Learning to give.

The tagline of this blog is "Life in response to unmerited love". Isn't that swell?

Here's the thing. I love receiving this awesome, pursuing and passionate love. The love I know I don't deserve and could do nothing to earn. I like that love.

But how often do I give it? I mean. how often do I seek out those who can't repay me in ANY way. Not in money, praise or recognition.

There's a single woman we know who not only has some serious medical problems resulting from a car accident. Because of these injuries, she's on SO many medications that she's very mentally unstable.

Needless to say, I don't always enjoy loving her. At all. I'm ashamed to say I've ignored her calls, and begrudged going over to her house to do things that I consider simple.

Today, I was mowing her yard.

First of all, not to be cocky or anything, but I'm pretty filthy( sorry, athletic term) at mowing. I mean, there are few people in Northeast Ohio who can mow a yard with more authori-TAY and swag than I. I'm that good.

Anyway, while I was mowing I got to thinking that really, I'm not mowing the yard for this woman.

I'm mowing for the One who loves me when I don't deserve it. 

And that is fantastic. I loved it. 

I'm not going to get praised for mowing, or recognized. This woman won't remember tomorrow that I was there today, and will most likely not trust me the next day. But that's ok. In fact, it's spectacular. 

Let us be on the lookout for ways to love those who don't deserve it, those who can't repay us. Let be givers of 'unmerited love'

Linking up here and here and here.

There's a New Berkey in the house!

Yes, there is a new addition to the Berkey Clan. His name is Kevin.

 

Kevin Malone Berkey.

He was dropped off at our friend's home and they couldn't keep him. Kevin was being tormented by their SIX dogs and wouldn't eat anything. He looks much heavier here than he is - sooo skinny. 

The funny thing is that neither Nate nor I like cats. But we love Kevin =)

He's such a stud:a suave, charming, stud. Hence, Kevin Malone. In case you've missed it, here's his namesake - 

 

P.S. We have no idea what we're doing. I have a feeling this will be fun though.

Some People Move Our Souls To Dance

Source

I want to be this person. I hope and strive to be that type of person to those around me. Often, yes, I'm annoying =)

And yet, sadly, I have seen Christians that do not move souls to dance, but instead heap judgment on others, weighing them down with their legalism and condemnation. 'Christians' who think that their self-disciplined lifestyle grants them the privilege of being distant and cold to those whom do them deem unworthy.

WHY?? Why can't we just enter into peoples' lives and hear them? Why can't we show people warmth instead of the chill of a performance-based lifestyle? Why can't we extend the grace that we NEVER deserved in the first place? Why can't we love, I mean really love, beyond the superficial?

People?!? Have we forgotten? Jesus Christ was the most winsome person this world has ever seen. He attracted prostitutes, cheaters, thieves, alcoholics, murderers, and even those squirmy children (He blows that 'most interesting man in the world' of the Dos Equis commercials away).

He loved without restriction, gave without reservation.

He has made my soul dance when I didn't know how, and changed my life beyond what I could have ever imagined.

I want to reflect him.

I want to be this person.

The Office Rocks My Socks Off

There is something that I must reveal right now. I am obsessed with The Office. It's unhealthy. 

In my bucket list you can see that I set a goal to watch all 7 Seasons of my favorite show. Well, it wasn't easy - BUT WE MADE IT. It was so awesome that this was something Nate and I could do together.

Here are some of our favorite clips. Now, there are several - 7 to be exact - but most of them are 30 seconds or under.

If you are Office fans, what are some of your favorite clips??

AAANNNDDDD my alltime favorite moment on The Office - -

eBay Says I Suck As A Person

I found this note on Ebay as I was shopping the other day (p.s. I have my eyes open for some messenger bag inspiration to carry my laptop and books on campus. Hit me up with any ideas)



I'm sorry Mr. Ebay, but if people are basically good, then I. SUCK. Oh yes, I may make a case to you for how 'good' I can be, but here's the thing - I know myself. I know how judgmental my thoughts can be. I know how critical I am of my husband. I know how there is someone I struggle not to hate, loathe, despise, wish horrible things upon. I know how extremely selfish I can be. I know how I have cheated to get ahead. I know how my pride tells me I'm better than you.

No, I am not good. In fact, there is little good about me in my nature.

BUT - - I'm super pumped that God, before the beginning of time, wanted me to be HIS. In order to bridge the gap between my selfish nature and his unfathomable perfection, He sent His one and only son, who shared his perfection, and put all of my crap, my junk listed above on him. NONE of which he deserved. Not a single thing. And that son took the crap of the entire world, and endured not only one of the most painful physical experiences the human mind can fathom, but also separation from his loving father.

And all of this so that myself and the rest of the world can experience a relationship for eternity with God the father and Jesus Christ.

Gosh I could talk about this forever. He is so good.

Summary - No, I'm not good, I'm not worthy, but I'm redeemed.

Just Make A Choice...

Standing in the bathroom, and the tears begin flow unabated down my face...

Source: tumblr.com via Dani on Pinterest

 Thoughts flood my mind,

"God, WHY? I don't understand. I want to trust you, but this is too hard." 

Then, following right behind these thoughts, with no time allowed to recover, come the emotions: the hurt, disappointment, and fear all suffocating any shred of reason  left in the corners of my mind.

And then, by what some would call coincidence (but what I know to be the extravagant grace of God) comes a song on the computer. 

How deep the Father's love for us - How vast beyond all measure - That He should give His only Son - And make a wretch His treasure - How great the pain of searing loss - The Father turns His face away - As wounds which mar the Chosen One - Bring many sons to glory  

Behold the man upon the cross - My sin upon His shoulders - Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice - Call out among the scoffers - It was my sin that held Him there - Until it was accomplished - His dying breath has brought me life - I know that it is finished 

I will not boast in anything - No gifts, no power, no wisdom - But I will boast in Jesus Christ - His death and resurrection - Why should I gain from His reward? - I cannot give an answer - But this I know with all my heart - His wounds have paid my ransom 

 - - Listen here - - 

I feel God enter into the chaos and confusion of my mind and gently tell me "Megan -daughter- you can choose this chaos in your mind, choose these emotions that are causing you pain, or you can choose to believe that I love you, that my thoughts are greater than your thoughts and even though you can't comprehend what I'm doing, I. GOT. THIS."

I just needed to make the choice.  PTL (Praise the Lord) people, God is awesome.

The Fair Ya'll

I love fairs. Plus I've been craving a funnel cake for about, um, 2 years. So add in some long lost college friends and you have pretty much as close to bliss as you can get in Ohio.

Here are some pictures from our adventure:

Pretty Ladies

Right as I was getting ready to take the picture
I hear, "Squirrel!" and this is what ensued - NOT. EVEN. KIDDING.

Is it creepy that I don't know these people? Ok, yes. But this kid was
soooo stinkin' cute.

I'm kind of in love with this picture.

And still haven't yet learned how to work the manual settings at night. Still
working out those kinks.

P.S. Am I the only one who's supremely impressed with a husband that can stroll around with 4 ladies without complaining? Stud.