Can't Sleep...

I can't sleep tonight...I think it might be a combination of my insomnia, my constant thinking, and the two cups of coffee I drank at 8 o' clock...

Nonetheless, I can't seem to turn my brain off...it is ALWAYS churning, with thoughts about life; thoughts about my life...

There are a multitude of them tonight...

Like grace, passion, failure, and freedom...we take so many things for granted sometimes. I don't think we realize the freedoms and opportunities we DO have. I'm amazed by the idea of freedom, yet it's the very thing that I probably take most for granted. What if I couldn't write freely as I'm doing now? What if I couldn't dress comfortably like I do daily? What if I had to live in constant fear because of a war-torn terrain? We are so blessed...I am so blessed...think about freedom differently...think of it as a privilege, something you earn, rather than something you think you deserve...

Moving on...

Grace is one of those amazing phenomenons...God amazes me because of the abundant grace He gives...He doesn't have to, but he does, time-and-time again...be graceful the next time you don't feel like it...show mercy to someone that might not deserve it, but needs it...

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So what do you think about passion? Do we really understand the meaning of the word? The best definition, in my opinion of passion is the following: 'strong amorous feeling or desire'. I think we all have it...whether it's in our profession, or a hobby, even in relationships. Perhaps passion is something we are born with, it's innate in each of us...or maybe we learn it...I don't really know...I think Jesus was passionate about PEOPLE when he was here on earth. It was obvious don't you think? Gosh...if we could all have passion like that in our relationships...in our relationship with Him...

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Failure is probably the worst word in the English language. Being 'unsuccessful' at something makes life a little harder to live...although, I've come to the realization that failing makes me want to try harder...sometimes it's necessary, to get right back up, and start it all again...I think failing gives way for triumph if we can just get back on our feet after the 'lack of success' the first time...

Hmmm...

So many things running through my head...I wish I could turn my brain off sometimes...It just never stops...

Well...perhaps I should try to close my eyes again...

Be blessed...

Flowing River

This is a poem I wrote some time ago for a close friend, who just really reminded me of a river, that never stops, but its beauty stays intact, despite that constant movement...

A flowing river;
It never stops, and never moves in the same direction
New things are always uncovered and old things remain deep within,
It travels straight ahead to its destination, but oddly enough it stays in the same place forever
The heart of the river is the middle, where it stops to breathe, it takes its fears and worries and spreads them in one direction or the other
Never letting one side take on too much
It then flows back again, to its roots where it knows which way to go
Everything is once calm again and the river flows smoothly

You my friend are that river
The river that flows with uncertainty at times and never in the same direction
Uncovering new things around each bend of life,
But never forgetting the roots that have been embedded deep within

You are forever grounded by the one thing that makes you, you
Your faith in the Creator of the Universe

Your fears and worries are never too much to handle
This you know, because of the One who fashioned you
The storm that rages within is once again calm
Your life, once again runs like the smooth flowing river

Keep going, like the river, never stop
Press on toward the goal to win the prize,
A life like that of the river
Moving always and never forgotten

Copyright ©2005 Emily R. Allison

The Leader in All of Us...

I'm definitely sick of mediocre...have you ever felt like that? I'm tired of people who ALWAYS follow and NEVER lead. What are we, puppets? I don't think so...

I believe that we are ALL called to be leaders; sometimes behind the scenes, sometimes for all to see; but it's in the little things that we can find strength, we can find our voice, and ultimately, find the leader that is dying to get out!

In the Heart of the World

I’ve been thinking about Mother Theresa lately. I suppose I’ve always been fascinated with her life, her amazingly selfless life.

What a remarkable woman she was. She never wanted to be recognized, but her compassion couldn’t go unnoticed. What a TRUE woman of character and humility; what a TRUE woman of beauty and grace…

There is a book I’m reading called “In the Heart of the World”. It’s compiled with thoughts, stories, and prayers that Mother Theresa once wrote. I can’t tell you how grateful I am to read the words of such a TRUE servant of Christ; a TRUE depiction of what we ALL should strive to attain: TRUE Selflessness and Sacrifice.

The following are just a few excerpts that I can’t but help, share with you:

“We will never know how much just a simple smile will do.”

“…be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.”

“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today, let us begin.”

“In the silence of the heart, God speaks. If you face God in prayer and silence, God will speak to you. Then you will know that you are nothing. It is only when you realize your nothingness, your emptiness, that God can fill you with Himself. Souls of prayer are souls of great silence.

“Like Jesus, we belong to the whole world, living not for ourselves, but for others. The joy of the Lord is our strength.”

“Seeking the face of God in everything, everyone, everywhere, all the time, and seeing His hand in every happening – that is contemplation in the heart of the world.”

“Every act of love is a work of peace, no matter how small.”

“There are many people who can do big things, but there are very few people who will do the small things.”

“Love, to be real, must cost – it must hurt – it must empty us of self.”

“I feel that we too often focus on the negative aspects of life, on what is bad. If we were more willing to see the good and the beautiful things that surround us, we would be able to transform our families. From there, we would change our next-door neighbors or city. We would be able to bring peace and love to our world, which hungers so much for these things.”

“There are thousands of people dying for a piece of bread. There are thousands upon thousands who die for a little bit of love. My thoughts often run to you who suffer, and I offer your sufferings, which are so great, while mine are so small. Those of you, who are sick, when things are hard, take refuge in Christ’s heart. There my own heart will find with you strength and love.”

I wonder what it would be like if we lived in a world, where ALL people saw others the way Mother Theresa did…

…the way Jesus continues to SEE each one of us? I’m amazed that He still loves us…that He still loves me…