I’m sure I’m not alone in my thoughts. So many people, myself included, are on that quest in life seeking purpose, something more, what they are destined for, etc. And, when it’s not found, or not immediately revealed, it can be discouraging…or lead to a person thinking they aren’t good enough, and will never make it. People judge their own success based on some superficial idea of what they *should* be doing.

I’d argue this – success is a very different picture for everyone. What may be your ultimate success may not phase me in the least. What I may see as successful may not mean beans in the eyes of the world. What I want to stress is that success, and feeling that sense of accomplishment is very individual.

Let’s look at me, for example. I am a stay at home mom to my beautiful children. So, my picture of success is watching my children grow up, knowing I’m doing my best to instill in them morals and values. Seeing them make the right choices, grow up, and just be the amazing little blessings from God that they are- that is one ideal picture of success– at least in my head. I don’t have that successful career, or a lifetime of accolades that tell me I’m great. But, I have the laughter, smiles and hugs that do just that. See, it’s all in perspective.

But, it goes further and deeper than that. I’ve often wondered what “my calling” in life is. I want to live life to the fullest, and to reach that aforementioned purpose. However, for me at least, that purpose has been a part of me, right under my nose the whole entire time. I have recently come to realize that who I am IS important – and that I AM living God’s purpose for MY life. You’ll notice I emphasize the word MY…because God does not expect us all to do the same things, or to respond to the same call. He gives us all strengths, passions, reasons for being. I have come to realize that one of (if not THE) most important things for me right now is people. I have a passion for other people. I have experienced life on many levels. I have had good, and bad times. In the midst of it all, I have learned what it’s like to hurt – but also what it’s like to be loved, and find that hope. My sole purpose in life – at least right now – is to share that same love and hope with others. To encourage the world. To let people know that they aren’t alone. To let them know they are important, and that their life matters. To just be a friend to the friendless. To care for the hopeless. To share hope. That is the recurring theme here. Now, that may not seem like much to you, but it is the world to me. To reach out in love is truly life-changing….to the person you reach out to, but also within.

I say all that to just encourage you – don’t live your life on an ever growing quest to find your purpose. Take a moment to reflect – realizing that you may already be living your greatest gift. No matter who you are, have faith in yourself. Love you for you. You ARE special. You ARE important. Your life matters beyond what you may ever know.

When people look at you, what do they see staring back?  What qualities do people see in you?

As followers of Christ, we are called to act as the hands and feet of Jesus.  To be a representative of Him in all we do, and to all we are in contact with.  So, if you’re the only “Jesus” some people might see, what will their picture of Jesus look like?  Are you reflecting Him in your actions?

I know this is a hard thing for me to swallow at times.  Do I truly reflect Jesus well?  No, not all the time.  Does this mean our lives are going to be perfect 100% of the time? Absolutely not.  However, what we ARE promised is One who is, and always will remain faithful.  We should strive to act as He would act, and treat others with the grace he so often displays for each and every one of us.

When you don’t agree with someone, take a brief pause and ask yourself how Jesus might respond.  Would He respond in anger, ensuring He got the last word, and was right – no matter the consequence?  You see, I don’t think so. I think Jesus operates in more grace than we can fathom.  I, for one, am beyond grateful for His never-ending love and grace.  A practical example of this would be peoples thoughts and opinions during these upcoming elections.   Simply log into Twitter, or go play on Facebook.  You, if you’re anything like me, will see countless posts about whichever convention was being watched at the time – and consequently the follies of either side.  If you wear the name of a Christ Follower, take a brief moment to just ponder how your post and/or reply to others will look.  With regards to all things religion, don’t engage in heated, divisive, and at times hurtful debates.  Let the truths of His word speak for itself.  Let Jesus shine through you, not in spite of you!

Please don’t think I’m pointing fingers at anyone, or at any group.  I am not.  I’m merely sharing what’s on my heart, as it relates to me.  I know I’ve been guilty as charged time and time again.  All I can do is pray God can use whatever situation to shine His light, and to share His love and hope to a hurting, hungry and thirsty world!

On the coattails of Sunday’s post, I would like to issue a challenge.  It’s a personal challenge for me, and for anyone else who would like to respond.  I want to also share my thoughts on giving cheerfully.

Take the time today to consciously do something, no strings attached, for a friend, for family, or especially for a complete stranger.  It can be something simple like a smile.  Say hi to a stranger who looks sad, or like they need to know they aren’t alone in the world.  Buy someone’s food, coffee, etc in the drive thru.  Just search your own heart.  Ask yourself the kinds of things that would make a difference to you.  Put yourself in the shoes of that homeless person.  What would make their day?  Just get out there and do SOMETHING.  Be intentional with it.

Back to my last statement, I want to address something that I’ve had to personally deal with:  Being a cheerful giver.  With reference to this idea being played out, let’s think about that homeless person I just referenced.  You know the one – the one you see in Wal-Mart’s parking lot – with the sign, begging to work for food while you know deep down he’s just trying to scam for money.  Have you ever had those sort of thoughts?  I know I have.  However, I was recently convicted.  I realized that if I am doing something with a cheerful heart, and I believe God was leading me to be a blessing in someone’s life, why then should it matter?  Give cheerfully, be a blessing – and let God take care of those trying to get over.  Maybe they are there for free food, or to scam.  Even so, they deserve to know Jesus.  Grace is theirs, just as much as it is yours or mine.

As your day continues, make notes (even mental notes) of the things you did with no strings attached.  If you saw their reaction, what was it?  If you simply did a kind gesture anonymously, how did it make you feel?  What have your experiences with this been?

This blog post is being started with a warning.  It will be long, and it will likely be pretty personal.  I aim to share some personal thoughts regarding the topic suicide, and specifically this week.  Monday was World Suicide Prevention Day – where people around the globe stood together to raise awareness.  Similarly, this week is national suicide prevention week.  It bothers me that there is even the need for such a day, week and month.

If there is one thing I am learning, it’s that NOTHING will change unless we are honest about it…unless we talk about it.  The ONLY way we can diminish the stigma that surrounds mental illness and suicide is by talking about it.  This is the first time that raising awareness and prevention hasn’t personally taken a depressing toll on me. Previously, it would depress me more than it would do good (for me) by raising said awareness.  This year, through much of life’s circumstances, and with God’s help (and the help of the people He has blessed me with) I am experiencing peace and more strength than I can imagine by sharing my own story, by talking about it, and by reaching out and walking this life with others.

I was recently posed a question that asked what I was doing in my community to raise awareness, and to bring hope.  This is urgently on my heart.  So, I’ve started talking about it.  I may be just one person, but I am going to start a revolution.  Not really – but as just one person, I CAN make an impact.  I plan on approaching our city to see if we can schedule an event to talk about it – to bring awareness – and be proactive with prevention.  Also today, I spoke randomly with six different people.  The people I talked to had varying occupations, ages and were both male and female – from stay at home moms to corporate executives. (And, no – I’m not exaggerating.)  The first person is a grown man who first experienced suicide the end of 2011, just after Thanksgiving when his friend took his own life.  The next person knew people who struggled with suicidal thoughts, and had experienced a loss to suicide during high school.  The next person was a young college student who had a really good friend (one known since kindergarten) commit suicide just after high school graduation.  This person also said goodbye to a friend in college – another suicide.  The next was a grown man who still showed much emotion over having lost a really good friend in junior high – also to suicide.  He still grieves.  He has never forgotten. The next is a sweet young college student who has struggled with depression since a young age – and was finally diagnosed at the age of 14.  She struggles with suicidal thoughts, and has attempted suicide before.  The next was a college aged young man who said he had experienced suicide way too much.  Too many people he has known or been acquainted with have taken their own life.  One is too many.

My point of the last entire paragraph is that I am ONE person.  One person who talked to six people I’ve never talked to about this topic.  And, I learned that six out of six people have been in some way affected by suicide.  That, alone, is a pretty staggering statistic to me.  I know that many people (thank God) have not experienced suicide, or anything related to it – and you cannot imagine how happy this makes me.  I’d also like to tell you my story – as it relates to being affected by suicide specifically.  In high school, I had a really good friend who was suicidal.  I did not k now at first.  We knew she was not happy.  It was not until my mother called me at work, and told me that she needed help in a desperate way, and her family had reached out to ours to see if I could talk to her.  I spoke with my boss, who was really awesome about it, and I left to just go be with her.  She was in a really dark place, and was literally at the brink of taking her life.  I’ve been told later in life that, had I not been there that day, she would not be alive today.  I smile, knowing I made a difference.  She has three beautiful children, and is still alive.  About a year later, a friend in high school took his own life.  The odd thing about him (or at least it was odd to me at the time) was that no one knew.  Outwardly, he was successful in school, popular, had a good home life, and many people who loved him.  So, his suicide was heartbreaking and definitely unexpected.  About two years later, I had joined the military and was serving overseas.  I had a really good friend, and a member of my unit commit suicide.  I knew that he was hurting.  I knew that he was dealing with things on a personal level, and at home.  I knew that he was struggling – having gotten disciplinary action in the military.  What I did not know, was how much he was hurting.  I believe I did what I could do.  I was a friend, and cared about him very much.  But, there is always going to be that part of me that always wonders what I could have done differently.

In the coming years, I began volunteering with suicide intervention and prevention – reaching out to people in crisis.  I had training, and had been certified to know how to react.  Let me tell you, though, that there is nothing in this world that can adequately prepare you for when someone close to you is suicidal, or takes their own life.  Nothing. It’s not possible.  I believe that is a good thing though because I do not want to see the day that suicide just becomes and accepted problem.  That said, one of my very best friends struggles with mental illness, and has attempted suicide multiple times.  It breaks my heart watching her hurt.  It breaks my heart when I have more faith and see so much in her that she’s blind to – that she’s unable to see herself.  There were times that she was closer to death than she realizes, even today.  It hurts to think about it, but it hurts worse imagining if she had succeeded.  She has told me many times before how she wouldn’t be alive if not for me standing by her through the thick and the thin. What she doesn’t realize is that I need her as much as she needs me.  I need her to stay alive.  Well, truth be told, she does know this – because I’ve told her.  I cannot imagine life without her.  Through my own struggles over time, I know I have a friend in her.

In time, and in a different post, I will share my personal story.  I will share some of the struggles I’ve gone through, and the ways that I have found grace, love and hope.

I just said all that to say that this is real.  Suicide is a growing epidemic.  It breaks through all barriers.  Man, woman, young or old – or anywhere in between – are all affected.  It is my belief that if we begin talking about it, there will be less of a stigma related to depression, mental illness, suicide and addiction.

One thing I want to reiterate.  Your past does not define you.  No matter who you are, what you’ve done, or what brings you to where you are today, you are loved.  You do not have to walk through life alone.  We were created as community people. People need people, plain and simple.  Do not sell yourself short.  Realize that hope IS real, and it is for you.  Don’t ever give up.  Your life is important, and your story matters.  More than that, your story isn’t finished being written yet.  Never for get that  hope is real.

For most people, well young adults and older, you can mention 9/11 and it will bring up some emotion, or memory of that day.  I personally remember where I was, what I was doing, and what emotions surrounded this day – as well as the days moving forward.  I remember every detail, and I will not ever forget.  As I sit here, I am just remembering the moments from that day that stick out in my head.  I was pregnant with our first child.  We had just moved to Washington DC, and my husband’s first day working at the Pentagon was September 11, 2001. What I vividly remember, though, is the pride and patriotism in the United States – this amazing country many of us call home.  In the days following, I would drive up the streets – any streets – and see flags adorning the roads.  Tears would well up in my eyes as I thought about the resolve that was on the forefronts of peoples minds that day.  We would not let that event tear us up, or bring us down.  We would fight back, and we would move forward – never forgetting.

Let the memory of this day prompt you to pray for all the families and friends of those who lost a spouse, family member or a friend that day.  They will not be forgotten.  This country will not forget.  As you pray, always remember to share gratitude for all the first-responder heroes of that day, as well as the “everyday” heroes all amongst us!

Do you have a “9/11” story to share?  Do you want to honor or remember anyone?  I’d love to hear, remember and pray for you today!

What I am about to write about is personal, a bit heartbreaking, and just some reflections on how and why prayer is so powerful – and why it is necessary.  Along those lines, why it is paramount that we do not sit back quietly, keeping Jesus neatly packaged up, as our gift to ourselves.  We simply MUST share Him with those around us – with family, with friends, with anyone really.

I’d like to share with you the scenarios behind why this is such an urgency.  It always should be, but when tragedy strikes, we realize just how much we wish we could have shared the hope of Jesus with the world.

This sense of urgency comes because there are so many lost people, all around us.  I have some heartbreaking news to share with you, with the hopes not of just sharing bad news, but rather to light a fire, fanning the flame.  This is no joke folks.  There are hurting people, some who have no way to find a way out of their pain.  They take drastic measures, all in hopes of some sort of escape.

Just this week, I had one friend attempt suicide.  She is in the hospital, and the prognosis is not good.  There has been some good news sprinkled in with the bad, and I keep reiterating that HOPE IS REAL.  I proclaim that she will live, and she will not die.  Not only that, but  I agree with the prayers of friends – she will have a quick and full recovery.  I believe that she’ll be a living testimony of who Jesus is as a result of this experience, and her life moving forward.  I have that faith.

Just yesterday, I had another friend who is heartbroken because her cousin passed away yesterday.  He also took his own life – saw suicide as his only escape.

Also yesterday, yet another friend (completely unrelated to the previous) experienced a family member loss to suicide.  The person who passed away, her young (12 year old) son found her.  Praying that God hold him, and comfort him like only He is able.

I don’t tell you these stories for the shock value, but rather to just show this.  I am ONE person. One.  And, I have three friends whose lives, or the lives of their families have been radically changed (though not in a good way) because of this.  Sometimes people are out in the open with their pain, and sometimes not.  Sometimes a suicide really is a huge surprise.  Either way, it shows me that it is PARAMOUNT to share Jesus with everyone.  The hope found in Jesus, and in Him alone has the power to heal broken hearts, to carry a person through the pain, etc.  However, if they never hear this, they see no other way.  This is not to say that there was ANYTHING that ANYONE could have done differently in these above cases – and far be it from me to make anyone feel guilt as  a result.  It is just a wake up call for me because you just never know how that smile, that heartfelt “hello, how are you?” or moment to just care about a person will affect them.  It might literally be the difference in life and death.

Speaking from personal experience, sharing the love and hope found in Jesus really does make a difference, and is life changing.  I know what it’s like to hurt, and to feel pain – but thank God, I also know the radical life-changing love through our Savior.  One of my favorite songs has this line, “The Arms that hold the universe are holding you today.”  Take that one in for a moment.  Really think about it.  The creator of this entire world – He loves you and He loves me that much.  Take this life changing love and hope into any part of the world you’re able to affect.  Be bold with your faith.

Let your hearts break and your love overflow for people. Embrace the call, and go out into all the world and declare the name of Jesus!  That is something that really resonates with me right now.

Let our hearts break with and for people.  That sounds sad.  In one way, it is – but in another, it’s a blessing.  It’s a blessing to follow the call.  When others are hurting, have empathy.  When an entire nation is in poverty, lacking basic necessities, not having proper nutrition, etc – let God give you compassion and a love for people in such a way that your heart breaks for His people.

But, when you feel that tug – when you feel that pull at your heartstrings – don’t just ignore it. Do something about it!  Pray and ask God how He might use you to make a difference.  Sometimes making a world of difference can simply mean taking the time to listen, really listen to someone.  Care about what they have to say.  Reach out and share hope in combination with love.

What you sometimes have no idea about is just how much what seems to you to be a simple gesture will actually mean in the life of another.  What may seem simple to you might be life changing to someone else.  React in love, instead of anger, when you feel you’ve been wronged.

Take, for instance, a practical example that happened to me in the drive thru.  McDonalds has this odd two lane ordering system that funnels into one lane to go to the windows to pay.  There was a lady who seemed to be in a rush, and pretty unfriendly.  She essentially cut me off to get to the ordering box sooner.  I’ll admit – my first reaction wasn’t a nice one.  However, I heard the Lord say, “No. Forgive her.”  I have no idea what is, or was going on in her life.  Maybe she was having a rough start to her day.  I have no idea.  But, I kept feeling led to forgive and share grace.  So, I did something so very strangely against all I’m used to.  Ironically, I ended up in front of her to pay and get my food.  But, that’s not the point.  When I got up to the window, I felt an urge to do something that would show His love and grace.  Simple gesture.  I paid for her food.  It wasn’t expensive, but it surely made my day much brighter.  All I asked the lady who took my money to do, was to give her a note.  It was an encouraging note that said that someone had paid for her order, no strings attached, etc.

I biggest thing I took away from that whole experience is the age old saying ringing so true: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you….NOT “Do unto others as a result of what they’ve done unto you.”  They are both similar statements, but with very different meanings. Take time to think about it.  I know I am.  Forgiveness.  Grace.  Love.  JESUS.  Share Jesus with them – with all whom you’re able to connect with.

Today, I would like to tell you about my experience with life, and with prayer specifically.

As I was driving to pick up breakfast this morning, I did as I always do.  I hopped in my car, and I turned on some Christian radio.  Love hearing a continuous message through the music.  But, I will get back to my story.  As I am pulling out of my driveway, just singing along to the music, I felt strongly like God was telling me to turn the music off.  I couldn’t explain it, because it was – after all – Christian music.  But, I chose to obey.  Whether God or not, I figured it wouldn’t be harmful to not have music playing.  So, I took the opportunity to pray.

As I was driving, all seemed normal.  I was headed the direction I travel nearly every day.  As I approached the four way stop, it was my time to go.  But, just as I was going to pull out and cross the intersection, I heard an immediate “WAIT!” I had no idea what that was about, but in that split second, I made the decision to just wait.  What transpired next has me still thanking God for His angels, and for keeping me safe.  Within literally 1-2 seconds of when I would have pulled out, a car accident happened right in front of me.  Neither party yielded right of way, and I would have been hit by two different directions.

There is no denying that I was protected.  My point with this, is just that when you live a lifestyle where prayer is an integral part, He WILL take care of you.  If you are tuned into Him (praying and actually listening) He will keep you safe.  Always listen to and for His voice in all things.  Some things may be more dramatic than others.  Some may be nothing more than a God-inspired thought in your head.  Either way, heed His direction. He knows how to take care of you – 100% of the time.  God is faithful, and responds to the cries of His children.

Okay, so this is pretty much something on my heart. I just want to scream: CHURCH – or anyone who calls yourself a Christian – WAKE UP!  We simply must stop just playing Christian – pretending to be something we’re not!  Jesus has called us to so much more than any of us are willing to admit, or want to do.

Why?  Because He calls us to be like Him.  We take so much for granted, and are very much a consumer driven society.  We proclaim our love for God, but do we truly love Him?  Yes, of course…but, do we show it? He calls us to love our neighbors…to love the unlovely…to give hope to the hopeless…to reach out to the least of these…to provide love and practical help to those less fortunate…yes, you get the idea?  Do we obey?  I mean, truly obey!?

I know I don’t – not all the time.  I’ve recently prayed that God give me His heart for people.  That I learn to love people as He loves people.  I am finding this to be a dangerous prayer.  Not really – but when we truly care about other people, we allow Him to work through us, and step outside of our comfort zones.  We must reach out in love, and show them Jesus.  Our actions should point to Jesus, not to our unwillingness to even acknowledge their existence.

God is impressing on me a call to action…a realization that people are important…that God loves us exactly where we are, and when we reach out to others in love – that is when life change happens.