I've got a story to tell

I am one who hung Him on that tree. 

I am also one who decided to live free.
Oh that glorious Cross
Covered in blood, so that I suffer no loss.
Who am I, that I may receive?
All He asked was that I believe.
Life and grace is what I choose.
I knew I had nothing to lose.
On a serious note,
there is a moment I must devote.
You see, this Savior of mine, 
He is divine.
In tune with the Father from up above
He showed us the greatest act of love.
Born a babe,
Descendant of Abe
He lived a life only God could live.
Still we realized not what He had to give.
Where you there when they crucified my Lord?
The angels were, in one accord.
Blood on my hands.
God knew the plans.
One heart breaks.
The whole world aches.
The earth shattered.
Demons scattered.
His life did not end there,
He wanted to make us an heir.
Three days in the grave,
He was so brave.
Come that morning light,
He did not fight.
For He knew He won,
When He said," It is done."
With sin and death, 
We have no breath.
He gave us life,
So there'd be no more strife.
We need to be a celebration, 
Telling all the nations.
Our Savior has risen!
Don't get stuck in this prison, 
The world filled with pain and destruction.
Turn to the Bible for a word of instruction.
So that's my story
To Him be the glory.
Amen.


This has been working in my head since yesterday afternoon.
Happy Easter.

I wanted to help him

Read this first. Parking Lot Billy (I read this blog EVERYDAY. It's my Bible study leader's family blog. It's wonderful and inspiring.)
 So I read this post and it was truly convicting. Tymm and Laura really live out being Jesus' hands and feet. And this article weighed on my mind.

So now my story.
A few Fridays ago, I was minding my own business as I hurried to the Walmart to pick up the last few things I needed to babysit my nieces for the evening (Aunt Katie has to provide a good time!). As I rounded to corner to get to the parking lot, I saw a man on the side of the road with a sign "Family of 4 needs help". My heart hurt for him, but I continued to drive by. As I walked into Walmart, I wondered what I could do for him. I'm a poor college student. And then it hit me, buy his family dinner. With Kacie (12) and Kelli (10).
See, I have had the honor of spending time in (almost) weekly Bible study with Kelli. She asked me to be her mentor at the beginning of January. And we've had some really great discussions about what comes out of our mouths (words), prayers, memorizing verses, serving the Lord. I wanted her and Kacie to experience it what it meant. So when I left WalMart, I went to talk to this man and make sure he would still be there in about 15 minutes.
I rushed to my sister's house, told the girls to say goodbye, put on shoes, and get in the car as fast as they could. Everyone wanted to know where we were going, but I wouldn't tell them.
After we piled in the car, I told them what we were about to do and asked them why we were doing it. "Jesus wants us to," was their reply. I had tears in my eyes the entire drive. We walked into Walmart and picked a nice big meal and some cookies, parked near the man, and got out. I told the girls that we were going to talk to him for a few minutes and then pray for him, if he let us.  His name is Ken. His wife's name is Laurie and they have two children (6 and 3). 
After we got in the car, I looked in my rearview mirror and those sweet girls were just beaming. (Funny side note, Kelli was so excited because she says she has a heart for old men with beards (which Ken had) and she always wanted to help them, random but hilarious and adorable.) We called their parents  and then my mom and the girls talked about what they had done and how they felt about it. That night as I was tucking them in, I was laying with Kacie and after I prayed over her, she started praying for Ken and his family. It was the sweetest prayer filled with compassion and love for a stranger.


On Monday, I get a text from Kacie, "Can u chat i want 2 tell you something." When I got on the phone with her, she starts telling me about this man she saw on the side of the road on her spring break trip to Tampa. He had a sign as well. "I wanted to help him, Aunt Katie. We had donuts in the car and I wanted to give him them." 
Can I die now? Yes, they get it they really really get it!!!!! 

I am by no means perfect, nor am I always a good role model, nor do I do everything right, but I do understand that my nieces look up to me. I am reminded of that everyday and especially when they say they want to be like me. In my head, I think "aim higher." I have a huge responsibility to these girls and I see it as a huge honor. I didn't ask for it, but I am blessed beyond measure by it. They hold me accountable in ways few can because I know they are watching. It's scary really to think my decisions, actions, and words are being watched.
As much I teach these girls, they teach me just as much. This whole thing made me wonder do we live like we are being watched by others?
Do we live like our decisions, words, and actions impact others?
How do we react when the dog does something wrong, something breaks, someone says something mean, we see someone we don't like, etc.? And who is around when we react?
I don't know how many of you have kids, but as parents are you being the person you want your kids to grow up to be? 
Are you dressing in a way they can model after? 
Are you saying the words that they should say?
Are you making wise decisions? 
Are your actions what they should be?
And to the people without children, you're not off the hook either. You'll have little eyes watching you someday too, but don't think people aren't watching now.  Ask all those questions in regards to your family, friends, and even strangers. I guarantee, unless you are completely alone, someone is watching you (insert creepy music, but seriously).


I know I certainly don't. Sometimes, I even act like God isn't watching and He's watching ALL the time. I'm not saying you should do things based off what others think, I'm talking about knowing that you are being held accountable for everything you do. Honestly, I don't live like that a lot of the time, but I want to. 


So today I'm asking myself, "Am I living like my decisions, actions, and words impact others?"