Forgetting What's Behind

"Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future."

                            -Oscar Wilde

This quote should probably be in a book of the most true statements ever spoken. No one is perfect. We've all done things we know we shouldn't have. We've all come from a place where we weren't the best. I know I'm speaking from experience. But that's the wonderful thing about grace. Jesus forgives everything we've ever done, even if it was in direct opposition to what He asked of us. He forgives and forgets. We are the ones who torture ourselves with remembering what we used to do. BUT. The past is not who you are. It is who you were. You've grown since then. You've become a stronger, wiser person. I look back to who I was 2 years ago, even last year, and I know I'm not the same person. God is not looking back at who you were and shaking His head in disappointment, saying "Well, you did this, but let's try to do better this time." No. God looks at us with unfailing love, gently helping us become the best possible version of us, the person He sees every time He looks at us. And that is incredible. So when your past comes a-knocking, you just remember who you are now. You don't have to feel guilty because God already forgave you for it. It doesn't have to hang over your head, darkening every day. Step into the light of the beautiful, beautiful love and forgiveness God has for YOU.  Galatians 5:13 says 'You, my brothers, were called to be free..." Your past does not hold you back. It does not define who you are. And one of my favorite verses right now, Philippians 3:13 and 14, says "...But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Our past cannot be changed. But it is not who you are.

God's Green Earth

There are some animals that I'm just not a big fan of. I know God made them and all, but they're not my top pick. Chimpanzees are definitely on that list of animals I am indifferent about. However, the little boy was babysitting yesterday really wanted to see this movie, so we packed up and drove to a movie theater. (I was hoping he'd want to watch The Avengers, but no dice.)


First of all, this movie was like the monkey version of Bambi. I don't know how many of you like watching the movie Bambi. But if you do, definitely see this movie. Luckily, Oscar, the little monkey in the picture there, was adopted by the alpha male of the group (clan? pack? gaggle?) and all ends well. So there's that. This poor little monkey is first rejected by all the females after his mother doesn't return from an attack another clan of chimpanzees initiated. He just doesn't know what to do with himself, and then, finally, as a last resort, he starts following Freddy, the leader. They hit it off. Order is restored.


Besides the many shots of the precious monkeys showing the cameras the chewed up food in their mouths, the fact that monkeys can be cannibals surely can contribute to my indifference about their species. They catch smaller monkeys and eat them! Not on a regular basis, but it does happen. Not a big fan.


God made chimpanzees for a definite purpose, and they can do some pretty amazing stuff. I've just got to say that I'm definitely not going to be working in the jungle with some wild monkeys any time soon.


And I know that people say that we evolved from monkeys or that monkeys are almost like humans. They may almost be. But they're not. And we assign human characteristics to animals to understand them better, I think. Just something to think about.


I'll just stick with liking dogs. Dogs are nice.

Everyone should try something new!

via flickr

I've been thinking about creating a blog for a while. It just didn't happen until now. So here I go! Trying something new. This year has been full of new things, anyway; I'm certainly not going to break the momentum!


I'm totally new at this, so expect a few mistakes! But it'll be a fun learning process.


First of all, you must be wondering, what's with the name? When my sister was little, she couldn't pronounce my name in its complicated entirety. So she settled for "Maowie." Which sounds like Maui (that island that makes up part of Hawaii). Thus. My blog's name is all thanks to my little sister. 


Second of all, what will this blog be like? Well, it'll be different depending on what I'm thinking about. It could be funny (hopefully) or serious or downright cheesy. You'll just have to see! I don't have a specific plan. 


I want you guys to enjoy this as much as I do, and if you're reading this, thank you! I hope you come back often!


Love, Me