World Changers

There's a great bunch of people I know that are frequently referred to as "World Changers". Throughout my life I've come to know a lot of people that could be put into this category of All Things Awesome. They are doing things to make a difference in the lives of others.

Someone once asked me, "How am I supposed to be a so-called world changer? The world is huge and I'm just one person. Can I actually make that big of a difference?" This is a legit question. You are just one person. I've also heard this quote that pretty much sums it all up - "To the world, you are one person. But to one person, you could be the world."

Being a world changer isn't just about changing THE world... not all at once anyway. But to change one person's world, to change one person's view of God or of Christianity... that is possible.

Can you make someone a cup of coffee? Can you hold open the door? Can you help someone with their groceries? Can you lend someone spare change at the cash register? Can you rake your neighbors leaves? Can you help your little brother with homework? Can you put away the extra grocery carts in the parking lot?

If you can do those things, you can change someone's world. If we all do those things... if we all make small steps to change someone's world... together, we can change THE world.

Shout outs to those who have changed my world, in both simple and epic ways. I am incredibly blessed by you.

Are You Freaking Kidding Me.

About a year and a half ago, that sentence frequented my vocabulary. There were a lot of changes taking place in my life, all of which I had absolutely no control over. It was frustrating and heart breaking. Sure, that sounds a bit dramatic but quite frankly it was one of the most difficult times in my life thus far. I stood almost in disbelief half the time when faced with circumstances and decisions that I was not prepared to deal with. With each twist and turn I tried desperately to understand the "bigger picture" and purpose behind it all. As my life fell apart, I often said to myself, "Are you freaking kidding me."

A year and a half later, as I watch every last little bit of my life fall back into place, I keep saying to myself the same thing - "Are you freaking kidding me." I am overwhelmed with where God has brought me to over these last four years. I am so blessed. That's not a cliche little expression to me anymore.

While driving recently, I said to God, "Why me? Who am I that you would bless me with such great things? What could I have ever done to deserve all You've given me?" And you know what He said - "I don't need a reason to tell you I love you. You're my kid. It's never been about what you've done. It's always been about what I have done for you. There's nothing you could do to make me love you more or make me love you less. You're my kid and that's it."

I guess it just hit me. I know God loves me. We grow up in church hearing that all the time. But to get it... to really grasp that His love for me has absolutely nothing to do with me and everything to do with Him... that's something else. All I know is I'm so incredibly grateful. I have a warm bed, good food, great mentors, awesome friends, multiple families... And it's not because I deserve any of it.

If you've been wondering lately if the storm will end and the good times will roll once again... know that they do. It's taken so long for me but it's over. Those storms do pass and God is with you. Don't give up, ever. God will not leave you or abandon you.

There's a light at the end of the tunnel. And it's so freaking worth it.

Rotten Strawberries

I am a cook at a camp. I spend a solid 8-10 hours in the kitchen a day. Tomorrow I'm heading into the third week of cooking for a group of about 100 people. Tonight I made chocolate and strawberry milkshakes. And yes, it did bring all the boys to the yard.

I decided to jazz them up a little bit with some chocolate chips and sliced strawberries. When I took out my packages of berries I was pretty disappointed. Several of them had gone bad. As I sorted through them trying to salvage enough for my dessert, I noticed that one moldy berry was usually connected to three or four on either side.

I've heard it said, "Show me your friends and I'll show you your future." Looking at those berries reminded me that you can't help but be affected by those you are surrounded by. Sometimes it's intentional- they're your best friends. Sometimes it's coincidental - they're your co-workers or classmates. What are those people like? Do they add joy to your life? Do they inspire you to be more like Christ? Do they motivate you to change?

And what about you - Are you a bad berry? Are you polluting the lives of others? Is the crap in your life rubbing off on those around you?

Just something to think about.