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November 5, 2013 by Karin 2 Comments

Just A Pair Of Shoes

31 days of Good Deeds 31 Days of Good Deeds

(click here for the series)

~ Day 24 ~

A beautiful story from my new friend, Kari, who told me about a woman who walks the walk… and a pair of shoes ~

Her feet were getting too big. It was really the shoes. The shoes were getting just a little bit too small.  She squeezed those tiny feet into the even tinier shoes and loaded the baby into the car.

Too small shoes would have to give way to growing and hungry stomachs. They had to have food, you know. Can’t go very long without that.

There just hadn’t been enough lately. They were barely holding it together.

She had asked and asked Him for just a pair of shoes… and to help her hold it all together.

Winding through the aisles her eyes caught all the things they couldn’t have. She had to get just enough. Just enough to hold them over. Until the next time.

They would have to learn to stretch the few things in her cart to the limit.

She felt stretched to the end of her limit.  And she couldn’t stop peeking at those tiny feet in the even tinier shoes.

Why does it all have to be so hard?

She kept asking Him for just one pair of shoes.

The toes broke through the front of her baby’s shoes and she couldn’t help but wonder,

Where are You?

Just one pair of shoes…

She reached the limit and headed for the line. Peering in her cart she hoped the food in front of her would last long enough. Again, those tiny feet… growing so fast.

tiny wriggling feet

Wouldn’t you know, there were shoes hanging next to the checkout.

She mused in frustration,

There just isn’t enough.

And, those tiny wriggling feet.

Stretched farther than she could bear, she placed her hands on the hanging shoes and threw them in the cart.

There has to be a way.

The cashier slid one beeping item after another as her bill grew and stretched.

There will just have to be enough.

She reached into her bag to retrieve all she could give.

Nothing.

No wallet.

Her heart sank as she realized she had left it at home.

Nothing.

Not one thing.  A cart full.  No money.  And a pair of shoes.

 I just needed the shoes.

Then.

Just when she thought no one saw her.  Just when she thought He wasn’t listening anymore.

I’ve got this, dear.  Let me pay for your groceries.

The voice came from behind her.

A woman.  She could have been a grandmother.

She reached across and slid her card through before the young mother could respond.

Tears filled her eyes as she told the older woman,

I’ve been asking Him for a pair of shoes.

Only God.

Only God would reach us from behind through the heart of a stranger and fill our carts and our souls…

and even throw in a pair of shoes.

 

2 John 1:5-6

And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning.  I ask that we love one another.  And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands.  As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

Karin signature

Filed Under: A Day in the Life, Community, Compassion, Faith, Good Deeds, Love, The Good Stuff, Together Tagged With: love, sharing burden, trusting God, walk the walk

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.

Karin signature

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

November 2, 2013 by Karin 2 Comments

Just Watching

31 days of Good Deeds 31 Days of Good Deeds

(click here for the series)

~ Day 22 ~

Did you know that just watching a good deed elevates and inspires?  Just watching.  “Research shows that we tend to act unselfishly when we see others do the same.”  The ripples go on and on.

Desert farm life

The possibilities are endless.  Here are some great ideas for random acts of kindness (don’t you know, there is a whole site dedicated to them.  Very cool.)

 

“How lovely to think that no one need wait a moment. We can start now, start slowly, changing the world. How lovely that everyone, great and small, can make a contribution toward introducing justice straightaway. And you can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness!”

Anne Frank (1929 – 1945)

We can learn so much from kids. 

Happy weekend, friends.

Matthew 11:25-26

At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.  Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.

Karin signature

Filed Under: Community, Good Deeds, The Good Stuff, Together Tagged With: acts of kindness, just watch

October 26, 2013 by Karin 2 Comments

Create Many Ripples

31 days of Good Deeds 31 Days of Good Deeds

(click here for the series)

~ Day 20 ~

  “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.”  ~ Mother Teresa

(if you are reading this in an email, click over to the blog to watch the 5 minute video)

Happy weekend, friends.

Hebrews 13:16

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

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Filed Under: Friendship, Perseverance, Together, Trust Tagged With: create ripples, obedience, sharing burden, together

October 24, 2013 by Karin 12 Comments

When We Begin To Get Over Ourselves

31 days of Good Deeds 31 Days of Good Deeds

(click here for the series)

~ Day 19 ~

I’ve been a mother for 12 years today.
Really, though, motherhood began 9 months before that (ok, we all know it’s actually 10).  When you carry the weight of the future on your bladder for any amount of time, you know the exact amount of time.  Down to the very minute.

What I didn’t know… the weight of the future was the very thing that would begin the release of the weight of my selfishness.

Motherhood.  The vessel He uses to get us over ourselves.

We enter into this place with a million preconceived notions of how we will play this whole thing out.  We step through the door holding this perfect breath from God and we think we might have a clue.  This is where it all begins.  We have no idea.  The thoughts in our minds give way to the crashing wave of pure love.  This love washes any idea of who we think we are… away.  We come face to face with someone we want to die for – again and again.  But, first, we have to die to ourselves.  And this is the rub.

The battle – my thoughts, my ideas, my wishes, my dreams collide… with His.

Holding tightly to the holy moment of birth is just the beginning of letting it all go.

This is when our hearts begin to take residence – outside of our bodies.  With each baby, over and over again, we die to ourselves… and open up to Him.  Only God would begin this slow and often painful death to our selfish natures through the birth of something so breathtakingly exquisite.  New life wrapped in the sweet aroma of innocence cradled in our unsuspecting arms.  The best of us is yet to come.

Sometimes, though, he lets us begin our journey into selfless love much earlier.  Sometimes He allows to exercise these muscles of you-before-me when we are much younger.  Perhaps even as young as 11… soon to be 12.

And, sometimes He surprises this unsuspecting mama with a story of an unselfish good deed.  A good deed that mama didn’t have to prompt or prod or produce.  Sometimes He lets us know we are doing this motherhood thing a little bit right.

It's always better with two

I was away on a trip (a small miracle in itself, thanks to my gold-hearted warrior).  Dad decided to take our six pack to a carnival.  The bravery in that task is another story entirely.

The pumpkins, rides, and treats thrilled this young crew of ours.  Most of all, of course, the rides and slides were mission number one.

Tickets bought, treats ingested, it was time.  The kids rode and squealed and lived it up.

Our four-year-old discovered quickly that some thrills look better from the ground up.

It’s too scary! I don’t like it!

Our red-headed summer warrior shrieked.

Sometimes bravery is just knowing what you’re not ready for.  And saying so.

Tickets dwindled and energy faded.

With only a handful of tickets left to thrill these little ones, my warrior offered them one more ride.

The big kids, ready to tackle the most thrilling ride, grabbed their chance and took off.

Our normally brave little summer girl exclaimed,

But, I want to go on those swings. I’m too scared of that ride.

Daddy stood holding the baby, knowing the only way she would go was with a companion.  We don’t really want to go this alone, do we?  It’s always better with two.

The kids want to ride that one, sweetie.

Then, the part that bursts a mama heart.  All these years of do-this-don’t-do-that-be-nice-share-love-each-other.  All the refereeing of siblings.  All the times of it’s-not-about-you.  Then, this one time.  It takes root… and I wasn’t even there.  I can’t take credit (but, I can give plenty to my warrior).  I can’t even begin to think it had anything to do with what I told my boy to do.  He just did it.  And my heart explodes.

I’ll go with her, dad.

C’mon, little sister, I’ll take you on the swings.

Now, the swings… they go round and round, not up nor down.  Pretty lame for an 11, almost 12-year-old.

They spun in circles, she squealed with glee, and my heart melts.

We teach and train and cajole and plead.  We bark and bellow and beg.  We hold and hug and pour ourselves out… day after day.  Then, God.  He gives us a glimpse.  A momentary whisper of,

Job well done.

The pouring out… from a big brother to a little sister.  This.  

This whole new soul dying to self and giving to love.  And my heart wholly fills.

 

2 Thessalonians 3:13

And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right. 

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Filed Under: A Day in the Life, Brothers and Sisters, Family, Good Deeds, Love, Motherhood, The Good Stuff, Together Tagged With: dying to self, family, motherhood, siblings

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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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