The Foundation for a Good Legacy

This past Sunday was the final installment of David's life in the series Unlikely. Fitting very nicely in with the final installment, the message resolved around David's life and the legacy he left behind for his son Solomon. Bryan focused on attitudes that strengthen our legacy with God.




King David was an excellent man who left behind a legacy of obedience to God's will. He was a man after God's own heart, but that came with it's own set of problems. He didn't live a life of luxury or even perfection. During this series I learned that David spent several years as a fugitive. He hid from King Saul even though David was the rightful king of Israel. He once turned away from God and gave into his human desire of lust. According to Bryan this had some horrible consequences like adultery and murder. (Although here is where I admit that I didn't attend church that Sunday and didn't hear the message firsthand.) What I find incredibly inspiring is although David wasn't obedient his whole life, God still loved him and didn't turn away from him. Before I really studied David's life, I found him intimidating. David seemed like an untouchable biblical hero who was perfect. After diving into his life I've come to discover that his story is one of hope. Throughout his exploits, David demonstrates that regardless of how big our screw ups are, God is always waiting in the wings to come to our aid. Now that's not to say that we won't have to face consequences of our decisions. It simply means that God is always with us with every decision.


Before I learned about some of David's imperfections, I was intimidated by his seemingly perfect façade. Especially after hearing he was a man after God's own heart, I couldn't seem to understand him. I thought that being a person after God's own heart would be something incredibly difficult, and nearly impossible. The good news is I was right, it is extremely difficult but it is not impossible. David wasn't just some hero who sailed through life without problems. He had issues and temptations like the rest of us. Luckily God chooses regular people like you and me to do His work. Much like David, we are going to die. God gave us a predetermined number of days on this earth. I crave and aspire to make a difference. The truth of the matter is the accomplishments that society teaches us to aim for will be forgotten by mankind shortly after our death. In order for us to make a lasting impression on the people around us, and more importantly in God's eyes, we need to prioritize the legacy we will be leaving behind. In order to leave a legacy worth leaving, Bryan suggests that we should adapt three attitudes. These attitudes are: being faithful in the scary, restored in the broken, and wrestling in the common. Each of the following days this week, I will be blogging about each of these attitudes. Look for further explanations in the following posts.

Why Do I Cry?

Last night God, something was bothering me. I was sad and crying, overwhelmed with emotion. As I laid in my Grandma's bed I was thinking of her death and how desperately I wanted to confide in her. I pray and hope that my presence is helpful and not a hindrance. I worry about losing her. I worry about not being enough.


Be present in each moment. That will be enough.


God, I worry about Sam. I worry that I'm wasting his time and my time.


Why?


Because I want someone who appreciates how weird I am. I want someone who appreciates my uniqueness. I don't feel like I'm getting that from Sam and I don't want to push him because I'm afraid he will walk away from me if I push him too hard.


A healthy relationship pushes people and challenges them.


God, what if I'm doing my life wrong?


I will direct you.


I'm going to ask you the question I've been afraid to ask: is Sam my future husband?


 ..........................................


I feel like sometimes he could be, but other moments I feel like not.


Nobody is perfect except for ME. Loving someone is about giving everything you have for him.


Sometimes when he talks about us being married, I really wonder if it's going to be worth it. Don't tell him, don't let him find out. I feel like I'm a wandering spirit. Or am I afraid of commitment. I don't know what to do and you won't answer me. I'm sorry if that hurt you, but at times I'm confused about Sam and my future. I try to be content with the present but I've lived my whole life predicting the future and planning for it, this whole being ok with the present is hard for me.


Does it really matter that he doesn't dance with you? Or is it something more?


He is a good friend. I don't know. He's like my safeguard. He is gentlemanly and treats me like you. He is helping me figure out how you love. Did I do something wrong? Are you disappointed in me?


I love you Ashley. I always have and I always will. You are My child and I will never let you go.


Why do you put these words on my heart? Because it's the truth. Can Sam and I really be happy for a lifetime?


................................................................... Yes.


Did you give Sam to me for my life? To help save my life or to be my husband?


Sam is yours to take care of, to love and to hold. I love you Ashley.

Because of Family

Hello world, you can call me Ash. This webpage used to be some personal prayers to God from me. In my heart I have a feeling that I need to learn what it is to be Catholic. I guess this started because I started dating my boyfriend and he is Christian. When I attend services at his church, I think they are exciting and fresh. I like the relationship and the ambiance of the services. However, I've been Catholic since birth. I'm used to going to Mass, so when it comes to my foundation, his services are missing something. They don't have the same reverance for the Eucharist, and it seems almost too easy to be a Christian. The Catholic Church has a deep mystery and tradition surrounding it since Jesus Christ came to Earth and established His church. Now that doubts have filled my head, I know it's important now more than ever to rediscover my faith. Through this journey, I want to get a deeper understanding of Catholic traditions. I know how to be a Catholic, but I want to discover why  someone should be Catholic. So I commit to writing on this blog once a week with a new reason why I'm Catholic. Of course, at the end of this I hope that once I get the knowledge behind the traditions, I will remain Catholic, but I'm open to change; at least I hope I am.

For this first week of the blog, I thought it would be a good opportunity for me to open up to you all. I know the simplest answer of Why Am I Catholic is because I was raised that way. My grandparents were raised Catholic, my dad was raised Catholic, and my mom converted to Catholicism. I grew up surrounded by the traditions that we practiced. We went to church every Sunday, practiced giving meat up on Fridays during Lent, and went to Catechism. I did everything that "a good little Catholic" would do. From a young age, we learned the Ten Commandments. It was engrained in my brain that we had to go to church on Sunday. Sam says that it's no big deal to miss church because he can watch the sermon later.

As a Catholic it's a sin to miss Mass. When I was growing up, my parents tricked me into going to Mass with a promise of dinner out afterwards. (To this day, I still love going out.) Nevertheless, I wouldn't be Catholic today if it weren't for my family.