Friendship

I have joined a group of other 5th grade moms from my kids' school in a Book Club.  We met last week and decided that we would read Unglued by Lysa TerKeurst.  Honestly, it wasn't my first choice, but as I read it, maybe it should have been!

As I picked up the book this morning and began to read about a mother that would occassionally "explode" on her kids about stupid little things, I began to think, "I used to do that.  BUT I have it under control now."  I felt like "I don't need this book.  Why did we choose this one?"  But then I heard it.  That voice.  That thought.  I knew what it was.  God was opening my eyes.  He was begging me to listen to what the author had to say.  I wanted to reply with "This is for someone else."  but it wasn't.  It was for me.

You see the book is about controlling yourself amidst raw emotion.  (Head hanging low)  Wow!  I do need this.

I feel like I have gotten myself under much more control than I used to.  Just maturing and growing up will do that I guess.  I have a successful marriage and kids that are (usually) very well behaved.  From the outside I have it all together.

But as I analyze my past, I notice one thing.  My friends are never the same from season to season.  Each big event in my life has a different friend standing by my side.

Now honestly, I have always considered my husband and my mom to be my two best friends, but a girl can never have too many friends right?  Right?  Right?  (I don't know the answer to that)

So I look at my friendships of the past and try to figure out what happened to each of those relationships.  Yes, some just drifted away as our lives changed but some stories are different.  Some stories end in big explosive discord.  Hurt.  Anger.  Embarrassment.  Shame.  Loss.  What happened?  What went wrong?  Was it me?  Was it them?  I don't know, but I am anxious to dig deep into this book to see what the author has to say about these situations.

But I do want to hear your take on this.....
Is it possible to have life-long deep friendship with numerous people?
Is it better to have many surface friends or a few deep friendships?
What do you think?

Faith it till you make it

Is it okay to.....

So we have all heard this statement.  I have even been known to say it before.  I have said it to my kids.  I have said it to my Scentsy team.  I have even said it to myself.  However, I want to change that statement.  I want the new statement to be:

You see, when we step out in FAITH, God will provide the Grace needed to "make it".  

We had an amazing service last night at church.  Pastor Tommy Barnett came and spoke to Church on the Move.  I have heard Pastor Barnett before but nothing really stood out from those past messages.  Last night was different though.  He spoke on the need for us to take a leap of faith.

Now, a leap of faith is not something new to me.  I have taken many leaps, big and small.  This message is one that I need to hear over and over though.  Each day we are all given obstacles, problems, and decisions that we must face.  Life is hard.  But it is our choice how we deal with those obstacles.

Now I am forever an optimist.  I know that everyone does not see the world like I see it.  I try my best to find the best in every situation.  BUT, I was not always like this.  It has been a learned trait.  I have developed it over time.  I think I have developed it by watching these leaps of faith come to fruition.

So often we come to God with a "please fix my life" mentality.  We pray things like "Lord, my finances need help.  Please give me more money" or "My marriage is hurting.  Fix him" or "I hate my job.  I need a better job."  The thing is-God already knows this stuff.  Yes, you can go to God with anything.  Take it to him.  But YOU must take faith steps before his GRACE with show its face.

Situation #1: Finances

Ugh.  I hate to talk about this!  No matter how much or how little you have, finances can ALWAYS be an issue.  So many times I have wanted to say, "I just need more money.  Then we will be able to make it."  While more money might make a situation easier, we as humans (and as spoiled Americans), can always find ways to spend our money in non-fruitful ways.  

(Speaking to myself here) I encourage you to take care of what you have now in a respectful, smart, and logical way.  God will never give us more if we don't properly take care of what he has given us now.

Paul and I have taken a class in Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace.  We go in and out of REALLY working the plan, but nevertheless, the program has taught us great principles about money.  It has truly changed the way we think about money.  

Situation #2: Marriage

While I am NO expert on marriage, I am thrilled to say that I just celebrated 15 years of marriage.  A marriage that many said would never last.  After all, we barely knew each other.  We were so young.  We were so naive.

However, here I am 15 years in and would not change a single day!

Marriage is not easy.  It is not natural to put others ahead of yourself but that is exactly what you have to do to make a marriage work.  I think the best example is the movie, Fireproof.  The acting is terrible but the message is perfect.  God wants us to have a successful marriage, but He can't do all the work for us.  We must take the steps needed to nurture, support, and guide each other daily.  If you take the leap of faith to love someone that is driving you crazy, God will give Grace.

Situation #3: Job

Are you the best employee that employer has ever had?  Do you do work above and beyond what is required?  Do you get to work early?  Do you dress the part (or better)?  Do you treat your employer's money and belongings like they were your own?

You MUST do all these things if you want to advance in your current job or get a better job.  It's the same philosophy as the marriage and the finances.  Do the best with what you have so you can get better and get more.

Oh, I know there are tons of things that I pray for and that you pray for daily.  I know some things that I pray for will take nothing short of a miracle to change.  But I believe that our God works miracles!  I know he does.  

I have also learned from my experience with God that he honors Faith.  

So today I am choosing to