Aha moment!

It's amazing what can happen when you get a bunch of ladies together on a Sunday night!  I have been saved for almost 12 years and NEVER have I felt the holy spirit to be in one place more than I did last night.  Wow, is all I can say!  I have never felt so touched nor convicted then I did last night when I left bible study.
     We are studying the book of Ephesians, which shows us how we should act and how we should speak on a daily basis!  How many of us gossip, talk bad about our spouse behind their back, despise a neighbor or give into the politics at our job?  In our bible study we were mainly on Chapter 4 and verse 25-32 really just came alive to me.  Kind of like an aha! moment...

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor for we are all members of one body.  In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.  He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands that he may have something to share with those in need.  Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

In my opinion these are the things he expects from us....

1. He expects us to speak in truth and love on a daily basis to whomever he places in our path

2. He expects us to only say things that breathe life into the people we love, and don't love, to build them up

3. He expects us to NOT sin in our anger...including saying or doing things we disagree with others.

4. He expects us to be kind and compassionate to everyone, because even though we may not understand it he LOVES everyone!  No matter what their story is.

     It just makes you think doesn't it?  Now of course, we all fall short of this perfection God expects and we can only hope to achieve a fraction of these things... but the cool part is he loves us despite our imperfections!  Thank goodness for the price he paid for each one of us...just gives us a taste of the mercy and grace he has:)

30 isn't so bad!

     As cliche as this is going to sound, your 20's is really about finding out who you are...trying different things, exploring who you are, finding out what you do and don't like and really figuring out your faith.  I turned 30 last year and finally feel like I am settling into adulthood and am comfortable with being who I am...a strong Christian women, wife, runner, dance instructor and a devoted mom!  I love who I am, who I have become and who God has shaped me to be.  I don't think I would be ready for this point in my life "the waiting room of life" without the last 10 years of exploration.

     I got saved about 2 months before Craig and I started dating...so in the last 11, almost 12 years that I have been a Christian, God has put several different women in my life, to help shape and mold me into who he wants me to be.  As sad as I am that I don't stay in touch with some of those women anymore, God used them to change me and make me into who I am!  Of course, I know God isn't done teaching me nearly what he wants to, is he ever?  

     I got asked a very interesting question a couple of weeks ago by one of those women:  What are my passions?  Besides, running, dance, being a mom, and a wife...what are the things that really get me excited.   I have spent some time really thinking about it and exploring what makes my heart happy.  I have come to two conclusions: reading and writing.  I have always loved to read...I have a collection of books and just love what it can do for the imagination!  Going somewhere, exploring different ideas, and living in someone else's shoes, just excites me!  And writing...just the thought of writing, getting my thoughts down on paper so I can see it and share it with others, again, just excites me.  

  I don't know what that is going to look like or how God is going to guide that, but I am excited to see!  I come from writers...my great grandpa was a writer and had one of his books published, and my mom used to write.  Right after I got saved I was prophesied over that I would write.  Now it's time to explore my writing and how that is going to happen...:)