Day of Sensitivities

I'm a sensitive person. I cry often, both in joy and sorrow. I've been this way all my life. Generally speaking, it doesn't bother me. I'd like to think God created me with an extra dash of sensitive to help me be more empathetic to people's struggles. What an honor to be able to show God's love being attentive to the pains of others!

However, admittedly, on rare occasions it irritates me! Sometimes, I would like to be able to not give situations a second thought. Despite being confident the intent of my actions and words are genuinely out of love and care for others, when I'm caught off guard by a reaction I wasn't expecting, I'm lost. I am compelled to question my motives which can be downright exhausting emotionally, even though I know I try to come from a place of positivity. (I'm certainly not perfect and always growing, but I think I do an okay job in this area.) If I was able to have a more take it or leave it attitude knowing my intentions are to show God's love, I would save myself time obsessing the "what did I do or say?"

Sometimes, I just want to just let things go, but I have this desire to be liked. I'm not talking the "I wanna hang with the cool kids" kind of acceptance, but rather being the person everyone knows  through whom they can always experience God's love. It physically pains me when someone doesn't feel I've bestowed God's love to them through my words or actions.

Day 65: Heavenly Father, please help me embrace fully my sensitivities as a gift to share your love for others and not as an irritant when I just may not be someone's cup of tea. Thank you for instilling in me a desire for self evaluation and the motivation to mend relationships I may have harmed by my words or actions.

Lord, is there a balance to be found between being too sensitive and indifferent? Should a balance be sought? Is it dangerous to be too empathetic if it can be wearing emotionally? I pray for knowledge in this area and clarity for situations in which I feel an internal conflict. 

Father God, despite my temporary discomfort when things may not go as I expected they might, I am thankful you have created me this way. I want to honor and glorify you always, even if I must experience pains or turmoil to do so.

I love you.

Source: http://wwweamonreillydotcom.deviantart.com/art/The-Story-of-a-HSP-Highly-Sensitive-Person-384626930

Day of Lint

That's right, my prayer tonight is about lint or at least what it represents in our lives! As you may know, today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of the Christian season of Lent.

I like this definition of Lent from Faith United Methodist Church:

Lent is a season where we may follow the example of Christ to quiet ourselves before God, spend time in prayer, and to free up some of the "cluttered" time in our life to allow more time for our relationship with God. 

Okay, Jasmine! But, what does Lent have to do with lint? Pastor Patti delivered a vivid analogy this evening capturing the connection perfectly. First, we must admit and accept, we are sinners. There's no sugar coating this; we are! This prayer is not intended to focus on our imperfections, but rather to be realistic that humans are imperfect. However, through God's grace and taking on the sins of the world through His Son, we are forgiven.

With this forgiveness, comes responsibility to work toward removing elements from our lives impairing us from fulfilling God's great plan!

So, back to the lint. Dryers are designed to "trap" lint before it reaches the motor, which could diminish the dryer's functioning, or worse, cause fires. However, in order to gain the benefits of the traps, they must be cleared of buildup. The buildup reduces air circulation, causing the motor to overheat, increasing drying time, and increasing energy costs.

Similarly, we need to clear out the "lint traps" of our lives. Without this cleansing, the buildup consumes us, not letting the Spirit proper access to us. When we "block" the Spirit's access, the "lint" can overwhelm us and potentially pull us away from God.

During Lent, many Christians give up or (or take on) something during the 40-day season. Through sacrifice, we learn to resist temptation. Through prayer, we redirect our attention from our selfish, distracted lives and focus our attention toward God. Through repentance, we admit our sins, ask for God's forgiveness, and experience God's great gift of grace.

Day 64: Heavenly Father, thank you for your grace and mercy. I wish I could say today I did not sin; but, I know I did. For this, I ask your forgiveness. Thank you for working through your pastoral servant to deliver a profound explanation for Lent for which we can relate clearly.

Lord, I have made efforts in years past to participate actively in the sacrifice, penance, and reflection of this season. However, these efforts predominately involved giving up Starbucks. As you know, I love coffee. But, I've realized, not drinking my favorite coffee for a few weeks really hasn't changed me. I've been focused the last few months on embracing fully your two greatest commandments...loving you and loving others. As I thought about something that may fundamentally transform me, I realized paying it forward may express God's love in ways I can't imagine.

Father God, thank you for the clarity needed this morning to embark on a 40-day journey of paying it forward. It may not seem like much, but each time someone has bought my coffee in the morning, the kindness has literally altered positively my outlook for the entire day. If I can brighten the days of 40 people, could daily outlooks transform exponentially? Omgoodness, the potential of one small gesture of your love and generosity extended to someone could affect hundreds. I pray to be a part of such an impact.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you daily. Thank you for sharing Christ's experience in the desert which encourages me to focus specifically on the temptations and distractions keeping me from you. Thank you for your mercy and grace!

I love you.

Day of Assumption

The little one was late to school today...again! So much for teaching her to be prompt! After I parked and signed her into school, I noticed an extremely disgruntled parent parked behind me. Despite her child also being a late arrival, she chose to just drop him off. Apparently, I wasn't returning to my vehicle as quickly as she preferred. With hands waving in the air, she sped around me nearly hitting my door.

My first reaction was anger at the audacity of her behavior when she was the one running late. Then, I felt pained for the boy who had to explain why his mother didn't sign him into school. Lastly, I felt guilt!

I don't know what struggles this woman faces. Perhaps, she doesn't have as flexible a work schedule as I enjoy. Maybe, she faces marital turmoil which kept her delayed. It's possible she's suffering an illness or grieving for someone who is.

I was challenged today not to assume someone's circumstances. It's incredibly easy to judge someone based on a limited interaction. I am just as guilty as anyone in this area. What I continue learning in my old age is although information is extremely important, we can't be quick to judge. I think it's okay to make observations, gather information, and process what we've compiled. However, we need to witness actions and share open dialogue when we have questions. 

Day 63: Heavenly Father, thank you for a much needed reminder not to be too quick to judge. Thank you for your graciousness when I need the reminder more often than I'd like to admit. Thank you for instilling in me a respect for self reflection and desire for continuous improvement.

Lord, I know many of your faithful servants do not struggle with this issue? Why are we so different? You created us, you are within us, yet there are no two humans to respond in the same way. How do we become so uniquely different?

Father, you've provided countless lessons of Jesus' interactions with others knowing the good, the bad, and the ugly about them, yet He welcomed each with open arms and without preconceived notions. How can I be Christ-like? I desire to avoid assumption, presumption, prejudice, and judgement. I want each of my interactions to be welcoming and loving.

Father God, as I've requested in the past, please beat me upside the head to improve in the area. Feel free to get out the crayons if I just don't get it!

I love you.

Source: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/292734044499188463/

Day of Simplicity

I've always thought my ideas of fun were a bit quirky, quite a bit dorky, and viewed by most as boring. It turns out, I might not be living in my own world after all!

I read an article today by Darlene Schacht titled "15 Date Night Ideas That Don't Break the Bank!" I was surprised by the number of activities to share quality time with someone without taking out a loan to impress. Some of my favorites: having a picnic, playing a board game, and taking a forest walk. How awesome to share similar ideas and receive several nods of agreement. 

My versions have a few twists:

- Evening coffee/tea/hot chocolate and board game fun at your favorite coffee shop

- Grab a basketball and head to the court for a rousing game of HORSE...if you're both terrible shooters, the howls of laughter from missed shots will make lasting memories

- Relive childhood joys at the playground swinging away on the swings, sliding down slides, and playing on the monkey bars followed by a PB&J picnic

- Sharing a picnic meal downtown with the homeless

So, either there are several people who live in Jasmine's quirky, dorky, boring world or I've been enlightened to more people enjoying simple things than I once thought! It seems to me the less distracted we are with the "what to do together," the more we can cherish the "person with whom we're spending time!"

Day 62: Heavenly Father, thank you for creating me to enjoy simplicity! Thank you for my quirky, dorky, lighthearted demeanor! 

Lord, as I read the news today, it was incredible to read the prevalence of the political turmoil facing your people throughout the world. Coupled with this worldly upheaval, so many of your people face personal battles with bills, addictions, and sinfulness. Please help me share calming words and offer simpler techniques to help others experience joy in little things and love for others even when surrounded by many worldly and personal afflictions!

Father God, I thank you for providing your people a magnificent roadmap to follow in order to experience Heaven on earth. Your Word provides the guidance needed to live rich fulfilled lives through simplicity! My devotion to you is pure and simple, maybe that's why I'm attracted to simplicity! Thank you for creating me to be who I am!

I love you.

Picnic background source: http://www.yumsugar.com/Picnic-Planning-Tips-22441374

Day of Friending

What do you seek in friendship? I found it enlightening to learn today the average adult American only has two close friends! How is that even possible? No way, right?!? Just look at the hundreds of friends found on Facebook accounts, surely this statistic is wrong...or is it?

What defines a friend for you? Would you share your deepest secrets with all your FB buddies? Would you accept honest cristicism from your FB pals (or would you "unfriend" them at their audacity of being direct even if it hurt)? Would you help strengthen these FB friends even if it took 101 attempts before your efforts came to fruition?

Now ask yourself, again, what defines a friend? Although this reality may seem disheartening, truthful and objective evaluation of friendship selection can actually help us seek and find people with whom we can surround ourselves in support, honesty, and love!

God shares many friendships in the Bible for which I believe many of us would be shocked if we witnessed today. I love how God's lessons captured for us thousands of years ago are applicable today in the world of "friend lists" and "followers!"

Day 61: Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding me the foundations of fulfilling friendships are timeless in their application! Thank you for sharing your transformative message again through our pastor today! Thank you for "friending" me, even though sometimes I "hide" you in my news feed!

Lord, I desire to be like the friends you placed in David's life! I want to stregthen and uplift my friends. I don't like it when I lose my patience if my friends need repetitive support. Please forgive me when my black and white, take it or leave it approach impairs my ability to strengthen my friends.

Father, I want to be the person with whom my friends feel comfort and trust to confide in me. Despite the burden being a confidant may present, for friends, it's an honor, not a burden! Please forgive me when I haven't made time for my friends in need or been to consumed with myself to recognize when they need me.

God, I want to be the person who displays my love directly and honestly. You know I've struggled for so long trying to avoid conflict. But, Lord, this doesn't help my friends. The greatest expression of love is to share truthful dialogue. I ask your forgiveness when my conflict, hurt feelings avoidance has caused more harm than good!

I trust you and know your biblical lessons can fundamentally transform my relationships right before my very eyes!

I love you.

(As an aside, this is my friend Mindi? Could she be any more beautiful? I think not!!!)

Day of Bonding

The last couple of weekends has been filled with lots of bonding with my girls!! Last weekend was full of wrestling, supporting my daughter's teammates and cheering her on during the girls state  tournament!

This weekend, my girls and I jammed to Jamie Grace, Third Day, and Skillet along with Christians from all over Indiana. I can't think of a better first concert for my youngest. We enjoyed a reprieve between winter storms and squeezed in a some practice time on the bicycle and a swing date. When the temps started dropping, we howled with laughter watching "Everything is awesome!" Ending the weekend, we shared in fellowship while listening to a sermon applicable to anyone with friends (I hope that applies to all of you!) Quality time is extremely important!

Spending time together either doing activities or just hanging out promotes strength in relationships (no duh, Jasmine!) For some reason, however, even though we know this isn't rocket science, we overwhelm ourselves with other stuff we think is important. The reality is, in my humble opinion, strengthening relationships is far more important than having an empty sink or windows so clear birds don't see them (poor Windex birds), completing another workout at the gym, or responding to a few more work emails. 

We have 24 hours a day, but I don't think God's great plan includes consuming the majority of those hours cleaning, incessantly, exercising obsessively, or working exhaustively. If that were true, Jesus would have taught the greatest commandment is love God with all your might and the second is vacuum your floors religiously, burn calories exponentially, and work overtime obediently.

Day 60: Heavenly Father, thank you for providing me clarity in identifying priorities. Thank you for being the center of my life and funneling your positivity into my family. Thank you for the continued growth in the relationships with my children and the foundation for lasting friendships between us.

Lord, I wish I could help others experience the joy I have setting aside other activities when rainbow loom bracelets are requested! Housework is always present, yet we constantly tackle it as if we believe once it's complete, then we'll have time for fostering relationships. We tell ourselves once we look a little better physically, then we'll make time for our loved ones. We convince ourselves achieving certain statuses professionally helps relationships personally. 

God, how can I convince others even when their efforts are admirable (like working extra hours to pay bills or losing weight to be healthier), their lack of time bonding in relationships can have far greater detrimental impact than financial or physical. Or, Father, is it me who needs better understanding?

Father God, sometimes I struggle with seeing the gray when your direction seems so black and white. Please forgive me if my lack of understanding doesn't respect the struggles of others. I want to uphold your two greatest commandments by bringing people closer to you and help strengthen people's relationships!

I love you.

Day of Heroes

What characteristics do you seek in a hero? Off the top of my head, I'd list moral, pure, trustworthy, upright, compassionate, fair, and protective as adjectives describing my view of heroes.

Usually, we view heroes as standouts from the crowd, displaying attributes unique to most people (at least, all packaged in one individual). Maybe, that's why it's so easy for me to consider Jesus my hero! He exemplified each of these traits and so many more. It would be incredibly amazing if I learned the first superheroes were created with Jesus as the model!!

Day 59: Heavenly Father, thank you for being my hero! Thank you for providing a life model full of unyielding love for God and His people! 

Lord, I am in awe of your unending greatness and crave your direction. I desire to share characteristics like yours. The greatest honor to me would be for anyone with whom I interact to experience my hero through my actions! 

Father God, why does society elevate on pedestals people who display immoral behaviors or those who are perpetually dishonest, proud, or lack integrity because they have some musical talent, athletic skill, and humorous acting? I don't even recall superheroes displaying these negative qualities. Yet, it seems those we lift up in society are those who display the exact opposite of what I would consider to be traits of a hero. 

Father, would it be within your plan to highlight your modern disciples who emulate hero qualities to provide a reset of views for the human race? I have such a faith in you and your people, Lord. I trust if a reset helps fulfill your great story, more heroes displaying Jesus-like qualities will walk among us and be lifted on pedestals by even the most staunch atheists! All for your glory!

I love you.