Tonight I said "good-bye" to someone who means more to me than most people, all for the sake of following the Lord's leading to our new life and calling in CO. I have been putting off the inevitable for quite some time now, telling myself that If I was strong and tried to disconnect myself somehow, leaving wouldn't be that hard....and guess what? I'm not as strong as I appear to be. Change is never easy for anyone. If it was, then everyone would do it. But I know this is our time to spread our wings and fly. I finally understand and have received the "peace which surpasses all understanding" (Phil. 4:7)....however It still doesn't make the leaving part any easier.
This friend has been my "bff" since the second grade where we met in Sunday school class. She has been more of a sister really. She has been brutally honest with me at times, put up with my bad attitudes, forgiven me when I've hurt her more than anyone, and has been a picture of Gods grace to me without even realizing it.
I will never forget the late nights we've had sharing inside jokes, taking naps after church on Sundays, you being my biggest cheerleader while I was in labor while eating Popsicle's together as I was shaking uncontrollably, holding each other until we both burst into tears, our times at kids camp together where we experienced God in a new way, walking across the street every Wednesday to the Farmers Market so you could get your sugar daddy before every service, me coming over to rummage through your closet and paint our nails together, going thrifting and finding great steals, making brownies/ice cream and watching chick flicks, you taking our family photos and me having to walk in the woods in heels and almost falling, and everything from our road trips together to me calling you and freaking out because I was pregnant and didn't know the first thing about having a baby.
-"He who finds a friend finds a treasure."
You have always been a constant person in my life. The first one I've run to because I was scared to death or just ridiculously happy. You have seen me at my worst, through thick and thin (both literally and figuratively), the one who's told me I'm being a complete idiot and have loved me no matter what! You have left an imprint in my heart and on my life that will never be erased. I wouldn't trade any of the moments I've had with you, any of the petty arguments we've had and all the dumb things we've said to each other. You have helped me along the journey to be who I am today, a better and more rounded person. You have pushed me out of my comfort zone more than once, and have been a vital part in pushing me to grow, change, surrender, forgive and most important love. I have loved every moment and every memory we've made together.
Thank you God for my dear friend. Thank you that she has been exactly what I needed the last 21 years whether I knew it at the time or not. Thank you for her amazing voice and talent that has forever been etched in my mind, for her honesty to tell it to me like it is at times, her loving, generous and forgiving spirit, her God given ability to speak and write in a way that takes my breath away, for the way she continually lays herself down so that others can be lifted up, the way she supports people, and for showing me what a real friend is. I love you MareBear :)
"In my life, I've loved them all"-The Beatles
This blog was created to challenge our way of thinking, the way we perceive things, and to ultimately point us towards God. In reading my blog, I challenge you to step outside of your normal way of thinking, expect to see the goodnes of God, to possibly see things in a new light, and to not be limited to our own perceptions.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Is Freedom free?
As I sit down to reflect on the past 2 weeks I am in awe of God's love for me and my family. I see God working in the little everyday things to the very big things. For instance, on Easter Sunday a couple weeks ago we decided to take the boys on a picnic to Surrender Field at Yorktown Battlefield, a very historical battlefield in U.S. history. Watching my husband and my two sons interact as they played football together, acted out bible characters and brought me flowers gave me a picture of God's love for us. A father, who is not only strong and tough, but one that is also full of love and laughter, and two sons who absolutely adore and trust in their father. They are so innocent and don't have a care in the world because they know who their father is, and they know his love for them. They are able to feel safe, secure and free all at the same time.
During our picnic, Micah found a stick and declared "I am Moses and this is my walking stick." Then, of course, Josiah wanted in on the adventure so he then declared that he was Aaron, Wayne (their dad) was Pharaoh and I was Miriam. About 25 yards from where we were sitting, on a hill, was a monument that overlooks the battlefield which had a picture of the battlefield on it, and a button you could push to listen to a narrator. The boys pushed the button and a loud voice began to speak. Josiah said “That is the voice of God," as they proceeded to act out the story of Moses. They were picturing themselves being on Mt. Sinai and hearing the voice of God speak to them. I can't help but also think of the fact that the very place we were having our picnic was the very place where Lord Cornwallis was forced to surrender. The victory and freedom for The United States of America was secured there over 200 years ago and our countries fate was forever changed. My children can not only know the freedom of being an American, but they can have and know true freedom in Jesus Christ who also paid a high price for us. A price that cost him everything he had. He willingly surrendered his own life so that we could be free from sin, bondages, eternal damnation, sickness, disease, poverty, brokenness, and everything that tries to bring us down. He took every sin, every hurt, fear, broken heart, sickness and disease to the cross and the grave so that we could spend eternity with Him AND so we could live a life of freedom here on this earth. I am so thankful for the sacrifices every soldier has made for this country so that we can live in freedom, and I am thankful most of all for the greatest, strongest warrior I know, Jesus Christ. The freedom that he gives is available to us all! It costs us nothing, but cost Him everything. I am thankful that we can be free in every sense of the word and that my children can grow up experiencing the joy and peace that comes in knowing they are free! They are free to believe God and trust His word, free to act out bible stories and use their imagination as if they too were living in that day, free from persecution and judgment. How good is God to not only provide freedom for us through His son but to also let us live in a country that IS Free!
During our picnic, Micah found a stick and declared "I am Moses and this is my walking stick." Then, of course, Josiah wanted in on the adventure so he then declared that he was Aaron, Wayne (their dad) was Pharaoh and I was Miriam. About 25 yards from where we were sitting, on a hill, was a monument that overlooks the battlefield which had a picture of the battlefield on it, and a button you could push to listen to a narrator. The boys pushed the button and a loud voice began to speak. Josiah said “That is the voice of God," as they proceeded to act out the story of Moses. They were picturing themselves being on Mt. Sinai and hearing the voice of God speak to them. I can't help but also think of the fact that the very place we were having our picnic was the very place where Lord Cornwallis was forced to surrender. The victory and freedom for The United States of America was secured there over 200 years ago and our countries fate was forever changed. My children can not only know the freedom of being an American, but they can have and know true freedom in Jesus Christ who also paid a high price for us. A price that cost him everything he had. He willingly surrendered his own life so that we could be free from sin, bondages, eternal damnation, sickness, disease, poverty, brokenness, and everything that tries to bring us down. He took every sin, every hurt, fear, broken heart, sickness and disease to the cross and the grave so that we could spend eternity with Him AND so we could live a life of freedom here on this earth. I am so thankful for the sacrifices every soldier has made for this country so that we can live in freedom, and I am thankful most of all for the greatest, strongest warrior I know, Jesus Christ. The freedom that he gives is available to us all! It costs us nothing, but cost Him everything. I am thankful that we can be free in every sense of the word and that my children can grow up experiencing the joy and peace that comes in knowing they are free! They are free to believe God and trust His word, free to act out bible stories and use their imagination as if they too were living in that day, free from persecution and judgment. How good is God to not only provide freedom for us through His son but to also let us live in a country that IS Free!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)