An early gift

I woke up this morning doing my usual routine of waking up and taking a shower, and today I was getting ready for church. After finishing my shower, I got dressed, and then as I was about to put my socks on, my mom randomly walks downstairs and says "Canaan, would you like to open one of your birthday gifts early?" and being weirded out by the question, even though I didn't mind it at all, I said "Sure!" So my mom went upstairs to her room to get the gift, and at the time I was tying my converses thinking "I wonder why she asked me that randomly.. oh well!" I tied my shoes, and I looked up and she had a bag. inside this bag was something soo significant to me: a Bible. I was in awe and in shock, because I had never been given a gift like this for my birthday before. I opened the cool plaid case that she got for it too, and there was a box of the Bible inside. I opened the box, and there behold, lay a black leather Bible. I was so excited! Then, I turn the back of the Bible to the front, and at the bottom right corner, there it was, written in silver "Canaan." 

Tears started to fill up inside me, and the reason why is because ever since I was younger, I always wanted a Bible with my name on it, something significant, like it belonged to me, and was for me.. I didn't show any tears on the outside because I didn't want my mom to see me emotional, because she would cry too (which she ended up doing anyway haha.) I loved this gift so much, I mean, I felt as if this was a bigger step for me. Like a child maturing into an adult and getting more privileges, I felt like I have matured in Christ, and have gotten this privilege of getting a Bible for me. 

So I opened the Bible, and on the inside, it had some words from my mom, and a Bible verse from Ephesians 3:14-15, and my mom read it to me, and you could hear her crying voice start to come in, and I felt overwhelmed!  I just want to say thank you mom for giving me this awesome gift, and I will use it forever more!

Love to not love?

"They do not love that do not show their love." - William Shakespeare 


I read this quote, and I thought to myself, this is kind of true! I mean, if I don't show God's love towards others, then do I really love at all? I was given a devotional at teen camp and a couple days ago, and one thing stuck out to me. The passage was from Matthew 25: 35-45. The passage talked about the disciples talking with Jesus, and He said to the disciples in verse 40: "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." That really got out to me because I never thought of it that way ever! Whatever things I have done to people, it is like doing it to Jesus! So of course if you don't show people love, then you can't really show Jesus love either. I always love helping people out if they have any problems, but now I will be even more excited to help out because it's like I'm helping Jesus! :D

Love?

 I think that love is such a non-word nowadays. I hear people say "I love you" and also an "I love you too." I think that first of all, there are different kinds of love. First, a friend kind of love. When I hear a friend say "I love you" to me, it makes my day soo much better. The reason why is because I feel that they care for me, and they appreciate me. It also makes you feel so much better! Now, when you yourself hear those words, do you feel the same way? 


Now, for the second type of love. When a person who is in a relationship with the other, they really shouldn't be saying the "L" word until they truly know that they are truly in love. How do you know if you are truly in love, you might ask? You might need to look for the definition first. This kind of love I am talking about is a more passionate feel than what friends would have. A love that makes you feel even greater than when a friend would say it to you! You would also know if it was true love, not just a feeling inside. The only way that I have ever felt that way though, is with Jesus Christ. I know that His love for me is not changing, and He will always be with me when the going gets tough. Sure, I might have some friends that might be there for me. They will sacrifice everything, but I think that Jesus has got them beat by a long run. Jesus loved me so much that He gave His life, His flesh and blood, so that I will be a living testimony of His love, and share it throughout the world, and further His kingdom. Now doesn't that seem like a love that is meaningful and true? I think so!