silver coins.

In 1916, mi familia came to America from Mexico. It was by no means a straight path to this country. There is war, death, love, and a train car full of Santa Ana's silver involved.

I started writing a novella telling the full story of my family about 4-years-ago. I haven't finished out of frustration of missing details about my triple great-uncle, and sometimes I am unsure how to paint the picture between the three towns and three husbands held by my great-grandmother. But this much I do know...

Around 1908, my great-grandfather had gone insane as the people in the town of Guanajuato would define. Nearing the end of his life, he was feeble and had the assistance of a cane to get around. This man had bags full of silver hidden in his house that were passed down to him, and yet being frugal and fearing others would steal his wealth if only they knew, he lived as if he were poor. He walked around in rags. He'd yell at the top of his lungs pointing to poorer villagers, "He is cold, give him something to warm his feet," or "This one is my nino, give him food to eat."


Now I don't know if my great-grandfather was a man after God's own heart, but I can't help thinking of Matthew 25:37-40

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Where are we placed to be the voice of justice for God's children? We are far more blessed than we realize. Are you like the widow who gives her two copper coins, or the rich who poor out blessings and are not phased? We are each responsible for the gifts, talents and treasures God has given us. I've been blown away recently seeing how some students are responding to God's calling us to give through our various resources. Let's all follow together!

Flash.

I still remember the night vividly. We were driving back from Otaki where Alycia and I shared our testimonies to the Chinese food-workers congregation. Sarah, Meredith, and I sat snug in the back of Janeen's car, and as we had been without a radio the entire trip, filling the empty space with our voices had come to be a normal occurrence.

We sang the lyrics to one of our favorite hymns at the top of our lungs, and for a moment, I forgot it was raining as our voices drowned out the sound of drops hitting the windshield.

And then it happened.

We were silenced.

Like a whip, a lightning bolt cracked across the sky and the beam of white light coming from it stunned us into silence.

The blast was blinding.

It took a moment for anyone to say anything. And then we began t praise God again. for His power and creation. For Him silencing us with His love in our lives. For the Chinese. For placing each of us in that car exactly at that moment.

Have you been silenced by God? By His power? By His love?

Why not?

Be silent in awe of Him.

brickwall : waterfall

Have you ever stood in the middle of a waterfall's flow?

I'm not talking about a hard-roaring one that would knock you off your feet, but a slow flow that you can stand under that in a way feels like a high-powered shower.

When I tried snorkeling this summer, after about 10 minutes I realized I was underwater and started having a panic attack! I could no longer touch the ground and the current was keeping me from swimming as fast as I could. I had the tools and ability needed to be completely fine...I'm a decent swimmer..but I still panicked.

I've had that happen in a waterfall before. I'm totally fine and enjoying the pounding of the water on my shoulders, and then all of a sudden, I realize I'm surrounded by water! I was perfectly fine before, but when I freak out I lift my head looking around trying to find a way out to breathe.

In a waterfall, all you have to do is bow your head and you'll have an area to breathe. When you put your hand through a flow of water it simply moves around it. This is the same concept. Your head is blocking the flow.

So many times we do the opposite feeling overwhelmed by things being poured on our head. We look around, seek a way out, and don't just bow our head to breathe and receive life. We are not supposed to run out to breathe and then come back. But live and flourish where God has placed us. In the midst of the flow, bow your head.