& The Blind Girl Saw.

When I went to Brazil in summer of 2009 I was blinded by my own problems, I was debating weather or not to break up with my boyfriend, I was worried about friendships, I was homesick, and I was scared out of my mind of talking to people who couldn't understand a word that was coming out of my mouth. I remember talking to my friend Elisa on one of the first nights that we were there and asking her how in the world God could use someone like me. I was so blinded by my own issues I was questioning God's awesome power to use a crazy, hormonal, and confused teenage to share HIS good news!!

While in Brazil I was helping in a children's church/nursery, this little girl was telling a story about how she was going to get on the bus and she fell, being blind, the little girl struggled to get up, no one helped her, not even her own mother. She said that people were laughing at her, and mocking her. This broke my heart, but I started to think, how often are we blind? How often do we stumble in the world and no one helps us up? All the time, WE CAN'T RELY ON HUMANS TO CATCH US WHEN WE FALL!! We have a Daddy who is SO much bigger than us who scoops us up and holds us when we fall. And not only that, he opens our eyes so that we can see again! This little girl has NO idea how she has impacted my life, she never will know until she stands before her Father in heaven and receives her jewels at his thrown. This little princess, has taught me to see clearly how AWESOME God truly is.

I had actually forgotten about this story, it's been over a year now and there has been a lot that I have forgotten about Brazil. But this week God brought this to the front of my mind to share with all of you. I know it's the Christmas season (yes CHRISTmas, not Holiday) and we so often get blinded by the sparkly lights, trees, Santa, Elves, funny movies, and gifts. This year let me encourage you to stop for just a moment and think what this holiday is celebrated for, Christ's birthday. For me, personally, to remember that I have decided that I will not receive any gifts this year because, well, I don't NEED anything else. Instead of gifts I'm asking for money so I can give a donation to St. Jude's Children Hospital. So many commercials say to "give the gift that keeps on giving" Do they truly know what that is? To me thats Salvation from my Jesus, the fruits of the spirit, the spiritual gifts God gave to each and every one of us, and the JOY from serving Him. I have my Salvation, I'm praying for God to continue to work on my heart so I can get the fruits of the spirit down, and my spiritual gifts are mercy, giving, and evangelism. I have received the gift that keeps on giving, and I want to bring joy and hope to someone who might not have had joy and hope this Christmas.
God Bless You.
Brittany Lauren<3