karin madden

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November 4, 2013 by Karin 2 Comments

The One Word We All Need To Make It Through

31 days of Good Deeds 31 Days of Good Deeds

(click here for the series)

~ Day 23 ~

We tend to overthink things.

We mull over how, when, where, why, and who.

We ponder and wonder… how will we get through all this?

The answer is a word.  It’s a word that sometimes comes close to losing its meaning.  This word can seem hokey or cliché.  We toss it around like falling leaves.

Making it through  

But, this one simple word is the answer to all of it. The trick is… living it.  All.  The.  Time.  

The catch is… letting ourselves break for this one word over and over.  Sometimes we face becoming fools for this word in the eyes of the world… until we are molded into the very word itself.

I have the coolest friend.  She shared the most beautiful story.  This story is about her brother.  These words are her own… sometimes it’s just best to leave words as pure as they are given.

The story is real and raw and beautiful.

This is a story about living the one word we all need to make it through.

Love.

My brother called me this morning, “So, where should I eat for lunch?”
I said, “How about some Mexican food?”  He responded, “Ha, exactly what I was thinking!”
A little while later he called me again, “Hey! So, I went to “Pancho’s” and got myself a burrito…” He continued to tell me about his experience at the Taco shop —

There was a guy in line at the register with his girlfriend and their baby.  The cashier said, “Your total is $16.” The guy pulled out all the cash he had, paid a portion of the cost, and handed the cashier a debit card to cover the rest of their purchase. The cashier swiped the card and said, “Sorry, your card was denied.  Insufficient funds.”
My brother watched the whole thing.  He got up and told the guy, “Hey, No worries!  I got it!  Let me pay the rest. I know what it’s like to just want to take your girl and kid out to eat.  Enjoy your meal!”

After my bro shared that with me, we started talking about other “God Stories,” like the time he lived in Vegas a few years ago.  He stopped at Little Caesars, and ate a whole pizza on his way to church. After service was over, The Holy Spirit said, “You are to go eat at *—–* Restaurant.”  My Brother thought, “But I’m not Hungry. I just ate a whole pizza.” Again he heard, “Go to the restaurant, I will feed you.”  So He listened and drove.  When he arrived, he stepped out of his car and saw a homeless woman who then approached him and said, “I’m hungry, can you feed me?”  My brother replied, “Yes, I’m here to feed you!”  They went inside together.  He told her, “Order ANYTHING you want.”  She said, “Is this to go?”  He replied, “No, I’m going to sit with you.”  They sat and talked for at least an hour. She expressed how much she missed her children and explained why she was homeless. He shared the love of God with her and told her how much Jesus Loves her.

God fed my brother and the woman that day.  Christ is the Living Water – The Bread of Life.
We are all called to be a witness of HIS love.  My Brother got addicted to meth as a young teenager, and has struggled with drug abuse since then.  He was saved and gave his life to Christ while in The Salvation Army Rehab Program over 10 years ago.  In those weakest moments, in our selfish times, God’s grace is still evident.  Every time my brother comes to the cross, broken, calling upon the name of Jesus, seeking HIS grace and forgiveness, his heart is changed – his desires change.  God’s hand is never too short to save.  We are reminded every day of the chaos and confusion that this world has to offer.  But then we are reminded of GOD’s mercy, through simple acts of love and kindness.  Especially when we make ourselves available to be the hand that reaches out in love to help those in need. It is HE who gives us strength. There are opportunities everywhere – to share in ONE LOVE.  Christ alone.  Not by the “power” of our own works, but by the LOVE in our hearts. (I love you Bro!)

God’s hand is never too short to save.

There are opportunities everywhere – to share in One Love.

And this is how we will make it through.  It doesn’t get any better than that.

1 John 4:12

No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

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Filed Under: A Day in the Life, Community, Compassion, Faith, Good Deeds, Love, Together Tagged With: love, the one word, together

October 29, 2013 by Karin 6 Comments

When You Meet James

31 days of Good Deeds 31 Days of Good Deeds

(click here for the series)

~ Day 21 ~

I knew better this time.

I remembered the woman with the worn skin, sunken eyes, and faded flannel.

I remembered the whispers of the Voice that beckoned. The One I had forgotten to listen to a time or two.

I remembered the way she looked at me with her wry smile and the glimmer of gratitude in her eyes before she disappeared into the sea of cars.

I knew better this time and waited in anticipation for the breath of His instruction.

Be prepared. There is someone waiting.

The thing is, there is always someone waiting.  Waiting for a hand, a word of truth… a hope.  There is always someone who needs to hear,

You are not alone. You are loved.

It’s our job, you know. This is what He asks from us. I didn’t want to miss it this time.

I checked my wallet,

Good to go.

Another day of shopping for the small army in our house. Another day of scanning, searching, and surveying the aisles. Another day of hunting and gathering. This time, my view of this mob scene changed.

We’ve got it made.

There is more than enough for every one here. Yet, there are some who can’t get in the front door.

I packed up the supplies and headed for the exit.  The intersection was jammed with cars and the left turn would take me home.

There he was.

Sitting on the right side of the road.

He was different, though. He didn’t even look up.

His face was buried in the back of his rough hands as he held fast to a cane.  A cardboard sign sat propped against his bent legs. It simply stated,

I’ve lost everything, but my faith.

I wonder how much we have to lose before faith fades to memory.

I wonder why he held tightly to faith while sitting lost on a street corner, while I struggle with faith in a truck full of groceries.

I scrambled for my wallet trying to grab anything I could give to him before the light changed. It was too late. The light turned green and the rush of traffic propelled me forward. I had to turn, you know. Can’t keep people waiting.

That’s when I heard it. The whisper I had been waiting for…

Turn around and go back.

My stomach churned and I could feel my skin prickle with the sense of His presence. I peered into the rearview, and thought for just a moment,

It seems crazy to turn around.

A look in the rearview

Hands grabbing the wheel, I turned a U in the road and headed back to where the lost soul waited.

Ok, God, I’m going back. This seems a little crazy, but I’m going back. Please keep the traffic off me while I stop.

I turned and veered through the congested lot as my truck found its way to the right turn lane. A lane that would take me miles off course with no chance of a turn around.

Don’t we just want to get to a place where we can’t turn back?  A place where we have to move forward in this blind faith, following the whispering and urging Voice.

I sat three cars back and saw him. He had not lifted his head from his tired hands. I could see the back of his sign now,

You can at least smile.

The man with nothing but his faith wanted a hand… or at least a smile.

Why do we do that? Drive by, averting our eyes, not offering the slightest smile of kindness. Those are free. Why is it that we greedily hold those close, only to share them with someone who bothers to share first.  Just a smile.

I held up the money in my hand just as he lifted his head.

Then, I saw.

His leg, partially covered in white bandaging, was a mangled mess of broken skin. As if the man had begun to crack wide open, leaving nothing to be seen but the oozing pain that he carried with him.

He shuffled slowly to my truck and stopped short at the car in front of me. They handed him a dollar and he nodded in thanks.

He winced in pain as he proceeded toward the money I held in my hand.  My heart nearly bled as I watched him stumble in my direction.

He was worn and tired. His eyes squinted with each step.  I wanted to get out, but I was sandwiched in this red light place.

As he reached my car, I rolled down the window and handed him the twenty dollars,

I’m sorry. I didn’t want you to walk this far.

He didn’t hear my words as he turned his eyes upward and murmured,

Praise Jesus.

I looked into his blue eyes, aged with pain, and could see that he was not as old as he appeared.

What is your name?

He looked at me, his eyes soft and wet, and replied,

James.

James. The book I have studied twice in the past two years. The brother of Jesus. The man who wrote of good deeds and patience and taming the tongue. The book that convicts us to open hands and hearts to the poor. The book that wrecked me for good. I remember weeping over that study, as my eyes went to the faces of children on my screen. The book that grabbed me by my comfortable shoulders and said,

…faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. (James 2:17)

The book that opened my sleepy eyes and exclaimed,

Wake up!

James. Of course his name was James.

I looked into his tired face,

James, I am going to pray for you.

His eyes lit with understanding,

Oh, yes! Please. Pray for healing and deliverance.

God bless you.

God bless me.  Yes.  He already has.  I smiled at James,

I will, James. I will pray right now.  God bless… you.

The light turned, the traffic pushed, and I drove away.

I am just learning to be bold. Bold in faith, that is. Here is what amazes me. A disheveled and wounded soul sitting on a street corner knows just exactly what he needs from God.  Healing and deliverance.

Too often my prayers are vague, unsure, nondescript, rote. I am learning. This art of conversation with God; it begins with listening. Listening to the Voice that pushes and urges. Listening to the souls who have lost everything, but their faith.

Listening. And responding. This art of a relationship. A dance, really.

I drove away. The sense of His presence overwhelmed me. I felt Him in my breath as I prayed for James. Healing and deliverance.

I prayed the words of James as God enveloped me in His presence. His voice hung in my words as He whispered,

I am here.

And, we danced.

 

James 2:14-16

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?  Can such faith save them?  Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.  If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?

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Filed Under: Compassion, Faith, Good Deeds, Hope, Love Tagged With: compassion, meet James, obedience

October 19, 2013 by Karin 2 Comments

If We Could See

31 days of Good Deeds 31 Days of Good Deeds

(click here for the series)

~ Day 17 ~

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.      ~ Plato

Happy weekend, friends.

(If you are reading this in an email, please click over to the blog to watch this 4 minute video.)

 

Ephesians 4:32

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

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Filed Under: A Day in the Life, Compassion, Good Deeds Tagged With: be kind

October 18, 2013 by Karin 2 Comments

What We Can Learn From One of Those

31 Days of Good Deeds 31 Days of Good Deeds

(click here for the series)

~ Day 16 ~

We all know those kinds.

The ones we greet with polite smiles while our minds reel,

Not you again.

We wish we wouldn’t react this way, but these types are, well, beyond annoying.

We grow up, learn a few manners, and cover our irritation with veiled smiles and rapid excuses.

Right now isn’t a good time.  Maybe later?

Oh, I have to run. So sorry.

We want to be kind, we want to be neighborly, but that one… that one… drives us crazy.

We’ve all had one of those.  Maybe, we have been one of those.

This is a story about one of those.  The ones we judge by past history or history that has been passed by word of mouth (nah, not gossip).  No one is above this feeling.  It’s really how we react… how we change our perspective… that changes our heart.  Sometimes, one of those people has a heart we could learn something from.

An arm of love

Thank you, Joan, for sharing your story and your perspective. (You can find Joan’s blog here).

Ralph Snider’s loud, overbearing manner irritated some people. He monopolized conversations, and exaggerated his slow Texas twang, leaving some to think of him as a backwoods country bumpkin.

Yes—he was loud, talked (a lot), and had a lazy drawl. However, he was well-educated and intelligent. He served as a substitute teacher on several occasions when I was in Junior High. He knew a good deal about local history and was an interesting conversationalist.

He grew up in a time when neighbors visited neighbors unannounced, but nevertheless were welcomed.

Times changed. Lives got busier. People stopped visiting without an invitation. Our small town grew. More people moved to the area, and Mr. Snider’s pop-in visits were often unwelcomed.  Many voiced their frustrations over his continuing to drop by unannounced.

I finished school, married, and entered the work force. I learned to avoid him—especially when in a hurry.  I don’t have time for this. Plus, he might begin making unexpected visits to our house. That’s the last thing we need after a long day at work.

One day, a friend told me a story about him—one much different from ones the others often relayed. A local church held a luncheon and invited members of the community. Mr. Snider attended. Of course, he would never pass up an opportunity to visit and talk with others.

Danny, a middle-aged mentally challenged man, was present. He came from a poor family that didn’t have a good reputation. Some of his relatives had served time in jail for vandalism and theft.  Most people knew Danny was harmless, but many avoided him.

Mr. Snider had already taken a seat when Danny went through the serving line. After receiving his meal, Danny turned to find a table. He bumped against something and spilled the entire plate of food on the floor. Upset and embarrassed, he began to cry.  

Without hesitation, Mr. Snider jumped up, went over to Danny, and cleaned the food from the floor. He helped Danny find a table, and brought him a fresh meal.

Mr. Snider didn’t wait for a janitor to clean up the mess. He didn’t turn a blind eye and ignore the situation. He didn’t hesitate to leave his own plate of hot food, which was cold by the time he returned to his chair. He performed a simple act of kindness from the goodness of his heart.

I think we could all learn something from Mr. Snider.  

We are given these human suitcases to carry us around on this earth.  Some of our suitcases may not be most appealing at first, or second, glance.  It’s when we unzip the weathered cases that we find what’s really inside.  The inside may just be the treasure we’ve been avoiding.

God must smile at our surprise.

 

Hebrews 4:12-13

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

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Filed Under: Community, Compassion, Good Deeds, The Good Stuff, Together Tagged With: one of those, our human suitcases

October 12, 2013 by Karin 2 Comments

Giving Is The Best Communication

 

31 Days of Good Deeds

31 Days of Good Deeds

(click here for the series)

~ Day 11 ~

No words needed.

Giving is the best communication.

Happy weekend, friends.

(If you are reading this in an email, please click over to the blog to watch the 3 minute video. Not a dry eye here.)

 

 

John 13:34

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

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Filed Under: Compassion, Good Deeds, Mercy Tagged With: giving, love one another

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Meet Karin

Hi! My name is Karin Madden. Writer. Warrior wife. Mom of six pack. Homeschooler. German-blooded southerner. Welcome to the place where I explore what it means to grow stronger - spirit, soul, and body. I write to inspire and encourage - to remind you we are not alone. By being bold with grace and speaking truth in love, we can become who we are meant to be. I'm glad you are here.

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