50 years of marriage.

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her." - Ephesians 5:25

I wanted to get a little personal and talk about my grandparents, Bill and Carol Shivers. I know most people who read my blog don't know them, but you know me.... and I believe they are a big part of who I have become. Other's of you have been lucky enough to be a part of their lives. 

Bill and Carol Shivers are a great example of simple people who have proven God's love through their marriage and family. Last weekend they had their entire family present as they renewed their marriage vows after 50 years. That is a long time to be married, and it is so uncommon these days. It made me smile to watch my grandmother look at my grandfather with such respect and admiration after all these years. It is obvious to me that they have really trusted in God to protect their marriage. I know life was never a cake-walk for them, but they stuck together through it all. 

My Grandpa is a respectable man who has obviously lead his family in Christ. He would put anybody before himself.  And as sarcastic as he may be sometimes, it is obvious that he loves my grandma more than anything in this world. My Grandmother is a sweet woman who respects her husband and loves the Lord with her whole heart. She takes time to talk to every person that crosses her path, and she has such a servant's heart. Together they have been a perfect reflection of God's love. 

My dad pointed out to us that our family is a true testimony of how God can work through a family, generation after generation. Bill and Carol have been fruitful, and out of all three of their children and spouses, their ten grandchildren and spouses, and even their great-grandchildren, every single one of them know the Lord. 

I know nothing could mean more to my grandparents on that day than to see their entire family together at one time. Bill and Carol Shivers will always carry a legacy in our family. I admire them more than they know. They have passed their family values and faith in God down to our parents, and now we have it. There is nothing more I want at the end of my life than to be surrounded by God's love and my family and friends, just as they are. I pray my husband and I will have a marriage that reflects God's love just as theirs does. They are truly my heros. 

p.s. To all the cousins reading this... I'm not sucking up and trying to be the favorite grandkid.... we all know if you are married or have a baby, you are automatically the favorite =) j/k.

Good beer commercial

I have a class that has me paying close attention to the media, and messages we get from it. Not sure how old this one is... but it made me smile. Hope it does the same for you. Beer companies make good ads too.

I'm not promoting alcohol consumption... just reminding us that there are often good messages even in what we view as the most unlikely of places.... think about it...

You have challenged me.

This week is a good week because I feel like I am being challenged in many areas of my life. Being challenged is rough. It doesn't always feel good... but it is beautiful. 

I truly believe in the power of positive thinking. I love to write to encourage, but that doesn't mean I don't have struggles. I want to be challenged in the areas where I am lacking. Challenge means that I examine my life and consider my weaknesses-- that doesn't feel good. Challenge means that I recognize the areas I need to grow in, even when I feel like I am doing just fine. Community, (whether it be blogging, church, MySpace, family, school, etc.)  has allowed me to seek wisdom from the people in my life, and learn from them. God uses people to build us up. We need each other, regardless of how together we think we are. I am thankful for challenge.

God's plan works best when we allow people of all different kinds to work in our lives. It is wise when we use our different gifts to work as a team. I am naturally a person who loves to smile and encourage people with positive words. I try to always look at the bright side. It brings me joy. But I am weak in many other areas, which is why it is important to have many different types of people in my life who will keep me in check, and keep me well-rounded. 

I am weak in theology, I can't quote verses and I have the hardest time remembering the order of books in the bible. I have a bad memory and I forget birthdays! I suck at math... I hate science... I am weak in expressing my feelings... my patient husband is helping me to learn to let it out. I don't feel like the smartest kid in class... but that just means I have so much to learn from everyone else. I am very disorganized, I cry because I miss people, I am a very messy cook=) And believe it or not, I am very stubborn. 

You won't see me write about this too often, because like I said, I enjoy focusing my heart and mind on the positive side of things... it just makes me feel better on the inside. My hope is to brighten your everyday... not burden it. Let's get together for coffee if you want that =)

 Back to what I was saying.... this is why I am so grateful for community and the people in my life. I am grateful for my husband, who challenges me to be a better wife. I am grateful for my small group who challenges me to be a better christian. I am grateful for my family who challenges me to always do my best. I am grateful for the stranger who challenges me to be a good person even when the people who know me best aren't around. I am grateful for my professors who challenge me to be a better writer and have an open mind. I am grateful for people who are way stronger in certain areas than me, so that I can see the areas I can improve. I am grateful for people who get on my nerves, so that I can learn patience and acceptance.

 Life would be so boring without all different kinds of people. Every person is precious in his sight =) Don't ever forget that.

Bottom line: It is good that we are all imperfect. We know we need Jesus, but we also very much need each other. It is good that life is a challenge, and it is good that we always remember to help each other along the way. No matter who we are, or what we believe, no one has all the answers. Let's learn to have an open mind and an open heart, especially to the people we don't agree with. 

Everyone has something valuable to contribute in our lives-- everyone.  As corny as it sounds, we are all in this together. No matter how good we are at what we do, there are many people who have helped us get there.

Show us some teeth!

Honestly-- which individual looks more approachable? Who makes you feel a little happier on the inside? Which woman would you like to sit and chat with over a nice latte? Who are you most likely to remember at the end of the day? 

Today I want to talk about the ever so simple, Smile. It is more meaningful and worthwhile than you may realize. Yet it is often taken for granted. Poor smile competes all the time with that dreadful frown! Which side are you on here?

Okay, I must confess.  I was pretty much trained from the time I was 17 that a smile was "part of my uniform". I was employed at In-n-Out burger for five years.... man, not only did I learn to cook up some of the best burgers in the state, but I was taught a life lesson that was even better than that. I was trained to smile at every single customer I saw that day... and believe me, some people didn't deserve a smile. But then again, maybe that's all they needed-- even more than that juicy burger in their hand. Smiling was one of those things... I never realized how much I enjoyed doing it until I practiced it day after day. 

I know what some of you may be thinking, we're not always happy.... and sometimes we just don't feel like smiling! And those people who smile non-stop just get on our nerves! But do they really get on our nerves? Or do we wonder why they smile so much-- and wish that we could do the same? I know that's the way I used to think.

In-n-out Burger was not the only reason why I began to smile... but it certainly did help. After smiling so often, I realized how good it could make someone's day. Smiling usually makes other people smile, which should be enough reason in itself to keep doing it.  One secret I learned to keeping the smile is to have a grateful heart. If I learn to be thankful for every single person, thing, circumstance in my life... I will have no problem smiling daily. And guess what? There has never, ever been a smile I have regretted or wished I could take back. 

So try it .... put on a smile today. Regardless of the circumstance, or of the person who has made you unhappy.... keep smiling. See how differently people react to you, and how much better you feel at the end of the day. If your day sucks already... I bet you have the ability to make it better- it's your choice. 

No one has the power to take away my smile but me. No, I don't smile 24-7...  but a happy life doesn't always just happen-- sometimes it just takes a little effort. But how hard is it to smile? I bet we put a lot of effort into a lot of other things that don't even come close... Think of what a wonderful life we will have lived if we smiled and thanked God for something small everyday. That's a life worth living. Now show us some teeth! =)