cupcakes and relationship advice

Sometimes I have conversations with God that go something like this:

God: Hey how bout you become friends w that girl and give her advice about her relationship w her boyfriend?

Me: No thank you.......Really Lord? 

God: Yep. 

Me: So the fact that I've never had a boyfriend makes me perfect for this, right? (I'm sarcastic sometimes)

God: Yes it does. 

Me: This is crazy. 

God: I can see how it'd looks that way to you. But remember this important fact, we've been together for over 30 years. 

Me: That’s true but it's only because You're perfect. 

God: I know. And I can't dwell in unholiness, remember?

Me: Ya. You have taught me a lot about loyalty, trust, honesty, and true love. You've been and will always be all of those things and more to me. 

God: Yes indeed. I will always be with you, even while you're talking to that woman about her marriage and to that other woman about parenting. 

Me: This makes no sense to me but here I go. Please help me to sound sincere without any trace of hurtful judgement or conceit. 

God: I will be with you always. 

A few moments later…

God: How bout you make some cupcakes for your coworkers?

Me: What? Really? I don't even like cupcakes. They don't taste good to me and if I ever take a bite I feel sick from all the sugar. 

God: Bake them anyway. 

Me: So let me get this straight, You're asking me to advice people about their love lives and make them desserts? Neither of which I have any personal experience or expertise in?

God: You’re quick, you're very quick. (He's sarcastic sometimes too.)

Me: Oh my word Lord, here goes nothin!

God: I will be with you always.

He is a change-your-life amazing kid

Happy Birthday to one of my favorite boys is all the world! I got to hold him just days after he was born and he still lets me hold him and squeeze him whenever we are together. He is always ready to play and is quick to be encouraging, kind, and silly. Though he is young, he has been through some really scary and hard things in his life. But he knows deep in his heart that his Redeemer lives because he has called out to God to help him and he has felt the hand of Jesus holding his. He has wisdom and insight far beyond his 7 years and, at the same time, he has the beautiful innocence of a child, a WILD imagination, and an amazing sense of humor.

So, Hudson Joseph Hahn, happiest of birthdays to YOU! I thank my God every time I think of you and I pray that Jesus will continue to show people His love through you. I can't wait to see you and do something silly together!

I love you so very much Hudson!

Love,
Beffy

Read it.

I love a good book. You know, the kind that surprises you by how gripping it is from the first page to the last. The kind that sticks, sinks deep, and changes you for the better. This kind of book propels me forward and awakens my mind to both new ideas and ancient truths. I love the feeling of satisfaction that comes with completing such a book. Shakespearean lines come bubbling out of me like "parting is such sweet sorrow" and "it is better to have read and finished than to have never read at all" Ok, I changed that second one slightly. (I get a little dramatic to say the least.)

My favorite books are the ones that make me cry tears of praise to my heavenly Father. When I read a book and start singing or crying, I know I'm reading a book written by someone who knows the same Jesus that I know. I know the author has accepted the same love and grace that I have. I recognize Jesus in him/her and it never fails to make my heart soar. He's real. Jesus is real. He's living and active and working in the lives of people all over the world. 

Today I finished the book that prompted this post. It is entitled Gospel Patrons: People Whose Generosity Changed The World by John Rinehart. Read it. I know you'll love it.