"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins."
1 Peter 4:8
Well it's been a while since I posted a blog, but I know it's needed, I have so many thoughts just ready to spill out! In the past few months that I haven't written I finished my 2nd year of teaching, moved for the 2nd time this year, spent lots of time with friends and family and GOT MARRIED! The wedding was perfect and everything I hoped it would be. The marriage so far, not so perfect (not supposed to be, right?), BUT amazing none the less. My husband is exactly what I dreamed my husband would be in all those dreams I had when I was a little girl and I'm so excited to see where life takes us together. With that being said, it just goes to show that all relationships are hard work. Relationships with your spouse, family, friends, church family, co-workers, neighbors, etc... all of them take work!
I used to be a lot more afraid of people. My mom used to say that I should work as a scientist. Just so I can not be around people and work in a basement doing experiments with mice. Thankfully, with God's help, I got over that fear. I had/have jobs that required me to work with people. Now, I am still not the most outgoing person and at times I do wish I worked in a little lab with mice. In December 2010 when I gave my life to Jesus, I didn't really have many connections to people in the church. I sat next to my close friend and her husband in the front row and didn't let myself open up to people. Then I went through my major anxiety attack in November of 2011. I need people in my life to get through it. I joined a Bible study at church and met some really encouraging people to help me through my difficult time.
The same part of me that wishes I worked in a basement as a scientist wishes I still sat in that front row seat and didn't talk to anyone... because once again, relationships are hard! I've found that to be true in nearly all aspects of my life recently. Then I think about how fulfilling relationships are. Having go-to people in your life to share ups and downs and tears and laughter with. We need people.
If your willing to let people into your life, it's going to be work, but it will also be worth it.
Okay so that was a little side-track from where I originally wanted to go with this blog post, but I think the topics go hand in hand, or maybe they don't...(at least they have people in common)
This past week, the pastor of our church resigned and left our church family to take his mission and gifts somewhere else. This was very hard for me to hear. I couldn't stop crying. This was a man who changed my life. When I accepted Jesus, he was there for me and helped me understand how I needed to make the changes. He baptized me, met with my on various occasions due to struggles I had, made me a member of the church, did premarital counseling with us and then married us. I truly saw him as a father figure. I never needed him to be anybody that he wasn't. He was a brilliant teacher and I am so lucky to have learned from him.
What really bothered me at the beginning of this news was the people. The people who wanted to make him on the same level as God in a sense. (God who is perfect.) The people who thought he should be perfect just because he's a pastor of a church. But it does not mean he's perfect. Just because your a deacon of a church does not mean you're perfect. Just because your a small group leader, been a Christian your whole life, been a Christian for 2 days -- does not mean you're perfect. You are a CONSTANT PIECE OF WORK -- literally. We are all the same...(in my opinion, which very well could be wrong because I am still a "new believer" -- which side note I kind of hate that term) No? Aren't we all called to do the same thing. Does it matter what position or title we have?
Matthew 29:19-20 - "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
John 15:12 - "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."
John 15:17 - "This is my command: Love each other.
That's where the grace of God comes into play and PRAISE Him that he accepts us, imperfections and all. No matter what, Jesus wants us. I am so thankful to know that my baggage is left at the door of December 2010, and the mistakes I still make are forgotten as well. We can make mistakes and have it be okay, we can fail and have it be
okay, we can do it over and over again and it's okay. Because we have a
hope. We have a rock to stand firm on. And I am going to try my hardest
to not do it again, but I am not home yet. I will never be perfect until
I am in the arms of Jesus.
1 Peter 2:9 - "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
Okay so sorry for my rambles and sorry if they didn't fit together in your head like they did mine.
I'll leave you with a little song about God's Love. He is my rock.
Your love is like a river flowing from my heart
Your love is like a fire that will light my way
Your love is like a rock that I am standing on
Your love is like a river flowing from my heart
Your love is like a fire that will light my way
Your love is like a rock that I am standing on
Your love is like a river flowing from my heart
