thehereandafter

As Christians, we have heard over and over how special each and every one of us are. How God himself choose us, has a plan for us, and gave his life for us. Yet, we are human, and at times, can't help but judge our worth by looking at the lives and talents of others. Sometimes I feel that I have no purpose in life, that I have not accomplished anything that is of any importance. Oh, I know that I have been a stay-at-home mother and wife and that is important, but what have I REALLY DONE?! Having the world swirl around me, I begin to doubt that God is using me...after all I don't have a degree, little less a masters, I don't have a career outside my home (I always have to remind everyone that being a full-time wife and mother is a career) or even a home business that brings in a paycheck, I am not up to receive any awards, and I am not a facilitator or leader for any groups, studies, or projects. All these things are accomplishments to be proud of and very good...I'm jus

Two days ago someone told me about a conversation they had with a friend. She told me that religion came up in the conversation and how badly their talk went. They are both committed Christians and very close friends. The person I was talking to told me that, with that person, she will probably not broach that subject again. I then shared this conversation with my daughter and the first words she uttered were that you should never bring up religion with your friends. She has decided, from experience, talking about your faith with friends only causes problems. And they weren't even talking about different religions...they were discussing their christian faith. This isn't the first time I have heard this. Have others of you had this experience? What is the world is wrong with us as Christians that we can't talk about what should be our heart and soul? And especially with friends who are other believers? What is wrong with our brotherhood/sisterhood in Christ if we can't

Last month was the 3 rd year anniversary of my daughter’s near fatal accident. The healing physically, mentally and spiritually for all of us continues and each day is more precious than the last. There are still some days my memories are so vivid that I feel like the accident and the prayers that were so desperately prayed happened just yesterday. The desire for my daughter’s life and her healing were all consuming, just as they would be for any parent. As I go back over the urgent prayers, the all-consuming desire for my daughter to live, and the pleading with the doctors to do all they could, I now rejoice in not just her life but her healing.   I know, also, that God is rejoicing in her healing…God rejoices when any of his children are healed! Our Lord wants each and every person, young or old to be healed, to be whole, and to be able to praise him just as I do now. ““ You restored me to health and let me live. Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In your lov