I Dare You

I am recopying this post from one I recently read that is a beautiful reminder to us to always be aware of the opportunities God gives us to share his love with others.

(Written by Amy Byrd)  

She sat next to me on the plane. She sat at the window, and me, in the dreaded middle seat (I always have a hard time figuring out the arm rest when I sit in the middle.) :)

Although we were politely keeping to ourselves at first---We bonded instantly as we both laughed at the guy on my other side. He was  snoring so loudly that our seats were vibrating before the plane even took off, poor guy.

That’s all it took.

She began to share her story.  He cheated, lied and betrayed her. Now, here she was . . . starting over.  I could see in her eyes that she still could not believe that what once was an African Safari honeymoon, has now turned into a move across the country to start all over again. 

For a moment, her lips were moving and I was literally talking to God while she was talking and didn’t hear several seconds of what she had just said.  I felt so strongly God had put us together.  He knows everything of mine and with calculated intention intercepted our lives. 

This makes me feel more challenged than ever to speak words of life into others.

It’s so easy to exchange a few pleasantries with someone near you.  Might I dare to see someone near as an opportunity?  Might I dare to be a woman that would not only allow kindness to come from my mouth but Truth to be shared?

I love this "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

I want to have that kind of courage and listening ear to God's voice so when He puts someone in my path I will share kindness and Truth. ~ Cathy

Vacation Here We Come!

If I were to choose a destination for a summer vacation you probably wouldn't think I'd choose a hot, dusty campground in Northern California.  But I did!  And it was one of the best vacations I've ever had!  Why?  Because I was with the man I love, my three grown children and their spouses, and my ten grandchildren!!  With everyone so busy in their lives we very seldom get together for more than just an evening or a holiday.  So the time I got to spend with them was very precious!  

When our kids were growning up we always went to Lake Siskiyou near Mt. Shasta every summer for big family campouts.  Grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, etc. came and joined us and through the years we we made so many happy memories together.  But as the kids got older and had families of their own we eventually stopped going. So this summer we all decided to go back and make some new memories with the grandkids that had never been there.  So we piled in our cars and off we drove down to California. 

After a long nine hour drive we all pitched our tents in a big dusty, group campsite. It had the familiar smell of fresh air and pine needles that brought back so many memories of long ago. And then we spent the week relaxing and just enjoying one another. 

We sat around the campfire and reminisced, we laughed, we played games, we swam, we laid in the hot sun, we hiked, we fished, we played beach volleyball, built sand castles with the little ones, and talked about the goodness of the Lord.  We just vegged out!  No time schedules, no TVs, no computers, no video games, no distractions - just each other!  And it was wonderful!! 

I am so very blessed to have such an awesome family that I love deeply and can share life with. And now another generation has come to Lake Siskiyou and made some wonderful camping memories of their own.

And so the tradition continues!

I loved it!

Cathy