Did you here me???

"Mama...mama...mama...mama..." over and over my nephews will say this until they receive a frustrated "WHAT?!" in return. My sisters can be right in the middle of a conversation, or trying to do something but that doesn't matter at all. What my nephews want right at that moment from their mother is more pertinent to them than anything else that is going on. They haven't quite grasped the concept of what no interrupting means and quite haven't figured out that mom's can multi-task and while their attention may be directed elsewhere at the moment, they still heard them say "mama" the first time. What seems to be even more frustrating is that when mom finally does respond and gives them their full attention, the "pertinent need" is simply "open this" or "Macey won't let me...." or "Blake won't..."

This made me think about Christians and their relationship with God. Constantly calling on Him, over and over again, thinking that He's not listening to us. We know He's right there. We know He always hears us, but yet we allow frustration to set in because He's not answering us as quick as we think He should. There a billions of people in this world that call on Him every second of every day! Some need Him more than others and each of those people feel that what they need right then and there is more pertinent over anyone else's wants and needs. All we need is to call on Him just once and He knows...He hears...He will. That concept is too much for a 6 year old to grasp onto but in time they will learn that only once is needed.

How many times does God call on us? He patiently stands there, calling, "Amy...Amy...Amy..." and sometimes we finally will stop and say "WHAT?!" "What now?" And when He knows He has our attention, all He wants to tell us is " I love you" What He wants is more pertinent and pressing then what we want. What He desires is more important than anything else and yet we don't hear or don't listen and even some chose to ignore.

Do you want God ignoring you? I don't think so. Keep your heart open to Him, don't make Him call you over and over again. You might miss out on something life changing!

Remembering...

To all my friends and family that have served, are serving, or are going to serve in the military: My deepest appreciation and sincerest thanks to you for your faithfulness to our country. Not just today, a day of remembrance for those affected by 9/11, but for everyday that you provide us a safe and free place to live. Your undying devotion and your loyalty to your country will never go unforgotten. I walk out of my house on Sunday to go to church where ever I want to, and for that I thank you. I can send my son to any school I choose, and for that I thank you. I can voice my opinion to someone without fear, and for that I thank you. I can participate in any election I chose to, and for that, I thank you. You sacrifice your time, your family’s time, your life for me! And for that I thank you. We as American’s take so much for granted and breeze through each day as if it is owed to us. We take the time to honor our military on Veteran’s Day or Labor Day or July 4th but it is something that should be prominent to us every day. You leave your homes, not knowing exactly when you will see your family again, not knowing if you will make it back alive, not knowing what will happen…all so I can live in a free country. You are courageous, strong, loyal, and true to the colors of our flag. Forever I will be indebted to you.

To all my friends and family that have a loved one that has served, is still serving, or is going to serve in the military: My deepest appreciation and heartfelt thank you for the sacrifices you make for America as well. You send your sons, daughters, husbands, fathers, wives, and mothers away, not knowing when you’ll see them again or not knowing if you’ll ever see them again, just so I can live safe and free. You tolerate the war protesters and the menial compensation you receive so that I can have the freedoms I do. I will forever be indebted to your service as well.

To everyone who has ever lost a loved one because of a war or service: I cannot begin to tell you the undying gratitude I have for you. My heart is overwhelmed with appreciation for you and inundated with grief for your loss. The selflessness of your family and loved one is incomparable to anything I can think of. Without the deep, unconditional love that has been offered for Americans, we would be living a life of fear and uncertainty. Our country seems to be more focused on other issues that surround us such as the economy, health care and unemployment. But let this fact remain: we love our soldiers and their families - We love our country and We love our freedom and NOBODY can take that away from us.

Remembering today, tomorrow, and always-

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends-Jn 15:13