Love Like Reagen

One year ago today, a friend of mine from college lost her 10 year old daughter to malignant hyperthermia. Her name was Reagen. I never got to meet Reagen even though for a good portion of her life our families only lived about an hour apart. Her mom and I kept in touch and would talk about getting together, but life kept moving at light speed. Much of that time I was juggling therapies and school and doctor appointments for Jackson and trying to achieve as much of a routine as I could. Wrapped up in my own struggles, I just didn't ever think I would run out of time.

The night I learned of Reagen's death, I remember crumbling into tears. Jacob was next to me and didn't understand. It was so hard to look at him and explain as I thought about what it would be like to lose him.

Reagen had a very generous heart, she loved Jesus and dessert. Her parents say, when they were out to eat, she would often spend her own money to buy everyone dessert. They asked for those who would like to remember Reagen, to go out today on the anniversary of her death, buy someone a dessert, share Jesus and the love and generosity that Reagen loved to share.

We didn't go out to eat today, but after I dropped my oldest son off at baseball practice, I asked my younger two where they would like to have dessert. They both said Brain Freeze (a local frozen yogurt place). I wasn't sure it was the best idea for what I wanted to do, but I had already asked and couldn't back out now. There was no one there when we arrived, and no one came in while we were there. This would likely have to do with the super cold temps and the fact that it's December. The boy working the register, whose name was Cameron, said we were the 3rd customers all day. I was a little disappointed, but then as I was gathering Jackson and his sister to go, I decided maybe Cameron should be the one to love like Reagen. So, I shared Reagen's story, her parents' request and how much Jesus loved him. Then, I gave him a little gas money. By this point, I was crying, and I could see his eyes watering, too. We talked for a little bit, hugged and said goodbye. I didn't get to share a dessert, but I did get to share Reagen's story and Jesus' love.

Reagen's parents wanted to hear all the stories from those participating, and I wanted to share. Tonight, my heart is heavy for her sweet family and for all who knew her. As I pray for all of them tonight, I will look forward to meeting this precious girl who has touched the lives of so many people, many she never met. Because in Jesus, death is never the end. It's only the beginning.

My 30 Day Challenges for Spiritual Fitness

I mentioned in a previous post that if the 'fitness' of my spirit were to determine how I looked in heaven, that I'm afraid I would be pretty scrawny looking, a little like Olive Oil from PopEye (yes, I'm old enough to have watched that show, in reruns anyway). There are many, many 30 day challenges out there, most for your body, for every part of your body, from your ankle strength all the way up to your back and arms. There are even 30 day challenges for mental or creative improvement. While I don't think 30 days is enough time to really change your body or your life, for that matter, I do believe it is enough time to foster a habit that WILL change your life.

I've posted before about my habit in college (born out of a challenge from an evangelist), how I would read the Bible through every 3-6 months, and I think I've also posted about the time I spent praying or actually just talking to God when I was a child, hours of blissful companionship. I remember being much stronger in my faith during those times, and I believe it had much to do with the open communication, prayers going out, God's Word going in. If I told you the amount of time devoted to these two things in my life right now, you would fully understand why I think I would look so scrawny in heaven. I've shifted to an overwhelmed fussy 'Martha', and I need to be more like 'Mary'. I NEED to challenge myself again, and I thought I would share that challenge with you, too.

So, I put together two challenges for two spiritual disciplines, prayer and Bible reading. The prayer challenge is the tougher of the two, I think. It starts with 5 minutes the first day, but it builds adding 5 minutes each day until it totals 2.5 hours on day 30. Now, I am a wife and mother of 3 in 3 different schools. I run, attend church, and it's December. I don't get too many 2.5 hour blocks of time all to myself. While I would prefer going to my closet, kneeling and being able to focus my heart (something I truly recommend for at least the first 5 to 10 minutes of the challenge), there is no way I'll be able to do that for the entire duration by day 30. However, I do spend 5 hours in my car on Tuesdays and Fridays, much of it sitting in a car rider line. I do have time during the day as I wash dishes or fold laundry, time when I'm busy with my hands, but my mind and heart are free to pray. I can find those 2.5 hours out of the 24 God blesses me with each day, and I am committing myself to this challenge.

The Bible reading challenge is tough, as it will get you through the entire New Testament by day 31. I know it's not exactly 30 days. I did it for the month of December since that's the month we're in, and I thought that would be a cool way to start the new year. It looks daunting, but I timed myself reading the first day's challenge. 15 minutes. Now, some of the passages are longer on some days, and you may read slower or faster than me, but for the sake of this challenge, let's just say that we'll devote 30 minutes to reading scripture each day. 30 minutes. That could mean giving up your favorite sit com or some time on Facebook. It's worth it, trust me.

They're both pretty daunting lists, but like I've read on Pinterest over and over, "if it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you."

One more thing about the challenges. I will be doing both at the same time. God, help me! But, you can choose between the two. If you only take one, I would encourage you to take the prayer challenge and at least read a Proverb a day on top of your other reading plan. Taking the Bible reading challenge without devoting time to open your heart and mind to God, at least for me, seems to turn the reading into a chore, something we do just to check it off the list. Maybe if you take only the reading challenge, at least devote the same amount of time (30 minutes) to prayer beginning with a request for God to speak to you, and ending with praise and silence. Of course, I'm no spiritual expert, and I have no degree in theology or philosophy. I'm just a mom with a scrawny spirit who would like to improve her spiritual fitness, and I thought I would challenge others as I challenge myself.

31 Day Bible Reading Challenge

30 Day Prayer Challenge

If you would like me to pray for you and the challenge(s) you have chosen to do, leave a comment, and I will add you to my prayer challenge.

May God richly bless you as you seek to know Him better.