Rejected

As I spoke to my bestie one morning, she was relaying a story to me and the part that stuck out to me was a statement made...someone had commented that a particular church had a bunch of rejects and losers. The parent who made the statement was concerned about their child being in that atmosphere.

Now normally, I think I would have kinda agreed. You know after all, if an eagle is raised with chickens, it will be raised to NOT fly, even though its in the eagle's nature to not just fly but to soar. BUT rather than this thought, this scripture came to mind.

"The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner." -Psalm 118:22

And that began my musings for yesterday morning.

Our role model (if you are a Christian) is Jesus and He was the ultimate example of rejection (Isaiah 53:3). The "who's who" of that day literally called Him everything EXCEPT the son of God. It was even said that his authority was from the prince of demons (Matthew 9:34;12:22-25). And despite his humble beginnings, despite the fact that His own people rejected Him, despite the fact, that He really wasn't "much" as it relates to socio-economic status, the fact remains that this man was a revolutionary. Some 2000+ years later, his followers are still the largest group of all religious and/or civic groups. This rejected one, became the foundation, the head stone, by which Christianity was built.

If that revelation wasn't enough to keep me thinking, I then read this scripture in prayer later that evening:

"Behold! God is mighty, and yet despises no one nor regards anything as trivial; He is mighty in power of understanding and heart." - Job 36:5

So what's my point: There is a difference between those who are unmotivated, under-achieving, and settling for less than their potential (eagles with a chicken mentality) from those who may be in a particular position (e.g. temporarily unemployed, victim of abuse, divorced) and may not be of a "good" status by society's standards.  Both groups of people could be considered losers, and if we aren't careful, its easy to cast judgment, scorn, or fully reject them..

Does this mean that we have license to reject one while providing a pass for the other? NO! The MIGHTY God doesn't despise them, so why should we? I guess in the end, this post is a call to compassion, very similar to what I talked about last summer (see here).  A second or even third look at those who are different would go a long way for us as we manoeuvre through life and attempt to live it intentionally, purposefully, and with an impact beyond the grave. 

Grace, peace and love,
Gia

Note: I do apologize for the late entry and the missing entries- life is super hectic now and in prioritizing, blogging fell to the bottom of the list. Thanks for your patience. :)

guess who's featured?!?!

On my sister's blog Annis bubble, I've been included as a guest blogger and I think its uber cool.

Why is it cool?
1.My sister is blogging and creating her own space in cyberworld and its a super cool, friendly and welcoming space for women, especially mommies!
2. I get a new audience.

So go on over and check her out!!! Click HERE

Grace peace and love,
Gia

Agape

The word love is definitely overused. Part of the problem is because the English language is so limited, that we decided we only needed one word, love, to explain at least four different types of love.

I came to thinking of this love as I embraced the excitement, attention, and love that my fur-baby poured on me when I came home from church one evening. Now I should say- the dog is "crazy". I can be away for an hour and upon my return, you'd think I was gone for 24 hrs. The same is with guests and strangers alike. He just goes beserk. He's just that high-strung (according to the vet) and absolutely loveable (according to me).

Well as I talk to him, yes, I'm talking to the dog...I realize that its almost 10 pm and he had not yet eaten. No the dog didn't tell me that, but hubby confirmed it for me. It dawned on me, that although Ari had not been fed, although he was locked out of the room and technically being "ignored"...although he may not have gotten sufficient exercise for that day, nor sufficient attention- that his "love" for his masters was unyielding. Although we've never mistreated him, I'm sure if we were too, that he would still be faithful to us. And at this point in my thinking I realized...wow.

Isn't that God's love. I don't always spend time with Him. I don't always spend time in His word. I sometimes ignore his nudgings. I definitely don't always get it right..as it relates to his guidelines for living...yet still He loves. And the crazy thing is, He loves when I'm in the state of rebellion and ignoring Him, as much as He loves when I'm "checking" for him. His love never fails. He (His love) is faithful. I can't go anywhere to escape His love.

That alone makes me squeal inside like a little kid. Oh, what manner of love is this that the Father has given to me!!!!!!!

Go forth today embracing, relishing, abounding in the love of the Father.

Grace peace and love,
Gia

babymoon

That's apparently what vacation before a baby (during pregnancy) is called.

So apparently, that's what we just took. It was lovely. Rest and blessed are my reflection words from this past week.

It started out two weekends ago with a trip to Kansas City to visit the in-laws. Wish I took pics to show but it was an overall nice time. Hubby got some past due quality time with his dad and sister (and step mom) and I got some no-work, no-internship, no-dissertation, no-any-kind-of-responsibilities time.

What did I do? Other than spending time with the in-laws, eating and a bit of shopping, I got enough time to become fully acquainted with all those cloth diapers that was gifted to me (last week's post). I figured out (well, I think) how to use them, got some sense of what else is needed and then somewhat created a plan of action for this new adventure! weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee I'm nervous yet excited about it.

On the final day, we ventured outdoors, it was literally the first time in 4 days, that I left the property. And what girl can't appreciate this- we went shopping and we got a ton of goodies for the little miss from her grandparents. So much so, that it is imperative now (with all the gifts thus far) to take inventory so that any future baby gift selections are not giving me toooo much of the same thing. I think I've officially got enough receiving blankets.

On Wednesday, we jet-setted to Eastern USA and spent another 3 days, this time just the two (or three) of us. What I was hoping to be more of a chance to be tourist in the US capital city, didn't quite pan out but no disappointment here. There is always another opportunity. Besides, I've got an awesome group of women that live in the area who I love getting together with, so that's always a bonus when visiting that part of town.  The highlight of this part of the babymoon other than some awesomely cool deals and alone time with hubby...was the maternity shoot. One of those awesome women I was talking about is a photographer and we got to spent 2ish hours with her. It was a blast.
It was also cool that the location she selected was in the park between the Capital building and the other monument...on the National Mall. Up until now, I'd only seen these major landmarks on tv. uber cool indeed. (pictured above. not mine)

All of the photos from the shoot aren't up yet but the "teaser" is....take a look. Maternity Shoot with Valerie


Grace peace and love,
Gia