Blessings Blog

Today I'm thankful for interviews upon interviews this coming week as programs for a next stage of life develop more from hopes into real possibilities. Nothing tangible or definite yet, but I am thankful for opportunities.

I'm thankful that when life gets a little complicated, nothing sorts it out like a walk and talk in the most perfect snowball snow. 

I'm thankful to have girl best friends to make half-serious pacts to move into adjoining sides of a duplex together someday in case the whole husband-God-intends-for-us situation doesn't work out. I now firmly believe in the cliche "'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all" (I understand this conceptually, but trusting another person in vulnerability and love is hard!), and if timing and life work out for me, I hope to be married someday to a man who is my best friend, someone I can come home to and cook/dance/talk/cuddle/nerd out/watch TV/travel with. But in the meantime, every day I get to discover more of who God intends me to be, and I am so thankful for unconditional friend-love. And for "Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire," a quote shared with me by one of those dear best friends.

And I'm thankful for this article that reminds us all to be mindful of what we put out into the world: My take: A word to Christians - Be nice. This one in particular highlights how some Christians display some appalling conduct online. As a teenager, the hypocrisy of claiming to hold yourself to a higher standard but judging and dividing in hurtful ways really repelled me from religion, but as I have grown into faith, now I feel ashamed when people claim to love God and walk in the way of Jesus but use the internet and other public fora to tear down others. The author ends the article with this emphatic point: "If we will give account for every careless word spoken, might we also give account for every careless comment typed or tweeted? Christians aren’t the only ones hurling hateful blows on the Web. But we are the only ones who claim to follow the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. So let’s be nice."

I also want to go on the record that my intention with this blog and whatever else I choose to share with humanity is never to offend anyone, but I am divulging many of my personal beliefs and thoughts to you all, my readers. My intention is to give love and encouragement, but also be very real with you all through the mountains and valleys of faith and life. You are free to disagree with me, and I will still do my best to love you as a sister or brother.

“Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness.” (1 John 2:9,11).