Love Unconditionally: Lessons Learned from Yoyo

   What do you call someone who loves you unconditionally? What do you call someone who loves you even when you are annoying? What do you call someone who sticks with you to the end? You may call them a friend, family member, etc. But, I called that my dog.

   Yoyo Yoda Scheuing was born on May 9^th, 2008. He did not meet me until he was around a year and 1 1/2 old. We got him from a place where he was in a bin with his brother and 2 Jack Russel Terriers. He was pretty much the low dog on the totem pole. When I saw him I thought he was so beautiful, but when I picked him up he would shake. He was scared and I could tell that he had been burned before. We took him home and it took a while for him to trust us. But, when he did finally trust us you could tell. He would even do things like lean back at the top of the steps and trust us to catch him.

   Through the years I learned many lessons from Yoyo. I learned that it is important to show self-control no matter what. Like most dogs, Yoyo liked people food. He had a tendency to try to grab our food and, if he got it, he would scarf the whole thing down while hardly taking a breath. In turn, he would end up throwing up after that. Thus, why we need to control ourselves.

   I learned to be excited about the little things. Every time I would come home he would bang on the cage to be let out, or be at the door, then he would jump on me and give me kisses. He would do that every time. It may seem like routine to walk in the door each day. But, you never know how much time you will have with someone. Yoyo made each minute with me count, even if those minutes were sleeping minutes.

Yoyo Yoda Scheuing
May 9, 2008-March 4, 2019

   I learned how to show love unconditionally even when someone annoys you. Yoyo and my sister had a love/hate relationship. She loved him so much because she loves dogs. She would pet him, feed him, and give him treats. In return, he would growl, snap, and even try to bite her sometimes. As their relationship grew he would almost bite her and then lick her right after that. He did love her, as he loved all of us. It didn’t matter if we had just yelled at him because he ate trash or if we had just put him in the cage. He loved us no matter what we did. That’s why I can see that God is Dog spelled backwards.

   I’ve never had a friend like Yoyo. He was always there for me, even when I didn’t want him to be there. Now, he is gone. Yoyo died early in the morning on March 4, 2019. My sister and I were there to say goodbye. Our house will not be the same without that little Pomeranian sheltie chomping around, cleaning up messes, acting like a cat, barking at random noises, and sometimes accepting cuddles. I miss him terribly but I am so thankful for the times God gave me with him. I love you little Doody head and I miss your snapping already. <3

   So, do you take the time you have with others for granted? Will you spend each moment with those you love like it’s your last? Will you love others unconditionally?

   1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, Psalm 23:4

You Are Gifted

   "Every child is gifted they just unwrap their packages at different times" (unknown).

   That is the quote I have on my resume. I am a teacher. It is my job to foster children's love of learning. But, it's not always easy. I connect with some students better than others for one reason or another. Some students like my teaching style while others like different styles. Some students are just not emotionally or cognitively ready to learn. They may not have the desire to learn, or the desire got crushed by a person or an event. I love all of my students but some are just not going to learn what I want them to.
   Do you have any idea how frustrating it is when you see such potential in someone, and yet that person does not reach his or her potential for one reason or another? You may, if you have kids or work with someone you see potential in. If you do see potential, and you do the right thing, you probably will try to push that person to get better. You may try to figure out what that person likes to do and cater projects toward that. You may find out what motivates that person and use that. Or, you may just mentor that person and walk with them. Sometimes this works and the person reaches his/her potential. Other times it doesn't work. If you are like me, then you know how much this disappoints you. You may even feel like a failure.
   Do you know who else works hard to get people to their full potential? God. He sees what we can become. He wants to help us grow in him. But, he knows we can be stubborn, annoying, and lazy. Yet, he still works with us. He loves us and knows we are gifted. He also knows that we will not reach our full spiritual potential until we are with him. He still works hard to help us grow in him on earth. He sends us teachers, mentors, and situations to help us grow. Then, when we reach one milestone, he celebrates. But he doesn't stop there, he helps us reach the next milestone. He sees the gifts that we have that he gave us. He knows we can use those gifts for good. We should want to grow and help others grow in their gifts.
   So, do you believe you are gifted? Have you tried to use your gifts for God, or help others grow in their gifts? Do you believe that God loves you and wants to see you grow in him?

   Romans 12:6-8 and 1 Peter 10-11
   Image from here. 

Best Day of My Life

   A few years ago there was a song that came out called Best Day of My Life by American Authors. It wasn't until the movie Mom's Night Out that suddenly my Mom was obsessed with this song. We are talking when it would come on the radio she would turn up the volume, which she never does that usually, and sing and dance. I found it quite interesting that no matter how bad her day was so far she would sing. The song automatically brightened her day. I also found it interesting that the song plays at the end of the movie Mom's Night Out when a bunch of bad things just happened before that. But, that's part of the message I guess.
   Anyhow, this song got me thinking about the best day of my life. I couldn't think of one day. I could think of the best time of my life though: college. In college I had good friends, a safe place to learn, a place to grow in God, I got to play soccer, and so much more.
   Then, after thinking this, I suddenly felt convicted. I remembered that each day is a gift from God. It doesn't matter if I just relax that day, or if I am teaching that day. The day is a gift. I don't have to wake up in the morning. If my time was over on the earth I could've died in my sleep. But, each day, I wake up for a reason. I should want to make each day the best day of my life.
   How can I make each day the best day of my life? I can do what God calls me to do that day. I can spend time with him to try to grow in him. I can try to help others, who cross my path, grow in God. I can let my light shine for him in all I do. I can thank God for the good and the bad that happened that day because I know it happened for a reason.
   Maybe that's why the song Best Day of My Life plays at the end of Mom's Night Out: because it was a good day no matter what happened, since God gave it to them as a gift.
   So, are you busy living in the past thinking about other really good days? Will you choose to thank God for the gift of this day you received from him? What can you do to make this day the best day of your life?
   Proverbs 27:1, Ephesians 5:15-17

   Image from here. 

More than Conquerors

   I like challenges. Actually, let me rephrase that, I like challenges I can beat. When I come upon a challenge, I make sure I can beat it; or, if I can't, I work hard to beat it eventually. I am very athletic and competitive. I like to play sports and win. I also like to beat challenges at work (wherever I am working). But, like many of you I'm sure, I don't like failing challenges.

   I play video games, not gory video games. I like to win and beat the game, but it's not always easy. Just like all my other challenges, I have to work to beat it. But, the problem is I don't always have the skill to beat them.
   Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever felt like you don't have the skill to beat challenges you are given? Maybe you have a long to do list that you feel like you will never get done. Maybe you know someone doesn't like you and you keep trying to get that person to like you but it's not working. Or, maybe you have a sin that you keep going back to that you cannot defeat.

   Have you ever given up on a challenge you couldn't defeat? I'm sure that we all have. Have you ever given up trying to stop sinning? I hope you have not. I know many of us have sins that we feel get the better of us. We may even feel like Satan is on our back making us go back to that sin. He's not, but the temptation may make it seem that way. How can we defeat someone who is so strong?
   We cannot defeat Satan. But, there is someone who already defeated him: Jesus. Jesus defeated Satan. In fact, it wasn't even a challenge for Jesus. He crushed Satan under his foot like Satan was an ant. Therefore, if we have Jesus in us, we are more than conquerors (Rom.8.31-39).
   It is like Jesus gives us a power up that makes us invincible. We may die on earth but we have eternal life because Jesus paid it all. He took away all of our sins. That doesn't mean he took away all of our challenges. We still face challenges; but, during those challenges, we can have peace because we know the war is already won.
   So, when you face hard challenges what will you do? Will you choose to trust in Jesus? Do you believe that you are more than a conqueror through Jesus?

   Roman's 8:31-39, James 2:1-4, 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

   Image from here. 

Who Is My Valentine?

I have a secret Valentine,
Because of Him I can let my light shine.
He cares so much for me,
Which should make me want to squeal with glee.
But I have betrayed my love,
Because instead of holding on I decided to shove.
I chose not to follow him, in my young age,
But I did not realize I was making my own cage, that should have filled Him with rage.
Instead of turning His back,
He chose to carry my betrayal like a sack.
He showed me the greatest love,
By coming down like a dove.
He chose to die for me,
So I could be set free!
No longer am I a slave,
Because he saved me from the grave!
He did it because he loves me,
And when I discovered this I got down on my knees.
I realized that there is no greater form of love
Than what my secret valentine did when push come to shove.
He did not only for me but for all of you,
He died for you so you could be with him too.
The only question there is left for you,
Is: will you choose to follow my secret valentine too?

   Do you realize that Jesus showed the greatest form of love? Did you know you can choose to have him as your Valentine? But when you choose to have him as your Valentine you cannot keep it a secret. I just shared my secret with you on my blog, but I have shared it in public too. We cannot keep this news a secret. We must shout it from the rooftops that Jesus Christ is Lord! We must tell others that He died for them because he loves them! Will you spread the news of your secret Valentine?
   1 John 4:16-18, Matthew 28:16-20, John 4:9-12
   Image from here.

Perfect Timing

   Have you ever had a time where you were feeling really down? It just seems like you cannot win and people don't care. I have had a few days like that. One time in particular stands out.
   I had just gone through coaching pre-season for soccer (which means 2-3 practices a day that are 1-2 hours long for 2 weeks every day except for weekends). I had also begun a new job. I was worn out from working a lot both in soccer and at my job. I was also overthinking things that happened at soccer and work.
   My family decided to go to Infinito’s to celebrate my sister and I surviving pre-season. While we were hungry, my sister and I didn't eat much. We both kind of wanted to sleep because we had been out in the heat for 2 hours. We finished our pizza and then walked to Dollar Tree, which is the best store in the world if you are a teacher. I got some items so I could survive the next week, can you say coffee?
   Then I walked across the street to go back to our car. My sister was behind me a bit further because she was holding the door for someone. As I was walking across the street like a zombie, a car passed behind me and I heard some people yell, "Shoe!" (That's what they called me, long story) I turned around and saw 5 of my old teammates from LBC.  I got so excited and yelled "hi." Then one of my friends saw my sister and said, "hey little Shoe."  My sister was happy to be recognized and I was happy to see my friends. We didn't talk at all really but my spirits were raised because I was reminded of good times with friends, and that I'm still not alone.
   Now, if I hadn't gone to Infinito’s, gone to Dollar Tree, or walked out at that exact time I wouldn't have seen my friends. God's timing was perfect; and he knew I needed a pick me up, even if it was a little one. God knows what we need and when we need it. He works through coincidences to help remind us that he is with us and in control. I could go into many more coincidences that happened that brightened my day but I will not because you get the idea.
   So, do you believe that God's timing is perfect? Do you know that God works through coincidences? Will you trust in his plan?

   Isaiah 40:31 and Proverbs 3:5-6

   Image from here.

Background

   If you were to ask my siblings and myself what we like to do in our free time you would probably only get a few answers that we all agree on. We like to play sports (mostly soccer), watching certain movies (If we can agree on the movie), and playing video games (If we can agree on the video game). One things we enjoy doing is playing the video game Just Dance. It's good exercise and helps us learn cooler dance moves.
   One day we were playing Just Dance and I was up. I was in the middle of my song when my sister said, "look at that background." I said, "what?" At the same time I almost lost my rhythm because I wanted to look at the background. It was a pretty cool background. Then it was my brother's turn. My sister once again said, "look at that background it's so cool." That's when my brother and I began to say, during every song, "Hey Kristen, look at that background it's so cool." For those of you who haven't seen Just Dance backgrounds they move and change, that's what makes them interesting.
   Anyhow, it became a joke to say that every time a song came on. I would have to say that many people enjoy backgrounds. We all like different styles of art, but we all like to have something that makes our stuff ours. That's God's creativity in us.
   We like artistic backgrounds, but what about people's backgrounds? Every person has a background and a story. We all have different likes and experiences that make us who we are. It seems like many times we tend to not want to know other people's background. We like surface level relationships. I think it's because we don't want to get hurt. We don't want to go deep with others because we are selfish. That's not what God calls us to do.
   When I look at my students, the girls I coach, friends, or family I try to see them how God sees them. It's not always easy especially when that student is hitting me or misbehaving, but I try. When I first met my friends, students, and players I only knew what they looked like. In the picture of their background I may have only seen one color. If I never tried to get to know what they like (favorite color, food, etc.) then I never would've seen more colors in their background. Then, if I try to go deeper and get to know their story, I will see more colors and maybe even pictures in their background.
   Obviously this is a bit of an allusion, but you get my point. God made each of us. We are a work of art to him. He gave us our experiences, likes, dislikes, and background. He doesn't just see us in black and white and leave us. He keeps adding to our background because he loves us. He wants our story to be part of his story, of his background.
   Each of our stories are connected if we are part of the body of Christ. Imagine all the colorful backgrounds of those in the body of Christ together. What a picture that would make!
That's why God made us unique. He knows we will all have our own journeys. He knows we won't all reach every person but we can reach some. I can get to know, love, and mentor those around me. That way their background will grow and my background will grow as well.
   So, do you only have surface relationships with others? Are you trying to get to know others to help them grow? Will you choose to grow in God so your background is strong in him?

   Romans 12:10 and 1 Thessalonians 5:11

   Image from here.