The Post that Never Was?

2
January 16, 2010 – 5:19 pm
Freedom, Grace, Jesus, Journey, Opinions

Sounds like a great opening line for a Hitchcock mystery! This post was actually going to be titled Joy vs. Happiness when I started thinking about it at 4am this morning. Slept well last night, but couldn’t sleep in this morning…so I got up and headed downstairs where it was quiet. Was going to write my blog post that had been running around in my head since 4am and do some reading in my bible. I’ve been reading a chronological version of the bible and have really liked it so far. I was reading Job but have now flipped back to the middle of Genesis….well this morning I found myself reading in Galatians. Not where I expected to be reading when I opened my YouVersion. The verse I started reading,  I have read it dozens of times without much effect but this morning I read it in every version that YouVersion offered. I was overwhelmed by it.  I liked it very much in The Message…..that is what you see below.

22 But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, 23 not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

Galatians 5:22,23a

After reading this and the rest of Galatians and James and 1 & 2 Peter I realized I still have a lot of learning left on this journey. It was a moment of self realization that things I struggle with could be overcome. It was promised right there…but where was I in all of this?  First off-I certainly understand the overcoming part couldn’t happen under my power. That seemed pretty simple. The realization came though, that I’m still trying to force “my way” in life. I get glimpses of that life promised in the Galatians passage, but then I find myself in the way again. I constantly say to my kids….how many times do you want me to tell/ask you the same thing? I bet God probably feels that way with me on a lot of days. My biggest roadblock would still be my blazing-hot temper. This is where I ended up next in my bible….

19 Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear.20 God’s righteousness doesn’t grow from human anger.21 So throw all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage. In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life.22 Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear!23 Those who hear and don’t act are like those who glance in the mirror,24 walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.25 But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God—the free life!—even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action.26 Anyone who sets himself up as “religious” by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air.  James 1:19-26

In my mind I can see God working on my salvation-garden. Clearing away all the weeds that are choking out all the beauty that He has planned for it. I see the most vibrant red roses climbing over a beautiful white trellis..and nestled under it all a little wooden bench…dark, green foliage and bright colors all around… beautiful white puffy clouds in the bluest sky ever and the amazing smell of  a warm summer’s day when it’s just rained and you can smell the earth alive. It’s where He & I are going to spend hours talking and planning and laughing and loving. It’s where I am going to learn the things He needs me to know…..so that I’m not glimpsing what God has promised but living right in the middle of it all!!!

I realized He started clearing this garden  a long time ago when I asked Him into my heart…it just took me a little while, as I’ve traveled down this path, to realize it and find it. As I close this post this evening…I was just wondering if you have ever thought about your salvation-garden that God is crafting for you?  Maybe you’ve never imagined it…….or like me never even knew it existed.

My prayers never cease for you….I pray that you continue to find contentment and peace and joy on your journey through this life.

Great Expectations!

6
January 11, 2010 – 7:02 pm
Love, Relationships

Great Expectations!

Sorry, I know you may have been “expecting” a book review on Great Expectations! I really do like books and writing reviews, but this is not about a book. This post is about life….my expectations of this life and how they don’t always make sense.

I’ve realized over a period of time and some life lessons that my expectations of others and for my life are way too high at times. I am very good at grading every moment and person with a pass/fail grade.  Maybe this is something you can identify with….

  • Putting people on pedestals and expecting them to stay there; having grand ideas when it comes to their character and how they should act.
  • Expecting to control certain parts of life: how it should go, what it should be like, what should be received related to how hard I work.

Okay…maybe that’s just me!  It became a default for me…I could put moments in my life and people in the #fail category. Just like a twitter post….this person did this, #fail…..life didn’t go the way I was “expecting”, #fail.

I read recently that a world-wide study ranked people in Denmark as the most content population in the world. When one citizen was being interviewed a reporter made the comment that people from the United States would be moving there in droves. The man responded that Americans would just be disappointed.  When pressed by the reporter on why people were so content….the man said…we have low expectations. It bears thought that lower expectations might translate to less disappointment.

Being disappointed leads me to frustration and then my old friend-anger-always shows up. I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that I think most people don’t like being disappointed. I think I can count that as being a true statement. What is different? The way people handle disappoint. Some people are able to handle it with a whole lot more grace than others. I wonder if that’s related to personality, where you are in life, or just how you relate things to your life? Or, could it be about expectations?  Do American’s have expectations that are too high? All things I’ve been contemplating.

I’m glad that I’ve made some adjustment in my life-to not run but to stand and face my demons head on….and talk about them to people who value me as a person. It’s never easy to talk about where you fail, but talking with someone you know-who loves you and has your back and who you trust….that’s a really good thing. As 2010 unfolds my hope is I learn to “lower” my insanely high expectations and break the destructive cycle of disappointment into anger. I understand I couldn’t do any of this without God and His desire for a relationship with me. Oh, and that wonderful thing called grace.  I hope that He finds me delightfully wacky and I am grateful for the joy I feel even in the midst of some of life’s harder moments!

My Rear View Mirror

0
January 4, 2010 – 12:02 am
Community, Freedom

I have a friend that is a great source of inspiration to me. She has experienced more in a short amount of time than most people encounter their whole lives. She mentioned to me right before the holidays that she was anticipating 2010 and what it would bring. She shared that she desires her rear view mirror to be small and her windshield to be large. I love that attitude! When you think about that statement it makes all the sense in the world. How many times have I been so busy looking in my “very large” rear view mirror that my windshield has become small….with hardly a glance forward?  Sometimes I get so focused on my past I forget to look forward! I realize I should certainly learn from my past and I can share that part of my story but it can’t be my focus. Looking forward…..through my windshield….to what comes next- that’s my focus! I am amazingly blessed with a God who loves me; an amazing, crazy family; and these beautiful, inspiring people that God has intersected my life with theirs. It’s an important balance of “living” every moment and anticipating the future!

As I look to 2010 I find myself at peace with life’s experiences and ready for what’s next. I’m joining my friend in a prayer that my rear view mirror stays small and my focus is through the windshield in front of me! I understand that there will continue to be sorrow and tough days. (Although there are a lot of things I don’t understand! ) God didn’t promise me treasures here in this life but He did promise a plan for my life and a relationship with Him that’s enough to sustain me through anything. I don’t imagine Paul or Stephen or John could have imagined the hardships and trials of their lives when they chose to follow God’s call. But I can’t really believe when they got to the end of their story here on this earth that they would have wanted it any other way! What came next….in heaven…..was more than they ever could have imagined! I’ve lived enough life to know those rough times come and life’s journey and my story will be painful…maybe even more than I expected. I’m starting to understand what joy and contentment is like and it’s not something you trade on or barter over. It just is….it’s this thing that invades your soul.

It is comfort to the pain of living and learning!

My hope is that you find in 2010-your focus in what brings you joy; that your story is filled with people that love you and people who commit to share the journey with you.

Avatar The Movie: A Female Perspective

2
December 28, 2009 – 8:49 pm
Movies, Women

Had the opportunity to see Avatar with the family this weekend. It was sold out for the two early shows by the time we’d goofed around and got over there to buy tickets. That left us with the option of  seeing it at 9:50,that’s p.m.,  which resulted in a little grumpiness from….everybody! Could we do it and then drive all the way home afterward. It is a looooong movie after all!! We had heard such rave reviews so we decided to give it the old college try.

Took the plunge and got our tickets. Showed up the required 30 minutes early so we could get seats together and still ended up sitting in the 5th row! This actually ended up being the best seats in the house as the 3d experience actually immersed us in the world of Pandora!  Sitting that close… everything else seemed to melt away.  I’m not going into great detail about the storyline. It was solid and had all the right elements for a good story-romance, conflict, resolve. Okay, maybe the romance part doesn’t appeal to everybody!

Hands down…the most fascinating part of the movie was Pandora and the experience of a new culture. I love travel and this movie certainly spoke to that love. Learning about a new culture, exploring the “countryside”, and meeting the people is so interesting. (I could have done without some of the scary creatures!) You will fall in love with the people of Pandora and when things get bad….you will cry with them. My dear husband thought it was a little “tree-hugging” and it was, truly. It made a great point that we, humans, aren’t very good about protecting our own planet’s natural resources. We prove that point very well in this movie.

My husband asked me after leaving the theatre what I thought…the only word I could use was overwhelmed. I was overwhelmed by the scope of that movie. It was bigger than life! I realized while I was watching this world unfold that as amazing as it was….it still couldn’t hold a candle to heaven. (I may over think things just a little!) I know amazing thought and imagination went into the making of this “virtual” world. I was very much in awe of the beauty but truly overwhelmed when I realized if my imagination wasn’t able to process Pandora’s “make believe” beauty….it certainly leaves heaven out of my realm of understanding!

I encourage you to see this movie. It is fantastic, the technology used is mind boggling, and I don’t think many will come away disappointed. There’s a little bit of everything which should appeal to just about everybody.

Have you seen the movie? Leave me a comment and let me know what you thought….was it a thumbs up or thumbs down experience?

Merry Christmas!!!

5
December 25, 2009 – 9:25 pm
Church, Family, Love

Merry Christmas!!

I hope this post finds you full of joy…and maybe turkey! Or, if you’re like this household we go for the non-traditional meals! Last night’s Christmas Eve supper was fantastic pizza from Keith’s Carry-Out. Can you tell we are huge pizza fans at this house!? Christmas this year was so wonderful and peaceful. It was the 5 of us and we enjoyed each others company very much. We had the opportunity to attend Christmas Eve services together as a family. The Bridge had services which started at 11pm last night and ended after midnight. It was a very beautiful experience to be worshiping God on Christmas Eve and then continuing that worship into Christmas Day!

In the 22 years that Michael and I have been married we have always celebrated our family Christmas on Christmas Eve. That was a tradition I brought from my family. Michael brought the tradition of a live Christmas tree from his. It’s funny how traditions really come to the forefront at Holidays. I can remember going to my Grandma Apperson’s every Christmas Eve and then returning home…to find Santa had already found his way to our house!! That is a big comfort memory for me! Last night’s visit from Santa occurred while we were out and about! So, it was definitely a late night as our Christmas started well after midnight!

My favorite Christmas present is this little blog that the guys from Creative Improv built for me! (Do you build a page or make a page? Hmmm…that’s a question I don’t know the answer to!) I am looking forward to writing more and sharing life.  I have this wonderful writing sweater I’ll have to tell you about soon! That sweater has a great story…but that’s one for a different day. God’s been “refining” me a little…okay a lot…this past year and I can’t wait to tell you about some of those crazy moments! Okay, I’m really getting ahead of myself! A little end of the day Christmas excitement on about 3 hours of sleep has me just a little wacky!!

Before I go tonight…I’d love to hear about one of your favorite holiday traditions from your childhood that you continue today with your family.

Also, if you are blogging I’d love to stop by and read what’s on your mind. Leave me a link in a comment on this post.

Good night for now…praying for peace and joy in your life this holiday season and the year to come!!!

Primal: A Review

5
December 23, 2009 – 12:00 am
Books

I had the opportunity to read Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity by Mark Batterson and be a part of the blog tour for this book. First let me say when I got the book I immediately liked the cover artwork, that’s usually a good indicator for what’s inside. I had very high hopes for this book. I read a lot of books…some great, some just okay, and some really bad ones that I never finish. Very soon I found myself unsure of which category this book was going to fall into for me.

When I received the book I immediately started reading but came to a mental roadblock about midway through Part 2:The Soul of Christianity. I put the book down and did not pick it up again. Not good since I was kind of on a timeline for the blog tour. I felt a little put off by the book but I wasn’t exactly sure why. I am very much a reader who “feels” every bit of a book, for some reason I was not feeling any emotion over this particular book. The writing was good, lots of good examples and stories to help make the points interesting and understandable to readers. BUT-There was this little nagging voice in the back of my mind urging me to just leave the book alone.

Last night I was off to my favorite coffee shop to relax and listen to some good music when I decided I better take the book and attempt to finish it! I did have to blog about it after all. I was really struggling with what I was going to write about. I wasn’t even sure I’d have any inspiration to post a review. That’s when page 104, paragraph 1 happened. People who know me know this…it takes a lot to get me to cry. I might shed a tear once in awhile but I rarely ever cry. It’s never a good feeling to be reading in a public place and know you are going to cry…not shed a tear but throw yourself face down on the ground and sob very loudly. That’s the emotion that hit me in the middle of my very crowded coffee shop. Here’s the passage and the emphasis was added by me…to show what really hit me hard.

“You cannot truly love what you do not really know. That is called ignorance. So stop and think about the implications. The less you know God, the less you love Him. And the more you know God, the more you love Him. Why? Because to know Him is to love Him. And if you don’t love Him, it’s because you don’t really know Him.“

I’m sure you’re interested in why I became so emotional-since by itself-that particular passage doesn’t seem quite so earth shattering. It was that paragraph and all the stuff I read leading up to that page. Batterson had built a credible case for reading your bible and all the other spiritual exercises we should all be participating in, throughout the beginning of this book. It was the same “yada yada” I’ve read in just about every “Christian” book I’ve ever picked up. Alright already, I get it I need to read my bible, and pray more, and blah blah blah. (I’m so glad God still loves me even when I’m flippant and a know it all.) I felt really sad and really ashamed-my words and my actions seemed pretty far apart at that moment. I also realized why I didn’t want to read the book….it was going to make me uncomfortable.

I did finish the rest of this book in what seemed like moments. That paragraph was a tipping point for me not just in reading the book but in the realization of where I was in my life. I could go into great detail from here, there is so much I want to share with you about that moment and this book and what it could mean for you and where you might find yourself right now. The most important thing I want to share and the point I need to make…read this book and allow God to speak directly to you while you are reading it. Because He will and maybe you’ve been needing to hear what it is He has to say….needed it for a very long time, like me. If you read any book this coming year…then read this one. In fact, making this your first book of the new year may be exactly what you need to get your year started off right!

As for me, I’m starting the book over. I’m going to read it this time with my heart open and with a humble attitude AND with the realization that I don’t know everything! I hope you have the opportunity to read it as well. You can go here to find out more about it.


A Letter to Santa…and Compassion

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November 17, 2009 – 7:19 pm
Emilee, Jesus, Journey

This evening while helping my 6 year old write her letter to Santa for a school assignment I had the opportunity for a teaching moment about what Christmas really means. I did not realize what her perception of Christmas was, although I thought I knew, until we had a little disagreement over a gift idea. She has wanted a Nintendo DS for awhile now. It happens to be a very expensive item. The deal has always been she would save up money she received so she could buy it, herself.

With Christmas coming she keeps hinting that “Santa” should bring it to her. Daddy and I explained that Santa didn’t bring those kind of gifts since he has a lot of little children to get gifts for. This evening she was adamant that request would go in her letter to Santa we were writing. After realizing she wasn’t going to win on the Santa idea..she changed tactics and said she would ask us to get it for her, as our Christmas gift to her. I told her that would not happen and explained why, but that didn’t set well. She reminded me that Christmas was about her getting the gifts she wanted!!! (All this in a teary, woe is me, my life is horrible kind of dramatic episode.) I was not entirely surprised since she is only 6 years old and right now her world…revolves around her.

At this point, letter writing was paused as we talked about the real reason for celebrating Christmas. That being the birth of Jesus Christ and not the receiving of any & all presents she thinks she should have. I am very aware that Christmas has become a very materialistic, consumer driven holiday. That’s pretty evident since the stores have had Christmas “stuff” out since before Halloween. Which is ridiculous!!! I also realize this push of consumerism has a huge impact on my children. We’ve always tried to keep Christmas giving very low key at our house. No matter our income we have not ever spent a huge amount of money. Michael & I have not exchanged gifts but a handful of times over our last 22 Christmas’ together.

We’ve been talking about becoming a part of an organization like World Vision or Compassion by sponsoring a child for awhile now, this was the perfect opportunity to explain to Em the need of other children in this world. As we looked at picture after picture of little girls her very age, I saw a transformation taking place. It was no longer about what Em could “get”, it became about what she could “give” to someone else. I think that’s one of the best lessons Michael & I can pass along to our children.

Besides outgrowing their clothes and needing them replaced…there is nothing our children absolutely have to have at this moment. Here’s what I do want them to have: I want my children to have a servant heart, I want them to give more than they get, I want them to understand the need of other people in this world! I want them to stand up and do something about the need of other people in this world! I have a feeling this Christmas may be an altogether different experience for the Goldsmith family! What better time of the year to start living our lives in a missional way and continuing that always – and hopefully….. someday passing that along to our children’s children.


Here’s to Friends!

2
November 14, 2009 – 11:10 pm
Community, Family, Relationships




Friends…

A Friend ~ is someone who understands your past, believes in your future and accepts you today.

I have come to a moment in my life where I have been compelled to examine my friendships – past & present….. what does friendship mean to me and how willing am I to be the type of friend that is present in someone else’s life. Through numerous experiences I have come to the realization that friendship means a lot of different things to people. After a lot of years of “friendship lessons” my definition of friendship has evolved. I think a friendship must always be willing to go deeper and it has to be healthy. There has to be a lot of love, quite a bit of sacrifice, and sometimes friendship will become just plain, old uncomfortable. Then there’s always the challenge of doing all of this in the midst of sharing your life, dreams, and ideas with one another.

I had found myself falling into the belief that because I know someone and we share similar likes and are living life in close proximity that means friendship. That doesn’t always mean friendship….. but it can mean some absolutely amazing experiences of life in community. I truly love the people in my life that I share community with, they make me laugh, we share moments, we pray for one another, but we don’t always know one another very well. We may have a lot of acquaintances but they don’t always translate to friendships.

Friends should know about the details of your life. They are the person you could call in the middle of the night, sob your eyes out with…that person that is willing to search the darkest recesses of your heart and soul with you. They are the person that sticks around no matter what happens, has your back, and after soul searching expeditions with you – no matter what they may find loves you even more. And when things get really bad they are the first person there and they stay through every situation all the way to the end. That’s usually the sign of a true friend…when the dust settles and you look around it’s the people still standing there with you, covered in the same dust as you, that you can count on as friends.

To be honest I have found those kinds of friendships in my life, but I realized to keep them I needed to work harder at letting those friends know they were important to me. I understand now to make those relationships mature I have to put in a lot of effort on my side. Work, kids, busyness can push away friendships. There have been people in my life that I have been close to for a season but for whatever circumstance they just slip away.

I had some serious life lessons happen over the last couple of years. Moments of reflection on who I am, what my relationships looked like with my husband, my parents, my children, the church, God. I can’t say I’ve loved every moment but I’ve learned quite a bit. This past week I was challenged more than I could ever imagine….when it came to my friendships. I do have the involvement of a handful of women in my life that I would consider lifetime friends. Just recently God got my attention in a very big way to help remind me not to let the busyness of life push them away. I had the privilege to be with a friend during a very difficult moment in her life…it was a moment to show her through actions…. how much I cared for her.

I have come to the realization that during the most difficult moments in life God is working on refining my character. I realized a long time ago that God uses each one of life’s circumstances as a teaching & often a disciplining moment. I look forward to what’s coming as God continues to work on my heart when it comes to the women in my life….all of the women…my family, my friends, my acquaintances. God’s plans for us are never small or insignificant. The things He has been laying on my heart recently fall right in line with where my passion is.

Amen and yes to whatever is coming next!! Here’s to friendship!!!

Oh yeah……Have you called your friend today?


This Crazy Life

1
October 15, 2009 – 8:05 pm
Michael, Relationships

A crazy life…we’ve all got one!! Ever have one of “those” kind of days in your crazy life? It’s okay, you can admit it…..we all have “those” kind of days as well! I have been blessed with a couple of “those” days this week. You know what I found myself thinking about this evening when I finally got home from work around 10? Of course, I’m going to tell you!

I was thinking…….

It’s times like these that make me think…..man, I should really listen to my husband more often!! (Shhhh, that’s just between you and I!) Actually, I do listen to him quite a bit more than I used to. After 22 years of marriage I’ve learned a lot about him and his character and how he treats others. I’ve seen most of his best and his worst moments. I have no hazy romantic illusions about him. I have something better – a long marriage of shared experiences – some good and some bad. Because of all those years of sharing life and raising kids – I have a whole lot of trust with him.

So, he gets all my tough days and stressful situations dumped right in his lap. I respect him and value his opinion. He has some really good words sometimes and when I do listen to him…I am able to gain a little perspective. He has this crazy ability to see the best in every situation and every person. No matter how dire the circumstance or painful the situation he never really gets too excited. I know there have been moments in his life that were painful moments, I have been there for many of them and some of them I probably caused -I’m sure. He is one of the most resilient people I know – he forgives easily, he never really worries. I think what I’ve noticed the most over the last year is this amazingly strong faith he has. I really can’t even explain it and he never talks about it but I see it every day. I know just what you’re thinking right now, there is something that this woman wants her husband to buy her!! I promise that is not what’s going on. I’ve found flattery gets me nowhere…especially with Michael!!

But, I do have a point to all of this “flattery”…I promise!

I had a situation come up recently and I, of course, worried it to death. I know that may surprise some of you who know me really well!! I do find myself to be a little bit of an emotional over-thinker. (Those of you that are one will completely understand and the rest of you will think those of us that are probably need a little “extra” professional help.) In these life moments I get completely caught up in thinking the worst and then I get caught up in my emotional response. Michael’s a great friend to have in these moments because he will always challenge your thinking. If there is a spiritual gift for that then he definitely has it. Sometimes his “challenging” can be…extremely challenging! ….and in the past I’ve had a hard time being so challenged – in fact, I responded very appropriately by becoming very defensive! Lately, instead of becoming defensive I’m learning to calm down and really listen to what he has to say. If I go into stressful situations thinking about some of the things he challenges me with – things that ultimately have made me look outside of my “me” mentality and see someone else’s perspective – I’ve found these moments turn out much better than I had anticipated. He reminds me of how I do not want to come across. See – he knows my heart very well and even though sometimes my intentions are good, my mouth can get in the way and mess it all up.

If there is one person in my life that kicks my tail about learning from life’s most challenging moments…it’s my dear, sweet, funny, handsome husband. I came home tonight feeling like life is such a roller coaster….one second is horrible and the next is fantastic…AND I realized I am never going to get to know what’s coming next. No matter how hard I try to predict the outcome of situations I am mostly wrong. That just doesn’t seem quite fair… and aren’t surprises really overrated anyway. BUT all that being said…it goes back to the one thing Michael says to me all the time – the only control I have over any situation is how I act and react to what is happening. That’s it – really – pretty simple. So, I’m grateful for a husband that loves me enough to continue challenging me and who wants to see the best for me on this journey. It’s good to have a partner that’s “got your back” but it’s even better to have one that’s not going to leave you to wallow in your own bad behavior.

So…do you think about….who’s speaking truth in your life? Are you listening? Did God place someone there and you’re not having any part of it? Are you like me..a little stubborn and you think you’ve got it all under control? I’ve found trying to control everything in life can be very dangerous and will probably at some point backfire on you.

My prayer for you tonight is that you are hearing that person in your life that loves you and has your best interest at heart. God knows us and He also knows that sometimes changing our bad behavior takes a lot of effort on our part and we are going to need a lot of help. We have to be willing to participate and learn from our mistakes and grow in our spiritual life. However, I don’t think He expects us to do it all by ourselves….that’s why He puts certain people in our lives. You’ll know these people… by the way they love you and the way they invest in you and a lot by the example they set in their own…crazy life.

As I get ready to close I can’t help but be reminded of that tag line from the Jon & Kate Plus 8 episodes. You know the one…. “It may be a crazy life, but it’s our life!”

I realize that even though I’ve had a couple of “those” days this week…..I wouldn’t want to trade my crazy life for anyone else’s!! And..Michael just so you know – thanks for kicking my tail when I need it and don’t ever stop challenging me to see beyond my own little world.


Yep…that’s me!

0
October 12, 2009 – 7:57 pm
Books, Community


That would be me….& Donald Miller who wrote Blue Like Jazz! I had the opportunity to read that particular book during a “particularly” difficult period of time in my life.

I think every new Christian goes through a time of discovery. The first part of any new relationship is that “honeymoon” phase. Everything is right in the world, you love everything, no one does any wrong! Then that relationship has to grow to the next level or it dies and doesn’t go anywhere. For months I prayed without ceasing for God to take all I had, which wasn’t much…basically the life he’d given me, and make it His. I had forgotten that growing pains could be excrutiatingly painful!!! I certainly had not imagined where this relationship would go…but I wouldn’t change it for anything.

Last Friday I attended “The Million Mile Tour” and got to “listen” to the stories that had already impacted me through their books. It reminded me that God uses our “story” to inspire and encourage others. It was a good moment. I had the opportunity to meet the authors after the event and they were good people, very down to earth. Susan’s words of encouragement & hug that night were comforting…it was that common ground of understanding painful moments and I’ll be working on my grateful list just as she suggested. Donald talked a lot about our stories and what that looks like…it really made me think about my story and I’m trying to figure out how to put it down on paper.

Donald shared a story about a really dark time in his life and he says that he told God that he would never thank him for that time…yet later on he finds himself thanking God for that tragic moment in his life. He grew through that experience. I identified with that because I’m finding myself in that same moment – thanking God for “growing” pains.

As I continue down this path and I look back over the places I’ve been it makes me realize everything worked in unison to bring me to this exact moment…I have learned so much. I’m grateful for a lot of things…tonight I’m grateful for growing pains!