A few weeks ago I was sitting at my kitchen table with one of my dearest friends. We've known each other for 30 years. We've been going to the same church for about 16 years. We've been through all the ups and downs together, and some have been more difficult than others. This latest round, covering the last three years, has been so difficult for us and for others. It's been hard to talk about some of the things we've needed to talk about, because in order to do so we feel like we're betraying some who have left us to go to other pastures. It can be so hard to tell if we're clearing the air and our hearts, or just plain gossipping.
So as we tried to talk about things that are hurting us, we were being so very careful. Especially because the ones who hurt us had positions of authority over us at one time. "Touch not the Lord's anointed", I heard in the days of my youth. So I rarely do, even when I need to clear the air or disagree. I usually keep my feelings to myself and do what I think the Lord wants, whether authority people will like it or not. At least in my own home and circle of family and friends. I have always gone by the rules at church.
So she and I were working through some very painful memories, and some things that confused us both. About half an hour into the discussion, Adam walked into the room and loudly announced; Hope, Honesty, and Love." That about blew me out of my chair! Adam, who has such difficulty expressing himself, came into the kitchen and so clearly spoke a word from the Lord to us. It was exactly what we needed to hear, exactly when we needed to hear it. All we could do was give thanks to the One who sent him, and bless the time we spent together to heal our wounds and hurts. God is so good. I love it when He stops by so unexpectedly.
I have to mention too that it's been so much easier for me since my trip to Bethel Church in Redding, California. My head and my heart have been cleared from all of the confusion and warfare that I was suffering from for such a long time. I think I'll save that story for another post.
Peace and joy to all my readers. I love that you take the time to visit here.
So as we tried to talk about things that are hurting us, we were being so very careful. Especially because the ones who hurt us had positions of authority over us at one time. "Touch not the Lord's anointed", I heard in the days of my youth. So I rarely do, even when I need to clear the air or disagree. I usually keep my feelings to myself and do what I think the Lord wants, whether authority people will like it or not. At least in my own home and circle of family and friends. I have always gone by the rules at church.
So she and I were working through some very painful memories, and some things that confused us both. About half an hour into the discussion, Adam walked into the room and loudly announced; Hope, Honesty, and Love." That about blew me out of my chair! Adam, who has such difficulty expressing himself, came into the kitchen and so clearly spoke a word from the Lord to us. It was exactly what we needed to hear, exactly when we needed to hear it. All we could do was give thanks to the One who sent him, and bless the time we spent together to heal our wounds and hurts. God is so good. I love it when He stops by so unexpectedly.
I have to mention too that it's been so much easier for me since my trip to Bethel Church in Redding, California. My head and my heart have been cleared from all of the confusion and warfare that I was suffering from for such a long time. I think I'll save that story for another post.
Peace and joy to all my readers. I love that you take the time to visit here.
