How Much Are You Willing To Give?

I'm afraid to invite them over because I don't know what they'll do." I'm sure you've heard similar phases about certain people. Sometimes they are unfounded. Sometimes they are legit worries. But every time I hear it it makes me ask myself a deep question:

How much am I willing to give to show them love?

Really, how much? Am I willing to risk their disapproval? Their rumors? Or worse? 

But then, I stop to consider the consequences of not showing them love, even when it involves taking risks. What if they're this way because they've never really been given true love? What if no one else gives it to them? Will they ever be able to believe or accept God's love? What if I reject them, like others?

And what if they hurt me? That's ok. Chances are, they'd do it anyway, whether I showed them love or not.

And then there's the others, the ones who require a lot of time. The ones who try to hide by acting indifferent or rejecting my efforts. And what about the slow ones? Do I really believe they are worth my time, energy, and unceasing efforts? Yes. With all my heart. 

And then I know:

I will gladly give everything I can, and then a little, to show others love. To give them a chance. I will willingly risk being hurt time and again, just for the chance to see them find a friend in Jesus. 

"How can we reach a world we never touch? How can we show them Christ if we never show them love? Just to say we care will never be enough. How can we reach a world we never touch?"

As a New Year Begins

Disclaimer: I wrote this post while very tired and without an amazing interest in writing. Also, I'm sorry the picture is such poor quality. 

Another year has began: 2014. 2013 came and went (too fast) just like every other year, but the year itself sure was not like any other! 

There were good times and bad. Days when I knew for a certainty that I was doing the work God had called me to. Days when it was a struggle to believe that. Disappointments. Surprises. Times when I all I could do was ask questions. There were the fights between dreams and reality. Days I didn't want to face. Days I was far too eager to meet. And the lessons and character building through it all - oh, so much!

This year has been a full year both in schedules and in experiences. And I can't say it's over yet. (If you have been wondering why I've hardly written anything over here, that's why.)

But one thing I've learned this year is that every day is a new start, a chance to do better. And this new year I want to take advantage of every new day to begin again. To do better. Be better. As I continue to work for God and for others. 

It hasn't been an easy year, but that's ok. Someday I'll see how it all worked together to make me a better person. And in the meantime I'll thank God for te trials and for the good times, and I'll thank Him for precious gifts He's given. As I think back over the past year, one gift stands out more than the others: wise, caring friends. They have put up with a lot in this past year, and I want to thank them for it. 

As now, to begin a new year.  

"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

"Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." (Eph. 3:20-21).