I T guys

So today when I went into work, everyone had something to complain about. We have just gotten new computers that are 2003, not 2007.. but do not get me started on this!! (lol) Anyway... all I heard through the day was that we could not access this or that and that we could not get into our email.. I heard it all day long and I too was one who was complaining because it stopped me from doing almost anything today.

I emailed a friend of mine (who is an IT person) and complained that I was not a fan of IT people at all... They were like - you really want me to sympathize with you.. you are kidding.. lol..

THEN the ATTITUDE check happened.

While I was walking around listening to complaints, God spoke and was like... Really Allison- why are you complaining about these individuals. Do you not realize the crap that they put up with every day- in and out?

Here is part of the email back where I realized the significance, the awesomeness of IT persons...

but honestly.. we miss out on the fact that you totally have put your all into getting the system up and running for us. We ask questions in the middle of you trying to focus to help the majority of people so we can just get what I, the individual needs. How selfish, we sit and complain but forget that you took the call at 2 am when we needed you.. or that you spent your entire weekend here trying to get things running for us. So you IT guys take the crap for all our computer issues all at once.. which is kinda like giving you more mountains because we are not thankful at all or enough for what you do, what you sacrifice, and what you need in the midst of helping us.

Then God pushed me even further. He started asking me questions about why we as a people-Christian people- to be exact or any persons- why do we put meaning only on what we do or what our bank account is? Why do we complain about the jobs others do? Think about it.. How many times do we complain that the mailperson is late or that the garbage person has not come yet or that the waiter or waitress is horrible? Would we want there job? Do we know their individual struggles? Do we know or even understand the crap they put up with? Why do we not respect who they are as individuals? In Matthew, (I was listening to this on the way home).. Jesus talks about knowing the very number of the hairs on our head. Think about it.. when we complain about such persons and the job they are doing.. (despite them doing a good or a bad job) we are discounting the love we are showing them and even further we are degrading the value that our Precious Papa has put on them. We lack the appreciation and respect for the people who we run into every day..

The other day I was listening to the song Every Man by Casting Crowns and God hit me with this question, that I present to you... "how many people do we see everyday but do not SEE?" Think about it.. the people in a car driving by you... You give the impression to them in that one moment.. that decides how they will look at you.. So how are you presenting yourself? Are we, am I acting in love, respect, appreciation, and joy for every single human being that God made? and if I believe that God made me unique, perfect, and in his image, then why am I not looking at others in my world in the same manner and treating them as such. Ouch..

So today I chose to respect the people I see every day.. whether the IT guy that is still working on the mountain at work, or its the person that is going really slow in front of me on the road.. or the garbage man.. or the dog walker? Why why do we label such negative connotations on certain jobs and apply good labels to others? Why not break down our walls to show respect to all despite their titles. God only has positive titles on us- so why not put those on others? TO see them as adorned creatures and people of the most high God- who knows even the number of hairs on their head. That is a huge wonderful picture if I ever saw one. :)

Here is a t-shirt I saw a long time ago- and I think a great image for all these people we do not really see... "Have you hugged your garbage man today?" I believe that it is time for us to get out of our comfort zones, to dismiss the labels, stereotypes, and prejudices that we hold onto so slightly and asking God to rid ourselves of these.. and in doing this being totally filled with love and respect for the other individuals- whether we see them once or have contact with them every day of our lives.

Breaking and Entering

So last night at about 11:50 p.m. I got home after an awesome night with some beautiful women in my life.. I needed to let the dogs out so I locked all the doors and went up to bed. Then I became afraid that I did not lock my landlord's door who has two dogs right behind the door. So I came downstairs and locked my dog on my side of the door and checked the door. It was locked!! Time for bed, or so I thought. When I went to open the door it was locked and I had already locked the front door! Panic rushed through my mind as I knew it was 12 am.. I had no phone, no keys, and no way to get back in my apartment with a puppy who was certain to destroy something while I figured it out.. Did I mention I was in my pajamas and a tank top? So.. I decided to break and enter.

I walked outside, and found a way in.. attempting to use my upper body strength to hold Bella back AND get in... I finally just moved the tulip, the bench, and my dog and successfully made it in! What an adventure! I checked the doors again and WENT to bed.. Laughing..

Usually in these stories I would totally have gotten pissed or annoyed, but I just laughed. I had spent the entire weekend with people and I think God knew I needed my own adventure!

Today during worship at church God clearly said.. I have given you the keys. You are not locked out of the things I have for you.. You are not locked out of my presence, you are not locked out of any gift that you want. You hold the keys to the kingdom! HERE THEY ARE!!!! I hold the keys for the destiny and purpose I have for your life!

Thanks Jesus for adventures, laughter, and holding the keys to the kingdom!

Matthew 16:19: I will give you the keys of the kingdom.

The Simple Things.

So tonight after getting home from a really long weekend I wanted to do something out of my comfort zone, but I was not willing to leave my house.. again. On the way home from my aunt and uncle's house, I started praying to Papa about how I really did not like rain because it always leaves me cold and stubborn and just wet. I was like Papa, but thank you for the beauty of the rain and that you love and created the rain.

When I pulled into my driveway, it became clear what adventure God wanted me to go on tonight. He told me that it was to walk in the rain.. at first I was hesitant, but it just sensed an urging. So I put on my raincoat, flipflops, and capris and trudged through the pouring down rain with my blessing of a puppy. While I was walking with the mud between my toes, I realized that this is the image God has for all of us. He wants to pour on us, into us, and shower us with everything that his kingdom offers. He is pouring out his treasures of glory and joy and the fruits of the spirits.. and just as he knows when our hearts need this rain from him, this water to our soul, he also knows when our earth needs it. Rain I discovered again tonight has a beautiful smell that makes the world seem right and peaceful. No one ventures into the rain, but why are we holding back from adventuring in God's rain in our lives. The things that he is pouring onto us, why are we waiting to ask for these things or even just let him pour them out when he WANTS, he CHOOSES, he LONGS to give them to us. We may get wet, and stubborn, and even cranky when these things come into our lives at first, but the peace that comes with these things is so FANTASTIC.

So Papa, in my heart, I ask for the rain. I ask for the things you long to pour into me that I have not wanted you to pour into me. I ask that your well would spring up, that your peace would spring up inside of me. I ask and thank you for the natural rain and even the rain within our hearts. Thank you for that! :)

Thirsty definition: The salvation and spiritual nourishment that Jesus offers is compared to a stream of life-giving water--sufficient to quench our thirst.

O God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.
Psalm 63:1