In the midst of all of the crazy that Spring seems to bring.. and my natural obsessive desire to have everything in order and planned...when I am fighting to be flexible... but at the same time drowning in housework that needs to be done.. when I am up to my eyeballs in trying to finish this non-profit... when I am trying as hard as I can to be the mom and wife that is completely out of reach for even June Clever...when I feel like I have so much responsibility that it is insane... that's when He whispers (and sometimes has to whisper loudly- because I am very stubborn) BE STILL! be still. be still... look Sarah. listen. See what I am doing. Take a breath.. enjoy the beauty of what I have placed you to be apart of.
Here are just glimpses of the beauty and blessings I have been able to see recently...
My biggest fan, best encourager, my voice of reason, the love of my life... always right by my side.
(Love this guy!)
My Ben~ growing so fast! He is such a loving young man. I am so glad that we have had this last year homeschooling together.. even on the tough days. He teaches me daily about loving others.
My Mae~ Lizzie is smart and sassy. A beautiful little girl who is growing into a beautiful young lady. She is always thinking about others and will make a million art projects just for you!
My Isaac~ full of passion. Always ready for a good laugh. His joy and orneriness spills over wherever he is. He is likely to yell "CHICKEN-BEEF" or "Chicken-pot-pie" at the most random times. He is the best snuggle bug.. when he isn't charging $5 to get one in. "Free love days" are the best!
The Bridge- The love and hope it brings.. All the friends that are now family because of it!
Paperwork.. this paperwork will one day allow us the ability to love in even bigger ways. It will be a goal met and a door opening. I am excited for what it will bring for our friends under the bridge, in the neighborhood, and in our community. ... And I never would have pictured myself filling out this type of paperwork.. Out of my comfort zone and so very blessed.
The completely selfless donations that keep me in constant prayer about my own walk.
The sweetest friend who notices that the wind is blowing the papers at the blessing table. These papers tell what essential we have to share each night... he picks out rocks, puts them in his backpack and brings them to help. Love him.
The amazing volunteers that come to help. Age doesn't matter~ nor does health. She has a brain tumor and her speech was limited. He asked that they be able to serve on the food line. He was by her side the whole time. She helped serve the dessert and did a wonderful job. As she left she did her best to verbalized "I was able to help". I don't know their name or their story but I was inspired by their love for each other and for others.
Precious volunteers who are also precious friends! They find their way to the babies in the food line. They let the momma take a break.. and the love they have for people just shines. You can see it a mile away.
Again.. precious friends.. who come to volunteer and bring their momma with them! She waited, unexpectedly, for God's specific call.. in a area outside of her comfort zone...for the exact time she was needed. Nichole isn't a hairdresser by trade. She was trained to cut her boys hair by a friend. I am sure neither of them realized at the time the impact that lesson would have. Knowing we would not have anyone to cut hair, she volunteered when I sent out a plea. I am not sure I would have that type of courage or confidence. I am not sure I would have moved when God nudged. But she did.. and oh man, did she and her momma bless so many people last night! The are a great encouragement.
This is my Ben and his buddies under the bridge. The boy in the first picture hasn't been out since the fall. He immediately recognized Ben and their friendship reconnected. Love it! The second picture is Daniel and Ben. These two are the sweetest of friends. LOVE that Ben has these friendships. They are so pure. The bridge has meant so much to me in what it has done for him.
Trash Bags! Yes, trash bags. Now multiply this picture by about 2 plus a few and then listen to the story....
Jason (my Jason) went up and talked to all the people living in the cubbies at the top of our bridge last week. He talked to them about keeping the area clean so that the city (and others) doesn't think it is trash from our event and start causing issues for us. He gave each of the people bags and told them that if they will bag their trash and put it out for us on Thursday.. we will haul it off. We weren't sure if it would happen or not. When we got to the bridge on Thursday this is what we saw... both sides of the bridge were completely clean. They want a clean area. They want Night Light. They respect the relationship. They just needed an avenue. This week we left trash bags and they even asked for a broom and dustpan.. so we left them one. I was brought to tears.
One of the last things I want to remember that was a blessing last night. One of our friends that lives on the street came to a group of us standing at the front of the bridge. He said, "can we pray?" We said sure and he grabbed our hands. He jumped right in and said this.. "Lord, thank you for giving us a safe night. Thank you for Night Light and what they do. Keep them safe. In your name, Amen." He said thanks, grabbed his stuff, and was on his way. I am absolutely sure that we are entertaining angels each single week. I have learned about faith, hope, love, and perseverance under that bridge.
So my encouragement to anyone who might find themselves reading this blog is this... be still. Take a breath.. He is doing something in your life. If you don't see it, are you listening when he is nudging? Take time to listen.. Take time to see the blessing. He is surrounding you with blessings.. slow yourself and look for them.
