15 Years Later...

 

  Wow. Time flies. I can't help but feel a bit weary as this anniversary comes around. To think fifteen years ago, I was a five year old watching in horror as the twin towers disintegrated into nothing, is a wild thing to think about. It seems like it was only yesterday. How can something affect the heart of a child so deeply? I was five! How many five year olds can remember things they saw on the news? How many can understand? That day, I did. I saw not only builds fall, on that sunny Tuesday morning, I saw people jump from them. I could spend so much time in that dark place of sorrow and terror for our country, or I could see that that time not only brought the towers down, it brought people down to their knees! Churches were filled all over the country the next Sunday. People cried out to GOD for mercy! The disaster brought this country together and to GOD. But what happened to that? Fifteen years can numb a person to reality can't it?
  We say "We will never forget!" But do we truly remember? There are still horrible things happening in our country today! We are still being attacked within our own country! Our enemy isn't always someone with a bomb strapped to their back or with a gun hidden in his backpack. We have an enemy that is far worse and more destructive than that! No wall will keep him out! This enemy is sneaky and attacks quietly. Sometimes so quietly we don't even notice what we have lost! You think I'm talking about the Devil, right? Wrong! Though that is true about him as well! I'm talking about you. Yes, YOU! You are your own enemy! Your flesh can destroy this country from the inside out and you are too busy worrying about another terrorist attack to see you have the ability to destroy this country, and you are! We are, as a whole! We let ourselves do whatever we please, take whatever we want, and give precious time that isn't even ours to give to some stupid gadget or game that is complete void! We are thieves. We are spoiling this country of her true value- of the very foundation on which she stands! Where is your money going? Where is time being spent? What about your heart? Where is it? If we don't use what God has given us, we are as thieves in the night. The freedom to worship God is going down the drain, and we can only complain! I remember a story my pastor once told from the pulpit. Parents were all furious because prayer had been taken out their children's public school. The school board had a meeting and invited the parents. The principal asked who all was upset with the new school law. Every parent raised their hand. Then the principal asked who all actually practiced prayer at home on a daily basis outside of mealtime. Not one parent could raise their hand. We may say we believe something, but as a great preacher once said: You truly only believe what you practice. So I ask you, What do you believe? Ask yourself! What do you believe?
  Are you helping or hurting your country by the way you live? By the things you condone? I don't care what your Facebook posts say! What does your life say? Those can be very different things! As I have heard many preachers proclaim, Your silence is your approval! So are you speaking out? Or are you too afraid to face the crowd and stand up for what's right? The world should feel uncomfortable around you! They should feel as if you have something they don't! It isn't you that is different, it is what you have! So don't be prideful, but be Christ-filled! Everyone around Him knew He was different! They should feel the difference of Christ working in and through you!
  In light of the anniversary of September 11th, not only do I want to charge you, I want to encourage you. Though we can be our own enemy, we can also be a place of help for one another! That is a choice only you can make! Church is a hospital to those that are hurting! Whether you are wounded by yourself or another, church is where you can find healing. My GOD, the great Physician, is the healer of all wounds! So no matter what happened or what caused you this pain, He can fix it! Thank GOD, He can fix the broken hearted, and heal the heart that has turned to stone! Thank GOD He can reposition the feet of those who wander, and restore the eyes that have ceased to look on Him! So don't wait! Ask the good Lord to show you your faults. Then wholly give them to Him!
  People ask why did God let this happen? Why did He allow the towers to fall? My question is this: Why did He allow them to stand? We are living in filth and sin and yet God is merciful enough not to wipe us all off the face of the earth! Though it is hard to look at the events of 9.11. and see a merciful God, can you not see it? He opened our eyes for a little while, but then we went on our way as if nothing had happened! If we are so calloused and hard that we can't see God trying to get this country's attention through events such as that, what will it take? The Lord's voice is a still small voice, why must he scream through death, terrorists, and destruction to get our attention? He longs to have a loving fellowship with us and yet we have pushed Him so far from us as a country that He must use drastic measures to get us to kneel for one day! Then what America? Will you continue down this path? My readers, you can help! You can make a difference! It all starts with you! It starts in your home, and in your heart. Make it personal!
  Now just to clear the air, I understand not all death, sorrow, and pain is brought upon someone out of the wrath of GOD. Sometimes it is to place you in the position to make a difference in the lives of others. Sometimes GOD has reasons beyond our understanding. I know no one likes to hear that answer, but it is true! How can a person, understand an intangible GOD? I can say that I've been reminded of something's about my GOD as I've read a certain book. One of my favorite quotes from this book is this: "God cannot be contained in a building". God is not only in a church. God cannot fall with a  building! Which I am so happy to know! My God is all powerful and He can do anything He pleases! I don't know about you, but I want to be on His good side! Can we meditate on these things this week? Can we think, What can I do to better my life, and my country? How can I please an almighty GOD? Can you be more faithful? You may be going to church physically, but are you going spiritually? Are you taking your heart? Or are you going out of simple duty and nothing else? Continue going, but put your heart in it! Fully!


  Thank you for bearing through this post! I know it isn't the brightest, but I pray you got a blessing! God Bless America! And may we NEVER forget!!!


Simply,
  Sarah

About Me

     This is the page where I'm suppose to tell you the basics about myself. Thanks for checking it out! I've always had trouble describing myself, as others have as well, I'm sure! But it is a completely different thing when I'm writing!

  I am the second oldest of five girls. No boys. But that doesn't mean I don't have "brothers"! I have "adopted" many "brothers" as time has gone by.

    A good book on a rainy day is quite tempting to me! I also enjoy writing, drawing, and painting. I love quotes. I am also a sucker for new words with deep meanings. I am silently correcting your grammar. I am a quiet person, but once you get me to open up, I will ramble on forever! Especially if you can catch me when I'm super tired or nervous... weird, I know! I love messing around, and making grate cheesy jokes! I love to rattle off useless random facts that no one cares about. New and weird advances in science are exciting to me! I immensely enjoy criminal history. The process of solving a murder case intrigues me. I really like puzzles. Also, designing and decorating is kind of my thing! Crafts are always fun! Coffee is a great weakness of mine- though I don't drink it everyday. A close second has to be peanut butter M&M's. 

  On a serious note, I have dreams of being a missionary one day. Where? I honestly don't know! But, I have had this desire since the age of nine. 

    Though all of this describes me, the most important thing for you to know about me is I love my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!!! Not only is He my Lord and Savior, but He is my king and my best friend. I hope my blog is a reflection of this fact!

  So much for not knowing how to describe myself... :P

Simply,

   Sarah

Dear Future... Self

Dear Future Self,

  Well, Sarah, we have come a long way! Well I hope you have gone even farther once you read this! Let's say you are my future self ten years down the road. I have such high hopes for you! As you already know, but may have forgotten, I am writing a series on my blog to all of my "Futures".  It is now your turn! What can I say to my future self? "Do better"? Honestly, it is a bit awkward writing to you, or umm, me, whatever!
  I hope everything works out. Wait, what am I saying? It always does when you're within GOD's will! Maybe not in the way you dreamed it would, but in the way GOD had it planned from the beginning.  I'm guessing that you are married- Maybe! If not don't be discouraged! GOD can still use you! And He will use you if you let Him! I could say the same thing to you if you are married! Don't become weary in well doing! Never tire of reading and studying the Word of GOD! Never get out of church! Always stay out of any "gray areas". You know what happens when you don't! You slip and fall from GOD's will! Draw closer not farther from the LORD! Continue to read- History and constructive books not only fictional! Be a prayer warrior!
  In ten years, if you're married you may have kids! I hope so anyway! If you are a mother, then I must ask, do your children see the light and love of Christ in you? Are you keeping a schedule? Don't get lazy! (Kids or not!) Girl, I need to be preaching to my present self here! I have a lot of work to do! You on the other hand should have this stuff down! You should be spending your time working in other areas in order to grow and become more and more like the woman GOD created you to be! Again, if you are married, are you submitting to your husband? Do you love him unconditionally? Does he see the love of GOD in you?
  I wonder if you  have figured out what to do with your life. I sure hope so! Have you continued to write? Please always write! Even if you never earn money from it, you have so much more than that! I wonder if writing continues to be a deep part of you as it is today. Are you a missionary's wife? What kind of man is your husband? Is he meek and quiet or is he more exciting and bubbly? Is he a admirable and able leader? Is he a steady father? A valuable husband? Does he have a satisfying work ethic? Does he lead your family in a daily devotion each night? What is his family like? How do you get along with them? Are you a valuable mother? Do you read to your children?
  I want you to remember, not to take anything for granted! Don't fight with your husband in front of your children! You can have those discussions later! Don't correct your husband in public or in front of your children! Raise him up in front of others! Make him the king of your home! Make home a place your family longs for! You are the home maker! Your spirit will affect the rest of your family! Keep it in check! Take time to teach your children things and make it fun! Even if it is something that would be easier and faster for you to do on your own. If it is a chance for your children to learn, use it! It does matter and it will make a huge difference in their lives!
  Now if you aren't married, that's okay. I know you want to be someday. In ten years I hope you are! But lets say you aren't.  Please tell me you don't have ten cats! lol! Don't worry so much! You are doing fine if you are within the will of GOD!  Don't mind what people think, their opinion doesn't matter! Pleasing the Lord should be your main goal! Learn from your failures, and rise up and do better! One mistake is not the end! Are you having personal devotions daily? You haven't gotten lazy have you? Honestly I struggle with this now! So I hope by the time ten years have passed you have this struggle behind you! Keep your house clean! Take care of eveything you own! Be true to your word!!! Be true to the Word! Follow the guidance of your pastor! People around you should see you respect him by the way you live! Don't be a hypocrite! Please stay faithful! Not only in your life, but in your heart! Remember your actions affect those around you as well as yourself! You have come too far to become lukewarm! Keep going! Keep growing in the LORD! Serve Him for the rest of your days!


  Simply,
    Sarah (You/Me)

Dear Future... Children

 

  My dear future children,


  How I long for you! I have so many hopes and dreams for you! I hope I can raise you right. I hope you see my love for the LORD in the way that I live. I hope that you grow to love and know the LORD Jesus Christ as I have- and more so! I want to see you do better than I could ever do. I hope the Lord uses me to equip you for your future of serving Him, despite my flaws and weaknesses. I dream that you grow to have love and respect for your father and I. Not because we deserve it, but because it is what the LORD asks of you. I dream you grow into a joyful young lady or gentleman, with a heart overflowing with love and compassion for others. I dream that you have a heart full of beautiful childhood memories.

  I want to play ball in the backyard with you, to teach you to cook, and sew. I would love to cuddle in bed with you in the morning. I will adore watching your eyes light up as I read your favorite stories. To watch as you take your first steps, and hear you speak your first word, will mean so much to me! I dream of us having tickle fights, and playing hide -n- seek through the house. To watch you get dirty from head to toe with the biggest grin on your face will be precious, even if you track it in the house!
To help you get ready for church will be a pleasure, even if you run off half way through! Teaching you character and manners, and then watching as you start using what we have taught you on your own will be a wonderful thing to see.

  I want to teach you from home, as I was home schooled. I think I'm ready for that! I pray I have patience with you as my mom had with me! I hope and dream you grow to have a love for reading, a skill in math, and a respect for history!  I hope I can teach you diligence and determination. I hope you learn to study, not only in school, but the word of GOD! I long to see you quoting scripture on Sunday nights at church. I hope you take that scripture and not only remember it for the rest of your days, but I pray you learn to cherish it and follow it. Let it guide you through everyday of your life!

  I hope you know, you are loved, and you are wanted. Long before you came into this world, I have been praying for you! For you to be a part of my reality, and for your future! At the moment I'm still praying for your father to come along! Maybe one day soon he will- in GOD's timing! I hope you grow with patience! Don't try to speed through life. Don't let the small precious things go unnoticed! Don't forget, even as a child you can do big and mighty things for the LORD, if you only trust and serve Him with your whole heart! Don't waste your childhood and teen years on yourself and foolish things this life offers! I hope your father and I can teach you where true value lies! I hope we can place our pride aside and apologize when we make mistakes, because I'm sure we will. We are only human after all. But, I also dream that you will see that yes, we are in fact, imperfect, and yet you also see we want to do what is best for you in the eyes of the LORD. I pray you never know the taste of bitterness. I pray sorrow never hardens your heart, but makes it all the more tender towards our Father!

  There isn't enough time in the day to say everything I hope to  say to you! There are not enough words to describe the longing I feel to be your mother one day. I am trying to have a patient spirit, but the idea of you is simply so beautiful I long for you more and more everyday! I have a feeling that no matter what, I will love you, because the LORD will have given you to me! I know you won't be perfect, but if the LORD gives me you, that would be one of the greatest honors He could ever give me!

  I think of the preparations people have to make before having a child. Painting the nursery, buying a crib, clothes, toys, diapers, etc... (We really could go on couldn't we?). But, what can I do now to prepare for you? I can serve the LORD. I can serve others. I can pray and read my bible daily. I can die to self daily, and some days, hourly. I can prepare myself for you, by being the woman God wants me to be right now! To learn to live the way I want to teach you to live! To be the best I can with the LORD leading me every step of the way!

  I pray that you do the same! Be who GOD would have you to be! That is all I want for you! I don't care if you become a doctor or a simple janitor. A missionary or a plumber. A teacher or a mother. As long as you are in GOD's will, it truly doesn't matter! Serve the LORD with gladness , and with your whole heart and I know you will do well in life. I hope and pray and dream that I can equip you to do so!


Simply,
  Your mother,
                  Sarah

Dear Future... Husband

Dear Future Husband,

                
  This letter is going to be a bit different from the others I have written you because this letter will be posted on my blog. I truly enjoy writing! I don't know if there is anything more than a blog in my future of writing, but as long as I can continuing writing, then I will be happy with that!

  I'll say this again for the sake of my blog readers, the whole point of these letters are for you to get to know me as a young person. To get to know the person I am before you. I hope I am succeeding in doing that! On to the actual letter :)

  I feel as if our meeting is still far away and yet somehow I think we may have already met, even if it were just in passing. How can you long for something or someone so much when you haven't ever met? I'm a bit of a dreamer, just to warn you! I get that from my mother, bless her heart! We both have wild imaginations and that can be used for good I know, but at the same time, I must be careful and guard my heart or it will get away from me. Having this imagination, has caused me to have expectations for you. I have a list (yes an actual list, you will learn that I love lists!) of requirements for you. I'm sorry if that is intimidating, but I was taught to know what I want in a husband at a young age. Don't worry though, if you have read all twenty something other letters that I have written to you, then you passed, and I am madly and deeply in love with you! :) At this point in my life, I'm not sure what that is like, to love someone in that way. I guess that makes the wait a lot easier!

  I must say, some people may not think I want to get married because of my casualty in waiting. I'm not one of the girls that complain about the single life... much. Lol I actually have one complaint: People thinking I shouldn't be single! I believe the single life would be much easier if people didn't expect you to get married young. Not that there is anything wrong with that, it simply isn't GOD's plan for everyone. But that post has already been written! (5 Things Single Girls Are Tired Of) I can be impatient sometimes, mind you! I simply don't publicize it by complaining. It is difficult to wait when people around your age and younger are getting married and having kids. I long for the day when I have a family of my own. I truly do! But I see no sense in moping around about something I can't change. Why not enjoy this season of life while I'm in it? This is a time of learning and growing in the LORD. I know I can continue to grow even after marriage, but I can let GOD use this time in my life to prepare me for marriage, for you. Because through serving you, and submitting to you, I will be obeying my Father and doing His will. He hasn't given me that honor yet, but there are ways I can serve others in the now! I don't always do well in serving. That is definitely something I must work on!  

  One of my biggest dreams is to become a mother. As scary as that can be, my biggest fear is probably, not being able to. I won't lie. That maybe a bit bold to say on my blog, but I'm sure I'm not the only one! Being a big fear of mine, I have prayed about it a lot! Just for the record, if the Lord decides to not give us children, yes, I will have a hard time understanding that at first, but we will get through it together! Plus I would love to adopt as well!  I do want seven kids! I hope you like that number! I hope we will be good parents! I hope we can be good examples to our children in every aspect. I know we will make some mistakes, that is inevitable, but I hope we can do well in the big things and learn from our mistakes. I want to earn love and respect from our children and I want them to earn it from us. I want to play games together, and honestly, I would like for technology to be an odd thing to our kids. I don't want YouTube to be a common word in our house. I want them to run to tell us the amazing adventures they had in the backyard. I want to have cookouts with both of our families together in the backyard. I want a unity that people think is impossible these days, because I know it's not impossible with the LORD.

  I hope you have a love for Christ and His work. I hope we can be the kind of couple that reads the word together, and prays together. And I'm not simply talking about at meal time. I want to be the kind of couple that doesn't need any words to enjoy each other’s company. I want to be able to sit in silence with you and stare up at the stars. Long, deep talks about our hopes and dreams are very welcome too! I hope we can go hiking and camping and just enjoy the beauty of God's creation together. I hope you can see the beauty in the small things. I want to go on picnics with you instead of a movie. Though movies can be fun sometimes too :). I want to be adults and be responsible together and then some days be completely childish and playful. I want to cook together, and have food fights, to dance barefoot in the kitchen, to live in the moment together. To serve GOD together. 

  Maybe a lot of that is foolish, but that is what I wish for. I wish for a lifelong friendship that nothing can come between. I hope that isn't simply "wishful thinking". It doesn't have to be perfect, but I want something special. I do have hopes and dreams, but if it’s worth waiting for, I can wait. I'm sure it will be worth it!

  I am praying for you. Know that each letter I write to you, I am praying for you as I write it! Patiently, I will pray, and I will wait.

  Simply,

      Sarah


  P.S. To my blog readers, I hope you enjoy this "series"! Thank you for reading! I appreciate it!!! May God bless you all!


  To my single friends out there, we are all in this together! Enjoy this season of life while you can! Feeling impatient? Write your frustrations down! I know writing may not be the thing for you, but do something! Don't simply sit around feeling useless! Make yourself useful! And hey! You can always pray about it! The LORD knows your heart, and He is the one that can help you through these times, so go to Him in prayer!

Dear Future...

As you all already know, I love to write! Aside from writing this blog, I write some stories and also letters. I write letters to people I know, and people I haven't met yet. Such as my future husband and my future children. Yes, I know I'm odd, but whatever! I think it would be cool to hear from your mother or spouse as a teen and young adult. So I am going to start a small series of letters to my "futures". These posts maybe a bit different for you guys, but maybe, just maybe I can inspire you guys to write a "future" letter, whether it be to your future spouse, children, yourself, or whatever.


Dear Future,


  What do you have in store? I can't help but wonder! The possibilities are endless! To know you could change so much for me. Why must you be such a mystery? I suppose that is simply a part of what makes this life so exciting. To think of seeing the future unfolding before me in a way I could never imagine has a way of exciting me . I can't honestly say I understand everything, or even that I want to fully understand everything, but I am anxious to see what you hold! To meet the people you bring across my path. To see the person I am meant to be several years down the road. To meet the man I am meant to marry, and the children we may have. So much excitement in thinking about all the things you hide behind another day!


  A friend of mine reminded me today, that everyone goes through daily struggles. I go through some myself. Some of us may have bigger troubles than others, some may be big, but not obvious. What struggles lay in wait for me Future? I suppose this letter could truly be to my Father, beings He is the creator of the future. So Father, how will I fair in the trials ahead? Will I be strong and humble enough to lean on You? To reach for Your guiding hand? Am I strong enough to do so now? In these struggles I am facing today? Can I hand them over to You, without doubt, without fear? Trusting You will take care of it all, is easier said than done, I must say! This shouldn't be so after seeing all that you have done thus far. I am human, we never seem to learn do we? Not what is of true importance in this life anyway. 


  Father, I ask that you would not show me the future, but prepare me for it. I know that is what You have been doing, but God I stand here asking You to continue preparing me, this time I won't struggle against Your teachings, and Your guiding hand, but follow as You lead me into the unknown. Father, I love you for never giving up on me! I pray I never give up serving You to the best of my ability, and I honestly could do so so so much better! When I am down, hold me up Father. I am weak, please give me strength. When I am anxious, help me to be trusting. When I am frustrated, I pray for patience! Lord I am all of these things right now in this moment! I ask you my God for peace that I know only You can give!


  I love You Lord, help me to love You more!


  Simply,
      Sarah