Be Reminded

As I read over my last post, I am eerily reminded of the pain of this world. Countless people deal with insurmountable hurt day in and day out. Hurt that is not limited to the physical but presses against the very core of one's heart and mind.

Often, a pain that others may never feel or even understand, YET to One a pain that is greatly known. Our hurts and disappointments are not voided, simply because our "neighbor" does not understand or realize the struggle. These feelings are actually quite real and need to be given to the One who can bear them. In our own strength we cannot carry the weight of the pain that so easily grips us up. But there is One who experienced betrayal and abuse at the hands of those who claimed allegiance and loved them still (oh my!). This love was so GREAT that He said, "Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing" and He traded His life so they [WE, YOU, ME, US] could live.

Live.

Live.

LIVE. FREE.

Live abundant.

Live in LOVE. Because HE is love.

That hurt. That pain. Give it to Him. He said, He would carry it.

Stop killing yourself trying to carry a burden that has been buried.

May we allow His strength to be great in the midst of being weak.

kRb

When it Hurts So Bad...

For me it was not a dark place, necessarily.  

The pain just seemed overwhelming and I wanted to escape. I wanted to get away from the hurt of repeated disappointments and the ache of not being good enough.  

No one can prepare you for what an inward, emotional pain feels like. Women try to describe labor pains, even menstrual cramps without adequate terminology, so imagine finding a description for an ache that derives from an unfamiliar, hidden place.

Life goes on, all the while the hurt just grows. You smile, you laugh, and inside anguish is eating away at you. Eventually, like a good epidural, you just want to numb the pain – even if that means deadening yourself.  

Pain is real. The pain of life is real. And far too many do not know how to deal with the pain. I didn’t. All I knew is that I wanted it to stop. Whatever it took. Just stop.

People say “tell someone” (and I agree) but who do you tell, when there is no one to tell?

Everyone is busy. I can’t disturb them with my problems. They will not understand. He doesn’t care. She won’t take me seriously. Blah, blah, blah… so on and so forth.

So you live. In pain.

Family doesn’t see it. Friends don’t hear it. You can’t share it. But the pain is real.

I tried to make the pain go away. It didn’t work, the way I intended (and today I am grateful for that). But for many that is not their story… they left, feeling like there was no hope. Like there was no escape. Without seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

There is always a light. There is always hope. And there is One who loves, unconditionally.

Whether you are in a dark place or the pain is overwhelming, I dare you to look to the Light. To seek Hope in a hopeless place. To reach for the Love that is waiting just for you.

We have all experienced moments of desperation. Moments when the pain is overtaking us, failure seems to be on every side, and winning is not our streak. In that moment, when you feel like you can’t call on momma, daddy, sister, brother, husband, wife, son, daughter, bff, or even pastor KNOW that you can call JESUS! Scream: “Jesus, save me from myself!”

Jesus, loves you. Your life is so valuable to Him that He will come to your rescue. He loves you so much that He said, “I will give my life so he/she won’t have to take theirs.” He loves you with an unselfish love. A love that does not care what you have done, what you have said, or even what you have thought. A love that can fill any void and heal ANY hurt. Try Him. His love goes on and on and on and on and on and on…

When our love fails, His love remains! 

There is no place too dark for His love to find you. No pain too big for Him to carry, matter fact He asks that we give Him all of our worries, our frustrations, our hurts, all that junk because He cares. He cares.

Trust me He cares.

kRb

*Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)*

Let Your Light Shine

As I was reading over some schoolwork I read this and had to share: 

(Presented by Nelson Mandela in his 1994 inaugural speech)

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. 

It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us. 

We ask our selves, "Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?"

Actually, who are you not be?

You are a child of God.  Your playing small doesn't serve the world.

There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. 

It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

(Poem Attributed to Marrianne Williamson, A Return to Love)

A System of Support

There is nothing like having a good support system and EVERYONE needs one.  My words and actions over the last eight months have demonstrated to my family (and those around me) the passion I have for fitness.  My husband said, "I knew you were serious, when you were out there sweating and I know how much you do not like to sweat." ...and that is the truth.com!  

In addition, to fitness, I enjoy helping others and seeing them reach their goals.  My desire is to share with people how they can easily incorporate fitness and healthy eating into their everyday life and begin to make and see lifelong changes.  (Oftentimes we tend to over-complicate things -- don't I know!)  

So my husband seized the moment and he along with #TeamBz created this video in an effort to get me certified (fitness and nutrition).  #TeamBz pushes me to go, when I wanna stand still. 

This video captured my first tire workout (because I love a challenge).  Enjoy and support if you can! http://igg.me/at/fitnesstraining

Anything is possible to those who believe! 

Credits
Production/Filming: DynamikWorks (www.dynamikworks.com)
Video Editing: @hello_khaiyah (IG)
Photography and Logo: @_supremelee (IG)
Field Maintence: @trebcars (IG)

Oh to Forgive!

Today, I watched a video clip of a dad, whose one and a half year old daughter was killed by a drunk driver.  The clip began with him standing at a press conference with his daughter's blanket draped across his shoulder.  He smelled the blanket and said, 'Her scent is gone.'  In that moment my heart dropped a little, as this father fought back tears and struggled to speak regarding the court proceedings.  There was footage shown of the lady, who was three times the legal drinking limit, apologizing and promising to do whatever she could to keep others from making that same mistake.  Now, in reality many would hear that apology but due to pain and anger, totally disregard her words.  Yet, this father, with tears in his eyes, got up and walked over to her (in the courtroom) and hugged her.  I am not sure if words were exchanged but the ACT spoke volumes.  

This woman, for whatever reason, got drunk (reminder: three times the legal limit), decided to drive, passed out behind the wheel, hit another car and killed a one year old and disfigured the mother.  This series of events is a lot... BUT this lady stood up, took ownership of her actions, apologized, asked for forgiveness and vowed to change and help others to change.  At that point, this father could have yelled out in anger or ignored her words, instead he hugged her and demonstrated the powerful act of forgiveness. 

Watching this gave clarity to the forgiveness that is available to us through Christ Jesus. When we come to Him, and say 'I am sorry' (repent) He is FAITHFUL to forgive - no questions asked and no grudges held!  The Father loves us so much that He gave the very best that He had, His son, in order that we might be free from anger, bitterness, depression and unforgiveness (to name a few).  This father demonstrated on earth, what the Father, thru His son Jesus, demonstrates daily - FORGIVENESS AND LOVE!  

I am sure for both of these families, there will be some rough days, but I am even SURER (if that is a word) that the Father is more than able to give them an inexplicable peace.  May the power of the Father's love be made manifest through their lives and the effectiveness of forgiveness help others to heal.

...and may we share Christ's love as we demonstrate the power of forgiveness...

kRb

[Feel free to share your thoughts]
 

There is a Purpose

Three years ago my son had his appendix removed.  The doctors and nurses assured us that this was an everyday procedure that many people underwent, with little to no adverse affects on the body.  We were told that the appendix was not a vital organ and essentially had 'no known purpose.'  Today, I read an article about the appendix which states that 'it acts as a safe house for good bacteria, which can be used to effectively reboot the gut following a bout of dysentery or cholera.'

Reading this reminded me that so often we overlook things that WE feel have no importance or no value in our eyes.  But our Heavenly Father created ALL things with a purpose, big or small, it is needed for that in which HE intended. Although, we may not know or understand it's functionality, we can not discount that it has a purpose. 

So today, rest in the understanding that YOU, too, have a purpose, the Father created you with masterful intent and He loves you!  Proverbs 16:4 says, 'Everything the Lord has made has its destiny; and the destiny of the wicked is destruction.'  There is an intent for all things - good or bad, big or small - and we have got to trust that He does ALL things well.

I am so thankful that even in the things we deem to be small, insignificant or of no value there is a greater purpose - Christ!

To know Christ is to love Christ and to love Christ is to share Christ and to share Christ is our purpose!
kRb

The Beauty of His Love

Today, I observed an elderly couple – a husband in a wheel chair and his wife – having lunch.  I watched how the wife diligently prepared everything for her husband and then herself.  Yet, she kept looking around as if she needed something.  So I went over and asked her if there was anything I could help her with, she said that they needed some napkins.  I grabbed some for her and then watched as she carefully made a bib for her husband.  I walked away, but came back a few minutes later on my way out, and asked the man how he was doing; with ketchup on his chin and stained on his napkin bib; his hand shaking, as he held is sandwich; he looked at me (in my eyes) and slurred, 'I am blessed’.  It took all I had to hold back the tears.  I looked at him and said, “You are, may God be with you both” and walked away.  

As I reflect on this moment there is so much beauty to be seen.  The Father’s love is grafted throughout this portrait and magnified on so many levels.  I will not dissect it because, I can do it no justice but I pray your heart is touched and that you too will see the Father’s love. 

His love is everywhere, we need only to look for it, receive it and share it.

kRBz