into shape. It's a chance to make changes and become better.

4. Count my blessings. Lent tends to consume us (or, at least me) with thoughts of what we are doing without and we often forget that we have been given so much. I mean, just look around yourself right now. I can make a list a mile long of all the things around me I am thankful for, but I never view the world in that way. If I take time to count my blessings this Lent I will be unable to contain my joy. 

How will you find joy this Lent?

Emily xo

He Doesn't Like Being Used

Is God maybe saying this to you? Lent starts Wednesday, use this time to get to know God. Maybe your relationship with Him looks like this right now...Mine does. Take this time to revamp your relationship with our King... He died for you, remember?

Emily xo

Quote of the Day

"To change and to change for the better are two different things."
-German Proverb

I hope that this Lenten season brings with it a time to change for the better.

Prayers,

Emily xoxo

To Be Humbled...

Since the beginning of Lent (ok, it's been less then a week, but still) I have been praying the Litany of Humility daily. I have heard of this prayer, and seen it numerous times in the past but have always had reservations about praying it. Not because of any legitimate reason, but because of fear.

It's funny what fear can do to you, isn't it? It can be totally crippling. See, I was terrified of praying this prayer because I was scared of emptying myself in front of God, and asking him to knock me down a few notches. I was (and still am) afraid of admitting that I need to be humbled. I mean, I know in my heart that I of course need to be humbled, but to admit it to myself, and to God is another story. That in itself is incredibly humbling.

What is so neat about praying this litany is that it offers a list of fears we would like God to deliver us from. The fear of being forgotten, for example. But, it also offers a list of desires we would like for Him to deliver us from. The desire of being loved, or approved, or consulted. It is hard to not desire praise for something we feel we do well. But it is even more difficult to be forgotten for what we've done, or to be humiliated when we try our hardest to succeed at something.

What is harder then both of those things though is to truly desire to be humbled. To truly want to be forgotten or disapproved of or to never be consulted. So, pray with me for the desire to want to be humbled. Because, it is in great humility that God can make "become as holy as I should."

Litany of Humility:

O Jesus! Meek and humble of hear, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved...
From the desire of being extolled...
From the desire of being honoured...
From the desire of being praised..
From the desire of being prefferred to others...
From the desire of being consulted...
From the desire of being approved...
From the fear of being humiliated...
From the fear of being despised...
From the fear of suffering rebukes...
From the fear of being calumniated...
From the fear of being forgotten...
From the fear of being ridiculed...
From the fear of being wronged...
From the fear of being suspected...
That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I...
That, in the opinion of the world,
others may increase and I may decrease...
That others may be chosen and I set aside...
That others may be praised and I unnoticed...
That others may be preferred to me in everything...
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should...

-Emily xo