Why?

Why does God put people in our lives for only a period of time? You know the ~ some people come into our lives for a reason, season or life time ~ I am pretty sure I dislike two of the three!


I don't let people "in". For more years that I would like to admit I have built a fortress around my heart. It is very high, guarded by an army, and surrounded by a moat. Get the picture. I have been working hard at building a bridge over the moat, calling off the troops and adding an entrance. Quite a few now have crossed the bridge, not quite as many have gotten past the troops and only a handful have actually gained entrance.


This past week two of those who have gained entrance have been called to serve God somewhere else. OUCH! Instinct set in and the door has locked, the troops have been called back in full force and the bridge has closed until further notice or at least until I have had time to grieve and process.


I may never know the answer to why God needed them somewhere else when I need them here. Maybe I am not supposed to but I do know I love them and will miss them so much it hurt.

Friends

How do you know if someone is a true friend? That is easy...they are willing to come over even if you don't ask or can't talk about what you needed a friend for. Tonight I found that out. The reason I needed a friend - well - that will need to be a later post when I have had time to process.

The lesson I needed tonight from God was that there are people in my life who are true friends and it is ok to rely on them. They are there for me when I ask and even when I don't. They know when I am hurting but don't speak it, they know when I need help but won't ask; they just know me.

To those friends I say thank you!

Faith/Trust

Sometimes - well most times - God needs to use the good old swift kick in the pants or the brick upside the head approach with me. It seems I had forgotten something and it was time for my wake up call.


In the last three weeks I have been faced with opportunities which have required faith. Each week offered another opportunity to have faith that God was with me. Each another brick, another kick.


The first week my oldest went for his driving test. Every parents fear, well at least it was mine. My child will no longer need me to taxi him around. He will now have freedom. All this went through my head before I even picked him for his test.


As he drove to the testing center I kept reminding him of every little tip I had ever heard. As we were just about there he said, "I think you are more nervous than I am." Scary thing is he was right! I needed to have faith that he was ready, that all the practice hours had taught him what he needed to know and that God would be guiding the way as he got behind the wheel both during the test and each time in the future.


Two weeks ago I stepped out of my comfort zone and began a blog. Talk about having to rely on faith. Without having faith that God would guide my hands, send a support system, and provide words I would still be stuck in that comfort zone. Not seizing an opportunity to grow. Once again scary.


Today my oldest had his wisdom teeth out. Talk about faith. I must have asked God a thousand times to keep him safe, to guide the surgeons hands and for a quick recovery with little pain. Then as I was driving it hit me - that little feeling in my gut. You know that quiet voice inside that reminds you God has it covered. God was with him, the surgeon and me as I waited.


This one was the scariest. I don't mean Andrew having his wisdom teeth out, I mean the fact that I had forgotten that God was with me. I thought I was "going it alone". Had I been relying on my own abilities and not trusting God? Had I felt alone? Did I forget God was always with me? YES! That little voice inside said, finally. Now it's time to stop going it alone and time to trust, time to have faith and know that God is always with me.


This week I am committed to memorizing, meditating on and living - Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." So if you see me ask me how I am doing.

Just

Have you ever thought of yourself as just a ______? You fill in the blank - mother, father, wife, husband, friend, volunteer the list could go on forever. I think we have all felt that way one time or another.

Check out this article I found about being "just a volunteer". After reading it let me know what you think.

http://www.youthspecialties.com/articles/topics/volunteers/dont_ask.php?

Happy reading!

Time to grow

"You must do the things you think you cannot do."

Eleanor Roosevelt

Today is the day I start doing things I think I can't do; like creating a blog. Yesterday with the help of Matt (an awesome Youth Pastor and Mentor) I created this blog as a way to inspire and share my own perspectives about life and all it has for us. It has taken me until today at 3:30 to actually gain the courage to sit and write.

Stepping out of my comfort zone isn't always easy for me. Each time I step out of that zone it gives me the opportunity to grow, learn and have faith that God is beside me. So the journey begins and I am glad you are along for the ride.