Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Day 399 ~ I Am Second Challenge Day 19 of 22

This is Day 19 of my challenge... {and} my nineteenth video... 


... Tamara Jolee... not only reaches her dreams of becoming a sports television reporter {for ABC and FOX news}, she receives her first award and has her entire life ahead of her.  Then the unthinkable happens... yet instead of freaking out, her faith in God sees her through it... for she knows that she is Second. 

Funny my day had a rough start today... even so, in the middle of possibly loosing it... I catch and stop myself and decide to view my I Am Second film clip.

I know I am not suppose to use God's name in vain... but OH MY G!!!  (funny, I still won't say it in that context)  

In the scheme of things, our not being able to make all our bills this month has nothing compared to what Tamara has on her plate.

Here is this woman who's doctor tells her "Tamara I don’t know how to tell you this, but you have cancer.  And not only do you have cancer, its advanced and you’ll probably only live 5-7 years, you’ll never be able to have kids most likely; and oh yea.. it’s incurable." ... what does she do?  What does she say?   ...  "What's next?"

Frankly, I have no right to complain about my situation... at least I know I am healthy and God willing still have a good chunk of life left in me.  Who am I to complain?  Who am I to feel sorry about my life?  No one! 

So ... after hearing Tamara's story I was beside myself.  While still processing what I had heard I turned up the volume on my TV to finish watching the news... you won't believe what I saw next.

Mondaywest of Lake Okeechobee, Florida, seventeen year old Kaleb Langdale lost his arm in a battle with a ten to eleven foot alligator.  I found a news clip; you can check it out here. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/10/alligator-bites-off-arm-17-florida_n_1661306.html 


The fact that Kaleb lost his arm was not what was amazing news to me...  First, Kaleb was very grateful it wasn't his left arm because he uses it to steer his air boat, which he loves... and secondly... he stated that if anyone comes to visit him and they start to cry... well, he wants them to leave.  


I don't know if it is Kaleb's faith that has given him strength to be so brave... after all, he was very positive.  


Hearing these two stories today, back to back... well it has given me tremendous added strength and gratitude for all my family and I have in our lives.  


I am so grateful for my life... the good... the bad... and the ugly... for it all has made me who I am today...  Which at the risk of sounding redundant... I am grateful... and I am blessed!


Because... I know He is First.... and I am Second. 

We are Second when we put Jesus First.  Seconds are bold to lift up Jesus and tell others.  Are you ready to become a stronger Second?


I challenge YOU to take the I Am Second [22] Day Challenge... Can you spare maybe fifteen minutes in a day?
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?  ~Matthew 6:26-27 (NIV)
I AM SECOND.

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace...


... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  


Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life .  © 2012  U.S Copyright Laws apply.

4 comments:

mail4rosey said...

What a positive post. I am glad I stopped by to read it. Encouragement comes in so many forms, doesn't it?

Anonymous said...

Oh Carla, if this wasn't such a testament to faith it would be SO sad. It is tragic but at the same time uplifting and even more so that you can see how it is and spin it to show all of us who, at times, may lose faith.

Wendy said...

So love reading what you are learning from this study friend! Thanks so much for sharing!

Unknown said...

Carla, this video gave me chills. I love that you're doing this challenge. I've scheduled a new series of blog posts in the near future that are for the purpose of reaching out to those new in their Christian walk, or those who are curious and considering a relationship with God. It's very scary for me to step out like this because I don't feel equipped to minister like that, but I've been where so many are right now and I know the questions they ask, because I've asked them. So, after viewing some of these videos I think I'm going to somehow incorporate them into this ongoing series. Do you mind? I really think they're powerful testimonies of faith. Anyway, thank you for the inspiration. It's so true that we take so much for granted in life. Even when things get tough, we are all very blessed.

Have a beautiful weekend, my friend!
~Rosann