Life can change in an instant. You get that one phone call or you make that one turn and suddenly, nothing will ever be the same. The world gets flipped on its head and everything you thought you knew is different.
Not too many things remind me of this more than when I reflect back on this day, September 11th, 2001.
Do you think those dear people lost in the towers would have done anything differently had they known what was coming? Will you?
]]>Life can change in an instant. You get that one phone call or you make that one turn and suddenly, nothing will ever be the same. The world gets flipped on its head and everything you thought you knew is different.
Not too many things remind me of this more than when I reflect back on this day, September 11th, 2001.
There is a rending of my heart and spirit every time I go back and revisit the events of that day. Psychologists have done in-depth studies on how the trauma affected all of us, both individually and corporately, in the world. There are many theories about who was behind the attack and their motivations for such unspeakable evil. This was not the first atrocity to be committed against humanity and it certainly will not be the last.
I remember being overwhelmed by the realization, maybe for the first time really in all of my 20 years of life at the time, that there is unfathomable evil in the world and that we have an enemy who hates us.
The bright and shining ray that sprang out of that day came from what happened around me as I watched this tragedy unfold.
At 8:45 a.m. we were a bunch of college kids, stressed out and hungover and bustling around to get to class on time. At 8:46 a.m., exams no longer mattered. It felt as if time stood still. We held our breaths and crumbled into strangers' arms as we watched the towers crumble to ashes and everything we knew about the world changed. We watched the televisions and those of us who hadn't prayed in a long time kneeled with abandon and cried out. No regard for what it might look like. No reputations to protect. What had mattered at 8:45 no longer mattered at 8:46.
All these years later, we continue to hear stories of the acts of bravery, selflessness, and sacrifice that were poured out on that day. Men and women who risked and lost their lives to try and help those who could not help themselves.
My friends, I do not want to take away from this memorial not one single bit. But I do want to encourage us to remember that we still have an enemy who hates us and he is deceiving millions every day. Millions are going through the motions of life today just as we were at 8:45 a.m. on September 11th, 2001. Bustling through life, either hating God, admitting we don't believe in Him or acting as if we simply don't need Him.
The very unpopular fact is, though, that scripture that has been tested and tried time and time again tells us that a day is coming that will cast a titan of a shadow over the events of 9/11. A day when the restrainer will be removed and the whole world will experience darkness and evil like we have never known.
And just like that...everything will change. Are you ready? I am not a fear monger, but, if this idea scares you, then I do want to talk with you. Because I do not live in fear of this day that has been foretold. I know where my escape lies. I know where my eternity is secured. And I stick close to the very One who knows the story from beginning to end and guides my every step. Nothing is outside of His omniscience and omnipotence.
If you do not have the peace and security and assurance of this, please reach out and let us share with you. Or better yet, pick up the nearest Bible and begin reading it for yourself. Because we have no more power to save ourselves than the people in the towers had to get out of the way of danger that day.
But there is One who selflessly and sacrificially laid down His life for us, to rescue us and put Himself in our place. May we all kneel with abandon and cry out to Him every day with no regard for what it might look like; no reputations to protect. May we remember in today's struggles, that tomorrow is not promised. Let's seize every moment to love each other and love Him the most.
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Colossians 3:23
I was driving down a back road the other day to avoid highway traffic and I was getting a little nostalgic. Block by block, strip by strip, I was intentionally taking notice of how many small businesses there are! One sells fasteners, the other doggie daycare, and yet another dry cleaning services. Family restaurants, antique shops, food trucks, all hard at work providing goods and services to their local communities, some to the country and some even to the world!
I currently work full time at a family owned wholesale distributor of flooring and the owners are tried and true; they are the most beautiful people to work for and care deeply about what we do and the people they employ.
For this reason, Labor Day has become one of my favorite holidays!!
Not for the sales, which I must confess, don't hurt the holiday's case at all.
Not for the BBQ's and pool parties, although it is always fun to be with family and friends any chance we get, especially if we are saying farewell to sweltering summers.
Not for the day off of work, which again, definitely doesn't hurt.
But because this holiday was created and dedicated to the contributions of American workers like you and me. The bread and butter of this country -- good-hearted, hard working people that take pride in whatever they produce or provide. Most believe that Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, was the first to suggest a day to honor those "who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold."
The original intention and outline for celebration was a street parade to exhibit to the public the strength, pride, and common loyalty of the trade and labor organizations. The parade was to be followed by a festival for the relaxation and recreation of the workers and their families.
No holiday echoes the heart of why we started Alabaster Shards more than this one right here. We love to support small businesses and we make an effort to invest our resources into them every chance we get. I'd rather pay $2.00 more for a soap I know was crafted by hand in the home of my friend who values all natural ingredients and shares our disdain for the chemicals used by mass production corporations any day.
We started Alabaster Shards out of a desire to do business God's way, providing fashionable, affordable threads while still holding up people over profit. This business doubles as a ministry in every interaction as we use the gifts and creativity God gave us, share our stories, and freely give away the love and hope that came out of the broken pieces of our former lives.
Happiest Labor Day to every single one of you! Whether you are hard at work raising kingdom changers, or at the grind just trying to support yourself, you are an important and vital part of what makes this country great and makes the world go round. And we love you big! Praying restoration, relaxation and refreshment over you this long weekend!
Best,
A.S.
]]>Look closely, there are hints of who we are in what we wear and that’s why I love fashion so much.
Anyone that knows me knows my “uniform” is Chucks and flannel. My very first pair of shoes that ever really made me feel like “me” were a pair of Converse high tops...
]]>Look closely, there are hints of who we are in what we wear and that’s why I love fashion so much.
We embrace individuality in our family and I absolutely love how each person interprets different pieces of their wardrobe. My stepdaughter and I can share clothes now, but she’ll style my shirt and jeans in a way that I’d never thought to do! She rocks a glove on one hand because she grew up listening to MJ’s “Thriller” with her dad, and I love that about her. My son doesn’t like “handsome shirts” as he calls collared shirts. It’s t-shirts (with no tags) and high tops for him. We guard our “no”s and the only time I’ve really had to use mine was when he wanted to express his love for Captain Underpants by wearing his tighty whities and a cape to Mimi’s. That was a “no”.
Anyone that knows me knows my “uniform” is Chucks and flannel. My very first pair of shoes that ever really made me feel like “me” were a pair of Converse high tops. Each panel of the shoe was a different, bright, vibrant hue of pink, blue and yellow a la Punky Brewster. I always wanted to wear boy clothes and I HATED dresses. My mom compromised and sewed me floral jumper pantsuits for Easter (before jumpers were cool). All of the other girls in my class were wearing saddle oxfords and jellies, and I wanted none of that. So when I strutted into school on the first day of 3rd grade with those high tops -- my tiny chest puffed, head held high -- I finally felt like “me”.
My hero in 6th grade was a guy that worked with the middle school ministry at our church. I’d never seen guys in church like him. He had long, beautiful hair that he wore in a ponytail and his entire wardrobe consisted solely of combat boots, baggy jeans or shorts, flannels and grungy t-shirts. He had the most beautiful, caring eyes and He loved Jesus and people. I found myself throughout the 90s finding comfort embracing the “grunge” style and I really kind of got frozen in time there. My comfort outfit, as I mentioned before, still consists of ripped jeans, Chuck Taylors, a flannel and a now mostly-less grungy t-shirt (depending on how much time I had to do laundry).
Look closely and my outfits will tell you a little about me. What comes out in my style is different every day. And you do NOT have to have a lot of money to have style. I love thrifting and bargain shopping myself. I love re-purposing my outdated clothes. And I LOVE showing love to my friends without homes who have nothing and still manage to create their own unique style with the roll of a cuff or the styling of a bandana.
What does your style say about you? Do you find comfort in sticking to the classics or following the fun fads that roll through? Or do you like to buck the trends and rock something that will stand out in a sea of rompers? Do you value comfort over couture? Do you like to provoke conversations with your graphic tees? Do you love A-line skirts or bell bottoms because they remind you of your mom?
At the end of the day, they’re just clothes right? But since the Garden and the fig leaves, we’ve all had to wear them. I personally look forward to the day when I’m handed a bright, white robe at the Gates of Glory and I don’t have to budget anymore. But until then, God gave me the creativity, He gives me the inspiration, He knows every code of the makeup of my DNA, so He gave me my style.
And it’s my own.
And it’s my JOY to help you find yours!
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