July 19th, 2013

Hey everyone!

Hope you're having an amazing summer day! I know it's hot and humid and the air is filled with sunshine and water droplets (and there ain't nothing we can do about that!) but it could also be filled with singing and praise! And there IS something you can do about that! Praise!

And sing!

Why not just try to sing the song from that classic Charlie Brown cartoon? Remember?…

"Summertime is here!

Happiness and cheer!

Oh, that we could always see

This spirit thru the year…"

(Wait. That's not right…)

I know it's not always easy to praise God for everything "summer-ish".

"Ol' poison ivy and sunburn on children.

Sweltering temperatures, keeping the kids in…These aren't a few of my favorite things!"

And how 'bout those mosquitoes?

"What mosquitoes?"

Oh. You must be one of the ones they don't bite as much!

Folks have always suspected that mosquitoes like some people more than others. If you're covered with lumps and itchiness and your bff is an official mfz (mosquito-free zone), the Smithsonian Institute now says there's a reason! There's something' about you that you may not even know about that earns you "two thumbs up!" and one "needle-nose down" with those flapping pests!

"Sluuuuuuurp! Yuuuum!"

"What is it about me that they love so much?! I'll change it!"

Some you can. Some you can't.

If your blood type is O, you're two-times more mosquito-likable than your friends with type A. And 85% of folks secrete a chemical that gives away your blood type. Sorry, O's!

Mosquitoes can tell it's lunch time when Co2 is in the air. They can smell it from 164 feet away. If you breath more than other people do, you're more likely to be a blood donor!

They really love folks who have more bacteria on their skin. (I didn't see that one coming!) That's why they go for the invisible but over-crowded bacteria villages on your feet and ankles!

If you drink a 12 oz beer, you up your chances of having your blood sucked. Scientists don't know why. Unless it's that they like a cold one on a hot day, too. And your skin is easier to puncture than the can!

So, if you put hand sanitizer on your feet instead, hold your breath, and remember "This Bud's NOT for you!" your deliciousness-index may drop significantly in those tiny little annoying minds.

Sorry, O's! You're stuck! In more ways than one!

Maybe you never knew those are the reasons you're so attractive to mosquitoes. It's why they love you so much! They like things about you that you never imagined you had!

Ever wonder why God loves you so much? After all, Jesus said that if you wanted to know Him, it's because He wanted you first! There's a ton of deep, mysterious Scriptures that say that if you believe in Him, it's because He wanted you, chose you, picked you first!

I wonder why!

Is it because He saw things in me that attracted Him? Are there things about me that I may not even know about that made Him want me? Just like my blood type makes me delicious to mosquitoes even if I don't even know what my blood type is, do I have hidden qualities I'm unaware of, so that it just made sense that He would pick me instead of someone else?

Nah. I don 't think so.

I don't think there is anything about me that He needed. He doesn't want us or decide to make us His own because He was lonely! We have one God Who (I know this is incomprehensible to us…) is Three! Father, Son and Holy Spirit! Always in love and loving Each Other! Never lonely or needy! In fact, He is infinitely and totally powerful and mighty! He wasn't looking for our help…or a hand…or that unique contribution you or I could uniquely make to His cause that He couldn't get along without! He didn't pick us for that hidden skill or talent we didn't even know we had!

He doesn't need our help!

He doesn't need anything from us!

He doesn't need us all!

It's a load better that way! If God loved or wanted you because of something you had or could do that He wanted or needed, there's more pressure in that than you could ever bear!

He just loved you! 

He just loves you! 

He just wanted you! 

He didn't pick you like mosquitoes do…for your blood type, or breathing patterns, or bacteria count…

There's no reason you could put your finger on for why He loves, wanted, picked and chose you!

The only reason is His heart! Love is His blood type! 

In fact, unlike mosquitoes who like you because they want to suck your blood, Jesus loves you just because He does and He gave HIS blood for you! 

So, have a great summer day!