Solid rock

I remembered a story that my mom told me last time we were together, and I wanted to share it with you. I'll try to get it as accurately as I can remember!

A pastor stood in front of his congregation one Sunday, a large jar at his feet.

He picked up a big rock and wrangled it into the jar, seeming to take up all the space there was.

However, he then took some smaller rocks and poured them into the jar, filling up every crevice around the larger rock.

The pastor took a cup of sand and poured it over the rocks, and the smaller pieces of rock and dirt disappeared into the jar.

Just when the congregation didn't think anything else could possibly fit inside the jar, the pastor poured in a cup of water.

He then looked at his flock and asked them what they thought the meaning of this exercise was. People began to shout out answers - you can always fit in something else, you just have to keep trying.

The pastor shook his head. In order to get in all the small things, you have to put the solid rock in first.

Casey Anthony

For the past few years, the country has paid a lot of attention to Casey Anthony - a young woman who was accused of murdering her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee.

People watched the news off and on as her trial slowly came to court. This month, they paid attention as a jury in Florida listened to all the evidence in the case and decided to find Anthony not guilty of the heinous crime of killing her own offspring.

I have to admit, I followed the trial through news stories. Even without knowing all the facts, I had decided that Anthony was guilty and was convinced the jury would find her so. Everyone was saying that there was no other answer.

However, the jury found differently.

I don't know if the jury really thought Anthony was innocent or if they just didn't think the prosecution had enough evidence. However, they did what they thought was right.

I don't know if Casey Anthony killed her daughter. The only people who really know that are Casey and Caylee. And God.

We have a God of justice. Sometimes I don't like to admit that, because it means that I will also have to fess up to all I have done wrong. And sometimes it's good, because people who don't pay for their mistakes here on earth will still have to face them after they die.

God is a god of grace too. Thank goodness that he offers forgiveness for even the most heinous of crimes.

So whether Casey Anthony is guilty or not is not for us to decide right now. I just hope that through this whole situation, somehow she will find the forgiveness of God and a life of redemption through him.

Even though it's hard for some people to accept, that's all God wants for all of us - to realize our mistakes and know that he is the only one that can clean them up. No matter how bad they are.

A little red flower

Waiting for my scheduled photo shoot this morning, I was standing outside the library.

A little black and yellow bumble bee was busy buzzing around some flowers in the garden by the door, so I decided to take some shots while I was waiting.

I was snapping away when a little girl with her mother walked up, ready to head inside for story time.

The little girl asked her mom what I was taking pictures of, and the mom said "The pretty flowers."

I looked up and said there was a bumble bee there.

The little blond girl tottled over and peered down at the bush, looking at the bee.

"Pretty cool, huh?" I said.

The child agreed and then started chattering about flowers when she dug through some stuffed animals in a weaved basket she was carrying. She pulled out a little red flower and looked at me.

"I picked a flower for you," she said.

I took the offered gift and thanked her deeply as she smiled.

The woman I was going to take pictures of then drove up and asked if I was Kiley. I said yes, and the little girl must have heard, because as she walked into the library with her mom, she shouted, "Bye Kiley!"

I know that the flower she picked from her grandma's garden that morning wasn't picked for me. I don't even know who the actual intended recipient was, but the fact that she decided to give it to me for showing her something as simple as a bumble bee just made my day.

I thought that she must have some good parents to teach her how to be a sweet, giving spirit like that.

I hope we all find little ways to give to others like that, because even a little red flower can make a big impact.

(I apparently have gone a little picture crazy this week, I hope you enjoy it!)

Good job God

Sitting at a red light, I admit I kind of spaced off.

However, the moment the light turned green, I noticed it, even though I wasn't looking right at it.

As I started driving to my destination, I thought about how amazing our eyes are. We can focus on one sight yet we still see so much around us. I'm sure we see even more than we realize, because something will grab our attention from the corner of our eye, and we didn't even know we saw it until then.

In my head, I told God what a good job he did on our eyes. I'm sure that God already knows how awesome our eyes are, and how awesome everything else about us and this world is, but I bet that he still appreciates it when we notice.

Even if someone is a great artist, really good at math or has a talent for cooking - and they know it - it's still nice to hear it from someone else.

So next time you notice something cool, maybe you should tell God that you've noticed what a good job he did.

Into the mists of Avalon

"The ferry slowed as it approached Catalina. Ahead of them, the crescent-shaped bay of Avalon Harbor came into view. Katie stood beside Nicole at the railing ,drinking in the quaint view of the small buildings that dotted Avalon's landing...."

I was reading "Peculiar Treasures" by Robin Jones Gunn on Monday when the main character in the book went to Catalina Island for an RA retreat.

I read this book right after Christmas, when I got it as a present, and didn't think anything of the imagery that the author painted here. However, I had no idea that soon I would know exactly what that looked like!

You may remember that in May, Nate and I took a trip to California, including a night on Catalina Island. It is an interesting little place with quaint shops, beautiful landscapes and houses built into the island's hills.

I can't tell you how much fun it is to travel, because then you get to really experience books and movies that take place in those settings.

Last year, we also took a trip to Las Vegas. Now, whenever I see Vegas on TV shows and movies, I know just where the people are. I even stayed at the Planet Hollywood hotel, where the Miss USA pageant took place this year. I recognized one of the restaurants they mentioned at that show.

Little times like that make me happy, and I enjoy getting out in the world to experience places for myself, not just through media. I can't wait to travel more so that I can someday notice tidbits in other books that I didn't notice before, because I've been there!

Thankful for freedom

I realized something I don't think I have thought about before on the Fourth of July.

Not only should we be thanking our veterans and current service members for the freedom that we appreciate so much, but we should spend this holiday thanking God as well.

I was standing on the roof of my apartment complex, watching the fireworks go up in the sky on July 3 when I started to pray.

On dark nights when I sit outside, I often feel close to God. When it's storming, it makes me praise him for how huge he is. These fireworks made me want to praise him as well.

I started thinking how I could praise God on this day all about America, and I realized that we wouldn't have the freedom we enjoy in America without a gracious God to give it to us.

This might seem like a "duh" point to you, but it was something that struck me on this holiday. So thank you God for the wonderful freedom we have here - and for the smarts to think up beautiful celebratory devices like fireworks.

Forgetfulness

I had an awesome idea for a blog earlier this week but I forgot.

I am constantly thinking, and often my mind jumps from one topic to another so fast that I sometimes forget what I was supposed to be doing. I live off of lists, because otherwise I'm sure that I wouldn't get everything done.

People blame forgetfulness on getting old, but I guess I don't have an excuse there. I used to even forget things when I was a kid - going upstairs to get something but forgetting what I was after by the time that I got there.

I'm sure there's lessons in this thought - let's see:

1. We often forget what we're after in life. We start getting caught up in everydays that by the time we get where we are going we forget what we are after. Maybe the important things in life should stay more in the center of our focus.

2. What is on my list? I have to do my nails, pick up the apartment, clean. I even write down that I need to workout and blog everyday. However, I can't remember the last time I put devotionals down on my list of things to do.

3. Too many things going on. I forget what I'm doing, because my mind is always on what I have to do next. Perhaps there are just too many things in life for us to do. Maybe we need to simplify.

Are you forgetful like me? What is the reason for your forgetfulness do you think?