Sunday, November 17, 2013

Faith, Hope, Love

Yesterday I talked to Suzanne, a woman who has been a part of my life for decades. She was my dance teacher and influenced me on many levels during my pre-teen years on into adulthood. I am so thankful we are friends. I love her so much. The Lord convicted me during our conversation about a family member of mine. I don't like her, don't dislike her, I feel absolutely nothing for her. I gave her a "special" name and cannot begin to count the tacky remarks I've made about her over the years.

So as a Christian, how have I excused my behavior regarding my family member? How have I excused telling other family members I don't want an update about her life? How have I excused making people laugh until they cry with the one line remarks I make about her? How have I excused not seeing her when she is in town? I haven't excused it, I've totally ignored my ungodly attitude toward her. Apathy not love describes my feelings (or lack thereof) towards her.

After Suzanne and I ended our conversation, I repented and prayed for forgiveness. I also prayed for my family member. Because if I have no love...I am a noisy gong or a clanging symbol.

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Friday, November 8, 2013

Looking Over 2013

This has been an odd year for me beginning with the loss of a grandchild whose birth we anticipated with great joy. One day I'll get to meet this precious baby. I was ill in Feb & March with walking pneumonia and totally blessed by a visit from Aunt Ginny and Cam. (Love them so much.) I was ill from the end of May almost to Labor Day with a respiratory virus and wondered a couple times if I would ever feel 100% again. I lost 3 people who were a big part of my life. I am standing in faith and prayer with 2 life long friends as they battle cancer. As mentioned in an earlier blog - I feel as though I am standing on the Texas coastline watching giant waves crash over my family and friends.


Though there has been sadness there has been much joy. There have been many tears but there has also been much laughter.

I look forward to the rest of the year as well as 2014 knowing there will be love, peace, joy, and hope. (I can't believe 2014 marks the 35th year since graduating from high school. Better schedule a face lift and major liposuction procedures. Just Kidding!)

I am so thankful to the Lord for Who He is and His everlasting love and mercy. I am thankful for His peace. I pray my friends and family are also filled with His peace.

Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope

Monday, November 4, 2013

1973

I became friends with the dancer who was my classroom assistant when I was a young ballet dancer. By the time I was 12 in 1973, our dance teacher left her in charge of my jazz class while she took a 15 minute break. Kathleen was known to give us very hard combinations. Looking back on this, it may have been an attempt to quiet a chatty class of 12 year old students.

I was fortunate enough to be in the advanced ballet class for a couple years while Kathleen was still at our studio. Over the years our friendship grew. I taught for her at her studio for years. We've attended numerous Bible Studies together. We've endured many hard situations together and celebrated many joyous seasons together.

She was given a hard diagnosis last week concerning cancer. I told her I am there with her. My faith is not shaken, neither is hers.

People sometimes ask why God does this to people. I do not believe sickness, disease, and evil come from God, they are a part of living in a fallen world.

I stand on covenant promises and remain in prayer for Kathleen and her family just as I do for other dear friends who are critically ill.

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your soul

Below is the link to a song Kathleen introduced me to years ago.

He Covers Me:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWohxDEYGPg