peace

Just Give it Up!

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I am not generallly a person who bears a grudge, and I find forgiving others is usually not a problem.  HOWEVER..I am not as good at asking forgiveness.  Saying I’m sorry does NOT come easily.  It is scary, and nerve wracking, and generally not something we rush to.  But if I only offer forgiveness to others, but don’t asked for it myself, I am only practicing half of what God intended.

I was able yesterday, with the Lord orchestrating the whole event, to have an opportunity to ask for forgiveness from someone that I had terribly wronged 4 1/2 years ago.  I told you I am slow at this.  But I wronged someone that I see about 3 times a week in various places, and over the last 4 1/2 years, we have been cordial – but there has always been this unspoken “thing” between us.

We are studying forgiveness in Wednesday night Bible study, and God has been convicting the hound out of me each week.  So last night, I sucked it up and apologized, sincerely, and asked for forgiveness  What an experience!  They had already forgiven me, but the hug didn’t come until I owned up to what I had done and how wrong I had been!  And the relief I felt was SO worth all the struggle!

I don’t say this to pat myself on the back, because I don’t deserve it.  I am sharing this to say……apologizing is not NEARLY as hard as the anticipation of having to do it!  The enemy has lied to us to have great fear – of humilliation, of rejection, of being seen as weak – andi is robbing us of the joy of reconilication with our brothers and sisters!

AND YET!  God so loved me that He died for me, when I didn’t even know or care what He had done (Romans 5:8)  And he commands us to ask to apologize to each other so that there will be unity in our fellowship (Epheaians 4:31) and for our health (Hebrews 12:15).

So, I say this morning – GIVE IT UP!  Give up the fear, the dread, and the pride!  Give up your need to be right, and admit your wrong to whoever needs to hear you say it!  Give up the feeling of “that happened so long ago it doesn’t matter”!  It does, and God always wants us to deal with it!  To Him be the glory and honor as we learn to love each other more!

A Change of Scenery

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100_1299My husband Robert is a “porch sitter” from WAY back.  He spent his first 9 years in the mountains of north Georgia, where life was much more laid back, money was scarce, and your neighbors were mostly family.  They would spend most evenings, especially in the hot summer, on the porch, playing, sharing and laughing.  Therefore for him the best vacation spots are in the moutains, with a porch high up where major relaxing can occur.  This photo was taken at one such place about a year ago, in the foothills of North Georgia – and it was delightful.

As a matter of fact, when we bought our current house, the first thing we saw was the HUGE screened in side porch..and it was a done deal before we ever went inside!

I grew up a city girl, with places to go, things to do, and people to see…and none of it happening at home!  It took me a long time (we’ve been married 32 years) to realize the value of a vacation that involved actual resting – not scurrying around seeing sights, and NOT at the beach -which is what my childhood vacations were made of.

But as I grew older and life got busier, I began to appreciate the time out approach, and now I can’t imagine any other way to go.  Life today can be crazy – and feel hopelessly out of control sometimes.  There are very few moments that truly belong to any of us, with all the demands of our jobs, family, church, and other things.  It is SO hard to just stop..and do nothing.

AND YET!  God calls us to stop. Period. And rest in Him.  Talk with Him.  Enjoy His presence.  Ask HIM about our worries,, and troubles, and concerns. Be with Him.  Let Him remind us of how much He loves us.  But that will not happen, until we find that “porch” in our lives – that quiet place, or quiet 10 minutes, or 30 minutes, where WE do nothing, and He does everything.  He will cause us to feel renewed, refreshed, and ready to go back to our lives, if we will only let Him.  So here’s to some porch sitting!  And may He allow us all to experience the beauty of being in His presence.