A God Friend

There are good friends and best friends and family friends and sort of friends and great friends but there is something VERY special about a God friend. I'm sure I'm using my own definition for this so let me explain. Friends that didn't come about by proximity or age or a shared education or a person in common - but a friend that only God could deliver to your doorstep while your jaw dropped to the ground as you realized the amazing package He left there. A few of you reading this ARE God friends. People who stumbled on my blog by accident and I read yours and you read mine. Crazy.

Betty is like that. I work with Betty. And let me explain that because it's more complicated than that. I talk to Betty on the phone because she is the MRI tech that scans people in South Texas and my doctors in Boston and Miami read those cases for her boss, an orthopaedic surgeon. So I've never met Betty in person - probably never will. But one day, she said something about God or Jesus and although I cannot remember I'm sure it kind and warm and completely unashamed - because that is how Betty is. Sweetest soul I've never met :). I have been profoundly touched by her and her model for loving people is exceptional. And HER TOTAL COMMITMENT to sharing Christ in the workplace has changed me. Her encouragement has brought me to tears as one day she asked if we could pray for a coworker. And one day last year, she asked if we could pray right there over the phone for Joel and Mark - a thought that I'm ashamed to say had NEVER occured to me. She has changed me. God has spoken through her so many times I can't even count. I think of her outside of work and she inspires me at the craziest of times. And she's helped me learn that I can't separate my work from God. And she was there in my head when I told Mark I'd be praying for him with all the crises in his life - because I couldn't do anything else that I could think of that would mean so much.

And I will never meet her this side of eternity. But she has touched me and through her encouragement and mentorship, she was who God used to teach me and change me. WHAT A BLESSING!!! I will never get over that He loves me so much to do all of that for me.

An interesting week

So many feelings this week. All of them varying degrees of struggle. I nearly cried myself all through church on Sunday feeling overwhelmed with something that God was hinting to me. Last week at some point, I was overwhelmed to find out that a pastor whom I respect a great deal was diverging down a theological path that presented me with rethinking of 30-some years of teaching. Struggling with treating Gibson and Buddy fairly - letting them both know that I loved them. Found that the fish my mom gave me was injured and looked not so good. And Haiti has me wrought - I am in denial and I can't watch the news but I have thought so much about it in the last week my brain and heart hurt. Monday night I got the distinct impression that God has some specific plans in my greatest vulnerability. I don't know what that means but like Abraham, I'm saying yes. I don't know to what. Or where. Or how. Or who. But yes. I truly have no idea what it is. And I don't want to try and fake my way through an overblown spiritual experience so I'm not going to stare at it until it hatches. I'm just wanting to say yes.

My week got better. As with most things, the theological dilemma was less in reality than I had made it in my imaginations. Iron sharpened iron as Dad, Carrie, Emily and I all hashed through the information others graciously made available. I still feel like I am at a crossroads in so many ways and for the first time in my life, I'd like to close my eyes, take His arm and hum my way through the intersection until we get there. I do love you my Savior. I have no idea what you have in store but for the moment I have the greatest peace about going with you!

A New Family Member - Meet Buddy

This here is our new family member, Buddy. He is a chubby 8 year old beagle who needed a new home. A year ago his mom died of cancer and the husband was going to give him to the pound and move away to Germany with his son. His groomer adopted him. Something then happened that his groomer and her two kids moved in with her mother who already had two big dogs - one who didn't take to Buddy and picked on him relentlessly. He was attacked by a neighbor dog sometime in the spring too. Sad lot of things happened to this guy in the last year. And Missie got a Facebook notice that he needed a home and sent the plea to us. Worth a shot. And Bob wanted him. Wanted him to have a shot at being loved like Gibby. Wanted him to have a peaceful life. So now, unbenounced to him, Buddy has moved into the Hilton for dogs. With no kids, they get our love.

Much like everyone BUT Gibson in this house, he needs to go on a diet. But he seems very relaxed so far. Slept well. He's very stiff and arthritic but we'll be going on walks now to loosen him up.

Some things about both are alike. Fortunately, they both beg in the same way - staring longingly at you while you eat.... :)

Gibson seems fine for now. You'd never know apart from his whiter face that he's the older of the two but I hope we can love him well enough that this changes. Slim down and loved up. That's the goal. Oh and this non-aggressive dog seems fine with Kivrin. I hope that continues too. She appropriately feels no threat from Buddy....

Time for a Change

I know everyone on the planet is saying this but it's about time I make some changes to my health before God makes them for me. I know that God isn't hankering to just be a part of these changes - He's wanting to BE the changes. I don't know how this is going to play out but I will be praying about it and starting to really make the changes to be healthy. The motivation has to come from God. I finally felt better after a Christmas sickness to get back to the idea of working out. I had one disappointment that I can't even bear to write. And another when I caught my profile in the mirror. But I'm not going to get upset. I'm going to God. Praying for the motivation and making healthier choices for eating and exercise as a form of worship. I love you, Jesus and loving you is going to remind me to learn to take care of what you've given me with more responsibility.