HEAVENS TO BETSY, HE LOVES HER MORE?????

So last night we listened to a country song "I Loved her First" by Heartland and it's messing with my head! What a beautiful song about a fathers love for his daughter. Jason said he thinks that is how God feels about us. So I started thinking about when I first held my baby girl Lucy- how instantly I was madly in love with her. How I could just hold her in my arms forever and felt no one could ever possibly love my girl more than I did in that moment alone. Or the first time she said "Mom ma" how she melted my heart with her sweet little voice. And the first time she giggled, crawled, walked, grinned, said "BOO" how everyday she amazes me and I am so stunned by her. Well God loved her first. And MORE than me….WHAT?? How is that even stinking possible. This little peanut has me wrapped around her finger smitten. Huh. Amazing- but my darn mind kept spinning. Hmmmm. If He loves Lucy that much- He loves me that much too. Me. Really?? As screwed up as I am? Huh. Not really sure what to think of that. Almost question His judgment- Uh Hello God do you see what a mess I am. "Yes, child I do." At least I think that is what he would say. See no matter how much my kids drive me bonkers I freaking love them. Even when I have to tell my son Drew to put his shoes on 20 times and still walks out of house without shoes, or my stepdaughter Ella wakes Drew up in the middle of the night and convinces him we should all sleep in the same bed-mine, even when my little Lulu screams bloody murder when I leave the room for a just a minute. No matter how they act I love them. And God feels the same way. Still loves me even though I have made bad choices. Still loves me even though I doubted His love. Still loves me when I'm being stubborn (which is rare.) So I started thinking bigger. If He loves me that much then he loves you that much too. Yes you! I hear you- “not me, not possible.” YES YOU!!!! YOU YOU YOU! He loves us all that much. So at this point I am feeling pretty warm and fuzzy- awe so much love. Sap. But my head keeps spinning- until crash. It smacked me in the face, stomped on my heart, tough love. This unconditional love that I am feeling is amazing, but there are so many people who don't know this feeling. Or maybe know of this love but do not feel or believe it. What a crushing feeling. I have this stupid complex that I have to solve the problem, have to fix it. But obviously there is no grand easy solution. I kind of wish I could just scream at the top of my lungs "WAKE UP WORLD! GOD LOVES YOU!" So although I would like to think I can take on the weight of the world- I can barely handle the weight of my own mess. Do you ever get like that? Have a problem that is just too huge to solve? Or a problem that just has no answer, cannot "fix" it. Well it makes me angry. My coworker has one of the "easy" buttons from Staples. It's quite a grand idea- simply press a button, problem solved, and a friendly voice says "That was easy." Well I don’t have an easy button or easy answer. But I have a real answer. On your own you cannot solve it. Gee thanks for the encouragement- right? However, if you allow God in your heart, your life, your problem- there is NO limit to what He can do thru you. So I cannot wake the entire world up to the good news of Jesus Christ and Gods unconditional never failing love on my own. But I can allow God to use me to share this with whomever He wants. He can use me thru all my faults, all my mistakes, and all my stubbornness. And He can you use too. So no matter who you are or what you have done or not done- He loved you first. Always has, always will.


Meg

We will be hanging out again this Thursday night, the 24th of  January, McAllister Recreation Center, just off 20th and Schuyler Ave, Lafayette, 6:45-8:00PM.  I you are interested in living life in a new way, betterm than what you see around you, please join us.  We hope to see you there!

Same Kind of Broken

So I was listening to Jason Castro's new CD with my stepdaughter Ella and found a new favorite song. I cannot recall the exact lyrics, but this part stuck in my head.


We all need someone to love us where we are

What if we all took a minute to lay our differences aside, we would find we are the same kind of broken.


How true is that! I'm sure everyone can agree sometimes we just need to be loved where we are for who we are without all the criticism and judgment. And God does exactly that. He loves us- as we are no matter what! He does not require us to change to be loved by him. There is not list of requirements to earn his love. He does not stop loving us when we screw up. He does not abandon us- EVER. He just loves us. And when we love Him back and follow Him- truly amazing things happen. He becomes part of us. Before you know it you are doing things and making choices you never thought you could or would. But notice the most important part of this. He teaches you to treat others with the same love he shows you. Notice those around you- your friends, neighbors, coworkers, the little old lady who calls to make an appointment but quickly forgot why calling and really just wants someone to talk to, someone to listen. Maybe that person has no concept of what love really is. How awesome would it be to just love them for who they are. Because you know what. They are the same kind of broken as you. We are all the same kind of broken. No matter what breaks you- anger, addiction, greed, fear, divorce, abandonment, loss, money, depression, no matter what we are all the same kind of broken. The problems we face may vary. But bottom line we are all screwed up in some way or another. None of us are perfect. I personally have let control, judgment, and pain drag me away from what I know is the truth. I have ran when I should have stayed. I have clung tightly to my son when I should have trusted God. I have hid when I was grieving. I have pushed friends away when I feared judgment. But what I am learning is that God has loved me and stuck with me through all of it. Did I always feel like he was there- NO, did I yell at him when I was upset- SURE DID, but truth is he never abandoned me. And if he has not yet- then by golly I believe he won't ever. And not only did He love me but He put people around me that loved me in my mess.

At our last more that more gathering we had the joy of sharing changes we have noticed in each other. How awesome to hear and see the difference God has made in our lives. Yes we are all still broken and still have a bunch of problems- but we are surrounded by love. We get to remind each other just how awesome God is and where we notice Him in our everyday lives. We get to see things differently then most of the world. Maybe you have never came to More than More. Maybe we sound like a goofy support group. Trust me More than More is not just a support group. We are a group of people who are the same kind of broken as you and will love you for who you are. We are a group of people who notice God everywhere and want you to notice it also.



Come notice with us Thursday 1-10-13 at at 6:45-8:00PM, at McAllister Recreation Center, just off 20th and Schuyler Ave, Lafayette. Awesome childcare provided for all ages.

See ya soon,

Megs

tonight

just a reminder that tonight we will be hanging out at McAllister - just off 20th and Schuyler - 6:45-8:00PM - hope to see you there!

A Return to Flo - Sometimes You Gotta Go

Hey everyone!

I wanted to take a little bit today and return to the stories about Flo and i running.  We have enjoyed our runs together so much - she spazzes out when i come into her room and get her harness and leash in the morning and i love the early morning air and listening to mp3's on my phone and talking to God!

You may recall that over the past couple months, we have talked about Flo and:

How she will be running along and easily get distracted - needing to be reminded of what's most important.

How she sets a fast pace and gets me going when i am tired.

And how she sometimes will get tired at the end of the run and need some gentle, or not so gentle, pulls to keep going.



Today, i want to mention a certain time a while back when Flo and i were just running along, about 2/3 of the way through our run.  I was into whatever i was listening to and probably having a conversation with God about life or some of you all's lives.

There we were zooming (relatively speaking of course, i am 41 years old!) along and i saw something that shocked and disgusted me!!

FLO POOPED IN THE ROAD!!!!!!!!

Yes!!  We were just going along, and she pooped in the road.  Now, as soon as i saw that little turd shoving emerging, i yelled, "Flo, NOOOOOOO!"

Well, she found some sphincter muscle power that she probably didn't realize she had (sorry Mike for the reference to anatomy, i know you are sick of studying nursing!!), and she cut off her "episode" in mid-log.  The problem is, the poop had another idea and i found some speed in my legs that i did not know i had and we rocketed to the vacant lot about 100 yards ahead, where she finished her "episode."  In case you are wondering, i did leave the poop in the street and i feel a little guilty about it still, but it was probably only 3inches long...

So, here's my point:

        At some places in our lives, we are just running along, minding our own business, journeying with each other and all, when suddenly things get really messy.  Sometimes the messy comes from something inside us that is broken and hurt and it just kinda gushes all over everything. Often times this kind of mess recurs over and over - we just keep finding this mess inside us periodically coming to the surface and bubbling out.  Other times the messy comes from outside us, like a diagnosis, a relationship gone bad, a job loss, a financial mess.  We may be the victim of any number of bad things, but before we know it, we are hip deep in poop.  Not good.

        So many times, we just wade thru the messy spots in our lives.  We are not sure what to do, so we respond the best we can.  We withdraw, we lash out, we become nervous and anxious, we get depressed and throw up our hands in despair, we protect ourselves and those we love and sometimes we destroy those we love.  We control those around us and our worlds the best we can by picking at ourselves and those we love.  And before we know it, the mess is bigger than it was in the first place, growing roots into our lives!!

        So, what should we do when a little doo-doo slips out on the run and we realize that we are about to be in for a major mess? 

         Well, there are many things but here are a few ideas:

 First, talk to God about it.  He cares so much about you and He will help you find some healing for the brokenness in your heart that keeps pooping all over your life. 

  Second, find a friend or two who speak the truth to you - not what you want to hear - but the truth, and that know God, for real.  Confess that you are pooping in the road and you really need some help.  Ask them to talk to God with you and for you.  Give them permission to continue to speak the truth to you, even if it is not what you want to hear.

  Third, begin looking for God and His answers in your life.  Notice.  Pat attention to what's really most important in this life.  Ask Him to join you in the moments of your life.  Refuse to go back to life as usual, where if you just set this whole thing aside, you will find yourself poopy again in the near future!

 
This is the kind of life we believe in at More than more.  We believe in a better life, one where we don't have to poop in the road over and over and over again.  One where the recurring pains in our lives can find healing.  One where we live for something More than just the usual everyday crap this American economy has to offer.

If you are looking for this kind of life, we would love to have you join us December 13th, 6:45-8:00 PM, at McAllister Recreation Center - just off 20th and Schuyler Ave, Lafayette - as always there will be fantastic activities for all ages.  We will not be running, but it will be a great time, there are always tons of laughs and you never know, you just might find someone who might help you with some of your poop someday!!!!

tomorrow

Hi everyone!  Wanted to remind you that More than more will be hanging out tomorrow night - 11-29-12 - at McAllister Center - just off 20th and Schuyler ave, Lafayette, from 6:45-8:00pm - great, free activities for all ages, as always

Just to Remind You

Hey everyone!  Don't forget More than more will be hanging out this Thursday night, November 15th, at McAllister Recreation Center, just off 20th and Schuyler Ave, Lafayette, from 6:45-8:00 - we hope to see you there!

All are welcome and there are free activities for all kids too.

Love Your Feet - That's not Fair!!

Wow! How many times have I heard that from my kiddos?? Oh wait how many times have I said that myself- eek. There is this huge misconception in life that everything should be fair. With many believing that fair means equal treatment- equal opportunities- equal gifts- equal pay- equal time- equal everything. Well its bologna. I mean really how realistic is that?? Now don’t get all worked up yet- listen to what I have to say please. I am not saying fairness is a bad thing. There are many areas where fairness is great. I just believe is often misunderstood.

My son’s teacher sends home a paper every week to keep parents in the loop. What’s coming up, ideas to help our children, learning activities, all kinds of great information. Well one paper had a little message about fairness and when I read it I immediately cut it out and hung on my bulletin board to always remember. Fair is not about everyone’s expectations being met- but about their needs being met.

Now when Matt and I met we agreed to strive for fairness between our kids. Silly us thought that meant doing everything the same for them. If Ella got special Daddy time- then Drew should get special Mommy time. If Drew got a gift so did Ella. If one needed shoes- the other should get some too. Stupid I know. See the thing is we were not focusing on their individual needs but their wants. We were so worried one would feel left out or less important that we were blind to the obvious truth. They are each uniquely special and have very different needs.

I notice this everywhere around me- not just at home. I’m sure you do too. But why? Why are we so consumed with equality? Shouldn’t we be more concerned with needs? Shouldn’t we rejoice when we see needs met? Yet we all have this selfish nature about us- If Eve gets an apple from the tree then I want one too. If my brother inherits the family fortune then I deserve some too. I was first in line. I deserve that. Life’s not fair.

Yesterday I helped at the More than More Love Your Feet shoe giveaway. Honestly my favorite day of the year. I just love the whole idea. So much generosity, so much love, so much gratitude, so much teamwork, so many smiles, just amazing. Yet can be emotionally and physically draining. This was only my second year participating in this outreach. I am still learning the ins and outs. Well I messed up by being unfair. There was a super nice gentleman that came in to sign up for shoes. He signed up early regardless of his last name and explained he needed to pick up at the early time because he had to go to work. No big deal, right? Well when this gentleman came back to get his shoes there was a long line and not all the shoes were ready. Our team was doing the best we could taking names and checking orders. I spotted my new friend pretty far back in the line and knew he would never make it to work on time if I did not help him. So I went and found his shoes and took them to him skipping others. Wow- you would think I gave away the last pair of shoes. People were not happy. “She skipped me” “I was here first” “I have been waiting” Grrrr. I had no intention to hurt anyone or of not helping those waiting. I just wanted to help. And ya know what he was so grateful he just had to hug me. Made his day that someone noticed him- remembered him- gave him free shoes- no judgment- just love. And that is what we were there for. So naturally I got a little annoyed at those complaining. I thought really- do you want the shoes- then hush and I will get them- I’m doing my best. I bit my tongue from snapping- told our fearless leader to step in and say something to calm the waves I so unfairly made. And of course he did in a gentle yet bold way. It was amazing how the atmosphere changed. See many of those in line had been wronged in there life. Many had experienced real unfairness. They were used to having to fight for everything. So when they we reassured that we cared and we would make sure their needs were met- things changed. I saw a verbally angry gal switch from spewing nasty comments to laughing and joking with me. I saw her feel important that I took the time to actually stop and talk to her and keep making contact with her- not avoiding her. I saw people I met at sign up smile when I welcomed them back and did my best to remember their names. And that is why I love the shoe outreach. We are not just giving shoes away. We are serving a need with love. Did we meet everyone’s expectations??? NO- not even close. But we did treat hundreds of strangers with real love- not something you can find in a shoe store.

More than More invites you to join us Thursday November 15^st at 6:45- 8:00 pm at McAllister Recreation Center just off 20^th and Schuyler Ave- Lafayette. As always awesome free child care/activities provided for all ages.