What Do You See in Your Own Kaleidoscope?

Its been a while since I last blogged. I have to do it when the inspiration hits me.  Today it hit me - hard.  I'm looking out my window and its pouring rain.  Or as we use to say when we were little - "It's raining cats and dogs..." (Why did we say that? LOL).  When I was a little girl my parents use to take my brother and I camping.  It was an inexpensive way to vacation.  We'd load up the car with our tent and our sleeping bags and our camping stove and we'd go to some great camp site.  One I remember in particular was in New Hampshire.  When it would rain like this my mother would say - "You kids should put on your bathing suits and grab a bar of soap and go outside and take a 'rainshower."  Today is that kind of day.  I'm tempted to go outside in my backyard, stretch out my arms with my palms facing up, lift up my head and feel the rain fall on my face, in my hair.  Soak me."  Funny how as a kid we'd do it in a flash.  But as a grown up we hesitate and just "think" about doing it.... It would feel sooooooo good. 

I started thinking about how we are all like "kaleidoscopes" there are so many facets to who we are, do you remember those long tubular things we were given as kids?  You'd hold it up to one eye and look through it and you'd see triangles of colors and things and we'd go "oooohhhh" and "aaaahhhh." Seems like a great simile of our multifaceted selves.  And the picture changes as we grow older... Perhaps the colors get more vibrant with our experiences as we age... Or perhaps it depends on your perspective as you're looking at your "life" - perhaps the colors become more dull and faded... Which is it for you?

I've learned over the last two years of my life "never to say never."  Because that "never" you say - might come along and hit you up the side of your head and surprise you.  I've also learned not to judge.  To watch, to think, to consider - but not to judge.  Being in a prodigal's state makes you look at things from a different perspective.  I like to think it has made me more "sensitive to others" perhaps more reflective. I'm not God - and I'm sooooo glad I'm not.  What a job and we think "being President" is a hard task. (LOL) why would anyone want to be God? NOT ME.  NosireeBob!  I'd probably be like the Queen in Alice in Wonderland "Off with her head!" (LOL -- well I'm an emotional woman... I'd probably act on my emotion and then be like oops! Aren't YOU glad I'm NOT God? ;)

We live in such a "All about Me" world. Seems like everyone is concerned about themselves.  "What can I get out of it? What's in it for me? What are you doing for me? What about me? ME ME ME ME ME. How sad is that? Is that love? Is that what we've come down to? If so, I hope I "never" think that way... That's not love. Love is when you buy a gift for someone not out of the expectation of receiving one in return, but because you wanted that person to smile. Love is showing a person in every way you know how that you love them not because you have to - but because you WANT to.  Love is being that shoulder for someone you care about to cry on.  Maybe that's all you can offer them at the time - but when you give all you have unselfishly - that's love.  Isn't that what Jesus did?  He gave all He had unselfishly.  He didn't have to.  He could have called a legion of angels to come get him and take him "home." But He didn't.  He gave everything He had. He "poured himself" out for us. Doesn't the Bible tell us that He is to be our example? Yet our present day society is "ALL ABOUT ME." No wonder the suicide rate is so high.

How do you love? Do you do it selfishly? Thinking its just about what you can gain? Do you e-mail or call someone only when they e-mail YOU first? Is it all about a scoreboard of points? You did this - they did that? It's "their turn now?" Are you a "fair weather friend" only reaching out when you feel like it? Thinking that person will always be around? How do people think that way? It crosses my eyes. Not one of us is promised tomorrow - that is what goes through my head every day that God gives me a brand new day.  I think - "This is a new day for me to show the people I love that I love them..." I guess when you watch someone you love die - you get a new perspective on what is important.  Of how short life is.  We take so much for granted until its too late.  Don't WAIT until its too late.  Do it now.  How much better it would be if we all thought and acted upon "its all about YOU" to someone else.  Made them feel special.  Instead of looking out only for ourselves. Have you done that today?  Made someone feel important? Made someone feel special?  Shown them that you love them?  As I ask this - I'm thinking of whether or not I have done that today myself... Its what I try to do for someone I love each day - make them feel special. Its what you do if you love someone. Truly love someone. An action means so much more than a gift. The Bible tells us "Give and it will be given back to you - pressed down, shaken together, flowing over - back in good measure." (Luke 6:38 and I believe this goes farther then just about the tithe - I believe this goes to every part of our lives - how we live)  - Oh now THAT is the kind of love I want. Freely I give - and freely to receive back. Not because I expect it - but because that is what happens (or should happen) when you love someone.  It comes back to you a double portion.  And it goes on and on  - like a circle, never ending.  That is how I think love should be.

The sun has just broken through the clouds and come out.  Just when I was going to grab my suit and take off into the back yard... An opportunity missed. Wow - how the weather is perfect for my blog today.  Don't let the opportunity to show the people you love that you love them.  You might not get another chance.