Wednesday, June 30, 2004
Two are better than one
Do two walk together unless they agree to do so? Amos 3:3
I have trouble sticking to things. I need an accountability partner. I have one. A very good friend named Terri. She encouraged me to start this “blog” thing; though I have yet to see hers…. She meets me at the gym three times a week at 5:30 a.m. or I would sleep later. She keeps me encouraged when I try another project at church that bombs or is misunderstood. We try together to keep our Women’s Ministry going. This brings to mind Eccl 4:9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work.
I am truly thankful to have such a friend.
This is all a little strange coming from me. See I have trust issues. I didn’t even put my full name on this blog. I rarely trust people. I am guilty of having several friends who know just a little about me but none who truly know me. I think a lack of trust is common but I have always felt like I had a huge dose of it, because I have so few really close friends. I don’t know why we are not trustworthy. Oh yes, I have been guilty myself. I KNOW something; I just can’t wait to tell someone. WHY? I guess it just makes us feel important to KNOW something, especially to know it first. I pray that God will help me to love people as He does. To think how they would feel standing next to me while I was telling something about them. It is so easy to talk without considering the feelings of the topic of your conversation. I pray God will bring this person and their feelings to mind when I start to say something I shouldn’t
I have trouble sticking to things. I need an accountability partner. I have one. A very good friend named Terri. She encouraged me to start this “blog” thing; though I have yet to see hers…. She meets me at the gym three times a week at 5:30 a.m. or I would sleep later. She keeps me encouraged when I try another project at church that bombs or is misunderstood. We try together to keep our Women’s Ministry going. This brings to mind Eccl 4:9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work.
I am truly thankful to have such a friend.
This is all a little strange coming from me. See I have trust issues. I didn’t even put my full name on this blog. I rarely trust people. I am guilty of having several friends who know just a little about me but none who truly know me. I think a lack of trust is common but I have always felt like I had a huge dose of it, because I have so few really close friends. I don’t know why we are not trustworthy. Oh yes, I have been guilty myself. I KNOW something; I just can’t wait to tell someone. WHY? I guess it just makes us feel important to KNOW something, especially to know it first. I pray that God will help me to love people as He does. To think how they would feel standing next to me while I was telling something about them. It is so easy to talk without considering the feelings of the topic of your conversation. I pray God will bring this person and their feelings to mind when I start to say something I shouldn’t
Tuesday, June 29, 2004
Tennis Anyone
I have become an avid tennis fan; not just playing (which I am not very good at) but watching (I do that VERY well). This morning when watching the women's quarter finals (when I should have been on the way to work) I realized that tennis is very much like life, especially the Christian life. Sometimes you hit winners, sometimes you just keep it between the lines, sometimes mis-hits become winners and sometimes you just totally muff it. I especially was struck with how you can totally mis-hit the ball and it becomes a winner. So many times in my life I have messed us royally, but the result of the "mis-hit" became something so good in my life. It don't always work out like that, but Praise God sometimes it does. My other thought is that one day the opponent that defeats you, is easy to overcome on another day. God gives us the strength to overcome all that oppose us. Sure we will have days when we can't win a particular match, but the victory is ours in Him.
Monday, June 28, 2004
Maiden Voyage
I have wanted to write since I was a teenager. I have tried to journal unsuccesfully for the past several years. I don't know why I think I will do this with any more success, but I have become a "blog-ahololic". I love to read what all of you fellow bloggers post. Perhaps I can find as much pleasure in sharing the thoughts that pop into my head.
I attended the wake of a first cousin of mine this weekend. I was struck by the fact that I didn't know hardly anyone there. Extended family used to be the most important thing in my life. Of course most of these aunts, uncles and cousins also went to church with me. I understand now that my "extended family" is my church family. These are the people I spend time with. The people who would visit me if I was sick and care for my family if I were not able. It is unfortunate that I do not attend church with much of my true extended family, but it is awsome how much the people who are part of my church family love and care for me. I am sad that families grow apart but I am joyful that we are part of a family that will be reunited in heaven if we stay on the same path. God has blessed me so richly with a Christian Mom & Dad and two Godly brothers. (although growing up I had other names for them, and they deserved them, Thank God for Grace). But the greatest blessing of my life are my Christian children and my Christian friends. When reading Mike Cope's post yesterday about having 5 minutes left to live I pray that all my friends will know what they mean to me. I pray that I will let them know how much I love and appreciate them.
Spending time with people who are not judgemental toward you; who will take your prayer request and honor them; who know that you have asked for forgiveness for the same thing over and over and love you anyway is truly heaven on earth. Yes these people are rare, even in our "big" family. Cherish them in your life and more importantly be that person for someone else.
There, that wasn't so hard.
I attended the wake of a first cousin of mine this weekend. I was struck by the fact that I didn't know hardly anyone there. Extended family used to be the most important thing in my life. Of course most of these aunts, uncles and cousins also went to church with me. I understand now that my "extended family" is my church family. These are the people I spend time with. The people who would visit me if I was sick and care for my family if I were not able. It is unfortunate that I do not attend church with much of my true extended family, but it is awsome how much the people who are part of my church family love and care for me. I am sad that families grow apart but I am joyful that we are part of a family that will be reunited in heaven if we stay on the same path. God has blessed me so richly with a Christian Mom & Dad and two Godly brothers. (although growing up I had other names for them, and they deserved them, Thank God for Grace). But the greatest blessing of my life are my Christian children and my Christian friends. When reading Mike Cope's post yesterday about having 5 minutes left to live I pray that all my friends will know what they mean to me. I pray that I will let them know how much I love and appreciate them.
Spending time with people who are not judgemental toward you; who will take your prayer request and honor them; who know that you have asked for forgiveness for the same thing over and over and love you anyway is truly heaven on earth. Yes these people are rare, even in our "big" family. Cherish them in your life and more importantly be that person for someone else.
There, that wasn't so hard.
