Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Need To Know Basis

I don't even know how to begin what is laying on my heart. For the past couple days, I have felt all emotion leave me. I don't know the reason. Any happiness, anger, love, contentment....all of the emotions a person could possibly feel just went away. But one remained. Curiosity.

I started to question everything. The age old question of Why are we here? What is the point? How is it we can live each day without questioning the purpose of it. What is it that God is waiting for in order to send His Son for us?

Many have compared our modern society to the likings of Sodom and Gomorrah. Chaotic and no concern for true happiness and health. Each one of us trying to forget the prison sentence we have to endure in the mean time until that day comes for Jesus to set us free. We drink, do drugs, have sex, eat our hearts out, we cut ourselves, we control others....the tools we use to forget are endless. God could end it any time but if I am to go by history; God seems to be waiting for something. Or maybe He is looking for proof.

I find it difficult to wrap my head around the fact that God knows what is going to happen even though we have a choice in the outcome of how the world is to be. So I guess the questions I have for God is, "What is it that You are looking for? What is it that You want from us? What is it that You are needing in order for you to send Jesus to collect us?"

My theory, if I was to think of the more popular Bible stories, is He is looking for trust in time of adversity (Job), faith that we will be delivered into a Promise Land (Exodus), and enough love that we can ban together to make such things so (The Bible itself). Satan is looking to disprove any and all compassion God has for the very beings He created. So now I come to believe that God is needing our help to show Satan that he is wrong.

The Bible fits together like a puzzle peice. The history of us, our people, are in the Bible and yet each story in that book is a prediction of our future. All linking together to give a clear and simple message.

It's a subject that can be written about for days and pondered about for a lifetime. And maybe that is how God wants it so that we pay attention to the severity of the situation at hand. If our minds are open, we can prepare for what is to come and we can prove to Satan that he can give it his all to tear us away from God but when we have our faith, trust, and love, he will eventually lose the battle. Oh yeah...he will take some limbs, beat us up, and shoot at us. It's the nature of war. Victory still can be accomplished even when we are not whole.

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword." Matthew 10:34

Friday, March 23, 2012

Friends

All week I was feeling a little bummed.  Mostly feeling lonely.  Everyone around me seems to be finding their loves, mates....whatever you want to call them and I feel like I am left in the dust.  But then I go to Celebrate Recovery tonight and even I found it  amazing how my mood changed once I got there.  You see people you haven't seen all week, you get that uplifting word you need to hear, and a good message you can't help but to apply to your life.  Plus you see people you invited and hoped would be there and they are!  It's a wonderful thing.  So it got me thinking....don't worry....I am not going too deep on this one.
I have said many a time over how grateful I am to have the friends I do.  And the following reasons are why:

I have friends that I can tell my deepest darkest secrets.
I have friends that I can get into deep conversations with.
Friends that will pray for my dog when he's hurt.
Friends that I know I can get that encouraging word from.
I have friends that guide me in the right direction.
Ones that water me so that I can grow.
Some encourage me to go after my dreams.
Others help me to think things through.
There a few that listen when I need to vent.
And others who see the best in me.
Some are meant to talk about the weather with.
While others are meant to talk with about the universe.
Others make me laugh.
While I like to make them laugh too.
I love getting and giving hugs.
But sorry no kissing...LOL!!!
There are those that cry with me when I am sad.
And there are others that laugh with me when I split my pants at work.
Some don't care if I repeat myself (like in this post).
Others just plain tell me when I am being silly but do it with love.
There are those that carry me when I think I can't take another step.
And those that pray with me so that I can keep going.
New friends are always welcome.
Old friends are always cherished.
And of course I have friends of the furry kind.

I am so blessed to have so many types of friends.  A unique blend of people (and animals) that have come into my life to help make me the person I am today.

"As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend."  Proverbs 27:17

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

A Condemning Matter

I had been sitting here trying to think of what to write.  Writer's block.  The writer's enemy.  Their kryptonite.  But one thing that kept popping up in my head was:  condemnation.  Well Theresa...what is going on in your life that THAT popped up?

It's so funny because I am sitting here trying to figure out how to go about writing this post without going against anonymity.  In a way, I have to tell the story to make the point I want to make but then I wouldn't want to embarrass anyone.  I guess I can say that someone had made me to feel condemned even though I had apologized a couple of weeks ago. I was mad because I felt the situation was taken care of and they felt the need to keep bringing it up.  I was more angry with myself though because I allowed this person to make me feel this way.  I found myself apologizing again and more fervently and I shouldn't of had to.  After all...I have to appease everyone.  It's a sickness that I realized after the fact that is going too far now.

People are not perfect.  Whether big or small, everyone makes mistakes.  It happens but what's even better is if we humble ourselves enough to owe up to it and make it right with the other person and with God, then we are good to go and to move on.

"Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way.  First  be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift."  Matthew 5:23-24

Says nothing about keeping it going though.  What to do when you feel the situation is done but the other person doesn't?  I can honestly say I have no clue. 

I am becoming a leader in a couple of groups.  I am going to have to learn how to deal with such matters and how to not take it too personally.  I am truly at a loss over this and decided this requires advice not just from my closest friends but the big guy himself.  Well, yes God, but I also mean the Pastor.  I figure he probably deals with this sort of thing quite often so it seems fitting to get advice from him.  I won't get my answers until next week.  So until then...please pray I find what I am looking for.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Just a Little Bit of Faith

My friend had asked me to pet-sit for her two dogs and cats while her and her daughter took a trip to California.  Me being the animal lover I am, could not say no.  The night before she left, I went to her home to get shown the ropes.  Her poodle was as sweet as a dog could be and had no issue with me being there.  The other dog though, he is a poodle mix and could not stop barking at me let alone get near me.  I had my work cut out for me over the week.  I thought, "If this dog doesn't trust me, how will I be able to even walk him?"
The first night came and I was smart.  I would put their leashes on while they were still in their kennel.  He would have no choice but to trust me a little bit.  I noticed on our walk that he kept as far a distance that he possibly could as well as an eye on me to make sure I did nothing tricky.  When I gave him a treat he would only take it if I left it in on the floor.  He would grab it and run.  I sat on the couch petting the other dog and would try to call him to come up and relax with us but to no avail.  He would run around in circles and bark if I even made a move.  His attitude changed a little bit though when I put them in their kennel for the evening and then all of a sudden he was Mr. Friendly.  Hmmmm......

Second night I went back and did the same thing.  On the walk I noticed he got a little closer to me and when I gave him his treat, he actually took it from my hand.  I sat on the couch again with the other dog petting him and the little guy would run, jump up on the couch and then zoomed away.  I figured it was some progress. 

Last night and round three.  Took the dogs for their walk and this time Itsy Bitsy (the little fearful dog) would stand right near me.  He also took the treat out of my hand again but would run off with it as he did the night before.  Again, I sat on the couch with the other dog and had my head rested up against the back.  Itsy looked at me and I said, "Come here Itsy and join us."  He walked over and jumped on the couch and lied down and allowed me to pet him.  And then I got thinking.  I know I know.

I started to think about trust and faith.  To be more specific...God and trust and faith.  Sometimes we are like Itsy Bitsy.  Very cautious and not sure what to make of God.  Who is He?  Will He hurt me if I get near Him?  What is it that He wants from me?  But God is patient.  Only giving out as much as we are willing to grab.  I didn't push Itsy to come close to me and God doesn't push either.  He gives us a little bit and let's us run to a safe place and be at a safe distance until we figure out who He is.  He sits and waits for us hanging out with others but offers an open invitation to join them when we are ready.  As each day passes, God attempts to come a little closer but is willing to stand back if we feel threatened.  He becomes consistent in who He is and our trust begins to grow.  Like Itsy, we start to see God isn't here to hurt us but to spend time with us so we move in closer and allow God to love us. 

Itsy needed time to figure out who I was.  Because I gave him his space, he was able to analyze who I was and saw that I was someone to be trusted so with a leap of faith....he sat next to me and was loved.

"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.  And this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith."  1 John5:4

Monday, March 12, 2012

Love Me, Notice Me, Want Me

My friend gave me a book called "Lady in Waiting."  I have only read the first few chapters, but wow!  What a difference it's making in my life already.

I have written a little bit about being single and even brought out my humorous side about the subject.  But this book touches on how, as single women, we need to take advantage of this time and make the most of it as well as grow closer to God for ourselves.  It makes sense.  We sit here and worry about whether or not we will ever find our mate when that time you spend worrying...you can be doing something useful.  You can stand on your head all day long and that would be better use of that time.

So far, I was touched on a certain subject in the book that really got my brain juices flowing.  It talked about how we "set up" ways to get closer to some guy we are interested in or make it so that we get noticed by someone.  "Chance rendevous" it was called.  Doing things in hopes you will find the man of your dreams (or for the fellas...woman of your dreams).  I took this thought one step further though.

I started thinking about how we go around trying to impress others.  We won't admit to it, but let's face it...we all want to be noticed one way or the other.  I know I do.  A brief video testimony was shown in front of thousands after all.  I went from a nobody to a somebody and by golly I refuse to go back to being a nobody again.  So now I have to do what I can to stay in the lime light....right?  No...I don't need to be doing anything.  It's not about being the center of attention.  It's about God and the people that will turn to Him because someone said something that made them know they are forgiven, not alone, and that God can change anyone and any circumstance.

It has brought me joy to see so many touched by just a sliver of my story.  But I will also boldly admit that even with all the positive feedback, I still remain alone.  Still feeling invisible and on the hunt to win the approval of others.  Feeling like I need to now work harder to keep people inspired so that at the end of the day....people will still be interested in me.  

But then I read about how when we do things to try and impress the opposite sex (or just simply others in my thought process), we have to put ourselves in check and ask, "What are my real motives for doing this?"  "Is it to impress someone or am I really doing this for God?"

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."  Colossians 3:23

The Bible has it beautifully written and so simple. 

"Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are:  adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, SELFISH AMBITIONS, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries and the like;  of which I tell you beforehand, just as I told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."  Galations 5:19-21

That doesn't exactly sound like the person I want to be.  I would rather become this kind of person:

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.  Against such there is not law.
......Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another."  Galatians 5:22-23,26

It won't happen overnight, but make an effort to replace a bad quality with a good one.  Before you know it, you will be the person of God you are meant to be and there will be no need for the "Look at me's."   Our satisfaction will be in working for God.  How less anxious does that make you to know you don't have to impress anyone to make them interested in you?  God is already interested and invested in you.  At the end of the day....He is the one who will notice you even if no one else does.

Saturday, March 10, 2012

And I Cried

Tonight, as I went to kneel and pray,
Nothing came out.
No words.
Not even a sound. 
I put my head on the bed and folded my hands onto my lap.
Still not a peep.
A moment or two later,
I opened my mouth as if to say something
but instead of my voice....
I let out a deep sigh.
My chest heaved silently
and my tears dropped down.
A word not needed to be spoken in this prayer.
The silence and tears did all the talking. 
It was enough and God knew what I was saying. 
I kept my head on the bed and my fingers intertwined
and a voice in my head replied,
"Don't you worry about a thing child.
It will all be ok and I am here for you.
Let it out my little one."
And I cried as He cupped His hands
so that as every tear fell He would catch each one.
Every concern, hope, dream, and worry...
Every pain, emotion and fear.
They were disguised as my tears and fell right into
His hands. 
Every last drop.

"And behold, a woman in the city  who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping;  and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. 
.....Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, 'Do you see this woman?  I entered your house;  you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head.   You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in.  You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed  My feet with fragrant oil.  Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. 
.....Then He said to the woman, 'Your faith has saved you.  Go in peace.'"
Luke 7:37-38,44-47,50

I cocked my head to the side but it still rested on the bed.
No more tears fell and God took them.
He took them with Him.
Where?  I do not know
but they are His now.

There are some prayers that do not need to be spoken.
Just like the sinful woman...
her tears were enough.
Sometimes that is all He needs from us.

Friday, March 9, 2012

Ah....Love

One of my favorite new shows is Once Upon A Time.  It has everything I like.  The Disneyesque quality with a twist.  Just the way I like my stories.  Anyways, this past week's episode was about love.  Grumpy, from the seven dwarfs, was in love with a fairy but was convinced it couldn't be.  It was really quite sad.  But it got me thinking...a dangerous past time for me, I know.  I started to think about being in love and having that desire to want that special someone in your life. 

As I mentioned before, I go to CareNet every other Tuesday for my counseling sessions.  I am sadly, at the age of 34, learning about the meaning of sex.  It's been a real eye opener for me and I am so grateful to be learning about love and the importance of saving myself (or at least what I have left) for my future husband.  Frankly, I deserve such happiness and so does he. 

My friend always says that God is growing my future husband.  Getting him ready for me, and believe me, God is going to have to provide the poor fella with a lot of patience and strong bones because I am clumsy and there is a 99.9% chance something could get broken, bruised, or battered.  Poor guy.  Anyways, I of course have my list for God on the man of my dreams:

1.  Animal lover. 
2.  Vegetarian is not necessary but wouldn't hurt.  Yeah I know....that one is a stretch.
3.  A Christian of course.
4.  I want someone I can talk deeply with about the Bible.  It's fun and we can learn so much together about God  by getting deep in the word together.
5.  Open to sleeping with my dogs.
6.  Open to having a wife full of tattoos.
7.  I like boxing, car races, hockey, roller coasters and the symphony.  How that works together...I don't know.
8.  He cooks...I clean.  That's the only way we are not going to die of starvation.
9.  He has to have a passion for something and doing whatever it is he's doing for God. 
10.  He has to love to laugh.  A lot.
11.  A protector, provider, and an encourager.
12.  Star Wars fan.  That's right.  I said it.
Not asking for a lot here....lol.  God is good to give us the desires of our hearts and I trust He will provide me with the best husband a woman could ask for.  But how will I know who he is?  Good question Theresa.  I have a theory about this thing called love and I think I figured out how it works.

Our hearts are not exactly whole.  We have an empty spot that remains until that one for us comes.  We have a section for our family and friends, the things that bring us joy and a section for God but He purposely leaves an empty section for the one who will come into our lives.  That's why our hearts ache as single people.  It's looking for the other heart to make it whole.  But the heart is usually wise to know it shouldn't let just any heart into it's empty slot.  If it lets the wrong one in then major damage can be done and time is wasted as it goes under reconstruction.  But when the right one does come, something happens to the heart.  It recognizes it's match and both are overjoyed to have found one another.  They both reach out to eachother and grab on and fuse together.  Then our hearts are whole.  We have a section for our family and friends, the things that bring us joy, a part for God, and a section for our true love.