Loving people can be difficult. Just ask the sweet waitress at a local restaurant we visited this evening. She had about a 10-top and from the time we sat down until the time we left, these people were unbelievably cruel. We watched as they complained again and again, sent food back, asked for the manager, belittled the manager, and then a few from that table had the nerve to walk out on their ticket.. after they enjoyed free desserts…and did I mention they took 3 to-go boxes!?

My heart was broken for their sweet waitress, but more so for our society. Everyone in the restaurant watched as the scene unfolded as if it were a play. The people at this table were laughing as the manager went back and forth trying to comp items on their ticket, like it was a game.

I feel a great sense of distress when people are manipulative. Don’t get me wrong, had there been a genuine complaint, I understand calling a manager into the situation. But what this group of adults did was wrong.

And do you want to know what I was thinking?

Jesus wants me to love them???

Maybe it’s Gideon, maybe it’s the hormones, but all I could think about was that the Bible commands us to love time and time again. (John 13:34-35, Romans 12:10, Romans 13:8, 2 Corinthians 13:11, should I keep going??) But the verse that came to my mind tonight was Ephesians 4:2 which says “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”

And that’s what this sweet waitress did tonight. While she was on the floor she was professional, patient and gentle. She showed the love of Christ despite how much she was belittled.

I normally would not blog about something like this but I just want that sweet girl to know something-

How you love the unlovable says a lot about your character. Tonight many people watched and empathized with you as others treated you less than your worth. Jesus died for all of us. I don’t know their story or yours. But I watched as you reflected Christ’s love and I want to encourage you to keep doing just that- even if others don’t deserve it. You never know who is watching. You never know who is praying you through. You never know when your love and compassion will save another.

I hope we all can have that kind of compassion and love for the unlovable. Because if we are honest with ourselves, aren’t we all unlovable from time to time?

Love you sweet girl,
Sam

Gideon is so big.

I’m not talking about his cheeks and thighs, although I think we can all agree, those are big. What I am referring to are his accomplishments. This past week Gideon has been doing some big  stuff. Some mighty warrior stuff… in my book at least.

Click on Big Boy to watch.

Did you laugh? It’s okay if you did, we were cracking up long after the recording stopped. Nothing is more precious when babies first learn to sit up and then after a few seconds, they topple. I love it!!

I know you want to watch it again…go ahead… I’ll wait.

Gideon is 9 months old and just now accomplishing something his sister mastered before she was 6 months old. Not meaning to compare my children, just stating the fact. What I wish I had on video is the next time he did this during his physical therapy session. My little man sat on his own (wobbled back and forth and held it!) for 45 seconds…on the hard wood floor!! Obviously we caught him when he finally toppled over!

On top of sitting up for longer periods of time, he’s also holding his head up a little longer when placed on his stomach. He would not do it for the physical therapist this past week. But he did it for the vision teacher…she had a vibrating toy on his back for a little extra motivation. Creative!!

His vision teacher also brought something called a “Little Room” which is made especially for kiddos like Gideon. Very appealing to the senses he has, and he LOVES it!

The other thing we are celebrating is the fact that he now eats three meals a day. It’s still just the pureed first foods (and it still takes an hour sometimes), but this is HUGE…for two reasons. One- my milk supply is getting low (yes, I’m crazy and still nursing). And Two- I was worried that if he didn’t learn to eat solids, then we would be looking at a feeding tube in the near future.

Now don’t let that face below fool you… He really loves solid food! Especially when I make it fresh. (Which does not happen every day.) Thank God for Gerber…and all the other brands out there.

These things may not sound that significant, but to us they are cause for a big celebration. It is interesting to me what we take for granted. I rejoiced every time Laynie met her milestones, but it did not affect me this much until Gideon came along. I guess because I have been told “he won’t“…I appreciate it more when he does.

My little boy and my little girl are teaching me everyday. I’m learning to appreciate and truly soak up every moment.

It may seem small and insignificant, but all these moments are big. Time with those we love is big. Every moment we are given is cause for celebration.

I hope you’ll take time to celebrate every milestone and every moment in your life. Even if it seems small, what you have today is big. Don’t let another day go by without realizing it.

It’s no secret that my family had a very rocky start; and yet, through it all, God has faithfully provided. He’s never left me abandoned to face anything alone. And because of that, I have no doubt that He will continue to carry us through this next chapter with our son, Gideon.

Looking back through my Facebook, I found something that I wrote and posted on November 15, 2009… almost four years ago! If you’ve watched our testimony then you’ll understand how reading this past poem is a blessing to me today…

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11.15.09

As I walk into the worship center this morning, I’m surrounded by familiar faces. It’s a typical Sunday morning and everyone makes their way to their usual places.

Many of the members I know are so full of love and so quick to extend God’s grace. After attending the 8 AM service for the past 9 months, many people know of me and of my case.

However, on occasion, there is someone new who does not know my story. And I’m quickly looked down upon, and again feel inadequate of God’s forgiveness and of His glory.

Assumptions and judgments are so often made in great haste. Do they think I intended to be in a situation where the ending has such a bittersweet taste?

I am a sinner- fallen so many times and in so many ways. But this time is different; I cannot hide my sin and I have refused to make the consequence go away.

I want others to know, being a single mom was never a road I intended to take. But my life lived apart from God has brought me here and now I’m fully awake.

It breaks my heart to think that I brought my family any means of disgrace. But it breaks my heart even more to know that my sin has separated me from God and His face.

But I know longer dwell in shame, for my repentance, I have been redeemed. For Christ has gone in before me- He has pled my case and declared me clean.

My future seems so uncertain, and I don’t know what tomorrow may bring. But I know that Jesus loves me, and that I’m still the daughter of the Most-High King.

So I hold fast to God’s truth, “I am forgiven and I am loved.” Even though I walk this road without a husband, I know Christ- my true groom- carries me (and my child) from above.

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As I look back on this poem it’s a great reminder of what God has brought me through and how much He loves me. It is easy to see when you look at where my family is today!!! God saw my needs back then and heard my cries. He freed me from my guilt and carried me through what seemed like an impossible situation at the time. And this is just one example of how He’s never left me to walk this life on my own!

I love the Bible story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Do you remember this story? (If you haven’t read it, please do so! It’s in the book of Daniel, chapter 3.) Just a quick recap, King Nebuchadnezzar had these three men thrown into the blazing furnace because they would not worship the image of gold the king had set up. Of course, after being thrown into the fire, they were unharmed, unbound, and walking around inside the furnace… along with fourth man!! (Daniel 3:25)

Silly as it may sound, I feel as though this story is relevant to my story because of what happened after they were thrown into the fire.  Just like God was with them, He was with me through my unplanned pregnancy. But the best part is that I walked away unbound. Remember how the fire burned only that which bound Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego? I think that’s important to realize in this story, because when we face our own trials, God uses those fires to free us- each in a unique way. On November 15, 2009, God freed me from my bondage of regret, sorrow, guilt and shame. What more could I have asked for?!

When I look back, I am amazed at how God works. I want to encourage you to look back on your own life and ask yourself, what has God brought me through? Even if it didn’t have the ending you were hoping for, can you see the good that has come from it? Can you see how no life experience is wasted when placed in the hands of the Almighty? Hopefully you said yes! But if your answer is no, then I believe that God is not yet finished. He’s in the business of creating beauty from pain. The only question is, will you let Him?

I’ll leave you with Romans 8:28. It’s my favorite verse. I memorized it because it reminds me how good God has been despite my circumstances. I highly recommend memorizing it-

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Looking back, if you have a verse that has been significant in your journey would you please post it in the comment box below so others might be encouraged?

Thanks for sharing!