Community……living it out

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”
Psalm 133:1 ASV
Yesterday in church, I came to realize that the way I have done things in my life is contrary to God’s desire for us to live in community with each other. Seriously, my belief (first problem) has been that you do me wrong you know longer exist and we are done (second problem). Well, when I really think about this how does this type of attitude in measure to up with God’s plan. TRUTH: It does not!! God is love and anything less is not like him.
REACTION: Sick to my stomach.

This is something that my family and closest friends will say I needed a long time ago. Yeah, Yeah I know how I can be but they have to admit things are better. 🙂 (Thank God for grace)Why am I like this, cannot really say for sure. I could care less about what those who do not know me think. They can just keep on trucking down the road. However, for those who have been brought into my heart and treated like family to hurt me that is a different story. the little things I have pushed under the rug or just let go down the drain like soap water. So when they finally hit the wrong nerve I am done right then and there. Most would see this as extreme but I have no time to sit around and wait for it to happen again. Been there to many times and the cycle just continues. So I removed them from my circle of being.
Well Sunday’s message just beat up on me about this. I know it may not have been the nicest thing to do but when it was pointed out that this was not God like behavior I cringed. Logically, my way of handling those who did me wrong by excluding them was not God like nor did it show others God’s love through me. So here we go again time to make some serious changes.
I will never be perfect but I would like for those you meet to know they are loved and for my life to show God’s love to them. So my PRIDE must take a backseat (more like packed away in the car trunk) to God’s desires. This is going to be hard for me to do. Should you see me walking in pain or stress on my face, just realize God pointed out something else that I have to change. He knows I HATE CHANGE. The STATUS QUO works just fine for me but not for him. He knows I am screaming.

Lesson: God desires for us to live in community with each other and that is only accomplished by our interacting with each other. Issues will arise but put your big girl/boy pants on and suck it up, solve it and continue to live in community with those around you.

Feeling the pull

One of my biggest disappointments is knowing that God has a plan for my life and I have gotten in the way of that happening. Before you think that is not possible let me explain. See God is all about change and being uncomfortable. Fran is all about routine, order, and the familiar. Nothing about me says change is acceptable. LOL

Problem is God and myself are on two different ends of the spectrum and he has been gently pulling me. Well apparently he got fed up over the last few years and made me swallow a huge suck it up and get with it pill. LOL There have been things I have done that given the choice, I would have found someone else to do it. I have enjoyed everything I have done and without the people God placed in my life to pull me out none of it would have happened. They have been used to pull me out of my comfort zone. I have come to realize a few of them really like it. I don’t protest too much because I know deep down it is part of a bigger plan.

I have resolved myself to go and do whatever it is God has for me. There are things that more than likely would have materialized years ago had I been willing to accept change. Something I heard years ago that has stuck with me is – If you are not ready to move one what God has for you, he will find someone else who is willing to move. I have known that God has a plan for my life but have always been unwilling to just jump in. Now I am going to have to leave my comfort zone and press into what God has for me. (Huge Sigh) For me this will be uncomfortable and make me want to scream like a two-year old. However, the reward on the other side is going to be more than I could imagine. Know that is why I am pressing in and following God’s lead.

Little Stars

I have gone stumping and screaming into the last eight months with Rock Stars.  The truth is I would not change any of it.  Yes, I am exhausted to no end at times but when I think of leaving those little ones.  My heart breaks and I continue to press on.  Most people will say that is my nature but I am not sure – maybe it is.  During the last eight months, my heart has been continually blessed by these Little Stars.  They are focused on learning – sometimes more than others but they are learning about our savior none the less.  They amaze you with the things they say and do.  This is the age (4-5) when they are still precious and wonderful before those attitudes kick in. LOL  I love watching them progress while in our class (Dot and myself).   My highlight is seeing them each week and getting to love on them for almost 2 hours.   My goal is that they each leave our class knowing they are loved.  Even for children it makes a difference to hear someone say “I love you.”