Ouch!

I was reminded today of something my son said to me a few years ago, "Mom, sometimes you treat your friends better than you treat me."  Ouch!  It was true!  I was often on my best behavior around my friends.  I look forward to being with them because they make me happy, and...I want them to like me.  Shouldn't I be the same with my family?

We often feel like it's okay to "let down" when we come home because home is our safe place.  It's a place where we don't have to be someone we're not, where we can just be ourselves.  Well, if being ourselves means that we are ugly, grumpy and rude, then maybe we ought to look at who we really are...and not make excuses.  Whether we have had a good day or the worst day ever, there is never an excuse to be ugly, grumpy or rude to anyone we are around...including our family!

There are times I still fall into the trap and am less than pleasant at home, but for the most part, I try to be the same person no matter who I'm with.  I want to be known as someone who smiles and is optimistic - to everyone I meet.  If I succeed, hopefully people, including my family, will see Jesus through me.  If not...then Heaven help everyone because it may not be pretty!

Dreams

Have you ever had a dream that came true?  Not a dream like "I dream one day to be a doctor" or "I dream to have a romantic hunk of a husband, a mansion by the lake, a fast car and be rich," (not that the second one isn't worth considering-LOL), but a real honest to goodness, full-night's sleep dream?  In my few years on this earth (emphasis on "few"), I've had my share of dreams but I can't recall one actually coming true almost to the clothing I was wearing.  Until now...

I'm sure you don't care about the details of this dream (or if you do, too bad, because I'm not going to share), but what I want you to know is that God uses ways that we can never imagine to guide us on this path called Life.  I've heard his "whispers," as Bill Hybels called them, in many forms - reading, thoughts affirmed by others, and through friends, but never so vividly as in a dream.  There are numerous stories throughout the Bible where God speaks through dreams, and I have  always been curious how that felt.  What would it be like to wake up and think "wow, God spoke to me last night?"  Well, now I know...and I am thankful!

Now...how about a burning bush?

2 Timothy

Wow - don't you just love when God speaks to you through His word?  Lately, he keeps bringing me back to 2nd Timothy, a letter from Paul to Timothy.  The overwhelming theme is an encouragement to Timothy to endure whatever comes his way and continue to fight for the Truth.  Paul tells Timothy that he himself has "fought the good fight, he has finished the race."

Almost every day for a week now, God continues to draw me to this book.  I share with you the following, as it seems very important at this point in time:

"... I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage-with great patience and careful instruction.  For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine.  Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.  But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry."  2 Timothy 4:1-5

Peace and Happy Thanksgiving.

Been Too Long

Sorry it's been so long since I've blogged.  A few things that have been going on:

• Family Meeting at Sanctuary - went well. 250 in attendance.
• Introduced new curriculum to 2s&3s - kids and leaders alike love it!
• Mom's coming for Thanksgiving - clean the apartment, shop for groceries, looking forward to seeing her.
• MacBook hard drive crashed - and no backup.  Might need valium for this one.
• Short week, so lots to do.

Sorry that this blog has no real "content" to it.  Just thought I'd send a quick update so you know I haven't dropped off the face of the earth.  Happy Thanksgiving!

An Emotional Day

I'm not unfamiliar with sacrifice.  Giving up something so that something (or someone) else can benefit.  As a single mom, sacrifice is a way of life.  Today, I sacrificed so that a friend can be happy.  Let me explain.

Holly has been one of my best friends for 13+ years. She has been through a lot in her life - serious illness that has brought her to death's door more than once, divorce, and last year the death of her second husband.  She has helped me through incredibly tough times - debilitating illness, divorce and career challenges.  We have shared uncountable hours of laughter and tears.  

She has taught me a lot - the most important lesson has been to "push through."  When I was so weak that I couldn't lift myself out of a chair, she encouraged me to push through.  When I had to move into a tiny bedroom at my dad's house with my 15 yr old son, she repeated "push through."  Any time that I have struggled, she's been there holding me up and reminding me to "push through."

After her husband Gary died, I repeated her lesson to me...and she listened.  Since then, I have prayed that God would bless her abundantly and bestow upon her the happiness she deserves.  I didn't realize it would cause me to sacrifice.  Today, I had the last of my "every freakin' Tuesday" lunches with Holly because she is moving to Arkansas tomorrow to be with her new husband and his two daughters.  She is finally a mom!  And she is happy - abundantly so.

I...am sad.  I will miss her more than words can describe.  But I will sacrifice.  Holly - thank you for being there for me.  I know this is not goodbye - but only farewell for now.  I love you!

Ask and He Answers

I know you've all heard that God answers prayers.  Sometimes answers come quickly, and other times they seem to never come.  Tonight is a mix of both.  Life is often full of confusion and as we seek clarity and direction, we must always remember to "press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."  Phil 3:14.

As I prayed this evening for God to "remove confusion and make a situation clear," it was only a matter of seconds and the phone rang.  No - it wasn't literally God calling (would THAT be cool)!  But it was a person who I trust deeply.  In less than 30 seconds, he was able to bring a level of clarity and encouragement that I hadn't recognized.  

God heard me and used one of his precious servants to answer - so, in a way, it was as if God himself was ringing my phone.

Ask and He will answer - sometimes immediately...sometimes it takes time.  But He always answers.

Tomatoes and randomness

Things on my mind today...

• Tomatoes - why did it take until October for my Early Girl tomato plant to produce tomatoes?  I'm enjoying these lovely "ladies" for lunch today...in November.  But they are worth the wait!
• Finally - it's election day.  Just a few more hours and no more political campaign ads on the tv for awhile.
• What is the purpose of PMS?  Josh asked me last night when I was going to be in a good mood again.  Hmmm...maybe the 12th of NEVER (that's the PMS talking). Would anyone miss me if I drugged myself into oblivion and locked myself in a room for the 3 days of PMS?  Just slide the food under the door and no one will get hurt...and the tea - don't forget the tea!
• Speaking of tea - why can one brand of black and orange pekoe taste so much better than another brand?  Sipping on TAZO Awake right now...mmm good!

That's it - randomness and tomatoes.  Do you like my new pho-to?  My amazing friend took some incredible pics of me for some church stuff - I think this one is most representative of me - outdoors and on the phone!