Rescue

This word has swirling around in my head for the past few days ever since I read the following story from this blog:


"Kids get grace...  McRae, my youngest daughter, reminded me of this a few months ago.  While we were leaving Chuck-e-Cheese, the only place she ever picks for our daddy/daughter dates, we heard a police siren... In the backseat, I heard McRae sigh and say, “Ohhhh, I love that sound.”
That’s a strange thing for a six year old to say, so I asked her why. Without missing a beat she said, 'Because that’s the sound of someone getting rescued.'"


That's the sound of someone getting rescued.  Seriously.  I never, ever thought of that.  And yet, I know that everyone's been somewhere that their only hope is rescue.


And, I suppose, there's someone reading this who knows exactly what that feels like.  I hope you'll listen to this song and know that it's true.  God is here to rescue you.



Who, oh Lord, could save themselves, 
Their own soul could heal? 
Our shame was deeper than the sea 
Your grace is deeper still 

You alone can rescue, You alone can save 
You alone can lift us from the grave 
You came down to find us, led us out of death 
To You alone belongs the highest praise 

You, oh Lord, have made a way 
The great divide You heal 
For when our hearts were far away 
Your love went further still 
Yes, your love goes further still 

We lift up our eyes, lift up our eyes 
You’re the Giver of Life 

Lessons from Handsome

So I had a salad for lunch today, and as I was putting my plate away I saw the tupperware of sugar cookies on the counter and thought to myself, "I'll have one of those."  As I pulled off the lid of the container and grabbed a napkin for my cookie I thought, "I eat salads for lunch so I don't feel guilty about having cookies for 'lunch dessert'."  But then I remembered Handsome's words when I had related a similar story to him, "I never feel guilty about eating food."  What?  You don't feel guilty when you have two cookies or eat all of your meal at Applebees?  This man-thought was new and intriguing, and, honestly, his words have shaped my thoughts and self-image tremendously.

I have learned many, many things from Handsome.  As a good breaking-the-2-month-blog-silence post, I want to encourage you with some of them.

1. There is no need to feel guilty about any food you eat.  Eat when you are hungry and stop when you are full.
2. You are beautiful.  Really.  Inside and out.  Believe it, embrace it.
3. All you can ever do is your best.  If it isn't good enough for someone, know that it's good enough for God, and his opinion is what matters the most.
4. You will not find joy in comparing yourself to others.  You have your own unique things to offer.
5. It's okay to be a girl in a man-dominated world.
6. You are more than your grades.  It's okay if you fail sometimes, you'll move on.
7. Accept gifts and trials from God's hand, even if it is not what you expected.
8. Never, ever complain.