What Do I Love???

What do I love more than money?

When I pondered upon this question one answer came to me: spending time with loved ones. I have such a passion and such a desire to surround myself with people I love and it doesn't (or shouldn't) cost anything.

Whether it's watching tv with the boys, or visiting with close friends, or vegging on the beach with girlfriends I'm quite happy to do it.

This was an important exercise for me because I have felt all consumed with the power of the almighty dollar. It has the power to render one homeless, or hungry, or lacking in education. It can aid in murder or salvation, thievery or generosity, love or heartbreak. It literally rules the world and we just stand by and watch with thunderous applause.

In order to keep from being swept up in that vicious tide these provoking questions are necessary to bring perspective back to ourselves and our goals. Since my goal is to live my life as a Christ follower and share His love and light with others, wouldn't it behoove me to put my money where my mouth is and make that change in myself?

So I may not be rolling in riches or affording the grandest of palaces I will remember my place in this world and where my richest will be cashed in.

Here’s a hint: they won't be cashed in here. Or anywhere else on earth.

So tomorrow when I wake I hope to take this lesson with me when I leave. I hope I remember the security and confidence I had when I fell asleep knowing there's no telling what tomorrow may bring.

Sherlock Tiberias Boone June 18, 2012 - April 23, 2014

"Sherlock has hopped over the rainbow bridge and into the arms of Jesus."

It was one of the longest days of my life. I was home with a non working car and did everything I could to feed and water Sherlock. He was pretty listless and didn't want a whole lot. By 1630 that evening I knew it was time. I wrapped him in a dish towel (sorry Mother!) and took him outside for some fresh air. We sat in a swing under the tree but the traffic was too loud and he jumped every time a car zoomed by.

I sat under the porch with him and just held him in my arms and rocked. Mind you I wasn't this calm about it and neither was he. He was gasping for his last breaths and I was bawling my eyes out trying to comfort him the best way possible. In all honesty, I thought about snapping his neck just to put him out of his pain and misery. I didn't though. A lack of courage or a show of allowing him to leave how he wanted to I'll never know...I do know it was horrible for the two of us.

One of the last things he heard was me singing, "Jesus loves the little bunnies...all of the bunnies of the world. Red and yellow, black and white and brown (because he is mostly brown), they are precious to his sight, Jesus loves the little bunnies of the world." and me telling him that when he gets to Heaven to make sure and snuggle with Jesus and wait for us because we'll be there one day with him.

I kept rocking him and then he was gone. My tears dried up and I knew I was sobbing not because of his death but because of his pain. As hard as it was for me to see him endure it I wouldn't have it any other way. He left this world loved and snuggled and made as comfortable as possible and I wouldn't have it any other way.

I still cry but only when I think about the pain and suffering he went through, not the loss of him. I miss him and I'm sad he's gone but everyone dies. It's a part of life and I rarely cry over the death of anyone or anything. But to go through pain to get to that death? It breaks my heart (and contrary to popular belief, I truly do have a heart) and I would rather suffer in their place.

He has returned to the ground from which he came from and I believe with all my heart he is binkying all over the place while gnawing on strawberry tops and iPhone cords. ;)

Binky free, Sherlock, and be ready to hop back into our arms when we join you again.

In memory of Sherlock Tiberias Boone: Temporarily in our lives, forever in our hearts.

He is Risen and it is Good! But Why?

Today is Easter!!! The celebration of Jesus rising from death and showing himself alive after being dead for three days!! Who doesn't get excited about that?? 

Before I tell you about my love for him and why I'm so excited today, let me give you back story. 

One of my biggest pet peeves of man is the lack of honour. It seems people have lost the concept of honour throughout time and we are getting worse every generation. Scripture tells us to allow your yes's be yes and your no's be no. In other words stick to what you say and do everything possible to keep your word. 

I'll be the first to admit I am HORRIBLE about this. I have the best intentions but as we all know the road to hell so paved with the best of intentions. I am human, I make mistakes and I struggle daily to not make the same mistakes. 

I live a pretty guarded life. I am selective about who I spend time with, I trust few people with my thoughts, and I tend to keep so much more to myself than probably necessary. People as a whole aren't bad; there's just bad choices and we are all guilty of that. I know that and am trying to open up more and more. It's a process but I'm trying. :)

I became as guarded as I am because I feel like people have been dishonourable to me. They haven't kept their word in matters that are important. "I'll love you forever." "Until death do us part." "I promise I'll never tell anyone."  "I'll love your children like my own." "We'll be friends forever." "You can trust me." Etc. etc. etc. You get the point. I decided as long as I didn't put my trust in someone else, I wouldn't get hurt. Or so I told myself. 

It was a very lonely existence and I learned it was just an existence. I wasn't alive. 

Then I remembered I was a child of God and had the love of Jesus in me. Jesus, the walking perfection who came from His throne in Heaven to live with mortal man and show them the way to His Father. 

He was perfect andHe still died on the cross like a common criminal. But His most glorious feat had yet to be accomplished. Three days later He came back from the dead and arose into the clouds to take His place by the father again. 

Do you know why this is so special to me? He kept His word. He told the disciples He would return and He did. In fact everything He said and everything He promised He stuck to or will. He's a man of His word and for that I will follow Him for the rest of my life. 

As for the rest of mankind? No one is perfect and if I make mistakes I have to accept mistakes in others. I'll put my trust in someone else eventually. It'll happen. ;)