Am I Cared for? Yes. Provided for? Definitely.

It's been awhile since I have last been able to post. I attribute this partially to laziness but mainly to the busyness that school brings (yeah that sounds better). Anyway, I've had ample amounts of time to think throughout the month about everything that has been said, all of the recent turn of events, and about my Father—both of them.

A few nights ago, my grandfather died. I never got to meet the man or get to know him personally but I do know that he walked out on my dad when he was very young. I can't even imagine what that would have felt like for my grandma or for my dad; how could you get through life without your daddy? If you have a dad who lives with you and provides for your family, thank God and be grateful for that gift (I most definitely do). After that, my dad's life started down a road of anarchy and chaos. But somehow, amidst all of that chaos—God's will remained sovereign. I believe it was during my parents' anniversary in New York that my dad was able to see his father at a healthcare center. What would you do in that situation? I definitely don't know what I would do; would I be filled with frustration and anger with the man? Or would I look on him with the compassion and love that Jesus looks at me with? The latter is what my father chose to do; he took this opportunity—which I believe was divinely orchestrated by God—to share the amazing and unconditional love of Jesus Christ. My grandfather met Jesus that day and the two men cried together...what a beautiful mess that only the God above could craft into a masterpiece.

God uses the most unlikely people to carry out His plan. It's crazy to think about but if it wasn't for my grandfather's mistakes—I wouldn't be here; my brothers wouldn't be here; my dad wouldn't be here. Was my dad cared for by this man? Not really. Was he provided for by God? Definitely.

We never know when our time will come. That is why Christ urges us to build strong relationships with others and to love without faltering. Do not take your life, or anyone's life, for granted. Do not hesitate to share the love of God with others but always be in the intentional pursuit of love; because you may never see that person again. Recently, two girls' lives were taken suddenly in a tragic car accident about 2 miles out from the UC Merced campus. One of these girls was in my discussion section. I never got to know her personally but why is that? I got comfortable; I stayed in my box and expected the opportunities to fall from the sky and right into my lap. I wish I got to know her and invest in her life as Christ so graciously invests in mine. I pray that she rests in peace...hopefully with Jesus holding her.

My dad seized the opportunity once it was presented to him; he chose to love intentionally. Even though it seemed that he wasn't cared for by his earthly father, he was definitely provided for by his heavenly father. I'm still learning but I will not sit on the sidelines and do nothing; I'm getting in the game in the pursuit of love. I am blessed to have a caring and loving earthly father and I am inexplicably grateful for my heavenly father. Am I Cared for? Yes. Provided for? Definitely.

1 John 3:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

James 4:13-15 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”

Philippians 2:3-4 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.