Hunger and Thirst

Quiet time. Sounds so easy, right? Time set aside to be quiet and ponder. Why is it such a struggle as a believer to set aside a portion of our day to read the most important words ever written? I don't know. But it is. Especially for me. I am T-E-R-R-I-B-L-E about spending time in the Word. Perhaps that is in direct correlation with how miserable I feel as a believer. I'm always telling myself I'm such a failure as a Christian. I was reminded tonight that we are expected to be failures. We are not perfect, nor will anything we do be perfect down here. Isn't that why we have God's grace and forgiveness through Jesus? We should strive to become perfect, just as God is perfect, but we won't attain it down here. Nope.

I tend to convince myself that it's no use in trying, I'll just mess up. I'm realizing that is pretty selfish. God gave us his Son and grace so that we could keep striving to please and glorify Him.

If I just give up and stop trying, I am like the foolish man. I should strive to be the wise man. "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock." (Matt 7:24) Right there. Jesus himself said it wouldn't be easy, "For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." (Matt 7:14)

Well, even if it is hard, it is a good thing to keep striving towards what God has called us. The entire Sermon on the Mount has so many, many things that God expects of us, straight from Jesus' mouth. Of course we will fail at all of them. But Jesus didn't speak these things to discourage us. No, rather "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."(Matt 5:6) Bingo. I can't just give up because I know I will fail. Rather, if I hunger and thirst for Christ, then I will be satisfied.

What a concept! I've been so dissatisfied with my life lately. And why? Because I've not hunger and thirsted for Him. Rather, I confuse desiring to be a "good" Christian with what is really our purpose..desiring God.

Rockstar

Saiah was in her room rocking out today on her guitar. Her choice of lyrics were hilarious, so I was able to only catch the tale end. She started with singing to Jesus and wanting everyone to "rock with Jesus". She then somehow went down a different track, and well the last lyrics are completely inappropriate, so I do apologize for what you are about to hear. She did try to redeem herself by saying the song was for our friend Bill. Funny.

Run your toes through the sand

Kylie, Annie, Jonah, Saiah, Jed, Brianna, Casandra, Elizabeth, Joel, Heather and Jason

On our last day

The kiddos on their Easter Egg hunt

Saiah and I went down on the beach together for some special Mommy/Daughter time

Hearing the waves, smelling the salt air, feeling the sand, dipping your toes into the very cold Oregon ocean and seeing the beauty that God has created - what could be better?

We had our annual Merrihew/Walsh Oregon Coast gathering this year during Spring Break. It is always the most looked forward to trip on our calendar. Great times are always to be had as we all come together in one magnificent beach front house to spend three nights together. We all come from different towns, so it's just a great time of fun, friendship, family, food and SAND!!

This year we stayed at a house that truly had the best beach front location of any we've stayed. We were just several easy steps from the sand and surf, which turned out to be a great thing since we often had to race up the hill into our house to evade the hail and blowing winds at times!! Despite the crazy weather this year, we had a few times that we were able to enjoy the beach. Saturday afternoon gave us a good couple of hours of sunshine (minus the 10 minute storm we waited out!).

My sisters and I spent a few hours hitting the Lincoln City Outlets together doing what we do best..spending money! We enjoyed our time out together, as always. I am blessed to have sisters-in-law that I consider true sisters and even better than that, true friends. An only child couldn't ask for more.

The cousins had a blast in their own semi-private bunk room (many thanks to Uncle Joel and Aunt Lizzie for sharing that playroom with them - we owe you!!). Brianna, the youngest of the bunch did her best at being a big girl with the rest of them. Jonah...the only guy has no problem standing his ground either!

Jed, Joel and Elizabeth turned out to be quite the Guitar Hero rockers - ask them if they are addicted ;) The grandkids all had their annual last night slumber party with Grammy and Grampy with food, games, stories and a movie. Even Jonah joined in this year until the middle of the night.Our time there always goes by too quick. The draw of the majestic waves and glorious sound are often too hard to part from. I love watching the kids run around in the sand, scamper away from the incoming waves and shout with glee (ok, some shrieks) as they play. I couldn't help this year but think it won't always be that way. They are growing up so quick.

Precious are these years and special are the moments we have. I truly thank God for the family he has blessed us with, the times we have and the beauty He has created.