Doing My Part

I just finished "reading" (actually listening to the audio book on my way to and from work) the book "Crazy Love" by Frances Chan. I had heard a lot of good things about this book, especially from JP. He said it was amazing. But I have a hard time reading non-fiction. So I downloaded the audio book from iTunes and it has been my companion in the car lately. Let me just tell you that this book is changing my life!

It talks about how big and amazing God is and how small we are. Compared to the universe that He created, we are less than a speck. Yet He knows each of us by name. He knows our needs, our wants, our desires. And He loves us. Enough to sacrifice His only son for our redemption. I know this is nothing new, but listening to Frances Chan talk about it made it come alive again. And if you haven't seen the Awe Factor video, check it out now!

Chan goes on to ask the question, what are we doing in response to this crazy love that God has poured out on us. What should our response be? He talks a lot about how lukewarm Christians aren't really Christians at all. Kind of radical, but look at the scriptures. God says He will spit them out of his mouth! Not really something I want for me!

So it has got me thinking, how am I, Jill Robinson, going to make a difference in response to the difference that God has made in my life? I have been inspired to want to take my family to Africa one day. And I want to give more and have less. And I'd love to adopt 100 Compassion kids. But I have been pondering over what the application is for me, right now. Me--the suburban wife, mother, nurse, pastor's partner, friend, sister, daughter living in a stable home in Franklin, Tennessee. I feel like I am trying to make a difference in my home, my children, my marriage, my church...but is that enough? From listening to Frances Chan talk about some other pretty amazing people, I'd say no. But then I got to work Monday night.

I walked into an Emergency Room full of people. Scared people. Poor people. Uneducated people. Hurting people. And I realized that this is one of the key places that I am called to make an impact right now. Sure it is frustrating. And exhausting. And repetitive. But these are God's people! Just as much as the people sitting next to me in church or the people starving in Africa. God loves these people and wants them to experience His love....through me. Wow. For example, I checked in woman complaining of neck pain. When I asked her what happened she hung her head and tears welled up in her eyes. She went on to tell me that her husband had beaten her. When I asked if she had called the police (legal requirement of my job), she told me that he said if she reported him again he would kill her. She needed Jesus. Then there was the 68 year old man who has chronic breathing problems who is in our ER at least once a week. Not with anything new and not that we can ever make him better. I'm thinking that he is lonely. And scared. He knows he is going to die and I don't think he's ready. He needed Jesus.

Night after night, patient after patient. They need Jesus. And I need to be the one to show Him to them. That is going to be a hard job. But I am up for the challenge. Despite the cynical work environment full of pessimistic, over-worked, foul-mouthed staff. Yeah, it's hard not to get dragged down by that. But I was never promised an easy road. Just a road that has been paved by a Savior who is crazy in love with me. So bring it on South Nashville. Let me do my part to show you some crazy love.

An Amazing Kid

Today John Mark turns 6. While part of my cannot believe that six years have already gone by, I really can't remember my life without him in it. He is one truly amazing kid. And now I am going to brag about him for awhile. After all, this is MY blog! So in honor of the birthday boy, here are 6 Amazing Things about John Mark:

1. He knows God. Not just in the whole "I know who God is" but he seems to really know Him. For John Mark, God is not just about stories in a Bible or songs at Sunday School. God is real. He talks to John Mark. And John Mark talks back. While I don't think John Mark is capable of understanding the concept of following Christ completely, I know that he does understand having a relationship with a Savior. He talks about it constantly.

2. He has a HUGE heart. John Mark is so kind. He wants to make sure that no one is ever left out or gets their feelings hurt. He talks all the time about helping the poor. He cried when he saw the "Sunday's Comin" video in church on Easter. He told me that it was because he was so sad about how much Jesus suffered.

3. He is a great big brother. He looks out for Riley. He plays with her. He even plays things that she wants to play ("Munchie, Munchie, Munchie"....the game of her imaginary friends). He rejoices with her when she does something right (like actually going potty ON the potty), and he is heartbroken when she is punished. And as much as she pushes his buttons and teases him, he is always quick to say "I love you Riley"

4. He is so passionate. When John Mark loves something he REALLY loves it! Right now he LOVES playing soccer, riding his bike (with no training wheels!), Bakugan, animals and being outside. He puts forth so much of himself into all these things. And he loves books. This makes me so happy because I love books. And to watch him sit down with a book and read makes me smile. I love listening to him read. He constantly wants to read something more difficult. He doesn't give up!

5. He has a great relationship with his Dad. In some ways they are just exactly alike and in some ways, so completely different. But they always have a great time together. They love to play soccer and go skateboarding. They love to be goofy and watch videos of people doing stupid things. And they love to laugh. I love hearing them laughing together. It is so genuine. I am so excited to give John Mark his birthday present this evening (an electric guitar) because I know it is another thing that they will share!

6. He is mine. I will never get tired of hearing people brag about how wonderful he is, because well, HE IS! And at night when he tells me that he needs some "Mom time" and we snuggle up in his bed, I am content. And when he tells me that he loves me and that he will always be my little man, well it just doesn't get better than that.

Love you Little Man! Happy Birthday

I Heart Reading

This weekend I have been thinking a lot about reading. It started when I got a Facebook message from a friend who heard I have a book club. She wanted to know what she had to do to tryout! I told her that if she could read a book and drink a glass of wine, you're in! Then on Friday night, I had some girls over to celebrate my good friend Melanie's birthday. We were talking about their plans for Saturday and Kim said that they were having a Read-a-thon. My jaw dropped. What is this??? I sat in amazement as she told me about having a book blog and following other book blogs (love this!!). She said that on Saturday they were all going to read for 24 hours straight (or at least as long as they could!). This was a sample of heaven to me....unfortunately, my children prevent me from doing anything for 24 hours straight. But I did take an hour out of my day yesterday afternoon to sit outside and read. And then I stayed up til 1:30am last night engrossed in a book.

It reminded me of the days when I was 8 years old and I would come home from the library with 20 books. It took them awhile to even let me check out that many....they didn't believe I could read them all! But I would stay up in bed, with my book light, and read until way past my bedtime. I would carry a book with me at all times in case there was nothing to do. I would read in the car, at the table, outside....everywhere! And even though I don't get as much time to read as I would like, I still love reading. So now, on this rainy Sunday afternoon, I am going to curl up on the couch with an old friend, my book. Ahhh, happiness.

Indeed

Gimme Some Candy

I have been good. Real good. I have not cheated once on my Lent sacrifices of Target and candy. The Target part was really not hard at all. I don't miss it. But the candy....oh the candy. I sure do miss that. I miss it at night when I work. I miss a piece after dinner. I miss it as a mid-afternoon pick-me-up. I am SOOOOOO ready for the Easter morning candy fest. One of the worst parts was reading our book
club book (The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen) in which every chapter was titled a different kind of candy. That was just cruel and unusual punishment. But only two more days to go!!! I can do this. But come Sunday....Bring it ON!

Unbelievable

So this past Friday I went and got a tattoo. Then I posted on Facebook that I got a tattoo and NO ONE believed me!!! Is it so crazy to think that I would get a tattoo??!! Especially since I warned y'all back in June! But I did it. My friend Denise was supposed to come with me and get her own tattoo. But the appointment was at 5pm and she didn't get there until 5:45! But that's okay. I did most of by myself with no "moral support". And I did great! It was almost like a challenge to me. And part of me relished in the the "alone" time. It is amazing what you will consider "alone" time once you become a mother! So in the end, here is my new tattoo.

It is a Celtic Trinity. Why a Celtic Trinity tattoo you may ask?
1. It is a symbol of my Lord and Savior in His amazing, incomprehensible form as 3 yet 1. It is a knot that goes around and never ends. Just like His love for me.
2. It matches JP. This may seem corny to you, but I like having this new tie to my husband. And part of me looks at it as not just a Holy Trinity, but a trinity of me, my husband, and my Lord. We are in this together...permanently.
3. I like the "bad girl" image associated with having this tattoo. I was NEVER the bad girl. I was the rule following, lead the way, church-going, parent minding girl. I guess that's why no one believed me when I posted that I got a tattoo! But part of me just wants to prove to everyone that I do have a risky, wild side. And now it is on my ankle for all to see (My thoughts on the ankle vs a more "concealed" spot are that if I am going to have a tattoo....I want everyone to see it!).

So even though my mom is probably still thinking that I am stupid for doing this...it is done. And I love it.