For my last three posts of the summer, I think it is fitting to recap the invaluable lessons I have learned during my time at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. I have learned and been given so much through this opportunity that it is tough to see it wind down.
This past week had to be one of my favorite weeks of the summer. 95.5 FM and AM 750 News/Talk WSB Care-a-thon took place on Thursday and Friday. During the 37 hours, listeners helped raise more than $1.5 million to support the services and research at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. I do not know about you, but that number is mind-blowing to me. It is amazing to see, even in some difficult financial times, people come together in support of bringing hope to kids' lives.
There are so many countless stories during the coverage that I will never forget, but one small one really stuck out to me. A group of guys who worked together at an auto shop were greeted one morning by Scott Slade. In his hands, he held breakfast for the guys. He brought them the breakfast because they were one of the winners of the contest. Little did he know, the group of workers handed him a big stack of one-dollar bills. These guys did not have much, but each worker gave a little of what they had because they wanted to be a part of a place that saves the lives of children. What if we all lived our life with this perspective?
In an earlier post, I touched on the idea of control and how I struggle with trying to control every ounce of my life. This internship really has taught me about freedom from the beginning. It is amazing what the Lord can do through an individual who takes a step out of their comfort zone and takes a step forward.
Healthcare? Really? I knew nothing about healthcare. Check against me. A business setting? I had never been in a real business setting for more than a day. Another check against me. Not to mention I did not know anyone. Another check against me.
However, none of these things mattered. It was time for me to take a step outside of my boundaries and give my best to something I knew nothing about. You see the Lord takes our weaknesses and is glorified through them.
Yes, there is still so much to learn about healthcare. Yes, you can probably ask my colleagues that I am probably not the best in a business setting, but this summer I have seen firsthand how the Lord blesses us with the freedom to explore new things and areas of our life that we never think are possible.
During these 12 weeks, I have been able to work with some of the most talented people. I have been able to go to events and see things that I could have only dreamed of seeing. Looking back, this could only have been possible through the Lord who is loving enough to allow me to see firsthand what it means to live in freedom.
Phillpians 4:13 says it best: "I can do all things through him who gives me strength."
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Sunday, July 22, 2012
The Question So Many People Ask.....Why?
First off, my apologies go out for not updating this blog in two weeks. Yes, that is the definition of a slacker so I apologize for that.
The past two weeks have consisted of some needed beach time with the family, busy days at work, and enjoying what God is teaching me this summer.
Last Tuesday, my family and I headed to Hilton Head Island to spend some time in the sun and sand. It was unreal to enjoy God's creation and kick back and relax with the family. Let's just say I did not go hungry either. Seafood turns out is my weakness to say the least.
At Children's, everything is in full force with the summer beginning to wind down and the dreaded days of school upon us. These past few weeks have quickly flown by preparing for WSB's Care-a-thon on Thursday and Friday. I cannot wait to hear the stories of people helping out the Aflac Blood Disorders and Cancer Center this week. So many lives have been saved from this incredible place, and the money raised goes a long way to help children now and in the future.
Also, this Thursday is the Cobb County Family Fun Day. I have had the opportunity to work with this event from the beginning and am looking forward to meeting all the children who have been through some tough times but have never given up. This is a day they get to show off how much they have learned through the rehabilitiation they have been given at Children's.
It is tough to believe I am entering the final three weeks of my internship. I never realized how much I would truly learn during my time spent at Children's this summer. It is time to finish strong.
The past two weeks the Lord has been teaching me some things through tragedy.
Life is but an instant. We are never guaranteed another day. This past week seeing the tragedy in Colorado reiterated that.
The Bible says it clearly that we are "nothing more than mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes."
I had a person ask me one question that seemed to be on everyone's mind Friday morning when they heard the news. Why?
Why would anyone do such a horrible thing to so many innocent people?
I was reading story after story about the details that continued to unfold, but one story stuck in my head above the rest.
A mother of two girls took her children to see the midnight premiere of the "Dark Knight Rises" and little did she know what she was in store for. When the shooting began, she laid on top of her daughters trying to guard them from the shooter. She and her daughters were able to escape, and her response to the situation is something I will never forget.
She was asked the question, "Do you still believe in a merciful God?"
She answered, "Yes."
She went on to say, "Why would you think such a tragedy would make me question the goodness of God. If anything, both of my girls said it made Him a much more real presence to them....He is not the cause of evil, but He is the one who can bring comfort and peace in the midst of evil...Overall, we are praising God and resting in His goodness."
God is always good just like this woman explains. Unfortunately, man is not. It could have been easy for this woman to say this is God's fault, but she is continuing to praise Him. You see God brings beauty from ashes and shows his goodness even in the most difficult circumstances.
There was one evil act, but the acts of kindness afterwards illustrate the goodness and love Christ showers us with everyday.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the victims in Colorado. I pray that even in this difficult time that the Lord can be used in miraculous ways to heal and comfort these families.
Psalms 56:3-4 says "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?"
The past two weeks have consisted of some needed beach time with the family, busy days at work, and enjoying what God is teaching me this summer.
Last Tuesday, my family and I headed to Hilton Head Island to spend some time in the sun and sand. It was unreal to enjoy God's creation and kick back and relax with the family. Let's just say I did not go hungry either. Seafood turns out is my weakness to say the least.
At Children's, everything is in full force with the summer beginning to wind down and the dreaded days of school upon us. These past few weeks have quickly flown by preparing for WSB's Care-a-thon on Thursday and Friday. I cannot wait to hear the stories of people helping out the Aflac Blood Disorders and Cancer Center this week. So many lives have been saved from this incredible place, and the money raised goes a long way to help children now and in the future.
Also, this Thursday is the Cobb County Family Fun Day. I have had the opportunity to work with this event from the beginning and am looking forward to meeting all the children who have been through some tough times but have never given up. This is a day they get to show off how much they have learned through the rehabilitiation they have been given at Children's.
It is tough to believe I am entering the final three weeks of my internship. I never realized how much I would truly learn during my time spent at Children's this summer. It is time to finish strong.
The past two weeks the Lord has been teaching me some things through tragedy.
Life is but an instant. We are never guaranteed another day. This past week seeing the tragedy in Colorado reiterated that.
The Bible says it clearly that we are "nothing more than mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes."
I had a person ask me one question that seemed to be on everyone's mind Friday morning when they heard the news. Why?
Why would anyone do such a horrible thing to so many innocent people?
I was reading story after story about the details that continued to unfold, but one story stuck in my head above the rest.
A mother of two girls took her children to see the midnight premiere of the "Dark Knight Rises" and little did she know what she was in store for. When the shooting began, she laid on top of her daughters trying to guard them from the shooter. She and her daughters were able to escape, and her response to the situation is something I will never forget.
She was asked the question, "Do you still believe in a merciful God?"
She answered, "Yes."
She went on to say, "Why would you think such a tragedy would make me question the goodness of God. If anything, both of my girls said it made Him a much more real presence to them....He is not the cause of evil, but He is the one who can bring comfort and peace in the midst of evil...Overall, we are praising God and resting in His goodness."
God is always good just like this woman explains. Unfortunately, man is not. It could have been easy for this woman to say this is God's fault, but she is continuing to praise Him. You see God brings beauty from ashes and shows his goodness even in the most difficult circumstances.
There was one evil act, but the acts of kindness afterwards illustrate the goodness and love Christ showers us with everyday.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the victims in Colorado. I pray that even in this difficult time that the Lord can be used in miraculous ways to heal and comfort these families.
Psalms 56:3-4 says "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?"
Sunday, July 8, 2012
We Are Blessed With the Ultimate Freedom
When it comes to holidays, there really is nothing like July 4th.
There is the smell of fresh hot dogs and hamburgers right off the grill. There is the sight of American flags flying prevalent on every corner. There are the fireworks soaring high, as patriotic songs play in the background.There are the smiles on each person's face, as they gather around family for this special holiday.
My July 4th started off at the Peachtree Road Race. Okay, the 5:45 alarm was not the greatest start to my day off, but the ability to run with over 55,000 people made up for it. This was by far the best race I have run in so far due to the thousands of people alongside the road cheering us on.
After the race, the ice bags could not come fast enough. I knew it was going to be a rough next couple of days.
At Children's this week, it was a busy week reviewing the busy month of June we had. Now, our attention turns to the 12th-annual Care-a-thon that takes place at the end of this month. This is an event hosted by WSB on-air personalities Neal Boortz, Clark Howard and Scott Slade where listeners are able to hear the stories of the patients and families impacted by the Aflac Cancer Center at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. All the money raised during this 37-hour event benefits the Aflac Cancer Center.
Each year, I cannot help but be reminded of the freedom we are blessed to have in the United States. We have a freedom here that so many people around the world would die to have. This freedom is in thanks to the men and women who have laid down their lives for this great country.
This great freedom reminded me this week of the freedom I am blessed to have in Christ.
It is crazy to think how many times in my past I have messed up, but I am so fortunate to have a Lord and Savior that does not turn away from me but rescues me.
“Because He loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for He acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.” Psalm 91:14-15
Because he loves him, He is my freedom and the one who sets me free.
Galatians 5:1 says it best:
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."
Fear of our past or our future cannot paralyze us because of the freedom that is available in Christ. He offers a freedom that forgives and restores as we turn to Him.
I pray this week that we can remember this. I pray that we can see the comfort available in the arms of Jesus Christ. Most importantly, I hope we can see the sufficiency in God's grace that is found in the freedom of our Heavenly Father.
That is the ultimate freedom.
There is the smell of fresh hot dogs and hamburgers right off the grill. There is the sight of American flags flying prevalent on every corner. There are the fireworks soaring high, as patriotic songs play in the background.There are the smiles on each person's face, as they gather around family for this special holiday.
My July 4th started off at the Peachtree Road Race. Okay, the 5:45 alarm was not the greatest start to my day off, but the ability to run with over 55,000 people made up for it. This was by far the best race I have run in so far due to the thousands of people alongside the road cheering us on.
After the race, the ice bags could not come fast enough. I knew it was going to be a rough next couple of days.
At Children's this week, it was a busy week reviewing the busy month of June we had. Now, our attention turns to the 12th-annual Care-a-thon that takes place at the end of this month. This is an event hosted by WSB on-air personalities Neal Boortz, Clark Howard and Scott Slade where listeners are able to hear the stories of the patients and families impacted by the Aflac Cancer Center at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. All the money raised during this 37-hour event benefits the Aflac Cancer Center.
Each year, I cannot help but be reminded of the freedom we are blessed to have in the United States. We have a freedom here that so many people around the world would die to have. This freedom is in thanks to the men and women who have laid down their lives for this great country.
This great freedom reminded me this week of the freedom I am blessed to have in Christ.
It is crazy to think how many times in my past I have messed up, but I am so fortunate to have a Lord and Savior that does not turn away from me but rescues me.
“Because He loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for He acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.” Psalm 91:14-15
Because he loves him, He is my freedom and the one who sets me free.
Galatians 5:1 says it best:
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."
Fear of our past or our future cannot paralyze us because of the freedom that is available in Christ. He offers a freedom that forgives and restores as we turn to Him.
I pray this week that we can remember this. I pray that we can see the comfort available in the arms of Jesus Christ. Most importantly, I hope we can see the sufficiency in God's grace that is found in the freedom of our Heavenly Father.
That is the ultimate freedom.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Halfway Done?
As the school year came to a close, my internship at Children's could not get here fast enough. Five weeks later, I want this summer to do nothing but slow down.
I have found a place at Children's that I love. I enjoy getting up every day to go to work at a place that has given me the opportunity of a lifetime.
This past week was full of events for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. The week began at Phillips Arena for an Atlanta Dream game. Thousands of kids filled the arena as they were treated to a Dream win on Tuesday afternoon. Before the game, I was able to tour Phillips Arena and go behind the scenes on what it takes to make an event happen at the arena.
On Thursday, former UGA football players David Greene and the Stinchcomb brothers visited the Zone at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite to visit the kids and promote their events coming up that benefit both Children's and the Georgia Transplant Foundation.
The Stinchcomb brothers and I reminisced on former Parkview High School moments where many championships were won on Friday nights. It is amazing to witness how far they have come since those teenage days.
With a busy week at Children's, the Lord showed himself in so many ways. Obedience is something I have always struggled with. Each day, I try to work hard in everything I do. This mindset gets me in trouble sometimes because I forget to take the time to listen.
The Lord says, "Be still and know that I am God."
This week the Lord taught me to be a doer of the Word. 2 John 1:6 says it perfectly....
"And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it."
It is so easy to get caught up in our timing, our way. Taking a moment to listen to the Lord's commandment is pure obedience. We are surrounded with so many people pushing us in so many directions that is tough to drown out the noise.
This week the Lord has repeated to me his timing is everything. Jesus asks for complete obedience.
This is not just giving up a little to Him, but everything.
It really hit home this morning when I realized it is not necessary that I understand completely what God is doing, but our job is to completely do what God is asking us to do.
In the end, this is the perfect and pleasing will God has for our life.
I have found a place at Children's that I love. I enjoy getting up every day to go to work at a place that has given me the opportunity of a lifetime.
This past week was full of events for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. The week began at Phillips Arena for an Atlanta Dream game. Thousands of kids filled the arena as they were treated to a Dream win on Tuesday afternoon. Before the game, I was able to tour Phillips Arena and go behind the scenes on what it takes to make an event happen at the arena.
On Thursday, former UGA football players David Greene and the Stinchcomb brothers visited the Zone at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite to visit the kids and promote their events coming up that benefit both Children's and the Georgia Transplant Foundation.
The Stinchcomb brothers and I reminisced on former Parkview High School moments where many championships were won on Friday nights. It is amazing to witness how far they have come since those teenage days.
With a busy week at Children's, the Lord showed himself in so many ways. Obedience is something I have always struggled with. Each day, I try to work hard in everything I do. This mindset gets me in trouble sometimes because I forget to take the time to listen.
The Lord says, "Be still and know that I am God."
This week the Lord taught me to be a doer of the Word. 2 John 1:6 says it perfectly....
"And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it."
It is so easy to get caught up in our timing, our way. Taking a moment to listen to the Lord's commandment is pure obedience. We are surrounded with so many people pushing us in so many directions that is tough to drown out the noise.
This week the Lord has repeated to me his timing is everything. Jesus asks for complete obedience.
This is not just giving up a little to Him, but everything.
It really hit home this morning when I realized it is not necessary that I understand completely what God is doing, but our job is to completely do what God is asking us to do.
In the end, this is the perfect and pleasing will God has for our life.
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