A little over six months ago, I was praying that God would help me find a house. I was at a place in my life where I had/have a great job, great church family, and was/am surrounded by amazing friends here in Lubbock. I knew this was where I wanted to be.
Someone at church mentioned that I should look at the For Sale by Owner website. Well, pretty soon I found my house. I had a blast getting it situated and making it my own, and enjoyed the contributions my parents and friends made to help me get it where I wanted it.
This weekend my brother and his family planned to come visit me. I was excited to have a place to house all of them. Late Friday afternoon my aunt called and said there were no more hotels available and asked if she and my uncle could stay at my house. I was so excited because I was hoping they would stay with me. My aunt, uncle, brother, sister-in-law, niece, and two nephews all arrived Friday night within five minutes of each other.
We spent the weekend going to see my cousin perform with Best Friends at LCU, eating, talking, and enjoying each other's company. Last night as I prayed, I just thanked God for giving me this home and a place for me to enjoy the people I love. This morning it was awesome to have my brother and his family go to church with me and worship with the church I love so much!
In our Sunday morning kids class that I teach, we have been studying how God takes care of his people. I am reminded everyday how blessed I am by God. I am amazed at how he answers prayer and provides for my every need. He graciously provided me with this house,and I love being able to share it with family and friends.
Please pray that God will help me be a good steward of what he has given me.
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Sworn Friendship
Lately, I have been reading in I and II Samuel. I started reading there because I wanted to study Hannah, and other women that God chose to fulfill his purpose. I got caught up reading about Saul's kingship, and then of course the story of David.
As I have been reading I fell in love with the story of David, and Saul's son, Jonathan. The closeness that the two of them shared is not one you often see between men. The bible says that Jonathan loved David as himself. When Saul promoted David through the ranks of his army, Jonathan stood by David, rather than being jealous of him.
These two friends made an oath to each other. Jonathan promised to stand by David as he faced his enemies, even to the point of putting himself in danger by his own father. David swore that he would show unfailing kindness and never cut off his kindness to Jonathan's family.
The story is tragic, because Jonathan is killed in battle. David was understandably devastated. There is a brief mention of Jonathan's son Mephibosheth, but later in II Sam. David fulfills his oath to show kindness to Jonathan's family. Mephibosheth was crippled in both feet. It says "Mephibosheth ate at David's table like one of the king's sons." David loved his friend so much that he made sure this son was treated as one of his own. No wonder he was considered to be a man after God's heart.
Recently, I have been pondering the friendships God has brought into my life. I call them my heart friends. They are the kind of people who know your biggest flaws, and love you inspite of them. The Lord knows us so well, that he places those people in our lives that just fit us.
There are a few I want to honor and thank for loving me as themselves. Lisa, who is always encouraging me. She is the most devoted and loyal friend anyone could ask for. God brought Elaine into my life to show me the importance of building my house on the foundation of the rock. I have never met a woman so prayerful! There is Jane, who always builds me up and shows me how a woman of God conducts herself. My friend, Paige, is the kind of person who you can spill your guts to and she will never judge and will always hold those things in confidence. Then there is my newest heart friend, Sherry. She has brought so much laughter into my life and shown me how to cling to Jesus, even when it seems easier to let go.
I am amazed at how God shows us his love through our friends. I know I am blessed beyond what I deserve. I thank God for the Jonathan and Davids in my life!
As I have been reading I fell in love with the story of David, and Saul's son, Jonathan. The closeness that the two of them shared is not one you often see between men. The bible says that Jonathan loved David as himself. When Saul promoted David through the ranks of his army, Jonathan stood by David, rather than being jealous of him.
These two friends made an oath to each other. Jonathan promised to stand by David as he faced his enemies, even to the point of putting himself in danger by his own father. David swore that he would show unfailing kindness and never cut off his kindness to Jonathan's family.
The story is tragic, because Jonathan is killed in battle. David was understandably devastated. There is a brief mention of Jonathan's son Mephibosheth, but later in II Sam. David fulfills his oath to show kindness to Jonathan's family. Mephibosheth was crippled in both feet. It says "Mephibosheth ate at David's table like one of the king's sons." David loved his friend so much that he made sure this son was treated as one of his own. No wonder he was considered to be a man after God's heart.
Recently, I have been pondering the friendships God has brought into my life. I call them my heart friends. They are the kind of people who know your biggest flaws, and love you inspite of them. The Lord knows us so well, that he places those people in our lives that just fit us.
There are a few I want to honor and thank for loving me as themselves. Lisa, who is always encouraging me. She is the most devoted and loyal friend anyone could ask for. God brought Elaine into my life to show me the importance of building my house on the foundation of the rock. I have never met a woman so prayerful! There is Jane, who always builds me up and shows me how a woman of God conducts herself. My friend, Paige, is the kind of person who you can spill your guts to and she will never judge and will always hold those things in confidence. Then there is my newest heart friend, Sherry. She has brought so much laughter into my life and shown me how to cling to Jesus, even when it seems easier to let go.
I am amazed at how God shows us his love through our friends. I know I am blessed beyond what I deserve. I thank God for the Jonathan and Davids in my life!
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