Love You know, it's amazing how we lose track of life sometimes. As it is Easter, of course many people are reminded of God's love for us and "what life is all about." Unfortunately, for so many people, that renewed view doesn't last, and I'm including myself in that. Well, for me, I've been a Christian almost all of my life. I wish I could say I have spent every single year growing more and more in Christ, but that would be a lie. I've had multiple conversations with Sabrina lately, where we've talked about a guy she knows who is a new believer.

We mention his passion, his anxiety for God, his genuiness, his yearning, his innocence. Why can't those of us who have known God for way longer than he has have just as much passion. You think we would have read the Bible 238 times by now. You think we'd be praying 23 hours a day. You think we'd be thanking God for every aspect of our lives, but we find ourselves with our backs towards God almost daily. How embarassing and shameful. We hear the same Easter story every year, and many people are absolutely transformed and mesmerized by it every year. That is the renewing transformer of their lives. Well, for me, this year, it isn't the Easter story specifically that is transforming me. It is something different.

You see, as many of you know, my Grandaddy just lost his wife, Grandma Sheila, a few weeks ago. I'm sitting writing this entry as some people, including my Grandaddy, are listening to a recording of Grandma Sheila's service. I was listening for awhile, and even as I'm writing this, I can still hear it in the background. Grandaddy has been crying on and off. He never cries (well...never used to, really) His heart is absolutely broken. "More than half of me is dead," he said today. His life has been transformed...

and here I find myself on occasion complaining about people, gossiping, pitying myself, or whatever. THAT IS NOT WHAT LIFE IS ABOUT. Life is about love. First, our love for God. Second, our love for each other. This Easter, I urge you to reconsider where you are right now in your life. My grandma's life ended so unexpectedly. We don't know what second will be our last. I could die in five minutes. I could die in seventy years. I don't know, but I'm scared of the idea of dying not living like God would live. It's not like God tells us we have to save a country every five seconds. The small stuff is a good place to start. Smile. Forgive. Laugh. Be honest. Trust. Be genuine and real. LOVE. Real love.

I am so embarassed by how selfish I am in my life. This Easter, I want to change my life. I don't want to be the same person I was. I want to be one step closer to living like God would live.

I know some people think I'm a goody goody. I know some people think I try to force my "ways" on others. They think I think my methods are the only way. They are perfect. I'm perfect. That's not the case at all. First of all, when I write these entries, I'm not talking to anyone specifically. I'm just talking generally to a world that is drastically changing and sad. I care about people. See, that's my point. That's what I'm realizing. Life is about people. Life is about love. So maybe instead of complaining about someone who did something to you (just an example), go up to someone you don't know and just ask them what their name is and smile. You could change someone's life. It reminds me of the Superchick song "Hero" or something. Look up the lyrics.

Like I said, all I'm trying to do is make people think. Just... think. Are you happy with how you're living the one life you have on this planet?

-Jeff  ¶ 9:53:00 PM