Real Men

Okay so here's your scenario -- Josh and I are walking in the mall and the first advertisement we see is some guys enormous chest showing and he's wearing a zip up hoodie with no shirt underneath. We walk to the next store and start to look around....and I looked up. Hanging from the ceiling of that store were pictures of couples in make-out poses. I swear there was like 10 of them and then around them were little signs that said "holiday hookups". Not to mention the ridiculously cut men around all the other stores (I mean like oily, huge, and well defined bodies, showing as much as possible). We both wear trendy clothes and went to the typical stores around the mall, so it's not like we're freaks and visit the abnormal clothing stores or anything. Since Josh is going into the advertising business, I started paying more and more attention to each store we went in thinking, every job really can be a mission field. What I'm getting at is that this is what advertisers think we like, what they think will sell their clothing or whatever their product might be. That in itself is incredible sad. And we wonder why it's so hard to stay pure and to keep those thoughts out of your head. HELLO! It's everywhere you look! This world is all about pleasure and attraction over commitment and devotion. But think about it for a second. How may guys actually look like that? Is that the way God made them? We all know the struggles that society forces on women who don't look "perfect" to the world's standards. That's another blog in itself. Us women warriors are not the only ones though. Our men have unrealistic pressure put on them too. Guys, listen. Don't focus on your body too much...it's really not what matters at all. Who cares if you're ripped and you look like the hottest man alive if you are a jerk who doesn't know how to be a gentlemen and treat a woman like the lady she is. Who cares what you look like if you're empty inside? A woman doesn't want strong muscles to impress her as much as she wants gentle hands to caress her. Remember that. Don't listen to the media, the advertisements, or society -- be yourself. If yourself is a heath nut that likes to work out, cool man, do that. If yourself is the most unatheletic and clumsy person that spends their time reading or playing video games, be that guy!!! No man may ever read this but if you do happen to stumble upon it, there's one last thing I want to stress to you. I've never read a verse where Jesus talks about how strong he is or how he spent all his time at the gym. If you want to be a real man, you'll focus on what's really important, and that's becoming stronger in your walk with the Lord. Real men chase after an almighty God, and nothing else. That's more attractive than a boy with no brains that didn't put a shirt on under his jacket when it's cold outside. Cover up that chest and those arms and open up that bible.


P.S. Josh, you are an incredible man. I will never care what you look like on the outside, because I know who you are on the inside. I don't know if you'll read this, but that's how I feel. Don't ever change...but if you must - change for you, not for me. :)

Ryan Cody Clement

Cody, I miss you. More than I ever thought possible. There is pain, prayers, and tears. But there is also peace. I know you're with Jesus. I know you're with Clint. You're happier and luckier than any of us. The pain is gone, forever. You are walking with our Lord in peace, freedom, and completeness. 

John 14:1-2
"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father's house are many mansions;if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you."

Revelation 21:4
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."
  

These next few days, though us here on earth will miss you dearly, I hope that we will find times to celebrate your life. Cody, you were the prodigal son that returned. Through all the things you dealt with, you were always a kind soul and one of the nicest people I've ever met. Most of all Cody, know that you were loved, so dearly, by so many. I have confidence that you are in eternal glory with our Christ...and I can't wait to see you there when my life comes to an end.

I never thought you would be gone. Sometimes I don't understand God's will...sometimes I am angry at him. But I still trust Him. And I love you, and I know you wouldn't want that for any of us. So I will persevere and push through, knowing that you are beyond happiness forever and ever with Jesus. 

You were a beautiful person, and you will always be. One time, I was at your house hanging out with a bunch of people. I had just had a fight with my mom and I was pretty upset. Without even asking, pressing, or knowing you simply came up to me, hugged me, and told me I looked nice. I told you I didn't feel so nice. You laughed and told me...thats silly Jenny, you're the nicest person I know. 

As little as this may seem...it meant the world to me. Cody was just a kind guy. I will never forget him, and it was my pleasure to know him and be his friend for the few years that I was able to. Praise God that he is safe in the arms of our savior. 

Also, one last thing - Miss Amie (his mother) is the kindest, gentlest soul. She taught Cody to be the gentlemen that he was. She is so strong and so faithful and trusting in the Lord. She is incredible. But she needs loving and she needs prayer. As does Kyle. Please continue, if you are reading, to keep them in your prayers. 

I love you Cody. RIP.

Please, be you.

(I love you <3)

Guess what? I'm me, and you are you. Heather, hmm, she's heather. Jessica Alba...she's herself. Ryan Reynolds, yep you guessed it, he is himself as well. You don't seem surprised, in fact, you are slightly raising one eyebrow as you read this thinking, "What is she getting at?" Or maybe you get it exactly, and you know where I'm going with this. Either way, I hope you're enlightened. 

You see, God made us to be exactly who we are, and you wouldn't expect someone to be someone else. You wouldn't expect your daughter to be the other little girl down the street. We obviously expect people to be themselves, right? ...Or do we? How many times have you looked at someone and thought, "What is she thinking?", or "I can't believe he's embarrassing himself like that.", or maybe "I could give her my own two sense about that." We have plenty of advice to give other people. We want to tell them how they should be and who they should be like. We want to tell them how they should be living their life and all the ways they don't conform to our cookie cutter. We compare them to other people and the standards that other groups of people hold. But the thing about your cookie cutter, is that it was created by YOU. And unfortunately, my friend, we are wrong.

Can I tell you something, friend to friend? You're beautiful. Your ideas are unique and fantastic. You are worth much more than anything money could ever buy. You deserve to be treated with respect. You are good at certain things that I am quite terrible at. You are marvelous, special, and one-of-a-kind. I would never expect, ask, or want you to be anything except yourself. Sure, maybe you have some rough edges. Maybe you feel like you're at the end of your rope and you have nothing left to give. Maybe you are just unsure of who you are right now. That's okay. Because even if you haven't figured it all out, even if you don't have it altogether...one day you'll get it. You will always be you, and there is plenty of time to discover and learn more about yourself, because guess what...you're not going anywhere! Things happen for a purpose...you are you because you were supposed to be you. 

So STOP trying to be like anyone else. Stop trying to be the girl he likes, or the guy that is the toughest. Stop trying to be the perfect package. You already are. The greatest gift you could give the world and yourself would be to accept yourself the way you were hand crafted by the creator of the universe. He made you to be you. Not to be Cindy, Janet, Matthew, or Mr. Wonderful. Get it yet? The world creates these cookie cutters. Look like this, act like this, sleep with him, sleep with her, get your fill, spend money on this, lie about this, pretend to be good at this, you better be thinner, you better be cooler......ITS ALL CRAP. Excuse me if I startled you, but I'm tired of the lies. Just be you. There is NOT ONE SOUL that is the same as yours. Be unique, celebrate your identity! I want to get to know you, because I know there is no one else out there that is quite like YOU.

Accept your faults because they make you just as beautiful as the things in which you excel. Remember, you're just a beautiful mess. Be you. Not me.

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."