19 Years and Counting...

My wife and I just recently celebrated 19 years of marriage. It is crazy to me to think that we have been married for that long! Time has flown by and I just love her more and more as each year passes. We have gone through a lot together and learned a lot in the process. I am forever thankful that God gave me such a beautiful, godly woman to share life with.

I read this note on her Facebook the other day and I couldn't help but share it with you. Rox, I hope you don't mind...

What I learned in Guatemala (Roxane Cuccia)
Fear not!
Do not be afraid of what people think about me, what people might do to me. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.

Love more.
Love as Jesus loved. See past the person and into the heart. Be the hands and feet of Jesus by loving. Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God, and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

Things deceive.
American culture teaches us selfishness, self-centeredness and greed. Things are to become powerless in my life. They will rob me of my joy and steal my attention. Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.

Live simply.
Live simply so I can share all I have with others.
I can buy new GAP jeans, or I can feed a family in Guatemala for a month. Do I really need GAP jeans? Am I afraid what you will think if my jeans are from Walmart or the thrift store? I tend to be shamelessly self-absorbed. What would Jesus choose? What would Jesus have me choose?

"If anyone is to follow me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."

It is a profound privilege to have met the beautiful, precious people of Guatemala. It breaks my heart that they work so hard every day of their lives, just to survive.

If I choose to live with less, I could give away more. Give away food, medicine, love, life.

What is God calling you to do to make this world a better place? It will be a better place if we start to live a radical Christian life that is not about us.

Sweet Jesus Christ my sanity
Sweet Jesus Christ my clarity
Bread of heaven broken for me
Cup of salvation held up to drink
Jesus the mystery
Christ has died, and Christ is risen
Christ will come again.

After the last tear falls, may God be pleased with the way I loved His creation, and may my children see that they can change the world – one sandwich, one smile, one person at a time.