Whenever I am happily surprised by something, it's really, really hard to contain my excitement. No, really, I'm not even joking - it's actually a little embarrassing especially since I'm supposed to be an, ahem, grown-up.
I've squealed like a pig during a photo session that's going well, almost tripped on my own two feet when trying on a pair of awesome shoes found in the sale section and just when you think I'm really cool, I'll even clap and occasionally spit will fly out of my mouth when telling someone some exciting news or a great story.
Wish list for Christmas: a bib and a helmet
As recently as today, I am reminded about how awesome it is to be excited about hearing great news. Like, actually Googling news that doesn't remind us yet again, of all the bad in the world, but of some actual glimpses of good and hope.
About a month ago, I met up with a friend for ice cream and a catch up, not knowing this conversation would have a significant impact a month later. In the midst of chatting, we started talking about our faith, the challenges of keeping it strong on a daily basis, and the importance of prayer. She proposed that we commit to pray for the troubles we were seeing in the world, even the stuff that seemed so far out of touch for our own personal lives. One of the things that made it onto the prayer list was the issue of human trafficking both in the United States and around the world. What???
Talk about being super stretched in faith - I have to admit that I was pretty doubtful of how praying for such a huge problem would be effective at all. You see, I like the safe, coffee-house conversations about faith, but to be asked to participate in a challenge and test what I believe, well, that's like a whole new ball game. Like, varsity level, Michael Jordan status.
Thankfully, despite my doubts, my friend reminded me that prayer changes things, that it ushers the power of God to do things we simply can not do on our own. She even encouraged me to check out how the news headlines will change because of faithful and interceding prayer. Well, uh, ok....I guess it can't hurt, I remembered replying. And so began the 30 days.
Yesterday, filled with some hope as well as some hesitation, I Googled "Human Trafficking News" and this is what I found:
And the good news headlines go on.
Needless to say, I was beyond amazed, with a renewed sense of hope and pig squealing happiness. Ohhhh, so this is what she was talking about! It was so encouraging to read the headlines of change, of justice being served, of legislation addressing this problem. And it's pretty amazing to see what the encouragement of a friend, a tiny seed of hope, and a little prayer can do.
Happy Wednesday!
About a month ago, I met up with a friend for ice cream and a catch up, not knowing this conversation would have a significant impact a month later. In the midst of chatting, we started talking about our faith, the challenges of keeping it strong on a daily basis, and the importance of prayer. She proposed that we commit to pray for the troubles we were seeing in the world, even the stuff that seemed so far out of touch for our own personal lives. One of the things that made it onto the prayer list was the issue of human trafficking both in the United States and around the world. What???
Talk about being super stretched in faith - I have to admit that I was pretty doubtful of how praying for such a huge problem would be effective at all. You see, I like the safe, coffee-house conversations about faith, but to be asked to participate in a challenge and test what I believe, well, that's like a whole new ball game. Like, varsity level, Michael Jordan status.
Thankfully, despite my doubts, my friend reminded me that prayer changes things, that it ushers the power of God to do things we simply can not do on our own. She even encouraged me to check out how the news headlines will change because of faithful and interceding prayer. Well, uh, ok....I guess it can't hurt, I remembered replying. And so began the 30 days.
Yesterday, filled with some hope as well as some hesitation, I Googled "Human Trafficking News" and this is what I found:
Needless to say, I was beyond amazed, with a renewed sense of hope and pig squealing happiness. Ohhhh, so this is what she was talking about! It was so encouraging to read the headlines of change, of justice being served, of legislation addressing this problem. And it's pretty amazing to see what the encouragement of a friend, a tiny seed of hope, and a little prayer can do.
Happy Wednesday!