Yesterday and today I’m at the hospital with my friend.  Her C-section was scheduled for 10:30 a.m. CST today.  Due to some warning signs, they took the baby yesterday.  She’s been in the hospital for five weeks now.  One of the most energetic and motivated people I know laying still in a hospital bed on bed rest for five weeks.  She has gotten to get up every hour to use the restroom, and the last couple weeks they’ve allowed her a 30-minute wheelchair ride every day as long as she’s not having contractions.

I enjoy sleep tremendously.  I enjoy my mattresses and my comforter probably more than I should.  But the though of laying in bed for five weeks seems terrifying to me.  I’d get tired of reading.  I’d get tired of TV.  I’d get tired of nurses coming in every other day to change my IVs and every two hours to check all my vitals.  I’d probably get all grouchy and a little testy with the people I loved that come to see me.

But she’s not.

She’s been pretty darn incredible through it all.  Her outlook on it is that if this is what she has to do to get Baby Jules here healthy, then it’s what she’s going to do.

Whatever it takes.

I’m lucky to have people in my life to set this kind of example for me.  And it’s not just with this situation, but if they see a need, a lot of the time my friends’ attitudes are just that, whatever it takes.

So I’m here at the hospital today.  The procedure has some risks.  You couldn’t have kept me away.  What I’m learning through this season of interruption is that life is good.  But it seems that life is better if you allow yourself to be interrupted.  This isn’t a real stretch.  My friend is in need, so I’m going.  No questions.  It’s not convenient, but it’s totally worth it.

Because I’m planning on laying eyes on a beautiful baby girl today.

You can interrupt me any time for that.

I’m a real estate agent.  I see a lot of really cool things in houses.  I’m interested in housing and what increases value and what doesn’t.  Here is a pictorial of things I want in my dream home.  Also, I’d probably have to win the lottery to have even one of these things.  That’s why it’s called a “dream” home.  Enjoy!

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I texted my friend the other day.  It wasn’t a good day.  It wasn’t a bad day.  It was just a regular day, but my mood wasn’t quite there.  I had my headphones in because there are just some times during the day when I need to concentrate and just type.  And then there are days when I don’t feel particularly sociable.  I think I was typing that day, but either way my headphones were in and the music was playing.  Here’s what I texted her:

“I sometimes wonder if God sits and orchestrates the songs that come through my phone.”

It’s not that I was doubting that God was there that day.  I think it was more that I was wondering where He was. But, seriously.  Every song held true to the theme that, Hey, it’s me.  I’m still here.  I may be silent, but I’m here.

I sometimes get tired of waiting for things to start happening and just want to jump-start them myself.  I don’t want to have to worry about things that I currently have to worry about.  I don’t want to wait.

I hate waiting.

I’m not good at it.  At all.

But that day it was in the music I was hearing.  The texts from my friends.  I think I’m just expecting that God will speak or move in these incredible ways that I miss out on the ways He really wants to speak to me.  I want the grand gesture.  I expect it sometimes.  But all the while He’s there in the little things.

I don’t know.  Maybe He is sitting up there saying, I think Julie needs to hear this song right now.  Or maybe it’s all chance when it comes to iTunes.  Who knows.  And ultimately it doesn’t really matter to anyone else except that that day I felt like God had created my playlist for those few hours.  And because of that I felt Him near.

I guess some of the most important things we’re ever going to notice or see or hear will be in the little things.

We’ve just got to keep our eyes open so we don’t miss them.

If you don’t have a Twitter account, you’re just being ridiculous.  I’ve heard it said when comparing social media to schooling, Facebook is like the high school of social media with too much information, too much drama and people are mainly there because they feel like they have to be.  So that would make Twitter the college of social media.  Most of the people who are there want to be there.  While there is drama, it’s less.  And if you don’t want to deal with someone ranting about something, you just unfollow them.  It seems a lot less harsh than unfriending someone.

I agree with the above statements.

And I love Twitter.  So here are 10 people I think you should follow!

1.  Jamie Wright.  Also known as Jamie The Very Worst Missionary.  She’s a fantastic writer when she’s got infinite space to fill on her blog.  And she’s a fantastic writer at 140 characters.  If you’re on Twitter, this one is a must-follow.

2.  Joy Eggerichs.  Whether you’re looking for relationship advice or wanting to know what the latest fashion in Unicorns is, Joy is your girl.   Her answers are honest.  Her answers are usually peppered with a little humor.  Actually, she’s one of the most entertaining blogs I read.  It’s also one of the best in terms of honest, straightforward advice.  Check her out!

3.  Christine Caine.  I’ve written about her a lot lately.  If you haven’t gotten the hint yet, you should be aware of this woman and what she is doing.  Check her out.

4.  Jon Acuff.  His latest book, Start, has been on the New York Times Best Seller List for two weeks now.  He’s funny.  He’s completely random, which really works with my attention span.  There are always lots and lots of pictures…of alarm clocks.  He gets up super early.  But he is super funny and a pretty intelligent and motivational guy.

5.  John Crist.  This guy is a comedian.  And he’s actually funny.

6.  Ellen Degeneres.  I doubt she does her own tweeting, but still worth the follow.  Funny stuff there.

7.  Jamie Golden.  She has great affection for Cheetos and Bradley Cooper (but really who doesn’t?).  She is an ADHD survivor.  She loves adoption AND she’s a fantastic photographer.  Plus I got to meet her for real a couple years ago.  She’s the real deal.  And you need to read her blog.  She gives stuff away and recommends all kinds of stuff I’ve never heard of.

8.  Herschel French.  He’s my friend, and if I didn’t put him on here, I’d be hearing about it later.

9.  Bianca Olthoff.  One of my favorite bloggers.  Fun pictures.  Works for The A21 Campaign as chief storyteller.  Oh, did I mention she’s a pretty fantastic speaker?  This girl is going places.

10.  Me.  Because it would be ridiculous to write about who I think you should follow and not put myself on the list.  And it’s last, so maybe you’ll remember it and click on me.  You’ll see a lot of pictures of my nieces and nephews.  Actually, I’m not that exciting.  You should really follow everyone else on here, though!

Give me some recommendations.  Who should I follow?  Who is entertaining?  Who is motivational?  Who is ridiculous?  What’s your handle?

Follow me.  Quote possibly two of the most powerful yet most unexplained words in the Bible.  If you simply look at the phrase “follow me,” you’ll find they’re quite simple to understand.  You get up and you walk behind someone who is leading you somewhere, or you follow certain beliefs.  But rarely is the complete story shown to you.

Sometimes “follow me” is all we get.

Jesus spoke to Peter and Andrew and said, “Come, follow me and I will send you out to fish for people.”  But here’s what gets me:  it says in verse 20 of Matthew 4, “At once they left their nets and followed him.”

At once.  No questions.  They just followed.  And my problem?

I’ve got questions.

And I don’t know about you, but I’ve been under the leadership of some people who, quite frankly, I would have a hard time following into Wal-Mart.  Their words didn’t mesh with their actions.  Their hearts were hidden by their agenda.  They told you what you wanted to hear and expected you to follow.

It’s unfortunate that people in leadership feel like they have to sugar-coat their vision.  All Jesus said was “Follow me.”   That’s it.

And that’s where my questions come in.  Well, what are you going to want me to do?  How long is this going to take?  Can I finish what I’m doing here because this is going to be awesome?  And probably one of my biggest and most-nagging questions is this:  Why me?

Why me is one of my biggest questions.  Why would the God of the universe and beyond want anything to do with Julie in her recliner in Fairfield?  Why does He need me to work through.  I’ve got nothing to offer.  But as Christine Caine posted yesterday on Instagram, “Since the beginning of time, God has chosen the unlikely to do the unimaginable.”

Why did He choose Noah to build and ark?  Joseph to save the nations?  David to show us his heart?  Zacchaeus to help show us redemption?

I think, in part, to show us that he can use ordinary people.  He can use people who aren’t clean, who are broken, who have been wounded.  All we have to do is follow him.

The path isn’t going to be revealed completely.  The twists and turns and trials and victories, we aren’t going to know.  And quite frankly, ”Follow me” is going to be all we get sometimes.  And I think that’s okay.  I think it takes a huge leap to just follow.  The more you know Jesus, the more you know his character.  And of course the more you know that he’s someone you want to strive to be like.

So you follow.

And sometimes your life gets flipped upside down.  But that’s okay.  I don’t think it’s for the destination that we’re asked to follow.  I think that’s just an awesome prize.  I think it’s for the journey.  To teach us to be strong, unwavering, sure and to teach us to love and show grace and mercy.  I think this is what we’re learning here.

And I think it’s totally worth dropping everything to follow.

I like to go places and see things.  I like learning history about landmarks all over the world.  Here are ten I want to see before I die.

1.  Ground Zero.  I was driving to work when it happened.  I sat in shock like the rest of you trying to comprehend what was going on.  I would love to visit the memorial and pay tribute to those who died.

2.  The Grand Canyon.  I’ve flown over it several times.  It kind of looks like a big creek from that high in the air.  However, I’ve never been to it.  I’d love to take a helicopter ride over it or go canoeing or rafting through the river.

3.  Redwood National Park.  Seriously.  Trees you can drive you car through.  Trees so big I don’t even think I can imagine their size.  I would love to visit and take lots and lots of pictures.

4.  Sistine Chapel…and any other old churches and architecture around Vatican City and Rome.  Again, lots and lots of pictures.

5.  The Cliffs of Moher in Ireland.  I’ve looked at tons of pictures.  One day I will walk along the cliffs and hear the ocean hit the rocks below and just sit and listen.

6.  Big Ben and the London Eye.  Actually, I’ve always wanted to go to the English Countryside, too.  I just think that would be a pretty fun trip.

7.  Machu Picchu in Peru.  I want to hike up to the top of the city.  It’s a week-long trek, and I’ve heard and read that it’s extremely difficult.  So why would I NOT want to do it?!

8.  Old Faithful at Yellowstone National Park.  I’m really not that much of an outdoorsy person, but these places just look so incredibly beautiful that I can’t imagine going to them and not hiking my way through them.

9.  Washington, D.C.  Isn’t the whole city a landmark?  I’ve driven through it.  Until then I’d never had a desire to go.  Now, I can’t wait to find an excuse to head east.

10.  Any of the old ruins, etc, in Greece.  Old ruins + beautiful scenery = Greece.  Plus beaches.  Plus Greek food.  Seriously, I want to go to Greece.

Where would you go?

It’s at the end of the parable of the Good Samaritan that these words are spoken by Jesus.

Go and do likewise.

Earlier the man speaking with Jesus asked who his neighbor was. In my Bible it says that he wanted to justify himself. And when I read that, ugh, I totally get it.

But, Jesus, this guy drives me crazy. This guy is hurtful. This girl is just not someone who I want to deal with. But, Jesus, I don’t even know her.

I can come up with 100 different excuses every time. But what it boils down to is that Jesus said to love our neighbor as ourselves, and then he said that it was the Samaritan who was his this stranger’s neighbor. Why?

Because he had mercy on him.

Go and do likewise.

As I was sitting with my friend who has been in the hospital for a couple of weeks, and will probably be for a couple more at least, we were talking about all the stuff that was coming up because of this scripture making itself present in my life over and over and over again.

What is becoming more and more prevalent to me is it’s not whether I go and do and see the people who are hurting. I can go and be a warm body all day. Just being there with and for people along their journey, though, isn’t enough. I can be in a place and not really be there all at the same time.

What I need to work on is the condition of my heart.

I find myself a lot of times just doing something because it’s what I should be doing. But what I really want to learn is how to love my neighbor — even the ones that drive me crazy or the ones I don’t know — as much as I love myself.

Would I live the way I live now if that were the case? Would I spend money on the things that I now spend money one if I truly loved people as I loved myself?

I don’t know. Because unfortunately I’m just not there yet. I still find this selfish root that comes up when I’m least expecting it. And no matter how much I try to cut it off, it still remains.

I guess that’s why love isn’t always easy. I think for me it’s going to be a daily or hourly choice. It’s not going to be my first instinct. But love and mercy are worth it…even if it is hard.

So this week I’m going to remember some of my favorite words that Jesus said.

Go and do likewise.

These four words have changed the world and will continue if we actually take hold of them and do it. For me that means working on my heart. For you it may me something else. But I think it’s worth working on.

Jesus wouldn’t have said it if He didn’t mean for us to do it.

So go and do likewise.

I’m one of the worship leaders at my church.  I love singing and playing and listening to music.  Here are a few of my favorites!  (Good thing I just made a list for Herschel to work on for church.  I can just pull some from there!)

1. Hope To Carry On – Rich Mullins

2.  Revelation Song – Kari Jobe

3.  Desert Song – Hillsong

4.  Never Once – Matt Redman

5.  You Reign – Citipointe Live (Thanks to my friend Kristen for introducing me to this!)

6.  Your Presence Is Heaven To Me – Israel Houghton

7.  Wake Up – All Sons and Daughters

8.  All The Poor And Powerless – All Sons and Daughters

9.  Hosanna – Hillsong

10.  O The Blood – Gateway Worhsip (Kari Jobe)  This is probably my most favorite song right now.  I hope you enjoy it, too!

What are some of your favorites?

Last year at Catalyst I heard the Parable of the Good Samaritan in a way that I hadn’t really thought of it before.  Growing up, when I heard the story, I just generally concluded that the priest and the Levite that passed the hurt man on the side of the road were bad people and that the Good Samaritan was really the only good guy of the bunch.  But last October Christine Caine said something about this story that has rocked my world.  And it keeps coming up.

It’s everywhere.

But she basically just said that these first two men were Godly men.  The first was a priest, someone teaching the Gospel.  the Levites were called to serve the priests and to take care of the tabernacle.   The point being is that they were Godly men.  Her thought was that they were Godly men, but were busy.  They were probably on their way to their congregation, or on their way to a meeting or on their way to their next conference and were going to what they thought was their ministry when really they weren’t seeing that the focus of their ministry was lying on the side of the road dying.

They were busy.

But the Good Samaritan, he was willing to be interrupted.  He felt compassion and had mercy on the man who was hurt and dying.  He took the time that he probably didn’t have, the energy that was probably waning and the money that he had earned and took care of someone he didn’t know and may never see again.  I think Christine Caine also said that the effectiveness of your ministry is directly linked to your willingness to be interrupted…ouch.

This past week has really brought this story around for me.  Right now there’s a lot of pain and sickness and just yuck going on with some of my friends and their families.  People are sick and at different hospitals in our area.  And I feel like I need to be everywhere to spend some time with them, let them know that I’m there for them, when really what I want to do is curl up in bed and sleep.  Oh, I’ve got to get up early tomorrow morning, so I can’t make the two-hour round trip to the hospital with you because then I’ll be tired for work, and that’s just not how I want to show up for work…Because that’s an awesome excuse.

Have you ever tried to make that excuse to someone who is hurting?  Yeah, I can’t really drive all that way to spend time with you because I don’t want to be tired in the morning.  I know you need help and support, but, well, I just don’t have the energy.

Try telling that to someone who has been sitting in the hospital for days stressing over a loved one who is sick.

Tonight we read about generosity in 2 Corinthians 8.  One verse stuck out to me, brought up by my friend, Dena.  ”At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need.  Then there will be equality.” 2 Corinthians 8:14.

So I’m learning to give more of myself.  I’m trying to love more, and being there for people is huge.  You probably won’t know how huge until you need someone.  I’m learning not to have a panic attack when I step into hospital waiting rooms or hospital rooms themselves.  Until last October I probably wouldn’t have come to visit you in the hospital.  I would have went to see you at home, but not a hospital.  I’m learning that love always runs to hurt and pain and not away.  I’m learning to live a life, well, interrupted.

I’m sorry for being selfish with my time when you needed me.  I’m sorry for putting what I desired over what you needed.  I’m sure it will happen again at some point, but it’s my goal to continue to learn and get better.

But as I hugged a friend at the hospital Wednesday night as his family was going through a really rough time I was reminded the beauty of being there for someone.  And as I lay at the hospital until the early hours of Saturday morning this weekend listening to the rhythmic heartbeat of my friends’ unborn child, I was awakened to the beauty and goodness and compassion and grace of our unrelenting God.

Having St. Louis, MO just a couple of hours away is kind of nice.  However, I don’t get there too often because that takes a whole day away.  But when I do have a whole day to go over there, there are a few places I’d like to visit.  Here you go!  And unfortunately it seems like I’ll be spending some time over there over the next few weeks to go visit friends in the hospital, so I’m always up for visiting friends…wherever they are!

1.  So, yeah.  Forest Park.  Never knew it existed until my friend went into the hospital over there last week and another friend familiar with the area drove me through it.  It’s beautiful!  I’d want to just walk around it and maybe have a picnic there on the grass.

2.  The Fox.  I’ve been to two plays and a concert at The Fabulous Fox Theater.  It’s pretty darn fabulous.  I’d go there every weekend if I lived close and had the money.

3.  Go up in the Arch.  I’ve never done it.  I’ve never even been closer than the Interstate to the Arch.

4.  Baseball Game.  Preferably when the Cubs are in town so I can watch them smack down the Cardinals, but I do love the Busch Stadium atmosphere…and the nachos.

5.  The Science Center.  It’s a very common field trip for our local schools.  The kids absolutely love it.  I think that would be a fun trip with my oldest nephew sometime.

6.  The Art Museum.  Which is coincidentally in Forest Park.  We drove by it last weekend, and I would have loved to have had the time to go in.  Maybe next time.

7.  The Zoo!  I love zoos.  I forgot how much I loved them till I went to one in Florida for the first time in years.  I loved watching my nieces and nephew get excited about the animals.  Also, the one in St. Louis is FREE!  Even better!!

8.  The City Museum. Everyone loves it and talks about it, but I’ve never been.  That’s on my list for the next year.

9.  Go to a concert or a play at The Muny…also in Forest Park.  Seriously.  This place is a gold mine…  AND I just looked and Les Miserables is there in July…

10.  Spend some time on Delmar.  Lots of cool places to go visit down there.  Blueberry Hill, The Pageant, etc.  Gonna have to visit sometime soon.

You guys have any ideas for a weekend in St. Louis?  You may be planning my next “vacation.”