LOVE

Love is something that Ryan is learning as he gets older. His parents are not ones to show love in an unconditional way, I say that as a way that Jesus loved all the sinners, I guess that is not the word I am looking for, but I don't know what I am looking for. He has learned so much of how to love like Jesus from my mom, a non believer. He has learned to look past the morals, to love on people. Not to ignore the morals for himself, but to think, "I need to love the crap out of that person, evenmore so because they are a non believer and sinner". Today I was talking to his mom because she had ordered some hot coco from Dash's fundraiser. She asked what we were doing today and I said we were going to go do some shopping for a family at Dash's school. There was a huge apartment fire just down the street from us on Saturday night, I had explained to her and when I picked Dash up there was a note asking for donations for a family. One of the teacher's son and daughter in law lived in the complex. They have a 2 week old newborn! They lost EVERYTHING. So I thought of what we could do to spread Christ's love. I have Ali's infant carseat here that I have been holding on to because you never really know and it served as a nice back up since it is rearfacing until 30 lbs. Needless to say, they need it more than my basement does. I also thought what else does a baby need in January in WI? So tonight we went out shopping. I was able to get a really really warm blanket from Babies r us with some R us dollars I had earned. Then we went to target to get an outfit. We also ended up getting some crib sheets and two more receiving blankets. Got to love Target's January clearance sales. All that so say that I was very surprised by her comment when I said we were going to go find an outfit for the baby which was, "well can't they get help from the Salvation Army and Redcross?" Basically saying that, it isn't my job to help them out. It really hurt my feelings/insides. Did Jesus ever say while he was here on earth, "I'm sorry, I can't help you, please go to the priests about that." No. He would easily help. That is how we can show others, by giving to those in need. As a matter of fact, Jesus said, "when you clothe those in need you clothe me". So not only am I keeping a 2 week old infant warm, I am giving Jesus a nice pink and fuzzy blankie!

It is so clear to me as I look at my family and the differant aspects to it. We have Eric and Kim, KJV only, Bible thumping, long hair, jean skirt, stereotypical homeschool family that doesn't know how to love like Christ; Ryan's parents that love only when they see it financially "smart, because they 'don't' have enough" and it's not my job to help you out; my dad's side that would give time, energy, and love to whoever, the same family that helped raise Marlene's neice and nephew, not because they had the room or finances to do it, but because they knew that's what they had to do; to my mom that at the drop of a hat would do anything for anyone, as a matter of fact, she went through her apartment tonight and came up with blankets to give to the vicitims of the fire. I really and fully see why non Christians don't want to become one if they are simply looking to the standards that Christ holds us up to. He tells us to love one another as we love ourself. I don't see that in Eric, Kim, and Ryan's mom(his dad isn't saved), all who have accepted Christ and know him. Instead I see rule following, self-rightous, judgemental, critical people. That if you are not doing Christianity their way you are doing it all wrong. To my dad and Marlene that pour out themselves to serve and love like Christ. Topped off with my mom(not a christian) loving just the same as my dad and Marlene.

I just don't understand it. Christ plainly tells us it is about a relationship with him, not making sure to follow all the rules that we set up ourselves. I don't get the point in being a Christian when that is the case, cuz then really, whocares. I guess that is why Ryan's dad has not accepted Christ....why leave Judism and all there rules that he thinks is stupid, for more rules. Not only that but in front of him he sees 3 ways Christianity is being lived out, the way we live, the way his wife lives, and the way his other son lives. Which way is right? How do you know? Why are you all doing it so differantly? Is what I assume is going through his mind.

I am thankful to know Christ on a personal level. A level that needs to grow, but one that is personal. Not rule lived. Thankyou Jesus for who you are.