Lately my world has been full of ME......God pick ME! Show ME! Guide ME! Help ME!....me, me, me. I wonder how tired he gets about hearing about ME? But He is there, no matter what I do, what I ask for, what I need.
I have been so wrapped up in my world....I had my eyes closed. I opened them last week....and voila...all that I was surrounded by was just JOY. Blessings. LOVE. I am still just bursting with happiness. Hahaha...I know...right? But I can't explain it any more then that. I am just Happy. I have witnessed wonderful news in so many areas! There are Blessings that people asked for, and there are some that WHAM here ya go....surprise Blessings! News on Adoption(s), News on pregnancy, News on Jobs, News on Engagements and News on Ministry. I am surrounded by happiness.
This is where its not about ME at all. I am just so over joyed in their blessings! Its so great! So my morning chatting time with God has been more about PRAISE then asking in Prayer. I am sure He is pretty happy about that one. I felt such a different feeling rising up within me. When its not all about what I need or want. What He can do for my family. I mean don't get me wrong...I send little shouts of PRAISE to Him all the time! But this is different..Its just been so fruitful....the blessings. I mean I have seen it happen.! Unfold before my eyes. Its been overwhelming. I have to say, its been a long time since I have seen so many good things happen to my friends! All at once! Ah-Mazing!
This is HIS subtle reminder to me...that its NOT all about Me, not anymore. As soon as I opened my heart to Him, my life began to change. With all the bad in the world right now, I love His reminder of the good. Its what I needed at the time I needed it. SO I am off my pity pot of Job searching and Job offers and what to do when to do it....had a wonderful friend give me a post on FB about God's timing...and again...He showed me through Her...His plans for me. And I am all chilled with that now.
The Blessing and Joys are out there guys! Open your eyes and witness them. It can overwhelm you too. Happy Jenn! ....xoxo
a thought process of a believer, mom, wife and hair stylist...wrapped in one tidy package..God is center, Family a close 2nd....Hair is my passionate gift I was given by a passionate God.
Total Dye Job....
Me....
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Monday, August 8, 2011
The "What"...needs the love....too.....
Chick Night August 7, 2011....River Valley Church and Nancy Alcorn.....I could just leave that there, as thats all I need to say....If you went, you understand. Powerful. Horrifying. Eye Opening. Enraging. Tear Jerking. Joyful. Spiritual. Uplifting. Empowering. Accepted. Accepting. Heart Changing.....
You had to feel it....if you went. If you were not able to go...Let me sum it up for you: Nancy Alcorn founder of Mercy Ministries spoke at our church's chick night. She talked about her program, her background and what going on in the lives of the women she has helped. Women who have battled more then any of us will ever know, but take on abuse sexual and physical, drug addiction, unplanned pregnancy, sex trafficing, sexual identity issues... If you want to get into the bones of her program then check out their website, read her books, download in your iTunes her CDs. I don't want to bore you with the 'fine edging' to her voice. What her final message, I personally felt, was to RVC was about a young girl (before Mercy, Nancy worked in Tennessee at a correctional facility for juvenile delinquent girls and investigating child abuse cases.) whom was in the correctional facility. Nancy was the athletic coach for the girls there. This girl was having an identity crisis. She had been sexually abused by many male family members and I am sure it goes beyond what we can even comprehend. Nancy shared Jesus with the girl. The girl dressed like a boy. Maybe she was gay, we weren't told about that. Nancy encouraged this girl after she was released to join a church, a youth group, to help her get closer to God. A few months after this girl was released, Nancy got a call from the girls mother. The girl had committed suicide after she was teased and tormented and cast out from the church she was seeking help from. At this point during her telling us this, I had to cover my mouth because I was going to let out a gut wrenching cry. I was so angry....
Its not right. Its not fair. But is it us? Is it our community here in the subs of St Paul. We play it safe, don't we? Message after message of accepting people....supporting them....showing them the true Love of Jesus Christ.....but do you? Really? You nod your head with the speakers and Demand Change! Would you be one the people in our church who would sit right next to a homeless person who hasn't had a bath in weeks? Would you give your cute little Express lightweight sweater to a women who looked like she had been to the bars all night, possibly involved in sex trafficking? Would you put your arms around them? Would you pray for them? More like...would you pray with them? Would it disrupt your worship time? Would they distract you too much? Would you ask them to come to breakfast or dinner with you? Hmmmm....okay how about not so extreme.....What if a young lady came to our church....she wears her hair shorter....she has piercings,...she dresses more tomboyish than girlish....she wears guys shoes...heck...maybe she is gay! WOW!!! What does your heart say? Do you try to know her? Or do you try to avoid her? You don't have to agree with any of it....you just need to show love....do you? Do you guess about her? Her file, after all isn't public knowledge.....Like Nancy Alcorn was saying...she could read the files the background on the girls she knows what they experienced the sexual abuse, the rape, the drugs, the unthinkable......then the what...became the why....to Nancy. We don't have files to showcase to the viewing public. No one wears the hurt on a tshirt labeling all that has been done to them. We'd be okay with that..."Oh...thats why.."...
Did you know, if you have read the bible...who Jesus hung out with? Think about that...our Savior...our rescuer, our redeemer...the HOLY SON OF GOD.....he hung out with the unlovable...the ones cast out...set aside...ignored...picked on...stoned.....humiliated....He loved them. Why is it so hard for us to do the same? Why would you leave 3 seats open in between you and the unlovable one at church?
Nancy and Becca gave us a lot to think on. I hope the hearts open. You have no idea who you hurt with your looks and snears. People they get noticed. Maybe not the one who you are disgusted by...but by the one that matters, Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit.
The picture may be a bit wordy vulgarity...but its my point....
I love you...I love my famiy...I even love the ones who have issues with me and my family. I can take care of my dread locked self...its when you hurt my family....You have no idea whats in their 'files'....and there are files....Remember that...when you see me and my family....we all have files! I hold my head up and praise my Lord and my Savior...you may not like me..But I have all I need...Hebrews 13:5.......God Has Said...Never will I leave you, Never will I forsake You.
You had to feel it....if you went. If you were not able to go...Let me sum it up for you: Nancy Alcorn founder of Mercy Ministries spoke at our church's chick night. She talked about her program, her background and what going on in the lives of the women she has helped. Women who have battled more then any of us will ever know, but take on abuse sexual and physical, drug addiction, unplanned pregnancy, sex trafficing, sexual identity issues... If you want to get into the bones of her program then check out their website, read her books, download in your iTunes her CDs. I don't want to bore you with the 'fine edging' to her voice. What her final message, I personally felt, was to RVC was about a young girl (before Mercy, Nancy worked in Tennessee at a correctional facility for juvenile delinquent girls and investigating child abuse cases.) whom was in the correctional facility. Nancy was the athletic coach for the girls there. This girl was having an identity crisis. She had been sexually abused by many male family members and I am sure it goes beyond what we can even comprehend. Nancy shared Jesus with the girl. The girl dressed like a boy. Maybe she was gay, we weren't told about that. Nancy encouraged this girl after she was released to join a church, a youth group, to help her get closer to God. A few months after this girl was released, Nancy got a call from the girls mother. The girl had committed suicide after she was teased and tormented and cast out from the church she was seeking help from. At this point during her telling us this, I had to cover my mouth because I was going to let out a gut wrenching cry. I was so angry....
Its not right. Its not fair. But is it us? Is it our community here in the subs of St Paul. We play it safe, don't we? Message after message of accepting people....supporting them....showing them the true Love of Jesus Christ.....but do you? Really? You nod your head with the speakers and Demand Change! Would you be one the people in our church who would sit right next to a homeless person who hasn't had a bath in weeks? Would you give your cute little Express lightweight sweater to a women who looked like she had been to the bars all night, possibly involved in sex trafficking? Would you put your arms around them? Would you pray for them? More like...would you pray with them? Would it disrupt your worship time? Would they distract you too much? Would you ask them to come to breakfast or dinner with you? Hmmmm....okay how about not so extreme.....What if a young lady came to our church....she wears her hair shorter....she has piercings,...she dresses more tomboyish than girlish....she wears guys shoes...heck...maybe she is gay! WOW!!! What does your heart say? Do you try to know her? Or do you try to avoid her? You don't have to agree with any of it....you just need to show love....do you? Do you guess about her? Her file, after all isn't public knowledge.....Like Nancy Alcorn was saying...she could read the files the background on the girls she knows what they experienced the sexual abuse, the rape, the drugs, the unthinkable......then the what...became the why....to Nancy. We don't have files to showcase to the viewing public. No one wears the hurt on a tshirt labeling all that has been done to them. We'd be okay with that..."Oh...thats why.."...
Did you know, if you have read the bible...who Jesus hung out with? Think about that...our Savior...our rescuer, our redeemer...the HOLY SON OF GOD.....he hung out with the unlovable...the ones cast out...set aside...ignored...picked on...stoned.....humiliated....He loved them. Why is it so hard for us to do the same? Why would you leave 3 seats open in between you and the unlovable one at church?
The picture may be a bit wordy vulgarity...but its my point....
I love you...I love my famiy...I even love the ones who have issues with me and my family. I can take care of my dread locked self...its when you hurt my family....You have no idea whats in their 'files'....and there are files....Remember that...when you see me and my family....we all have files! I hold my head up and praise my Lord and my Savior...you may not like me..But I have all I need...Hebrews 13:5.......God Has Said...Never will I leave you, Never will I forsake You.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Make a ch ch cha change....
So....I got Dreads....dreadlocks for you non hair people. I call them my dreadies....yeah its not for everybody...but I am not everybody, now then am I? My little brother, Jon, had dreads for a long time, and i LOVED them...always kinda wanted them but never grew my hair out enough to do it. I do hair every day...and I love it that I do hair...I change my hair about 6 times majorly during the year. So this is not such a big deal to me. But, WOW, I guess people are a wee little shocked...My clients get it. They know me and my ever changing cycle of hair issues. My hair was LONG...supa long for me....and It wasn't me. The color was fab and cut ah-mazing....but still....gosh...long hair on me, not so much. So I went the dread route and loving it to pieces. But hmmmm i guess I figured since my family and clients know me, then every one else does too. Wow...this is where I forget what its like to be 'different'....I was a little punk rocker in High School. Thats where I found the passion for hair. But I liked the looks, the confrontation of being different. Now when I am pretty darn close to 40, i am taken back a little more.
My close group of girlies get it, because they get me.
My stomach was rolling the first day I went to church after I got my dreads. I was so nervous. I don't know why, its not like I was or planned on being paraded thru the sanctuary. And it was a different service time so my normal group of church goers wouldn't be sitting around or by me. Regardless, I had tummy flies.
So we get in and I dodge thru the crowd, drop my 9 year old off and go to find our seats. Lots of looks, grimaces and such. I kind felt pretty bad. But I am hear to praise and pray, not to combat the stink eye. I guess people don't realize I am a child of God too. I may have a couple tattoos and my nose pierced....now I have dreadies...but by golly I love God. I am full of the Love of our Lord. I spread it...He doesn't care how I look....why do you?
So my blog for you today...make some changes in yourself...about judging. I am not the norm, and neither is the girl with died black hair, emo makeup and ear plugs. Neither is the tattoo artist or the clothes shop clerk with rainbow colored hair. If we all looked like each other...wouldn't you be bored? It wouldn't be an interesting scene would it? Maybe they praise our God, just like you. Maybe they raise their hands in rejoice and obedience, just like you.... You judged them, thinking they weren't. How do you think our Lord thinks of you? Love the ones you think are unlovable. Maybe they will see something in you that no one has ever shown to them. A true Christ Like Heart.
Just saying...my two cents....
So back to my first service with my dreadies....As I sat, and the pastor asked us to turn around and greet someone you don't know....I did...smiled with the dimples I was blessed with, even at the ones who were a little...well shell shocked...then I noticed the women who kept looking over the shoulder at me....kind of trying not to stare, but did regardless...I smiled at her...she smiled back, and motioned to me to lean over to her. I thought.."...well here we go...", ....Here she sat with her cute little brown bob, teased thru the crown, a trendy necklace dangling around her throat descending on the cutest sun dress and wrap. She was probably mid to late 50's. She beamed the hugest smile at me and said..."I really love your hair, it shows your personality"...and tapped my hand and turned away....and in that instance I looked at her and thought ...Now I am just doing what I assume everyone is doing to me...judging....Thank You God, for the lesson in Church....
That made me feel better...... a lot better....i even got sniffley....
Love you all!...xoxo
My close group of girlies get it, because they get me.
My stomach was rolling the first day I went to church after I got my dreads. I was so nervous. I don't know why, its not like I was or planned on being paraded thru the sanctuary. And it was a different service time so my normal group of church goers wouldn't be sitting around or by me. Regardless, I had tummy flies.
So we get in and I dodge thru the crowd, drop my 9 year old off and go to find our seats. Lots of looks, grimaces and such. I kind felt pretty bad. But I am hear to praise and pray, not to combat the stink eye. I guess people don't realize I am a child of God too. I may have a couple tattoos and my nose pierced....now I have dreadies...but by golly I love God. I am full of the Love of our Lord. I spread it...He doesn't care how I look....why do you?
So my blog for you today...make some changes in yourself...about judging. I am not the norm, and neither is the girl with died black hair, emo makeup and ear plugs. Neither is the tattoo artist or the clothes shop clerk with rainbow colored hair. If we all looked like each other...wouldn't you be bored? It wouldn't be an interesting scene would it? Maybe they praise our God, just like you. Maybe they raise their hands in rejoice and obedience, just like you.... You judged them, thinking they weren't. How do you think our Lord thinks of you? Love the ones you think are unlovable. Maybe they will see something in you that no one has ever shown to them. A true Christ Like Heart.
Just saying...my two cents....
So back to my first service with my dreadies....As I sat, and the pastor asked us to turn around and greet someone you don't know....I did...smiled with the dimples I was blessed with, even at the ones who were a little...well shell shocked...then I noticed the women who kept looking over the shoulder at me....kind of trying not to stare, but did regardless...I smiled at her...she smiled back, and motioned to me to lean over to her. I thought.."...well here we go...", ....Here she sat with her cute little brown bob, teased thru the crown, a trendy necklace dangling around her throat descending on the cutest sun dress and wrap. She was probably mid to late 50's. She beamed the hugest smile at me and said..."I really love your hair, it shows your personality"...and tapped my hand and turned away....and in that instance I looked at her and thought ...Now I am just doing what I assume everyone is doing to me...judging....Thank You God, for the lesson in Church....
That made me feel better...... a lot better....i even got sniffley....
Love you all!...xoxo
Thursday, July 14, 2011
New Day, New Decisions...
Sorry for the silence Total Dye Job fans.....seems like life has been a wee bit of a distraction to me lately...But I am back...and maybe thats not such a good thing....or maybe it will be!
Lots happening in the life of the Uitto Family (Minnesota). My oldest graduated high school...which would bring on a whole other blog post. We had an amazing time being surrounded with friends and family from near and far. Summer began...and then it seems to be midway over in a blink of an eye...but you don't want to hear about my chaotic life....actually, I don't want to write about it. We just get busy...and in that busy-ness..things get put on the way side...and for me that was my morning time, with me, my cup of java and God. I know many of you are shaking your head in agreement with me! Its SUMMER...but that should be no excuse to put aside your time with God. I have this amazing Devotional called Jesus Calling, that really puts it in the best terms I have read in a long time. (Thanks Krista for giving me the heads up on this devotional sometime a while back via FB or your blog!) So I am refocusing...readjusting my schedule...to include the one that should NEVER be put on hold....
So whats been weighing on my heart a lot is decisions...and guidance...and answers.
What would YOU do, if you had a job you loved, one that you Thanked God for everyday, you gave all credit to Him...and you LOVED, LOVED, LOVED it...and He asked you to step away from it....Would you? I have some pretty darn close friends that have done just that. Stepped away from what they know and love and just went on blind Faith...and I mean that in all the positive ways I can say it. Left without an eyelash flutter. Trusted beyond measures. Financially and Faithfully it was all in HIS hands, the way it should be, so we all say. But would we do it? Gosh...i just don't know...I LOVE to tell my clients about these friends of mine, family and just people about how when I grow up I want to be like them...hahaha....thats a funny...because I am old...er....then most....I mean in my walk of faith. So on with it Jenn....get to the point...
I work in a salon. Its owned corporately, so well chatting with co workers and clients about God and Faith and such...is kind of, well, lets just say its discouraged. Luckily I work in a small salon with a staff, who God placed in my hands this summer. My clients who know me, know I am all about God and His ways, ups and downs. I pray for them, whether they ask or not. Make mental notes thru the convos I have with them. But with the end nearing us at the salon, I am in front of God asking...What next? Where can I go for YOU? I know I am at this salon for a reason, thats why I stayed. I see and hear some of the changes in the salon with the staff. I love these girls so much. It makes me get all sniffley...and managing them to me is more guidance and direction than anything. I encourage and lift them up as much as I can. Positive is what they need. I get all that. In October, our salon will be closing its doors. The mall raised its rent, and well...corp just doesn't see the benefit of keeping us open. So my small staff will scatter....I have a handful of months...then what?
And what I am finding is...God has put a path before me...that I shouldn't walk aside from. Doors are opening for me. He has been putting on my heart a dear group of women who I admire and have worked beside. But what if its not hair....WOW...right? Jenn not do hair? Kind of not...in a round about way...I just don't know...people...I just don't know....So back to that awesome devo, Jesus Calling...well today July 14ths....well lets just say it was all about that...the path...."All I require of you is to take the next step, clinging to My hand for strength and direction. Though the path is difficult and the scenery dull at the moment, there are sparkling surprises just around the bend. Stay on the path I have selected for you....." this devo is one that acts as if Jesus is talking directly to you....and no...my lovely Twilight fans...the sparkling suprises isn't Edward Cullen... :)
Blind Faith...I would love to have it, embrace it and just go with it....am I there yet? Can I? WOW.....So my dears...New Day New Decisions....No worries...clients of mine...I will let you know, when i do. We have some time...but its God's time...not ours! He is not a microwave oven...Sorry again for the quietness....Pray for me loves! Thanks! ...xoxo
Lots happening in the life of the Uitto Family (Minnesota). My oldest graduated high school...which would bring on a whole other blog post. We had an amazing time being surrounded with friends and family from near and far. Summer began...and then it seems to be midway over in a blink of an eye...but you don't want to hear about my chaotic life....actually, I don't want to write about it. We just get busy...and in that busy-ness..things get put on the way side...and for me that was my morning time, with me, my cup of java and God. I know many of you are shaking your head in agreement with me! Its SUMMER...but that should be no excuse to put aside your time with God. I have this amazing Devotional called Jesus Calling, that really puts it in the best terms I have read in a long time. (Thanks Krista for giving me the heads up on this devotional sometime a while back via FB or your blog!) So I am refocusing...readjusting my schedule...to include the one that should NEVER be put on hold....
So whats been weighing on my heart a lot is decisions...and guidance...and answers.
What would YOU do, if you had a job you loved, one that you Thanked God for everyday, you gave all credit to Him...and you LOVED, LOVED, LOVED it...and He asked you to step away from it....Would you? I have some pretty darn close friends that have done just that. Stepped away from what they know and love and just went on blind Faith...and I mean that in all the positive ways I can say it. Left without an eyelash flutter. Trusted beyond measures. Financially and Faithfully it was all in HIS hands, the way it should be, so we all say. But would we do it? Gosh...i just don't know...I LOVE to tell my clients about these friends of mine, family and just people about how when I grow up I want to be like them...hahaha....thats a funny...because I am old...er....then most....I mean in my walk of faith. So on with it Jenn....get to the point...
I work in a salon. Its owned corporately, so well chatting with co workers and clients about God and Faith and such...is kind of, well, lets just say its discouraged. Luckily I work in a small salon with a staff, who God placed in my hands this summer. My clients who know me, know I am all about God and His ways, ups and downs. I pray for them, whether they ask or not. Make mental notes thru the convos I have with them. But with the end nearing us at the salon, I am in front of God asking...What next? Where can I go for YOU? I know I am at this salon for a reason, thats why I stayed. I see and hear some of the changes in the salon with the staff. I love these girls so much. It makes me get all sniffley...and managing them to me is more guidance and direction than anything. I encourage and lift them up as much as I can. Positive is what they need. I get all that. In October, our salon will be closing its doors. The mall raised its rent, and well...corp just doesn't see the benefit of keeping us open. So my small staff will scatter....I have a handful of months...then what?
And what I am finding is...God has put a path before me...that I shouldn't walk aside from. Doors are opening for me. He has been putting on my heart a dear group of women who I admire and have worked beside. But what if its not hair....WOW...right? Jenn not do hair? Kind of not...in a round about way...I just don't know...people...I just don't know....So back to that awesome devo, Jesus Calling...well today July 14ths....well lets just say it was all about that...the path...."All I require of you is to take the next step, clinging to My hand for strength and direction. Though the path is difficult and the scenery dull at the moment, there are sparkling surprises just around the bend. Stay on the path I have selected for you....." this devo is one that acts as if Jesus is talking directly to you....and no...my lovely Twilight fans...the sparkling suprises isn't Edward Cullen... :)
Blind Faith...I would love to have it, embrace it and just go with it....am I there yet? Can I? WOW.....So my dears...New Day New Decisions....No worries...clients of mine...I will let you know, when i do. We have some time...but its God's time...not ours! He is not a microwave oven...Sorry again for the quietness....Pray for me loves! Thanks! ...xoxo
Friday, May 6, 2011
Love them to Pieces....Moms.
So I am Target, probably my 3rd or 4th trip this week. I LOVE Target. Love to browse the isles when I am solo..clearance rack is usually my first choice! But today was a grab and go! I was incognito (what the usually means is that I have no make up on and a hat on my head), and heading to the back of the store to get some half and half. As usual I get side tracked...you other Targeto lovers understand this and are nodding along with me.
I am in super love with those bobby pins from 'Goody'. The circular ones that work magic on you hair in a bun, updo, messy pony...whateva...they rock! And well since I am getting used to this long hair of mine...I find it a lot easier to use on my head. Just because I do hair for a living, doesn't mean I have magic hands on my own head. Its hard to reach in the back of your head, holding a mirror to look opposite in another mirror to pin your hair up. Although I LOVE to create on clients...creating on my own head is a headache! Anyway...back to Target. You following me? They were out last time I was there (go figure Prom season), so I thought I would check. I am walking toward the hair stuff, where I am picking up a pretty loud conversation of two women in the other isle. It was about Mother's Day!
Then I heard something...and I am not Quoting word for word here...Women #1 "Its just terrible, what a burden to the family." Women #2 "I know. My goodness she is only 17. There goes her dreams!" Women #1 "I called Susan (name totally replaced), and she is going along with the whole thing! Can you beleive it? Will William (name also replaced) out of work, and they have 4 children already and now her own daughter having a baby..." The two women went on and on kind of picking apart this young pregnant girl. WOW! So my bristles went up. I could hear my husband's voice in my head say: "Now to take a deep breathe" ... At that point I felt the adrenaline. I closed my eyes, said a brief prayer. Heard my head say Let it be...But well I didn't. I had to see who these faces were that were attacking another child's character...(we are all children of God...). So I got into spy mode and was sneaking, slowly over to where they stood....And I recognized one of them. She goes to my church. I was instantly saddened.....
So this is where I get to open my wounds, and let you in. I was a teen mom. I got pregnant at 19, with someone whom I loved. I wasn't sleeping around (not that that makes any difference at all...but need to make sure you understand my character). My mom was very supportive. I did/do not beleive in abortion. So I had her. Alone. Solo. The biological father did a 360 and turned into a tool, and stopped calling. I had my mom's support, and my extended family. I had some fantastic friends who stood by me. Laughed and cried with me.
When I was about 6 months along, I was asked by the church's deacon (catholic) at the time, to not to continue to attend this particular church any longer. There was a church in another suburb that someone in 'my situation' could attend. Slap in the face. So not only was I abandoned by a man whom I loved and trusted, but a church where I sought refuge at. I felt so unloved. So ashamed.
By these two women talking about that young woman like that..with such disgust, really tore my heart up. Splintered it all along the shampoo isle. You see what I needed and would of loved during that season in my life...,is if someone would of held me and said..."Its okay, we love you, we admire you and hold you up to our LORD and SAVIOR who will always love you. You and your unborn child. He will always LOVE you no matter who you are, what you do." He is the one that stood by me, held me up, listened to my cries in my pillows. But I didn't know him. I thought he was ashamed of me as well. Because of the actions of people. The bitter words used to harm me. And there were more along my way. This girl's character was being torn up in Target. Instead of lifted up to God.
We pray so much for the youth. They have so many influences outside their walls of their houses. They have glorification of drinking, and even teen pregnancy. 'We' can pray and have programs for abstinence and hope we are leading our youth to a different path. 'We' praise young women when they make a choice not to abort their child. But what do we do when they choose to have a child? 'We' turn our backs on them. And many take the attitude that the women by the shampoo isle took. "Its such a shame' as we shake our heads. Really?? Really?? I wanna shake YOU! My goodness praise be to GOD that this woman is having her baby. Maybe that leads to adoption and like some friends of mine, who are lucky that a 'teen mom' decided to keep her baby, now they have a son. Or maybe she keeps it herself. Did you ever think this may be what God has intended? Who are we to judge? My daughter, who is now 18, saved my life. Changed me forever. Being pregnant with her, I loved her so much, I lived for her to be alive, and changed my path of life leading me closer to God. Just love them...love the teen moms, hold them up. We may not know the whole story behind that bump in the belly or that child in the stroller. We need to LOVE. Love them to Pieces. Show your Love of God to them. I wish someone would of when I was 19 and 6mths pregnant. Wrap your arms around them. You don't have to like how they got in that situation...but you do have to LOVE them. Jesus told you. He told me.
I was just going to walk by. I swear it. Act casual and slip by un- noticed...And I didn't, my basket hit the shelf and knocked shampoo down making a huge amount of noise. (Ugh !) I looked the women in the eye that I knew. Smiled at her. She smiled back. We exchanged pleasantries and I turned and walked away. I would of loved to of quoted Bible scripture at her or out of my heartache tell her exactly how "Un Christian" she was being. But I held my tongue. Instead I thought I am gonna type away about it.
Please don't be the hypocrite people who don't know God like to point out. Please be the one who would wrap your arms around that girl. Be the one to talk to her about God. She needs it. She may not know it at that time. But she needs you. I did.
I am in super love with those bobby pins from 'Goody'. The circular ones that work magic on you hair in a bun, updo, messy pony...whateva...they rock! And well since I am getting used to this long hair of mine...I find it a lot easier to use on my head. Just because I do hair for a living, doesn't mean I have magic hands on my own head. Its hard to reach in the back of your head, holding a mirror to look opposite in another mirror to pin your hair up. Although I LOVE to create on clients...creating on my own head is a headache! Anyway...back to Target. You following me? They were out last time I was there (go figure Prom season), so I thought I would check. I am walking toward the hair stuff, where I am picking up a pretty loud conversation of two women in the other isle. It was about Mother's Day!
Then I heard something...and I am not Quoting word for word here...Women #1 "Its just terrible, what a burden to the family." Women #2 "I know. My goodness she is only 17. There goes her dreams!" Women #1 "I called Susan (name totally replaced), and she is going along with the whole thing! Can you beleive it? Will William (name also replaced) out of work, and they have 4 children already and now her own daughter having a baby..." The two women went on and on kind of picking apart this young pregnant girl. WOW! So my bristles went up. I could hear my husband's voice in my head say: "Now to take a deep breathe" ... At that point I felt the adrenaline. I closed my eyes, said a brief prayer. Heard my head say Let it be...But well I didn't. I had to see who these faces were that were attacking another child's character...(we are all children of God...). So I got into spy mode and was sneaking, slowly over to where they stood....And I recognized one of them. She goes to my church. I was instantly saddened.....
So this is where I get to open my wounds, and let you in. I was a teen mom. I got pregnant at 19, with someone whom I loved. I wasn't sleeping around (not that that makes any difference at all...but need to make sure you understand my character). My mom was very supportive. I did/do not beleive in abortion. So I had her. Alone. Solo. The biological father did a 360 and turned into a tool, and stopped calling. I had my mom's support, and my extended family. I had some fantastic friends who stood by me. Laughed and cried with me.
When I was about 6 months along, I was asked by the church's deacon (catholic) at the time, to not to continue to attend this particular church any longer. There was a church in another suburb that someone in 'my situation' could attend. Slap in the face. So not only was I abandoned by a man whom I loved and trusted, but a church where I sought refuge at. I felt so unloved. So ashamed.
By these two women talking about that young woman like that..with such disgust, really tore my heart up. Splintered it all along the shampoo isle. You see what I needed and would of loved during that season in my life...,is if someone would of held me and said..."Its okay, we love you, we admire you and hold you up to our LORD and SAVIOR who will always love you. You and your unborn child. He will always LOVE you no matter who you are, what you do." He is the one that stood by me, held me up, listened to my cries in my pillows. But I didn't know him. I thought he was ashamed of me as well. Because of the actions of people. The bitter words used to harm me. And there were more along my way. This girl's character was being torn up in Target. Instead of lifted up to God.
We pray so much for the youth. They have so many influences outside their walls of their houses. They have glorification of drinking, and even teen pregnancy. 'We' can pray and have programs for abstinence and hope we are leading our youth to a different path. 'We' praise young women when they make a choice not to abort their child. But what do we do when they choose to have a child? 'We' turn our backs on them. And many take the attitude that the women by the shampoo isle took. "Its such a shame' as we shake our heads. Really?? Really?? I wanna shake YOU! My goodness praise be to GOD that this woman is having her baby. Maybe that leads to adoption and like some friends of mine, who are lucky that a 'teen mom' decided to keep her baby, now they have a son. Or maybe she keeps it herself. Did you ever think this may be what God has intended? Who are we to judge? My daughter, who is now 18, saved my life. Changed me forever. Being pregnant with her, I loved her so much, I lived for her to be alive, and changed my path of life leading me closer to God. Just love them...love the teen moms, hold them up. We may not know the whole story behind that bump in the belly or that child in the stroller. We need to LOVE. Love them to Pieces. Show your Love of God to them. I wish someone would of when I was 19 and 6mths pregnant. Wrap your arms around them. You don't have to like how they got in that situation...but you do have to LOVE them. Jesus told you. He told me.
I was just going to walk by. I swear it. Act casual and slip by un- noticed...And I didn't, my basket hit the shelf and knocked shampoo down making a huge amount of noise. (Ugh !) I looked the women in the eye that I knew. Smiled at her. She smiled back. We exchanged pleasantries and I turned and walked away. I would of loved to of quoted Bible scripture at her or out of my heartache tell her exactly how "Un Christian" she was being. But I held my tongue. Instead I thought I am gonna type away about it.
Please don't be the hypocrite people who don't know God like to point out. Please be the one who would wrap your arms around that girl. Be the one to talk to her about God. She needs it. She may not know it at that time. But she needs you. I did.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Same Page...
Ahhh today was a gorgeous day out...really the second day of Spring here in Minnesota...actually the day isn't even over with, as long as there is light out. I love these days. I love the smell of the open windows in my bedroom and bathroom. Isn't that crazy. I LOVE the smell of the open-ness of my house. It may be getting chilly out as the sun is setting. But this is spring in Minnesota...gotta enjoy it while its happening, tomorrow we could get rain or...even the 's' word.
I could feel the sun shining through my blinds this morning. I smiled. I said a quick 'Thank You' to God and got up to start my day, which really starts with Him and a cup of java.
Have you ever listened to what God chats back to you? I mean really listened? As you ramble (and I say that most lovingly), thru your prayers, your praise...do you hear him? I heard him laugh this morning. It was a good hearty chuckle. Kind of startled me a bit and I looked around my little office to see if it was someone looking over my shoulder, or the tv or something. I try to have it quiet...but with kids, a husband and a dog. Its hard. I wait until the house is cleared out, or they are pre occupied...because if I don't then I get the "mom..." or "honey"..or "whatcha doing". I don't want to have to yell- "I AM HAVING MY QUIET TIME WITH GOD...LEAVE ME ALONE!", that kind of breaks up the quiet, peaceful, happiness of the moment, you know?
So where was I? Oh yeah...the laugh. I ramble when I talk to God. I write sometimes. Most of the time we just talk, or I should say I do and He listens. I pray. I praise. And I ramble. Today was more of the rambling. A lot of the rambling. I have been asking that He show me what He wants me to do in my life. Where does He want me to go? Who does he want me to be? And it was quiet. Hmmm. 'So I am good right, God?' That's where He laughed. Probably because he knows my heart so well. That comment I made..."So I am good right, God?" wasn't meaning..I am good, like a good person, good follower, good believer, good friend....it meant...between God and I...that we are good. We are on the same page. I am where I should be. Doing what I should be doing. His laugh was like an indication..."ummm, No. we are not on the same page, and you know it." Because He knows I know it. Because He knows my heart so well, that I am scared to know HIS answers. Where does this leave me? Not on the same page-for now. I am so coming out of this little tidy box I have kept myself in. Although today, we are not on the same page. I am closely coming to it. I am changing and I am changing the world. So not on the same page today, I get that. But I know He loves me. Love me. Loves me. It is just not me loving Him. I can say that and I can beleive that. That page..well my dears, that page is the same.
I could feel the sun shining through my blinds this morning. I smiled. I said a quick 'Thank You' to God and got up to start my day, which really starts with Him and a cup of java.
Have you ever listened to what God chats back to you? I mean really listened? As you ramble (and I say that most lovingly), thru your prayers, your praise...do you hear him? I heard him laugh this morning. It was a good hearty chuckle. Kind of startled me a bit and I looked around my little office to see if it was someone looking over my shoulder, or the tv or something. I try to have it quiet...but with kids, a husband and a dog. Its hard. I wait until the house is cleared out, or they are pre occupied...because if I don't then I get the "mom..." or "honey"..or "whatcha doing". I don't want to have to yell- "I AM HAVING MY QUIET TIME WITH GOD...LEAVE ME ALONE!", that kind of breaks up the quiet, peaceful, happiness of the moment, you know?
So where was I? Oh yeah...the laugh. I ramble when I talk to God. I write sometimes. Most of the time we just talk, or I should say I do and He listens. I pray. I praise. And I ramble. Today was more of the rambling. A lot of the rambling. I have been asking that He show me what He wants me to do in my life. Where does He want me to go? Who does he want me to be? And it was quiet. Hmmm. 'So I am good right, God?' That's where He laughed. Probably because he knows my heart so well. That comment I made..."So I am good right, God?" wasn't meaning..I am good, like a good person, good follower, good believer, good friend....it meant...between God and I...that we are good. We are on the same page. I am where I should be. Doing what I should be doing. His laugh was like an indication..."ummm, No. we are not on the same page, and you know it." Because He knows I know it. Because He knows my heart so well, that I am scared to know HIS answers. Where does this leave me? Not on the same page-for now. I am so coming out of this little tidy box I have kept myself in. Although today, we are not on the same page. I am closely coming to it. I am changing and I am changing the world. So not on the same page today, I get that. But I know He loves me. Love me. Loves me. It is just not me loving Him. I can say that and I can beleive that. That page..well my dears, that page is the same.
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